The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 72: Whoever Wants This Mess Can Have It

By the time Hua Manman and Li Ji returned to the Prince Zhao Mansion, it was late at night.

Bright red lanterns still hung from the eaves of the Prince Mansion, and red silk was draped above the main gate, giving it a festive air.

The guards at the gate saw the Prince had returned and hurried forward to pay their respects.

With assistance, Li Ji disembarked from the carriage and settled firmly into his wheelchair.

Hua Manman pushed the wheelchair into the Prince Mansion. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Along the way, they ran into Gao Shan, who had rushed over to meet them. He looked frantic, his forehead beaded with sweat.

The moment he saw the Prince, he looked as if he had seen his savior. He dropped to his knees with a THUD and cried out in a tearful voice.

"Your Highness, you’re finally back!"

Tonight was supposed to be the auspicious wedding day for Prince Zhao and Han Ruren. All the guests had arrived for the occasion; even Princess Ningyang and the Emperor had sent representatives with lavish gifts. But who could have known that Prince Zhao would run away in the middle of his own wedding!

He had simply up and left, leaving poor Gao Shan behind to deal with the mess.

Gao Shan not only had to console Han Ruren, but also had to rack his brains for an explanation to give the guests, leaving him utterly frazzled.

If he hadn’t been personally assigned to the Prince Zhao Mansion by the Emperor, he would have simply walked away. ’Let someone else deal with this damn mess!’

Yet Li Ji himself showed not a shred of the remorse one would expect after causing such a disaster. He still had that same lazy, nonchalant air, as if everything that happened in the Prince Mansion had nothing to do with him.

He asked languidly, "Is everyone gone?"

Gao Shan replied quickly, "The guests have all returned home. I explained that Your Highness had to leave temporarily due to some urgent personal business."

The excuse was far too vague; it was doubtful many people would believe it.

But he had done his best.

Everything had happened so suddenly that he’d had no time to prepare a more thorough excuse.

Li Ji seemed completely unconcerned about the consequences of fleeing his own wedding, and he yawned lazily.

"Let’s leave it at that. I’m tired."

Gao Shan said quickly, "I’ll take you to Jade Pavilion to rest at once."

Li Ji asked, "Why would I go to Jade Pavilion?"

Now it was Gao Shan’s turn to be baffled.

He replied instinctively, "Han Ruren is staying in Jade Pavilion."

Li Ji retorted, "What does where she lives have to do with me?"

Gao Shan was utterly dumbfounded.

’Wait, isn’t tonight supposed to be Han Ruren and Prince Zhao’s wedding night? Shouldn’t the Prince be spending it with her?’

Li Ji heard the man’s unspoken thoughts but was in no mood to enlighten him.

He said to Hua Manman.

"Back to Mountain and Sea Residence."

And just like that, Gao Shan was left standing there.

He stared blankly at the departing figures of Prince Zhao and Lady Hua, finally letting out a soft sigh after a long moment.

’I’d thought that after Han Ruren joined the household, she might divert some of Prince Zhao’s favor.’

’But now it seems I’ve underestimated Lady Hua’s capabilities.’

’Judging by Prince Zhao’s attitude, it’s clear that Lady Hua will continue to hold the most favored position in the Prince Zhao Mansion for a long time to come.’

「Inside Jade Pavilion.」

Han Zhenzhen, dressed in a silver-red gown with wide sleeves, sat primly on the edge of a bed covered with a bright red brocade quilt. The long train of her gown cascaded onto the floor, pooling in shimmering layers.

In the warm yellow candlelight, her eyes were visibly red-rimmed, as if she had just been crying.

’Tonight was supposed to be the most dazzling, important day of my life, yet who would have thought my husband would actually run away in the middle of our wedding!’

’Leaving me all alone to face everyone’s whispers and pointed fingers.’

’I almost broke down right then and there.’

Fortunately, her willpower was reasonably strong, and she had managed to grit her teeth and endure it.

A moment ago, Xingyu had run in to tell her that Prince Zhao was back.

Han Zhenzhen immediately composed herself. She worked to redden her eyes, squeezed out a couple of tears, and did her best to look exceptionally pitiful.