Golden Branch

The old man did not give up and confirmed again: "Little girl, you don't want to be my disciple?"

If it weren't for a trace of rationality reminding himself, the old man really wanted to ask: Do you know who I am?

Do you know what you are rejecting? What you are missing out on?

He, Shen Du, Shen Junhe, is a famous scholar in the country who is well-known all over the world. Countless children from noble families, princes and dignitaries want to become his disciples.

To put it bluntly, if it weren't for special reasons, the fat girl's qualifications would not be enough to reach his level.

The two young men, Gu Zhe and Wang Yan, were also somewhat surprised at this moment:

Firstly, the master actually took the initiative to accept a girl of mediocre qualifications as his disciple?

Both of them are known as child prodigies. They have been following the teacher for three or four years, but have not yet formally become his disciples!

Second, the little girl actually refused?

Does she know who the gentleman is?

Does she know that her "I don't want to" made her miss the best husband?

Wang Mian understood Wang Heng's thoughts somewhat: Where did this old man come from? What a shameless guy!

It would be fine if he just ate and drank for free, but he also acted like "it's your honor to be my disciple".

Jiu Niang is a very Buddhist person. Besides, with her status and wealth, she doesn't need to be so stubborn.

What to learn?

Jiu Niang is not really illiterate!

He was good at calligraphy and painting, and had a wide range of knowledge in classics, history, and literature.

It’s enough to have enough culture. Do you have to be the most talented woman?

The ancient times were very unfriendly to women. Talented women, beauties... who were too popular, were bound to have a miserable fate.

Wang Mian feels that Jiu Niang is doing well now, and there is no need for her to be a top scorer with the numbers 996 or 007!

“…I don’t want to!”

Wang Heng continued to shake her head, this time with a touch of embarrassment in her refusal: "I know I'm dull, lacking literary talent or talent, and am unworthy of being your disciple!"

This is absolutely what Wang Heng said.

She did not refuse in a high-handed manner, but was self-aware.

Just now when I was writing, I felt the old man's disappointment -

My performance does not meet the old man's requirements.

Wang Heng didn't know why the gentleman was so condescending as to speak when he was clearly not satisfied. However, forcing her was not appropriate, and Wang Heng didn't want to put herself in an awkward position.

And the most important point -

A sly glint flashed in Wang Heng's eyes. "There is someone who is intelligent and eager to learn. If you accept him, he will surely not bring disgrace upon your reputation."

The old man, Shen Du, was stunned after hearing Wang Heng's words and blurted out, "Little girl, do you know who I am?"

Just now he wanted to ask Wang Heng "Do you know who I am?", but at this moment he had a premonition that Wang Heng seemed to have seen through his identity long ago.

Wang Heng stood up and knelt in greeting, "Heng greets Mr. Shen!"

Of course Wang Heng knew who the old man was.

Two or three months ago, when the eldest brother of the Crown Prince came to Yizhou, he made a "deal" with Lou Yu. The condition was that Lou Yu would lend him a thousand Lou family soldiers, and he would recommend a famous teacher to Lou Yu.

Shen Du of Bei Wei and Nan Shen is the most famous scholar in the southern border.

Wang Heng heard many stories about Shen Du from Lou Yu and Zheng Yi: how he became famous at a young age, how he was well versed in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, how he was free and easy, and how he had the demeanor of a famous scholar of the Wei and Jin dynasties...

Lou Yu even found out about Shen Du's general appearance from Yang Rui.

Wang Heng is good at painting, and is proficient in fine brushwork, landscape, and freehand brushwork. She also incorporates modern Western painting techniques such as light and shadow that Wang Mian secretly "reminds".

She had excellent "sketch" skills, and based on Lou Yu's narration, she actually drew a small portrait of Shen Du.

Just now, as soon as Shen Du showed up, Wang Heng felt that he looked familiar.

In addition, Shen Du had a good temperament and acted according to his heart. Wang Heng seemed to be touched, and the portrait she had drawn instantly appeared in her mind.

Uh, it’s the old man in front of me, who is even thinner than in his portrait.

But the facial features, height, etc. are all in line.

"Maybe he's old or sick, that's why he's so thin!"

Being fat or thin is not fixed. Perhaps an illness can turn a fat person into a thin person.

Wang Heng herself is a small ball and has been ill before, so she can understand this point very well.

Therefore, even though the old man she saw was slightly different from the one in the portrait, Wang Heng still confirmed his identity.

It was because she recognized Shen Du that Wang Heng acted so well and respectfully.

Wang Heng does have a good temper, but she is a noble lady after all.

Not every old man you see in the wild will be polite, respectful, gentle and obedient.

The host seat, just give it up when you say so.

When someone wanted to test her homework, she would just sit down at her desk and write.

...If Wang Heng didn't have her own little plan, she wouldn't cooperate so well.

She did so much for Lou Yu, and only hoped that her brother could successfully become his disciple.

Ahem, Wang Heng didn't forget that the eldest brother, the prince, was only helping to recommend him, and he couldn't guarantee that Mr. Shen would definitely accept Shen Du.

Celebrities all have tempers, some can even be called eccentric.

For example, Shen Du became famous at a young age, but he never entered the officialdom and did not accept disciples.

Yes, Mr. Shen has extremely high requirements for his disciples. Over the past thirty or forty years, countless smart and studious child prodigies and young men with extraordinary talent have wanted to become his disciples, but all have been rejected.

Shen Du is completely different from Wei Lingqing, who is as famous as him.

Wei Lingqing inherited a lot of Confucius's spirit and advocated "teaching without distinction". He had at least dozens of disciples, if not hundreds.

Although Shen Du had been famous for decades, he had no disciples.

Zheng Yi once made a detailed analysis and felt that Shen Du not only had high requirements for his disciples, but also perhaps paid attention to "eye contact".

People who are talented and willful have the capital to be picky.

Wang Heng: …

This is quite worrying.

Shen Du is a famous scholar with "personality", while Lou Yu appears to be a gentle gentleman, but in fact he is a naughty child with a bad temper.

If Shen Du is too picky, or even deliberately makes things difficult for him, Lou Yu might lose control and "make trouble" with Shen Du -

Wang Heng could already sense from Zheng Yi's emphasis on Lou Yu becoming Shen Du's apprentice: If Lou Yu really became Shen Du's apprentice, it would definitely bring more benefits than disadvantages to him - the fame and career that the famous scholar could bring to his disciple far outweighed his "quirks"!

Zheng Ai has always been a person who values ​​interests. She believes that important things will only become more important.

Wang Heng came to the conclusion from Zheng Yi's attitude that if Lou Yu wanted to have a brighter future, he could achieve twice the result with half the effort by becoming Shen Du's disciple.

What if Lou Yu was adopted and could not inherit the Lou family army?

Lou Yu can switch from being a military man to a scholar, and with the halo of being a disciple of a famous scholar, he can enter the world and become an official, and step by step reach the pinnacle of power!

From then on, Wang Heng began to think about how to help Lou Yu.

Now that the opportunity has come, Wang Heng naturally has to perform well.

She raised her round little face, her delicate eyebrows and eyes filled with smiles, even with a hint of flattery: "Sir, my brother is really smart and talented."

"His handwriting is better than mine! His reading is better than mine!"

"He's only one year older than me, yet he's proficient in the six arts of a gentleman..."

Wang Heng introduced them with her cherry lips.

In her description, Lou Yu was indeed a young prodigy.

Shen Du looked at the enthusiastic fat girl and felt a bit amused and helpless.

This little girl is such a smart girl.

I recognized him a long time ago, but I still looked confused.

Shen Du did not miss the cunning in Wang Heng's eyes. Little thing, she was playing "first suppress then praise" and "playing hard to get" with him.

However, after thinking about it, Shen Du actually looked at Wang Heng with even greater respect—

Although she knew that he was Shen Du and knew the benefits of becoming his disciple, the chubby girl still gave way to her "brother".

"I may not have enough talent, but I have a pure heart!"

Shen Du has grown older and has experienced serious illness, anorexia and other hardships. His temperament is no longer the same as that of his early years when he was arrogant and free-spirited.

In the past, he only recognized talent. He didn't care about mediocrity or stupidity. He even looked down on people who were not talented enough.

It was precisely this extreme attitude that prevented him from accepting a single disciple for decades.

It was only after he fell ill that Shen Du's thoughts changed, and two young boys appeared by his side.

Gu Zhe and Wang Yan were indeed gifted, both were known as child prodigies, and had the potential to be geniuses, but if they were strictly followed according to his early requirements, they would still not be qualified.

But the two children were talented but not arrogant, and were extremely filial to him, so Shen Du softened his heart and thought about taking them as his disciples.

However, after he became seriously ill, he never recovered.

Since Shen Du has developed kindness towards Gu Zhe and Wang Yan, he will also consider them: I am about to die, and I cannot let them down!

It is harmful if one only has the title of teacher but does not actually teach others!

But the two children were stubborn and were willing to follow him even though they had no name or status.

Now, she is even willing to follow him to the northern border.

Of course, Shen Du also knew that the Gu and Wang families had their own plans for letting the two follow him.

But... after being ill, Shen Du lost his paranoia and became more peaceful: A gentleman judges deeds, not the heart. The family may have plans, but the child is sincere.

Shen Du did not think too much about it, but secretly made up his mind: If my illness can be cured in the northern border and I can live for a few more years, I will accept Gu and Wang as my disciples!

At this moment, seeing another good child who had no talent but was loyal and righteous, Shen Du wanted to take Wang Heng as his apprentice with more sincerity.

The reason he accepted Wang Heng as his disciple just now was because Wang Heng was "blessed" and it would benefit him, not because he really "appreciated his talent".

"Your brother?"

Shen Du's eyes were gentle, and his tone could be described as kind. "Do you want to give the opportunity to your brother?"

"Sir, it's not 'give way'! My brother doesn't need me to give way!"

Wang Heng hurriedly corrected Shen Du's wording.

Lou Yu is a proud man and never needs anyone's "pity".

Wang Heng had always said, "I will support you," and never showed the slightest bit of pity.

First of all, Wang Heng really didn't feel sorry for Lou Yu.

Secondly, Wang Heng also knew that her pity might hurt Lou Yu.

She was doing this for Lou Yu's own good, not to humiliate him.

It was so in the past, and it is even more so now!

"Sir, my brother is talented and hardworking. He doesn't need anyone to 'give in' to him!"

Wang Heng spoke with a grandmother's voice and powerful words.

She had great faith in Lou Yu and admired his talent, brilliance, diligence, tenacity and other qualities.

Shen Du raised his eyebrows. Seeing the little girl so excited, he was a little curious about her "brother" -

The "Yizhou Wang Family" who deceived the world and stole their reputation actually has such a good son?

"Little girl, is your brother really so outstanding?"

"Of course! Lou Yu is the best!"

Wang Heng is really very sensitive. She can feel the slightest emotional fluctuations of the people around her.

Moreover, Wang Heng also realized that she had only said "brother" and did not clearly state Lou Yu's name and identity, which could easily lead to misunderstanding.

In order to avoid "making a mess of things", Wang Heng put on an innocent and cute face and praised Lou Yu seemingly heartlessly and mindlessly, but in fact she was "vindicating" Lou Yu!

"Lou Yu?!"

Sure enough, when Shen Du heard Wang Heng say this name, he was stunned for a moment.

The "brother" the little girl was talking about was not Wang's son, but... Lou Yu!

The promising young man mentioned in the letter by the Prince of Qi, a disciple whom he recommended even at the cost of his life-saving favor to Shen Du?!

"Yes! Lou Yu is my brother. He is a descendant of the Jingzhao Lou family, the cousin of Duke Anguo, and the adopted grandson of Mr. Jing'an Lou Hu..."

Wang Heng seemed not to notice the slight change in Shen Du's words and continued to introduce Lou Yu diligently.

He comes from a prominent family, has a powerful father, and a world-famous adoptive grandfather. He is also a young talent... Sir, it would be your loss if you don't accept such a good boy as your disciple.

Wang Heng did not say these words.

But her little face couldn't hide her thoughts.

Not to mention the wily old man Shen Du, even the two young men Gu Zhe and Wang Yan saw these things on Wang Heng's face.

Gu Zhe and Wang Yan almost laughed out loud. This little girl was really straightforward.

While finding it funny, the two couldn't help but feel a little envious of Lou Yu: He was so lucky to have a "sister" who cared about him wholeheartedly!

Although Gu and Wang were born into aristocratic families, they were a prestigious family with hundreds of years of history, so how complicated were the relationships within their families?

There are often five generations living together, with several levels of relatives and hundreds of clansmen. Although it is not to the point of "brothers fighting each other", it is full of open and secret struggles.

Even blood relatives only care about interests, where is the sincerity?

Wang Heng's friendship for Lou Yu made Gu Zhe and Wang Yan wonder: If their brothers and sisters had the opportunity to become disciples of a famous scholar, would they take the initiative to give it up?

Do not!

no way!

Forget about "giving in", it's already "kind" for them not to come and fight for it!

"Ajiu!"

Just as Wang Heng was still boasting about "Brother", a clear male voice came from below the stage.

Then came the sound of footsteps.

"Brother!"

Wang Heng's eyes lit up and she turned to look at the stairs.

Lou Yu, wearing a crimson-purple Hu suit with a large lapel, strode over.

He was holding a horsewhip in his hand, and there were dust and mud spots on the hem of his robe and boots, obviously he had been galloping all the way.

But although he was in a hurry, his appearance and demeanor remained dignified and steady.

Lou Yu's appearance is also very outstanding, perfectly blending Lou Jin's handsomeness and Dugu's gentleness.

He has the high nose and deep eyes of a northerner, as well as the delicate and graceful demeanor of a southerner.

It is not abrupt, but more stunning, and can almost meet everyone's aesthetic taste!

Shen Du's eyes lit up: What a handsome young man!