Golden Branch

An Guo Gongfu.

Lou Yu rode his horse into Wubenfang and came to the mansion he had "explored at night" half a year ago.

During the day, the vermilion lacquered gate of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion was majestic and solemn.

Even the dismounting stone in front of the door seems to demonstrate the honor and nobility of the mansion.

As soon as Lou Yu and his group arrived at the door, they were greeted by a smart doorman.

"Excuse me, young master, who are you? Do you have a visiting card?"

It's ironic that the servant of the Lou family in the Anguo Mansion didn't even recognize the "young master"!

A hint of sarcasm flashed across Lou Yu's eyes.

He raised the corners of his lips slightly, his signature gentle smile on his face: "I am Lou Yu, and I have come to pay a special visit to the Duke of Anguo."

The doorman was only in his twenties and started working there after the Lou family moved to the capital.

Therefore, he had never seen what Lou Yu looked like.

But I have heard of Lou Yu's name——

Lou Yu, the eldest son of Duke Anguo, was adopted by the eldest branch of the Lou family a few years ago and is now the head of the eldest branch of the Lou family.

Although they are adopted, the blood relationship between father and son cannot be severed.

The Duke of Anguo's Mansion "lost power" because of the late emperor, but thanks to a "cousin" who was a confidant of the saint, it did not fall into decline like other families.

As a noble servant of a wealthy family, the doorman naturally knew what was going on in the capital and understood the situation of his own Duke's Mansion.

When he saw the proud young man in front of him calling himself Lou Yu, he was surprised at first, and then he was delighted.

He hurriedly nodded and bowed, "Greetings, my lord! My lord, the Duke and his wife have already instructed that if you are coming, there is no need to inform them."

As he spoke, the doorman politely extended his hand, wanting to help Lou Yu hold the horse and assist him in dismounting.

Lou Yu didn't refuse.

He had too many ties with the Anguo Mansion that he couldn't distance himself from simply because he wanted to. There was no need to bother with a servant.

Lou Yu dismounted and casually threw the reins to the servant.

Since there is no need to pass on the message, he will not be polite.

Holding the horsewhip, Lou Yu strode into the door.

Passing through the front yard, bypassing the garden, and following the central axis, Lou Yu entered the main courtyard where Lou Jin and his wife lived with familiarity.

Coincidentally, Lou Jin, who is always busy with official duties, is at home at this moment.

The villain in Lou Yu's heart sneered: How could this be a coincidence? It's clearly someone who has lost power!

The general had no soldiers and was not favored by the saint, so naturally he had no official duties to do.

It’s better to go back home than to sit on the bench in the yamen.

At least in the Anguo Mansion, I won’t be laughed at.

The doorman said "no need to report", but in fact, the moment Lou Yu stepped through the gate, a servant quickly ran to the inner courtyard to report.

When Lou Yu arrived at the main courtyard, Lou Jin and Dugu had already known the news.

Lou Jin's face was as gloomy as water, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

Dugu's eyebrows were already beaming with joy: "Ayu is here? He just returned to the capital and he's already come to visit us?"

After all, they are biological children. Even if they have lost their status, the blood relationship still exists.

Not to mention, half a year ago, she helped Lou Yu a lot.

Dugu was indeed a naive person. She had done something stupid and apologized to Lou Jin with tears in her eyes. When Lou Jin said he didn't blame her, she was really relieved.

Now, several months have passed, and Dugu no longer feels the sadness, self-blame, and guilt she felt back then. She only misses and is happy for her son, as well as proud of his achievements.

The fifteen-year-old Duke of Qi is her biological child.

Half a year ago, when the old saint had just abdicated, the Duke of Anguo's mansion was deserted, and she, the wife of the king, was also treated coldly and even ridiculed.

But now, with her son being granted a title, the Anguo Mansion has once again returned to the center of power, and Dugu has once again become a noble figure that many noble ladies make friends with and curry favor with.

Especially those families with daughters of marriageable age, they either invited her to various banquets or visited the Lou family in person.

Dugu prides himself on being magnanimous and won't bother with these people.

Alas, what can we do? Lou Yu still needs to choose a new bride, and the new bride must come from these families.

For the sake of her son, Dugu "reluctantly" forgave everyone's flattery and indecision.

Dugu had already accumulated a thick list of names, all of which were the young ladies from various families that she had carefully selected.

She would discuss and make the choice with her son as soon as he returned to Beijing.

Lou Jin sat cross-legged on the low couch. Seeing his wife so happy, he sighed secretly:

Jiaojiao is still so naive. She thinks Lou Yu is a son whose parents want to see him through a marriage, but she doesn't know that Lou Yu is a cruel and cold wolf cub!

Oh no, Lou Yu is no longer a cub, he is a grown-up wolf king.

As a king, how could he be controlled by others, even if that person is his father or mother!

"Yu greets uncle and aunt!"

Lou Yu entered the main hall and saluted with his arms crossed. His voice was no longer the unpleasant duck voice, but the pure and warm sound of jade.

His demeanor was perfect, that of a modest gentleman; respectful and polite, with absolutely no fault to be found.

A hint of darkness flashed in Lou Jin's eyes. Lou Yu's performance was too perfect, but it seemed "fake" -

The fact that he was so well-behaved and polite in front of his biological parents could only mean one thing: this guy had no feelings for them at all.

Lou Jin knew that the relationship between him and his wife and their son had been severed when he was adopted.

The only things that could bind Lou Yu were family, interests and moral constraints.

Lou Jin had never thought about having a relationship with a wild wolf like Lou Yu.

Unfortunately, the fact that Lou Jin understood was not understood by Dugu.

Perhaps she knew it in her heart, but she was unwilling to face such reality.

She still has the fantasy of "a loving mother and a filial son".

"Ayu, you're back! Have you been well these days?"

Dugu ignored the call of "Aunt". She took a few quick steps and came close to Lou Yu, looking up and down at the young man who was as tall as a green pine on a snowy mountain.

That night, Lou Yu suddenly appeared. Dugu was so frightened and panicked that she didn't even bother to take a closer look at him.

Besides, the light is insufficient at night, and you can’t see clearly even if you want to.

At this moment, the sky is clear and the day is bright, and the main hall is full of sunshine again.

Lou Yu stood in the light, and his whole body seemed to be glowing.

Dugu Shi also saw it very clearly:

The young man was almost as tall as Lou Jin, who was in his prime, and was over six feet tall.

Not only did he inherit Lou Yu's height, he also had the deep eyes and high nose of a northern noble.

However, Lou Yu's skin was very similar to Dugu's, fair and cold, like sheep fat, and whiter than frost and snow.

On Lou Yu's face, one can vaguely see the shadow of Dugu and also find the grace of Lou Jin.

He perfectly combines the advantages of both his parents, and is extraordinarily handsome, like a banished immortal.

As a mother, Dugu was more and more satisfied and proud the more she looked at it.

Such an outstanding boy crawled out of her intestines.

"Thank you for your concern, aunt. I hope you are doing well!"

Lou Yu seemed not to notice the joy and excitement in Dugu's eyes. He answered gently and politely.

Dugu was becoming more and more happy: compared to the gloomy and cold A Yu half a year ago, the current A Yu was much more "friendly".

Did he forgive her?

He doesn't care about what she owes him?

"As long as you're fine! As long as you're fine!"

Dugu's beautiful face was filled with a kind smile.

She felt Lou Yu's gentleness and closeness, and thought that the mother and son had "reconciled". While she felt relieved, she couldn't help but feel greedy.

She wants more!

She wanted to restore the mother-son relationship with Lou Yu.

"Ayu——"

Dugu stretched out her hand to grab Lou Yu's, but Lou Yu dodged away with a flick of his wrist.

Dugu's outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

Her smile also froze.

Lou Yu said softly, "Your Highness, please give me the courtesy name Han Zhang. You, my aunt, can call me by my courtesy name."

A Yu?

Whenever Lou Yu heard Dugu pretending to shout out these two words, he would remember the humiliation and grief he felt when he was forced to change his name to Lou Yu at the age of seven.

After a few years, Lou Yu has grown up and become very strong inside.

He no longer rejected the word "Yu", but he could never forgive his parents for abandoning him and the humiliation of not being able to control his own life.

Whether it is Lou Xiao or Lou Yu, it is just a name.

But to Lou Yu, it is more than just a name.

Its existence will only remind him again and again: you are not wanted by your parents, and even your name can be easily changed!

At that time, he was young and incapable and could only accept it passively.

It’s different now, he has the confidence to control his own destiny!

From literature?

Also from the military?

This is his life, and he should decide for himself.

After the battle in the northwest, Lou Yu proved himself with his military exploits: I can be a brave and skilled warrior from a military family.

Once it was proven, Lou Yu gave up.

He no longer led troops to fight, he wanted to govern the country and ensure the people's safety and become the head of all officials.

This time, it was not arranged, but his own choice.

"The prince chose a name for you?"

After hearing Lou Yu's words, Dugu, who had been feeling a little lost and sad, cheered up again.

Her focus was on the "Crown Prince".

Dugu's fox eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to Lou Yu's, gleamed with a naive glint. "Will His Royal Highness personally choose a name for you?"

What an honor this is.

The Crown Prince is not only the Saint's eldest son, but also the Saint's most respected and trusted successor.

He is the next emperor.

Not only did his son gain the favor of the saint, he also had the favor of the prince. Two generations of emperors were enough to protect A Yu, oh no, Han Zhang, enough to protect Han Zhang's wealth and glory for decades!

When Lou Yu saw his "innocent" mother, there was no trace of strangeness in his eyes or on his face.

The villain in her heart was already sneering: How stupid! I really don’t know what Lou Jin saw in her?!

Lou Xiaoyu couldn't even imagine that he, who was so intelligent, was actually born by this woman.

Although both of them are "single fools", Lou Yu only likes fat girls.

Because the fat girl is "wise but appears foolish", while her unlucky mother is really stupid.

Lou Jin didn't say a word. He just sat there quietly, observing without leaving any trace.

This brat Lou Yu did not show the slightest sign of abnormality when facing the "stupid" Dugu.

This does not mean that he truly accepted and forgave Dugu.

Perhaps, this guy's disguise has reached the point where it can accomplish everything.

"...His study with Yang Rui over the past few years has not been in vain."

"He has indeed been tempered by experience!"

Realizing this, Lou Jin felt both relieved and a little sad - his son had shed his childhood mischief and become extremely outstanding, but he was gradually drifting away from them, his parents.

"My aunt, the Crown Prince is kind and loving. He knew I hadn't chosen a name yet, so he personally gave me the name 'Han Zhang'."

Lou Yu didn’t know that Lou Jin had seen through him, and even if he knew, he wouldn’t care.

He was still gentle and elegant, and was extremely patient with his adopted mother, Dugu.

Dugu was completely bewitched by Lou Yu's fake smile and warmth.

She believed that Lou Yu had forgiven her and was willing to reconcile with her and her son.

Dugu originally wanted to wait for a few more days to restore her mother-son relationship with Lou Yu, and then arrange a marriage for him.

Lou Yu's "closeness" and "filial piety" gave Dugu a false impression. She didn't care about "taking things step by step" and instead went straight to the point:

"This calligraphy is excellent! You've been given a calligraphy name and a title. Hanzhang, it's time for you to get married!"

"Mother has looked at several families for you, and they are all excellent girls!"

"Now that you're back in Beijing, take a few days off and visit with your mother, okay?"

"Look, there's the Wang family, the Zheng family, the Wei family... and even the Dugu family, there are several young ladies who are suitable for you!"

As Dugu spoke, she couldn't help but add some selfish thoughts -

She is now Dugu Mingyue, and the Dugu family is her mother's family.

If the son could marry a cousin from the Dugu family, it would be a closer relationship.

This also helps maintain the relationship between mother and son.

Although Dugu felt that they had reconciled as mother and son, there was still a gap between them.

After being abandoned three times, she and Lou Yu have almost no feelings for each other.

If it was A Yu, oh no, it was Han Zhang, if Han Zhang married her niece, there would be another layer of bond between mother and son.

Pillow talk is very powerful.

Dugu herself became a noble lady with the help of men, so she knew the extent of a woman's influence on men.

Dugu really hoped that she and her son could be "loving mother and filial son", rather than being some cousin and nephew.

Lou Yu's smile remained unchanged, but his hand hung by his side, gently stroking the Elephant Bone Crushing Technique.

"Thank you for your concern, Auntie. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has some errands to attend to, so I will be returning to Hedong soon!"

He was very busy, busy going back to Yizhou to see the fat girl.

As for the "meeting" that Dugu wants, let's wait until he returns to Beijing.

At that time, he will bring his fiancée to visit his uncle and aunt!

Lou Jin lowered his eyelids. He knew that Lou Yu would not give in easily.

Lou Jin felt somewhat regretful. In fact, if possible, he also wanted Lou Yuqiu to marry the woman chosen by him and his wife.

If there is no affection between father and son, or mother and son, then there is an extra layer of "in-laws".

Unfortunately... Lou Yu has become the Wolf King and is no longer the wolf cub who can be manipulated by others!

……

After returning the Lou family army and the heirloom, Lou Yu left the Anguo Mansion.

After leaving the house, he didn't even return to the Duke of Qi's Mansion granted by the emperor, but took his men and went straight out of the capital.

Lou Yu's face was calm, but his heart was already surging with anger.

This couple is as selfish and overbearing as ever.

They actually let him marry the daughter of the Dugu family?

It’s not over yet, is it?

What was he as Lou Yu?

Throw away anything that is redundant or in the way!

If you want to use it, pick it up again? !

How could they possibly deserve it?

Even if there was no fat girl, Lou Yu would not be able to fulfill their wish.

Fat girl?

Correct!

He also has the fat girl.

Lou Yu now only wanted to see the fat girl as soon as possible... Little did he know that even greater anger was waiting for him...