Golden Branch

Wang Lin had no official position or title, he was just a commoner.

His body shall not remain for more than seven days.

Moreover, it was midsummer and the heat was unbearable. If Wang Heng had not consumed a large amount of ice, Wang Lin's body would have rotted and stank long ago.

Even so, the entire mourning hall became extremely cold due to the abundant air conditioning.

The guests who came to pay their respects could not help but sigh as they felt the chill that penetrated their bones:

The princess's mansion is indeed wealthy.

Ice in summer is not only hard to come by, but also extremely expensive.

Princess Langya turned the huge mourning hall into an ice cellar. The cost was so high that even the powerful would have to consider it.

The princess is indeed filial.

There was no saying in the Dayu Dynasty that “where there is money, there is love”, but the principle was the same.

Only those who value you are willing to spend money.

In order to ensure that her father's funeral is handled with dignity, Princess Langya was willing to spend mountains of gold and silver. This is "filial piety".

Wang Mian: ...Yeah, that's right! You're all right.

Making ice from saltpeter is another magical skill of time travelers.

Wang Mian was thankful more than once that after she came here, the first person she met was Wang Heng, not Lou Yu.

Otherwise, let alone using the so-called magical skills of a time traveler, it would be a luxury for her to live freely and decently.

The strict system of ancient times and the almost perverted hierarchy cannot be changed by a mere time traveler.

All Wang Mian can do is go with the flow and follow the trend.

Wang Heng was unaware of Wang Mian's relief and gratitude, nor did she know what the other guests were thinking.

She only does two things now:

1. Crying at the funeral. Kneel until your knees are blue and swollen, and cry until your voice is completely hoarse.

2. Copy scriptures.

Yes, Wang Heng did not just cry. Even when the guests left or when she had free time, she would not rest. Instead, she continued to kneel in the mourning hall, copying the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra seriously and almost devoutly.

Every time a copy was completed and the ink dried, someone would be sent to the mourning hall.

At Wang Lin's funeral, Wang Heng invited monks and Taoists from the capital to chant scriptures and hold a memorial service at the princess's mansion.

The scriptures she copied by hand were placed in the mourning hall and blessed by these monks, Taoists, etc.

After seven days, Wang Heng had copied a thick stack of papers.

On the day of the funeral, paper money flew all over the sky, and scriptures turned into black butterflies and continued to dance in front of the tomb.

Wang Lin’s funeral was not grand. After all, the Wang family was in decline and he was just a commoner.

However, because of Wang Heng, they tried their best to make it the best and most grand one without going beyond the rules.

The Wang family members and their relatives witnessed Wang Heng's words and deeds and could not help but admire and be impressed:

It is not easy for a young girl who has just reached the age of 15 to support the family and to make the funeral almost perfect.

In addition to being filial, he is also capable enough.

Especially since she really used her wealth to her advantage, and did not cheat or take shortcuts, but instead wore mourning clothes, abstained from meat and fish, and even sincerely copied scriptures to pray for her deceased father. Even those who hated her the most would reluctantly say:

“That’s really thoughtful!”

"I thought someone as noble and delicate as her couldn't stand coarse linen clothes and simple vegetarian food."

"I didn't expect that she didn't lie at all—"

Wei Prajna once followed his father to the Wang family to pay condolences.

In the mourning hall, she saw with her own eyes Wang Heng's grief-stricken and emaciated appearance.

In addition to the appearance that can be seen at a glance, as a woman, Wei Prajna also pays special attention to issues such as clothing, skin, makeup, etc.

Wei Prajna had sharp eyes and immediately noticed that there were obvious scratches and red marks on the exposed skin of Wang Heng.

The skin is already fair and delicate, like sheep fat, and even the slightest mark will be extremely noticeable.

Wang Heng's situation is even more serious.

She was obviously hurt by the rough linen clothes, and maybe she was allergic to them.

As a noble lady, Wei Prajna could not wear too rough fabrics.

However, she was not as delicate as Wang Heng, so even if her skin was affected, it would not be so serious.

However, even such a pampered Wang Heng did not lie at all.

There was no smooth, soft silk secretly put on under the linen clothes.

There was no thick padding tied quietly around the knees.

Even her handkerchief was not soaked in ginger juice.

Her grief and her crying were all true and natural expressions!

Whether Wang Heng's acting skills are so superb or she is really so filial, Wei Prajna will secretly admire her:

"This Wang Jiu isn't so useless after all."

It seems that she is worthy of being Wei Prajna's rival.

Although Lou Yu and Wang Heng are already engaged, Wei Banruo still doesn't want to give up easily.

First of all, engagement does not mean marriage.

No one can guarantee what kind of changes will happen three years later.

Furthermore, even if you get married, you can still get divorced.

Secondly, Lou Yu is really rare.

Wei Prajna searched the entire capital but could not find anyone who could compare to Lou Yu.

Of course, Xiao Wuzhi is not bad either.

However, Xiao Wuji's identity is still not as "righteous" as Lou Yu's.

The Changle Marquis Mansion is even more like a joke.

Wei Prajna admires the strong and has an almost perverted theory of "perfection".

The husband she wanted was someone like Lou Yu, perfect and flawless!

Especially during Wang Lin's funeral, Lou Yu's loyalty, loyalty, and righteousness made Wei Prajna even more moved:

Lou Hanzhang is indeed a gentleman with noble character, elegance and dignity.

In this capital city, in this world, there is only one Lou Hanzhang, and he is the only one worthy of being Wei Prajna's husband.

……

Wang Lin's funeral was held and the coffin was transported to a temple outside the city.

Wang Heng purchased a new ancestral tomb, sacrificial fields, etc. in Yizhou.

Therefore, Wang Lin was sent back to his hometown in Yizhou for burial.

However, escorting the coffin back to the hometown requires a lot of preparation and it is not something that can be done casually.

Wang Heng also had many things to deal with in Beijing.

For example, Wang Mian is getting married soon.

For example, Concubine Jiang’s due date is in two months.

These two people are people that Wang Heng values ​​very much, so she will wait until they have accomplished the major things in their lives before leaving.

In addition, there was the saint's birthday, and Wang Heng also prepared programs and gifts.

Of course, due to the mourning period, Wang Heng could not openly attend or participate in these occasions.

But she can choose not to show up, but she cannot really be away from the capital.

In Yizhou, the ancestral graves also need to be cleaned up, and experts need to be selected to point out the burial site and repair the tomb for Wang Lin.

Wang Heng roughly estimated that it would take at least three months.

At that time, the weather was getting colder, and their family, young and old, had a large coffin, which made it more convenient for them to travel.

Among the several major events, the first one to arrive is the saint’s birthday.

Counting on this, this year is the Saint’s first birthday since he ascended the throne.

At this time last year, the sage had already prepared a military remonstration. The entire Qi Palace, from the Qi prince and his wife to their officials and private soldiers, were all on edge and planning big things.

The saints have no thoughts about their birthdays at all.

A year later, the outcome was settled. Not to mention the sage, even Queen Li was thinking of holding a grand ceremony.

In addition to the great significance of this birthday, the emperor and empress also wanted to show the majesty of the emperor of the Dayu Dynasty to their subjects, the world, and foreign countries.

The world is unified and the four seas are united.

The wise king reigns and the world is peaceful and prosperous.

"This Saint's birthday banquet must be grand."

"Ajahn, it's a shame you're about to give birth. You can't work hard or be stressed out, so you can't help me!"

Queen Li was a little disappointed.

She was not being polite, but she really felt that without Concubine Jiang's help, she was indeed missing a bit of support.

Empress Li's eyes swept over Concubine Jiang's bulging belly and asked softly, "Is the baby in your belly doing well these days?"

Queen Li was not an ordinary woman. She was her husband's cousin and the queen mother of Dayu.

Her feelings for the saint were not just ordinary love between a man and a woman, but were mixed with too many interests and emotions.

She would not be jealous, nor would she be afraid of a pregnant concubine.

Even if Concubine Jiang was favored, even if she could give birth to the first prince after the saint ascended the throne, it was still too late.

Queen Li's grandsons have all been enlightened, and the position of the crown prince as the eldest son is as stable as a rock.

With so many cards in her hand and sufficient confidence, Queen Li naturally had no sense of crisis and was not afraid of anyone competing for her.

Of course, the most important thing is that Concubine Jiang has been as smart and content as ever for ten years.

Even though she was pregnant and had a dragon child, she was not arrogant at all.

When facing Queen Li, she was still respectful and close.

Unlike the new favorite Wei Zhaoyi, who forgot her own identity after gaining a little favor.

A person can be stupid, but he cannot be carried away by success.

When Empress Li saw Wei Zhaoyi's frivolous look, she knew that she would not last long in the harem.

Queen Li naturally wouldn't pay much attention to people who were not to be feared.

She prefers to get along with Concubine Jiang.

In addition to palace affairs, Queen Li would also chat with Concubine Jiang about family matters.

For example, Concubine Jiang’s current physical condition.

For example, the people and things that Concubine Jiang cares about most.

"Thank you for your concern, the baby in your belly is doing very well!"

Concubine Jiang bowed slightly and responded respectfully.

Queen Li continued to chat.

As the conversation went on, the two "sisters" extended their topic from the saint's birthday to parenting tips, and then turned to some sad stories of Concubine Jiang.

"Jiang family, still no news?"

Queen Li knew that Concubine Jiang had been separated from her natal family more than ten years ago.

At that time, the Jiang family offended the Grand Chancellor and their property was confiscated and they were exiled.

In ancient times, once you were exiled, you faced life and death.

Concubine Jiang cut off contact with the Jiang family.

More than ten years passed, dynasties changed, emperors were replaced, and Concubine Jiang became the most favored concubine in the harem.

She has been trying to find the whereabouts of the Jiang family.

As early as a few years ago, after she had established her foothold by Yang Chong's side, she ordered people to go to the Jiang family's place of exile - Liangzhou.

However, the mountains are high and the roads are long, and the years have passed. The local government office has been hit by wars several times, and the archives and documents have been burned.

There was no trace of the Jiang family at all.

However, the situation is better now. The saint is firmly in power and can, in his capacity as emperor, spread the news of his search for someone throughout the world.

With a big reward, there will be results.

This is enormous wealth. As long as there is still one member of the Jiang family alive, they will find ways to come to the capital...