Golden Branch

However, Wang Heng knew that although Amian's description was a bit exaggerated, it did make some sense.

Her relationship with Zheng Chi was not good enough for him to easily accept her invitation.

This person is hostile to her!

Wang Heng did love to eat, and she was not very smart, but she would not put herself in danger just for a little food when she knew that the other party had bad intentions.

Zheng Chi saw Wang Heng remained silent and understood her concerns.

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Chi continued to persuade, "Besides us young ladies, the young masters from the Dongshan Academy next door will also be there!"

Zheng Chi also understood what he meant. You are not the only one.

Instead, the young nobles from the prominent families in Hedong and even Yizhou would all participate.

There are many people, it's lively, and there won't be any danger.

The key point is, all the other nobles have gone. If you, Wang Heng, don’t go, wouldn’t that be out of place?

Or do you want to break away from the powerful circle of Yizhou?

Wang Heng, however, seemed to have misunderstood Zheng Chi's hint. When she heard how many people were going, a look of relief crossed her chubby face. "So many people are going to swim in the river! That's good. Missing me won't affect anything."

If she didn't go, would she be considered a loner? Would she be excluded from the group?

Wang Heng didn't care.

She has Amian and Lou Yu, so she doesn't need any other playmates.

The so-called circle cannot be integrated into simply by catering to and submitting.

As long as her status is high enough and she has enough cards in her hand, she will be the core of the circle.

Wang Heng had known Lou Yu for two or three years and had already seen this clearly in Lou Yu.

Back then, Lou Yu was naughty and violent. To say that others disliked him was an understatement. Everyone feared him like a tiger.

Instead of being ridiculed or excluded, he was flattered and fawned over by a group of young men and women.

The reason is nothing but power.

Yizhou is the territory of the Lou family, and Lou Yu is the little bully of the Lou family.

Regardless of whether his character is poor or his speech is sociable, he is the object of everyone's awe.

As for Wang Heng, in the eyes of everyone, she was just a poor little girl whose father didn't love her and whose mother remarried.

The whole family left, leaving behind only her farm in Hedong.

Powerless and helpless, the only one he can rely on is Lou Yu.

But she and Lou Yu are just neighbors, with no blood or legal relationship, so she still cannot escape her "pitiful" identity.

Others only value her because of Lou Yu's face.

Moreover, this kind of "importance" is only superficial.

In the hearts of some people, I wonder how they might mock or even "pity" Wang Heng.

Wang Heng didn't want to flatter these people.

Especially since Lou Yu was not around, if she went over without caring, she might be ridiculed and treated coldly.

Zheng Chi was stunned. "Jiu Niang, what did you say?"

It wasn't that she didn't hear what Wang Heng said clearly, but she was confused by her "straightforwardness" -

Even if you want to refuse, be tactful and say that you want to go but have reasons why you can't.

Wang Heng, on the other hand, simply said she wouldn't go.

There are so many people, so why not her?

That's the truth, but, if it's like this, shouldn't Zheng Chi or other outsiders say it? Why did Wang Heng start "self-deprecating" first?

A hint of pity flashed in Wang Heng's big round eyes, as if saying: How pitiful, at such a young age, your hearing is not working well?

Zheng Chi:... Damn it, that fat guy Wang Jiu is even more annoying than Lou Yu!

"I said, I won't go! You guys go have fun, I wish you have fun!"

As an emotionally stable, kind and beautiful fairy, Wang Heng naturally cares about "people with disabilities".

If the other person has poor hearing, she will say it several times.

Zheng Chi: ...No wonder Lu Jialan refused to invite her herself. She must have anticipated Wang Heng's behavior!

Zheng Chi was angry and annoyed. He rolled his eyes at Wang Heng and left.

Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu, who were following behind Zheng Chi, hurriedly bowed to Wang Heng and hurried to catch up.

Wang Heng: ...I am indeed sick!

Wang Mian: ...Hahaha, Jiu Niang is so awesome, this is how you should treat a green tea bitch with ulterior motives!

……

After school, Wang Heng and Wang Mian took a carriage home as usual.

Wang Heng first sent Wang Mian home, and then went straight to Wangjiazhuangzi.

But today is a little different.

As soon as Wang Heng arrived outside the courtyard gate, she saw the gatehouse servant leading a horse and preparing to send it to the stable.

Wang Heng's eyes flashed. Are there guests coming?

It shouldn't be.

Everyone in Hedong knew that in the Wang family farm, there was only one little master, Wang Jiu.

Wang Jiu is only nine years old this year and is still a child.

Even if there was something to discuss with the Wang family, he would not look for Wang Heng, but would write a letter to Wang Lin in Yizhou, or go directly to Yizhou.

Apart from Lou Yu, there were basically no outsiders in Wangjiazhuangzi.

"...Father is here?"

Wang Heng's mind raced, and she guessed a possibility.

This is not normal either.

Wang Lin is not a kind father.

Wang Heng had been in Zhuangzi for two or three years, and Wang Lin had visited her only a handful of times.

The last time I came here was at the end of last year.

Wang Lin nominally sent some New Year gifts to Wang Heng, but in reality he wanted her to write a letter to Concubine Jiang.

Wang Heng agreed and wrote the letter according to Wang Lin's request.

Then there is no more then.

Wang Lin never came again, and Wang Heng only waited for the news that the Wang family had moved out of Hedong.

Wang Lin went to Yizhou to serve as the chief secretary, while Lady Xie, Cui and other female relatives returned to the capital.

Wang Heng was completely abandoned.

It would be a lie to say that I don't feel lost. As a child, I am always close to and dependent on my family.

Wang Heng lived alone in Zhuangzi, and indeed lived a free and comfortable life with no worries about food and clothing.

But, every holiday, late at night, Wang Heng looked around and found herself alone. She would also feel scared and lonely.

Unfortunately... she has few relatives, so she can only comfort herself by being more open-minded and happy, and not feeling sad for people who don't love her.

In fact, as early as when Wang Heng heard with her own ears that her father was going to send her mother away, she knew that she would never have a normal family with a kind mother and a strict father again.

Wang Heng also accepted the fact that her father did not love her.

Wang Lin didn't love her, and he didn't care about her unless he needed her. Otherwise,

"So, Father wants me to write to Mother again? He's not satisfied with the official position Mother found for him?"

Wang Heng pondered secretly, and her mouth was not idle either.

She stopped the doorman and asked, "Are there any guests?"

"So that the little girl knows that the young master is coming!"

The doorman bowed hurriedly and reported.

Wang Heng: ...You guessed it! It really is my father!

Wang Heng still looked innocent on the outside, but she was already wary in her heart.

With her two chubby little hands, she gently lifted her skirt and ran inside.

“Father! Father!!”

Wang Heng ran and shouted, looking very excited, as if she was looking forward to her father's arrival.

She was like all children who longed for family and affection. After half a year, she finally saw her father and was extremely happy.

Wang Lin had already reached the main hall and was about to go up the stairs when he heard the sounds of running and cheering coming closer and closer.

"This child is still so reckless!"

Although he spoke rashly, a smile appeared in his eyes.

As a typical scumbag father who is only interested in profit, Wang Lin can ignore and neglect his daughter, but he still wants his daughter to admire and be close to him.

If his daughter cannot do it, he will not think about whether it is his dereliction of duty as a father that hurts his daughter's feelings, but will blame his daughter for being ignorant and unfilial!

At this moment, Wang Lin was very satisfied to feel that Wang Heng was still so warm towards his father who had been absent for a long time:

She is worthy of being my, Wang Lin’s, daughter. She follows the rules and knows how to be grateful.

He gave her life, a noble surname, and a wealthy life. Even if his actions were slightly inappropriate, Wang Heng should still respect and be filial to him.

"Father!"

Wang Heng jogged all the way and was already out of breath, with her little flesh trembling all over.

Her fair forehead was covered in sweat. She was panting as she finally reached the main hall. However, she didn't bother to adjust her breathing. Instead, she rushed to Wang Lin and said, "Father! Jiu missed you so much!"

After expressing her longing for her father whom she had not seen for a long time, Wang Heng seemed to think of something.

She stood up again and knelt politely, "Greetings, Father!"

Wang Lin was even more satisfied. He thought his daughter's "disrespect" just now was because she missed him too much, but soon, his daughter realized her identity and "disrespect" and immediately "corrected" herself.

This is a lady from a noble family with a true temperament and good manners.

That’s it… Wang Lin’s eyes moved around Wang Heng’s chubby little body.

After not seeing him for half a year, the child has grown taller but also fatter.

At nine years old, he is no longer a child.

The Wang family not only has a little girl named Wang Heng, but also Wang Lin, who has a concubine's daughter who is about the same age as Wang Heng.

He remembered that the child was more slender and beautiful than Wang Heng, and had the graceful and elegant appearance of a young girl.

Compared to that concubine's daughter, Wang Heng was not ugly, and was even more beautiful. However, her chubby face made her look more childish, and she did not have the stunning beauty of A Jiang at all.

Thinking of Jiang's early days, Wang Lin's eyes turned cold again.

Jiang! It's all Jiang's fault!

He gave her great wealth, but she blocked his path to success.

He was so diligent and had outstanding political achievements in Hedong, so he was definitely qualified for promotion.

Even if he cannot be transferred back to the capital directly, he can be directly promoted to the governor of Yizhou.

As a result, he became a shitty historian.

Although his immediate superior is a loser who only knows how to make money, he still has the final say in Yizhou.

But, after all, it is "not justified by name and not justified by words".

The nobles and officials in Yizhou should also look down on him.

Otherwise, Lu Huaixin, a newly appointed magistrate of Hedong County, would have dared to deliberately pick a fight with him before he was completely transferred from Yizhou.

Well, okay, Wang Lin admitted that he did collect a lot of wealth when he was in office in Hedong.

Not to mention anything else, just in terms of land, Wang Lin and Lou Jin divided up all the best farmland in Hedong.

Lou Jin, now the Duke of Anguo, is highly regarded by the saint.

Although he left, his "nephew" is still in Hedong. The Lou family fort was built stronger than the Hedong county, and there are still a thousand Lou family soldiers in the fort.

Even if Lu Huaixin coveted the fertile land occupied by Lou Jin, and even if he had the courage given by his family and in-laws, he would not dare to target the Lou family.

"...You don't dare to provoke the Lou family, but you dare to target me?"

Wang Lin couldn't help but feel angry when he thought about Lu Huaixin "exposing his past".

Why would Lu Huaixin do this?

Isn’t it because Wang Lin has a backer, but he is not that reliable?

"Jiang! Great Jiang! If you hadn't refused to help, I wouldn't have been bullied by Lu!"

Being bullied is not the saddest thing. The saddest thing is that even though you know that the other person is bullying you, you still run to them to show your kindness (beg for mercy?).

"Go practice calligraphy, your father has something important to do!"

When Wang Lin thought of these troubles, his fatherly love, which was already limited, completely disappeared.

He casually dismissed Wang Heng, who was looking expectant, and hurriedly left Wang's farm.

Some of the things he did in Hedong were not big, but not small either.

If the matter is not handled properly and the "victims" really bring the case to court, at best, you will lose face, and at worst, you may be dismissed from office.

Wang Heng didn't know what Wang Lin was thinking. She watched him leave in a hurry and then turned back to the inner courtyard.

In the evening, Wang Heng was eating the midnight snack sent by the kitchen and was about to send someone to inquire about Wang Lin's whereabouts when she received a summons from Wang Lin.

"Father! Are you done?"

Wang Heng came to the main hall, bowed politely, and when she raised her head, her face was full of smiles.

Seeing his daughter's sweet smile, Wang Lin's face turned cold.

Wang Heng's heart skipped a beat. Did I offend him?

No way.

I have always been very good.

Without Lou Yu around, Wang Heng became more low-key and cautious.

She thought about it carefully, and there was nothing...wait, there was one thing -

Just when Wang Heng was in a state of confusion, Wang Lin spoke up, "Ajiu, are you okay in the academy?"

"...Good! Father, I'm fine!"

"Can my classmates befriend you? Is there anyone waiting to bully you?"

Wang Lin's tone was like that of a loving father who cared about his daughter.

However, Wang Heng could not feel his warmth, only biting cold.

really!

My father was angry because I rejected the invitation from Zheng Chi and Lu Jialan!

Although she didn't know why her father knew about this little thing and why he was angry, Wang Heng had a hunch and guessed the truth.

She lowered her eyelids slightly, then raised her head after a moment, a look of joy on her face. "My classmates treat me so well! Zheng Shisinian even specially invited me to go boating on her day off."

"I heard from her that there will be many young men and women going there that day, all of them are 'old friends' from Hedong and even Yizhou!"

Wang Lin looked at Wang Heng intently for a long moment before forcing a satisfied smile. "That's good! Since they've invited you to go boating, just enjoy the fun. We're all friends of similar age, so we should get along well."

Wang Heng tilted her head back, suppressed the bitterness and loss in her heart, and responded sweetly, "I will follow your instructions, father!"

……

June 19th is a good day for breaking ground or moving.

It is not an auspicious day for traveling.

However, Lu Jialan and Zheng Chi set this date, and Wang Heng and others still arrived on time.

The Yi River is wide, with all kinds of boats cruising back and forth.

There are luxurious boats and also dilapidated fishing boats.

In the evening, as the sun sets, orange ripples appear on the surface of the river.

A fishing boat returned with a full load, but before it reached the shore, figures emerged from the water.

Pfft!

The sharp blade pierced through his flesh, and the skinny fisherman fell in a pool of blood...