Golden Branch

"Baizhi, paper and pen!"

Wang Heng thought about it and gave an order.

Baizhi helped take out the pen, ink, paper and inkstone from a secret compartment somewhere in the carriage.

"Jiu Niang, let me do it!"

Zheng Shisan extended his hand very familiarly.

As Wang Heng's little follower, Zheng Shisan has long been accustomed to helping Wang Heng.

Wang Heng nodded slightly.

Bai Zhi put the things in front of Zheng Shisan.

Zheng Shisan put on his bra, and his wide sleeves were tied up, revealing his slender white forearms.

She dripped a few drops of water into the inkstone, picked up the ink stick, and slowly began to grind it.

After grinding the ink, Zheng Shisan took the brush, dipped it in the ink, and began to prepare to write.

Wang Heng closed her eyes slightly, thinking as she said the names one by one.

Zheng Shisan recorded quickly.

This is the list of guests for the birthday party that Wang Heng helped to draw up.

Starting from the Eastern Palace, there were several princes, princes, more than a dozen princesses, eight dukes' mansions, and more than twenty marquisates...

In addition to these princes, royal relatives, and new military nobles, there are also aristocratic families from the north and south such as the Mu, Lu, Zheng, Cui, Wang, and Li families.

Of course, teachers and friends such as Shen Du and Wang Yan are also among them.

"It's a pity that Xiao Lang is still on his way. He won't be able to make it to the banquet!"

Wang Heng has not forgotten Lou Yu's best friend, Wang Mian's fiancé.

Xiao Wuji and Lou Yu have been the prince's right-hand men since a few years ago.

Now, the two, one civil and one military, complement each other. They are no longer competitors, but complementary allies.

This incident involving the former prince was the first time the two had worked together alone.

The effect seems to be good.

Wang Heng understood Lou Yu and knew that he was a cold-hearted person and it was difficult for him to establish friendship with others.

Xiao Wuji is one of Lou Yu's few friends and a partner who can "cooperate" with Lou Yu.

Maybe they haven't reached the level of being completely loyal to each other, but for Lou Yu, it is already very difficult.

Therefore, if it were not really allowed, Wang Heng really hoped that Xiao Wuji could attend Lou Yu's birthday party.

"Yes! He's still on his way back to Beijing."

As Xiao Wuji's fiancée, Wang Mian knew his whereabouts very well.

Unless it involves confidential information, Xiao Wuji would tell Wang Mian in detail and truthfully about his situation and current status.

Wang Mian would also send pigeons to Xiao Wuji to tell him about the situation in the capital, her "harmonious coexistence" with the Xiao family, and other trivial matters.

An unmarried couple never stopped communicating even though they were thousands of miles apart.

"It is estimated that it will take another half a month to reach the capital."

Wang Mian looked towards the northwest and spoke in a low voice.

Wang Mian only knew that Xiao Wuzhi went to the border town, but he didn't know his specific mission.

However, it must be no small matter to make Xiao Wuji give up returning to Beijing and change his route midway.

She only hoped that Xiao Wuji could return safely.

Their wedding date is set for July.

She still had many things to discuss with Xiao Wuji, and she wanted to plan the wedding with him.

"..."

Wang Mian didn't know Xiao Wuji's mission, but Wang Heng did.

She also knew that Xiao Wuji returned to Beijing this time with the crown prince of the previous dynasty and the Turkic "envoys".

"Tsk, their return is bound to cause quite a stir in the capital!"

"Given the saint's broad mind and strong self-confidence, he shouldn't be afraid of a so-called former crown prince."

"But this doesn't mean that he will condone Madam Lu's stupidity."

Mrs. Lu's "unbridled" behavior really touched the emperor's bottom line.

He could be tolerant and even confer the title of "rich and idle man" on a former prince, but the sage would definitely settle accounts with Lady Lu's wanton behavior and the Dugu family's connivance and sheltering.

The court, which had just calmed down, was about to be in turmoil again.

However, Mrs. Lu is not really that stupid.

She is more spoiled, habitually willful and arrogant.

Once the saint is really angry and makes Lady Lu realize the reality, she will probably try her best to save herself.

Mrs. Lu's biggest trump card is her relationship with Empress Dowager Li.

Even the Feng'en Mansion would not really allow Madam Lu to die.

The bonds of family affection are never reasonable.

Even the emperor and empress could not completely give up.

However, Wang Heng did not want to allow Lady Lu to regain the emperor's favor.

This person is selfish, willful, and vindictive.

On the day of the house-warming banquet, Wang Heng met Lady Lu who came to congratulate her.

Although this old woman had a smile on her face and eyes, the perceptive Wang Heng still felt uncomfortable.

She has ill intentions towards her!

She had probably realized that the post station was a trap.

Mrs. Lu would not reflect on her own mistakes, but would only shift the blame to others.

She holds a grudge against Wang Heng!

During the warm-room banquet, Lady Lu would bow her head, but only because of Concubine Jiang's face and the punishment from the Emperor and Empress.

Once she is allowed to "reconcile" with the emperor and empress, and has the opportunity to become an elder respected by both the emperor and empress again, she will take revenge on her "enemy" severely.

Unfortunately, Wang Heng should be on Lady Lu's grudge list.

Wang Heng does not actively harm others, but she will not ignore others even though she knows that they have ill intentions towards her.

After Zheng Shisan finished writing the list, he unfolded the paper and spread it on the small table, waiting for the ink to dry.

Wang Mian noticed that Wang Heng had other things on her mind, so she put down the chess piece and leaned forward, almost face to face with Wang Heng.

She asked in a low voice: "Ajiu, is there anything bothering you?"

Wang Heng looked at Wang Mian.

She and Wang Mian are not only good sisters, but also a community of interests.

If Madam Lu wanted to target her, Wang Mian would certainly be implicated.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Heng didn't hide anything and whispered, "Madam Lu might be disliked by the Saint!"

Wang Mian is smart and understands Wang Heng well enough.

After rolling his eyes, he understood the hidden meaning of this sentence: "You mean, she might 'bounce back' or 'find a way out of the desperate situation'?"

As a top noble, he was still able to enjoy honors during the previous and new dynasties and after serving three or four emperors.

Mrs. Lu is not only lucky, she also has some skills.

It's just that her life was too smooth before, which made her seem stupid.

And when she is really in desperate situation, she should be able to show her true strength.

"Yeah! She should play the family card with the Saint and the Queen!"

Wang Heng said slowly, "I have some grudges against her. If she regains the favor of the Saint, she will definitely take revenge on me!"

Wang Mian nodded: "Ajiu, you are right, it is better to strike first!"

The struggle for power does not allow for softness.

They are not actively harming others, but are "preparing for a rainy day".

"Playing the family card?"

Wang Mian chewed on these words gently, and suddenly, her eyes lit up: "I got it! We can also play the family card!"

What the saint really cared about was his biological mother who passed away young.

If Lady Lu can use Empress Dowager Li, so can they!

Isn’t it just about Nian Ci’en? The books, clothes, or handmade items that Empress Dowager Li used, worn, or even handmade by her are not as intuitive and impactful as a huge building placed there.

The Queen's husband has already set an excellent example -

"A pagoda? A pagoda specifically used to enshrine things used by the Empress Dowager?"

"Yes! I've already thought of a name. How about Ci'en Pagoda?"

Wang Mian couldn't help but sound a little mischievous in his tone.

Our ancestors were so powerful. All the conspiracies and plots were actually recorded in history books.

Why do scholars have to read history?

It’s about learning from the successful experiences of our ancestors!

Although Wang Heng didn’t understand why Amian’s tone was so cheerful when she mentioned the word “Ci’en”, the Ci’en Pagoda and other things were indeed nice!

She nodded slowly. "This method is feasible! Let's discuss it carefully and write a specific plan."

"Yeah! Ajiu, don't worry, I'll take care of this matter."

After returning to the capital, Wang Heng handed the guest list she had drawn up to Lou Yu: "Brother, take a look and see if there is anything you need to add or delete."

Lou Yu took the list and scanned it quickly.

It's not that he doesn't believe Wang Heng. He will read it carefully to show his respect for the fruits of Wang Heng's labor.

After a moment, Lou Yu nodded, "Excellent! Let's have the clerks in the outer study write the invitations according to this list!"

Of course, the invitations to the prince and other distinguished guests were written by Lou Yu himself.

After finalizing the list and sending out the invitations one by one, Wang Heng began to prepare for the birthday banquet.

Wang Heng personally took charge of the detailed planning of the banquet process, the determination of the specific menu, as well as the arrangements for singing, dancing, and various games.

Time flies especially fast during busy days.

In the blink of an eye, it is the ninth day of May.

At the Duke of Qi's Mansion on another street, the doorman opened the gate early in the morning and started busying himself in and out.

In the morning, carriages, sedan chairs, etc. began to arrive at the Duke of Qi's Mansion one after another.

Soon, the gate of the mansion was packed with people.

Its grandeur was no less than the coming-of-age banquet held at the princess's mansion next door.

However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the birthday banquet at the Duke of Qi's Mansion was of a higher standard.

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess actually came in person.

Several princes and dukes also arrived on time.

As for the dukes, marquises, earls and other nobles, they all brought their families and prepared generous gifts.

The chief officials of the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples and other government offices were also present.

To be frank, only a grand court meeting can be compared with the number of distinguished guests attending the birthday banquet of the Duke of Qi.

There were many guests, and fortunately the Duke of Qi's Mansion was big enough.

In the huge courtyard, with flowers blooming and people wearing elegant clothes, it doesn't seem crowded.

There is a high platform on the waterside pavilion, on which dancers in brightly dressed clothes are dancing with swords or performing the Huxuan dance.

There are also dancers from India, dressed in exotic costumes, barefoot, dancing happily to the music.

This dancer wears ornaments on her wrists and ankles.

Especially the ankles, where there are bells hanging from the anklets.

With every lift of the foot and every shake, a pleasant and crisp sound is made.

In the flower hall opposite the platform, Lou Yu watched the show with the prince and other distinguished guests.

Lou Yu's eyes swept across casually.

He is not very interested in entertainment such as dancing.

However, when his eyes passed over the dancer's ankles, he couldn't help but pause slightly...