The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Doctor Zhang spoke with such certainty that the Empress was powerless to refute him. She could only swallow her pride and accept it.

She truly hadn’t expected Hua Jieyu to be so fortunate as to become pregnant only four months after entering the palace.

After all, many concubines had been in the palace for years yet still failed to conceive.

’What kind of luck does Hua Jieyu have!’

The Emperor was overjoyed. He ordered Doctor Zhang to be rewarded, then personally stepped forward to take Hua Jieyu’s hand and said with a smile,

"Just focus on your pregnancy. You must be sure to deliver the child safely."

Hua Qingqing quickly recovered from her shock. Knowing this was a golden opportunity, she hurriedly said to the Emperor,

"Your Majesty, Lady Hua was only trying to protect me just now. She offended the Empress in a moment of desperation. I beg you to save her."

The Emperor admired their deep sisterly bond, and since he was in an excellent mood, he readily agreed.

"Don’t worry. I will plead with the Empress on your behalf."

With that, he turned to Hua Manman and chided her.

"How could you be so impulsive? To openly defy the Empress—you have quite the nerve. Hurry up and apologize to her."

Hua Manman immediately and obediently took a step forward and curtsied to the Empress.

"I was impulsive just now. I know I was wrong. I beg Your Majesty not to lower yourself to my level."

The Empress’s face was grim, her mood utterly foul.

But since the Emperor had already offered to intercede, how could she possibly refuse to let the matter go?

Even though she had lost all hope in the Emperor, she still had to consider her maternal family. After all, many of them served as officials in the court, and their futures were entirely in the Emperor’s hands.

In the end, the Empress could only take a deep breath, suppressing the resentment in her heart as she said coldly,

"Since the Saint has already made his decision, what is there for me to say?"

She declared she was tired and wished to go rest.

The Emperor knew she was upset and didn’t take offense at the resentment in her tone. He simply nodded in agreement.

Only after the Empress had left did Hua Manman finally let out a true sigh of relief.

’Today’s crisis is finally over.’

The Emperor prepared to have someone escort Hua Qingqing back to her residence.

Hua Qingqing pleaded,

"Your Majesty, my grandmother is gravely ill. I don’t know how much longer she can hold on."

"I am terribly worried and wish to go home to see her. I beg for your permission."

The Emperor was not an unreasonable man, and he readily agreed.

"You may leave the palace, but you’re pregnant now, so you must be careful."

"I will send an Imperial Physician to the Zhong’an Bo Mansion shortly. I hope he can be of some help."

Hua Qingqing was overjoyed, her gaze filled with gratitude as she looked at the Emperor.

"Thank you!"

Originally, her feelings for the Emperor had been very complicated.

She hadn’t come to be with the Emperor willingly; she had been forced from the very beginning.

Even becoming one of the Emperor’s concubines was a helpless choice she had been forced to make.

But in this moment, she suddenly felt a certain charm from the Emperor.

It was a charm that made her heart flutter for an instant.

But because she was preoccupied with her grandmother’s safety, Hua Qingqing didn’t have time to savor the feeling.

She ordered Xi Xiang to be taken back to Moon Viewing Pavilion to be cared for, then hurriedly left the Imperial Palace with Hua Manman, taking a carriage straight for the Zhong’an Bo Mansion.

「Inside the carriage.」

Si Yun returned the token with both hands.

Even now, her heart was still pounding with fear.

In her entire life, she had never seen the Emperor before!

When she clutched the token and told the gate guards she sought an audience with the Saint, her voice had trembled uncontrollably.

Later, when she actually met the Emperor, she was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Hua Manman put the token away. ’I really have this token to thank for today,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, Si Yun never would have been able to see the Emperor. I have to thank Prince Zhao properly when I get back.’

The thought of Prince Zhao inevitably reminded her of the kiss she’d given him before leaving, and her face grew a little hot.

Only then did Hua Qingqing realize that the Emperor had appeared so promptly because Hua Manman had sent someone to inform him.

Hua Qingqing voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind.

"Second Sister, how did you know I was pregnant?"

Hua Manman huffed, "I just guessed. So what?"

Hua Qingqing said, "Weren’t you afraid of being wrong? If I hadn’t been pregnant, the Empress would have certainly seized the opportunity to charge you with deceiving the sovereign."

Hua Manman retorted self-righteously,

"I only said you *might* be pregnant, not that you *definitely* were. She’s the one who misunderstood. On what grounds could she punish me?!"

Hua Qingqing shook her head and sighed. "It’s not as simple as you think."

"This concerns an heir of the Royal Family. It can’t just be dismissed as a simple misunderstanding."

"Luckily, I really am pregnant this time. Otherwise..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

If she hadn’t been pregnant, both she and her younger sister would have been in grave danger.

Seeing that her younger sister still looked unconcerned, she couldn’t help but warn her,

"Don’t be so impulsive in the future. You were lucky to escape this time, but you might not be next time. You absolutely must not take such risks again."

Hua Manman turned her head away. "My business is none of your concern!"

Hua Qingqing sighed, blaming herself.

’I’m the older sister, but it’s always been my younger sister trying so hard to protect me.’

’I’m so useless.’

’If I were a little more capable, or if my status were a little higher, my younger sister wouldn’t have to take such risks for my sake.’

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Zhong’an Bo Mansion.

Supported by a nanny, Hua Qingqing carefully disembarked from the carriage.

The gatekeeper was very surprised to see both ladies returning at the same time.

Soon, Elder Zhong’an Hua Dingzong and the He Family received the news and hurried over.

Hua Dingzong and the He Family moved to bow in greeting to Hua Qingqing.

Hua Qingqing quickly stepped aside. "Father, Mother, please don’t do this. I am not worthy of such a greeting."

Hua Dingzong felt quite awkward about it himself, but he maintained a formal expression and said,

"This is proper etiquette. It must not be abandoned."

Hua Qingqing replied, "We’re at home, and there are no outsiders. There’s no need for such tedious formalities."

Only then did Hua Dingzong abandon the idea of bowing. He asked her,

"Aren’t you living in the palace? Why have you returned so suddenly?"

Hua Qingqing explained, "I heard from my younger sister that Grandmother is gravely ill. I was terribly worried, so I begged the Saint for his mercy and asked for permission to come home and see her."

Hua Dingzong scolded her.

"Was such a small matter worth troubling the Saint? Aren’t you afraid people will say you’re growing arrogant from the favor you’ve received?"

Despite his words, he immediately led his two daughters to Changsheng Residence.

The old madam was indeed gravely ill.

The last time Hua Manman had seen her, she had been unable to move, but she could at least still speak, and her mind was clear.

But now, she couldn’t even speak clearly and seemed dazed and confused.

Even when her most cherished granddaughter appeared before her, she didn’t seem to recognize her. Her cloudy eyes remained fixed on the door, as if she were waiting for someone.

Hua Qingqing knelt by the bed, gripping the old madam’s withered, thin hand as she called out with a sob,

"Grandmother."

Hearing her voice, the old madam’s eyes finally shifted.