Golden Branch

Chapter 96 Embarrassment
"The way of the university is to manifest the bright virtue..."

The old man collected his thoughts, his voice flat, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. "Little girl, are you reading the Book of Rites?"

Wang Heng lowered her head and wrote seriously.

When she heard the old man's voice, for some reason, she felt that the old man seemed a little disappointed.

Disappointed?

Why is he disappointed?
Who are you disappointed in?

Wang Heng thought secretly, but did not delay in replying.

She raised her little head, her big black and white eyes filled with innocence, and she responded obediently: "Old man, I'm reading The Great Learning."

The nine-year-old girl has already started reading the Book of Rites. She is not mediocre, but she is not excellent either.

The old man himself is a genius, and the children who follow him are basically child prodigies.

Wang Heng's level does not meet the old man's requirements at all.

Words, general.

The writing is also ordinary.

The old man did not test him any further and slowly walked back to his main seat.

At this time, the two young men who followed the old man also went up to the platform.

One was fourteen or fifteen years old, and the other was eleven or twelve years old. Both were wearing round-necked robes, and the pointed short boots on their feet were covered with dust, showing that they had come from a dusty journey.

Both of them have outstanding looks, one has a face as pretty as jade and eyes as bright as stars, and the other has bright eyes, white teeth and a slight dimple.

A slightly older man already has the appearance of a gentleman.

Young ones are smart and cute.

Her clothes are exquisite, her appearance is outstanding, and her temperament is extraordinary.

Wang Heng's eyes flickered. She smelled a familiar scent on the two young men: they had dignified manners, noble temperaments, and their words and actions were smooth and flowing, a true sign of an aristocratic family.

Moreover, these two young men seemed to be more elegant and refined than the young men from the aristocratic families she was familiar with.

They have a scholarly air and the gracefulness and beauty unique to the Jiangnan water towns.

Could it be that they are from aristocratic families in the southern region?

Wang Heng looked at it discreetly and made guesses.

The two of them have already bowed and greeted each other——

The dimpled boy, about eleven or twelve years old, introduced himself childishly: "Wu Jun Gu Zhe greets the young lady!"

Wang Heng raised her eyebrows. The Gu family of Wujun?
A first-class family in the southern border?
Her feeling was correct. This smiling young boy was indeed from a prominent family.

Wang Mian: ...Gu Zhe? Broken bones?

This name, if used in future generations, will definitely be used as a meme.

I have to say that the ancients were really "capricious" when it came to naming.

She had quickly put the perfectly cooked eggs, meat, etc. onto the plate.

After wiping his hands, Wang Mian stood up and came behind Wang Heng.

Although, Wang Mian knew that due to her status as a "lowly person", she was not qualified to exchange greetings with these nobles.

However, her identity is Jiu Niang's "study companion", so naturally she has to study with Jiu Niang.

"Langya Wang Yan!"

The handsome boy, about fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at Wang Heng with complicated eyes.

Wang Heng’s eyes widened: Lang, Wang family of Langya?
My own family?
Oh no!

wrong!

Probably not!

Wang Heng's brain was working rapidly.

She thought of a hundred or two hundred years ago, when iron hooves trampled the land, the mountains and rivers were shattered, and the nobles fled south.

The prime minister who came from the Wang family of Langya was even the initiator of the "Southward Migration".

The Wang family of Langya migrated with their entire clan.

They established a clan name in Jiankang, but still called themselves the Wang family of Langya.

They are the authentic ones and the main branch.

In the northern border, where is the Wang family of Langya?
Even if there is, it may be a very distant branch, or even an imposter who has taken over the family's identity!

Wang Heng was young and did not have a complicated social circle, nor had she been to prosperous places like the capital.

However, she still heard many "scandals" about her family.

For example, "This Wang family is not that Wang family."

Another example is "a noble in name, but a lowly slave in reality."

Wang Heng didn't really care about it. She felt that being able to survive in troubled times and live a rich life was already very difficult, so there was no need to care about these false names.

Wang Lin, on the other hand, didn't show it on his face, but he must be scheming about it in his heart.

His "doubtful identity" made him feel indelible inferiority and shame, so he cared particularly about rights.

Perhaps, Wang Lin thought, as long as he could reach the highest position among the ministers, become one of the Nine Ministers, and be appointed as the Prime Minister, and restore the glory of his ancestors, he could become a legitimate descendant of the Wang family of Langya.

At least we should be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the "tribesmen" in the southern border and be on par with them.

In order to get promoted and become rich, he can do whatever it takes and pay any price!

Wang Heng: ...That’s not necessary!

Why do you burden yourself with so many burdens?
Even if their Wang family is not the real Langya Wang family, they have been in the northern border for nearly two hundred years, and their ancestors also had high-ranking officials such as the Nine Ministers. They have already reached the threshold of an aristocratic family and can completely form a new hall name of their own like the Cui family and the Zheng family!

But Wang Lin and other generations of Wang family members don’t think so.

Perhaps, the Wang family of Langya is an obsession that they cannot let go of in their hearts, and they will hold on to it even if they are criticized by others.

Wang Heng was embarrassed.

In the past, the northern and southern borders were in confrontation, and the Wang family of Langya in the southern border had no influence on the northern border at all.

But now, the new dynasty of Dayu has been established, and Yang Ji, as a brave general who has conquered the world on horseback, is eyeing the southern border covetously.

Since this spring, Yang Ji has sent several armies towards the Southern Territory.

Several states and counties in the southern border have been incorporated into the territory of the northern border.

The southern border is weak and the current king is even more foolish.

Faced with the fierce and powerful Northern cavalry, they did not have much ability to resist.

In three to five years at most, or one to two years at least, the north and the south will be unified.

There are many smart people in the southern border, so they can naturally see through the situation.

The aristocratic families have long been accustomed to placing bets on multiple parties. They predict that the trend of unification is unstoppable, so they will naturally make preparations in advance.

It was common practice for the noble families in the South to secretly collude with the powerful people in the North to drive the "rebellious sons" out of their homes, forcing them to "exile" to the North.

Therefore, the northern border began to have descendants of aristocratic families in the southern border, such as the Xie family, the Lu family, and the Shen family.

He was the gentleman recommended by Yang Rui to Lou Yu, also the famous Shen Du and Shen Junhe in the southern region.

Therefore, Wang Heng encountered the most embarrassing situation: Li Kui VS Li Gui.

Wang Heng just felt her toes itchy and she really wanted to scratch the ground.

She seemed to understand a little bit why the old man just now said something about the Wang family of Langya in a slightly sarcastic tone after hearing that her surname was Wang!

It turns out that since he has an authentic daughter of the Wang family by his side, he naturally looks down on her, the "copycat" in the legend!
"My son Wang Heng, nice to meet the two young gentlemen!"

Wang Heng suppressed her embarrassment, smiled adorably, and spoke in a soft voice.

Gu Zhe's eyes lit up. Hey, this little girl from the Wang family is a little fat, but she is really cute.

It is white, round, and sticky, just like the glutinous rice balls we often eat at home.

Even Wang Yan, who harbored resentment towards the "Wang family of Yizhou," couldn't help but soften his expression upon seeing Wang Heng like this—the dispute over "legitimate lineage" was a man's affair, what did it have to do with a little girl?

According to the genealogy boasted by the "Yizhou Wang Family", Wang Yan and Wang Lin are of the same generation and are Wang Heng's elder.

As an uncle, should he still bother with his niece?

I have to say, people only look at appearance.

Even an "enemy" will be softened when seeing a soft and sweet little fairy.

The coldness and disgust in Wang Yan's eyes quickly faded away.

Wang Mian blinked his eyes, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.

Although he didn't know the reason, Wang Mian still felt that the "stalemate" should not continue.

If nothing else, just one point was enough to make her speak: The slate barbecue is getting cold!
If she doesn't eat it now, all her hard work will be wasted!
"A Mian greets the old man and the two young gentlemen! The food is ready, please enjoy!"

Wang Mian didn't care about his "lowliness" and spoke out bravely.

Her words broke the awkward atmosphere.

The old man was the first to react. He stroked his beard and laughed, "Okay! Let's try this wild game."

Wang Mian quickly washed her hands again, personally wrapped the egg and meat in vegetable leaves, spread the secret sauce on them, and presented them to the old man.

The old man looked at the green leaves and smelled the mellow aroma of the sauce, and his index finger moved slightly.

The servant beside him had brought warm water. The old man turned sideways to wash his hands, then picked up the "vegetable bun".

His lips moved slightly, but there was no desire for food in his eyes.

Wang Heng keenly caught the old man's expression, and she couldn't help but wonder: There is something strange about this old man!
He was clearly attracted by the aroma of the delicious food, but when he got the food, he had no desire to eat it.

Wang Heng could even hear a silent sigh.

"Nine Lady! Please!"

While Wang Heng was distracted, Wang Mian had already served a vegetable bun to Wang Yan and Gu Zhe respectively. She handed the fourth one to Wang Heng.

Seeing that Wang Heng was a little dazed, Wang Mian hurriedly reminded her in a low voice.

Wang Heng came back to her senses and said habitually, "Thank you, Amian!"

Then, she smelled the aroma of meat and eggs mixed with barbecue ingredients and sauces.

Ah!
It’s worthy of being made by Amian herself, it’s so delicious!
With delicious food in hand, Wang Heng had no time to think about random things, let alone pay attention to the strange old man.

Ugh!

She opened her little mouth and took a bite.

Wang Heng's eating manners were not rude, but she did not eat in the small sips and light tastes that people admired.

She ate it in small bites, with a natural appreciation and satisfaction for the food on her face and in her eyes.

Watching her eat makes people swallow their saliva.

Wang Mian: ...Hehe, this is the chosen "eating broadcast".

Wang Heng’s eating manners are full of “respect” for food and the cook!
This makes Wang Mian, a cook, feel absolutely proud and accomplished.

"good to eat!"

At some point, the old man also started moving.

He took a bite, chewed gently, swallowed the food, and then praised sincerely: "It has lived up to my expectations."

Wang Yan and Gu Zhe were holding the vegetable dumplings but were hesitant to eat them.

They are all from wealthy families and have been particular about the finest food since childhood.

This dish is wrapped directly with a whole piece of cabbage without any cutting or plating, which is too "rough".

Both of them were a little uncomfortable.

However, the old man's actions surprised both of them.

They were not the type to show their emotions on their faces, so they were not obviously stunned, but a strange color flashed in their eyes.

Sir, you actually ate such rough country food?

And, and ate a whole one?
You know, a few years ago, my husband fell seriously ill and his appetite decreased drastically.

No matter what kind of delicacies they were, he couldn't eat any of them, unless they were the famous dishes passed down from aristocratic families.

After a few years, my husband's health deteriorated.

The imperial physician in the capital examined the gentleman's pulse and said bluntly: If you don't eat more, you won't live for more than three years!

This time, the gentleman was willing to come to the North not only to repay a favor, but also to see if there were other ways to cure his illness.

Although the gentleman has long seen through life and death, as a human being, who would be willing to die if they can live?

In the north, where the Han and the Hu people live together and cultures collide, there are many delicacies and prescriptions that are different from those in the south. Maybe, sir, he can recover!

I originally thought it was just the last ray of hope in my heart, but I didn't expect that right after arriving in Yizhou and before entering the city, I would see this by the river, just...

"gentlemen!"

Wang Yan called out softly, his eyes fixed on the old man.

I am afraid that the old man may eat happily but feel nauseous and vomit soon after.

This kind of situation happens from time to time. After vomiting, the husband will feel more uncomfortable and find it more difficult to eat.

"...Don't worry! I'm fine!"

Not to mention Wang Yan, even the old man himself was nervous.

He was really scared of being hungry and tired of being tortured.

He hadn't had a comfortable meal in the past few years, and he looked like a terminally ill dying person.

He was not greedy or attached to life, but living in such pain, no matter how free and easy-going he was by nature, he could not help but have thoughts of committing suicide.

But today, he actually ate this novel vegetable bun and that lucky little girl without feeling any discomfort!
Not disgusting!
No vomiting either!
He...still wants to eat!

Because after the chubby little girl finished eating the vegetable dumplings, the lady next to her handed her a bowl of tea.

It should be tea, right?

I heard that people in the north like to add all kinds of condiments to their tea: butter, spices... making it like porridge.

However, the tea in the fat girl's hand seems to have frankincense?

Could it be milk?
Can milk be consumed with tea?
As a native of the southern border, although he has traveled all over the world, this is the first time for the old man to see milk + tea.

Not to mention, it smells pretty good.

Gudong!

The old man couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

The old man's face turned red. He was almost sixty years old and had tasted all the delicacies in the world, but now he was "tempted" by a bowl of tea!
馋？
He actually developed a desire for food!

Oh no, to be exact, it was that fat girl who looked so satisfied while enjoying the food that made him desire delicious food!
The old man's mind moved, and he seemed to have found the "prescription".

Wang Heng felt the old man's eager gaze and raised her head. There was confusion and a bit of helplessness on her chubby little face.

She blinked her eyes, swallowed the milk tea in her mouth, and whispered, "Old man, would you like some? This is the milk tea Amian made herself. It's the only one you can find here!"

Old man: ...Well, apart from not being smart enough, he doesn't seem to have any shortcomings.

"Okay! Since you're so enthusiastic, I'll give it a try!"

Wang Mian: ...You don't have to try! Don't force yourself!
Humph, I don’t know where this old man came from. It’s bad enough that he just eats and drinks for free, but he’s also so arrogant.

But the old man used facts to tell Wang Mian: I can be more "arrogant".

Staring at Wang Heng, the old man sipped his milk tea. Then, he said to Wang Heng, "Fatty, would you like to be my disciple?"

Wang Heng shook her head, her voice soft but her attitude firm: "I don't want to!"

The old man was embarrassed...

(End of this chapter)