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

When Zheng Jibo's carriage stopped in front of the Li residence, the sun was just beginning to set.

He visited in person, without a butler, only having servants carry two gift boxes behind him.

The box contains top-quality Huzhou brushes, Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and a jar of twenty-year-old aged wine.

The gift may not be elaborate, but it reflects the thought behind it—these are things that scholars appreciate.

Li Ju received him in the main hall, cupping his hands and saying, "Your presence at my humble abode, Lord Zheng, is an honor."

Zheng Jibo returned the greeting and said with a smile, "You're too kind, Vice Director Li. My daughter, Guanyin, often recites your poems. I've come today for two reasons: first, to congratulate you on your marriage, and second, to have a few words with you."

The two sat down as host and guest, and a maid served tea.

Zheng Jibo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "Junior Supervisor Li, I have served in the court for many years and have seen many young people who have achieved success. Some are arrogant, some are cautious, some are cunning, and some are honest. But you—I cannot see through you."

Li Ju remained unmoved: "Lord Zheng is joking. I am but a lowly official; what virtue or ability do I possess that Lord Zheng cannot see through me?"

Zheng Jibo put down his teacup, looked at him, and his gaze deepened.

"Junior Supervisor Li, there's no need for modesty. No one in the entire court could have foreseen Yang Xuangan's rebellion. Only you saw through his intentions, made arrangements in advance, and cut off his lifeline. I have never seen such a farsighted person before."

He paused, then his tone became more serious: "In the future, the Zheng, Wei, and Li families should maintain close contact. If the Junior Supervisor is in the court and needs anything, I am willing to do my best."

Li Ju rose, cupped his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner: "I will remember Lord Zheng's kindness. However, I am young and have many affairs to attend to at court, so I am afraid I will not have time to entertain him. I only know how to serve the public and abide by the law, and I dare not form cliques or engage in private activities."

Zheng Jibo laughed heartily and waved his hand: "It's alright. The Junior Supervisor should just focus on state affairs. There's Lord Wei at home and me outside. Forming cliques for personal gain? I despise nothing more than forming cliques for personal gain. It's just a few families being close and looking out for each other, what does that count as forming a clique?"

The two exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.

Li Ju sat down again, picked up his teacup, and offered a toast to Zheng Jibo.

"Since Lord Zheng has said so, I will respectfully comply. If I have any questions in the future, I will definitely come to your door to seek your advice."

Zheng Jibo nodded in satisfaction, chatted for a few more minutes, and then got up to take his leave.

Li Ju saw him off at the door, and as he watched Zheng Jibo's carriage drive away, his brow furrowed slightly.

Zheng Jibo was exceptionally shrewd and would not do anything pointless.

His frequent and proactive attempts to curry favor indicate that he has already regarded Li Ju as a worthy investment target.

But Li Ju knew that the Zheng family's aligning themselves with him was both an aid and a shackle.

Getting too close would be seen as forming a faction by Yang Guang; going too far would offend the Zheng family.

You need to be careful to strike the right balance.

He turned and went back to the mansion, saying to the steward, "Keep the gifts sent by Lord Zheng safe. Prepare a generous return gift and send it to Lord Zheng's residence in a couple of days."

The butler agreed.

The inner palace, a side hall of Zhaoyang Palace.

Empress Xiao reclined on the couch, casually flipping through a book in her hand. A maidservant refilled her tea beside her and whispered, "Your Majesty, I heard that Li Shaojian, the official in charge of Luoyang, is going to marry the eldest daughter of the Wei family. It's all over Luoyang."

Empress Xiao paused for a moment and put down the book.

"Li Ju?" she murmured the name, her tone indifferent. "Is he the young man who defended Luoyang and cut off the rebels' supply lines during Yang Xuangan's rebellion?"

"Indeed. Not only the Wei family, but the Zheng family is also frequently in contact," the maid said. "He is now the Junior Supervisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau and the Marquis of Wu'an County, a fifth-rank official. He is only eighteen years old."

Empress Xiao picked up her teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "A young hero and a lady from a noble family are indeed a good match."

She paused, her gaze deepening slightly, as if she were thinking about something, or perhaps looking at something.

"But..." she put down her teacup, her voice softening, "to have already gained power at such a young age, I'm afraid... there will be no peace in the future."

The maidservant's heart skipped a beat, and she dared not reply.

Empress Xiao picked up the book again, turned a page, and said indifferently, "Never mind. It has nothing to do with me."

But her gaze did not fall on the book.

The study in the Wei residence.

The night was deep, and the candlelight flickered faintly. Wei Kuangbo sat alone behind his desk, holding a scroll in his hand, but he did not read it.

"Someone, go and fetch Gui'er."

The maidservant responded, and shortly after, Wei Gui pushed open the door and entered, bowing and saying, "Uncle."

"Sit down," Wei Kuangbo said, pointing to the seat opposite him.

Wei Gui sat down and waited with his hands at his sides.

Wei Kuangbo looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke in a voice that was gentler than usual: "Gui'er, after marrying into the Li family, you will be a member of the Li family. Li Ju has a bright future, but serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."

The political landscape at court is ever-changing; today's meritorious official may be tomorrow's traitor. Your task is to safeguard his home front and prevent him from being distracted.

Wei Gui lowered her head: "My niece understands."

"Furthermore," Wei Kuangbo paused, "Li Ju is born out of wedlock, and his stepmother treats him coldly. After you marry into the family, you should fulfill your proper duties, but you don't need to deliberately try to please her. You are the legitimate daughter of the Wei family; you don't need to be subservient to anyone."

"My niece has taken note."

Wei Kuangbo sighed, his gaze becoming distant: "Your father passed away early, and this is all your uncle can do for you. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."

Wei Gui raised his head, his eyes slightly red, and gave a deep bow.

"I will never forget my uncle's great kindness."

Wei Kuangbo waved his hand, got up, walked to the window, and opened it. The night breeze blew in, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus.

"Go. Prepare well. Your uncle will see you off on the eighteenth of October."

Wei Gui agreed and left the study.

She stood under the eaves, gazing at the moon in the sky, and took out the jade from her sleeve, holding it in her palm.

Chang Le. Huai Run.

She read it aloud softly, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

Three days before the wedding.

According to custom, the newlyweds are not allowed to meet.

Li Ju sat alone in his study, a handkerchief embroidered by Wei Gui spread out in front of him.

The handkerchief was embroidered with a magnolia branch, the stitches were fine and the petals were outstretched, as if it were alive.

He looked at it for a while, then folded the handkerchief and put it into his pocket.

There were piles of documents from the Water Conservancy Bureau on the desk. He opened one, wrote a few lines, and then put it down.

I can't calm down.

He got up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The night breeze blew in, carrying the chill of late autumn.

Even the most composed person can become flustered as their wedding day approaches.

It'll be soon. Three more days.

The backyard of the Wei residence.

Wei Nizi ran in from outside, panting, carrying a food box in his hands.

"Sister! Sister! Li Huairun sent this over! He said it's for you to eat before bed!"

Wei Gui took the food box and opened it. The aroma of milk filled the air, and inside were several small, golden-yellow milk shortbread squares, neatly arranged.

She picked up a piece and took a small bite.

The flaky pastry crumbles between your teeth, releasing a milky aroma that's sweet but not cloying.

Very sweet.

Wei Nizi leaned over the table, looking at it longingly: "Sister, I want to eat too."

Wei Gui pushed the food box over, and Wei Nizi picked up a piece, ate it in a few bites, and then picked up another piece.

"Sister, Li Huairun is so good to you," Wei Nizi said indistinctly. "When I get married, I want to find someone who can make milk custard."