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

In the afternoon, a sweet and glutinous aroma wafted from the kitchen.

Wearing an apron, Wei Gui took the steamed osmanthus cakes out of the steamer and arranged them on a celadon plate.

The cake is milky white, adorned with golden osmanthus blossoms, and is crystal clear.

Li Ju stood beside her, kneading dough—the dough for the milk custard needed to rest for half an hour. He kneaded it with concentration, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Sixth Brother, take a rest." Wei Gui wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

"I'm not tired." Li Ju continued massaging. "I promised Nizi, I can't go back on my word."

Wei Gui smiled and turned to boil the milk.

A copper pot is placed on a charcoal stove, and the milk is slowly heated, with a layer of milk skin floating on the surface.

She gently picked it up with bamboo chopsticks and put it into a small bowl—this was something Li Ju taught her, calling it "milk skin," which is extremely nourishing.

"What else do we need to do?" she asked.

Li Ju covered the kneaded dough with a damp cloth, washed his hands, and took out a small ceramic jar from the cabinet. Inside were small, round, black beads.

"What is this?" Wei Gui leaned closer to take a look.

"Pearl balls," Li Ju said, "made from tapioca flour. Cook them until soft, add them to milk tea, and then add some honey, and that's... milk pearl tea."

"That's a rather unusual name. Did you see it outside?" Wei Gui picked up a pearl and examined it in his palm. "A pearl? It does resemble one."

"I've seen it in Jiangnan before, and I remember how to make it. I thought Nizi would like it."

Li Ju smiled as she took the earthenware pot and poured the tapioca pearls into the boiling water.

Before long, the tapioca pearls floated to the surface, becoming translucent and clear, with a faint black dot showing through in the center.

He took it out, rinsed it in cold water, put it into the brewed milk tea, added a spoonful of honey, and handed it to her.

Wei Gui took it and sipped it. The milk tea was rich and creamy, the honey sweet and refreshing, and the tapioca pearls were soft, chewy, and delicious. Her eyes lit up slightly.

"It tastes good."

"This is for Wei Nizi," Li Ju said. "Take it with you when you return to your parents' home. It's also... an extra portion on top of the milk custard I promised her."

Looking at the cup of milk tea, Wei Gui felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He may seem aloof, but he's actually very thoughtful. He never forgets what he's promised.

The two of them spent the afternoon busy in the kitchen. They filled two food boxes with osmanthus cake, milk crisps, milk pearl tea, and several other small snacks. Wei Gui closed the food boxes, tied them with string, and placed them in a cool, shady place.

"Is that enough?" she asked.

"That's enough." Li Ju washed his hands. "When we return to our parents' home the day after tomorrow, we can buy some more seasonal fruits, and then we'll have everything we need."

Wei Gui nodded, looking at his sleeves stained white with flour, and couldn't help but laugh: "Sixth Brother, you look like a cook."

Li Ju looked down and smiled, "The cook is not bad either. At least you won't go hungry."

It was late at night, in the bedroom.

Wei Gui sat in front of her dressing table, her face, now without hairpins and ornaments, reflected in the bronze mirror.

Li Ju stood behind her and untied her hair.

His black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. He picked up a comb and gently combed it through, strand by strand.

"Sixth Brother." Wei Gui looked at him in the mirror.

"Um."

I want to... cut a lock of your hair.

Li Ju paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay."

Wei Gui turned around and took out a small pair of silver scissors from her dressing case.

Li Ju lowered her head, gently cutting off a strand of his hair from his temple, and then cutting off a strand of her own. She joined the two strands together, carefully twisting them with her fingers to form two concentric knots.

The knots are small, only the size of a thumb, but they are woven extremely tightly and densely.

She held the love knot in her palm, looked at it for a moment, then took out a red string from her dressing case, wrapped it around the knot, and tied it tightly.

"Liulang, this is for you." She handed him one of them, "I'll keep one for myself."

Li Ju took it and placed it in his palm. The red rope and black hair were intertwined, making it impossible to tell which strand was his and which was hers.

He put the love knot into his inner pocket, placing it together with the jade.

"Ze Niang," he said softly.

"Um."

"I will wear this knot forever."

Wei Gui nodded, revealing two small dimples.

The lights went out. On the bed, Wei Gui leaned on his shoulder, her long hair spread out on the pillow.

"I've been busy all day," Li Ju said. "I'll take you to the Luo River tomorrow."

"After visiting the Luo River, I'd like to go to the White Horse Temple to offer incense," Wei Gui said softly. "Next year we'll be conquering Liaodong, and I want to pray for your well-being. I pray for smooth shipping and for your safety."

Li Ju pulled her closer.

"Okay. Let's go together tomorrow."

Wei Gui closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest. Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The next morning.

They both woke up late. The morning light shone through the window curtains and fell warmly on the bed.

Wei Gui opened her eyes and met Li Ju's gaze. He was already awake, looking at her with a faint smile in his eyes.

"Mukuro, morning."

"morning."

She reached out to touch his face, but her hand touched a place she shouldn't have.

She froze for a moment, then her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly withdrew her hand.

Li Ju was also slightly taken aback, coughed lightly, and turned his head away.

The tent was quiet for a moment, with only the sound of their breathing mingling.

Wei Gui recalled the booklet her aunt had secretly slipped to her the night before her wedding, along with those whispered words. She bit her lip and slowly sat up.

"Liulang." Her voice was very soft.

"Um?"

She stopped speaking, and Li Ju closed her eyes, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

After a moment, he raised his hand and gently pressed it on her shoulder, his voice low and husky: "That's enough."

Wei Gui raised her head, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glistening with tears.

He pulled her close to his chest, his palm against the warm nape of her neck.

The tent fell silent.

Wei Gui buried her face in his chest, refusing to look up.

He laughed, a muffled laugh coming from his chest.

The two lingered on the couch for a while longer before finally getting up.

Wei Gui dressed him, and he did her hair. The woman in the mirror had a spring-like look in her eyes, and was even more charming than before.

The two changed into plain clothes, tidied their appearance and hair, and then drove to Luoshui.

The Luo River shimmers in the autumn light. Grain boats ply the water, their sails casting long shadows. The willows on both banks are already somewhat withered and yellow, rustling softly in the wind.

Li Ju stopped the carriage on the riverbank and helped Wei Gui down. The two stood side by side on the river embankment, gazing at the familiar water.

"I first saw you here two years ago at the Luoshui Gathering," Wei Gui said softly.

Li Ju turned his head to look at her: "You saw me?"

"Yes. You were writing poetry on the shore when your father scolded you, crumpled the manuscript into a ball, and threw it into the water." Wei Gui's lips curled slightly. "I had someone retrieve it."

Li Ju was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"That poem almost cost me my life."

"It almost cost me my life," Wei Gui said softly. "If it weren't for that poem, I wouldn't have refused Li Min's marriage proposal, I wouldn't have met you, I wouldn't—"

She didn't continue.

Li Ju took her hand.

"War is about to break out again." Wei Gui sighed softly as he looked at the grain ships on the river.

"At the latest, next spring," Li Ju said.

"Years of campaigns against Liaodong have exhausted the people." Wei Gui's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible sorrow. "Sixth Brother, tell me, when will this war end?"

Li Ju remained silent for a long time.

"We can't stop it from happening." He gazed at the distant horizon, his eyes deep and thoughtful. "But we can prepare for what happens afterward."

Wei Gui turned his head and looked at his profile.

His eyes were deep, like bottomless pools. She knew her man was doing something—things she didn't know, things she couldn't ask about, things she couldn't tell.

But she didn't ask.

She simply gripped his hand tighter.

She supported him no matter what he did.

An autumn breeze blew across the river, carrying moisture and coolness. In the distance, a grain ship slowly passed by, its sails billowing, heading north.

Wei Gui leaned on Li Ju's shoulder and whispered, "Let's go to Baima Temple this afternoon. I'll get you a peace charm."

"it is good."

"You must carry this with you at all times, and you are not allowed to take it off."

"it is good."

"And don't lose it."

"it is good."