AUBTN -Chapter 16 My Clever Qingqing

This was a test—but more dangerously, a deadly trap.

If they were palace maids, bringing themselves casually into such an occasion would be a grave act of disrespect.

If they were women from outside, it would be considered illicitly entering the palace.

Even more importantly, if Prince Ning delved into their household records, these two suddenly appearing “ghost” people would be exposed immediately.

At that point, not only would the two of them lose their heads, but Shen Jue and Lu Yan would also be in trouble.

Shen Jue squinted slightly, the teacup in his hand tapping lightly against the desk with a crisp clink.

Lu Yan’s fingers were already resting on the hilt of his sword.

At this critical moment, Su Hewan and Yu Qing exchanged a glance.

No words, no verbal confirmation needed.

It was the ultimate tacit understanding formed over years of close friendship, a conditioned reflex honed through countless times covering for each other in the dormitory.

Su Hewan: 【Plan B! Whatever it is, do it immediately!】

Yu Qing: 【Got it! Watch my Oscar-winning performance!】

Just as Shen Jue was about to open his mouth and make up an identity, Yu Qing, who had originally been holding a wine jug to pour Lu Yan a drink, suddenly seemed to be struck by an enormous fright. She stumbled under her own feet.

“Ahh—!”

A delicate, melodious cry, twisting and turning in tone.

She flew straight toward… Prince Ning!

And the golden wine jug in her hands traced a graceful parabolic arc through the air.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as the amber fruit wine sprayed into a sparkling curtain in midair.

Then—

“Splash!”

Perfectly precise, not a drop wasted—every drop landed on Prince Ning’s golden python robe!

“Bang!”

Yu Qing crashed heavily to the ground.

The entire hall fell into instant silence.

Even the musicians froze, hands trembling; a string snapped on the zither with a sharp, piercing twang.

Spilled… on the Regent Prince?

It was as if the sky itself had been pierced!

Before anyone could react, Yu Qing preempted them.

Ignoring the pain in her body, she knelt using both hands and feet, tears filling her eyes instantly.

Her face was pale as paper, her body trembling like a sieve.

“Your Highness, have mercy! Your Highness, have mercy!”

“This humble maid is to blame! The first time I saw Your Highness’s majestic bearing, your imposing presence overwhelmed me—I was so awed and fearful that I… I went weak in the knees and couldn’t stand…”

“This humble maid deserves to die! I beg Your Highness for mercy! I beg Your Highness for mercy!”

【Hmph, with this mix of flattery and self-inflicted suffering, there’s no way he won’t fall for it! As long as I make it look like I’m in a high position because I was intimidated by your overwhelming aura, if you kill me over such a trivial matter in public, that proves the Regent Prince has no tolerance for others! Come on, let’s hurt each other!】

Lu Yan watched the woman on the ground, tears streaming down her face like a falling pear blossom, yet in her mind, she was screaming wildly. A barely perceptible curve tugged at the corner of his lips.

If even the spies of the Jinyiwei had this level of acting, how could the world ever be peaceful?

Prince Ning’s expression at this moment was truly a spectacle.

A flicker of violent killing intent passed through his eyes, veins standing out on the back of his hands.

But he could not act.

Today was the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, and all the officials were present. If he were to make a fuss over a minor slip by a lowly maid, it would only make him seem petty.

Such behavior would undermine the virtuous prince image he had painstakingly cultivated.

At that moment, Shen Jue spoke up at just the right time, his voice lazy but tinged with a cruel amusement:

“Oh my, this girl really hasn’t seen the world, being so intimidated by the prince’s magnanimity. The prince is His Majesty’s uncle, a pillar of the state; surely he wouldn’t stoop to the level of a clumsy servant girl, right?”

He deliberately emphasized the word magnanimity, putting Prince Ning right on the hot seat.

Su Hewan lowered her head, staring fixedly at the table before her, struggling to keep the corners of her mouth from curling upwards.

【Well done, Qingqing! That little splash not only shifted the topic but also disgusted Prince Ning a bit. I give this move a perfect score!】

Prince Ning took a deep breath, forcing down his anger, and forced a smile that was worse than crying.

“Master Shen speaks in jest.”

He shook off the wine stain on his sleeve and cast a cold glance at Yu Qing on the floor.

“I… naturally wouldn’t trouble myself over a little maid. But since this girl is so clumsy, Lord Lu, it seems the rules in your household need to be enforced more strictly.”

Lu Yan nodded calmly, his voice steady: “Your Highness is correct. I will ensure stricter discipline upon returning.”

“Since the prince’s clothes are wet, it would be better to change in the side hall, lest you catch a chill.”

Prince Ning snorted coldly and strode away, his retreating figure showing both embarrassment and anger.

Only after Prince Ning disappeared into the side hall did the atmosphere in the main hall slightly ease.

Yu Qing was still kneeling, her shoulders trembling as if she were still frightened.

Lu Yan looked at her, his tone unreadable: “Not getting up yet? The floor is cold—shall I come help you?”

Yu Qing sniffled, then slowly rose to her feet. Her knees truly hurt, but inside, she felt exhilarated.

【Ha, would helping me really kill you? Such a steel-hearted straight man!】

She rubbed her knees as she stabilized herself, and when she looked up, her eyes met Shen Jue’s gaze from across the hall.

The powerful Master of the Court watched her with a half-smile, a mixture of curiosity and amusement in his eyes.

Yu Qing nearly kneeled again in fright!

Su Hewan, taking advantage of the distraction, discreetly gave her a thumbs-up.

The soft music of the Taihe Hall resumed.

Yu Qing knelt back on the cushion, her knees aching faintly.

She lifted a cup of wine to cover her still-trembling face, though her hands shook as if Parkinson’s had set in.

【I nearly died! If that splash had missed just now, I’d be lining up outside the Meridian Gate for my coffin meal. Prince Ning’s gaze is like a viper—cold, cold…】

As she sipped to steady herself, a seemingly inconspicuous little eunuch silently approached under the pretense of refilling her cup.

The sleeve brushed down.

Yu Qing’s heart skipped a beat.

Before she could react, the eunuch had already retreated into the shadows, as if he had never appeared.

She nonchalantly slipped a hand into her sleeve and felt a cool crumpled paper.

【Whoa? Is this the legendary hidden side quest? Am I supposed to enter palace intrigue mode or spy mode now?】

She sat there on pins and needles, feeling the item in her sleeve was less a paper note and more a ticking time bomb.

After half a cup of tea’s time, she could no longer endure it. Clutching her stomach in a feigned pain, she asked the nearby Ice Lord for permission to leave.

“M-Master, this servant was just startled and feels unwell… I wish to… to change clothes.”

Lu Yan cast her a cold glance, letting his eyes linger briefly on her pale face.

In the end, he said nothing, only nodding very slightly.

Yu Qing felt as if pardoned, then signaled to Su Hewan not far away and, holding up her skirt, scampered off faster than a rabbit.

At that moment, the artificial rock formations in the Imperial Garden…