The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Chapter 411: Chapter 413: Better Safe Than Sorry

When Hua Manman learned that Hua Qingqing was safe, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had risked her life to save Hua Qingqing and the Seventh Prince; if some unknown assassin had ended up harming them anyway, she would have simply died from sheer anger.

Hua Dingzong and Madam He hadn’t expected Prince Zhao to be so thoughtful as to inquire about Hua Zhaorong’s situation on their behalf. The couple was deeply moved and hurried to thank him.

"Thank you for going to the trouble of asking about Qingqing for us."

Li Ji replied casually, "It was a small matter. Father-in-law, would you care to join me in the study?"

He was trying to get Hua Dingzong out of the way so that Madam He and Manman could have a private word.

Hua Dingzong had no idea. He thought Prince Zhao was showing him special favor and hastily agreed.

"Yes, yes, of course!"

And just like that, Hua Dingzong followed Prince Zhao out.

This left Madam He to continue her idle chat with Manman.

Madam He held her darling daughter’s hand and sighed emotionally.

"When we heard there had been an incident in the palace, your father and I were so scared we couldn’t sleep a wink all night.

"I wanted to come to the Prince Zhao Mansion to see you, but your father wouldn’t agree.

"He said the guards at the Prince Zhao Mansion are not only numerous but are all masters of their craft.

"Even if we went, we couldn’t help, and we might even get in your way.

"Though your father isn’t good for much, what he said that time actually made a lot of sense.

"So I gave up on the idea of coming to the Prince Zhao Mansion to see you. All I could do was pray to the Bodhisattva to keep you and Prince Zhao safe."

Hua Manman was thankful that Madam He hadn’t come to the Prince Zhao Mansion looking for her.

Given how chaotic things were then, if Madam He and Hua Dingzong had left their home, they would have almost certainly run into trouble.

Hua Manman said reassuringly, "Don’t worry, Mother. The Prince and I are doing just fine."

She didn’t mention being kidnapped or nearly having a miscarriage.

There was no need to make Madam He worry.

Madam He smiled, saying with relief,

"You used to say you didn’t want to have children, and I worried about it for a long time. I was afraid you wouldn’t have any offspring to carry on the family line.

"Now that you’re finally pregnant, I can finally rest easy."

Hua Manman touched her flat stomach and sighed softly.

"To be honest, the Prince and I hadn’t planned on having a child so soon. This baby was a complete accident."

’If it weren’t for that trickster Feihua Zhenren, she wouldn’t have to be a mother at such a young age.’

Madam He snapped in irritation.

"What nonsense are you talking? The baby will be so sad to hear you say that. Hush now!"

Hua Manman pouted. "I’m only a little over a month along. The baby hasn’t even grown ears yet. What could it possibly hear?"

Madam He reached out and poked her forehead.

"It may not have ears now, but it’s not like it will never have them, right?

"I’m just afraid you’ll make a habit of saying such things, and you’ll keep spouting nonsense in the future.

"I’m warning you, if you dare upset my precious grandbaby, I’ll definitely take you to task!"

Hua Manman looked wronged.

"The baby isn’t even born yet, and you’re already taking its side. It’s true what they say: once there’s a grandchild, the daughter is forgotten. Oh, woe is me!"

Madam He said disdainfully, "You’re about to become a mother, and you still act like a little kid."

Despite her words, she took two amulets from within her robes.

"I went to the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple to pray for these amulets. One for you, and one for Prince Zhao. They’ll keep you safe."

Hua Manman accepted the amulets. "I’m surprised you believe in these things."

The Zhong’an Bo Mansion had a small Buddhist prayer hall, but it had been built specifically for the old matriarch; Madam He herself was not a believer.

Madam He replied with conviction.

"Better safe than sorry."

’If these two amulets work,’ she mused, ’I’ll go back to the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple and pray for a Guanyin Jade Pendant. It would be the perfect gift for my unborn grandbaby.’

Madam He and Hua Dingzong left after having lunch at the Prince Mansion.

Li Ji personally saw them out the main gate.

The couple boarded their carriage and set off for the Zhong’an Bo Mansion.

Hua Dingzong looked back through the carriage window. Seeing Prince Zhao still standing in the same spot watching them leave, his heart swelled with emotion.

"I never expected the renowned Prince Zhao to be so dutiful toward us. This marriage was absolutely worth it!"

Madam He couldn’t be bothered with him. She simply leaned back and closed her eyes to rest.

Although Prince Zhao had already hired an experienced nanny from the palace to look after Manman, Madam He was still worried. She had already arranged with Manman that when her due date approached, she would personally come to the Prince Zhao Mansion to care for her daughter until the baby was safely delivered.

Hua Dingzong couldn’t help but start daydreaming.

"Seeing how well Prince Zhao and Manman get along, their bond must be very strong. If I asked the Prince to help give Manman’s two younger brothers a leg up, I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse, would he...?"

Before he could finish, Madam He cut him off.

"Have you no sense of shame?!

"If you dare to ask him for that, how is Manman supposed to face the Prince afterward?

"We married our daughter off, we didn’t sell her!"

Stunned by her shouting, Hua Dingzong quickly retorted.

"Manman is about to have the Prince’s child. We’re all family now, so what’s the big deal about helping each other out a little?

"Do you have to make such a big deal out of it?

"Besides, you gave birth to Bowen and Borong too, didn’t you?

"Don’t you want them to have a better life?"

Madam He shot back, "Of course I gave birth to them. But I never intended for them to be leeches, living off their older sister.

"They’re able-bodied men. Why can’t they make a good life for themselves?

"Or do you want them to be just like you, living their whole lives as spineless good-for-nothings?!"

Hua Dingzong was so angry his beard trembled.

"Who are you calling a good-for-nothing? I dare you to say that again!"

With her hands on her hips, Madam He yelled back, "Don’t you have any idea what you’ve become?

"Do I have to spell it out for you over and over again?

"Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?!"

Furious, Hua Dingzong slammed his fist against the floorboards.

"How dare you speak to me like that! This is outrageous!"

Madam He sneered and shouted to the coachman outside, "Stop the carriage!"

The coachman had heard the argument between Mr. Bo and his wife for a while, but he didn’t dare say or ask anything. He could only keep his head down and focus on driving.

Now, hearing his mistress’s order to stop, he quickly pulled the reins tight.

The carriage came to an abrupt stop.

Caught off guard, Hua Dingzong lost his balance and lurched forward, slamming his forehead against the carriage door. The impact made him see stars, and he cried out in pain.

Madam He told him to get out.

Clutching his forehead, Hua Dingzong thought he must have misheard her.

"What did you say?"

Madam He enunciated every word.

"I can’t stand the sight of you right now. Get out."

Hua Dingzong laughed in disbelief. "This is my carriage. Who are you to tell me to get out? If anyone’s getting out, it should be you!"

Madam He arched an eyebrow. "If I get out of this carriage, I’m going straight back to my family’s home. Don’t even think about coming to get me. We can go our separate ways."

Hua Dingzong immediately fell silent.

The last time he’d argued with Madam He, she had gotten angry and returned to her family’s home.

Without Madam He to manage the household, the house had been an absolute mess for days. Hua Dingzong couldn’t even get a hot meal, and his two sons took refuge at the Imperial College, refusing to come home.

In the end, left with no other choice, Hua Dingzong had to swallow his pride and go to the He Family’s estate to bring his wife back.

Once was more than enough; Hua Dingzong had no desire for a repeat performance.

’It’s just getting out of the carriage, fine. So be it. I have money on me anyway. I’ll just hire another carriage to take me home later.’

Having braced himself, Hua Dingzong scrambled out of the carriage in disgrace.

The moment he was clear, Madam He ordered the carriage to move on.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage galloped away, leaving Hua Dingzong far behind in the blink of an eye.