Golden Branch

"It turned out to be the prince consort."

Lou Yu collected his thoughts and put on a gentle expression.

He seemed a little surprised and glanced at the bustling corner not far away. "Is the Prince Consort enjoying a tour of Qujiang with his friends?"

Lou Yu didn't want to have too much involvement with Princess Ping'an's mansion.

In addition to the conflicts of interest in the court, he always remembered the disgusting look that Ping An gave him.

However, Zhou He had already taken the initiative to send people to pay a visit, and as a courtesy, Lou Yu could not really leave directly.

At least you should go up and say hello. Even if you don't participate, you should still be polite.

"Reporting to Duke Qi, the Prince Consort is hosting a banquet by the Qujiang Lake today, inviting many talented scholars from the capital to enjoy calligraphy and painting and recite poetry."

The servant hurriedly reported back, and while he was speaking, he secretly observed Lou Yu out of the corner of his eye.

Lou Yu raised his eyebrows. Oh no, is this an intentional invitation for him to come over?

Even want to compete with him?

Lou Yu is not suffering from paranoia, but the capital city is a huge world of fame and fortune.

Lou Yu was not only a new upstart in the court, he was also the most talented scholar in the capital.

He was proficient in poetry, songs and calligraphy, and was also one of the best in painting and calligraphy.

His fame among scholars has already surpassed that of Mr. Shen Du.

However, Lou Yu was not keen on participating in various elegant gatherings.

His talent and reputation were mostly spread through the Hongwenguan.

There were also major events such as compiling history and clan records, which allowed Lou Yu to show his talent and fame.

In addition, some of Lou Yu's works will be circulated and will attract praise from many famous scholars.

Lou Yu's reputation for talent was not boasted about by his peers or even juniors, but was recognized from top to bottom with official (royal) approval.

Authoritative enough and absolutely noble.

However, there is no best in literature, and writers look down on each other.

Lou Yu's reputation as the most talented scholar aroused the jealousy and resentment of many self-important but self-pitying scholars who felt that their talents were not appreciated.

For example, Zhou He was very dissatisfied with Lou Yu.

Since childhood, he has been a famous child prodigy in the surrounding area. He could write poems at the age of three and essays at the age of five. His writing is elegant and free, and full of character.

At the age of sixteen, he became famous for his talent in the local prefecture and was recommended as a tribute student.

At the age of seventeen, he came to the capital, took part in the regular examination, passed the Mingzi examination, and stood out among many scholars in the capital.

Later, he relied on his talent (and appearance) to win the favor of Princess Ping'an, and rose to fame and became the golden branch.

Although Princess Ping'an was a few years older than him, and although women were stronger than men in the princess's mansion, he became the superior man.

When he walked outside, he was surrounded by people, and countless young scholars cast envious glances at him.

Even though some people would say strange things and seem to be very disgusted with him, Zhou He knew that no matter what they said, they were jealous to the point of madness in their hearts!

He is the son-in-law of the emperor and can attend court and discuss government affairs!

He is a rising star in calligraphy, and any of his works can attract people to scramble for them!

He... is still not as good as Lou Yu and Lou Hanzhang.

"Hmph! What's so great about it?"

"He was just lucky. Born into a powerful family, he was able to receive instruction from famous teachers since he was young."

"When I grow up, I can also rely on my family and my parents to build a future."

"First Bachelor? What's so noble about him? Isn't he still clinging to the princess?!"

"What a pity! We're both prince consorts, but I'm marrying the saint's biological daughter, while Lou Hanzhang only gets a fake princess!"

Zhou He is inferior to Lou Yu in terms of family background, appearance, career, talent, etc., so he can only find a sense of superiority from this point of view.

Then, it really made him feel good——

Princess Ping'an and Princess Langya are indeed one real and one fake, this is an indisputable fact.

Moreover, Lou Yu and Princess Langya are just an engaged couple, and he is just the future prince consort!

As soon as he thought of this, Zhou He couldn't help but straighten his back.

Today, Zhou He came to Qujiang and called his friends to continue showing off his calligraphy achievements.

Zhou He's vanity was greatly satisfied when he wrote and painted in public, attracting praise from many talented scholars and elegant people.

As it was getting dark, the banquet should end.

Just when Zhou He was preparing for a perfect ending, he ran into Lou Yu who was returning to Beijing.

A four-wheeled carriage, a long motorcade, and hundreds of guards wearing armor and riding horses... Even though Zhou He had become a son-in-law, there was no such a grand ceremony when he went out.

After sending people to inquire, they found out that it was Princess Langya who returned to the capital.

She was accompanied by her fiancé Lou Yu.

"Tsk, what a lackey! He went two hundred miles to please the princess!"

As a son-in-law of the princess, Zhou He lived a rather depressing life in the princess's mansion.

Princess Ping'an was not a good-tempered person to begin with, and once she came to power, she became even more arrogant and domineering.

Zhou He was young, of low birth, and not the original wife. To Princess Ping'an, he was more like a plaything than a husband.

There was no need for Princess Ping'an to deliberately treat him with disrespect. Zhou He didn't even have the confidence to hold his head high in the princess's mansion.

Since he himself "compromised", he also judged others by his own experience and thought that other princes-in-law also lived a miserable life.

Lou Yu is not even as good as him. He is not even a real prince consort.

Lou Yu went out of the city and personally went to celebrate Wang Heng's birthday after traveling 200 miles. People who knew him well understood that he did so because he loved Wang Heng.

But for people like Zhou He who are not familiar with him and mistakenly regard him as a "kindred spirit", Lou Yu's behavior is servile and spineless.

Lou Yu: ...Okay, as long as you are happy!

As a child of destiny, Lou Yu naturally cannot understand the inferiority and jealousy of some people.

Even if he felt Zhou He's malice, he didn't care——

Insignificant people are no different from grass and ants.

Their love and hate have no effect on Lou Yu at all, so why should he care?

Lou Yu is already strong enough that he doesn't need to care about these things, but his not caring doesn't mean that a certain equally protective lady doesn't care!

Wang Heng got off the carriage directly. She was wearing a plain white dress and a veil.

"Prince Consort Zhou is indeed a refined scholar."

Wang Heng glanced at the corner and said calmly, "Meeting is fate. Brother, since we've encountered such a noble event, why don't we go join in the fun?"

Previously, because of the incident with Prince Consort Pei, Wang Heng paid special attention to Princess Ping'an's mansion.

Wang Heng also had some understanding of the newly appointed Prince Consort Zhou.

In addition to his origin, family background, talents, and appearance, Wang Heng also knew about his arrogance and indifference.

People who have such a high opinion of themselves will easily regard other talented people and celebrities as imaginary enemies.

For example, Lou Yu!

Wang Heng didn't know the jealousy and resentment in Zhou He's heart, but she could guess it.

Literati look down on each other. As a disciple of a famous scholar, Wang Heng understands the various things among scholars best.

Lou Yu was too famous and had too great a reputation. As the number one talent and the number one scholar, he was both an insurmountable mountain and a target for other scholars to attack.

The reason is simple, as long as you beat the number one, you will be number one!

Wang Heng was not sure whether Zhou He had the ambition to be the number one.

But she knew that Zhou He would definitely not truly admire Lou Yu or actively try to get close to him.

And what the servant said just now confirmed Wang Heng's guess.

Since the other party has bad intentions, I might as well go and take a look.

If the other party dares to make trouble, Wang Heng will show her claws.

Lou Yu knew Wang Heng too well. He could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her expression.

Although he felt that it was unnecessary, Lou Yu's heart softened when he saw the well-behaved and soft little kitten suddenly stretch out its sharp claws for him.

Outsiders all thought that in his relationship with Wang Heng, he was the stronger one, he was domineering, and he protected Wang Heng.

In fact, it is not entirely true. He is indeed domineering, but Ah Heng is also rebellious.

He did protect Ah Heng a lot, but Ah Heng would also stand firmly on his side and even stand in front of him.

"Little girl, you're being naughty again!"

Although he was saying words of reproach, Lou Yu's deep eye sockets were filled with doting and indulgence.

Not to mention that Ah Heng was trying to stand up for herself, even if she wasn't, and was just making trouble for no reason, Lou Yu would still watch with a smile, and help her clean up the mess!

Lou Yu's voice was so soft that only Wang Heng, who was standing nearby, heard it.

Wang Heng turned her head and smiled playfully.

Through the thin white gauze, Wang Heng looked a little blurry.

But Lou Yu knew that his little girl was laughing, and her laugh was very mischievous.

"Let's go and see!"

Lou Yu restrained the urge to reach out and hold Wang Heng's hand. He bowed slightly and, with the attitude of a subject, respectfully invited the princess to go first.

Wang Heng raised her head, walked over slowly with a graceful demeanor.

"Princess Langya has arrived!"

The servant beside Wang Heng announced loudly.

Zhou He was waiting for Lou Yu, but he didn't expect that Princess Langya would also come.

Although she disliked Wang Heng for being a fake princess, a princess is still a princess.

Even if she is not of royal blood, as long as she has the title of princess, everyone should treat her with respect.

Zhou He stood up and led a group of talented men and scholars to greet them.

"Your Highness greets the Princess!"

"Princess Jinan!"

"Please greet Princess Langya!"

A group of people saluted and greeted each other in a flurry.

"Excuse me!"

Wang Heng spoke with dignity and dignity.

Then, Lou Yu greeted Zhou He and others.

After some pleasantries, Zhou He, as the host, took the initiative to bring up the topic: "I've long heard that Master Lou is Mr. Shen's disciple and is good at calligraphy. I, a humble man, have also made some achievements in calligraphy. Today, we are meeting friends through calligraphy. I am fortunate to have met Master Lou by chance. I hope Master Lou will appreciate and guide me!"

As Zhou He spoke, he led Wang Heng and Lou Yu to a corner.

There are many calligraphy works hanging here.

The ink has dried, but a faint scent of ink remains.

There are more than a dozen works, including the ancient and beautiful official script, the upright and elegant regular script, and the unrestrained cursive script.

The most outstanding piece of calligraphy, hanging in the C position, is still a piece of Feibai.

No doubt, this must be Zhou He's work.

Lou Yu glanced at all the works, smiled slightly and nodded, looking polite, gentle and elegant.

He evaluated objectively, expressing praise while also accurately pointing out the shortcomings of each work.

Including this work that Zhou He is quite proud of.

Zhou He, who was already jealous, became even more resentful after being picked on by his "opponent".

He couldn't help but blurt out, "How could our handwriting be so terrible? It's not even worthy of Master Lou's approval?"

"In that case, Master Lou, why don't you write a few words so that we can study them carefully?!"