Near the Hometown, One Feels Timid

After a short while.

Li Yaozu and his wife, along with their guest Wei Tu, were seated on stools by the dining table.

"Brother Wei..."

Li Xingye was the first to greet Wei Tu. He didn't address Wei Tu as "Brother Wei" but as "Brother Wei," and there wasn't a trace of arrogance on his face.

He was humble and calm, showing excellent hospitality.

Wei Tu raised his eyebrows slightly, and immediately took a liking to Li Xingye. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly – no wonder the gentry of the county town flocked to the Li Residence upon hearing of Li Xingye's results in the County Examination, eager to form connections with the Li Family.

If Li Xingye was so considerate towards him, he must have been equally gentle and refined in his conversations with those gentry.

"I'm rarely home, as I've been studying at the Prefectural Academy. I haven't seen much of you, Brother Wei. I never imagined you'd still harbor such great ambitions while staying at my humble abode..."

"I was also filled with admiration for you, Brother Wei, after hearing this strange tale from my father."

Li Xingye smiled. As he spoke, he raised his hands, fingers touching, and bowed to Wei Tu across the table.

"With your martial prowess in this County Examination, you're sure to shine brightly in the Martial Arts Examination. When the time comes... we can go to the Prefectural City together, and look out for each other..."

He said sincerely.

Hearing Li Xingye's request, Wei Tu's expression faltered slightly. He didn't know how to respond and felt a bit awkward.

Aside from Dan Yangong, he hadn't interacted much with the scholars of this world. He couldn't tell if Li Xingye's enthusiasm was just right or a bit too much.

While it would be good to travel to the Prefectural City with Li Xingye, he didn't want to be indebted to the Li Family for any more "care."

If it weren't for his lack of funds and Xinghua being at the Li Residence, he wouldn't have wanted to knock on the Li Residence's door.

"My Master's eldest son runs a school in the Prefectural City, and his home is quite spacious..."

"When I left the Dan Family, Brother Yangong already told me to stay with him when I go for the Prefectural Examination, so I won't be troubling you further, Brother Xingye."

Wei Tu pondered for a moment, shook his head, and politely declined.

As his words fell.

The smile on Li Xingye's face stiffened slightly. It wasn't until he heard what Li Yaozu said next that he relaxed.

Li Yaozu remarked, "Scholar Dan has been living in the Prefectural City for a long time. Since Brother Wei left the Dan Family, knowing Scholar Dan's character, he would definitely have invited Brother Wei to stay with him..."

"It was my mistake."

"I hope Brother Wei doesn't take offense."

Li Xingye didn't know if his father's words were to save face for him or if they were the truth, but he didn't show any sign of being bothered by the matter at the table.

After the dishes were served.

The people in the dining room fell silent, adhering to the etiquette of "do not speak while eating, do not speak while sleeping."

After finishing the meal in the inner quarters.

Wei Tu, not wanting to overstay his welcome, bowed with clasped fists and left the inner quarters, led by the maidservant Chun Lan.

As he was about to leave the inner quarters, Wei Tu seemed to hear something. He paused slightly, then looked up at the straight, towering ancient cypress tree planted deep within the inner quarters.

The courtyard walls obscured the main trunk of the ancient cypress, but its lush branches had grown over the roof tiles, peeking out and swaying slightly in the moonlight.

Wei Tu shook his head, then a look of relief and relaxation spread across his face as he stepped out of the courtyard gate.

After achieving success in cultivating the Health Cultivation Technique, his senses became sharper, and his hearing far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have discovered the slaughter of Baiyang County swordsmen by Zheng State soldiers outside the inn at night when he returned home for a visit.

Wei Tu had heard the ancient cypress in the inner quarters being kicked, kicked hard.

And based on his guess, the perpetrator of this kick was likely the previously humble and polite Li Xingye.

"A son resembles his father..."

"This saying is truly not false."

Wei Tu mused.

Arriving at the front of the Li Residence.

Wei Tu saw Xinghua standing by the door of the main hall, where he had stayed half a year ago, holding a lantern.

"Brother Wei..."

"You, you're back..."

Seeing Wei Tu, Xinghua didn't rush forward to embrace the man she had known since childhood. She lifted her foot, then hesitated and retreated.

Her gaze shifted downwards, seeming to pierce through her purple padded jacket and see Wei Tu's bare upper body.

After more than half a year, Xinghua could tell that Wei Tu's pectoral muscles were firmer and had grown larger since he left home. His waist had also widened. The stitches she had sewn had been undone and re-sewn, with finer needlework...

Familiar.

Yet also unfamiliar.

Especially the sharp, martial aura emanating from Wei Tu, which was chilling.

Most people, upon seeing it, would be intimidated and step aside.

Even when speaking to him, they would inevitably be a bit more amiable and use more deferential language.

Xinghua was certain that she too was afraid of this aura surrounding Wei Tu. After all, she was a delicate woman, a sheltered maidservant who hadn't seen much of the world.

Wei Tu stopped in the courtyard. He noticed Xinghua's slight step back and the timid fear in her eyes upon seeing him.

"Eating in the inner quarters was too refined; I didn't get enough. Are there any more flatbreads left in the house?"

"Bring a few, and get me some bathwater. I've been traveling all day."

Wei Tu spoke to Xinghua with the tone of someone giving orders to a maidservant.

Hearing his words, Xinghua, standing at the doorway, felt a slight disappointment. But alongside the disappointment, she also felt that by Wei Tu's side, she wasn't entirely useless anymore.

At least she could still be a rough maidservant, serving her husband who had prospects in the Martial Arts Examination.

In response to this.

Xinghua accepted it passively.

She was used to it.

She turned and walked back inside, going to find the flatbreads that had just been baked in the kitchen a quarter of an hour ago.

However.

Just then.

Wei Tu silently walked up behind her and pinched her backside.

Xinghua's face immediately turned crimson. She twisted around and glared at Wei Tu, who was standing before her, her displeasure evident.

This time, Wei Tu's pinch was much harder than before.

"Wash yourself and wait for me in bed. I've been cooped up at the Dan residence for too long."

Wei Tu spoke without reservation, uttering words that would make one blush upon hearing them.

"You eat first."

Xinghua shoved the piping hot flatbread into Wei Tu's arms, stomped her foot, and hurried out of the main hall, obediently heading to the maidservants' washing area to bathe.

"Perhaps..."

"This is Xinghua's apprehension before returning home..."

Wei Tu watched Xinghua's retreating back, shook his head, and mused.

He and Xinghua were different, after all. He had received a modern education. Xinghua's carefully hidden thoughts couldn't escape his eyes.

At this moment.

Xinghua was afraid of him.

She was afraid that once he achieved success, he would abandon her, his wife from humble beginnings.

A little over half an hour later.

Xinghua walked into the main hall, deliberately tucking her head down, burying her neck, which had been scrubbed red by the soap, trying to keep Wei Tu from seeing it.

Her worries proved unfounded.

Wei Tu closed the door, blew out the candle, and then lifted her onto his shoulder, tossing her onto the prepared bedding.

A short while later.

Passion flared.

The bed creaked and swayed.

As the night deepened, they stirred from their exhaustion, embracing each other tightly, showing none of the unfamiliarity from a few hours prior.

"Brother Wei..."

Xinghua opened her eyes, kissed Wei Tu's forehead, and contentedly went back to sleep.

PS: Dear readers, please don't just bookmark this story; try to read it as it updates. Readership during the new book period is crucial.