Free Web NovelChapter 416: Chapter 419: Giving Oneself Away
The System was like a doting old father about to leave on a long trip, terrified his little terror of a child would wreck the house while he was away.
It gave her one reminder after another.
No matter what it said, Hua Manman meekly agreed, acting as obedient as could be.
Despite its lingering unease, the System ultimately had to go offline.
The moment it was gone, Hua Manman instantly perked up.
To any onlookers, it would have seemed as if Princess Consort Zhao’s mood had soured one moment only to brighten up the next. It was all very strange.
Si Yun was very worried. She quietly tugged on the sleeve of Feihua Zhenren, who was currently burying his face in his food, gesturing for him to look at Princess Consort Zhao. What was wrong with her? Could she be unwell?
Feihua Zhenren was perfectly calm. "It’s nothing, just a normal reaction for a pregnant woman."
Pregnant women are more emotionally sensitive than most people and often get angry or sad for no apparent reason.
As Hua Manman’s mood improved, so did her appetite.
She picked up her bowl and chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
Once she had eaten her fill, she cheerfully ran off to check on the crayfish and escargot, wanting to see how her delicious ingredients were doing.
Not to be outdone, Feihua Zhenren trotted eagerly after her.
After Hua Manman left, Li Ji finished his chicken noodle soup in just a few bites.
He felt he couldn’t hold Manman, that little simpleton, to too high a standard.
’We’ve been together for so long, and she still hasn’t discovered I have a Mind Reading Technique. How could she possibly notice a slight change in my mood?’
’Oh, well. I’ll just forgive her.’
Li Ji took a quick, cold shower, changed into clean clothes, and went to find Hua Manman, feeling refreshed.
He had anticipated that Hua Manman would likely be distraught after learning about the Mind Reading Technique, and he was prepared to go to the trouble of comforting her.
He had even worked out a plan: if Manman couldn’t accept the Mind Reading Technique, he would tell her he had to look into someone’s eyes to read their thoughts.
If she didn’t want her thoughts read, she would only need to avoid his gaze.
However, when he found Manman, he saw her and Feihua Zhenren in a heated discussion about how to eat escargot and crayfish. The two of them were grinning from ear to ear, their joy plain to see, without the slightest hint of distress.
Li Ji watched this scene, his face devoid of expression.
’What a fool I am.’
’Truly. To think I was foolish enough to believe Manman needed my comfort.’
Feihua Zhenren caught sight of Prince Zhao standing not far away and hurriedly said to the Princess Consort,
"The Prince is here!"
Who would have thought that Hua Manman, who had just been beaming with joy, would suddenly freeze?
’Holy shit, why is that cheater Prince Zhao here?!’
She spoke in a rush, "I’m tired and want to go back and rest, bye!"
With that, she bolted.
Feihua Zhenren called after her several times from behind, but couldn’t get her to stop.
By this time, Prince Zhao had walked over.
Li Ji’s expression darkened even further as he watched Manman’s rapidly retreating back.
’That little simpleton actually dares to hide from me?!’
Feihua Zhenren noticed Prince Zhao’s grim expression and immediately began cursing his luck internally.
He had thought the Princess Consort had already placated the Prince, but to his surprise, the Prince was still angry.
’No wonder the Princess Consort ran off so fast!’
’If I’d known, I would have run away with the Princess Consort just now.’
Meeting Prince Zhao’s icy gaze, Feihua Zhenren said with a tremor in his voice,
"I-I’ve suddenly remembered that I have yet to thoroughly contemplate the meaning of my life. I must go back and continue contemplating. Please, carry on. Farewell!"
With that, he too bolted.
Li Ji didn’t spare Feihua Zhenren a single glance, heading straight in the direction Manman had gone.
’Trying to hide from me?’
’Dream on!’
Hua Manman returned to her room, immediately scrambled onto the bed, and ordered Si Yun and Qing Huan,
"No matter who comes later, tell them I’m asleep and not to disturb me."
Si Yun and Qing Huan looked at each other, perplexed.
They couldn’t understand what the Princess Consort was trying to do.
Hua Manman pulled the blanket over herself, not forgetting to add another reminder.
"Remember, don’t let anyone in, no matter what!"
Si Yun and Qing Huan nodded in unison.
"We understand."
They helped lower the bed curtains, then moved around the screen and withdrew to the antechamber.
Just then, Prince Zhao walked in.
He asked the moment he entered, "Where is the Princess Consort?"
Si Yun was about to say that the Princess Consort was inside, but she remembered her mistress’s earlier instructions and quickly changed her tune.
"The Princess Consort is already asleep. Perhaps the Prince should come back later."
After saying this, she glanced timidly at Prince Zhao, afraid he would get angry.
Li Ji heard Si Yun’s anxious little thought as clear as day.
He sneered, "This is my chamber. I’ll come and go as I please."
With that, he pushed past Si Yun and Qing Huan, who were blocking his way, and strode into the inner chamber.
Hua Manman had been awake ever since they started talking.
But she didn’t dare get up.
She wrapped the blanket completely around herself, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.
Li Ji looked at the large lump on the bed and said in a low voice,
"Get up."
Hua Manman pretended to be fast asleep, not moving a muscle.
Li Ji reached out and yanked the blanket off her.
He was very strong and tore the blanket from her grasp in one go.
The thin blanket flew into the air, revealing Hua Manman cowering beneath it.
She looked up in terror, her eyes wide.
Li Ji leaned down, closing the distance between them in a flash.
Their eyes met.
Li Ji heard her thoughts loud and clear—
’Holy shit, the dog man is going to read my mind again! He’s going to know all my little secrets!’
As the blanket drifted back down, it landed right on top of them, covering them completely.
When Si Yun and Qing Huan rushed in, the first thing they saw was the two people hidden under the blanket.
Even though they couldn’t see what was happening underneath, they could imagine just how intimate the two must be at that moment.
Si Yun and Qing Huan exchanged a glance and broke into soft, knowing smiles.
’Looks like the Prince and Princess Consort will be making up soon.’
Without making a sound, they quietly withdrew.
This time, they didn’t linger in the antechamber but left the bedchamber entirely, thoughtfully closing the door behind them on their way out.
Under the blanket, Hua Manman stared at Prince Zhao, who was just inches away, desperately telling herself not to let her imagination run wild.
But it was no use.
One’s thoughts are difficult to control.
The more nervous Hua Manman became, the more her mind raced.
’Oh my god, so all this time, whenever I was with the dog man, he knew everything I was thinking.’
’He even knew that I was cursing him as a dog man!’
’Wait, why am I confessing without even being asked?’
’Aaaahhh, why does he have a skill like the Mind Reading Technique?! How am I supposed to snark in peace from now on?!’
Li Ji leaned closer, staring into her eyes as he interrogated her.
"You’re deliberately avoiding me just because I have the Mind Reading Technique?"
Hua Manman flatly denied it. "I’m not avoiding you!"
But in her mind, she was thinking—
’Of course I have to avoid you! Otherwise, wouldn’t you know about all the times I’ve cursed you out in my head?!’
