Free Web NovelChapter 404: Chapter 406: A Stunning Feat
Li Ji tiptoed out, quickly took a bath, shed his blood-spattered clothes, and changed into a set of clean, comfortable everyday robes.
He dried his hair, preparing to go back to the room to be with Manman.
Gao Shan came rushing up.
"Your Highness, the General of the Brave Cavalry is here to see you."
Li Ji asked casually, "What’s he here for?"
Gao Shan replied, "I hear it’s about the rebellion."
Li Ji had no patience for such matters.
"What does this have to do with me? Tell him to go cool his heels somewhere else."
Gao Shan said quickly, "He also mentioned the Fourth Prince."
Li Ji stopped in his tracks.
He remembered the Fourth Prince had always coveted Manman. Even though she was married, the prince still hadn’t given up on his designs.
’I need to keep a close eye on this man,’ Li Ji thought.
So, he changed his mind on the spot and decided to see Bian Ziming.
The moment Bian Ziming saw Prince Zhao appear, he instinctively went to throw himself to his knees, but Li Ji stopped him before he could.
"Spit it out. I have other matters to attend to."
He was, after all, in a hurry to get back to his room and sleep beside Manman.
Bian Ziming dutifully reported.
"The rebels in the city are under control. Our Tiger Roar Camp performed with great distinction this time, but all the credit goes to you, Your Highness. If you hadn’t charged into the Imperial Palace alone and thrown the rebels into chaos, we couldn’t have breached the city so easily..."
Li Ji impatiently cut off his flattery.
"Get to the point!"
Bian Ziming froze. "Wasn’t what I was just saying important?"
Li Ji swore at him for being an idiot.
"Tell me about the Fourth Prince."
Realization dawned on Bian Ziming, and he quickly recounted everything he knew.
It turned out that after all the prisoners were released, the Fourth Prince, Li Ying, was also freed.
While the prisoners were harming innocent civilians, Li Ying stepped forward and saved many people.
Later, he even led a team of civilian vigilantes and forcibly captured the East City Gate.
After the rebellion in the city was suppressed, Li Ying ordered the East City Gate opened. He walked out, covered in blood and grime, and knelt on the ground to respectfully welcome the Emperor back to the city.
When Bian Ziming got to this part, he couldn’t help but curl his lip and mutter under his breath.
"We had already captured the South City Gate. Logically, the Saint should have entered through there. But because the enemy had blocked it with sand and rubble, the Saint could only enter through the East City Gate, letting the Fourth Prince snatch all the glory for nothing."
The Tiger Roar Camp had originally earned the greatest merit in quelling the rebellion, but with the Fourth Prince stirring things up like this, he had stolen all their thunder.
Bian Ziming was simmering with frustration.
He really hadn’t expected it. The Fourth Prince was usually so low-key he was practically invisible, but at the critical moment, he had managed to stun everyone.
Li Ji had long known that the Fourth Prince was no simple character.
His previous timidity and silence were nothing but a facade.
Now that Prince Dongyang had fled in rebellion, the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince had passed away one after another, and the Sixth and Seventh Princes were still young, there was no one left to oppose Li Ying. Naturally, he no longer needed his disguise.
He wanted to reveal his talents and show the Emperor and the whole world that he was the one most suited to inherit the throne.
Li Ji didn’t actually care who ended up on the throne.
Anyone but Li Ying.
Li Ying had never given up on Manman. If he were to ascend the throne, he would undoubtedly find a way to take Manman for himself.
Li Ji could not tolerate such a thing happening.
He had to find a way to thwart Li Ying’s plans.
...
Li Ji returned to the bedroom.
He crouched by the bed, silently watching Manman’s sleeping face.
Her eyes were closed, her long lashes lowered. Her long, black hair was fanned out across the pillow. Her skin was as fine and white as porcelain, and her lips were full and rosy.
Her chest rose and fell slowly with her breathing.
Li Ji reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair from her forehead behind her ear.
Just then, Manman turned over from her back onto her side, her cheek landing right on Li Ji’s hand.
As if she found his palm comfortable, Manman nuzzled against it and let out an unconscious murmur.
Afraid of waking her, Li Ji didn’t dare move a muscle.
After crouching for so long, he gradually felt his legs going numb.
So he simply flicked his robes aside and sat down on the footstool by the bed, his eyes never leaving Manman.
He looked like a great dragon guarding its precious treasure.
If he had a tail, he would surely have coiled it around Manman, wrapping her up tightly, allowing no one else a chance to covet her. Only he would be able to see her, to touch her.
Hua Manman slept very deeply.
By the time she woke up, it was already afternoon.
The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Li Ji sitting by the side of the bed.
He was still in the same position, his hand pinned under Manman, the wide hem of his robes trailing on the floor.
Because he was so tall, sitting on the low footstool made him look all cramped, even a little pitiful.
Li Ji spoke, his voice a little low and hoarse.
"Did you sleep well?"
Hua Manman stared at him in a daze. "You haven’t been watching over me this whole time, have you?"
She glanced at the sky outside. From the time she fell asleep to now, at least three hours had passed.
Li Ji pulled back his hand, which had been pinned so long it had almost lost all feeling, and replied nonchalantly.
"No, I just got here."
Hua Manman was skeptical. "Really?"
Li Ji smiled. "Why would I lie to you?"
Even though he could normally say all sorts of shameless things, he found he couldn’t bring himself to honestly admit he’d been watching over Manman for three hours.
He propped himself up with one hand on the edge of the bed and slowly stood.
"You must be hungry, right? I’ll have someone get you something to eat."
Hua Manman sat up as well.
She really was hungry. The moment she heard there was food, her eyes lit up.
Li Ji walked out of the room with a steady gait.
As soon as he was out of Manman’s sight, Li Ji immediately started rubbing his sore, numb arm, while also stretching his long legs that had gone to sleep.
Si Yun, who was waiting outside the door, happened to see this and was stunned.
"Your Highness, what are you...?"
Li Ji lowered his hands and said casually, "The Princess Consort is awake. Go have the kitchen prepare some food."
"Yes."
Soon, a meal was brought into the bedroom.
Li Ji wanted to have a bed tray brought in so she could eat in bed.
Hua Manman quickly said, "Don’t go to all that trouble. I can get out of bed to eat."
She was just pregnant, not paralyzed. There was really no need to be so dramatic.
Li Ji wanted to carry her out of bed, but she flatly refused him.
"I can walk by myself. You don’t need to carry me."
Li Ji was visibly disappointed.
Si Yun helped Manman get out of bed.
"Be careful, Your Highness."
Once Manman was steady on her feet, she pushed Si Yun’s hand away and walked straight to the dining table.
She could already smell the delicious aroma!
Li Ji deliberately tucked two extra soft cushions under her bottom so she would be more comfortable.
Because Manman was pregnant, the meal the kitchen had prepared for her was relatively light, and the ingredients used were of a higher quality than before.
