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

Li Ju felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained calm: "We worked together in Liyang, but it was just official business; we weren't close."

"Official business?" Su Huai'an smiled faintly. "The Wei family's banquet is no ordinary official business."

Li Ju raised his cup and took a sip, composing himself: "I dare not refuse Lord Wei's kind invitation."

"Wei Kuangbo has high standards; the fact that he invited you to his residence shows you must have exceptional abilities." Su Huai'an put down his wine cup, his gaze sharpening. "You're a man who keeps things well hidden."

Li Ju put down his wine cup, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said seriously, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am merely a minor official of the seventh rank, only in charge of the canal and waterways, and know nothing else. I have no idea why Lord Wei invited me. If Your Excellency truly wishes to know, you may wish to ask Lord Wei yourself."

His tone was respectful, yet firm beneath the surface.

Su Huai'an looked at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Alright, let's not talk about the Wei family. Let's talk about Liyang. Zhao Huaiyi embezzled military funds and deserved to die. But I've heard that there's something else involved behind this?"

Li Ju's fingers tightened slightly, but his tone remained calm: "The court has already reached a conclusion, and the evidence is conclusive. As for whether there are others behind this, I, Li Ju, am of low rank and dare not speculate."

Su Huai'an stared at him and slowly nodded: "You're quite meticulous."

"Ju only dared to tell the truth."

Su Huai'an leaned back in his chair, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "To be honest, I'm lacking someone who understands the waterways and is reliable. If you're willing to get close to me, I can speak on your behalf in the Imperial Waterways Bureau, and even before the General."

Li Ju's heart tightened.

This is both an attempt to win someone over and a sign of allegiance.

Agreeing means joining Li Zixiong's faction; refusing means offending your superior on the spot.

He rose and bowed deeply: "I appreciate your kindness, Junior Supervisor. However, I have only been in office for a short time, and my superiors have treated me well. I dare not easily consider switching allegiances. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will serve you faithfully again."

He spoke tactfully, neither agreeing nor outright refusing.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Su Huai'an's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said calmly, "Fine, you have backbone. I won't force you. But remember, in the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau, some paths cannot be walked alone."

"Thank you for your guidance, Junior Supervisor."

Li Ju excused himself and left the private room. When he went downstairs, his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Wang Yu was waiting downstairs with his horse in hand. Seeing him come out, he quickly went up to him and asked, "Li Cheng, how is it inside?"

"We'll talk about it when we get back."

Li Ju mounted his horse, and the two walked silently through the streets and alleys of Luoyang.

Back at the Du Shui Jian duty room, Li Ju closed the door, sat down, and recounted the entire conversation that had taken place at the table.

Wang Yu's expression turned grave: "This Su Huai'an is clearly Li Zixiong's man! He's testing you on behalf of his master!"

"I know." Li Ju picked up his cold tea and took a sip. "He asked the Wei family, Li Yang, and Zhao Huaiyi. Every question he asked was a probe into my background."

"Li Cheng, how did you handle it?"

"They only talk about the canal transport and nothing else, feigning ignorance and clumsiness."

Wang Yu frowned: "Won't he hold a grudge?"

"Yes." Li Ju put down his teacup, his gaze cold and clear. "But he can't find any fault with me. Everything I've done is within the rules of public service. He can't touch me so easily."

He walked to the window and gazed at the darkening sky.

"But from now on, we need to be extra careful in the Water Conservancy Bureau."

Outside the window, the sky was overcast, and the clouds hung low.

It's going to snow.

November of the seventh year of the Daye era.

The first snow fell in Luoyang.

The snow wasn't heavy; it fell in fine, scattered flakes, like someone tearing cotton from the sky. It settled on rooftops, tree branches, and the flagstone path, forming a thin, gleaming white layer.

Li Ju left the city early in the morning to inspect the river embankments along the Luo River. With the water level dropping after winter, the pressure on the embankments' safety has lessened, but regular inspections are still necessary to prevent them from freezing and cracking.

He rode his horse slowly along the riverbank.

Wang Yu followed behind, hunching his shoulders, muttering, "Li Cheng, it's too cold today. The riverbank isn't going to run away, can't we check it another day?"

"No," Li Ju said. "The other day, the Ministry of Works said that several sections of the dikes upstream of the Luo River had frozen and cracked. We need to investigate those as well."

Wang Yu sighed and wrapped his outer robe tighter around himself.

The wind was strong on the riverbank, stinging one's face. Li Ju dismounted and squatted in front of a section of the embankment, carefully examining the cracks in the stones for signs of frost damage.

The sounds of carriages and horses could be heard in the distance.

He looked up and saw a procession of carriages approaching from the official road. The carriages were decorated with blue curtains and vermilion lacquer, with mounted guards leading the way.

It was the Wei family's convoy.

Li Ju stood up and stepped back to the side of the road.

The caravan passed by the riverbank. After the first few carriages had passed, a small sedan chair with a blue curtain in the middle passed in front of him, and the curtain was slightly lifted a crack.

He saw her eyes.

Through the fine snowflakes and the gaps in the sedan curtain, those eyes were clear and calm, like the lake water in late autumn, reflecting the white sky.

She looked at him.

He looked at her.

He clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

She nodded slightly from behind the sedan curtain.

There were no words, no pauses.

The sedan curtains fell, and the caravan continued on its way. The small sedan chair with its blue curtains swayed and drifted away in the snow, its outline quickly blurred by the falling snowflakes.

Wang Yu leaned closer and whispered, "Li Cheng, who is that?"

Li Ju did not answer, but simply looked in the direction where the convoy disappeared.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, settling on his shoulders and the top of his hair, accumulating a thin layer.

He stood there for a long time.

After a while, Wang Yu couldn't help but call out again, "Li Cheng?"

Li Ju withdrew his gaze and mounted his horse.

"Let's go. Continue the patrol."

He spurred his horse forward along the riverbank without looking back.

Wang Yu followed behind, watching his back, shook his head, and said nothing.

The snow fell silently onto the river.

On the official road, a small sedan chair with a blue curtain moved slowly through the snow.

Wei Gui sat in the sedan chair, clutching the jade in his hand and gently pressing it against his chest.

The curtains of the sedan chair had been closed, and nothing could be seen.

But the image still lingered in her mind's eye—he stood on the riverbank, dressed in a blue official robe, his shoulders covered in snow, bowing deeply to her with his hands clasped in front of him.

Wei Nizi sat beside her, tilting his head to look at her.

"Sister, did you see him?"

"Um."

Is he alright?

Wei Gui did not answer.

She lowered her head and looked at the jade in her palm.

The first snow fell on the city.

He patrolled the riverbank, while she traveled in her sedan chair. Each was content with their place, each fulfilling their duty.

But our hearts are in one place.