Golden Branch

Concubine Jiang was secretly happy, but her face was still confused.

She held her belly and sat quietly, her whole body shrouded in a faint sadness.

It's either great sorrow or inexplicable melancholy.

She was already cold and aloof, and in this atmosphere, she felt even more heartbreakingly broken.

When the saint walked in slowly, this was the picture he saw.

He felt inexplicably anxious, as if he was a fairy who had descended to the mortal world and was about to fly back to the Moon Palace.

He took two quick steps, walked to the front of the couch, bent down, reached out, and held Concubine Jiang's hand: "Jiao Jiao!"

Hearing the sound, Concubine Jiang suddenly came to her senses.

There was a glimmer of tears in the corner of her eyes, but soon, she smiled faintly.

The beauty's smile is like a blooming spring flower.

The cold fairy returns to the human world.

"My dear, you are here!"

Like all wives, Concubine Jiang was filled with joy when she saw her beloved and respected husband.

The saint also smiled, still holding his beloved wife's hand, and sat down beside the couch.

"How are you today? Is my son behaving well?"

"Don't worry, my dear. I'm fine! The child is also very well behaved!"

Concubine Jiang held the saint's hand with her backhand. Perhaps because of her pregnancy, her body temperature was obviously hotter than usual.

The hands are also warm.

Feeling this warmth, the saint felt more at ease: Jiaojiao was his, not a fairy from the Moon Palace, nor someone's ex-wife.

"Aheng has returned to the capital. I heard she searched for many treasures in the sea for her husband."

"She's even engaged to Han Zhang! This girl is so willful. She and Han Zhang have known each other since childhood and grew up together. They're a match made in heaven, but she insists on making trouble!"

"Fortunately, Your Majesty is magnanimous and the Crown Prince is kind, so they allowed her to stay."

"Now that good things have finally happened, I can finally put my mind at ease!"

Concubine Jiang chattered on and on, like an ordinary woman, telling her husband about trivial matters in the family.

Throughout the whole process, the saint would occasionally chime in.

The two did not discuss any major events, let alone mention Wang Lin... The emperor and the imperial concubine chatted like an ordinary couple, and they both had a tacit understanding in their hearts:

From today on, Wang Lin will disappear completely, and no one will mention him again!

Relying on her extraordinary means, Concubine Jiang firmly grasped the heart of the saint even though she was pregnant and could not sleep with him.

No matter that there is a new favorite in the harem, Wei Zhaoyi, Concubine Jiang is still the number one person in the harem after the queen.

……

Concubine Jiang did not take the initiative to mention Wang Lin’s death to the Saint, so the Saint would not care even more.

He was just a child of a poor noble family, with no official position or title. After his death, he was not even qualified to be awarded a posthumous title by the saint.

Wang Lin’s only support is his princess daughter.

Therefore, on the second day, after the news of Wang Lin's death spread, many powerful people went to the princess's mansion to express their condolences for the sake of Princess Langya and Duke Qi.

Well, with Wang Lin’s death, the story about him entrusting his son to the care of others before his death quickly spread among the people.

The marriage between Lou Yu and Princess Langya also became a hot topic among many powerful people.

"Wang Lin was a kind father. Before he died, he still dragged his last breath to make plans for his daughter!"

"Master Lou and Princess Langya? Haven't there been rumors that they are engaged?"

"It seems that there is indeed one, and there is also a marriage certificate!"

"...Princess Langya is also very good. Her appearance and status are more than enough to match Lou Hanzhang!"

"What's so good about it! She's just a beautiful piece of trash!"

"Master Lou, what a pity!"

As everyone was paying their respects, their eyes couldn't help but wander.

Because Lou Yu was also wearing a linen robe, he and Wang Heng kept vigil for Wang Lin.

He not only attended as a son-in-law, but also fulfilled his obligations as a "son".

Although a son-in-law is half a son, he is not a son after all.

Lou Yu's action only shows that he has a noble character and loves his fiancée.

Princess Langya has no elder brother and no other close elders.

In the mourning hall, she was the only weak woman with several younger and weaker brothers and sisters.

This scene makes people feel pity.

Alas, the Wang family has fallen!

With the support of such a family, even if she is a princess, she would be a burden to the Duke of Qi.

Everyone sighed silently in their hearts.

The gains and losses that ordinary people like them can think of, how could someone as smart as Lou Yu not think of it?

But he still agreed to the marriage and, as a son-in-law, he was busy running around in the princess's mansion.

People will not think about superficial love affairs, but will only think that Lou Yu is trustworthy and willing to take responsibility.

"Aheng, have you notified the Dou family?"

Lou Yu doesn't care what others think.

He did his best to take care of Wang Lin's funeral.

This is not for Wang Lin, but to help Wang Heng share the burden.

He pinched his brows. Wang Heng was tired from traveling all night these days, but he was even more tired.

He also had to protect Wang Heng and handle all the trivial matters for her.

Last night, Wang Heng was able to wash up and take a short rest.

Lou Yu only closed his eyes for a short while before starting to bustle around.

In addition to Wang Lin’s funeral arrangements, there are also some things to clean up.

Wang Heng did it without leaving any trace, but Lou Yu wanted to be absolutely sure.

Lou Yu also had to stand in front of Wang Heng and handle various interpersonal interactions for her.

Too tired and too busy, even though Lou Yu has an extraordinary brain, he can't help but be a little slow in some unimportant aspects.

For example, the Dou family he just mentioned.

Under normal circumstances, if Lou Yu could think normally, he would have thought of it long ago.

"Dou family? Are you talking about Wang Chang?"

The Dou family and the Wang family did not have much relationship, but Wang Lin's only legitimate son, Wang Chang, married into the Dou family with his mother.

Although Wang Chang had left the Wang family, he had become a stranger to his biological father, Wang Lin.

However, blood ties cannot be severed.

Even if they didn't have any contact with each other normally, now that Wang Lin was dead, as his biological son, Wang Chang should cry and observe mourning.

Wang Heng was so busy that she was a little dizzy.

Hearing Lou Yu's reminder at this moment, he suddenly reacted.

She took the handkerchief, wiped her tears vigorously, and said with a little frustration: "I actually forgot! Brother, thanks for reminding me!"

Wang Chang should indeed come to guard the body, but he is young after all, and is the younger brother.

He may have acted carelessly, but Wang Heng, as the eldest sister and the person in charge of the funeral, cannot be so negligent!

"Don't worry, I've already sent someone to the Dou family to deliver a letter and bring Wang Chang over!"

Lou Yu whispered, his tone clearly soothing.

"okay!"

Wang Heng nodded without saying thank you. There was no need for formalities between them anymore!

Just as the unmarried couple was talking quietly, the steward of the Duke of Qi's Mansion arrived at the Dou family.

"Wang Lin, is he really dead?"

Upon hearing the news of her ex-husband's death, Cui was stunned for a moment.

If you look into it carefully, it was she who caused Wang Lin's serious illness.

That night, at the post station, Cui was driven mad with anger and completely lost her mind.

By the time she calmed down, Wang Lin had already fallen in a pool of blood.

Afterwards, Wang Lin was rescued and Cui returned to the Cui family in the capital.

But many nights, Cui woke up from nightmares.

She nearly killed her husband!

Cui was indeed vicious and had committed murder.

However, a husband is different from a concubine.

The former is a lord who is of higher status than her, while the latter is a slave who can be beaten or killed at will.

By killing the latter, Cui would not be breaking the law and would not suffer from inner condemnation.

As for the former... Cui Shi has realized countless times that Wang Lin is a disaster and can live for a thousand years.

Therefore, Cui was able to divorce smoothly and remarry a good man.

Otherwise, even with the protection of her family, Cui would have to pay for the crime of "killing her husband".

The most severe punishment is death penalty, while the least severe punishment is exile.

"Fortunately, everything is over!"

Although her remarried husband was of humble origin, he was also a rough and crude warrior.

But he respected her, loved her, and gave her enough dignity, allowing her to become a noble lady respected by her family and envied by the world again.

I also have a son who is living well in the Dou family.

As long as her son grows up, gets married and has children, she can enjoy the happiness of family life.

At this moment, news suddenly came:

Wang Lin died.

Although they have been married for many years and have fallen out, they still have the friendship they once had.

Cui thought that she had always hated Wang Lin for not dying.

When Wang Lin really died, she felt inexplicably sad and lost.

A string of tears rolled down her well-maintained face.

"Lady Cui, please quickly invite Young Master Wang over!"

"The princess said that starting today, the princess's residence will officially set up a mourning hall. Young Master Wang should attend such an occasion!"

The steward briefly explained his purpose and began to remind Cui: You have remarried and have no relationship with Wang Lin anymore.

But Wang Chang was indeed Wang Lin's legitimate son. No matter how old he was, as long as he still wanted to have a good reputation, he had to hurry to the princess's mansion to mourn.

Cui: ...

She is not smart enough, but she is not stupid either.

She knew that the relationship between Wang Lin and Wang Chang as father and son would never change because of her remarriage.

According to etiquette, even if a child is adopted and his biological father dies, the son must observe mourning, otherwise he would be considered unfilial.

Once you are branded as unfilial, your life is ruined.

Cui had only one son, Wang Chang, so she had to consider him.

"...As you should! I'll send someone to look for Ah Chang right now."

"Also, please, my dear, thank the princess on my behalf when you return home!"

When she mentioned "thank you", a hint of obvious discomfort flashed across Cui's face.

She had been so calculating and harsh towards Wang Heng, but now, Wang Heng was able to repay her kindness. Even though Cui had no conscience, she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

……

Cui hurriedly called her son back from the academy, changed him into coarse linen clothes, and arranged for someone to send him to the princess's mansion.

"Sister!"

Wang Chang was very unfamiliar with Wang Heng.

But he was well-educated and sensible, and he knew that his sister had helped him today without holding any grudges.

When facing Wang Heng, Wang Chang was extremely respectful.

"Yes! You kneel beside me, with me!"

They are all direct bloodline, so they should be in the front.

Wang Erlang and other concubines' sons and daughters followed behind them.

There is also Lou Yu, also in the first row, looking like a complete "filial son".

Lou Jin received the news and came to pay his respects. As soon as he stepped into the mourning hall, he saw this unsightly scene:

Shuzi!

You ye ye are not dead yet!

But you go to someone else's grave to show your filial piety?

Lou Jin's stern face became even gloomier.

He found Lou Yu's words and actions annoying, and Lou Yu also found someone annoying...