Golden Branch

The former governor of Nanzhou, as well as officials of all ranks and runners from the government office, received the news and came to the governor's mansion one after another.

"I have met Mr. Lou!"

The former governor looked to be in his fifties, with thin cheeks, slightly yellow skin, a few wisps of beard, and a melancholy look between his brows.

Just looking at his appearance, he is definitely a middle-aged and elderly man who is "unsuccessful" and down-and-out.

He was originally from the southern border. Before the north and the south were unified, he was exiled to Nanzhou to serve as a governor.

For him, it meant more than ten years of wasted time and his ambitions were difficult to realize.

His career almost ended there.

Feeling that there was no hope of promotion, and even though he disliked the remoteness and wildness of Nanzhou, he was reluctant to give up his official position, so the former governor began to live in chaos.

Just muddle along, get by if you can, dynasties change, the north and the south are unified... While the outside world is in turmoil, Nanzhou is stable.

After "accepting his fate", the former governor actually lived a good life.

He thought he would die of old age in Nanzhou, but he never expected that the court would send a new governor.

This new governor has a great background—

As the son of a founding duke, he was awarded the title of founding duke at a young age due to his military achievements.

Young and successful!

Others entered the center of power in their teens, while he, who is two or three times their age, is still wasting his time in a remote state capital!

Not only was he noble, but he also married a princess...

Envy, jealousy, resentment, and unwillingness!

However, after many negative emotions, the former governor once again "accepted his fate" and even felt a hint of gloating:

So what if they are the top dignitaries of the dynasty?

Isn't he just like him, being exiled to Nanzhou?

Of course, the former governor was not a mindless person who would do whatever he wanted. After suppressing the dark thoughts in his heart, his rationality returned and he was able to think about problems normally.

To some extent, the former governor should thank Lou Yu.

No matter why the Duke of Qi came to Nanzhou, the former governor had to move because of his arrival.

The former governor had been in Nanzhou for more than ten years. Although he had no achievements, he had no faults either.

After careful consideration, the Ministry of Personnel (or some big boss) transferred the former governor back to Beijing and gave him a sinecure in the Ministry of Works for his retirement.

He was a fourth-rank official, with no real power, but he was a proper Beijing official.

If he relied solely on the former governor himself, he would never be able to go to the capital in his entire life.

Therefore, even though the former governor was very reluctant, he had to admit: Lou Yu's arrival made his wish come true!

He didn't owe this favor on his own initiative, but he couldn't deny it against his conscience.

Besides, where is the capital?

That is the territory of Princess Langya and Duke Qi.

As a fifty-year-old man with no family support and mediocre abilities, he would most likely lose his position in the capital even if it was just a sinecure.

"...If I can use this as an opportunity, under the pretext of 'returning a favor,' and proactively show my goodwill to these two nobles, and then establish contacts with Princess Langya and the Duke of Qi, I'll definitely have someone to rely on when I go to Chang'an!"

The former governor was quite insightful and thought very clearly.

He quickly adjusted his state, and when he saw Lou Yu, his yellow, thin and wrinkled old face smiled like a flower.

"I've long heard that Mr. Lou is a young talent. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved!"

The former governor smiled and complimented.

"Hello, Senior!"

The former governor was enthusiastic and earnest, and Lou Yu was also elegant and polite.

He smiled gently, and his tone and expression were calm and indifferent.

Not overly attentive, nor appearing aloof and aloof.

He perfectly maintained the mask of a gentleman and greeted the governor.

"Excuse me, Lord Lou, where is Princess Langya?"

After meeting Lou Yu, the former governor did not forget Wang Heng.

Regardless of whether she is of royal blood or not, the title of princess is real, she is a princess.

As a subject, the former governor must be respectful and respectful.

Wang Heng was sitting in a two-wheeled carriage. As soon as the carriage stopped, the servants following it quickly brought a stool.

Lou Yu caught a glimpse of the situation here from the corner of his eye, nodded to the former governor, then turned and walked to the front of the carriage.

"Princess, watch your step!"

Lou Yu raised his arm, attentive and respectful, not only as a subject but also as a husband.

Wang Heng placed her hand on Lou Yu's forearm very familiarly, took light steps, and slowly got out of the car.

Looking at their almost tacitly coordinated actions, we can tell that this is probably how they interact in private.

Alas, the man who marries a princess is so pitiful.

He is the husband, but he has to serve his wife.

When the former governor and other officials saw this scene, their eyes flickered and they all had their own thoughts.

"I greet the princess, may the princess be blessed!"

The former governor took a few steps forward, saluted with his arms crossed, and was very humble.

"No gift!"

Wang Heng nodded reservedly without further greeting.

She is a princess and a queen, and she might be more restrained in the capital, but when she came to this remote southern province, she just stood high and mighty and did not need to cater to anyone.

There is no way. Not to mention Nanzhou, even in the entire southern border, Wang Heng, Princess Langya, has the highest status.

If she behaved too accommodatingly, it would undermine the dignity of the royal family.

Since you are new here and unfamiliar with the place, it is safer to be a little arrogant.

After all, "fearing power but not cherishing virtue" is not just a villain's nature, but also human nature.

Wang Heng came to Nanzhou to show off and act arrogantly!

"Princess, you've had a hard time on this journey! Nanzhou is remote and the government office is dilapidated. I'm sorry, Princess!"

The former governor was not surprised to see Wang Heng acting so arrogantly.

As a princess, you should be willful and spoiled.

He bowed and stepped aside, accompanying her carefully and coaxing her in a gentle voice.

"It's indeed shabby! But fortunately, this princess had the foresight to send someone to repair it in advance."

Wang Heng didn't even glance at the former governor and the other local officials. She raised her head and glanced at the governor's mansion. Disdain flashed across her distinct black and white eyes. "It's no use repairing it. It's still so dilapidated!"

Lou Yu quickly put on a smile and said, "I'm sorry, Princess. It's all my fault!"

"..."

Wang Heng raised her chin slightly and snorted.

That arrogant little look seems to be saying: It’s good that you know!

This princess gave up the prosperity of the capital and came to this remote place with you to suffer. You must never let me down in the future!

The former governor, other officials, and passersby watching from a distance said: This couple is indeed in love, but they also have certain conflicts.

Tsk, it’s good to have conflicts, as this way people can take advantage of the situation!

……

After sending away the former governor and other officials, Lou Yu supported Wang Heng and walked through the front yamen to the courtyard at the back.

Most of the government offices in Dayu adopt the model of front yamen and back government office.

The front is the government office, and the back is where officials and their families live.

The main area that Wang Heng sent people to repair was the courtyard at the back.

Unfortunately, the yard is narrow and cannot be expanded, so we can only make the masters live as comfortably as possible.

“…It’s quite habitable!”

Without outsiders around, Wang Heng returned to her usual obedient and gentle self.

"I still feel sorry for Ah Heng!"

Lou Yu's words were not a polite remark, but a genuine expression of heartache.

"Brother, I told you, as long as you can live here, I can live here too! Okay, go ahead and get busy. I'll watch them pack up!"

Wang Heng didn't want Lou Yu to feel guilty all the time, so she drove him to the front yard.

In the study in the front yard, the secret guards had been waiting for a long time.

After Lou Yu came in, he hurriedly bowed and reported: "My lord, I went to Nanbang and found the forbidden area of ​​the Nanbang royal family..."