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

Outside Luoyang city, there is a ten-mile-long pavilion.

King Yang Tong of Yue stood by the roadside. He was only nine years old and wore a crimson python robe. He tried his best to straighten his back.

The eunuch behind him whispered a reminder, but it was still hard to conceal the young royal's majesty.

Fan Zigai stood half a step behind him, his white hair and beard gleaming, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Yuwen Shu and Lai Huer stood on the left and right, respectively, their armor still on, the iron armor gleaming coldly in the autumn sun.

The officials lined up in order, from the third rank and above to the fifth rank, dressed in scarlet robes and purple garments, in a grand and imposing procession.

Li Ju stood in the ranks of meritorious officials, wearing a newly bestowed scarlet official robe and a silver fish-shaped pouch at his waist.

His expression was calm, his gaze fixed on the end of the official road.

In the distance, dust billowed.

The imperial carriage, like a long golden dragon, slowly made its way south.

Seventy-two dragon flags fluttered in the wind, and three thousand imperial guards led the way, their armor gleaming and their weapons like a forest.

Yang Guang's jade carriage was located in the center, with a golden roof and canopy, and pearls hanging from the four corners, which shone brightly in the sunlight.

"Kneel—" The eunuch's shrill voice pierced through the dust.

All the officials knelt down, and the common people bowed their heads along the road, stretching from the city gate to more than ten miles away, a dark mass of people, completely silent.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the long pavilion.

Yang Guang did not get out of the carriage. He lifted the curtain and his gaze swept over the kneeling crowd. Amidst the crimson and purple hues, his eyes lingered on a young figure.

The wind had just stopped, and all was quiet in front of the imperial carriage.

"You, a young man granted a title, who then guarded Luoyang without supplies, are you?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Li Ju kowtowed, his forehead touching the ground: "My humble service is due to Your Majesty's divine might."

Yang Guang smiled faintly: "Stand up and speak."

Li Ju stood up, his hands at his sides. The autumn sun shone on his sharply defined profile, serene as still water.

The entire court was astonished. A young man had gained the emperor's favor, a rare and extraordinary honor. Some were envious, some were jealous, and some secretly plotted against him.

Yang Guang lowered the carriage curtain, and the imperial carriage continued its journey.

The officials rose, mounted their horses and sedan chairs, and followed the imperial carriage into the city.

In Luoyang, the people knelt in submission like mountains. All the restaurants and teahouses along the streets were emptied, and the imperial guards were stationed every three steps and every five steps.

Yang Guang's imperial carriage entered through Dingding Gate, passed Tianjin Bridge, went through Duan Gate, and went straight into the palace city.

Li Ju rode his horse alongside the ranks of meritorious officials, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

He could feel countless gazes on his back—envy from his colleagues, scrutiny from powerful families, and cold arrows from the shadows.

But he remained calm and composed.

In the imperial court, Yang Guang sat high on the throne.

Fan Zigai stepped forward and reported on the course of the suppression of the rebellion, from Yang Xuangan's uprising to the destruction of Dong Duyuan, each event clearly and logically presented.

Yang Guang listened, his face darkening, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his throne.

"Those who have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion will be richly rewarded," Yang Guang said, his voice not loud, but every word as firm as iron. "Those who collude with the rebels will be executed along with their entire clan."

The entire court was solemn and respectful.

Emperor Yang Guang personally issued an imperial edict, bestowing titles and rewards upon Yuwen Shu and Lai Huer. Fan Zigai was granted gold and silk, and Wei Feng was promoted to the rank of Eagle-Flying General.

Finally, they read Li Ju's name.

"Li Ju was rewarded for his meritorious service in defending Luoyang, cutting off supplies and suppressing the rebellion. He was promoted to the rank of Grand Master of the Palace, his fief was increased by 300 households, and he was also appointed as the Junior Supervisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau. He was granted the First Division of Armor, one million coins, and one thousand bolts of silk."

Li Ju stepped forward, kowtowed to express his gratitude, his posture upright and unperturbed by favor or disgrace.

Yang Guang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Minister Li, I heard that you have formed a marriage alliance with the Wei family?"

Li Ju's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained impassive: "Your Majesty, the formalities of asking the name have been performed, but the betrothal gifts have not yet been presented."

Yang Guang nodded and said nothing more.

Just then, an imperial censor stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a report. The Wei and Zheng families have secretly communicated with Yang Xuangan. Although they have not sided with the rebels, they are still suspected. It is probably inappropriate for Li Ju to form a marriage alliance with the Wei family."

Whispers immediately broke out in the court.

Instead of being angry, Yang Guang smiled and said calmly, "Since Li Ju has employed Wei Zheng, it means I trust him. If Wei Zheng has any disloyal intentions, Li Ju will deal with him himself."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the censor, his tone becoming somewhat indifferent: "Anyone who speaks again will be punished the same as the rebels."

The censor turned pale and returned to his place in the ranks.

Li Ju kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust."

Yang Guang waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

The entire court was filled with trepidation. With a single sentence, the emperor both protected Li Ju and placed the responsibility of monitoring Wei Zheng on his shoulders—killing two birds with one stone.

After the court session ended, Li Ju returned to his post at the Water Conservancy Bureau.

Du Chen was checking the accounts when he saw him enter. He stood up and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Junior Supervisor."

Li Ju sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "What's there to celebrate?"

Du Chen glanced at him but didn't press further. He simply handed over a document: "The result of the name-asking ceremony. Lady Wei's birth date and time indicate a very auspicious divination. The divination text is here."

Li Ju took it and unfolded it.

The paper contained only eight characters: "May the phoenix and the dragon sing in harmony, and may the nation and its people be at peace."

He read it once, then again, folded the document, and put it into his pocket.

"Prepare the gifts. The auspicious ceremony will be held tomorrow."

Du Chen nodded: "Yes."

Li Ju got up and walked to the window. Outside, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the courtyard of the Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau.

He stood there for a long time.

Late at night, Li Ju sat alone in his study.

The imperial edict and the list of betrothal gifts lay spread out on the table. The candlelight flickered, casting his shadow on the wall. He picked up his wine cup, but did not drink.

From being a concubine's son at the Luoshui Conference to becoming the Marquis of Wu'an County and the Junior Supervisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau, it has only been two years.

But he knew that the higher he climbed, the harder he would fall. Yang Guang's suspicion, Yuwen Shu's attempts to win him over, and the Zheng family's siding with him—every step was like walking on thin ice.

He put down his wine glass, took out the jade piece engraved with "Yonggu Ze" from his pocket, and held it in his palm.

Soon. After the wedding is over and the three tax collections are completed—only then will he have a real foothold.

Outside the window, the moon has risen.

He put the jade back into his bosom, spread out a piece of paper, picked up a brush, and wrote four characters: "Keep your heart as it was at the beginning."

Then I blew out the light and lay down.

In the darkness, he stared at the beams of the roof.

Wei Gui.

He silently repeated the name in his heart.

almost.

The backyard of the Wei residence.

Wei Gui bent down to sew shoes, his stitches fine and steady.

The upper is made of black silk, with a thick cotton lining, and the sole is made of many layers, making it sturdy and durable.

She embroidered a small magnolia on the inside of the shoe upper, which was barely noticeable unless you looked closely.

Wei Nizi was leaning against the window, chewing on candied fruit, swinging his legs back and forth, and chattering incessantly.

"Sister, do you know what people are saying about you outside?" Her eyes sparkled. "The whole of Luoyang is talking about how you have foresight, how you saw that Li Zixiong and his son were doomed to fail, which is why you rejected that marriage proposal. They're also saying you're a remarkable woman, with foresight, even better than those high-ranking officials in the court!"

Wei Gui paused for a moment.

She didn't look up, continuing to sew the shoes. The needle tip pierced the thick sole, making a soft sound.

"Sister, are you unhappy?" Wei Nizi tilted her head to look at her.

Wei Gui shook his head.

Was she happy? No. She knew perfectly well that her refusal to marry him back then wasn't because she had any foresight.

It was that person who, in the twilight of Dujia Embankment, through the sound of water and the night wind, whispered to her, "If the Wei family intends to marry Li Zixiong, I urge Madam Wei to find a way to dissuade them."

If it weren't for his words, she might already be Li Zixiong's daughter-in-law, bound and led to the execution ground by her husband's family, her entire clan wiped out, and her head hung at the national gate.

She wasn't an extraordinary woman. She simply—believed him.

Unaware of her thoughts, Wei Nizi continued, "And there's more! Today, His Majesty returned to the palace and inquired about your marriage in court! Some ignorant censor spoke ill of the Wei family and was reprimanded by His Majesty!"

Wei Gui's fingers tightened slightly.

The Emperor wouldn't ask about her marriage without a reason.

She knew it was both an honor and a test. It was an honor—the emperor himself had intervened, and from then on, no official dared to underestimate this marriage.

It was a test—he was reminding Li Ju that everything he had was given to him by the Emperor, and that his in-laws were also in the Emperor's grasp.

She was both happy for Li Ju and worried about him.

To his delight, he gained the emperor's favor, and from then on, no one dared to look down on him because of his status as a son of a concubine.

The worry is that the emperor can save him with a single word today, but he can also kill him with a single word tomorrow.

She lowered her head and continued sewing shoes.

The stitches remained fine and even, not a single stitch was out of place.

"Sister," Wei Nizi leaned closer and whispered, "what are you thinking about?"

Wei Gui did not answer, but simply turned the shoe over and looked at the embroidered magnolias.

"It's nothing," she said softly. "It's late, go back to sleep."

Wei Ni muttered something, jumped off the windowsill, and ran away.

Wei Gui sat alone under the lamp, putting the shoes into her sewing basket. She took out the jade piece engraved with "Chang Le · Huai Run" from her sleeve and held it in her palm.

Li Ju, you walk a precarious path in the court, while I am in the backyard, unable to help you much. All I can do is make a few pairs of shoes so your feet won't get cold when you walk.