Free Web NovelChapter 13: Chapter 11: Shedding Servitude
Two years passed.
The words of his cousin, Huang Yuanshan, from when he had left the Huang Family, still echoed in Wei Tu’s mind from time to time.
The feeling of being looked down upon was not a pleasant one.
But now, he was at a critical juncture in his life—a matter of great importance.
Wei Tu would not let a petty grudge stop him from mentioning the only backing he could rely on.
"Wei Hong..." Mrs. Li Tong mulled over the name, lost in thought.
Although Wei Hong was a Concubine of the Huang Family, having given birth to a son afforded her a high status, unlike that of an ordinary Concubine.
She was well aware of this.
While Wei Hong’s status wasn’t enough to influence the internal affairs of the Li Mansion, holding onto Wei Tu’s servitude contract and making an enemy of her was still not a good idea...
The Huang Family was powerful and wealthy in Qingshan County, with lands stretching for miles. They were far beyond what the Li Family could compare to.
Of course,
the Li Family was not so weak as to be afraid of them.
’If Wei Tu were really that close to his second aunt, Wei Hong, he wouldn’t have ended up as a Servant in my Li Family...’ Mrs. Li Tong considered.
But she quickly suppressed the thought.
Wei Hong would look down on an ordinary male relative from her maiden family and offer no help.
However, a male relative from her maiden family with the potential to achieve rank and fame in the Military Examination was a completely different matter.
As the Lady of the House who had married into the Li Family, Mrs. Li Tong understood the thinking of a Concubine from a great house like Wei Hong.
Only with support from her maiden family could she have confidence, a pillar to lean on, and avoid being looked down upon by her husband’s family.
After a short while, when Mrs. Li Tong gently placed her teacup on the small table beside her, everyone in the hall knew she had made her decision.
"Your servitude contract... I cannot decide on this alone. I must discuss it with the Master."
Mrs. Li Tong glanced at Wei Tu and continued, "The Master has always been enlightened. You have your heart set on the Military Examination, so the Li Family should not stand in the way of your future."
In her heart, she had already agreed to let Wei Tu buy his freedom. It was just that this was a matter of the mansion’s household staff, and it would be improper for her to make the decision without consulting the master of the house, Li Yaozu.
"Caixia, go and ask the Master to come here," Mrs. Li Tong said, looking at Caixia, who was standing in attendance to her right.
"Yes, First Mistress."
Caixia accepted the order and left the main hall.
A short time later, the Master, Li Yaozu, hurried from his living quarters to the main hall. He sat in the chair next to Mrs. Li Tong. After seating himself properly, he straightened the hem of his long robe before finally turning to size up Wei Tu, who stood before him.
"Buying your freedom?" Li Yaozu frowned. "Have you brought enough silver coins?"
His words were not as gentle or considerate as Mrs. Li Tong’s. The first thing he did was ask Wei Tu for the full amount of redemption silver.
However, this kind of behavior was exactly what everyone in the Li Mansion had come to expect from the Master, Li Yaozu.
"My funds are scarce. I beg the Master and the First Mistress to show mercy and reduce the amount as you see fit." Wei Tu recited his prepared speech.
He had estimated the ten taels of silver based on the market price; it was not the actual sum for the redemption silver.
The price set by the Li Mansion could be higher or lower than ten taels of silver.
Of course, the asking price had to be within a reasonable range, or it would be difficult to justify to others.
If the price was unreasonable, Wei Tu could also sue the Li Family at the Government Office, but... the Government Office was notorious for being a place where money trumped reason.
"Master." Just as Li Yaozu was about to speak, Mrs. Li Tong stood up and gave him a look, signaling for him to follow her into the inner hall to discuss the matter.
Time slowly passed...
From the moment Wei Tu had entered the inner residence until now, the hour of noon had already passed.
Finally, at the first quarter-hour past noon, Li Yaozu and Mrs. Li Tong emerged from the inner hall one after the other and took their respective seats.
"Business is business. Since you wish to leave the Li Family and buy back your servitude contract, the redemption silver is unavoidable..."
"All these years, you have eaten the Li Family’s food and used the Li Family’s resources. The Li Family even taught you the art of horse-rearing and paid you wages..."
"These are all expenses."
Mrs. Li Tong took out an account book and began to calculate.
Hearing this, Wei Tu did not object.
If he had asked to buy back his contract a few years earlier, the Li Family would never have invested so much in training him, let alone helped him find a wife.
"After calculation, it comes to about eleven taels and five maces."
"Brother Wei, is this amount of redemption silver acceptable to you?"
Mrs. Li Tong asked.
"I beg the First Mistress for your grace. Please reduce it a little. In the future, I, Wei Tu, will surely repay this kindness."
Wei Tu was shocked when he heard the amount. The Li Family’s calculation was much higher than his own.
The extra one tael and five maces was not a small sum; during a famine, it would be enough to buy another servant.
He suppressed his dissatisfaction, bowed deeply, and spoke in a humble tone.
Seeing Wei Tu bowing so respectfully, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Li Yaozu’s eyes.
He said, "Brother Wei grew up in the Li Family as well. We may be talking business, but we should also consider our personal connection. The price of the redemption silver can be lower. How about eight taels and eight?"
"Consider it a lucky number!"
"Thank you, Master."
Wei Tu expressed his thanks.
After thanking them, he took out the silver coins he had saved over the years, counted out the amount, and handed it to Chunlan, who was standing by.
"First Mistress, it is eight taels and eight maces."
Chunlan placed the loose silver coins on the lacquered table and whispered into Mrs. Li Tong’s ear.
"It seems you came prepared. Here is your servitude contract and a letter of proof."
"The Master already finished writing it in the inner hall just now."
Mrs. Li Tong smiled, took an unsealed envelope from her sleeve, and placed it on the tea table.
Her words also explained why she and the Master, Li Yaozu, had been discussing for so long in the inner hall.
It was because they were writing the letter to prove Wei Tu’s redemption, which was what took so much time.
"Wei Tu thanks the Master and the First Mistress."
Wei Tu bowed once more in thanks.
However, after expressing his gratitude, he took a deep breath, straightened his back, and met the eyes of Li Yaozu and Mrs. Li Tong directly.
At that moment, he was no longer a Servant of the Li Family.
Next, as long as he registered his freedom from servitude at the Government Office, he would be an upright commoner of the Zheng Country, no longer a privately owned slave of a wealthy family.
Seeing this, Li Yaozu and Mrs. Li Tong felt an inexplicable discomfort and frowned inwardly.
The two of them felt that Wei Tu should have at least maintained his respectful demeanor until he had walked out of the Li Mansion. Only then would their recent "act of grace" not have been in vain.
"Brother Wei, go to the outer residence, pack your things, and you may leave."
Although Li Yaozu was angry inside, his face remained wreathed in smiles, showing no breach of courtesy.
Although he hadn’t tested Wei Tu’s skills and strength like Xinghua had, he understood that a servant who dared to buy his freedom would not do so simply because he was unwilling to remain ordinary.
There was an eighty to ninety percent chance that what Wei Tu had said was true.
Even if he didn’t succeed in this year’s Military Examination, it was best not to offend a Martial Artist if it could be helped.
In recent years, Qingshan County had seen its share of wealthy masters who had been slaughtered by a Blademan.
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded, took the servitude contract and the letter from Chunlan’s hands, and turned to leave the inner residence.
After Wei Tu left, the inner residence of the Li Family returned to its usual tranquility.
"Why hasn’t today’s lunch been served yet?"
"It’s already past noon."
Mrs. Li Tong put away her account book. Seeing the empty dining table, she couldn’t help but frown in displeasure.
’Have the servants and maids in this house grown more and more audacious because I am too lenient in my management?’ she sighed to herself.
"Xinghua went out to buy groceries this morning and still hasn’t returned," a maid whispered.
"What? Xinghua hasn’t come back yet?" The Master, Li Yaozu, had just walked over to the dining table. When he heard this, his expression turned cold. But in the next instant, he seemed to think of something, and a chill ran down his spine.
