Golden Branch

"Shisanniang, this is some new fabric. Please choose some so that the needlework room can make you a new dress."

"Thirteenth Lady, this is your monthly allowance, a total of thirty-seven strings of cash. Please count it!"

"Thirteenth Lady, according to the old rules, a young lady like you should have two first-class and four second-class people around you. You still have three people missing..."

It has to be said that Lou Yu’s attitude is the weather vane of the Lou family.

At noon, he had just shown his "unusual" attitude towards Zheng Shisan and Zheng Miao, and in the afternoon, Zheng Miao's guest house was bustling with people coming and going.

The latest fabrics, the monthly shortage, and the shortage of servants... It seemed as if all of a sudden, the housekeeper discovered that she had treated a distinguished guest poorly.

Although there were two "distinguished guests" Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu living in the guest house, the housekeeper and everyone else's attention was only focused on Zheng Shisan.

Therefore, it was not the identity of "pretentious guest" itself that made the servants of the Lou family value him, but the fact that Zheng Shisan himself had become "respectable".

As for the reason for this respectability, Zheng Shisan, the person involved, and Zheng Shiliu, the bystander, both knew it very well.

Zheng Shisan was silent for a moment, staring blankly at the piles of things and the people coming and going.

Zheng Shiliu was instinctively envious. After the housekeeper left, he excitedly rushed to Zheng Shisan and whispered, "Sister, that's great! You, you finally made it!"

"My cousin likes you, and Jiuniang is also a generous person!"

"Oh no, actually, you don't need to care too much about Jiu Niang from now on. Your cousin likes you!"

In the Lou family, Lou Yu is the master.

His love is enough for a woman to have everything.

Even if Jiu Niang marries Lou Yu in the future, she will still have to rely on him for her livelihood.

Zheng Shiliu felt that his sister could use all the effort she put into pleasing Wang Heng on Lou Yu.

"Sixteenth Lady, be careful with your words!"

Zheng Shiliu said anything else, but Zheng Shisan didn't respond.

However, when she heard Zheng Shiliu say "Don't worry about Jiu Niang", she suddenly woke up.

She quickly reached out and covered her sister's mouth. "Nineth Lady is so noble, how can we easily judge her?"

Lou Yu's "favor" did not make Zheng Shisan get carried away.

She always remembered her original choice and how good Jiu Niang had been to her over the years.

When Lou Yu neglected her, it was Jiu Niang who provided her with food, clothing, money, a shop, and even allowed her to study at Deyin Hall.

A person should have a conscience.

Not to mention, one must also be smart enough.

A man's "love" is like a blooming flower, fleeting.

For example, Yang Shisilang, who once showed his affection to her, was a noble relative of the clan and a simple person.

Zheng Shisan could see his love and persistence for himself in his eyes.

With Zheng Shisan's intelligence and skill, he can easily control such a young man and make him his beloved.

However, Zheng Shisan refused very calmly.

Because she knew that with her status, it was impossible for her to marry Yang Shisilang as his legal wife.

Since she could not marry in a formal way and was destined to be a concubine, she had to choose a good "mistress".

Yes, it is not a man, but the woman who is truly in charge of the inner courtyard.

Compared to a man's grace that comes violently and goes away quickly, a generous mistress is more important.

Zheng Shisan knew very well that she was not qualified to talk about love. All she wanted was a stable and peaceful life.

With love and affection, everything will be wonderful.

Although he has no love, he has wealth and Zheng Shisan is satisfied.

And for all these, she could only rely on Jiu Niang.

"Also, don't call me cousin. He's the son of the Lou family, not a relative of the Zheng family."

"You and I are nothing more than the most humble concubines of the Zheng family. Even if we are Fourteenth Lady, we may not be the 'sister' that Mr. Lou recognizes!"

Zheng Shisan never felt that he was a relative of Lou Yu.

She is so self-aware.

I am too afraid of Lou Yu - although he looks gentle and easy to talk to now, he is still cold and cruel at heart.

Not to mention these cheap cousins, even the "elder" Madam Lou, in Lou Yu's heart, is probably just an old hag who is begging for money.

After several years of silent observation, Zheng Shisan discovered that Lou Yu was quite ruthless and did not recognize his relatives.

Not only his adopted relative, but even his biological "uncle" Lou Jin was just a stranger to Lou Yu.

...None of them is more important than Jiu Niang!

People like them should recognize their own identities and stop making random connections, lest they make a fool of themselves!

Zheng Shisan spoke solemnly, and the severity in his eyes was not to be ignored.

She reminded Shiliu Niang like this because they both had experienced the hard times of surviving in the Zheng family, and because Zheng Shiliu had felt sorry for her and helped her when she was being tortured by Madam Lou.

However, her kindness only lasted so long, and she would only remind him this once.

If Shiliu Niang still doesn't understand and is even more frivolous than her, Zheng Shisan will no longer care about her.

There's no way, she is a selfish person and will never be implicated by a fool!

Zheng Shiliu was stunned. This was the first time she saw her sister so cold and serious.

She nodded subconsciously.

She may still not understand, but she knows how to listen to her sister!

Seeing that Zheng Shiliu was still "educated", Zheng Shisan finally lost his coldness.

It’s okay if you’re not smart enough;

As long as she is obedient, she is willing to lend a hand.

After all, she is my own sister and can be a helper in the future.

……

Zheng Shisan received the reward sent by Lou Yu, but he did not rush to Lou Yu to "thank him".

She carefully selected from many things and chose the patterns and styles that Wang Heng liked.

Then, she stayed in her room and worked hard, making small items for Wang Heng, such as purses, handkerchiefs, embroidered shoes, etc.

She knew that Wang Heng had all these things.

Wang Heng had several servants who did needlework for her, including some embroiderers with superb skills.

Wang Heng also never wore clothes, shoes, socks, etc. given by others.

However, whether the master uses it or not is one thing, and whether you do it or not is another.

Zheng Shisan knew that Wang Heng would not be able to use it, but he still made it by hand with great care.

She also used the money she earned to ask someone to buy some novel or expensive ingredients, cooked the food herself, and personally delivered it to Wang Heng.

After being "specially treated" by Lou Yu, Zheng Shisan did not become complacent. Instead, he served Wang Heng more respectfully and attentively than before.

After watching Zheng Shisan and Wang Heng's interactions several times, Wang Mian found it increasingly strange.

what's the situation?

Isn’t Zheng Shisan Jiu Niang’s study partner and buddy?

Why is she so attentive and considerate now?

Zheng Shisan's behavior was not like treating a friend at all. On the contrary, on the contrary—

Wang Mian couldn't think of an appropriate adjective.

There was no way. Although she had learned her lesson after living in ancient times for a few years, she was not a native of ancient times after all, and had never lived in the inner courtyard of a real wealthy family.

She couldn't judge Zheng Shisan's "positioning" of his own identity based on his behavior!

Wang Mian silently suppressed his doubts in his heart.

Wang Heng, a native of ancient times and born into a noble family, understood Zheng Shisan's intention.

She hesitated: ...Marry my brother? And "enjoy" his dominance for the rest of my life?!

The brother was indeed very good to her. The relationship she had with him for several years had a tacit understanding that was difficult for others to imagine and understand.

My brother will also protect her and give her a rich and stable life.

But, he is too domineering.

She didn't want to keep enduring it.

"...Let's wait and see. There's no rush now!"

Wang Heng made a decision secretly, but did not reject Zheng Shisan's earnestness.

Wang Heng did not interfere too much with Lou Yu's "bad taste".

She knew that Lou Yu did this probably for her.

"Is there someone unfaithful around me?"

Wang Heng really understood Lou Yu well enough, and she was also really smart enough.

Just based on Lou Yu's few small movements, I guessed the "truth".

Wang Heng remained calm, but secretly began to observe carefully and made corresponding preparations.

There is no way, you must be on guard against others.

In Yizhou and Hedong, no one dared to plot against her in the past three or four years.

However, with Wang Lin's transfer and the new governor Lu Huaijin being from the Lu family, Wang Heng really didn't dare to take it lightly.

At this time, Wang Heng did not know that a certain "old enemy" had quietly returned to Yizhou.

Wang Heng was just being cautious out of habit.

Having already experienced the embarrassment of escaping once, Wang Heng didn't want to go through it a second time.

However, this is how things are in the world, and they will never change according to human will.

"...Lu Jialan, she's back?"

When Wang Heng heard the news, she was stunned.

It’s not that she hadn’t thought that Lu Jialan would leave the place of exile. After all, the saint had granted amnesty to the world last month.

The Lu family should also be included in the scope of pardon.

Wang Heng just didn't expect that after Lu Jialan was pardoned, he did not return to the capital, but came to Yizhou.

Yizhou should be considered Lu Jialan's sad place. Why is she still so reluctant to leave?

Or did she learn about Lu Huaijin's promotion to Governor of Yizhou and come here specifically to seek refuge?!

Various speculations flashed through Wang Heng's mind quickly.

After Lou Yu finished telling the news, he didn't say anything else.

He looked at Wang Heng quietly.

After these days of adjustment, Lou Yu has been able to face Wang Heng "calmly".

Although the sweet smell of lychees always lingered in his nose and his heart always trembled slightly involuntarily, he was finally able to control it!

I didn’t notice it before, I just thought fat girls were cute.

Now, having suddenly "grown up", Lou Yu observed her carefully again and discovered that the fat girl was actually very beautiful and delicate.

Such fair skin, like the finest white jade, warm and delicate, making people want to touch and pinch it.

Lou Yu: ...

He clenched his fists tightly and resisted the urge to reach out.

Don’t touch!

Can’t pinch!

The fat girl is not a child anymore.

While Lou Yu was secretly controlling himself, he did not neglect Wang Heng's reaction.

Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, as if she was worried about that Lu Jialan, he suppressed his disgust for the broken voice and said, "It's okay!"

However, Lu Huaijin alone is not enough to cause a big stir.

Yizhou, one governor is far from enough.

Not to mention the Lou family's operations over the years, even Yang Rui has left many plans in the past three or four years in Hedao.

If Lou Yu insisted on finding fault, he could easily sideline Lu Huaijin and make it impossible for him to move in Yizhou.

His decrees could not leave the governor's office at all!

The little overlord Lou Yu is so confident.

Lu Huaijin is not enough evidence, let alone a pardoned exile, who is even more insignificant.

Wang Heng: ...I'm not you! I don't have your confidence!

It’s not that Wang Heng doesn’t trust Lou Yu, but when she realizes that she has grown up and wants to "change her heart", she can no longer rely too much on Lou Yu.

Wang Heng is indeed selfish, but she still has some bottom line.

You can't have it all, and you can't provoke Lou Yu when you have already decided to "choose".

Although Lou Yu appears gentle, humble and respectful, he is still domineering and paranoid at heart.

Wang Heng knew too well how "bad" Lou Yu was and would never seek death.

She would not abruptly draw a line between herself and Lou Yu, but she would not continue to rely on him in everything as she did in the past.

Wang Heng will find a way to deal with Wang Lin, who has already gone to Beijing and is destined to "take the blame", and Lu Jialan, who has ill intentions.

"Brother, Lu Jialan is just a little girl, and the grudges between us are just some children."

Wang Heng had made up her mind, but she would not directly reject Lou Yu.

She deliberately acted like a little girl, pursing her red lips, "Brother is a husband, he is going to do great things, it's not right for him to get involved in these trivial matters."

Lou Yu loosened his clenched fists, and he subconsciously reached for the Elephant Bone Destruction Technique to suppress the sudden surge of anger: How come the fat girl suddenly became so clear with me?

What's this about the grudges between children? What's this about him being a man of great achievements?

In the past, he arranged and handled everything for her. How many of them were "little things between children"?

But the fat girl never refused at that time.

Why suddenly now?

Thank you for the banquet?

Could it be related to Xie Yanzhi?

Lou Yu suddenly thought of Zhao Jinniang’s reply: The young master of the Xie family seemed to pay special attention to Jiu Niang!

Xie Yanzhi has taken a fancy to Jiu Niang?

Want to snatch her away?

When he heard this, Lou Yu didn't think much about it.

Because he believed in the fat girl, she would not fall for a weakling like Xie Yanzhi who was neither male nor female!

To put it bluntly, with Xie Yanzhi's thin body, he couldn't even hold the fat girl.

How can we talk about protection?

The fat girl is so smart, she wouldn't make such a stupid choice.

But at this moment, hearing Wang Heng's "sophistry", Lou Yu couldn't help but become alert.

The fat girl may not be attracted to Xie Yanzhi, but there is no way she can resist someone who will keep pestering her.

The two are cousins. Although the fat girl is smart, she is sometimes too soft-hearted.

just in case--

No chance!

If Xie Yanzhi is an eyesore, then just—

Lou Yu gently turned the Crushing Technique to suppress the murderous intent surging in his heart.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to take action, but he can’t do it easily.

Killing someone is nothing, but we cannot leave any future troubles.

Just like when he dealt with Lou Rang, his methods were too rough.

No, this left a lasting legacy.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng were indeed childhood sweethearts with a tacit understanding. Just as Lou Yu was thinking of Lou Rang, Wang Heng mentioned this person——

"By the way, brother, has Lou Rang also arrived in Yizhou? Has he come to cause you any trouble?"

Wang Heng didn't want to keep talking about her own affairs, so she simply turned the topic to Lou Yu...