The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 106: But I Can’t Say It

Li Ji very much wanted to have Hua Qingqing thrown out.

But for Hua Manman’s sake, he ultimately did nothing. His face grim, he left the bedroom, deciding that out of sight would be out of mind.

Now that Hua Qingqing was highly favored by the emperor, she not only dressed more exquisitely, but the number of attendants following her had also grown.

Previously, she would typically only have Xi Xiang with her when she went out.

Now, in addition to Xi Xiang, she was followed by a number of palace maids and eunuchs. The most senior among them was a Chief Aunt named Jin Zhi.

While chatting idly with her younger sister, Hua Qingqing made a point of mentioning this Aunt Jinzhi.

"I’ve only just become a Concubine, so I’m completely in the dark about the palace rules and don’t understand a thing. Thankfully, Aunt Jinzhi is here to offer guidance. She’s helped me avoid so many pitfalls."

But when Hua Manman heard the name Jin Zhi, her heart sank.

She remembered that in Palace Intrigue, Hua Qingqing had a Chief Aunt by her side named Jin Zhi.

When this Chief Aunt first appeared in the story, she was gentle, considerate, and meticulous in her duties. She even helped Hua Qingqing solve several minor problems, coming across as a very reliable older-sister figure.

Hua Qingqing came to trust her more and more, discussing any problems she encountered with her. Hua Qingqing practically treated her like family.

However, this seemingly loyal and reliable Aunt Jinzhi colluded with outsiders later in the story to frame Hua Qingqing, which led to her being thrown into the Cold Palace, where she nearly lost her life.

It was the most infuriating and, at the same time, the most heart-wrenching part of the entire novel.

When Hua Manman had read that part of the story, she had wished she could reach through her phone and strangle that traitor, Jin Zhi, to death.

And now, Jin Zhi was standing right in front of Hua Manman, in the flesh.

Yet Hua Manman could only remain lying on her stomach, as helpless as a fish unable to flip over. There was nothing she could do.

’So frustrating!’

Hearing Hua Jieyu’s praise, Aunt Jinzhi replied with a beaming smile.

"You flatter me, Concubine. Her Majesty the Empress sent me to you precisely so I could help you adapt to palace life as quickly as possible.

"Everything I’ve done is simply part of my duties. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

Hua Qingqing smiled gently. "I’m only speaking the truth. There’s no need to be so modest, Aunt Jinzhi."

’I want to shout and tell Hua Qingqing right now that this Jin Zhi is a traitor! That she can’t be trusted!’

However, the system suddenly popped up.

"Host has been detected attempting to alter the plot. Issuing a warning!"

"Host has accumulated two warnings."

"If warnings exceed three, Host will be sentenced to the heartbreak punishment. Please proceed with caution!"

Hua Manman: "..."

She viciously flipped the bird in her mind.

’Fucking piece of shit system!’

Noticing her younger sister staring blankly at Aunt Jinzhi, Hua Qingqing couldn’t help but ask,

"Manman, why are you staring at Aunt Jinzhi?"

Hua Manman averted her gaze and huffed nonchalantly.

"I just wanted to see how capable your new prized attendant is. Looks like she’s nothing special."

Hua Qingqing gave a helpless smile. "You’re always like this."

Hua Manman retorted, disgruntled, "Like what? Am I not telling the truth?"

Hua Qingqing soothed her in a soft voice, "Alright, alright. You’re right about everything."

Her tone was like that of someone placating an unruly child.

Hua Manman was very annoyed.

She knew exactly what was going to happen but was powerless to stop it.

The feeling was unbearably stifling.

She turned her head away and said sullenly,

"I’m tired. I want to rest."

Hua Qingqing stood up, tucked the blanket in for her, and said softly,

"I’ll head back for now, then. You get some rest. I’ll come see you again when I have time."

Hua Manman didn’t respond.

Hua Qingqing left the bedroom with Aunt Jinzhi and Xi Xiang.

They saw Prince Zhao in the covered walkway outside.

Hua Qingqing gave a slight curtsy, her posture graceful and her voice gentle. "Your Highness, please take good care of Manman."

Li Ji sat in his wheelchair, watching them with a cold, somber gaze.

"Stay away from here from now on."

Hua Qingqing simply smiled, then left with her palace maids and eunuchs.

On the way back, Aunt Jinzhi sighed softly.

"It seems the Concubine truly cares for Lady Hua."

Hua Qingqing admitted readily, "Yes, she’s my sister. Of course I care for her."

Aunt Jinzhi remarked wistfully,

"I heard that you and Lady Hua were not born of the same mother.

"In many other families with a similar situation, it’s hard for the sisters to get along well.

"Yet you treat Lady Hua with such genuine kindness. It just goes to show how truly good-hearted you are.

"Lady Hua is truly blessed to have a wonderful older sister like you."

Hua Qingqing replied, "My younger sister is very good to me, too."

Aunt Jinzhi looked as though she wanted to say more but held her tongue.

Guessing what was on her mind, Hua Qingqing explained in a gentle voice,

"My sister just seems a little prickly on the outside, but she’s actually very kind-hearted.

"You might not see it now, but you’ll understand once you’ve been around her longer."

Aunt Jinzhi smiled along with her. "I see."

When Li Ji returned to the room, he saw Hua Manman still lying face down on the bed, but now her head was turned toward the wall, showing him only the back of her head.

She didn’t even glance back when she heard the sound of his wheelchair rolling in.

Li Ji raised an eyebrow. "What’s wrong with you? Who upset you?"

After a long moment, he saw Hua Manman’s head turn back toward him.

She said nonchalantly,

"I’m perfectly fine."

Li Ji looked into her eyes and clearly heard what she was really thinking—

’So annoying, so annoying, so annoying!’

Li Ji was rather surprised.

Hua Manman was usually so carefree; it was rare for her to be this vexed.

He remembered her being in high spirits before Hua Qingqing’s arrival. But as soon as Hua Qingqing left, her mood had taken a nosedive. Something must have happened between the two sisters.

Li Ji was actually hoping they had gotten into a fight. That way, they would see less of each other.

But judging by Hua Qingqing’s demeanor as she left, she probably hadn’t fought with Hua Manman.

If it wasn’t a fight, then something else must have happened.

Li Ji commented, as if by chance,

"When Hua Jieyu was leaving just now, she specifically asked me to take good care of you." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Hua Manman said sheepishly, "Hua Jieyu was probably just being polite. Your Highness is of noble birth; how could we trouble you to care for someone? I’ll be fine with Si Yun and the others looking after me."

Li Ji stared into her eyes, listening to her inner thoughts—

’My sister is so good to me. It’s a shame I can’t tell her the truth. This is awful~’

Li Ji’s curiosity grew.

’What truth?’

He looked into her eyes and said, going against his own feelings,

"On the contrary, I don’t think Hua Jieyu was just being polite. She seems to genuinely care about you."

Hua Manman pouted. "I don’t need her concern."

But inside, she was wailing—

’Please, stop talking, I’m begging you! I know she’s wonderful.

"I want to tell her she has a villain hiding right beside her.

"But I can’t say anything!’