Golden Branch

"Ajiu!"

"Princess!"

Outside the city gate, beside the official road, Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan were waiting there early.

When they saw the familiar four-wheeled carriage, they all gathered around it.

"Amian! Thirteenth Lady!"

As early as at the post station thirty miles away from the capital, Wang Heng saw the confidants sent by her two best friends and told them the specific time of her arrival in the capital.

Therefore, Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan were able to greet Wang Heng in time as soon as she arrived in the capital.

As soon as Wang Heng got off the carriage, she was surrounded by her two best friends, one legitimate and one illegitimate.

Each of them held Wang Heng's hand and expressed their joy at reunion.

In addition to Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan, Jiang Si, Zheng Shiliu and others also came to greet them.

Their husbands also accompanied them.

However, Xiao Wuji and other young men surrounded Lou Yu, vying to ask him about his experiences in Yongzhou and Nanzhou.

"As expected of Lou Hanzhang, he went to such a wild place and still managed to do something big enough to shock the imperial court."

Xiao Wuji bowed to Lou Yu. Although his tone was teasing, there was obvious admiration in his eyes.

He really admires Lou Yu.

He volunteered to go to Lingnan.

Quell civil unrest and punish vassal kings.

Expand territory and govern the local area.

In less than two years, Lou Yu achieved something that many people could not accomplish in half a lifetime.

Every item that is picked out is enough to attract attention.

Lou Hanzhang, who achieved such an achievement, was not yet twenty-two years old.

Young and promising!

A role model!

It's ridiculous that some people in the capital thought that Lou Yu had lost the emperor's favor and was exiled to Nanzhou when he just left the capital.

It was only in recent months, with the arrival of shiploads of wealth and goods in the capital, and the subsequent escort of Prince Yong and Prince Shu back to the capital for trial, that people learned of Lou Yu's great achievements in Lingnan and southern Xinjiang.

"Indeed! My brother-in-law truly lived up to the reputation of the Lou family. He conquered the Nanbang Royal City with only a thousand soldiers! He successfully expanded the territory for the Southwestern Protectorate."

The person who spoke was Yuchi Liang. As Jiang Si's husband, he and Wang Heng were legitimate relatives.

When he saw Lou Yu, he called him "brother-in-law" respectfully but affectionately.

Well, my cousin’s husband is also my brother-in-law.

Although they are only cousins, Jiang Si has another identity - Wang Heng's study partner.

The value of Princess Langya's companion is obvious to all in the capital.

Not to mention anything else, just look at the additional dowry that Princess Langya gave to Wang Mian and others when they got married, which is enough to prove it.

Jiang Si has an additional blood relationship compared to Wang Mian and others. They are cousins. Although they had some conflicts in the early years, the blood relationship and the fact that they were study together made Jiang Si and Wang Heng an extremely stable alliance.

Yuchi Liang, who married Jiang Si, came from the Yuchi clan, a top military family in Dayu, and was not a gigolo who relied on his wife's family.

But, Yuchi Liang was not the eldest son, he was just the seventh son in the family.

Since he is not ranked high, not many resources from the family can be allocated to him.

Yuchi Liang asked to marry the niece of Concubine Jiang and became a brother-in-law of Lou Hanzhang. Only then did he stand out among the many generations of generals.

Yuchi Liang did not follow Lou Yu to Nanzhou, but relied on the relationship between Concubine Jiang and Lou Yu to join the Eastern Expedition Army.

Although the Eastern Expedition failed, it was not a complete defeat.

The soldiers in the army also have military merits.

Yuchi Liang had accumulated some experience, and three months ago, when he returned to Beijing with the army, he was transferred to the Jinwu Guard, and his career was looking bright.

Yuchi Liang knew that this promotion was not only due to his military merit, but also due to Lou Yu's secret help.

Tsk, his good brother-in-law, even though he is far away in Nanzhou and even though he has long since switched from military service to civil service, he can still reach out to the army.

The most amazing thing is not that he is very capable, but that outsiders have no idea of ​​his true self.

Even some officials in the court mistakenly believed that Lou Yu was just an elegant civil servant with a good family background, good luck and some abilities!

"... Governor Lou is truly a role model for our generation!"

Zheng Shiliu's husband came from a poor family and seemed a little embarrassed in front of Lou Yu.

However, his appearance and demeanor are far superior to ordinary people, and he is also talented.

Lou Yu recommended him for officialdom. Although he was only a minor official of the seventh or eighth rank in the Ministry of Revenue, he had great room for promotion.

"Thank you all for your praise! I am only doing my duty and sharing your worries!"

Lou Yu returned home and was in a good mood when he saw his familiar relatives and friends.

These people... are all his connections and the foundation he has built.

The men talked about official business and discussed state affairs, while the women were more concerned about the backyard and offspring.

After Wang Heng exchanged greetings with Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan, she turned her attention to Jiang Si and Zheng Shiliu.

"Fourth Mother, you just came out of confinement. You should rest well. There is no need for you to come!"

When Wang Heng was in Nanzhou, she received a letter from Jiang Si and learned that she was pregnant.

On the way back to Beijing, he received the good news that Jiang Si had successfully given birth to a son.

Calculating the time, Jiang Si had just finished her confinement.

Looking at her again, her plump figure due to pregnancy has not completely disappeared.

Jiang Si originally looked about 50% similar to Wang Heng.

However, when Jiang Si was studying with Wang Heng, Wang Heng consciously guided her to "be herself" instead of deliberately imitating someone else.

Jiang Si had her own soul, and as if proving the saying "appearance reflects the heart", her appearance had changed to a certain extent.

Later, she got married, became pregnant, and gave birth to a child.

Two years later, Jiang Si has undergone a more obvious transformation.

Her eyebrows and eyes are similar to Wang Heng's, which makes people see that they are related by blood.

But it is only somewhat similar, and not to the point of being used as a substitute.

Even if Wang Heng and Jiang Si are in the same frame, others will only think that the two beauties have their own merits, rather than the genuine and the pirated!

"Don't worry, sister. I'm in good health. I just miss you and want to see you as soon as possible."

Jiang Si no longer had the nervousness and pride he had when he first arrived in Beijing, but became calm and indifferent.

She no longer felt the initial envy and jealousy towards Wang Heng, and she wished she could take her place.

Now Jiang Si only feels gratitude and closeness towards Wang Heng——

The good life she has now is all given to her by her elder sister.

The future of her future husband and son also depends on her.

She and her elder sister are not just simple relatives, but also subordinates and benefactors!

"Sixteenth Mother, you are also pregnant. It's been more than eight months?"

Wang Heng smiled at Jiang Si and then looked at Zheng Shiliu.

Shiliu Niang, who has an exotic beauty, has a bulging belly and exudes the radiance of motherhood.

Wang Heng learned from her correspondence with Zheng Shiliu that she had been pregnant for a long time.

Wang Heng also knew that her due date was next month.

Half a month ago, Wang Heng wrote a special letter to Zheng Shiliu, asking her to rest assured and take care of her pregnancy, and not to come to the city gate to greet her in person.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Shiliu came anyway.

"Well, it's almost nine months! Coincidentally, the princess has returned. For me, it's really a double blessing!"

There was a smile in Zheng Shiliu's eyes.

She was really looking forward to the princess's return.

Giving birth for a woman is like going through the gates of hell.

Zheng Shiliu's biological father was unreliable and her biological mother died early. In the Zheng family, she was a humble concubine who was trampled upon by others.

If it weren't for her wise choice back then, and her steadfastness in following Shisan Niang to serve the princess, she would have been sacrificed or died long ago.

How could we have the wealth and respect we have today?

Yes, her husband was not as good as her brother-in-law, he was just a scholar from a poor family.

However, the poor family is not really poor. Her husband's family just hasn't produced any officials for three or four generations, so they are not really ordinary people.

In my hometown, there are thousands of acres of fertile land.

In the capital, there are also houses, farms and shops.

When she got married, the princess gave her a generous dowry.

She is not short of money and she also has the status of the princess's tutor.

In her husband's family, she does not have to rely on others, nor does she have to use her dowry to gain the favor of her parents-in-law.

She and her husband get along well with each other, and her parents-in-law treat her with kindness and closeness.

Zheng Shiliu lived a happy and comfortable life after marriage.

She became pregnant naturally. During her pregnancy, her mother-in-law did not make trouble and her husband did not take a concubine... everything was beautiful like a dream.

Zheng Shiliu was happy, but also felt inexplicably nervous.

She began to worry about gains and losses, especially when she thought about giving birth in a few months, she felt a deep fear.

Her good days won’t end with giving birth, right?

She also went there when Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan gave birth.

Standing outside the delivery room, listening to their screams and groans, and seeing basins of blood.

Zheng Shiliu couldn't help but feel fear.

Fortunately, they have a princess.

The princess was sitting outside the door, and she was as numerous as a group of her family members.

Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan’s mother-in-law is not a notoriously evil mother-in-law, but she is still a mother-in-law.

When the daughter-in-law gives birth, the mother-in-law is always most concerned about her grandson.

When faced with a crisis, they will not hesitate to "protect the small and sacrifice the big."

Zheng Shiliu's mother-in-law looks very nice on weekdays, but who can guarantee what choice she will make when she needs to make a choice?

Perhaps it was because of her original family, or perhaps it was the sensitivity and overthinking nature of a pregnant woman, but as the due date approached, Zheng Shiliu became increasingly uneasy.

Just at this moment, her princess came back!

Zheng Shiliu's anxious and panicked mood was instantly soothed.

With the princess around, no one dares to bully her!

Zheng Shiliu looked at Wang Heng with a look of joy mixed with respect and dependence.

Wang Heng felt Zheng Shiliu's complicated emotions. She curled the corners of her lips and reached out to gently pat the back of her hand.

She didn't say anything, but Zheng Shiliu still felt at ease!

"Sister! Sister!"

Wang Erlang and several of his half brothers and half sisters also gathered around.

When Wang Heng left Beijing, she wanted to take her two older siblings with her.

However, at that time, Wang Erlang was preparing to take part in the imperial examination, and Wang Shiniang was already of marriageable age. Wang Heng could not delay any longer, so she left them both in the capital.

Fortunately, Wang Heng had connections and servants in the capital, and the Wang family also made many arrangements, so her six half-brothers and half-sisters were all well taken care of.

This spring, Wang Erlang successfully passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. After being selected by the Ministry of Personnel and having the connections of Wang Heng and Lou Yu, he entered the Censorate as a chief clerk, a seventh-rank official.

When he first entered the official career, he was a seventh-rank official, which was not too high but not low either.

Especially an official office like the Censorate, which can also be described as "noble and elegant"!

For a young man of sixteen or seventeen, whose family has fallen on hard times, who has no father to support him and only has an older married sister, it is very rare for him to have such an opportunity.

Wang Erlang said, it doesn’t matter whether you are an official or not, I just like to criticize people!

Well, there's no way around it. Wang Erlang is closest to his elder sister and brother-in-law.

It's okay for the eldest sister, she is too lazy to scold people on weekdays. Oh, no, it's just that she is gentle and kind to others by nature.

Only my brother-in-law, tsk tsk, if he opens his mouth with full power, he can curse someone to death.

General Xiao once joked that if his brother-in-law licked his lips, he would be poisoned to death.

Wang Erlang had seen his brother-in-law show off his power more than once, and each time he was attracted by his brother-in-law's superb output and regarded him as an idol.

Therefore, after passing the imperial examination, Wang Erlang wrote a letter to his elder sister and brother-in-law who were far away in Nanzhou before the Ministry of Personnel selected him.

He is going to the Censorate!

He wants to curse with a legitimate reason, bah, no, he wants to supervise the officials and advise the king!

Wang Erlang has a clear career plan, and as his "parents", Wang Heng and Lou Yu are obliged to help him achieve it.

Lou Yu wrote the letter personally, and not long after, Wang Erlang received the appointment document from the Ministry of Personnel.

After a few months, Wang Erlang seemed to be feeling very comfortable in the Censorate.

I wouldn’t say it was very glorious, but everything went well.

Wang Shi Niang, Wang Heng's eldest half-sister, is fifteen years old this year.

The marriage discussion started last year, and Wang Heng had already shortlisted several candidates for her.

There are aristocratic families such as the royal in-laws, old nobles from the north, and new nobles in the court.

Wang Shiniang herself chose Xie, Xie Yanzhi's cousin and Mrs. Xie's great-niece.

Wang Heng: ...Okay!

When she took over her half-brother and half-sister, Wang Shiniang was already eight or nine years old.

Wang Shiniang is Wang Heng's eldest sister. Her biological mother was a maid of Lady Xie, and was one of the people Lady Xie used to make trouble for Concubine Jiang.

Wang Shiniang was once raised in the courtyard of Madam Xie, and was the most favored one among her half-brothers and half-sisters.

Wang Heng could fully understand her instinctive desire to be close to Madam Xie.

Wang Heng only wants to do things with a clear conscience.

She did everything an eldest sister should do, and she didn't care what the outcome would be.

It’s not that Wang Heng is such a saint that she gives without asking for anything in return, but with her identity and status, she has no need to care about a little concubine sister.

Wang Heng did not stop her and even prepared a fairly generous dowry for Wang Shiniang.

The wedding date has been set, at the end of this year.

Wang Heng's return was just the right time for her to personally arrange Wang Shiniang's marriage.

Perhaps it was because her wish had come true, or perhaps it was because her husband had begun to mature after the engagement, but when Wang Shiniang saw her elder sister again, she became even more respectful:

"Sister! This is a doll I made myself. It's not as exquisite as the ones made by embroiderers, but it's more thoughtful. I'm giving it to Anan to play with. Does it look good, sister?"

The little girl was smart and did not try to please Wang Heng directly, but chose her niece who was only a few months old.

"Good! Shi Niang is so thoughtful!"

Wang Heng is not a dictatorial patriarch, and she would not be dissatisfied or even resentful if the sister she raised became closer to others.

As I said, she was someone who didn't care. The fact that she took over her half-brothers and half-sisters was just an act, to continue to perfect her image as a filial daughter and a kind sister.

It's something that happens easily and doesn't take up too much effort, let alone any emotions, so naturally you won't be emotionally affected by the other person's words or actions.

Having a conscience and knowing how to be grateful, she continued to help.

If you have other ideas, Wang Heng won't care. At most, she will just treat you as a "relative" in the future and not get too close to you!

"...Sister, grandma seems to be in trouble, you need to be mentally prepared!"

Wang Erlang seized the opportunity, leaned close to Wang Heng's ear, and whispered a reminder...