The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 32: Courting Death

In the original novel, Palace Intrigue, there was indeed a scene where the supporting female character, Hua Manman, slaps the female lead, Hua Qingqing.

This part of the plot was mainly to showcase Hua Manman’s unreasonable and domineering nature, thereby drawing the readers’ full animosity.

As a result, after the two sisters entered the palace, the readers all looked forward to the female lead getting promoted, receiving a raise, and reaching the pinnacle of her life, so she could crush the brain-dead supporting character Hua Manman and avenge that slap.

What Hua Manman hadn’t expected was this.

’I’ve already escaped the plotline of entering the palace as a concubine, yet I still can’t escape my destiny of being the female lead’s enemy!’

’Everyone knows that anyone who opposes the male and female leads will never have a good end.’

’The system is forcing me to walk into my own grave!’

...

On the pretext of asking Prince Zhao to guide his two sons in their martial arts, Hua Dingzong invited the prince to the training hall.

Hua Manman, meanwhile, was led to Songquan Courtyard.

Songquan Courtyard was where Hua Dingzong and Madam He lived.

Madam He had been waiting with eager anticipation. The moment she saw her precious daughter appear, her eyes instantly lit up.

She hurried forward, took her daughter’s hands, and called out excitedly.

"Manman, my dear girl, I’ve been thinking about you every single day. Even in my dreams, I was worried you might be suffering. Quick, let me see if you’ve lost any weight!"

Hua Manman’s mind was currently filled with the ridiculous task the system had issued, making her reaction a beat too slow.

Madam He looked her over from head to toe twice. Seeing that she hadn’t lost any weight and had a healthy, rosy complexion, she finally felt relieved.

’It seems my daughter is doing well in the Prince’s Mansion.’

Madam He had her daughter sit down and began asking about the minor details of her life after getting married.

Hua Manman gave vague replies, looking completely distracted.

Noticing her daughter had something on her mind, Madam He couldn’t help but ask.

"Did you run into some kind of trouble? Or did someone bully you? Don’t be afraid. Just tell me whatever it is, and I’ll be sure to stand up for you!"

Hua Manman’s worries were about the system’s task.

But this was something she couldn’t tell anyone about.

After much hesitation, she finally asked.

"Mother, how has Big Sister been recently?"

Madam He replied, "She’s doing fine. Old Madam is preparing her dowry. It looks like her marriage to that boy from the Song family will be settled soon. You should come back for the wedding feast then."

Hua Manman replied absentmindedly, "Alright."

Madam He knew that her daughter and Hua Qingqing had never gotten along well. Fearing her daughter might overthink things, she comforted her in a low voice.

"Though everyone says Song Ding is a man of immense talent, a rare young prodigy, he’s still a world away compared to Prince Zhao.

Just look at your father, you’ll know what I mean.

When he heard you were coming back today, he got up before dawn to get himself all dressed up. He even reminded me again and again to prepare more of your favorite dishes.

If it were Song Ding, your father definitely wouldn’t be so attentive."

As she finished, Madam He couldn’t help but purse her lips, her tone tinged with a hint of mockery.

It was unclear who exactly she was mocking.

When Hua Manman heard the name Song Ding, something stirred within her.

’I remember Song Ding. He’s a cannon fodder supporting male character in Palace Intrigue.’

Song Ding and Hua Qingqing were originally betrothed before birth. They were childhood sweethearts and had a very good relationship.

Their two families had agreed that after Hua Qingqing’s coming-of-age ceremony, she would marry Song Ding.

Unexpectedly, however, Song Ding’s father suddenly passed away.

He had to observe a three-year mourning period.

This was now the third year, and the mourning period would soon be over.

Thus, Song Ding and Hua Qingqing’s marriage was put back on the agenda. They only had to pick an auspicious date to be officially wed.

’But I know their marriage will never happen.’