AUBTN -Chapter 55 It’s Hard to Explain

“Although I’m young, I still know that matters between a man and a woman should be based on mutual feelings. That… what’s-her-name, Jiang Ruyi, looks obedient, but her eyes are deep. And that Song Zhaoyuan, pretending to be innocent, but all that cleverness of hers is just how she tries to please people.”

Yu Qing and Su Hewan stared at the young emperor in shock!

These were words that a child shouldn’t be able to speak!

“Your Majesty, I think you’ve misunderstood. Our relationship with the two ladies isn’t what you think it is!” Su Hewan hurried to explain.

The young emperor gave a knowing look: “Just because it’s not like that now doesn’t mean it won’t be later!”

Su Hewan twitched at the corner of her mouth—how could this make any sense?

Yu Qing, on the other hand, changed the subject: “Then… why do you keep them in the palace? Why not just kick them out?”

The young emperor shook his head, his childish face showing a depth beyond his years: “If I drove them out, their true colors would slip out behind their backs. Ministers Lu and Shen just achieved extraordinary merit, and these two show up—clearly, someone doesn’t want them to have it easy, and is testing me.”

He tiptoed and patted Yu Qing’s hand, then glanced at Su Hewan, who was deep in thought.

“This is a test for Ministers Lu and Shen,” he said.

“And also a test for you two.”

Su Hewan and Yu Qing, two modern women from the twenty-first century, were completely bamboozled by a child from ancient times!

“Your Majesty means…”

“If I directly arranged a marriage today, that would be force. But if Ministers Lu and Shen choose for themselves, then it’s sincere,” the young emperor said with a sly smile.

“What’s the matter? Do you two older sisters have no confidence in yourselves? One is a woman of both wisdom and courage, the other is a lucky and cheerful spirit—how could you possibly lose to two fiancées who suddenly appeared?”

Su Hewan and Yu Qing gave forced laughs, utterly embarrassed!

They had no intention of female rivalry, for heaven’s sake!

Su Hewan took a deep breath, realizing she would have to take it step by step.

【History is written by people. Since I’m already here, I’m part of this history. If history cannot be changed, then perhaps helping them get together is one path!】

Still, why did she feel a little disappointed?

At the same time, Yu Qing was giving herself a mental pep talk.

【That’s right! What’s there to fear? Isn’t she the original book heroine? A top student from the performing arts—she’s never been afraid of anyone!】

【If you want to take my long-term meal ticket, first ask if auntie agrees!】

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty,” Su Hewan said with a slight bow, a hint of confidence curling at her lips.

“I understand now.”

“I understand too!” Yu Qing clenched her fists.

The young emperor nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand: “Go ahead. I see that Ministers Lu and Shen are still waiting outside the palace gates.”

Outside the palace gate, the moonlight poured like water.

Two tall, slender figures stood side by side, their shadows stretching long.

Lu Yan pressed a hand on his sword hilt, brow furrowed, his eyes flicking toward the palace gate from time to time.

“What do you think His Majesty was saying inside?”

Shen Jue leaned against the palace wall, still stroking the half-broken jade pendant in his hand.

“Who knows,” he said, his voice hoarse, giving away nothing.

“Maybe he’s arranging our future for us,” Shen Jue said.

“Stop being sarcastic,” Lu Yan snorted coldly.

“That Jiang Ruyi… something’s off about her.”

“Song Zhaoyuan isn’t any better,” Shen Jue sneered.

“Matching charms? You really thought of that?”

“Shut up,” Lu Yan said, pacing irritably.

“I don’t even remember things from when I was ten!”

As the two bickered, the palace gate slowly opened.

Su Hewan and Yu Qing stepped out, one after the other.

The night wind lifted the hems of their skirts. Su Hewan’s expression remained calm, her steps unhurried.

Yu Qing walked beside her, wearing an air of indifference.

At the sight of the two, Lu Yan and Shen Jue both straightened instinctively.

Su Hewan walked up to Shen Jue. She didn’t look at the jade pendant but met his deep, bottomless eyes directly and asked softly, “Master Shen, it’s late and the dew is heavy. Aren’t you going back to the mansion yet?”

Shen Jue was slightly taken aback, then a faint smile appeared in his sharp, predatory eyes, like ice beginning to thaw.

He reached out, intending to take her hand, but paused midair, as if remembering his current position and the sudden appearance of a fiancée.

Su Hewan smiled, pretending not to notice.

“Shall we go, Master Shen?”

“All right, let’s go home.”

On the other side, Yu Qing walked up to Lu Yan, hands on her hips, tilting her head as she glared at him.

“Master Lu!”

Lu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively wanted to explain, “That… the unity knot…”

“That unity knot is hideous!” Yu Qing interrupted loudly. “Next time, can you at least think a little when giving gifts to a girl?”

Lu Yan froze, surprised—she wasn’t even angry?

The four of them paired up, walking toward the carriage outside the palace gates.

Life in the Crown Princess’s palace was oddly calm.

Jiang Ruyi’s reputation was surprisingly good!

Whether it was the palace matrons or the junior maids, everyone gave her thumbs-up when her name came up.

Today she gave a hand-embroidered sachet, tomorrow a modest but exquisite hairpin.

Especially those eyes, always carrying three parts sorrow and seven parts gentleness, full of affection even toward dogs.

“Miss Jiang is truly beautiful and kind. If our Master marries her, it would be a blessing for lifetimes,” a few maids whispered under the corridor.

Elsewhere, Song Zhaoyuan was playing shuttlecock with the young emperor in the imperial garden.

“Your Majesty is amazing! Zhaoyuan can’t keep up with you!”

The girl’s playful laugh rang like silver bells. She ran until drenched in sweat and sat on the steps without any concern for her image.

Seemingly innocent and carefree, yet every step was calculated to win favor.

“Wow, what kind of trash bags are they using—they can hold so much!”

Yu Qing lay on the artificial rock in the imperial garden, a piece of grass in her mouth, eyes sharp as knives.

Su Hewan couldn’t help but smile at her words.

These past few days, she and Yu Qing had been invited by the young emperor to the palace to play.

But most of the time, the emperor was monopolized by Song Zhaoyuan, leaving the two of them with nothing to do.

In fact, Su Hewan had observed clearly: Jiang Ruyi was winning hearts directly.

Song Zhaoyuan was using an indirect, strategic approach. Their skill levels far surpassed the imperial concubines in palace dramas!

“Qingqing, actually, the sachets Jiang Ruyi sends every day are finely stitched, but the threads used aren’t from the palace stores. I checked the palace bureau records; she didn’t bring much sewing material when she entered,” Su Hewan whispered.

“What do you mean?” Yu Qing frowned, puzzled.

Su Hewan said, “If I’m not mistaken, she’s sending messages. The palace staff who accept her gifts are her pigeons.”

Yu Qing’s eyes lit up immediately. “What? Sending messages? Then should we…”

Su Hewan shook her head. “Cast a long line to catch a big fish. If they want to perform, we’ll just play along and let the show run its course.”

Su Hewan had originally wanted to help match the male and female leads, but seeing these two girls’ unclear identities now, it was better not to act rashly.