The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

The poison in Li Ji’s body had already been neutralized by the Life Reviving Pill.

But he continued to act as if he were deeply poisoned, maintaining his persona of a man on death’s door.

To avoid being found out, he even put on some makeup to make himself look extremely weak.

He rebuffed the Imperial Physician’s attempts to take his pulse, giving one excuse after another.

Since Prince Zhao had always been so temperamental, the Emperor didn’t think much of it. He told the Imperial Physician to go back and continue researching an antidote and to leave Prince Zhao to his rest for the time being.

After sending the Imperial Physician away, Li Ji had the low couch in the outer room removed.

That left only one bed in the room.

As the one who was actually sick, Hua Manman now had nowhere to sleep and was forced to share the bed with him.

The bed was actually quite large, but Li Ji insisted on snuggling up right next to Hua Manman.

Even though the weather was getting cooler, it was still a bit warm with the two of them pressed so close together.

Most importantly, such intimate proximity made Hua Manman uncomfortable.

She couldn’t help but speak up.

"Perhaps I should go recuperate somewhere else?"

Li Ji refused without a second thought. "Absolutely not. You’re staying right here. You’re forbidden from going anywhere."

’He’s being completely unreasonable.’

But what could she do? He was Prince Zhao.

She, a mere nanny, had no right to resist, so she could only endure it.

When the Emperor came to visit Li Ji, Hua Manman scrambled out of bed to salute. Li Ji, however, remained on the bed, looking pitifully weak.

When the Emperor learned that Hua Manman and Li Ji were sharing a bed, he assumed she was the one insisting on clinging to Li Ji and felt quite displeased.

’Even if she’s vying for favor, she should be more mindful of the situation.’

’She’s still sick. What if she passes her illness to Li Ji?’

Just as the Emperor was about to reprimand her, Li Ji spoke up.

"Ever since I started sleeping with Manman, I feel my body has gotten much better."

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to him. While his complexion was still pale, his spirits did seem much improved.

Li Ji added, "With Manman by my side, even my food tastes better."

The Emperor had already heard from the servants that Li Ji had indeed been eating more these past couple of meals.

As long as a man has an appetite, it means his body is on the road to recovery.

The Emperor was, naturally, overjoyed.

To help Li Ji recover faster, the Emperor completely changed his tune, instructing Hua Manman to spend more time with him.

Only after the Emperor had left did Hua Manman speak.

"Why did you lie to the Saint?"

Li Ji was deliberately mysterious. "You’ll find out in due time."

He held out his hand to her. "Come here."

Hua Manman didn’t want to.

’She didn’t know what had gotten into this damn man these past two days. He’d take any chance he could to get his hands on her.’

It made her extremely flustered.

Seeing her hesitation, Li Ji felt a flicker of annoyance.

He threw back the covers, got out of bed, and walked toward Hua Manman.

Hua Manman immediately backed away.

But Li Ji was tall and long-legged, and he caught up to her in a single stride.

She was cornered against the wall, completely enveloped in Li Ji’s shadow.

The man’s scent was all around her.

Li Ji braced his hands on the wall beside her, lowered his head to look into her eyes, and asked with a wry smile.

"Why run? It’s not like I’m going to eat you."

Hua Manman pressed herself back as far as she could.

But the wall was right behind her. There was nowhere left to retreat.

An idea struck her. She suddenly ducked down and deftly slipped out from under his arm.

Li Ji was left speechless.

’He never imagined the little thing would pull a move like that.’

Hua Manman was so pleased with herself; a tiny version of her was laughing triumphantly in her mind, hands on her hips.

’Hahaha! So what if he pinned me against the wall?’

’I still managed to escape!’

On the outside, however, she had to maintain her persona. She feigned embarrassment.

"My illness hasn’t fully healed, Your Highness. It would be best if you didn’t get too close."

Li Ji took a deep breath, telling himself not to get angry. ’She is, after all, the first woman I’ve ever fallen for. I’ll just have to be patient.’

He smiled. "From what I see, you’re bouncing around full of energy. You don’t look sick at all."

Hua Manman immediately clutched her forehead, swayed backward two steps, and plopped down onto the soft couch.

"I’m so dizzy. I don’t think this illness of mine is going to get better anytime soon."

Li Ji walked toward her. "Is that so? Let me give you a massage, then you won’t be dizzy anymore."

Hua Manman immediately sat bolt upright. "No, thank you! I’m not dizzy anymore."

But Li Ji ignored her protests. He reached out and placed his hand on the nape of her neck, his calloused fingertips stroking her skin.

Hua Manman instantly felt a jolt, as if a current of electricity had shot through her body, leaving a tingling numbness in its wake.

She tried to pull away.

But Li Ji held her shoulder with his other hand, leaned in, and whispered in her ear.

"If you try to pull away again, I’ll do more than just give you a little massage."

The man’s warm breath tickled her ear, causing it to flush.

She was so flustered she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet. She stammered,

"I... I’m really all better now."

Li Ji chuckled softly. "Really?"

’Hua Manman wanted to nod, but when she thought about this damn man’s strange behavior over the past two days, she had a feeling that if she admitted she was fine, he might do something even more outrageous.’

’No, I can’t give this damn man an opening to act recklessly.’

So she clamped her mouth shut and said nothing.

Seeing that she had finally quieted down, Li Ji leaned in and pecked her on the cheek.

"Good girl."

Hua Manman was speechless.

’There’s really something wrong with this damn man!’

’He was never like this before!’

’Could it be a side effect of the Life Reviving Pill?’

’But the system never said the Life Reviving Pill had any side effects!’

Li Ji heard her thoughts and let out a low chuckle.

The sound of his laughter sent a shiver down Hua Manman’s spine.

She asked cautiously, "What are you laughing at?"

Li Ji gazed at her with a smile. "It’s nothing. Speaking of which, I have you to thank for my narrow escape from death this time. Is there anything you want?"

Hua Manman asked, "Can I move to another room?"

’She was truly frightened by this damn man’s bizarre behavior.’

Li Ji: "Of course. Where would you like to move?"

Hua Manman hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. She was stunned for a moment before replying.

"I’m not picky. Anywhere I can sleep is fine."

Li Ji: "Alright. I’ll have someone arrange it in a moment."

He paused, then added.

"Is there anything else you want? You can ask me for anything."

’It was rare to see this damn man be so accommodating. Hua Manman’s mind immediately started churning.’

She said, full of anticipation, "I don’t want to do homework anymore. Is that okay?"

Li Ji: "Fine."

Hua Manman was overjoyed.

’The damn man is finally acting like a decent human being!’

’This is great!’

Hua Manman: "I want to be able to sleep in every day."

Li Ji readily agreed. "Fine. From now on, you can sleep as long as you want."

’As long as she’s willing, I can make sure she won’t be able to get out of bed all day.’

Hua Manman had no idea what was going through the man’s mind. She was absolutely ecstatic, her face blooming into a wide smile.

"You’re wonderful, Your Highness!"

Li Ji smiled. "I know I am."