Golden Branch

"Sir! Sir!"

Wang Heng was like a cheerful bird, walking and shouting all the way.

As one of the few reliable elders in her life, Wang Heng respects Shen Du.

He not only taught her knowledge and talents, but also let her know the mountains, rivers, local customs and people of Dayu, and taught her many principles of dealing with people through words and deeds.

The most important point is that Shen Du filled Lou Yu with rich connotations, making him a truly learned and elegant gentleman from the inside out.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu are a pair of little bitter gourds. They have few relatives and no elders to teach and help them.

To some extent, Shen Du filled a certain gap.

Therefore, Wang Heng and Lou Yu also have a certain admiration for Mr. Shen.

In the past few years, Wang Heng has locked herself up at home to observe mourning and rarely goes out.

Shen Du was stirring up trouble in the court and educating people in Lishan Academy, but Wang Heng never observed him in person and could only learn about his situation through Lou Yu.

Now, after finishing the major events of life such as mourning and getting married, Wang Heng came to Mount Li, just wanting to get close to her husband.

……

In the main hall, Shen Du sat casually at the table with a screen behind him. The calligraphy and paintings on the screen were all his handwriting.

He leaned over, his elbows resting on the table.

There were guests on both sides of him.

Gu Zhe and other direct disciples, as well as the Fourth Prince's wife who came to visit, and the academy's guest female teacher Wei Prajna.

Wei Prajna sat upright with a guqin placed on the long table in front of him.

She is playing the piano and asks Mr. Shen to appreciate and guide her.

As a world-renowned celebrity, Shen Du is proficient in many talents.

When he was young, his song "Guangling San" amazed the whole Jiankang.

Shen Du also composed his own music, which attracted countless musicians to play it.

What Wei Prajna played today was Mr. Shen’s favorite piece, “Flowing Water”.

"...Murgling and clanging, a cold current in the deep; clear and cold, a trickle at the roots of the pine trees."

Shen Du closed his eyes slightly, and his hands were placed on the table, his fingers twisting rhythmically.

There was obvious admiration on his face.

The fact that he received praise from Mr. Shen, who is a master of the zither skills, is enough to prove that Wei Prajna's zither playing is indeed excellent!

When Wang Heng's series of "sir" reached the main hall, Wei Prajna had just played the third section. The sound of the piano was clear and lively, which made people feel happy when listening to it.

Unfortunately, such beautiful piano music was interrupted by the repeated "Mr.

A hint of disgust flashed in Wei Prajna's eyes, and the two hands pressing on the strings suddenly stopped.

Shen Du was not annoyed by the interruption. He had already recognized the person from the sweet voice - Ajiu! His first female disciple!

She was already the Princess of Langya, and she also married another of his "evil disciples".

Humph, these two little bastards are naughty to begin with, and now that they’re together, who knows what kind of trouble they’ll cause.

Even if he couldn't hear the sound, Shen Du knew that the only person who could shout and scream in the courtyard of Mr. Shen was Wang Heng.

She is a direct disciple and a delicate, sweet little girl. She once saved Shen Du's life.

Although her performance was mediocre and her qualifications as a "famous teacher" were always questioned because of her, Shen Du still liked Wang Heng the most in his heart.

Only those who have experienced anorexia can understand the pain.

That year in Yizhou, seeing the little girl enjoying the food so happily, Mr. Shen, who was almost starving to death, finally felt the desire to eat.

Later, due to many considerations, he accepted Lou Yu as his disciple, and also took his little friend Wang Jia Jiu Niang as his disciple.

Many people, including disciples like Wang Yan and Gu Zhe, thought that Wang Heng was just a "gift". Only Shen Du himself knew that he really wanted to take Wang Heng as his disciple.

He and Wang Heng were not related in any way. How could they be close without the status of "master and disciple"?

If he is not close to her, how can he “save himself”?

As a cold, arrogant and aloof celebrity, Shen Du really values ​​talent, and Lou Yu is indeed a genius he admires.

However, Shen Du is also "life-conscious". No matter how outstanding a genius is, he is still just an ordinary person.

But his body and life are his own!

Therefore, between Lou Yu and Wang Heng, he actually prefers Wang Heng more.

Even though Wang Heng showed mediocre talent and was lazy and spoiled after joining the sect, Shen Du despised her but never thought of kicking out this "tainted" disciple.

He has always pampered her and taught her to the best of his ability.

Fortunately, Shen Du soon discovered that his female disciple was not really stupid, but was deliberately hiding her incompetence.

While Shen Du secretly rejoiced, he also blamed the traitor for his distrust.

A man in his forties, who had seen through life and death, couldn't help but feel awkward because of Wang Heng.

Although it was awkward, Shen Du did not relax his academic requirements for Wang Heng.

Literature, history, classics, mathematics, divination, engineering, medicine... whatever Shen Du knew, he taught to Wang Heng without reservation.

Wang Heng: ...I don’t want to make progress, I just want to lie down!

However, with a strict teacher above and an elder brother beside her, Wang Heng could only grit her teeth and study hard. Finally, after achieving success, she became a mediocre talent from a famous family and a beautiful waste in the eyes of the world!

Shen Du: ...Well, as long as you have real talent and knowledge, it doesn’t matter whether you are willing to show it or not!

Shen Du and Lou Yu both knew Wang Heng's true level and were willing to tolerate her concealment of her shortcomings.

But outsiders don’t know...

"Ajiu! Hanzhang!"

Shen Du sat up straight and smiled as he watched the perfect couple slowly emerge in the light and shadow at the door.

The man is tall and handsome, and the woman is pretty and beautiful.

Golden boy and jade girl, nothing more than that.

Shen Du himself was unmarried and childless, and he always treated his disciples as his own sons and nephews.

Among his many disciples, his favorites were Wang Heng and Lou Yu... Well, although these two rebellious disciples would occasionally betray him, they were also the most filial!

Today, he is in charge of Lishan Academy and owns many industries in Lishan, the capital, etc., all of which are the filial piety of his disciples.

The Shen family had long since fallen into decline, and Shen Du's relatives and old friends were also not living a happy life in Chang'an.

Thanks to the filial piety of his two beloved disciples, Shen Du not only lived a rich and comfortable life, but was also able to support and help his relatives and friends.

Moreover, with the platform of Lishan Academy, he can always teach and support the next generation as much as possible.

Perhaps, after a few years or even more than ten years, his Shen family, Wang Yan's Wang family, Gu Zhe's Gu family, etc., will be able to rise again!

As they were his beloved little disciples and were also bound by interests, it was understandable that Shen Du was close to and loved Wang Heng and Lou Yu.

"Hang greets you, sir!"

"Greetings, sir!"

Entering the main hall, Wang Heng's mischievousness instantly subsided.

She stood side by side with Lou Yu and knelt down respectfully to Shen Duxing.

During the wedding ceremony, Shen Du sat in the main seat and the two of them had already exchanged greetings.

Today is the disciple’s greeting ceremony.

"Alright! Everyone, get up! Haha, you two are newlyweds, why are you coming to me instead of staying in the capital?"

Shen Du waved his hand casually and asked the two to get up.

He had a smile on his face and looked at the two of them with a gentle gaze. How could he look like a strict teacher at all?

Wang Heng's eyes curved as she said affectionately, "Of course I miss you, sir."

"Hmph, I think you wouldn't come here for no reason. You're clearly here for the academy, not for an old man like me!"

Wang Heng rubbed against Shen Du and started to bicker with Mr. Shen in a coquettish manner.

Shen Du snorted in disdain, but the doting in his eyes was not concealed at all.

Wei Prajna, with both hands on the strings, saw this scene of "harmony between teacher and student" and couldn't help but feel a little sour:

A fool like Wang Jiu is lucky enough to rely on Lou Yu and get close to Mr. Shen.

But she was not ambitious enough and did not cherish the famous teacher that others could not even ask for.

After studying under Mr. Shen for so many years, the only thing I can show off is my knowledge of books.

Mr. Shen is almighty. Lou Yu, the same disciple, perfectly inherited his skills, but Wang Jiu——

Although Wang Heng visited Wei Prajna three times and tried her best to invite him to study at the academy, the two nobles also achieved "reconciliation" because of this incident.

But deep down in her heart, Wei Prajna still disliked Wang Heng and had a jealousy that she herself was unwilling to admit.

What virtue and ability did Wang Jiu have that she could first become a disciple of a famous scholar and then marry a young genius like Lou Yu?

It is obvious that Wei Prajna is better than Wang Jiu and is more worthy of being the disciple of a famous scholar and the wife of a handsome man!

"Zheng~~"

Wei Prajna was so upset that she couldn't control herself for a moment. Her fingers moved suddenly, and a sound was made instantly.

The master and disciple who were reminiscing (bickering?) on the side, as well as someone who was watching with a smile, were all awakened by the sound of the piano.

"Look at me, I was so busy arguing with you that I forgot we had a distinguished guest!"

"Come, Ajiu, Hanzhang, come and greet the Fourth Prince's wife!"

Shen Du glanced at Wei Prajna and reminded his two disciples with a smile.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu seemed to have just noticed that there was an "acquaintance" in the hall. They turned around and greeted Wei Prajna.

As a princess, Wang Heng and the fourth prince's wife were both members of the royal family and did not need to perform formalities.

She bowed slightly, "Langya greets the Fourth Prince's wife!"

Lou Yu folded his arms and saluted: "Your Highness Lou Yu pays respects to the Fourth Prince's wife!"

Wei Prajna nodded modestly in return, "No need for formalities, both of you. This isn't the capital, much less the imperial palace. There's no need to be bound by conventional etiquette. We're both teachers at the academy, and both seeking guidance from Mr. Shen, so we're considered family!"

Wei Prajna got married and had some experience in the palace, and she did make progress.

She is still proud, but she no longer shows it on her face, and she will not rely on her talent to be arrogant and use her power to bully others.

She smiled lightly and expressed her kindness to Wang and Lou in a soft voice.

"Yes! Haha, we are all teachers from the academy, so we can be considered colleagues."

Shen Du laughed and tried to smooth things over.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu also smiled in support.

"Since you are one of us, I won't be polite!"

Wei Prajna suddenly changed the subject and said, "Mr. Shen is a master of the guqin. As his beloved disciple, the princess must have received his true teachings. May I be honored to listen to the princess's music today?"

Wang Heng raised her eyebrows. Oh no, this is a provocation.

Everyone in the capital knew that Wei Prajna was an excellent poet and painter, and was proficient in the guqin.

Princess Langya, on the other hand, was just a fool who knew a little bit of calligraphy.

Wei Prajna invited Wang Heng to play the piano in public, clearly wanting to make fun of Wang Heng.

Wang Heng: ...This guy really won’t give up. They’ve clearly “reconciled”, but he still always looks for opportunities to target her!