Golden Branch

Two or three artists specially found by Lou Yu wore special clothes and used special tools to scoop up a spoonful of boiling hot iron liquid.

They struck hard, sparks flying.

The dazzling golden light is exceptionally bright in the dark night.

boom!

Boom!

As the artist struck the iron again and again, gorgeous iron flowers bloomed again and again, shining in the air.

Sparks flew everywhere, like starlight and broken gold.

Looking from a distance, it seems like a dream.

Wang Heng's lively lychee eyes seemed to be filled with stars.

"So beautiful! So beautiful!"

"Brother, this is brighter than a firefly!"

Wang Heng watched intently, and couldn't help sighing from her pink lips.

When she was a child, Lou Yu caught fireflies for her.

It's small and looks inconspicuous.

But when they gather together and fly away together, they are like dancing stars.

This time, the iron tree and silver flowers are more dazzling and more shocking.

Even though Wang Heng was used to "surprises" and indulged in enjoyment, she couldn't help but feel a little moved.

This is what my brother wants.

In addition to the love between brother and sister, there is also his love and sincerity for the woman he likes.

"As long as you like it!"

Lou Yu gently placed his hand on Wang Heng's shoulder, and the pretty girl was finally in his arms.

Wang Heng first smelled a refreshing and cool fragrance, a little cold and a little light, just like the green pines on the top of a snowy mountain.

Then there was a strong, broad chest, and a heat that almost burned people.

This is my brother's embrace!

It’s not like Lou Yu hadn’t held her before. No matter whether she was chubby or skinny, Lou Yu could always hold her up easily.

But, perhaps it was the slight throbbing feeling when they parted in Beijing last year, or the unknown feelings from even earlier, but at this moment, Wang Heng felt inexplicably unfamiliar with the embrace that she once knew so well.

There was also the strong masculine scent of an adult man, which made Wang Heng's face red.

She quietly raised her head and looked up at the handsome face above her head.

She knew that her brother was good-looking and had even observed him carefully face to face. However, against the backdrop of the dazzling iron flowers, Wang Heng suddenly felt that her brother was so beautiful, with deep eye sockets, a high nose bridge, thin and red lips... Every detail seemed to be able to touch her heart.

Lou Yu felt the gaze from below, and he knew that the little girl was looking at him.

He really wanted to lower his head and look into Ah Heng's eyes.

But he held back, fearing that he would lose control and take further action, which would scare away the little girl who was just beginning to show some interest.

He wanted to take it slow. He wanted Ah Heng to be as moved and emotional as he was, and then to truly connect with each other and integrate into each other.

Holding the hand on the round shoulder, Lou Yu tightened his grip and hugged Wang Heng more forcefully.

Wang Heng: …My face got even redder! My heart beat even faster!

She seemed to be in a strange situation, unable to see or hear anything else, and could only feel the heat behind her.

Some of her senses were blocked, while others were amplified.

Boom!

dong dong!

She heard her own heartbeat and her brother's.

The two of them didn't speak anymore, nor did they make any closer moves. They just stood there, looking at the golden iron flowers, feeling their own unique heartbeats.

……

Lou Yu celebrated Wang Heng's birthday with her and gave her the gifts he had prepared and the gifts he had brought for Wang Mian.

In addition to the usual fabrics, jewelry, antiques, ornaments, etc., Lou Yu’s gifts also included jade carvings carved by Lou Yu himself.

The finest white jade, the size of a woman's fist, was carved into a round, plump pig.

Yes, pig!

There's no way, Wang Heng was born in the year of the Pig.

Many of the jade carvings, gold items, etc. that Lou Yu gave her were related to pigs.

Wang Heng: ...What's wrong with pigs? How lucky are pigs?

It's chubby and looks cute.

Lou Yu’s zodiac sign is not much better.

He is only one year older than Wang Heng, so he is born in the year of the dog.

This pair of "brother and sister" have a very good understanding. Lou Yu gave Wang Heng a "pig" and Wang Heng gave Lou Yu a "dog".

Over the years that the two have known each other, each of them has boxes of zodiac utensils given by the other.

When the two of them play around, they often use the zodiac signs to make jokes.

After so many times, they got used to it. The key is that they both knew that the other party had no ill intentions, so even if Wang Heng received a round jade pig as a birthday gift, she would not misunderstand anything.

She accepted it with great joy and said, "Brother, I already have a box of piggies."

"White jade, jasper, gold, wood, porcelain..."

Wang Heng played with the jade pig and said with a smile, "Brother, it seems you have used up all the materials you can."

"I'm afraid you won't be able to give me 'pig pig' anymore in the future."

Lou Yu looked at Wang Heng deeply, his pretty fox eyes filled with doting. "Then don't send Pigsy off! Send someone else off!"

"Aheng, do you like my jade carving? If you like it, I can carve other ones!"

Objects carved from white jade look delicate and exquisite, and they perfectly match Ah Heng's skin, which is as white as snow.

and many more!

Ah Heng?

Lou Yu's eyes flickered slightly.

Thinking of the treasures in his secret room, he suddenly got an inspiration.

Moreover, if we calculate the time, Ah Heng will be out of mourning in two more birthdays.

By then, not only will she be able to get married, but they will also be able to be closer to each other.

Some things that only exist in his imagination can now be done in reality.

boom!

Lou Yu just thought about it, and his abdomen felt tight, and blood rushed to some unspeakable part.

Lou Yu looked normal, but he moved imperceptibly so as not to let Wang Heng notice anything unusual.

Alas, why did Wang Lin die at such an inopportune time?

He should have died earlier, so that Aheng could observe mourning and finish mourning earlier.

Lou Yu is in adolescence, and when it comes to romantic relationships, it is inevitable that he will be impulsive.

But he didn't care about any woman other than Wang Heng.

There was no way. Those people were either ugly or stupid. Lou Yu felt disgusted at the sight of them, so how could he have any lustful thoughts about them?

He would rather endure it than disgust himself!

However, Lou Yu is smart and will not always let himself be wronged.

He came up with some solutions, which, although they could not completely solve the problem, could give him some relief.

Today, Aheng mentioned jade carving, and Lou Yu came up with another idea!

"...Brother, what are you thinking about? You look weird."

Wang Heng raised her little head and caught a glimpse of the dark light that flashed across the fox's eyes.

Although she couldn't tell what that look meant, she just had a naughty feeling about it.

It seems that my brother is thinking about something bad.

When Lou Yu heard Wang Heng's sweet voice, he quickly calmed down.

He had long been able to perfectly control his emotions, but the only exception was in front of Wang Heng.

Because they were so familiar with each other and trusted each other, he didn't need to pretend too much in front of Wang Heng.

In other words, he could show Wang Heng the side that Wang Heng believed him to be: domineering, possessive, but able to control himself.

Even if he occasionally "loses his composure", that's what Ah Heng wants to see.

"Nothing! I just thought that since I have to observe mourning, I can't have a big banquet. I feel sorry for Ah Heng's birthday this year!"

"I'm not wronged! I don't like too much noise anyway. With my brother and the iron tree and silver flowers he gave me, I'm very satisfied!"

Lou Yu glossed over the awkward topic and Wang Heng continued to open her gifts.

The gifts Wang Mian sent were similar to those from Lou Yu: there were the usual gold, silver, jewelry, cloth, spices, as well as some "heartfelt gifts" she made herself.

There were various snacks made by Wang Mian herself, as well as lucky bags that she had sewn herself, which contained the amulets she had obtained from Ci'en Temple.

"She's really dedicated!"

Glancing at the many gifts Wang Mian had prepared, Lou Yu nodded with satisfaction.

Wang Mian was neither full of greed for money nor heartless, nor was he a man of "little gift but much sentiment behind it".

There are expensive gifts and also handmade items. They are so safe and so valued that even a picky person like Lou Yu cannot find any faults.

Wang Heng smiled with her eyes curved, "Brother, please stop picking on Amian!"

"A Mian is married, and she's your best friend's wife. You have to be considerate of her."

Wang Heng knew that Lou Yu would look down on Wang Mian, not only because Wang Mian was of humble origin, but also because Lou Yu's arrogance was indiscriminate.

Not to mention Wang Mian, even Wang Lin and Lou Jin, Lou Yu never took them seriously.

He is cold-hearted by nature, lacking normal emotions in interpersonal relationships, and has no empathy for anyone other than himself and Wang Heng.

Even Wang Heng, after years of getting along and working hard, slowly broke through his defenses and became his only one.

The family affection, friendship, etc. he showed were all just disguises.

Wang Mian understood Lou Yu's character, so even though she was now the Crown Prince's wife, she did not feel any resentment when Lou Yu treated her with such contempt.

Wang Mian: ...What are you complaining about? Lou Yu certainly looks down on me, but he also looks down on everyone in the world.

Compared to those who are truly looked down upon by Lou Yu, Wang Mian can barely be considered half of his own people and can still get Lou Yu's protection!

Wang Mian is sober and knows how to be content. She really has no opinion about Lou Yu.

Wang Mian: ...I don’t dare either!

I'm provoking a high-end Machiavellian. Am I living too long?

"Aheng is right. I will pay attention to it next time!"

Lou Yu was not annoyed by Wang Heng's advice, but instead smiled.

Ah Heng would give him advice because she cared about him.

This is probably what people often call "supporting the husband and raising children."

Yes, a husband with a virtuous wife will not suffer from misfortune.

Lou Yu was secretly working on himself, feeling very happy.

As a result, Lou Yu didn't seem to be so harsh towards someone who wasn't as devoted as Wang Mian: "Where's Zheng Shisan? Didn't she send a gift?"

As Wang Heng's study partner, Wang Mian prepared a gift, so there was no reason for Zheng Shisan to miss out.

"Oh! Thirteenth Lady wrote me a letter saying she's been busy sending Yang Twenty-One to the northwest these past two days and really can't spare any help. She wants to celebrate my birthday with me when I return to Beijing!"

Wang Heng could understand Zheng Shisan.

She is not like Wang Mian. She doesn't know how to make money and she doesn't have a husband whom she loves more than her life.

Marrying into the royal palace, she needs to be cautious.

Zheng Shisan had previously asked Wang Heng to find a job for Yang Shou, and the transfer order was only issued last month.

Yang Shou became a reinforcement to supplement the troops in the northwest, and went to the northwest with the main force together with several gilded children of powerful people.

The entire Rui Wang Mansion was busy preparing for Yang Shou's "battle". It was not appropriate for Zheng Shisan, a newlywed, to transfer personnel at this time to deliver a birthday gift to Wang Heng who was about to return to Beijing.

He'll be back soon anyway, just a few days away... No way! A glimmer of light flashed in Lou Yu's eyes, and he silently made a note of Zheng Shisan!