The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 16: Poison in the Medicine
Looking at her grave little expression, Li Ji would have almost fallen for her lies if he couldn’t hear her true thoughts.
’This woman is saying all these sweet words for no other reason than to get to her meal as quickly as possible.’
Li Ji’s thin lips curled into a wicked smile.
He pushed the bowl of medicine in front of him toward Hua Manman. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
"Since you’re so concerned about my health, taste this medicine for me first and see if it’s poisoned."
Hua Manman froze.
’She never thought that just saying a few words to coax him would end up like this.’
’This medicine looks incredibly bitter. I don’t want to drink it at all!’
But Li Ji was still watching her, looking as if he wouldn’t let her off the hook unless she took a sip.
Everyone else kept their heads bowed, and no one dared to criticize Prince Zhao.
Hua Manman had no choice but to resign herself to her fate, pick up the bowl, and take a tiny sip.
The medicine was horribly bitter the moment it touched her tongue.
Her face immediately scrunched up, but she still had to force a smile.
"Prince, there’s nothing wrong with the medicine. Please, drink it."
Li Ji watched her with an inscrutable expression. "I asked you to test the medicine with a spoon, not to drink straight from the bowl. Are you trying to make me drink your saliva?"
’I’ve never tested medicine for anyone before, how was I supposed to know I had to use a tool?!’
Unable to defend herself, she could only say sheepishly,
"Then I will have someone brew a fresh bowl for the Prince."
But Li Ji simply picked up the bowl of medicine and downed it in one gulp.
He set down the empty bowl, met Hua Manman’s astonished gaze, and gave a careless smile.
"There. Now we can eat."
Hua Manman cheered internally, immediately sat back down in her seat, and began to happily chow down!
Gao Shan had only asked Lady Hua for help out of desperation. He hadn’t expected her to be so capable that she actually succeeded in persuading Prince Zhao to drink his medicine.
’It seems Prince Zhao is quite fond of this Lady Hua!’
In his mind, Gao Shan elevated Lady Hua’s standing.
Noticing Prince Zhao’s cold gaze on him, Gao Shan knew the prince disliked having others wait on him while he ate, so he tactfully led the servants out.
As soon as they were gone, Li Ji took a small pouch from his wide sleeve.
He tipped a pill out of the pouch, tossed it into his mouth, and washed it down with some chicken soup.
Seeing this, Hua Manman paused and couldn’t help but ask,
"What are you eating, Prince?"
Li Ji put the pouch away and replied casually, "Guess."
Hua Manman: "..."
’Guess my ass!’
Hearing her thought, Li Ji’s lips curled into a smile. "I’m taking a Detoxification Pill."
Hua Manman’s eyes widened, her curiosity piqued.
’Usually, only people who have been poisoned need to take a Detoxification Pill. Could it be that Prince Zhao has been poisoned?’
Li Ji slowly explained, "The medicine I just drank was poisoned, so I needed to take a Detoxification Pill to counteract it."
Hua Manman was so frightened her face turned deathly pale, and she began to stutter.
"The m-m-m-medicine was poisoned?!"
’I just drank a mouthful of it... Doesn’t that mean I’m poisoned too?’
’Am I going to die?’
’Waaah, I haven’t even finished my breakfast! I don’t want to die!’
Li Ji: "..."
’So the only reason she doesn’t want to die is that she hasn’t finished her breakfast?’
’Truly, what ambition.’
Li Ji explained leisurely, "The poisoner is very careful. The dose is very small each time. You only had a sip, so you should be fine."
Hua Manman was skeptical. "Really?"
Li Ji deliberately put on a malicious grin. "It’s a lie. I’m tricking you. Once you drink that medicine, your death is certain."
He thought this woman would be scared to tears.
But instead, Hua Manman just stared blankly for a moment, then picked up her bowl and chopsticks and began to furiously devour her food.
Li Ji clearly heard her thoughts—
’Well, I’m going to die soon anyway. I have to eat all this delicious food first. Even if I’m going to die, I’m going to die on a full stomach!’
Li Ji: "..."
So true to form.
