My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

In the Li family compound, the old locust tree's branches and leaves were so lush and green that they blocked most of the afternoon sun.

A chessboard was set up on the stone table. Yuwen Yue was playing white, and Zheng Guanyin was playing black. They were playing a game of chess.

Wei Gui leaned back in the rattan chair, holding a round fan in his hand, fanning himself idly.

Her belly was already showing, and she moved a little slower, but she looked great and had a faint smile on her face.

Yuwen Yue placed a piece, frowned slightly, and shook his head.

Zheng Guanyin smiled gently and placed a piece to surround the large white dragon.

Yuwen Yue examined the chess piece for a moment, then pushed it away and sighed, "I've lost again. Madam Zheng, I really can't beat you at chess."

Zheng Guanyin humbly replied, "Madam Yuwen, you are too modest. My chess skills are mediocre; my victory was merely by chance. If it were you, Madam, I certainly wouldn't have won."

Wei Gui put down her fan and laughed, "Is Madam Zheng trying to provoke me?" She stood up, sat down at the stone table, picked up a black chess piece, and said, "Then I'll give it a try."

Yuwen Yue became interested, put away the white pieces, gave up his seat, and sat down to watch the game.

Wei Gui and Zheng Guanyin played chess, their moves swift and precise.

Wei Gui's chess style is steady and methodical, progressing step by step; Zheng Guanyin is agile and adept at maneuvering.

The two fought for half an hour, and neither could gain the upper hand.

Yuwen Yue was so engrossed in watching that he forgot to wave his fan.

In the end, the black and white pieces on the chessboard were intertwined, and neither side could gain the upper hand.

"A draw." Yuwen Yue couldn't help but clap his hands. "That was exhilarating! Today I've truly witnessed what it means to have a worthy opponent."

Wei Gui put the chess pieces back into the jar and laughed, "Madam Zheng's chess skills are profound; I could only manage a draw."

Zheng Guanyin shook her head: "Madam is too modest. If Madam still has the energy during her pregnancy, I have already done my best."

After the three of them drank a few sips of tea, Zheng Guanyin changed the subject, her tone becoming serious: "I've been hearing a lot about what's happening outside lately. The fighting at the front is intense, and desertions are increasing. These deserters are looting everywhere, joining forces with bandits, wreaking havoc in the region, and the people are suffering terribly."

Wei Gui put down his teacup and said softly, "There is turmoil in the rear, so the campaign against Liaodong may not last long."

Yuwen Yue chimed in, her tone tinged with resentment: "While the Central Plains are in turmoil, those high-ranking officials in Luoyang are vying for power and profit. These corrupt officials only care about enriching themselves; who cares about the lives of the common people?"

Zheng Guanyin picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "The saying 'A fortified stronghold is impenetrable, yet ants can burrow into it' perfectly describes this situation."

Wei Gui and Yuwen Yue both looked up at her at the same time.

This sentence was written by Li Ju at the Luoshui Conference three years ago.

Hearing it from Zheng Guanyin's mouth now carries a special meaning.

Zheng Guanyin put down her teacup and continued, "Recently, a children's rhyme has been circulating in the streets: 'Peach and plum trees, floods surround Yangshan. Peach and plum trees, don't speak carelessly. Yellow sparrows carry grass into the pass, Luoyang girls pick up door halberds.'"

Wei Gui's face turned deathly pale. The prophecy had finally taken hold.

Peach and plum blossoms—surname Li. Floods encircling Yangshan—the empire of Yang Guang, floods, Li Ju, courtesy name Huairun, Run means water.

Wei Gui's brows furrowed suddenly, and his face turned slightly pale.

He quietly gripped the fan with his fingertips, his knuckles sinking slightly as he suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

Yuwen Yue also fell silent.

None of the three spoke.

They knew who the prophecy was referring to.

After a moment, Wei Gui raised his head, looking at Zheng Guanyin with a steady yet probing gaze: "Madam Zheng, since you see that Sixth Brother is about to be in the eye of the storm, why do you still associate with the Li family? Aren't you afraid of being dragged into the mire?"

Zheng Guanyin shook her head, a slight smile playing on her lips, with a confident composure: "If Supervisor Li can foresee the general trend of the world, he must have a way to avoid disaster."

She glanced at Yuwen Yue, who lowered his head slightly and remained silent.

She knew that aligning herself with the Yuwen family was one of Li Ju's ways to avoid trouble.

Yuwen Yue spoke, her tone filled with worry: "The Yuwen family appears powerful on the surface, but they have also incurred the Emperor's suspicion. They may not be able to protect my lord."

"How about this, let's guess what other ways Supervisor Li might have to avoid trouble?" Zheng Guanyin said.

Wei Gui said softly, "Sixth Brother has already defiled himself; that's something he's already done."

Yuwen Yue raised her head and added, "My lord holds the reins of the Grand Canal transport system, which naturally makes him a target of fear. In the future, you should restrain your brilliance in your actions."

The two looked at Zheng Guanyin at the same time, wanting to hear her answer.

Zheng Guanyin glanced at Wei Gui's belly, and the smile on her lips deepened.

"Enjoying the pleasures of family life and indulging in beauty." She paused, then continued, "Using family life to conceal one's sharpness and using gentleness to hide one's ambitions. With a pregnant wife at home and beautiful concubines by one's side, one's weaknesses are laid bare, only then can the Emperor feel at ease."

Wei Gui and Yuwen Yue were both taken aback.

As dusk deepened, Zheng Guanyin rose to take her leave.

Wei Gui escorted her to the door, took her hand, and the two walked under the porch.

"Madam Zheng." Wei Gui stopped and looked at her. "I'm glad you're willing to believe in Liu Lang. I know how you feel about him."

Zheng Guanyin remained calm and did not interrupt.

Wei Gui held her hand and said softly, "You've come to keep me company often these past few months, and everyone in the manor has noticed. After the campaign against Liao is over, I'll talk to Liu Lang and ask him to take you into the family."

Zheng Guanyin's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm.

This is what she's been waiting for.

From recognizing people through poetry, to refusing to marry Li Min, to frequently visiting the Li residence today, every step she has taken has been in anticipation of this day.

She curtsied, her voice gentle yet trembling slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam."

Wei Gui smiled and nodded.

Zheng Guanyin boarded the carriage, and the curtain fell.

She leaned against the car wall, closed her eyes, and smiled for a long time.

South of Luoyang city, teahouses and taverns.

Discussions rose and fell.

"Have you heard? The eldest daughter of the Zheng family is constantly running to the Li residence. What kind of behavior is it for an unmarried woman to associate so frequently with women of high social standing?"

"That's right. Doesn't Zheng Jibo do anything about it?"

"Is Zheng Guanyin perhaps interested in Li Ju? A son born out of wedlock, yet he has such good fortune."

"The Yuwen family has already married their eldest daughter to Li Ju as a concubine, so what's so strange about the Zheng family following suit?"

"Li Ju is now a fourth-rank official, the Director of Waterways, and the Duke of Wu'an County. He's young, and his future is limitless. Marrying him as a concubine isn't shameful. Would you be willing to do it if you were in his shoes?"

"I wish they'd even consider my family's property!"

The crowd laughed.

The Zheng residence, study.

Zheng Jibo sat behind his desk, holding a book in his hand, his expression unchanged.

The butler stood below and whispered, "Young Master, what about the gossip outside..."

Zheng Jibo turned a page of his book and said calmly, "Let them be."

"But--"

"The Yuwen family is more illustrious than ours, yet they still married their eldest daughter to Li Ju as a concubine. What's wrong with the Zheng family following in the footsteps of the Yuwen family?" He put down his book, looked at the steward, and said, "Li Ju is a fourth-rank official, a county duke, and he's not even twenty yet. Looking across the land, which noble family's scion has achieved such success? It's not shameful for Guanyin to marry him."

Zhuojun Wharf.

As dusk settled, the grain ships docked.

The warehouse supervisor led his men to count the items, and his expression grew increasingly grim with each count.

He strode up to the escort officer and demanded sternly, "Thirty percent less than the last batch! What happened?"

The escort officer bowed, his face full of helplessness: "Sir, bandits are rampant, and we dare not transport too much along the way. This is already the limit. The next batch will be even less, at least another 20% reduction."

The warehouse supervisor's face turned ashen, but he had nothing to say.

It is a fact that the Hebei rebels wreaked havoc and the canal transport was severely hampered.

Not far away, a middle-aged man in a scarlet official robe stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze coldly fixed on the grain ships on the dock.

He was an official of the Censorate, ordered to supervise the grain transport.

He walked up to the warehouse supervisor and whispered, "Is the number correct?"

The warehouse supervisor wiped his sweat: "Reporting to the Censor, 30% is missing. The escort officer said the next batch will be even less."

The imperial censor sneered, "Li Ju, Li Ju, you finally revealed your weakness."