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

He released her lips and kissed his way down her jaw to her earlobe.

Her body trembled slightly, and she let out a very soft moan, like a frightened little animal, or a sigh that had been suppressed for a long time.

"My lord..." she called to him, her voice slightly hoarse.

He didn't respond, but picked her up and carried her horizontally.

She was much lighter than Wei Gui, with a slender yet delicate figure; holding her in one's arms felt like holding a soft, warm piece of silk.

Her arms naturally encircled his neck, her face buried in the crook of his neck, her breath hot and rapid against his skin.

He placed her on the bed.

The candlelight flickered outside the tent, casting a dim light inside.

Yuwen Yue lay on the brocade quilt, his long hair spread out on the pillow like a black waterfall.

The ties on her nightgown had loosened slightly during their earlier tenderness, and the neckline was slightly open, making the skin around her neck appear even whiter. Her collarbone was hidden among the folds of the fabric, appearing and disappearing.

The candlelight was dim and soft, casting a warm glow over her, even softening the texture of her clothes.

Li Ju looked at her, his Adam's apple bobbing almost imperceptibly, and a hint of warmth spreading through the calmness in his eyes.

She did not avoid his gaze, but her cheeks became increasingly flushed, like peach blossoms in early spring, the blush spreading quietly from her ears to her neck, even the tips of her ears were tinged with a thin layer of pink.

The fabric slid down gently and silently, piling up beside the couch, concealing most of her figure, leaving only the curves of her shoulders, neck, and waist, faintly visible in the candlelight, as delicate as solidified cream, shimmering with a faint pearly sheen.

Li Ju's fingertips gently brushed across her collarbone, slowly moving down to her waist, his movements so gentle as if afraid of disturbing something.

She trembled slightly, her fingertips gripping the brocade quilt on the bed. She bit her lip, swallowing the soft sounds, but her body unconsciously arched slightly, gently pressing against his palm, her eyes filled with shyness and tenderness.

Inside the tent, only the sound of their intertwined breathing and the soft rustling of the brocade quilt could be heard.

......

After a storm, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped.

The two lay down in each other's arms, their breathing gradually calming down.

Yuwen Yue nestled against his chest, her fingers gently tracing circles on his skin, her voice tinged with post-coital languor and satisfaction: "My lord."

"Um."

"You were very gentle just now."

Li Ju looked down at her. Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes were still wet, and a faint smile played on her lips, making her look more charming than usual.

"You are beautiful too," he said.

Yuwen Yue buried her face in his chest and chuckled softly, the sound muffled and tinged with shyness.

"Aren't you afraid I'll take your words seriously, my lord?"

Why be afraid?

She didn't answer, but simply hugged him tighter.

They lingered tenderly for a few more moments. He gently tidied her disheveled hair, and she straightened his clothes. Their fingers occasionally brushed against each other, sending a subtle electric current through them.

"My lord," she suddenly said.

"Um."

"Madam...would you mind?"

Li Ju remained silent for a moment.

"She won't," he said, "but from now on, you should show her more respect."

Yuwen Yue nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Outside the window, the snow started falling again sometime earlier.

Silent all night.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Li Ju opened his eyes; Yuwen Yue was already awake. She was lying on her side, one hand supporting her chin, quietly looking at him with an indescribable tenderness in her eyes.

"What are you looking at?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

She smiled slightly, did not answer, got up and sat down at the dressing table, and began to comb her hair.

Li Ju sat up and put on her outer robe. Morning light filtered through the window curtains, falling on her and making her profile appear soft and jade-like. She combed her hair slowly, strand by strand, from root to tip, with focused ease.

He stood up, walked behind her, and took the comb from her hand. She paused slightly, looked at him in the mirror, and said nothing.

He combed her hair a few times, his movements clumsy but gentle.

Yuwen Yue smiled slightly and said softly, "My lord, let me do it myself."

He put down the comb, and she stood up, turned around, and straightened his clothes.

With nimble fingers, he tied the sash, smoothed out the wrinkles at the hem of his robe, stepped back, looked him up and down, and nodded in satisfaction.

"For matters concerning the household, you may consult Ze Niang," Li Ju said.

"Yes." Yuwen Yue lowered his eyes, his voice calm.

Li Ju glanced at her, then turned and left the east wing.

Yuwen Yue stood at the doorway, watching his figure disappear around the corner of the corridor. The morning light fell on her face, illuminating her clear and deep eyes.

She let out a soft breath, turned around and went back into the room, sat down in front of the dressing table, and continued to comb her hair.

The woman in the mirror has spring-like eyes and a faint smile on her lips.

In the main courtyard, Wei Gui had already gotten up. She was doing her hair and makeup when she saw Li Ju enter. She glanced at him in the mirror and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"Mukuro, morning."

"Good morning." Li Ju sat down beside her, picked up the comb on the table, and began to comb her hair.

Neither of them mentioned what happened last night. Some things are better left unsaid.

In the afternoon, the sky cleared after the snow.

Sunlight streamed through the windows into the main hall, making the remaining snow on the ground shine.

Li Ju and Wei Gui were sitting facing each other drinking tea when suddenly hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

The butler rushed in, his face tense: "My lord, young mistress, the eunuch from the palace has arrived with an imperial decree!"

Li Ju put down his teacup, exchanged a glance with Wei Gui, and got up to walk out.

The imperial eunuch, accompanied by two guards, entered the main hall through the still-unmelted snow.

Holding the imperial edict in his hands, he proclaimed loudly, "Li Ju, Marquis of Wu'an County, receive the edict!"

Li Ju and Wei Gui immediately knelt down.

The imperial eunuch unfolded the decree, his voice booming: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Ju, Marquis of Wu'an County, has diligently performed his duties and rendered meritorious service in managing the grain transport. He is hereby promoted from Chief Water Transport Commissioner to Chief Water Transport Supervisor, and elevated to the rank of Fourth-Rank Chief Water Transport Supervisor, overseeing all grain transport within the realm. This is the imperial decree!"

Li Ju kowtowed: "Your subject, Li Ju, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

The eunuch then unfolded a second imperial edict: "The decree reads: Lady Wei, wife of Li Ju, is gentle, virtuous, and capable in managing the household. She is hereby conferred the title of Lady of Wu'an County. This is the imperial decree!"

Wei Gui kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I, Wei Gui, thank you for your great kindness!"

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict smiled and handed over the two edicts, saying, "Supervisor Li is young and promising, and Lady Hou is virtuous and kind. His Majesty values ​​them highly. Now that the expedition to Liaodong is imminent, the heavy responsibility of transporting grain rests entirely on Supervisor Li's shoulders."

Li Ju accepted the imperial edict, cupped his hands, and said, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust."

The eunuch delivering the decree exchanged a few more polite words and then left with his guards.

The main hall fell silent. Wei Gui looked at the imperial edict of investiture in his hand, his eyes filled with satisfaction, yet he remained unassuming.

She looked up at Li Ju and said softly, "Sixth Brother, congratulations. But from now on, you'll probably be even busier."

Li Ju grasped her hand, his expression solemn: "Zeniang, this is both an honor and a heavy responsibility. With the Three Expeditions imminent, the Grand Canal is the lifeline of grain supplies, and I cannot afford to make the slightest mistake."

Wei Gui nodded, put away the imperial edict, and straightened his collar: "Then go. I will take care of the Changsun family, the nun, and all the affairs of the mansion. Just do your best and don't overwork yourself. Remember to return to the mansion on time."