The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Fang Zheng hadn’t anticipated this situation and didn’t know where to begin.

This time, he’d messed up. The rhythm was off!

Perhaps he’d thrown out flirtatious lines too early.

They were at an impasse!

After a long while, Li Miaohan finally broke the silence: “Lord Fang, Imperial Father… won’t let me promote sani… sanitary napkins in the palace. What should I do?”

Fang Zheng coughed awkwardly twice.

Having the Princess help him sell sanitary napkins was perhaps a bit of a twisted idea.

Moreover, it seemed the timing was too early, inappropriate.

Maybe it was better if only his own people used them for now.

Fang Zheng lowered his head, wanting to ask the Princess about her user experience.

On second thought, he decided against it, fearing he might be seen as a pervert.

After organizing his thoughts, he said, “Well… let’s just stop it for now.”

“There will be opportunities to do it again in the future.”

“We must eat one bite at a time, walk one step at a time.”

“Even development must follow its own rules!”

Li Miaohan’s gaze inevitably dimmed.

A great and fulfilling cause had just been extinguished.

Anyone would feel somewhat disappointed.

Fang Zheng could understand.

Seizing the opportunity, he held Li Miaohan’s hand again.

He said earnestly, “Princess, don’t be discouraged.”

“There are many other things in this world worth doing!”

“Like what?” Li Miaohan’s big, watery eyes looked at him again, full of hope.

I was just saying that casually! Do you have to ask so specifically?

Fang Zheng thought for a moment: “There are! You could open a textile factory, for instance.”

“Only hire female workers. Women are more detail-oriented at work, no need for men.”

“This official can acquire some land outside the city, and establish a textile factory in the Princess’s name.”

“This way, many women’s families will see their lives improve due to having an income.”

Li Miaohan imagined the scene at the textile factory, completely forgetting that Fang Zheng was still holding her hand.

She murmured, “Can it work with only women?”

“Why not! Who says women are inferior to men? I, Fang Zheng, would be the first to disagree!”

Fang Zheng patted his chest, guaranteeing it.

Li Miaohan came back to her senses and hesitated, “But what does this have to do with me?”

“You’ll be doing everything, and I can’t leave the palace. I can’t do anything.”

“I’m really useless…”

“Princess! How can you say such things!”

In his “excitement,” Fang Zheng’s hand had already landed on Li Miaohan’s shoulder.

From behind, it looked almost like he was embracing her.

Li Miaohan’s body instantly stiffened, staring blankly at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng continued his act: “You see, this textile factory has many tasks that don’t require leaving the palace.”

“Things like daily goods arrangements, including some opinions from the female workers, can all be reported to the palace for the Princess to handle.”

“Some tasks, men simply can’t do well. Only women truly understand women.”

“These tasks can all be assigned to the Princess. This official will come to Mingluan Palace daily to report to you!”

“The Princess can do great things even from within the palace!”

“It’s all about planning and coordination!”

“Really?” Li Miaohan’s eyes were filled with indescribable emotions.

Fang Zheng couldn’t help but marvel at how career-oriented the Li family was.

No wonder the Emperor worked so hard every day.

“Of course! This official never lies.”

“After I return, I’ll immediately gather people to implement this plan!” Fang Zheng promised solemnly.

Once the textile factory was up and running, wouldn’t he have a legitimate reason to enter and leave the back palace?

By then, even Li Yuanzhao would have nothing to say!

“Then I… I’ll try to raise some money for you.”

“What money? Princess, don’t you see me as your own? My money is your money!”

Li Miaohan gave him a sweet smile, making Fang Zheng’s heart race.

His wandering hand became even more unruly.

Li Miaohan only felt the pressure on her shoulder increasing.

Her body was suddenly turned straight by Fang Zheng.

Under Li Miaohan’s terrified gaze, Fang Zheng’s entire face moved closer.

Panicked, she couldn’t help but close her eyes, trying hard to shrink back.

Her small hands tightly gripped the hem of her clothes!

Seeing this, Fang Zheng boldly leaned in…..

…

“Princess! Eunuch Guo has arrived!”

Just as Fang Zheng was about to kiss her!

An ill-timed palace maid came running over.

Seeing the scene before her, she froze on the spot!

This Lord Fang is too bold! He actually wants to kiss the Princess… Oh my.

Fang Zheng was so angry his eyes and nose seemed to twist.

Damn it! Of all times to come, why now!?

With the good moment ruined, he even felt some resentment towards the palace maid.

He impatiently waved at her: “I know! I know! You may go!”

The palace maid ignored him and looked at Li Miaohan instead.

Li Miaohan had kept her eyes tightly shut, unclear about what Fang Zheng had actually done.

She only felt a vague sense of anticipation in her heart.

Seeing the palace maid arrive, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Her face was bright red as she quickly tidied herself up.

After composing herself, she said, “I understand. You may withdraw!”

Seeing the palace maid leave, she turned to Fang Zheng and said nervously, “Eunuch Guo is here. Lord Fang, please leave… it wouldn’t be good if you were seen.”

Not good? What’s not good about it? It’s not like we’re having an affair!

Fang Zheng turned his head to look at the entrance of the back garden.

Seeing no one coming, he turned back and wrapped his arms around Li Miaohan.

In an instant, their eyes met.

Before Li Miaohan could react, Fang Zheng’s lips were already pressed against hers.

A moment later, their lips parted.

Li Miaohan was thunderstruck, her mind blank.

She couldn’t process what had just happened.

She just stared blankly at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng gave a roguish smile and gently let go of her.

He said softly, “Princess, this official is leaving!”

With that, he turned and left, exuding an air of a scoundrel.

I just did it! What if Guo Tianyang is here?

The mood was set perfectly. Would I still be a man if I didn’t take action?

As he walked to the main hall of Mingluan Palace.

He ran into Guo Tianyang, who was carrying a soup tureen.

Seeing Fang Zheng, Guo Tianyang was momentarily stunned: “Brother? Why are you here?”

“What, am I not allowed to come?”

Fang Zheng was still licking his lips shamelessly, acting as if nothing had happened.

Guo Tianyang urgently said, “This is the back palace! And it’s the Fifth Princess’s chambers. You can’t come without His Majesty’s permission!”

“It’s not appropriate! If word gets out, it won’t sound good!”

“What if the Northern Rong envoys come for a marriage alliance?”

Fang Zheng looked utterly disdainful.

Marriage alliance? Do you think this is a TV drama or a novel?

What are the odds I’d run into that?

Are you expecting a Royal Advisor to jump out and propose three challenges, like some stupid game of ants stringing beads?

Hah!

“Oh, it’s nothing! Just discussing some matters with the Princess! Important matters! Important matters!”

Guo Tianyang eyed him suspiciously: “Alright! Be careful next time!”

“Definitely! Definitely next time!”

With that, Fang Zheng quickly left.

…

In the back garden, Li Miaohan still hadn’t recovered from the sudden attack.

She stood there petrified, her thoughts inexplicably complex.

Heart palpitations.. anxiety.. excitement.

Gradually, her eyes reddened.

Her small hands kept fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.

She replayed the moment over and over in her mind.

Just then, Guo Tianyang’s voice rang out: “Princess, His Majesty asked this old servant to bring you some ginseng soup.”

Glancing over, she saw Guo Tianyang smiling and holding the soup. He continued, “Princess, did something good happen?”

“What good thing?” Li Miaohan couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“I just saw the Princess smiling!”