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

The victory celebration banquet was held in the main hall of the garrison headquarters.

The hall was brightly lit, and the room was filled with elegantly dressed people.

King Yang Tong of Yue sat in the main seat, his youthful face striving to maintain the dignity of royalty.

Fan Zigai sat beside him, his white hair and beard striking his piercing gaze. Yuwen Shu and Lai Huer, the two commanders of the reinforcements, sat on either side, their armor still on, the iron gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

Li Ju sat at the head of the meritorious officials' seat, wearing a newly bestowed scarlet official robe, a silver fish-shaped pouch at his waist, and an official hat of merit.

The boy's face was sharply defined in the candlelight, serene as still water.

After several rounds of drinks, Yang Tong raised his wine cup, his voice still childish but deliberate: "Minister Li, without you, Luoyang would have fallen. I toast you."

Li Ju rose from his seat, knelt on one knee, and accepted the cup with both hands: "Your Highness thanks me for the wine." He drank it all in one gulp, and the whole hall cheered.

Yuwen Shu put down his wine cup and laughed loudly, "Junior Supervisor Li, when I was in Zhuojun, I heard that there was a young genius in Luoyang who cut off Yang Xuangan's supply lines. At the time, I didn't believe it, thinking that a civil official could have such ability? Seeing him today, I know the rumors are true." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Ju, "How old are you this year?"

"General Yuwen, I am eighteen years old this year," Li Ju said, bowing.

Yuwen Shu nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes: "Eighteen years old, a fifth-rank junior supervisor, and the Marquis of Wu'an County. When I was your age, I was still a captain at the border."

Lai Huer added from the side, "General Yuwen, you earned your reputation through real battles. Li Shaojian also earned his reputation through real defense. Both are truly capable." He turned to Li Ju, raised his cup, and said, "Li Shaojian, I toast you. You are young and promising; your future is limitless."

Li Ju raised his cup and drank.

Yuwen Shu put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over Li Ju for a few moments before he suddenly said seriously, "Junior Supervisor Li, I have a daughter of marriageable age. She is virtuous and beautiful, well-educated and courteous." He paused, his gaze intense, "I intend to betroth my daughter to you. What do you say?"

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Yuwen Shu's daughter—the Yuwen family was the core of the Guanlong Group, and Yuwen Shu was a favorite of Yang Guang, holding the Imperial Guard and wielding great power.

This marriage was something that countless prominent families in Luoyang would desperately want but could not obtain.

Wei Kuangbo paused slightly in his hand holding the wine glass, and his heart tightened suddenly.

Yuwen Shu was trying to win over Li Ju. Could the Wei family possibly compete with someone a high-ranking military official had his eye on?

Li Ju's expression remained unchanged, but a thousand thoughts were already racing through his mind.

The Yuwen family appears prosperous on the surface, but in reality, they are fraught with hidden dangers.

Although Yuwen Shu died peacefully, his son Yuwen Huaji was arrogant and domineering, and would surely bring great disaster upon himself in the future.

This marriage proposal is unacceptable.

Moreover, he already had Wei Gui in his heart.

However, Yuwen Shu held a high position and wielded great power, and a direct refusal would offend people. He had to refuse decisively without hurting the other party's feelings.

He rose, bowed deeply to Yuwen Shu, and spoke in a steady and respectful voice:

"General Yuwen's kindness is deeply appreciated. General Yuwen is of noble birth, while I am but a commoner. I am already fortunate to have been promoted by His Majesty. How could I dare to further curry favor with someone of such high status? Besides—"

He raised his head, his gaze open and honest.

"I have a long-standing alliance with the Wei family of Jingzhao. During the defense of the city, Lord Wei provided me with all his might, and General Wei Feng shared life and death with me. If I were to break this alliance, I would be an ungrateful person, and how could I face the world? Your daughter is a beloved daughter of the general, and she should be married to a hero of the world. I am of meager virtue and talent, and I dare not fail you."

That was a well-considered statement. First, he humbled himself, then he praised the Yuwen family, and finally he refused on the grounds of "keeping promises and valuing righteousness." This way, he neither offended Yuwen Shu nor made himself seem like a man of honor and loyalty.

Yuwen Shu frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on Li Ju's face for a moment.

His gaze held scrutiny, surprise, and a hint of displeasure—he, Yuwen Shu, had proposed marriage, only to be rejected by a minor official of the fifth rank.

The atmosphere in the hall was slightly tense.

Lai Huer held her wine glass, watching silently.

Wei Kuangbo gripped the wine glass tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Yuwen Shu suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, and there was still a hint of coldness in his eyes, but his expression had returned to composure.

"Junior Supervisor Li, you have guts. In all my years in court, you're the first person to dare refuse my marriage proposal to my face." He picked up his wine cup, took a slow sip, and said, "Very well. A forced marriage won't be happy. Junior Supervisor Li is indeed a man of integrity and loyalty, which is rare indeed."

He put down his wine cup, turned his gaze to Wei Kuangbo, and said meaningfully, "Master Wei, you have a good eye."

Wei Kuangbo rose, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "General Yuwen, you flatter me. Li Shaojian is young and doesn't know how to appreciate such an honor. Please don't take offense, General."

Yuwen Shu waved his hand and said no more.

Fan Zigai stroked his beard and suddenly spoke with a smile: "I've heard about this marriage." He turned to Li Ju, "Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. I'll do you a favor today—Junior Supervisor Li, if you trust me, I'm willing to act as your matchmaker."

Li Ju was overjoyed and quickly bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you so much, Lord Fan, for your kindness!"

Wei Kuangbo also stood up and cupped his hands in thanks: "I am deeply grateful for Lord Fan's kindness."

Li Xiaochang sat at the end of the table, looking at the illegitimate son he had once looked down upon, now sitting at the head of the meritorious officials, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He picked up his wine cup, hesitated for a moment, and finally stood up, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect to Fan Zigai, saying, "Lord Fan, I'm sorry to trouble you with my son's marriage."

Fan Zigai smiled and said, "General Li, you are too kind. Vice Minister Li is a pillar of the court, and Lady Wei is a lady from a distinguished family. It is a match made in heaven. I am happy to be the matchmaker."

Laughter filled the room, and the atmosphere warmed up again.

Yuwen Shu held his wine cup, watching this scene with a deep, unfathomable gaze. He might not have been without resentment, but his face betrayed no emotion.

When the banquet ended, it was already late at night.

Li Ju and Li Xiaochang walked out of the garrison headquarters side by side. The father and son remained silent all the way until they turned into their own alley, at which point Li Xiaochang finally spoke.

"Huai Run, Yuwen Shu's daughter, are you truly not regretting it?"

Li Ju looked at his father and said calmly, "Father, the Yuwen family appears prosperous on the surface, but in reality, they are like oil on a hot fire. The Emperor is very suspicious. Although Yuwen Shu is favored, his son Yuwen Huaji is arrogant and domineering, and will bring disaster upon himself sooner or later. The Wei family is different—the Wei family is a prominent family in Jingzhao, with deep roots, and they are not involved in the central government, so they are safe."

Li Xiaochang was silent for a moment, then nodded: "You think further ahead than your father. But—" He paused, "You publicly refused the marriage today. Although Yuwen Shu didn't say anything on the surface, he may not be without resentment in his heart."

"Father, rest assured," Li Ju said. "My reason for refusing the marriage is 'keeping one's promise and upholding righteousness.' If Yuwen Shu holds a grudge because of this, it would only make him seem petty. He won't take action over this matter."

Li Xiaochang glanced at him, his gaze complex. This illegitimate son was no longer someone he could see through.

"When do you plan to hold the wedding?"

Li Ju pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Father, the sooner the better. His Majesty's two campaigns have failed, and he will surely launch another campaign against Liaodong. If His Majesty decides to lead the campaign personally, I will be on the front lines, and the marriage will be delayed again and again, which may lead to unforeseen circumstances. It would be better to take advantage of the current relatively stable situation and get married as soon as possible."

Li Xiaochang frowned: "Another campaign against Liaodong? We just finished that—"

"Father, if you don't believe me, just wait and see," Li Ju interrupted him. "His Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and he will not give up halfway. In my opinion, it is likely that there will be a third campaign against Liaodong before long. At that time, I will hold a high position and power, and my marriage with the Wei family may arouse suspicion. It would be better to complete the marriage before the third campaign begins to avoid future troubles."

Li Xiaochang remained silent for a long time before finally nodding: "Alright. I will find Master Fan tomorrow to discuss the wedding date."

The next day, Fan Zigai personally visited the Wei residence.

Wei Kuangbo received him in the main hall.

After tea, Fan Zigai got straight to the point: "Lord Wei, I have come to propose marriage on behalf of Vice Minister Li. Vice Minister Li and your niece, Wei Gui, are mutually in love. Moreover, the Wei family has stood with Vice Minister Li through thick and thin in defending the city, proving true friendship in adversity. I believe this is a match made in heaven. What is your opinion, Lord Wei?"

Wei Kuangbo already had his mind made up, but he hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding: "How could I refuse Lord Fan's kind offer? It is Gui'er's good fortune to have Li Shaojian as her son-in-law."

He paused, then continued, "I witnessed Li Shaojian's refusal of General Yuwen's marriage proposal yesterday. This young man is a man of his word, trustworthy, and does not curry favor with the powerful; he is truly rare. I am at ease entrusting Gui'er to him."

Fan Zigai laughed and said, "Lord Wei has a good eye. Then I will go and give my reply. The matter of the wedding date can be discussed again by both families."

After seeing Fan Zigai off, Wei Kuangbo returned to the backyard.

Wei Nizi was leaning against the window, listening intently to the sounds coming from the front yard.

Seeing Wei Kuangbo enter, she jumped up abruptly, grabbed Wei Gui's sleeve, and whispered, "Sister! Sister! You're here!"

Wei Gui sat by the window, holding an embroidery frame in her hand, without looking up: "What's here?"

"The marriage proposal is here! Master Fan is here! He's here to propose marriage for Li Huairun!" Wei Nizi's eyes shone like two stars. "Sister, have you agreed?"

Wei Gui did not answer. Her fingers gently gripped the embroidery needle, her fingertips turning slightly white.

She felt both sweet and worried.

The good thing is that he finally got to this point.

What worries her is that he is now a rising star in the court, the Marquis of Wu'an County, while she, although the eldest daughter of the Wei family, has no official title.

If she marries him, won't outsiders say she's marrying up? Won't it cause gossip for Li Ju?

But she didn't show these emotions on her face. She simply put down the embroidery hoop, stood up, and gave Wei Kuangbo a deep bow.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Her voice was calm, but her ears were red.

Wei Nizi jumped around excitedly, clapping her hands: "Big sister is getting married! Big sister is getting married!"

Wei Gui reached out and gently patted her shoulder. "If you keep talking nonsense, I won't let you be a flower girl."

Wei Nizi dodged, chuckling, "I'm going to do it! If you don't let me, I'll go tell Li Huairun!"

Wei Gui ignored her and turned to walk to the window.

She took out the jade piece engraved with "Chang Le · Huai Run" from her sleeve and held it in her palm.

Warm and slightly cool.

This day has finally come.