The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 97: Is Second Sister Worried About Me?

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Is Second Sister Worried About Me?

Before anyone else could speak, Lady Li eagerly cut in.

"As expected of Hua Jieyu’s sister. You’re truly beautiful. It’s no wonder Prince Zhao abandoned Han Ruren at the altar and ran off for you.

With your looks and figure, you’d be at the top not just in the Prince Mansion, but even here in the Imperial Palace. It truly makes one envious."

These words sounded like praise for Hua Manman, but they were actually meant to stir up resentment against her.

But the other Concubines present were no fools.

They simply smiled and said nothing.

No one wanted to be used as a weapon by Lady Li.

Fearing her younger sister would be bullied, Hua Qingqing immediately stood up and spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"Thank you for your praise, Lady Li. But when it comes to looks, you are the one who outshines everyone in the rear palace.

I heard that the Saint granted you the title ’Li’ precisely because of your stunning beauty.

Even the Saint himself has praised your beauty. Manman is nothing compared to you."

If Lady Li’s earlier words had been harmless to the other Concubines, Hua Qingqing’s speech struck them right where it hurt most. The expressions on their faces shifted slightly.

Lady Shu let out a soft laugh, her beautiful eyes filled with disdain.

Wen Zhaorong quietly pursed her lips, unimpressed.

Yichongyuan lifted her teacup and pretended not to hear anything, sipping her tea.

Lady Li had originally intended to set a trap for Hua Manman and vent her pent-up frustrations. As for whether Hua Manman was innocent? ’Sorry, that’s not my concern. Her only fault is being Hua Qingqing’s sister.’

Who would have thought that not only would she fail to trap Hua Manman, but Hua Qingqing would also turn the tables on her?

Lady Li was seething with rage, but with the Empress present, she couldn’t lash out. She could only suppress her anger and feign helplessness.

"That was so many years ago. Why are you still bringing it up? I am old and faded now. How could I possibly compare to a younger sister like you, in the bloom of your youth?"

She thought Hua Qingqing would surely refute her words.

However, Hua Qingqing only gave her a look, as if she wanted to say something but was holding back, and said nothing at all.

Lady Li thought she had admitted defeat and was feeling quite smug when she heard the Empress, who had been silent all this time, suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"If you consider yourself old and faded, then wouldn’t that mean I already have one foot in the grave?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Lady Li’s heart skipped a beat. ’This is bad,’ she thought. ’I’ve said the wrong thing!’

She was one of the earlier arrivals to the palace, but her tenure was nothing compared to the Empress’s. The Empress had entered the palace at seventeen and had already been here for eighteen years. Among all the women present, she was the oldest.

No one had ever dared to mention terms like "old and faded" in front of the Empress before.

Today, in her haste to speak, Lady Li had forgotten this crucial point.

’No wonder Hua Qingqing gave me that look just now.’

’Hua Qingqing must have anticipated this and was deliberately waiting to see me make a fool of myself!’

Lady Li ground her teeth in hatred, cursing that little bitch Hua Qingqing countless times in her heart. On the surface, however, she had to put on an expression of utter panic and apologize profusely.

"I have misspoken! I was thoughtless. I beg you, Your Majesty, please don’t lower yourself to my level."

The Empress smiled helplessly. "It’s just idle chatter between sisters. There’s no need to be so nervous. Besides, I know what kind of person you are. I won’t blame you for a couple of jokes."

Lady Li breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty."

She returned to her seat, but in her heart, she now harbored a very real hatred for Hua Qingqing.

’That little bitch. She’d better hope I don’t get a chance, or I’ll make her pay!’ 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

And so, the verbal skirmish between Lady Li and Hua Qingqing came to an end.

The group changed the subject, appearing as if they hadn’t taken the recent incident to heart. In reality, however, every one of them had quietly heightened their wariness and hostility toward Hua Qingqing.

This woman was not only stunningly beautiful, but she was also intelligent and articulate. They had also heard she was a favorite of the Empress Dowager.

From any angle, she was a formidable rival.

’With a rival this threatening, it’s naturally best to eliminate her as early as possible.’

Hua Manman’s feelings were complicated.

She had thought that, given the "plastic" nature of her sisterly relationship with Hua Qingqing, Hua Qingqing wouldn’t have bothered with her problems. She never expected Hua Qingqing to actually stand up for her just now.

With Hua Qingqing’s intelligence, she couldn’t possibly be unaware that being so conspicuously sharp would only make her own situation more difficult.

Yet, she still chose to step forward and defend her younger sister without hesitation.

Hua Manman was not just surprised; she was also deeply touched.

Hua Qingqing noticed her younger sister looking at her. Thinking Manman was nervous and scared, she offered her a reassuring smile.

Next was the flower-viewing part of the event.

The group moved to the Hundred Herbs Garden. This garden was filled with all sorts of rare flowers and exotic plants, their fragrance filling the air as colorful butterflies fluttered about.

But Hua Manman was in no mood to admire the beautiful scenery.

Her mind was completely occupied with worry about Hua Qingqing’s predicament.

While everyone was admiring the flowers, Hua Qingqing quietly moved to Hua Manman’s side and whispered to her.

"Little sister, don’t be afraid. You have me, your big sister. I won’t let you be disadvantaged."

Hua Manman huffed. "Instead of worrying about me, you should think about your own situation!"

Hua Qingqing looked at her with a smile. "What about me?"

Hua Manman mocked her in a deliberately sarcastic, passive-aggressive tone.

"You were so impressive in that war of words with Lady Li just now. You don’t actually think winning a few verbal spars will make her quietly admit defeat, do you?

Stop being so self-righteous. Your little tricks are nothing.

If I were you, I’d just keep my head down and act humbly.

In the rear palace, the more you jump around, the faster you die."

Hua Qingqing listened earnestly, her smile growing even more gentle. "Are you worried about me, little sister?"

Hua Manman reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling.

She retorted, flailing her arms defensively.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I’m not worried about you! Can you stop being so full of yourself?!"

Hua Qingqing covered her lips and chuckled, her two beautiful eyes curving into crescents.

’My little sister is so cute.’

Lady Li, feigning nonchalance, admired the flowers while gradually moving closer to Hua Qingqing’s position.

When she was only a step away from Hua Qingqing, Lady Li stopped, her gaze fixed on her.

At that moment, the Empress was sitting in the nearby Octagonal Pavilion with Yichongyuan by her side. The two were sipping tea and chatting. Meanwhile, Wen Zhaorong was accompanying Lady Shu in the garden, catching butterflies. They seemed to be having a good time.

None of them were looking in Lady Li and Hua Qingqing’s direction.

Hua Qingqing noticed Lady Li approaching. She stopped her conversation with her younger sister and smiled, greeting Lady Li.

Her posture was calm and elegant, showing no sign of guilt for having just set a trap for the other woman.