Golden Branch

On the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month, only ten days before New Year's Day, the army that had conquered the West returned to the capital.

All the gates of the capital were wide open, and tens of thousands of troops were stationed outside the city. General Yuchi, the commander-in-chief of the army, was able to lead hundreds of soldiers into the city in accordance with the imperial decree.

The prince represented the saint and personally led all the officials to the city gate to welcome them.

As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lou Yu was a new upstart who was able to enter the council hall and was naturally among the hundreds of officials.

He was ranked relatively high, and among the calm and steady, even gray-haired, middle-aged and elderly men, he was young and handsome and particularly conspicuous.

He is low-key and introverted, which is completely in line with the gentleman's style of keeping to his simple ways.

He behaved calmly and looked focused, as if he was only paying attention to the interaction between the prince and generals such as Yuchi, and he looked like he had no distractions.

In fact, he was observing the big guys around him out of the corner of his eyes.

For example, the left and right servants standing in the front.

Well, Wei Pushe seems to be normal, but in fact, there is a faint sense of depression surrounding his body.

This person is a famous scholar in the north who has long been famous. Together with his teacher, they are known as "Wei in the North and Shen in the South".

In recent years, Wei Lingfu has been even more powerful in the court, serving as prime minister and becoming the most powerful official among all.

Wei's strong rise.

In addition to Wei Pushe in the court, there is also Wei Zhaoyi in the harem.

As for the next generation, there is Wei Prajna who married the fourth prince.

All signs show that the Wei family is poised to surpass the Dugu family, the Li family, and become the first foreign relative of Dayu.

pity--

As the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down.

The Wei family is in great demand and the fire is boiling.

The foundation is still shallow, but they are eager to invest.

Having a powerful backer like Princess Jincheng was not enough, and he even wanted to interfere in the affairs of the princes.

Lou Yu looked calm, but these thoughts flashed through his mind quickly.

On the surface, Jincheng and the Wei family's divorce did not seem to involve much.

It’s just because of Prince Consort Wei’s romantic debts.

The fact is, the marriage between two families is never just about love.

Whether it is a mistress or a concubine, they are just playthings and are far from causing trouble in the family.

It was just an excuse to use as a raft. Lou Yu could guess this, and Jincheng, Wei and others also knew it well.

Therefore, the always honorable Wei Pushe could not hide his dejection on such a big day as welcoming the returning army.

The Wei Mansion is about to collapse!

As the leader of the Wei family, Wei Lingfu may not have found any specific clues yet, but he already had a hunch.

Lou Yu observed inconspicuously, then withdrew his gaze inconspicuously.

The prince, representing the saint, personally welcomed the Western Expedition Army. He held the horse for General Yuchi, who almost tumbled and crawled off the horse.

On the one hand, he was noble but respectful to others, and on the other hand, he was not arrogant but rather respectful... The relationship between the monarch and his subjects was so harmonious.

After the army entered the city, Yuchi and other generals went into the Taiji Palace to deliver their tasks and present their battle records.

The Western Expedition Army destroyed the Turkic royal court and eliminated the main force of the Turks. Although it did not completely destroy the Turks, it did make the Turks completely lose the power to cause trouble in the Central Plains within 20 to 30 years.

The Turkic Khan personally presented the letter of surrender and was taken back to the capital along with the princes, princesses and others by the Western Expedition Army.

In addition, Turkic nobles such as the Left and Right Wise Kings were also captured.

They were transported back to Dayu along with war horses, cattle, sheep, etc.

Except for one person - Kehadun.

This Princess Cheng'an of the previous dynasty married into the Turkic clan more than 20 years ago. With her beauty and ability, she secured a place in the Turkish royal court.

When Dayu was first established, it was Princess Cheng'an who instigated the Turkic Khan to take the opportunity to send cavalry to march straight into Chang'an.

That year, if Lou Yu had not led the Lou family army to attack head-on, the saint who had just made a military remonstration might have been forced to negotiate peace with the Turks.

Although it did not put Dayu in danger of being destroyed or losing its country, it still caused trouble for the sage.

And this is the credit of Princess Cheng'an.

In recent years, there have been constant frictions between the Turks and Dayu, with cavalry invading the border every year, and this was also the work of Princess Cheng'an.

There is also Lady Lu, and the current Fourth Prince... all have connections with the Turks, and the medium is Princess Cheng'an.

Princess Cheng'an seemed to have identified Dayu as her enemy, and blamed the Yang royal family for the country's destruction and the family's ruin.

Princess Cheng'an may not be unaware of the many calculations over the years that these could not cause any serious damage to Dayu, but she just wanted to make things difficult for the new dynasty that replaced her own!

Lou Yu thought of Princess Cheng'an, and couldn't help but think of a word mentioned by Wang Mian - a troublemaker!

In Lou Yu's opinion, many of Princess Cheng'an's actions made her like a troublemaker, harming others and not benefiting herself, just to disgust others!

However, when the Turkic royal court was destroyed, Princess Cheng'an showed the pride of a royal lady.

She did not surrender to the Western Expedition Army like her husband and children, but resolutely committed suicide.

She must be missing her homeland and must be dreaming of returning to the Central Plains.

However, she refused to return to the land she longed for as a prisoner of war.

When she left, she was a princess who brought stability to the dynasty and peace to the people, and a peace envoy who led a large number of troops across the border.

Although it is sad, it is also glorious.

Captured?

In a prison van?

Princess Cheng'an said that she, the Yuwen family, would never let herself fall into such a humiliating situation.

"...She's a woman of integrity, and hasn't given up on her reputation as a royal princess!"

After hearing this, the saints could not help but admire it.

Although Princess Cheng'an caused a lot of trouble to Dayu, she was still a princess of the Central Plains Dynasty and a meritorious official who married into the country for the sake of the people.

Moreover, after the failure, she did not compromise, but instead sacrificed herself to bury her dynasty, putting a perfect end to the previous dynasty that had long since collapsed.

Since ancient times, the Celestial Empire has held “martyrdom” in extremely high regard.

No matter how many mistakes she made, as long as she sacrificed her life for her country at the critical moment, she would be a heroine and her name would be recorded in history.

All the events of the previous dynasty came to an end with the death of Princess Cheng'an.

After the saint sighed, he threw these aside.

With the return of the Western Expedition Army, the Turkic Khan, princes, princesses and other nobles were escorted to Beijing as prisoners of war.

Saints have the greatest tolerance and mercy towards defeated enemies.

Just like the royal family in the southern border and the princes of the previous dynasty, they all got empty titles and were kept in the capital as mascots.

Now, there is just one more Turk, so we just need to follow the old rules.

However, the Turks were, after all, foreign barbarians, and were different from the previous dynasty and the southern border.

Although the Yuwen clan and the royal family of the Southern Territory were also losers, they were still regarded as of equal status by the saints.

The Ashina clan of the Turks, well, in the eyes of the saints and other members of the Yang royal family, were only slightly better than slaves.

Therefore, at the New Year's Palace Banquet more than ten days later, the nobles of the Ashina clan, represented by the Khan, personally danced for the saint.

On the surface, it seemed that the Turkic Khan was taking the initiative to please.

However, only the nobles of the Ashina clan knew the actual reason.

Who would really willingly stoop to such low status?

After all, they were once a high and mighty royal family!

Unless forced to do so, who would be willing to act like a Hu Ji or a prostitute, fawning and currying favor?

"...This is probably the reason why Princess Cheng'an committed suicide!"

"After all, I am a royal lady of unwavering integrity. I simply cannot bow down to my 'enemy'."

Wang Heng looked at the exotic songs and dances in the hall and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She was also a princess and was almost sent to marry a foreign prince.

If Dayu was destroyed and she became a prisoner, she would probably choose to commit suicide.

"Ah! What am I thinking about?"

"The Great Yu Era was just beginning, so why did it 'collapse'?"

"Besides, even if the dynasty collapses, I still have my brother, Amian and other friends. We have our own private army and fleet!"

"Even if the situation is unstoppable, we can still go to sea."

Amian said that the world is very, very, very big.

There is not only one Celestial Empire, there is a much wider world out there.

She would never go so far as to commit suicide!

The operations over the years have given them enough room for retreat.

Amidst the singing and dancing, Wang Heng was secretly awakened, and then quietly comforted herself.

Wang Mian also sat in the front row, watching the Turkic Khan dancing the Huxuan dance, she couldn't help but nod:

During the prosperous era of Dayu, all nations came to pay tribute.

The saint will eventually become the Heavenly Khan.

and then?

Will there be a queen in this fictional dynasty?

After more than ten years, the memories of my previous life have become increasingly vague.

However, Wang Mian still remembers major historical events and famous historical figures very clearly.

She thought to herself, and her eyes couldn't help but glance at the supreme couple above the high level.

The saint was in his prime, and the defeat of the Turks made him even more ambitious.

Queen Li, who stood beside the saint, was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a noble temperament, but her perfect makeup could not completely hide her illness.

Queen Li's illness began to relapse again.

Li Mingtang developed a new medicine for Empress Li, which was quite effective at first.

However, after using it a few times, I began to develop drug resistance.

Queen Li's current health makes it difficult for her to attend the palace banquet.

I heard that the person who was actually responsible for and organized this palace banquet was the Crown Princess Xiao Lu.

"What a familiar scene!"

Wang Mian couldn't help but mutter inwardly, "A few years ago, when the former Crown Princess was still alive, the Queen was seriously ill, and she was in charge of managing the harem!"

"For palace banquets, the emperor's birthday banquet, and other important banquets, the queen can only provide a rough outline. The specific matters are all handled by the Lu family!"

"It's only been a few years, and the Queen's illness has relapsed!"

"But there's nothing we can do about it. If you want to completely eradicate congenital heart disease, you have to undergo surgery!"

Unfortunately, although Wang Mian reproduced anti-inflammatory drugs and catgut, and vigorously promoted surgical operations such as cesarean sections, high-end procedures such as heart surgery could not be performed in ancient times.

It cannot be achieved with just the “sterility” requirement.

There are also prejudices and persistence in people's hearts... No matter how kind and compassionate Queen Li is, or how wise and powerful the saint is, they will not tolerate anyone attacking Queen Li's heart.

Wang Mian didn't even dare to say anything, for fear that he and Li Mingtang would end up like Hua Tuo!

In ancient times, medical disputes, especially those involving the royal family, could result in death.

If things go wrong, each death may result in a different household registration, or even a different family tree!

"...This is the only way! Queen, I'm sorry, I'm afraid of death!"

She was even more afraid of bringing trouble to her husband and eldest daughter.

Wang Mian seemed to be able to feel that Queen Li's life was quietly slipping away.

But she was powerless to do anything.

"Alas! I'm probably the most useless time-traveling girl! I can't change the world, let alone history!"

Wang Mian picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, forcing himself to suppress all his thoughts.

……

The singing and dancing performance ended, but the palace banquet continued.

After the initial restraint and rules, the nobles at the palace banquet began to enter into a real carnival.

Someone stood up and danced crookedly with the singer.

Some people ran up to the musicians from the Jiaofangsi while drunk, snatched the instruments from their hands, and started blowing and beating them.

Some people hold their wine glasses and drink with their close ones.

"Lord Lou!"

Xiao Dalang came before Lou Yu and his wife, picked up the wine cup, raised his hands, and said respectfully, "Please!"

Lou Yu stood up and raised his wine cup, "Young Prince, please!"

After two months of getting used to each other, Xiao Dalang finally put away his thorny attitude in front of Lou Yu.

Not only did he figure it out and feel the sincerity and kindness of Lou Yu and Wang Heng, but more importantly, he also witnessed Lou Yu's intelligence and strength.

How wise he is, almost like a demon!

Omnipotent!

Lou Yu, also known as Lou Hanzhang, really lived up to his reputation. Whether it was the official business of the government office, his many talents, or even some unconventional methods, Lou Yu could handle them with ease.

People, deep down, admire the strong.

Especially for teenagers like Xiao Dalang, who are not mentally mature enough, they are easily influenced by external things.

They have the mischievousness and humanity of children, as well as the instinct to bully the weak and fear the strong, and to seek profit and avoid harm.

As for Lou Yu, although he was polite to Xiao Dalang, he would not be servile or unconditionally tolerant.

Whenever Xiao Dalang made a mistake or deliberately lost his temper, Lou Yu had thousands of ways to make him suffer in silence.

Wang Heng: ...Tsk, I didn’t kill you for going against Lou Dalang, who has been a naughty boy since childhood, because of your status and your father’s kindness.

It won’t kill you, but it can still make you angry and frustrated.

The best way to tame a wolf cub is to hurt it and let it know that it is impossible to defeat it no matter what. After doing this many times and getting enough lessons, it will naturally become obedient.

Lou Yu plays the villain, while Wang Heng, the gentle aunt, plays the good guy.

A slap and a sweet date, with the cooperation of husband and wife, they can slowly train Xiao Dalang!

Look, after just two months, we have seen initial results.

Xiao Dalang is no longer gloomy. He is very much like Lou Yu ten years ago and has begun to learn how to disguise himself!

Lou Yu and Wang Heng felt quite a sense of accomplishment.

The Crown Prince, who was sitting next to the Emperor and Empress, saw Xiao Dalang respectfully toasting Lou Yu, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

I was right about him.

Hanzhang is not only successful in his official duties, but also extremely good at teaching his disciples.

In this way, I will feel relieved!

The prince lowered his eyelids, hiding all the emotions in his eyes.

The palace banquet ended late at night.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng were sitting in the carriage, both of them were a little tipsy.

After returning to the Duke of Qi's Mansion and washing up, the couple tiptoed to check on the child before returning to the main bedroom to rest.

At this moment, the candlestick on the high table suddenly shook, and the sturdy Luohan bed also shook slightly.

Lou Yu's expression changed, and he instinctively picked up Wang Heng and said, "Oh no! The ground is shaking!"