The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Because of his injuries, Li Ji couldn’t bathe as usual. He could only have someone help wash his body.

This was a job for maids like Jinxiu. However, Li Ji, still fuming over Hua Manman’s thought—’I’ve never once thought about having Prince Zhao’s children’—insisted that she wash him herself.

How could Hua Manman have known that a single, stray thought would cause this much trouble?

She didn’t even know how she’d offended the man this time. Resigned to her fate, she could only roll up her sleeves and arduously begin washing Prince Zhao.

At first, Hua Manman was a little shy and didn’t dare look at Prince Zhao’s body.

But once she saw the network of scars crisscrossing his body, her shyness gradually faded.

Li Ji didn’t just have scars on his legs; there were many others on his body. The two on his shoulder and abdomen were the most prominent.

Every scar on his body represented an injury he had once sustained.

Everyone in the Great Zhou Dynasty had heard of Prince Zhao’s fearsome reputation. They knew he was invincible on the battlefield, ever-victorious and unconquerable, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.

But in truth, he was only a man of flesh and blood.

Swords and blades made him bleed and feel pain, just like anyone else.

Seeing her stare at his scars, Li Ji felt a little self-conscious.

He was starting to regret this.

A moment ago, all he’d wanted was to torment her a little to vent his frustration.

He’d forgotten he had so many unsightly scars.

He pulled the blanket over himself, a teasing smile playing on his lips as he feigned nonchalance.

"Look at you, staring so hard your eyes are practically glued to me. Have you no shame?"

Hua Manman snapped out of her daze. She didn’t refute his words, simply saying as she wrung out the cloth,

"I can’t help it. Who’s to blame but the Prince for being so handsome? The sight of you has me utterly captivated. Now, lift the blanket."

Li Ji had never thought his scars were a bad thing before. It wasn’t like he had to show them to anyone.

And even if someone did happen to see them, it would be their own eyes that were offended.

What was there for him to care about?

But now, he suddenly cared.

Everyone appreciates beauty, and he was sure Hua Manman was no exception.

’Seeing so many unsightly scars on him, she must be feeling disgusted, or maybe regretful, or even sorry for me.’

At this thought, Li Ji couldn’t help but stare into Hua Manman’s eyes, trying to figure out what she was thinking.

’Thank goodness I have a magical scar-removal artifact! I can get rid of all of Prince Zhao’s scars.’

’Once the scars are gone, Prince Zhao will be a flawless, peerless beauty of a man again!’

Hearing her praise him as a "peerless beauty of a man," Li Ji couldn’t help but crack a smile.

’This woman may have many little flaws, but her taste is impeccable.’

He was dying to know what this "magical scar-removal artifact" was, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. He could only wait patiently for her next move.

When Hua Manman saw he wasn’t moving, she teased,

"Is the Prince feeling shy? It’s too late for that. I’ve already seen everything. I know exactly what your body looks like now."

Seeing that she truly didn’t mind his many unsightly scars, Li Ji finally relaxed.

He threw off the blanket, brazenly putting his entire body on display and looking at Hua Manman with a provocative gaze.

"Did you really get a good look? Want to take a closer look?"

Hua Manman: "..."

’He’s still the shameless one!’

Scars aside, Prince Zhao’s physique was truly impeccable.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, and well-proportioned muscles.

He was neither too lean nor overly built.

Everything was just right.

This only made the scars appear all the more jarring.

It was like a piece of fine white jade marred by cracks.

It was truly heartbreaking to see.

Hua Manman pushed aside her distracting thoughts and began to dutifully wash his body.

She washed his front, then his back; his upper body, then his lower.

By the time she was done, she had broken a sweat.

Hua Manman pulled the blanket over Prince Zhao’s waist to cover his vital parts, then unwrapped his bandages and carefully redressed his wounds.

His wounds had already scabbed over, dark brown crusts covering his entire back.

Although Hua Manman hadn’t witnessed his punishment firsthand, just looking at these injuries, she could imagine how much pain he must have been in.

Yet he still acted as if nothing was wrong.

She didn’t know if his pain tolerance was just that high, or if he had simply grown used to it.

After redressing the wounds, she took out the Snow Jade Ointment and spread it evenly over his scars.

Thankfully, she had only used the Broken Jade Ointment on Prince Zhao before. She hadn’t had a chance to use the Snow Jade Ointment, so she still had it.

Her touch was much gentler now as she applied the ointment than it had been when she was washing him.

The soft pads of her fingers scooped up the ointment and glided across his skin, sending a strange, tingling numbness through him.

Li Ji gradually began to feel aroused, and his gaze on Hua Manman grew deeper and more intense.

He was like a predator lurking in the shadows, eyes locked on its prey, ready to pounce and devour it at any moment.

Hua Manman didn’t notice anything amiss at first.

It wasn’t until she happened to glance down and see the blanket covering him tented upward that she suddenly realized what was happening.

She instinctively looked up at Prince Zhao, her eyes meeting his deep, dark gaze.

Hua Manman instinctively sensed danger.

She pulled her hand back and forced a smile.

"Perhaps I should find someone else to apply the ointment for you?"

Li Ji watched her, saying nothing.

His stare made her heart pound with anxiety.

She stood up, ready to go find someone.

But Li Ji suddenly reached out, grabbing her wrist. "No need to call anyone," he said, his voice raspy.

Hua Manman felt the heat from his grip on her wrist, and her own ears began to burn uncontrollably.

She said stiffly, "But... you don’t seem to be doing very well right now."

At her words, Li Ji chuckled softly.

"I’m perfectly fine. You don’t need to call anyone else in."

Hua Manman had no choice but to sit back down and continue applying the ointment.

This time, her movements were even more cautious.

Watching her nervous little display, Li Ji chuckled and asked,

"What are you afraid of?"

’Aren’t you just asking the obvious?’ Hua Manman thought. ’Of course I’m afraid you’ll drag me into bed and have your way with me!’

She feigned a bashful look and replied,

"I’m not afraid."

Li Ji heard her thoughts. Knowing she wasn’t entirely clueless, he smirked.

’As long as she understands.’

Li Ji said with a meaningful tone,

"Good. As long as you’re not afraid."

Hua Manman: "..."

She grew wary.

’What is this damn man plotting now?’

The smile on Li Ji’s face only deepened.

After finishing with the ointment, Hua Manman washed her hands, helped Prince Zhao, Li Ji, get dressed, and then called someone in to take the water away.

Because of the little episode while she was applying the ointment, Hua Manman was on edge the entire night.

She was terrified that Prince Zhao would suddenly turn into a wolf, pounce on her, and do unspeakable things.

When she woke up the next morning, Hua Manman was completely drained and looked listless.