Golden Branch

Concubine Jiang's thoughts moved slightly, but her face showed no expression.

Lou Yu respectfully answered Concubine Jiang's question: "Your Majesty, I haven't yet paid my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"However, Yu has already submitted a visiting card to the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince will find time to meet with you after he finishes his official duties."

The so-called visiting card and taking time out of one's schedule were nothing but polite words from Lou Yu.

Lou Yu's contact with the prince has never been interrupted.

The day before arriving in the capital, Lou Yu sent a letter to the prince by carrier pigeon.

The two brothers no longer need to be polite.

However, these "secrets" are not easy to tell to outsiders.

Lou Yu seems gentle, good-tempered, and easy to deal with.

In fact, he is dark and cautious at heart.

Wang Mian and others had known each other for many years, but they could only be barely accepted by him.

As for Concubine Jiang... although she is Aheng's biological mother, she is still an outsider after all.

Jiang? Outsider? Imperial Concubine didn't delve into it. What she said just now was just a reminder to Lou Yu.

Lou Yu also took her hint and said, "The Crown Prince is very kind. He also took great care of Ah Heng when he was in Yizhou. The Crown Prince will probably condescend to attend the Princess's house-warming banquet in three days."

Even if the prince would not take the initiative to go, Lou Yu would still save face and invite the prince to support Wang Heng.

Concubine Jiang received a clear answer and was very satisfied.

She looked at Wang Heng again and asked about the house-warming banquet.

Seeing that Wang Heng had already arranged the relevant procedures for the banquet and had carefully considered many details, he felt relieved.

In fact, she had long been very confident in Wang Heng—

A little girl has lived alone on the farm since she was six years old.

If I didn't have any plans in my mind, even if I could grow up, I would not be as rich and free as Ajiu.

Wang Heng's elegance and delicate demeanor were so impressive that even those who knew her life story couldn't help but admire her:

What's pitiful about it?

I can't tell at all!

This kind of bearing and pride must be due to being pampered since childhood, which is why she is so precious.

She has none of the inferiority, cowardice, and pettiness that comes from a broken family.

Concubine Jiang knew that her daughter had grown up to be this way despite living in such a terrible environment with her mother absent and her father unkind. In addition to Lou Yu's protection, it was also because of her own scheming and ability.

Moreover, even Lou Yu was won over by Ajiu with his own abilities.

Lou Yu is not a saint who has compassion for the world. He was not as gentle and modest as he was when he was young.

In the past ten years, whether it was the naughty Lou Dalang or the gentle and generous Lou Hanzhang, they were both caring and tolerant towards Ajiu, which shows Ajiu's ability to "control the heart".

"She is worthy of being my daughter. Even without me by her side to teach her carefully, she can still live a good life!"

Concubine Jiang sighed inwardly.

Ajiu was able to get through such difficult times in her childhood. Now that she is a princess and has her as her mother, her life will only be better.

It’s just a banquet, nothing more than a small matter.

On the contrary, Lou Yu and Wang Heng——

Concubine Jiang's eyes flickered. After listening to Wang Heng's story, she was silent for a moment.

Lou Yu is smart and perceptive, and knows how to read people's expressions.

Just by looking at the look of Concubine Jiang wanting to say something but hesitant, one could tell that the mother and daughter must have had some private conversation.

"Your Majesty, although Yu has sent a visiting card, he still wants to go to the Eastern Palace in person to ask for an audience!"

He still stepped aside to give Ah Heng and her mother some space to talk.

Although... a little unhappy!

Ah Heng should belong to him completely, instead of being distracted by Wang Mian, Zheng Shisan or even Ah Mu.

Lou Yu clenched the elephant bone on his thumb, and the uneven patterns on the smooth milky white elephant bone were imprinted into his palm.

Seeing Lou Yu's understanding, Concubine Jiang nodded in satisfaction, "As you should, leave now!"

Lou Yu responded, and before standing up, he looked at Wang Heng.

Wang Heng gave her a sweet, bright smile in return. "Brother, go do your work first! Come pick me up later, okay?"

"Okay!" Seeing Wang Heng's attitude, Lou Yu stood up with satisfaction.

He bowed to Concubine Jiang, respectful but not humble, turned around gracefully, and walked away slowly.

Concubine Jiang's eyes flashed slightly.

She thought that the two children had a quarrel and their relationship had grown estranged, which was why they didn't seem to have such a good "understanding".

However, she also saw the two of them interacting like this, one still very protective, the other still well-behaved and cooperative, and the two of them still had a harmony that no third person could interfere with, and it didn't seem like they were "falling out".

So, why?

"...Mother, if we can't be husband and wife, we can still be brother and sister!"

After hearing Concubine Jiang's inquiries about her relationship with Lou Yu, Wang Heng spoke as a matter of course.

A hint of surprise flashed across Concubine Jiang's beautiful eyes: What kind of childish talk is this?

Can siblings be the same as husband and wife?

Suddenly, Concubine Jiang realized that her daughter did not seem to be what she thought.

At least when it comes to matters between men and women, my daughter is not very smart and is as childish and willful as a child.

"Brother and sister?"

Concubine Jiang sat up straighter and looked at her daughter seriously: "Ajiu, you, you want to be siblings with Lou Yu?"

Wang Heng opened her big, round eyes, clear and bright, and spoke with confidence, "Yes!"

"..." Concubine Jiang resisted the urge to hold her forehead.

My daughter is obviously very smart. When she was a few years old, she knew how to degrade herself and hide her incompetence.

Now she is almost of marriageable age, yet she is still so "naive"?

A man who pampers and protects a woman for ten years will not do so without conditions or motives.

Either there is a blood bond or there is an emotional attraction.

In this world, except for parents, no one will be nice to another person for no reason.

Oh no, even parents may have requests.

For example, Wang Lin always used Wang Heng as a bargaining chip.

If this is the case with my biological father, what about a man who is not related by blood?

Like brother and sister?

what!

This is simply the biggest joke Concubine Jiang has heard this year!

The person who said such absurd words that no one would believe was actually her daughter.

Concubine Jiang suddenly felt that children are just children. No matter how independent they are or how capable they are of calling themselves masters, there will come a time when they need to be disciplined.

However, Concubine Jiang did not lose her mind.

She still remembered that she and Ajiu had been separated for many years and that they did not have such a deep mother-daughter relationship.

She can't really scold or hit anyone she wants.

After secretly adjusting her breathing, Concubine Jiang asked softly, "Does Lou Yu know what you are thinking?"

"Of course!"

Wang Heng nodded, "I've already made it clear to my brother."

Concubine Jiang: ...So willful!

Having this idea, I actually "explained" it clearly to the other party.

Is my daughter naive and ignorant, or is she spoiled and fearless?

For a moment, Concubine Jiang felt a little pity for Lou Yu.

After years of hard work, feed her, bah, no, Ajiu is her daughter, her biological daughter, she can't help outsiders scold her.

As if sensing Concubine Jiang's speechless expression and her itchy hands, Wang Heng quickly said, "Mother, don't worry. My brother isn't angry. He, he agrees!"

When Wang Heng said "I'm not angry", she felt a little guilty.

However, my brother did agree and didn't continue to argue with her.

Concubine Jiang: ...Haha, my daughter! You are still too naive and don't understand men at all!

Concubine Jiang wouldn't say she had experienced everything, but she had been married to the most powerful and noble man in the world for nearly ten years.

She knows men too well.

Especially men in high positions of power.

Although Lou Yu is young and has a warm and upright gentlemanly demeanor, Concubine Jiang still sees clues from his words and actions towards Ajiu -

Lou Yu had already taken Ajiu under his wing.

Whether they are siblings or husband and wife is not something Ajiu can decide.

Lou Yu is the one who controls everything.

Concubine Jiang opened her mouth, wanting to teach her daughter a lesson, but when she looked at Wang Heng, she was greeted by a pair of pure, dust-free eyes.

Ajiu hasn’t figured it out yet!

I talked too much, and she couldn't understand or comprehend what I was saying.

"...Alright! As long as you guys agree on this, that's fine!"

Concubine Jiang could only keep this matter in mind secretly and think about finding time to talk to Lou Yu alone.

It is really difficult for a third person to interfere in matters between two people.

Even parents and close relatives.

"Yes! Mother, my brother and I have discussed it, so you can rest assured."

Wang Heng suppressed the bitterness in her heart. How could she not feel A Niang's helplessness and complexity?

The point is, there are some things that she really can't say out loud.

First of all, no one would believe it even if I told them.

Secondly, if they talked about it and made a big fuss, there would be no room for maneuver for her and her brother.

Wang Heng didn't want to completely break up with Lou Yu.

So be it.

Let her gain a foothold in the capital first.

Slowly, there may be a way to have the best of both worlds!

"What agreement?"

Just as the mother and daughter were talking alone, a low but majestic voice came from outside.

Wang Heng heard this, and although she hadn't seen the real person yet, she was still able to confirm the other party's identity.

In the palace, who else but a saint can enter and leave freely?

She quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Saint!"

Imperial Concubine Jiang also made a move to stand up, but the Saint strode in and held her back with his hand: "You are not feeling well, so there is no need to be so polite!"

Concubine Jiang took the saint's hand and sat with him in the main seat.

The saint sat down cross-legged and looked at Concubine Jiang carefully. Hmm, she looked good.

After making sure his beloved concubine was safe, the saint turned around and looked at the girl who was bowing politely.

The little girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was slender and graceful.

She lowered her head and her appearance could not be seen clearly, but just looking at her posture, one could not help but imagine all kinds of things.

As an elder, a saint would naturally not have any romantic thoughts.

He just glanced at her and said casually, "Is this the Princess of Langya whom I have canonized? No need to be polite!"

"Thank you saint!"

Wang Heng thanked him obediently and stood up straight.

She still lowered her head and looked submissive, not daring to look directly at the emperor.

In fact, saints are the biggest and thickest golden thighs in the world.

Wang Heng was a woman from another family. If she wanted to achieve true wealth and honor, the person she should flatter the most was a saint.

However, the relationship between the saint and Wang Heng is a little bit complicated - stepfather and stepdaughter!

One is in the prime of life, the other is young and beautiful. Even though they are "father and daughter", it is not good for them to be too close.

If you are not careful, rumors will spread, and even worse, you will fall into the quagmire of adultery.

She will be doomed.

You can't try to please others too much, and you should even avoid suspicion.

Wang Heng sighed in her heart: Alas, I missed the golden thigh.

"Just now, I was talking to Ajiu about the house-warming banquet..."

Imperial Concubine Jiang had not forgotten the question the Saint had asked her when he entered the house, so she said half-truthfully, "In three days, Ah Jiu will hold a banquet at her Princess Residence to entertain relatives and friends in the capital to congratulate her on her new home."

"Your Majesty, you just said that Ajiu is the Princess of Langya, who was conferred upon her by you. She is your daughter."

"There's a happy event happening in her princess's mansion. As an adult, shouldn't you express your gratitude?"

In Dayu, "Adult" is not a title for officials, but another name for father.

Concubine Jiang deliberately used a joking tone and said "Sir", but in fact she still wanted to clarify the "father-daughter" relationship between the saint and Wang Heng.

Concubine Jiang was not on guard against anything, she simply wanted to elevate her daughter's status.

If a princess from another family could really convince the saint that she was a daughter, this would definitely be a huge asset for Wang Heng.

In this world, saints are respected.

As long as he favors me, what does it matter if we are not related by blood?

You can still surpass the real royal family and become a noble person in this capital!

"Haha! Jiaojiao is right!"

The sage really liked the occasional coquettishness of a cold beauty like Concubine Jiang, and he was very pleased for a moment.

He waved his hand and rewarded Wang Heng with many gifts, just as a housewarming gift from "the master" to his daughter.

Wang Heng quickly knelt down and bowed to express her gratitude.

Then she took the initiative to resign.

The saint did not try to stop him.

His empathy for Wang Heng was more of a "love the house and love the dog" kind of empathy.

There isn't a lot of emotion in itself.

Wang Heng followed the rules, lowering her head and eyes, and the sage did not even let her look up.

Perhaps, the saint knew that Wang Heng was beautiful. After all, she was the daughter of the most beautiful woman, so her appearance was naturally excellent.

However, Wang Heng was the daughter of his beloved concubine and was of a younger generation.

Even if there is no blood relationship, there is still status.

A saint is not really a sex-hungry ghost, and he would not disregard human ethics for the sake of a beautiful woman.

After ordering Wang Heng to be sent away and giving Wang Heng, the Princess of Langya, enough respect, the saint put all these things aside.

What he cared more about was Concubine Jiang and the fetus in her womb.

"How are you today? Did the child bother you?"

As Wang Heng walked out, she could vaguely hear the saint's concerned inquiries.

And Concubine Jiang replied softly: "Thank you for your concern, my dear. I am very good! The child is also very well..."

Wang Heng raised the corners of her lips slightly: That’s great, my mother and the saint have a very good relationship!

Although she couldn't hold the emperor's golden thigh, she had a favorite concubine as her mother, so she could also gain a foothold in the capital.

……

After leaving Baifu Palace, Wang Heng was still thinking about whether to go to the Eastern Palace. Even if she didn't go to visit the prince, she should wait for Lou Yu.

However, just as he sat on the sedan chair, Lou Yu appeared.

Wang Heng seriously suspected that this guy had never been to the Eastern Palace.

"Brother!"

Although she was complaining in her heart, Wang Heng still called out sweetly.

"Well! Let's go!"

Lou Yu walked over quickly and glanced at the eunuchs and palace maids who were holding a bunch of things. He knew that Aheng had performed well in this "audience with the emperor" and the emperor was satisfied with her.

Today's trip to the Imperial Palace has concluded successfully. Next up is the seller's show in three days, oh no, it's the Princess's Mansion's warm-up banquet...