The poison in Li Ji’s body had long been neutralized by the Life Reviving Pill.

The reason he spat blood was because of a Betel Nut Pill.

The Betel Nut Pill was a common prank toy. Biting it released a bright red liquid that looked just like blood.

Li Ji had hidden a Betel Nut Pill in his sleeve. When he bent over and covered his mouth, he took the opportunity to pop the pill in, bite down, and let the "blood" flow from his lips, creating the illusion of him coughing up blood.

After hearing his explanation, Hua Manman was still skeptical.

"But you had stopped breathing."

Both the Imperial Physician and the Emperor had confirmed that he was no longer breathing.

That couldn’t have been faked.

Li Ji said, "I practice a Cultivation Technique called the Turtle Breath Technique. It allows me to hold my breath for a short time, completely halting all signs of respiration. It makes me look as if I’m dead."

Hua Manman had never heard of such a Cultivation Technique.

Li Ji explained, "My father taught me this Cultivation Technique as a precaution."

We often faced danger on military campaigns. If I were ever trapped in a desperate situation with no escape, I could use the Turtle Breath Technique to feign death. With a bit of luck, I might survive.

To prove he wasn’t lying, Li Ji activated the Turtle Breath Technique on the spot and told Hua Manman to check his pulse.

Hua Manman reached out and felt his wrist. Sure enough, there was no pulse!

Li Ji stopped circulating the technique, and his pulse immediately returned.

Hua Manman was dumbfounded.

This was too incredible!

Li Ji said, "After my father taught me the Turtle Breath Technique, he warned me to keep it a secret. After he passed away, no one else in the world knew I could do it."

He paused, giving Hua Manman a meaningful look.

"Now, one more person knows."

Hua Manman hurriedly pledged her loyalty. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I will never reveal this to anyone!"

Now that she was sure he was a living person and not a reanimated corpse, she was no longer afraid.

She reached out to take Prince Zhao’s arm, wanting to help him out of the coffin.

However, Li Ji grabbed her hand in return and gave a sharp tug.

Caught off guard, Hua Manman was yanked into the coffin.

She let out a frightened cry.

"Ah!"

Chen Wangbei, who was standing guard outside the door, heard the cry and was immediately on alert.

He called through the door, "Princess Consort, what happened?"

Hua Manman quickly replied, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing! I just bumped into the table by accident."

Inside the coffin, Li Ji pinned Hua Manman beneath him.

He leaned close to her ear, deliberately lowering his voice to a whisper.

"Princess Consort~"

Hua Manman felt her ears instantly burn hot.

Others called her Princess Consort in a perfectly normal way, but when Prince Zhao said it, the words were laced with an alluring intimacy.

’So improper!’

Hua Manman couldn’t stand it. She could only turn her head away, trying to distance her ear from Prince Zhao’s lips.

She explained in a low voice.

"The Saint thought you had died. To fulfill your last wish, he issued a decree for me to marry you. If you’re unwilling, you can speak to the Saint about it later..."

Li Ji cut her off. "Who said I was unwilling?"

Hua Manman sheepishly fell silent.

Li Ji turned her face back to make her meet his gaze.

He looked into her eyes and said, word by word.

"I am more than willing."

Hua Manman’s heart skipped a beat.

The light inside the coffin was dim, and everything before her was a blur.

Except for the man’s eyes, which held a soft, warm glow.

That glimmer seemed to possess a strange power, capturing all of her attention.

By the time she came to her senses, the man’s lips were already on hers.

This time, it was no longer just a light touch.

Hua Manman felt his lips kissing hers.

The unfamiliar sensation made her nervous.

She subconsciously held her breath. Her fingers curled, gripping the man’s lapels tightly. Her eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly at the man just inches away.

Soon, she began to feel dizzy from lack of oxygen.

Her head spun, and her face flushed red.

Just as she was about to pass out, Li Ji reluctantly released her lips.

Hua Manman hastily gasped for air.

A large rush of fresh oxygen flooded her system, finally clearing her mind.

Li Ji asked amusedly, "Why don’t you breathe when you kiss?"

Hua Manman was too embarrassed to admit she had been so nervous that she’d forgotten to breathe.

She didn’t even dare to look the man in the eye. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Her gaze darted elsewhere as she stammered.

"M-Maybe it’s because this setting is too weird. Who... who does this kind of thing in a coffin?"

But Li Ji just chuckled. "Don’t you find this exciting?"

Hua Manman never thought the dignified Prince Zhao would have such a twisted sense of humor.

"It’s a little too exciting. I can’t handle it."

Li Ji studied her expression. "Why aren’t you looking at me?"

As he spoke, he reached to turn her face.

Hua Manman quickly said, "Since you’re all right, you should leave this place quickly."

Li Ji pressed his lips to hers again, murmuring indistinctly.

"Don’t be in such a hurry. Let me kiss you again."

Hua Manman tried to push him away. "Your Highness, don’t—"

The moment she opened her mouth, the man took the opportunity to slip inside.

He seized the opening with pinpoint precision.

After that, Hua Manman lost the ability to speak, able only to passively accept his conquest.

As a vigorous young man, Li Ji was quickly aroused by the kiss.

When Hua Manman felt it, her sense of crisis skyrocketed, and she immediately pushed against him with more force.

Far from backing away, Li Ji mischievously pressed her even tighter against him.

Hua Manman: !!!

’How shameless!’

A low, amused chuckle rumbled in Li Ji’s throat.

Hua Manman couldn’t take his hooligan-like behavior any longer and gave him a light bite.

Li Ji winced in pain and finally let her go.

The moment they separated.

Hua Manman shoved him away and scrambled to climb out, using both her hands and feet.

’This scoundrel is out of line!’

’If I stay here any longer, something bad is definitely going to happen.’

Li Ji wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"Where are you running?"

Hua Manman could feel the man behind her burning up; even his breath was scorching hot.

She was incredibly nervous.

"Prince, don’t be like this. We really can’t do it here."

Li Ji seized the opening. "So another place would be fine?"

Hua Manman was at a loss for words.

Although they were now husband and wife, she wasn’t mentally prepared to consummate the marriage with him.

Li Ji knew that matters of the heart couldn’t be rushed.

’In any case, she’s my wife now. There’s no way she can escape.’

’I have all the time in the world to slowly wear down her defenses.’

Li Ji released her. "If you’re unwilling, then forget it."

Granted a reprieve, Hua Manman scrambled out of the coffin as if fleeing for her life.

Afterward, Li Ji also stood up. He placed one hand on the edge of the coffin and vaulted out, his robes fluttering as he landed steadily on the ground.

The series of movements was crisp, clean, and effortlessly elegant.