Golden Branch

"Is there any progress on Zheng Shisan's matter?"

Lou Yu hasn't forgotten this annoying "cousin".

There were many complicated matters to deal with in the court, the Lou family, the Wang family, etc., and Lou Yu was very busy.

But he was still thinking about clearing out everyone around Aheng as soon as possible.

If it weren't for the word "respect", Lou Yu would have directly dealt with an insignificant person like Zheng Shisan.

Or, send him back to the Zheng family and let them make their own arrangements.

Or, he could just find a middle-class family among the powerful people in Beijing and marry Zheng Shisan to them.

But Aheng values ​​Zheng Shisan, and Lou Yu doesn't want Aheng to think that he is domineering and self-centered, so he can only take time to discuss with Aheng and let Aheng handle the matter.

"..."

Hearing Lou Yu suddenly change the topic to Zheng Shisan, Wang Heng fell speechless again.

She never knew that Lou Yu, who never cared about trivial matters in the inner house, would actually take the initiative to intervene.

Still with the same insistent attitude, he asked her to marry Zheng Shisan off.

In the past, Lou Yu had clearly let her make the decision.

She wanted Zheng Shisan to be her concubine, and Lou Yu acquiesced.

Wang Heng was not worried that Lou Yu agreed because he liked Zheng Shisan. She knew him too well. He clearly didn't care.

It was just an insignificant matter, and Lou Yu wouldn't care how Wang Heng handled it.

But now——

Wang Heng suppressed her doubts and said softly, "I've already told Thirteenth Lady that I want to choose a husband for her from among the families in the capital."

"Thirteenth Lady was a little disappointed, but she still agreed!"

"She said she would think about it carefully and then tell me her requirements!"

Wang Heng knew that Zheng Shisan was not only "lost", but also a little sad and scared.

Given Zheng Shisan's status and family background, if she wanted to marry into a prominent family, she could only be a concubine.

However, not all mistresses can be as "magnanimous" as Wang Heng.

Zheng Shisan was worried that he would meet a mistress like his eldest mother or stepmother, who talked about rules and etiquette but was cruel and vicious in heart.

In the inner house, there are so many ways to torture people without leaving any trace.

If you are not careful, not even a bone will be left.

Zheng Shisan has lived a rich and comfortable life in the Lou family and the princess's mansion for the past few years, and she really doesn't want to be thrown into the quagmire again.

Fortunately, Wang Heng knew Zheng Shisan's concerns and told her directly: "Shisanniang, don't worry. Since I have chosen a husband for you, I will make you my principal wife."

Zheng Shisan was a lowly concubine's daughter from a poor family, but she was still Princess Langya's study partner.

She is one of Wang Heng's few close friends.

This identity alone is enough to raise Zheng Shisan's value.

Furthermore, Wang Heng could also let Lou Yu come forward and publicly state that his cousin Zheng Shisan was a relative recognized by him, Duke of Qi and Master Lou.

With the support of Lou Yu's power, even some top dignitaries may have to re-evaluate Zheng Shisan's value.

Of course, the daughter of a prominent family might not be qualified.

However, it is still possible to marry a legitimate son who does not inherit the family business, or a bastard's son!

Wang Heng told Zheng Shisan all of this clearly, just to give her confidence:

You can choose from among the powerful young men in the capital, as long as you like him and he is interested, you can list him as a candidate.

As for the problems regarding family background, identity, etc., Wang Heng will step in to resolve them!

Zheng Shisan was indeed a little disappointed that he could not follow the concubine.

After all, in the past few years, she has always treated Wang Heng like her mistress.

She is very familiar with the Lou family and the mistress.

When she gets married in the future, she won’t be panicked or at a loss, and she won’t be bullied or murdered!

The good life you are used to will never change just because of marriage.

Now, the beautiful dream was suddenly shattered, and Zheng Shisan felt very complicated.

Lost, fearful, confused, and terrified... but also happy.

Yes, joy.

What Wang Heng gave her was the position of the legal wife.

As a concubine's daughter, Zheng Shisan understood very well the importance of status and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Who would want to be a concubine when you can be the main wife?

Even if the mistress is kind and easy to get along with, she is still handing her life and property over to others.

Even if I have children in the future, they will still be shorter than me.

She had no choice in the past, and accompanying Wang Heng as a concubine was the best opportunity she could have.

Now, Wang Heng has given her more choices and also given her her "hometown"... With enough confidence, Zheng Shisan really dares to "dream".

She can accept the advances of some young men who like her, and then choose the one who is right for her.

Instead of being like in the past, when even though I wasn't married yet, I had already trapped myself in a circle, not daring to think or do anything.

"That's good! Please hurry up! You'll have to escort the coffin back to your hometown in a few days. Don't let these little things delay your trip!"

Lou Yu didn't care what choice Zheng Shisan would make.

He just hoped to get rid of this annoying thing from Ah Heng's side as soon as possible.

Lou Yu even set a time limit, requiring Wang Heng to marry Zheng Shisan off before she returned to Yizhou.

Wang Heng: ...How can it be so fast?

This is a major event that concerns Shisan Niang's life!

but--

Wang Heng raised her eyelids and glanced at Lou Yu's seemingly gentle expression. She knew that this man was serious.

Okay, okay!

Zheng Shisan is extremely beautiful and has a pitiful temperament that makes her very attractive.

When he was still in Yizhou, students from Dongshan Academy came to Zheng Shisan and showed their courtesy to him.

After arriving in the capital, there were also many young men who, although knowing Zheng Shisan's family background and status, were still attracted by her appearance and temperament.

Wang Heng thought briefly and came up with two or three candidates.

Maybe they are just some playboys, but their family background, character and appearance are all worthy of Zheng Shisan.

The most important point is that Wang Heng believes in Zheng Shisan.

She was no longer the self-deprecating and timid concubine of the Zheng family. She was now the princess's companion in study and a female disciple of Deyin Hall of Dongshan Academy. She was both talented and beautiful, and had a generous dowry.

It is not difficult to find a good match among the powerful and influential people in Beijing.

"A Mian and I will help her look around, and we should be able to decide soon!"

Wang Heng thought silently and prepared to find time to talk to Wang Mian.

……

"What? Who are you talking about?"

That day, Wang Mian came to the princess's residence and got together with Wang Heng, Zheng Shisan and other close friends to drink tea and chat.

When Wang Heng and Wang Mian heard Zheng Shisan shyly say a name, they both exclaimed in surprise.

"Yang Shou! Yang Twenty-One!"

Zheng Shisan's small face, which was as big as a palm, was covered with blushes.

The little white flower is already a pitiful one, and her shyness makes her look even more pure and innocent.

Zheng Shisan looked completely frail at this moment, as if she was "weak and unable to take care of herself".

It is the favorite type of some men.

Wang Mian tilted his head, thought carefully, and nodded slowly: "Yes, the reason why we confronted Wei Banruo's people at the Hengyang Princess's garden party was because Thirteenth Lady had a quarrel with Wei Banruo over Ninth Lady."

"Yang Ershiyilang felt sorry for Shisanniang, so he volunteered to help. After a brief argument, the polo match ensued!"

Wang Mian has an excellent memory. She was able to quickly find out what happened a few months ago and sort out the causes and consequences.

Wang Heng nodded slightly. "Indeed. Twenty-one-year-old seems to be very compassionate to the weak."

Wang Heng’s words are quite interesting.

In later generations, Wang Mian, who had read too many online romance novels, instantly understood what she meant.

What Yang Ershiyilang likes is not Shisan Niang herself, but beauties of the Shisan Niang type.

He would show pity to any delicate, beautiful little white flower.

Such a person can love Shisan Niang and other women.

Marrying him may not be the best choice.

To a certain extent, Yang Ershiyilang is a central air conditioner that can warm any "poor" little white flower.

"No! He's my best choice!"

Zheng Shisan looks weak, but he is actually strong inside.

She also knew exactly what she wanted.

"Twenty-one is the prince of the royal palace. He has a noble status and a bright future."

"If he didn't have a compassionate nature towards the weak, with my status, I would never have had the chance to marry him."

"...Moreover, what I want is not the exclusive love and exclusivity of a husband. What I want is the status of a legal wife, the wealth and dignity of the royal palace."

So what if men are “philanthropic”?

Zheng Shisan doesn't care about the so-called "love".

It would be enough for her to secure her position as the legal wife and completely free herself from her humble origins.

Moreover, "universal love" is also good, he will pity all weak women.

And she, Zheng Shisan, is the best among them.

She may not be able to monopolize her husband's heart, but she can still occupy a part of it.

That's enough!

"I am not Jiu Niang, and Twenty-One Lang is not Lou Langjun."

Zheng Shisan had an innocent, timid face, but he spoke soberly and almost coldly: "I don't expect to be the only one, nor will I force myself to be with someone forever."

Her husband would have pity on other women and have concubines, which was all within the range that Zheng Shisan could tolerate.

Zheng Shisan is not Wang Mian, she does not have the awareness of female awakening.

Zheng Shisan is definitely not Wang Heng, she does not have the confidence to be favored or loyal.

What she has to do is to protect her interests as the legal wife as much as possible within the framework of etiquette and rules.

As for the other things (husband’s only one), it’s best to have them, but it’s okay if you don’t have them!

Wang Heng thought about it and nodded in understanding.

Zheng Shisan’s thoughts actually reflected the thoughts of most noble ladies in this era.

They want their husbands’ love and respect, and if they don’t get it, they want the dignity of being a legal wife.

As their affection faded, they didn't care so much about the concubines competing for favor.

Even Wang Heng never thought that she was her only husband.

Otherwise, she would not have chosen Zheng Shisan as a concubine and trained her in advance!

Wang Mian: ...Were women in ancient times conservative or open-minded?

For a moment, Wang Mian was a little confused.

"What about the palace? Yang Shou is attracted to you, but do his parents and elders agree to this marriage?"

Since Wang Heng agreed with Zheng Shisan's choice, she naturally had to continue planning for her.

Marriage is never just a matter between a man and a woman, but a major event that concerns two families.

Many times, the personal preferences of the parties involved are far less important than the wishes of their family and elders.

“…” Zheng Shisan was silent.

Wang Heng raised her eyebrows. "Okay! The palace really doesn't agree. It seems that this matter still requires her or Lou Yu to step forward!"