Golden Branch

"Dead?"

Wang Heng sat cross-legged under the window, with a painting of red plum blossoms blooming in the snow placed on the desk in front of her.

However, there are only a few scattered crimson petals on the twisted plum branches.

The other petals only have the shape but are not painted.

Jiang Si knelt beside her, watching Wang Heng pick up a pen, dip it in vermilion paint, and gently dye a blank petal red.

Jiang Si has been with Wang Heng for half a year.

After the initial surprise, uneasiness, and bewilderment, she gradually determined:

Princess Langya had neither preference nor prejudice towards her.

Her face, which was similar to Princess Langya and Concubine Jiang, was nothing special to the princess.

Her attitude towards herself was not much different from her attitude towards Zheng Shiliu.

But, for some reason, even though he was not treated specially, Jiang Si felt inexplicably at ease.

This made her realize that she was just a study companion to the princess.

What separated her from the princess was not just an identity and a mother, but also many other gaps that were as huge as a chasm.

The princess was noble, beautiful, and versatile, and especially the calmness and composure that emanated from her bones made her feel awe-inspiring as if she were meeting a deity.

As for Jiang Si, she only has a nice appearance but no special skills.

The rules she learned were nothing compared to the true models of aristocratic families.

The calligraphy and knowledge she possessed seemed laughably shallow in front of truly learned people.

Even Jiang Si, who thought he had seen the wealth and luxury of the powerful, looked so shabby in the splendor of the princess's mansion.

This is because Princess Langya is in mourning, so her food, clothing, entertainment, etc. need to follow etiquette and be as simple as possible.

Jiang Si couldn't imagine what kind of extravagance and luxury the princess's mansion would be like if the princess was out of mourning and returned to her normal life.

Jiang Si's self-confidence (that is, his appearance) was shattered after he entered the princess's mansion.

However, it is better to be completely shattered, so that she can reshape herself and be reborn.

"That day, the princess sent someone to the manor and gave me two choices:"

"First, Princess, find me a poor scholar from a wealthy family, one of the best rank, and marry me far away. Although far from the capital, I can be guaranteed a life of prosperity."

"Second, enter the princess's residence and serve as her study companion, accompanying her through the two or three years of mourning. If she behaves well, she will be given a stable marriage when the princess finishes her mourning period and marries off."

For specific cases, please refer to Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan.

At that time, Jiang Si had already been imprisoned in the village.

I also got sick.

She lay in bed, sick and hopeless.

She even felt what power was—

The entire process of Lou Yu designing Jiang Si to "get sick" and be sent away did not leave a single trace.

It seemed like they were all just accidents.

However, he deliberately hinted to the Jiang family, including Jiang Si: Jiang Si's illness was caused by me.

The Jiang family must exile Jiang Si, and Jiang Si must be imprisoned in a farm outside the city.

If anyone disobeys, the entire Jiang family will be exiled.

This feeling is quite desperate: I know who harmed me, and the person who harmed me is too arrogant to hide or make excuses, but I just don’t have any evidence and cannot redress my grievances.

Even if I make a noise without caring about anything, no one will believe me.

It's not just that there is no evidence, but also because the "murderer" has such a good reputation.

That was Lou Yu and Lou Hanzhang, gentle men with bright and clear temperament. How could he do such a dirty thing?

Jiang Si and his family couldn't help but wonder, even if they had evidence to prove that it was Lou Yu's work, people would still think:

The Jiang family must have done something to force a great figure like Master Lou to "take revenge"!

terrible!

terrible!

Everyone in the Jiang family, including Jiang Si, felt the power and realized how powerful Lou Yu was.

This is why Jiang Si was able to obediently recuperate on the farm and make a "wise" choice when Wang Heng sent someone to negotiate with her.

Lou Yu is too powerful. Not to mention Jiang Si, even the entire Jiang family is no match for Lou Yu.

Of course, if you think about the same thing from a different perspective, you can turn despair into hope.

With such a powerful backer, as long as you are obedient and don't do anything wrong, can you really live a good life?

Like Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan?

One of them was a peasant girl, and the other was an unfavored concubine's daughter from a poor family.

But just because they served Wang Heng, one of them is now the young wife of the prince of a marquisate, and the other is the princess of the prince of a prince's mansion.

"I followed the wishes of those nobles and deliberately dressed like a concubine or a princess. My goal was to live a rich and respectable life."

Although Jiang Si has been "floating", he has never been a fool.

She knew exactly what she wanted.

So, among the two choices given by Wang Heng, she chose the latter without hesitation.

"...Actually, the princess has one more choice she hasn't mentioned. If I don't choose either of the two paths the princess has given me, I will be completely abandoned."

"He was left on the farm to fend for himself."

"If you want to escape, just say 'accident' or 'die of illness'!"

Wang Heng did not offer a third option, nor did she offer any threats.

But Jiang Si knew that she only had two choices.

Oh, what is the imperial concubine's niece?

In front of the real powerful, she is just an ant and a piece of grass.

However, after Jiang Si made his choice, entered the princess's mansion, and came to Wang Heng's side, his mentality began to change.

The initial resentment and unwillingness in his heart were soon soothed by the princess's equal treatment.

She had so much to learn that she had no time to think about anything else.

The more books she read and the more advanced skills she learned, the more her horizons and mind were broadened.

At this time, she can distinguish right from wrong and understand what is right and wrong without anyone reminding or admonishing her.

Half a year is neither long nor short, but it is enough for Jiang Si to undergo a near-complete transformation.

She no longer deliberately imitates others. She has discovered her own strengths, and her hairstyle, makeup, clothing, etc. are all adjusted according to her own situation.

Play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, showing your personality.

Then, Jiang Si and the people around her were surprised to find that after the transformation, Jiang Si blossomed with her own beauty.

She doesn't seem to be that similar to Concubine Jiang and Princess Langya.

Perhaps there will still be a moment when people are distracted: Hey, she looks like XXX.

However, this similarity does not make people regard her as a substitute for someone, but as an individual with her own unique charm.

She is just Jiang Si, not a crudely made, despised knockoff.

Even when standing next to Wang Heng, others would be surprised by the similarities between the two, but would still be able to accurately distinguish one from the other.

Jiang Si didn't say anything, but he was already silently grateful to Wang Heng——

The princess did this for her own good.

Don't treat her as someone's substitute, but let her be herself.

The princess treated her with such kindness that it was like she had reborn into a new life!

The princess is her belief. Jiang Si has unknowingly begun to chase the princess and wants to become her.

This kind of "becoming" is not a simple imitation, but learning its core and becoming her follower.

"Well, the news came out this morning. Just last night, Prince Consort Zhou died unexpectedly."

Opposite Wang Heng, Lou Yu sat casually.

While watching Wang Heng draw the Jiujiu Xiaohan Tu, he talked about the news outside.

While talking, his hands were not idle.

Jiang Si glanced at Lou Yu and saw his bony hands peeling an orange.

Jiang Si discovered that Lou Langjun was very patient in front of the princess and especially liked to do things himself.

He clearly has servants around him, and at worst, he still has her as his study companion.

Mr. Lou still prefers to do things himself.

He peeled the orange peel and gently tore off the white pith. Then, Lou Yu raised his hand, leaned forward slightly, and stretched his long arm across the desk to feed a slice of orange into Wang Heng's mouth.

Wang Heng didn't look up, but opened her mouth familiarly.

"So sweet! The oranges Zhuangzi sent this year seem sweeter than ever before."

Wang Heng took a light bite, and the juice burst in her mouth.

She couldn't help but squint her eyes, and her beautiful little face was full of satisfaction.

"Is it sweet? Let me try it!"

Seeing Wang Heng enjoying it so much, Lou Yu curled the corners of his lips.

He picked up a petal with his two fingers and brought it to his mouth.

I don’t know if it was intentional, but when eating the orange, Lou Yu licked his fingers lightly.

Wang Heng seemed oblivious to Lou Yu's subtle movements and continued chewing. After swallowing the orange, she returned to the previous topic: "Accident? Prince Consort Zhou died in an accident? Could it be charcoal poisoning again?"

Although I don't think Princess Ping'an would be so stupid (or arrogant!), but in the middle of winter, carbon monoxide poisoning is indeed cheaper.

"No! She still has brains." He also had concerns.

Within one year, two princes-in-law died "accidentally". If it was the same reason, it would be too blatant.

Princess Ping'an was just an unpopular illegitimate princess, and she didn't have the confidence to be so arrogant.

She dared to take human life because she was sure that as long as she was not rebelling, the saint would not kill his own daughter.

However, she did not dare to go too far. After all, the saint was not a tyrant, but a wise ruler with outstanding achievements and clear politics.

Even if you want to protect your daughter, you need to cover it up.

Princess Ping'an knew very well the saint's bottom line, so even when she killed someone, she did not do it openly, but used a trick.

If you want to cover it up, you won't leave any loopholes intentionally.

"Poisoning! To be more precise, it's an allergy."

Lou Yu learned what allergy was from Wang Mian, and began to search for related cases in Beijing.

He collected many pulse diagnosis records from the family doctors and the archives of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Although allergies are extremely rare, he actually discovered a few cases.

There was a noble in the royal palace who did not like flowers. If they smelled the fragrance of flowers or were contaminated by pollen, they would have difficulty breathing and in severe cases would even faint.

Girls from wealthy families are not allowed to consume cow's milk. Even if the food is mixed with cow's milk, it will cause diarrhea or even illness.

And Zhou He is also among that very small number.

"He can't eat almonds. If he does, he'll get a rash and a high fever."

"Just yesterday, the new chef accidentally added almond powder to the pastry he ate, and then—"

There is another funeral in the princess's mansion!