Next.
Wei Hong continued with some pleasantries, asking about where Wei Tu was staying, his daily expenses, and how he was getting along with the Li family.
Regarding these matters.
Wei Tu did not have much to hide, though he still pondered for a brief moment before answering, carefully weighing his words.
For instance, he chose to conceal the fact that Li Yaozu had once coveted Xinghua.
"Your Second Aunt still has some private savings. I can lend them to you temporarily to use as Xinghua’s redemption money, or I could go myself..."
"It really isn't right for Xinghua to remain a maid at the Li residence forever."
"As for a place to stay, there are still many guest rooms in the Huang residence. I’ll take the liberty of picking one out for you two."
At this point, Wei Hong arched her brows and twisted her handkerchief. Her face suddenly took on a sharp, shrewish air, and she huffed, speaking quickly
"That Li Yaozu is a stingy man. You shouldn't have needed that much silver for your redemption back then. How could he have the nerve to ask for eleven taels and five mace?"
"Even at eight taels and eight mace, he was still making a profit, and he wanted to use that to make you owe him a favor."
As a merchant's wife, Wei Hong had been influenced by her years in the Huang residence and was extremely sensitive to the market price of servants. At a glance, she saw through the "treachery" of Li Yaozu and his wife.
"Master Li and the Mistress of the Li family were willing to let me redeem myself without making things difficult, and they even recommended me to Master Shan afterward..."
"There's no need to dwell too much on such small profits."
Wei Tu shook his head, not wanting Wei Hong to continue scrutinizing this matter.
Three years ago, he had estimated his redemption fee to be around ten taels—perhaps a little more, perhaps a little less.
But the exact amount was hard to gauge, as it relied entirely on the conscience of the Li family.
Unlike buying goods at a shop, he had no bargaining power when it came to his redemption fee; he could only let Li Yaozu and his wife set the price.
"Fine, Wei-ge'er, let's not talk about that then. About Xinghua's redemption, what do you think..." Wei Hong asked with a smile.
"There is no need to trouble you with this, Second Aunt."
Wei Tu shook his head and said, "If I had wanted to borrow money to redeem Xinghua’s contract, I would have asked Master Shan when I was at the Shan residence."
The piebald horse was worth a hundred taels, and Shan Wuju was willing to lend it to him; the money to redeem Xinghua likely wouldn't even reach ten taels... Wei Tu believed that if he only asked, Shan Wuju would certainly lend it to him.
Not only would Shan Wuju lend it to him, but even those who wanted to curry favor with him—even Shan Fang, who had "feuded" with him—would be more than happy to do so if they found out.
Redeeming his wife for him...
That would be a massive favor!
"It was Second Aunt who was reckless." Hearing this, Wei Hong’s smile stiffened, and the shrewish air about her vanished completely.
—She could hear the sense of distance in Wei Tu's words.
He would rather borrow from Shan Wuju than from her; the meaning was clear: in Wei Tu's heart, she, his Second Aunt, was far inferior to Shan Wuju.
"I spend all day hunting geese, only to have my eyes pecked out by one in the end," Wei Hong sighed inwardly.
When the martial examination ended today, she had assumed that because Wei Tu recognized her as kin without any resistance, he wanted to use that connection to cling to the Huang family's wealth...
However, upon learning that Wei Tu’s master was Shan Wuju, that thought immediately vanished from her mind, leaving no trace.
The resources of a Martial Scholar, even if not equal to the Huang family, were not far off.
And the connections in official circles were something the Huang family could never compare to.
As a disciple of a Martial Scholar, Wei Tu had no need, nor any desire, to shamelessly cling to the Huang family.
That Wei Tu was willing to acknowledge her as kin was likely only because she hadn't burned all bridges back then.
"Wei-ge'er, the kitchen has already prepared the meal. Come with Second Aunt; this is a celebratory feast made especially for you." Wei Hong masked her embarrassment well, using the start of the feast as an excuse to end the topic.
—Even if her nephew by marriage wasn't close to her, as long as he acknowledged the kinship and held status, her own standing in the Huang family would benefit, rising with the tide.
...
After finishing the celebratory feast.
Wei Tu did not linger at the Huang residence. Citing the need to prepare for his examinations, he took his leave of Master Huang.
Hearing this, Master Huang could not find a suitable reason to keep him, so he had the steward arrange a carriage to take Wei Tu back to the Li residence.
Regarding this.
Wei Tu thought for a moment and did not refuse.
—Li Yaozu was stingy by nature and believed that letting him stay was a great act of charity. Having a carriage from the Huang family drop him off would dispel any delusions Li Yaozu might harbor.
A wealthy man taking in a poor person for the night is an act of charity.
But taking in someone of equal status is merely social etiquette, not charity.
"Master Wei, please stay."
Outside the gates of the Huang residence, just as Wei Tu sat in the carriage and prepared to leave, a rough voice suddenly sounded from outside the curtain.
The voice was clearly that of a martial artist, full of vigor.
"Master Ruan?" Wei Tu lifted the carriage curtain and glanced out, quickly recognizing the person who had spoken.
Although he had only met Master Ruan once, the health-cultivation technique Master Ruan had given him was too important, so even after three years, he still remembered the man's appearance.
"Back then, I was quite contemptuous of you when you were seeking knowledge, Master Wei..."
"I have often reproached myself since."
"It was I... who failed to recognize a true talent. I hope you will not hold a grudge against a small-minded person like me, Master Wei..."
Master Ruan’s face flushed red. After fidgeting for a moment, he cupped his hands, bowed deeply to Wei Tu, and apologized loudly.
Martial artists are prone to being combative.
Given the humiliation he had inflicted upon Wei Tu three years ago, he could hardly imagine... what kind of heavy blow Wei Tu would have dealt him had they met in the third round of the "sparring."
At that time, not only would his reputation have been ruined, but he could have been severely injured by Wei Tu and left paralyzed for life.
Thinking of this, Master Ruan was filled with terror.
Therefore, for the sake of his reputation and his life, he had stopped the carriage to swallow his pride and apologize to Wei Tu.
On the other side.
Seeing Master Ruan perform such a grand gesture, Wei Tu was stunned for a moment. After regaining his composure, he said, "I do not mind this matter. Please rise, Master Ruan, there is no need for such formality..."
Back then.
He hadn't really taken the humiliation from Master Ruan to heart, because he and Master Ruan were just strangers.
What he had truly taken to heart were the words of his cousin, Huang Yuanshan, who had looked down on him.
The feeling of being despised was not pleasant.
However, forgiveness was one thing.
Wei Tu was not magnanimous enough to get out of the carriage to personally help Master Ruan up, nor did he offer any words of comfort.
He was neither a sage nor a gentleman, nor was he plotting for a throne; there was no need to be overly humble to those below him.
Having spoken, Wei Tu lowered the curtain and signaled the coachman to move on, not wanting to delay any longer.
"The things I cared about back then."
"To this day... I don't hold onto them so tightly anymore..."
After the carriage had traveled some distance, Wei Tu lifted the curtain again.
The night was as cool as water.
The chill was slightly heavy.
Wei Tu spread the fingers of his right hand, feeling the biting spring wind rushing past the carriage, then touched his cheek.
His cheek felt slightly cold.
It no longer held that burning, scalding sensation from three years ago.
(End of chapter)