Golden Branch

"I have indeed never met the Jiang family, but I know what Jiang Si looks like!"

Wang Heng is smart and understands Wang Mian better.

After hearing what Wang Mian said, Wang Heng understood her concerns.

Curling the corners of her lips, Wang Heng said with a faint smile, "My brother ordered someone to draw a portrait of Jiang Si. I looked carefully and she really looks like my mother!"

"But, so what? There is no shortage of people with similar looks in this world."

"Besides, there are the magical skills of 'disguise' and 'face-changing' that Amian mentioned. It's not difficult to create a replica!"

Appearance is important, but it is not the most important thing.

If she, Wang Heng, could be replaced so easily, then all these years of her life would have been in vain.

Even if her mother really loves her niece more than her daughter, she is not afraid.

She has a brother, but she also has herself.

Since she was six years old, Wang Heng knew that the only one she could rely on was herself!

She never placed her hopes on anyone other than herself.

Of course, my brother is still worthy of reliance.

Her mother was not always with her and was not the only person in her life, so Wang Heng was able to remain clear-headed about her mother.

She respected and loved her mother, but that was all.

The most difficult days have been passed. Now she has grown up, with the dignity of a princess, a fiancé who shares her thoughts, best friends who will live and die with her, and countless wealth... Wang Heng really does not lack the exclusive love and preference from her mother.

Furthermore——

"Mother is not such a confused person. She can clearly distinguish between relatives and strangers! Even if she looks at Jiang Si differently because of her appearance or blood relationship, she will not look at me, her biological daughter, more than me!"

Although Wang Heng did not rely on her mother, she understood her very well.

Because they, mother and daughter, are the same type of people at heart: they love themselves more and know how to weigh the pros and cons better.

As far as the current situation is concerned, Wang Heng is not only the daughter of Concubine Jiang, she also possesses all the values ​​that Concubine Jiang needs.

This is enough for Concubine Jiang to make the wisest choice.

"It seems that you have considered it. That's good!"

Wang Mian felt relieved when she saw that her best friend looked confident.

Well, it’s no wonder she has wild thoughts.

It is really outrageous in the novel and magical in reality, but she values ​​Ajiu and cares about him so much that she is confused!

"Princess, has the date of your trip been set?"

As usual, Zheng Shisan rarely interrupted Wang Heng and Wang Mian when they were talking.

After the two of them finished their conversation, she took the opportunity to bring up a new topic.

Wang Heng nodded. "Yes! My brother has asked the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select an auspicious date. It's in three days."

Wang Mian pinched his fingers, estimated the time and distance, and said, "Leaving Beijing on September 28th? With a month and a half on the road, we can still reach Yizhou before the New Year!"

"The timing is perfect, but it's a little cold, and we'll have to endure some hardship on the road!"

Zheng Shisan looked at Wang Heng's slender figure with distress, having endured the funeral and mourning, and couldn't help but worry:

"Princess, you are getting thinner and thinner. If you continue to travel long distances in winter, I am afraid you will fall ill."

Wang Mian also looked at Wang Heng with concern. "Yes, Ajiu, why don't you wait a little longer? It won't be too late to carry the coffin back home next year when spring comes and flowers bloom!"

This is nonsense——

The date for the trip has been chosen and all preparations have been made.

It is simply impossible to change the date at the last minute.

But even if it was nonsense, Wang Mian couldn't help but say it out loud.

She was really worried about the eldest daughter in the family.

Her already slender figure is now so thin that she can't even wear clothes.

That little face, that slender waist, and those thin arms and legs... so fragile, how could they withstand the torture of traveling in winter?

"Don't worry, Amian. With the carriage you prepared for me and all the other things I have, I won't suffer!"

"Besides, I also want Ye Ye to be buried in peace as soon as possible."

If you want to be a filial daughter, you cannot ignore the details.

She must perform this big show to perfection.

"Well, then you should be more careful and don't rush on your way."

When Wang Mian heard Wang Heng say this, he knew that she had made up her mind.

Alas, Ajiu is like this. He looks well-behaved and gentle on the surface, but in fact he is very opinionated.

"The marriage is still under discussion."

Unable to persuade Wang Heng, Wang Mian no longer insisted on this topic.

She cracked a few melon seeds and suddenly thought of the numerous happy events in the capital over the past month or two. She couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, I don't know how the sage would judge."

Her eldest daughter was engaged, and she avoided the tragic fate of becoming a princess married off to a foreign country.

However, if the marriage is never concluded, other innocent women will have to become victims.

As a woman herself, Wang Mian instinctively empathized with the situation.

"The Western Expedition Army has arrived at the border town and is currently facing off against the Turkic cavalry."

"The food and money we collected for the prince are also being continuously transported to the border towns."

Wang Heng lowered her voice, speaking in a voice shared only by the two present, "Don't worry. The sage is a man of great talent and vision, and will certainly not be controlled by the barbarians!"

Negotiate peace?

Sending away the princess?!

As the invincible god of war, General, he would never tolerate such humiliation.

However, it has only been a year since the saint ascended the throne, and the court is not yet stable.

Many forces are hindering each other, and the saint still needs time.

However, given the saint's strength and prestige, this time will not be too long.

There were also Wang Heng and Wang Mian who obtained food and silver for the saint, giving him the confidence to fight.

Wang Heng guessed that the saint would not agree to the marriage.

"Just wait for an opportunity, and the Saint will make a decision!"

As for what that opportunity was, Wang Heng looked towards the northwest.

"Victory news from the Western Expedition Army?!"

Wang Mian is indeed Wang Heng’s best friend, and they understand each other.

With just a glance or an unfinished word, you can guess what the other person is thinking.

"Wait a bit, there should be news soon!"

Wang Heng had many channels of information and was familiar with the secrets of the court and the army.

"Princess, is General Lu Jue, the eldest son of Princess Jinyang, also in the Western Expedition Army?"

Zheng Shisan has a very low sense of presence, but she is thoughtful and always thinks of some seemingly insignificant people and things.

Lu Jue, although he was "eliminated".

But after all, he was once one of Wang Heng's alternatives, so we should still pay attention to his current situation.

Wang Heng was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Lu Jue has indeed arrived at the border town a long time ago and joined up with the Western Expedition Army!"

"He is now a General of the Central Army under General Yuchi."

Wang Heng didn't have too many thoughts about Lu Jue.

The reason she listed Lu Jue as a backup was just a smokescreen to confuse everyone.

She doesn't even want to marry her brother, let alone Lu Jue who is not as good as her brother?

As for men, you can have fun with them, but you can't rely on them for your whole life.

Wang Heng originally thought that with her status as a princess, she could find an excuse to remain single for the rest of her life.

Continue to be siblings with my brother, and you can also keep all kinds of handsome men in the inner courtyard.

Not being bound by a man and yet being able to enjoy the joy of life, this is the true perfection.

Unfortunately, my brother refused!

She can only try to manage a marriage with a man.

Lu Jue, Xie Yanzhi and others were just familiar strangers to Wang Heng.

Therefore, when Wang Heng mentioned Lu Jue, she was very casual.

Wang Mian: ...Oh, my dear eldest daughter, you really are "a useful man when needed, a passerby when useless".

This disposing-after-use nature doesn't match your soft, sweet appearance at all.

"Joining the Western Expedition Army will give you the opportunity to go to the battlefield. General Lu has finally achieved his long-cherished wish."

Zheng Shisan wasn't one to secretly grumble like Wang Heng. She offered a few comments and then said, "To gallop across the battlefield and achieve great things is probably the dream of many young men."

Wang Heng raised her eyebrows and glanced at Wang Mian.

Wang Mian also looked clear-headed.

Wang Heng smiled and said, "But your Yang Langjun also wants to find a job?"

Zheng Shisan felt a little embarrassed, and she quickly said, "Twenty-one Lang really wants to find a job in the army. I also think that although Langjun is a bit dandy, he is also a descendant of military merit. If he goes to the army, he may be able to do something for Langjun Lou."

Zheng Shisan knew that he shouldn't help Yang Shou with his future in front of the princess.

Princess Rui, her good mother-in-law, has been reminding her in words and deeds these days, asking her to find a way to ask the princess for help.

Zheng Shisan didn't want to think that the princess had been so kind to her that even her life would not be enough to repay her.

Her marriage and her wealth all depended on the princess.

If she continued to seek an official position for her husband, she would be greedy and never satisfied.

However, if we think about it from another angle, if Yang Shou gets the official position, he can serve Lord Lou and the princess.

He will be respected, and the princess will be able to expand her network of contacts.

This is a win-win situation.

Of course, Zheng Shisan would not force it.

It would be best if the princess agreed. If the princess has any difficulties, Zheng Shisan can understand.

"Shisanniang, you're right. Yang Shou is a man with good horsemanship and martial arts skills. He could definitely gain some experience in the army!"

"My brother has already switched from martial arts to civil service, so he doesn't need Young Master Yang's service anymore."

"However, Yang Langjun is your husband. Only when he is well can you be better!"

Wang Heng’s meaning was very clear. She could help Yang Shou get a job.

But Yang Shou didn't need to do anything.

To put it bluntly, Yang Shou is not yet qualified to serve Lou Yu.

Wang Heng promoted Yang Shou not to gain his loyalty, but for Zheng Shisan.

Zheng Shisan understood the implication of Wang Heng's words, and her face turned a little red with embarrassment.

She quickly knelt down and saluted, saying, "Thank you, Princess, for your grace. Thirteen will definitely urge my husband to do his best in his duties and will never let you down!"

Wang Heng smiled faintly, nodded, and said nothing.

……

On the morning of September 28, Wang Heng packed up and left Pingkangfang in a grand procession, taking her six half-brothers and half-sisters, as well as slaves and guards.

After leaving the town gate and entering Zhuque Street, Wang Heng sat in a spacious two-horse carriage. Through the window, she saw that there seemed to be some noise outside.

"Good news! Great victory in the northwest!"

"General Lu Jue penetrated deep into the grasslands, killed thousands of enemies, and captured over ten thousand!"

A man was riding a fast horse, galloping swiftly on Suzaku Street.

The knight galloped on his horse, shouting the good news.

He and Wang Heng's carriage passed each other...