Golden Branch

"Nine Lady! It's begun!"

On the top four floors of the Lou's Fortress, Wang Mian leaned on the window with a homemade "clairvoyance" in his hand, just in time to catch a glimpse of fireworks in the night sky.

She said in a deep voice.

Wang Mian didn't know whether he was excited, nervous, or... lost at this moment.

It was not until this time that Wang Mian realized that Lou Yu had been planning this for two months.

His indifference towards Wang Heng and his "favor" towards Zheng Shisan are just the smallest part of the whole plan.

Oh no, actually there is also her, Wang Mian, and Zhao Jinniang.

Lou Yu is testing everyone around Wang Heng.

Zheng Shisan, the concubine recognized by Wang Heng as her "reserve".

Wang Mian is Wang Heng's best friend whom she has known for many years and whom she trusts and relies on.

And Zhao Jinniang, the female bodyguard who closely protected Wang Heng.

On weekdays, they all seemed loyal to Wang Heng and seemed reliable.

But Lou Yu still felt it was not enough.

Or, he discovered that there were people with ulterior motives, so he simply put everyone to the test.

To be honest, if you were in Wang Heng's shoes, you would be very happy and feel at ease if someone thought about you so much.

But if you are the one being tested, it won’t feel so good.

The several times he had shown goodwill before, even offering the imperial edict as bait, was not because Lou Yu really valued her and wanted to use her.

And it's just a series of tests.

But at that time, Wang Mian made the wrong choice because of a slight hesitation in his heart.

Then, she would not be able to stand on the high platform to watch the show today, but would become a fool like Zhao Jinniang who was tricked.

Wang Mian didn't sympathize with Zhao Jinniang.

Because Zhao Jinniang did betray Wang Heng and even tried to murder her.

It would have been fine if Wang Heng had ever treated her wrongly, but the fact was that it was the bandits who destroyed Zhao Jinniang's family.

Those bandits have been wiped out by Yang Rui and Lou Yu, which can be regarded as revenge for Zhao Jinniang.

The whole thing has nothing to do with Wang Heng.

It was because Wang Heng needed a female guard that Lou Yu bought the prostitute Zhao Jinniang.

There is a hint of cause and effect.

After coming to Wang Heng's side, Wang Heng was also very kind to Zhao Jinniang and never treated her harshly or humiliated her.

However, Zhao Jinniang still hated Wang Heng for some unknown reason.

It would be fine if he just disliked Wang Heng for being fat, but now he is colluding with the bad guys to harm Wang Heng.

Not to mention Wang Mian's values, even based on her relationship with Wang Heng, she would not feel pity for Zhao Jinniang and whitewash her.

However, her disapproval and even despise of Zhao Jinniang's betrayal does not mean that she is willing to be tested.

What is the test?

It is the assessment and examination of the inferior by the superior.

It is the rich mocking and humiliating the poor.

Just like some second-generation men in later generations, in order to test whether their girlfriends love money or them, they deliberately pretend to be poor or bankrupt.

On the surface, it is to pursue true love.

In fact, isn’t it because he is rich that he never looks down on his poor girlfriend?

The so-called test is a game between the strong and the weak.

Wang Mian, after traveling through time, not only did she fail to become the heroine, but she even fell to the point of being tested by others.

To be honest, the moment Wang Mian learned the truth, he couldn't help feeling humiliated and angry.

But so what?

Lou Yu didn't care at all.

Wang Heng...this matter has nothing to do with her.

At most, Wang Heng realized it, but did not point it out.

Perhaps Wang Heng also wanted to know what choice Wang Mian would make when faced with temptation.

Even if Wang Mian himself were in Wang Heng's position, he would probably be like Wang Heng.

She understands!

But I still feel sad.

Being treated as an object that can be tested at will is a really uncomfortable feeling.

However, Wang Mian is not a pretentious person, and he will not dwell too much on what has happened.

Fortunately, she made the right choice in Lou Yu's opinion - she did not abandon Wang Heng because of temptation.

Even if the person he wanted to be loyal to was Lou Yu, it would not work.

Wang Mian: ...Damn! I told you he was a little pervert!

For the sake of the person you identify, even you yourself may be targeted!

Wang Mian seriously suspected that if Lou Yu and Wang Heng also encountered the bloody plot in the ancient puppet drama -

Wang Heng was held hostage, and the kidnapper, who was so stupid as to not want money or power, just wanted Lou Yu to choose between him and Wang Heng.

Either Wang Heng dies, or Lou Yu stabs himself!

Lou Yu would choose to commit suicide without hesitation, leaving the hope of life to Wang Heng.

This is the little pervert who is obsessed with love.

It’s ridiculous that she thought Lou Yu had changed his heart before.

He also attributed Lou Yu's change of heart to the fact that a young boy entering puberty had grown up and understood the true beauty and ugliness.

Wang Heng is not ugly, but her slightly plump figure that does not conform to mainstream aesthetics has become a flaw in her appearance.

But Wang Mian forgot that Lou Yu is a little pervert.

For a pervert, loving someone never means just loving the other person's appearance. Perverted love seems to be purer.

What they care about is always the soul of their lover.

Beauty and ugliness, good and evil, it doesn’t matter.

What matters is that "she is she".

Thinking back to the fact that Lou Yu was a pervert and she had successfully passed the test of perversion, Wang Mian suddenly felt that the "test" itself did not seem so difficult to accept.

In particular, after being tested, there are indeed some benefits.

For example, just after Wang Mian gave Wang Heng two small porcelain bottles and related formulas, Wang Mian met "Wang Heng".

Then she knew of a plan.

Perhaps, Wang Mian has not yet entered the core of Lou Yu and Wang Heng.

However, she is no longer just Wang Heng's friend, but also their "confidant".

"...Zhao Jinniang is dead!"

Wang Heng also held a telescope and, like Wang Mian, lay on the window, looking down at a place two or three miles away.

The distance is quite far, and the magnification of Wang Mian's replica of the clairvoyance is not that high.

Wang Heng could only vaguely see a man being "thrown" off the horse.

But she still guessed the truth with a certain tone.

Wang Mian was startled.

Although I know that Zhao Jinniang made a mistake, I also know that there is only one outcome for Zhao Jinniang - death!

But, it is a human life after all, and a "friend" whom I have known for several years.

I met her and talked to her during the day, and within half a day, she was dead?!

"It's better to die!"

Pursing his lips, Wang Mian sighed softly.

In fact, for Zhao Jinniang, being able to die quickly and easily is indeed a good thing.

If she were alive, she would fall into Lou Yu's hands.

Hiss...Lou Yu is a little pervert.

Wang Mian couldn't even imagine what kind of horrible torture Zhao Jinniang would suffer.

Wang Heng did not continue to discuss Zhao Jinniang. Since she was already dead, the grudge was settled.

Wang Heng is more concerned about subsequent developments.

Well, actually, there isn't much suspense.

There were indeed many bandits, but the problem was that Wang Heng had more guards and "reinforcements".

Attacked from both inside and outside, the bandits lost their hostages and were doomed to be slaughtered.

That is a question of time length.

"Nine Lady, are the reinforcements all from Zhechong Mansion?"

Wang Mian was also paying attention to the changes in the battle situation in a certain direction.

Through her clairvoyance, she saw teams of people who had successfully countered the ambush.

Those were not the Lou family army, but the soldiers of the Zhechoufu borrowed from Qizhou and Qingzhou.

Especially in Qingzhou Zhechongfu, the team leader is still an "acquaintance"——

"Yes! My brother said that he has already discussed the matter with General Xiao Wuji of Qingzhou Zhechong Mansion. It is General Xiao who is coming to help today!"

Xiao Wuzhi is another person that Yang Rui can use.

Like Lou Yu, he followed Yang Rui to learn and gain experience.

However, compared with Lou Yu, a noble from the Northern Territory, Xiao Wuzhi's identity is a bit embarrassing.

He was a member of the royal family of the previous dynasty in the southern border.

His grandfather was the crown prince of the previous dynasty, but the throne was seized by the previous dynasty and he had to go into exile in the north.

Xiao Wuji's grandfather was of noble status and handsome appearance. After coming to the northern border, he was deeply loved by the emperor of the previous dynasty in the northern border.

If you look closely, the Xiao family has some relatives with the royal family of the previous dynasty.

The previous emperor gave Xiao's grandfather an official position and also arranged for him to marry a noble lady from the northern border.

From then on, the Xiao family settled in the northern border.

The second generation of the Xiao family, that is, Xiao Wuzhi's uncle, father, and uncle, all married into the northern border families.

By the time of Xiao Wuzhi's generation, the Xiao family had already firmly established its foothold in the northern border.

The Xiao family and the Yang family are also relatives by marriage.

If we go by the relationship of kinship, Xiao Wuzhi could also call Yang Rui his cousin.

However, although they were not related by blood, Xiao Wuzhi had the pride of a noble family in his bones, so he did not make any random connections.

He was impressed by Yang Rui's ability and character and followed him loyally.

Yang Rui also cherished his talents and appreciated his character, so he kept him by his side and trained him carefully.

When Yang Rui left Yizhou, he specifically left Xiao Wuji behind to "clean up the aftermath."

And the so-called "aftermath" is happening today.

Xiao Wuji and Lou Yu discussed several times and finalized the plan.

Lou Yu was on the Yi River, killing the river manager and other forces in various sections of the river.

Xiao Wuji eliminated the "bandit problem" and eradicated the power of the King of Chu (the saint) in Yizhou, Qingzhou and other places in Qi.

This night is destined to be full of killing and blood.

Wang Heng and Wang Mian hid in the high attic, but could still feel the purge in the distance.

This is a power struggle, fierce and cruel.

"...Xiao Wuji? He was the one who sent me to the river camp when we were in Yihe a few years ago!"

When mentioning Xiao Wuji, Wang Mian's mind flashed with a young man with a handsome face and gentle temperament.

At that time, Xiao Wuzhi looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.

Now, he should not be more than twenty years old, but he has already started leading troops to fight and planning major events.

"Yeah! I remember that!"

Wang Heng nodded and said cheerfully, "He held you all the way there, and your face turned red!"

"Yes! Just like now... Amian, actually, General Xiao is pretty good!"

Wang Heng looked at Wang Mian's cheeks which had suddenly turned red, and said this half seriously, half jokingly.

Wang Mian: ...My best friend’s suggestion is so damn exciting.

Compared to the handsome Zhou Jiming, the more handsome Xiao Wuzhi is indeed more charming.

But... Xiao Wuji is from a noble family, and scholars and commoners are not allowed to marry!

……

Concubine Jiang watched "Wang Heng" leave and did not stay in the yard.

She brought the two children back to the main courtyard, watched them settle down, and then Concubine Jiang returned to her room.

Ah Chu came forward and said, "Madam, I received a letter——"

A letter for help from an “old friend”!