This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

Inside the room, Wang Yangming had already changed out of his soaked clothes.

The maid was about to help him change his clothes when Jiang Ping'an stopped her, snatched the clothes from her, and said:

"I'll do it..."

The maidservant dared not disobey and could only leave silently.

Wang Yangming was behind the screen with his back to it, unaware that the person who entered was Jiang Ping'an.

"Excuse me, just put the clothes down."

He was only wearing underwear, his upper body was naked, revealing his not-so-strong but well-defined back.

Jiang Ping'an didn't go out, but stepped forward and blushed as she helped him change his clothes.

Wang Yangming sensed something was wrong and turned around, visibly stunned when he saw Jiang Ping'an.

Jiang Ping'an lowered his head and whispered:

"Let me help you change your clothes, put them on quickly, don't catch a cold..."

Wang Yangming wanted to refuse, but looking into Jiang Ping'an's eyes, he couldn't bear to, so he had no choice but to silently accept.

Jiang Ping'an clumsily helped Wang Yangming change his clothes, clearly not good at this kind of thing.

"You...shouldn't have jumped..."

Jiang Ping'an said in a deep voice.

Wang Yangming was silent for a moment, then said calmly:

"So you want me to...watch you jump?"

Jiang Ping'an's hand holding the clothes visibly trembled, his eyes reddened, and his nose felt a little sore.

"It's alright, Prince Jin... at most he'll scold me, he won't do anything to me..."

Wang Yangming shook his head, his tone firm.

"If you didn't see it, that's fine, but I can't do it in front of me..."

Jiang Ping'an pursed her lips, trying her best to control her emotions.

After finally changing his clothes, Jiang Ping'an brought a clean cloth and carefully dried Wang Yangming's hair.

After everything was tidied up, Wang Yangming stood up, walked to the door, and said with his back to Jiang Ping'an:

"Princess... I know that was not your intention, but since things have come to this, I, Wang Yangming, will not shirk my responsibility."

"This promise is the only thing I can give you. As for the rest... I hope you can give me a little more time."

After saying that, Wang Yangming walked straight out of the room.

Jiang Ping'an slowly sat down on the stool, staring blankly at the handkerchief in his hand. After a while, a drop or two of water slowly soaked through the handkerchief, spreading out in a shape that resembled a winter plum blossom...

Jiang Ping'an took a deep breath, smiled through her tears, and murmured:

"I'm waiting for you..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Led by a servant, Wang Yangming arrived at the reception room of the separate courtyard, where Prince Jin had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as he sat down, the Prince of Jin had ginger tea served to him.

After sitting for a while, the Prince of Jin stood up and said with a smile:

"I invited you here today for no other reason than to congratulate you on achieving the title of top scholar in the provincial examination and to wish you the best of luck in winning the imperial examination next month. At that time, you will achieve the triple crown and create a legendary tale for all time."

Wang Yangming bowed and thanked him.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness."

The Prince of Jin smiled and said in a kind tone:

"The second thing is also good news."

"As you know, Ping An lost her parents at a young age and was brought to the palace by the Emperor to be raised by him personally. She is like a brother and sister to us princes and princesses."

"Besides, Ping An has been close to me since childhood, and now that she's reached marriageable age, it's only natural for me, as her older brother, to arrange things for her."

At this point, the Prince of Jin took a few steps forward, stopped in front of Wang Yangming, and smiled:

"I don't know what kind of spell you cast on her, but Ping An is fixated on you and says she won't marry anyone but you."

"I've doted on her since she was little, so naturally I won't let her be sad at this time, so..."

"By the way, Yangming, you're not engaged, are you?"

Wang Yangming sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm.

"I inform Your Highness that there is no engagement."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Jin clapped his hands and laughed:

"That's perfect. I'll take the liberty of betrothing Ping An to you."

Wang Yangming took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"I will follow Your Highness's arrangements."

The Prince of Jin was overjoyed.

"Hahaha... Alright, after the imperial examination, when you pass with flying colors, we'll get married."

"On that day, the wedding night and the day of passing the imperial examination will bring double joy, truly a celebrated occasion..."

Wang Yangming reluctantly cupped his hands and said:

"Marriage is a major life event that requires the consent of my parents. After the palace examination, I would like to return to my hometown to inform my parents."

This is a matter of human relations, and even the Prince of Jin had no reason to refuse it.

He could only nod in agreement.

The King of Jin was in high spirits. He raised his hand, pointed, and said to Wang Yangming:

"As the elder brother, I cannot be stingy."

"This villa will be given to you both as part of my dowry for Ping An, and will serve as your residence after your marriage."

Wang Yangming was taken aback and was about to refuse.

"Ping An is a princess, and it is not against the rules for her to live in this villa. You can put your mind at ease."

"The matter is settled then. I look forward to your passing the imperial examination with top honors and marrying Ping An."

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to, I'm leaving."

Having said that, before Wang Yangming could refuse, the Prince of Jin left directly.

Wang Yangming sat down helplessly, and at that moment, he even had the thought of giving up.

Give up on the goal you've been pursuing.

He gradually came to understand why his father had been so opposed to him taking the imperial examinations.

Because it's not worth it, because there are too many demons and monsters, too many obstacles and barriers on this road.

If you only want to protect yourself, you can't do your best.

To stay true to your original aspirations, you must bow your head and endure.

Wang Yangming silently left the villa and returned to his own simple villa.

This day should have been a glorious one for him, but instead he was plunged into deep sorrow, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The night was deep, and a crescent moon hung high in the sky.

Wang Yangming simply got up and went to the courtyard, sat on the threshold, looked at the moon in the sky, and reminisced about the carefree days of the past.

Those were the days I spent with my fellow disciples, Qingfeng and Mingyue, in Anyi County.

He will always remember the first time he followed Qingfeng and Mingyue to deliver peace charms from house to house late at night.

That was the first time he witnessed human suffering and the first time he understood how difficult life was for the people of the world.

Therefore, he gave up the opportunity to follow his teacher in cultivating immortality and resolutely devoted himself to the imperial examination, wanting to do something for the people of the world.

But...why is it so difficult?

Wang Yangming took out the amulet from his pocket; it was a gift from his master before he left.

"Sir... what should I do...?"

Looking at the amulet in his hand, Wang Yangming muttered to himself, filled with confusion.

He suddenly recalled the scene when his teacher first read the Taoist classic "Five Thousand Words" to him.

So he went back into the house, took out the Taoist scripture, and turned the pages one by one by the moonlight.

"The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao..."

"When everyone recognizes beauty as beauty, ugliness is already present..."

"If you do not exalt the virtuous, the people will not contend..."

"The Way is like a still hole, yet its use may never be exhausted."

"Blunt its sharpness, untangle its knots; soften its light, mingle with its dust..."

Upon seeing this, Wang Yangming was stunned for a moment.

He kept murmuring to himself:

"Blend its light with its dust...The Way is unfathomable, yet its use may never be exhausted..."

He slowly closed the book and looked up at the bright moon.

"It blends with the light, it mingles with the dust. So clear, it seems to exist..."

"Is this the Tao?"

"The sage puts himself last, yet he comes first; he disregards himself, yet he survives..."