My Female General Is A Villain (GL) - Chapter 16

As soon as Jiaojiao and Pei Ji entered the palace, a chief eunuch came to deliver a message.

He bowed to both of them. “Second Master He, this old servant has been ordered by His Majesty to request your presence.”

Jiaojiao gave Pei Ji a look. No wonder He Su had insisted she come to the palace, too.

Logically, someone as insignificant as Pei Ji shouldn’t have any connection to the Emperor.

She blamed herself for reading the novel so quickly, only caring about the main characters’ romance and completely ignoring Pei Ji’s storyline.

“Alright, I’ll go with you,” Pei Ji said calmly.

They went in two different directions: the Emperor’s palace was opposite to Consort De’s quarters.

On her way, Jiaojiao was stopped.

The person who blocked her was the Ninth Princess. She clenched her fists at Jiaojiao, her expression fierce. “Stop right there!”

Jiaojiao had no patience for this. She gave a quick, perfunctory bow and tried to walk past her.

Yuwen Jinhuan became even more furious. “I told you to stop! Didn’t you hear me?” she shouted, pulling out her soft sword and placing it against Jiaojiao’s neck. “You wicked woman! How dare you show me such disrespect? I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

He Jiaojiao felt helpless. This was all the original owner’s fault, and now she had to bear the consequences.

The troublemaking Yuwen Jinhuan had always been fiercely loyal to her sister-in-law and would seize any opportunity to get revenge. That was why the two of them had always been at odds.

Moreover, the Ninth Princess had been trained in martial arts since she was a child. Dealing with the delicate and frail Second Miss of the He family was a simple matter for her.

Jiaojiao turned around, a strained smile on her face. “Ninth Princess, how have I offended you this time? Are you still angry with me because of my elder sister?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Yuwen Jinhuan said, moving the sword from Jiaojiao’s clothes to her smooth, creamy skin. “If it weren’t for you, how could Sister Wanqing be in this state? She has to get your permission just to wear a decent dress, and when she does good deeds for the people, you slander her. No one in the He family stands up for her, but I will! I can’t control how He Su spoils you, but outside the He estate, let’s see who will protect you!”

“I gave you a break at the He estate, but this time, I’m going to get my revenge!”

The palace maid following Yuwen Jinhuan quickly tried to stop her. “Please, Princess, no…”

It was true. Of the three He daughters, only He Jiaojiao was pampered. He Wanqing had lost her birth mother at a young age, so her personality was gentle and obedient. Faced with He Jiaojiao’s tyrannical behavior, she never dared to cause trouble.

He Jiaojiao couldn’t help but admire this sentiment. It was certainly noble.

And this He Jiaojiao really deserved to go to hell.

But you’ve got the wrong person. I am not that Jiaojiao.

“Then what’s the difference between you and me, Ninth Princess? You know I’m not a fighter, and yet you’re trying to have some fun at my expense. That’s not fair.” He Jiaojiao smiled, her eyes showing no hint of panic.

Yuwen Jinhuan almost laughed in her anger. “Don’t you dare compare me to you.”

Jiaojiao pinched the soft sword with two fingers and gently pushed it aside. “Solving violence with violence only leads to more violence. You must remain calm. Swords have no eyes.”

Though she said this, it seemed to have some effect. Yuwen Jinhuan had a proud and competitive nature. She hated being told she was taking advantage of someone. She sheathed her sword. “Then you tell me, what would be fair, so no one can say I’m bullying you.”

He Jiaojiao rubbed her chin in thought. “All this sword fighting is too dangerous. How about… we play a game of Go instead?”

Yuwen Jinhuan looked at her as if she had told the funniest joke in the world. “You?” she said, pointing to herself. “You want to play Go with me?”

Jiaojiao nodded without hesitation.

Yuwen Jinhuan was confident and dismissive. “Fine. But don’t you dare cry if you lose.”

“Hold on. Since we’re playing a game, there must be a wager.”

“What are you betting?”

“If I win, you can’t bother me again, and you have no right to interfere with anything I do. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me. How does that sound?” Jiaojiao said frankly.

“A word spoken is…”

“A promise broken.”

Yuwen Jinhuan lifted her hand, and Jiaojiao met her palm without a second thought.

The Ninth Princess was a person who kept her word, so He Jiaojiao wasn’t worried that she would go back on it.

The two of them arrived at Consort De’s quarters, and Consort De was surprised to see them together. Almost half the palace knew that the Ninth Princess couldn’t stand He Jiaojiao. If there was one person she detested, the Second Miss of the He family would be it.

Seeing them side by side was truly puzzling.

The Ninth Princess and the Third Prince had lost their mother at birth and had been lovingly cared for by Consort De since they were young. She considered them her own children. Whenever the Ninth Princess would get into a fight with her bl00d niece, she was always at a loss.

After all, they were both dear to her. It was difficult to take sides.

“Consort De, Huan’er would like you to be a witness today,” Jinhuan said, her back straight and her hands behind her back, her face full of arrogance.

He Jiaojiao gave Consort De a simple bow.

Consort De’s expression was stunned. She had heard that Jiaojiao’s personality had changed, but it was clear that she was a different person now. She seemed more composed and well-behaved, which was a blessing in disguise.

Consort De took a sip of her tea and looked at Yuwen Jue, her eyes full of amusement, as if she were watching a play.

“My Imperial Brother is here, too. Perfect. You’re both witnesses today.”

He Jiaojiao’s eye twitched. Was this really necessary?

Yuwen Jue looked at Jiaojiao, assuming they were fighting again. “Huan’er, don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not being ridiculous. She’s the one who doesn’t know her place and insisted on challenging me,” Jinhuan said with confidence, as if she had already won.

Everyone in the He family knew that the Second Miss of the He family was a complete brat. She was hot-tempered, lacked virtue, had no empathy, was prone to rages, and enjoyed tormenting living things. She was selfish, arrogant, and had no brains… There was nothing about her worth showing off.

Jinhuan was completely sure she could make her lose so badly she would cry her eyes out and doubt herself, so she would never dare to bully her future sister-in-law again.

“It’s true. I requested this match,” Jiaojiao confirmed.

Facing Jinhuan’s impatience, Jiaojiao remained calm.

Consort De and Yuwen Jue exchanged a look. Since it had come to this, there was nothing they could do to stop it.

The two sat down and sorted the black and white pieces.

Yuwen Jinhuan gestured to her with five fingers. “Please.” Her manner was polite, but her smile was triumphant, as if she were just waiting for Jiaojiao to make a fool of herself. “Oh, by the way, you don’t know how to play, do you?”

Her tone was teasing and provocative.

He Jiaojiao ignored her. She picked up a black piece and placed it down without a moment’s hesitation. The young girl’s face was still a bit childish, but her movements were smooth and practiced.

Yuwen Jinhuan didn’t pay attention, assuming she had just gotten lucky.

The two went back and forth, and soon the board was full of intricate patterns. The situation was now obvious.

Yuwen Jue looked at the board and couldn’t help but frown, his eyes filled with worry as he looked at the anxious Jinhuan.

This game could have ended long ago. The black pieces had already seized control. But the Second Miss He seemed to have no intention of stopping. Instead, she was slowly luring the white pieces, step by step, to do her bidding, and then cutting off their path. She gave hope and then crushed it. Her technique was beyond mere skill.

In Go, this kind of gameplay is considered cruel and is used to destroy an opponent’s will.

Yuwen Jue looked at He Jiaojiao. For the first time, he saw the girl in a new light. Her eyes were clear and bright, and they no longer matched the face he had grown to despise.

The girl on the mat sat calmly, her expression pretty, her movements sharp and decisive. The white pieces were clearly in the palm of her hand.

“It’s your turn, Ninth Princess,” He Jiaojiao said slowly.

Yuwen Jinhuan hesitated for a long time, unable to place a piece. She was already flustered, and with Jiaojiao’s prodding, she became even angrier. “I’m still thinking! Why are you rushing me?”

Though Jinhuan was arguing, she was inwardly terrified.

This wicked woman was supposed to be a useless brat who couldn’t do anything. How could she be so good at Go?

Of course, Yuwen Jinhuan had no idea.

He Jiaojiao was a modern person, a nine-dan Go master who had won countless championships. How could she lose to a little girl from ancient times?

Most of the time, she lived off her prize money.

If people don’t cross me, I’ll be polite. But if they do, I’ll root them out.

“How about I help you? Put your piece here.” He Jiaojiao pointed to a spot, kindly offering a tip.

With her guidance, Yuwen Jinhuan’s mind suddenly cleared. She was so happy she couldn’t hide it, almost writing “thank you” on her face.

Jinhuan carefully placed her white piece where Jiaojiao had pointed.

Immediately, as if she had been expecting it, He Jiaojiao’s black piece blocked her path without hesitation, leaving the white pieces with no room to breathe.

The last flicker of hope in Yuwen Jinhuan’s heart died. The hand holding the piece trembled, nearly dropping it on the board.

The last string of tension in her mind snapped.

The childish-looking girl calmly pointed at the board again, taking a sip of tea. “Hmm… you should put your piece here.”

Jinhuan’s eyes widened. Sure enough, there was still a path to break out. The arrogant demeanor she had earlier was gone, replaced by a simple realization that this move made sense.

Just as she was celebrating her escape, the other side regained control. She couldn’t sit still, and a wave of frustration washed over her. The game felt like a giant mountain she couldn’t escape, suffocating her.

Just then, Jiaojiao gave her the answer again. “Ninth Princess, here. You should put your piece here.”

******

After this happened again and again, Yuwen Jinhuan’s last mental defense finally crumbled.

Her eyes were red with humiliation, and she couldn’t hold back the tears. Big, fat drops fell onto the board, landing on the black pieces like pearls.

“He Jiaojiao, you did that on purpose!” Jinhuan shouted, slamming her hand on the table.

She sniffled, trying to suppress her trembling anger. She looked like a little kitten throwing a fit, and it was a little bit cute.

He Jiaojiao held up her hands, a picture of innocence. “You’re wrong, Ninth Princess. I was helping you.”

“You!” Yuwen Jinhuan pointed at her, so angry she could barely speak. She looked at the two witnesses beside her, her face full of humiliation. She angrily flung her hand and ran out, crying.

“Huan’er,” Yuwen Jue said, about to go after her, but Consort De held him back.

“Let her have a moment to herself. It’s time someone humbled her. It’s best if she figures some things out on her own,” Consort De said, dissuading him.