Free Web NovelChapter 32: Chapter 30: Chilly Spring Wind
After that, Wei Hong made some more small talk, asking about where Wei Tu was living, his daily food and expenses, and how he was getting along with the Li Family.
Wei Tu didn’t have much to hide. Still, he paused to think for a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully.
For instance, he chose to hide the fact that Li Yaozu had once coveted Xinghua.
"I still have some private savings. I can lend them to you for now to pay for Xinghua’s redemption silver. Or, I could go myself..."
"It’s just not right to let Xinghua remain a maidservant at the Li Mansion."
"As for a place to live, the Huang Mansion has plenty of guest rooms. I’ll make the decision and pick one out for you two."
At this, Wei Hong raised an eyebrow and twisted her handkerchief. A sharp, feisty look suddenly appeared on her face. She huffed and said quickly,
"That Li Yaozu is a sharp one. Your redemption shouldn’t have cost that much. How could he have the gall to ask for eleven taels and five maces?"
"Even at eight taels and eight, he was still making a profit and trying to make you owe him a favor in the process."
As a merchant’s wife, Wei Hong had learned much by observation during her years in the Huang Mansion and was extremely sensitive to the market price for servants. She saw through the "cunning" of Li Yaozu and his wife at a glance.
"Master Li and Eldest Granny Li agreed to my redemption without making things difficult. They even recommended me to Master Shan afterward..."
"There’s no need to fuss over such a small profit."
Wei Tu shook his head, not wanting Wei Hong to press the matter any further.
Three years ago, he had estimated his redemption silver would be around ten taels—it could have been more, or it could have been less.
He couldn’t estimate the exact amount, as it depended entirely on the Li Family’s conscience.
Unlike buying goods at a shop, when it came to his redemption silver, he had no right to bargain. He could only let Li Yaozu and his wife name their price.
"Alright, we won’t talk about it then, Brother Wei. But about Xinghua’s redemption, what do you think..." Wei Hong asked with a smile.
"There’s no need for Second Aunt to trouble herself with this matter."
Wei Tu shook his head and said, "If I had wanted to borrow money to buy back Xinghua’s contract, I would have asked Master Shan when I was with the Shan Family."
The Cyan Horse was worth a hundred taels, and Shan Wuju had been willing to lend it to him. The money to redeem Xinghua probably wouldn’t even amount to ten taels of silver... Wei Tu was confident that if he only asked, Shan Wuju would definitely lend it to him.
Not only would Shan Wuju lend it to him, but others would be eager to lend him the money too. Even Shan Fang, who held a "grudge" against him, would be more than happy to do so upon learning of the situation.
To redeem his wife for him...
That would be a favor of monumental proportions!
"It was presumptuous of me." Hearing Wei Tu’s words, Wei Hong’s smile stiffened slightly, and her feisty demeanor vanished completely.
She could sense the distance in his words.
’He’d rather borrow from Shan Wuju than from me. The meaning is obvious. In his heart, I, his Second Aunt, am far less important than Shan Wuju.’
’To hunt geese all day only to be blinded by a goose in the end.’ Wei Hong sighed inwardly.
’When the Military Examination ended today, I thought he acknowledged me as his relative without any hesitation because he wanted to latch onto the Huang Family’s wealth...’
’But after learning that his master was Shan Wuju, that idea vanished from my mind without a trace.’
’The resources of a Martial Scholar, even if not equal to the Huang Family’s, wouldn’t be far off.’
’And his connections within the official circles are something the Huang Family could never hope to match.’
’As a Disciple of a Martial Scholar, Wei Tu has no need to shamelessly curry favor with the Huang Family.’
’The only reason he’s willing to acknowledge me is probably because I didn’t completely burn that bridge all those years ago.’
"Brother Wei, the kitchen has finished preparing the food. Come with your Second Aunt; this is a celebratory feast just for you." Wei Hong skillfully concealed her awkwardness, using the impending feast as a reason to end the conversation.
’Even if my nephew from my maiden family isn’t close to me, as long as he acknowledges our kinship and has status, my own position in the Huang Family will benefit and rise accordingly.’
...
After the celebratory feast, Wei Tu didn’t stay long at the Huang Mansion. Citing his need to prepare for his exams, he bid farewell to Master Huang.
Hearing this, Master Huang found it difficult to find a suitable reason to make him stay. So, he had the Steward arrange for a carriage to take Wei Tu back to the Li Mansion.
Wei Tu thought for a moment and did not refuse.
’Li Yaozu is a stingy man who probably thinks letting me stay the night is some monumental act of grace. Arriving in a carriage from the Huang Family should dispel any such foolish ideas from his mind.’
’When a wealthy household shelters a poor man for the night, it is an act of grace.’
’But sheltering someone of equal status is merely a matter of social etiquette, not grace.’
"Martial Artist Wei, please wait."
Outside the Huang Mansion, just as Wei Tu had settled into the carriage and was about to leave, a gruff voice suddenly called out from beyond the curtain.
From the sound of it, the voice belonged to another Martial Artist, full of vigor.
"Martial Artist Ruan?" Wei Tu lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside, quickly recognizing the person who had spoken.
Although he had only met Martial Artist Ruan once, the Health Cultivation Technique from Martial Artist Ruan was too important. Thus, even after three years, Wei Tu still remembered what he looked like.
"Back then, I was very disdainful toward Martial Artist Wei, who was seeking instruction..."
"Afterward, I often blamed myself for it."
"It was I... I was blind and failed to recognize a great man. I hope you, Martial Artist Wei, can forgive my humble self’s transgressions..."
Martial Artist Ruan’s face was flushed red. He fidgeted for a moment, then clasped his fists and gave Wei Tu a deep bow, apologizing loudly.
Martial Artists are known for their love of fighting and aggression.
Given how he had humiliated Wei Tu three years ago, he could hardly imagine... what kind of ruthless punishment Wei Tu would inflict if they were to face each other in the third round, the Competition.
At that point, not only would his reputation be ruined, but he might also be severely injured by Wei Tu, possibly even crippled for life.
The moment he thought of this, Martial Artist Ruan was filled with terror.
Thus, for the sake of his reputation and his life, he had stopped the carriage and was now shamelessly apologizing to Wei Tu.
Meanwhile, upon seeing Martial Artist Ruan perform such a deep bow, Wei Tu was stunned for a second. After collecting himself, he finally said, "I do not mind that matter. Please rise, Martial Artist Ruan. There is no need for such ceremony..."
Back then, he hadn’t really taken Martial Artist Ruan’s humiliation to heart, because they were just complete strangers.
What he had truly taken to heart were the scornful words of his cousin, Huang Yuanshan.
The feeling of being despised is not a pleasant one.
But forgiveness was one thing.
Wei Tu was not so magnanimous as to get out of the carriage, personally help the bowing Martial Artist Ruan to his feet, and then offer some comforting words.
He wasn’t some virtuous Gentleman, nor did he harbor ambitions of becoming a king or an overlord. There was no need to act deferential to a subordinate.
With that said, Wei Tu dropped the curtain and signaled for the driver to move on without delay.
’The things I cared about back then.’
’Now... they don’t bother me so much anymore...’
After the carriage had traveled some distance, Wei Tu lifted the curtain again.
The night air was as cool as water, and a deep chill had set in.
Wei Tu spread the fingers of his right hand, feeling the sharp spring breeze that rushed past the carriage. He then touched his hand to his cheek.
His cheek felt slightly cool.
The burning, scalding sensation from three years ago was completely gone.
