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

The White Horse Temple is located east of Luoyang City, south of the Luo River. With its towering ancient trees and imposing halls, it is one of the most popular temples in Luoyang.

Li Ju left home before dawn.

He wasn't wearing his official robes; instead, he wore a moon-white straight-cut robe, a black leather belt around his waist, and a plain silver hairpin in his hair. Simple and clean.

When we arrived at the temple, the morning bell had just rung three times.

He didn't enter the main hall or go to the main courtyard. He just walked slowly between the side halls and corridors, occasionally stopping under an ancient pine tree to look at the way he came from the mountain gate in the distance.

He was clutching something in his hand, wrapped in a plain handkerchief, and tucked into his sleeve.

It is a white jade hairpin.

The hairpin is engraved with an orchid, its petals outstretched and its branches and leaves delicate and graceful.

It wasn't made of precious material, but the carving was exquisite. He drew the design himself and had a jade craftsman make it. It cost him three months' salary.

He waited for about half an hour.

The sound of carriages and horses came from outside the mountain gate. One after another, small sedan chairs with green curtains were lowered, and the women of the Wei family alighted one after another.

Wei Gui was the third sedan chair bearer.

Today she wore a plain white dress with a light blue half-sleeved outer garment, and her black hair was styled into a simple cloud-like bun, adorned only with a plain silver hairpin.

Without makeup, she appears even more elegant and refined.

She entered the temple with her elders, her steps were composed, and her eyes were fixed straight ahead.

But as he crossed the threshold of the mountain gate, his gaze swept quickly towards the side hall.

Li Ju saw it.

He stood at the corner of the corridor, motionless.

Wei Gui followed his elders to offer incense in the main hall. Wei Kuangbo was in front, and Wei Gui followed behind, lighting incense, bowing, and rising. His movements were dignified and meticulous.

After the worship ceremony, the elders stayed in the hall to talk with the abbot, while the women went to wait in the corridor.

Wei Gui stood by the pillar in the corridor, turning slightly to look at the ancient ginkgo tree in the courtyard. The ginkgo had just sprouted, and its tender green leaves shone brightly in the morning light.

Wei Nizi stood beside her, holding a wildflower he had picked from somewhere, looking around.

"Sister," she whispered, "do you think he'll come today?"

Wei Gui did not answer.

Just as Wei Nizi was about to speak again, his eyes suddenly lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up.

At the other end of the corridor, Li Ju emerged from around the corner.

He walked at a moderate pace, his gaze seemingly fixed on the palace ahead, but the moment he passed under the corridor, his eyes met Wei Gui's.

Both of them paused for a moment.

That glance was so brief, so fleeting, that no one else would have noticed. But Wei Gui's heart skipped a beat.

Li Ju stopped, took a step back, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Lady Wei".

His voice was deep and steady, neither too loud nor too soft, just the right amount of politeness.

Wei Gui curtsied in return, lowering his eyes.

"Young Master Li".

The sound was as soft as the wind blowing through flower petals, as faint as a mosquito's buzz, but Li Ju heard it clearly.

There were maids around, and other female members of the Wei family were not far away.

The two dared not say a word, or even glance at each other.

Wei Nizi's eyes darted around.

"Oh my, these flowers are so beautiful!" She tugged at the handmaid beside her. "Let's go pick a few over there and put them in a vase when we get back!"

The maid was pulled a few steps by her, then looked back at Wei Gui.

"Young lady, over here—"

"It's over there! Come on, come on!"

Wei Nizi dragged and pulled the maid a few steps away. The other women were talking at the other end of the corridor, their backs to this side.

This short section under the corridor suddenly became empty.

It was a very short time. So short that it was only a single breath.

Li Ju took half a step forward, his voice extremely low.

"My wife was frightened a few days ago at Mangshan."

Wei Gui's ears felt slightly warm, and he gently shook his head.

"It's alright. It's just that I'm unstable."

Li Ju then whispered, "Would the sachet be suitable?"

Wei Gui's fingers tightened slightly. The sachet was tucked into her sleeve, close to her body. She lowered her eyes and softly replied:

"Mmm. The aroma is pleasant, I like it very much."

Li Ju felt a sense of relief.

He paused for a moment, then spoke again, his voice lower and deeper.

"Luoyang has been unsettled lately. Please be extra careful when you go out, my lady."

These words were not only expressions of concern, but also a reminder—Li Zixiong would not let this go easily.

Although the rumors have been suppressed, people's hearts are unpredictable, and who knows what other tricks they might pull.

Wei Gui raised his eyes and glanced at him.

That glance was light and soft, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, creating a very faint ripple.

"The same goes for you, my lord," she said. "Official duties are numerous; please take care of yourself."

Just four short sentences.

It only adds up to a few dozen words.

But it was already the time when chaos was about to break out, and two people who had no control over their own lives were able to give each other the most solemn promise.

"Mother--!"

Wei Nizi came running back, her voice trailing off, carrying a bunch of wildflowers.

The maid followed behind, panting heavily.

The other women also gradually walked back from the other end of the corridor.

Li Ju took half a step back and bowed with his hands clasped.

"I'll take my leave."

Wei Gui nodded slightly.

Li Ju turned and walked out along the corridor. His steps were steady, and he did not look back.

Wei Gui stood there, watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

"Sister," Wei Nizi leaned closer, lowered her voice, and grinned, "What were you talking about?"

"It's nothing."

"You're lying. You're blushing."

Wei Gui ignored her and turned to walk towards the main hall.

"Sister, wait for me!"

Wei Gui took a few steps, then paused for a moment before stepping into the palace.

She turned her head very slightly.

At the end of the corridor, all was empty.

He's gone.

But she knew that he must have been standing there for a long time.

She withdrew her gaze and stepped into the main hall.

Incense smoke curled in the hall, and the Buddha statues lowered their eyes, appearing compassionate and silent.

She picked up a stick of incense and placed it in the incense burner.

I closed my eyes and silently recited a sentence in my mind.

It's not a prayer, but—

"I'm waiting for you."

Outside the temple gate, Li Ju stood under a tree, leading his horse.

He didn't rush to leave.

Morning light filtered through the eaves of the temple and fell on his shoulders. He gazed at the temple gate for a long time before finally mounting his horse.

The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone pavement.

He didn't turn around, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

The white jade hairpin remained hidden in her sleeve.

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't dare.

There are too many people and too many eyes and ears here; sending it out would be giving others a handle against us.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

There's still a chance.

There must still be a chance.

The moment Wei Gui stepped into the palace, he caught a glimpse of someone else entering from the direction of the mountain gate.

She instinctively stopped half a step.

It wasn't Li Ju. It was a young man, tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a dark blue brocade robe and a jade belt. He was followed by two attendants and was walking towards the main hall.

Li Min.

Wei Gui's heart tightened. He stepped aside behind a pillar and raised his fan to cover his face.

The movement was extremely fast, almost completed in the blink of an eye.

Wei Nizi followed behind, saw her movements, and followed her gaze, recognizing the person as well. She pursed her lips and lowered her voice, "Sister, it's that person again."

"Don't make a sound." Wei Gui's voice was very soft, with a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Li Min walked in through the mountain gate, his gaze first falling on the direction of the main hall, and then subconsciously glancing at the corridor below.

He saw the women of the Wei family. They wore light blue short-sleeved shirts and plain white dresses; there were several figures among the crowd.

But the one standing behind the pillar, his face hidden by a fan—though he couldn't see his face clearly, he recognized the clothes at a glance.

is her.