Golden Branch

Guest house, kitchen.

Zheng Shisan was wearing some old home clothes, his hair was a little messy, and there was a little dust on his thin little face.

A pair of little hands, because of being washed all the time, became white and wrinkled due to being soaked in water.

She had to be thankful that it was June, the height of summer, not December, the coldest time of the year.

Otherwise, she would get frostbite on her hands.

"Shisan Niang, have you washed the vegetables? If you have, bring them here quickly!"

"That's right, be more dexterous. I know you're a lady of noble status, and you can't do such rough work. But this is the order of the Madam, you can't disobey!"

"Bah! What kind of lady is she..."

In the kitchen, there were seven or eight people in total, including the housekeeper, the female cook, and servants who washed vegetables and made fire.

They stood there watching the fun while making excuses and constantly squeezing and mocking him.

Zheng Shisan lowered his head, having long been accustomed to these sarcasms.

She knew that her grandmother was punishing her for being restless and secretly plotting against Shisiniang behind her back.

But she doesn't regret it.

Because she knew this was her only and best chance.

If she had missed it, she would have followed her grandmother to Beijing, and who knows what tragic ending she would have faced.

Cousin Lou and Lou do have a perverse personality and a bad nature, but they would not bully others for no reason.

As long as she behaves herself and serves Wang Jiuniang well, she will definitely find a place for herself in the Lou family.

Unfortunately, she was still a little impatient and revealed her intentions too early.

He was caught in the act by the Great Mother and is being punished now. He deserves it.

Zheng Shisan worked silently. Seeing how boring she was, the servants stopped talking after a while - she was like a piece of wood, she didn't even cry out in pain when pricked by a needle, so there was no fun in bullying her.

Besides, even if Zheng Shisan is not favored, she is still the little girl of the Zheng family.

These slaves only dared to talk about it and did not dare to actually do it.

Once the quarrel breaks out, Madam Lou may not help Zheng Shisan, but the servants will not benefit either.

Silence returned to the kitchen.

A small figure sneaked in.

"Sister, are you okay?"

The person who came was Zheng Shiliu, who, like Zheng Shisan, was a concubine's daughter.

Zheng Shisan is the same age as Zheng Chi, but he is a few months older than Zheng Chi.

Zheng Shiliu is one year younger than Zheng Shisan.

She has the standard slender figure of a Zheng family daughter, but her face is oval instead of melon-shaped.

Her face is a little round and has some baby fat, which makes her look cute.

Zheng Shisan has a rather gentle appearance, and even at such a young age, she looks a bit pitiful.

Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu are sisters, but each has her own beauty.

Mrs. Lou’s choice of them was absolutely “purposeful”.

The other three or four concubines' daughters also have their own characteristics: some are gentle, some are innocent, some are gorgeous, and some are cold.

There are also two people that Madam Lou sent people to pick up from her hometown. They have a combination of Hu Ji's appearance, one with brown hair and blue eyes, and the other with curly hair and fair skin.

Fortunately, Lou Yu is young and doesn’t understand these things, nor does he pay attention to them.

Otherwise, seeing all these beautiful girls, you will be speechless and look up to the sky - are they raising granddaughters or training concubines?

In order to revive the family, Mrs. Lou really did everything she could.

"I'm fine!"

It was just some rough work and some cold words, she had been used to it since she was a child.

It’s better now, at least I was brought out by the lady.

Before in my hometown... such a narrow yard, but so many people were crowded.

Every day, they either quarrel over a dish or fight openly or secretly over the appearance of something.

The Lou family is really, really good.

And that Wang Jiuniang is also really kind and gentle.

Jiu Niang even treated Wang Mian, a peasant girl, as a sister.

Zheng Shisan felt that as long as he served with all his heart, he would definitely win Jiu Niang's favor.

"Sister, is it worth it?"

Growing up in an extremely complicated environment, nine-year-old Zheng Shiliu was precocious beyond his peers.

She helped Zheng Shisan lift the wooden basin for washing vegetables, went to the yard, and poured out the dirty water.

She asked in a low voice as she helped.

"……worth!"

Although she cannot control her own destiny, she still hopes to have more choices.

Even if she was given away or sold, she hoped to choose a better owner.

……

"The Zheng family is gone?"

Zheng Yi received the news almost on the same night that Madam Lou and her group left.

Zheng Yi couldn't help but feel a little disappointed——

I originally thought that Zheng Erlang and other young masters of the Zheng family would be somewhat courageous.

She pointed out a clear path:

Follow Lou Yu and follow Yang Rui together.

If there is no danger, one can benefit a lot from the guidance and instruction of a knowledgeable and skilled person like Yang Rui.

If there is danger, Zheng Erlang and others can make great contributions whether they protect Lou Yu or block the sword for Yang Rui.

By then, wealth and glory will naturally be inevitable.

"Humph, full of ambition but not decisive enough."

To curry favor with powerful people, you need more than just eloquence.

Even if you don't have enough status or ability, as long as you are loyal and willing to take risks, you can still accomplish things.

Unfortunately, this generation of the Zheng family has nothing, but their minds are full of thoughts about revitalizing the family.

How to revitalize?

By flattery?

Or rely on women's belts?

Zheng Yi didn't have that much resentment towards the Zheng family.

Her revenge was taken, her anger was released, and she was cleared of all grievances with her direct branch.

In fact, as long as the men of the Zheng family have some backbone and courage, Zheng Yi is willing to help them.

The suggestions she gave to Zheng Erlang were also sincere.

It's a pity that it's just a pile of mud and there's no point in trying to support it.

"Forget it, let them be. As long as they don't cause trouble for Jiu Niang and me, I won't bother to care!"

Looking at the dried branches in the vase, Zheng Yi was too lazy to clean them up, so he simply took them out and threw them away.

……

Mrs. Lou left, leaving behind Zheng Chi, Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu.

Three little girls, of similar age, all want to attend Deyin Hall.

Lou Yu greeted the principal of Dongshan Academy and directly asked for three admission places.

However, the academy still gave some symbolic test questions.

The test questions are not difficult, basically they involve reciting and copying classics such as Taigong Family Teachings and the Book of Songs.

Zheng Chi was better off. She had started reading the Four Books since she was young, so she easily got an excellent score in this basic exam.

Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu had never received any serious education. They just followed Zheng Chi and listened to his lectures for a few times. They took the exam with difficulty and got a mediocre score, barely passing.

Lou Yu: ...Hurry up, go to school, don’t bother me anymore!

After taking a day off and taking another day to settle the three little girls of the Zheng family, Lou Yu hurried back to Yang Rui's camp by the river.

It was really troublesome, and he couldn't even talk to the fat girl properly.

Lou Yu once again silently recorded the Zheng family's account in his little notebook.

"Brother, don't worry, I will write to you!"

It was the fat girl who, seeing the coldness in Lou Yu's eyes, hurriedly tried to comfort him softly.

"Okay! One letter a day! I'll use the kite I trained for you."

Lou Yu rubbed Wang Heng's hair with satisfaction and happily made an agreement.

The harriers were a pair of young birds that Lou Yu caught while hunting last year.

He personally trained and tamed two birds of prey that were supposed to help with hunting into "carrier pigeons."

Lou Yu kept one and gave one to Wang Heng.

On weekdays, the two little ones are never separated and basically do not need kites to send messages.

Now, Lou Yu was going to the camp, and the two were more than ten miles apart. If they wanted to keep in touch, the kite would come in handy.

"Okay!"

Wang Heng nodded obediently. She was used to following Lou Yu's arrangements.

"...Also, you don't need to pay attention to the Zheng family's bean sprouts."

"If they behave themselves, let them be. If they refuse to behave themselves, just go ahead and do it!"

"Also, even if you do, don't do it yourself! You can order that ugly girl or the servants!"

Lou Yu did not forget Zheng Chi and others. It was not because he really cared about his relatives, but because he was afraid that they would cause trouble for the fat girl.

I can't bear to let the fat girl suffer. Wouldn't it be ridiculous if the fat girl was bullied by some irrelevant outsiders?

"Yeah, I get it, brother!"

She would never hit anyone. Wang Heng is an emotionally stable Buddhist girl.

As long as they don't bully her in front of her, Wang Heng will ignore them.

Dou, ah, no, it’s Zheng’s daughter, she shouldn’t be that stupid.

Fortunately, Wang Heng almost followed Lou Yu in gossiping about others behind their backs.

Bean sprouts?

Although it is very vivid, it is really rude.

She, Wang Jiu, is a good kid who follows the rules and has good manners.

It’s all my brother’s fault. He always gives people nicknames and she’s been influenced by him!

After secretly cursing in her heart, Wang Heng raised her head, still with a bright smile on her face: "Goodbye, brother! Have a safe trip!"

"……goodbye!"

Lou Yu was a little reluctant, but still waved.

He thought that this was just a simple, short separation. After ten days or half a month, he would be able to take a break and come back to see the fat girl.

Lou Yu never expected that within just a few days, such a big incident would happen, which almost cost him and the fat girl their lives.

……

Deyin Hall.

It is rare for women to study.

Hedong is still a small place, far less prosperous than Pingcheng, Jiankang and other places.

In less developed areas, people's customs are relatively conservative.

Therefore, even though Deyin Hall had the name of the Princess of Qi written on it, and noble ladies from Hedong, Yizhou and other places had heard the news, not many female students actually enrolled in Deyin Hall.

Including three new students including Zheng Chi, there are only twenty-one people.

There were about twenty students, divided into two classes: Class A and Class B.

Wang Heng, Wang Mian and Lu Jialan are in Class A.

Zheng Chi, Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu were assigned to Class B.

The classrooms of the two classes were adjacent to each other. During spare time, little girls who knew each other but were not in the same class would visit each other.

After a guqin class, the teacher had just left when a little girl came in and out.

"Jiuniang!"

Zheng Chi brought his two half-sisters as followers and came to Wang Heng together.

Wang Heng raised her head, her expression slightly blank.

His big round eyes stared at the three Zheng girls in front of him, his little mouth slightly open.

It seemed to be asking: You are looking for me? I don’t know you!

At most, we had dinner together twice, and neither was very enjoyable.

Especially Zheng Chi, Bean Sprout No. 1, Wang Heng could clearly feel her malice towards her.

Compared to her, Wang Heng would rather be close to Zheng Shisan.

Yes, the rice dumplings made by Zheng Shisan are delicious. She ate both of them that day.

Thinking of the meat dumplings, Wang Heng couldn't help but think of the fresh meat mooncakes that Amian had told her about.

Mooncakes can actually be made with meat fillings!

So novel!

Unfortunately, it is still two months away from the August Festival, so it is not in season and not suitable to eat it casually.

Wang Heng just kept waving her fingers, looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival every day.

"Nine Lady!!"

Zheng Chi felt a little embarrassed and annoyed.

What does this little fool Wang Jiu mean?

Are you dazed and distracted in front of her?

Look at that blank little eye, who knows what messy things he's thinking about.

“…Fourteenth Lady!”

Wang Heng was awakened by Zheng Chi's voice, and her wandering eyes finally regained focus.

She looked at Zheng Chi and greeted him politely.

Then there is no more then.

She waited for Zheng Chi to speak. After all, it was Zheng Chi who came to her, and it wasn't her who had to pull Zheng Chi aside to talk.

Zheng Chi: ...

Take a deep breath, Wang Jiu is indeed annoying.

No wonder she can play with her cousin Lou, they are both equally unpopular.

"Nine Mother, although this is my first day in class, I am older than you and can be considered your elder sister. Since my cousin is not here, I should help him look after you!"

Zheng Chi spoke deliberately in a generous manner, trying his best to show his gentleness and beauty, while not forgetting to poke Wang Heng a little.

It's her first day in class.

She and Wang Heng were friends after all. As an old student of Deyin Hall, shouldn't Wang Heng go next door to visit her, a new student?

Wang Heng blinked her eyes, seemingly not understanding Zheng Chi's hidden meaning.

She shook her head, her tone obedient and soft: "Shisiniang, you are too polite. I have Amian and a few familiar classmates. I don't need you to take care of me!"

She and Zheng Chi are not relatives.

Whether her brother was around or not, Wang Heng didn't want to have too much contact with Zheng Chi.

Wang Mian, who was sitting on the side and was named by Wang Heng, almost burst out laughing: the scheming little green tea girl meets the Buddhist and innocent girl, she will be defeated in minutes.

What does it mean to punch cotton?

What does it mean to choke someone to death without paying for it?

Haha, if it wasn't for not wanting to cause trouble, Wang Mian would have wanted to say something in a sly way: You deserve it! I'll let you be yin and yang, and have connotations.

This is like kicking cotton!

It doesn't hurt, just a slight feint can cause someone to stretch their legs or sprain their waist, which is very frustrating.

Zheng Chi: ...Is Wang Jiu really stupid?

Don’t you understand the implication?

Does she really want to take care of her?

of course not.

She was reminding Wang Jiu to be humble and give way to his "sister".

“…You have classmates, but classmates are still different from your own relatives!”

Zheng Chi refused to give up easily and continued to preach in a very "feminine" way, "Get along well with your classmates, and love and support each other with your sisters!"

Wang Heng stretched out her chubby little hand, covered her mouth with it, and yawned.

boring!

My brother protected me and never preached to me. But you, on the other hand, have nothing to do with me and I don't need you as a support. Why are you nagging me so much?

Zheng Chi became more and more angry when he saw Wang Heng's indifferent look.

This Wang Jiu is not only stupid, but also unruly and uneducated.

Humph, you deserve to be turned into a pig by that little bully Lou Yu!

"Is this sister the Fourteenth Lady of the Zheng Family?"

At some point, Lu Jialan came over and took the initiative to greet Zheng Chi.

Zheng Chi's eyes flickered as he heard the other party's self-introduction: Lu Jialan? The daughter of the Hedong County Magistrate? From the renowned Bu Liugu family in the Northern Territory?

The two of them quickly came together, and Wang Heng saw with her own eyes that they were calling each other sisters in the shortest possible time, acting like good friends.

It doesn't matter. They are all irrelevant outsiders. Wang Heng is too lazy to pay attention to them...