Feihua Zhenren first gave Hua Manman a comprehensive physical examination, and his findings were consistent with the Imperial Physician’s.

"The Princess Consort’s body shows no abnormalities. She is quite healthy."

Li Ji watched Hua Manman, lost in thought.

When she was unconscious before, she had been clutching her chest, crying out in pain.

The Fourth Prince had also seen with his own eyes how she’d been tormented by the pain in her chest, looking like she was on the verge of death.

’She must have some kind of heart condition.’

’But why can’t the Imperial Physician and Feihua Zhenren find any trace of it?’

Hua Manman had no idea what Prince Zhao was thinking.

She had Feihua Zhenren give Prince Zhao a physical examination as well.

Naturally, the results showed he was in perfect health, with not a single thing wrong.

Feihua Zhenren remarked with heartfelt admiration.

"Your Highness is truly blessed. Not only have your legs recovered, but even the poison in your body has vanished without a trace.

I wonder which master physician Your Highness hired for the treatment?

Might I trouble Your Highness for an introduction? This humble Taoist would be eternally grateful."

As a student of medicine himself, he was naturally fascinated by talented physicians and hoped to meet this person to exchange medical knowledge.

Li Ji glanced at Hua Manman with a faint, enigmatic smile before slowly replying.

"She has an eccentric personality and doesn’t care for socializing."

’You’re the eccentric one!’ Hua Manman silently retorted. ’Your whole family is eccentric!’

Feihua Zhenren persisted, "Even if we cannot meet, corresponding by letter would be acceptable."

Li Ji glanced at Hua Manman again.

Hua Manman turned to look out the window, feigning indifference.

Feihua Zhenren was still watching Prince Zhao eagerly, awaiting his reply.

Li Ji gave a helpless smile. "Her handwriting is atrocious. She doesn’t like to write."

Hua Manman...

’This damn man is just unbelievably mean.’

Feihua Zhenren said quickly, "Poor handwriting is no issue. I do not mind."

Li Ji pretended to consider it seriously. "How about this: I will pass on your request to her. As for whether she is willing to correspond with you, that will be her decision."

Feihua Zhenren’s face immediately lit up. He stood and bowed with his hands clasped before Prince Zhao.

"Many thanks, Your Highness!"

As the sun was about to set, Li Ji invited Feihua Zhenren to stay for dinner at the Prince Mansion.

To host Feihua Zhenren, Hua Manman personally went to the kitchen and prepared a steaming hot pot.

The Great Zhou Dynasty also had hot pot, which they called ’Stirring the Rosy Mist.’

But its flavor was nowhere near as savory, fragrant, and spicy as the version Hua Manman made.

Afraid that Feihua Zhenren couldn’t handle spicy food, Hua Manman specially prepared a divided pot.

One side held a spicy red broth, while the other had a mild mushroom broth.

Feihua Zhenren indeed couldn’t handle much spice, yet he found the hot pot’s heat to be exceptionally fragrant and rich. It made his mouth water uncontrollably.

Even though the spice made him break out in a sweat, he couldn’t resist dipping his food into the red broth.

By the time the meal was over, his mouth was bright red from the spice, his forehead was covered in sweat, and his face was flushed and beaming.

Hua Manman had prepared a cooling mung bean soup in advance.

Feihua Zhenren had been so preoccupied with the hot pot that he only just remembered the mung bean soup.

He picked up the bowl and GULP, GULP, GULPED down the mung bean soup, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Ah, that hits the spot!"

The hot pot dinner had gone on for quite some time.

Hua Manman glanced at the dark sky outside and tentatively suggested.

"It’s gotten so late. Master, why don’t you stay the night at the mansion and leave in the morning?"

Feihua Zhenren readily agreed.

Gao Shan led Feihua Zhenren to a guest room.

After the hot pot, both Hua Manman and Li Ji smelled of their meal.

It was impossible to sleep with that lingering aroma. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The two of them decided to take a bath.

The Prince Mansion had a bathhouse, but Hua Manman rarely used it. She preferred to have a wooden tub brought to her room and bathe there.

Today was no exception.

She had someone heat water, intending to take a hot bath before bed.

But just as she began to undress, Prince Zhao arrived.

Startled, she hastily put her clothes back on.

"Weren’t you taking a bath, Your Highness? Why have you come here?"

Li Ji circled the wooden tub and said disdainfully.

"This tub is so small. It must be uncomfortable. Why don’t you come soak in the bathhouse with me?"

’That’s exactly why I don’t go,’ Hua Manman thought. ’I know that damn man uses the bathhouse often, so I avoid it to prevent any awkward encounters.’

She feigned shyness, blushing as she spoke.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I’m quite used to the tub."

For some reason, a meaningful smile played on Li Ji’s lips.

"Since you like using the tub so much, I suppose I can make do."

’The tub might be small, but small has its advantages.’

Hua Manman was shocked and blurted out, "You can’t possibly be thinking of sharing this tub with me, are you?"

Li Ji retorted, "Why not?"

With that, he began to untie his sash.

Hua Manman frantically covered her eyes, not daring to look.

"Your Highness, this tub can’t fit two people! You should go back to your bathhouse."

But Li Ji said languidly, "We won’t know if it fits until we try, will we?"

Seeing the jerk’s determined attitude, Hua Manman knew words alone wouldn’t change his mind.

She had no choice but to temporarily abandon the idea of a bath.

"My stomach feels a little upset. I need to... relieve myself. Please, go ahead and bathe first."

With that, she bolted out of the room.

In the blink of an eye, she was gone without a trace.

Li Ji looked at the steaming water in the tub and clicked his tongue. TSK.

’So much for a romantic soak.’

’What a shame!’

Hua Manman ran to the latrine to hide.

She hid there until Si Yun came looking for her.

Si Yun asked in confusion, "Why were you in the latrine for so long? Did you have an upset stomach?"

Hua Manman answered vaguely.

"No, I’m fine. Has the Prince gone to sleep?"

Si Yun replied, "Not yet. The Prince said he’s waiting for you so you can sleep together."

Hua Manman thought for a moment and decided to take her bath after all.

’Prince Zhao has probably finished his bath by now, so I don’t have to worry about running into him at the bathhouse.’

So, she went to the bathhouse with her mind at ease and enjoyed a comfortable, hot bath.

By the time she returned to the bedroom, shrouded in steam, it was already very late.

Li Ji, however, was still awake.

He was lying in bed, reading a book.

Hua Manman leaned over for a look and was surprised to see he was reading a popular novella titled *Xun Xiangji*.

Seeing she had finally returned, Li Ji casually tossed the novella aside and patted the empty space next to him.

"Hurry and get in. I’m exhausted."

Hua Manman obediently went and lay down beside him, whispering, "You should have just gone to sleep if you were tired. You didn’t have to wait for me."

Li Ji pulled the blanket over her, leaned in to kiss her forehead, and said with a gentle smile.

"I can’t sleep when you’re not here beside me."

Hua Manman’s heart skipped a beat.

’Am I really that important to him?’

Soon, the man beside her fell asleep.

Hua Manman snuggled closer, pressing her cheek against his chest. Listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, her own heart couldn’t help but settle into a peaceful rhythm.