The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 85

Tian Xiaoman silently carried Le-ge’er and walked away. 

If he had known he would witness something like that, he definitely wouldn’t have gone out. Everyone has things they don’t want others to know—just like his own family. Every family has its own problems.

Le-ge’er suddenly remembered something and struggled to get down. “Uncle said there’s a little brother now. Can’t be carried!”

Tian Xiaoman didn’t understand at first, but then it clicked. He recalled Li Wenxuan saying, “Le-ge’er is so light, don’t worry, Momo can carry him.” He had doubted the child in his belly all along and always felt he wasn’t actually pregnant, since he hadn’t shown any symptoms apart from eating more.

“No. Down.”

Once Le-ge’er was put down, his damp little hand grabbed Tian Xiaoman’s and gave it a gentle shake, as if to say, let’s walk back like this.

Tian Xiaoman thought, how can this child be so unbelievably sweet.

……

Another day passed. Only Li Yiran remained in the study, unable to concentrate. He hadn’t returned today…

On the morning of the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, Li Yiran came out early with a book in hand. He sat in the courtyard, reading quietly.

“Eldest, why are you sitting out here reading? It’s so noisy outside, go inside!” Li Amu said. With Li Yiran sitting there, he couldn’t help but feel like chatting.

“No need, Amu. The sun feels nice. I’ll just sit here and read casually today,” Li Yiran said, putting the book down and smiling.

Since he insisted, Li Amu didn’t push it. Still, the courtyard naturally became a little quieter.

Li Yiran read his book, glanced at the gate, then returned to reading. He repeated this several times, prompting Li Amu to ask curiously, “Eldest, what are you reading?” 

He glanced at the gate too, but saw nothing.

“Nothing…” Li Yiran shook his head and sighed inwardly.

He stayed in the courtyard the whole day and only returned indoors when it was completely dark.

That night, Li Yiran didn’t sleep at all. He thought about many things and realized he hadn’t spent much time with Lian Meng. The two of them didn’t even have many happy memories. No wonder Lian Meng had no feelings for this home.

He reflected on himself. As a son, a husband, and a father, he had fallen short. He still had a chance to make it up to Li Amu and Le-ge’er. But with Lian Meng… he just felt too tired. Being with him was exhausting.

Meanwhile, Lian Meng felt anxious. He remembered Daoist Zhang’s words—if he didn’t separate, he would certainly die!

That morning, Lian Amu took Lian Meng by carriage to Wuming Mountain a few miles outside the county. That was where Daoist Zhang lived.

When they arrived, several people were already waiting outside. Their faces were gloomy, but everyone left the house smiling. 

Lian Amu gestured for Lian Meng to look and said, “Look, this Daoist Zhang is really effective. He’s best at dealing with strange things!”

Lian Meng began to feel calmer and looked forward to meeting this legendary figure.

It was noon when it was finally their turn. Lian Meng entered, accompanied by Lian Amu.

But there was no white-robed Daoist with an immortal air—just an ordinary old man, shriveled and thin. The room was draped in black cloth, and several candles were lit even in broad daylight to make things visible. The old man sat cross-legged on a cushion. On the incense table behind him was a statue resembling a Bodhisattva, covered with red cloth, so Lian Meng couldn’t tell exactly who it was.

Upon hearing their footsteps, the old man opened his eyes and stared at Lian Meng without moving—a sharp, eerie gaze.

Lian Meng instinctively wanted to avoid his eyes, but Lian Amu, firmly convinced, stepped forward and said respectfully, “Daoist Zhang, sorry to trouble you. Please take a look at him.”

“Birth date and eight characters,” the old man said expressionlessly.

Lian Amu quickly recited it. 

The old man closed his eyes, sat on the cushion, and moved his fingers for a long while before speaking again. “You’re twenty-three this year, born in the Year of the Sheep. Your parents are still alive, you have four brothers, and you now have a son. Am I right?”

It was an affirmation, not a question. He wasn’t asking if it was accurate—he was certain.

Lian Meng widened his eyes in disbelief. It was incredible that he could deduce so much from a birth date alone. He quickly said, “Daoist Zhang, please save me! I beg you!”

Daoist Zhang gestured for Lian Amu to step aside. Then he stood and circled around Lian Meng. 

Suddenly, he picked up a wooden sword from the table and stabbed toward him. 

Lian Meng’s legs turned to jelly from fright.

He shut his eyes tightly—but felt no pain. Opening them again in confusion, he saw the sword had struck the pillar behind him instead.

“Daoist Zhang, what’s going on?”

Daoist Zhang didn’t answer. He examined the sword, and his expression changed dramatically. “Evil spirit! How dare you be so brazen here!”

Lian Meng and Lian Amu followed his gaze and were horrified to see blood on the tip of the wooden sword! They immediately backed away from the pillar, clutching each other in panic.

“Wh-what is that thing?!”

Daoist Zhang smiled. “Just a ghost. Don’t worry, I’ve already dealt with it.”

A ghost! There was actually a ghost following him! Lian Meng panicked and dropped to his knees before Daoist Zhang. “Master, save me! Please!”

Daoist Zhang motioned for Lian Amu to help him up. “Don’t worry. Since you came to me today, it means fate brought us together. I’ll definitely save you. But just dealing with one or two dead spirits isn’t enough. We have to address the source.”

When he heard there were multiple spirits, Lian Meng trembled even more. “Then why are they following me? And what’s in my belly?”

Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and spoke slowly. “What’s in your belly? That child is a stillbirth. You were fated to have two children, but someone stole your fortune. That’s why the child inside you died. Now you carry death energy, and such entities naturally follow you.”

“What… it was a child?” Tears welled in Lian Meng’s eyes. “I knew it was a child! My child…” He looked up at Daoist Zhang. “Who stole my fortune? How can I get it back? Please tell me!”

“Well…” Daoist Zhang looked troubled. “I’ve just expelled a spirit for you, and now my spiritual energy is exhausted…”

Lian Meng believed him at first, but caught Lian Amu’s glance. Realizing the hint, he quickly pulled out twenty taels of silver from his bag and pressed it into Daoist Zhang’s hand.

“I know you’ve worked hard, Daoist Zhang. Use this to buy some nourishing food. But please—you must not leave me to die!”

A flash of satisfaction passed through Daoist Zhang’s eyes before he quickly composed himself. With a solemn face, he said, “I don’t do this for money! But… since fate has brought us together today, I’ll tell you everything. Has anyone around you suddenly gotten pregnant recently?”

The question made Lian Meng immediately think of Tian Xiaoman. “Yes! My brother-in-law! The day I was diagnosed with the tumor, the doctor also said he was pregnant! He’d only been married two months—how could he get pregnant so soon? Daoist Zhang, is it him?”