Chapter 5: Marriage Finalized (Please add to favorites and follow for updates)

“In the fifteenth year of Qing’an, the Red Dragon turned over in Qingfeng Prefecture, and countless people in Qingmu County were forced to sell their sons and daughters.”

“Six years ago, the Li family gave me a bite to eat, allowing me to survive. I have always kept this kindness in my heart.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu’s expression showed surprise. He lowered his head even further than it had been before he entered. After deliberating for a moment, he spoke these words.

What he said was not false.

During the years of famine, the Li residence giving him a bite to eat was indeed a kindness to him.

A kindness of survival!

Compared to staying alive, becoming a servant was a secondary matter.

When the granaries are full, people learn etiquette.

When clothing and food are sufficient, people learn honor and shame.

Selling oneself to a wealthy household was not considered a humiliating matter for country folk.

Hearing this, Madam Li nodded, a trace of satisfaction appearing in the depths of her eyes.

Although Wei Tu did not say those broad, flowery words about pledging loyalty to the Li family, she could hear the gratitude in his words.

And that was enough.

“Xinghua entered the Li family two years before you and is three years your senior. I watched her grow up…”

Just as Chunlan had said, Madam Li began to discuss the marriage between Wei Tu and Xinghua.

“As the saying goes, a wife one year older is like holding a golden chicken; two years older, a pot of gold; three years older, a golden brick.”

“Xinghua’s parents passed away early, and I am half a member of her family, so I approve of the marriage between you and her…”

Madam Li said slowly.

As her voice fell, the several maidservants standing behind Madam Li immediately beamed with smiles, reaching out their hands to ask Wei Tu for wedding tips.

“Caixia, go to my room, take out the red silk from under the dowry chest, and send it to Xinghua’s room. Consider it my congratulatory gift as the mistress of the house.”

“Also, tidy up a room to serve as the bridal chamber for Wei Tu and Xinghua.”

“Yes, Madam.” Chunlan bowed slightly and left the living room.

……

The next day.

A main room in the outer courtyard of the Li residence.

Wei Tu, slightly tipsy, stood under the eaves and rubbed his temples to clear his head.

Then.

He glanced at the red silk flower nailed to the door frame, straightened his posture, and pushed open the wooden door, which had no latch.

With a creak, the door opened.

Wei Tu entered the room and immediately noticed the bride sitting on the edge of the bed.

Through the half-covered red veil, Wei Tu felt that Xinghua’s features looked more refined than usual, transforming from ordinary to pretty.

Wei Tu turned his head and looked at the rest of the room. It had become much tidier than the dilapidated state he remembered.

Lattice windows.

Freshly pasted window paper.

A wooden table supported by two long benches held a small bronze mirror and a woman’s sewing kit.

In the corner of the room, there were two solid wood chests.

The lacquer on the chests had peeled off in small patches.

Wei Tu guessed that these solid wood chests likely contained quilts and clothes.

“Brother Wei…” Seeing Wei Tu standing dazed in the bridal chamber, Xinghua couldn’t help but feel a bit proud; she had cleaned and redecorated this room herself.

She called out to Wei Tu, but seeing that he didn’t snap out of it, she felt too shy to speak a second time.

She complained inwardly: Wei Tu usually teased her quite a bit, so why was he being so strictly observant of etiquette now that they were actually married?

……

The night passed in silence.

The morning sun shone through the window paper into the room, and Wei Tu lay in bed, holding Xinghua.

Logically speaking, as newlyweds, they could have taken a day off from their duties at the Li residence and slept until the sun was high.

But Wei Tu and Xinghua were long accustomed to waking up early; even if they wanted to be lazy now, they couldn’t fall back asleep.

“Brother Wei, in a few days, let’s ask Madam for a few days off and go back to your home to visit. We should also notify our father about the marriage…”

Xinghua said in a low voice.

Having sold themselves into the Li family, they didn’t need to worry about the words of matchmakers or the commands of parents; the Master and Madam of the Li family could make the decision, and no one could find fault with it.

However, regardless, they still had to notify Wei Bao and share the good news.

“Mm.” Wei Tu nodded.

His hometown was some distance from Qingmu County town, requiring a day or two of travel, which was why he hadn’t notified Wei Bao beforehand.

Besides the distance, there was another reason he hadn’t notified Wei Bao about the wedding.

That was that this marriage was hosted by the Li residence, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for Wei Bao, an outsider, to come to the Li residence.

The Li residence also had no spare room for Wei Bao to stay in temporarily.

“Besides visiting Father, there is also…”

While speaking, Xinghua got out of bed, took the sewing kit from the table, and began patiently mending Wei Tu’s old, worn-out jacket.

While busy, she chatted with Wei Tu, discussing the trivial matters of life after marriage.

Taking leave.

Visiting friends and relatives.

Renting land to grow crops.

And a series of other things.

The room was lent to them by the Li family out of pity for their status as servants. Although the Li family hadn’t specified a return date, it felt inappropriate to live there for too long.

It would be better to save money and buy a house near the Li residence.

Furthermore, it was one thing for the two of them to be reduced to servants, but they couldn’t let their children follow in their footsteps, bowing and scraping to others from a young age.

And all of this required money.

For now.

The way to make money was for Wei Tu to work hard, renting land from the Li residence and working as a tenant farmer while also serving as a groom.

In this way, they could save some silver every year.

“I’ll listen to you.”

Wei Tu nodded, agreeing with the plans his new wife had made for their small family.

“This way, in five or six years, it won’t be hard to afford a house…”

“When we have children, we’ll send them to a private school to study. If they do well, we’ll support them in taking the imperial examinations; if they’re average, we’ll let them be accountants…”

Xinghua smiled.

With a kind master and a steady, capable husband, she felt that this life was already enough.

“Private school…”

Hearing these two words, Wei Tu was silent for a moment. He picked up the dry tobacco pipe at his waist, lit it, and took a few deep puffs.

Studying.

Changing one’s fate!

This was a memory carved into his bones.

With the Health Preservation Technique and the [Late Bloomer] destiny, although Wei Tu couldn’t be certain he could step onto the path of immortality, become an immortal ancestor, and live forever, he was certain that his generation would definitely be able to get ahead.

“Continue practicing the Health Preservation Technique.”

Wei Tu no longer wasted time in bed. After quickly putting on his clothes, he raised his hands and began practicing the stance of the “Turtle Breath Health Preservation Technique.”

Over and over again.

After getting married.

He seemed to have more motivation in his heart.

Xinghua, watching from the side, was surprised but didn’t ask any questions.

The martial atmosphere in Qingfeng Prefecture was not weak. Many farmers, due to poverty, would become bandits when they mounted their horses and commoners when they dismounted, working as swordsmen to support themselves.

It was no strange occurrence that her husband knew a few moves.

Xinghua withdrew her gaze and continued her needlework, though she thought for a moment and adjusted Wei Tu’s clothes to be a bit looser.