The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 26: The Palm and the Back of the Hand Are Both Flesh

Seeing this, Princess Ningyang felt a deep sense of helplessness.

One was her own daughter, the other her legitimate maternal grandson.

Both were her own flesh and blood.

She couldn’t bear to lose either of them and wanted to protect them both.

But things refused to go her way. The mother-son bond between Princess Rouwan and Li Ji was almost completely shattered.

Even though she tried her best to mediate, she still couldn’t get the mother and son to reconcile.

Princess Ningyang was already very old.

Even though she had aged gracefully, her face still bore many fine lines, her hair was streaked with gray, and her irises were a bit faded.

She heaved a long sigh, her voice full of helplessness and world-weariness.

"Forget it. From now on, try not to return to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion so often. Perhaps after some time, your mother will come to her senses. Then you two can have a proper talk."

Li Ji was noncommittal.

Princess Ningyang toyed with the White Jade Buddha Beads on her wrist and sighed.

"I heard that it was Lady Hua who stepped forward to protect you this time.

It seems the Doctor of Calendar at the Observatory was right. You have seen too much slaughter, and the baleful aura around you is too strong. It’s easy for you to attract disaster.

Fortunately, you married Lady Hua in time, allowing her to shield you from this disaster.

We’ll credit her for this. I’ll have someone send a reward to her later."

Li Ji didn’t believe a word from those charlatans at the Observatory.

But he didn’t refute his grandmother’s words, merely giving a casual sound of assent.

"Mm."

Princess Ningyang advised him earnestly.

"You don’t need to worry about Li Lou taking your place. Even though you both share the surname Li, you are the only one who can inherit the Duke Zhen’s estate.

I will go to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion myself later to have a long talk with your mother, and while I’m at it, I’ll send Li Lou back to where he belongs."

Li Ji said nonchalantly, "There’s no need to trouble you with such a small matter, Grandmother. I can handle it myself."

Princess Ningyang didn’t insist and changed the subject.

"In two days, the woman from the Han Family will be entering the manor. You should prepare well after you return.

Once she enters the Prince Mansion, she can serve you alongside Lady Hua.

From now on, all the trivial matters of the inner court can be left to them. You just need to focus on your recovery."

Originally, she had planned to send the two attendant concubines to the Prince Zhao Mansion tonight. However, considering Lady Hua was injured while saving Prince Zhao, she decided to show Lady Hua some consideration and wait until her injuries had healed before sending them over.

This way, Lady Hua would also have more opportunities to be alone with Prince Zhao—a compensation of sorts.

Li Ji replied without much interest, "Mm."

He already had quite a few women in his inner court. Most had been arranged for him by Princess Ningyang, while others were sent by the Emperor and Empress.

After these women were sent to the Prince Mansion, Li Ji had them all dispatched to the inner court without ever laying eyes on them.

Meanwhile, these women were gathered in front of the Glazed Pavilion, where Hua Manman resided.

Dressed to the nines, they had come to pay their respects to the newly arrived Lady Hua.

Hua Manman looked at the flock of beauties before her and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. ’Being a prince in ancient times really is the life. One man gets to have so many gorgeous girls.’

Ever since being sent to the Prince Zhao Mansion, they hadn’t even seen Prince Zhao’s face, so naturally, they had no official title.

Thus, when paying their respects to Hua Manman, they all referred to themselves as "your servant."

Hua Manman didn’t put on any airs. She smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then gestured for them to leave.

However, two of the young women were unwilling to leave just yet.

...

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