Golden Branch

Zheng Yi was slightly stunned.

She was not surprised by Wang Heng's words, but she suddenly realized that she seemed to have misunderstood!

She looked deeply at Wang Heng, a round and cute chubby girl, whose bright big eyes were full of clarity and purity.

He has a childish face, full of ignorance and innocence.

This is just an illusion!

Zheng Yi suddenly realized that he had underestimated Wang Heng.

She is not a little girl who eats, sleeps, and has no heart at all.

"Jiu Niang, what do you mean—"

It wasn't because she was greedy that she ate herself into a ball.

She did it on purpose!

Wang Heng seemed not to notice Zheng Yi's astonishment, nor did she care about the temptation in her words.

She continued with her own train of thought and said slowly, "I started trying to make myself fat when I was six years old!"

Six years old?

Zheng Yi's pupils shrank slightly.

If she remembered correctly, Wang Heng's parents divorced when she was six years old.

Her biological mother A Jiang was adopted by the Wang family as a daughter and then married to Yang Chong as a concubine!

So, Wang Heng did it on purpose.

She was stimulated by the fact that her biological mother was sent away, and thought about herself and wanted to "save herself"!

He is six years old in age, but actually only five years old, but he has already learned to "prepare for a rainy day" and hide his shortcomings.

The most amazing thing is that Wang Heng actually deceived Zheng Yi, who prided himself on his sharp eyes and shrewdness!

Zheng Yi had always misjudged Wang Heng, mistakenly thinking that she was mediocre and only indulged in gluttony. He was even more self-righteous and wanted to help her plan a path to wealth and glory!

Although, from the perspective of an adult like Zheng Yi, Wang Heng's plan seemed a bit stupid - it would hurt the enemy by a thousand and hurt himself by eight hundred.

A nice little girl turned into an obese fat girl.

Not only will you get a bad reputation for being greedy, but you may also be unable to get married.

I don’t want to be a disaster that brings disaster to the whole country, but I don’t want to be an ugly woman that everyone despises.

Damaging one's own appearance and future... this is absolutely intolerable for a calculating and smart person like Zheng Yi.

However, considering Wang Heng's age and the environment she lived in - her mother was absent, her father was unkind, her stepmother was vicious, and her grandmother was cold.

Even Zheng Yi, the mother-in-law of the tutor, used the banner of doing good for her to smuggle her own agenda.

Without reliable elders to guide her, Wang Heng grew up in a wild way, and she could only rely on her immature mind and unsophisticated methods.

It's understandable, even pitiful.

Zheng Yi was silent.

She knew that Wang Heng had been pretending for the past few years, but she suddenly spoke today, and there was definitely a reason for it.

Thinking of the "Yihe Incident" in May, Zheng Yi hesitated for a moment and said slowly: "Jiu Niang, you, you know everything?"

Do you know her calculations and her selfish motives?

"My father is indeed selfish, cold-hearted, and profit-driven. He is not a loving father!"

"But, no matter what, he is still my father, the foundation of my existence in this world!"

Her biological father was indeed a scumbag, but even if he was, as long as he was alive, Wang Heng was not an orphan. She had a father, a family, and someone to rely on.

If Wang Lin died, Wang Heng would first fall into the hands of her stepmother Cui and be tortured at will.

A-mu could indeed take her to Prince Qi's mansion, but it would cost a huge price.

She needs to make arrangements in Prince Qi's mansion and come up with bargaining chips that will satisfy Cui. Bleeding is the least of her worries. If she is not careful, a large piece of flesh will be cut off.

Wang Heng was reluctant to give it up, not wanting to let outsiders get it for nothing.

Moreover, even if you go to Prince Qi's Palace, you won't live a stable and wealthy life.

She lives under someone else's roof and has an awkward status. She won't be bullied openly, but she will definitely be looked down upon and bullied in private.

You can live freely and comfortably on your own farm, so why go to someone else's house to suffer?

Just for an illusory dream of imperial power?

But the problem is, Wang Heng has never thought about such wealth.

Shedding her own tears and blood, stepping on the corpses of others... Even if she climbed to the top, she would become unrecognizable and without anyone close to her and loved by her, so she would definitely not be happy.

Wang Heng does not have such great ambitions, nor does she want to become someone she hates.

She just eats, drinks, and has fun. She doesn't seek wealth or fame, but only peace and happiness.

"Auntie, I know you are a person of great origin and ambition!"

Wang Heng changed the subject and directed her criticism at Zheng Yi.

She looked at Zheng Yi intently, her tone tinged with guilt, "But I'm a person without great ambitions, and I can't help you realize your ambitions."

Zheng Yi was such a smart person that she knew without Wang Heng saying these things. As soon as Wang Heng revealed the "truth", she knew that Wang Heng blamed her for making decisions on her own and did not want her as her mother anymore.

No matter how nice Wang Heng's words were, they could not cover up the fact that she wanted to drive people away.

Zheng Yi couldn't describe the feeling. He felt ashamed, unwilling, and even embarrassed.

Think of Zheng Yi, the queen's female attendant, who once had the power to make things happen in the capital and the palace.

Now, even being a tutor's mother makes the young master despise me!

Zheng Yi knew that she was at fault in this matter.

As a slave, if you "usurp the authority" to make decisions for your master and end up in court, it would be a serious crime of "disrespect".

However, Zheng Yi could not let go of her pride as a female attendant.

She was driven away just like that?

Just like when he fled the capital in disgrace?

She shouldn't have resented Wang Heng. If she were Wang Heng, facing a bold and presumptuous servant, her methods would have been even more ruthless.

She would make people disappear silently in the inner house.

Instead of driving people away and leaving trouble behind!

Correct!

Woe!

Zheng Yi frowned slightly. She already knew that she had underestimated Wang Heng.

Wang Jia Jiuniang is definitely not a simple and foolish girl without any schemes.

She is very smart!

Well, as a smart person, Wang Heng should know the truth that "if you don't kill the snake, there will be endless troubles."

Even if Wang Heng didn't think of it, or Wang Heng was soft-hearted and didn't want to kill everyone, she still had the extremely smart and ruthless Lou Yu by her side.

Could it be that Lou Yu had already made preparations and was just waiting for her to leave Wangjiazhuang so that he could ambush and assassinate her on the road?

Zheng Yi has been up and down in the turbulent harem for many years and is accustomed to conspiracy theories.

Deep down in her heart, a dark aura was rising: Let me die? Then I won't be able to live!

She stayed in Wangjiazhuangzi for nearly three years and secretly bribed many people.

If she wanted to, she could really drag Wang Heng to death with her!

Just as Zheng Yi was emitting a chill, Wang Heng continued, "Auntie has taught me a lot in the past three years."

"I am grateful to my grandmother, so I want to help her fulfill her wish!"

Zheng Yi was stunned for a moment, "Help me? You want to help me?"

She asked back subconsciously, but in fact, what she wanted to know more was: Jiu Niang, how can you help me?

"Auntie, the eldest brother has been busy with official duties these days and is a little tired. He is surrounded by servants and it is really not safe."

Wang Heng raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing her signature sweet smile, "My brother respects the Crown Prince, so he gave him two maids."

Zheng Yi's eyes suddenly lit up. "Jiu Niang, are you talking about the two little girls that the Zheng family sent from their hometown?"

The Zheng girl had an unusual but exceptionally beautiful appearance, but because her mother was too humble, she was not included in the family tree, was not ranked, and did not even have a name.

However, it is an excellent chess piece used to curry favor with powerful people.

When Zheng Yi was trying to trick Madam Lou, he mentioned these "maids" of the Zheng family.

Madam Lou did not trust Zheng Yi, but she was still hoping for a chance, so she sent two of them over as scouts.

"Yes! Sakura and Tao!"

Wang Heng nodded.

The two daughters of the Zheng family had no names and no ranking. When they were in the Zheng family, they were called randomly.

One with white skin and brown eyes was called "ghost slave", and the other with curly hair was jokingly called "curly slave".

When the two of them were just sent to the Lou family's fortress, Wang Heng was picked up by Lou Yu to play.

Wang Heng was very curious when she saw the two girls with delicate looks and exotic temperament, so she took a few more glances at them.

Lou Yu had always doted on Wang Heng, and when he saw that she was interested, he called her over.

The two Zheng girls were very smart, or rather, they were humble people who grew up in a complex environment and under great difficulty, so they were particularly clever.

If he wasn't smart enough, he would have been killed without a trace left. How could he be chosen as a chess piece?

The two men realized that Wang Heng might be their benefactor, and hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.

His level of humbleness is even worse than Zheng Shisan.

Wang Heng then asked them their ages and names. The two of them told her their ages, but when they mentioned their names, they didn't say "ghost slave" or "roll slave". Instead, they knelt on the ground and begged, "I don't have a name. Please give me one, little girl!"

Wang Heng was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect the Zheng family to treat their child like this.

Even if his biological mother was of low status, his father was a son of the Zheng family.

How can you really treat your own children as slaves?

Wang Heng couldn't help but feel pity, thinking that Zheng Shisan was also so pitiful.

Zheng Shisan, although treated harshly in the Zheng family, still retained his kindness.

Wang Heng never forgot that night on the pleasure boat when Zheng Shisan raised his thin arms and pushed her off the boat.

Although Wang Heng failed to be rescued and fell into the water instead, she knew that Zheng Shisan, like Amian, was doing his best to save her.

Wang Heng would certainly not treat the favor of saving her life unfairly.

Zheng Shisan became Wang Heng's second friend and stayed with her every day.

Zheng Shisan's food, clothing, and other expenses were all rationed the same as those of Wang Heng's maids, such as Baizhi and Baishao.

Wang Heng wanted Zheng Shisan to be like herself, but Zheng Shisan knelt down and cried, "How dare I be compared to you, young lady?"

She doesn't deserve it! She doesn't dare!

Jiuniang is kind and gentle, but Lou Langjun is cruel and brutal.

In Mr. Lou's heart, Jiu Niang is unique.

Her enjoyment should also be the best and the only one.

Even Wang Mian, who came earlier, could not stand shoulder to shoulder with Jiu Niang, let alone Zheng Shisan, who came later?

Zheng Shisan didn't dare to breathe in front of Lou Yu, and he didn't dare to "offend" him.

Offending Wang Heng is more serious than offending Lou Yu!

Wang Heng also understood Lou Yu's tyranny and did not want to harm Zheng Shisan for a little "false reputation".

Just compare her to a maid, she won’t treat Zheng Shisan as a slave anyway.

Wang Heng valued Zheng Shisan and felt more sympathy for the other poor concubines in the Zheng family.

Just think of it as "love the house and love the dog".

When Wang Heng heard the two Zheng girls' request to "give them names", she was not annoyed, but actually started to think about it.

It happened that day that Lou Yu sent someone to get the freshest cherries.

They are bright red and fresh, like two exotic little beauties.

Wang Heng said, "Let one of you be called Ying and the other Tao."

She can be called Aying, Atao, or Yingniang, Taoniang.

If one is lucky enough to be recognized by the Zheng family, or is given a surname by the master, he or she can take a surname and become Xying or Xtao.

Wang Heng gave names to the two daughters of the Zheng family, but did not keep them by her side.

Firstly, she was a "chess piece" selected by Madam Lou, and Wang Heng was not worthy of Madam Lou's flattery.

Secondly, Wang Heng already had Zheng Shisan, so it would be inconvenient to choose another daughter from the Zheng family.

One can be explained as a study companion, two or three... No matter how much the Zheng daughters are not recognized by the family, they are still the blood of the Zheng family.

Wang Heng is not a princess, so how could she really bring the daughter of a noble family to be her slave?

One, two, three more...it's definitely the rhythm of making enemies with the Zheng family!

However, Lou Yu, seeing that Wang Heng attached some importance to Aying and Atao, happened to have already known Zheng Yi's plan, and began to make preparations.

First, find the old ladies in the Lou family who are responsible for teaching etiquette and let them discipline Aying and Atao well.

Secondly, he ordered people to provide Aying and Atao with food, clothes and other daily necessities, so that the two of them could recuperate in the shortest possible time due to their bodies being too weak due to the torture they suffered in the Zheng family.

Finally, choose the skills that suit them based on their respective talents.

Ah Ying was quite sensitive to music, so Lou Yu ordered people to focus on training her to play the piano and pipa.

I don't need to be very proficient, I just need to be able to play a song in a short time.

A Tao had curly hair and looked very much like Hu Ji. Her movements were quite coordinated, so Lou Yu asked someone to teach her how to dance.

I don't expect to be able to dance a lot, as long as I am charming and graceful enough.

In a month and a half, the two of them had undergone a complete transformation——

The skin became whiter and more tender, and the calluses on the fingertips became thinner and softer.

Some scars on the body have also faded or even disappeared.

There is more flesh on the face and body, no longer dry and skinny, but slender and soft.

They are able to understand certain etiquette so that they will not be unable to perform the correct greetings when meeting an important person.

Aying can play the pipa, and Atao dances the Huxuan dance very well.

Lou Yu personally assessed it and was barely satisfied.

Then, Lou Yu found an opportunity and sent the two of them to Yang Rui.

Yang Rui is twenty-two years old, at the age of full vigor and vitality.

He is indeed a gentle gentleman, but gentlemen also have physiological needs.

Moreover, Yang Rui is a very typical young man from an aristocratic family. He loves his first wife, but he also cannot do without beautiful concubines and maids.

Yang Rui had official business to visit Yizhou this time, so he did not bring his female relatives with him.

However, slaves are not included in this list.

Yang Rui was accompanied by a few servants to help him with washing and changing clothes.

After arriving in Yizhou, at first, local nobles and officials sent many beauties to him in order to please him or to place spies.

Yang Rui also accepted them all.

Afterwards, during the "Yi River Incident", Yang Rui went on a killing spree.

The nobles and officials were all dismissed, and many slaves disappeared from his camp tent.

There were still three or four people around Yang Rui, coming and going, increasing and decreasing.

For an ordinary family, three or four slaves would be enough, but Yang Ruigui is the prince of Qi, and he only has these few people, which is really shabby.

Lou Yu took advantage of this opportunity to send Aying and Atao there.

Yang Rui accepted it with pleasure.

"...Auntie, Ah Ying and Ah Tao are still young and have no one to teach them. Would you like to go with them to Prince Qi's mansion?"

Wang Heng did not drive Zheng Yi away directly, but gave her another chance to "get what she wanted"!