Chapter 178 - 179: I Have a Favor to Ask
Li Ji knew exactly what she was thinking with a single glance, but he didn’t expose her. Instead, acting as if nothing was amiss, he had her read, practice her calligraphy, and do her assignments as usual.
Hua Manman felt her life was incredibly hard.
’Not only do I have to be on guard to protect my chastity at night, but I also have to suffer through classes and homework during the day.’
’It’s double torture!’
「Three days passed like this.」
Hua Manman was finally at her breaking point.
She tried to suggest they sleep in separate rooms.
"I toss and turn in my sleep. I’m worried I might accidentally aggravate your wound. Wouldn’t it be better if we slept in separate rooms?"
Li Ji praised her for her thoughtfulness, then mercilessly rejected her proposal.
Hua Manman: "..."
’She suspected this damned man was doing it on purpose!’
’He’s deliberately torturing me!’
Li Ji pretended not to see her mournful gaze. He placed an exquisite little Jade Bead Abacus in front of her and said,
"Starting today, we’re adding mathematics to your lessons."
Hua Manman froze as if struck by lightning.
’She hated math more than anything!’
"I’m just a concubine. Why do I have to learn mathematics?"
Li Ji said calmly, "Because you need to learn how to manage the household. The first step to managing a household is mathematics. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to understand the ledgers."
Hua Manman mumbled under her breath, "But don’t we have Gao Shan to manage things?"
Li Ji replied, "He’s a servant. He can only assist you with managing the household; he can’t truly make decisions for you.
Besides, everyone has their own selfish motives. You can’t guarantee he will remain loyal forever.
What if one day he embezzles silver from the Prince Mansion, but you can’t even understand the ledgers? What will you do then?"
Hua Manman whined.
"But we still have you. As long as you’re here, no one would dare embezzle the Prince Mansion’s silver."
Li Ji asked meaningfully,
"And what if one day I’m no longer here?"
Hua Manman froze.
She had never really considered that question.
She was so used to spending every day with Prince Zhao that she’d even developed the illusion that these days would last forever.
Hua Manman murmured, "Are you planning to cast me aside?"
Li Ji chuckled. "That’s not what I meant."
Hua Manman pressed on.
"Then what do you mean?"
Li Ji smiled. "I was just giving a hypothetical example. Don’t overthink it.
I want you to understand that you can’t rely on anyone in this world. The only person you can truly depend on is yourself.
You should learn as much as you can while you’re still young.
That way, you’ll have more security and won’t be at a complete loss should something unexpected happen in the future."
Hua Manman pursed her lips and replied softly, "I understand."
She wasn’t ungrateful. She knew that Prince Zhao’s words were entirely for her own good. Learning more could only help her, not harm her.
Mathematics was a very tedious subject.
Fortunately, Li Ji knew exactly how to motivate Hua Manman. He promised,
"As long as you solve all these problems, you’ll get a special lunch. You can order whatever dishes you want."
With the promise of delicious food dangling before her, Hua Manman was instantly motivated.
Her fingers flew across the small abacus, the jade beads clacking noisily.
Li Ji sat beside her, watching.
Just as Gao Shan walked in, he happened to catch a glimpse of deeply hidden tenderness in Prince Zhao’s eyes.
Thinking he must have been mistaken, he quickly focused his gaze, only to meet Prince Zhao’s deep, dark eyes.
They were bottomless pits of black, devoid of any emotion.
A shiver ran down Gao Shan’s spine. He immediately snapped back to his senses and bowed to Prince Zhao and Lady Hua.
"Reporting to you, Your Highness, and you, My Lady. Elder Zhong’an just sent a messenger. He said the matriarch of the Uncle’s Mansion is gravely ill and wishes for Lady Hua to return as soon as possible. He hopes for Your Highness’s approval."
Hua Manman’s fingers froze on the abacus beads.
She looked at Prince Zhao.
Elder Zhong’an knew that Prince Zhao was currently in seclusion to reflect on his transgressions, so he wouldn’t have sent someone to disturb them lightly.
The fact that he had suddenly sent someone for Hua Manman meant the matriarch’s illness was extremely serious.
If she didn’t return soon, she might not even get to see the matriarch one last time.
Li Ji gave a slight nod in agreement.
Hua Manman stood up to go change her clothes.
After taking two steps, she suddenly remembered the promise she had made to the matriarch.
She looked at Prince Zhao again. After much hesitation, she finally spoke up.
"Your Highness, I have a favor to ask."
Li Ji heard her thoughts and knew what she was about to ask.
He asked, "You want to see your sister?"
Hua Manman was stunned. "How did you know?"
’I haven’t even said anything yet, and he’s already guessed.’
’Does he have some kind of Mind Reading Technique?!’
Li Ji didn’t explain, simply saying,
"Hua Jieyu is in the inner palace now. If you want to see her, you must enter the palace.
Under normal circumstances, it would be no trouble for me to take you.
But I am currently in seclusion. Without the Saint’s permission, I cannot go anywhere."
Hua Manman sighed softly. "It was presumptuous of me."
Just as she was about to leave, she heard Prince Zhao speak again.
"I have a token here, a gift from the Saint. You can use it to enter the palace."
Hua Manman was overjoyed.
Li Ji ordered someone to fetch the token.
It was a token carved from white jade. Engraved on the front was the word "Tianyuan."
This was the reign name of the current Emperor.
On the back was a carving of a lifelike, five-clawed flying dragon.
This token had been specially commissioned by the Emperor for Prince Zhao. It was the only one of its kind in the world.
Li Ji picked up the token, tossing it casually in the air and catching it.
Gao Shan watched from the side, his heart in his throat, terrified the Prince would accidentally drop the token.
Hua Manman’s gaze seemed glued to the token, her eyes following its every move. The two words "Want it" were written all over her face.
Li Ji asked, "Want it?"
Hua Manman nodded frantically.
Li Ji said nonchalantly, "I can lend you the token, but you have to agree to one condition."
Hua Manman said, "Name it."
Li Ji’s smile was full of meaning.
"Give me a kiss."
Hua Manman: "..."
Li Ji extended a long, slender finger with well-defined knuckles and tapped his own lips.
"Not just anywhere. It has to be right here."
Gao Shan quickly turned his face away, covering his eyes with his hand.
’Oh, my heavens, I can’t watch this!’
Hua Manman roared internally, ’Am I the kind of woman who would throw away her principles for a mere token?!’
Li Ji watched her, completely unhurried.
"I’ll count to three. If you haven’t agreed by then, I’m taking the token back. One..."
Hua Manman shot forward, lunging at him like a tiger pouncing on its prey, and swiftly planted a kiss on his lips.
Because she kissed him so forcefully, it made a distinct sound.
Gao Shan had thought that covering his eyes would be enough to spare him the sight.
But he’d forgotten he still had ears.
He clearly heard the sound of the Prince and Lady Hua kissing, and he couldn’t help the old blush that crept up his face.
’This is... this is just too improper!’
Hua Manman didn’t dare to look at Prince Zhao’s expression.
She snatched the token from his hand and bolted out of the room.
Her retreating figure looked for all the world like someone fleeing in disarray.
...
I’ve realized I write much better during the day than at night. I’m debating whether I should change the update time to the daytime. What do you all think?