AUBTN -Chapter 100 What a master planner!

All eyes immediately turned toward Zhang Yan’er’s sleeve and hairpin.

Just as expected!

Zhang Yan’er instinctively covered her sleeve, but the gesture only confirmed everyone’s suspicion even more.

“I… I…” Zhang Yan’er blushed deeply, stammering, unable to get the words out.

At that moment, a commanding voice rang from the high platform.

“Enough.”

The Empress Dowager slowly rose, her phoenix-like eyes radiating authority as they swept across the hall.

Though aged, the weight of her long-held power still made the air feel stifling. She cast a sharp glance at the blushing Zhang Yan’er, then at the two little palace maids kneeling on the ground.

“Today is Ai’s flower-viewing banquet, not your stage for drama.”

Her voice was soft, yet Zhang Yan’er fell to the ground with a thud, trembling all over.

“Zhang family girl, perhaps you accidentally dropped your hairpin into your sleeve. Since it’s a misunderstanding, we shall let it pass.”

With a few words, the Empress Dowager dismissed the incident as a simple misunderstanding.

After all, Zhang Yan’er was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue. Publicly exposing her as scheming would bring shame even to the Dowager herself.

But the reprimand was still unmistakable.

Then, the Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted to Su Hewan and Yu Qing, a trace of subtle admiration flickering in her eyes.

These two girls were interesting.

Their coordination was flawless—they not only resolved the Lin family’s entrapment but also prevented the situation from spiraling out of control.

“You two, though acting out of loyalty, still committed a breach of etiquette in the presence of the court, and so must be punished,” the Empress Dowager said calmly.

“You shall be sent to the side hall to attend to the ladies, helping them with their clothing and makeup.”

This “punishment” was anything but—this was a reward!

Being sent to the side hall meant access to the very center of the elite noblewomen’s circle!

“Your humble servants thank the Empress Dowager for her grace!”

Su Hewan and Yu Qing bowed together, hearts leaping with joy.

【Masterminds! This plan worked perfectly!】

【This old Empress Dowager knows how to handle things—she’s truly protective when it counts!】

Once the Dowager allowed everyone to resume their activities, the atmosphere of the Imperial Garden gradually revived.

Lin Wan’er, who had been rescued, could not even wipe away her tears. She grabbed the two girls who were stepping back, overwhelmed with gratitude: “Ladies, thanks to you today… otherwise, I… I would never have been able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River!”

“Just a small effort. Miss Lin, you needn’t mention it,” Su Hewan replied with a gentle smile.

Yu Qing, however, leaned over with a cheerful grin: “Miss Lin, don’t cry—the makeup will be ruined. Luckily, we sisters know a bit about cosmetics. How about we help you fix it?”

Lin Wan’er froze, then finally noticed the makeup on their faces.

The sight drew attention not only from Lin Wan’er but also from the group of noblewomen who had been observing quietly. They immediately gathered around.

“Oh! I wanted to ask earlier—Palace maid sister, how is your skin so radiant? What powder do you use?”

“Yes! And your eyebrows—how are they drawn so naturally?”

“And your waist! How can it look so slim? It’s just palace attire, but it fits you perfectly!”

The once reserved, proud noblewomen now had sparkling eyes, chattering eagerly as they surrounded the two girls, leaving no space to slip through.

Yu Qing and Su Hewan exchanged a glance, and each saw a sly, knowing smile in the other’s eyes.

This is the nature of women!

No matter what dynasty a woman comes from, when it comes to becoming beautiful, they all speak the same language!

“Ladies, don’t rush! One at a time!”

Yu Qing instantly transformed into a sales clerk, grabbing one lady’s hand and starting to flatter her: “Oh my, miss, your natural complexion is perfect! It’s just that the rouge is too heavy, covering your original glow. Let me teach you a trick for subtractive makeup—it’ll make you look like a freshly peeled egg!”

Su Hewan added from the side: “True beauty comes from the bones, not the skin. If you ladies adjust your outfits just slightly to raise the waistline, it will not only lengthen your legs but also make your posture appear more upright…”

For a moment, the side hall was alive with birdsong and laughter, bustling with activity.

The tense and dramatic scene from moments ago seemed never to have happened; everyone’s attention was drawn to the two little palace maids.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Imperial Garden, two tall figures lurked in the shadows.

Lu Yan’s expression was stern, a roll of parchment clutched in his hand.

“The defense map of Cining Palace.”

His voice low, he casually tossed the scroll to Shen Jue across from him.

“Don’t celebrate too early. It’s both a trap and an opportunity.”

Shen Jue took the map carelessly, his long fingers lightly tracing it, a mocking curve forming at the corner of his lips.

“What’s the matter? The famous Commander Lu is already intimidated?”

“Intimidated?” Lu Yan snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“According to our spies, during the Flower Viewing Banquet, the guards for the private treasury of Cining Palace will indeed be halved. The Empress Dowager, in her desire to show off her so-called imperial benevolence, has assigned most of the guards to the front hall to protect those delicate noble ladies.”

He paused, his tone serious: “But the main door of the private treasury has been fitted with a Western-style intricate lock.”

“An intricate lock?” Shen Jue raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest in his narrow phoenix-like eyes.

“The one rumored to have a thousand changing mechanisms inside, where one wrong step triggers poison needles and locks the door permanently?”

“Exactly,” Lu Yan said, arms crossed, staring at him coldly.

“This lock is extremely complex. Without the key, forcing it open would not only trigger the mechanism and summon the Jinyiwei, but also reduce the treasures inside to nothing in an instant. Commander Shen, your men, who are only good at torture, probably can’t handle this delicate work, right?”

Shen Jue let out a scoff, though the humor didn’t reach his eyes.

“No need for provocation, Commander Lu. Since we dared to entertain this plan, we have come prepared.”

He lightly clapped his hands.

From the shadows behind him, two Eastern Depot men dragged out an old man, white-haired and filthy from head to toe.

Though he looked miserable, his eyes shone with life.

“…Who is this?” Lu Yan frowned.

“Twenty years ago, he stole from every manor in the capital with nothing but a single wire. Known as the ‘Ghost-Handed Saint,’ Si Zhaixing,” Shen Jue said, nudging the old man with his toe, his tone indifferent.

“He served ten years in our imperial prison; it’s time he sees the sun again.”

The old man shivered and kowtowed repeatedly, like a pestle pounding rice: “Commander, rest assured! I will do my utmost! I will do my utmost!”

Shen Jue turned toward Cining Palace not far away.

“Then let’s go. Since those two girls have already set the stage ahead, if we don’t perform this play well, wouldn’t that be failing the beauties who’ve favored us?”

Lu Yan said nothing, only tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword.

At the same time, in the main hall of the Imperial Garden, silk and bamboo music played, and song and dance filled the air.

The Empress Dowager, seemingly bored of the repetitive performances, waved her hand, signaling a pause.

She picked up her tea cup, eyes sweeping over the noble ladies seated below with proper posture, a benevolent smile on her face.

“Watching song and dance alone is no fun. I’ve heard that today, the attendees are all talented ladies, well-versed in literature and poetry. In that case, why not test your knowledge?”

At her words, the hall instantly fell into a deadly silence.