Golden Branch

Chapter 410: Grand Favor
April 21st was Wang Heng’s 19th birthday.

The Duke's Mansion did not hold a big banquet, but only invited a few relatives and friends.

For example, Zheng Shisan, Wang Mian, Jiang Si, Zheng Shiliu and other close friends, as well as their husbands.

For example, the Ninth Prince, Xiao Sanlang, and Lou Yu’s students in Hongwenguan and Wang Heng’s students in the academy.

For example, Lou Yu had two or three colleagues in the Dali Temple, and Wang Heng had several female colleagues in the Lishan Academy.

Although it was called a "small banquet", when the guests took their seats, the hall was still packed.

Unknowingly, the young couple Lou Yu and Wang Heng, without relying on their respective families, slowly accumulated a lot of personal connections on their own.

Especially their respective students, although they may seem young, some of them have already shown their potential.

It's just that they have just entered the official career, their official positions are not high and their goals are not clear, but with time, they will definitely grow.

By then, they will be the two's most solid and powerful allies.

And this big net woven by the two of them is still expanding.

"I didn't expect Sixteenth Lady to be so insightful. She didn't choose a noble family, but instead picked a scholar from a humble background."

At the banquet, Shisanniang felt quite emotional when she saw her half-sister who had just gotten married.

She and Shiliu Niang were both illegitimate daughters of the Zheng family. Their mothers were of low status and they were not favored.

If they hadn't met Jiu Niang, they would have died in the backyard of the Zheng family or some other family.

Zheng Shisan has a clear goal. He doesn't care about love, he just wants real wealth.

She chose the easy-to-control Yang Shou and became the honorable Princess Consort of Prince Rui.

Today, the relationship between husband and wife is no longer pure, but Zheng Shisan firmly holds the entire palace.

Even Yang Shou understood the importance of his wife through her repeated taming.

They lost love, but had a more stable exchange of interests.

When she wakes up in the middle of the night or occasionally sees other couples being affectionate, Zheng Shisan would feel a moment of loss and melancholy, but she does not regret it.

If she had the chance again, she would make the same choice.

Unlike her approach of "not seeking true love, but only seeking wealth", Zheng Shiliu chose another path -

Zheng Shiliu did not choose a wealthy and powerful family, but married a classmate at Lishan Academy.

A poor boy from Jiangnan, his surname was Chen, his ancestors were the once famous Yingchuan Chen family in Jiangzuo.

Due to the change of dynasties, he became a victim of power.

It declined a hundred years ago, and only in the last two generations did it show signs of revival.

This son of the Chen family was not obsessed with the past glory of his ancestors and understood very well the principle that "times have changed".

He was a student of Dongshan Academy, and after Wang Heng came to Beijing, he was admitted to Lishan Academy.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng had both taught him, so he was considered half a student of the couple.

Lou Yu also thought highly of him and once offered to recommend him for official career, but was politely declined.

It's not that Chen's son is pretending to be noble and doesn't know what's good for him, but that he wants to take the imperial examination.

Just last spring, Chen's son, as a student recommended by Lishan Academy, passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. He also successfully passed the selection of the Ministry of Personnel and got a small official position of the eighth rank.

Although his official position was not high, he was of "orthodox" origin and was a disciple of the emperor. Lou Yu and Wang Heng were secretly protecting him.

His career will surely be smooth sailing.

Chen's son "continued his efforts" and was not satisfied with the status of a half-disciple. He asked to marry Wang Heng's study partner.

Perhaps it was really fate that determined the marriage, Zheng Shiliu also had a good impression of Chen's son.

Well, after all, it was a prominent family in the past, and the family genes have been carefully selected for hundreds of years. The children of the Chen family have excellent looks.

Although he is not as handsome as Lou Yu and Xiao Wuji, he is also as handsome as jade and has a good temperament.

A young boy and girl, the boy was in love with the girl, and they were attracted by the same interests, so their marriage was a natural outcome.

The two have been married for more than half a year. The young couple is loving and sweet in public and behind the scenes, making others envious.

Zheng Shisan arrived at the Duke's Mansion and sat in the carriage. Before getting off, she looked out the window and saw Zheng Shisan and her husband being affectionate with each other. She couldn't help but sigh, "Shisanniang is a very insightful person."

Instead of marrying into a wealthy family, he chose a family of equal status.

The two men have similar status and age, and they studied in the same academy.

Although one is a boys' school and the other is a girls' school, they have the same teachers and are in the same learning environment.

In terms of thinking, they are able to be on the same wavelength.

They have so many similarities that after they get married, they will have a lot in common, and they will be able to communicate with each other and walk hand in hand.

The only drawback was probably that Chen's son had just entered the officialdom and his rank was not high, so he was unable to earn an imperial title for his wife.

Zheng Shiliu is now just Lady Zheng, without any imperial decree. If she goes to a public banquet, she might be looked down upon.

Unlike Zheng Shisan, no matter what her relationship with Yang Shou was like, or what kind of mess was going on in the Rui Palace, as soon as she left the house, she was the honorable Crown Prince's Consort.

"...So what? Yang Shou's future is limited to inheriting the title of king, but Mr. Chen may become a rising star in the court!"

Chen's son took the official path of imperial examinations and was secretly trained by Lou Yu.

Since Lou Yu held a high position, Chen's son could also enter the center of power.

In a few years or even a dozen years, the identities and situations of the sisters Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu may change.

Zheng Shisan was not pessimistic about herself, but she was too aware of her husband's abilities.

However, she still has no regrets.

"I'm not Shiliu Niang. I can't accompany a man from obscurity to success."

"Several years! Even more than ten years! I can't afford to wait, and I'm even less willing to wait."

Zheng Shisan did indeed envy the loving relationship between Shiliuniang and her husband, but she remained steadfast in her choice.

After Wang Heng’s birthday, it was Lou Yu’s coming-of-age ceremony.

The invited guests arrived one after another.

Among them, the most distinguished and important guest, the Crown Prince, also attended in a high-profile manner.

He is not only a guest today, but also a "guest of honor" for Lou Yu.

Besides the Crown Prince being the guest of honor, the three hair crowns Lou Yu wore for his coronation ceremony today also had a distinguished history:
The black cloth crown he first wore was prepared for him by the famous scholar Shen Du.

The second leather cap was a reward from the crown prince.

The three-fold rank of nobility and hat was bestowed by the saint.

It can be said that although Lou Yu’s coming-of-age ceremony was not attended by his parents, it did not seem shabby at all.

The personal presence of the Crown Prince and the hair crown bestowed by the Crown Prince and the Saint also proved the favor and trust that the Supreme Father and Son had for Lou Yu.

"Who said Lou Hanzhang has fallen out of favor?"

"Yes, yes. That 'exiled' official was able to return to the capital during his term, just for the ceremony of coming-of-age?"

"Tsk! The Crown Prince personally crowned him, and he also received the imperial nobility hat. Lou Hanzhang is truly the most favored young man of his generation."

"More than that! Have you forgotten that the name 'Han Zhang' was given to him by His Highness a few years ago?"

"...Hiss! The son of the Lou family is so favored!"

Unlike the low-key birthday party of Wang Heng, Lou Yu's coming-of-age ceremony today was very grand.

Not only close relatives, but also many dignitaries in the capital, many officials in the court, as well as relatives and old friends of the Lou and Wang families, were all present.

Even Lou Yu's "arch-enemy" Zhou Jiming received an invitation and mingled with the crowd.

He clenched his fists and watched the prince on the high platform affectionately adjusting Lou Yu's hair and giving him earnest advice, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.

"After all, he has a good family background. Because of family connections, he became friends with the prince when he was young."

"The bond between him, who is both a teacher and a friend, a father and a brother, is truly incomparable to that between an ordinary ruler and his subjects!"

"...So, Lou Yu must have gone to Yongzhou on another errand!"

Zhou Jiming suddenly realized that there was another story behind Lou Yu's "exile".

And the respect he believed himself to be receiving did not seem as real as it seemed.

"It seems that I am just a tool for Lou Yu to occupy his official position."

"It may not be my turn as the Dali Temple Minister!"

Although he didn't want to believe it, Zhou Jiming had this premonition -

He was used!

Even though he had outstanding abilities and was willing to be a vicious and cruel official and a lone minister for the sake of the sage, the sage and the prince still valued Lou Yu.

"...How unfair is God? Just because you have a good family background, it can determine everything?"

"I've tried so hard, but why—"

Just not as good as Lou Yu.

The rights that he had to abandon his conscience and risk everything to obtain were easily obtained by Lou Yu.

He might even become Lou Yu's stepping stone!

Zhou Jiming was filled with resentment, and his already twisted heart became even more ferocious and crazy.

His eyes were red as he stared at the tender interaction between the Crown Prince and Lou Yu. "No! I won't accept this! I will never make things easier for Lou Yu."

……

"Hanzhang, you've been working hard in Yongzhou during this period!"

After the formal ceremony of crowning, it was time for a banquet.

The Crown Prince and Lou Yu exchanged low words: "The coming-of-age ceremony has passed, and the affairs of Yongzhou have been properly handled. What are your plans next?"

The Dali Temple Minister is about to retire.

Lou Yu had experience as a local governor and had excellent political achievements, so it was natural for him to be promoted to the position of Minister of the Dali Temple.

Age and other issues will no longer be an obstacle for court officials.

"Your Highness, the matter in Yongzhou has been resolved, but the poison has not been completely resolved."

Originally, Lou Yu wanted to find a time to go to the Eastern Palace and report this matter to the Crown Prince.

However, since the Crown Prince had mentioned the matter today, Lou Yu simply opened up: "In the southwest and southern border, I have witnessed the tyranny of poisonous insects and snakes. Gu poison is mysterious and vicious. We must not let it spread!"

"And Nanbang is also a hidden danger!"

"When I was in Nanzhou, I discovered that the local government had connections with Nanbang..."

Nanzhou and Nanbang are adjacent to each other and originally belonged to the same provincial capital, but Nanbang rebelled against the Central Plains several times.

On the surface, Nanbang is an independent country, but it has always had close ties with Nanzhou.

Although Nanzhou has not rebelled, overly close ties with Nanbang will become a destabilizing factor.

There must be no chaos in southern Xinjiang.

There was also something strange about Ashlin. Lou Yu had a strong premonition: "If this matter is not investigated and dealt with in a timely manner, it will definitely lead to disaster..."

The Crown Prince's expression remained unchanged. He whispered, "So, Hanzhang, you want to go to Nanzhou?"

"I am willing to help Your Highness secure the southern border and completely eliminate the threat of the poison!"

Lou Yu said respectfully and firmly.