Chapter 10: Raise Your Head

After careful consideration, Wei Tu decided that he could not delay speaking with First Madam Li Tongshi about redeeming his indenture.

He was worried that the longer he waited, the more things could go wrong.

According to Caixia, Master Li Yaozu was planning to use the autumn harvest as a means to force him and Xinghua into submission.

The wheat harvest in Qingmu County was just ten days away.

If he waited too long, and Master Li began exerting pressure, then there would be no room left for negotiation—the so-called loyalty between master and servant would be meaningless.

If he waited until then to bring up his redemption, Li Yaozu would inevitably find ways to hinder him—perhaps even go as far as framing him to eliminate the "threat" to Li Manor.

But if he acted first—

Even though he still didn't have the full sum for his redemption—

The conflict between them had yet to escalate, and Li Yaozu still feared his strength.

As long as he approached things correctly, there was a high chance that Li Yaozu would back down, unwilling to make an enemy of him.

That evening, Wei Tu shared his plan with Xinghua, seeking her opinion.

"You're my husband. I'll do whatever you decide," she replied.

Xinghua knew she wasn't someone with deep foresight, so she had always left the big decisions to Wei Tu.

"That's all I need to hear," Wei Tu nodded.

He then reminded Xinghua to delay her return to Li Manor the next day while buying groceries in town.

"If things go south, leave the city immediately and wait for me outside the gates," he instructed.

"Wei Tu… Are you planning to…?"

Xinghua's heart clenched. She had a feeling that he was considering a dangerous alternative.

But just as the words left her mouth, she swallowed them back down.

After a brief pause, she nodded softly, then got out of bed, moving quietly in the dark to start packing their valuables.

"If we have to leave, don't leave me behind."

That night—

As they lay together in the dark, Xinghua leaned close and whispered into his ear.

Wei Tu, already half-asleep, was startled awake by her words.

In his groggy state, he heard her clearly but did not know how to respond.

Would he truly be able to bring her along if things went south?

Could he afford to carry such a burden if it meant risking his life?

"I still need you to cook for me," he muttered after a long silence.

"I've gotten used to your cooking. Eating someone else's food just wouldn't feel right."

His words weren't particularly romantic, but—

The moment he spoke—

Xinghua fell asleep, her breath warm against his chest.

The Next Morning

As usual, Wei Tu rose early.

He fed the horses, chopped the dry hay, and filled the water buckets to the brim, making sure not to leave anything unfinished.

When Xinghua left Li Manor carrying her basket, Wei Tu watched her go.

Then, he sat down on a stone stool by the courtyard, waiting.

He waited until the sun burned against his back, then stood up and walked toward the inner residence.

Male servants were forbidden from entering the inner quarters unless explicitly summoned by the master.

So, Wei Tu followed the rules.

He stood outside the entrance, asking the passing maids to relay his request to First Madam Li Tongshi.

Not long after—

A maid returned with an answer and led him into the guest hall.

Inside, First Madam Li Tongshi was already seated.

"Wei Tu," she said, furrowing her brows as she glanced at him.

"Why have you come? Are you lacking something at home? Or did you and Xinghua have a disagreement?"

First Madam Li Tongshi's voice remained calm and composed, without a hint of superiority.

However—

Those who were familiar with her knew that this calmness was deliberate, a sign that she was suppressing her displeasure.

A male servant had entered the inner residence.

If there was an issue, he should have spoken to the maids outside and had them relay the message—there was no reason for him to step foot inside.

To First Madam Li, this was a lack of discipline.

Order must be maintained.

As the mistress of the household, it was her duty to crush any sign of unrest before it could fester.

She sipped her tea, allowing the scalding liquid to burn her tongue and lips, but her posture remained graceful and poised.

With a cold gaze, she looked at Wei Tu, waiting for his response.

However—

What he said next caught her off guard.

Wei Tu bowed deeply and spoke in a firm yet measured tone.

"First Madam, I have come to redeem my indenture. I plan to participate in next year's martial examination."

The hall fell into complete silence.

Not a single sound could be heard—even the air felt still.

First Madam Li Tongshi froze.

The maids standing behind her were equally stunned, their expressions filled with disbelief.

In the manor, or rather, in all large households, the one thing a servant should never mention was their indenture contract.

It was an unspoken rule.

As long as no one spoke about their servitude, the servants could continue to go about their duties as though their positions were naturally ordained, rather than something forced upon them.

But now—

Wei Tu had broken this silence.

First Madam Li Tongshi's gaze darkened.

"Wei Tu," she said, her tone unreadable, "you have served Li Manor for quite some years now. The Li family has not treated you poorly."

Her expression remained calm, but beneath the table—

Her fingers tightened around her sleeves.

A servant buying back their freedom was something that only happened in troubled households.

She had managed Li Manor's affairs for many years and had no intention of allowing such a stain on her record.

She would not allow the wives of other county officials to mock her for losing control over her household.

Wei Tu nodded.

"I am grateful to Li Manor for saving my life."

The hall was positioned to face north, allowing the sunlight to cast a cool shadow over First Madam Li Tongshi's face.

Her expression softened slightly.

"Are you saying your wages are not enough?"

Her voice was gentler now, as though she had misunderstood his intention.

It was only then that she recalled—

Wei Tu's wages had not been raised in years.

Perhaps this was his way of reminding her.

But—

"No, First Madam."

Wei Tu shook his head firmly.

"I have come to redeem my indenture and participate in the martial examination next year."

For a moment, he hesitated.

He had spoken clearly, yet First Madam Li Tongshi seemed to have ignored the latter half of his words.

"…The martial examination?"

She repeated the words in her mind.

And this time—

She finally understood what they meant.

First Madam Li Tongshi lifted her gaze, carefully examining the young man before her.

For the first time, she truly studied his face.

After a long pause—

She finally spoke.

"Raise your head."

From the moment he entered the guest hall, Wei Tu had kept his head lowered, never once looking up.

Or rather—

Since the day he was sold to Li Manor, he had never once lifted his head.

She had always considered his humility a virtue.

But today—

She realized she had miscalculated.

The most obedient servant—

Was actually the most ambitious.

The one who never spoke out of turn—

Had now come to demand his freedom.

"…Yes, First Madam."

Wei Tu raised his head.

His gaze met hers directly.

For the first time, he did not lower his eyes.

First Madam Li Tongshi narrowed her eyes.

"…Why do you want to take the martial examination? It is not an easy path."

She carefully studied his features.

His face wasn't remarkable—it lacked the so-called noble features often praised in fortune-telling manuals.

In fact, he looked no different from any other farmhand.

Wei Tu paused, then answered steadily.

"First Madam may not know this, but two years ago, I acquired a cultivation method from my second aunt, Wei Hong."

"For the past two years, I have been practicing Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation, and my strength has grown significantly."

"I have already reached the required standard for the martial examination."

His words were clear and direct.

As if—

His decision had already been made.