The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 23

On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Tian Xiaoman got up early in the morning. He had to help his Amu prepare the offerings.

Usually, people prepared large cuts of meat, a whole fish, and a whole chicken for the offerings. Those in better circumstances also included a pig’s head and fresh fruit. These foods could not be eaten beforehand. As soon as they came out of the pot, they were plated and set aside, only to be eaten after the offering ceremony was finished.

Tian Xiaoman, who had been taught by his Amu since he was young, naturally didn’t dare sneak a bite.

He watched as his Amu washed the whole pig’s head, boiled a large pot of water, and put the pig’s head in to cook. After it boiled, he took it out, refilled the pot with water, and added ginger, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and other spices. Then he added a big ladle of soy sauce and a suitable amount of salt. Once the broth was fragrant, he put the pig’s head back in to stew and covered the pot.

The aroma was so tempting that Tian Xiaoman’s mouth watered. Staying in the kitchen any longer was torture for someone who had only eaten a bowl of porridge that morning.

Tian Amu noticed his discomfort and placed the big grass carp he had bought in a basin, telling Tian Xiaoman to take it out and kill it. That way, he wouldn’t have to suffer in the kitchen any longer.

Tian Xiaoman took the fish and fled to the well in the front yard. He dropped a wooden bucket tied with rope into the well, swirled it left and right until it sank and filled, then hauled up a heavy bucket of water and poured it into a large wooden basin. The fish, still alive, swam around vigorously inside.

Killing a fish directly with a knife took effort since it struggled, so Tian Xiaoman usually stunned it first by slamming it onto the ground. Once the fish was dazed, he could kill it quickly.

First, he scraped off the scales from both sides, then carefully slit open the belly, making sure not to puncture the gallbladder, which would make the meat bitter. Then he removed the gills from the fish head and rinsed everything clean. The fish was ready.

Tian Xiaoman brought the cleaned fish into the kitchen for his Amu, then went back out to sweep up the fish scales and buried them in the soil.

Once that was done, Tian Xiaoman didn’t really know what else to do—and he definitely didn’t want to go back into the kitchen.

After thinking for a bit, he decided to go see what his father and brothers were up to.

On the 15th of the seventh month, it was customary to worship the ancestors. In addition to the offerings, people burned incense, candles, and paper money, all of which had to be taken to the ancestral hall in the village. The ancestral hall held the ancestral tablets of each family and wasn’t opened often—only on major festivals or for significant village matters.

It hadn’t been opened for a long time, so it was dusty and cobwebbed inside, and someone had to clean it.

This time, it happened to be the Tian family’s turn. Tian Xiaoman’s father and brothers had been cleaning for a while.

Tian Xiaoman approached the ancestral hall, eager to help. But just as he was about to go in, his brother stopped him at the door. “Too dusty inside. What are you doing here, little brother? Be good and go help Amu in the kitchen.”

Tian Xiaoman pouted and had to walk back unwillingly.

Luckily, when he got home, the pig’s head was almost done. His Amu took it out and placed it in the cupboard.

For ancestor worship, the pig’s head couldn’t be cooked until it was too soft or it wouldn’t keep its shape—it needed to look whole. Later, they would cook it a little more before eating.

“Amu, I’m hungry…” Tian Xiaoman clutched his stomach and looked pitifully at him. Today, they were only having two meals—breakfast and a combined lunch-dinner after the afternoon ceremony.

“I told you to eat more in the morning, but you didn’t listen! And now you’re hungry! Anyone else would just ignore you!” Tian Amu grumbled as he pulled out some leftover sweet potato vermicelli and put it in the pot. “Good thing I didn’t use it all last time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have anything to make for you on short notice…”

“Amu, you’re the best!” Tian Xiaoman looked at his grumbling Amu with affection.

Tian Amu’s hands didn’t stop moving even as he scolded Tian Xiaoman. Xiaoman rushed forward and hugged him from behind, leaning against his back.

His sudden hug interrupted the scolding. 

Tian Amu paused, then smiled softly. This kid really loved to cling to people. What would he do in the future, once he wasn’t at home anymore? That thought made his heart ache a little.

“Amu, I think it’s ready!” Tian Xiaoman didn’t notice his Amu’s shift in mood. Hearing the bubbling sound of boiling water, he thought it was done.

Tian Amu smiled to himself, wondering why he had suddenly thought so far ahead.

“Not yet, it needs a little longer.” He brought out a big bowl, added lard, salt, soy sauce, chopped dried chilies, leftover peanuts from yesterday, and a few drops of sesame oil—making a flavorful base. Then he scooped up the sweet potato vermicelli and mixed it all together, handing the steaming bowl to Tian Xiaoman.

“Here, you greedy cat, eat!”

Tian Xiaoman had been waiting impatiently. The moment he handed it over, he took a big bite—spicy and savory. “Mmm, so good! Amu, you eat too!” He handed him a pair of chopsticks, and the two of them shared the big bowl of vermicelli happily.

After that, with his stomach full, Tian Xiaoman was much more efficient. Soon, the meat, fish, and chicken for the offering were all ready.

Just then, Father Tian and the others came back and called out from the main hall, “Ready yet? The village chief’s family has already gone. We’ve got to hurry!”

“All right! Come carry everything!” Tian Amu answered.

Tian Fu came in with a big wooden tray, and with Tian Shou’s help, they carried the offerings out.

When heading to the ancestral hall for the ritual, married gers didn’t usually go. It was just the male head of the household and the children. Father Tian carried the paper money and incense, Tian Fu and Tian Shou carried the offerings, and Tian Xiaoman went empty-handed.

By the time they reached the ancestral hall, villagers were already gathering. The village chief stood at the front with a sheet of paper, reciting a long and formal sacrificial text.

Tian Xiaoman heard it every year but still didn’t understand a word.

After the recitation, everyone knelt and performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows. Then each family poured wine in front of the stage, burned the paper money and gold ingots, and finally set off a long string of firecrackers. That signified the ancestors had finished their meal, and the ceremony was complete.

Tian Xiaoman followed his father and brothers back home, in much higher spirits than before. The atmosphere during the offering had been so solemn he didn’t dare even move, let alone speak.

Father Tian and the others looked at him with smiles. As the youngest ger in the family, he was loved by everyone.

Once home, Tian Xiaoman helped his Amu clean up the offerings and prepare a few more dishes. Then the whole family sat down to a joyful Mid-Autumn meal together.