AUBTN -Chapter 89 Imperial Advisor Zhao Shuo

Although Yu Qing had hit a dead end with Shen Jue, that didn’t stop the political landscape in the court from behaving like a rollercoaster, constantly reshaping everyone’s perception day by day.

Recently, the hottest topic in the capital was none other than the Protectorate National Preceptor, Zhao Shuo.

He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere!

With no family background, no imperial examination accolades, he had, solely through the Empress Dowager’s recommendation, been parachuted straight into the court and appointed Protectorate National Preceptor—a position of immense prestige, even granted a seat during morning audiences.

It was said that he was proficient in the mystical arts of yin and yang, could predict fortune and misfortune, assess the fate of the nation, and even concoct excellent elixirs—winning the Empress Dowager’s favor.

Regarding this suddenly risen Zhao Shuo, Lu Yan and Shen Jue had, unusually, reached a kind of tacit understanding.

Both felt that something was off about him!

In Lu Yan’s view, this so-called National Preceptor was nothing but a charlatan, a trickster spreading chaos in the court.

From Shen Jue’s perspective, someone of unknown origin gaining the Empress Dowager’s trust so easily was suspicious—the depths behind him were likely unfathomable.

Yet, constrained by the Empress Dowager’s authority, and with the new emperor not yet fully ruling, their suspicions could not be acted upon openly. They had to remain on guard, observing quietly.

As the year-end approached, it would be Yu Qing and Su Hewan’s first New Year in the capital!

The two of them were determined to plan it carefully.

That afternoon, as they were discussing the New Year plans, the young emperor suddenly sent word to Yuyuan Palace, summoning Su Hewan and Yu Qing to accompany him in the palace.

“Accompanying him” was, in reality, just a child’s whim—he wanted someone to play with.

After all, in the vast palace, the only people who truly cared for him without seeing him as a political puppet were these two “fairy sisters.”

In the Imperial Garden, red plum blossoms were in full bloom!

Yu Qing was freezing, her inner self practically collapsing.

Did it have to be outdoors?

At home wouldn’t have worked? But seeing Su Hewan’s equally pale face, bracing herself against the cold, Yu Qing could only grit her teeth and endure!

Su Hewan was playing chess with the young emperor in a pavilion.

“Su Sister, how should I move this piece?”

The little emperor held a black chess piece, brow furrowed, staring at the board with exaggerated concentration.

Su Hewan smiled faintly, lightly tapping a corner of the board with her fingertip: “Your Majesty, to break the deadlock, one cannot merely focus on the gain or loss of a single piece or position. One must view the entire board and understand that only by facing a dire situation can one survive.”

Just then, a delicate scent of sandalwood wafted in on the wind.

Following it came a voice, smooth and warm like jade, from outside the pavilion:

“‘Facing a dire situation to survive’—Miss Su, your chess strategy carries the flavor of military tactics.”

Everyone turned toward the voice.

On the flower-lined path not far away, a figure was walking slowly toward them.

The man was strikingly handsome, his features as if painted, emanating an otherworldly aura untouched by mundane life.

It was none other than the newly appointed Protectorate National Preceptor, Zhao Shuo.

“Greetings, National Preceptor.”

Palace attendants bowed in respect.

Su Hewan and Yu Qing also stood, offering a slight bow.

Yu Qing secretly examined this legendary National Preceptor and whistled in her mind: 【Wow! That appearance and aura—he’d be a flawless ancient costume drama heartthrob in the modern era!】

Zhao Shuo’s gaze didn’t linger on the young emperor but fell directly on Su Hewan.

His warm eyes held a hint of curiosity.

“Miss Su, you are well-versed in history and the present. Your chess skill is truly exquisite—I am impressed.”

Zhao Shuo stepped slowly into the pavilion, his gaze seemingly glued to Su Hewan, entirely unabashed.

Su Hewan suddenly felt a bad premonition.

“Su Sister, this is the National Preceptor—you haven’t met him before, right?” the young emperor said, introducing him.

Su Hewan slightly inclined her body: “I have met the National Preceptor. You flatter me; I merely know the basics and am only here to entertain Your Majesty.”

Her eyes lowered, her tone respectful but distant.

“Merely know the basics?”

Zhao Shuo chuckled softly, a low, pleasant sound that nevertheless sent a shiver down the spine.

He approached the chessboard, his long fingers picking up a white piece and casually placing it on the board, instantly cutting off all escape routes for the black pieces.

“Miss Su is far too modest. A woman so intelligent and perceptive is rare in this world.”

He turned to look at Su Hewan, his tone carrying a casual sort of probing: “I am Zhao Shuo. May I ask, Miss Su, your age? And… is your family already considering marriage?”

At his words, the air around them seemed to freeze for a moment.

Yu Qing’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the warm stove she was holding!

【What the hell! Is this diviner openly flirting? In front of the young emperor? His audacity is insane—he just came out swinging straight at her!】

Su Hewan lifted her head and met Zhao Shuo’s half-smiling, half-mocking gaze.

Just now, upon hearing the name Zhao Shuo, her heart had skipped a beat.

Zhao Shuo…

Her face paled almost imperceptibly, and her fingers curled slightly.

Yet on her face, she maintained a polite smile, though it looked faintly stiff no matter how you looked at it.

“In response to the Imperial Tutor, this humble servant… already has someone she admires.”

Hearing this, Zhao Shuo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, which quickly deepened into a more profound smile.

“Oh? Someone you admire?”

He seemed skeptical, and instead stepped half a pace closer. The scent of sandalwood grew stronger, an almost tangible pressure pressing toward her.

“I wonder which young master is so fortunate as to catch Miss Su’s eye? If Miss Su doesn’t mind, perhaps I, this humble Daoist, could divine a reading for you, to see whether this match is a blessed union… or a fated calamity.”

His words were impossible to read—sincere or feigned!

Yet they made her hairs stand on end.

“No need for the Imperial Tutor to trouble himself.”

Su Hewan stepped back half a pace, creating distance between them. Her tone grew firmer:

“This is my private matter. Your Majesty, it grows late. I still need to return and organize the ancient texts. I take my leave.”

She did not dare to glance at Zhao Shuo’s expression, instead pulling the still-dazed Yu Qing along, bowing once in respect, then hastily leaving the Imperial Garden.

Their retreating figures seemed almost like a hasty escape.

Zhao Shuo remained where he was, watching Su Hewan’s departing back, his fingers lightly stroking the white piece in his hand.

“Interesting…”

He murmured softly, a meaningful curve tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Someone you admire, you say? Heh… that makes it all the more interesting.”

Back in the carriage to Yuyuan, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Su Hewan kept her lips tightly pressed, her face pale, staring blankly at the streets rushing past the window, lost in thought.

Yu Qing had held back all the way but finally couldn’t resist anymore.

She leaned over and nudged Su Hewan with her elbow, face full of gossip and a teasing tone:

“Hey, Wanwan, do you think that Imperial Tutor has a thing for you? Didn’t you see the way he was looking at you—like he wanted to grow right on top of you!”

Su Hewan didn’t respond, remaining silent.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re actually falling for him? Sure, he’s handsome, but his gaze is terrifying, he—”

“Yu Qing.”

Su Hewan suddenly interrupted her chatter.

She turned to look at Yu Qing, her expression grave and serious in a way it never had been before.

“Do you know who Zhao Shuo really is?”

Yu Qing was startled by her tone, blinking in confusion: “Who?”

Su Hewan took a deep breath.

“His surname is Zhao. The current royal family’s surname is Li. But don’t forget—the late Princess Consort of Prince Ning… her surname was Zhao.”

Yu Qing’s eyes widened in shock.

“You mean…”

Su Hewan nodded slightly, her gaze turning toward the palace, dark and unreadable:

“Zhao Shuo is Prince Ning’s son.”