The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 88

After the seventh day of Lian Meng’s death, Li Yiran and Le-ge’er returned home. 

Because he died young, his body couldn’t be preserved for long, so the monks from a nearby temple picked a date and buried him in a hurry.

Over the years, Li Yiran had saved up four or five hundred taels of silver, all of which Lian Meng had taken home. It was said that the entire amount was used for the funeral, and more than a hundred taels were swindled by Daoist Zhang. By the time it reached Li Yiran’s hands, there were only a little over thirty taels left—said to be scraped together at the last minute.

Li Yiran stared at the silver for a long time, long enough that the expressions on the Lian family’s faces began to look unnatural. 

Then he said, “No need. Just treat this as incense money for Lian Meng on holidays.”

Hearing this, the Lian family took it back without the slightest hesitation. 

Lian Meng’s tablet was placed at home, and every year they would burn incense worth two or three hundred copper coins. Since he was willing to offer the money, they wouldn’t be polite about it. If not for the shame of not contributing at least one or two taels themselves, they wouldn’t have wanted to spend anything at all.

Li Yiran ignored their attempts to get him to stay for dinner. He didn’t intend to pursue the money; he simply took it as the end of his connection with this family. 

As for Le-ge’er, he wouldn’t let him come here again.

The net of heaven is vast—nothing escapes it. Those who plant evil will reap evil. He would wait.

Le-ge’er had stayed with the Lian family for a few days, but now he couldn’t stand it any longer. As soon as he got out of the carriage, he ran madly ahead, wanting to see his uncle and Momo.

But Li Amu stopped him. Le-ge’er was still wearing mourning clothes, which wouldn’t be removed until the seventh day. Xiaoman was pregnant, and he was worried he might overthink things and feel upset.

Stopped by Li Amu, Le-ge’er began crying anxiously, calling out “Grand-amu” and “Momo” over and over. 

Tian Xiaoman was cooking inside, and when he heard his voice, he hurried out. “Le-ge’er, you’re back!”

“Momo!” Le-ge’er’s eyes lit up. He raised his little face and called out, then pouted. “Grand-amu won’t let me in…” His voice was full of grievance. He couldn’t understand why he seemed so unwelcome the moment he came back.

“It’s fine. Amu, let him come over.” Tian Xiaoman smiled as he said this to Li Amu. 

These past few days, he’d been trying to get Li Wenxuan to tell him what he had been hiding, and he was curious.

When he found out that Lian Meng had come with abortion pills that day, he was frightened. At the same time, he thought Li Wenxuan was worrying too much. Was he not just afraid that, after knowing, he would hold a grudge against his big brother and Le-ge’er?

Tian Xiaoman believed in one person bearing his own deeds. If Lian Meng had returned to this home, there was no way he would show him a good face. But the dead were gone, , there was no point blaming others.

Once Li Amu released him, Le-ge’er rushed over and hugged Tian Xiaoman’s legs, acting spoiled. 

Tian Xiaoman looked at him with heartache—he seemed to have lost weight.

Children are like that. Whether they gain or lose weight, you can tell at a glance.

During the mourning period, close relatives can’t eat meat, which made it hard to figure out what to feed Le-ge’er. 

Tian Xiaoman thought about it, but still didn’t know what to give him. When his own grandparents had passed, he was still young and couldn’t remember what his Amu had given his to eat.

But Li Amu would know, so he asked him. 

Li Amu thought for a while and said, “Mourning is strict for adults, but kids can still eat eggs and such.”

In rural areas, things weren’t enforced so strictly. But Li Amu remembered hearing of a wealthy family where the husband insisted that even the milk a newborn drank was considered meat, because it was made from blood, so the child could only have rice soup. That child died before he turned two. The family had extended the mourning period for another year to show filial piety. Everyone praised them, but the child was pitiful…

Le-ge’er wouldn’t be treated like that. So when he cried that he was hungry, Tian Xiaoman steamed two bowls of egg custard for him. 

He licked the spoon clean. His maternal family hadn’t known how to cook child-friendly meals. The rice was hard and the dishes unpalatable, so he had mostly relied on cakes to get by these past few days. No wonder he was craving food.

Tian Xiaoman wanted to feed him more, but it was almost noon and he’d already eaten a lot.

Though Le-ge’er was still unsatisfied, he was very well-behaved. He took off his bib and ran off to play.

Back in the study, Li Yiran looked at the bookshelves full of books with some reluctance. When Lian Meng’s uncle came, he had already submitted his resignation from the academy. The uncle had agreed readily.

First, he knew Li Yiran did not aim to be a long-term clerk under him. If one day he leapt the dragon gate and rose high, it would be better to owe him a favor now.

Second, he had already gained a foothold in the provincial capital, surrounded by many talented people and confidants. Li Yiran’s resignation would free up space for them.

Third, he knew some of the truth behind Lian Meng’s death. With resentment on both sides, it was better to follow Li Yiran’s lead, go along with the request, and avoid becoming the villain.

Traveling to the capital for the imperial exams would cost a lot. Though the capital wasn’t far, it still took ten days to half a month to get there. The Spring Exam was in mid-April, so ideally, he’d go by mid-March.

He’d have to stay for several months. Prices in the provincial capital were already high—how much higher would they be in the capital? He had already brought so much trouble to the family. He couldn’t bear to ask for money again.

But giving up easily wasn’t his style. 

So Li Yiran decided that once the market reopened on the fifteenth of the first month, he’d find work. If he could save enough, he’d still go.

…

The Lantern Festival fell on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Anyang County would hold its celebration, and Tian Xiaoman went every year.

He couldn’t read, nor guess riddles, so he’d usually just listen to others, pay two coins, and buy a lantern. Even so, he always had fun. The street was filled with stalls selling Yuanxiao, and all of them tasted good.

This year, he wanted to go too, but was cruelly rejected by Li Wenxuan—He said they had just conceived a child. What if he was jostled and knocked around. 

Once the words left his mouth, he was chased and smacked a few times by Li Amu, scolding him for saying unlucky things at New Year.

But even Li Amu agreed, albeit not as bluntly.

What really made Tian Xiaoman give up was that Le-ge’er couldn’t go. During the mourning period, he wasn’t allowed to participate in festivities. 

For the sake of his young heart, Tian Xiaoman decided to stay home for the Lantern Festival this year.

Still, he wouldn’t give up the benefits he was owed. He asked Li Wenxuan to buy lots of ingredients for Yuanxiao and some materials to make lanterns. He planned to hang many around the house.

Once Li Wenxuan heard he’d given up on going to the crowded streets, he agreed to anything. 

Without a word, he prepared the carriage and left. As long as he didn’t go squeeze with the crowd, all was well. Li Wenxuan thought with lingering fear—once Tian Xiaoman went shopping, no one could stop him.

After he left, Tian Xiaoman checked the kitchen and realized they were out of glutinous rice flour. So he packed a small bag of glutinous rice and planned to go to Ayun’s house to grind it.

Li Amu wasn’t home, so Tian Xiaoman carried the bag and took Le-ge’er with him.

Just as they stepped outside, they saw Liu Xilin walking their way. 

He had heard that Le-ge’er was back, but his grandAmu had been taking him to visit relatives, so he hadn’t had a chance to play with him yet.

Now, finally free, he came straight over.

“Teacher’s Husband, Le-ge’er!” Liu Xilin called as he ran over.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, come play with Le-ge’er!” Tian Xiaoman said. It worked out perfectly—Xiao Lin could entertain Le-ge’er so the grinding wouldn’t be boring.

“Okay,” Liu Xilin nodded. For some reason, he was always a bit shy around Tian Xiaoman.

“Go on and play!” Tian Xiaoman held Le-ge’er’s hand, ready to let them go.

But Le-ge’er stood still. “I want to play with Momo!”

“Momo’s not playing. I’m going to grind rice!”

“I want to grind rice too!” He knew it was for making Yuanxiao—and he hadn’t had any yet!

“Then…” Tian Xiaoman glanced at Liu Xilin. 

Liu Xilin immediately said, “Then I’ll help take Le-ge’er and follow you!”

“Alright!” With no objection, the three of them headed out together.

At Fu Yun’s house, they found many people grinding rice for Yuanxiao. Tian Xiaoman estimated there were still several ahead of him. 

If only Li Wenxuan were here, he thought, forgetting he’d just sent him to buy supplies.

Fu Yun’s belly was big. When he saw Tian Xiaoman, he quickly stood to greet him. He also noticed the mourning cloth on Le-ge’er, but did not think much of it. Not long ago, a distant relative of his died and he had even gone to drink wine at the funeral.

Tian Xiaoman picked up the bag and gave a command to Liu Xilin and Le-ge’er before heading over.

The tofu grinding area was separated by a wall from the living quarters. Coming around, Tian Xiaoman saw Fu Yun holding a dustpan full of cloth scraps.

He picked up a small hydrangea made from cloth and asked, “Ayun, what’s this for?”

Fu Yun placed down a plate of snacks and smiled. “Just making things for fun. I can’t do much now, so I make more. When the baby’s born, I’ll have something for them to play with.”

Tian Xiaoman looked again and saw the dustpan also held small purses and cloth bunnies—very cute.

Fu Yun invited Liu Xilin and Le-ge’er to eat. With Tian Xiaoman’s permission, they each took something and started munching.

After a moment of thought, Tian Xiaoman said, “Ayun, can I come help you make these tomorrow?”

“Of course! I’m bored stiff. I’d love the company.” Ayun’s smile was gentle.

Tian Xiaoman thought he looked great—just as good-looking as himself! 

He grinned. Once he learned, he’d make some toys for his own dolls at home.

They looked at each other and laughed.

Liu Xilin and Le-ge’er, sitting to the side eating dried sweet potatoes, had no idea what the two adults were laughing about.

“By the way, Xiaoman, are you here to grind rice for Yuanxiao?”

“Yeah, but there are so many people…”

“Why don’t you leave your things here? When it’s your turn, I’ll ask my husband to help grind them and send it over.”

“No, no,” Tian Xiaoman quickly waved his hand. “Your husband’s busy, I can’t bother him.”

Since he said so, Yun did not press him. He was bored anyway and happy to chat.

While the two adults talked, Liu Xilin and Le-ge’er, full now, started playing with the shuttlecock Fu Yun had given them…