The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 42: Grasshoppers on the Same Rope

Hua Manman had a box of Broken Jade Ointment hidden away. It might just be able to heal Prince Zhao’s leg injury.

She had originally intended to save the Broken Jade Ointment for an emergency.

But right now, the most pressing matter was healing Prince Zhao.

Although she often grumbled to herself that Prince Zhao was hardly a man, upon serious reflection, he had never truly harmed her. Moreover, the two of them were now tied together, destined to flourish or perish as one.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch Prince Zhao become world-weary and lose his will to live.

’I have to find a way to help him regain his will to live!’

The first step was to give the Broken Jade Ointment to Prince Zhao to help him recover as quickly as possible.

But before that, she needed to come up with a plausible story so no one would question the ointment’s origin.

This was a problem that required careful thought.

’I’ll have to give it some more thought.’

As the sun began to set, the two concubines Eldest Princess Ningyang had chosen for Prince Zhao were brought over.

Their family names were Ruan and Kang.

They were led before Prince Zhao, where they kowtowed in greeting.

Hua Manman happened to be present and took the opportunity to carefully appraise the two new concubines.

Ruan was coquettish and cute, while Mrs. Kang was gentle and demure. Each was beautiful in her own way.

Hua Manman even found herself secretly hoping Prince Zhao would take a fancy to these two new concubines.

If he had someone to be interested in, he would find the motivation to live on and wouldn’t display such a desolate, world-weary attitude.

Li Ji, however, merely glanced at the two concubines before looking away, appearing utterly disinterested.

Seeing this, Gao Shan understood at once. The two women had failed to pique the Prince’s interest.

’It seems Lady Hua’s position by the Prince’s side remains unshakable for now.’

Gao Shan asked respectfully, "Prince, how should these two ladies be settled?"

Li Ji said, "You see to it."

Gao Shan bowed with clasped hands to the two concubines and said with a smile.

"This way, ladies. Please follow me."

Ruan and Mrs. Kang couldn’t help but look toward Prince Zhao. Both came from common families. To be chosen as concubines for Prince Zhao was a blessing they owed to their ancestors’ good deeds.

It would be a lie to say they had no ambitions.

Long before entering the prince’s residence, they had fantasized countless times about how they might win Prince Zhao’s favor.

But reality was far crueler than they had anticipated.

Prince Zhao had no interest in them whatsoever.

He wouldn’t even spare them a second glance.

’It’s only the first day and it’s already like this. How are we supposed to go on?’

Ruan hesitated, but she couldn’t accept this outcome.

Mustering her courage, she took a sachet, still warm with her body heat, from within her robes.

She held the sachet in her pale hands, presenting it carefully to Prince Zhao. Bashfully, she said...

"Prince, this is a sachet I sewed myself. It’s filled with calming herbs to help you sleep better at night. I hope you won’t mind my humble craftsmanship."

Mrs. Kang, who had been about to leave, stopped in her tracks.

She, too, had prepared a gift for Prince Zhao.

Coming from common backgrounds, they couldn’t afford any valuable treasures. The only things they could offer were small trinkets they had sewn themselves.

Mrs. Kang had prepared a small purse containing an Amulet she had personally requested from the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.

She currently had the purse hidden in her sleeve.

She decided to wait and see. If Prince Zhao were to accept Ruan’s Brocade Bag, she would take the chance to present the purse she had made as well.

Standing rather close, Hua Manman immediately noticed the sachet cradled in Ruan’s hands.

It was a moon-white sachet, embroidered with a pair of vivid mandarin ducks.

The intent behind this gift could not have been more obvious.

...

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