Golden Branch

"Grandma, the princess and the duke both respect you very much!"

Li Yan came to Mrs. Lu's room and spoke to her softly.

She did not mention the fact that she had not even met Wang Heng, but instead kept boasting about her grandmother's dignity.

Because she knew what Mrs. Lu loved to hear the most.

“…That’s quite reasonable!”

After hearing Li Yan's "truth" mixed with a lot of lies, Mrs. Lu's eyes were indeed full of satisfaction.

Dugu Wei, who followed Li Yan in, subconsciously wanted to refute Li Yan when she heard that Li Yan could lie with his eyes open.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, she seemed to think of something and quickly swallowed it back.

"If I expose Li Yan's lies and say she never met Princess Langya or Duke Qi in person, wouldn't that also undermine Grandma's dignity?"

"Princess Langya and Duke Qi were merely being polite and yielding, showing no genuine respect or even reverence for me... This is the truth, but it's the cruelty I'm most unwilling to face."

The Dugu family was defeated.

The entire family can only rely on the slight relationship between Lady Lu and the Emperor and Empress.

This fact is real and cruel.

Even Dugu Wei was unwilling to face it, let alone Mrs. Lu who had enjoyed glory for most of her life.

"Perhaps, the old lady may not be unaware that Li Yan is lying, but she is unwilling to point it out."

Dugu Wei suddenly thought that Madam Lu was not really senile, but was just unwilling to wake up from the dream of her old superiority.

Dugu Wei glanced at Mrs. Lu who was smiling smugly. The old lady's temples were getting whiter.

Grandma, she is really old.

She used to be so prominent and ostentatious, but now she is just an old woman.

As a younger generation, it is already unfilial if you cannot make your elders proud and become their support.

Do we have to shatter her fantasy and make her face the cruel reality again?

"...Humph, Li Yan, you got a bargain!"

Although Dugu Wei was dissatisfied with her grandmother's favoritism, she had doted on her for more than ten years after all.

She also respects and is filial to her grandmother.

She couldn't bear to ruin the old lady's good mood.

For this reason, she was willing to let Li Yan go temporarily and allow her mortal enemy to continue to coax the old lady.

"Even though this guy is full of lies, he makes Grandma happy after all, so he is kind of useful!"

Dugu Wei resisted the urge to expose Li Yan, and sat quietly aside, listening to Li Yan continue to talk nonsense.

However, perhaps because Li Yan's "filial piety was so touching", or perhaps because Wang Heng and Lou Yu were really kind, they actually sent someone to deliver some food.

"Madam Lu, this is the signature dish of the Wang family of Yizhou: mutton in a bronze pot. The princess ordered this servant to bring it here specially for you to taste."

Several servants, carrying a large food box, came to Mrs. Lu.

Through the food box, one could faintly smell wisps of white steam and a rich aroma wafting in the air.

After hearing what the servant said, Mrs. Lu looked at the food box that was two or three feet high, and the pride on her face became more and more intense.

"Good! Haha! The princess really respects the elderly and cherishes the weak!" She really knows the rules!

Mrs. Lu has been a high-ranking official for decades, so she has naturally eaten all kinds of delicacies.

She wasn't too envious of a copper dish of mutton.

What pleased her was Princess Langya's attitude:

Even though she was a princess, she was not domineering or willful in front of Lady Lu.

This made Lady Lu have an illusion: the Dugu family had not declined, and she was the Lady of the State who always stood at the pinnacle of power!

Mrs. Lu was happy for a moment and looked up to those servants.

She waved her hand generously and asked the housekeeper beside her to come out and send the servants out.

The housekeeper was smart. Seeing that the old ancestor was happy, she skillfully stuffed a heavy purse into the old man's hand when she gave him away.

Although Bai Wei, Bai Shao and other servants were not short-sighted, they were still happy when they received rewards of real money.

Although Mrs. Lu is a bit domineering, she is actually a wealthy person.

Wang Heng's servants were happy, and Li Yan was even happier—

God help me!

She had just used the name of Princess Langya to praise and flatter the old lady.

Unexpectedly, Princess Langya sent someone to deliver the "filial tribute".

Although it is just a dish, and people may just want to show the nobility and benevolence of respecting the elderly and loving the young, the result is:

Grandma was very happy.

She believed that she was still dignified and even the princess was willing to curry favor with her.

This also proves from another perspective that what Li Erniang said was true and she was not lying to please her grandmother.

Princess Langya is such a good person. Not only did she help her to cover up her lie, she also...

"Grandma, although the princess is a princess, she is still a junior after all."

"You are a very generous elder, always kind to the younger generation. And the Dugu family is also a prestigious family that has been passed down for one or two hundred years—"

Li Yan surrounded Mrs. Lu and flattered her on the surface, but in fact, reminded her:

Grandma, reciprocity is the norm!

The princess sent you food, so you should return the favor!

It's not just the rules between the monarch and his subjects, but also the competition between the aristocratic families.

The Wang family of Yizhou has a signature dish, and the Dugu family of Jizhou is not a commoner family without background.

Li Yan is indeed a younger generation who can make Madam Lu smile happily, and he can always accurately find Madam Lu's pulse.

What Lady Lu was most proud of, besides having the Empress Dowager and the Queen as her sisters, was her family background of being born into and marrying into a noble family.

The family has been passed down for hundreds of years and has a profound heritage.

This heritage is not only reflected in family genealogy and book collections, but also in recipes unique to one's own family.

In ancient times, supplies were scarce, and the creation of every delicacy required the accumulation of many resources such as money and manpower.

It will take dozens or even hundreds of years of inheritance and improvement.

It can be said that every family has its own signature dish.

Wang family of Yizhou?

Is that the Wang family of Langya who once boasted about herself?

Apart from the almost legendary reputation of the Wang family of Langya, the Wang family of Yizhou alone seems to have been passed down for more than 200 years, and their ancestors also produced high-ranking officials such as the Nine Ministers and Generals.

Also a noble family!

Now that there is a Princess Langya, and the notorious Wang Lin has retired to "recuperate", the Wang family of Yizhou may be able to revive.

Princess Langya used the name of the Wang family of Yizhou and brought out the signature dishes of the Wang family of Yizhou. Their Dugu family could not afford to lose.

"Yes! Haha, A Yan, you are right!"

Mrs. Lu was reminded by Li Yan and her fighting spirit was aroused.

Let’s compare!

The Wang family is a noble family, and their Dugu family is no longer just barbarians who only know how to ride horses.

The Dugu family also has their own signature dishes!

"Come here, have our chef go to the kitchen and make a few of our signature dishes and send them to Princess Langya and Duke Qi for their appreciation!"

Mrs. Lu was in high spirits, showing no trace of the dejection or loss she had just shown.

When Dugu Wei saw the old lady who had cheered up again, although she had guessed Li Yan's little thoughts, she still endured it for the old lady.

Her cheap cousin is really scheming and even takes advantage of her grandmother.

But, she was indeed able to make the old lady happy.

Dugu Wei hated Li Yan's hypocrisy, but she had to admit that her tricks did have some effect.

"Whatever! Just think of it as doing it for grandma!"

Dugu Wei really doesn't like Li Yan and fights with her in various ways.

But sometimes, she would still be willing to tolerate the other party for the sake of her mother.

Dugu Wei had already guessed that Li Yan instigated the old lady to "deliver food" to Princess Langya not just for courtesy, but also for other purposes.

such as--

"Grandma, the princess is so noble, yet she is so humble to you. We must not lose our manners!"

"It just so happened that I went to pay a visit to the princess just now, so it can be considered a little fate."

"Later, when the dishes are ready, let A Yan send them to the princess!"

As soon as you miss an opportunity, a new one comes.

Li Yan will never miss it!

"...You're right. No matter what, she's a princess!"

After hearing what her granddaughter said, Mrs. Lu's high spirits became a little depressed.

Wang Heng was a princess, so even if she "respected the elders" and took the initiative to send gifts to the ministers, she would not show up in person.

He wouldn't even use his trusted aides, but only sent a few servants.

As for Madam Lu, she is no longer as honored as she used to be.

If she had sent a servant in return for the princess's gift,

Mrs. Lu is not stupid!

She had already occupied the post station, and whether the princess needed it or not, she was offending the royal family.

If you add "I am returning the gift", it would be "very disrespectful".

If she really came to the point, Mrs. Lu didn't think she could get the upper hand.

"Nephews and nieces are not as good as my sisters!"

With a slight sigh in her heart, Mrs. Lu cried out countless times: Brother-in-law, how could you fail?

"Ayan, just do as you say!"

Holding back the sadness deep in her heart, Madam Lu said calmly, "You should go to the princess's throne in person to return the gift on my behalf!"

"Yes! Ah Yan obeys your command!"

Li Yan appeared calm on the surface, but was happy inside.

Dugu Wei: ...I'll indulge you this time!

If there is a next time, I will never let you get what you want.

After all, they are sworn enemies. Dugu Wei can tolerate her once for the sake of her grandmother, but she will not give in every time.

A pair of cousins, already used to fighting with each other.

……

After receiving the order, the chef of the Dugu family hurried to find the postmaster.

I would like to borrow your kitchen and cooking utensils, and I would also like to ask the postmaster to help me gather the ingredients and seasonings.

The group was busy in the kitchen of the inn for half an hour before they finally prepared several dishes with precious ingredients and exquisite appearance.

He left one portion for Mrs. Lu and divided it into two portions, each of which was put into a food box.

Li Yan brought his servants, who were carrying food boxes, and came to the temporary camp beside the official road again.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu had finished their meal. Instead of returning to the carriage, they each took a Hu couch and sat on the open space, chatting casually.

At this moment, the servant came to report: "Princess, my lord, the second wife of the Li family has been ordered by Madam Lu to deliver food!"

Li Yan probably learned the lesson just now, and took the initiative to tell the servant his purpose and brought up Madam Lu.

No matter what, Mrs. Lu was the elder and she even sent a gift in return.

Even though Wang Heng was arrogant, she could not offend Lady Lu.