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

"Li Cheng!"

Li Ju rode over, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Wei."

Wei Feng laughed and said, "What a coincidence, meeting you here. Come on, let's go up the mountain together and have a chat."

Li Ju turned around and glanced at Li Xiaochang.

Li Xiaochang sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and saw Li Ju and Wei Feng standing side by side on horseback. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He nodded and said, "Go. Don't miss the time for the sacrifice."

Li Ju agreed and rode alongside Wei Feng.

Behind him, low murmurs arose from the ranks of the eldest sons.

"That must be the eldest son of the Wei family, right? Wei Feng? The General of the Vanguard?"

"That's right. How did Liu Lang get involved with him?"

"Who knows? A son born out of wedlock is a son born out of wedlock. It's quite a skill of him to curry favor with the legitimate son."

"Keep your voice down, or Ah Lang will hear you."

Li Ju heard it clearly but did not turn around.

Wei Feng heard this too, turned his head to look at him, and laughed, "Li Cheng, the people in your clan don't have very clean mouths."

"I'm used to it," Li Ju said.

Wei Feng smiled and said nothing more.

The two rode side by side and soon caught up with the Wei family's group.

The Wei family had more carriages and horses than the Li family, with more than a dozen sedan chairs in front and behind, and a large number of maids and servants.

Wei Nizi sat in Wei Gui's sedan chair, lifted the curtain and looked out, and immediately saw Li Ju.

"Sister! Sister!" she whispered, desperately tugging at Wei Gui's sleeve. "He's here! Li Huairun! He's with my cousin!"

Wei Gui peered out through the gap in the sedan curtain.

Li Ju was on horseback, talking to Wei Feng.

He wore a moon-white robe today, which made him appear even taller and more upright. The morning light shone from the side, outlining his sharply defined profile.

She glanced at it for a couple of moments, then lowered the curtain.

"You saw it?" Wei Nizi leaned closer.

"I didn't see it," Wei Gui said.

"You clearly saw it."

Wei Gui ignored her, but his fingers gently gripped the jade in his sleeve.

Ahead, Wei Feng led Li Ju to the carriage of the elder of the Wei family.

Wei Feng's father, Wei Kuangzan—Wei Kuangbo's younger brother and the head of the second branch of the Wei family—was riding at the head of the procession.

"Father," Wei Feng said, bowing slightly. "This is Li Ju, courtesy name Huairun, the Assistant Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau. He is in charge of the affairs in Liyang."

Upon hearing this, Wei Kuangzan's expression turned solemn. He dismounted and bowed to Li Ju.

"Lord Li, I have always wanted to thank you in person for your kindness in Liyang. I am fortunate to meet you today."

Li Ju quickly dismounted and returned the greeting: "Uncle Wei, you flatter me. In the matter of Liyang, it was Brother Wei who displayed great bravery; I dare not take credit."

Wei Kuangzan shook his head and said solemnly, "Prime Minister Li, there's no need for modesty. Feng'er has already recounted the whole story in detail. If it weren't for your foresight and secret assistance, Feng'er would have already lost his head. The Wei family will remember this kindness."

He turned to the few members of the Wei family beside him and said, "You lot, come and greet Prime Minister Li."

The eldest sons of the Wei family looked at each other, but still came over as instructed, cupped their hands in greeting, and exchanged a few polite words.

His attitude wasn't exactly warm, but it wasn't cold either—after all, he was someone Wei Kuangzan had personally introduced, so he had to give him face.

Li Ju returned the greetings one by one, his expression unchanged.

Wei Kuangzan kept him for a few more words before saying, "Please make yourself at home, Li Cheng. After the ceremony today, the Wei family will be hosting a family banquet. Feng'er should have already told you. Please do me the honor of attending."

"Uncle Wei's invitation is very kind, and I will certainly accept it."

After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Feng pulled Li Ju towards the back of the group.

"Come on, I'll take you to see someone."

Li Ju's heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless.

Wei Feng led him to a small sedan chair with a green curtain.

The sedan curtains were tightly closed, but a pair of eyes could be seen through the gaps in the curtains.

Wei Feng stopped outside the sedan chair and said with a smile, "Sister, Li Cheng from the Water Conservancy Bureau has arrived. We owe a great deal to him for the matter in Liyang. Would you like to come out and meet him?"

The sedan curtain did not move.

There was a brief silence.

Then, the sedan curtain was gently pulled open from the inside by a hand.

Wei Gui sat in the sedan chair, dressed in a plain white dress with a light blue half-sleeved outer garment. Her black hair was styled into a simple cloud-like bun, adorned only with a white jade hairpin. She slightly raised her eyes, looking at Li Ju outside the sedan chair.

Li Ju was also looking at her.

Eyes facing each other.

The moment the sedan curtain was drawn back, the morning light shone directly on her face, revealing skin as white as snow and features as exquisite as a painting. Her eyes were bright, like pools of spring water, reflecting his image.

"Li Cheng," she said, her voice soft and steady.

"Lady Wei." Li Ju bowed, his voice steady, but his heartbeat was erratic.

Wei Nizi peeked out from the side, winked at Li Ju, and then shrank back inside.

Wei Feng stood to the side, a slight smirk playing on his lips, but said nothing.

"Many thanks to Minister Li for the matter of Liyang," Wei Gui said, his gaze falling on his face before shifting away. "My cousin's safe return is entirely due to Minister Li's efforts."

"You flatter me, Madam Wei," Li Ju said. "Your Excellency Wei is truly brave; I was merely doing my duty."

They exchanged polite words.

But hidden beneath the polite words are things only the two of them understand.

Wei Gui's fingers gently gripped the edge of the sedan curtain. Li Ju's gaze fell on her hand, then shifted away.

"Is Li Cheng here to pay respects to his ancestors today as well?" Wei Gui asked.

"Yes. I came with my clansmen."

"Then I won't keep you any longer, Li Cheng," Wei Gui said, pausing before adding, "Take care on the road."

"So it is with Lady Wei."

Wei Feng spoke up at the right moment: "Alright, stop being so polite. Li Cheng, you go ahead and get busy. See you at the family banquet after the memorial service."

Li Ju nodded, took a step back, and cupped his hands in farewell: "Madam Wei, farewell."

Goodbye.

The sedan curtain fell.

Li Ju turned around and walked back side by side with Wei Feng. After taking a few steps, he looked back.

The sedan curtain moved slightly, as if someone had lifted it a crack from the inside.

He looked away and followed Wei Feng forward.

The Wei family's group continued up the mountain. Reaching a fork in the road, Wei Feng stopped and bowed to Li Ju.

"Li Cheng, see you after the ceremony."

"See you after the ceremony."

Wei Feng spurred his horse and headed towards the side road. Li Ju stood there, watching the Wei family's procession slowly disappear into the distance.

The sedan chair with its green curtains bounced along the mountain road, the curtains billowing in the wind.

Inside the sedan chair, Wei Gui turned slightly to look behind him through the gap in the curtain.

Li Ju was still standing at the crossroads, not having left.

She nodded slightly.

Then he lowered the curtain, leaned against the sedan chair wall, and closed his eyes.

"Sister," Wei Nizi said, lying down beside her with a grin, "your eyes were practically sparkling when you looked at him just now."

"no."

"Yes! I saw it! He was looking at you! The two of you stared at each other through the curtain for a very, very long time!"

"Weinizi".

"Sister, you're blushing."

Wei Gui reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

"If you keep talking nonsense, you'll be punished by copying books when you get home."

Wei Nizi covered his cheek, chuckled, and remained silent.

But her eyes curved into crescent moons.

The sedan chair swayed gently as it made its way up the mountain, and the autumn sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, falling on Wei Gui's knees.

She lowered her head and looked at the piece of jade she was clutching in her hand.

He will come again for the family dinner tonight.