Duties of a matrilocal husband

He selected Wuji Dao, and the tree expanded.

The first orb at the root of the tree was already glowing bright:

Orb 1: Swift Step

Movement speed increased by 100%.

He tapped on it briefly and smiled faintly. That was the ability that had let him cover nearly 400 kilometers in five hours earlier that day using Ripple Drift. It had failed to save him in the end, but still, it was impressive.

His gaze moved to the next orb, still dim.

He selected it and invested his 3 available talent points.

With a pulse of light, the orb lit up.

Orb 2: Iron Veins

Incoming damage reduced by 30%.

Qin Wei let out a breath, feeling a faint warmth spread through his limbs. His body felt slightly sturdier already, like a layer of invisible armor had formed under his skin.

"At least something went right today…"

He closed the interface and leaned back against the wall, arms behind his head.

Outside, the night was silent. Beside him, Li Xue was finally sleeping peacefully on the bed, her breaths even.

He glanced over at her, expression unreadable. "A demon bride with split personalities… I don't believe a half-deity wouldn't know it. Oh, my emperor uncle, what are you scheming?"

He chuckled bitterly under his breath.

"What kind of protagonist did I transmigrate into…"

The Next Morning…

A soft beam of sunlight filtered through the silk curtains, warming the room with a golden glow.

Qin Wei stirred awake, blinking slowly as he adjusted to the light. The moment his senses returned, he sat up with a start, only to realize he was no longer lying on the cold, hard floor.

"The bed…?"

He glanced around. Li Xue was gone. Instead, standing by the window, holding a neatly folded robe, was Roulan, her expression as calm and composed as ever.

"Good morning, young master," she said with a bow. "Please wash up quickly. You will need to serve tea shortly."

Qin Wei blinked, momentarily confused.

"Serve tea?" he echoed, pointing at himself. "Did you say I have to serve tea?"

Roulan nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Of course. As the matrilocal husband, it is your duty. It's a tradition that you serve tea to the elders of the Li clan, every day in the morning."

Qin Wei opened his mouth, then closed it again. A muscle in his cheek twitched.

"Matrilocal husband… right…"

Before he could voice further protest, Roulan continued in her smooth, professional tone, "But you don't have to stress out. It's only for 3 days. After that, both you and Lady Xue will visit the ancestral temple for worship. Then you'll relocate to your new residence, gifted by the Patriarch himself."

That made Qin Wei pause.

"New residence?" he repeated, frowning slightly. "Is that really necessary?" The events of the night is still fresh in his mind.

Roulan raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is it a problem?"

She gave a soft chuckle and said, "It's actually part of Lady Xue's dowry. She insisted on it herself, so that you wouldn't feel too much like a 'matrilocal husband.' Furthermore, she's been considerate enough to allow your tongfang maids to live with you. She even requested that the Patriarch increase your monthly allowance. You'll now receive two hundred taels, more than double your previous allotted stipend."

Qin Wei sat in silence, processing her words. Outwardly, he gave a faint nod of gratitude. "Generous? Yeah… very generous."

But deep inside, his heart was churning.

"Live alone with her? In a new house? That's basically a death sentence!"

He remembered the possessed version of Li Xue from last night, pitch-black eyes, bloodlust, floating in the air like a vengeful goddess. His throat unconsciously throbbed where she had gripped him.

"And what if that Zhinu returns? What if it's not just once? No one's going to believe me. Everyone's on her side. The Li clan, the maids, even Roulan…"

He shuddered at the scene, remembering that the system said that it was the first assassination attempt. That means Zhinu will return and try to assassinate him again. Who will save him then? He certainly didn't want to put everything in one basket, putting his hopes on the celestial sword of destiny skill.

And Li Clan guards are certainly not trustworthy. Atleast, in the Li Clan estate, his father-in-law would be there to protect him.

"So this is how it feels to be married off…"

Still, there was a sliver of hope. From the host's memories, he knew that among his tongfang maids, at least two were cultivators, skilled ones at that. They were once placed to serve and protect him, but could also serve as allies now that he was in this unfamiliar warzone of a marriage.

"Maybe it won't be so bad... if I just keep them close."

"Young master?" Roulan's voice brought him out of his swirling thoughts.

He blinked, realizing he'd been silent too long. "Right… I understand," he said finally, his voice a little stiff but composed.

He stood up, taking the robe she offered. As he moved toward the washbasin, he muttered under his breath,

"First tea service… then a death house with a possessed bride. Wonderful. Just wonderful…"

After a while;

Inside the Former Patriarch's Hall…

A soft creak echoed through the wooden door as Qin Wei stepped into the hall, accompanied by Roulan, who carried a silver tray with a teapot and a single delicate porcelain cup resting atop a matching saucer.

The room smelled faintly of old sandalwood and incense. It was quiet, austere, and weighed down by the dignity of age and tradition.

At the far end of the room, sitting on a broad cedar chair, was Li Wenshu, the former Patriarch of the Li Clan, Li Xue's grandfather.

The old man's back was ramrod straight, his expression calm but carved with a stoic harshness that made it clear: this was a man used to power, and expecting deference.

Qin Wei stepped forward and gave the customary bow, palms pressed together and extended forward as he lowered his head.

"Qin Wei greets Grandfather-in-law."

Li Wenshu said nothing. His gaze bore into Qin Wei's form like a sculptor evaluating flawed stone. He didn't return the greeting, nor did his expression soften in the slightest.

Roulan, silently efficient, approached the low table before the patriarch and gently placed the tray down.

Qin Wei, swallowing down the stale lump of resentment rising in his throat, lifted the teapot and carefully poured the steaming tea into the cup, setting it properly in its saucer before holding it out with both hands.

"Grandfather-in-law, please accept this tea."

The old man finally moved, lifting the cup with fingers that, though aged, still exuded an air of absolute control. He took a slow sip, his face unreadable. Then, lowering the cup, he finally spoke.

"Since you've married into the Li Clan, you are now one of us," he said in a gravelly tone. "And thus, you will abide by our clan's customs and rules."

Qin Wei nodded slowly, lowering his gaze. "I understand."

But the old man wasn't finished. His eyes narrowed just slightly, and a subtle edge crept into his voice.