Golden Branch

"That's good! Brother may look gentle, but he's actually a strict teacher!"

As someone who had experienced this, Wang Heng whispered to Yang Cheng, "His memory is pretty good. Even if you forget what you said, he won't forget it!"

"So, you must be careful with your words and actions, you must..."

Wang Heng was muttering softly, as if she were a senior student who was a poor student, desperately trying to pass on her experience to the younger students who were poor students.

Yang Cheng was still a little unfamiliar at first, after all, he was not familiar with his cheap aunt Wang Heng.

Furthermore, Yang Cheng had another reason that was difficult to state openly - Princess Langya had once raised Xiao Sanlang, his biological brother from the same father and mother.

Logically, Yang Cheng should have loved and treated Yang Ye, his biological brother, with great affection.

Especially since their mother passed away and there were only two brothers left, the elder brother should be like a father and brothers should be friendly and respectful to each other.

However, they are not ordinary brothers. They are in the royal family and are both close relatives and enemies.

Yang Cheng will never forget the rumors in the East Palace when he broke his leg and could only lie on the bed to recuperate.

Some people said that he had become disabled and might not be able to inherit the throne.

Some people say that fortunately there are still Xiao Sanlang, both of whom are the prince’s legitimate sons. Even if one dies, there is still one!

Some people also said that although Xiao Sanlang was young, he was gifted, intelligent, studious and motivated, and was sent to Princess Langya for education together with the ninth prince, the emperor's beloved son.

All kinds of rumors, true or false.

Yang Cheng's reason told him not to believe it, as it was nonsense spread intentionally by people with ulterior motives.

However, he is young, mentally immature, and injured, so he is very likely to become disabled.

He was already in pain and fear, and his mother was also... Yang Cheng gritted his teeth and persevered, but deep down, he still had a grudge.

There was a rift between him and his younger brother.

He wanted to get close to him, but he couldn't help but feel wary and defensive.

Before they knew it, the brothers Yang Cheng and Yang Ji had become competitors.

Not only in the East Palace, but also in the court, people began to take sides.

Yang Cheng became increasingly gloomy and resentful, and increasingly hostile to Yang Ye and his followers.

Princess Langya was not considered Yang Ye's person. She had not even been in the capital in the past two years.

However, she and Yang Ye had a "half-teacher" relationship after all, and Yang Cheng was instinctively wary of her.

In recent days, after learning that Ye Ye had left him to Lou Yu, Yang Cheng was so repulsed. This may have been the reason.

Wang Jiu had taught Xiao Sanlang before, so would Lou Yu, the Duke of Qi, also be optimistic about Xiao Sanlang?!

Unfortunately, no matter how Yang Cheng resisted, he was still given to Lou Yu by the prince's biological father.

Follow him to work in the Ministry of Revenue, learn from him the tax and land system formulated by the court... and even follow him home!

After a day, Yang Cheng had not completely changed his opinion of Lou Yu, but he had a deeper understanding of him.

During the conversation with Wang Heng at this moment, Yang Cheng was even closer to Wang Heng——

"Perhaps, I was wrong before. Wang Jiu didn't stand on Sanlang's side!"

"Perhaps, just like my situation, Xiao Sanlang was also forced to be given to Wang Jiu by Aye!"

"Perhaps, I can try to trust them..."

Secretly, Yang Cheng's heart was opened little by little.

And Wang Heng's warmth and thoughtfulness are still to come——

"This is the yard I cleaned up specially. I'll leave it to you for future use!"

"If you feel tired at the office or have any unpleasantness, you can come here to take a rest!"

"Ah Cheng, take a look and see if there's anything you don't like. If there's anything you don't like, just tell Auntie!"

Wang Heng has been really busy these past two days. Having just returned to Beijing, she has been overwhelmed with things to do, and she also has to take care of Madam Xie who is on her deathbed, and the awkward young man Yang Cheng.

She ran back and forth between the Duke of Qi's Mansion, the royal residence, and other places, and also had to find time to handle the affairs of many industries in the capital.

I went into the palace again today and waited for Xiao Dalang to come again.

Wang Heng coaxed him softly, gradually getting closer to Xiao Dalang.

This two-courtyard house located on the east side of the central axis is the guest house that Wang Heng specially arranged for Yang Cheng.

The yard is not too big, but it has an excellent location. The houses, layout, furnishings, utensils, etc. are all extremely exquisite and ingenious.

To be frank, this courtyard that Wang Heng arranged for Yang Cheng to use only for rest is even more exquisite and gorgeous than Yang Cheng's side hall in the East Palace.

Well, Wang Heng has power and even more money.

When the Duke of Qi's Mansion was renovated, a lot of thought and money were spent.

Each courtyard is magnificent, low-key, luxurious and full of nobility.

Recently, she has focused on renovating the East Courtyard, which has become even more luxurious and shows her thoughtfulness.

Yes, from the heart!

As soon as Yang Chengfu stepped into the yard, he felt that Wang Heng valued him.

Every flower, tree, table and chair in the east wing are luxurious but not exaggerated, and are carefully arranged with great care.

This is not his real residence, but just a place to take a rest.

"Auntie! This place is great, I, I like it very much!"

Yang Cheng's call of "Auntie" this time was more sincere than before.

Of course, as the eldest son of the Eastern Palace, a young man who grew up in luxury and wealth, Yang Cheng has always used the best.

He was not so easily moved by such an arrangement.

However, he still felt the sincerity of Lou Yu and Wang Heng.

He is no longer the eldest grandson of the emperor who is loved by his parents or favored by his grandparents, nor has he been canonized as the crown prince.

His biological mother died, his father took a second wife, and his younger brother, who was born to the same mother, became his biggest competitor... It might be an exaggeration to say that he was surrounded by enemies, but this was also the lowest and darkest period in his life.

Lou Yu's teachings and Wang Heng's thoughtfulness really warmed Yang Cheng's heart.

"Let's wait and see, maybe they really care about me!"

Thinking this way, Yang Cheng's resistance to Lou Yu was not so strong.

He no longer felt any deep resentment towards the prince for abandoning him to Lou Yu.

……

After settling Xiao Dalang, Lou Yu held his chubby daughter in one hand and held Wang Heng's hand in the other, and the family of three entered the main courtyard on the central axis.

The couple played with the child for a while, then asked the wet nurse to take her to eat complementary food.

Wang Heng knelt beside Lou Yu and whispered in his ear, "Today in the palace, Mother mentioned the Crown Princess!"

"Yes! The Crown Princess is also a daughter of the Lu family!"

Even when the couple was whispering, Lou Yu would not say too much.

Anyway, Wang Heng could understand what he meant.

Wang Heng nodded. Yes, little Lu was also a noble lady from a prominent family who was carefully brought up by the Lu family.

Although he is young, he is well versed in the ways of the inner house.

She would not compete for favor directly in a low-level way, but would show a pure heart.

She did not fight or compete. The miscellaneous affairs of the Eastern Palace were in charge of by the Crown Prince, and the trusted female officials left by Da Lu were in charge of the specific matters.

Xiao Lu has been in the palace for nearly two years and has never taken the initiative to get involved in palace affairs.

She was not jealous and was quite generous. She treated the concubines, illegitimate sons and daughters of the Eastern Palace well according to the rules.

Little Lu was very good at taking advantage of her "advantages". Her young age and the "necessity" to enter the palace made her gradually earn the prince's guilt and heartache, and then she got the honor of being the crown princess that she really wanted!

Little Lu's steps were unassuming, like the silent spring rain that moistened everything, yet damn useful.

Even Concubine Jiang of Baifu Palace could sense the direction of the wind in the Eastern Palace.

Tsk, little Lu’s skills are definitely extraordinary.

"Aheng, is grandma okay?"

Putting aside the affairs of the Eastern Palace, Lou Yu mentioned Madam Xie again.

It wasn't that he cared much about his adopted grandmother, but rather that if she died, Wang Heng, as a daughter-in-law who married out, would not only have to observe mourning but also take care of her funeral.

There was no other way, as Wang Heng was still the head of the Wang family. She had to be involved in all the happy and sad events in the family.

"Li Xian'er said it'll only take a day or two!"

When Wang Heng mentioned old lady Xie, there was no sadness in her eyes.

Her tone was calm, as if she was talking to an unrelated outsider: "She has been ill for so long, and now she is in a coma. Death is a relief for her!"

"Well, I'll make some time tomorrow to go to Wang's house and take a look!"

After hearing what Wang Heng said, Lou Yu had a rough idea in his mind.

As the grandson-in-law, I really should go and take a look.

Wang Heng is a well-known filial daughter, and Lou Yu is also the most outstanding gentleman in the capital!

……

The next day, after Wang Heng finished dealing with the affairs of the Duke of Qi's Mansion and the Princess's Mansion, she went to the Wang residence.

Madam Xie was still unconscious, and her breathing was obviously much weaker.

The skinny body lay on the bed, motionless. If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of the chest, it would have been no different from a corpse.

The room was filled with the smell of medicine and an indescribable rotten smell.

Wang Heng suppressed her nausea and sat in front of the bed with a worried look on her face.

"Princess, I can't swallow the medicine!"

The maid who served the medicine was busy for a while, and her forehead and back were covered with sweat.

Her hands and sleeves were covered with the spilled medicine.

She was very embarrassed and replied in a low voice: "This is the third bowl, I can't drink it at all."

Mrs. Xie's teeth were clenched tightly together. She had to use chopsticks, spoons, and pieces of wood to pry open a gap. The medicine would flow out from the corners of her mouth if she poured it in.

Wang Heng knew that this was probably because Old Lady Xie had lost consciousness and didn't know how to swallow. Even if she forced the food down her throat, she would spit it out!

Old lady Xie had been in a coma for several days. A few days ago, she was still able to drink medicine and rice soup to barely maintain her life.

Now, I can’t even swallow the medicine——

"Got it! Go get another bowl! Try your best again!"

Wang Heng had already predicted the date of Madam Xie's death and understood that the so-called drug injection was futile.

But, do it even if it’s useless!

As long as Old Lady Xie is still alive, as her filial granddaughter, Wang Heng cannot give up!

"...Yes! I obey your command!"

The maid agreed and went to get the medicine.

Not long after, the maid came back with the medicine bowl, and continued to use a bamboo stick to pry open Madam Xie's mouth and force the medicine into her mouth!

The warm, brown, bitter medicinal juice was poured in and then flowed out from the corners of the mouth.

Soon, the bowl of medicine was finished, but Mrs. Xie did not swallow a single mouthful!

This went on for most of the day. In the afternoon, when Lou Yu finished his work and took the time to come to Wang's house, Madam Xie was already unable to breathe and even her mouth could not be pried open!

"Let me do it!"

Lou Yu's face showed his signature elegance and gentleness, but his eyes were filled with compassion and regret.

He took the initiative to speak and reached out for the medicine bowl.

As a man who once fought on the battlefield, he had great strength in his hands.

With a little force, he pried open Mrs. Xie's mouth with a bamboo stick.

Wang Heng even heard a slight clicking sound.

Her forehead twitched. Uh, brother, could it be that I dislocated old lady Xie’s jaw?

However, this is not important. What is important is that Lou Yu really succeeded in injecting the drug.

Although most of it was spilled, at least a small part of it was drunk.

Wang Erlang and his half brothers and sisters were also waiting in the room.

As the oldest male, Wang Erlang stood in front of his brothers and sisters, facing Wang Heng, both of them sitting closest to the bed.

So, he should have heard the "click" as well.

He should have noticed the very unnatural way that Mrs. Xie opened her mouth.

However, Wang Erlang did not care. Instead, he was moved and praised: "Brother-in-law is really filial. He actually gave the medicine to grandma!"

The corners of Wang Heng's mouth also began to twitch.

Lou Yu glanced at Wang Erlang with some approval: Brother-in-law, you have a bright future!

It doesn't matter what the truth is.

What’s important is the effect presented - Old Mrs. Xie can no longer swallow, but Lou Yu, as her grandson-in-law, tries his best to feed her medicine!

Regardless of whether this medicine is useful or not, it is the filial piety of Lou Yu and Wang Heng!

Once the news gets out, ahem, Wang Erlang, who is so insightful, will naturally take the initiative to spread the news on behalf of his sister and brother-in-law.

The last bit of Mrs. Xie's value will be perfectly utilized by this couple!

Late at night, Mrs. Xie, who had been forced to drink half a bowl of medicine, still could not wake up, let alone survive!

Silently, Mrs. Xie, who was nearly 70 years old, passed away.

Wang Heng took the goose feather and placed it against her mouth and nose, but the soft goose feather did not move at all.

"Grandma's gone!"

Wang Heng said this blankly at first, as if she couldn't accept the departure of her loved one.

After a while, she cried out in pain: "Grandma! Grandma! Why did you die?"

When Wang Heng cried, Wang Erlang and other half brothers and sisters also reacted and burst into tears one after another.

Suddenly, cries and shouts were heard in the dormitory.

Wang Heng ignored the curfew and sent people to the homes of Xie's relatives and old friends to announce the death that night.

Lou Yu was in the front, helping to set up the mourning hall and arrange funeral matters.

Xie Yanzhi and other members of the Xie family rushed over overnight, saw the remains of Mrs. Xie, and watched her burial with their own eyes.

The coffin had been prepared long ago.

It is made of the finest golden nanmu wood and was carefully crafted by the best craftsmen in Beijing.

It is taken out every year for painting and maintenance.

Just looking at this coffin is enough to prove the filial piety of Wang Heng and other grandchildren!

The mourning hall was set up, and Wang Heng, Wang Erlang and others changed into mourning clothes.

According to the rules, they knelt in front of the coffin, kept vigil and cried.

The next day, relatives and friends who heard the news of the death rushed to the scene one after another.

Wang Heng held a grand funeral for Madam Xie. She even went to the palace in person to ask for an imperial edict for Madam Xie.

Mrs. Xie was honored after her death, and all the noble ladies in Beijing envied her.

The son was not very good and failed to get a royal decree for his old mother, but he still has a good granddaughter.

Tsk, old lady Xie was so lucky. She enjoyed wealth and glory during her lifetime, and even after she became paralyzed, she was well taken care of.

Now that he is dead, he is honored with the utmost respect!

Worth it!

Her life was not lived in vain!

Wang Erlang also didn't forget to promote his brother-in-law's reputation. Therefore, even before Madam Xie's funeral, the relatives, friends, and dignitaries who came to pay their respects all knew that not only was Wang Heng a filial granddaughter, but Lou Yu, a grandson-in-law, was also very reliable...