The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Chapter 366: Chapter 367: Understanding

Steward Jia had always been in charge of the estate’s accounts, but Hua Manman felt this wasn’t ideal. Managerial and accounting duties should be separate. A clear division of labor would not only improve efficiency but also allow both parties to supervise each other.

This time, Li Ji agreed without hesitation.

After all, the estate was Manman’s property. How she arranged her staff was her own affair, and he wouldn’t interfere.

Hua Manman’s eyes curved with a smile.

She stood on tiptoe and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips.

"You’re so understanding, Your Highness."

Before Prince Zhao could react, she turned and darted away.

Li Ji touched his lips, chuckling softly as he watched her go.

"She’s a quick one."

When Hua Manman found Lan Xuan, the young woman already had her bags packed, poised to leave at a moment’s notice.

Hua Manman hurriedly took her hand.

"Wait, don’t be in such a rush to leave. I have something I need your help with."

Through their time together, Lan Xuan had come to know Princess Consort Zhao as a lively, outgoing, and kind person. It was thanks to the Princess Consort’s easygoing nature that her own stay in the Prince Mansion had been so peaceful and smooth.

Lan Xuan was very grateful to the Princess Consort and replied at once.

"Please, Your Highness, just tell me what you need. If it’s within my ability, I will do my utmost."

Hua Manman said, "I have an estate outside the city and need someone to help with the accounts. You’re quite good at bookkeeping, aren’t you?

Why don’t you come help me with the books? And don’t worry, you won’t be working for free. I’ll pay you a monthly wage, plus room and board."

Lan Xuan stared at her, stunned.

Hua Manman asked, "Why aren’t you saying anything? You don’t want to?"

Lan Xuan quickly shook her head. "No, that’s not it. I’m just so surprised. I never thought Your Highness would offer me a job..."

’Even though she was good at bookkeeping, she was blind. She couldn’t see, which made many things inconvenient.’

"So, are you willing?" Hua Manman pressed. "If you say yes, I can have someone take you to the estate right away."

Lan Xuan was still hesitant.

"But I’m blind. How can I read the ledgers?"

Hua Manman said, "That’s simple. When you get to the estate, find a young woman named Jin Ling’er.

She can read and has a good personality.

You’ll have her read the ledgers to you, and you’ll just be in charge of the calculations.

As for the monthly wage, you two can split it evenly. How does that sound?"

With that, all of Lan Xuan’s worries vanished. She nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Okay!"

Hua Manman drew up two employment contracts on the spot.

She took Lan Xuan’s hand.

"Press your thumbprint here and here."

Without hesitation, Lan Xuan pressed her thumbprint firmly onto the paper.

Hua Manman handed one of the contracts to her.

"This one’s yours. Keep it safe."

Lan Xuan accepted the contract with both hands.

’Though it was just a flimsy sheet of paper, it felt heavy in her hands.’

’With this contract, she would no longer have to drift from place to place.’

She carefully put the contract away and then kowtowed to Princess Consort Zhao.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for taking me in."

Hua Manman quickly helped her up. "I’m only keeping you because you’re capable. It’s mutually beneficial, so you don’t need to feel indebted."

But Lan Xuan didn’t think so.

’She was just good with numbers. That wasn’t some incredible skill. Besides, she was blind. Someone of the Princess Consort’s status could have easily found a more suitable person to manage the accounts.’

’And yet, the Princess Consort had chosen her.’

’It could only mean one thing: Princess Consort Zhao was a truly kind person.’

’After so many years of drifting, Lan Xuan had seen too much of the world’s darkness. She knew better than anyone just how precious a quality kindness was.’

’She was grateful to the Princess Consort from the bottom of her heart.’

Hua Manman arranged for a carriage to take Lan Xuan to the estate.

After taking care of everything, Hua Manman happily skipped back to find Prince Zhao, only to discover upon entering that he had changed his clothes.

He had been wearing loose, casual robes, but had now changed into sharp, practical training attire.

Hua Manman asked, "What are you up to?"

Li Ji replied, "Teaching you martial arts."

The moment Hua Manman heard it was time for another lesson, her scalp prickled with dread.

"That’s not necessary, is it? My skills are pretty good now. An ordinary person is no match for me."

She tried to slip away again, but Li Ji was a step ahead and blocked her path.

Li Ji said, "Have you forgotten how you fled in terror when Xiao Hong was chasing you?" freёwebnovel.com

Hua Manman stammered in her own defense.

"Th-that was an exception! There are only a few masters in this world as skilled as Xiao Hong. I can’t possibly run into a master of his caliber every single time, can I?!"

Li Ji chuckled. "I wouldn’t be so sure. There are far more masters in this world than you think. If you want to guarantee your safety, you must constantly work to improve yourself."

With that, he tossed a woman’s training outfit into her arms.

"Change into this."

Hua Manman refused to move.

Li Ji’s smile deepened. "What’s the matter? Are you waiting for me to help you change personally?"

Hua Manman shook her head vigorously. "No, thanks! I can do it myself!"

’If she let that scoundrel help her change, they’d end up in bed, nine times out of ten.’

’Ever since he’d gotten his first taste, he couldn’t get enough. He’d drag her to bed at every opportunity. The man had no shame!’

Li Ji, who had heard her thoughts: "..."

’What’s wrong with a husband and wife doing a few shameless things? What’s wrong with it? What’s wrong with it? What’s wrong with it?!’

Hua Manman ducked behind the screen and quickly changed.

She followed Li Ji to the Training Ground.

This time, Li Ji didn’t have her practice with the sword. Instead, he began to teach her how to use Qinggong.

Hua Manman was quite interested in Qinggong.

Flying through the air like an Immortal—it looked incredibly cool.

However, Li Ji told her, "In the future, if you run into a master like Xiao Hong again, just run if you can’t win."

Hua Manman: "..."

’He’s not wrong, but did he have to be so blunt about it?’

’Don’t I get to save some face?!’

Getting started with Qinggong was simple. All you had to do was use your internal energy to leap up.

Thanks to the foundation from her previous martial arts training, Hua Manman quickly got the hang of the basics.

But making further progress proved to be much harder.

Hua Manman leaped into the air again and again, only to come crashing down each time. Even landing on the thick grass hurt a lot.

「Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.」

Jinxiu reminded them it was time for lunch.

Hua Manman lay sprawled on the grass, refusing to get up. She whined pitifully.

"I’m so tired. Carry me, please~"

Resignedly, Li Ji bent down and piggybacked her.

The moment they reached the dining hall and he set her down, she instantly perked up and pounced toward the table like a hungry tiger.

Si Yun hurriedly called out to her.

"Your Highness, wash your hands first!"

Hua Manman quickly washed her hands, snatched up her bowl and chopsticks, and began to wolf down her food.

Li Ji sat down across from her. As he washed his hands in a slow, deliberate manner, he asked,

"I thought you were tired?"

Holding up a braised pig’s trotter, Hua Manman said with perfect justification, "That’s exactly why I need to eat more—to get my energy back!"