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

Wei Gui straightened his clothes and followed the maid to the front hall.

She didn't go in, but stood behind the curtain.

The curtain is made of thin bamboo, so you can't see inside from the outside, but you can see outside from the inside.

In the main hall, Li Zixiong sat in the guest seat, with Li Min seated to his left. Wei Kuangbo sat in the host seat, his expression thoughtful.

"...Brother Wei, my son fell in love with your niece at first sight. If our two families could become husband and wife, it would be a match made in heaven." Li Zixiong said with a smile, "Last time you said you would discuss it with your family, and today I brought Min'er to visit you in person, which shows my sincerity."

Wei Kuangbo pondered for a moment: "Brother Zixiong is very kind. It is Gui'er's good fortune to have won the favor of Young Master Li. However—"

"Just what?"

Wei Kuangbo glanced behind the curtain and sighed, "Gui'er... she refused before, saying she was still too young and wanted to wait two more years. As her uncle, I couldn't force her."

Li Zixiong waved his hand: "How can we let a young woman's thoughts be entirely dictated by her? Such an important matter should naturally be decided by the elders. Brother Wei, our two families are well-matched, and you have seen Min'er's character and talent. What is there to hesitate about?"

Wei Kuangbo remained silent.

He knew, of course, that a marriage alliance with Li Zixiong would be entirely beneficial to the Wei family. Li Zixiong was the Right General of the Imperial Guard, enjoying the Emperor's favor, and Li Min was also an outstanding member of the elite families in the capital.

But Gui'er...

"Lord Wei," Li Min suddenly spoke, his voice filled with the urgency of youth, "I have fallen in love with your niece at first sight. If I could marry Lady Wei, I would treat her with utmost sincerity and never betray her."

He spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with fervor.

Wei Kuangbo glanced at him, then looked behind the curtain.

Just as he hesitated to speak—

A voice came from behind the curtain.

Clear, calm, neither too high nor too low, yet each word is distinct.

"Master Li, Young Master Li."

Wei Kuangbo was taken aback. Li Zixiong also looked at the bamboo curtain.

Behind the curtain, Wei Gui stood quietly, his demeanor composed.

"Please forgive my niece for being unable to greet you from behind the curtain."

She apologized first, her tone respectful.

"My niece is of humble appearance and lacks talent and learning, and is unfit to serve in a noble household. Moreover, she has been restless lately and often feels weak, which I fear may hinder your future."

Li Zixiong frowned slightly.

Lee Min's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he held back.

Wei Gui continued, "I hope Lord Li will reconsider his offer and choose another virtuous woman. My niece has no intention of marrying early, nor does she wish to burden her family with marriage."

She paused, her voice remaining calm as usual:

"Young Master Li is a talented man, and he already has a suitable match. There is no need for him to favor me. I dare not comply with what you have to say today. I will bear all the blame myself and would not dare to implicate my family."

After he finished speaking, the main hall fell silent.

Li Zixiong's face went from astonishment to embarrassment, and then from embarrassment to ashen.

He, Li Zixiong, personally went to propose marriage, but was rejected to his face by a fourteen-year-old girl—in front of his son.

This is incredibly embarrassing.

But Wei Gui's words were all reasonable. Saying he was "of humble appearance" was self-deprecation, saying he was "physically weak" was an excuse, and saying he "dared not burden the family" was giving his uncle a way out. There was nothing wrong with it, nothing improper about it.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and forced a smile: "Madam Wei is too kind. Since you are not feeling well, let's discuss this another day."

After he finished speaking, he stood up, glanced at Wei Kuangbo, and his eyes turned cold.

"Brother Wei, farewell."

Li Min stood up, his gaze fixed on the bamboo curtain, his eyes filled with reluctance, loss, and a hint of inexplicable awe.

The woman behind the curtain spoke with composure and clarity, leaving no room for argument even in her refusal.

Such a woman...

He clenched his fist and followed his father out of the main hall.

After Li Zixiong and his son left, Wei Kuangbo sat in the main hall in silence for a long time.

Then he got up and went behind the curtain.

Wei Gui was still standing there, his back straight, his face calm, showing no emotion.

"Gui'er." Wei Kuangbo looked at her and sighed.

"Uncle." She stood up and bowed.

"You..." Wei Kuangbo carefully chose his words, "Have you found someone you like?"

Wei Gui remained silent.

"If you have someone you love, tell your uncle. As long as they come from a respectable family and are of good character, your uncle will help you fulfill your wish."

Wei Gui lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then shook his head.

"No," she said. "My niece just... doesn't want to get married yet."

Wei Kuangbo looked at her with a complicated expression.

This niece has been very opinionated since she was little. You can't get her to talk about things she doesn't want to.

"Fine." He waved his hand. "Since you're unwilling, your uncle won't force you. I'll go and refuse Li Zixiong."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Wei Kuangbo glanced at her, then walked away.

Wei Gui stood there, and only after hearing his uncle's footsteps gradually fade into the distance did he slowly exhale.

Her palms were sweaty.

Back in her room, she closed the door, leaned against it, and closed her eyes.

Li Ju.

She can't say yet.

His status wasn't high enough. If she spoke up now, her uncle wouldn't agree, nor would the clan. In the eyes of the Wei family, a son born out of wedlock, even if he became an eighth-rank official, was not worthy of a legitimate daughter.

She has to wait.

Wait until he goes further and stands higher.

By then—

She opened her eyes, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

In the courtyard, the magnolia tree was in full bloom, its petals as white as snow, swaying gently in the spring breeze.

She reached out, plucked a petal, and placed it in her palm.

Then he took out the jade piece engraved with "Chang Le · Huai Run" from his sleeve and held it together with the flower petals.

The jade is warm and smooth, and the petals are slightly cool.

======

Li Ju sat in the duty room with a letter spread out in front of him.

The letter was delivered by Wei Nizi this morning. The little girl shoved the letter into his hand, said, "My sister told me to hurry up and give it to you," and ran off with the food box, not even bothering to ask for the candied hawthorns.

He unfolded the letter, and Wei Gui's handwriting came into view:

I was greatly pleased to hear of your promotion to Chief Clerk of the Grand Canal Transport Office. You are not yet twenty, yet you have already shouldered such a heavy responsibility; it is truly remarkable. I hope you will remain diligent from beginning to end, neither failing your superiors nor betraying your own aspirations.

Li Zixiong and his son came again, but I refused them outright. This matter is now settled; please do not dwell on it.

The political arena is treacherous. Your recent great achievements will surely attract envious eyes who will try to take advantage. I urge you to act cautiously and guard against any attempts to sabotage you.

The osmanthus cake was excellent; the boy was overjoyed to eat it. Your ingenuity is truly remarkable.

The letter ended without a signature, only with a magnolia petal pressed on it.

Li Ju picked up the petal.

Magnolia, as white as jade, as elegant as an orchid.

The petals are her.

She is waiting for him.

When he has enough status, when he stands at a level that matches her.

He carefully placed the petals back into the envelope and tucked them into his pocket along with the letter.

"Sir!" A clerk rushed in, his face panicked. "Something's happened!"

Li Ju looked up: "Speak."

"There was trouble at the dock. Wang Laosi and his men blocked the entrance to Warehouse C, saying that our loading and unloading team had stolen his manpower and that they wouldn't let us into the warehouse. Deputy Chief Chen went to negotiate, but he was pushed and fell over."