Golden Branch

"Since I knew it would trouble the princess, why did I bother her?"

As soon as Lady Li finished speaking, Bai Zhi, who was standing beside her, couldn't help herself.

She said coldly, "Madam Li, you are overstepping your bounds!"

Bai Zhi does have a natural affinity for her "senior". She sympathizes with her and wants to help her.

However, Bai Zhi has not forgotten her identity and responsibilities.

What Lady Li said seemed like an attempt to morally blackmail the princess.

Even if it is not obvious, it is still an offense to the noble princess.

A princess of her status certainly cannot argue with a maidservant. As servants, Baizhi and others should take the initiative to share the princess's worries.

Bai Zhi knew very well that if she didn't speak, Bai Wei, Bai Ji and others would speak.

But if she waited until someone else spoke first, the identity of the first maid in front of the princess would become someone else.

Bai Zhi's slight affection for her "senior" was not enough for her to gamble her future on it.

Upon hearing this, Madam Li, who was kneeling on the ground, trembled slightly.

She quickly apologized: "I dare not! I never thought of offending the Ninth Princess!"

She didn't dare to bring up the old relationship anymore, and in panic, she even changed the way she addressed him.

"Princess, please forgive me. It is, it is my fault! You are noble and kind, and you are lenient towards your subjects, but that is no reason for me to be disrespectful and rebellious!"

Madam Li was probably used to being the mistress of the farm, and this matter concerned her sister-in-law, and she was too much coaxed and persuaded by her in-laws, so she forgot her limits for a moment.

Bai Zhi's words were not just a scolding, but also a reminder.

Lady Li reacted immediately and apologized: "I have overstepped my bounds. Please punish me, Princess!"

He did not beg for mercy, but only admitted his mistake, and did not dwell on his sister-in-law's affairs anymore.

Wang Heng leaned on the table and glanced at Madam Li.

Her expression was calm, and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry.

After a moment, I don't know if it was because she saw the pitiful look of Lady Li's humble apology, or because she thought of her childhood... Alas, when her mother passed away, her father remarried Cui, and she was sent to the farm, with only Bai Zhi, Fu's mother and others by her side.

After all, he was an old man who had shared hardships with her, and it was his first time coming to ask for help, so Wang Heng was still willing to give him some respect.

Since Bai Zhi had already warned Wang Heng, she would not go too far.

"I already know about this matter. I will send someone to investigate!"

"Madam Li, please get up. It's understandable that you're worried and flustered when something happens to your loved ones."

It’s just looking for someone, which is not a difficult task for Wang Heng.

There is no need to ask Lou Yu for help, the people around her can handle this matter.

If Wang Heng wanted to, she could solve the case at the same time.

Yes, the case.

Through simple kidnapping, Wang Heng had already discovered the criminal gang hidden behind it.

The leader of this gang is very brave to commit crimes in the Gyeonggi region.

Perhaps, there is some powerful person behind this.

I just don’t know who will be involved this time, and the family behind them.

Wang Heng pondered secretly as her slender white fingers gently stroked the lacquer patterns on the table.

With Wang Heng's status and position, she would not handle even a small request from an old servant casually.

She would check everything out, weigh the pros and cons, and then make a choice.

If the person behind this is related to herself, or the Wang family, the Lou family, etc., Wang Heng should think more about it.

As I said, those in power like Wang Heng don't have a very clear concept of right and wrong.

What they always consider is interests and balance.

"...I bow to thank the princess!"

Madam Li prostrated herself on the ground with her forehead pressed against the bluestone floor.

A look of regret flashed across his face, which was at an angle to the ground.

"It's true that after living a smooth life for so long, I've forgotten my identity and the rules."

"I am indeed an old man by the princess's side, but in the end I am just a servant."

"Serving the young princess is my greatest strength and my most important trump card, yet I wasted it carelessly on an outsider."

Don’t even mention getting married, you’re just a member of your husband’s family.

In the hearts of her parents-in-law, have they ever considered her as a close relative?

However, because she had been praised for so long, she lost her vigilance and showed the greatest favor to her sister-in-law.

Putting aside the topic of "family and outsiders", she shouldn't be so stupid just from the perspective of interests -

My sister-in-law was abducted and disappeared for more than ten days. I guess her innocence has been lost and her reputation has been ruined.

Such a woman, even if she is rescued safely, will find it difficult to get married.

What benefits can a woman who cannot get married bring to her family?

She could have used her old friendship to secure a better future for her daughter, but in the end—

The more Madam Li thought about it, the more depressed she became. She was so stupid.

Unfortunately, the stupid thing has been done, and regretting it will be of no use.

Pinching her palms hard, Madam Li could only "keep making mistakes".

The favor has been done and cannot be wasted. Being able to save her sister-in-law and even save more people is at least a merit of hers.

I just hope that God will reward her for the good things she has done!

……

After sending Madam Li away, Wang Heng continued to look through the account books.

She and Lou Yu have too many properties under their names, which are not noticeable on weekdays. Only during festivals and other times will Wang Heng feel it.

Yizhou, Dengzhou, Yongzhou, Nanzhou and the capital, farmlands, forests, houses, shops and various workshops.

Oh, by the way, there is also Lishan Academy.

Although we have not yet reached a balance between income and expenditure, its significance cannot be measured by money.

In the past few years, Lou Yu and Wang Heng have been selecting people from the academy and recommending them for official positions without leaving any trace.

None of them were very eye-catching official positions, and some were of low rank or in remote locations.

They are not noticeable, but they are seeds.

In time, it will surely grow into a big tree that will satisfy both Wang Heng and Lou Yu.

"Auntie!"

Just when Wang Heng was busy, Anan staggered in.

Two-year-old little ones are at their cutest.

Anan was well-raised. He was fair and chubby, and with the delicate facial features inherited from his parents, he was even more lovable than the legendary fairy child.

"Anan is here. Did you recite your lessons today?"

Wang Heng dotes on her daughter, but also teaches her strictly.

Since they are young and their hands are not fully developed enough to hold a pen, they can just recite the text.

Wang Heng had already ordered people to teach Anan the traditional early childhood education book "Tai Gong Family Education" from the Dayu Dynasty.

It's not a serious memorization, it's just training your ears and memory.

While learning to speak, learning to say a few catchy sentences can be considered as practice before enlightenment.

"Back it!"

Anan is young but very articulate.

She also inherited her parents' good genes. Although she has not yet shown Lou Yu's photographic memory, she is also very smart.

After the servants around her read them to her several times, she could memorize the catchy early childhood education articles.

There are also "Three Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Names" written by Amian, and Anan can also recite them with the triplets.

Anan, who couldn't even control her urine, was already able to recite, and many people who saw her couldn't help but praise her:

"As expected of Lou Hanzhang's daughter, she is intelligent, kind-hearted, and gifted."

Even Mr. Shen, upon seeing this, half-jokingly said, "If it weren't for my age and Anan being so young, I would have wanted to take Anan in as my last disciple!"

Wang Heng and Lou Yu were Mr. Shen's students, so their daughters could not become his disciples, as the generations would be messed up.

Therefore, Wang Heng and his wife just thought Mr. Shen was joking.

They would rather believe that Mr. Shen was praising Anan.

At such a young age, he has shown remarkable talent. As parents, Wang Heng and Lou Yu are both relieved and happy.

They only have Anan as their child in this life, so they naturally want her to be better and better.

"Anan is so good!"

When Wang Heng saw her daughter's sweet and soft appearance, her motherly heart was warmed.

She leaned over and gently kissed her daughter's chubby face.

"Come, would you mind looking at the account book with Mother?"

"Ledger?"

"Yes! These are the account books. The properties recorded in them will all belong to us, Anan, in the future!"

"……mine?"

Wang Heng and Anan were talking while looking through the account book.

Time passed quickly, but the light that came into the room through the glass windows still shifted slowly.

"What are you busy with?"

Lou Yu came back from the yamen, took off his shoes under the corridor, and walked in wearing only his footwear.

I saw my wife looking through the account book, while my fat daughter was holding a brush and scribbling on the blank book.

Lou Yu bent down and picked up Anan, "Wow! This little face is almost turning into a calico cat!"

Raising his hand to take the hot and damp cotton towel offered by the maid, Lou Yu held Anan in his arms and sat next to Wang Heng.

He held the fat girl in one hand and gently wiped her with the other.

After wiping the ink off her face, Lou Yu pinched her little chubby face with satisfaction.

"Yeah yeah!"

Anan shouted happily, his little body still jumping in Lou Yu's arms.

"It's almost August Festival, and all the farms have sent gifts! Bai Zhi and the others have registered, I'll check them out!"

Wang Heng answered Lou Yu's question casually.

She quickly read the remaining pages, put down her brush, and ordered everyone to put everything away.

Soon, the account books, pens and ink were all taken away.

Bai Zhi bowed and asked, "Princess, would you like to eat?"

"Well! My dear husband is back, and I'm hungry too. Let's set the table!"

Wang Heng also wiped her hands and face, tidied herself up, and then gave the instructions.

A quarter of an hour later, the food table was set up in the main room and the servants came in carrying food boxes.

Lou Yu placed Anan next to her dining table, sat at the main seat with Wang Heng, and the family of three began to eat.

Don’t talk while eating!

After the meal, the food table was removed and the tea table was set up.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu were chatting while drinking tea.

Anan was in the large main room, either playing with toys with his little butt sticking out, or happily chasing after the raccoon.

"Ruyi! Ruyi! Don't run!"

“…Ouch!”

One person and one cat, one chirping and the other meowing, made the originally quiet main room very lively.

"Kidnap a woman? And it seems like a gang crime?"

Lou Yu watched his daughter running around with a smile, and did not neglect the conversation with his wife.

Wang Heng briefly stated Lady Li's request.

She nodded gently. "It's not just the kidnapping case! Brother, do you remember a few months ago, on Suzaku Street, when the officers from the Dali Temple rammed my carriage?"

"Ok!"

Lou Yu nodded. How could he not remember?

That day, Wang Heng came out of the palace with Anan, but was almost frightened by the officials who were rushing in.

At that time, Wang Heng got angry and forced the officials to kneel down and confess their crimes.

But the story doesn't end there.

Wang Heng’s outburst was Wang Heng’s business, but Lou Yu would not let it go easily.

The next day, he took the impeachment memorial he had written overnight and severely criticized Zhou Jiming at the court meeting.

Lou Yu's writing style is as sharp as a knife, and his mouth is even more powerful than anyone else in the court.

He is such a talented debater that he can be cunning even if he is powerless, not to mention that he is in the right.

Lou Yu scolded Zhou Jiming harshly without using a single curse word.

The sage was speechless.

The prince was helpless yet doting.

In the end, the whole thing ended with Zhou Jiming personally coming to the princess's mansion to apologize and being fined half a year's salary.

Lou Yu: ...It's OK! Barely satisfactory!

Wang Heng: ...Brother, your fighting ability is truly formidable! I'm very satisfied!

The couple was still happy, the only one who was hurt was Zhou Jiming.

If you mess with Princess Langya, you will lose all your dignity!

Seeing Lou Yu nod, Wang Heng continued, "Afterwards, I sent someone to investigate. Those officials who were chasing the fugitives were suspected to be related to the disappearance case."

"That case has never been solved. I suddenly have a suspicion that there might be some connection between that disappearance and the current kidnapping case!"

"Their targets are all young, unmarried women."

Wang Heng slowly expressed her guess.

Lou Yu had presided over the Dali Temple and served as a local official. He was a professional in solving cases.

After listening to Wang Heng's analysis and giving it a brief thought, he said, "It's possible! Okay, I'll have someone check it out!"

"I just don't know which powerful person is involved in this case!"

Lou Yu and Wang Heng were husband and wife, and they both guessed that the mastermind of the case had someone behind the scenes.

The two people's ideas are also very consistent:

If this person has an interest in your side, then you should make the most of it.

If this person is our enemy, then we will investigate thoroughly and then take advantage of the situation to inflict the greatest damage on the enemy.

With Lou Yu's participation, the case was quickly solved.

The kidnapping case and the missing person case are indeed related.

The victimized women were taken to a mountain villa outside the capital.

It was a den of filth, obscenity and chaos.

Some nobles, tired of playing in brothels and music bureaus, wanted to harm decent women.

Either through deception or robbery, dozens of innocent women were victimized in less than a year.

The masterminds behind this incident actually involved several members of the royal family and nobles.

However, these people are all playboys, and are neither allies nor enemies of Lou Yu.

Lou Yu didn't take it seriously and directly "sent" the clues he found to Zhou Jiming——

Even if he was not an important person, Lou Yu did not want to offend him easily.

First, he is not the person in charge of case handling and criminal law, and second, he is not Zhou Jiming. He does not need the good reputation of being "impartial and impartial".

He did a good deed but didn't want to bring trouble to himself. The credit for being a "god-like solver" should be given to Zhou Jiming.

He was a lonely minister and a cruel official, so he probably wasn't afraid of offending anyone.

Zhou Jiming did not disappoint Lou Yu's hopes. After getting the clues, he investigated the case vigorously.

The villa was sealed off, several dandies behind the scenes were arrested, and nearly a hundred victims were successfully rescued...