Golden Branch

"Jiu Niang! Jiu Niang!!"

Wang Mian received the news from the county and ran to Wangjiazhuangzi immediately.

Her face turned pale and her eyes were filled with worry.

"A Mian, do you know everything?"

When Wang Heng looked up and saw Wang Mian's concerned look, she knew that she must have heard the news that Wang Lin had been dismissed from office and the Wang family's property had been confiscated.

Wang Heng did not gloss over the situation, but took the initiative to bring up the topic.

"Yes! The owner of the county tavern saw the official document posted on the bulletin board at the city gate and hurried to the village to tell me."

Wang Mian was breathing heavily. She had run all the way in from outside.

Something happened to the Wang family. Not only did she lose a backer, but her best friend was also at risk.

In the evil ancient times, people believed in collective responsibility.

When the father was convicted, the whole family was punished.

Fortunately, I was not exiled, otherwise——

But even so, Wang Mian was very worried about Wang Heng.

Jiu Niang was spoiled and had never suffered any hardship or grievance in the past ten years since she was born.

The only hardship was falling into the water that year.

However, it was a close call. Jiu Niang's "suffering" lasted no more than two hours before she was rescued by Lou Yu.

This time, it's different.

The emperor was angry and the Wang family suffered heavy losses.

It's not just about seizing official positions and confiscating property, but also about triggering a series of effects.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes it.

Not to mention in ancient times, even in the more fair and free modern times, once you lose power, you will be kicked when you are down and taken advantage of.

Wang Mian was able to become a wealthy woman through business not only because of her skills that transcend time and space, but also because of the protection of both the Wang and Lou families.

If she had no backing, her secret recipes, shop, etc. would have been seized by the powerful and wealthy long ago.

Now that one of their backers has fallen, the relationship between Lou Yu and Wang Heng doesn't seem to be as good anymore.

Wang Mian was worried that she and Jiu Niang’s shops, villas, etc. might not be able to be kept.

"Oh!" Wang Heng nodded, looking indifferent.

Wang Heng wasn't anxious, but Wang Mian couldn't remain calm. "Jiu Niang, the Wang family's assets are going to be confiscated. Does that include the properties in Yizhou?"

"Yes! Of course it is included! Except for the sacrificial fields, thanks to the grace of the saint, the Wang family has been preserved!"

Wang Heng told her friends the truth.

What she didn't say was that the original dozens of hectares of sacrificial fields had been reduced to dozens of acres.

It has shrunk a hundred times, which is definitely enough to make Wang Lin "cry with joy"!

Of course, Wang Lin would not really have only these few dozen acres of sacrificial land.

Even if the Wang family falls, there is still the mistress Cui.

The Cui family had a concubine, Cui Shufei, who barely became a relative of the emperor, and the family showed signs of "revival".

Cui Zai's entry into officialdom this time can demonstrate one or two things.

The Wang family's property was ransacked, and Cui's dowry could not be kept, but the Cui family would give them some compensation.

As long as Cui does not divorce Wang Lin, the Wang family can live in Cui's "dowry" when they return to Yizhou.

Well, don’t forget, Cui Zai is still in Hedong.

Wang Heng was able to turn the property under her name into Jiang's dowry.

Choi Jae is also fine.

With the dowry "supplemented" by the Cui family, the Wang family also had a place to live and money for daily expenses.

Of course, Wang Lin would not let Wang Heng go.

Wang Heng: ...Not necessarily!

Judging from the time, Wang Lin and his family should have already set off.

However, being deported back to one’s place of origin is different from returning home to visit relatives.

The former is compulsory and only slightly better than exile.

The Wang family will definitely not feel comfortable along the way.

Traveling through mountains and rivers, sleeping in the open air.

The Wang family includes the old and the young, as well as the woman, Wang Lin, who is also a weak and rather literary son of an aristocratic family.

Everyone here is a spoiled and noble person. Even if they had experienced "escape", it was ten years ago.

The pain of the past has long been forgotten.

Being used to a life of luxury, the Wang family would not be able to bear it if something like this happened again.

With worries in the mind, an empty body, and the hardship of traveling, it is inevitable that one will get sick.

Wang Heng could imagine that it would take no more than a month for Wang Lin to travel from the capital to Yizhou.

But if you come back with your family, it will probably take two months.

Two months... a lot can happen.

It’s hard to say about the capital, but the area around Yizhou might have already become “chaotic”.

By then, Wang Lin and others would be busy taking care of themselves, so how could they even think of her, the despised fat girl?

Wang Heng is very clear about her position in her father's eyes——

If she is of use, then she is my precious daughter.

If you are of no use, you are just a mediocre, or even annoying passerby.

Wang?PasserbyA?Heng:...What a coincidence, I thought so too.

What happened to the Wang family had nothing to do with her anymore.

At most, Wang Heng would give Wang Lin the family tree she had copied by herself, as a repayment for his raising her over the years.

Well, actually Wang Lin didn’t pay too much.

In the past few years, Lou Yu has been supporting her.

Wang Heng's thoughts were in a tizzy, and suddenly she had a change of heart: I have indeed received a lot of care from my brother.

While she was grateful, she once chose to give up because of Lou Yu's domineering attitude.

This is a bit heartless.

"No! I'm not an ungrateful person. At most, I'm just too self-loving."

Wang Heng silently argued for herself and quickly regained her composure.

Well, when Wang Lin returns to his ancestral home in Yizhou, he will definitely be "surprised" by Wang Heng's amazing actions.

There is nothing more.

Wang Heng was ready to cut ties with Wang Lin and the Wang family. Now Wang Lin had no cards to exercise his "father's power" over her.

Before Wang Heng completely takes control of her own destiny, she will stay in the Lou family fortress.

Wang Lin disagrees, or does he have other arrangements?

Haha, let’s see if he dares to provoke Lou Yu, the little bully!

When Wang Lin was the governor, he did not dare to provoke Lou Yu too much.

Now that he has been dismissed from office and become a commoner, he is even more afraid.

Wang Heng: ...It seems that I don’t need to be afraid of Wang Lin anymore.

"Then, then your Zhuangzi, is it——"

Wang Mian didn't know that Wang Heng's thoughts had already wandered to the point where she started thinking about losing weight, and she was still worried about Wang Heng.

"If it's confiscated, it doesn't matter. I still have Zhuangzi."

Wang Mian held Wang Heng's chubby hand with a firm look in his eyes.

Even though Wang Heng is now in a state of poverty and everyone is avoiding her, Wang Mian still treats her like her best friend.

She was even willing to lend her own property to take in Wang Heng, the daughter of a convicted official.

Wang Heng came back to her senses and looked at Wang Mian intently.

Seeing her sincere eyes and honest face, I knew that she was really willing to help and protect her even at the risk of being implicated.

Wang Heng smiled, and her already sweet smile was even brighter at this moment.

She held Wang Mian's hand with her backhand, "A Mian, don't worry! I have already transferred this farm to A Mu's name. It is the dowry of the concubine of the Prince of Qi."

Wang Mian's eyes lit up. Yes, there is also Concubine Jiang.

Even though the King of Qi is now being marginalized, he is still a vassal king of Qi, the biological son of a saint, and the one and only war god general of the Dayu Dynasty.

Even though the dowry of his favorite woman was somewhat related to the Wang family, the government offices in Yizhou, Hedong and other places did not dare to get involved, let alone seize it.

Wang Heng: ...Well, they really dare.

The Cui family is a saintly family and belongs to the imperial party.

Cui Zai and Lou Rang followed Empress Li and the mother and son of the King of Chu, and belonged to the King of Chu's faction.

The current situation in the capital is that the Emperor has joined forces with the King of Chu to target the King of Qi.

A small figure like Cui Zai naturally cannot participate in a real showdown.

He was not very smart. The only way he could think of to please his lord and gain merit was to use some despicable means to make things difficult for the King of Qi.

It would be even more perfect if I could gain some benefits in the process.

Wang Heng's farm was nominally the dowry of Concubine Jiang, but in reality it was the property of the Wang family.

If you look closely, you can still find some loopholes.

Cui Zai could have taken advantage of these loopholes and openly confiscated the hidden criminal property.

He was not robbing, but punishing according to the law.

Wang Heng did not tell Wang Mian these words.

Wang Mian was delighted. "Really? You've already moved ahead?"

Awesome, my eldest daughter!

As expected of Jiu Niang, she is a wise but seemingly foolish woman who has made preparations for a rainy day and has planned everything out.

Wang Heng nodded, "Yes! They've all been relocated. And my followers have all become my mother's personal guards."

That is, the people from Prince Qi's Palace.

If Wang Heng's followers came into conflict with the officials led by Cui Zai and others, then the Prince of Qi's Mansion would be offended.

"That's good!

Wang Mian finally let go of his worries.

No matter what, Jiu Niang's property was saved and she would not be left with nothing.

Wang Heng didn't let Wang Mian rest assured so quickly, and said quietly, "However, the government may not believe it."

"For example, Lu Huaijin, I have some old grudges with the Lu family."

"For example, Cui Zai, he is my stepmother's adopted nephew!"

One of these two people is in the Yizhou government office, and the other is in the Hedong county government office. It is very easy for them to check the overdue payments and tamper with the documents.

Wang Mian: "Ah? Jiu Niang, you're saying, you're saying they'll use public power to avenge their personal grudges? They'll disregard Prince Qi's mansion and seize those properties?"

Wang Heng nodded happily, indicating that her best friend was right.

Wang Mian was shocked. She didn't understand why Jiu Niang was so calm when she knew that the property could not be kept.

Even a little happy?

And the King of Qi had really reached such an embarrassing situation that he could not even protect the property of his favorite concubine or the dignity of the palace.

Wang Heng understood Wang Mian's doubts, but did not give an answer.

Because her letter of allegiance has not been sent out yet.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside.

If you listen carefully, you can faintly hear the sound of horse hooves and shouts.

This noisy sound makes people feel inexplicably terrified.

The police are coming?

Want to search the house?

Wang Mian subconsciously hugged Wang Heng's arm, her voice trembling: "Jiu Niang! What's going on outside?"

"It must be 'a distinguished guest'."

The vicious dog has come to the door.

Wang Heng gently patted the back of Wang Mian's hand as a comfort.

Then she strode towards the front yard.

In the front hall, Cui Zai, dressed in official uniform, rushed in with a dozen officials.

Wang Heng's followers and guards also rushed out, each holding a weapon and with a murderous look on their faces.

Cui Zai: "You lowly slave! How dare you!"

"I am the Chief Clerk of Hedong. I have received the Emperor's order and have come here to confiscate the property of the criminal officials!"

"You are holding sharp blades and obstructing the officers. What? Are you planning a rebellion?"

"Master Cui has such great authority."

Wang Heng came out and said calmly, "Guilty? Could it be that Chief Clerk Cui hasn't checked the county office's records and the fish scale book?"

"This farm is not the Wang family's property, but the dowry of Qi Wang's concubine Jiang!"

When Cui Zai saw Wang Heng, a complex look flashed in his eyes.

A few days ago, he had just arrived in Hedong and had come to visit Wangjiazhuangzi.

At that time, Wang Lin had not left yet.

Wang Lin sat in the main seat, while Cui Zai and Wang Heng called each other cousins.

Although it's all false, at least they maintain the surface of family affection.

Now that Wang Lin is gone and there is no middleman, Cui Zai and Wang Heng, the two adopted relatives, have become enemies in confrontation.

"Wang Jiu, whether it's true or not is not up to you to decide. I've verified that the documents in the county government's archives have been tampered with. It's not in compliance with regulations, let alone legal!"

Cui Zai said righteously, "Wang Jiu, you want to use the Qi Palace as a pretext to hide your criminal property. I can show mercy outside the law and spare you because you are young and ignorant!"

"But these hidden criminal properties must be confiscated according to the law. Come! Drive out the irrelevant personnel! Seal up the warehouse! Seal the warehouse!"

Cui Zai held the emperor's order and was full of confidence.

He was too lazy to waste time arguing with Wang Heng and just gave the order directly.

"Choi Jae, how dare you!"

Wang Heng seemed to be annoyed as well, staring with round eyes, ready to confront Cui Zai head-on.

"Wang Jiu, do you think I dare? I simply don't believe that you, the daughter of a guilty minister, would dare to disobey the emperor's orders and commit rebellion."

Well, they directly accused me of being a rebel.

Wang Heng said that she was not brought up to be scared.

"Cui Zai, you're using public power to take personal revenge! No matter how high-sounding your words are, they can't hide the fact that you're trying to seize the assets of Prince Qi's palace! You're so bold! Let me tell you, the guards here are all registered on the palace's roster; they're the palace's personal guards!"

"..."

Cui Zai was really scared, but he quickly reacted.

It’s the old trick of “grafting” again.

The property was transferred, and even the Wang family's followers changed their identities.

The palace guards?

Humph, he didn't believe that these people were from Prince Qi's Palace.

"Someone come! Get started!"

Following Cui Zai's order, dozens of strong men suddenly rushed in from outside.

But they were wearing coarse linen clothes, and did not look like the slaves of the rich and powerful, but more like the lower-class people doing hard labor.

Wang Heng's eyes lit up. Hey, this Cui Zai really thinks he is not dying fast enough.

Knowing that Wang Heng had his own men, he was worried that the officers would be useless, so he simply pulled the civilians from the river over.

Wang Heng felt that after the "incident" in the river, if she and Lou Yu did not accuse him of inciting riots and intending to rebel, they would be unworthy of the evidence Cui Zai had brought upon himself.

Wang Heng thought to herself, but she was not afraid of Cui Zai because of this.

She gave a subtle wink to the leader, Ahu.

Ah Hu understood and shouted, "How dare you offend Prince Qi's Palace! Brothers, attack!"

In a short while, the two sides started fighting from inside the yard to outside the yard.

At the gate of Wangjiazhuangzi, hundreds of people were fighting fiercely.

Although those civilians did not know martial arts and had never received any training, they were strong.

He actually defeated Ahu and his followers.

Ah Hu and several of his close associates were even injured and bruised!

Wang Heng and the maids were also driven out of the manor in disgrace...

PS: It’s the last day of 2024. Mou Sa would like to wish all my dear book friends a happy new year, good health and all the best in advance!