Tea-like Behavior

Under the cover of night, Fang Zheng jogged to Mingluan Hall.

The journey was nerve-wracking but ultimately uneventful.

After not going far, he was predictably caught by the imperial guards, who inspected the food box before escorting him to Mingluan Hall.

Fortunately, a palace maid recognized Fang Zheng and covered for him, allowing him to sneak through.

Only after the guards had left did Fang Zheng breathe a sigh of relief. He turned to the palace maid and said: "Thank you! Thank you. Where is the Princess now? Quickly take me to see her."

The palace maid shook her head vigorously: "Lord Fang, the Princess has already retired at this hour. Why don't you come back another time?"

"You can leave your items here. This servant will give them to the Princess tomorrow."

Sleep!

At this hour? How could someone her age possibly fall asleep!

Fang Zheng insisted: "Why don't you go in and announce me first? Tomorrow I won't have time to come!"

The palace maid frowned, unsure what to do.

Based on her understanding of the Princess, she probably wanted to see Fang Zheng.

But it was rather late, and coming to see someone at night was inappropriate. If word got out, it would seriously damage the Princess's reputation!

"Lord—"

"Go quickly! Go quickly!" Fang Zheng interrupted, pushing the palace maid inside before she could speak.

At this point, the palace maid pouted and reluctantly went to announce his arrival.

Fang Zheng held the food box, smelling the bread's fragrance as he paced back and forth outside, feeling quite pleased.

When the Princess tastes this, she should love it! My honey milk bread turned out pretty well!

It's been so long since we've seen each other. What should I say to her?

Shortly after, the palace maid hurried back toward Fang Zheng with small steps.

Fang Zheng looked at her expectantly.

The palace maid calmly said: "Lord Fang, please leave... the Princess is resting and said she won't see visitors."

"......."

Hearing this, Fang Zheng's heart sank.

Huh?! Impossible! When had the Princess ever refused to see him?

Maybe she's really angry after not seeing me for so long?

No... when a woman says no, she means yes! I still need to see her, otherwise she might get even angrier if I leave!

Having figured it out, Fang Zheng stepped forward.

The palace maid quickly spread her arms to block him, panicking: "Lord Fang, what are you doing? The Princess said she won't see you!"

"Really? I don't believe it!" Fang Zheng pushed past the maid and continued walking briskly inside.

The palace maid chased after him.

They ran until they reached the Princess's door, where Fang Zheng finally stopped.

This should be the Princess's bedchamber outside... yes, this is it!

The palace maid stopped too, panting heavily, pleading: "Lord Fang! The Princess is truly resting now. Please leave quickly."

"What if someone finds out? You can come back tomorrow during the day!"

"Shhh~" Fang Zheng put his finger to his lips: "Keep your voice down. I'll ask the Princess myself. If she really doesn't want to see me, I'll leave immediately! You help me watch for others, don't let anyone approach."

With that, Fang Zheng took out a bank note and handed it to her.

The palace maid looked at the bank note, then at Fang Zheng, experiencing a tremendous inner struggle.

After a moment, she accepted it.

"Then... be quick..." she said, carefully walking to the corner to keep watch.

Seeing her leave, Fang Zheng stood at the door, took several deep breaths, and gave himself some encouragement.

The so-called "charming, wealthy, romantic man"—I have it all. Can't I handle a girl's anger? That's nonsense!

He then knocked twice on the door and said softly: "Princess... are you asleep?"

....

Inside the room, Li Miaohan wore a snow-white undergarment, sitting at the table.

She turned her head toward the door, her phoenix eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Since Fang Zheng had kissed her that time, she hadn't seen him again.

She had waited for him like a fool every day.

To think he truly hadn't come even once. Wasn't this purely taking advantage of her?!

Even a clay figure has its limits to patience. Although Li Miaohan had a gentle temperament, she couldn't help feeling somewhat angry.

Looking at the figure fidgeting outside her door, Li Miaohan felt bitter in her heart.

She pouted slightly and said: "I'm asleep!"

Outside the door, Fang Zheng heard Li Miaohan's reply and was overjoyed.

Saying the opposite! All opposite!

"Then I'm coming in!" he said, pushing the door open.

Under Li Miaohan's stunned gaze, Fang Zheng casually pushed open the door, turned to close it, and then sat down in front of her with the food box, grinning.

After a moment of shock, Li Miaohan came to her senses, her face flushing red as she urgently said: "Get out! This Princess wants to rest! How can you be so thick-skinned!"

From childhood, she had always followed proper etiquette, with specific rules for how to dress.

Now she was wearing her nightclothes and had bare feet on the floor. When Fang Zheng suddenly entered, she felt extremely embarrassed and hurriedly tried to send him away.

Fang Zheng's old face had already become impenetrable!

Even with Li Miaohan personally asking him to leave, he remained seated without moving.

Stay calm! This is a critical moment! Having entered the Princess's private chamber, their relationship had progressed further.

If he left now, all his efforts would be wasted!

Fang Zheng stood up, stepped forward, and directly caught Li Miaohan's hands. With a serious face, he said: "Yes, I am thick-skinned!"

"Doesn't the Princess know my true feelings?"

Li Miaohan struggled repeatedly to pull her hands away, but being weaker, she failed despite several efforts.

Both embarrassed and angry, she said: "This Princess doesn't know! Let go!"

Fang Zheng certainly wouldn't let go. He stopped talking and launched an attack with his eyes.

Li Miaohan, being stared at by him, felt her heart in disarray and spoke without thinking: "You haven't come for months. Why do you specifically choose the night? You rogue!"

"Princess has such good judgment of character!" Fang Zheng said.

"........."

Seeing her face had reddened to her ears, Fang Zheng slowly released her hands and said calmly: "Princess... I've thought about you day and night... but I've been too busy! No time. Secondly, His Majesty wouldn't allow it......"

Li Miaohan, red-faced, interrupted him: "But my brother said you spend every day drinking and making merry outside, and Imperial Father also said you're not a proper person."

What the hell!

What's going on?!

The father and son ganging up against me!

Emperor Jing is one thing, I can't say anything about him. But what's with the Crown Prince? After all this time, is he still tirelessly slandering me?

This won't end, will it!

Fang Zheng's expression immediately turned unpleasant, but he quickly composed himself.

"Princess, you know the Crown Prince. He's usually extravagant... he asks me for money! I didn't lend it, so he became embarrassed and angry and defamed me in front of the Princess!"

"As for His Majesty.... I've been too tired lately and fell asleep during court, so His Majesty probably has some dissatisfaction."

"I wanted to come see the Princess before, but His Majesty wouldn't let me...."

"What? Was it Imperial Father who wouldn't let you come?" Li Miaohan asked hurriedly.

Fang Zheng nodded seriously, then sighed: "Yes!"

"Though I'm busy, I could still squeeze out some time, but His Majesty forbade it."

"Princess, you've grown so thin in the time I haven't come..."

"Had I known, I should have risked death to see you. But I didn't expect... His Majesty and the Crown Prince wouldn't take good care of you in the palace."

"Sigh... they only care about their own affairs, unlike me. I only care about the Prin~cess~"