Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 98

Chapter 98

“General?”

Seeing him remain motionless, Xiao Wangshu called out to him.

Chen Chu snapped back to reality. His fingers, hanging at his sides, curled slightly as he spoke in a low, hesitant voice. “Miss, this… is it not somewhat… improper?”

Xiao Wangshu let out a soft laugh at his words and reminded him, “General, I believe you still have a cloak in my wardrobe.”

The last time they had strolled and chatted through the Chancellor’s Mansion gardens, he had taken off his cloak to keep her warm. After having it cleaned, she had consistently forgotten to return it to him.

That cloak was still tucked away in her wardrobe, folded together with her own clothes.

“If untying a cloak is considered improper, then General, we have already reached the point of exchanging private tokens of affection.”

Xiao Wangshu spoke half-jokingly and half-seriously.

With every word she uttered, Chen Chu’s ears grew a shade redder.

After a long moment of hesitation, Chen Chu finally reached out. Avoiding any contact with Xiao Wangshu’s skin, he carefully untied the ribbons of her cloak.

The moment the rabbit-fur cloak slid into the crook of his arm, Chen Chu let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had just finished a grueling battle.

Xiao Wangshu felt no such inner turmoil. She continued with a smile, “Just hang the cloak to the side. Please sit, General. Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up.”

This recent marriage alliance affair had indeed reminded her of one thing: as long as she remained unmarried, Xiao Hong’s numerous subordinates and allies would keep their eyes on her.

She had managed to avoid the alliance with the Tuoba Tribe, but what about the next time? What about alliances with other factions?

She might not be able to dodge them all.

It wasn’t that Xiao Wangshu believed she possessed such immense charm that men would scramble to pursue her. Rather, the allure of being the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter was simply too great-so great that she could be sent away for a political marriage at any moment against her will.

To form a marriage alliance with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the other party would inevitably be powerful.

If her future husband’s family became an obstacle then, she would surely face significant resistance in her efforts to continue expanding her commercial empire.

Since that was the case, it would be better for her to choose a husband she could control and marry herself off as soon as possible.

And Chen Chu… was indeed a suitable candidate.

An abandoned infant raised by farmers since childhood, he had no blood relatives. His lack of background was exactly the kind of ‘background’ that put Xiao Hong most at ease. Now that he had established his own household, he only needed to send a monthly allowance to his adoptive parents, saving her from many troubles after marriage.

Furthermore, after interacting with Chen Chu several times, she found that she truly did not dislike him.

Thinking this, Xiao Wangshu poured a cup of tea and handed it to Chen Chu.

“Thank you, Miss.” Chen Chu accepted the teacup with both hands. His heart was racing; he felt that she was being exceptionally kind to him today.

It was so kind that it felt surreal, making him feel a sense of trepidation.

“You are too polite, General.” Xiao Wangshu sat across from him, looking at him with a beaming smile.

Just as Chen Chu’s heart began to pound faster, Xiao Wangshu asked, “My third brother will be leading his troops back to the Capital soon. You were previously stationed at the northwest frontier as well, General. How did you get along with him?”

Xiao Hong’s third son, Xiao Dingbei, had gone to the battlefield to kill enemies at sixteen. At eighteen, he had decapitated an enemy general and made a name for himself in the military.

Having served in the army for years, the days Xiao Dingbei spent in the Capital could be counted on one hand.

Every year, aside from returning for a half-month break during the New Year festival, he spent the rest of his time guarding the frontier camps.

In Xiao Wangshu’s memory, the image of this third brother was very blurred.

Furthermore, the scenes in which they had encountered each other in the past were never particularly pleasant.

“The Third Young Master?”

Chen Chu thought for a moment before answering, “I was stationed at a different pass than the Third Young Master, so we rarely met. As for a friendship, there isn’t much of one to speak of; we only saw each other a few times throughout the year.”

“Are the frontier passes really that far apart?” Xiao Wangshu was somewhat surprised.

Even though they were both stationed at the northwest frontier, they actually didn’t meet more than a few times a year?

“Yes, they are quite far apart. Unless there is an enemy invasion requiring mutual reinforcement, or if a military order from the Capital is delivered to the frontier, we basically do not meet. We simply train our soldiers at our respective passes.”

Xiao Wangshu nodded slightly. “I see.”
Chen Chu nodded along with her and asked, “Why does My Lady ask about this today?”

“My third brother is returning to the capital soon, and I need to help Mother prepare the family banquet. However, I only see him once or twice a year and aren’t familiar with his preferences, so I came to ask you, General.”

“I see.” Chen Chu nodded again, a look of apology crossing his face as he said, “Though I have been stationed at the northwest frontier for many years, I am truly not very well-acquainted with the Third Young Master. I’m afraid I cannot be of much help to My Lady in this matter.

“However, in my humble opinion, the sincerity of My Lady and the Madam is enough. The Third Young Master has been at the frontier for years; upon returning to the capital, everything he encounters will be the old friends and familiar sights he has missed. No matter how the banquet is prepared, he should be filled with joy just to be home.”

Xiao Wangshu had only brought it up as a conversation starter; she hadn’t expected him to answer so earnestly.

Looking at Chen Chu’s sincere and devoted expression as he spoke, Xiao Wangshu was momentarily dazed.

Being stared at like that, the smooth flow Chen Chu had just found vanished instantly. He asked haltingly, “My Lady, did… did I say something wrong?”

“How could you have? You are quite right, General.”

Xiao Wangshu smiled as she picked up the conversation. Her gaze fell on Chen Chu’s waist, and she asked, “There are no female family members in the General’s Manor, correct?”

Her sudden shift in topic was so abrupt it nearly gave Chen Chu whiplash.

Chen Chu froze for a long while before slowly answering, “I have guarded the pass for many years and have had no heart for matters between men and women. I didn’t wish to neglect anyone, so… I have never taken a wife or concubine.”

Why was she speaking so differently today? She was startling him so much his heart was skipping beats.

And the things she was asking… they seemed like idle chatter, yet they felt like they were pushing boundaries.

What… what was wrong with her?

“No wonder there are no women in the General’s Manor,” Xiao Wangshu said. Under Chen Chu’s terrified yet bashful gaze, she reached out and lightly brushed her hand over his belt.

Chen Chu’s body tensed instantly. Before he could react, Xiao Wangshu withdrew her hand.

“The edge of the General’s belt is a bit worn. One of these days, I’ll have the tailors at Brocade Gate take a look and have a few sets of clothes made for you, alright?”

Xiao Wangshu spoke with a calm face, her smile unchanging.

Seeing such a strong reaction, it seemed she wasn’t exactly forcing him.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Chen Chu suddenly stood up with a start. He pursed his lips for a long moment before cupping his fists toward her. “No matter what I have done for My Lady, I seek nothing in return. Please, My Lady, there is no need for this.”

He helped her only because he didn’t want to see her forced into a distant marriage, and he didn’t want to see the light in her eyes fade.

He did it solely to help her, not to hold a favor over her head, and certainly not to have her play out some drama of ‘offering one’s body in gratitude.’

She… did not need to do this.

Xiao Wangshu was startled by his reaction. She blinked in surprise, then realized what he was getting at. She replied with a hint of amusement, “General, is the word ‘reluctant’ written on my face?”

He was moved, and she was willing.

He would provide her with a husband’s household to prevent an arranged political marriage, helping her continue the career she wanted to build.

And she would provide him with a powerful and influential wife, fulfilling the duties of a spouse for him.

This transaction was a perfect match-mutually beneficial.

As such, why not?

“I do not know what is in My Lady’s heart. I only… I only wish to make it clear that My Lady need not feel any… excessive gratitude, guilt, reluctance, or anything else toward me.”

Chen Chu also realized he had overreacted, and his tone gradually steadied.

Hearing his words, Xiao Wangshu’s eyes flickered with an unreadable light. She then asked with a smile, “Does the General truly think I am forcing myself?”

Chen Chu stammered for a while but did not speak.

At that moment, Xiao Wangshu stood up and slowly walked over to stand before him.

There was only a fist’s width of distance between them. When Chen Chu lowered his head, he could clearly smell the faint fragrance emanating from her hair and see the jade pins and jewelry adorning her dark tresses.