Ungrateful Person

"I agree on behalf of Xinghua," was the first sentence Wei Tu spoke after Cai Xia barged into the Li Residence's living room.

The words were calm and brief, yet Li Yaozu and his wife heard a different meaning in them—Wei Tu was talking back to them.

Whether from the perspective of a servant who had redeemed himself from the Li Residence or as a guest visiting the Li Residence, Wei Tu's words seemed very impolite...

"No, I should say, he was already impolite when Cai Xia stormed into the living room." Li Yaozu, sitting in his chair, clenched his right hand hidden in his sleeve a little tighter, suppressing his dissatisfaction.

Originally, he thought Wei Tu would first propose and discuss with him about redeeming Xinghua's deed of indenture... Then, the two families would be on friendly terms, the Li Residence would let her go, the Wei Residence would take her in, and the matter between the two families would become a beautiful story in Qingshan County, even a beautiful story in Shannan Dao.

In this way, the Li Family would gain immense prestige, and when Li Xingye took the Imperial Examinations, he would be looked upon favorably by the examiners, thus making the ranking list.

At that time, the Li Family's status would rise, becoming the foremost "benevolent and righteous family" in Qingshan County.

But now, Wei Tu's single sentence had shattered his fantasy.

Wei Tu had actually agreed to Cai Xia's proposal with such ease, without considering the Li Family's perspective in the matter.

"How can he be so ungrateful," Li Yaozu gritted his teeth.

He couldn't just watch his investment in Wei Tu over the past six months go down the drain...

The more enthusiastic he had been towards Wei Tu before, the more furious he was now.

Madam Li, though she didn't think as deeply as Li Yaozu, instinctively felt that Wei Tu's words were somewhat "improper" upon hearing them.

However, she couldn't quite figure out the source of this "impropriety" for the moment.

"Does Master Li perhaps think that I, Wei, cannot make decisions for Xinghua?"

Seeing that the Li Yaozu couple had been silent for a long time, Wei Tu frowned slightly, and his tone instantly became sharper and more pointed.

Initially, when he arrived at the Li Residence's Inner Quarters today, he had thought of Chun Lan's words and decided to postpone Xinghua's redemption for now, to find another day and opportune moment to discuss it, trying not to provoke the Li Yaozu couple today out of a sense of gratitude.

But plans couldn't keep up with changes.

During that time, this incident with Cai Xia occurred.

This kind of drama where a rich young master bullies a maidservant immediately made Wei Tu feel that the Li Residence was not a good place for Xinghua, and she needed to leave as soon as possible.

He hadn't forgotten the kick Li Xingye gave the ancient cypress tree in the residence after the banquet on the day he met Li Xingye in February.

Now, with Li Xingye in a frenzy after failing the exams, if he found out that he had been accepted, and harbored resentment, who knew if he wouldn't take it out on Xinghua.

Such a thing... was uncontrollable!

At that time, even if he achieved official career, it would be difficult for him to intervene in Xinghua's matter.

After all, Xinghua's deed of indenture was in the Li Residence, and Xinghua was a bonded servant belonging to the Li Residence.

Therefore, Cai Xia's intervention just now had indeed solved an urgent problem for Wei Tu.

After careful consideration, Wei Tu decided to go with the flow and take back Xinghua's deed of indenture from the Li Residence without further delay.

As for today's events—

Wei Tu was certain that the Li Family would not publicize it later, saying he had "betrayed them," because this matter involved Cai Xia.

Publicizing this matter would be a family disgrace for the Li Family.

The time had come.

Wei Tu would not hesitate any longer.

"Of... of course not..." Li Yaozu sighed softly, shaking his head.

Wei Tu was Xinghua's husband, so naturally, he had the right to decide whether to redeem Xinghua's deed of indenture.

No matter how much he quibbled, it would be of no use, and on the contrary, it would lead to a complete falling out with Wei Tu.

He did not want the Li Family to become enemies with Wei Tu.

However, as soon as Li Yaozu finished speaking, Li Xingye, who was standing nearby, slammed the table and stood up. He paced back and forth in the hall, looking at Cai Xia and Wei Tu before him, and said, "Wei Tu, are you really going to oppose our Li Family because of this maidservant?"

"In the sixteenth year of Qing'an, Qing Feng Prefecture suffered a severe drought, and not a single grain was harvested. The Li Family took you in and gave you the grace of saving your life. Do you not intend to repay it?"

"Last year, when you redeemed your deed of indenture, my father, feeling pity for you, set aside the Li Family's favor and wrote a letter of recommendation to Martial Graduate Dan..."

"Are these acts of kindness meant for you to talk back to my parents today?"

Li Xingye sneered several times as he spoke.

Just now, he had already planned to let Cai Xia leave, and for Xinghua to redeem herself and leave, but he hadn't expected Wei Tu to speak so presumptuously, to insult and pressure his parents like this.

He could no longer tolerate it.

As he spat out these few words, Li Xingye felt a sense of relief, as if all the resentment he had been harboring since failing the exams had been vented and poured out.

As his words fell, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold and silent.

Li Yaozu and his wife fell silent.

Cai Xia was also startled.

The gazes of the three fell upon Wei Tu, unsure how he would react to such truly humiliating words.

But—

Wei Tu remained calm, as if he had long anticipated Li Xingye saying such things.

"Wei has never forgotten the Li family's kindness."

"When the opportunity arises, Wei will repay it..."

Wei Tu looked at Li Xingye, his tone slightly cold as he replied.

After speaking, Wei Tu's gaze shifted to Li Yaozu and his wife, awaiting their response regarding Xinghua's redemption.

"Xingye failed the examination and has been feeling unwell lately. I hope Brother Wei will not take offense at his words."

Madam Li offered an apology.

Then, she nudged Li Yaozu, who sat beside her, and said, "Master, go get Xinghua's deed of indenture. Today, two people from the residence are being redeemed; it's a joyous occasion. I'm happy for them."

"Alright, alright..." Li Yaozu saw an easy way out and didn't hesitate. He turned and went to the inner hall to retrieve Xinghua's deed of indenture.

"Redeeming Xinghua won't cost ten taels of silver; seven will suffice."

Madam Li took out three taels of silver from her purse and placed them on the side table.

Having done all this, she, like Cai Xia before her, pursed her lips, leaned back in the straight-backed chair, and gazed absently at the pillars in the hall, lost in thought for a moment.

With Xinghua's deed of indenture in hand.

Wei Tu cupped his hands and thanked Li Yaozu and his wife. He then said, "First Mistress, I don't think it's appropriate to stay as a guest today. If I have free time another day, I'll come with Xinghua to visit the Li family..."

"That would be good." Hearing this, Madam Li habitually put on a smile and nodded.

To the side.

Li Xingye, witnessing this, was somewhat taken aback. He hadn't expected Wei Tu's composure to be so good, and his parents' handling of the situation also deviated somewhat from his expectations.

However, after his outburst, he felt his words had been inappropriate, his anger clouding his judgment. He decided to play dead and wait for everything to be over quickly.

Soon.

Wei Tu and Cai Xia left the living room.

Chun Lan, who had been waiting outside the door, watched the two leave. Then, with trembling hands, she entered carrying the main family's dinner for the Li Residence that evening.

"Chun Lan, what you just saw, swallow it. Don't speak of it, or you'll face family law," Madam Li's smile vanished as she spoke, her face tightening.

"This servant understands."

Chun Lan nodded like a pecking chicken and placed the food on the Eight Immortals Table.

"It's just... this servant has something to say, but I don't know if I should..." Chun Lan hesitated for a moment, looked at Madam Li, and whispered.

"What is it?"

Madam Li's expression was not good. The grievances she had suffered today felt greater than all the grievances she had endured in the twenty-plus years since marrying into the Li Residence.

"Brother Wei..."

"He placed on the Dao Examination this year, and ranked... as a second-class Martial Scholar."

Chun Lan said quickly.