Golden Branch

Lou's Manor, the main courtyard on the central axis.

Mrs. Cui sat at an angle in the main seat in the main hall, with her right elbow resting on a stool.

Kneeling in the hall was a man dressed as a guard, about twenty years old, wearing an indigo-colored Hu suit and black pointed-toe leather boots.

However, perhaps because he had just experienced a long journey, the guard looked a little pale, and there were spots of mud on the hem of his clothes and leather boots.

"Is the news true? Did the general really agree to the marriage with the Dugu family?"

Mrs. Cui felt quite complicated after receiving the news.

She is Lou Jin's stepmother. Since Lou Jin has no wife, she is still the mistress of the Lou family and can take charge of the household affairs of the Lou family.

In the past few years, Madam Cui has been trying to find ways to ruin Lou Jin's marriage.

She couldn't give orders to Lou Jin directly, so she could only support Lou Dalang secretly.

In her opinion, having a naughty illegitimate son would definitely discourage the noble families that were a good match for Lou Jin.

For any large family, if the eldest son is not born of legitimate parents, he will be the source of chaos.

A family that can raise a illegitimate eldest son is definitely not a good family with rules and etiquette.

Any parents who care about their daughter, or even if they don't care but still care about their reputation, will not list Lou Jin as a candidate for a son-in-law.

Especially the Dugu family!

Madam Cui had not forgotten that the fiancée chosen by the old general for Lou Jin was the daughter of the Dugu family.

At first, Lou Jin agreed.

But soon, with the "disappearance" of that vixen, Lou Jin went crazy.

He ignored the old general's scolding and attempts to stop him and went straight to the Dugu family to cancel the engagement.

Even after the old general had him tied up and whipped him dozens of times himself, leaving Lou Jin covered in wounds and skin torn, he did not change his words.

Finally, in order to appease the anger of the Dugu family, the old general reluctantly drove his most outstanding son out of the Lou family and "exiled" him to the military camp of the Six Towns.

Outsiders all praised the old general for his adherence to rules and his willingness to sacrifice his own family for the sake of justice.

As the woman by his side, Mrs. Cui knew very well how reluctant and heartbroken the old general was when he drove Lou Jin out.

Lou Jin was a stubborn man. Even after being kicked out of the house, he never begged for mercy from his father, nor did he agree to continue the marriage for the sake of military power.

He took one or two hundred personal guards, as well as the old, weak and sick soldiers from the six military camps, and attacked the border town directly, defeating the Rouran and other foreign tribes.

After his son had made military achievements, the imperial court issued an imperial decree to commend him, and the old general "reluctantly" called his son back.

The marriage between the Lou and Dugu families came to nothing with the rise of Lou Jin.

"...Humph, I just don't believe that the ever-proud Dugu clan can swallow this!"

Mrs. Cui watched the old general go on a blind date with Lou Jin and his son, and as Lou Jin gradually took over the military power of the Lou family, she felt extremely envious, jealous, and resentful.

But her character is that of a kind and wonderful stepmother. Facing Lou Jin's glory, Madam Cui did not show the slightest bit of abnormality. She could only secretly vent her anger in her heart and look forward to the Dugu family to rise up and deal with Lou Jin, the boy who humiliated the Dugu family.

However, Mrs. Cui's wish was not fulfilled. Instead of waiting for Dugu's revenge on Lou Jin, she waited for the old general to die from illness.

After the old general passed away, the Lou family changed completely.

Mrs. Cui used to act just to create a character.

After the old general passed away, she had to continue acting in order to continue enjoying the wealth and glory in the Lou family.

Mrs. Cui felt aggrieved and disdained the Dugu family more than once: Bah, and she even said how domineering the Dugu family was. But in the end, she was humiliated by Lou Jin, a brat, and she didn't react at all afterwards.

Seven or eight years later, Lou Jin wanted to marry into the Dugu family, and the Dugu family agreed.

Mrs. Cui just found it incredible.

As the mistress of the Lou family, although Mrs. Cui was not very close to Lou Jin, she knew some things about the family because of her status as the mistress.

For example, in the past few years, Lou Jin has never given up looking for that bitch.

Mrs. Cui came from a prominent family and accepted everything that was appropriate for her and her parents' wishes.

In their circle, even if there are any touching love stories, they are either cousins ​​with childhood sweethearts, or they fall in love after marriage and develop feelings over time.

The relationship between Lou Jin and his concubine was so crazy, passionate, and grand. Mrs. Cui didn't dare to say that it was the first time she had seen it, and it was extremely rare.

Madam Cui could see clearly that Lou Jin really valued that lowly maid.

Mrs. Cui witnessed with her own eyes how Lou Jin collapsed and went crazy after the maidservant disappeared.

She never knew that a man could love a woman to this extent!

There was a moment when Mrs. Cui even envied the maid: As a woman, to be loved and valued by a man so much, her life would not be wasted.

Lou Jin also loved the whole family.

For the sake of that lowly maid, he directly pampered Lou Dalang, a bastard, to the sky.

The problem is, Lou Jin has never given up looking for that person, which shows that he still has feelings for her.

Then why did he agree to the marriage with Dugu?

"Reporting to Madam Tai, the Lou family indeed wishes to form an alliance with the Dugu family."

The guards had traveled thousands of miles and had been working for several days, and they were completely sleepy and tired.

However, if his master asked him anything, he would force himself to reply.

"The Lou family wants to form an alliance with the Dugu family?"

Madam Cui grasped the key point sharply. She sat up straight and looked at the guard with a burning gaze: "Could it be that Lou Jin took the initiative to go to the Dugu family to ask for marriage?"

Things are getting even weirder!

"Madam, I have no knowledge of this matter. I only know that during your time in Jizhou, the general has been in and out of the Dugu family several times!"

"The general and General Dugu had a very pleasant conversation, just like brothers. A few days later, the happy news of the marriage between the two families spread."

The guards were very cautious and would never dare to spread any information they were unsure of in front of their master.

Mrs. Cui's expression was somewhat solemn, and there was an inexplicable darkness in her eyes.

This time, she really couldn't figure out Lou Jin's intentions.

Jizhou?

Oh, yes, the Dugu family, like the Lou family, both have generals who are pillars of the country and hold heavy troops in their hands.

Lou Jin led a large army and occupied Yizhou.

The Dugu family entered Jizhou.

Jizhou is only a few dozen miles away from the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, Pingcheng.

If we take Jizhou, we can march straight in and occupy Pingcheng.

As Yang Chong's most useful person, Lou Jin would be the most valuable if he could help Yang Chong capture Jizhou and even make great contributions to "capturing the capital." When Yang Chong achieves his hegemony, Lou Jin would be the most valuable contributor!

"...Could it be that Lou Jin is trying to establish merit?"

The defeat of the Rouran back then cannot be compared with this unprecedented achievement.

Although the Rouran often invaded the borders of the Great Zhou, they were ultimately just a minor problem.

The imperial court did not wipe out the Rouran, not because it was impossible, but because the value of the Rouran was far less than the huge military expenditure of sending troops.

Moreover, when the Rouran rebelled, they only looted property and were unable to invade or seize cities.

The imperial court did not even need to send a large army; the garrison of any military camp in the six towns could drive out the enemy.

Therefore, Lou Jin’s military achievements back then were actually somewhat exaggerated.

This time, the Yang family had already become powerful, and Yang Chong's father and brothers were frantically occupying territories everywhere.

If Yang Chong (including the generals under his command) could take the lead and capture Pingcheng, Yang Chong would become the greatest contributor to the Yang Dynasty.

When Yang Chong reached a certain position, Lou Jin, who had made great contributions to Yang Chong, could naturally share in the wealth.

Compared with the so-called love, it is obvious which is more important, the unprecedented achievement and the prosperity of the family.

In addition, several years have passed, and no matter how strong the feelings were at the beginning, they have been eroded by time.

"...What's worse, that slave girl might be long gone! Or maybe she's already remarried..."

Mrs. Cui couldn't help but speculate like this.

You can't blame her for having ill will towards her concubine, who is also a woman, but that's the reality.

Not to mention the troubled times, even in a peaceful and prosperous era, it would be very difficult for a young and extremely beautiful woman to survive alone and away from home.

They were either kidnapped or robbed... Even if they managed to survive, they might end up in that filthy place.

If I am lucky enough to meet a good man, and he will not "ask for nothing in return", then the humble maid may have to "give herself to him".

"Da Lang is already seven years old, and that slave girl has been gone for almost seven years. Perhaps she has already given birth to a whole family of children for some lowly person or some mountain king!"

Mrs. Cui continued to guess.

In this situation, even if Lou Jin found the person, he would not be able to bring him back!

Moreover, the reason why Lou Jin was so obsessed with her and couldn't let her go was simply because that bitch ran away quietly when they were most affectionate.

Since I can’t touch the moon in the sky, I miss it all the more.

Once Lou Jin knew that the moon from the sky had fallen to the earth and was so unbearable, all his love would surely vanish into thin air.

At this time, with the huge temptation of marrying into the Dugu family, Madam Cui felt that Lou Jin had no reason to refuse!

"After all, he's not a frivolous young man. Lou Jin is almost thirty years old. Thirty is the age of independence. It's time for him to truly establish himself for his family and for power!"

After some guesswork, Mrs. Cui thought she understood Lou Jin's thoughts.

"Lou Jin is really going to get married, or he is willing to do so himself."

If he was not forced, Lou Jin would treat Dugu well regardless of whether he loved her or not.

He will give Dugu's wife the respect and dignity she deserves.

Then, the former mistress, Madam Cui, would have to "give way" to the Dugu family.

There is only one mistress in the Lou family.

As the second wife, Mrs. Cui had no kindness in raising and educating Lou Jin, so she had no confidence to act like an elder in front of Lou Jin.

"...I, I did not raise Lou Jin, but I gave birth to children for the Lou family, and I, I also raised Lou Dalang!"

Yes, there is also Lou Dalang!

Madam Cui's eyes flickered.

If there is anyone who least wants to see Lou Jin get married, it probably isn’t just Cui.

Lou Dalang is also the biggest victim of Lou Jin's marriage.

Lou Jin did not marry, so Lou Dalang was the most honorable young master in the Lou family.

Once Lou Jin gets married, his wife will give birth to legitimate sons and daughters.

Behind the legitimate wife is Dugu. Madam Cui is very sure that given Dugu's domineering nature, they will make many demands when they get married.

For example, the Lou family's property must be inherited by the son born to Dugu.

For example, the annoying eldest son of a concubine must be "dealt with" in advance.

Or, give him some family property early and "divide" it away.

Or, just adopt him!

As a stepmother, Cui could not even tolerate Wang Heng, the eldest legitimate daughter. Dugu, who was more noble and domineering than Cui, would certainly not allow the Lou family to have a so-called illegitimate eldest son.

As long as Dugu married into the family, Lou Dalang would not be able to be a little tyrant, and it is very likely that he would not be able to continue to be Lou Jin's son!

"...Although Dalang is naughty, he is still young. He probably wouldn't even think of these things!"

There was a glint of malice in Mrs. Cui's eyes.

Although she knew it might be a futile effort, she still wanted to give it a try - to instigate Lou Dalang to cause trouble with Lou Jin.

If the marriage could really be ruined, it would be a great thing.

If he failed, Lou Dalang would lose favor and be punished by Lou Jin, which would be a relief for Madam Cui.

God knows, in the two or three years of raising Lou Dalang, although Mrs. Cui ruined Lou Dalang's reputation, she was also contradicted by him countless times.

Lou Jin was not close to Madam Cui, and he had never embarrassed Madam Cui in person.

But Lou Dalang didn't care at all, and I don't know how much injustice and loss Madam Cui suffered!

"The Lou family is going to marry a new bride. Although I, an old woman, am having a hard time, I will not let that bastard Lou Dalang have an easy time either!"

……

That day, in the evening, Lou Dalang came back on horseback as usual.

When passing by Wang's farm, Lou Dalang couldn't help but want to tighten the reins.

It has been several days since he last climbed over the Wang family's wall.

Does Fatty have new delicacies?

Is she plump again?

And Lou Dalang also missed the fat girl's soft and sweet "brother" very much.

but--

"Humph, if she went to the pen, she would know that I was just teasing her and didn't kill that damned little beast at all!"

And based on the girl's love for rabbits, she should go to see it.

So, she already knew the "truth".

But the fat girl didn't run to the Lou's Manor to find him, let alone apologize!

Lou Dalang was also angry. The fat girl wronged me but refused to apologize. She had really grown too powerful and even dared to get angry with me.

If you don’t come, I won’t go!

Do I, the little bully of the Lou family, have to kowtow and be humble to you?

Thinking of this, Lou Dalang did not pull the reins, but waved the whip and whipped the Dayuan horse under his crotch hard.

The horse felt pain and had to speed up.

Whoosh!

The horse galloped past the Wang family's manor and quickly arrived at the Lou family's manor.

"Hey!!"

Pulling the reins, the horse came to a steady stop.

Lou Dalang habitually wanted to dismount, but soon he realized something was wrong.

There were no servants rushing up, kneeling at his feet, and helping him dismount!

what's the situation?

Where did all the servants who served as doormen go?

Lou Dalang raised his head and glanced around with a sharp gaze. He saw several figures peeking around.

Everyone is here!

But he didn't come over to serve immediately!

Lou Dalang was unaware of the turmoil that had erupted in the manor. He gripped the whip tightly and shouted angrily, "Is anyone still breathing? Didn't you see Ye Ye is back?!"

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