The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Chapter 403: Chapter 405: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Hua Manman was completely confused.

"What Mistaken Soul Soup?"

Li Ji narrowed his eyes, asking suspiciously, "If you didn’t give her some Mistaken Soul Soup, why would she send our family so many things?"

Hua Manman huffed softly and smiled smugly.

"It’s because the Commandery Princess likes me, of course."

Li Ji wanted to say it was impossible. That woman hated him to death; by extension, she couldn’t stand anyone around him. How could she possibly like Manman?

But then he remembered the piece of paper Nanny Zhang had given Manman just now.

He clearly recalled that the handwriting on the paper had to be from Princess Rouwan’s own hand.

All signs indicated that Princess Rouwan did seem to genuinely hold Hua Manman in high regard.

Li Ji found this matter incredibly strange.

Stranger than Manman giving Princess Rouwan some Mistaken Soul Soup!

Hua Manman lifted her foot to walk toward the rear courtyard but was pulled back by Li Ji.

"You’re pregnant. Don’t run around."

With that, he swept Manman into his arms and strode toward the back.

Seeing this, everyone in the Prince Mansion tactfully lowered their heads, pretending they hadn’t seen a thing.

Hua Manman punched Li Ji’s chest lightly in annoyance.

"What are you doing? I’m pregnant, my legs aren’t broken. It’s just a few steps, I can walk by myself. Put me down."

’So many people are watching! Do I have no sense of shame?!’

Li Ji didn’t stop walking and said matter-of-factly, "It’s just a few steps anyway, so what if I carry you back? Don’t struggle, you might startle the baby in your belly."

Hua Manman was speechless.

’I’m only one month along. The baby is just the size of a peanut. How could it possibly be startled?’

Seeing the young couple’s affectionate display, Feihua Zhenren felt completely out of place.

He tactfully chose not to follow, instead huffing and puffing as he carried his bundle and medicine box back to the small courtyard where he lived.

Only after the Prince and Princess Consort were far away did the servants in the mansion dare to lift their heads.

A few young maids gathered together and began to whisper among themselves.

"They were only separated for a month, but it seems the Prince and Princess Consort’s relationship has gotten even better."

"What do you know? It’s like they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder!"

The young maids all covered their mouths and giggled.

Qing Huan was still injured and couldn’t attend to the Princess Consort, so she had to remain in her own room to recuperate for the time being.

Hua Manman specifically had someone reward her with some medicinal herbs and supplements. She also sent her some clothes and Silver Coins as a prize for her loyalty in protecting her master.

After rewarding Qing Huan, Si Yun naturally couldn’t be left out; she also received many fine clothes and accessories.

Si Yun had already learned of the Princess Consort’s pregnancy and was overjoyed.

"Our Prince Mansion will soon have a little master!"

Hua Manman said, "Perhaps it’ll be a little lady?"

Si Yun beamed. "Whether it’s a little master or a little lady, it’s wonderful either way!"

The Prince currently had no concubines, only one Princess Consort, Manman. Regardless of whether the Princess Consort gave birth to a son or a daughter, it would be the Prince’s only child. The Prince would surely treasure them!

A servant brought hot water and clean clothes.

Si Yun rolled up her sleeves, preparing to help the Princess Consort bathe and change.

But she was stopped by Prince Zhao.

Li Ji shooed them out. "All of you, leave. I am all that’s needed here."

Si Yun hadn’t expected the Prince to personally attend to the Princess Consort’s bath. She was surprised, but also very happy. ’A child really is the bond between a husband and wife. The Prince and Princess Consort’s relationship has taken another step forward. This is wonderful!’

Hua Manman, however, did not want Prince Zhao to help her bathe.

Even though the two had seen each other naked many times and were very familiar with each other’s bodies,

the thought of having Prince Zhao bathe her still made her feel unavoidably shy and embarrassed.

She wanted to call Si Yun back.

But Si Yun had already slipped away in a flash.

The door closed, leaving only Hua Manman and Li Ji in the room.

Li Ji reached for Manman’s sash.

Hua Manman quickly clutched her sash and stammered.

"I-I can do it myself. You should go attend to your business."

Li Ji said, "I have nothing else to attend to right now."

He just wanted to stay with Manman; he didn’t want to go anywhere else.

Hua Manman said, "How could you have nothing to do? So much happened last night, the Saint must need help."

Li Ji replied, "The Saint is surrounded by capable and extraordinary people; he’s not lacking one of me. But you only have me."

Hua Manman wanted to say, ’I still have Si Yun.’

But before the words could leave her mouth, Li Ji pressed a finger to her lips.

Her words were silenced.

Li Ji gently caressed her lips with the pad of his finger and murmured.

"I’m still in a bit of a daze. If I had been even a moment later just now, I would have lost both you and our child."

"I don’t want to go anywhere right now. I just want to look at you. Don’t send me away."

Hua Manman’s heart instantly softened.

As her heart softened, her fingers loosened their grip.

Li Ji took the opportunity to untie her sash and remove her clothes, one piece at a time.

Her body was gradually exposed to the air.

The process made Manman feel extremely embarrassed.

To alleviate this awkward feeling, she began to silently hypnotize herself in her mind—

’I’m just a meaty bone, I’m just a meaty bone...’

Li Ji, who could hear her thoughts: "..."

’If she’s a meaty bone, then what does that make him?’

Li Ji refused to think about it any further.

He had to admit, this woman was a master at ruining the mood.

Any romantic thoughts he’d been harboring were instantly extinguished.

His heart was now as calm as still water, as if he could achieve enlightenment on the spot.

After he finished undressing Manman, he lifted her and gently placed her in the bathtub.

So much had happened in the past two days, and Manman’s nerves had been stretched taut. Now, soaking in the warm water, her body involuntarily relaxed, and her mind grew fuzzy.

Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

Li Ji washed her with the gentlest of touches, carefully finishing her bath before drying her body.

He lifted Manman and placed her gently on the bed.

Li Ji helped her into her nightclothes.

Manman kept her eyes closed the entire time, sleeping soundly.

Li Ji looked at her flat abdomen.

Her belly looked no different than before, yet it now carried their child.

If he thought about it, Li Ji actually had many relatives.

But aside from the late Duke Zhen, none of them had ever cared for him without reservation.

Even Princess Ningyang, who was ostensibly very good to him, had hidden his true birthright.

For the past six years, he had been all alone.

He had thought his life would continue on like this, that nothing would ever change.

But he never expected that he would not only have a Princess Consort, but also a child.

He was no longer alone.

He had his own little family now.

Li Ji raised his right hand, as if wanting to touch Manman’s belly.

But he was afraid his clumsy touch might startle the baby inside.

His hand paused in mid-air before he quietly drew it back.

He pulled over the neatly folded thin quilt from the side and gently covered Manman with it.