Golden Branch

"A Mian, what's wrong?"

Wang Heng and Wang Mian are so familiar with each other that they can keenly detect each other's subtle expressions.

"Nothing, just—"

Wang Mian thought of the worries in his heart and subconsciously glanced at Anan who was discussing homework with the triplets.

After enduring it again and again, Wang Mian couldn't hold it back any longer. She pulled Wang Heng aside, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Ajiu, do you and Lord Lou really only want Anan as your daughter?"

Not to mention in ancient times, even in modern times, people cannot get rid of the idea of ​​"competing for sons".

Not to mention, the Lou family really has a title to inherit.

"Yeah! We have Anan, that's all we need!"

Wang Heng glanced at the eldest daughter of the family and answered softly but firmly.

"Then, will the Duke of Anguo's Mansion allow it?"

Wang Mian has known Lou Yu and Wang Heng for many years and knows them well.

Others may only know that Lou Yu was an adopted son, and he no longer has any elders above him.

Wang Mian, however, had seen "Lou Dalang" and she knew very well that Lou Yu also had a biological father and a stepmother.

In recent years, the Anguo Mansion has been quiet. Not only in the court, but also in private, Lou Jin rarely relies on his status as his biological father to give orders to Lou Yu.

But this does not mean that Lou Jin will really not care about anything.

For example, the issue of offspring is not just about the continuation of the family line for ordinary families, but also concerns the title and the prosperity of the entire family.

This is definitely not a problem for one person or one family, and Lou Yu cannot afford to be so presumptuous.

"What does the affairs of our Duke Qi's Mansion have to do with the Duke An's Mansion?"

Wang Heng pretended to be puzzled and said, "Yes, we are from the same clan. So over the years, my brother has helped many of the Lou family members because of our common clan."

"However, although friendship is friendship, it is not a reason for others to interfere in the affairs of the Duke of Qi's Mansion!"

Twenty-five-year-old Wang Heng has lost her childishness and is no longer a sweet and soft glutinous rice dumpling, but she is still gentle and good-tempered.

But at this moment, her words were very powerful.

The Duke of Qi's Mansion, where she and her brother lived, would not tolerate anyone interfering.

Lou Jin and Madam Dugu also refused.

They don’t deserve it!

Including Wang Mian, most people don’t know Lou Yu’s life experience, and therefore don’t know the betrayal he suffered.

Wang Heng knew everything.

She loves her brother and feels sorry for him, so she will stand on his side and hate everyone who has hurt him.

Wang Heng did not seek revenge on Lou Jin and his wife, which was already a kind act on her part.

She would never allow those irresponsible parents to dictate to her and her brother just by relying on their blood relationship.

Wang Heng now has such confidence.

Her husband, her mother, and her students can all become her support.

The Duke of Anguo's Mansion has long been in decline, and even Crown Prince Lou Lin has to look up to the Duke of Qi's Mansion, let alone others?

Lou Jin has always been clear-headed and won't "make trouble for himself".

Madam Dugu, the only stupid lady who might cause trouble to Wang Heng, has been strictly controlled by Lou Jin over the years.

Moreover, the siblings Lou Lin and Lou Lang have grown up and are at the age to discuss marriage.

Madam Dugu was busy arranging a marriage for them and had no time to worry about whether Lou Yu had a son.

"...What about the title?"

Seeing Wang Heng so confident, Wang Mian knew that her parents-in-law, Lou Jin and Madam Dugu, would not cause her any trouble.

However, the problem of being childless still exists.

Wang Mian mentioned the biggest hidden danger, "Ajiu, the title of Duke of Qi's Mansion needs to be passed down!"

Wang Heng glanced at Wang Mian, a complex expression flashing across her lively, lychee-shaped eyes. "A Mian, you just said it yourself. There are emperors and queens in this world!"

"Women are no worse than men. Women shouldn't be trapped in the backyard..."

Wang Heng stopped at the point and didn't say too much.

Wang Mian was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood what Wang Heng meant. "Ajiu, you're saying you want to pass the title of Duke to Anan?"

"No! Amian, to be exact, my brother and I both have this plan!"

Wang Mian seemed to be shocked. His facial expression kept changing and his mouth moved slightly.

She couldn't utter a word and could only stare at Wang Heng.

Wang Heng smiled and said softly, "The first female duke of the Dayu Dynasty, how about that?"

Wang Mian was stunned for a long while before she gave a wry smile: "Female Duke? Excellent!"

Haha, she claims to be an open-minded modern person, but it turns out that she lacks the breadth of mind and courage of the ancient people.

It's ridiculous that she always worries about being assimilated. In fact, she is more feudal than the ancients.

In ancient times, there were queens, female generals, empresses, and female prime ministers... However, some modern people who claim to be civilized still advocate that sons are like atomic bombs and having no children means the family will be extinct.

No matter what, they all rely on their so-called offspring. It’s not that sons are truly precious, but that their parents are too useless.

If you are excellent and powerful enough, you don't have to worry about issues like retirement and sacrifice.

Wang Mian was deeply shocked. She couldn't help but reflect on herself and re-examine her three views.

Wang Mian was so busy sorting out these things that he forgot to worry about the so-called "seven-year itch".

Well, even if Wang Mian still remembered, he wouldn't worry about it anymore.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu are not only a young couple who grew up together, but also have surprisingly consistent thoughts and persistence.

They are no longer an ordinary couple, and cannot be influenced by worldly affairs and conventions.

A mere seven years, but what they had spent together was more than just seven years?!

……

Five years later, Lou Yu was still in the Ministry of Revenue, holding the position of Vice Minister.

But his scope of authority was not fixed within the Ministry of Revenue.

For example, during this diplomatic mission to Silla, he was the head of the delegation.

Led an embassy to inspect Liaodong.

To appease the destroyed Goguryeo and Baekje, and to pressure Silla.

The Queen of Silla was quite smart and took the initiative to request to come to the capital to meet the Khan.

Lou Yu then led the delegation and traveled with the Queen of Silla.

"Minister Lou, this Silla woman is indeed worthy of her reputation!"

One of the members of the delegation, the head of the Ministry of War, drank a few glasses of wine at the post station and then came up to Lou Yu to brag.

In his room were two women brought from Silla.

Young, beautiful, and gentle.

Compared with the fierce women of Dayu, she is obviously a caring and lovely girl.

In recent years, as the Great Yu Dynasty expanded its territory, the world became increasingly peaceful and prosperous, and all kinds of luxurious enjoyment began to become a trend.

Silla maids, Kunlun slaves, and Bodhisattva barbarians were the standard equipment of the Dayu nobles.

If a family doesn't have something like this, it means that the family is either in decline or not rich enough.

When the diplomatic envoys went to Silla, they all had natural advantages - they were high-ranking officials of the Celestial Empire, powerful and wealthy.

You don’t have to spend any money, just show a little interest and someone will offer it to you.

The entire delegation, consisting of more than a dozen officials, except for Lou Yu, all accepted the "gift" from the Queen of Silla with a smile.

With two delicate beauties for each person, this trip was definitely not in vain!

"..."

Lou Yu curled his lips slightly and smiled faintly, just as a response to the person in charge.

He was not lustful, and he had no desire for Silla maids.

However, Lou Yu will not use his own standards to demand others.

He doesn't accept beautiful women, but he won't stop others.

As long as these people don't miss their jobs because of beauty, Lou Yu won't care.

"Minister Lou, the women of Silla are very different from us Dayu women. They are very docile and treat their husbands as if they were heaven!"

"Whether it's daily life or in bed, the feeling is indescribable!"

Seeing that Lou Yu didn't respond, the person in charge continued to promote the product with all his might.

It wasn't that he had to drag Lou Yu into this, but rather that they were both members of the diplomatic corps, and Lou Yu was the head of the delegation.

Everyone is surrounded by women, but Lou Yu is clean and self-respecting. This, this... everyone always feels uneasy.

Besides, they are all men, who doesn’t know who?

Lou Yu is a well-known gentleman in the capital for his self-discipline and modesty, but she is just a maid, and there is no need to restrict her like this for a mere plaything.

"Look, these two were personally chosen by the Queen of Silla for my husband. They are stunningly beautiful, talented singers and dancers..."

As he spoke, the person in charge pointed at two stunning beauties wearing exotic costumes.

They were about fifteen or sixteen years old, with baby fat still on their delicate faces.

What is most noticeable is their well-behaved and gentle temperament.

It's like dough, which can be manipulated by anyone.

It was a kind of gentleness that came from the bones, and a humility that allowed her to worship her husband like a god.

It is hard for a man not to be moved by such a woman.

Lou Yu: ...She does look good! Just barely acceptable!

But, what does this have to do with me?

Lou Yu has never been a man who is greedy for beauty, he has the capital for Versailles.

He himself is a top-notch handsome man, and his wife is also stunningly beautiful.

In the capital city and in the imperial palace, there is never a shortage of beauties of all kinds.

If Lou Yu could be easily seduced by beauty, his Duke of Qi's mansion would have been filled with springtime beauty long ago.

A mere Silla maidservant... Huh? She could be brought into the mansion and made a dancer for Ah Heng.

Compared to Lou Yu’s “dislike of women”, Wang Heng, on the contrary, likes to collect beauties.

Their family has nearly a hundred beauties including opera troupes, dancers, singers, etc.

In her spare time or when hosting banquets, Wang Heng would ask these people to perform.

The actors in Princess Langya's family are among the best in the capital.

The underwater stunning dance that became popular in recent years was first created by Princess Langya.

Afterwards, every year new programs that emerged in the capital also had the shadow of Princess Langya.

"Well, Ah Heng has Hu Ji and Bodhisattva Man, but she's really missing a Silla maid!"

Before, Lou Yu just thought that he didn’t need it, so he refused several times.

At this moment, perhaps because he was about to return to the capital, Lou Yu missed his wife and daughter more and more, so he wanted to bring some "souvenirs" to his wife!

As he thought about this, Lou Yu's expression relaxed a little.

The head of the Ministry of War observed Lou Yu's expression and keenly caught the subtle changes in his expression, so he quickly waved his hand and called the two women over.

"Why don't you pay your respects to your husband?"

The person in charge seemed to be scolding, but in fact he was giving a reminder.

The two beauties each have their own beauty, one is bright and gorgeous, the other is pure and elegant.

Both of them have learned the elegant language of Dayu. Although they are not proficient in it, they can still communicate in daily life.

"Greetings to my dear husband!"

The two of them bowed gracefully, following the traditional Silla etiquette.

Lou Yu took a glance and thought, well, she is indeed different from Hu Ji and Bodhisattva Man.

"Ok!"

Lou Yu didn't say anything, but his nod showed that he accepted the two beauties.

"Accepted it? Did Lou Hanzhang really accept Xin Ai and Xi Ai?"

Xin'ai and Xi'ai are the names of two Silla women. They were not of humble origins, but daughters of Silla officials.

However, Silla was a vassal state of Dayu, and their king had to submit to the Emperor of Dayu.

The so-called "noble ladies" are no different from slaves to the powerful people in Dayu!

"Yes! Lou Yu did take them in and even arranged a carriage for them."

The servant bowed and reported.

The Queen of Silla sat cross-legged on the low couch, her slender eyebrows raised, and a hint of mockery appeared on her thick lips:

"Oh! I thought Lou Hanzhang was truly pure and unworldly, but I never imagined he was such a womanizer."

The Queen of Silla said this, mocking her with a hint of disappointment in her tone:

Tsk, what a man!

It turns out that they are all like this!

When she was in Silla, the queen had heard of Lou Hanzhang's name.

He was born into a noble family, was extremely talented and beautiful, was favored by the emperor, and achieved success at a young age.

When Lou Hanzhang was sent as an envoy to Silla, the queen personally met this world-famous son of the Lou family and felt more and more that "the rumors were true."

Lou Yu is indeed a rare erudite and handsome man.

In addition to appearance, talent, status, etc., the queen also heard about the love story between Lou Yu and his wife.

They were playmates in childhood, married in their youth, and have been in love for several years, just as they were at the beginning.

Even though his wife only gave birth to a daughter, Lou Yu did not take concubines or maids on the pretext of having offspring.

A pair of people for a lifetime, as beautiful as a storybook.

"Really? I don't believe it! What man isn't unfaithful?"

"Perhaps he is wary of his wife's status as a princess, or perhaps he hasn't met a beautiful woman who can capture his heart, or perhaps—"

The Queen of Silla once secretly guessed it.

Alas, the bright moon in the sky was so cold and beautiful that she always wanted to pull it down and let it be covered with dust.

Of course, the Queen of Silla was not simply jealous of beautiful things. Giving a beauty to a powerful official like Lou Yu also had political considerations.

In the vast Liaodong Peninsula, the most powerful Goguryeo and the second most powerful Baekje were both destroyed by Dayu.

Only Silla was left.

Firstly, Silla's location was the most remote, making it unfavorable for the Dayu army to conduct a long-term operation.

Secondly, Silla has always been aware of the times. When the Dayu Dynasty was first established, Silla sent envoys to express its attitude of submission to the Dayu Emperor.

Dayu invaded Goguryeo several times, and Silla was always Dayu's ally, and together with Dayu's royal army, it attacked Goguryeo from both sides.

The Queen of Silla did not dare to say how much role Silla played in the war to destroy Goguryeo, but even if there was no credit, it was still hard work.

Due to many reasons, Silla has maintained its current stability.

However, this stability did not last long. Silla was too weak to compete with the powerful Dayu.

Since there is no chance of winning in a head-on battle, we will adopt other methods and infiltrate slowly.

Silla maid?

For Silla, it is definitely not a glorious existence.

However, the Queen of Silla still turned a blind eye to it and even secretly allowed her confidants to sell the goods together with the officials of Dayu.

She wasn't blinded by greed, nor was she selling out her country for personal gain. Instead, she wanted to use women to maintain the stability of Silla...