Golden Branch

New Year’s Eve, Lou’s Manor.

The Lou family’s ancestral land, ancestral hall, etc. are not in Hedong.

However, the ancestor worship ceremony is still necessary.

When Mrs. Cui brought her family to Hedong, she set aside a courtyard in the huge Lou family manor to temporarily serve as an ancestral hall.

There are three main halls, and layers of tablets are placed in the main hall, which are the ancestors of the Lou family.

After Dugu Mingyue arrived in Hedong, she took over the housekeeping power from Madam Cui the next day.

Entering the twelfth lunar month, Dugu Mingyue began to order people to prepare for the New Year, including tidying up and sweeping the ancestral hall.

On New Year's Eve, the head of the family, Lou Jin, and seven or eight adult males were not at home, but the elder, the lady, was still there, and the ancestor worship ceremony was held as usual.

Dugu Mingyue took it very seriously. This was the first time she presided over a formal ceremony after marrying into the Lou family.

From the lady in charge of the ancestral hall to the silverware and offerings used for sacrifices, she made arrangements half a month in advance.

Dugu Mingyue also rehearsed the sacrificial process, possible accidents during the sacrifice, and other situations repeatedly with several of her confidants in advance, just to be sure that nothing would go wrong.

Dugu Mingyue thought of almost everything, even the possibility that Madam Cui and her confidants might trip her up. She had several guesses and took corresponding precautions based on her guesses.

The only thing I missed was that I was pregnant.

As if overnight, Dugu Mingyue felt her body become heavy and lazy.

The sense of taste and smell become extremely sharp and fragile.

I can't stand any strange smell, and the taste becomes weird too.

Of course, Dugu Mingyue was not really a delicate lady. She had been a slave and had suffered hardships. She could still endure all the reactions of pregnancy.

What really made Dugu Mingyue worried and anxious was Dalang.

"...Da Lang, during the ancestral worship tonight, I will announce this to the whole family!"

Dugu Mingyue didn't dare to look Dalang in the eye. She knew that she and her husband had let Dalang down.

But there is nothing we can do about it.

And now that you have made your choice, don't waver or procrastinate.

She squeezed her eyes shut and continued, "Also, my husband has found several great scholars and a renowned scholar for you. They will arrive in Hedong after the new year."

"When the time comes, you, you must perform well and strive to successfully become a disciple of a famous teacher."

Lou Yu himself is from a noble family. If he could have a good teacher, his studies and career would be much smoother.

While Lou Jin was fighting on the front line, he was still thinking about finding a famous teacher for his son. He was definitely dedicated.

"...Of course I have to devote myself to it? Haha, he's a great scholar and a famous scholar... Father is really determined to let me study!"

Lou Yu's face was numb, but there was a hint of sinisterness and coldness in his eyes.

After only half a day, he was completely awakened: relying on people is indeed unreliable!

Even biological parents will make choices for the sake of their own interests.

Oh no, even if there is no benefit, parents will be partial if they have many children.

In the past, Lou Yu had heard that someone's grandmother was partial to her husband, either favoring the eldest son or the eldest grandson, or the youngest son or grandson.

Later, I met the fat girl and Wang Mian, the guy next to the fat girl who always said shocking things.

Wang Mian once said, "People's hearts are biased, and partiality is inevitable!"

Yes, people’s hearts are all on the left side, no one is in the middle.

It's normal to be partial.

…So, “she” is pregnant? Will she have a baby?

Is he, a bastard who once represented her lowly status and humiliating past, an eyesore?

Many speculations arose in Lou Yu's mind, and countless thoughts were mixed together.

His eyes quickly swept across Dugu Mingyue's lower abdomen, and a hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes.

What if she also "accidentally" fell and had a miscarriage like the fat girl's cheap stepmother?

Lou Yu has not forgotten his masterpiece from a few months ago.

But soon, Lou Yu woke up with a start——

Do not!

No!

The Cui family is different from the Dugu family.

Cui's husband was plotting to kill her with a borrowed knife.

When she got into trouble, Wang Lin took the opportunity to curry favor with the Lou family.

Dugu's husband treated her as the apple of his eye.

Lou Yu was very sure that if he really took action against Dugu, he would be severely punished by Lou Jin.

If things go wrong, Lou Jin will really adopt him out.

"As expected, now that the genuine product is back, the substitutes are worthless!"

Lou Yu clenched his fists tightly.

He knew why his father doted on him. It was because his father loved Dugu that he also loved him, the son born to Dugu and who looked like her.

"Bah! Ye Ye is not a substitute! Ye Ye, Ye Ye is unique and irreplaceable!"

Lou Yu was unwilling to face the fact that he was just a "stand-in" and screamed desperately in his heart.

Unfortunately, the facts are the facts and will not change in the slightest because of his incompetent rage.

He didn't even dare to have any bad thoughts about Dugu.

“…” I’m not willing to accept this! I really am not willing to accept this!

But there is nothing we can do about it.

The willful and arrogant little bully of the Lou family was once again frustrated to the point of having red eyes and clenched fists.

He gritted his teeth and remained silent for a long time before he raised his head and said woodenly, "Yes! I will obey your command!"

Seeing the previously stubborn little wolf cub suddenly become "docile", Dugu Mingyue's heart was once again stabbed and twisted by a knife.

Children will not suddenly become sensible, but they will become obedient after being wronged or taught a lesson.

Lou Yu’s mischievous behavior in the past made Dugu Mingyue feel guilty, distressed, anxious and worried.

Now, he has become docile, but Dugu Mingyue still feels guilty and distressed.

"A-Ayu, don't worry, you are the son of our father and mother. We, we will definitely treat you well!"

Dugu Mingyue didn't just talk, she immediately ordered people to clean up Lou Jin's warehouse and the more than ten carts of dowry she brought back.

In addition to gold, silver, jewelry, cloth and medicinal materials, there are also many treasures such as ancient books and paintings.

Another room in Lou Yu's warehouse was filled up.

Lou Yu: ...What's this? A slap in the face, then a sweet treat?

Just like he trained dogs or servants before.

As expected, if one does not have enough strength, one cannot control his own destiny and can only be "tamed" by others like a pet or a slave!

A seed was buried deep in Lou Yu's heart, sprouting quickly and growing wildly.

Wisps of black air tightly surround the seed, growing and thriving along with it.

……

After talking with Lou Yu for half an hour, Dugu Mingyue seemed to have exhausted most of her energy.

However, when the auspicious time for ancestor worship arrived, she still forced herself to preside over the ceremony herself.

Inside the ancestral hall, candles are shining brightly, incense is burning brightly, and people are bustling about.

The Lou family members stood in two rows according to gender.

In the row of women, Madam Cui stood at the front. She was wearing a brand new jacket and skirt, holding Buddhist beads in her hand, and looking at Dugu Mingyue subtly.

"Isn't the powder on this slut's face too thick? Oh, I see. She must be looking bad, so she's deliberately using powder to cover it up."

"And this waist, it does seem to be a bit thicker!"

"...You're already showing your pregnancy after three months?"

"Or is she pregnant for more than three months?"

"Humph, you're such a slut! You throw yourself at every man you see, and you sleep with him before we're even married!"

Mrs. Cui's thoughts were in turmoil, with speculations and curses, but her face showed no expression.

Madam Cui was not the only one staring at Dugu Mingyue's belly.

Lou Rang stood in another row.

He is Lou Jin's younger brother. Although he is younger, he is of a high generation.

So, he also stood in the first row.

While kneeling and burning incense according to the procedure... he also secretly glanced at Dugu.

Lou Rang has not married, but that doesn't mean he is a virgin.

He was a playboy, and the things that were most abundant in his yard were beautiful maids and pretty servants.

If it weren't for Madam Cui's strict supervision and her orders to keep an eye on the women around Lou Rang, he might have become a father two years ago.

Not to mention, in addition to the maids around him, Lou Rang had been hanging around in the inner house for many years and had also seen the women in other houses getting pregnant.

Lou Rang's cleverness was mostly used in these areas, and he knew a lot about women.

Secretly and repeatedly observing Dugu, Lou Rang nodded secretly: Aunt Li guessed right, my cheap sister-in-law is indeed pregnant!

Haha!

Lou Dalang is going to have a legitimate brother or sister-in-law, and he is going to fall out of favor!

Lou Rang didn't know the relationship between Dugu and Lou Yu, so in Lou Rang's view, Dugu was Lou Yu's biological mother.

As a legitimate mother, she already disliked the so-called eldest son from a concubine's family.

Now that she is pregnant, she will be even less willing to tolerate this illegitimate child.

Maybe, even Lou Jin would favor his new bride and give up Lou Dalang.

"Secret guards! Yes! Brother, will you transfer the secret guards around Lou Dalang to the Dugu family?"

Lou Rang put himself in the shoes of others and thought that if he married a beautiful wife of noble birth, he would definitely consider her in every way.

Especially since I am not around, I can only select more slaves and guards.

Slaves and guards are not a big deal, the Lou family has no shortage of them.

However, the ones who can truly reassure Lou Jin and protect his master are the secret guards trained by Lou Jin himself.

Secret guards are reliable, but there are few of them.

It's not like weeds in the ground, you can grab a handful of them.

The secret guards were all hired with real money, and I wonder how much effort and energy it took.

My sister-in-law’s pregnancy must have been a sudden event.

My brother may not have enough time to prepare and can only borrow from somewhere else.

And this place, there is no one else except Lou Dalang!

Lou Rang made some guesses and found that they made some sense.

At this moment, the ancestor worship ceremony came to an end, and Dugu announced something that shocked everyone in the Lou family:

"Da Lang is seven years old, it's time to go to school!"

"My dear, you specially named Dalang 'Yu'!"

Madam Cui was slightly startled. Yu? The talented Yu?

Is this to make the little overlord switch from a warrior to a scholar?

Is Lou Jin willing to give it up?

Madam Cui's eyes flickered, and finally focused on Dugu.

Of course Lou Jin is willing to do so!

Back then, Lou Jin did not hesitate to rebel against his own father just for the Dugu family!

Now, it’s just a matter of giving up a naughty bastard, and Lou Jin can definitely do it.

"...This is probably what the Dugu family meant."

If it were Madam Cui, she would also make a similar request if she had to adopt a lowly slave as her adopted daughter for the sake of her family's interests.

Not only does it make things difficult for people, it also further deepens the cooperation between the two families - the heir of the Lou family can only be from the Dugu family!

Even though everyone knows that Lou Yu is also Dugu Mingyue's son.

However, if the Dugu family does not acknowledge him, then he is not the grandson of the Dugu family.

"Haha! Interesting! Really interesting!"

Mrs. Cui's long-suppressed emotions were finally released.

Should!

Live it!

Lou Dalang, your retribution has finally come.

Abandoned by his biological parents, he has become a complete outcast of the family... The little bully of the Lou family will no longer exist!

This time, perhaps because she was too happy, Mrs. Cui couldn't control her expression perfectly.

There was a hint of gloating on her face.

Lou Rang was also surprised: "Is there such a good thing? Lou Dalang's name is even going to be changed?"

Lou Rang vaguely remembered that Lou Dalang seemed to be called Lou Xiao.

However, children are difficult to raise, and Lou Jin values ​​Lou Dalang too much. He is worried that if he writes his name too early, the King of Hell will circle him in the Book of Life and Death, so he simply lets everyone in the Lou family call his son Dalang.

Now that he had a new wife and she was pregnant, Lou Jin forgot about his past favor and simply changed Lou Dalang's name!

Ha ha! Hahaha!

The villain in Lou Rang's heart pinched his waist and laughed wildly.

OK!

He was right as expected, Lou Dalang had completely fallen out of favor!

It seems that his revenge plan is worth a try.

In the ancestral hall, upon hearing Dugu Mingyue's words, not only Madam Cui and Lou Rang were surprised, but the other members of the Lou family also reacted strongly.

They looked around, they exclaimed, they whispered, their eyes darted around.

Lou Yu, standing next to Lou Rang, clenched his fists and had a cold face, allowing countless gazes, some scrutinizing, some teasing, some probing, and some delighted, to fall on him.

You don't need to look to know that these people are gloating and rejoicing.

What's worse, some people are planning and waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on him.

...This is the fate that a weak person who lacks strength deserves!

Once he loses his backing, he is nothing and can only be beaten like a drowned dog!

Lou Yu bit his cheek hard to control his slightly trembling body.

There was a taste of rust in his mouth, but he was completely unaware.

pain!

It’s okay to feel pain, because only when it hurts can you remember it!

Moreover, this is just the beginning. There will be many things that will make him feel ashamed, angry, and frustrated!

……

The Lou family spent New Year's Eve safely in a strange atmosphere.

The next day is New Year's Day.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, according to the customs of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the whole family must drink Tusu wine together.

The so-called Tu Su wine is wine mixed with medicinal herbs, which can dispel epidemic diseases and wish people to be free from diseases and typhoid fever in the new year.

Drinking Tu Su wine is different from the usual rules. It is not from the oldest to the youngest, but starts from the youngest.

"Da Lang, you are the youngest, you go first!"

Lou Rang's face was full of smiles, as if he was a good uncle who loved his nephew.

Lou Yu watched coldly. He knew that this guy might have some evil intentions.

Lou Rang and him, in name only, were uncle and nephew, but in reality, they were enemies...