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

Li Ju sat in the duty room, a map of Luoyang's defenses spread out in front of him, a pen in his hand, which he did not put down for a long time.

Wang Yu sat opposite him, legs crossed, drinking tea, growing impatient: "Master, you called me here to discuss something, so just say it."

Li Ju put down his pen, looked up at him, and asked, "Have you heard those rumors outside?"

"Which rumor? The one about Lady Wei?"

"Um."

Wang Yu put down his teacup and lowered his voice: "Master, I haven't asked you yet, but what exactly is your relationship with that person from the Wei family?"

Li Ju did not answer the question, but instead said, "I want to turn the rumors around."

"Turn it over? How do I turn it over?"

"Li Zixiong wants to portray Madam Wei as arrogant, haughty, disdainful of others, and unable to get married," Li Ju said. "I want to portray her as a remarkable woman who is knowledgeable, insightful, does not curry favor with the powerful, and sees through the inevitable downfall of the Li family."

Wang Yu was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Sir, I'm truly impressed by your brain."

"How many of your men can relay messages in the streets?"

"About a hundred brothers, we can go anywhere—to the docks, teahouses, taverns, anywhere." Wang Yu thought for a moment, "And find a few storytellers, give them some money, they're very quick-witted."

"Then let's do it." Li Ju picked up a piece of paper from the table, on which a few lines of text were written, and handed it to him. "Pass on these words."

Wang Yu took it, his eyes gradually brightening.

"Also," Li Ju added, "I instructed my subordinates to spread the message in different places, not to gather in groups, and not to expose the source."

"Alright." Wang Yu stood up, folded the paper, and put it in his pocket. "Within three days, I'll turn the tide in Luoyang for you."

On the first day, people were talking about it at the dock.

"Have you heard? The eldest daughter of the Wei family refused the marriage not because she was picky, but because she saw that Li Zixiong and his son were going to fall from power."

"Really?"

"Think about it, who is Li Zixiong? How close is he to Yang Xuangan? Who is Yang Xuangan? He's the Minister of Rites, and he's very ambitious."

"Hiss—how could a young lady from the Wei family, confined to her quarters, discern this?"

"She's the eldest daughter of the Wei family of Jingzhao, and she's studied history since childhood. How could her perspective be the same as an ordinary person's?"

The next day, people at the tea stall were talking about it.

"The general got angry after being rejected once and spread rumors everywhere to make things difficult for a young lady. He has no magnanimity at all."

"That's right. A high-ranking official of the third rank, picking a fight with a fourteen-year-old girl, how shameful."

"I heard that Lady Wei locked herself in her room and went on a hunger strike in protest, refusing to marry. Such backbone is rare indeed."

On the third day, the storyteller in the tavern struck his gavel.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today I will tell you a story of a remarkable woman who foresaw disaster—"

"The Wei family of Jingzhao has a daughter, fourteen years old, with unparalleled beauty. What's even more rare is her foresight and understanding of the big picture. General Li Zixiong came to propose marriage. If it were anyone else, they would be eager to curry favor with the powerful. But what does Lady Wei think? She sees that Li Zixiong and his son are wicked and will bring disaster upon themselves by relying on the powerful. If she marries into the family, not only will she suffer, but she will also implicate the Wei family."

"So she refused the marriage proposal to his face, preferring to be slandered by rumors rather than implicate her family. What insightful views! What noble character!"

"Now that the campaign against Liao is about to begin, the world is in turmoil. Lady Wei will not marry a powerful or wealthy man, but only a talented and virtuous one. Such an extraordinary woman embodies the true spirit of a noble family!"

The gavel struck, and the hall erupted in cheers.

Within three days, the winds in Luoyang City had completely changed.

The rumors that once attacked Wei Gui have, overnight, turned into praise.

After meals, people no longer laughed at her for being "arrogant," but instead praised her for her "keen insight into misfortune," "integrity," and "foresight."

Mr. Sun, Li Zixiong's aide, hurriedly entered the study, his face grim.

"General, something has happened."

Li Zixiong was reading a book and didn't look up: "What is it?"

"The rumors outside... have spread like wildfire."

Li Zixiong put down his book: "What do you mean?"

Mr. Sun recounted the new version of the story in detail.

Li Zixiong's face went from puzzled to ashen, and then from ashen to purplish-red.

"Who is it?!" He slammed his hand on the table, causing teacups to fall and shatter on the floor. "Who's been gossiping behind my back?!"

Mr. Sun lowered his head: "We can't find out. The people spreading the word are all ordinary laborers, idlers in the marketplace, and storytellers in teahouses. They know nothing when asked, and only say that they 'heard it from someone else.'"

"You heard it from someone? From whom?"

"I don't know. We can't trace the source."

Li Zixiong stood up and paced back and forth in the study, his pace becoming increasingly hurried and angry.

"That girl from the Wei family—she has someone backing her!" He suddenly stopped, turned to stare at Mr. Sun, and said, "Investigate! Find out who the Wei family has been associating with lately!"

"General, there are too many people coming and going from the Wei family, it won't be long—"

"Then let's check them one by one!"

Mr. Sun dared not say anything more and bowed as he withdrew.

Li Zixiong stood alone in the study, clenching his fists.

Li Zixiong has cultivated his influence in the court for twenty years, and he has always been the one stepping on others, never the other way around.

Now, an opponent who appeared out of nowhere has torn away his carefully cultivated image with just a few words.

He was not reconciled.

But what made him even more uneasy was that he didn't even know who his opponent was.

The office of the Grand Canal Transport Bureau, the duty room.

Wang Yu pushed open the door, sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and looked at Li Ju with a smile.

"Sir, the matter is settled."

Li Ju was reviewing documents, not even looking up, and simply said, "Hmm."

"Aren't you going to ask about the results?"

"No need to ask. Seeing your smile, I know it's done."

Wang Yu chuckled and leaned closer: "Master, you didn't hear? Everyone in Luoyang is praising Lady Wei. They're calling her a 'remarkable woman,' 'sharp-eyed foresight,' and 'a woman of noble character.' The storytellers in the teahouses are making up tales about her. Li Zixiong was so angry he smashed his cup and sent people everywhere to investigate, but they found absolutely nothing."

Li Ju put down his pen and finally looked up at him.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"It's not hard work." Wang Yu leaned back, putting his hands behind his head. "But, sir, I have a question."

"explain."

"Why are you helping Lady Wei so much? What are you after?"

Li Ju remained silent for a moment.

"I don't want anything in return," he said.

Wang Yu glanced at him but didn't ask any more questions.

But he knew in his heart that this young person in charge had much more on his mind than he showed.

The rumors circulated for several days before finally reaching the palace.

Emperor Yang Guang was reviewing military reports on the campaign against Liaodong in his study when he casually asked, "What's been happening in Luoyang lately?"

The eunuch beside him hesitated for a moment before briefly explaining the matter between Li Zixiong and the Wei family.

After listening, Yang Guang put down his vermilion brush and frowned.

"Li Zixiong? The one from the Right Guard?"

"Yes."

"With the Liao campaign imminent, why isn't he preparing military affairs, but instead getting into trouble with a young woman?" Yang Guang's tone wasn't harsh, but the eunuch could hear the displeasure in his voice.