Chapter 87- Simple and Plain – Transcendental Translations

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Chapter 87

This face—fair, delicate, and exquisitely handsome—didn’t resemble that of a palace guard. Instead, it looked more like that of a refined actor or performer.

“I see.” Jiang Ruohua nodded. “Prince Yun and Princess Shangyang are currently at the paddock. Feel free to enjoy yourself, sir.”

She couldn’t quite understand it. Why would the fake Prince Yan adopt such an exaggeratedly striking face? This kind of appearance was too conspicuous and impractical for covert activities! If she had the skill to disguise herself, she’d go for a plain and forgettable look—something that would let her blend seamlessly into a crowd and be easily overlooked.

This kind of appearance made any action far too memorable for onlookers.

“Apologies for the inconvenience, Miss Jiang. I… I simply love horses.” Luo Yu scratched his head awkwardly and laughed. “With so many fine horses here, I lost track of time admiring them.”

“Please, make yourself at home,” Jiang Ruohua replied with a smile. “I’m here to pick a few horses.”

She glanced at him again, feeling something wasn’t quite right. This version of Luo Yu with his overly handsome face looked less natural than the one she’d seen at the Fragrant Snow Pavilion.

【Wife keeps staring at me! See? This face works wonders!】

Jiang Ruohua turned her back to him, focusing on selecting the horses, but she remained alert, eavesdropping out of curiosity about this fake Prince Yan.

【Such a captivating face—perfect for seduction. Since the Prince Yan identity doesn’t work, I can approach her as someone else! First, I’ll get into a romance with her, then reveal my true identity. By then, everything will fall into place, and I’ll have her in the palm of my hand!】

Jiang Ruohua: …

A seduction strategy?

If such tactics worked, wouldn’t she have fallen deeply in love with the real Prince Yan long ago? He was every bit as handsome, arguably among the most striking men in the capital.

She didn’t know how to evaluate this plan. Even without hearing his thoughts, she wouldn’t have any particular feelings for a man who inexplicably tried to get close to her.

Vengeance remained her top priority. Matters of love seemed laughably trivial in the face of the Jiang family’s legacy.

Still, she couldn’t help but think this fake Prince Yan was… remarkably naive. His tone and innocent outlook were as if he’d always lived in a world untouched by hardship. She found herself both envious of his simplicity and somewhat amused by it.

Having selected a few gentle horses for her companions, Jiang Ruohua picked a fine horse for herself. Casually, she suggested, “Sir, if you enjoy them so much, why not take one out for a ride?”

Luo Yu tensed slightly. “No, no. My duty is to protect the prince and princess. If I indulge in riding for fun, it would be dereliction of duty. I’ll just watch for now.”

【Wife talked to me! She’s definitely captivated by my good looks! I knew this face would work!】

(Wow, amazing.)

Ignoring the system’s indifferent reply, Luo Yu internally raved as he petted the horse.
【But I don’t know how to ride a horse! I’ve only ever watched videos about how satisfying it is to clean their hooves. Too bad I’m pretending to be a guard; otherwise, I could’ve asked Wife to teach me how to ride!】

(Are you trying to repair the story, or are you just looking for excuses to flirt with the heroine?)
【What’s wrong with liking my wife? Does a regular office worker like me have to aim for some grand ambition?】

(Ah, yes, totally.)

“I doubt Prince Yun or Princess Shangyang would begrudge you a brief moment of joy.” Jiang Ruohua smiled warmly at him, like the first thaw of spring. She gently stroked the mane of a nearby horse. Faced with a different appearance, she felt a faint sense of separation between this fake Prince Yan and the real one. “They’re both at the paddock. If you know how to ride, you could accompany Prince Yun or ensure the princess’s safety.”

But it seemed this fake Prince Yan didn’t know how to ride.

“I… I…” Luo Yu stammered, looking visibly uneasy.

【AAAAAHHHHHHH! SHE SMILED AT ME! WIFE SMILED AT ME! I’M DYING INSIDE!!!】

Jiang Ruohua: … So loud.

“Go on.” She maintained her composure, her patience enduring. If the fake Prince Yan sought to approach her, she was just as eager to approach him—to use him when the time came. “No need to be so reserved. It’s just the paddock; nothing will go wrong.”

“By the way, what may I call you, sir?”

Her tone softened, deliberate but not overt. Charm was a skill she wielded with precision—one glance, one gesture, one line could seize full control of a situation.

“I… My surname is Yu,” Luo Yu stammered, faltering under her gaze. Up close, faced with her living, breathing presence, he felt overwhelmed.

【I think I’m about to die.】

(Aren’t you like this every time you see her?)

“Sir Yu,” Jiang Ruohua said with a smile, tilting her head ever so slightly. “This horse you’ve chosen seems quite fond of you. Since you’re here, why not give it a try?”

She led her own horse out without waiting for his response. Luo Yu, caught in a daze, nodded like a fool and followed her instructions, leading the horse out.

【Hehehe… Getting closer to Wife… Wife, give me a hug…】

(Please stop. Don’t forget your mission. You’re supposed to fix the story, not let the heroine lead you around.)
【I know, I know! I have my priorities straight!】

“Sir Yu,” Jiang Ruohua turned back with a bright smile. “Would you like to go first? I may need to accompany the princess and the other ladies later. When I’m free, perhaps we could have a little competition to test our riding skills.”

To make use of this fake Prince Yan, a little charm was a small price to pay. There was no need for excessive intimacy—a look, a word, or a gesture was enough to bend him to her will.

“I’ll follow your lead, Miss Jiang,” Luo Yu said, smiling awkwardly but radiating joy. “I’m not very skilled at riding; I’ve spent most of my time guarding the city gates and have grown a bit rusty.”

“Then you should practice more.” Jiang Ruohua’s eyes sparkled as if imagining a distant horizon. “A man with aspirations, riding freely across the land—what a magnificent sight.”

“It does sound pretty great,” Luo Yu murmured.

【I suddenly feel like riding a horse.】

(…Whatever makes you happy.)
【I don’t want to be so taken with Wife, but she keeps smiling at me!】

Jiang Ruohua sighed inwardly.

See? So easy to control.

After a bit more casual conversation, Jiang Ruohua excused herself gracefully, leaving Luo Yu to his own devices. There was no rush to fully use him; her focus today was on accompanying Princess Shangyang and the others. She needed to head back promptly.

“Hey, Sister Hua! You’re here!”