Royal Gold Magistrate

Under Li Yuanzhao’s scrutiny, Fang Zheng was practically “escorted” all the way to Mingluan Palace.

As soon as they arrived, with Li Yuanzhao making a big fuss, the princess slowly emerged.

Fang Zheng’s breath caught slightly. Seeing the princess this time left a different impression compared to last time. Previously, the princess had been lying weakly in bed, making one unable to help but feel pity.

Now that she had recovered her health, it was another kind of charm. She looked more youthful and lively, truly pure yet alluring.

Princess Li Miaohan’s lively and beautiful eyes curiously sized up Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng hurriedly bowed. “This subject Fang Zheng greets Your Highness the Princess.”

The princess’s clear voice rang in Fang Zheng’s ears. “Lord Fang, there’s no need for such formalities. Rather, it is this palace that should thank you for saving my life.”

Fang Zheng raised his head, meeting Princess Li Miaohan’s eyes directly. Li Miaohan gave a charming smile, appearing even more enchanting.

“Many thanks to Lord Fang for intervening and treating me. This palace has now fully recovered. The rear garden has also been renovated. Why don’t Lord Fang take a look and see if there are any remaining issues?”

Fang Zheng nodded in agreement.

He had an excellent impression of Li Miaohan. Born as beautiful as a heavenly fairy, with a warm and gentle voice, always wearing a smile on her face, her temperament also seemed to be extremely good.

She was right up his alley.

It would be even better if not for the vigilant Li Yuanzhao beside them.

The three went to the rear garden. The Coral Glow flowers that had previously filled the garden were now nowhere to be seen, all replaced by lush green trees.

Fang Zheng took a few superficial turns and nodded in satisfaction. “Good! There are no major issues. It’s just… this illness may have some lingering effects. This subject happens to know a bit about medicine. If the princess experiences any discomfort, she can often seek this subject for treatment.”

Li Yuanzhao widened his eyes in disbelief.

Old Fang, you really dare to say that! This prince personally saw you concoct a medicine for lung disease that poisoned over fifty people to death, and you still have the gall to shamelessly claim you know medicine?

So he started staring intently at Fang Zheng again.

This guy definitely has designs on our princess… Old Fang can dupe people with a single sentence. Can’t let him mislead her with his nonsense!

The princess covered her mouth and laughed. “Thank you, Lord Fang. This palace has indeed been feeling a bit unwell lately.”

“Is it often feeling weak and easily fatigued? Previously, were the eyes also a bit sore and painful?”

“Oh, Lord Fang is indeed formidable.”

Fang Zheng inwardly chuckled. After lying down for so long, how could she not be tired? You think you’re me? Of course walking on the ground would be tiring!

As for sore eyes, that’s how pollen allergies are, often causing dryness and rubbing of the eyes.

Li Yuanzhao gave an embarrassed laugh and stopped staring. He didn’t expect Old Fang to actually know a thing or two…

Fang Zheng said, “Hey, it’s nothing. Let’s sit down and talk.”

The three sat in the pavilion. Fang Zheng suddenly found himself at a loss for words while looking at the princess, as if he really had nothing to say.

The person he spent the most time with was Xiao Tao. They didn’t usually chat much. The rest of the time, he hung out with a bunch of men.

There were plenty of theories stored in his head, but encountering the real deal, he was stumped…

He couldn’t very well say he coveted her body…

The two turned their gazes to Fang Zheng. Fang Zheng had no choice but to speak first. “Princess, you still need to recuperate. Usually, you should drink more hot water when you have free time…”

Li Yuanzhao’s gaze immediately became sharp again.

Drink more hot water?! Isn’t this what Old Fang taught me to say when pursuing a girl?

He truly has a villainous heart that won’t die!

Li Yuanzhao looked at Fang Zheng with a cold smile. “Drink more hot water, and then what?”

“That’s it… Oh, I think you can also add brown sugar.”

“…”

The scene fell into an awkward silence for a moment, with Fang Zheng feeling the most awkward.

Damn, how did those online pick-up lines go? Why are the memories from my previous life always failing me? I can’t possibly say “Are you in?”, that’s too stupid…

And what were those three sentences that could warm her up all day? What exactly were those three sentences again?

The three fell into a long silence. In the end, Li Miaohan couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

Pointing to the package Fang Zheng was carrying, she said, “Lord Fang, I see you’re carrying a package. Are those medicines inside?”

The silence was broken. Fang Zheng felt as if he had received a great pardon. He hurriedly took off the package and placed it on the table, untying it as he spoke, “Oh, no. It just so happens that today, what’s inside are some local specialties from my Taoyuan County.”

“The princess can also have a taste. The flavor is quite…”

The package opened, and Fang Zheng’s eyes went straight… Inside were surprisingly a few sanitary napkins…

That damn girl Xiao Tao! He told her to pack local specialties, but she packed sanitary napkins?

Fang Zheng felt guilty. His eyes darted around. Then he pretended he didn’t see them and took out a package of candied fruit from the package.

“Princess, try this. This is candied fruit from my Taoyuan County. The flavor is sweet and sour… It’s also good for the body.”

Li Yuanzhao didn’t care about candied fruit at all. As soon as he saw the novel items in the package, he boldly pulled one out and fiddled with it in his hands.

“Old Fang! What’s this? I’ve never seen it before.”

“…, Take a guess.”

Hearing this, Li Yuanzhao repeatedly studied the sanitary napkin. Seeing the four straps, he gestured a few times, feeling he had discovered a clue.

Then he smiled smugly, “Don’t think you can stump me… I once heard Imperial Father say that you told him after a flood there will definitely be a plague, requiring covering the nose and mouth to ward off disease.”

“This item has four straps, so clearly it’s meant to be tied on the head, used to cover the nose and mouth. Am I right?!”

With that said, he picked up the sanitary napkin and was about to put it on his head.

Fang Zheng hurriedly snatched it back, sweating profusely.

Truth be told, this thing really did look a bit like a mask!

Hah, if you really put it on, how would I sell these in the future? Wouldn’t that just kill my business?!

“Your Highness is astute… but this thing isn’t used like that…”

Li Miaohan smiled as she watched the two talk. Suddenly, she spoke up, “Lord Fang, please do explain. This palace is also very curious.”

Damn it! There’s no talking his way out of this now… Oh well, so be it. There are plenty of women in the world!

Fang Zheng stammered, “This is called a sanitary napkin… Its function is similar to a menstrual belt…”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Miaohan’s pretty face instantly turned bright red, even up to her ears. She lowered her head deeply without saying a word.

Even the palace maids around them lowered their heads one after another.

Li Yuanzhao still persisted in asking, “What’s a menstrual belt? How come this prince has never heard of it?”

Seeing this, Fang Zheng felt he could throw caution to the wind since the cat was already out of the bag.

Putting on a straight face, he said, “It’s something women use when their monthly visitor arrives, if you catch my drift…”

Hearing him finish, Li Yuanzhao let out a strange cry. He immediately swept the sanitary napkins off the table onto the ground and frowned. “Old Fang, you’re such a pervert! I never thought you were this kind of person.”

Fang Zheng glanced at him, then at Li Miaohan. “What kind of person am I? You don’t understand. This is a specialty product from my Taoyuan County. I brought it for my Brother Guo!”