Golden Branch

clatter! Da da!

Gulu! Gulu!

There were sounds of horse hooves and wheels, and a huge team was moving slowly on the spacious official road.

The team was so large that it occupied almost half of the official road.

The line was very long, stretching nearly one or two miles from beginning to end.

The personnel in the team were somewhat complicated. There were carriages that looked very luxurious and extravagant, as well as ordinary horse-drawn carriages, donkey-drawn carriages and other animal carriages, and people pushing wheelbarrows and carrying shoulder poles.

There were guards on horseback wearing armor, servants in bright clothes, and common people in coarse linen.

This kind of team has at least 1,500 to 1,600 people.

When walking on the official road, almost everyone gives way to you.

As for the scoundrels, they didn't even dare to get close.

Even though this group of people look like rich people, they are the fattest of the fat sheep.

Really? Fat sheep.

Their trucks are specially equipped to store grain, fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh meat such as lamb and pork.

Whenever passing through villages, towns or post stations, there will be special people who go to the surrounding areas to make large purchases first.

This is understandable.

After all, with so many people and horses, the amount of food consumed at each meal is huge. Even if they prepare before going out, they still need timely and large-scale replenishment.

When it comes to dining, the scene is also amazing.

There was a special chef, with several servants, who set up a large pot big enough to fit a pig beside the official road and on the hillside, and used a shovel as a vegetable spatula to cook diligently.

White flour pancakes, glutinous rice, and pots of hot dishes with oil and meat slices... were not for the nobles in the luxury car, but for the guards and servants.

The nobles had their own small copper tripods, pots, etc., and their own kitchens would make delicious meals for them.

They also stay out of the public eye while dining.

Even when they are outdoors and have to sit on the ground, they will first lay out a gorgeous carpet, put up a screen, and set out a food table before enjoying their meal.

Wang Mian: ...You’ll get used to it!

Even in ancient times when conditions were scarce, top nobles could still enjoy themselves to their heart's content.

The entire Wang family, as well as the clansmen, were all amazed.

With the help of Wang Mian, they were able to blend in with the outer circle of the nobles. Through the screen, they could see those nobles who looked like gods eating with elegant postures.

They can also get some meals.

"...I used to think our family was wealthy enough, and that we were considered noble in the eyes of others. Unexpectedly, a true noble is actually this, this—"

Wang Mian's grandfathers ate the food with great relish while cautiously peeking at the other side of the screen, and couldn't help muttering in their hearts.

They also have a more intuitive and profound experience of power.

But their granddaughter (daughter/sister) can sit at the same table with such a noble person.

They knew that Wang Mian was very capable and was the hope of their entire Wang family.

However, after seeing her daily interactions with Wang Heng, Lou Yu, and others, I gained a deeper understanding.

Wang Mian is indeed a person they can never reach!

They really must not provoke her in the future, let alone make her angry or disappointed.

Wang Mian didn't know that the extravagant lifestyle of Wang Heng, Lou Yu and others made her family members even more awed by them.

All I can say is that it’s not just villains who fear power, ordinary people also tend to bully the weak and fear the strong.

Wang Heng didn't care about these things anymore.

She already had an excellent family background, and now she was a princess. Even when she was away from home, she would never let herself be wronged.

The group was large in number and had a lot of baggage, and they were traveling with a two-horse carriage that was not suitable for the muddy dirt road. So they were not moving very fast.

In addition, Wang Heng, Lou Yu and others value comfort rather than rushing on the road, walking and stopping, stopping and walking.

Every day, we only travel twenty to thirty miles at most.

Starting from Hedong, it took nearly half a month to walk, and they had only traveled four or five hundred miles, only one-third of the total distance.

"No rush! We still have a thousand miles to go, and we have a month!"

There were three luxurious carriages, but Lou Yu didn't get one.

He did have his own carriage, but when he was on the road, he would either ride a horse or go to Wang Heng's carriage to rest.

The two grew up together and have long been accustomed to sitting and walking together.

Now, they were just riding in the same carriage, which was so spacious, so there was naturally nothing to be shy about.

The sky was a little cloudy in the afternoon.

The main force missed the post station and continued on the official road.

Calculating the time, speed, distance, etc., they should be able to reach the next station before dark.

Wang Heng had no appetite, and Lou Yu didn't care about food.

There were also braised meat, dry food and other foods in the carriage.

Wang Heng did not let the main force stop, but instead set up a pot to cook.

Everyone ate something and continued on their way.

Wang Heng did not treat Shen Du badly either.

There was food prepared in the carriage, as well as a charcoal stove for heating rice and making soup. Mr. Shen was enjoying himself.

Lou Yu sat opposite Wang Heng, playing backgammon with her while chatting.

They mentioned the slow pace of their journey, but Lou Yu was not worried.

According to what the two had discussed in advance, the main force only needed to arrive in the capital before April.

It's March now, and there's still a month until April.

In a month, less than a thousand miles, it can be achieved even if it is slower.

Wang Heng held a chess piece in her hand, considered it briefly, and then placed it on the chessboard.

She nodded: "Yeah! No rush!"

The reason they wanted to arrive before April was because Wang Heng's birthday was April 21st.

This year is her coming-of-age anniversary.

This year's birthday is particularly important.

She became a princess, and Concubine Jiang had good news again. Both mother and daughter could be said to have "sweetness after suffering."

Concubine Jiang wanted to hold a proper coming-of-age ceremony for her daughter.

Arrived in the capital in early April.

There is still half a month left to settle down, deal with trivial matters, and establish initial interpersonal relationships.

Well, with Wang Heng's current status, she no longer needs to engage in too much or too complicated social activities.

The Wang family had no relatives or friends in the capital. Even if they did, they would be even more destitute than Wang Lin.

I'm not afraid of being called arrogant. In the capital, there aren't many nobles that Wang Heng needs to curry favor with.

On the contrary, many "relatives and friends" and powerful people need to make friends with the new noble Princess Langya.

Wang Heng didn't have to worry about any problems with her coming-of-age ceremony.

Along the way, she only needed to eat well, drink well, and rest well, and by the way, show her presence in front of her grandmother, father, and husband.

"A Mian, stop busying yourself and let the maids come!"

While Wang Heng was playing chess and chatting with Lou Yu, she did not neglect her best friend.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Wang Mian guarding a charcoal brazier, busy with work, holding a pair of tongs in his hand.

She whispered something and called Wang Mian over here.

Wang Mian said, "I want to bake something myself."

This is also a kind of enjoyment.

The sky is gloomy and the air is full of moisture. Spring rain is about to come.

It was drizzling outside, but we could still have a barbecue around the stove.

Place the grill on the charcoal basin, and then place the small teapot, vegetable skewers, meat skewers, and dried fruits such as dates, peanuts, and chestnuts on the grill.

As the charcoal fire burns, the tea will boil and the various ingredients will emit a rich aroma.

It will be very pleasant to drink tea and eat some snacks at the same time.

"Oh, by the way, make some brown sugar ginger water!"

After all, Wang Mian was not a member of the evil exploiting class. While she was enjoying herself, she did not forget the people outside the carriage who were either riding or walking.

However, they were now in the middle of nowhere, and if it rained, they would not be able to find a place to shelter from the rain.

The only thing we can do is to minimize the suffering of the accompanying personnel.

Make some hot ginger and sugar water and let everyone outside drink a bowl. This can reduce the possibility of catching a cold.

Wang Heng understood Wang Mian. She was kind and generous, and could understand what her best friend meant.

She looked up at the sky outside the window and said, "Well, the weather is bad. It might rain!"

They were in a carriage, which had multiple waterproof features, so there was no need to worry.

But, the people outside the carriage——

"A-Mian is really thoughtful. Baizhi, tell the servants in the carriage to find a way to make some ginger sugar water!"

There are more than a thousand people. If we rely solely on Amian, she will be exhausted and unable to take care of everyone.

Other carriages are not as spacious and convenient as the two-wheeled four-wheeled carriage, but they can also be used for simple cooking.

"Yes!"

Bai Zhi agreed, hurried out of the carriage, and gave instructions to the servants accompanying her outside.

Several maids and servants dispersed and went to each carriage to pass on the message.

Wang Heng then asked her maid to go to several trucks, open the boxes one by one, and take out charcoal basins, charcoal, as well as brown sugar, ginger and other ingredients.

After distributing the things, the people in each carriage were busy making fires and boiling ginger water.

From the huge and long team, wisps of white smoke were faintly rising.

A rich sweet smell mixed with spicy flavor spread throughout the team.

Tick ​​tock!

Tick ​​tock!

Raindrops fell quietly on the roof of the carriage.

At first, it was like big and small pearls falling on a jade plate, and then it started to pour down.

"It's raining!"

Lou Yu looked out the window and dropped the chess piece in his hand: "I'll go out and take a look!"

He could indeed stay in the carriage and let his entourage get wet in the rain.

However, Lou Yu is no longer a spoiled and willful playboy, but a dignified and gentle gentleman.

He should be considerate of his subordinates and love the people.

Even if we cannot sacrifice ourselves, we must share the joys and sorrows.

Even if I can't stay with you through the rain, I'll still show up and tell everyone to speed up and find shelter as soon as possible.

Their masters have already ordered people to prepare ginger and sugar water, and they don’t really care about the suffering and life and death of the people!

The key to controlling people is to win their hearts!

Lou Yu knew the tricks of these superiors too well, so he stood up without any hesitation.

Wang Heng nodded: "Brother, go now!"

As a sister who shares the same thoughts as Lou Yu, Wang Heng would not stop him on the grounds of health, but would only prepare tools such as a straw raincoat and an umbrella for him.

Lou Yu waved his hand: "No need! I'll just go out for a walk! I'll be back soon!"

Since we want to "share the joys and sorrows", we need a percentage.

He was wearing a straw raincoat and had personal guards holding umbrellas, but his followers had nothing.

Is this an attempt to win people's hearts or a deliberate attempt to hurt them?

Wang Heng: ...As expected of a little fox about to enter the imperial court, she is so thoughtful and cautious.

Wang Heng watched Lou Yu get off the car, expecting him to be back soon. Unexpectedly, Lou Yu did return soon, but not alone...