Golden Branch

is her!

Lou Dalang was extremely sure.

He was too familiar with this face.

First of all, he could see it in the bronze mirror when he looked in the mirror every day.

Secondly, there is a portrait in my father’s study.

His biological mother, the woman who was said to have "disappeared" when he was just one month old.

She had no surname or given name, only the two words "Jiaojiao" given to her by her father when she was favored.

"Jiaojiao", on many silent nights, his father stayed by his window and called softly countless times.

Outsiders, including Old Lady Cui, would only call her "that slut" or "foxy woman" with disdain.

Lou Dalang's thoughts were in a mess, and he clenched his hands tightly inside his fleece sleeves.

The woman who was suspected to be his biological mother came back and became his father's legal wife, but Lou Dalang was not surprised at all.

He even felt a huge anger and fear: he was no longer the only one.

I'm not afraid of being called unfilial, but in Lou Dalang's opinion, it would be better for his mother to "disappear" forever.

As long as his mother doesn't come back, he will always be his father's only favorite.

Because Lou Dalang knew that his father's love for him was more about loving the whole family.

Now that the "house" is back, she will give birth to more children for her father.

Lou Dalang's name is "Wu", and the other children she gave birth to are also "Wu".

“…You, you are?”

As an elder, Mrs. Cui could not come in person to greet the bride.

She sent out her confidant, Li Ai.

Li Ai stood in front of a group of servants, and was originally standing there in a proper and respectful manner.

But as the bride got closer, she couldn't help but squint her eyes.

This person looks so familiar!

In fact, if it were Mrs. Cui, she might not even recognize the person.

It happened to be Aunt Li who came.

As the most useful person around Madam Cui, Li Ai is the manager of the inner courtyard of the Lou family.

Li Ai was responsible for the management, sale and other matters of the Lou family's slaves.

Back then, it was Li Ai who selected two of the most beautiful maids from among the young maids and sent them to Lou Jin's courtyard.

Among them was the concubine who gave birth to Lou Dalang.

However, when Li Ai was choosing the person, she never thought that the little girl who once trembled in fear in front of her would actually win the favor of Lou Jin.

For her, he even went so far as to disobey the old general!

After many years, seeing the similar face again, Li was so shocked that she forgot her sense of propriety for a moment.

She did not bow to the bride, but stared at her with a curious look.

"How dare you! What kind of rule is this? How dare a slave look directly at the lady?"

The bride did not speak, and the servants beside her scolded her coldly.

Hearing the word "Lady", Li Ai suddenly reacted. She quickly lowered her head, bowed, and knelt: "I greet you, Lady!"

She is not Jiaojiao, but Dugu?

But, but that face——

Or are there really two people in this world who are so similar?

Li Ai bowed gently, but her heart was already in turmoil.

"Ok!"

The bride responded reservedly, ignoring Li's mother-in-law, and her pair of sharp autumn eyes quickly swept over everyone outside the courtyard gate.

Then, her gaze fell on the cold and frosty Lou Dalang.

She pursed her lips tightly, tears glistening in her eyes.

Dalang!

It’s Dalang!

This is her own flesh and blood, the one she carried for ten months and gave birth to in one day!

After escaping from the Lou family for nearly seven years, the person she cares about most is him.

She was not a good mother. She brought him into this world but abandoned him.

But she had no choice.

She was of humble origin, had no parents, and had nowhere to go if she escaped.

If he follows her, his son will have to suffer the hardships of being displaced and sleeping in the open air.

It may even die young.

She herself couldn't guarantee whether she could survive after leaving the Lou family, and she didn't dare let her son take the risk.

On the contrary, if he kept his son in the Lou family, even if he was not a noble young master, he would still be the young master's flesh and blood.

My husband will never let him down.

It is definitely better to live in luxury and enjoy a life of luxury than to suffer with her.

But she had to leave that year because her husband was going to marry Dugu, who was famous for her jealousy and cruelty.

She was about to give birth at that time, and she heard the maids whispering more than once in various places such as the garden and the kitchen.

The daughter of the Dugu family is the most intolerant, and cannot tolerate concubines or maids.

What the Lou family has already promised the Dugu family is that they will send "that bitch" away as soon as she gives birth to the child.

There was also a little maid who pretended to be mysterious and said that there was no need to wait until she gave birth to the baby, because giving birth was like going through the gates of hell for a woman.

It is very easy to get rid of the mother and keep the son in the inner courtyard of the house!

Her reason told her that these words might not be true. After all, the mistress of the Lou family was not her husband's biological mother, but only his stepmother.

At that time, Lady Cui, who had not yet been promoted to the rank of Grand Lady, would certainly not want to see Lou Jin marry a noble lady from a prominent family who could be of help to him.

But, she was the person involved, she was about to give birth, and she was already nervous, worried, and even scared.

After hearing so many rumors, she was scared and wanted to run away!

She began secretly preparing: money! Household registration! Travel permits! Even a place to stay in the future!

She was not the little maid who didn't even know how to read when she first entered the mansion. After serving Lou Jin for several years, she learned a lot.

She also secretly looked at the map of the Great Zhou in Lou Jin's study, and learned about the customs and habits of many different places from Lou Jin.

She is also Lou Jin's most beloved maid, and she can use Lou Jin's name as a banner.

In less than two months, she had everything ready.

After giving birth and seeing Lou Jin happily holding his son, she knew that it would be better for her son to stay in the Lou family, and it was time for her to leave!

Taking advantage of her son's full moon banquet, the Dugu family sending people to question her, and even taking advantage of Cui Nujun's little trick, she successfully escaped from the Lou family and fled to the southern border.

This departure lasted for six or seven years.

After leaving, she missed her son and her husband countless times.

But she also knew that unless something unexpected happened, there would be no possibility for the three of them to meet again.

But the "accident" happened.

A palace coup occurred in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the whole country was in turmoil. She, who was far away in the south of the Yangtze River, was also affected.

She was forced to flee again, and by chance, she met the nephews of the Dugu family.

Then... she became the daughter of the Dugu family, recognized her parents, was included in the family tree, and married Lou Jin in a grand ceremony.

She is no longer the lowly maid Jiaojiao, but Dugu Mingyue.

She had a noble birth and a status worthy of her husband, and she and her husband finally became a couple.

However, Dugu Mingyue did not forget that she still had a son whom she owed for several years.

"...You must be Dalang! I am your mother!"

Suppressing her excitement and holding back her tears, Dugu Mingyue walked straight towards Lou Dalang.

She has delicate features, a gentle and graceful temperament, and a slightly petite figure. She has a dreamy, gentle and elegant temperament, just like a beauty from the southern water town.

Her voice is soft and typical of the Wu dialect.

But, although she is still “soft”, her softness carries with it the unique charm of a mature woman.

Unlike Wang Heng, Wang Heng is cute and gentle, which makes Lou Dalang like her.

"Humph!"

Lou Dalang had quickly sorted out his thoughts.

He looked at Dugu Mingyue intently, and keenly saw guilt, heartache, longing and other emotions in her eyes.

Well, my mother still has some feelings for him.

Unfortunately, it’s not enough!

Lou Dalang doesn't care either.

However, Lou Dalang knew that he needed this kind of love from his mother.

"You are not my mother! I have a mother! My mother is prettier and more noble than you... She is like a fairy, and she loves me the most!"

Lou Dalang raised his chin arrogantly and spoke in a deliberately vicious tone.

While denying Dugu Mingyue's identity, he desperately praised his "dream" mother.

What Lou Dalang said was absolutely against the rules.

If anyone else were his stepmother, she would use this as an excuse to punish him severely.

But the Dugu Mingyue in front of him was the "fairy" mother of Lou Dalang.

Hearing that the son she had abandoned was still so fond of her even though he had never received her motherly love and care, Dugu Mingyue was both moved and felt guilty.

Dalang is a good boy. She is not worthy of being Dalang's mother and does not deserve his praise!

"Good! Your mother is the best!"

Sniffing hard, Dugu Mingyue was extremely tolerant of Lou Dalang.

She looked greedily at her son, whose appearance combined the best features of her and her husband. The little boy was only six or seven years old, but he was tall.

And his unruly temperament makes it clear at a glance that he was brought up in a pampered environment.

"...My dear, you didn't lie to me. He really treats Dalang very well!"

"Instead of being angry because of me, she spoiled Dalang, a bastard son of a lowly mother, into a little tyrant for my sake!"

As for Lou Dalang's bad reputation, Dugu Mingyue had already heard about it while he was far away in Jizhou.

However, she did not despise it, but felt even more guilty:

Isn't it because Dalang's biological mother is not around that Dalang is so naughty?

As a mother, she did not teach Dalang well, it was her fault.

No matter what kind of circumstances she had back then, it was not a reason for her to shirk her responsibilities.

"I have let Dalang down. I will definitely make it up to him in the future."

"There's also the issue of disciplining Dalang... Dalang is still young, if you put more effort into it, you can always teach him well!"

After the wedding ceremony, she did not stay with her husband, but chose to come to Yizhou just for Dalang.

When Dugu Mingyue thought of this, her eyes were filled with kindness and determination.

She will compensate Dalang and she will also discipline him strictly!

Now, she may not be able to mention the identity of her biological mother, but she is Lou Jin’s legal wife and Lou Dalang’s legitimate mother!

……

Main courtyard, main hall.

Mrs. Cui sat cross-legged in the main seat at the top.

The female members of the other branches of the Lou family, such as Lou Jin's aunt, cousins' wives, etc., knelt in two rows at the bottom.

The atmosphere was solemn and the ladies watched coldly.

They are all women of the Lou family and live in the same courtyard.

The bride's character, virtues, and behavior are all directly related to her own interests.

If Dugu is really as domineering as the legend says, it would be difficult to live under her.

There is also the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Madam Cui and Lady Dugu, who are destined to be enemies. When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fight, everyone else suffers.

The women of the Lou family don't want to be caught up in the fight between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

"My son Dugu Mingyue, please give your greetings to everyone (mother-in-law)!"

Dugu Mingyue walked slowly to the main hall, came before Madam Cui, and bowed gracefully.

Although she was not a hereditary servant of the Lou family, she was bought from outside and brought into the mansion.

However, after entering the palace, he also underwent rigorous training.

After being sent to Lou Jin, Lou Jin doted on her and specially found a reliable old woman for her to teach her etiquette and rules.

Half a year ago, I met someone from the Dugu family by chance and was adopted by them as their daughter, and began to study there.

The current Dugu Mingyue has been reborn.

Her every word, every action, every gesture reveals the demeanor of a noble lady from an aristocratic family.

Li Ai did not have the chance to rush to inform Madam Cui, so Madam Cui did not know Dugu Mingyue's identity.

She sat high up in the hall, and when she saw Dugu Mingyue's behavior, she nodded secretly: After all, it was the Dugu family, and although they had a fierce reputation, their rules were indeed good.

This Dugu, apart from looking a little older - well, she looks to be around twenty years old, there is no other flaw.

No wonder she was able to marry Lou Jin, who had a concubine's eldest son. It was not only because of family cooperation, but also because Dugu was old and missed the flower sign.

What's worse, she might even be remarried.

Mrs. Cui is the stepmother and has a bad relationship with Lou Jin, so she can't help but release the greatest malice.

It’s a pity that Dugu is just old, but her appearance is top-notch.

Mrs. Cui looked at him and even felt that he looked familiar.

Huh?

It's so strange, as if I've seen it somewhere before.

However, as both were powerful people in the northern region, they had all lived in the capital in the past. Perhaps she had met Dugu at some banquet.

Or, they could be Dugu's sisters, aunts, and other relatives.

Mrs. Cui didn't think much about it. She was finding fault in her heart, but on the surface she appeared gentle and loving.

She deliberately leaned forward, extended a hand, and said affectionately, "No need for formalities! No need for formalities! We are all family, there is no need for such formalities!"

"Ming Yue, huh? Haha, what a good name! She lives up to her name, just like the bright moon!"

Mrs. Cui waved her hand, patted the seat next to her, and invited them warmly.

Dugu Mingyue did not act pretentiously. She stood up, walked lightly with lotus steps, and sat down on the left side of Madam Cui.

"It's such a nice color, no wonder Ajin likes it!"

Mrs. Cui had kind eyes and a smile on her face. She even praised her daughter-in-law who had just arrived in a joking way.

Dugu Mingyue sat upright with her eyelids slightly lowered: Is it starting now?

Oh, what does this old woman mean?

On the surface, he was praising her for her good complexion, but in fact, he was implicitly criticizing her for "using her beauty to please men"?

If the two have a good relationship and make a harmless joke to each other, Dugu Mingyue will not care.

But, it seems that the two have "never met".

Where does Mrs. Cui get this intimacy from?

"Ajia, you're too kind! When it comes to looks, Ajia is still better! The best part is, Ajia's complexion, he looks very young!"

Are you young?

Although she is Lou Jin's stepmother, she is only ten years older than Lou Jin.

Dugu Mingyue praised Madam Cui for her youth on the surface, but in fact she was implying her status as a second wife.

Mrs. Cui's expression remained unchanged, but the smile in her eyes had become much colder.

"By the way, where's Dalang? Why can't I see Dalang?"

Mrs. Cui's first wave of innuendo didn't work, so she immediately came with a second wave.

She used her ultimate weapon: the little bully Lou Dalang!