Drama Queen

Cang Shuyue keenly noticed the gaze beside him, and realizing who was watching him, he pursed his lips almost imperceptibly.

The child is looking at him again.

She wanted to ignore it, but then she remembered the eldest prince's words. Perhaps he really was too indifferent to this child?

Cang Shuyue couldn't help but reflect.

After hearing Youlu's words, Pixiu showed no surprise whatsoever, even offering a reasoned argument: "Cang Shuyue's treatment of the Sixth Prince is indeed different from others. It's normal for the Fourth Prince to suspect he has a crush on the Sixth Prince. If I were in his shoes, I would suspect him too."

You Lu stroked her chin thoughtfully, then subconsciously retorted: "I also felt that Cang Shuyue was unusually cold towards me. Could it be that he also has a crush on me?"

[How can you confuse these two things? He's indifferent to you, but close to the Sixth Prince!] Pixiu sighed, rubbing its forehead. Sometimes it really couldn't understand its boss's thought process.

You Lu disagreed: "You're being narrow-minded. Indifference doesn't necessarily mean dislike. Some people just have awkward personalities, like elementary school students who like to bully their crushes to get their attention."

Pixiu couldn't help but start complaining: "Although I think you're universally loved and adored, I'm sure Cang Shuyue isn't one of them. Even if we're narcissistic, we can't be this blindly narcissistic. Does Cang Shuyue seem like the kind of awkward and childish person?"

Youlu pouted, unconvinced. "I was just giving an example to refute your point; I didn't say he actually likes me."

Pixiu patted his shoulder comfortingly, "I know this is a blow to you, but please believe me. I've read more novels than you've eaten rice. I won't be wrong."

Even a deer can be stubborn; [this isn't meant to be discouraging.]

The man and the beast were still bantering when they looked up and found that the person they had just been talking about had somehow appeared in front of them, scaring them half to death.

This incident teaches us not to talk about others behind their backs, or you never know when you'll be caught red-handed.

Youlu was still in shock when she realized that she had been staring at Cang Shuyue the whole time and had forgotten to switch targets. No wonder she had attracted him here.

He greeted the emperor with feigned composure, "Good afternoon, Imperial Brother-in-law."

He thought he would be ignored again like before, but to his surprise, Cang Shuyue nodded and even asked, for the first time ever, "What are you looking at?"

I can't exactly say I'm watching you and cricketing, can I?

Even with a thick skin like a deer, he was too embarrassed to tell the truth, so he laughed it off and said, "I was looking at the bow behind the Imperial Brother-in-law, it looks really powerful."

Cang Shuyue nodded slightly, his tone still relatively gentle: "This is a Nine-Stone Strong Bow. You can try it if you are interested."

Youlu: "..."

He was just making up an excuse, but he didn't expect Cang Shuyue to take it so seriously. This is a bow with a weight of nine stones, and with his thin arms and legs, does he look like he can draw it?!

Unfortunately, before he could refuse, Cang Shuyue had already taken the bow down and handed it to him.

Youlu disliked being forced into things the most, so he immediately disregarded his embarrassment, crossed his arms, and grumbled, "Thank you for your kindness, Duke Zhenguo, but I can't draw this bow."

Weakness is not scary; what is scary is being unwilling to admit one's weakness. Youlu has always believed that he has done a good job in this regard.

Sensing the displeasure in his tone, Cang Shuyue was slightly taken aback.

The bow in his hand felt heavy. He tightened his grip on the bow, then silently turned and put it back.

Pixiu stepped forward to speak the truth: "Although I don't think Cang Shuyue likes you, he definitely didn't mean any harm just now. You were the one who said you were looking at that bow; he thought you were interested, so he asked you to try it. He didn't mean to force you. Maybe he's just not good at expressing himself."

You Lu reflected on his attitude just now and realized that it had indeed gone too far. He stole a glance at Cang Shuyue's silent back and suddenly felt guilty.

But he couldn't bring himself to apologize.

Pixiu: [You should apologize when you do something wrong. The God of Destiny often teaches us that it's never too late to correct your mistakes. Stubbornness never ends well. Think about your father, the Emperor.]

You Lu was convinced. "Okay, but your analogy is wrong. Cang Shuyue and I aren't like Father and Empress."

He mentally prepared himself, then slowly moved to Cang Shuyue's side and tentatively reached out to tug at his sleeve.

The slight pull made Cang Shuyue lower his eyes. Seeing the hand that wasn't unfamiliar, he sighed silently, turned around, and said calmly, "Seventh Prince, please speak plainly."

Well, that gentle smile from just now is gone again.

After stammering for a while, Youlu finally mustered up the courage under Pixiu's encouraging gaze and said, "I'm sorry, my attitude was bad just now, but you were also wrong. Why didn't you explain yourself clearly? You forced the bow on me, so I was bound to subconsciously think you were trying to coerce me. I hate being forced to do things, so I said the wrong thing. Please don't be angry with me."

Pixiu sighed helplessly, "Boss, is this an apology, a complaint, or a coquettish act? How do you manage to say three different things in one sentence?!"

Cang Shuyue's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across them.

After a moment of distraction, he lowered his eyes and gazed deeply at the boy in front of him who was pouting and had red ears. His heart felt as if it had been gently tapped, causing ripples to spread across the lake of his heart.

His throat tightened inexplicably. He opened his mouth, but after a long while, he finally managed to utter a sentence: "It was my oversight. Would you like to try other bows?" His tone contained a hint of nervousness and tenderness that he himself was unaware of.

"But I'm terrible at it," Youlu said, feigning weakness.

"It's okay, I'll teach you," Cang Shuyue blurted out, then paused and added, "If you're willing."

"Okay." Youlu nodded obediently, then winked at the Pixiu beside her and made a subtle gesture.

[Hehe, the palace gates are deep, but not as deep as the boss's schemes.] Pixiu gazes at the sky.

In the short time that followed, the Fourth Prince had finished his exam, and the examiner announced the results loudly: "The Fourth Prince scored a total of eight points, achieving the highest score four times and the lowest score four times..."

Just as You Lu was about to express his opinion, a clear female voice rang out: "Today is truly a day when the sun rises in the west; two people who have been unqualified for a thousand years have both passed today." The tone was full of sarcasm.

It was the Fifth Princess, Xiao Yunya. In this palace, only she and the Third Prince dared to point fingers at the other princes and princesses.

You Lu was speechless. Xiao Yunya really has an unshakeable persona. She never forgets to show off her "arrogant and brainless" nature.

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince said, "It was inevitable that my eldest brother would pass the exam due to his diligent study and practice, while I only passed by chance because I was encouraged by him."

He was tall, but thin, and dressed in all black, which made him look even paler and weaker. In addition, his eyes darted around when he spoke, and his back was slightly hunched. No matter how you looked at him, he looked like someone who had been bullied for many years and was timid and cowardly. No wonder he was able to pretend in the palace for so many years.

He had to admit he was very good at pretending.

When the Fifth Princess saw that it was the Fourth Prince who stepped forward, she rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, displaying a disdainful attitude.

Very good, the Fifth Princess is also very convincing in her role.

You Lu commented: "Talented people emerge in every generation, and everyone in the palace is a master of drama."

The Pixiu floated over: [Are you talking about yourself?]