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

Wei Feng shook his head with a smile: "Whether your older sister will stay or not is still uncertain."

"Definitely, definitely." Wei Nizi took a bite of the candied hawthorn and mumbled, "Definitely."

Li Ju stood to the side, her ears slightly red, and did not respond.

After finishing his candied hawthorn, Wei Nizi threw away the bamboo skewer, then ran over to the two maids, looked them up and down, and nodded: "Hmm, they're alright looking. They know how to serve people, don't they?"

The two maids bowed their heads and said, "Don't worry, young lady."

Wei Nizi left satisfied.

Wei Feng watched her retreating figure, shook his head and laughed, "This girl is spoiled rotten."

Li Ju said, "Young Lady Wei is innocent and naive, very good."

Wei Feng glanced at the sky, his smile fading, and said seriously, "Lord Li, I will be returning to Liyang the day after tomorrow. I've come today for two reasons: first, to deliver some gifts, and second, to bid you farewell."

Li Ju cupped his hands in greeting: "Liyang is a strategically important place. Brother Wei, please be careful on your journey."

"I understand." Wei Feng patted him on the shoulder. "Be careful while you're in Luoyang. Li Zixiong hasn't made a move on you yet, but he's keeping a close eye on you."

"Know."

Wei Feng gave him a deep look, then turned and walked out. Reaching the door, he turned back: "That set of stationery, Gui-meimei spent a long time choosing it. Don't let her down."

Li Ju felt a surge of warmth in his heart and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "I will certainly not let you down."

Wei Feng smiled, mounted his horse, and rode away with his servants.

The gate closed, and the courtyard became quiet.

Li Ju stood in the courtyard, looking at the furniture and utensils in the room, and then at the two maids standing with their hands at their sides. Suddenly, he felt that the empty second courtyard had become more lively.

He walked into the study, sat down at the new desk, and reached out to touch the Duan inkstone.

The inkstone was cold, but his fingertips were warm.

The news of the Wei family sending gifts reached the Li family that very day.

Li Xiaochang sat in his study for a long time, his emotions a mixture of feelings.

This illegitimate son, ever since he wrote that disheartening poem at the Luoshui Gathering, has become increasingly out of his control.

Without relying on family connections or influence, he carved out his own path in the Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau.

He understood better than anyone what it meant that the Wei family had personally come to deliver the gifts.

The Wei family took a liking to this illegitimate son.

Or rather, the Wei family had already regarded him as one of their own.

Li Xiaochang opened his eyes and sighed.

"Someone come here."

Li Fu pushed open the door and entered: "What are your orders, Master?"

"Go to the storeroom and pick out a few things—not too expensive, not too light, just something suitable. Send them to Liu Lang." He paused, "Just say—just say that his family is thinking of him and that he should come back to visit often when he has time."

Li Fu agreed and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Li Xiaochang added, "tell him that he is a member of the Li family. In the future, he should not forget the kindness shown to him by his family."

Li Fu nodded and left.

Li Xiaochang sat alone in his study, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken, remaining silent for a long time.

When Li Fu arrived, Li Ju was in his study organizing the writing implements that the Wei family had sent.

"Sixth Brother." Li Fu stood at the door with a smile on his face, which seemed more genuine than before, but Li Ju could tell that there was both flattery and unease in that smile.

"Steward Li," Li Ju put down his pen, "What is it?"

Li Fu had his servants carry in a box, which he opened. Inside were several bolts of silk, a tea set, an inkstone, and some pastries.

"Ah Lang said that since Liu Lang has just started his own household, he should buy some things. These are just a small token of our appreciation, please accept them, Liu Lang." Li Fu paused, "Ah Lang also said that Liu Lang is a member of the Li family, and in the future—don't forget the kindness of the family."

Li Ju looked at the box and remained silent for a moment.

"Please thank my father for me," he said. "I will accept the gifts. I will never forget your kindness."

Li Fu agreed repeatedly, exchanged a few more polite words, and then left.

Not long after Li Fu left, several clansmen sent gifts. The gifts were few and inexpensive, but the sentiment was there.

Li Ju instructed his maids to accept the gifts one by one and register them.

He stood in the courtyard, looking at the ever-increasing pile of boxes and cages, his face expressionless.

These were the same people who had previously refused his requests for help. Now that he held power and had the Wei family as his backer, they came to curry favor. The gifts they offered were neither too extravagant nor too insignificant—just right—neither offending him nor appearing overly obsequious.

She was jealous of him, and she was also afraid of him.

This is what a prestigious family is like.

He turned around, went back to his study, sat down at his desk, picked up the Duan inkstone, and gently stroked it.

The inkstone was cold, but my heart was warm.

Not all aristocratic families are like that.

At least, the Wei family is not.

He took out the jade piece engraved with "Yonggu Ze" from his pocket and placed it next to the inkstone. The jade and the inkstone, one warm and smooth, the other cool and icy, sat side by side, like two people.

He stood up, walked into the courtyard, and looked up at the rising moon.

The moon is very round.

Was she looking at the same moon while she was at the Wei family's house?

When Wei Nizi returned to the Wei residence, it was already completely dark.

She jogged through the corridor, her skirt stained with mud and her hair ribbon askew, while her maids chased after her, panting.

When she arrived at Wei Gui's room, she didn't knock, but pushed the door open and pounced on the bed, panting.

"Sister! Sister! Guess what I saw today?"

Wei Gui was sitting by the window reading a book, not even looking up: "What?"

"Li Huairun's house!" Wei Nizi sat up abruptly, her eyes sparkling. "The yard is so small, even smaller than our garden! The study is small too, but there are so many books, piled up to cover an entire wall!"

Wei Gui turned a page of his book without saying a word.

Wei Nizi continued, "There's an old locust tree in his yard, and a stone table and benches under it. I sat down for a bit, and it was so cool! When you move in, you'll have to make him a cushion—"

"Wei Nizi," Wei Gui put down his book and looked at her, "If you keep talking nonsense, you won't be allowed to leave the house tomorrow."

"I'm not lying!" Wei Nizi pouted. "My brother said those things are for you to use later. The screen, the desk, the incense burner, and even the set of writing implements you chose—he accepted them all. I even saw him touch that inkstone for a long time!"

Wei Gui's ears turned slightly red. He picked up the book again and used it to cover his face.

Wei Nizi leaned closer, peering down the edge of the book: "Sister, you're blushing."

"no."

"Yes! It's red all the way to the roots of its ears!"

Wei Gui reached out and gently flicked her forehead.

Wei Nizi covered his forehead and chuckled. Suddenly remembering something, he took out a letter from his sleeve and waved it in front of Wei Gui.

"And this too. Li Huairun asked me to bring it to you."

Wei Gui put down his book and took the letter. The envelope contained only the character "Gui," written in a steady and powerful hand.

She opened the letter and took out the letter paper.

There is only one line of text above:

After the crabapple blossoms, the swallows arrive.

Wei Gui stared at the eight characters and remained silent for a moment.

When the crabapple blossoms—it's late spring, it's right now. When the swallows arrive—it's spring, it's time for them to return.

He was saying: When spring comes and the swallows return, that will be the time for us to meet again.

Some say that when the crabapple blossoms and the swallows return, it is like stepping into an old courtyard and reuniting with old friends.

He used these eight characters, without explicitly saying "longing," yet every sentence was filled with longing.

Wei Gui folded the letter and put it into his sleeve.

Wei Nizi leaned over the table, tilting his head to look at her: "Sister, what did he write?"

"It's nothing."

Tell me.

Wei Gui ignored her, got up, walked to the window, and opened it. The night breeze blew in, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus.

Wei Nizi lay on the table, propping his chin up as he looked at her, and suddenly sighed.

"Sister, when are you getting married? I can't wait!"

Wei Gui turned around and looked at her.

"When you stop talking nonsense."

Wei Ni stuck out his tongue, jumped off the bed, and ran outside.

She ran to the door, then turned back: "Sister, their stone benches are really cold. Remember to bring a mat when you go!"

After saying that, he ran away in a flash.

Wei Gui stood by the window, watching her figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and shook his head.

She took the letter out of her sleeve and read it again.

After the crabapple blossoms, the swallows arrive.

Then he folded the letter and placed it together with the jade piece engraved with "Chang Le · Huai Run" and put it in the box under his pillow.

Outside the window, the moon is very round.