Golden Branch

"Brother, this is——"

Wang Heng guessed a lot of things, but she still didn't expect that her Mount Li would usher in such a big "surprise".

"Sister!" The Ninth Prince and Princess Changning called out in unison.

One of them is Wang Heng's younger brother, and the other is a little fan of Wang Heng. When they saw their beautiful sister, they all rushed over happily.

One person hugged a thigh, feeling extremely close and warm.

"Auntie!"

Kosaburo is a little shy.

When he was taken to Yizhou by Concubine Jiang, he was just one year old and had no memory at all.

Afterwards, he returned to the capital, and Wang Heng also came to the capital. The two had only met at palace banquets and had no chance to be alone together.

After three or four years, Xiao Sanlang had long forgotten Wang Heng.

However, memories are memories, but when Xiao Sanlang saw Wang Heng, he still felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

He was a little shy and bowed politely.

Wang Heng: …

Haha, it’s okay to call him A’di, after all, he is her biological brother from the same mother.

As for Changning, it was okay. Because of their early friendship and the allure of the zoo, Changning was quite close to her.

This...what's going on with Xiao Sanlang?

He is the beloved son of the Eastern Palace and the beloved grandson of the Saint Queen.

"Could it be something about the East Palace?"

"But wasn't it Xiao Dalang who got into trouble?"

"Could it be that Little Dalang's condition is not good, and the prince deliberately sent Little Sanlang out to 'escape'?"

Wang Heng's brain was working rapidly. In just a few breaths, she had already come up with many guesses.

Wang Heng thought about it in her heart, but her face did not show any expression.

She raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing her signature sweet smile.

She is naturally beautiful and has more than ten years of experience in disguise.

When she smiled like this, she looked like a blooming spring flower, but without any aggression. Instead, she exuded innocence and purity.

It is extremely beautiful and extremely harmless.

"Jiulang, Shiyi Niang, Xiao Sanlang, you've been traveling for so long. Are you tired? Are you hungry?"

Wang Heng squatted down and looked at the three little ones at eye level.

She smiled lightly and greeted them softly.

Although the three little ones are young, they already have a concept of beauty and ugliness.

They were all attracted, their mouths opened, and their big round eyes were filled with joy and closeness.

Hearing Wang Heng's sweet voice and caring words, their little faces turned red.

"Yeah, I'm a little tired! And a little hungry!"

It was the eldest Princess Changning who spoke on behalf of the three little ones.

She took Wang Heng's hand very proactively, "Sister, I want to eat the grilled fish you mentioned last time? Oh, and teppanyaki?"

"Okay! Let's eat grilled fish! Let's eat teppanyaki!"

Jiulang is the youngest, but also the most possessive: Humph, my sister is my biological sister, and my sister and I should be the best in the world.

Although my sister couldn't be close to him all the time because of mourning, she never forgot him.

From the three festivals and two birthdays every year to every day off, my elder sister would send people or ask her brother-in-law to come to the palace to bring him lots of food, clothes and toys.

There are so many things that my mother needs to clean up a warehouse specifically for storage.

His mother often told him about his sister in his ear, and he could also see many portraits of his sister.

Therefore, even though they hadn't seen each other for two or three years, Jiulang was not unfamiliar with his sister.

The brother and sister are close relatives, and with Concubine Jiang and Wang Heng trying to maintain their relationship, their relationship not only does not become estranged, but becomes even closer.

Now, with other people around him vying for favor, Jiulang couldn't help but develop a sense of crisis and competition.

"Sister, I want to eat too!"

"Okay! Eat them all!"

Wang Heng stretched out her hands, coaxing one of them with each hand.

She also did not forget to greet Xiao Sanlang, who was alone: ​​"Xiao Sanlang, what do you want to eat? Just tell me!"

"……Um!"

Xiao Sanlang was still a little shy, but because of Wang Heng's smile and kindness, his heart was slowly calmed down.

While Wang Heng was talking to the three little ones, she gave a look to the servant beside her.

The servant understood and hurried down to give the order.

When Wang Heng brought the three little ones into the villa and arrived at the main courtyard, the open space on the side of the courtyard had already been laid out with felt carpets, and surrounded by screens, curtains, etc.

Next to the felt carpet is a crabapple tree in full bloom.

The crabapple tree has lush branches and leaves, and its flowers, which are either deep pink or light pink, are extremely gorgeous.

When the wind blows, some petals will fall.

Begonia is Concubine Jiang's favorite, and everyone close to her knows this.

The Ninth Prince, as the only son of Concubine Jiang, was familiar with her preferences even though he was only three years old.

In fact, it was in Baifu Palace that the saint transplanted a crabapple tree specifically for Concubine Jiang.

There is also an imperial farm on the outskirts of the city, where the saint specially planted a garden for Concubine Jiang.

Every spring, the sage would take Concubine Jiang to the imperial farm. The "couple" would hold hands and stroll in the crabapple forest, smelling the delicate fragrance of the crabapples and bathing in the rain of falling petals.

After the birth of the ninth prince, the "couple's outing" naturally turned into a parent-child activity for the "family of three".

Therefore, the Ninth Prince knew his mother's preferences and was familiar with everything about crabapple flowers.

Seeing that there was a crabapple tree in his sister's courtyard, the Ninth Prince felt familiar and friendly.

"Begonia!"

"Yes! In a few days, when the crabapple blossoms fall, there will be crabapple fruits! Then, I'll take you to pick crabapple fruits and make crabapple wine, okay?"

"Okay!" Jiulang responded happily.

"I also want to pick crabapple fruits and make fruit wine!" Princess Changning has always been spoiled by the emperor and empress, and has developed a naive and innocent character.

The eight-year-old little girl couldn't help but feel curious and excited when she heard something new.

Still a little bit "introverted".

Wang Heng took the initiative to greet him, "Where's Xiao Sanlang? Can you help Auntie pick fruits and make wine?"

"……Um!"

With just a simple topic, Wang Heng quickly became close to the three little ones.

During this time, the servants had already prepared tea and meals.

I saw seven or eight slaves carrying three-layer food boxes entering the yard one after another.

They were quick and efficient, and soon, four food tables had been placed on the large felt carpet, and the tables were filled with various delicacies.

Wang Heng greeted the three little ones and paid special attention to Xiao Sanlang.

In fact, Wang Heng didn't have to do it herself, as the three little ones were surrounded by their mothers, palace maids, eunuchs, etc.

They all surrounded their young master and served him attentively and attentively.

Wang Heng was more of a show of intimacy.

After making all the necessary gestures, she returned to her dining table and sat side by side with Lou Yu.

She turned her head and glanced at Lou Yu:

【Brother, what's going on? 】

Lou Yu also looked at her, curled the corners of his lips, and a gleam flashed in his eyes, which were always gentle but cold.

He leaned towards Wang Heng, leaned close to her ear, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"The matter of the Eastern Palace has been thoroughly investigated. It was indeed the Li family's doing!"

"Mrs. Li actually bribed Mrs. Fu, who was close to Xiao Dalang. Mrs. Fu first urged Xiao Dalang to go to Quchi to release river lanterns and pray for blessings, and then she told Li Liangdi about Xiao Dalang's whereabouts."

"Li Liangdi will die of illness, and her son, Xiao Wulang, will be adopted by Prince Min."

There was a death in the Eastern Palace, and the emperor's grandson was adopted out. Such a big change was bound to cause some turmoil.

"...Little Dalang fell off his horse and broke his leg. The imperial physician can't guarantee a complete recovery. Little Dalang is very likely to suffer from a leg injury!"

Lou Yu told Wang Heng everything that happened in the Eastern Palace.

His words were objective and calm.

However, Wang Heng could still hear the hidden storm in it, and felt a thrilling feeling.

"Even Kogoro is going to be adopted out?"

Wang Heng was not surprised that Li Liangdi "died of illness".

She stretched out her hand towards the Crown Princess and her son. Not to mention the Saint and the Crown Prince, even the Queen would not tolerate her.

However, Kogoro is the prince's biological son and the saint's grandson, but he was also implicated in this.

Adopted by Prince Min?

This completely cuts off Kogoro's chance of inheriting the throne.

Prince Min was the son of Queen Li, but he died when he was six or seven years old.

The sage and Queen Li were both deeply saddened.

After the saint ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred the child the title of Prince and moved him to the imperial mausoleum.

The emperor and empress were worried that their son, who died young, would have no descendants and his family line would be cut off.

He was buried in the imperial mausoleum and stayed by his parents' side. As long as the Dayu Dynasty existed, he would never be absent from the sacrifices.

Therefore, the Sage and Queen Li did not think of adopting an heir for this child.

Now that Kogoro has been adopted by Prince Min, it is more of a punishment.

The title of Prince Min is just an empty title.

There was no title, no fiefdom, and even no palace.

When Kogoro grows up, the saint may give him some rewards, but they will not be too generous.

Kogoro was completely exiled by the saint and the prince!

"There's nothing we can do. Although Kogoro is innocent, he is also one of the reasons why the Li family dares to act recklessly."

"If we want to completely put an end to the Li family's ambitions, Kogoro must be adopted!"

Lou Yu said in a low voice.

This time, the Li family was too bold and directly stepped on the red line of the Supreme father and son.

They spared Kogoro's life because he was young and a member of the Li family.

Being adopted by the queen's deceased prince and inheriting the title of prince in the future is already the best ending for Kogoro!

"The Li family has really gone too far! They've even extended their reach into the Eastern Palace!"

Wang Heng was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

And she also understood why Xiao Sanlang appeared in her own Lishan Academy.

The prince's move was not only to protect Xiao Sanlang, but also to ensure Xiao Dalang's status.

After explaining the reason why Xiao Sanlang came to Mount Li, Lou Yu said:

"The Crown Prince discovered that Xiao Dalang's mother-in-law was bribed. He's worried that there might be hidden dangers that he hasn't discovered yet."

Since there are hidden dangers, we must conduct a thorough investigation.

Therefore, the East Palace, and even the entire Taiji Palace, will fall into a state of panic.

Lou Yu continued, "The Imperial Concubine was worried that Jiulang, due to his young age, might be targeted by those with ulterior motives, so she decided to send him to Mount Li to study."

After hearing about Xiao Dalang's misfortune, Wang Heng guessed what her mother was thinking.

Hearing Lou Yu's words now only made me more certain.

She nodded. "It's good to come to Mount Li! Summer is coming soon, and the heat in Beijing is scorching. Even if I don't study in Mount Li, it's great to escape the heat and have some fun!"

PS: First update of May, please support me with a guaranteed monthly ticket, begging! (^.^)