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

October 18th, the ninth year of the Daye era.

Before dawn, the Li residence was already brightly lit.

Li Ju bathed and changed into a bright red wedding dress, wearing a black gauze hat, a jade belt, and black boots.

The boy in the bronze mirror had a handsome face with a rare gentleness in his eyes. He touched the love knot in his arms—it was made of Wei Gui's black hair, and he had kept it close to his body for two years.

"Junior Supervisor, it's time to depart." Wang Yu urged from outside the door. Today, he was acting as a groomsman and had changed into a new outfit, looking unusually serious.

Li Ju took a deep breath and pushed open the door to go out.

The wedding procession was grand and impressive. It started from the Li residence, passed through the main streets of Luoyang, and headed towards the Wei residence.

With drums and music leading the way, an eight-bearer sedan chair carried the bride in the middle, followed by a long line of servants carrying the dowry. The people lined the streets to watch, discussing the spectacle.

"Junior Supervisor Li is getting married!"

"The eldest daughter of the Wei family, she's the most beautiful woman in Luoyang!"

"A perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Li Ju rode ahead on horseback, his expression calm, but his hand gripping the reins tightened slightly.

Lanterns and colorful decorations were hung in front of the Wei residence.

Wei Nizi, accompanied by several maids, blocked the doorway to the boudoir, hands on hips, looking smug.

Li Ju walked to the door, cupped his hands, and said, "Miss Wei, please open the door."

"No way!" Wei Nizi raised his chin. "If you want to pick up my sister, write a poem first! If you can't, you're not allowed in!"

Li Ju smiled, pondered for a moment, and then said loudly:

"The autumn light of the Luo River reflects her jade-like hair; the beautiful daughter of the Wei family leans against the cloud-like railing."

Today we welcome them back to our hall, laughing as we compare mandarin ducks to pheasants.

Wei Nizi blinked, shaking his head: "No, no, that's too easy! One more!"

Wei Gui's voice came from inside the door, as soft as the wind blowing through flower petals: "Nizi, stop fooling around."

Wei Ni stuck out his tongue and opened the door.

In the boudoir, Wei Gui sat upright on the edge of the bed. Li Ju entered, his steps slower than usual. He stopped in front of her, his heart pounding like a drum.

He composed himself and began to recite the poem, following conventional wisdom:

"Her beautiful face is hidden behind the fan of love, half shy and half joyful."

Please go and admire the full moon, so that your beloved can see it clearly.

Wei Gui's hand trembled slightly as he slowly lowered the fan, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty.

The golden hairpin on her crown swayed slightly, reflecting her beautifully shaped face.

Her eyes were bright, like pools of spring water, reflecting his image.

Li Ju was stunned for a moment.

He had seen her many times: her blurry silhouette in the twilight of the Luo River, a fleeting glimpse beneath the pine trees of Mangshan Mountain, her lowered profile under the eaves of Baima Temple, and her gaze appearing and disappearing behind the screen.

But never before had she been like this—adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, her red makeup as fiery as fire, she was his bride.

He said softly, "My wife, I've come to get you."

Wei Gui lowered his eyes and nodded gently.

"Get in the sedan chair!" the master of ceremonies shouted.

Li Ju bent down, scooped one hand under Wei Gui's legs and wrapped the other around her back, and lifted her up in his arms.

She was very tall, very heavy, and had a voluptuous figure; she was much heavier than an average woman when you held her.

But he held her very firmly, his arms tightening around her, cradling her entirely in his embrace.

Wei Gui wrapped his arms around his neck, buried his face in the side of his neck, and felt his warm breath.

Li Ju carried her through the corridor, through the main hall, and through the gate of the Wei residence.

Wei Kuangbo stood under the eaves, watching this scene, his eyes slightly red. Wei Kuangzan patted him on the shoulder without saying a word.

The bridal sedan chair stopped outside the Wei residence. It was a bright red sedan chair with phoenixes and peonies embroidered in gold thread. Li Ju gently placed Wei Gui into the sedan chair, stepped back, and lowered the curtain.

"Lift the sedan chair—"

With drums and music playing, the bridal sedan chair was lifted, and the grand wedding procession headed towards the Li residence.

Li Ju rode ahead on horseback, glancing back every now and then at the bridal sedan chair behind him. The curtains remained motionless, but he knew that she was sitting inside, clutching that piece of jade in her hand.

People in Luoyang lined the streets to watch and discuss the scene.

"The bride has been brought out!"

"The eldest daughter of the Wei family, what a grand entrance!"

"Junior Supervisor Li is truly blessed!"

The bridal sedan chair passed through the main street, turned into the alley, and stopped in front of the Li family mansion.

Li Ju dismounted, walked to the sedan chair, and lifted the curtain.

Wei Gui sat upright in the sedan chair, his hands folded on his knees, his fingers slightly white.

"My wife," he said softly, extending his hand.

Wei Gui gently placed his hand on his palm; it was slightly cool and trembling.

He gripped her tightly and led her out of the bridal sedan chair.

"Cross over the fire basin—" the master of ceremonies shouted.

A charcoal fire burned in front of the door, the flames leaping and casting a rosy glow on the two people's faces.

Li Ju held her hand and whispered, "Lift your foot and step over."

She did as instructed, lifting her foot and stepping steadily over the brazier. To dispel bad luck and welcome good fortune.

The two, holding hands with a red ribbon, entered the main hall of the Li residence.

In the main hall, Wei Kuangbo and Li Xiaochang were seated on either side. Wei Kuangzan, Wei Feng, and other members of the Wei family stood to one side.

Fan Zigai served as the master of ceremonies; he had white hair and a long beard, and his voice was as loud as a bell.

Li Ju and Wei Gui held red silk ribbons and performed the wedding ceremony.

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

The two turned around and bowed deeply towards the door.

"Bowing to the parents a second time!"

He turned around and knelt down before Wei Kuangbo and Li Xiaochang.

Wei Kuangbo's eyes were slightly red, and Li Xiaochang's expression was complicated. He nodded.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

The two stood facing each other and bowed deeply.

Fan Zigai announced loudly, "The ceremony is complete! Escort them to the bridal chamber!"

The room erupted in applause. Wei Nizi clapped beside him, but his eyes were red-rimmed.

In the new house, red candles burned brightly.

The nuptial wine was laid out on the table, two bronze wine cups tied with red ropes. Li Ju and Wei Gui each held one, each drank half a cup, exchanged cups, and drank the rest.

Wei Gui lowered his head, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and his fingertips turned white.

Li Ju put down his wine cup and said softly, "From now on, call me Huai Run."

Wei Gui raised his eyes and said softly, "Huai Run."

The voice was as soft as a sigh, yet it struck his heart heavily.

Li Ju grasped her hand, his palm warm: "Ze Niang."

Wei Gui was taken aback—that was her maiden name, which she had never told anyone. She had only told Wei Nizi, and even her uncle didn't know.

How did you know...?

"Niko told me," Li Ju smiled. "She said only close relatives can call her that."

Wei Gui's ears turned bright red, and she lowered her head, burying her face in his chest.

The red candle burst into flames, crackling and popping.

As night deepened, all the guests departed.

Only the two of them remained in the bridal chamber. The red candles flickered, illuminating the entire room. Wei Gui sat on the edge of the bed, head bowed, his fingers twisting the hem of his clothes.

Li Ju walked over, squatted down in front of her, and looked up at her.

She was very tall. Even when sitting, she was almost eye-to-eye with him. When she stood up, she was half a head taller than him. The phoenix coronet and wedding gown made her look even more slender, like a lotus emerging from the water.

"Ze Niang," he called softly.

Wei Gui raised his eyes, his gaze filled with shyness, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness.

Li Ju reached out and gently removed her phoenix crown, placing it aside.

Her black hair fell loose, draped over her shoulders, making her skin appear as white as snow.

He then untied her wedding robes, piece by piece, very slowly, as if afraid of breaking them.

Wei Gui's body trembled slightly, but he did not flinch.

He stood up, bent down, and kissed her lips.

At first it was very light, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes trembled, and her fingers gripped his shirt.

Gradually, the kiss became more lingering, his tongue prying open her lips and teeth, entwining and sucking.

Her breathing quickened, and her fingers, which had been clenching, began to cling and climb up his neck.

His lips moved from her lips to her earlobe and gently took it in.

Wei Gui trembled and let out a very soft groan.

"Huai Run..." she called his name, her voice trembling.

"Mmm," he responded, his lips tracing down her neck and lingering at her collarbone.

Her skin was very white, as white as the finest mutton fat jade, and it shone with a warm luster under the candlelight.

His hand slipped inside her clothes, his fingertips touching that soft spot.

Wei Gui's body tensed up suddenly, and he pressed his hands down on Wei Gui's hands.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered.

Her hand slowly loosened.

One by one, their clothes were removed and left on the edge of the bed.