The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

After the hour-long horsemanship and archery lesson, Prince Zhao finished for the day and went home with his little book boy.

In the afternoon, Li Ji had business to attend to and left on horseback.

Before he left, he didn’t forget to assign Hua Manman a pile of homework, lest she lounge around at home and waste her time.

How very thoughtful of him.

Hua Manman had just picked up her writing brush when she felt hungry.

’It’s still early,’ she thought. ’I can always eat something before starting my homework.’

So she tossed her brush aside and scampered out to find someone to get her something to eat.

The osmanthus in the courtyard had recently bloomed, so the kitchen had used the freshly picked flowers to brew wine, make osmanthus candy and pastries, and even roast osmanthus-flavored sunflower seeds.

Jinxiu brought out the freshly made osmanthus candy and pastries and placed them before Lady Hua.

Hua Manman felt that just eating was a bit boring, so she had someone go out and hire a storyteller.

She sprawled on the soft couch, her feet propped up, listening to the storyteller’s tales while nibbling on sweet snacks. She felt she was in heaven.

In the middle of it all, she suddenly remembered her unfinished homework. Her seed-cracking paused, and she slapped her thigh, muttering to herself.

"You’re listening to a story! Why are you getting distracted?!"

When evening fell, Li Ji returned to the Prince Mansion. The moment he walked in, he saw a floor littered with sunflower seed shells.

A certain woman was sleeping spread-eagled on the soft couch, surrounded by several empty fruit plates and bowls.

As for the storyteller, Gao Shan had sent him away long ago.

Li Ji glanced at Gao Shan, who was standing by the door, and asked in a low voice.

"What did she do this afternoon?"

Gao Shan didn’t dare to hide anything and reported everything Lady Hua had done in detail.

After hearing the report, Li Ji let out a cold laugh.

’The little thing really knows how to enjoy herself!’

Seeing Prince Zhao’s smile, Gao Shan had a very bad feeling.

While silently saying a prayer for Lady Hua, he swiftly excused himself from the danger zone to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Hua Manman was sleeping soundly when she suddenly felt a hand clamp down on the back of her neck.

The next moment, she was hoisted clean into the air.

No matter how soundly she could sleep, there was no sleeping through this.

Startled awake, she opened her eyes and met the gaze of Prince Zhao’s long, narrow black eyes, which held a mocking smile.

Hua Manman shuddered, the last vestiges of sleep vanishing in an instant.

She stammered.

"Y-You’re back?"

Li Ji sneered, "It seems you had quite a merry time while I was away, hmm?"

Hua Manman glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw that the seed shells and fruit peels were still all over the floor.

She was filled with regret. ’I knew I shouldn’t have been so lazy.’

’I should have had someone clean up the room before taking a nap.’

She said hurriedly.

"No, listen to my lame excuse—I mean, listen to my explanation!

With the Prince not by my side, I felt so lonely and desolate that I had someone make some snacks to pass the time and distract myself."

Li Ji continued to sneer. "You’re quite good at passing the time, then. You not only had them make you tasty treats, but you also invited a storyteller into the mansion."

Hua Manman choked.

’How did he even know about the storyteller?’

’That guy Gao Shan must have snitched!’

Hua Manman said pitifully, "It was because I missed you so much. Even delicious food couldn’t distract me, so I had no choice but to have someone invite a storyteller to the mansion."

Li Ji scoffed. "Go on, keep spinning your tales. Let’s see what other nonsense you can come up with."

Hua Manman sullenly shut her mouth.

Li Ji tossed her back onto the soft couch and asked coolly.

"And the homework I assigned you? Bring it here for me to see."

Hua Manman scooted cautiously to the side and said in a tiny voice.

"It’s... it’s not finished."

He laughed in exasperation. "Is it ’not finished,’ or have you not written a single word?"

Hua Manman had already scooted to the edge of the couch.

"It’s really not finished! I’ll go work on it right now."

With that, she did a clumsy roll off the couch and onto the floor, then scrambled to her feet and made a run for it.

She had only taken a few steps before Prince Zhao grabbed her by the collar from behind.

Once again, she was hoisted into the air.

Prince Zhao lifted her like a baby chick, tossed her back onto the soft couch, and demanded in displeasure.

"Running outside without even wearing your shoes! Who taught you such manners?!"

Only then did Hua Manman remember she wasn’t wearing shoes.

’It was her own fault for panicking. Her mind was so set on escaping that she’d completely forgotten about her shoes.’

Li Ji bent down, picked up the embroidered slippers from the floor, pulled one of Hua Manman’s feet toward him, and personally put the slipper on for her.

Hua Manman went completely stiff.

She screamed internally like a groundhog.

’AHHHH!’

’Has this damn man gone mad with anger?’

’He’s actually putting my shoe on for me?!’

’A gentle Prince Zhao is far more terrifying than the usual, unhinged one!’

After putting on her slipper, Li Ji looked up and met her terrified eyes, immediately hearing her inner screams.

He was speechless.

’All I did was help her put on a shoe. Did she really have to be this terrified?’

’It seems I really can’t be too nice to this woman.’

Li Ji stood up straight.

He was already tall and imposing, and as he stood up straight, he loomed over Hua Manman like a mountain.

His shadow completely enveloped her.

Li Ji looked down at her and asked at his leisure.

"Since you missed me so much, you must be hopelessly in love with me, right?"

Hua Manman nodded vigorously, laying the compliments on thick. "Yes, yes! I truly, truly love you so, so much."

Li Ji extended his long, well-defined fingers and gently lifted her chin.

"If that’s the case, then when shall we consummate our marriage?"

Hua Manman froze instantly. "Con-consummate what?"

Li Ji said with a beaming smile, "Consummate our marriage. We’ve been married for almost half a year and still haven’t done it."

Hua Manman stammered.

"Wh-why are you suddenly bringing this up?

I know you don’t like physical intimacy with others. You really don’t have to force yourself.

As long as I can stay by your side, accompanying you day and night, that’s enough for me."

The pad of Li Ji’s finger gently caressed her chin as he smiled faintly.

"With you, I don’t feel forced at all."

Hua Manman wanted to cry.

’What do you mean you don’t feel forced?!’

’Before this, you acted like some paragon of male chastity, not even letting me lay a finger on you!’

’You should have stuck with it!’

’A man should value his chastity above all else!’

Hearing her inner thoughts, the smile on Li Ji’s face only widened.

"Why are you so quiet? Could it be that you’re speechless with joy?"

Clinging to a final shred of hope, Hua Manman asked cautiously.

"If I were to say that I haven’t been feeling well the past couple of days and it’s an inconvenient time to... serve you... would you believe me?"

Li Ji raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you’re on your period?"

Hua Manman nodded vigorously.

’There’s no way this damn man would be willing to wade into a bloody battle,’ she thought.

Li Ji: "..."

’Suddenly, a very vivid image popped into his head.’