Golden Branch

“Mother! Mother!!”

With the whip clearing the way and Ah Man guarding, Wang Heng rushed in.

After passing through layers of thieves, they came near several carriages.

She wasn't sure which carriage Concubine Jiang was in, so she shouted loudly.

"Ajiu!"

Concubine Jiang heard the voice, stuck her head out of the car window, and responded loudly: "Mother is here!"

Wang Heng followed the voice and saw a beautiful face that looked familiar.

Ah, mother?

After not seeing her for a few years, she still seems to be the same as I remembered.

So young, so stunningly beautiful.

Wang Heng grabbed the reins tightly, aimed in the right direction, and rode forward.

"..."

Wang Heng rode her horse and stopped beside the carriage. Through the window, she looked into the eyes of Concubine Jiang.

Just now she was still able to shout "Mom" loudly, but when she got closer and they were face to face, Wang Heng felt as if something was stuck in her throat.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

Concubine Jiang was also looking at Wang Heng with greedy eyes.

This child has grown up.

Taller, and fatter!

In recent years, Concubine Jiang has maintained regular and direct contact with Wang Heng.

The slaves and maids given to Wang Heng by Concubine Jiang would selectively report to her about Wang Heng's health, life, studies, etc. every once in a while.

Therefore, Concubine Jiang knew that her daughter was a little chubby.

But, hearing and seeing are different after all.

At this moment, Concubine Jiang saw her grown-up daughter clearly and directly, and for a moment, she was speechless.

All around, the guards brought by Wang Heng were working together with the guards of the palace to attack the "bandits" from inside and outside, and work together to strangle them.

The sounds of horse hooves, fighting, and roaring...intertwined together.

Concubine Jiang seemed unable to hear anything, she could only see her daughter in front of her.

Slowly, Concubine Jiang stretched out a hand from the car window.

Snow-white and slender, like the tender catkins of spring onions, trembling slightly.

I wanted to touch that chubby, cute little face, but I was hesitant.

I feel timid when I am around people.

I was obviously worried about you so much, and when you suddenly appeared in front of me, I didn't dare to get close to you.

Tears welled up in Concubine Jiang's eyes. Leaving that year was not what she wanted.

But the one who lost his mother's protection and guidance was Ajiu.

She is so pitiful!

“…Silly child!”

All the emotions of longing, love, guilt, etc. were intertwined together, and Concubine Jiang only uttered these three words softly.

Others may not understand why Wang Heng is so "obese".

Even Wang Lin probably believed that Wang Heng lacked self-discipline and could not control her appetite, and that she indulged in eating and playing, which led to her becoming like this.

Concubine Jiang, who had personally experienced being treated as a plaything, guessed the truth the first time she saw Wang Heng.

Ajiu did it on purpose!

She was afraid of repeating her mother's mistakes and becoming a tool for Wang Lin to climb up the ladder, so she destroyed her own image.

"When I left, Ajiu was only six years old!"

"She's so young and doesn't understand anything. The only way she can think of to save herself is to hurt herself!"

When Concubine Jiang thought about how anxious her daughter would be after she left, her heart felt as if it was being pricked by needles, with dense and dull pain!

……

"Kill! Leave no one behind!"

Just as the mother and daughter were looking at each other through the window, Lou Yu also rushed over with the Lou family army.

His face was gentle and calm, but his words seemed to contain ice chips.

"Yes!"

Hundreds of men responded in unison, creating a huge movement.

The "bandits" who had been so arrogant and complacent just now were all in despair.

Wang Heng's three hundred guards had already killed and forced them to retreat step by step.

Now, with the addition of hundreds of cavalry, the entire battlefield was directly surrounded.

It's impossible to escape!

Lou Yu led the Lou family army and approached the "bandits" step by step.

The sound of horse hooves and sharp blades.

The knife fell from his hand, blood splattered everywhere.

Lou Yu would leave no one alive. Even if he needed "evidence", corpses, weapons, or even clothes would be fine.

There is no need to leave a "witness" who may change his statement at any time.

Left and right, many times, all we need is "evidence" rather than right and wrong.

Lou Yu's troops were more powerful and even brutal than Wang Heng's.

They harvested with expressionless faces, chopping people as if they were chopping melons and vegetables.

In less than a quarter of an hour, there was no longer a single living bandit on the "battlefield".

Lou Yu handed over the task of cleaning up the battlefield to his subordinates and rode his horse to the carriage.

He dismounted and bowed, "Greetings, Aunt."

Not the concubine of the King of Qi, but his aunt.

Concubine Jiang had quietly wiped away her tears. She looked at Lou Yu, a strange color flashing in her eyes——

What a handsome young man.

Although he still has a childish tone and his voice is hoarse, it still cannot conceal his handsome face.

The most striking thing about Lou Yu is not only his appearance, but also his innate nobility and gentle and elegant demeanor.

He is a dazzling and handsome young man.

As a son-in-law, he is qualified.

Concubine Jiang looked at Lou Yu calmly, and had already started to evaluate him in her mind.

However, Concubine Jiang did not reveal it. Since this concerned her daughter's life, she still needed to continue observing and carefully consider it.

"No need to be so polite, Mr. Lou!"

"I'm sorry for disturbing you by coming here so hastily, but please forgive me, young master!"

What Concubine Jiang meant by this was that she didn't want to make a big fuss.

Even Concubine Jiang would not go to the King of Qi's palace in Qi.

the reason is simple:

The concubine of the King of Qi is back home to visit her relatives. She should be in Jingzhou at the moment.

Her sudden appearance in Yizhou could easily arouse suspicion or give her something to use as evidence to attack the King of Qi.

It's better to keep a low profile. It's a good thing for King Qi, myself, Lou Yu and others.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng were both smart people and immediately understood what Concubine Jiang meant.

Lou Yu hurriedly said respectfully, "Aunt, you are too polite. It is my honor to have you visit the fort. How can I say that I am disturbing you?"

Lou Yu had originally intended to treat Concubine Jiang as an elder, rather than the concubine of the Prince of Qi.

Lou Yu not only cooperated with Concubine Jiang's idea of ​​not wanting to make it public, but was also very proactive.

He did not mention any concubines or noble ladies, but really treated Concubine Jiang as the mother of his fiancée and his own elder.

As for Eleventh Lady and Little Sanlang, they are also younger brothers and sisters brought by their elders. He will take good care of them but will not try to please them deliberately.

Eleventh Lady blinked her big round eyes, looked at Wang Heng, and then at Lou Yu. The little person was extremely happy with this top-notch visual feast.

All I can say is that even if a beauty-chasing person is a young cub who doesn't know right from wrong, he can still instinctively like beautiful women.

And the little boy who just turned one year old, when he saw the handsome and amiable Lou Yu, he was very "familiar" and stretched out his chubby little hand towards him.

"Yeah, hug!"

The little voice was soft and the words were not clear, but everyone still understood it.

Concubine Jiang, wet nurse, etc.: (⊙﹏⊙)

Lou Yu raised his eyebrows. Although he liked people calling him Ye Ye, he didn't have the habit of recognizing a son casually.

Especially now that he has grown up, he realizes how naughty and ridiculous he was when he was young.

It was Wang Heng who vaguely guessed the truth and asked with a smile, "Is this young man your eldest brother's son?"

Concubine Jiang was slightly startled, but soon realized that the "eldest brother" Wang Heng was referring to was Yang Rui, the prince of Qi.

Ajiu and Yang Rui seem to have a good relationship!

Concubine Jiang secretly took it to heart and prepared to find time to have a good talk with Ajiu.

As for Wang Heng's question, Concubine Jiang did not give a direct answer.

The identities of Eleventh Lady and Little Sanlang are special and cannot be easily exposed.

Concubine Jiang naturally believed in Wang Heng, but she still had to be cautious when necessary.

It is enough for Concubine Jiang, Wang Heng, Lou Yu and others to know their identities, there is no need to expose them.

Concubine Jiang’s silence was the answer.

Wang Heng smiled again upon seeing this, "Big Brother has kept me by his side for three or four years, teaching me by example and words. Naturally, I have a bit of Big Brother's influence on me."

Therefore, as the eldest brother's son, Xiao Sanlang felt a "familiar" atmosphere and easily mistook Lou Yu for "Ye Ye".

After hearing this, Concubine Jiang looked at Lou Yu with a look of scrutiny and inquiry.

As Lou Jin's "nephew", how could Lou Yu have such a close relationship with the Prince of Qi?

Teach by words and deeds?

To Lou Yu, Yang Rui is both a teacher and a friend, as well as a father and a brother.

Concubine Jiang pondered secretly but did not show it at all.

……

After exchanging greetings and a small misunderstanding, the two sides finally "met successfully".

Lou Yu personally led the way, leading Concubine Jiang and others to the Lou family fortress.

As for the "mess" on the official road and the ground on both sides, it will continue to be dealt with by the Lou family army.

The bodies were dragged away, the weapons were taken away, and the bloodstains on the ground were directly dug up and buried in the loess.

In less than an hour, the brutal battlefield completely disappeared, and the official road became smooth and clean again.

Apart from a slight smell of blood lingering in the air, there was no trace left, as if nothing had ever happened.

Concubine Jiang sat in the carriage and glanced through the window at the scene behind her.

She didn't say anything, but she became more and more certain about Lou Yu's ability.

Lou Yu, whose subordinates are well-trained and well-behaved, must be a brave general with outstanding abilities as he is able to lead such powerful troops.

"No wonder Yang Rui favors Lou Yu so much. As a prince, he is willing to bring a young man with him to teach him by example."

Yang Rui is indeed gentle and elegant, like a gentleman of noble character.

But in reality, he is the superior.

He was not that fond of teaching, nor did he have enough free time to teach someone who had no blood relationship or legal relationship with him.

He will teach Lou Yu, only if Lou Yu is worthy!

This also proves Lou Yu's excellence, or "huge potential" from another perspective.

"...Yang Rui has his eyes on this young man, so it seems reasonable to recruit him as a son-in-law!"

Concubine Jiang was secretly pondering.

Of course, Concubine Jiang did not ignore the interaction between Lou Yu and Wang Heng.

Their words and actions were not overly intimate, but they only needed a glance to understand each other. Such tacit understanding made outsiders unable to help but admire -

What a perfect match.

Heaven makes a pair, earth creates a pair.

If they could get married, I think they would be a happy couple.

……

When they arrived at the Lou family fortress, Lou Yu had already ordered people to vacate the main courtyard.

No matter whether she was the concubine of the King of Qi or the mother of Wang Heng, Lou Yu should respect and honor Jiang.

Not to mention, there are two little noble ladies, Shiyi Niang and Xiao Sanlang.

Lou Yu had already boarded the King of Qi's ship, so he would naturally be polite and respectful to the young masters of the palace.

He gave up the main courtyard and sent his trusted servants to serve him.

The highest standards are also provided in terms of clothing, food, etc.

As soon as Concubine Jiang entered the room, the hot water was already ready.

Concubine Jiang, Eleventh Lady, Xiao Sanlang and other masters took a bath first.

It washed away the dust and the shock and fear from before.

After changing into the brand new clothes that Lou Yu had the embroiderer send her, Concubine Jiang finally felt like she had returned to her life of wealth and splendor.

The meal is ready.

Well, with a foodie like Wang Heng, even though Lou Yu doesn’t care about food, the Lou family still employs more than a dozen chefs.

There were several kitchens of different sizes, and there were fifty or sixty servants and handymen working in the kitchens.

With just one order from Lou Yu or Wang Heng, there is no need to use all the kitchens. Just one big kitchen can prepare a sumptuous meal in the shortest time.

Seeing the food table in front of her filled with food, Concubine Jiang's mouth twitched.

So, this is how Ajiu gained weight by eating one bite at a time?

Eleventh Lady and Little Sanlang were young and didn't think so much. They were simply hungry and simply attracted by the delicious food.

The wet nurses, servants, etc. around them saw the young masters' eyes shining and hurried to serve them.

Pick up food and feed.

Eleventh Lady and Little Sanlang opened their mouths wide, like crying chicks in a bird's nest.

After running for most of the day, she was frightened, scared and tired. When the crisis was over, Concubine Jiang also felt the emptiness in her stomach.

She suppressed her thoughts and began to concentrate on her meal.

Concubine Jiang sat in the main seat, with Wang Heng and Lou Yu sitting on her left and right respectively.

The two of them also each had their own plate and ate slowly.

No food.

In the huge main hall, several masters were having their meal without making any sound.

Even the youngest boy, Xiao Sanlang, may not be able to control his urine, but he has learned to eat without making any noise.

After finishing their meal, Shiyi Niang and Xiao Sanlang began to yawn.

Concubine Jiang ordered the servants to send the two young masters back to their rooms to rest.

Lou Yu was more thoughtful, "Aunt, do you want to ask the court doctor to come and take your pulse?"

Concubine Jiang and the other three masters were not injured, but they were inevitably frightened and caught a cold after traveling all the way.

It is always better to check a healthy pulse and prevent illness before it happens than to be caught off guard and at a loss when the illness breaks out suddenly.

"Good! Young Master is really thoughtful!"

Concubine Jiang silently gave Lou Yu another point in her heart.

Lou Yu didn't know that Concubine Jiang was giving him a rating. Perhaps he guessed it, but he didn't show it at all.

Hearing Concubine Jiang's praise, a rare hint of shyness appeared on his gentle face.

It was like a shy boy being praised by his beloved elder, feeling happy, proud, yet a little embarrassed.

Concubine Jiang's eyes flickered and her mood became better.

So, when Lou Yu went down to make the arrangements himself, leaving Concubine Jiang and Wang Heng and her daughter alone, Concubine Jiang asked Wang Heng directly:

"Ajiu, do you like him?"

Wang Heng didn't expect her mother to be so simple and direct.

However, she was not too shocked.

Although she and her mother haven't seen each other for several years, they are still mother and daughter.

There is no need to say polite or euphemistic words between a mother and her daughter.

Just say what you want to say, as if the years of separation didn't exist.

Wang Heng nodded, "...If you want to get married, my brother is the best!"