The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 48

Tian Xiaoman brought in the bags. One large sack was filled with dried pheasants, rabbits, two deer legs, and mushrooms that could only be found deep in the forest.

“Oh my, did you move their whole household here?” Tian Amu exclaimed as he unpacked the bags. He couldn’t help but think that if these were sold at the market, they’d fetch more than ten taels of silver.

Tian Xiaoman was dumbfounded. “I don’t know. I thought these were just vegetables, and Li Wenxuan was the one who brought it!” He quickly pushed the blame onto Li Wenxuan.

“You must be filial to them in the future! By the way, have you gotten used to their home these past few days?” Tian Amu asked in a low voice. 

Though he knew they were treating him well based on all these things, as a Amu, it was reassuring to ask.

“Yes, Father Li and Li Amuare both very kind to me. I even got to eat crabs this big!” Tian Xiaoman spread his hands to show the size. “Oh, and they have a little one—so cute! When I was leaving today, he was crying and holding on to me. I almost wanted to bring him home!”

“That must be Wenxuan’s elder brother’s child,” Tian Amu said, watching his son’s bright eyes as he talked about the boy. Hopefully, he won’t complain about his own children in the future.

“Yes, so cute…” Tian Xiaoman continued to describe Le ge’er’s cuteness to Tian Amu, talking animatedly until Tian Amu finished cooking.

At the dinner table, Tian Xiaoman eagerly shoveled rice into his mouth. It had been so long since he had tasted his Amu’s cooking. He nearly missed it.

The others watched him happily and helped him pick up more dishes.

After finishing his meal, Li Wenxuan prepared to leave. His wedding day was quickly approaching, and there were many things at home that required his help. He might not have time to visit again during this period.

After a long farewell to Tian Xiaoman, Li Wenxuan mounted his horse and rode off. He comforted himself, thinking, It’s okay, the next time we meet will be when Tian Xiaoman marries me!

Before Tian Xiaoman had a chance to feel down, Tian Amu pulled him into the room and began measuring him with a ruler.

“Amu, are you making clothes for me?” Tian Xiaoman was confused. He still had enough clothes to wear, and the New Year was still a while off!

“You silly ger! You’re getting married in just over a month, and you haven’t started making your wedding clothes yet!” Tian Amu scolded, glaring at him with exasperation.

“What?” Tian Xiaoman cried in dismay. “We have to make them? Can’t we just buy them?”

The words slipped out before he could stop them, only to receive a hard knock from Tian Amu. “Buy them? Li Wenxuan may have money, but if you buy your wedding robes, people will laugh us out of the village! Even the emperor’s gers have to sew a few stitches themselves!”

Tian Xiaoman whined, “Can I just sew two stitches?”

Tian Amu gave him a look, as if to say, Are you the emperor’s son?

“Okay, I get it!”

From that day on, Tian Xiaoman was confined at home, tearfully sewing his own and Li Wenxuan’s wedding robes. Every time he sat down to stitch, he felt like one of those tragic ger in old storybooks—forced into marriage against his will.

And to make matters worse, resentment toward Li Wenxuan began to grow. Why do I have to sew two robes while he doesn’t have to sew even one?

Tian Amu overheard his complaints, put down the wedding quilt he was working on, and coldly remarked, “Would you like to help with sewing the wedding quilt for you too?”

“Amu, I suddenly feel so much better! I love sewing wedding clothes!” Tian Xiaoman said, turning around and sewing with a determined expression.

Don’t think he didn’t notice—there were only two wedding clothes, but there were eight wedding quilts!

When he finally finished the wedding clothes, more than half a month had passed, and there were only four or five days left until the wedding.

The Tian family was as busy as the Li family during this time. Tian Xiaoman didn’t know what weddings were like for others, but for him, it had to be a grand and joyous event.

They refused to accept any betrothal gifts from the Li family. Instead, they divided all their savings into three parts, one of which was given to Tian Xiaoman. His two brothers knew about this, and not only did they have no objections, but they also took out part of their private savings to buy some dowry for him.

Tian Amu was especially fortunate at this time, for Xiaoman was the first one in the family to get married. Otherwise, he would have had to consider his sons-in-law’s feelings.

It wasn’t that he loved Tian Xiaoman more than his other children, but Xiaoman was his ger. He still had many years to love his other children, but he could only love Xiaoman until this year. After the wedding, it would be harder to see him often.

During this time, Tian Amu didn’t know how many tears he wiped away in private, but he kept up his cheerful demeanor in front of Tian Xiaoman.

As for Tian Xiaoman, he didn’t feel much better. The more his family treasured him, the more uncomfortable he felt. The date of his departure from home was approaching, and he couldn’t escape the reality. For the past few days, his wedding clothes had kept him distracted, but now, he had nothing to do.

No matter what he tried to do, his Amu would rush to help him, telling him to enjoy his time at home while he could. After all, he would be spending a lot of time in other people’s homes after he got married.

Three days before the wedding, his eldest brother and second brother took leave to come back and help notify the relatives about the wedding.

During this time, everyone was showering him with affection, but the more they did, the more uncomfortable he felt. 

He didn’t want to go out, so he stayed at home, sitting in the yard and looking at the familiar surroundings.

This tree—he had climbed it and fallen as a child. That wall—he had caught crickets there. The stone table in the yard—he had eaten so many delicious meals there…

Every part of the yard was filled with his memories, and everything was something he couldn’t bear to leave behind.

Over the past few days, Tian Amu and the others had noticed how quiet and sensible Xiaoman had become. He was no longer the noisy child they were used to. The wedding should have been a joyous occasion, but instead, it felt like a funeral.

Everyone tried to stay cheerful, but no one was truly happy.

In contrast, Li Wenxuan’s family remained joyful. Li Amu’s smile had never faded. The upcoming wedding was a joyous event worth celebrating all year.

As the wedding day approached, Li Yiran, Li Wenxuan’s elder brother, Li Yiran, took several days off from official duty to return home for the celebration and to see his little ger. 

But unexpectedly, his wife refused to travel due to his pregnancy, fearing the bumpy journey would hurt the baby. Despite his best efforts to persuade him, he wouldn’t budge, so Li Yiran came alone.

Li Amu was thrilled to see him, but when he noticed there was no one behind him, his face instantly fell.

“Where’s Meng Ge’er? Why didn’t he come back?”

“He’s with child, and the trip’s too rough. I didn’t want him to travel,” Li Yiran replied.

“Humph! You didn’t let him come back, or did he not want to come back?” Li Amu grumbled, upset that poor Le-ge’er wouldn’t be seeing his Amu

“Amu, I really was just worried for him,” Li Yiran said with a gentle smile, his face smooth as ever, giving nothing away.

“Don’t try your official tricks on me!” Li Amu scolded, though his heart softened. He bustled to prepare a large table of food for him.

Le-ge’er, hearing the sound of horse hooves, thought it was his uncle returning. He happily walked outside and saw a familiar figure. He hid behind the door and peered out. 

After Li Yiran and Li Amu finished talking, he looked up and spotted him.

“Amu, is that Le-ge’er?” he asked, his voice carried a hint of nostalgia. He had been just a few months old when they brought him back, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was already walking.

“Alas, I know you’re busy, but you should visit more often! The child doesn’t even recognize his own father anymore, Li Amu sighed and waved at Le-ge’er to come over.

Le-ge’er, hearing the call, took a few shaky steps, hiding behind Li Amu’s legs with only his little head peeking out.

“Le-ge’er, this is your father. Don’t you miss him? Call him ‘Father’!”

Le-ge’er looked up timidly and called out in a soft voice, “Father?”

Li Yiran smiled and squatted down, reaching out to pick up Le-ge’er.

But Le-ge’er refused, twisting his body to hide behind Li Amu.

“See? The child isn’t close to you anymore,” Li Amu teased, pulling Le-ge’er out to comfort him before heading into the kitchen to cook.

Now, it was just Li Yiran and Le-ge’er left in the yard. 

Le-ge’er, seeing his Grandmu leaving, tried to follow him inside.

But when he turned around and noticed Li Yiran was following him, he waved his little hand and kept saying, “No! No!”

Li Yiran stood there with a wry smile, watching his little figure disappear into the kitchen.

Soon, the sound of hooves came again. Li Wenxuan entered and, upon seeing who was there, exclaimed in delight, “Brother! You’re back!”