"In the fifteenth year of Qing'an, the Chiron Uprising swept through Qingfeng Prefecture, leaving countless families in Qingmu County selling their sons and daughters just to survive."
"Six years ago, the Li family gave me food to eat and allowed me to live. I have always remembered this kindness."
Hearing these words, Wei Tu's expression flickered with surprise, and he lowered his head even further than before.
After a moment of careful thought, he spoke these words with genuine sincerity.
And he wasn't lying.
During the years of famine, when people starved in the streets, the Li Manor had fed him.
That alone was a life-saving grace.
Compared to staying alive, becoming a servant was secondary.
"Only when granaries are full do people learn virtue."
"Only when basic needs are met do people understand honor and shame."
For rural folk, selling themselves into a wealthy household wasn't considered shameful—it was simply a way to survive.
Hearing his response, First Madam Li Tongshi nodded, a flicker of satisfaction appearing in her eyes.
Although Wei Tu hadn't sworn loyalty to the Li family with grandiose words, she could still hear the gratitude in his voice.
And that alone was enough.
"Xinghua entered the Li family two years before you. She's three years older than you—I've watched her grow up."
Just as Chunlan had hinted, Li Tongshi had indeed brought up the topic of his marriage to Xinghua.
"As the saying goes—if a woman is one year older, she brings gold; if she's two years older, she brings wealth; if she's three years older, she brings prosperity."
"Xinghua's parents passed away early. As her mistress, I am like her second mother. Since you two have had feelings for each other, I will grant you this marriage."
With that, Li Tongshi spoke calmly and decisively.
The moment her words landed, the maids standing behind her beamed with smiles, immediately stretching out their hands toward Wei Tu—
Asking for lucky money.
"Caixia, go to my room and take out the red silk from the bottom of my dowry chest. Send it to Xinghua's room as my wedding gift."
"Also, prepare a room to be their wedding chamber."
"Yes, First Madam."
With a slight bow, Chunlan left the main hall to carry out the orders.
The next day.
A side hall in Li Manor's outer courtyard.
Slightly tipsy, Wei Tu stood under the eaves, rubbing his temples, trying to clear his head.
Then—
His eyes shifted toward the red silk flower nailed onto the doorframe, and he straightened his back, stepping forward and pushing open the wooden door, which had not been latched from the inside.
With a soft creak, the door swung open.
The first thing Wei Tu saw was the bride sitting on the edge of the bed.
Through the half-lifted red wedding veil, he could see that Xinghua's features looked even more delicate than usual, her once plain appearance transformed into elegance.
Wei Tu turned his gaze away and looked around the room.
Compared to how run-down he had remembered it, the newly decorated wedding chamber looked much tidier and welcoming.
A lattice window with freshly pasted paper.
A simple wooden table supported by two long benches, topped with a small bronze mirror and a needlework box.
In the corner of the room, there were two sturdy wooden chests.
The paint on the chests was already half-worn, revealing years of use.
Wei Tu guessed that they must be filled with bedding and clothing.
"Wei Ge'er…"
Xinghua saw Wei Tu standing there, staring at the room, and she couldn't help but feel a little proud.
She had cleaned and decorated the room herself.
She called out to him, but when Wei Tu didn't respond, she hesitated and became shy about calling him again.
She silently complained in her heart—
This man had flirted with her so many times before, but now, on their actual wedding night, he was suddenly acting so proper?
That night passed in silence.
As dawn broke—
Soft morning light filtered through the paper windows, illuminating the wedding chamber.
Wei Tu lay in bed, holding Xinghua in his arms.
By tradition, newlyweds were allowed to rest for a day after their wedding, sleeping in until late morning.
However—
Both Wei Tu and Xinghua were so used to waking up early that even though they were allowed to sleep in, neither of them could.
"Wei Ge'er…"
"In a few days, let's ask First Madam for some leave and visit your family."
"After all, we should officially inform your father about our marriage…"
Xinghua spoke softly, keeping her voice low.
Since both of them had been sold into servitude, their marriage did not require a matchmaker's approval or their parents' consent.
In the Li household, as long as Master Li and First Madam Li Tongshi agreed, no one could raise any objections.
Still, regardless of circumstances, they had to inform Wei Bao about the wedding and share the good news.
"Hmm."
Wei Tu nodded in agreement.
His family home was far from Qingmu County, requiring at least one or two days of travel.
This was why he hadn't notified Wei Bao in advance about the marriage.
Besides the distance, there was another reason—
Since this marriage had been arranged by the Li household, Wei Bao, as an outsider, wouldn't have had much say in the matter.
Even if he came to visit, Li Manor couldn't spare a guest room for him to stay.
"Aside from visiting Father, there's also…"
As she spoke, Xinghua got out of bed, retrieved a needlework box from the table, and began mending Wei Tu's old, worn-out tunic with careful stitches.
While keeping her hands busy, she chatted with Wei Tu about various matters they needed to settle after marriage—
Requesting leave.
Visiting relatives.
Renting land to farm.
A long list of responsibilities.
The side hall they were staying in wasn't theirs to keep—it was only loaned to them out of kindness by the Li family.
Although no one had mentioned a deadline for returning it, living in a place that wasn't theirs would never feel truly comfortable.
Their long-term plan was to save enough money to buy a house near Li Manor.
Moreover, while they had both become servants, they would not allow their future children to suffer the same fate—
They refused to let their child grow up bowing and scraping to others.
And for all of this—
They needed money.
At present—
The best way to earn was for Wei Tu to rent land from Li Manor, farming while continuing his work as a stablemaster.
This way, they could save silver every year.
"I'll follow your lead."
Wei Tu nodded, approving the practical and thoughtful plans his new wife had laid out for their small household.
"If we do this, in five or six years, buying a house won't be difficult…"
"Once we have children, we can send them to a private school. If they excel, we'll support them in the imperial exams. If not, they can still become a bookkeeper or accountant."
Xinghua smiled softly.
She had a good and understanding master.
She had a hardworking and capable husband.
To her, this life was already enough.
"Private school… studying…"
Hearing those words, Wei Tu fell silent for a moment.
He reached for the tobacco pipe at his waist, lit it, and took a few deep puffs.
Studying.
Changing fate.
That idea was etched into his bones.
Now that he had a health preservation technique and his "Late Bloomer" destiny, he wasn't sure if he would ever find an immortal master or step onto the path of cultivation.
He wasn't certain if he could become an immortal, free from the cycle of life and death.
But one thing he was sure of—
He would not remain ordinary.
He would rise above his station in this lifetime.
"Keep training."
Wei Tu didn't waste time lying in bed.
He swiftly got dressed and immediately began practicing stance work for Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation.
Once.
Twice.
Over and over again.
Now that he was married, he felt even more driven.
Watching from the side, Xinghua was surprised but didn't ask any questions.
Qingfeng Prefecture had a strong martial culture.
Many peasants took up weapons out of desperation, switching between being farmers and bandits, surviving as bladesmen.
It wasn't unusual for a man to know some martial arts.
She quickly turned back to her sewing, but after a moment of thought—
She adjusted Wei Tu's tunic, making it a little looser around the chest and shoulders.