Golden Branch

boom!

The crowd watching suddenly became agitated.

They couldn't believe it, they looked at each other, and they whispered to each other.

Could it be that this person is saying the opposite?

What the people heard every day was how the princes exploited the people and oppressed the officials in their fiefdoms.

Why did I suddenly hear such strange news today?

The prince was bullied by a small clerk?

"King Qi? He's talking about the King Qi? The war god general who assisted the sage and conquered most of Dayu's territory?"

"Oh my God! Is there still any abuse of power? Has the Qi Wang Mansion's assets been embezzled?"

"...Wait! King Qi...No wonder!"

"No wonder? Sir, do you know something?"

"Tsk! What else could it be? A strange thing happened in the capital these past two days. Haven't you heard about it?"

"What strange thing is this? Please tell me, sir!"

"I heard that two days ago on Suzaku Street, the carriages of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Prince of Feng'en accidentally collided. The Prince of Feng'en's servants actually insulted him in the street and whipped the Left Vice Minister's servants..."

The crowd who have lived in the capital for a long time and love gossip are naturally familiar with some of the leading figures in the capital.

For example, these people knew that the name of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was Li Lingfu, who was the uncle of Princess Li of Qi and one of the most trusted confidants of the King of Qi.

For example, Feng'en Gong is the maiden family of Queen Li.

The Prince of Feng'en is the nephew of Queen Li.

Both families have the surname Li, but they are not from the same family.

Now, they are standing on opposite sides because of the struggle for imperial power.

When two powerful men had a dispute on the road, according to common sense, even if they were dissatisfied, they would not really call for fighting and killing.

The powerful servants of the Feng'en Mansion dared to scold and even beat people, which shows that the two families have become enemies and do not even care about the most basic face.

Considering that the attackers were from the line of Empress Li and Prince Chu, the common people in the capital who possessed at least some political literacy could easily guess a fact:

The King of Qi was targeted and was at a disadvantage.

Come to think of it, no matter how great his achievements and reputation were, the King of Qi was just a minister and a son in front of the sage.

The king is the leader of his ministers, and the father is the leader of his sons. No matter what level of relationship they are, the King of Qi is inherently at a disadvantage.

Once the sage takes action, the King of Qi will be in a very passive position.

The specific manifestation is that you will suffer and the people around you will be bullied.

Facts have also proved that the speculation of the Beijing crowd was correct.

When Queen Li and Princess Li's family had a conflict, the news reached the palace, and the sage simply sided with Queen Li.

Li Lingfu, the "victim", not only did not receive an apology or compensation from the Feng'en Mansion, but he had to go to the Feng'en Mansion to apologize.

This is not to humiliate Li Lingfu, but to point the sword at the King of Qi behind him.

"Just yesterday, Minister Li went to the Feng'en Mansion to apologize. Today, the personal guards of the Qi Palace came to complain... Tsk..."

The well-informed young man whispered and shook his head slightly.

"How could the King of Qi be so pathetic? He's the God of War, the most meritorious official of Dayu, yet he's been bullied and persecuted to this extent?"

"...Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't let anyone hear you!"

With two dragons fighting each other, the capital is in a state of panic, but people still have to be cautious in their words and actions.

If the wrong words are said, ordinary people will also be involved.

Trouble comes from the mouth. Never risk your own life or even the life of your entire family just for the sake of watching the fun.

"...Thanks for the reminder, brother!"

The man was frightened and quickly shrank his neck and bowed to express his gratitude.

After this incident, people didn’t dare to talk loudly anymore, but all kinds of small glances began to fly around randomly.

Everyone exchanged understanding glances frantically, and deep down, they were increasingly concerned about the gossip in Prince Qi's Mansion.

The King of Qi, a great general with a noble status, high position, outstanding military achievements, and not like an ordinary person, seems to have a bit more compassion of a tragic general in the eyes of the people.

Alas, how pitiful!

So what if we expand our territory and win every battle?

Now he is being suppressed to the point that he can't even protect his own relatives and concubines!

……

"puff!"

The King of Qi spat out a mouthful of tea.

He raised his head and looked at the guards who bowed and reported.

He didn't say anything, but his gaze was very obvious.

Not to mention that the King of Qi was so shocked that he spit out his tea, even his personal guards had a look of "amazement" on their faces.

"Look carefully, is it the guard left behind by the Qidi Palace?"

"...No! It's not! But the badge in his hand is real."

The King of Qi put down his teacup, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his mouth and hands.

While doing this, his mind was working rapidly.

Suddenly, he thought of it!

"is her!"

Wang Jia Jiuniang, the daughter of Jiang and her ex-husband.

The King of Qi had never met Wang Heng, but he had heard of her from Jiang, the Princess, and even Yang Rui.

Based on these people's descriptions, the King of Qi roughly guessed what the young noble lady looked like:

Born into a noble family, she is pampered and loved by everyone.

She has a delicate appearance, but is also a sweetheart and loves to eat.

Although she is not as slender and graceful as most little girls, she is also blessed with good fortune. She is a likable and lovely fat girl.

In the mind of King Qi, Wang Heng was still a child.

Loves to play, love to eat, and is heartless.

However, the incident in Jingzhao Prefecture today had quickly spread throughout the capital, and the topic of "Prince Qi is pitiful" had instantly made the King of Qi realize:

This Wang Jiu is unusual!

She was trying to gain public support for the King of Qi, portraying him as a tragic hero who had made extraordinary contributions but was suppressed innocently.

Wang Heng: ...Hehe, cheap stepfather, you don’t understand this.

Amian once said that the beautiful, strong and miserable ones are the most lovable.

Even if they are villains, as long as they have to do so, they can be forgiven or even liked.

The King of Qi is inherently at a disadvantage when facing a sage.

If the king wants his subject to die, the subject must die.

If the father wants his son to die, the son has to die.

Even if you are killed, you cannot complain, otherwise you will be disloyal and unfilial.

But, etiquette is etiquette, and human feelings are human feelings.

What Wang Heng is doing now is to create a tragic hero character for the King of Qi. Even if there is resistance in the future, it will be because he is forced to do so.

Of course, they will still be criticized and cursed, but in the end it is "excusable"!

This was the token of allegiance that Wang Heng gave to the King of Qi.

She has grown up and needs to be independent and take responsibility.

She couldn't always hide behind her mother and Lou Yu and rely on their protection.

She has to take action herself and take the initiative to stand up.

Perhaps, this little thing is not considered a great achievement.

If the King of Qi knew about it, he would probably just laugh it off.

But, although the matter is small, it is her "loyalty".

She would not waver, she firmly followed the King of Qi and believed that he was the most outstanding ruler in the world!

"This little girl is quite interesting!"

The King of Qi returned to the inner courtyard and came to the main room on the central axis.

This is the residence of Princess Lee.

The King of Qi entered the main hall and sat down casually on the low couch.

He told this to Princess Li with a smile, "Sister, Wang Jiu doesn't look like Wang Lin, but he looks a bit like A Jiang."

Princess Li is the cousin of King Qi, and the two grew up together.

The King of Qi was used to calling her "Ajie" and never changed his name even after being married for more than 20 years.

The two are not only relatives, but also lovers and partners. They have long been integrated into one, sharing honor and disgrace.

In the heart of King Qi, his elder sister holds an irreplaceable and extremely important position.

The King of Qi talked to Princess Li about almost everything.

For example, like now, in front of his legal wife Princess Li, the King of Qi can easily discuss the affairs of his concubine.

The King of Qi was not humiliating Princess Li, and Princess Li would not care.

Perhaps, to them, they are husband and wife, belonging to the same world, equals, loving each other and staying together.

Other women are nothing more than maids and concubines, tools for reproduction and entertainment.

No one can fit into the world of two people, and it is even more impossible to replace one of them.

"Ajahn Conghui, it's normal for her daughter to look like her."

When Concubine Jiang was mentioned, Princess Li's eyes flashed with worry: "I don't know where they are now? Is everything okay?"

The relationship between Princess Li and Concubine Jiang is definitely not that of a wife and a concubine, but rather a relationship that is somewhat like that of sisters. Oh no, to be more precise, it is the friendship between an elder and a younger person.

Now, with the added sentiment of "entrusting an orphan to her care", Princess Li is very concerned about Concubine Jiang and her group.

There, besides Concubine Jiang, there were also her young daughter and grandson.

"..."

When mentioning Concubine Jiang and her group who were "returning home to visit relatives", the King of Qi was silent.

He also thought about them and worried about them.

The King of Qi was able to be decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, without any mercy.

When planning big things, he is calm, almost cruel.

If things are done, everything will be fine.

If we lose, the whole family will be together.

He would never surrender, let alone beg for mercy and live in disgrace.

His family members cannot live in humiliation either.

Although the King of Qi was confident of victory, he was also prepared for the death of his entire family if he failed.

The King of Qi had no mercy on his grown-up sons, such as Yang Rui.

However, when he faced his little daughter who was softly calling "Yeah Yeah" and his grandson who was just learning to walk, he felt a little reluctant.

He is also a human being and has a sense of love for his children.

Therefore, when the princess proposed to send them out of the capital early, the King of Qi did not agree, but he did not object either.

He acquiesced to the actions of having one wife and one concubine, and secretly provided a lot of help -

1. Guard!

2. Money and food.

He gave all the people and things he could give, hoping only that Jiang could leave the capital smoothly and get rid of the suspicion, tracking, and even hunting of some people!

We have done what we should do, and all we can do now is leave the rest to God.

Thinking of this, the King of Qi no longer had the heart to discuss Wang Jiu with Princess Li.

He only mentioned briefly, "Since this girl is smart, she can be promoted in the future."

She is just a little girl, but she is smart and loyal.

When the overall situation is settled in the future, it would be convenient to give some rewards!

"My dear, what you said is, give her some grace in the future!"

Princess Li had never met Wang Heng, but she was willing to treat her well for the sake of Concubine Jiang.

Concubine Jiang was protecting her daughter and grandson, so she was willing to give Concubine Jiang a reward.

……

"Madam, what should we do? Those people are catching up again?"

"Don't worry, I've already sent out a letter for help, and reinforcements will arrive soon!"

On the official road about ten miles away from Yizhou, several horse-drawn carriages were driving fast.

Concubine Jiang no longer had the glory she had when she left the capital, but was now filled with the urgency and despair of fleeing...