Chapter 28: Greedy for Wealth and Profit
"Uncle Huang."
Wei Tu had a clear understanding of his second aunt, Wei Hong's, character. He wasn't surprised by her actions. After glancing at Master Huang, he cupped his fists and formally acknowledged the relationship.
By traditional etiquette, even if Wei Hong had never "looked down on the poor and sought the rich," he, as the son of a concubine's lineage, was not qualified to call Master Huang 'Uncle.'
Only the direct nephew of Master Huang's official wife could do so.
To casually claim kinship like this was improper, as it disregarded hierarchy and etiquette.
Wei Tu himself did not care whether he had any connection with Master Huang. However, if calling him "Uncle" would benefit Wei Hong, he had no reason to refuse.
It was a small, effortless favor.
From ancient times, people have always been eager to add flowers to brocade but reluctant to send charcoal in the snow.
The help and investment that the Li family and Li Yaozu had given him mostly fell into the former category. While Wei Tu appreciated it and kept a sense of gratitude, it was not deep.
Once he repaid the favor, he and the Li family would have nothing to do with each other.
On the other hand, Wei Hong, despite having shunned him three years ago, to the point of implying that family ties were severed, had still agreed to his request to have Instructor Ruan teach him Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation.
That act was akin to sending charcoal in the snow.
—At least, when she made that decision, it was out of family ties rather than expecting any future repayment from him.
In front of the temple's main hall, a wide plaza stretched out.
After hearing Wei Tu address him as "Uncle Huang," Master Huang's face softened with a faint smile, and he acknowledged the greeting.
"Wei Ge'er, come home with your uncle. We'll host a banquet to celebrate your success."
Master Huang repeated what Wei Hong had just said.
He had initially assumed that after gaining some success, Wei Tu might have become difficult to deal with, holding resentment toward the Huang family and Wei Hong's past neglect.
But to his surprise, Wei Tu was quick to acknowledge their relationship—so cooperative.
So sensible…
Master Huang nodded to himself.
A martial artist from a humble background, even if gifted with great strength, would find it extremely difficult to make it all the way through the martial examination and achieve official rank.
The consensus among the county's elite was that Wei Tu lacked a reputable master.
Based on Master Huang's assessment, Wei Tu's willingness to curry favor with him now was most likely an attempt to secure a promising future—perhaps to use the Huang family's wealth to hire a skilled teacher and compensate for his shortcomings.
But he didn't mind.
Money could always be earned again—but encountering a promising martial talent with family ties was a rare opportunity.
"If he's properly trained and eventually earns an official rank, he'll be a strong asset for the Huang family…"
With this thought in mind, Master Huang warmly invited Wei Tu onto his carriage.
"That country bumpkin who came begging for a cultivation manual years ago?"
Standing nearby, Instructor Ruan, who had been completely ignored by Master Huang, suddenly recalled something as he watched Wei Tu step into the carriage.
His brows knitted tightly.
It was hard to connect the memory of a ragged young man from the countryside, desperate for a martial arts manual, with the Wei Tu he saw today—the one who had shocked the entire county by lifting a 500-jin stone lock.
The difference was simply too great.
"I… I didn't even score as well as him in any of the Strength and Skill tests… even his weakest subject, blade techniques…"
As that thought sank in, Instructor Ruan felt a wave of frustration and resentment surge through him.
His fists clenched involuntarily.
After Wei Tu's astounding performance in the stone-lifting trial, the crowd of spectators—scholars, merchants, and even county officials—had all been eagerly watching his subsequent results.
If Wei Tu had been a complete stranger, Instructor Ruan might have felt admiration rather than envy.
But unfortunately…
He knew him.
Three years ago, Instructor Ruan had shown contempt when Wei Tu came to ask for guidance. He had not followed Wei Hong's instructions to personally teach Wei Tu Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation. Instead, he had casually handed him a manual and dismissed him.
"If I had known this day would come, I should have taken him in as a registered disciple and taught him a few real techniques…"
Instructor Ruan deeply regretted his past actions.
If word of this spread, he would be mocked by other martial artists in the county. Worse yet, he could even lose his position at the Huang residence.
Judging by Master Huang's obvious favor toward Wei Tu, if Wei Tu made even the slightest complaint, Instructor Ruan might be packing his bags and leaving the Huang estate by morning.
"I need to take the loss, apologize, and hope he doesn't hold a grudge."
Instructor Ruan hurried after the carriage, making up his mind along the way.
Inside a luxurious study on the second floor of the main residence.
"Qing He, where is the gift that Wei Ge'er gave me three years ago? I need to see it."
Wei Hong had rushed back to her quarters, giving the order urgently.
"Second Madam, who is Wei Ge'er? And… what gift?"
Qing He, her trusted maid, noticed Wei Hong's anxious expression and immediately became nervous, asking for clarification.
"It's…"
Wei Hong thought for a moment before replying, "Three years ago, he gave me a gift box. It should be a lacquered case from the cosmetics shop on the west side of town."
"The west side cosmetics shop?"
Qing He repeated the words under her breath, then hurried into the inner chamber, searching through the cabinets.
After a quarter-hour, she suddenly seemed to remember something. She stood on tiptoe, reaching up to the top of a wooden cabinet, where she retrieved a dust-covered lacquered box and placed it on the table.
"Second Madam, is this the one?"
"Yes, this is it."
Wei Hong's eyes lit up with excitement. She took the box from Qing He's hands, tore off the wax paper seal, opened it, and pulled out a small case of rouge.
"This is… Golden Swallow Rouge?"
Wei Hong stared at the rich, vibrant hue, then brought it close to her nose, inhaling its delicate fragrance.
She was genuinely surprised.
The reason she had retrieved this gift was not because she cared for it, but simply so she wouldn't embarrass herself when speaking to Wei Tu later. She needed to at least know what he had gifted her.
But after opening the box, she realized that the rouge inside was not a cheap trinket but a high-quality and expensive Golden Swallow Rouge.
One small case of Golden Swallow Rouge was worth five qian, equivalent to two months' wages for her personal maid.
This was no minor gift.
For the first time, Wei Hong felt a bit ashamed of how she had treated her family in the past.
Master Huang was personally hosting Wei Tu, instructing the maids to prepare a fine pot of tea.
"This tea is Mingqian Cloud Mist Tea. When brewed three times, a delicate mist lingers above the cup, just like drifting clouds…"
"A tea of this quality costs three taels of silver per jin. If not for your visit today, I would never have let the maids brew it for a mere guest."
Master Huang lifted his teacup, using the lid to gently skim off the floating tea leaves, then took a sip and smiled.
For someone like Wei Tu, who was clearly seeking fortune, Master Huang had dealt with his kind countless times.
The best strategy was to flaunt luxury, subtly displaying his financial power. Once the other party was tempted, they would naturally fall in line.
However…
Wei Tu barely reacted.
Instead, his brows furrowed slightly.
After a brief pause, he lifted his tea, took a small sip, then set it down on the table without another glance.
Then, he shifted his gaze away from Master Huang, casually studying the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls.
He made it obvious that he had no interest in the conversation.