The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

After the household doctor’s urgent care, Prince Zhao’s bleeding was finally stopped.

Because of the injury on his back, he couldn’t lie flat and could only lie face down on the bed. His torso was wrapped in thick gauze, and his legs were held in place with wooden splints to set the bones.

Gao Shan saw the household doctor out and sent someone to the kitchen to brew the medicine.

Hua Manman knelt by the bed, gazing at Prince Zhao with wide, worried eyes.

"Didn’t you say you’d just get a scolding and then be confined at home to reflect for a while? You lied to me."

Li Ji reached out, patted her head, and said with a smile.

"The Crown Prince is dead. Someone has to take the blame. Just getting beaten a little is already considered a very light punishment."

Hua Manman couldn’t understand. "You’re this injured, and you can still smile?"

Li Ji still had his usual lazy air about him as he said nonchalantly.

"Look at you, all worried. I’ve been injured many times before. There were a few times I nearly died. Compared to those, this little wound is nothing."

Hua Manman did not think this was a minor injury in the slightest.

The household doctor himself had just said Prince Zhao’s injuries were severe.

Luckily, Prince Zhao was young and strong. Coupled with his years of martial arts practice, his constitution was far superior to that of an ordinary person, which was the only reason he could pull through.

An ordinary person would have been half-dead.

Hua Manman took his hand and said softly.

"The Imperial Palace is terrifying."

’They beat people to a bloody pulp at the drop of a hat.’

’They have absolutely no regard for human life.’

Li Ji squeezed her hand in return and said languidly.

"Yes, it’s terrifying."

Jinxiu walked in, carrying the freshly brewed medicinal decoction.

Hua Manman helped Prince Zhao sit up, then took the bowl to feed him the medicine.

Prince Zhao complained that the medicine was too hot.

So, Hua Manman scooped up some of the medicine with a spoon, blew on it gently until it wasn’t so hot, and then brought it to his lips.

Then, Prince Zhao complained that the medicine was too bitter.

Hua Manman had someone bring some candied fruit and fed a piece to him.

Now Prince Zhao complained that the medicine tasted strange.

Hua Manman took a sip herself but didn’t find anything strange about it.

Frowning, Li Ji said.

"It really is strange. If you don’t believe me, try it again."

So, Hua Manman took another sip.

’Other than the bitterness, there was no other taste.’

She looked at Prince Zhao, only to see his lips curled in a teasing smile.

It clicked for Hua Manman instantly.

’He was making a fool of her!’

Li Ji’s smile widened.

’He’d noticed that since his injury, Hua Manman had been exceptionally gentle with him. He couldn’t resist the mischievous urge to tease her a little.’

’He hadn’t expected her to fall for it so easily.’

’How adorably foolish!’

Hua Manman was so angry she was grinding her teeth. If it weren’t for his injuries, she would have dumped the bowl of medicine right over his head!

’You just can’t be too nice to this man!’

She deliberately put on a stern expression, ignoring Prince Zhao’s provocations. She shoved the bowl of medicine into his hands, leaving him to fend for himself.

Li Ji deliberately put on a troubled expression.

"But I’m injured."

Hua Manman put on a saccharine, fake smile and offered a friendly reminder.

"Your injuries are to your back and knees. Your hands are still perfectly intact, so they won’t get in the way of you drinking your medicine."

Li Ji: "But my wounds hurt. My hands are too weak to hold a spoon."

Hua Manman: "Honey, my recommendation is to just skip the spoon and down it all at once."

Li Ji: "..."

Hua Manman recalled her own miserable experience of being forced to drink medicine. Now, seeing Prince Zhao holding the bowl, she felt a thrill, like the tables had finally turned.

’Oh, Prince Zhao, Prince Zhao, so it’s finally your turn! Hahaha!’

Hearing her inner thoughts, Li Ji hesitated no longer. He picked up the bowl and downed the medicine in one go.

When he was done, he casually tossed the empty bowl aside and said to Hua Manman.

"I forgot to tell you, I have to remain confined to the Prince Mansion for a while to reflect."

Hua Manman had a bad feeling about this.

’This damn man loves to torment her whenever he’s bored.’

’If he’s confined at home, he’ll be bored all day and will definitely find even more creative ways to torment her.’

Sure enough.

The next moment, she heard Prince Zhao continue.

"Since I’ll be bored at home anyway, I’ll teach you a few more subjects from now on."

Hua Manman: "..."

’A BOLT FROM THE BLUE!’

She forced a smile. "My Prince, you’re so severely injured. You must focus on your recovery. Don’t worry about anything else."

But Li Ji was insistent.

"I can still tutor you while I’m recovering."

"Don’t you worry. Even if I’m so injured I can’t move, as long as I’m still breathing, I will never give up on your education."

Hua Manman burst into tears.

Li Ji smiled in satisfaction. "There’s no need to cry, even if you are touched."

Hua Manman: "SOB SOB SOB!"

’Touched, my ass! These are obviously tears of sorrow!’

Li Ji reached out to wipe her tears away.

"There, there, don’t cry."

But Hua Manman kept crying.

’SOB SOB SOB SOB! I don’t want to study and do homework!’

Li Ji suddenly noticed the white corner of what looked like a piece of paper sticking out from her collar.

He reached out and plucked the paper from her clothes.

"What’s this?"

Hua Manman jumped, startled by his sudden movement.

When she saw what he was holding, the color drained from her face.

Forgetting to cry, she lunged forward, reaching to snatch the paper back.

However, Li Ji was faster.

He raised the paper high, dodging her grasping little hand. At the same time, he wrapped his other arm around her waist, holding her firmly in his embrace and keeping her from squirming.

Mindful of his injuries, Hua Manman didn’t dare struggle too violently and could only shout.

"Give it back to me!"

Li Ji quickly scanned the paper and saw that it was just an ordinary prescription.

He looked at Hua Manman in confusion.

"What are you so worked up about?"

’Of course she was worked up.’

’That was the secret pregnancy prescription the He Family had forced on her!’

’She had originally planned to hide it as soon as she got back to the Prince Mansion.’

’But because of Prince Zhao’s injury, she hadn’t gotten around to it.’

’She never thought Prince Zhao would actually find it.’

Li Ji narrowed his eyes, a profound smile playing on his lips.

’So it’s a secret pregnancy prescription!’

’He hadn’t realized the little thing was already so eager to bear his child.’

’It wasn’t that Li Ji minded consummating their marriage now. If they did, she could get pregnant sooner.’

’But with his current injuries, doing... *that*... would be a bit of a hassle.’

’They would just have to wait.’

Afraid that Hua Manman would get anxious, Li Ji deliberately tried to soothe her.

"Haste makes waste. Some things can’t be rushed."

Hua Manman was utterly confused.

’What on earth is he talking about?’

Li Ji handed the prescription back to her, asking a question to which he already knew the answer.

"Where did this prescription come from?"

Hua Manman quickly folded the prescription, tucked it into her sleeve, and said evasively.

"Someone gave it to me."

Li Ji reminded her, "You can’t just take any random prescription. If the medicine isn’t right for the ailment, it could do more harm than good."

Hua Manman nodded to show she understood.

’She had no intention of taking this medicine whatsoever, much less having Prince Zhao’s child.’

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

...