Golden Branch

"Xie Yanzhi is quite famous for his talent in the southern border."

"He was able to write poetry at the age of seven, and his painting skills at the age of twelve made him famous in Jiankang, and he was praised as a master of both poetry and painting!"

The secret guard was still introducing Xie Yanzhi in detail to Wang Heng.

Having said that, the secret guard paused for a moment and took out a few pieces of paper from his lapel.

"Jiu Niang, these are some poems by Xie Yanzhi."

The secret guard picked up the paper with both hands.

Bai Zhi, who was beside Wang Heng, walked quickly to the secret guard without being told and took the paper.

Wang Heng raised her hand, took the paper handed to her by Bai Zhi, unfolded it, and looked at it carefully.

"It's not a fu? But a new style of seven-character regulated verse?"

Wang Heng chewed on each sentence secretly, with gorgeous words and clever rhymes, it is indeed a masterpiece.

Wang Heng nodded slowly, "Brother, my 'cousin' is quite talented in writing."

This poem was written by Xie Yanzhi three years ago. He was only fourteen years old at that time, and he was considered a young genius!

However, Wang Heng was simply praising her without mixing in too much emotion.

It's like when she judges any scholar, she only appreciates their talent, but never likes them or not.

Beneath Lou Yu's gentle face, there was a hint of unhappiness in his heart.

Of course, Lou Yu was not angry with Wang Heng, but, but... He didn't know what he was uncomfortable with, he just didn't like hearing the fat girl praise others.

And that word "cousin"!

What kind of cousin is Xie Yanzhi?

He was just the great-nephew of Madam Xie, and had never met Madam Xie, let alone the fat girl.

We have never met each other, never gotten along, but because of some status, he became the fat girl's cousin?

Lou Yu's reason told him: This is what aristocratic families are like, with many in-laws and countless cousins, both legitimate and illegitimate.

Even Lou Yu and Wang Heng can be considered cousins.

But Lou Yu was just unhappy.

Wang Heng: ...What is the little overlord angry about again?

Lou Yu has reached the state where he can keep his emotions hidden. His eyes are gentle and his expression is indifferent, a true gentle gentleman.

Recently, he has become more and more aloof because he is not talkative.

Yet, he does not appear cold or arrogant, but rather carries the nobility and coolness of a banished immortal in the moonlight.

He is like a clear pond, looking crystal clear on the surface, as if you can see the bottom at a glance.

In fact, it is unfathomable, deep and cold.

It was difficult for others to discern his thoughts. Wang Heng was perceptive and lived with Lou Yu day and night, so she was probably the only one who could notice his abnormality.

Wang Heng was a little puzzled. Everything was fine, so why was he feeling awkward?

"...Amian is right. Men in their voice change period are really sensitive and pretentious!"

As Wang Heng, who is emotionally stable and always Buddhist, once again generously tolerated it.

She changed the subject and said with a smile, "Although I have some talent, I am not as good as my brother!"

The word "brother" is indeed intimate but carries an unignorable sense of pride.

She was really proud of her brother Lou Yu, and she truly believed that her brother was the most outstanding young man in the world.

Lou Yu appeared calm on the surface, except for the upturned corners of his mouth, which had become slightly larger.

"What else? Besides these poems, what else makes Xie Yanzhi stand out from the crowd?"

Wang Heng felt that Lou Yu's mood had "changed from gloomy to sunny", sighed secretly, and continued to question the secret guard.

The secret guard hurriedly reported back: "Xie Yanzhi is outstanding in talent and appearance, and is highly respected in Jiankang."

"Two years ago, I was chosen as the consort by the Southern Territory Emperor, now known as Marquis Anle..."

The secret guard briefly recounted Xie Yanzhi's once fortunate but actually miserable marriage.

The future prince consort could have risen to a high position, but unfortunately he happened to witness the fall of the southern border.

It would be fine if it was just the destruction of the country, but even more unfortunate was the encounter with a "rival in love" -

"When the King of Chu led his army and followed the King of Qi into the southern border, he encountered Princess Ronghua, who had escaped from the imperial palace... The King of Chu then took Princess Ronghua as his concubine!"

The secret guard spoke cryptically, but Wang Heng understood immediately:

Oh no, it’s just that the prince of the enemy country was riding on horseback and saw the princess of the fallen country who was fleeing in a panic and looked pitiful.

Lust at first sight, ah, no, it was love at first sight, and then it was rape, plunder, and abusive love...

Uh, okay, Wang Heng admitted.

Although I am young, I have a daughter-in-law who loves to tell stories.

I don’t know what’s wrong with Amian’s brain. She is only two years older than her, and Yunying is still unmarried, but she knows so many sad and heartbreaking love stories.

Amian was also very mischievous. She used many pen names and wrote many storybooks.

What a domineering prince, what a poor daughter, what a princess of a fallen country, what a prince of an enemy country... The bloody plot and the straightforward and fiery words really make the young girls who have just entered puberty blush and their hearts beat fast, but they can't help but yearn for it.

“…Oh, what am I thinking about?”

"It's clearly very miserable, and they were plundered helplessly, yet you still imagine some kind of sadomasochistic love story?"

Wang Heng realized that she had actually linked the cruel reality with the plot of the storybook.

I actually think that the King of Chu's lust for beauty and his robbery behavior are his "love" for Princess Ronghua.

She quickly discarded this absurd idea and despised herself: "I have really been led astray by Amian!"

Princess Ronghua first lost her country and her family, and then was abducted by the enemy prince. She originally had a fiancé who was both talented and beautiful and of noble birth, but now she can only become a "concubine" with an awkward status.

Concubine, sounds nice, but in reality she is still a concubine.

The dignified princess, once a golden branch and jade leaf, has now been knocked off the branch and crushed into the mud!

The fall of the Southern Border was not her fault. It was due to her father's stupidity and the incompetence (even betrayal) of the civil and military officials. Yet, she had to bear the consequences of the country's destruction, the family's ruin, and being trampled upon by others.

As a woman and a man's accessory, Wang Heng felt deep empathy.

In fact, it is not just princesses, even the little girls from powerful families like these are dependent on their families and their fathers and brothers (husbands/sons).

Just like Lu Jialan that Wang Heng just thought of.

The Yi River Incident that year was a conspiracy orchestrated by her father.

After the conspiracy was exposed, Lu Huaixin was beheaded, but Lu Jialan and other female relatives were also exiled.

And there is Wang Heng. If Wang Lin really gets into trouble when he goes to Beijing this time.

Wang Linhui will be held accountable, and his daughter Wang Heng, who lives far away in Hedong, will not be able to escape the "implicity"!

Of course, besides her father, Wang Heng also has her mother and Lou Yu, so she will not really fall into a miserable situation.

But, this still requires Wang Heng to rely on others.

She still can't control her own destiny!

Wang Heng lowered her eyelids, suppressing all emotions and the feeling of powerless resentment, and continued to focus on this unfortunate cousin:

"Thanks, cousin, he's such a poor fellow!"

The secret guards didn't mention that Xie Yanzhi was being ostracized in Chang'an, but Wang Heng could imagine it.

The Xie family was originally a noble family that moved north from the southern border, and they had no roots in the northern border.

The most outstanding son in the family should have become the main force to revive the family, but because his fiancée was forcibly taken away, he inexplicably had a "rival in love" in the form of a prince.

Even the King of Chu didn't need to target him, Xie Yanzhi would have been unable to move an inch in Chang'an.

Power is so ruthless, shameless and unreasonable!

Xie Yanzhi is a smart man, or rather, the Xie family has smart elders who realized Xie Yanzhi's embarrassing situation in the capital, so they simply let him stay away from the circle of right and wrong for a while.

After a few years, when things have calmed down, the King of Chu might no longer care that Princess Ronghua has a fiancé, and Xie Yanzhi might have the possibility of returning to the capital and entering the court.

If it is a place of refuge and there is a "turnaround", it would be even better!

The Xie family has no roots in the northern border, but they do have in-laws.

For example, Mrs. Xie.

Wang Heng quickly sorted these out and understood why Xie Yanzhi came to Hedong.

"This Xie family sounds more reliable than the Cui family!"

At least Xie Yanzhi is really talented, at least there are smart people in Xie Yanzhi or the Xie family.

I didn’t expect the Cui family... Tsk, to actually get involved with a pervert like Lou Rang who is both physically and mentally disabled.

He also tried to snatch the fruits from the eldest prince!

How could they possibly deserve it?

Wang Heng admitted that she had taken her anger out on others.

Although Yang Rui was not very close to Wang Heng during the years he was in Yizhou, this "big brother" really acted like an elder brother.

He really treated his adopted sister Wang Heng as his own sister-in-law.

Yang Rui would send gifts to Wang Heng on her birthday, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year's Day and other festivals.

In addition, Wang Heng and Wang Mian's various businesses can only become more successful with the support of Yang Rui.

If some businesses are too big and Yang Rui has to take them away, he will also give sufficient compensation.

It can be said that Yang Rui is exactly what Wang Heng imagined a brother should be like: gentle, generous, and doing his best to protect his younger siblings.

Wang Heng is self-aware and knows that her status in front of Yang Rui is a bit awkward, so she never tries to make connections with him randomly.

But in her heart, she had already regarded Yang Rui as her brother.

Wang Heng knew that this time Yang Rui was probably not squeezed out by Lou Rang and others.

Yang Rui's mission in Hedong has been successfully completed.

There is about to be a huge storm in Beijing. At this critical moment, Yang Rui should return to Beijing.

Even without the saint's decree and Lou Rang, Yang Rui would find a suitable reason to leave Yizhou.

However, this is the truth, but it is also a fact that Lou Rang took advantage of Yang Rui.

It was really difficult for Wang Heng to have the slightest affection for Lou Rang and Cui Zai and others who depended on him.

“…”They are all unimportant people, no need to care about them!

Lou Yu didn't say anything, just looked at Wang Heng indifferently.

Wang Heng: ...I understand!

"Brother is right. Whether it's the Cui family or the Xie family, they have nothing to do with us!"

Wang Heng smiled sweetly, and her round, chubby little face was full of trust and dependence on her "brother" Lou Yu.

She seemed to be saying that no matter how cheap the cousin was, no matter how mediocre or talented he was, none of them were as capable as my brother!

Lou Yu was satisfied, and the smile on his lips became more intense.

After a moment, Lou Yu looked towards the river camp again.

Wang Heng understood. "Brother, are you saying that when the eldest brother, the Crown Prince, leaves, we should go to the camp to see him off?"

Lou Yu nodded, indicating that Wang Heng had guessed correctly.

He really wanted to take Wang Heng with him to see Yang Rui off.

In fact, there was no need for these false formalities between Lou Yu and Yang Rui. Lou Yu had already said everything he needed to say at Prince Qi's mansion that day, so there was no need for any farewell or sentimental ceremony.

But the fat girl needs it.

Yang Rui is close to the fat girl and has taken good care of this "stepsister" over the past few years.

But, it's not enough!

Yang Rui is destined to reach a high position, so his preferences are very important.

If the fat girl can truly become Yang Rui's favorite sister, she will definitely have an extra layer of protection in the future!

Lou Yu can protect the fat girl himself, but he also hopes that the fat girl herself has a noble status.

"Okay! I'll go with my brother!"

Wang Heng is still as well-behaved and sweet as ever, and she trusts and obeys Lou Yu 100%.

……

June 8th, easy travel!

The river camp had already been packed up and could be moved away immediately.

Yang Rui brought his personal guards to the camp, inspected it, and then stood on the river bank, looking down at the rolling waves of the Yi River.

For several years, he guarded the Yi River.

Build docks, repair dams, suppress bandits, train troops...

Several sections of the river have begun to connect, and the waterway can even extend to the southern border.

A grand canal connecting the north and the south has taken shape.

Here, he poured in too much effort, and also had too many battles and struggles.

“…We’re leaving!”

Yang Rui sighed with regret.

Even though he was open-minded and rational, he still felt reluctant to leave for a moment.

"Prince, the treasure ship is ready!"

"Prince, the soldiers have boarded the ship!"

“…Prince…”

The personal guards around him came one after another to report back.

Soldiers, equipment, money, food, etc. have all been boarded, and finally, only Prince Yang Rui is waiting to get on board.

Yang Rui looked back at the empty camp again, and instead of sighing, he strode towards the pier.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng had already been waiting at the pier.

When they saw Yang Rui coming, they all stepped forward to salute.

"Ajiu is here too? Haha, no need to be so sad, I'm just going back to Beijing. After a few days, Ajiu will also come to Beijing!"

Yang Rui couldn't help but smile when he saw the plump and fair Wang Heng.

Although this sister has no blood relationship with him, she is well-behaved and cute.

During the years Yang Rui was in Yizhou, he would give Wang Heng gifts every birthday and New Year.

At first, he was just being polite. After all, a cautious person like him would never be negligent in such a small matter.

To put it bluntly, even if Yang Rui himself couldn't think of it, there were people around him who would remind him.

It's just a small thing that happens easily, not something I do with full concentration.

Wang Heng was very grateful and always gave gifts in return.

Moreover, some of Wang Heng's "businesses" also greatly helped Yang Rui.

The teachers and students of the Gewu Academy of Dongshan Academy also have "inventions" that benefit the country and the people.

...Yang Rui kept all these in mind and secretly gave credit to the relevant personnel.

Just wait for the future...Among these meritorious people, Lou Yu and Wang Heng are the most meritorious!

Cute, considerate and very useful, Yang Rui approves of and likes such a sister even though her identity is a bit embarrassing!

He treated Wang Heng as his own, and revealed a little about her during the conversation.

It was even a promise - Wang Heng would be able to come to Beijing in a few days!

What are you doing in Beijing?

Of course, it is to enjoy the wealth and glory that belongs to her!

As for Lou Yu, Yang Rui didn't say much. He just glanced at the "cold" boy calmly, and both sides understood what he meant.

"Ayu, see you in the capital!"

"Your Majesty, farewell!"