Marriage Settled (Seeking Collection, Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"In the fifteenth year of Qing'an, the land of Qing Feng Prefecture was like a dragon overturned, and countless families in Qingmu County sold their children."

"Six years ago, the Li family gave me a bite to eat and let me live. I've always remembered this kindness."

Hearing this, Wei Tu's expression shifted to surprise. He lowered his head even further than when he entered, pondered for a moment, and then spoke these words.

What he said was true.

During the famine, the Li Residence had given him food, which was a kindness to him.

A kindness that saved his life!

Compared to saving his life, becoming a servant was secondary.

When the granaries are full, people know propriety.

When food and clothing are abundant, people know honor and shame.

Selling oneself to a wealthy family was not considered a humiliation by rural folk.

Hearing this, Madam Li nodded, a hint of satisfaction appearing in her eyes.

Although Wei Tu hadn't spoken of broad declarations of loyalty to the Li family, she could still discern the gratitude in his words.

And that was enough.

"Xinghua joined the Li family two years before you and is three years older than you. I watched her grow up..."

As Chun Lan had said, Madam Li began to discuss the marriage between Wei Tu and Xinghua.

"As the saying goes, a girl one year older brings a golden rooster, a girl two years older brings a fortune, and a girl three years older brings a gold brick."

"Xinghua's parents passed away early, and I am considered her half-family. I approve of your marriage to her..."

Madam Li said slowly.

As her words fell, the maids standing behind Madam Li immediately broke into smiles and reached out their hands to Wei Tu, asking for wedding money.

"Cai Xia, go to my room and take out the red silk from under the dowry. Send it to Xinghua's room as my congratulatory gift as the head of the household."

"Also, tidy up a room to serve as Wei Tu and Xinghua's bridal chamber."

"Yes, First Mistress." Chun Lan curtsied slightly and left the living room.

The next day.

In a main hall in the outer courtyard of the Li Residence.

Wei Tu, slightly tipsy, stood under the eaves, rubbing his temples to clear his head.

Then.

He glanced at the red silk flower pinned to the doorframe, straightened his body, and forcefully pushed open the wooden door, which had no latch.

With a creak.

Wei Tu entered the room and immediately noticed the bride half-sitting by the couch.

Through the partially lowered red veil, Wei Tu felt that Xinghua's appearance was even more refined than usual, transforming from ordinary to beautiful.

Wei Tu turned his head and looked around the rest of the main hall. This bridal chamber, which he remembered as dilapidated, was now much tidier.

A lattice window.

Newly pasted window paper.

A wooden table propped up by two long stools, holding a small bronze mirror and a sewing kit for women.

In the corner of the main hall, there were two solid wood chests.

The paint on the chests had peeled off by a small half.

Wei Tu guessed that the solid wood chests likely contained bedding and clothes.

"Brother Wei..." Seeing Wei Tu standing dazed in the bridal chamber, Xinghua felt a little proud. She had cleaned and redecorated this room herself.

She called out to Wei Tu, and seeing that he hadn't snapped out of it, she shyly hesitated to speak again.

She secretly complained that Wei Tu usually "teased" her a lot, so why was he being so formal now that they were actually getting married?

The night passed without incident.

The morning light shone through the window paper into the main hall. Wei Tu lay on the bed, holding Xinghua.

Logically, as newlyweds, they could have taken a day off from their duties at the Li Residence yesterday and slept until the sun was high in the sky.

But Wei Tu and Xinghua were already accustomed to waking up early, and even if they wanted to be lazy now, they found it hard to fall back asleep.

"Brother Wei, in a few more days, let's ask the First Mistress for a few days off and go back to your home to see your family. We should also inform our father about our marriage..."

Xinghua said in a low voice.

Having sold themselves into the Li family, their marriage naturally did not require the consent of a matchmaker or parental approval. The master and First Mistress of the Li family could make the decision, and no one could fault it.

However, no matter what, they still had to inform Wei Bao and share the good news.

"Mhm." Wei Tu nodded.

His old home was some distance from the county seat of Qingmu County, a journey of one or two days. That was why he hadn't notified Wei Bao in advance.

Besides the distance, there was another reason he hadn't informed Wei Bao about the wedding.

It was because the wedding was being hosted by the Li Residence, and it wouldn't be very appropriate for Wei Bao, an outsider, to come to the Li Residence.

The Li Residence also couldn't spare a room for Wei Bao to stay temporarily.

"Besides seeing Dad, there's also..."

As they spoke, Xinghua got out of bed, picked up the sewing box from the table, and began patiently mending the old jacket Wei Tu had worn, which was now torn.

While busy, she chatted with Wei Tu, discussing the myriad of tasks after the wedding.

Requesting leave.

Visiting relatives and friends.

Renting land to grow grain.

And a series of other matters.

The main hall was lent to them by the Li Family out of pity for the two servants. Although the Li Family hadn't specified a return date, it felt awkward to stay too long.

It would be better to save money and buy a house near the Li Residence.

Furthermore, it was one thing for them to become servants, but they couldn't let their child follow in their footsteps, bowing and scraping to others from a young age.

And all of this required money.

Right now.

The only way to earn money was for Wei Tu to work hard, renting land from the Li Family, working as a stable hand while also being a tenant farmer.

This way, they could save some silver each year.

"I'll listen to you."

Wei Tu nodded, agreeing to the plans Xinghua, his new bride, had made for their little family.

"Like this, after five or six years, buying a house won't be difficult..."

"When we have children, we'll send them to a private school. If they study well, we'll support them in pursuing an official career. If they're average, we'll have them become an accountant..."

Xinghua smiled.

With benevolent masters and a steady, capable man, she felt her life was already complete.

"Private school..."

Hearing these four words, Wei Tu fell silent for a moment. He picked up the long-stemmed pipe at his waist, lit it, and took several deep puffs.

Studying, Changing one's fate!

This was a memory etched into his very bones.

With the Health Cultivation Technique and the "Late Bloomer" destiny, even though Wei Tu couldn't be certain he would embark on the immortal path, become an immortal ancestor, and live freely and eternally, he was sure that his generation would definitely achieve great things.

"Continue practicing the Health Cultivation Technique."

Wei Tu no longer wasted time in bed. After quickly putting on his clothes, he raised his hands and began practicing the stance exercises of the "Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique."

Again and again.

After getting married, He seemed to have a clearer goal in mind.

Xinghua, watching from the side, was surprised but didn't ask further questions.

The martial arts tradition in Qing Feng Prefecture was not weak. Many poor farmers became bandits on horseback and civilians on foot, making a living as swordsmen.

It wasn't a strange tale that her man knew a few moves.

Xinghua withdrew her gaze and continued with her needlework. However, after a moment's thought, she began to alter Wei Tu's clothes, making them a bit looser.

Thanks to "Loves to Study Three-Legged Cat" for the 1500 Qidian coins, "Kong Gao" for the 500 Qidian coins, and "Book Friend 20220317121509785" for the 100 Qidian coins.

I want to write this book in a heartwarming way, telling a story of rising from the bottom to the world of cultivation. I hope everyone will enjoy it.