The Lady Butcher and the Delicate Bride - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

After Mu Dingxiang got out of bed, she hung up the gauze curtains and folded the quilt neatly. She asked Zhu-er, “When did Chu Yu get up?”

“Mother rose before dawn and left riding Xiao Bai. Hmph, she smelled so nice last night, but in a while, she’ll be smelly again.” Zhu-er expressed great disdain for Chu Yu’s profession.

Chu Yu had been to the battlefield and had killed; now, as a butcher, the murderous aura on her body was accumulating. This was the quality least liked by plant spirits, who would always use the word “smelly” to describe that aura.

But Chu Yu was undoubtedly a good person—defending the country and saving countless lives. Without her “smelly” sacrifices, Zhu-er wouldn’t be sitting here today. Therefore, the plant spirit loved and trusted her in its heart.

But now it was better; there was a “fragrant” Mother to neutralize it. Zhu-er felt that the days ahead would be very happy.

Thinking that Chu Yu had gone out to slaughter pigs so early, Mu Dingxiang felt that sleeping in so late was truly improper. She quickly tidied herself up, preparing to go to the field to plant vegetables.

When she was changing her clothes, she discovered that yesterday’s tattered outfit was gone, presumably thrown away by Chu Yu. Looking at the six or seven sets of newly bought clothes, she felt a bit pained by the cost and picked a blue one to put on.

“Mother looks so beautiful in this,” Zhu-er said, not sparing any praise.

Only then did Mu Dingxiang remember that this little thing had been following her. “I’m going to farm; do you want to come along?”

“Wherever Mother goes, Zhu-er follows.” The little bamboo shoot sprite grabbed her thigh, essentially becoming a leg ornament.

Mu Dingxiang looked at this daughter she had somehow gained and felt stuck between laughter and tears. However, in this vast valley where she was a newcomer, having a talkative little thing following her made her feel less lonely or out of place. She was quite happy in her heart.

“Mother, there is pork jerky on the table. Mother Chu Yu left it.”

Only then did Mu Dingxiang see a large bag of pork jerky on the table, likely specially prepared by Chu Yu out of fear she wouldn’t eat breakfast.

Mu Dingxiang hadn’t had the habit of eating breakfast for years, so she didn’t take the jerky at first. However, after walking out a few steps, she remembered Chu Yu’s reminder yesterday: once at the Chu house, there must be new habits. Three meals a day must be complete, and hot water must be used for bathing. So she returned, took two pieces to chew on, and then found a hoe, brought the vegetable seeds bought yesterday, and headed out.

It was just planting vegetables; this was no difficult task for Mu Dingxiang. Moreover, the previous tenant had left these fields very clean. There was no need for weeding; just loosening the soil was enough to plant.

Regarding the field close to the house, Chu Yu had mentioned keeping it for building, so Mu Dingxiang chose one a bit further away and began hoeing the ground.

The little bamboo shoot sprite didn’t bother her, playing by the edge of the field on its own, muttering something under its breath perhaps exchanging secrets with some little flower.

It was only for the family’s own consumption, so the seeds bought yesterday weren’t many, though there were several varieties.

After hoeing the ground and loosening the soil until it was fluffy, Mu Dingxiang divided the large plot into four or five small sections according to the seed types. She built up the soil, then carried two half-buckets of water to soak the ground thoroughly before starting to sow.

Once the seeds were scattered, the work was finished.

Mu Dingxiang looked up at the sky, wondering if there were any birds here that might peck away the seeds.

Thinking this, the little bamboo shoot sprite seemed to read her mind and said, “Mother, no birds will come. Brother Vine will drive the birds away.”

Mu Dingxiang froze for a moment. “Are there other little things in this valley that have become spirits like you?”

“No, only Zhu-er can talk and turn into a tiny person. The others stay in their original forms, but they can talk to Zhu-er. Sometimes, with Grandpa Wind’s help, they can do many things, like driving away birds or big bad guys.”

Hearing Zhu-er say this, Mu Dingxiang felt relieved. She didn’t want to see a valley full of tree spirits and demons running all over the mountains.

After Zhu-er finished speaking, it walked to the side of the newly planted field, crouched down, and drew something unknown on the ground, then began muttering under its breath.

Mu Dingxiang didn’t interrupt it, only asking after it finished, “What is Zhu-er doing?”

“Mother, I am casting a spell on these seeds and talking to them, telling them to grow up quickly so Mother will have veggies to eat.” Zhu-er looked like it had done a good deed, puffing out its little chest to get a compliment.

Mu Dingxiang stroked its little head and said, “Zhu-er is so great.”

But then she thought these plant spirits, as plants, eventually end up as food for humans. If they were flowers, they would be picked and put in a vase for appreciation; if they were fruit trees, their fruit would be eaten by humans. Zhu-er was helping her cast spells to make plants grow faster to become people’s rations, wouldn’t this be contrary to common sense?

When she raised these doubts, Zhu-er turned around like a little adult, putting its tiny hands behind its back. Unfortunately, its arms were too short and could hardly meet. It puffed out its little belly with an air of maturity.

“Mother, you don’t understand. The greatest tragedy for a plant is for its fruit to rot on the tree with no one to pick it. Flowers also need someone to appreciate and care for them. Every plant exists for a corresponding value. A plant that does not realize its value is the most tragic.”

Mu Dingxiang then nodded as if she understood. This little thing’s tiny brain actually understood so many principles. Since Zhu-er said so, she would no longer feel any guilt.

After all, these plants could be considered the brothers, sisters, and friends of her “daughter.” If she didn’t clear this up and just ate them, she would always feel a bit guilty.

Just as the two were whispering together, the sound of clopping hooves came from afar.

Mu Dingxiang stood up and looked back; it was Chu Yu returning.

The horse soon galloped near. The little bamboo shoot sprite grabbed Mu Dingxiang’s calf, climbed up her leg, and burrowed into her arms, saying quite unhappily, “Smelly Mother is back.”

Chu Yu had very good eyesight and immediately saw the little green skirt burrowing into Mu Dingxiang’s arms. After dismounting, she grabbed the little thing and lightly slapped its bottom. “Why did you run out? Didn’t I say you can’t appear in front of outsiders?”

“Mother isn’t an outsider! Mother is fragrant, I want Mother’s hug.” After saying this, it covered its nose and twisted its body, wanting Mu Dingxiang to take it.

Mu Dingxiang had felt quite hurt when she heard Chu Yu use the word “outsider,” but thinking that she had only been here for one night, it was unrealistic to expect to turn into a trusted person so suddenly. So she suppressed the bitterness in her heart and took Zhu-er.

“You weren’t frightened, were you?” Chu Yu tossed the little bamboo shoot sprite to Mu Dingxiang.

“I was a little scared at first, but not later. She is very cute.” Mu Dingxiang squeezed out a smile.

“Actually, there are still a small number of demon beasts and spiritual things in this world, but they have almost completely disappeared now. Zhu-er might be the last spiritual plant with sentience. You’ll get used to it,” Chu Yu explained.

“Mm, I’m not afraid. Are you tired from slaughtering pigs today?”

Chu Yu was stunned for a moment upon hearing her ask this. For all these years, no one had ever asked if she was tired after finishing work. Hearing it now, she felt an indescribable sensation.

So this is what it feels like to have someone care a little bit of warmth, a little bit of peace.

She gave a light cough and said, “Not tired. I’ll go back and take a bath first, otherwise Zhu-er will despise me.”

After saying that, she led the horse toward the cave.

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