Golden Branch

"Put this fruit in the ice container first!"

When Wang Heng heard that there were fresh melons to eat, she no longer cared about the fresh fruits from Lingnan.

She gave an order, took the snack basket, and ran out quickly.

"Yes!"

Baizhi agreed and took a small basket of lychees with leaves to chill.

White peony root and white hyacinth follow closely behind.

The two female guards, Ah Man and Zhao Jinniang, also quietly followed.

A group of people rushed out of Haitang Courtyard and came to the gate.

"Shh!"

As she approached the courtyard gate, Wang Heng heard an unfamiliar male voice.

She raised a finger and quietly reminded everyone.

She also tiptoed to the gate and cautiously stuck out half of her head.

A'man was a little naive, or as the saying goes, "a servant follows his master", she actually imitated Wang Heng's behavior and peeked around.

Ah Man has grown much taller than she was four years ago and is already a head taller than Wang Heng.

I ate well and looked great.

It’s a pity that her skin is naturally darker and she can’t gain weight, so her little face is dark and red.

She lay under Wang Heng, supporting her with her thin body.

On the surface, the master and servant were watching the fun together, but in reality, wasn't Ah Man using himself as a cushion for his master?

"...Thank you, Young Master Yang, I'm here!"

Zheng Shisan didn't know that there was a bunch of onlookers behind the courtyard gate. She had a graceful figure, a soft voice, and a pitiful temperament, just like a little white flower swaying in the wind.

At the age of fourteen or fifteen, the buds begin to bloom and beauty appears.

Her facial features were very delicate, and she had been pampered in the Lou family for several years, so her skin was white and smooth, like the finest white satin.

She is neither too tall nor too short, has a slender and graceful figure, wears a pink and blue chest-length skirt, and looks a little young, which makes her look even more delicate and lovely.

In Wang Mian's words, Zheng Shisan Niang was born with the face of first love, and she can become the white moonlight of many boys.

At this moment, Zheng Shisan had not yet made his full appearance. He only showed a slender hand and gently lifted the curtain of the carriage.

"Is this what Amian meant by embracing the pipa, half covering her face?"

Wang Heng marveled inwardly.

The friend who grew up with me is still a skinny little bean sprout in my memory.

But I don't know when she suddenly turned into a graceful lady.

"Thirteenth Lady, be careful!"

The young man rode a horse and stopped beside the carriage.

Seeing that the beauty was about to get off the car, he turned over and jumped off the horse.

Holding the hem of his clothes with one hand, he took two quick steps to rush to the carriage and stretched out his other hand, trying to support him eagerly.

"Oh wow! It's that noble man from the Yang family!"

Wang Heng's already round eyes became even rounder and brighter.

She recognized that the people who escorted Zheng Shisan Niang back were students from Dongshan Academy.

By the way, in recent years, the reputation of Dongshan Academy has become increasingly famous.

Especially after Shen Du arrived in Hedong and accepted Lou Yu and Wang Heng as his disciples.

Because of this teacher-student relationship, Shen Du was also quite curious about the academy set up by his two disciples.

Occasionally when he has free time, Shen Du will stroll to Dongshan Academy.

Even if there are no classes, just a brief exchange with teachers and students is enough to make everyone in the college excited.

When similar rumors spread, it became: Shen Du would answer questions at Dongshan Academy.

Shen Du and Shen Junhe are famous figures in China who have been famous for decades.

Not to mention becoming his disciple, even just being able to learn a thing or two from him would be of great benefit.

However, students of Dongshan Academy have the opportunity to receive guidance from Mr. Shen, which is definitely more valuable than the academy itself.

In addition, as the imperial court implemented the imperial examination system, students from Dongshan Academy passed the exam every year, and the reputation of Dongshan Academy became increasingly famous.

Not only the students in Qi, but also students from other places and even the capital are ready to make a move.

Since last year, Dongshan Academy has had students from all over the country.

The "noble lady of the Yang family" mentioned by Wang Heng is one of them.

As Yang Ji founded a new dynasty, the surname Yang became the national surname.

The fact that Wang Heng could respectfully address him as "noble" shows that this young man not only has the surname Yang, but is also related to the royal family.

"Yang Shisi!"

The drake's voice came down from the sky.

Wang Heng: ...Huh? My brother is here?

Oh no, that's not the point!

The point is, brother actually spoke?!

How rare!

It was neither a major matter nor an important person, he just wanted to watch the fun secretly, but Lou Yu actually spoke.

Oh no no, that's not the point either!

The point is-

Wang Heng followed the voice, turned around, and found that Lou Yu appeared behind her.

Well, speaking of which, as a "guest", shouldn't Lou Yu come in from outside?

Why did he appear in the courtyard gate behind him? !

If it were a few years ago, Wang Heng would not be so surprised.

At that time, Lou Yu was a little bully who did not follow the beaten path and was used to climbing walls and trees.

But now——

Wang Heng's eyes swept across Lou Yu's long robe with wide sleeves, and the white footgear and clogs faintly visible under the hem... This was definitely the attire of a celebrity, suitable for showing off, but not for climbing over a wall.

Moreover, there was no dust or grass debris on Lou Yu's robe. Could it be that his martial arts skills had improved and he could fly directly?

boom!

Just as Wang Heng was fantasizing wildly, a slap, neither light nor heavy, landed on her fair, plump forehead.

"Brother! It hurts!"

Wang Heng raised her little head and acted coquettishly and pitifully.

There seemed to be water floating in the big eyes with clear black and white.

Lou Yu: ...Spoiled fat girl!

He was aware of his own strength and didn't use any force at all.

but--

Lou Yu looked down at Wang Heng who was hunched over the courtyard gate, his eyes falling on her forehead.

There was another red mark.

Tsk, the fat girl is not only delicate, but her skin is also incredibly tender.

It is more delicate than tender tofu. It cannot be touched or beaten.

Today, Lou Yu heard that something had been delivered from the south and had been sent to Wangjiazhuangzi.

Then he remembered that this batch of goods should contain the fresh fruits that the fat girl had been longing for.

He thought about eating with the fat girl.

Riding a horse to Wangjiazhuang, I saw a carriage and a horse slowly approaching from afar.

Lou Yu originally thought that the Wang family had outsiders, such as Cui Zai who was despised by the fat girl, and Xie Yanzhi who was praised by the fat girl as "having some talent".

Lou Yu had never met these two people, but he instinctively disliked them.

Lou Yu turned his horse around and went around the side wall.

With a slight push of his feet, Lou Yu, wearing clogs, was able to stand easily on the horse's back.

Then, with a leap, Lou Yu jumped onto the wall with great familiarity.

With his wide sleeves fluttering, Lou Yu landed lightly on the wall like a big bird.

He took a few quick steps, came to the gate, and stood behind Wang Heng.

Well, at this time, the people in the carriage also got off, and Lou Yu realized that he had misunderstood.

Even made a low-level, common sense mistake -

If it was really Cui Zai and Xie Yanzhi, there would not be just one carriage, there should also be servants and luggage accompanying them.

Not to mention, there was a young man next to the carriage who only knew how to smile foolishly.

They were not visitors at all, but just Zheng Shisan and his admirers.

Realizing that he had made a stupid mistake, Lou Yu felt a little ashamed and angry.

He didn't want to delve into why he did such a stupid thing. He happened to see Wang Heng acting furtively and sneakily, so he simply gave her a slap in the face.

Lou Yu refused to admit that he was taking out his anger on others.

He controlled his strength, so how could it be considered "anger"?

However, Lou Yu discovered that the fat girl was too delicate, and even if he didn't use any strength, he would still hurt her.

Lou Yu opened his mouth and wanted to say sorry.

But, thinking of his hoarse voice, Lou Yu held back again.

He reached out his hand again and gently stroked Wang Heng's forehead with his fingertips.

There was a clear sense of apology in the gentleness.

Wang Heng received it, pursed her lips, and said, "Okay, brother, I forgive you!"

Lou Yu raised the corners of his lips slightly, as long as the fat girl wasn't angry.

A misunderstanding was thus cleared up.

Wang Heng suddenly thought that there was something interesting going on outside the courtyard gate.

She hurriedly grabbed Lou Yu's hand, and with a force, pulled him down.

Wang Heng's movements were so skillful and natural, as if she had done them hundreds or thousands of times.

She didn't forget to stretch out a finger and put it on Lou Yu's lips, "Shh! Brother! Don't make a sound!"

If we disturb the two little kids outside, it will be a bad show!

Lou Yu: ...What is there to see?

Isn't it just a bean sprout and a silly fool?

Lou Yu complained secretly, but his face remained gentle and indifferent.

He did not scold or stop her, but bent down to cooperate and put his head on top of Wang Heng's head.

He seemed to obey Wang Heng's actions, then he bent down and lowered his head.

But from a distance, it seemed as if he was holding Wang Heng in his arms.

Ah Man, who was originally lying down and serving as a cushion for Wang Heng, quietly crawled aside the moment Lou Yu appeared.

Baiji and other maids also habitually took a few steps back.

Only Zhao Jinniang stood aside, looking at the boy and girl in an intimate posture, a dark gleam in her eyes.

"Brother, look, Young Master Yang is helping Shisan Niang get off the carriage. His ears are all red."

"Hey! Thirteenth Lady's cheeks are red too!"

Wow! Wow!!

Wang Heng's heart was already filled with wows.

Unfortunately, the person following her today was Lou Yu, who was a quiet person by nature.

After entering the voice change period, he directly became "mute".

Let alone this boring excitement, even when it comes to serious matters, Lou Yu would rather not speak.

He would never be like Wang Mian, who was very in tune with Wang Heng in eating melons and making comments.

Wang Heng: …

I was so excited, but my brother behind me didn't say a word. Tsk, even watching a show wasn't so enjoyable!

"...Shisanniang, this, this is what I ordered to be sent from the capital. It's the rouge from Huayan, the best rouge shop in the East Market, and this hairpin..."

Yang Shisilang helped Zheng Shisan get off the carriage and took a box from the servant beside him.

He picked up the box shyly, and fearing that Zheng Shisan would refuse, he simply stuffed it into her hands.

Zheng Shisan: ...Don't say that! She'll really refuse!

It’s not that I think the things are bad, Hua Yan’s things are of course the best!

Because she is also one of Huayan's shareholders.

The main reason is that Zheng Shisan will not have any interaction with these young men beyond the friendship of classmates without Wang Heng's consent.

Zheng Shisan was already precocious, and she was one year older than Wang Heng.

When Wang Heng sees boys and girls interacting with each other, she instinctively wants to watch the fun, and she still has a childish mind.

Zheng Shisan is different. She has already started thinking about marriage.

She could even see aggressive expressions such as lust and possession in the shy eyes of young men like Yang Shisilang.

Young boys and girls are feeling the spring of love.

Zheng Shisanniang knew her own strengths and also knew that those young men admired her.

However, she is more aware of her situation and identity.

She was not a real noble lady, but a little follower who depended on Wang Jiu, only slightly better than a slave.

Zheng Shisan said this not because she felt resentful, but because she was becoming more aware of herself.

She was grateful to Wang Heng. If it weren't for Jiu Niang, she might have been "sold" by the Zheng family.

Either marry into a poor family or be taken as a concubine by the powerful.

No matter which situation it is, there is no such good life as wealth and comfort as we have today.

Jiu Niang was really good to me. I had a monthly allowance, a maid, could study, go out, and even own a shop!

Yes, a shop!

Zheng Shisan never dared to dream that a humble concubine's daughter like her would have her own property before she even got married.

After the Yi River Incident, Jiuniang recovered from her illness and was given two deeds, which were the deeds to two shops.

One shop is on the east side of the river, and the other is a shop on the bank of the Yi River.

I wouldn't say I make a fortune every day, but I do make several dozen strings of cash every month.

When Zheng Shisan was in the Zheng family, he could not receive the monthly allowance of several strings of cash on time and in full.

In the Lou family, with Jiu Niang, she could get dividends of nearly 100 strings of cash.

Zheng Shisan couldn't help but think: Even Zheng Chi, the beloved son of his mother, might not own a shop.

And she, a concubine's daughter who was once so humble, lived a better life than Zheng Chi!

...These were all brought to her by Jiu Niang.

Zheng Shisan was grateful and determined: follow Jiu Niang! Serve Jiu Niang!

As long as she is loyal and does her duty, Jiu Niang will never treat her unfairly!

As for men, whether it is Lou, Lou Langjun or other young men in the academy, none of them are as reliable as Jiu Niang.

The heartbeat of youth is not important. What Zheng Shisan wants most is a truly stable and wealthy life.

Therefore, before receiving Wang Heng's instructions, Zheng Shisan would never accept anyone's goodwill.

"I appreciate your kindness, young master! However, please take these things back!"

Zheng Shisan quickly returned the box to Yang Shisilang.

Yang Shisilang did not take the box, but grabbed Zheng Shisan's hand. His face had already turned red, but he still held the soft hand tightly.

"Shisan Niang, I, I!"

Yang Shisilang wants to confess his love.

Zheng Shisan Niang hurriedly struggled to break free, "Mr. Shisi, please respect yourself! And please give Thirteen some respect!"

After she said this, Yang Shisilang couldn't continue to be domineering.

After all, he was really young and really liked the beauty in front of him.

He hurriedly let go of his hand and let Zheng Shisan run into the yard like a frightened rabbit.

Inside the courtyard, as soon as Yang Shisilang reached out his hand, Lou Yu had already put his arm around Wang Heng's waist and carried her to the side.

His other hand covered Wang Heng's eyes.

Wang Heng: ...Ahhh, this is the exciting moment, brother, don’t make trouble!

Lou Yu hugged the chubby little girl as usual, but this time, for some reason, he suddenly smelled a sweet scent.

It's not the unique milky aroma of a fat girl, but the sweet lychee flavor that goes straight to the heart...