Golden Branch

Wang Heng left the palace in great glory, carrying a large amount of rewards from the saint and the queen.

A long line of eunuchs and palace maids, and the entire carriage filled with gold, silver, jewelry, silks and satins, were truly eye-catching.

As soon as Wang Heng's carriage left the palace gate, the news that Princess Langya was favored by the emperor and empress spread rapidly.

The Princess Langya Mansion, which was already a hot spot, became even more popular.

Visiting cards and invitations from powerful people, aristocratic families, and upstarts came flying in like snowflakes.

The doorman of the princess's mansion was extremely busy.

Fortunately, Wang Heng already had a whole team of managers, servants, etc.

After entering the princess's mansion, after a short rest and familiarization, these people quickly got into work mode.

There is a steward in the outer courtyard and a steward’s wife in the middle courtyard.

In the main courtyard there is Fu's mother.

Ah Hu was in charge of all the guards, arranging the shifts with great familiarity and protecting the princess's mansion tightly.

The Ministry of Personnel had already heard the news and knew that this Princess Langya was not just a showpiece but was truly favored, so they began to seriously select officials such as the Chief Secretary, the Prime Minister, and the Clerk for her.

The officials in the princess's mansion may not be as promising as those in the prince's or prince's mansions, but they also have ranks.

Moreover, the most important thing is not the rank, but the opportunity to be appreciated by a noble person.

If he did his job well and pleased the princess, she would recommend him to other government offices.

The Princess's Mansion is just a stepping stone, a good shortcut for many poor families who have no connections, or children from wealthy families whose families have fallen on hard times.

What's worse, some people with humble origins but great ambitions are willing to become officials, let alone "staff" in order to get ahead.

Being the princess's lover may not have a good reputation, but it is beneficial.

Just like Princess Ping'an, within less than a year of becoming a princess, she had already recruited several talented and handsome men as her aides.

One or two of them had been recommended by Princess Ping'an and went to work as eighth-rank officials in the six ministries, officially entering the official career.

Of course, Princess Langya is not Princess Ping'an.

She was not yet of age, not yet married, and not yet so "arrogant".

Wang Heng: ...Beauty? A concubine?

Can you be more beautiful than me?

Is she more beautiful than Lou Yu next door?

Wang Heng was a pretty girl with a tender complexion, and she didn't understand matters between men and women.

When it comes to relationships between people, what she can think about most is who suffers and who benefits!

Obviously, if she were to look for an advisor based on her conditions, she would definitely be at a disadvantage!

Not to mention, there is a "brother" next door who is eyeing them covetously.

Wang Heng doesn't want to hurt anyone——

Well, if Lou Yu gets angry, he will definitely not hurt her, but it’s hard to say about others!

Wang Heng did not see Lou Yu kill anyone with her own eyes, but she was certain in her heart: Lou Yu was definitely not a kind-hearted person.

Kill without blinking an eye?

No, this is just Lou Yu’s basic operation.

He could definitely smile like a spring breeze, calmly and elegantly wiping away the blood on his cheeks.

Hiss~ Forget it, Wang Heng doesn’t want to commit murder in vain.

What Wang Heng needs are normal subordinates.

Lou Yu had already been secretly helping with the screening—

The chief secretary of the princess's mansion is basically responsible for the management of the outer courtyard of the princess's mansion.

It includes the management and dispatch of the imperial palace, the entertainment and interactions of various families, as well as other officials and guards.

The Chief Secretary was also responsible for advising and instructing the princess.

"First of all, one must be a person of good character and act prudently."

"Secondly, you can't be too young." Young people tend to be impulsive and prone to—

"Finally, you need to have a decent appearance. Ah Heng is a woman who values ​​appearance. If you're too ugly, she won't be able to eat!"

Lou Yu silently listed the conditions and used them as criteria for his selection.

Then, he chose a bastard from a poor family.

He was in his thirties, had already married and had children, but his career was not going well.

He has been working at the bottom of various government offices for more than ten years. Although he has not been promoted, he has not been pulled out to take the blame.

Failure to get promoted may not necessarily be a problem of ability.

But he was always able to handle the yamen with ease, which showed that he had some skills.

He is worldly-wise but not slick, comes from a noble family but is not aloof and arrogant, has been living in the lower class for more than ten years but has never complained about anything.

Okay, it's you.

"Mu Sheng, his ancestor is the Qiu Muling family. He was originally a military hero, but later became a civil servant."

Lou Yu took the information he got from the Ministry of Personnel and carefully introduced it to Wang Heng.

"He has worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Honglu Temple. He has done his job well and understands the ways of the world!"

Being the chief historian of the princess's mansion, he is responsible for welcoming and seeing off guests, entertaining banquets, etc. It is very suitable for him.

The key point is that he is an old nobleman in the North. Although his family has declined, his foundation is still there.

Relatives and old friends are all over the capital.

Maybe they are not all high-ranking officials, but they have acquaintances in government offices, big and small.

Mu Sheng also has some connections with many wealthy merchants and big families in the East and West Cities.

He is like a local resident of the capital.

Even if such a person cannot accomplish great things, he will be very good at handling trivial matters.

"I met him specially and gave him a few hints. He was very surprised!"

Lou Yu is very careful in what he does.

As someone in a high position, I am used to giving orders directly.

However, he was truly planning for Wang Heng and did not want to recruit a "reluctant" chief secretary into the palace.

Although the position of Chief Secretary of the Princess's Mansion is good, not everyone is willing to do it.

If Mu Sheng is a "proud" man and doesn't want to come to the princess's mansion, Lou Yu can't force him.

It wasn't that he was afraid that Mu Sheng would be dissatisfied, nor that he didn't have the means to make Mu Sheng surrender. What he was really worried about was that this would make A'heng unhappy.

Fortunately, Mu Sheng is a smart man who knows the importance of things.

In the six ministries, three temples and other government offices, Mu Sheng reached the highest rank of eighth grade, and it was extremely difficult to get promoted.

But if he entered the princess's mansion, he would be a chief secretary of the sixth rank.

As the chief historian of the princess's mansion, he can now directly deal with those dignitaries and nobles who he could never reach no matter what!

You can even be flattered and fawned over!

As for the possible ridicule and stigma?

Oh, for an old man in his thirties who always mingled with the lower class, it would be an honor for him to become the princess's lover!

"If my brother thinks it's good, then it's good!"

Wang Heng just didn't want to marry Lou Yu. She still trusted him.

The people he chooses must be extremely stable, reliable and the most suitable.

"Since Ah Heng is satisfied, let's have the Ministry of Personnel issue the appointment documents."

Lou Yu knew that he was doing this for Ah Heng's own good, but he was still happy to see that she appreciated his kindness.

"Mu Sheng can come to the princess's residence tomorrow."

"At the house-warming banquet in two days, Mu Sheng can take charge of all matters such as the reception and banquet as the Chief Secretary."

Lou Yu chose the person so quickly because he wanted to do it as quickly and effectively as possible to save Wang Heng the trouble and effort.

The house-warming banquet will be organized by the housekeeper and his wife.

But most of these people were brought from their hometown in Yizhou.

They are not very familiar with the capital.

Although he had received relevant training in advance, he was ultimately not as proficient as local tyrants like Mu Sheng.

Those managers should be responsible for other matters in the princess's mansion, such as shops, land, etc.

"And Ah Hu, he has been officially appointed as the captain of the Princess's personal guard, with a rank of sixth grade!"

Ah Hu is an old man around Wang Heng.

He was one of the troops assigned to Wang Heng by Wang Lin and was the first to be recruited by Wang Heng.

When Lou Yu was framed, it was Ah Hu who rescued him.

Lou Yu also pays some attention to Ah Hu.

"Has Uncle Hu become a legitimate official?"

A look of joy flashed in Wang Heng's eyes.

What a good thing!

Ahu was born into a military family and was a household slave.

Now, he has transformed himself into a colonel, not only has his slave status been erased, but he has also become a captain.

He was a sixth-rank military officer, which was not a high rank, but for someone like Ah Hu, he had already crossed the class barrier.

If it were someone else, they would have to have military achievements to achieve this transformation.

However, with the help of Wang Heng, Ah Hu reached the peak of life that other people of the same kind could never reach in their entire lives.

From then on, he and his descendants were no longer slaves.

"Well! Ah Hu is good at martial arts and is loyal. If you give him an official position, he will surely serve you more wholeheartedly in the future!"

For the Duke of Qi, it was not difficult to promote a colonel.

However, Lou Yu has never been a person who meddles in other people's affairs. Even if it is just a small favor, he will consider whether it is valuable.

Ah Hu is Ah Heng's man. If you give him a future, he will be doubly loyal to you.

Lou Yu thinks it’s worth it.

The officials in the outer courtyard of the princess's mansion include Mu Sheng for literature and A Hu for martial arts, which can be considered to have taken shape.

April 6th is a good day to travel.

The Langya Princess's Mansion held a grand banquet to celebrate the princess's arrival in Beijing and her move into a new home.

Early in the morning, the gate of the princess's mansion was wide open.

The gate servants, wearing brand new indigo clothes, stood at the door and respectfully welcomed the guests.

In the morning, carriages, sedan chairs, etc. began to pour into the streets where the princess's mansion was located.

Soon, the alley was crowded.

There is a constant flow of traffic and guests.

Before noon, the princess's residence was already bustling with activity.

When the guests got off their cars or sedan chairs, men and women were served separately at the door.

The male guests were invited to the front hall by the newly appointed chief secretary Mu Sheng.

The female guests went to the central courtyard under the guidance of the housekeeper and the female officials of Baifu Palace.

The Anguo Mansion was also on the list of invited guests.

So, the wife of Duke Anguo, the famous Lady Dugu in the capital, came to the princess's mansion with her daughter, surrounded by servants.

After entering the door, follow the corridor all the way to the atrium.

During this period, there are many scenic spots.

However, the atrium has more scenery, with pavilions, towers, waterside terraces and rockery, which are cleverly arranged and fascinating.

Madam Dugu walked slowly, without looking around, but just looking around out of the corner of her eyes.

This princess's mansion is both grand and exquisite. It is obvious that a lot of thought went into its construction.

And the person who is secretly responsible is——

"Mother, is my brother's Duke's Mansion also here?"

The person who spoke was a little girl, wearing a gorgeous dress and having cute double buns.

At the age of eight or nine, her appearance was very delicate, and she looked like a little beauty.

She raised her head and asked Madam Dugu curiously.

Madam Dugu pursed her lips, thinking of the map her husband had shown her, and her gaze turned to the mountains and forests in the distance.

She nodded slightly, "Yes! It's also here!"

Obviously, he was her son, and she had made compensation, and she had also implicated her husband, but she still could not completely reconcile with Lou Yu.

It has been several days since Lou Yu returned to Beijing.

He entered the palace, went to the Eastern Palace, and was busy running around for his childhood friend, but he still refused to even set foot inside the gate of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion...