This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

Wang Yangming woke up groggily, shook his head, and felt a headache coming on.

This was the first time he had ever drunk so much alcohol, and because he was so happy, Wang Yangming didn't even use his inner energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol.

I woke up to find that the hangover was really uncomfortable.

Just as he was about to sit cross-legged on the bed and circulate his inner energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol, his hand suddenly touched something soft.

Wang Yangming was taken aback and subconsciously turned his head to look.

He was completely stunned.

A head of long, black hair lay scattered on the pillow, and a face that was all too familiar lay there.

Princess Ping'an, daughter of the Great Zhao Xianping King...

But... how did she end up here?

Wang Yangming was greatly shocked. He quietly lifted a corner of the quilt and immediately covered it back up.

After seeing Princess Ping'an's bare shoulders, he dared not look any further.

She glanced at herself again; she was completely naked, without a single stitch.

Under the bed and on the floor were clothes scattered everywhere.

Some were his, and some were Jiang Ping'an's.

Wang Yangming hurriedly got up, picked up his clothes, and dressed in a panic. Just as he was about to run out the door, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He turned to look at the bed, though he had no idea how Princess Ping'an had suddenly ended up in his bed, nor did he remember what had happened the night before.

But now that things have come to this, he understands that running away is pointless.

That's Princess Ping'an, a woman whom the Emperor regards as his own daughter.

Wang Yangming took a deep breath, trying his best to calm himself down.

Then he closed the door and sat down in a chair in the room.

After a long silence, Wang Yangming spoke:

"Princess, now that you're awake, stop pretending."

As Jiang Ping'an lay on the bed, her long eyelashes trembled a few times. The moment she opened her eyes, two lines of clear tears silently slid down her cheeks.

She pressed the blanket against her chest and slowly got up, glancing at Wang Yangming.

His eyes held a deep sadness.

Wang Yangming closed his eyes and sighed silently.

"Princess, why...?"

Wang Yangming couldn't bring himself to ask.

He couldn't understand why this was happening.

Jiang Ping'an avoided eye contact with Wang Yangming, only muttering under his breath:

"You were drunk last night, and I happened to come looking for you. I found you lying unconscious on the table, so I kindly helped you back to your room."

"Who knew..."

"You are stronger than me, I cannot break free, so I have no choice but to...accept my fate..."

Wang Yangming held his forehead, utterly exhausted.

He vaguely remembered that someone seemed to be supporting him.

But I have absolutely no recollection of what happened afterward.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Ping'an couldn't help but shed tears again, and said with tears welling up in her eyes:

"Don't worry, although you used force... but... I also had problems, and I didn't resist with all my might."

"I will not tell my royal uncle, nor will I tell the Prince of Jin and the princess."

"Let's just pretend... let's just pretend last night was just a dream... and forget it all when we wake up..."

In the end, Jiang Ping'an fell backward, covered his face with the blanket, and sobbed uncontrollably.

Wang Yangming sighed helplessly, his heart filled with anguish.

Recalling her past with Jiang Ping'an, she couldn't help but feel some suspicion.

Ever since they first met Jiang Ping'an in the Fanghua Garden of the Imperial Palace last Mid-Autumn Festival, it seems as if they were bound together by some kind of connection.

From then on, he would always run into Jiang Ping'an by chance.

Gradually, the two became more and more familiar with each other.

Wang Yangming had his suspicions that this might be a setup.

With his mental power, he could see through Jiang Ping'an's ulterior motives at a glance.

As it turns out, every chance encounter between Jiang Ping'an and him was not intentional.

At least it wasn't something Jiang Ping'an deliberately created.

Although Jiang Ping'an was a bit arrogant as a princess, she was actually an innocent and kind girl at heart, and Wang Yangming did not dislike her.

However, because of the other party's identity, Wang Yangming maintained a certain distance from beginning to end.

He didn't know when it started, but the way Jiang Ping'an looked at him began to seem a little strange.

Wang Yangming understood that Jiang Ping'an was gradually developing romantic feelings for him.

Therefore, he could only try to avoid this monarch who was deeply favored by the emperor.

Unexpectedly, a rare moment of overconfidence led to such an absurd situation.

Wang Yangming was in pain because he was not a cold-hearted person at heart.

Although there are still many doubts about this inexplicable one-night stand, Wang Yangming is simply unable to say those heartless words at this moment.

Since that's the case, then I'll just have to bear it myself.

He stood up, picked up the clothes from the floor, and neatly arranged them on the bed. Then, trying to control his emotions, he spoke in as calm a tone as possible:

"Princess, please change your clothes first. I'll wait for you outside..."

After saying that, Wang Yangming left the room without looking back.

After he left, Jiang Ping'an lay there for a while before getting up, silently putting on his clothes, and sitting blankly on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

Much later, Wang Yangming asked from outside:

"Princess, are you ready?"

Jiang Ping'an then came to his senses, wiped away his tears, and replied:

"Um..."

The door opened, and Wang Yangming hesitated for a moment before finally stepping into the room.

Standing opposite Jiang Ping'an, their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

Jiang Ping'an avoided Wang Yangming's gaze as if she had been electrocuted, lowered her head, and clutched the hem of her clothes without saying a word.

Wang Yangming pursed his lips and slowly closed his eyes.

But suddenly another face appeared in my mind.

She was a girl with a cool and aloof appearance, seemingly otherworldly.

It's been almost two years since we last parted ways.

I wonder if her eyes have recovered...

Wang Yangming sighed heavily, slowly opened his eyes, his eyes bloodshot.

"Princess, rest assured, I will take responsibility."

"After the imperial examinations next year, I...I will ask His Majesty for his hand in marriage...to marry the princess..."

Regardless of whether there was any scheming behind this, the fact remains that I have tarnished Jiang Ping'an's innocence.

As a man, you should take responsibility for your mistakes.

This is something we must not evade.

Jiang Ping'an raised her head and looked at Wang Yangming. For some reason, a huge sense of grievance welled up in her heart at this moment.

It's hard to explain.

Wang Yangming had promised to take responsibility for her, but she felt as if she had completely lost this man...

Jiang Ping'an opened his mouth, as if to say, "It's none of your business."

But the words just wouldn't come out.

To avoid attracting attention, Jiang Ping'an stayed in Wang Yangming's rented courtyard until curfew before leaving.

Wang Yangming sat at his desk, unfolded a sheet of paper, and wrote a few lines: "Mingyue, I hope this letter is well. It has been a long time since we last met. I wonder if your eye condition has improved..."

But after writing only a few lines, Wang Yangming stopped.

After hesitating for a long time, he silently put down the brush, crumpled the letter into a ball, and crushed it to pieces.

Looking at the bright moon outside the window, Wang Yangming sighed softly.

"Enough... Why add to my troubles..."