The Great General and the Eldest Princess - Chapter 10

After the people from the Di manor left, Xiao Yinxue and Di Shengyue began looking through the property deeds and land titles in the box.

Di Shengyue hadn’t looked at them closely in her past life, but now, upon inspecting them, she found that several shops were located in quite good areas.

The State of Xiao valued commerce and was very prosperous.

In her past life, Di Shengyue had only focused on the military path and never considered the commercial route, which now seemed narrow-minded.

Since she and Xiao Yinxue were currently without power or influence, they naturally had to work towards their goals gradually, starting from these small details.

Seeing that Di Shengyue seemed interested in the shops, Xiao Yinxue asked, “Shengyue, are you interested in these shops?”

“I do have some ideas,” Di Shengyue replied, asking Uncle Liu to bring the account books.

Xiao Yinxue took the account books and examined them carefully.

“Looking at these books, these shops seem to have been operating at a loss,” Xiao Yinxue said, flipping through a few pages and slightly frowning. She pointed to a few sections and noted, “This part, and this part, these accounts don’t look right.”

“Oh, where is it wrong?” Di Shengyue leaned next to Xiao Yinxue, draping her arm over her shoulder.

“Look here, at ‘Floating Cloud Fragrance’ (Fu Yun Xiang),” Xiao Yinxue said.

“Let me see.” Di Shengyue said, extending the arm draped around Xiao Yinxue’s shoulder forward, pointing to the three characters “Floating Cloud Fragrance” on the account book.

With this posture, Di Shengyue virtually encircled Xiao Yinxue in her embrace.

Leaning down, she could see Xiao Yinxue’s ear tips slightly flushed.

Di Shengyue curled her lips and deliberately leaned close to Xiao Yinxue’s ear, whispering softly, “Is it here, or… here, Princess?”

Di Shengyue’s fingertip moved slowly from the outermost layer of the account book to the innermost, pulling Xiao Yinxue even closer, her body pressing tightly against Xiao Yinxue’s back.

The magnetic and low voice sounded in Xiao Yinxue’s ear, coupled with that “Princess,” which was like a soft murmur, captivating her mind.

Xiao Yinxue’s heartstring was fiercely plucked, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

It was truly too much of a foul!

“I, I, I’m talking to you about the accounts,” Xiao Yinxue lowered her head, pretending to examine the book seriously, not daring to look at Di Shengyue. She pointed to a spot on the account book and said, “You, you look closely here.”

Di Shengyue chuckled softly and released Xiao Yinxue.

Having spent a few days together, she knew Xiao Yinxue’s temperament well.

Teasing Xiao Yinxue further would make her angry; withdrawing appropriately would help foster their relationship.

When Di Shengyue pulled back her hand, Xiao Yinxue let out a small sigh of relief but also felt a faint sense of disappointment in her heart.

Xiao Yinxue thought about it, lightly cleared her throat, and focused her attention on the accounts, saying, “You may not know this, but ‘Floating Cloud Fragrance’ is a rare treasure from the State of Liuyun. Only a few dozens of taels are annually presented to the palace as tribute. How can a small shop like yours have imported several dozens of taels of ‘Floating Cloud Fragrance’ in just six months? A false account must have been created, substituting other goods with the name ‘Floating Cloud Fragrance’ to siphon off the funds.”

“Here, here, and here,” Xiao Yinxue pointed out several more places, saying, “These items are all rare treasures from various countries. Setting aside the quantity for a moment, how could just this one small shop manage to gather all these precious items?”

A hint of surprise flickered in Di Shengyue’s eyes. She hadn’t expected Xiao Yinxue to have a talent for business, seeing the problems with just a few glances.

“Princess is truly amazing. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known about the deceit involved,” Di Shengyue said.

She was busy campaigning outside and rarely paid close attention to the shops’ affairs.

Although she had carefully checked the account books sent up by the shops each time, she had never discovered any issues.

The debits and credits were so clear and detailed that it was almost impossible to find a flaw.

Yet, Xiao Yinxue had pointed out the problems in just a few sentences.

Catching the astonishment in Di Shengyue’s eyes, Xiao Yinxue glanced at her triumphantly and said, “Of course. Is there anything I don’t know?”

“My Princess is, naturally, very capable,” Di Shengyue praised unreservedly, reaching out to gently stroke her soft hair.

Xiao Yinxue let out a little hum, saying, “You only realize it now?”

“That’s why I feel as if I’ve found a priceless treasure,” Di Shengyue said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Xiao Yinxue’s slender waist.

When Xiao Yinxue looked up, she saw Di Shengyue’s face close to hers, her rosy lips slightly curved, and her eyes holding a look of doting amusement.

The temperature on Xiao Yinxue’s face rose once again.

“Princess, your face is so red,” Di Shengyue laughed softly.

“Who, who is blushing!” Although Xiao Yinxue verbally denied it, her face was indeed filled with shyness. The blush on her cheeks was like blooming flowers, exceptionally vibrant and captivating.

Di Shengyue looked at her charming face, her breath catching. She felt an uncontrollable urge to kiss those soft, luscious lips.

This craving intensified, and unable to resist the temptation, Di Shengyue held Xiao Yinxue’s slender, soft waist and leaned in to lightly kiss those tender pink lips.

The soft, luscious lips were extremely tender, moist like a peach, carrying a faint sweetness that was intoxicatingly delightful. Coupled with Xiao Yinxue’s unique scent filling her nostrils, it made her reluctant to let go.

Di Shengyue couldn’t help but deepen the kiss. The dominating and passionate kiss swept across Xiao Yinxue’s lips, absorbing every trace of her essence and tasting her sweet flavor.

Xiao Yinxue was kissed breathless, her hands unconsciously clutching Di Shengyue’s lapel.

Her hot cheeks felt the heat of Di Shengyue’s fiery breath spreading over her face, making her already hot cheeks even redder. Tipping her head back, she felt their intimate, sweet kiss, her heart pounding like a drum, almost struggling to breathe.

Looking at Xiao Yinxue’s charming and shy expression, Di Shengyue licked the wetness from her lips in satisfaction, curved her smile, and asked, “Princess, if you don’t breathe soon, are you planning to suffocate yourself?”

Xiao Yinxue slightly opened her teary eyes, blinking her moist gaze, the alluring look darkening Di Shengyue’s eyes.

Xiao Yinxue’s mind was still somewhat bewildered after the kiss. Hearing Di Shengyue mention breathing, she instinctively opened her mouth to inhale.

Seeing her sweetly innocent and adorable look, Di Shengyue adored her immensely.

Her arm unconsciously tightened, drawing Xiao Yinxue lovingly into her embrace.

Pressed against Di Shengyue’s chest, Xiao Yinxue could even hear the vigorous beating of Di Shengyue’s heart, and she curled her lips in slight triumph.

It turned out that Di Shengyue wasn’t as composed as she appeared on the surface.

Xiao Yinxue then remembered that Di Shengyue had just laughed at her. She lightly patted her and said in a delicate voice, “You dared to laugh at this Princess just now! Do you believe I’ll punish you?”

Looking at the girl’s spoiled manner, Di Shengyue tapped her now moist, kissed lips and said with a pampered smile, “Then, how does the Princess intend to punish me?”

Xiao Yinxue blushed and was about to say something more when the voices of Youtao and Luoxiang suddenly drifted in from outside.

Realizing she was still being held by Di Shengyue, a wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over Xiao Yinxue’s shy eyes. She forcefully pushed Di Shengyue away.

She looked around, feeling both shy and mortified. Finding no one had seen them, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“You have no shame!” Xiao Yinxue’s cheeks still held an unvanished blush.

“Yes, I have no shame,” Di Shengyue laughed and said, “Whenever I encounter the Princess, I don’t know why, but my skin just thickens.”

Xiao Yinxue was so embarrassed by her brazen remark: “I’m not talking to you anymore!”

She glared at her and ran towards where Youtao and Luoxiang were.

“Princess, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red?” Youtao asked curiously the moment she saw Xiao Yinxue.

“You shut up!” Xiao Yinxue cried out, feeling both shy and mortified, “Let’s go back to the manor!”

The sound of Di Shengyue’s laughter grew louder behind her, and the heat on Xiao Yinxue’s face refused to dissipate.

This Di Shengyue, really!

She used to look so cold and aloof, yet now she was so skilled at teasing people, making it almost impossible for her to resist.

As soon as Xiao Yinxue took over the General’s Manor’s shops, she set about replacing all the people in charge.

“Princess, I plan to replace these spices with scented powders from the State of Wei,” Di Shengyue said to Xiao Yinxue, pointing to one of the account books.

“Scented powders?” Xiao Yinxue frowned, “The State of Xiao has always favored incense. We haven’t used scented powders from the State of Wei much.”

“That’s how it is now, but it will be different in a few months,” Di Shengyue smiled, her eyes gleaming with insightful intelligence.

Xiao Yinxue looked at Di Shengyue with a hint of doubt.

“Princess, do you know which country we are currently at war with?” Di Shengyue asked with a smile.

“Naturally, the State of Wei,” Xiao Yinxue replied. She knew something about the major affairs of the State of Xiao.

“And what about the war status?” Di Shengyue said, reaching out to smooth the stray hair on Xiao Yinxue’s forehead.

“It seems to have been a series of defeats recently?” Xiao Yinxue thought for a moment and said.

The State of Xiao and the State of Wei had engaged in three battles within a month, and General Liu had suffered continuous defeats.

This matter had spread throughout the State of Xiao, and the Emperor had been in a very foul mood lately. The atmosphere in the imperial court was also gloomy.

That was why Xiao Yinxue had been trying to avoid entering the palace these past few days.

“In a few days, it will be different,” Di Shengyue curled her lips and said, “Princess, think about it. If the State of Wei is defeated, some rare scented powders will become tribute items. Once these powders become popular in the palace, what will happen outside?”

Remembering how popular the scented powders of the State of Wei had become in her past life, Di Shengyue was faintly looking forward to it.

If she could control the supply line for these scented powders, she would have a lot more capital.

Xiao Yinxue’s eyes suddenly lit up. If that were the case, they would naturally have to corner the market on some rare scented powders as soon as possible.

If they were sent to the palace, the price would not only rise later, but the quantity would also become much smaller.

“But with the current situation, how can we turn the tide?” Xiao Yinxue asked Di Shengyue.

Since Di Shengyue brought it up, she must have a solution. She never doubted Di Shengyue’s capabilities.

“Naturally…” Di Shengyue hadn’t finished her sentence when Youtao’s voice came through.

“Princess, the Second Princess has arrived.”

Di Shengyue raised an eyebrow, a slight smile curving on her lips.

After waiting for so long, has she finally come?