The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 25: He Must Be Punished Severely
Hua Manman had originally thought she must have lost her mind, foolishly rushing forward to protect Prince Zhao.
But after waking, she finally understood that she hadn’t lost her mind.
She had seen a familiar shadow in Princess Rouwan.
The shadow of her father.
Baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, full of ferocity and violence—like a man-eating monster.
Back when her father used to abuse her, her greatest hope was that someone would come and save her.
This hope had even grown into an obsession.
It was what compelled her to rush forward so recklessly when Princess Rouwan attacked.
’No one else could be her savior.’
’So she would fulfill this obsession herself.’
「The next day」
Rumors that Prince Zhao and Princess Rouwan had come to blows spread throughout Shangjing.
Outsiders, unaware of the inside story, were appalled. To hear that Prince Zhao would dare to strike his own mother was a monstrous act of filial impiety.
Officials immediately submitted memorials to the throne, impeaching Prince Zhao.
The current Saint ruled the nation on the principle of filial piety. Such a rebellious and unfilial person had to be punished severely and without pardon!
The Emperor, bowing to pressure, sent for Prince Zhao to be brought to the Imperial Palace so he could question him personally about the incident.
Facing the lofty Emperor, Li Ji felt little nervousness. He sat in his wheelchair, his expression apathetic.
The Emperor first expressed concern for his injuries, then had the Chief Imperial Doctor come and examine him.
Only when the pleasantries were thoroughly exhausted did the Emperor, as if the thought had just struck him, bring up Princess Rouwan.
"I heard you returned to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion yesterday and that things with your mother became rather unpleasant?"
Li Ji responded calmly, "Mm."
The Emperor sighed in resignation. "I know Duke Zhen’s death had nothing to do with you, but your mother simply refuses to believe that. She’s convinced you were the one who killed him."
"I even had the Empress try to reason with her, but she refuses to listen." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
"There’s truly nothing more I can do."
"Fortunately, you’ve moved out of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion now, so you no longer have to live with her day in and day out."
Li Ji said in a toneless voice, "You’ve troubled yourself, Your Majesty."
The Emperor said, "The timing of these rumors is quite peculiar. Shall I help you find out what’s going on?"
Li Ji replied, "There’s no need. I know who did it."
At this, the Emperor dropped the subject. He soothed Li Ji a while longer with gentle words and ended up keeping him in the Imperial Palace for lunch.
It was already afternoon by the time Li Ji left the Imperial Palace.
A carriage from the Ningyang Princess Mansion was already waiting at the palace gates.
A servant approached, bowed, and said respectfully,
"Your Highness, the Eldest Princess requests your presence at her residence for a talk."
Li Ji gave a slight nod in ascent.
He knew that Princess Ningyang had summoned him this time for the matter concerning Princess Rouwan.
And he was right.
The moment Princess Ningyang saw him, she began to try and mediate.
"Duke Zhen’s death was too great a blow to your mother. She couldn’t bear it, so her mind has become a bit... troubled."
"No matter what she says, you must not take it to heart."
"You are the child she carried for ten months; you are the apple of her eye. She has always loved you."
Li Ji let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Is that so?"
’He, too, had once believed that there was no mother in this world who did not love her child.’
’But reality had proven him far too naive.’
’Princess Rouwan had never loved him.’
’There was simply no one in this world who would love him unconditionally.’
Princess Ningyang continued to plead with him for a long time, talking until she was hoarse, but Li Ji’s expression remained indifferent. It was clear he hadn’t taken a word of it to heart.
