The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

As it happened,

by the time Feihua Zhenren rushed to the kitchen in a flurry, Hua Manman was already gone.

The kitchen was bustling with preparations for the evening meal. The head chef was ordering his subordinates around, and the entire room clattered with the sounds of pots and pans.

When the head chef saw Feihua Zhenren suddenly appear, he greeted him with a wide smile.

"Zhenren, what brings you to the kitchen? Is there something you’d like to eat? If so, you could have just sent word. There’s no need for you to run all the way over here yourself."

Feihua Zhenren pulled the man aside and asked in a low voice.

"Was the Heir of Prince Yu in the kitchen this afternoon making food?"

The head chef knew about it.

Although he hadn’t been in the kitchen that afternoon, he had heard the kitchen helpers talking about the Heir of Prince Yu cooking when he first arrived.

So he nodded. "Yes."

Feihua Zhenren pressed, "Did she really make all that food herself? Did anyone guide or help her?"

Seeing how concerned he was, the head chef simply called over a kitchen helper and had him recount the afternoon’s events from beginning to end.

When making the double-skin milk pudding, the Heir of Prince Yu only had Li Xun help stir the milk. She did everything else herself, and no one gave her any instructions.

The kitchen helper spoke clearly and didn’t seem to be lying at all.

Besides, there was no reason for him to lie about something so easily verifiable.

In the end, Feihua Zhenren had no choice but to accept the truth—

The Heir of Prince Yu could really make double-skin milk pudding that tasted exactly like the Princess Consort’s.

He wondered, ’Is this just a coincidence? Or is there some other reason?’

In any case, this incident had thoroughly piqued Feihua Zhenren’s interest in the Heir of Prince Yu.

The Regent King didn’t return to the Prince Mansion until evening.

Usually, Li Ji ate with his wife and son, while Feihua Zhenren ate alone in his room.

But tonight, for some reason, Feihua Zhenren came over and plopped down in the empty seat across from Hua Manman.

Although Hua Manman found it odd, she didn’t think much of it.

’It’s just one more person at the table, anyway.’

Li Xun, still remembering what happened that afternoon, bared his teeth at Feihua Zhenren.

"What are you doing here?"

Hua Manman patted the boy’s back, reminding him not to speak to his elders that way.

Feihua Zhenren wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he just smiled.

"I’m here to eat, of course. Eating alone is too boring. It’s more lively with more people."

Li Xun was afraid Feihua Zhenren would say something unpleasant to his mother again, so he watched his every move like a wary little wolf pup.

Feihua Zhenren, for his part, kept glancing at Hua Manman, secretly observing her words and actions.

Hua Manman didn’t notice the strange behavior of these two.

While putting food on the child’s plate, she quietly told the Regent King about the visitor they’d had during the day.

After listening, Li Ji said, "Fan Xi has always been a slick character, and he’s never gotten along with the military generals."

Hearing this, Hua Manman immediately understood what he meant.

’Slick meant he liked to smooth things over, hoping to muddle through any situation.’

’Not getting along with the military generals meant he didn’t want to give them any chance to shine.’

’Once a war started, a group of military generals would inevitably rise to prominence.’

’That was certainly not something Fan Xi wanted to see.’

Hua Manman said, "But what he said isn’t entirely without reason. War is a huge drain, for both the common people and the court."

Especially for the common folk at the bottom. Once conscripted, they would likely face having their families torn apart and their homes destroyed.

Li Ji said nonchalantly.

"If we were dealing with a powerful foreign enemy like Xiliang, it would naturally take years to end the war.

But for a mere Longdong County, I can take care of them in a month."

As long as the war ended quickly enough, he could keep the losses to a minimum.

Hua Manman wanted to tell him not to underestimate his enemy, but then she remembered his undefeated record in battle and held her tongue.

’He’s fought so many battles; he knows far more than I do. There’s no need for me to run my mouth.’

After dinner, Li Ji walked Hua Manman back to her room to rest.

Just like before, he escorted her to the door and was about to turn and leave.

But Hua Manman stopped him.

"Wait."

Li Ji asked, "Is there something else?"

Hua Manman looked left and right, and only after confirming no one else was around did she whisper.

"Come inside with me."

With that, she quickly turned and entered the room.

Seeing this, Li Ji’s mind immediately started racing.

’Has Manman finally come around and decided to sleep with me?’

Happiness had come so suddenly that he was stunned for a moment.

It wasn’t until Hua Manman turned back and called to him again that he snapped out of it. He hurriedly stepped over the threshold and, for good measure, made sure to close the door behind him.

’Just in case some thoughtless person came by and disturbed them.’

Li Ji’s eyes were fixed on Manman, and his mind couldn’t help but conjure up a number of R-rated images, causing his body to grow hot.

He was like a beast that had locked onto its prey, his eyes filled with a predatory desire.

Hua Manman beckoned to him. "Come on, come on~"

Li Ji strode forward on his long legs, following her around the screen and into the inner chamber.

As his eyes traced the outline of Manman’s figure, he wondered to himself, ’Which position should I use later?’

By now, Hua Manman had reached the side of the bed.

She reached out, lifted the quilt, and revealed a porcelain bowl hidden underneath.

It was the double-skin milk pudding she had made that afternoon.

She had made three servings in total. One was for Gou Dan, and another for Feihua Zhenren.

She hadn’t eaten the last one, hiding it away and saving it especially for now.

The cotton quilt acted as an insulator.

The chilled double-skin milk pudding had been under the covers for nearly an hour, but it still felt cool to the touch.

Hua Manman picked up the porcelain bowl and, as if presenting a treasure, brought it before Li Ji, whispering secretively.

"I made this double-skin milk pudding myself. Quick, have a taste."

Li Ji stared at the double-skin milk pudding, and all the lewd images in his mind instantly vanished into thin air.

He was silent for a long time before he finally spoke.

"You called me into the room just to have me eat this?"

Hua Manman nodded. "Yes, yes."

’Li Xun wouldn’t allow her to make anything tasty for the Regent King, so she had to give it to him secretly to avoid being discovered.’

Seeing Li Ji just standing there, Hua Manman asked cautiously.

"Do you... not like this?"

Li Ji said, "No, it’s not that."

’He had only himself to blame for overthinking things. He thought he’d be ’eating meat’ tonight, but instead of meat, all he got was a bowl of double-skin milk pudding.’

’The higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment.’

’Oh well. What could he do? She was his wife.’

’He could only continue to dote on her.’

Li Ji took the porcelain bowl, sat down at the table, and began to eat it in large spoonfuls.

Hua Manman sat across from him, her chin resting in her hands as she watched.

She said with a grin, "I also made some pickled chili chicken feet. They should be ready by tomorrow morning."

Li Ji didn’t think there was anything particularly delicious about sinewy chicken feet.

But he didn’t want to spoil Manman’s enthusiasm, so as he ate, he replied.

"Anything you make is bound to be delicious."