Golden Branch

"Please wait a moment, Second Lady. I will report back to the princess right away!"

After listening to Li Yan, Bai Zhi bent her knees slightly, then turned around and went back to report.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu had already returned to the carriage.

Wang Heng did not rush to get in the car, but watched Wang Mian lead a group of maids to make a bronze tripod in the open space.

"It rained today, it's wet and cold, so let's just eat the mutton."

Wang Mian was in high spirits. It was raining, and they were eating hot pot. It was spicy and numbing, and they were sweating profusely. It was simply too great!

Wang Heng nodded and also thought that eating hot pot was delicious.

Seeing Wang Mian busy at work, the fire was burning brightly, and the butter soup base was bubbling in the copper tripod, bubbling with hot steam.

Wisps of hot air and the smoke from the firewood dispelled the moisture after the rain and blurred people's vision.

The fragrance began to spread, and the sour feeling that Wang Heng had just felt because of Li Yan was slowly dispelled by the worldly atmosphere.

Wang Heng is no longer a glutton, but she is still a foodie at heart.

She was just more restrained and only tasted a little of all the delicacies.

But, she still loves delicious food.

Especially when she saw Wang Mian cooking by herself, she felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

"Princess!"

Baizhi walked over quickly and bowed.

She whispered Li Yan's words.

Wang Heng raised her eyebrows. Oh, not all members of the Dugu family are as arrogant and presumptuous as Madam Lu.

She turned her head and glanced at Lou Yu.

A smile flashed in Lou Yu's eyes. Ah Heng looked the most beautiful when she was so lively.

He didn't say much, just nodded at Wang Heng.

Wang Heng understood what Lou Yu meant.

Lou Yu gave up the post station politely, but he was just setting a trap for Madam Lu.

However, Lou Yu and Wang Heng both knew that such a small matter would not cause much impact.

The Dugu family's reputation for tyranny has long been known throughout the world.

Mrs. Lu's arrogance and arrogance are not new.

For the favored dignitaries, bullying a fake princess is nothing.

When Lady Lu was at her most arrogant, not to mention the real princess, even the empress of the last emperor of the previous dynasty had to get off the sedan chair and respectfully step aside to pay her respects when they saw her.

A few years ago, in the palace of Dayu, the Queen Mother Li also kept her distance from the sister of her predecessor.

It can be said that Mrs. Lu has become very restrained now.

She was even willing to get off the carriage, brave the rain and walk through the mud, to pay her respects to Wang Heng.

She didn't even drive Wang Heng off, but directly occupied Wang Heng's carriage.

This... is already quite generous and polite.

At this moment, Mrs. Lu was able to acquiesce to her most beloved granddaughter to come and "express her gratitude", which was an unprecedented "humility".

Perhaps, for this noble lady who was used to being domineering, this was her endurance, concession, and even humiliation.

Even the saint and the queen have probably long been accustomed to this elder who is so arrogant and indifferent.

Even if they heard that she bullied Princess Langya and seized the post station from Wang Heng and Lou Yu, they would not think that Lady Lu was excessive.

Instead, there is a feeling of "it should be like this".

It's just a little bit of domineering, which is really nothing for an old man who has been domineering for most of his life.

As I said, Mrs. Lu’s identity is too special.

As long as she did not rebel, the emperor and empress would not really settle accounts with her.

Compared to "occupying" the inn and bullying the princess, the news revealed by the Dugu family's followers is more powerful.

And at that time, these past events that were once "not excessive" will become one of the evidences that overwhelm Lady Lu and the Dugu family.

These are all things for later.

It has nothing to do with Wang Heng and Lou Yu.

Lou Yu's purpose of setting a trap was to let the emperor and empress know that Princess Langya was a humble, kind and well-behaved girl.

The emperor and empress could not punish Lady Lu for such a trivial matter, but they could compensate Princess Langya for the injustice she had suffered.

Only when the emperor and empress felt guilty could Wang Heng become closer to the royal family.

"The young lady from the Li family is too polite!"

Wang Heng smiled and said, "I've already said that Madam Lu is older than me, and she's an elder, so she should be respected."

"It was just a matter of convenience. I don't deserve your thanks, Madam."

"Baizhi, go tell the Second Lady of the Li family that there's no need to be so polite. Besides, my carriage is very comfortable. If I weren't worried about mistress being wronged, I would have invited her to rest in my carriage."

"Madam, please feel free to stay in this inn! Just don't mind that the guest rooms are too simple!" They are not as luxurious and comfortable as her carriage!

Bai Zhi lowered her head and memorized every word Wang Heng said.

After Wang Heng finished speaking and made sure that she had no other instructions, she turned around and came to Li Yan.

In fact, Li Yan was only a dozen meters away from the carriage.

Wang Heng's voice was not loud, but it was not small either.

Li Yan vaguely heard it all.

However, Baizhi still "took the trouble" to come and relay the story.

Li Yan pinched his palm hard with his hands hanging in his sleeves.

Of course she knew that it was a trivial matter and not worth thanking for.

But what she really wanted was not thanks, but to show up in front of Lou Yu, oh no, Princess Langya.

Li Yan had a good idea. She thanked him and tried to find a topic to talk about, trying to get close to Princess Langya (Lou Yu).

Well, the northern border families have relatives.

If you look closely, even Li Yan, after many twists and turns, is related to Wang Heng.

As for Lou Yu, there is no need to say more.

Her maternal grandmother was Aunt Lou Yutang's (her legal mother!) adoptive mother.

By this calculation, Li Yan is Lou Yu's cousin.

Of course, Li Yan has the personality of a talented woman who is as gentle as a chrysanthemum, and she would never try to establish a relationship with someone in person.

She would subtly mention the elders in her family, and then—

pity!

Princess Langya didn't even show up. Li Yan had many ideas, but he had no chance to put them into practice!

Li Yan gritted her teeth secretly.

But she won't give up easily.

If you missed the opportunity to express your gratitude, create another one.

By the way, Wang Heng and Lou Yu were students of the famous scholar Shen Du.

Li Yan's uncle had also been to the southern border when he traveled around the world in his early years, and had the opportunity to learn from Shen Du in person.

Shen Du modified one word in Li Yan's uncle's article, and he can be called a "teacher of one word."

Li Yan felt that he could completely use his uncle's name and borrow Shen Du's name to build a relationship with Lou Yu.

As for the relationship with Dugu Mingyue, it is Li Yan's last trump card.

She would only use this trump card when other avenues failed.

Because Li Yan understood that Dugu Mingyue's identity was somewhat awkward. Although her surname was Dugu, she was not of the Dugu family.

Dugu Mingyue and Lou Yu are just cousins? (Legitimate mother and illegitimate son!), their relationship is very subtle.

If it is not used properly, it may have a counterproductive effect.

Li Yan didn't want to play the wrong card and ruin his own good fortune.

"The princess is truly kind!"

Li Yan was secretly calculating, but her elegant face was full of respect and admiration for the royal lady.

She didn't continue to argue, but praised him, bowed towards the carriage, and turned back to the post station.

As soon as I entered the guest house, before I even reached the upper room where Madam Lu was staying, I heard Dugu Wei's sneer:

"What? Did you get rejected?"

Want to cling on?

It also depends on whether they are willing!

This Li Yan just thinks he is smart and treats everyone else as fools.

In the Dugu family, the eldest mother indulged her, and everyone else also gave in to and coaxed her.

Li Yan really thought that he had "everything planned out".

In fact, even if her little calculations were not written on her face, a smart person could see through them at a glance.

When Dugu Wei saw Li Yan coming back in a cold outfit with a calm face without any warmth, she knew: She had failed!

I guess she didn't even see the noble person in person, let alone "seduce" him!

Li Yan: …

She pinched her palms hard and resisted the urge to bite her lips.

This Dugu Wei is still as annoying as ever!

What does it mean to "get a cold shoulder"?

She sounded so humble and ridiculous!

So what if she has a plan?

People are not killed for their own sake.

Besides, she is an orphan without parents, and only has the pitiful love from her grandmother. If she doesn’t plan for herself, her life will be really over!

She didn't want to let her grandmother use her to curry favor with the powerful.

Yes, the clever Li Yan had already noticed Mrs. Lu’s plan.

She also knew that Lady Lu had her eyes on two candidates: the Crown Prince and the King of Wei.

The King of Wei was lucky. Although he killed one of his fiancées, he remained unmarried after all.

If she marries him, she will be the principal wife.

But in the Eastern Palace, she can only be a concubine.

The concubines of the royal family are more noble than those of ordinary families.

But no matter how noble she is, she is still just a concubine.

Li Yan had seen the miserable appearances of the concubines of the Dugu family many times, and she would never be a concubine.

The most important point is that Lady Lu should let Dugu Wei become the Princess of Wei.

Li Yan and Dugu Wei, two cousins, have been fighting for several years.

Dugu Wei is Li Yan's defeated opponent. Li Yan will never allow Dugu Wei to marry someone better than her or with a higher status than her!

She doesn’t want to be a concubine, and she doesn’t want to lose to Dugu Wei... Marrying the Duke of Qi is Li Yan’s best choice.

She is determined to get the lady of the Duke of Qi's Mansion!

"Avi!"

Li Yan greeted Dugu Wei with a faint smile.

She simply ignored Dugu Wei's obvious provocation: "Where's Grandma? Has she gone to bed yet?"

As he spoke, Li Yan headed towards the upper room.

So what if Dugu Wei is a girl from the Dugu family?

The grandchild that my great-grandmother loves the most is Li Yan!

Perhaps when it comes to issues concerning the core interests of the family, my grandmother would choose Dugu Wei, but when it comes to daily trivial matters, she would favor her.

For unmarried girls, the "little things" in the inner courtyard are what they care about most.

Li Yan never missed any opportunity to "attack" Dugu Wei.

Sure enough, seeing Li Yan being able to enter her grandmother's room so casually, and being extremely intimate when mentioning her grandmother, Dugu Wei couldn't help but show jealousy and disgust in her eyes.

A granddaughter is more favored than a biological granddaughter.

This is absolutely an unbearable fact for Dugu Wei!

"Hmph!" Dugu Wei was indeed provoked and snorted repeatedly, looking at Li Yan with a look full of hatred...