Chapter 25: The Hesitation of Returning Home

Before long, Li Yaozu and his wife sat down at the dining table along with their guest, Wei Tu.

"Wei Xiong…"

Li Xingye was the first to greet him, deliberately addressing him as "Wei Xiong" instead of "Wei Ge'er," treating him as an equal rather than a former household servant.

There was not the slightest trace of arrogance in his demeanor—only humility and composure. His courtesy was impeccable.

Wei Tu lifted his gaze slightly, gaining a bit more appreciation for Li Xingye. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly—no wonder the gentry of Qingmu County had flocked to the Li residence upon hearing about Li Xingye's county examination results, eager to forge ties with the Li family.

If he was this poised with an old acquaintance, he must be equally refined and eloquent when conversing with other scholars and dignitaries.

"I have spent most of my time studying in the prefectural academy and rarely returned home, so I haven't had many opportunities to meet Wei Xiong. I never expected that despite your humble beginnings, you would hold such grand ambitions."

"I heard from my father about your remarkable story, and I must say, I deeply admire you."

Li Xingye smiled warmly. As he spoke, he lightly touched his fingertips together and offered a respectful bow toward Wei Tu from across the table.

"With your martial skills, I'm sure you will shine in the upcoming examination. When the time comes, we can travel to the prefectural capital together—it would be good to have each other's company."

His tone was sincere.

Wei Tu hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Aside from Dan Yan Gong, he had little interaction with scholars in this world. Li Xingye's enthusiasm—whether it was appropriately warm or overly forward—was difficult for him to gauge.

Traveling with Li Xingye to the prefectural capital would certainly be advantageous. However, he was reluctant to accept any more favors from the Li family.

If not for his lack of funds and the fact that Xinghua was still in the Li residence, he wouldn't have sought lodging here in the first place.

"Shifu's eldest son runs a private academy in the prefectural capital, and his household is quite spacious…"

"When I left Dan Wu Ju's estate, Yan Gong Xiong already offered to let me stay at his place for the prefectural examination, so I won't trouble you, Xingye Xiong."

After considering for a moment, Wei Tu shook his head, politely declining the offer.

At his words, Li Xingye's smile stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered, especially after Li Yaozu chimed in.

"Scholar Dan has long resided in the prefectural capital. Now that Wei Ge'er has left Dan Wu Ju's estate, it makes sense that he would stay with Scholar Dan."

"I was being presumptuous."

"Please don't take offense, Wei Xiong."

Li Xingye wasn't sure if his father's words were meant to smooth things over or if they were sincere, but either way, he didn't let any displeasure show on his face.

Once the dishes were served, the conversation naturally ceased as everyone adhered to the traditional etiquette—"one does not speak while eating or sleeping."

After finishing his meal in the inner residence, Wei Tu knew better than to linger.

He offered a respectful bow and followed Chunlan, one of the maids, out of the inner courtyard.

Just as he was about to step beyond the residence, he suddenly paused, his ears picking up a subtle sound.

Looking up, he gazed at the towering cypress tree standing deep within the inner courtyard.

Though the high walls obscured its massive trunk, its lush branches stretched beyond the rooftop, swaying gently under the moonlight.

Wei Tu shook his head and chuckled softly before stepping out of the courtyard.

Since mastering Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation, his senses had sharpened significantly, far beyond those of ordinary people.

Had it not been for this ability, he wouldn't have discovered, on his journey back home, the secret massacre carried out by Zheng Kingdom's soldiers against the traveling sword fighters of Baiyang County.

He had heard it—someone had kicked the cypress tree. A hard, frustrated strike.

And from the sound of it, he could guess that the culprit was none other than the ever-gracious Li Xingye.

"Like father, like son…"

Some things truly never changed.

Wei Tu sighed to himself.

Arriving at the front courtyard of the Li residence, Wei Tu saw Xinghua standing at the doorway of the hall, holding a lantern.

"Wei Ge'er… you… you're back…"

Upon seeing Wei Tu, Xinghua didn't rush forward to embrace him despite having known him since childhood. She took a small step forward, then hesitated and stepped back.

Her gaze dropped slightly, as if it could see through the fabric of his purple woolen jacket to his bare chest underneath.

More than half a year had passed. Xinghua could tell that Wei Tu's chest muscles had grown firmer, his waist broader than when he had left. The stitching she had sewn was undone and redone, this time with finer, tighter needlework…

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

Especially the aura of a hardened martial artist that now clung to Wei Tu—it was sharp, imposing.

Anyone encountering him would instinctively feel a flicker of fear, stepping aside to make way. Even in conversation, people would unconsciously adopt a gentler tone, speaking with greater courtesy.

Xinghua was certain that she, too, was afraid. After all, she was just a delicate woman, a housemaid who had never seen much of the world.

Wei Tu stopped in the courtyard. He saw how Xinghua had instinctively taken half a step back, and he noticed the hesitation in her gaze.

"The meal in the inner residence was too proper. I didn't eat my fill. Are there still any flatbreads left?"

"Bring me a few, and prepare some hot water. I've been on the road all day."

Wei Tu spoke to Xinghua in the same tone he would use with a servant.

Hearing this, Xinghua felt a small pang of disappointment. Yet at the same time, there was also a sense of relief—at least she was still of use to him.

If nothing else, she could still serve as a handmaid, attending to her husband, who now had a real chance at passing the martial examination.

She accepted it.

She was used to it.

Turning around, she went inside to retrieve the freshly baked flatbreads from the kitchen.

However, at that moment, Wei Tu suddenly moved behind her and pinched her butt.

Xinghua's face immediately flushed red. She spun around and glared at him, full of displeasure.

This time, his grip was much firmer than before.

"Wash up and wait for me in bed. I've been holding back too long at Dan Wu Ju's estate."

Wei Tu said the words without hesitation, as if they were the most natural thing in the world.

"Eat first," Xinghua huffed, stuffing the still-warm flatbreads into his arms. Then she stomped her foot and hurried off to the maids' washing room to bathe.

"This must be what they call hesitation upon returning home…"

Watching her retreating figure, Wei Tu shook his head, deep in thought.

He and Xinghua were different.

He had received a modern education. The worries that she thought she had concealed so well were clear as day to him.

At this moment, Xinghua feared him.

She feared that if he achieved success and fame, he would abandon her—the wife who had once been his equal in hardship.

Half an hour later, Xinghua quietly entered the hall, keeping her head lowered. She deliberately tucked her neck inward to hide the skin that had been scrubbed red with soap, hoping Wei Tu wouldn't notice.

Her concerns were unnecessary.

As soon as he shut the door and blew out the candle, he lifted her onto his shoulder and tossed her onto the bed.

A moment later, waves rose and fell.

The wooden bed creaked.

Late into the night, they woke in each other's arms, their earlier distance completely dissolved.

"Wei Ge'er…"

Xinghua opened her eyes and kissed his forehead before falling back into a satisfied sleep.