The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 74: What If This King Doesn’t Come Back Tonight?
Han Zhenzhen was about to say she was fine, but an idea suddenly struck her.
’This is a great chance to get the Prince’s attention!’
She closed her eyes and fell straight back.
Xingyu’s face paled in alarm as she cried out.
"Help! Han Ruren has fainted!"
In an instant, the entire Jade Pavilion burst into chaos.
Meanwhile, at the Mountain and Sea Residence, the scene was entirely different.
After Li Ji had washed up, he dismissed all the maids and servants, leaving only Hua Manman behind.
Hua Manman rolled up her sleeves and lifted Prince Zhao’s pant leg.
Even though it wasn’t the first time she had seen his legs, she was still stunned by the gruesome scars on them.
The scars alone were a testament to how severe Prince Zhao’s injuries had been.
Putting herself in his shoes, Hua Manman felt that if she had suffered such severe injuries, she probably would have died from the pain.
She scooped up a little Broken Jade Ointment with her fingertip, warmed it in her palm until it melted, then applied it to Prince Zhao’s leg, gently and slowly spreading the ointment.
Li Ji looked down at her, his long, thick eyelashes casting layered shadows beneath his eyes.
Neither of them spoke.
Yet, the silence wasn’t awkward. Instead, it felt comfortable, tinged with a faint, sweet sense of peace.
A sudden KNOCK KNOCK sounded from outside the door.
The beautiful moment was shattered. Li Ji frowned, displeased.
"What is it?"
Jinxiu’s voice came through the door.
"Your Highness, a message just arrived from the Jade Pavilion. They say Han Ruren has fainted."
Li Ji said impatiently, "If she’s fainted, call the household doctor. What good will telling me do?"
Jinxiu, clearly accustomed to the prince’s temperament, continued without a pause, dutifully reporting.
"The household doctor has already been called. He says Han Ruren’s collapse was caused by a fit of extreme anger, compounded by excessive worry.
He has prescribed medicine, but he also mentioned that for her to recover quickly, her emotions must be stabilized."
The implication was clear: the root of Han Ruren’s illness lay with Prince Zhao.
Only Prince Zhao could ensure her swift recovery.
Li Ji’s brow furrowed even deeper, the impatience in his eyes growing more intense.
Hua Manman had stopped massaging him the moment she heard the knock.
She asked cautiously.
"Will you be going to see Han Ruren, Your Highness?"
Instead of answering, Li Ji asked, "Do you think I should go see her?"
Hua Manman, remembering the role she had to play, immediately blinked hard, forcing her eyes to turn a little red.
’When it comes to playing the pitiful damsel, I can’t lose to anyone!’
She said in a pitiful, wronged tone.
"Tonight is your wedding night with Han Ruren, Your Highness. Of course you should go and see her."
Li Ji watched her with a faint, unreadable smile. "Do you really mean that?"
Hua Manman pressed her lips together, looking as if she might cry at any moment. Even her voice was tinged with a sob.
"Of... of course it’s true."
As Li Ji enjoyed her little performance, he also heard her true thoughts—
’See her? For what? Anyone with half a brain can tell Han Zhenzhen is faking it! She’s just trying to trick Prince Zhao into going over there. I can’t let her get away with it!’
Li Ji asked leisurely.
"If I go to the Jade Pavilion, what will you do?"
Hua Manman said, looking pitiful, "I will, of course, wait peacefully for Your Highness to return."
Li Ji: "What if I don’t come back tonight?"
As if dealt a heavy blow, Hua Manman’s eyes widened, and she stared blankly at Prince Zhao.
A single tear slid from the corner of her eye and fell to the floor with a soft PLOP.
