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

King Yang Tong of Yue led his civil and military officials to stand outside Xianren Palace, while Empress Xiao led the ladies of the harem to stand inside the palace.

The imperial carriage slowly approached, its golden roof and canopy gleaming in the autumn sun. Yang Guang sat upright in the carriage, his face dignified.

"Your son respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!" Yang Tong knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you!" Empress Xiao curtsied.

Yang Guang lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze swept over the crowd, lingered on Empress Xiao for a moment, nodded slightly, and then looked away.

The imperial carriage did not stop and went straight into the palace.

The emperor and empress were bound by strict etiquette, with nothing superfluous.

Li Ju stood in the line of officials, watching the imperial carriage enter the palace, his eyes lowered.

The sandalwood incense, panting, and broken moans in the warm chamber last night seem like two different worlds compared to the solemn and majestic imperial carriage today.

In the main hall of Xianren Palace, a banquet was laid out.

The hall was brightly lit, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, while noble ladies sat at the back.

Emperor Yang Guang sat high on the throne, with Empress Xiao beside him. The emperor and empress sat together, their table level, appearing to be a harmonious couple and an exemplary mother to the nation.

Yang Guang raised his wine cup, rose, and said with a joyful expression, "Goguryeo has bowed its head in submission, and our three campaigns have been a great success. This cup is a toast to all my ministers!"

The courtiers rose and raised their glasses, shouting, "Long live Your Majesty!"

After several rounds of drinks, Yang Guang's face turned red, he became increasingly drunk, and he started talking more.

He pointed at Yuwen Shu and laughed, "Yuwen Qing, your contributions in supervising the battle at the front lines during this campaign against Liao are indispensable!"

Yuwen Shu quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not take credit for this; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's strategic planning."

Pei Yun also rose to flatter him: "Your Majesty's personal expedition has shaken Liaodong, and Goguryeo surrendered without a trace. This is an unprecedented achievement!"

The courtiers echoed their sentiments, and the hall was filled with songs of praise and admiration.

Yang Guang laughed heartily and was about to drink again when he suddenly changed the subject: "Where is Li Ju, the Director of Waterways?"

The hall suddenly became quieter.

Li Ju rose from the last seat, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject is here."

Yang Guang held a wine cup, looking down at him with a hint of drunkenness in his eyes, but more so with an indescribable scrutiny.

"During this northern expedition, the transportation of provisions and the deployment of military equipment largely relied on the overall coordination of the Water Conservancy Bureau." He paused, "Li Ju, your handling of the river transport capacity is exquisite, and your actions are measured and appropriate, which is truly remarkable."

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

These words sound like a compliment, but the phrase "exquisitely measured" coming from the emperor's mouth just doesn't sound right.

What right does a subject have to be so discerning about propriety?

Li Ju remained expressionless, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely fulfilling my duties, acting according to the urgency of the situation. If there was plenty of grain, I distributed more; if there was little grain, I distributed less. I dared not act recklessly."

Yang Guang looked at him but did not reply immediately.

The sounds of string and wind instruments continued in the hall, but it seemed as if a veil was draped over them, pressing down heavily on everyone's heads.

"The military equipment in Zhuojun is piled up like mountains, and all the officials are at a loss," Yang Guang suddenly asked. "Only you had the foresight to send empty ships south. I'm very curious—how did you anticipate this so thoroughly?"

Li Ju felt a chill run down his spine.

If you don't answer this question well, it will be considered "long-planned".

He took a deep breath, raised his head, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I did not make a prediction; I was merely following precedent."

"Following precedent?" Yang Guang raised an eyebrow.

"The Directorate of Waterways is in charge of the nation's grain transport, and the allocation of ships follows established rules. When a large army goes on an expedition, provisions are transported north, and ships must return south. I simply order that the ships should not travel empty on their southward return journey, but instead anchor in Zhuojun to await further orders."

If military supplies need to be transported, the ships are on board; if not, the ships return. This avoids increased costs and delays. This is the normal practice of canal transport, and not because I have any foresight.

Yang Guang stared at him for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Common sense... that makes sense."

Li Ju lowered his head, his back soaked with cold sweat.

Yang Guang didn't let him off the hook, and asked again, "As the Director of the Waterways, you must be very familiar with the true state of the grain transport system and the granaries in various regions! With refugees rising up in Hebei and bandits roaming everywhere, how do you plan to deal with this?"

That's a tricky question.

If Li Ju answers how to respond, he will be overstepping his authority; if he does not answer, he will be shirking his responsibility.

He paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I only know about grain transport, granaries, and river defense, but not military or civil affairs. If you ask whether there is enough grain to transport or whether the waterways are clear, I can answer those questions. But if you ask about suppressing bandits and pacifying the people—I dare not speak presumptuously."

Yang Guang looked at him, then suddenly laughed, raising his wine cup: "Minister Li is indeed cautious. Come, let's drink."

Li Ju raised his cup and drank it all.

Yang Guang put down his wine cup, his gaze still fixed on Li Ju, lingering there for a long time.

The music and dance in the palace were in full swing, with singers' long sleeves fluttering and courtiers toasting each other, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

But Li Ju stood in the train, feeling like he was being pricked by thorns.

Yang Guang's gaze pierced through the dancers' sleeves and the clamor of clinking glasses, pressing heavily upon him.

He gave a half-smile, said nothing, and just watched.

Others assumed the emperor was simply drunk and watched casually.

Only Li Ju knew that it wasn't a casual gaze; it was a gaze that saw right through a person, down to their very bones.

Li Ju lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged, but he tightened his grip on the wine cup in his hand.

Empress Xiao witnessed all of this.

She brought the wine cup to her lips, took a sip, and, using the cup as a cover, her gaze met Li Ju's from afar.

In just a moment.

He lowered his eyes, his expression humble, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

But she knew he had seen it.

She put down her wine cup, the smile on her lips remaining unchanged.

The emperor has become suspicious.

Yesterday's match was just the beginning of her gamble, while Yang Guang's suspicion was Li Ju's real danger.

Yang Guang withdrew his gaze, picked up his wine cup, and casually said, "The Liyang granary is becoming increasingly important, and chaos is emerging in Hebei. In the future, the defense of the river and the northern route of the Grand Canal will require important officials to be stationed there for a long time..."

A single, seemingly casual remark sent a jolt through the hearts of several people in the hall.

Yuwen Shu paused slightly in his hand holding the wine cup. A glint of shrewdness flashed in Pei Yun's eyes.

Empress Xiao lowered her eyes, concealing the turmoil within them.

Yang Guang wanted to transfer him away from Luoyang to the north, ostensibly to give him an important position, but in reality to sideline him.

As the banquet was about to end, Yang Guang suddenly said, "Li Ju's contributions in guarding Liyang, protecting the grain transport, and coordinating military equipment are invaluable. Issue an imperial edict—promote Li Ju to the position of Commander of Waterways, a third-rank official, and bestow upon him a purple ribbon and a gold fish-shaped pouch."

Li Ju kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

The officials offered their congratulations one after another, and Yuwen Shu stroked his beard with a smile on his face.

Li Ju returned to the train, his expression unchanged, but only he knew that the knuckles of his fingers, gripping the wine cup, were turning white.

Li Ju left Xianren Palace with the other officials. A night breeze blew, carrying the chill of early autumn. He took a deep breath, and the cold sweat on his back felt icy cold as the wind blew.

Chen Wu was waiting outside the palace gate with his horse in hand. When he saw him come out, he went up to him and said, "Your Excellency—no, Your Excellency, you don't look well."

"It's alright." Li Ju mounted his horse and said in a low voice, "Let's go back."

The sound of horses' hooves rang out as they headed along the Luo River towards Luoyang City.

Li Ju, mounted on his horse, glanced back in the direction of Xianren Palace.

The lights in the hall flickered in the night, like a half-closed eye, concealing a bottomless killing intent.

He withdrew his gaze and spurred his horse forward.

The three signs have come to an end. But the real test has only just begun.