Chapter 210 - 211: You’ve Fallen for Him
Unwilling to be ignored, Yin Meiren seized the opportunity to ask a question.
"If you had to choose between the chicken soup I sent and the pigeon soup Hua Jieyu sent, which would Your Majesty pick?"
The Emperor looked at her, exasperated. "You really know how to put me in a difficult position."
Yin Meiren whined coquettishly, "Please tell me. Tell me, tell me, tell me~"
Before the Emperor could speak, Hua Qingqing spoke up.
"Naturally, Your Majesty prefers the chicken soup made by Yin Meiren."
The Emperor turned to her. "And how do you know that?"
Hua Qingqing gave a dazzling smile. "Yin Meiren is as beautiful as a flower. Never mind men, even a woman like myself is quite fond of her. A soup personally brewed by a Beauty must naturally taste beautiful as well."
The Emperor was amused. He reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose.
"Such a tease."
What he liked most about Hua Jieyu was her cleverness. She got jealous, she could be playful, and she was excellent at reading people. She always knew what to say and when to say it, her sense of propriety was always perfect, and she never let the atmosphere turn awkward.
Seeing that Hua Jieyu had completely captured the Emperor’s attention, Yin Meiren’s heart burned with even greater jealousy.
But with the Emperor right there, she could only suppress her resentment and force a smile as she exchanged a few pleasantries with Hua Jieyu.
Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, Hua Qingqing took the opportunity to reveal the true purpose of her visit.
"I heard that Lady Hua has entered the palace. I would like to go see her, if Your Majesty would permit it."
The Emperor was always magnanimous about such minor matters and readily agreed.
"Go if you wish. Just be careful not to disturb Prince Zhao’s rest."
"Yes."
...
Hua Qingqing found Hua Manman in the Left Attendant Hall.
Hua Manman looked Hua Qingqing up and down. She was still as graceful as ever, her skin still flawless. Her beauty hadn’t diminished in the slightest from her pregnancy.
Hua Manman couldn’t help but sigh to herself.
’She’s the female lead, all right.’
’Still radiant, even while pregnant.’
Hua Manman put on an impatient expression and asked.
"What are you doing here?"
Hua Qingqing dismissed the attendants on either side of them, then lowered her voice to ask, "I heard Prince Zhao was gravely poisoned and his life is in danger. Is it true?"
Hua Manman countered with a question of her own. "What does that have to do with you?"
Hua Qingqing replied, "It has nothing to do with me, of course, but it has everything to do with you. If something were to happen to Prince Zhao, what would you do?"
Hua Manman was surprised she was so concerned.
’Weren’t they just fair-weather sisters?’
’Did plastic become more valuable just because we’re in ancient times?’
Feigning displeasure, Hua Manman frowned. "Heaven protects the worthy. Prince Zhao will be fine. Don’t stand here cursing him."
Hua Qingqing said, "Of course I hope Prince Zhao will be all right. But what if he isn’t? You have to leave yourself an escape route."
Hua Manman turned away from her. "I don’t want to hear this. You should go."
With that, she started to walk away.
Hua Qingqing quickly called out to her.
"Wait. I know this is hard to hear, but it’s the truth. You have to think about yourself."
Hua Manman stopped and turned back to look at her, her expression serious.
"Then let me tell you the truth. I haven’t thought about the future. Right now, all I want is for Prince Zhao to get better."
Hua Qingqing looked into her eyes and saw her firm expression. It seemed she was determined to stay by Prince Zhao’s side, leaving herself no escape route.
Hua Qingqing was taken aback and murmured.
"Manman, you... you can’t be..."
Hua Manman asked, "Can’t be what?"
Hua Qingqing’s voice was a mere whisper. If one weren’t listening carefully, it would be impossible to make out her words.
Fortunately, the room was very quiet, with only the two of them inside.
Hua Manman heard her say—
"Have you actually fallen in love with Prince Zhao?"
This time, it was Hua Manman’s turn to be stunned.
’She never expected Hua Qingqing to ask such a question.’
’In ancient times, they had a saying: "Marry a chicken, follow the chicken." Once a woman was married, her heart and eyes were meant for her husband alone.’
’They weren’t supposed to think about things like love and affection.’
’But now, Hua Qingqing had asked such a question, and it sparked a suspicion in Hua Manman’s mind.’
Hua Manman countered with her own question. "Have you actually fallen in love with the Saint?"
Hua Qingqing: "..."
She was speechless.
Seeing her reaction, Hua Manman knew she’d guessed right.
"You’ve fallen for him," Hua Manman stated.
It was a statement, not a question.
Hua Qingqing’s cheeks grew hot, but a bitter taste filled her heart.
Since things had come to this, she decided to stop hiding it and admitted it frankly.
"Yes. I have developed genuine feelings for the Saint."
Hua Manman stared at her in disbelief.
’When she’d read *Palace Intrigue*, the protagonist, Hua Qingqing, had been cool-headed from start to finish. She never developed real feelings for the Emperor. Even if she acted as if her love for him was as deep as the ocean, in her heart, she always saw things with perfect clarity.’
’She never wavered from her original goal, not even at the moment of the Emperor’s death.’
’That was the main reason Hua Manman had managed to finish *Palace Intrigue*.’
’But now, Hua Qingqing had actually fallen for that scumbag Emperor!’
’The protagonist’s character is collapsing!’
Perhaps because Hua Manman’s shock was so obvious, Hua Qingqing felt a little awkward.
She tried to explain in a small voice.
"I know it’s foolish, but matters of the heart aren’t something I can control."
"But don’t worry. I’ve calmed down now. I won’t let myself get lost in it."
Hua Manman felt slightly relieved.
’But just to be safe, she decided to feed the protagonist some toxic life advice.’
For example—
’Be an independent woman who doesn’t rely on men.’
’A self-reliant woman is more attractive.’
’Don’t believe a man’s sweet nothings.’
’A man’s words are a pack of lies. Whoever believes them is an idiot!’
’Before loving anyone else, you must first learn to love yourself.’
’Only a woman who knows how to love herself can live with grace and composure.’
’Never waste your sorrow on a scumbag, because you’re only ever hurting yourself.’
...
Hua Qingqing listened, completely stunned.
She never thought her little sister would know so much about such things.
Hua Manman talked until her mouth was dry.
She picked up a bowl of tea and GULP, GULP, GULP, drank it all down. Wiping her mouth, she adopted the air of a life coach, fixed Hua Qingqing with a sharp gaze, and asked.
"Did you get all that?"
Hua Qingqing replied, "What you said makes sense, but you still haven’t answered me. Have you actually fallen in love with Prince Zhao?"
To lead by example, Hua Manman denied it without a moment’s hesitation.
"Of course not!"
Hua Qingqing was about to press her, but then she noticed the corner of a robe peeking out from the doorway.
She instinctively fell silent.
Hua Manman followed her gaze, whipping her head toward the door. When she saw the corner of the robe, a terrible premonition instantly seized her.
’The color and fabric of that robe... it looked so familiar.’
’It looked just like the clothes Prince Zhao was wearing today.’
’But he’s supposed to be lying in bed. He wouldn’t come here... right?’
...
There will be another Chapter later.