Wakhan rules question

[ThreeTrees]

Rules, p. 16

If Wakhan must discard a
Leveraged card and has no coins, Wakhan does not need
to discard cards (just as if she had 2 cards in her hand
instead).

Probably a stupid question, but I don't understand the part in parentheses. The standard rules don't seem to have an exception for when someone has two cards in their hand?

Rules, p.8

For each rupee you cannot return, you must discard one card from your
hand or court (not including this card, of course). If you have no cards left, no further
payment is required.

[Thalack]

It just means Wakhan does not discard court cards if she discards a Leveraged card and has no rupees.

Following standard rules you need to discard a card (either court or hand) for each rupee you cannot pay after discarding a Leveraged card. So if you had no rupees, but two cards in hand you could discard those two hand cards and it would not affect your court. Since Wakhan has no hand cards you could see the rule 'as if she was holding two hand cards and does not need to discard court cards'.