I am a Late Bloomer in the Immortal World
Chapter 11: Shedding the Status of a Slave

Two years had passed since the infuriating words of his cousin, Huang Yuanshan. From the time Wei Tu left the Huang family those words still occasionally echoed in his mind.

The feeling of being despised was unpleasant.

However, now was a critical period in his life, a matter of life and death.

Wei Tu would not let such a personal grudge prevent him from mentioning his sole reliable backing.

"Wei Hong..." Li Tongshi pondered the name, deep in thought.

Although Wei Hong was a secondary wife in the Huang family, her status was not low due to having a son, unlike most concubines. Li Tongshi was aware of this.

Even though Wei Hong's status might not directly impact the internal affairs of the Li household, seizing Wei Tu’s contract and turning it into a grudge was still unwise.

The Huang family was influential and wealthy in Qingmu County, with extensive lands far surpassing the Li family. Of course, the Li family was not so poor to the point of being fearful.

“Yet, if Wei Tu were truly so closely connected with his second aunt Wei Hong, he wouldn’t have fallen to being a servant in our Li family.” Li Tongshi thought.

An ordinary male relative from a wealthy family like Wei Hong's would not be inclined to offer much help.

However, a male relative with prospects of passing the martial examination was quite different.

As the matriarch of the Li family, Li Tongshi understood the perspective of prominent concubines like Wei Hong.

Having a supporting family gave one confidence, support, and prevented one from being looked down upon by the husband's family.

After a short while, when Li Tongshi gently placed her teacup on the table beside her, it was clear to those in the hall that she had made up her mind.

“The decision regarding your contract. I cannot decide on my own and it needs to be discussed with the master,” Li Tongshi said, casting a glance at Wei Tu. 

“The master has always been open-minded. If you wish to take the martial examination, the Li family shall not obstruct your path.”

She had already agreed in her heart to allow Wei Tu to redeem himself, but it was not proper to make such decisions about household affairs without consulting Li Yaozu.

“Cai Xia, go and fetch the master,” Li Tongshi instructed, looking at the maid standing on her right.

“Yes, Madam,” Cai Xia replied and left the room.

After a short while, Master Li Yaozu arrived in the parlor from his study. He took a seat in the chair next to Li Tongshi, smoothing the hem of his robe before examining Wei Tu, who stood before him.

“Are you redeeming your bond?” Li Yaozu frowned. “Do you have the required amount of silver?”

His tone was not as warm or emotional as Li Tongshi’s. He immediately asked about the full amount of redemption silver.

This attitude was consistent with what people knew about Master Li Yaozu.

“Due to insufficient funds, I hope the master and Madam will show mercy and consider reducing the amount,” Wei Tu said, presenting his prepared statement.

The ten taels of silver was an estimate based on market rates, not the actual redemption amount. The Li family’s asking price could be higher or lower than ten taels.

Of course, the price had to be within a reasonable range; otherwise, it would be difficult to accept.

If the asking price was unreasonable, Wei Tu could report the Li family to the authorities, but the issue is that the authorities often favored those with money over those with reason.

“Husband.” As Li Yaozu was about to speak, Li Tongshi stood and gestured for him to follow her to the inner hall to discuss the matter.

Time slowly passed...

From the moment Wei Tu entered the inner quarters until now, it was well past noon.

Finally, at a quarter past noon, Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi emerged from the inner hall, taking their respective seats.

“In business, currency matters must be settled. If you wish to leave the Li family and redeem your bond, then the redemption silver is unavoidable."

“You have been supported by the Li family, used our resources, and even learned horse-training skills from us. Your wages are included in our expenses. All of these combined cost us a lot.”

Li Tongshi took out the ledger and calculated.

Hearing this, Wei Tu did not refute.

If he had proposed redeeming his bond earlier, the Li family would not have invested so much in his training and even arranged for his marriage.

“The total comes to approximately eleven taels and five coins.”

“Wei Ge’er, can you accept this amount for the redemption silver?” Li Tongshi asked.

“Please, Madam, show some leniency and reduce the amount. In the future, I will certainly repay you,” Wei Tu said, astonished by the redemption sum. The Li family's calculated amount far exceeded his own estimation.

The additional one tael and five coins was not a small sum. With that amount they could buy another servant during a famine year.

Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Wei Tu made a deep bow and lowered his tone.

Li Yaozu, seeing Wei Tu bow deeply, showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He said, “Wei Ge’er has grown up in the Li household. Although business matters are important, some consideration for old ties is also needed. The redemption silver can be lowered. How about eight taels and eight coins? Consider it as a bonus!”

“Thank you, Master,” Wei Tu responded gratefully.

After expressing his thanks, Wei Tu took out the silver he had saved over the years, counted it, and handed it to Chun Lan, who was standing by.

“Madam, it is eight taels and eight coins,” Chun Lan said, placing the silver coins on the lacquered table and leaning in to whisper to Li Tongshi.

“It seems you came prepared. Here are your bond and the letter of proof,” Li Tongshi said with a smile, retrieving an unsealed envelope from her sleeve and placing it on the tea table.

She explained why she and Master Li Yaozu had spent so long in the inner hall—because they were drafting the letter to prove Wei Tu’s redemption.

“Wei Tu thanks the Master and Madam once more,” Wei Tu said, bowing deeply again.

After his thanks, he took a deep breath, straightened up, and looked directly at Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi.

At that moment, he was no longer a servant of the Li family.

From now on, once he shed his status as a servant at the bureaucratic office, he would be a fully recognized commoner of the Zheng Kingdom, not just a private slave kept by a wealthy family.

Seeing this, both Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi felt an inexplicable discomfort and frowned slightly.

They thought that Wei Tu should have maintained the appropriate etiquette before leaving the Li household, as a courtesy for their previous “favor.”

“Wei Ge’er, go to the outer courtyard and pack your belongings. You may leave now,” Li Yaozu said, maintaining a smile despite his inner displeasure.

Although he had not assessed Wei Tu’s skills and strength like Xing Hua, he understood that a servant daring to seek redemption was likely motivated by more than just dissatisfaction.

What Wei Tu said was likely true. Even if he did not succeed in the martial examination this time, it was better not to offend a martial artist if possible.

There have been instances in Qing County where landlords were killed by swordsmen in recent years.

Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded, took the bond and letter from Chun Lan, and turned to leave the inner courtyard.

After Wei Tu left, the inner courtyard of the Li residence returned to its usual calm.

“Why hasn’t lunch been served yet? It’s already past noon.”

Li Tongshi, having put away the ledger, frowned in dissatisfaction as she noticed the empty dining table.

She sighed, wondering if the servants and maids had become more insolent due to her leniency in managing the household.

“Xing Hua went out to buy vegetables in the morning and hasn’t returned yet,” a maid said quietly.

“What? Xing Hua still hasn’t returned yet?” Li Yaozu, who had just arrived at the dining table, darkened his expression.

However, he seemed to realize something, and a chill ran down his spine.