The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 121

Ever since the drought in Anyang County, Li Yiran was dispatched by the imperial court to the prefectural capital as a judge to monitor the water situation closely. Originally a seventh-rank editor of the Hanlin Academy, and now holding a sixth-rank Tongpan post, Li Yiran was promoted within just two years of entering officialdom. His future looked bright.

(Translator’s Note: Tongpan (通判) — An assistant or supervisory official in imperial Chinese local administration. The Tongpan served alongside the prefect or governor, overseeing administration, auditing conduct, and providing checks on authority, often with limited independent power but significant supervisory influence.)

He was filling the vacancy left by Lian Meng’s uncle, who had been transferred to another prefecture. That place was sparsely populated, the land within a hundred-mile radius was barren, and the region was extremely poor. 

Following the disaster, the court launched a major purge of corrupt forces in the city. Lian Meng’s uncle had been fortunate—though his career had effectively come to an end, he managed to escape harsher consequences.

Upon assuming his new post, Li Yiran promptly resolved several long-standing cases, earning praise from the people. On top of that, he was handsome and unmarried, making him the ideal son-in-law candidate in the eyes of many families in the city.

Faced with a flood of eager matchmakers after work, Li Yiran eventually found it overwhelming. Even though he had made it clear that he had no plans to marry, it did nothing to cool their enthusiasm.

Even his superiors offered subtle advice, reminding him that, as the ancients said, one should marry before starting a career. Now that he had established himself, it was only proper that he take a spouse.

All Li Yiran could do was smile bitterly and nod in response. 

In truth, ever since the incident with Lian Meng, he had already given up the idea of marrying. He didn’t want to bring harm to his family, nor did he want to disappoint his other ger due to his demanding work schedule. Besides, he already had Le Ge’er. Even his own biological Amu could ignore him—how could others be expected to truly care?

With all this in mind, Li Yiran no longer entertained thoughts of marriage. 

As for inheritance, he chuckled to himself: wasn’t the Little Tuanzi from his second brother’s family the perfect candidate?

But fate comes when you least expect it. Even stagnant waters can stir into waves.

…

In truth, Liu Sheng wasn’t as carefree as Tian Xiaoman and the others imagined. Though his family was wealthy, problems abounded.

His father, originally more open-minded, seemed to have changed after spending too much time in the capital. His ambitions grew, and he even considered marrying Liu Sheng off to another merchant family. He increasingly viewed ger as tools to further the family’s prosperity.

Liu Sheng wasn’t one to tolerate that. After making a huge scene at home, he returned to his hometown. There, he learned that Xiaoman was engaged to a butcher. Recalling the image of a butcher he’d once seen on the street, Liu Sheng felt a chill—Xiaoman used to have such high standards!

But after meeting the man in person, he was relieved. The two really did suit each other.

He even attended the wedding and gifted Xiaoman treasures from his collection. After that, he visited the Li family, curious about the two brothers. He privately thought Li Wenxuan’s brother was more handsome—gentle, refined, exactly his type.

Ultimately, though, Liu Sheng couldn’t escape. His father dragged him back. Still, fearing another outburst, he relented—for now—and promised not to force a marriage if Liu Sheng truly didn’t want it.

When he returned home again, he was depressed to learn that the soft-spoken Yang Xiaoguo and the quiet An Jing were also getting married—to none other than Xiaoman’s eldest and second brothers, Tian Fu and Tian Shou!

Liu Sheng silently cursed them. Why did they all have to get married at the same time? Couldn’t they leave one behind to keep him company? Now he was the only one left—how unfair! 

He made a scene when Tian Shou came to pick up the bride. Seeing their pale faces gave him a sense of satisfaction. Serves them right for marrying his friends!

After returning home, his family immediately resumed matchmaking efforts, much to Liu Sheng’s annoyance. 

Fortunately, a drought soon hit. While the city had sufficient supplies, it wasn’t completely unaffected. Prices soared, and no one came calling. Liu Sheng finally got a chance to breathe.

The topic of diverting water from the south became a major public concern. Liu Sheng was sincerely happy for those in disaster-stricken Anyang County—Xiaoman and Xiaoguo were both there. He and An Jing were in the provincial capital, but rarely saw each other. His family told him to keep a low profile, and restricted his outings.

When the water source was finally secured, the city stabilized, thanks in part to new officials who cracked down on price-gouging profiteers.

Liu Sheng was especially glad his family wasn’t in the grain business. Otherwise, they might have been implicated and had their property seized.

Once things settled, the matchmakers returned.

Liu Sheng didn’t know if he was just unlucky, but every person he met seemed to try something when no one was looking. Did they really think that if they kissed him or touched him, he’d be forced to marry them?

He dealt with them the only way he knew—one swift kick between the legs. But the man he ran into today was clearly a tough one. Liu Sheng rolled his eyes and reached for the dagger hidden in his sleeve.

Just as he was about to strike, someone pulled the man away. 

Liu Sheng retracted his dagger and looked up.

“You’re… Big Brother Li?”

Li Yiran had been passing by with his yamen runners and happened to witness the scene. “Who are you?”

“I’m Liu Sheng—Xiaoman’s good friend! I was one of the people who sent him to your house for his wedding!”

Li Yiran nodded. “Where do you live? I’ll escort you home.” 

The young man had clearly just been through a scare. Since they knew each other, he might as well help him out.

Liu Sheng readily gave his address, then followed Li Yiran, chatting as they walked.

Neither of them thought much of the encounter. But Li Yiran had recently become a local celebrity, and when the townsfolk saw him with Liu Sheng, the rumors exploded—so this is why he rejected all the matchmakers! He already has someone in his heart!

The story spread like wildfire.

Liu Sheng learned about it from his father.

“Sheng’er, no wonder you didn’t like anyone I introduced! You already had your eye on someone better! Why didn’t you say so? We approve! Let him come propose anytime!” Father Liu was thrilled. A marriage alliance with an official? That meant more business opportunities!

Liu Sheng scratched his ear. “What are you talking about? Better who? Proposal what?”

“Lord Li, of course! The rumors are everywhere now! It can’t be hidden anymore. I’ll have your Amu prepare things now, hehe!” His father chuckled and walked off, leaving Liu Sheng in stunned silence.

Li Yiran was equally confused. His parents now lived with him and Le Ge’er. Lately, they’d been acting strange, as if they had something to say but didn’t know how.

Then one day, Le Ge’er asked him, “Father, are you going to marry a concubine?”

Li Yiran was startled. “Who told you that?! Don’t worry, Le Ge’er, Father won’t marry a concubine!”

Le Ge’er shook his head. “Father, you should. Brother Liu Sheng is very nice.”

He remembered Liu Sheng. Momo often brought him along on outings. Every time they met, Liu Sheng would hug and kiss him.

“Liu Sheng?” Li Yiran blinked.

“Yes. Everyone’s saying you’re going to marry him. Do I have to call him Amu now?” Le Ge’er asked seriously. 

Li Yiran suddenly ran off, and Le Ge’er thought he must be really happy. Sitting on the doorstep, he stared up at the white clouds, missing Brother Lin and Little Tuanzi…

After confirming the situation with his father and Amu, Li Yiran prepared to clear up the misunderstanding—but was stopped by his Amu.

“If you deny it now, what will people think of Liu Sheng?”

…

“At worst, I’ll just go back to Xingtian Village. What’s the big deal? I caused the trouble, so I’ll clean it up. Don’t make it worse. I’m not going to die if I don’t get married!” Liu Sheng slammed the door and stormed out.

Li Yiran thought long and hard on his way over—about Liu Sheng’s reputation, and how to fix all this. But no solution came to mind.

Then, he ran into Liu Sheng, coming from the other direction. 

Their eyes met—and both quickly looked away, awkward and embarrassed.

“Um… Lord Li, let’s talk over there.” Liu Sheng pointed to a quieter spot.

Li Yiran nodded, and they walked there silently.

“Sorry.” 

“Sorry.” 

They spoke at the same time.

“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have let that guy lure me into such a remote place. That’s what caused all this,” Liu Sheng said in frustration.

Li Yiran shook his head. “It’s because I’m too well-known that your reputation got dragged into this. I didn’t think things through.” He had viewed Liu Sheng as a friend, perhaps like a younger sibling, but others only saw an unmarried man and a ger alone together…

They both fell silent. 

Li Yiran, being taller, could see Liu Sheng fidgeting—tearing leaves and scuffing the ground. He imagined the younger man’s brows were tightly furrowed.

“If… you don’t mind that I’ve been married once, maybe we can try getting along,” Li Yiran said softly.

Liu Sheng looked stunned.

“I’m sorry, that was too forward.”

Liu Sheng looked closely at him—handsome, gentle, polite, responsible. Aside from having been married, there really wasn’t anything wrong with him.

He had nothing to lose. At worst, he’d go back to the village and live alone. No big deal.

“Sure, let’s try it.”

Now it was Li Yiran’s turn to be surprised. He wasn’t sure why he said it. Liu Sheng wasn’t sure why he agreed. 

But when they looked at each other and smiled, it didn’t feel bad at all.