The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 96: Why Is She So Good to Him?

Lady Li was the first to grow restless. She ran to the Empress to complain.

"I’ve heard that the Crown Prince was also interested in that Hua Qingqing and wanted to bring her into the Crown Prince Mansion as a concubine. I never thought she’d climb into the Saint’s bed in the blink of an eye. This woman’s schemes run deep indeed. Empress, you must be on your guard."

The Empress advised helplessly, "Since she was able to gain the Saint’s favor, it means this is her fated blessing. As for the matter between the Crown Prince and her, that is all in the past. You mustn’t bring it up again, lest you displease the Saint."

Lady Li could only reply resentfully, "I understand."

The Empress added, "Also, she is a Jieyu now. You should address her as Hua Jieyu. Don’t call her by her name directly; it’s improper."

Lady Li: "Yes."

She put on a submissive front, but inwardly she was scornful.

’The Crown Prince is the Empress’s biological son. The woman her own son fancied had been slept with by the Emperor. Lady Li refused to believe the Empress felt not a single shred of resentment.’

’The Empress must be putting on an act. She’s probably furious inside right now!’

Soon, the other Concubines also arrived to pay their respects to the Empress.

Among them was Hua Qingqing, who had just been titled a Jieyu.

Bearing the unfriendly gazes of the other Concubines, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"I pay my respects to the Empress and wish her peace."

The Empress smiled and said a few words of concern, then gave her a set of jade jewelry as a congratulatory gift.

Since the Empress had already set an example, the other Concubines naturally had to show their goodwill as well.

Even though they wished they could tear Hua Qingqing to shreds, on the surface, they still had to feign a gentle and generous demeanor, each giving Hua Qingqing a congratulatory gift.

Hua Qingqing accepted the gifts and thanked all the Concubines present.

Normally, after paying their respects, the Concubines would just sit and chat for a while before the visit ended and they could each return to their own residences.

But today, these few Concubines all found Hua Qingqing disagreeable and were determined to make things uncomfortable for her.

One after another, they spoke, and before long, they had steered the conversation toward Hua Qingqing.

Wen Zhaorong said, feigning curiosity, "I hear Hua Jieyu’s younger sister is also in Yuqing Palace. Since Hua Jieyu is so beautiful, her sister must be very pretty too. It makes one so curious."

Lady Shu said nonchalantly, "If you’re so curious, just have her sister brought over for a look. It’s not a big deal, anyway."

Before Hua Qingqing could refuse, Lady Li quickly interjected.

"Perfect! We’re going to admire the flowers later, so let’s bring Hua Jieyu’s sister along. The more, the merrier. What do you say, Empress?"

The Empress smiled and nodded. "Yes, indeed."

Since the Empress herself had spoken, how could Hua Qingqing possibly refuse?

She could only watch helplessly as Lady Li sent someone to summon Hua Manman, her heart racing with anxiety.

At the same time, she silently cursed her own weakness.

’If only I were a little more powerful, with a slightly higher status, I wouldn’t have to just stand by and watch them drag my younger sister into this mess.’

After finishing breakfast today, Hua Manman went to read, practice calligraphy, and train with her sword as usual.

Li Ji not only had to teach her academics but also physical education. He was truly skilled in both literature and martial arts, a decathlete with an extremely high cost-performance ratio.

If this were modern society, he alone could carry an entire Hope Primary School on his shoulders.

Seeing how closely he was watching her, Hua Manman couldn’t help but ask.

"Prince, don’t you have any actual business to attend to on a normal day?"

Li Ji raised an eyebrow and retorted, "What proper business do you think a cripple has? Besides waiting around to eat and die?"

Hua Manman: "..."

’Why do I actually feel so envious? What’s wrong with me?’

’As long as I can legitimately just wait around to eat and die, I’d be fine with becoming a cripple too!’

Li Ji heard her inner thoughts and sincerely felt that he hadn’t assigned her enough homework. Otherwise, how would she have the energy to think about so much nonsense?

He tapped the desk and said, cold and ruthless.

"Write this character another ten times."

Hua Manman pouted, picked up her brush, and continued to write.

Just then, Si Yun came in and said nervously.

"Nanny, Lady Li Fei just sent someone over. They said you are to go over immediately. The Empress and Hua Jieyu are there as well."

Hua Manman froze for a moment. "Lady Li? What does she want with me?"

Si Yun said cautiously, "The person didn’t say, and this servant didn’t dare to ask."

Hua Manman put down her brush. Since the Empress and Hua Qingqing were also there, she had no choice but to go this time.

Li Ji asked, "Do you need me to accompany you?"

Hua Manman was a little tempted. With Prince Zhao there, she would feel more confident.

But she quickly regained her senses. It was a gathering of women. What would it look like to bring a grown man like Prince Zhao along?

Besides, even if the Emperor doted on Prince Zhao, he was still an outer court official.

As an outer court official, how could he get too close to the palace Concubines? It was against the rules. If word got out, it would cause gossip and be bad for Prince Zhao’s reputation.

Perhaps he himself didn’t care about such things.

But Hua Manman cared.

She didn’t want Prince Zhao to be the subject of gossip and criticism.

Hua Manman showed a touched expression. "Thank you for your kind offer, Prince, but there’s no need. I can go by myself."

Li Ji heard all the thoughts in her mind crystal clear, and his gaze gradually deepened.

Everyone else tried every possible way to use him and plot against him, doing their utmost to squeeze some benefit out of him.

Only she would actually take the initiative to give up such a perfect opportunity to use him.

’Why is she so good to me?’

...

Hua Manman changed her clothes and walked toward the Empress’s residence.

She didn’t know Lady Li, but the woman was mentioned in *Palace Intrigue*.

As a classic palace struggle novel, it was filled with Concubines, and Lady Li was the one among the many who wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

If there were a ranking for brain-dead characters, the original Hua Manman would be number one, and Lady Li would be number two.

The reason for their existence was to attract hatred and be slapped in the face by the female lead.

A normal person would learn their lesson after being slapped in the face once, but not them. They possessed an indomitable will and skin as thick as an aluminum alloy. Even after being repeatedly put in their place countless times, they could still, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, stubbornly fight on the front lines of courting death.

Now that Hua Manman had a new core, she knew she couldn’t compete with the female lead for screen time and obediently retreated to a supporting role.

But Lady Li was still diligently fulfilling her duties as a brain-dead supporting female character.

Hua Manman sighed, her tone rather sympathetic.

"Isn’t it good to be alive? Why must you court death?"

Si Yun, who was following close behind, looked up and asked blankly, "Nanny, what are you talking about?"

Hua Manman: "Nothing."

Soon, she saw the Empress and the few troublemaking Concubines.

The Empress wore a crimson, wide-sleeved long dress. Her features were elegant, and she had a gentle temperament.

She was now thirty-five years old, one year older than the Emperor. Fortunately, she had maintained herself well, showing no traces of age. On the contrary, due to her many years in a high position, she possessed a dignity that others lacked, commanding respect.

Hua Manman bowed respectfully.

"I pay my respects to the Empress."

...