The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 51

The Li family had been eagerly watching the road. As soon as they spotted the wedding procession in the distance, Li Amu quickly instructed the servants to light the firecrackers.

The crackling sound rang out for a long time, still echoing when the procession arrived at the gate. 

The children clapped and laughed with excitement. The more timid young gers hid their faces in their Amu’s arms as they covered their ears.

As the firecrackers died down, the sound of neighbors’ chatter reached their ears—everyone was talking about Tian Xiaoman’s dowry. It was a full twenty-four sedan loads!

Even the village head’s son didn’t receive that much when he got married! 

The neighbors looked at Li Amu and the rest with new admiration. Who wouldn’t want to maintain a good relationship with a wealthy family? You never knew when you might need help.

To the sound of trumpets and suona flutes, Tian Xiaoman was helped down from the carriage. He stepped over the tall brazier and walked into his new life.

Father Li and Li Amu sat in the hall, their joy written all over their faces. Now that Li Wenxuan was married, one major event in the family had finally been settled.

With Tian Xiaoman and Li Wenxuan standing side by side, the matchmaker came forward to lead the ceremony.

“Kneel!”

Tian Xiaoman and Li Wenxuan slowly knelt, their backs straight and eyes full of respect.

“Bow once! Bow again! Bow three times!”

They followed the instructions step by step.

“Now stand up! First, bow to Heaven and Earth.”

“Second, bow to the parents.”

“Third, bow to each other as husband and wife.”

“Send them to the bridal chamber!”

The crowd helped Tian Xiaoman into Li Wenxuan’s room, with Li Wenxuan following right behind, looking visibly delighted.

Tian Xiaoman sat on the bed with a red veil over his head. At the matchmaker’s prompting, Li Wenxuan picked up a weighing rod and lifted the veil.

The onlookers gasped in admiration when they saw Tian Xiaoman’s face. They praised Li Wenxuan’s luck—such a handsome partner, and not one of those thin, pale types. His round face was pleasing to the eye and looked like someone who’d bear children well.

Once the veil was lifted, the two sat together and tied a red ribbon knot. Then the matchmaker brought two cups of wedding wine, and they drank from each other’s cup.

Next, he brought over a plate of dumplings, fed one to Tian Xiaoman, and jokingly asked, “Will you bear children?”

Tian Amu had already prepped Tian Xiaoman for this, so he didn’t hesitate to nod and give a well-practiced smile.

All the pre-bridal chamber ceremonies were now complete. Li Wenxuan was pulled away by a group of people to toast, while Tian Xiaoman stayed behind in the room.

Normally, it would’ve been a sister-in-law who stayed to accompany the bride, but he didn’t come. Li Amu thought for a moment and sent someone else instead—Le-ge’er!

Tian Xiaoman thought Le-ge’er wouldn’t remember him after more than a month, but surprisingly, Le-ge’er didn’t resist at all upon hearing that he was going to see “Momo.” 

But once he got close and saw Tian Xiaoman’s fully made-up face in red, he stopped and hesitated. The “Momo” in his memory didn’t look like this.

Tian Xiaoman was mortified. His makeup didn’t scare the older guests—but it frightened the child! 

Seeing Le-ge’er’s big, misty eyes starting to tear up, he rushed to the washbasin and scrubbed off his makeup piece by piece until his familiar face was visible again. Only then did Le-ge’er relax and come to him.

Soon after, Li Amu returned with a tray of food.

“Xiaoman, you must be starving. Eat something. Le-ge’er will stay and keep you company—I have to get back to entertaining guests!”

Tian Xiaoman replied obediently, “Go ahead, Amu. I’ll be fine with Le-ge’er here.”

After he left, he sat down with Le-ge’er on his lap. “Le-ge’er, are you hungry?”

“I’m hungry!” the ger replied honestly. There had been too much going on that day, and Le-ge’er hadn’t had a proper meal. The noise and activity made him too distracted to eat, and now his little belly was growling.

“Alright, let’s eat.” 

Tian Xiaoman picked up some dishes with his chopsticks and fed the child, eating plenty himself. He hadn’t eaten all day, too nervous to feel hunger earlier. Now that the ceremony was over, the appetite hit him all at once.

Meanwhile, outside, Li Wenxuan was being toasted cup after cup. After seven or eight drinks, he was already tipsy. The crowd was still going strong, and he had to shove his brothers forward to take his place—otherwise, what strength would he have left for the wedding night?

Thankfully, most of his brothers could hold their liquor. Li Wenxuan only drank at the last few tables when elders insisted.

The banquet went on for a while before the guests gradually took their leave. 

Li Wenxuan begged and bargained with his brothers, making them swear not to prank him tonight.

Finally, under the teasing gazes of Li Amu and the others, he returned to the bridal chamber. But as soon as he stepped in, his face darkened.

“Amu!” he called loudly.

“Oh no!” Li Amu slapped his thigh. “Le-ge’er is still in there!”

He rushed back, but Li Wenxuan had already picked up the sleeping Le-ge’er and handed him over before quickly closing the door behind him.

Inside, Tian Xiaoman had already washed up. As soon as Li Wenxuan entered, the strong smell of alcohol made him frown.

“Ugh, you stink! Go wash up!” he said, pinching his nose. 

Only now did he understand why his Amu hated the smell of liquor so much.

Li Wenxuan had no choice but to go to the kitchen, draw a bucket of water, and take a quick wash before returning.

Tian Xiaoman was already in bed, covered with a quilt, and looked visibly flustered when he saw him come in.

“Let’s rest!” he said in a tiny voice, turning his back to him and burying himself under the covers.

His shy actions made Li Wenxuan laugh. Honestly, Xiaoman had been fine all day, but now he was acting awkward—it was really kind of cute.

Tian Xiaoman was nearly suffocating under the quilt. He regretted reading Liu Sheng’s book. If he hadn’t known anything, he might not feel so self-conscious. But now that he did know… he kind of wanted to flee.

Li Wenxuan climbed into bed, gently lifted the quilt, and lay down beside him. He reached out to touch Tian Xiaoman’s back.

The moment his hand made contact, Tian Xiaoman jolted up.

“You, you, you—” he stammered, then pointed at the candles. “Why haven’t you turned the lights off?!”

How could a bridal chamber be this bright? It was too embarrassing!

Li Wenxuan sat up and replied, “Xiaoman, it’s our wedding night. We can’t blow out the candles—don’t you know that?”

“How would I know that? It’s my first time getting married!” Tian Xiaoman muttered.

Li Wenxuan burst out laughing. “You won’t get another chance, either! Let’s just rest, alright?” As he spoke, he pulled down the bed curtains. 

The room dimmed instantly, and the atmosphere became warmer—more ambiguous.

Tian Xiaoman nodded shyly and lay down with his eyes closed. 

Li Wenxuan leaned on one arm, tracing the contours of Tian Xiaoman’s face before finally stopping at his lips.

Tian Xiaoman waited with his eyes shut. When he felt something ticklish against his mouth, he opened his eyes.

Li Wenxuan cupped his face and kissed him. The kiss was deeper and more passionate than before. Tian Xiaoman found it hard to breathe, but didn’t pull away.

As Li Wenxuan kissed him, his hands slowly moved over Tian Xiaoman’s clothes, exploring. Tian Xiaoman’s body softened under his touch, and his cheeks turned bright red. His hands gripped Li Wenxuan’s shoulders involuntarily.

Their bodies pressed closer and closer. The small bed rocked gently with their movements. From time to time, faint gasps and moans could be heard from behind the curtains. 

The bridal chamber was warm with spring, and the mandarin ducks entwined without sleep…

The night passed slowly. The twin red candles at the window burned evenly, and when morning came, they extinguished together.

Tian Xiaoman awoke from deep sleep, feeling sore all over, as if trampled by an ox. An arm was tightly wrapped around his waist, and another rested under his neck.

Their bodies were pressed close together, and the warmth made him recall the sweetness of last night. His cheeks flushed.

Then, a voice came from above.

“Xiaoman, you’re awake? Are you feeling alright?” Li Wenxuan asked softly.