Golden Branch

"Is the matter of Thirteenth Lady resolved?"

As usual, Wang Mian came to chat with Wang Heng.

Mentioning Zheng Shisan, who had returned home to get married, Wang Mian couldn't help but sigh, "The Zheng family isn't completely foolish!"

In fact, what Wang Mian wanted to sigh more was: This is the real power and this is the real smartness.

Knowing that something is wrong, nip it in the bud immediately.

Instead of letting it develop, and then rushing to clean up the mess when the quarrel breaks out and becomes a big deal.

Those in power don’t even have to do anything themselves. All they need to do is say a word and throw out a bait to make the evildoers change their minds.

Discovering hidden dangers and eliminating them in advance may not save you from being embarrassed at the most critical moment, but it is the safest approach.

It can also minimize the harm to the victim.

How lucky is Zheng Shisan to have met a good sister like Wang Heng?

Oh, by the way, not only Zheng Shisan, but also Wang Mian, was able to live a rich and comfortable life because they held on to the right people.

Before traveling through time, the independent and self-centered Wang Mian could not understand the saying "A gentleman will die for his friend."

Because in her opinion, her own life is the most important thing.

Loyalty, kindness, justice, etc. cannot be placed above life.

However, after traveling through time, she met Wang Heng and experienced all these years together. Now, if the time really comes when Wang Mian has to sacrifice herself, she might really give up herself to protect Wang Heng!

The human heart is truly a wonderful thing.

"It's just driven by profit."

Wang Heng replied indifferently.

She didn't want to say much about the Zheng family.

If it weren't for Shisan Niang, she wouldn't have paid any attention at all.

"The Rui Palace and the Zheng family have already exchanged engagement letters and set a wedding date!"

"Because I'm leaving Beijing, the wedding date is set for August."

Wang Heng is expected to leave Beijing at the end of September.

All matters including the saint's birthday, his mother's childbirth, and Wang Mian's wedding were handled.

Now, Zheng Shisan is getting married.

After finishing all this, Wang Heng can return to her hometown with peace of mind.

"August is good too, neither too hot nor too cold!"

Wang Mian nodded and promised generously: "When the time comes, I will add makeup to her."

A good friend who grew up together. Although not as close as Wang Heng, they are like sisters.

Moreover, I am not afraid of being accused of being utilitarian. Zheng Shisan married into the Rui Wang Mansion, which also made her a very helpful relative for Wang Mian.

The network of relationships is built up bit by bit.

Wang Mian can completely bring the Rui Palace into his ranks of allies through Zheng Shisan, and then expand it to the entire Yang clan through the Rui Palace.

There is actually no such thing as a relationship that completely abandons interests.

Mixed with interests, it may seem impure, but in fact it is more solid and lasting.

"Well, of course I have to add some makeup to Thirteenth Lady."

Wang Heng responded casually. This was just the way it should be, and there was no need to say it out loud.

As long as Zheng Shisan's marriage goes smoothly, Wang Heng won't waste too much energy on it.

She was more concerned about the upcoming Saint's birthday banquet.

"A Mian, are all the items ready? Are they safe? Can they achieve the effect you described?"

Wang Heng and Wang Miantou were leaning against each other's heads, whispering and biting each other's ears.

"We're ready! Ah Jiu, I have to say, the craftsmen we invited are really amazing!"

When talking about this section, Wang Mian was impressed for the nth time: in the ancient times when there was no industrialization and technology, those amazing craftsmen actually used their hands to rub out super large, super clear and super smooth glass walls.

It is not a small piece of glass the size of a door or window, but a magical artifact that can be used to perform "miracles".

"I simply suggested that they try using a wooden wheel to flatten and spread the glass until it was shaped into large sheets. Unexpectedly, after hundreds of experiments, they actually succeeded."

"And adhesives can actually achieve extremely high levels of fastening and sealing..."

Wang Mian became more and more excited as he spoke.

If Wang Mian hadn't had to keep his voice down to keep it secret, he would have stood up and cheered.

"And the pearl divers you brought back from Dengzhou, after these days of special training, are now able to perform the program I requested perfectly!"

"Our 'Jinghong Dance' will surely astonish the Liangyi Palace!"

Wang Mian clenched his fists, full of confidence.

"Yeah, when the time comes, you have to keep a close eye on it. Don't let your guard down until it's over!"

Wang Heng is the most cautious person and would never open a bottle of champagne midway.

"Okay! I will!"

Seeing Wang Heng so calm, Wang Mian's excitement faded a little, and she agreed seriously.

Then, Wang Heng and Wang Mian discussed in detail the many details of the emperor's birthday banquet, as well as possible accidents, and discussed the corresponding solutions for each accident.

The two discussed for half an hour before dropping the topic.

Lifting the teacup and taking a sip of the warm tea, Wang Mian suddenly asked, "I heard that Concubine Jiang's relatives have been found?"

Since getting engaged to Xiao Wuji, Wang Mian has gained another channel for information related to the court.

Wang Mian provided a large amount of silver and money to the Xiao family, and Xiao Wuzhi gave some of his manpower to Wang Mian.

Now, without relying on Lou Yu, Wang Mian can also obtain official secrets concerning court affairs, military affairs, etc.

Especially after Xiao Wuji returned to Beijing, the information Wang Mian could obtain became more confidential, faster and more accurate.

The news of the envoy from Liangzhou has not been made public yet and only a very few people know about it.

Among them are Xiao Wuji, Lou Yu and other confidants of the Eastern Palace.

The matter concerns Concubine Jiang, who has a close relationship with Wang Heng.

Wang Mian paid special attention to it.

Wang Heng had already received the news. One reason was that Concubine Jiang sent someone to tell her, and the other was that Lou Yu shared the news with her.

"Yes, he's my mother's younger brother, and there are also several nephews, nieces, and great-nephews!"

Wang Heng had no idea about the Jiang family.

Wang Heng would not get too close to relatives she had never met, even if they were her uncles or cousins.

In Wang Heng's view, what is more important between people is whether they get along well with each other, rather than blood ties.

So what if they are close relatives like parents? If they "don't get along", it is still a grievance.

"They have already set out from Liangzhou and are being escorted all the way to the capital by people sent by the Liangzhou Governor's Office."

"My mother asked me to find them a house to settle down temporarily."

"Once they enter the palace and meet A'mu, and their identities are finally confirmed, the Saint should grant A'mu a favor!"

When Wang Heng mentioned these things, she did not feel dissatisfied or irritated by the trouble.

She is her mother's daughter, and it is her duty to share her mother's worries.

Moreover, in ancient times when clans were important, relatives were not necessarily a burden.

Wang Heng is the best at building personal connections. She is willing to cultivate even strangers, let alone blood relatives.

As long as the Jiang family can handle the expenses and pay, Wang Heng will take the initiative to help without Concubine Jiang asking for help.

This is also an investment and part of her huge network of contacts.

It's just a little money and some effort, but for Wang Heng, it's the cost of investment.

"Will the Saint confer a title on the Jiang family?"

Wang Mian thought of the famous concubines in history from Concubine Jiang.

For example, Yang Guifei is a typical example of "one person's success brings prosperity to the whole family."

There is also Emperor Wu. When he was in favor, his mother, sister, and even niece were all ladies of the country.

Concubine Jiang has only one younger brother. The emperor should give the Jiang family a title for her sake.

It is unlikely that he would be a Duke of Feng'en or a Duke of Cheng'en, after all, that is an honor only given to the Queen's father and brother.

Unless Empress Li died and there was no heir in the harem, the emperor would have the possibility of giving special honor to Concubine Jiang.

"Yeah, mother mentioned it. He should be a marquis, or at worst an earl!"

"Of course, it also depends on Mr. Jiang's character and talent. If his character and talent are average, even if a saint offers him favors, Mother will politely decline!"

"It's extremely dangerous to be unworthy of one's position. It's one thing to bring about one's own death, but it's easy to bring harm to innocent people."

Concubine Jiang has worked hard to achieve the honor she has today, and she cherishes it immensely.

Wang Heng knew her mother very well.

My mother would never let her wealth and dignity be affected by the relatives whom she had not seen for nearly twenty years.

As I said, the most important thing between people is not blood relationship.

The Jiang family may not be smart, but they cannot be stupid and then implicate Concubine Jiang and her children!

The Jiang family’s final title will depend on themselves.

Wang Mian: ...As expected, true powerful people prioritize profit over anything else. How could they care too much about feelings?!

What a long-awaited reunion, what a reunion with family members. There may be outward cries of grief, but inwardly they are still carefully weighing the pros and cons.

However, even though the truth was a bit cold, it also made Wang Mian, who had been a little worried, feel relieved.

The eldest daughter of the family was still sober to an almost terrifying degree. Even if the person coming from the Jiang family was a top-notch person, he would never hurt her!

That's enough!

Wang Mian only hopes that her eldest daughter can live a comfortable life, and other things are not within her consideration.

……

The tenth day of the seventh month is the birthday of the sage and is also one of the legal holidays in the Dayu Dynasty.

The core halls such as Taiji Palace and Liangyi Hall began to be decorated half a month in advance.

Decorated in red and colorful, prosperous and splendid.

Officials in the court, nobles in the capital, and others who were qualified to enter the palace to attend the emperor's birthday banquet all got up early.

He put on his formal attire, prepared birthday gifts, and even checked the frame of the car he was going to use for the trip in advance.

The spacious Suzaku Street is filled with carriages and sedan chairs of various sizes.

The palace gate was already packed with people.

Wang Heng had to observe mourning and could not go out or attend banquets, so Lou Yu entered the palace alone.

The emperor’s birthday banquet was held in Liangyi Hall.

The Saint and Queen Li were dressed in formal attire and sat side by side on the high main seat.

There are rows of food tables on both sides of the lower part.

They were ranked in order of distance according to their titles, official positions, etc. Those who were closer to the emperor were naturally the powerful nobles.

Zhou Jiming was considered a new noble, and he had a fiancée who was a princess, but he was ultimately just a low-ranking official.

Being able to enter the emperor's birthday banquet was also because of the princess's residence.

As for seats, he only got a seat near the door.

Zhou Jiming was originally happy that he could attend the emperor's birthday banquet, but when he saw Wang Mian, dressed in a county lady's formal attire, walk side by side with Xiao Wuji, the son of the Marquis's mansion, through the palace gate, past his seat, and sit in the second row, Zhou Jiming's smile froze...