Golden Branch

Yang Rui came uninvited, but Lou Yu did not feel too disgusted.

Yang Ruigui is the prince of Qi. He is already 22 years old this year and has been with the king of Qi for many years.

Apart from the King of Qi, Yang Rui is the most honorable person in the King of Qi's Palace.

If the King of Qi is not around, he will be the only spokesperson.

Lou Yu claims to be the head of the eldest branch of the Lou family, but he is only a ten-year-old child after all.

Moreover, the so-called eldest son's house no longer exists.

Lou Hu had been dead for many years, and although he left behind an honorary title of sixth-rank Flying Cavalry Captain, it was from the previous dynasty.

The Dayu Dynasty followed the old system, but did not necessarily recognize the titles and honors left by the previous dynasty.

Without special grace, Lou Yu would be just an ordinary person.

He has no title, is still young, and all his elders are dead. He is just an orphan with some property.

Yang Rui treated him with courtesy, and although it was a bit flawed that he came uninvited, he also handed over a visiting card.

He treated Lou Yu as someone of equal status and position to himself.

This is especially important for Lou Yu, who is in a sensitive period of age.

Lou Yu felt Yang Rui's respect for him.

Yang Rui's behavior was in stark contrast to that of Madam Lou who was sitting beside him.

Madam Lou treated Lou Yu as her own child.

Yang Rui regards Lou Yu as the head of the family.

"...Is his behavior a form of respect for the virtuous, or a form of courtesy towards others?"

If it is the latter, there is also the saying "there must be something to ask for".

"Yang Rui wants something from me? What? I'm just a naughty kid!"

Lou Yu was satisfied with Yang Rui's attitude, but as a person with a dark heart, he was still used to speculating about others with the greatest malice.

Out of the blue, without any reason, Yang Rui suddenly came to Hedong and even paid a visit... Could it be for Lou Jin?

Lou Jingui was the Duke of Anguo and had 100,000 soldiers under his command, and was highly regarded by the emperor.

As the successor of the Qi line, it is reasonable for the Prince of Qi to win over a powerful general with a large army.

Lou Yu was young and still far away in Hedong, but he also knew something about the capital and the court.

Two years ago, Yang Ji ascended the throne and founded a new dynasty, naming the country Yu and the reign Kaitai.

This year is the third year of Kaitai, and Yang Ji has been emperor for more than two years.

The once chaotic northern border has now returned to the peace and stability of the previous dynasty.

Yang Ji sat firmly on the throne, preparing his troops and pointing his sword at the southern border.

Yang Ji had the ambition to unify the world and also had the ability to conquer the southern border.

However, the war in the front was about to break out, and the palace in the back was also filled with swords and sabers.

Yang Ji had three legitimate sons. The eldest son, Yang Chong, was born to his first wife, Yuwen.

After Yuwen died, Yang continued to marry his cousin, the daughter of the Li family.

Li gave birth to two sons and one daughter for Yang Ji. The second son, Yang Yi, was fourteen years younger than Yang Chong and was twenty-five years old this year.

When Yang Ji started his rebellion, Yang Yi also led his troops and fought everywhere, making great military achievements.

However, Yang Yi's military achievements cannot be compared with Yang Chong's.

In fact, even Yang Ji... one-third of the land in the north was conquered by Yang Chong, and Kyoto was the first to be conquered by Yang Chong.

Yang Chong has many generals and talented people under his command.

His Prince Qi's Palace was like a small imperial court.

Half of the civil and military officials in the court have more or less relationship with Yang Chong.

Yang Chong, his achievements surpass his master's!

Yang Ji is fifty-eight years old this year. Although he refuses to admit his old age, whenever he sits on the high platform and looks down, he can see his eldest son who is in his prime and has made outstanding achievements.

Yang Chong was the original wife and the eldest son, he was relatively young, and he had indelible achievements. When he was in the court, even though Yang Ji cared about the father-son relationship, he couldn't help but think too much.

Yang Yi made Yang Ji feel much more at ease.

Although he is an adult, he still looks immature.

Some of his military achievements cannot be compared with those of his father Yang Ji.

Well, okay, not to mention comparing with Yang Ji, even the famous Princess Jincheng is actually more prestigious than Yang Yi.

Princess Jincheng and Yang Chong are born to the same mother!

She is a woman, and her contributions cannot be publicly recognized, but they can benefit Yang Chong.

Yang Yi is simply not comparable to Yang Chong.

However, it is precisely because of these shortcomings of Yang Yi that he better meets Yang Ji's requirements for an heir.

Not mediocre, yet not threatening.

After the northern border was stabilized, Yang Ji began to show some signs:

Between the eldest son and the second son, he prefers the latter.

At the palace banquet after the New Year's Day court meeting this year, Yang Ji said in a drunken manner: Bishamon is excellent, just like me!

Vaisravana is Yang Yi's childhood name, which is Sanskrit and taken from Vaisravana, the Heavenly King Li who holds the pagoda.

As the emperor, Yang Ji praised his son for being like himself in front of all the court officials, royal family members and nobles. His meaning was very clear.

Of course, the palace banquet was not a very formal occasion, and Yang Ji was also "drunk".

However, those present were all veterans in government affairs, so how could they not understand Yang Ji's thoughts?

After New Year's Day, the wind direction in the capital became a little strange.

The King of Qi was still respected, and Yang Yi, the King of Chu, also began to be respected.

The battle between two dragons for the throne has begun.

The situation in the capital is changing rapidly, and those generals who command heavy troops will be affected to some extent.

For example, Lou Jin.

Before Lou Jin joined the Yang family father and son, he was a famous young general in the previous dynasty.

They have military achievements, prestige, and tens of thousands of battle-hardened Lou family soldiers.

However, Lou Jin was already a founding county duke and was deeply favored by Yang Ji. It was not easy to win him over princes such as Yang Chong and Yang Yi.

"...So, the Prince of Qi bypassed Lou Jin and came to me, Lou Jin's cheap 'nephew'?"

Lou Yu strode out to greet him, thinking secretly.

……

"Yu pays homage to the prince!"

Arriving at the front yard, Lou Yu had just walked into the main hall when he saw Yang Rui standing under the corridor.

Yang Rui is twenty-two years old this year. He is tall and has an imposing bearing.

He has the tall and heroic appearance typical of northerners, but also has a strong scholarly air.

He was wearing a moon-white robe with wide sleeves and a jade belt around his waist.

She doesn't wear too many accessories, but she has an air of nobility that cannot be ignored.

Lou Yu took a few quick steps, climbed the stairs, and bowed deeply.

"Lord Lou, please stop being polite!"

Yang Rui also took two steps forward and raised his hand to hold Lou Yu's arm.

This is what it means to sincerely exempt people from courtesy.

Unlike the previous Mrs. Lou, who was polite in her words but still waited for the other party to perform the full ceremony.

Lou Yu's eyes flashed. The other party's behavior really had a sense of "courteousness and humility".

"I was rude for not sending a visiting card in advance and coming here in a hurry. I hope Mr. Lou will forgive me for my impoliteness!"

After the greetings, Yang Rui expressed his apologies for coming uninvited.

"You are so polite, my lord. I am honored that you can come!"

After studying for two or three years, Lou Yu was able to become as polite and courteous as a gentleman.

I just don’t know why, but on weekdays, Lou Yu’s humility and modesty not only deceive the people in front of him, but also make him very satisfied.

But when facing Yang Rui, Lou Yu felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

But he still couldn't find the reason.

He could only suppress this strange feeling quietly in his heart and concentrate on receiving Yang Rui.

"...I heard that today is my husband's birthday. I happened to be passing through Hedong on business, so I wanted to come and ask for a cup of birthday wine. If I am bothering you, I hope you will forgive me!"

Yang Rui continued to be polite, waved his hand, and ordered someone to present the birthday gift.

"Thank you, Your Highness! My birthday is not worthy of your congratulations. I have prepared some wine at home. If you don't mind, I would like to invite you to the table."

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord. I would be very sorry to refuse it!"

After another round of greetings, Lou Yu led Yang Rui to the main hall of the courtyard.

"Grandaunt, this is the Prince of Qi! Prince, this is my great aunt!"

According to the rules, Lou Yu introduced Madam Lou and Yang Rui.

Yang Rui seemed to already know the identity of Madam Lou. He smiled slightly and bowed, saying, "So you are the widow of Zheng Shaoqing. Rui greets Commandery Lady Lou!"

When Mrs. Lou heard Yang Rui call him "Zheng Shaoqing", a hint of excitement flashed in her eyes.

Zheng Shaoqing was the official title of her husband, and her Zheng Lang once served as Shaoqing of Honglu, a fourth-rank official.

Although his official position was not high, he was already the most outstanding among his peers in the Lou family.

Unfortunately, my father-in-law offended the Grand Chancellor, and all the male members of the Zheng family who had entered the officialdom were dismissed from office, and the imperial edicts of the female members were also revoked.

The Zheng family never recovered from this setback.

More than ten years have passed, and Mrs. Lou thought that no one remembered the Zheng family's former glory.

I never thought that in Hedong, a man as noble as the Prince of Qi would actually still remember that her husband was once the Junior Minister of Rites?!

She, Lou, was once the respectable Lady Lou, not some crappy Lady Tai!

"The old lady greets the prince!"

Madam Lou suppressed her excitement, stood up, knelt and saluted.

Lou Yu looked at this scene and was slightly touched.

He also didn't expect that Yang Rui knew so much about Madam Lou's affairs.

Even Lou Yu, Madam Lou's nephew, couldn't even remember what official position his husband, who had been dead for several years, had held!

Lou Yu glanced at Yang Rui imperceptibly and found that when he was talking to Madam Lou, he had a humble smile on his face and his eyes were full of sincerity.

He seemed to really remember Zheng Shaoqing, and also seemed to really respect Madam Lou, an old woman!

Lou Yu's eyes flickered slightly, interesting!

He seemed to understand where his "discomfort" just now came from.

Yang Rui was still kind to Madam Lou, a woman from an aristocratic family who had long fallen on hard times, like a spring breeze that warmed people's hearts.

A smile couldn't help but appear on Mrs. Lou's always stern face.

Mrs. Lou was even a little presumptuous. She called her grandson and granddaughter to her side without waiting for Lou Yu to introduce them.

"Erlang, Qilang, Shishiniang, come on, come and pay your respects to the prince!"

Zheng Erlang, who was already thirteen years old, had a slightly red cheek. He realized that his mother was being disrespectful.

However, he could understand his grandmother's intentions: the Zheng family had fallen into decline, and if the male members of the Zheng family wanted to re-enter the officialdom, they must have the support of a noble person.

The Prince of Qi in front of them is the noble man they can only meet by chance!

Now that you have finally met someone, you must not miss any opportunity.

Restraining his shame and anger, Zheng Erlang brought his younger brother Zheng Qilang and younger sister Zheng Chi to pay their respects to Yang Rui.

Yang Rui was not at all displeased by the rudeness of Madam Lou and the Zheng family. His eyes were still bright and gentle.

Gentle and elegant, with a broad mind.

A true gentleman is like jade and good like water, with pride but without arrogance.

Lou Yu watched silently.

Lou Yu spoke again only after the Zheng family had finished paying their respects.

He pulled Wang Heng over and said, "Prince, this is Wang Heng, daughter of the Chief Clerk of Yizhou. Jiuniang, quickly pay your respects to the Prince of Qi!"

Lou Yu didn't think much about it. He just felt that since Douyacai had shown his face in front of Yang Rui, it made no sense for his fat girl to hide in the corner.

He forgot something, but Yang Rui remembered it.

Yang Rui's eyes flashed, "Wang Changshi's daughter? Wang Jiajiuniang?"

Is that the child that Concubine Jiang left with her ex-husband's family?

Wang Heng was dazed, as if she didn't realize that she had some relationship with Yang Rui.

She knelt down obediently and saluted: "Greetings, Prince!"

Yang Rui looked at Wang Heng steadily. As the prince of Qi, he had naturally met his father's favorite woman.

Jiang is indeed stunningly beautiful, with a fairy-like appearance and deserves the title of the most beautiful woman in the country.

Moreover, her beauty is not vulgar, but rather has a coldness and aloofness like ice and snow.

She is like a fairy in the Moon Palace, who can be admired from afar but not touched.

Actually, Jiang was only five years older than Yang Rui, but she was Yang Chong's concubine, and therefore Yang Rui's stepmother.

Yang Rui only had appreciation for Jiang's beauty and no greed that violated human ethics.

Now, I saw Jiang's daughter... Well, this little girl is so plump.

At first glance, it looks like a white and plump glutinous rice dumpling.

It cannot be said that she is exactly the same as the slender, gentle and graceful Jiang, but it can be said that she has nothing to do with her.

Oh no, not completely unlike.

In fact, if you look closely, you can see that this girl's eyebrows and eyes are very similar to Concubine Jiang's, but there is too much flesh on her face, which makes her facial features unable to stand out, and greatly weakens her beauty.

Although she is not as stunningly beautiful as Concubine Jiang, she is also sweet and cute.

He smiled, bent down, and looked Wang Heng in the eye: "Ajiu, is that so? Haha, after all, I'm your brother!"

His stepmother's daughter is almost equivalent to his sister!

This relationship isn't too forced!

However, in ancient times, the patrilineal line was always respected.

Jiang remarried, and her second husband's family had no relationship with her children.

However, if Yang Rui really wants to establish this relationship, it’s not impossible.

There was no way, Yang Rui had a noble status and his attitude was very gentle.

Wang Heng seemed to be "bewitched" by this closeness, and was so stunned that she almost wanted to call him "Brother".

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Lou Yu quickly coughed twice.

Fat girl, why are you being so stupid?

How could Yang Rui be your brother?

She is the legitimate daughter of a princess, and your mother is just a concubine!

The legitimate son and the concubine's previous daughter... well, okay, they can actually be considered siblings.

Lou Yujue refused to admit it. The fat girl’s “brother” could not be anyone else except him!

Wang Heng was awakened by Lou Yu. When she turned around, she saw Lou Yu winking at her desperately.

Wang Heng seemed to understand and obediently changed her words: "Brother, the Crown Prince!"

Yang Rui: ...Brother Crown Prince? What kind of title is that?

Concubine Jiang is such a cool and intelligent woman, but her only daughter is such a cute and naive little thing?

The eyebrow dispute between Lou Yu and Wang Heng also made Yang Rui smile.

interesting!

"Okay! Ah Jiu, please call me 'Big Brother' from now on."

As the eldest son of Yang Chong, Yang Rui is the eldest brother of all his younger brothers and sisters.

He is used to being the "big brother", and now he has a cute and adorable step-sister, which seems not bad at all!