Golden Branch

"It's actually true?"

Not only Madam Dugu, but also Lou Jin, could not help but be surprised when they saw the mother and her two children who went to the Duke's Mansion, as well as the news that the secret guards brought later.

The family he had been looking for for more than ten years suddenly showed up at his door.

The household registration, travel permits, and archives of relevant government offices over the past decade all match.

One of them is Jiaojiao's biological mother, and the other two are her brothers from the same mother.

Jiaojiao's original surname was Zhao, a very common surname.

The Zhao family was also an ordinary farming family. They suffered from drought and had a sick family member, so they sold Jiaojiao, the most beautiful of their daughters, to a human trafficker.

Jiaojiao was not originally sold to the Lou family, but went through several twists and turns before finally entering the Lou family.

It was because of the several changes of hands that it became particularly difficult for Lou Jin to help her find her relatives.

Even Jiaojiao herself, because she was too young, had forgotten her relatives and only remembered that her name was Zhao Daya.

The surname Zhao, it matches!

Daya is also very familiar.

There are also many physical evidences brought by the mother and her two sons, and even the records of the human traffickers who went to the government office at that time, which can prove their relationship with Madam Dugu.

The old woman also said, "If you don't believe me, I can still find my old neighbors."

“Even though it’s been so many years, they still remember that I have a daughter who was well-fed since she was a child.”

Lou Jin: ...

Got it!

Not only physical evidence, but also human witnesses!

This evidence is too complete.

There was absolutely no loophole, yet it made him damn scared.

With such complete preparations, if there is a real plan, it must be very big.

only--

"I'm no longer a general leading an army. I only have the title of Duke of Anguo. What is there for others to plot against me?"

Having fought on the battlefield for many years and served in the imperial court for many years, Lou Jin has basic political acumen.

When encountering "happy events", the first thing he thinks of is conspiracy.

However, he thought about it again and again, and really couldn't think of anything about himself that was worthy of others' calculation!

"My dear, how should we deal with this?"

Madam Dugu is no longer at the age where she needs family affection.

The key point is that the appearance of the Zhao family will tear apart the decent identity she has worked hard to maintain for many years.

She was a noble lady from the Dugu family, not a daughter from a poor peasant family.

I have never sold myself into slavery!

Being Lou Jin's maidservant has always been the biggest knot in Madam Dugu's heart.

In order to erase this dark history, she even abandoned her own son.

It was precisely because of the abandonment she had given up back then that she and Lou Yu and his mother became alienated and became strangers.

I have paid so much, but now it has all gone to waste because of the Zhao family.

Madam Dugu felt that if she really recognized her so-called relatives, her sacrifice would be a joke.

She couldn't admit it, and didn't want to admit it.

However, the reality is that she has to admit it whether she wants to or not.

"They have the household registration and the official record of the indenture. If we don't recognize it, they might even bring the matter to Jingzhao Prefecture."

"If things get out of hand, the Duke of Anguo's Mansion will be at a disadvantage!"

Lou Jin's face was as gloomy as water, and his words were cold.

He knew too well the sinister and complex nature of human hearts.

These men were so well prepared that they could not be easily dismissed.

The most important point is that he, the Duke of Anguo, no longer holds the high position and power he once did.

Lou Jin is no longer able to use his power to overwhelm others.

Even if they were just a few common people, as long as they wanted to make trouble, Lou Jin would not be able to stop them.

After all, there is a high possibility that someone is behind them.

And this person's power may be greater than that of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

This is no longer a question of whether the Anguo Mansion wants to know or not.

"Jiaojiao, the initiative in this matter doesn't lie with us, but with 'them'!"

Lou Jin spoke in a cold voice, looking up to see his wife's nervous and timid look. She was obviously a woman in her thirties, but she still looked innocent and weak. His somewhat hard heart couldn't help but soften.

Well, Jiaojiao is the person he loves the most and the most important person in his life.

He would find ways to protect her and clear all problems for her.

Even though he has no power now, he can still stand in front of her.

"You are the adopted daughter of the Dugu family, so you can have biological parents."

The reason why I didn’t let the Dugu family forge her identity and recognized Dugu Mingyue as my “biological daughter” was because of today.

Lou Jin knows too well that "fake is fake".

He can create a fancy identity for his lover, but he won't fake it.

In fact, at that time, the Dugu family had proposed not to adopt an adopted daughter, but to let Jiaojiao be a concubine's daughter or even a mistress.

The Dugu family was willing to acknowledge Jiaojiao as their own blood relative rather than an adopted daughter with no blood relationship.

It was Lou Jin who refused.

Although he was willing to cooperate with the Dugu family, he was also willing to be dragged into the emperor's chariot by the Dugu family.

However, he can still remain sober: he cannot give too obvious evidence to others.

Jiaojiao's biological parents and family, who had long been separated from him, were the ones who could use them to hold him hostage.

"As for the experience of being sold into slavery, that's not a problem at all!"

The Dugu family has now fallen into decline. If the saint had not still had some consideration for his elder, Madam Lu, the women of the Dugu family would have long been taken into the Jiaofangsi or the Yunting.

The Dugu family was fortunate not to become slaves of the officials.

However, the women of the Dugu family are no longer as noble as they once were.

Otherwise, young girls like Dugu Wei and Li Yan would not agree to be Lou Yu's concubines.

Now that the Dugu family has lost its dignity, Mrs. Dugu’s true identity is no longer that important.

Furthermore, even if she was once a slave, she was eventually adopted as a daughter by the Dugu family and included in the Dugu family genealogy. She is a member of the Dugu family, not some Zhao family!

The Anguo Mansion is no longer as glorious as it used to be, so the identity of the mistress is no longer a stain that is difficult to touch.

After experiencing many ups and downs, Lou Jin's mentality has become very peaceful.

He doesn't care!

I won’t dislike Jiaojiao because of this.

Madam Dugu: ...I care!

I, I——

Unfortunately, her concern is insignificant.

First of all, Lou Jin only dotes on her, and she cannot control Lou Jin in return.

Secondly, what Lou Jin said was correct. The initiative of the family recognition incident did not lie in the Lou family, but in the hands of the Zhao family's mother and son.

They were too well prepared. When facing Madam Dugu and Lou Jin, although they were a little humble, they also had an inexplicable confidence.

It seemed as if they had backers behind them. The common people, who should have been in awe of the powerful, were not so timid and humble in front of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

Madam Dugu: ...Who is it! Who brought these people in front of me?

Lou Jin: ...Of course it’s me, the filial son!

Mrs. Dugu didn't know that she had such a great blessing. Not only did she have a "filial son", but she also had a "filial daughter-in-law" -

"……puff!"

Lou Yu has always been calm, but Wang Heng always manages to break him down.

Lou Yu spit out another mouthful of tea, his deep eyes gleaming with surprise. "Ah Heng, what did you say? You, you found Madam Dugu's sworn brother and sister-in-law, and even ordered someone to lead them to the Duke of Anguo's mansion?"

As expected of his little girl, her creative ideas and behavior are exactly the same as his.

Madam Dugu is self-righteous and always wants to interfere in Lou Yu's marriage. Lou Yu thinks she is too idle and wants to find something for her to do.

Wang Heng has a firm control over the Duke of Qi's Mansion, so even if she is not present, she can know what Madam Dugu says and does at the first time.

Wang Heng was indeed unwilling to marry Lou Yu, but since the marriage had been decided, she was willing to give it a try with her brother.

Wang Heng would never allow Madam Dugu to cause trouble again.

She and Lou Yu shared the same idea, both believing that Madam Dugu was able to meddle in other people's affairs because she was too full and had too much free time.

Therefore, Wang Heng was very filial and helped her aunt (future mother-in-law) to solve her problems.

"Back then, she left the Dugu family and wandered around alone!"

"The world is in turmoil, but she, a weak woman, is able to survive safely because she met a 'noble man'."

Mrs. Dugu’s concerns were not wrong, Wang Heng and Lou Yu were too familiar with each other.

Wang Heng indeed knew all the secrets of the Lou family, including the mystery of Mrs. Dugu's life experience, which she believed was the most secret.

Lou Yu did not tell Wang Heng himself. It was Wang Heng who guessed it based on her own observations and some rumors she heard in the Lou family.

Wang Heng once tentatively mentioned it to Lou Yu, who neither admitted nor denied it.

Wang Heng knew that her guess was correct.

Madam Dugu is not a legal mother, she is clearly my brother's biological mother.

After confirming this, Wang Heng became more and more disgusted with Madam Dugu and felt more and more sorry for Lou Yu.

Brother, you were abandoned three times by your biological mother!

After knowing Madam Dugu's true identity, Wang Heng began to make preparations.

"After years of investigation, I learned that Madam Dugu was rescued by a couple when she was wandering outside."

"She recognized the couple as her sworn brothers and sisters-in-law and lived with them for two or three years."

"That couple were boatmen. While sailing, they had an accident and were separated from Madam Dugu."

"Madam Dugu followed the Yi River and traveled to Yizhou, where she was found by the Dugu family first—"

And Lou Yu knew the rest of the story.

Lou Yu raised the corner of his lips slightly, "It's really hard for you to find such a couple in such a huge crowd!"

I have to say, Lou Yu and Wang Heng are indeed a perfect match.

The unmarried couple both wanted to cause trouble for Madam Dugu, and they also thought of her "old friend".

Lou Yu found Lady Dugu's biological parents, while Wang Heng found Lady Dugu's savior.

Different paths, same destination.

"It's not too bad! It's not too troublesome. The main reason is that the couple are boat owners."

Wang Heng owns a shipyard and a fleet.

Wang Heng has certain advantages in terms of rivers, water transportation, etc.

"Aheng, why don't you want to fight back?"

Lou Yu suddenly thought of something. He already had the answer in his heart, but he still wanted to ask.

The so-called "an eye for an eye" means that Lady Dugu gave a woman to Lou Yu, and Wang Heng gave a substitute to Lou Jin.

It’s just the extremely beautiful dodder, which is not lacking in the capital.

With Wang Heng's power and skills, she could easily find a woman who best suited Lou Jin's taste.

Wang Heng rolled her eyes at Lou Yu and said coquettishly, "Brother, you're asking even though you already know the answer!"

Giving women as gifts may be useful to others, but useless to Lou Jin.

"Duke Anguo ruined his reputation, abandoned his wise master, and lost his military power for the sake of a woman. He sacrificed too much for the Dugu family."

"If he suddenly changes his heart, all his previous efforts will become a joke!"

Wang Heng looked at Lou Yu and said slowly, "Brother, your cousin is proud, strong-willed, and conceited. He would never allow his life to become a laughing stock!"