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

The deputy supervisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau, who had been shoving people around him, finally made it onto the list.

He felt no pleasure, only a chill.

The court reopened the following day.

Yang Guang sat high on his throne, his face even more somber than the day before.

Today is not a political discussion, but an execution—a reckoning with those who betrayed the party, to shock the world.

The eunuch read the imperial edict aloud in a shrill voice that echoed throughout the hall.

"Yang Xuangan, Li Zixiong, Husi Zheng, Zhao Wenyuan, and others have colluded with the rebels and committed unforgivable crimes. Their entire families will be exterminated, and their heads will be displayed at the national gate. Their property will be confiscated, and their wives and daughters will be exiled. All those who collude with the rebels will be dealt with in the same manner."

The long list, behind each name is the destruction of a family.

Li Ju stood in the train, his face calm.

Zhao Wenyuan—the former smiling deputy director of the Water Conservancy Bureau who used to stuff people around him—has finally made it onto the list.

This is what happens when you choose the wrong side.

Li Zixiong was brought to the palace.

His hair was disheveled, and he was bound in shackles. The once majestic general now looked like a stray dog.

But he did not bow his head. Instead, he raised his head and glared angrily at the throne, cursing loudly: "Yang Guang! You tyrant! You murdered your father and brothers, indulged in debauchery in the palace, waged endless wars, and brought ruin to the world! Lord Yang's uprising was in accordance with Heaven and the people! Though I die today, someone will surely take your dog's life one day!"

The entire court was in uproar.

Some people lowered their heads, some glanced sideways, and some turned pale with fright.

Yang Guang remained expressionless, not even frowning.

He raised his hand and waved it gently.

"Execute their entire family and hang their heads at the national gate."

Seven words, written lightly, yet carrying immense weight.

Li Zixiong was dragged away, the cursing gradually fading into the distance, and he eventually disappeared outside the palace gate.

The main hall was completely silent.

Yang Guang's gaze swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Li Ju for a moment.

Li Ju stood with his hands at his sides, his eyes lowered, his fingers slightly clenched, showing neither pleasure nor sympathy.

Yang Guang nodded slightly and looked away.

After the court session ended, the officials left the palace one after another.

Li Ju was walking at the back. Just as he stepped out of the palace gate, a voice came from behind him.

"Junior Supervisor Li, please wait."

Li Ju turned around. Yuwen Shu caught up from behind, smiling broadly, but there was no smile in his eyes.

"General Yuwen," Li Ju said, bowing.

Yuwen Shu walked out alongside him, his tone casual, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"Junior Supervisor Li, I have a grandson named Yuwen Chengji (the prototype of Yuwen Chengdu, also known as Queue Brother). He is a forthright and generous man, skilled in archery and horsemanship. I have always wanted him to make friends with some talented young people. If you have time, Junior Supervisor, would you like to visit my residence another day? It would be beneficial for young people to make more connections in their careers."

Li Ju cupped his hands, his tone respectful yet measured: "General Yuwen is too kind. Young Master Yuwen is from a distinguished family, a son of a military family, and I am unworthy of such an honor. Moreover, I have been busy with wedding preparations and grain transport affairs lately, and I am truly unable to spare the time. If there is an opportunity another day, I will certainly pay you a visit."

Yuwen Shu's smile faded slightly.

He stopped and turned to look at Li Ju. His gaze was no longer friendly; it held a hint of scrutiny and coldness.

"Junior Supervisor Li, in all my years in the court, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been refused when I've personally invited someone to my residence." He paused, lowering his voice, "Young man, it's good to have a sense of propriety. But if you go too far, it's just being ungrateful."

These words weren't spoken harshly, but every word was like a nail.

Li Ju remained expressionless and said with his hands at his sides, "General, you are right. I am by no means an ungrateful person, but with the wedding date approaching, I am simply unable to attend to everything. Once the wedding is over, I will definitely come to apologize in person."

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

"Alright. Then I'll be waiting for Li Shaojian to come to my door." He patted Li Ju on the shoulder, quite firmly, "Young man, you have a bright future ahead of you, so don't go astray."

After saying that, he turned and got into the sedan chair, and the curtain fell.

As the sedan chair began to move, Li Ju stood still, watching it disappear into the distance.

His back was already soaked.

Yuwen Shu returned to his residence, changed out of his court robes, and sat down in his study. Yuwen Chengji entered from outside, dressed in a brocade robe with a jade belt at his waist, walking with a swagger and an arrogant expression.

"Grandfather, I heard that the Emperor has bestowed honors upon that Li Ju? A son of a concubine, promoted several ranks in one go, how did he do that?"

Yuwen Shu picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and glanced at his grandson.

"He held Luoyang and cut off Yang Xuangan's supply lines."

Yuwen Chengji curled his lip: "So what? He's just a son of a concubine."

Yuwen Shu put down his teacup, his gaze turning cold.

"Let me tell you, that Li Ju is no simple man. I personally invited him to my residence today, and he dared to refuse."

Yuwen Chengji was taken aback: "He refused?"

"There was no explicit refusal, but it was practically the same as a rejection." Yuwen Shu leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "This young man is neither arrogant nor humble, he doesn't form cliques, and he doesn't take credit for himself. He's a smart man. But smart men are often the hardest to control."

Yuwen Chengji snorted, "Grandfather, you flatter him too much. What trouble can a son of a concubine cause?"

Yuwen Shu looked at him coldly and said, word by word, "If you had half his shrewdness, I wouldn't have to worry about you."

Yuwen Chengji's face flushed red, and he dared not argue any further. He cupped his hands in greeting and withdrew.

Yuwen Shu sat alone in his study, picked up his teacup, but did not drink it.

Li Ju. He murmured the name, his gaze heavy. If this boy cannot be used by the Yuwen family, he will surely be a stumbling block in the future.

He put down his teacup and closed his eyes.

No rush. It's still early.

Meanwhile, at the Zheng residence.

Zheng Guanyin stood by the window of the pavilion, gazing into the distance towards the imperial city.

A commotion arose in the streets—Li Zixiong's head was hanging at the national gate, and the clamor of the onlookers drifted over faintly.

The maid stood behind her and whispered, "Madam, Li Zixiong and his son have been executed."

Zheng Guanyin did not turn around. Her gaze passed over the layers of rooftops, looking towards the magnificent, golden palace.

"To withstand the thunder and the current twice, remaining as steady as Mount Tai, Li Ju truly lives up to that poem," she said softly, a slight smile curving her lips.

The maid asked, puzzled, "Madam, the poem you mentioned..."

Zheng Guanyin did not explain, but turned around and walked back to the table, picked up the scroll of poems, and glanced at it again.

"A fortified city may be impregnable, but ants can easily burrow inside."

She folded the manuscript and tucked it into her sleeve.

"Prepare gifts," she said. "The Wei family has accepted the auspicious omens, and the Zheng family should offer something in return."

The maid acknowledged and left.

Zheng Guanyin sat alone by the window, her gaze deep and unfathomable.

The Najib ceremony was held in the afternoon.

Fan Zigai personally presided over the ceremony, with Li Xiaochang as the chief envoy and Li Ju accompanying him. The main hall of the Wei residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Wei Kuangbo sat in the main seat, while Wei Kuangzan sat to the side.

The betrothal letter and the exchange of marriage certificates have already been verified by divination; today is merely the formal announcement.

Fan Zigai read the marriage certificate aloud in a loud voice, which could be heard throughout the hall.

"...Two families unite in marriage, a covenant is made in one hall. Today, auspicious omens are chosen, and the vow is made for life. May Li and Wei be forever united, and may both family and nation be at peace."

Li Ju knelt to receive the engagement letter, kowtowed, and then stood up.

Wei Kuangbo took the engagement letter, glanced at it, and nodded.

"Junior Supervisor Li, I'm entrusting Gui'er to you."

Li Ju bowed deeply: "Rest assured, Lord Wei, I will not let you down."

Behind the screen, Wei Nizi tugged at Wei Gui's sleeve and whispered, "Sister, did you hear that? 'Peace and prosperity for both family and country!' That's the same interpretation in the divination!"

Wei Gui did not answer. She stood behind the screen, her fingers clutching the jade, a slight soreness in her nose and a warm feeling in her eyes.

She heard it. She heard every single word.

She lowered her head, smiled slightly, and her dimples appeared.

Wei Nizi saw it, chuckled, and didn't say anything.

After the ceremony, Li Ju left the Wei residence. Wei Kuangbo saw him to the door, and the two exchanged a glance without speaking.

Najib's engagement is complete, and the marriage is officially finalized. From this day forward, the Lee and Wei families are formally united by marriage.

The news spread like wildfire throughout Luoyang. In teahouses, taverns, and alleyways, everyone was talking about it.

"Have you heard? Li Shaojian is engaged to the eldest daughter of the Wei family!"

"The Wei family has a good eye!"

"Back then, when Lady Wei rejected the marriage proposal from Li Zixiong's family, many people laughed at her for being too picky. Looking back now, they realize she had foresight!"

"Indeed. Li Shaojian was granted a marquisate and official position at the age of eighteen; what will he be like in the future?"

Amid the discussions, some expressed envy, some jealousy, and some secretly plotted.

But in any case, the engagement was a done deal, and no one dared to covet it anymore.

As night deepened, Li Ju returned to his residence.

Du Chen, Wang Yu, and Zhang Yi arrived together, each bringing their own wine and dishes.

"Young Master, today is a joyous occasion, let's have a drink." Wang Yu put the wine jar on the table and chuckled.

Zhang Yi said in a simple voice, "Junior Supervisor, congratulations! We have long heard of the wisdom and virtue of Madam Wei. It would be wonderful if the Junior Supervisor's family had such a capable wife in the future."

Du Chen didn't offer any congratulations, but simply placed a document on the table: "The accounts for the Najib ceremony have been checked, and there are no problems."

Li Ju nodded and picked up his wine glass.

The four of them drank a round of drinks.

Wang Yu put down his wine cup and suddenly asked, "Junior Supervisor, what did Yuwen Shu say to you today?"

Li Ju said calmly, "To win him over. I want his grandson, Yuwen Chengji, to befriend me."

Wang Yu frowned: "Junior Supervisor, you won't agree to this, will you?"

"No," Li Ju put down his wine glass, "but we can't offend them. We need to keep our distance, neither humble nor arrogant."

Du Chen said, "Yuwen Shu is a military man and a favorite of the Emperor. His attempt to win over the Junior Supervisor shows that the Junior Supervisor has caught his eye. This is both a good thing and a bad thing."

"A good thing is having someone backing you up; a bad thing is being targeted," Wang Yu chimed in.

Zhang Yi scratched his head: "Then what should we do?"

Li Ju picked up his wine cup and slowly took a sip.

"We'll do what we have to do." He put down his wine glass. "We'll do what needs to be done, and defend the city. We won't form cliques, we won't take credit, and we won't give anyone a handle to use against us."

The three nodded.

After drinking a few more cups, Du Chen, Wang Yu, and Zhang Yi got up to say goodbye.

After seeing the three off, Li Ju returned to his study.

He took the jade from his pocket and held it in his palm.

The words on the engagement letter are still vivid in my mind—"May Li Wei be well, and may the family and the country be at peace."