Golden Branch

June 6th, easy to travel.

Outside the gate of the Duke of Qi's Mansion, carriages were already ready.

Leading the way was a four-wheeled carriage with two horses pulling it, which was Wang Heng's exclusive carriage.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng held hands and went out together.

When we arrived in front of the carriage, the driver had already placed the bench.

Lou Yu stood aside, raised his arm, held Wang Heng's hand, and helped her get into the carriage.

"Brother, where's Ashlin? Isn't she coming with us?"

Wang Heng stood on the carriage but did not enter the car immediately. She looked around but did not see any bright figure in the crowd.

"No rush! She'll come!"

You can't be too proactive towards such a calculating person.

Lou Yu smiled faintly, his handsome face as beautiful as jade, as gentle and elegant as ever.

Wang Heng trusted Lou Yu the most. Seeing how confident he was, she knew that everything was under his control.

Bending down and lowering her head, Wang Heng entered the carriage.

In the carriage, seats, small tables, etc. are all prepared.

There are hidden bags, pillows, etc. on the seats, and the small table is filled with fruits and snacks.

Of course, the most important thing is ice, which has already been placed in the compartment at the bottom of the carriage.

As soon as Wang Heng entered the carriage, she felt a chill coming towards her.

She sat in the window seat. Because there was an ice basin in the car, the window was not open and the cold air could not be released.

Baizhi and other servants also hurried into the carriage, either to serve closely or to wait in the compartment.

When the driver and others were all on board, the bench was removed.

Lou Yu did not enter the carriage immediately, but rode his Dayuan horse first.

"Aheng, I'll go watch from the front first!"

Lou Yu squeezed the horse's belly hard and urged it forward.

Wang Heng's two-wheeled carriage was at the front of the convoy, but there were also armored guards leading the way in front of the carriage.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng made a grand trip to Nanzhou this time.

Not only did she bring a dozen maids, but she also brought four hundred members of the Lou family and two hundred of the princess's personal guards.

A guard of 600 people, including cavalry and infantry.

All are equipped with armor, weapons, etc.

Not to mention just casual protection, even if we just randomly wipe out a stronghold along the way, there are enough troops.

In addition to the followers of the Lou and Wang families, there are also the "direct descendants" carefully selected by the young couple -

Chen Yan has received the appointment document from the Ministry of Personnel, and will follow Lou Yu to Nanzhou to serve as the county magistrate of a certain county.

Zheng Shiliu brought his slaves, servants, and followers with him and traveled with Chen Yan.

Lou Piao and other members of the Lou family also brought their family guards, retired veterans of the Lou family army, and others to join the team.

There are also several students, relatives and friends who are willing to believe in Lou Yu and are willing to fight for their own careers.

The masters and followers of several families mixed together to form a long team.

As the leader, Lou Yu is responsible for everyone.

He rode his horse and inspected the area from beginning to end and from left to right.

After making sure the team was ready, Lou Yu raised his right arm high and said, "Let's go!"

At his command, the knight mounted his horse and the coachman jumped into the carriage.

drive!

Drive!

With shouts and the sound of whips breaking through the air, the convoy started moving.

The huge team left Pingkangfang, entered Zhuque Street, and headed towards the city gate.

Seeing this scene, the guards at the city gate did not dare to stop them too much. They quickly opened the gate and removed the roadblocks.

The convoy left the city smoothly.

Wang Mian, Zheng Shisan and others had been waiting for a long time by the official road outside the city gate.

"Ajiu, have a safe trip!"

"Princess, I wish you peace!"

In fact, they had already come to the princess's residence yesterday to say goodbye to Wang Heng.

Wang Heng also warned, "No need to come and see me off again!"

It's not like you'll never come back, so there's no need to be so sad.

Wang Mian and Zheng Shiliu insisted.

Both of them prepared farewell gifts and even made some small things by hand, and ordered them all to be sent into the carriage.

"I'll leave all matters in the capital to you!"

"Amian! Shisanniang! Take care!"

Wang Heng opened the car window and said goodbye to the two of them.

There was a carriage parked not far away, but the people in the carriage did not get out. Instead, they looked over here through the window.

Wang Heng glanced at it but didn't pay much attention.

"...Ajiu, you must take the tips I gave you seriously!"

Just before the convoy was about to set off, Wang Mian rushed to the car window, lowered his voice, and gave a solemn reminder.

"Yes, I remember! Amian, don't worry."

Wang Heng nodded. She would never disregard the advice of her eldest daughter-in-law.

Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan said goodbye to Zheng Shiliu again and reminded her to take good care of Wang Heng.

After earnest instructions, I finally had to leave.

Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan stood by the roadside, watching the long convoy slowly drive onto the official road.

In the carriage on the side of the road, Madam Dugu leaned against the window, staring at the person who had gone away.

She really lost Dalang.

……

After getting on the official road, Lou Yu rode his horse to the four-wheeled carriage.

He jumped off the horse swiftly and jumped onto the moving carriage.

"Brother!"

Seeing Lou Yu come in, Wang Heng hurriedly greeted him: "Hurry up and sit down. Have some tea to cool off!"

It’s the hottest month of June.

In such hot weather, even in the morning when the sun is rising, people are sweating all over.

Lou Yu was riding a horse outside. After a lot of effort, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and neck.

Following Wang Heng's greeting, Bai Wei came over with a tray.

On the tray were two cotton towels.

Lou Yu reached out and picked up a piece of cotton cloth. It was wet and cool. It could not only wipe away sweat but also bring coolness.

In addition, the ice basin in the carriage was still emitting cool air, and Lou Yu, who was so hot outside that his whole body was greasy, felt cool instantly.

After using one piece, he changed for another one, and only then did Lou Yu feel comfortable.

He leaned back on the seat, took the cold tea handed to him by Wang Heng, and sipped it in small sips.

"Brother, you just said that Ashlin would follow?"

Wang Heng was still thinking about what Lou Yu said when she left.

Moreover, it was already several miles from the outskirts of the city to Shangguan Road, but she did not see any trace of Ashlin.

"This guy usually uses some tricks."

Lou Yu's deep eyes were filled with confidence: "If you are too thoughtful, you will be sensitive and suspicious."

"If I try too hard to invite her back to Nanzhou, she'll definitely become suspicious and think I have some plans for her."

Although Lou Yu was indeed plotting against Ashlin, Ashlin also knew that he would use her.

However, during the operation, this fact cannot be exposed.

"I simply told her that I was going to Nanzhou to take up my post and casually suggested that she be escorted back to Nanbang, but I wouldn't insist on persuading her."

Lou Yu said calmly, "I even looked relieved after she politely declined."

Lou Yu deliberately acted as if he didn't want Ashlin to go back to Nanzhou with him.

The more he acted like this, the more suspicious Ashlin became—

"Brother, I understand. Ashlin was originally worried that you would hinder her from causing trouble in the capital."

"And you're so 'indifferent', even a little permissive and encouraging, she'll worry that you're really going to deal with Nanbang."

"As the princess of Nanbang and heir to the throne, Ashlin values ​​Nanbang the most."

"She can't let you go to Nanbang and destroy her roots—"

Wang Heng reacted instantly after hearing what Lou Yu said.

She couldn't help but sigh in her heart that Lou Yu was the best at calculating people's hearts.

"So, Ashlin will definitely come after us."

In fact, in addition to the reasons Lou Yu mentioned, there is another reason that Lou Yu did not mention:

Ashlin is obsessed with Lou Yu and has an inexplicable malice towards Wang Heng.

Now, the couple went to Nanzhou, and Ashlin would follow closely for some dark thoughts of her own.

"My dear, my princess! There's a carriage chasing us!"

The guards following on both sides of the convoy, led by their leader, rode their horses to the window and replied in a low voice.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng looked at each other and smiled: Here they come!

"Go and see who they are. Are they coming for us?"

Lou Yu ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes!" The commander agreed, turned his horse's head, and rushed to the back of the team.

Not long after, the commander came back on horseback and said, "My lord, the people who came are Princess Ashlin of Nanbang and her maid."

"She heard that her husband was going to Nanzhou to take up his post. Coincidentally, she received a letter from Nanbang and had to go back to Nanbang on urgent business. She happened to meet us on the way and wanted to join us!"

Lou Yu looked at Wang Heng and deliberately said, "Princess, what do you think?"

A smile flashed in Wang Heng's eyes. Tsk, brother, are you starting to act now?

However, as friends and a couple who grew up together and understand each other, Wang Heng and Lou Yu's tacit understanding has long been ingrained in their bones.

She pondered for a few breaths before speaking hesitantly, "She is, after all, the princess of Nanbang. She's coming to Dayu as an envoy representing Nanbang. Since we're going the same way, why not take her along?"

"...The princess is generous and magnanimous, and considers the overall situation. I admire her deeply."

Lou Yu transformed himself into a respectful minister, and his tone of voice was humble.

Commander: ...Alas, this is the sorrow of seeking to marry a royal princess.

Even a noble man like our husband must be respectful to the princess.

The commander complained in his heart and turned his horse's head again.

And just as he turned around, he faintly heard the princess's dissatisfied voice coming from the carriage:

"That enchantress is the best at seducing people. My husband, you must not be seduced by her!"

The commander seemed to understand why the queen acted like a princess. It turned out she was jealous.

No wonder!

Normally, the queen is very kind and loves her husband very much, and rarely forces him to declare himself her subject.

The reason why he did this at this moment was probably because he was dissatisfied with Ashlin's uninvited visit, or he was trying to pester her.

“…I dare not!”

What came through the air was Lou Yu's somewhat humble reply.

The commander shook his head secretly, rode his horse to the back of the convoy, and came to the front of the carriage. Through the window, he saw a fiery, gorgeous figure and couldn't help sighing:

She is indeed a beauty, no wonder the princess is jealous.

Although the commander's eyes were not very direct, they did reveal something.

Ashlin was very good at observing people's expressions. Seeing the commander's expression, she vaguely guessed:

Very good, Lou Yu’s princess wife really felt jealous and had a sense of crisis.

This way, it would be easy for a rift to develop between them, and she would then successfully sow discord between them...