Wei Tu stopped at the doorway.
He retracted the right foot that had been stepping over the threshold, turned around, and looked at the kneeling maid inside the hall.
It was already evening. The oil lamp in the hall stood on the half-table near the southern wall, casting light on Master Li Yaozu and First Madam Li Tongshi, their robes and hair ornaments forming long shadows stretching from the table all the way to the threshold, covering the crying maid kneeling on the floor.
Wei Tu stood still, stepping on the shadow cast on the stone floor, then moved forward again, returning to the hall and standing beside the maid without saying a word.
Having spent years in the Li Manor, Wei Tu was familiar with all the maids and servants. Even without seeing their faces, he could recognize them from their silhouettes alone.
If this had been just any other maid, a common occurrence in a wealthy household, he would have immediately turned and walked away without hesitation.
He was not yet strong enough to challenge the established order of the world.
But this was Caixia.
No matter what, he couldn't just take that step forward and pretend he hadn't seen this. He couldn't leave the Li Manor's hall as if nothing had happened.
Though he did not owe Caixia enough to go against the entire Li family for her, standing up for her was the least he could do.
Back then.
If it hadn't been for Caixia's reminder, prompting him to redeem his indenture early and avoid Master Li Yaozu's scheme…
At this very moment, he might have already fallen into a life of crime, hiding in the mountains as an outlaw.
Or worse—
His head might have already rolled to the ground, cut down by the blades of government soldiers.
…
Inside the Li Manor's hall, Master Li Yaozu and First Madam Li Tongshi exchanged uneasy glances upon seeing Wei Tu stand beside Caixia. Their hearts filled with hesitation, unsure of how to handle this "small matter."
Mistreatment of maids was technically prohibited under the laws of the Zheng Kingdom, but the punishment was nothing more than a fine. To them, the law was merely ink on paper.
Normally, after an incident like this, First Madam Li Tongshi would scold Li Xingye a little, punish him with a brief period of reflection, and then compensate Caixia with some money—brushing the matter under the rug.
If they were willing, they could even arrange for Caixia to become one of Li Xingye's concubines in secret.
But now, the real problem was that Wei Tu had taken a stand for Caixia. Even though he had yet to say a word, his stance was clear.
Wei Tu's own strength, coupled with the backing of Master Dan Wu Ju and the Huang family in Qingmu County, forced Master Li Yaozu and First Madam Li Tongshi to carefully consider how to resolve this matter without offending him—or Caixia.
"Caixia, what's done is done. Even if I reprimand Xingye, it won't change anything…"
"You may make a request. As long as it is reasonable, I will consider granting it."
After a long silence in the hall, First Madam Li Tongshi finally spoke.
"Anything—except the position of his primary wife."
She added that last remark.
Caixia was once Master Li Yaozu's personal maid. Though he had never touched her under First Madam Li Tongshi's watchful eye, the status itself remained. Allowing Li Xingye to take her as a concubine would be improper and against etiquette.
Her words were a warning.
She was telling Caixia not to even think about becoming Li Xingye's concubine.
Caixia's sobbing came to an abrupt stop. She pressed her lips tightly together, uttered only two words, and then fell silent again.
"Caixia..."
"Mother, she's just a maid. Father doesn't need her, and I haven't taken a wife yet. If I take her into my household, it won't be an issue," Li Xingye rubbed his drowsy eyes and casually interjected.
Upon hearing this, Caixia seemed to have made up her mind. She first lifted her gaze toward Wei Tu, then turned to Li Tongshi and said, "Madam, I humbly ask for your mercy. Please grant me my freedom and a sum of silver to return home."
"Is that all?" Li Tongshi was surprised by Caixia's request and looked at her with a hint of disbelief.
If Wei Tu hadn't intervened on Caixia's behalf, this demand would have been outrageous. She wouldn't have even considered granting it.
A master bestowing favor upon a maid was an act of benevolence—after all, everything about the maid belonged to the master.
But now, things were different. Li Tongshi had already prepared to be extorted for a considerable sum.
Spending a little silver to keep the family's scandal from spreading was the wisest course of action.
Once word got out, not only would the Li family's reputation suffer, but it could also jeopardize Li Xingye's future in the imperial examination.
"I beg Madam's kindness," Caixia kowtowed twice.
"If you've made up your mind, then I shall grant your request," Li Tongshi sighed in relief.
A short while later, Li Tongshi retrieved a lacquered tray from the inner hall. On it were two silver ingots and an unsealed envelope.
"These two ingots are full-weight, five taels each, totaling ten taels. Keep them safe."
"Inside the envelope is your indenture contract and an official release letter written by the Master himself," she explained word by word.
"Thank you, Madam," Caixia bowed again, her face filled with gratitude.
Seeing this, Wei Tu felt there was no reason for him to stay any longer. He sighed inwardly and prepared to leave.
People make their own choices.
From his perspective, Caixia had made a reasonable decision—she secured her freedom and received ten taels of silver instead of staying in the Li Manor.
With her freedom and money in hand, as long as her parents were not deceitful or irresponsible, she could lead a good life back home.
However—
Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, Caixia suddenly stood up.
She quickly took the two ingots from the tray and said, "Madam, I have always been close with Xinghua. She has helped me greatly in the manor. I would like to use these ten taels of silver to purchase her freedom as well. May I have Madam's permission?"
As soon as these words fell, every gaze in the room turned toward Wei Tu.
Xinghua was Wei Tu's wife.
For Caixia to buy Xinghua's indenture contract, it ultimately depended on Wei Tu's consent.
Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi exchanged glances.
They understood that with Wei Tu's current status, if he had wanted to redeem Xinghua, he could have done so half a year ago.
The fact that he hadn't meant it wasn't a matter of forgetting a wife from his difficult past—it was simply that borrowing money to redeem her would place him under significant obligation.
Now, Caixia offering to buy Xinghua's contract was undeniably an act of goodwill toward Wei Tu.
However—
To the disappointment of Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi, Wei Tu did not object. Instead, after hearing Caixia's words, he remained silent.
"Releasing a servant's indenture requires their own consent..." Li Yaozu hesitated, searching for a way to refuse.
He still intended to use Xinghua as leverage over Wei Tu. If Caixia bought Xinghua's contract, then the favor would be owed to Caixia instead.
But before he could finish speaking—
"A married woman follows her husband."
"For that, I, Wei Tu, give consent on Xinghua's behalf."
Wei Tu finally spoke.