Golden Branch

The sixth day of March is a good day for marriage.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived at the princess's mansion early.

The princess's mansion chief, Shi Musheng, the guard chief Ahu, and the servants were all busy.

Members of the Wang family also came forward.

There is no need for their help in matters related to the wedding ceremony, and they cannot interfere.

They mostly watched and secretly sighed:

"After all, she is the Princess of Langya, born to a favorite concubine. Although she is not of royal blood, she is still respectable and glorious enough."

"This is the glory of our Wang family. The Wang family of Yizhou is about to prosper!"

"I heard that the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and all the princes and princesses will be attending the ceremony today."

"This isn't just because of Princess Langya, it's also because of Duke Qi's dignity!"

The Wang family members and many in-laws were discussing the matter.

"...Sis is married now. Can she still take care of us like she used to?"

"Why not? Even if my sister is married, she is still our sister."

"That's right, not only will we not lose a sister, but we will gain a brother-in-law."

Wang Heng's half brothers and half sisters, wearing festive new clothes, were either worried or happy.

They have lost their parents and their only close relative is their elder sister.

When their elder sister got married, they were happy for her, but they also had some concerns.

As the eldest brother among his younger siblings, Wang Erlang is fifteen years old this year.

He grew up and made progress in his studies.

In recent years, he either followed his sister and brother-in-law, or went to school.

Occasionally, if I have the chance, I can go to Shen Du for advice.

Wang Erlang's academic performance has made great progress.

Proficient in literature and history, and master the six arts.

Among his talents such as playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, Wang Erlang is best at chess.

After finishing his mourning period last year, Wang Erlang began to actively participate in various gatherings in Beijing.

In less than two or three months, Wang Erlang earned the nickname "Young Master of Chess" for his superb chess skills.

In addition to his talent and appearance, Wang Erlang also had some fame in the capital.

In Dayu, although the imperial court vigorously promoted the imperial examination system, becoming an official still mainly relied on recommendations.

To be able to get a recommendation, one must either have a good family background or be famous.

Wang Erlang has both.

He was born into the Wang family of Yizhou. In the newly compiled "Clan Records", the Wang family of Yizhou was ranked last.

Although it almost fell out of the clan circle, it is still a noble family after all.

As a child of an aristocratic family, Wang Erlang is talented and has a future brother-in-law who is powerful. He is bound to rise to the top.

In fact, Wang Heng had already planned a future for this half-brother.

"Ayao, your talent and learning are not bad, you can enter the Imperial College."

“Or, one can enter the Three Temples and Six Departments.”

"However, you are still young, so don't be too greedy or too quick. No matter which government office you choose, your initial official position will not be very high!"

On the day of removing mourning clothes, Wang Heng said this to Wang Erlang in the ancestral hall.

Wang Erlang's given name is composed of a single character "Yao", which is taken from the character "日" (sun) in the name of this generation of the Wang family.

Wang Heng still values ​​this eldest half-brother very much.

After several years of observation, Wang Heng determined that although Wang Yao's talent was not top-notch, his character was good.

He was very clear about his own identity and had no objection to the fact that Wang Heng, a woman, could become the head of the Wang family.

He respected and was grateful to his elder sister Wang Heng.

He can also be generous and friendly to his other brothers and sisters.

Wang Heng has not yet decided to make Wang Yao the heir to the Wang family, but she is willing to give him a chance to show himself.

The three half-brothers were all Wang Heng's alternatives.

The three half-brothers competed to show their abilities and to get the job. This way, a truly outstanding future head of the family could be selected, and Wang Heng would always have absolute control over the Wang family.

Wang Heng gave Wang Yao many options. After careful consideration, Wang Yao decided to enter the Imperial College.

Firstly, the Imperial College was a prestigious institution, very suitable for young men from aristocratic families as a starting point for their official career.

Secondly, the Chancellor of the Imperial College was Xie Yanzhi, a cousin of the Wang family, and Xie Yanzhi was able to obtain this sixth-rank official position thanks to Wang Heng’s recommendation.

The relationship between the Wang family and Xie Yanzhi is not just in-laws, but also a favor of recommendation.

If Wang Yao went to the Imperial College, even if he was just a recorder of the lowest rank, he would not be bullied.

It is easy to become an official if you have someone in the court. If you don’t take shortcuts or use your connections, that is not integrity, but stupidity!

Wang Yao would serve as an official under his cousin, and after two or three years of experience, he would go to the Hongwenguan or the Dali Temple, and then receive the protection of his brother-in-law!

With a princess sister and a duke brother-in-law, Wang Yao knew with his toes that his future would be smooth.

Therefore, whether out of gratitude or for their future prospects, Wang Yao was extremely close to Wang Heng.

Today is the day when my elder sister is getting married, so Wang Yao brought several of his brothers and sisters to the princess's residence early.

There is no need for Wang Yao and others to intervene in related matters.

They just need to watch silently and send their sincere blessings.

As a newlywed, Wang Heng was the most leisurely and relaxed.

She didn't even have to wake up early.

The Dayu Dynasty followed the old system, and wedding ceremonies were held at dusk.

Wang Heng slept until she woke up naturally. The sun was high in the sky outside, and the servants in the courtyards were busy. Many relatives, friends and guests had gathered outside the door, in the front yard, in the flower hall, etc.

"Princess, Lady Quanfu is here!"

Wang Heng slowly stood up, and Fu's mother and other servants came in, escorting a noble lady in her thirties.

The so-called blessed wife is a woman who has both parents and parents-in-law alive and a son and a daughter.

When a new bride gets married, she asks Madam Quanfu to help her put on makeup in order to pray for good luck.

Wang Heng was a princess, so the lady she invited had to be of wealthy family in addition to the existing conditions.

The one who put on makeup for Wang Heng today was Miss Quanfu, who was born in a noble family, married into the royal family, and was very popular in the circle of powerful people.

"Thank you, Madam Lu!"

Wang Heng bowed slightly and greeted Madam Quanfu politely.

"You are so kind, Princess! It is my honor to be able to put makeup on you!"

Madam Quanfu knelt down and saluted, then picked up a red gold hollow hair crown inlaid with rubies and put it on Wang Heng.

The so-called makeup does not really mean asking a lady to comb her hair and put on makeup.

After all, these noble ladies need maids to serve them when they comb their hair and put on makeup.

The most they could do was help put on a flower crown or a gold hairpin.

The golden crown that Wang Heng wore for her wedding was designed by Wang Heng, who drew the pattern herself. Lou Yu personally sent it to the Chief of Works, who hired the best goldsmith to make it.

Needless to say, raw materials such as gold and rubies are of great value.

The most eye-catching thing is the craftsmanship, which is meticulously crafted and ingenious.

A hair crown, sparkling with gold, adorned with jewels, with gold leaves and pearl flowers, the shape is lifelike and trembles in the wind.

The light in the room had dimmed, and layers of candlelight shone on the golden crown, with tiny golden dots, like a dream.

Her hair crown is gorgeous, and Wang Heng is even more beautiful.

Such a bright light did not take away Wang Heng's charm at all, but instead made her bright eyes, white teeth and face like the bright moon stand out even more.

"The princess is so beautiful!"

Madam Quanfu helped her put on the golden crown and stared at the glass mercury mirror in front of her in a trance.

In the mirror, the girl has fair skin, black hair, and picturesque eyes and eyebrows.

A slender neck, a green wedding dress, and an open neckline that slightly reveals the delicate collarbone.

The ears are neither too big nor too small, and the earlobes are cute and round, just like ingots.

It is no exaggeration to say that the girl in the mirror, from her hair to her toes, exudes one word - beautiful!

"As expected of her, she is the biological daughter of Concubine Jiang Guifei, the most favored concubine in the harem. Her appearance is just like a fairy from Yaochi."

Madam Quanfu sighed silently in her heart.

"Fortunately, such a beautiful woman is of noble birth and has been engaged so early on. Otherwise, who knows what kind of disaster she would bring to the country and the people."

Madam Quanfu is a woman herself, so she knows how harsh the world is to women.

Especially for young and beautiful women, it is often not a blessing but a curse.

Even people from ordinary families cannot protect such a stunning beauty.

It was Concubine Jiang, who was betrayed by her ex-husband because of her outstanding appearance.

Fortunately, Wang Jiu is more fortunate than her biological mother. With the status of a princess, her fiancé grew up with her and is in a high position of power, so he can definitely protect this peerless peony.

"Princess, the auspicious time has arrived."

Wang Mian personally put on makeup for Wang Heng. Looking at the eldest daughter-in-law who was so beautiful that she seemed beyond mortal, Wang Mian's eyes sparkled with tears.

That’s great, her princess is getting married too!

"Ok!"

Wang Heng nodded and slowly stood up.

Zheng Shisan personally delivered the round fan to Wang Heng.

Wang Heng took the fan, held it with both hands, and held it in front of her.

The group slowly left the room and headed towards the main hall of the courtyard on the central axis.

In the main hall, Madam Xie, who had been able to sit up after a period of treatment, was already sitting in the main seat.

Her face was still rosy, and even though her mouth and nose were still a little crooked, she didn't look so scary overall.

"Whoa! Whoa!"

Seeing Wang Heng approaching in gorgeous clothes, Mrs. Xie's eyes flickered with complex emotions.

Mrs. Xie never paid much attention to this adopted granddaughter.

Madam Xie is not partial, she is just simply cold-hearted and materialistic.

To her, the so-called family affection is far less important than tangible benefits.

So what if she’s my granddaughter?

As long as it doesn't bring her any benefits, Mrs. Xie will ignore it and won't give her the proper love and care.

And it was this granddaughter who was once ignored by her, who consistently served her when she was seriously ill.

Of course, Mrs. Xie knew in her heart that Wang Heng’s “pure filial piety” might not be genuine.

This girl was most likely using her as a tool to build a good reputation.

But, judge by deeds, not by intentions.

No matter what Wang Heng's purpose was, the result was that she had been taking care of her wholeheartedly and responsibly over the past few years and even hired a miracle doctor for her.

Madam Xie: ...Well, even if it's fake, I have definitely benefited from it.

Wang Heng is also a filial and good granddaughter.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Xie couldn't help showing relief and satisfaction on her somewhat twisted old face.

She also instinctively felt reluctant and worried about Wang Heng's upcoming marriage.

The fact that Wang Heng was so concerned about the seriously ill old man shows that she was a very competent granddaughter.

In the main hall, relatives and guests who were watching the ceremony looked at the affectionate interaction between the grandparents and grandchildren, and secretly discussed and sighed.

"The groom has arrived!"

At this moment, Lou Yu, dressed in a red dress, strode in. He came to greet his Ah Heng...