The Lady Butcher and the Delicate Bride - Chapter 22.1

Chapter 22.1

Fierce beasts invaded year-round, and the Great Wall Guards fell batch after batch. In her second year as a guard, Bai Funuan unfortunately perished during a beast assault. Her body was lashed to the iron chains of the Great Wall; by the time she was pulled back, she was unrecognizable. Her remains were cremated and sent back to Leshan County. Her father, Bai Lin, was so overcome with grief that it triggered an old ailment, leaving him bedridden from then on.

None was more heartbroken than Ding Rao. Consumed by grief and regret, she felt she never should have brought Bai Funuan along to enlist. Otherwise, Bai Funuan might have married and been peacefully caring for a husband and child at home, living a stable and prosperous life, rather than ending up as a lonely soul wandering the edge of the Great Wall.

From then on, Ding Rao became exceptionally proactive and valiant whenever a mission arose. She led the charge wherever it was most dangerous. Chu Yu’s repeated attempts to dissuade her were futile; every time Ding Rao returned from a mission, she was covered in scars.

Five years ago, during a massive invasion by the fierce beasts, the situation became critical. All female soldiers were deployed. Their blue battle tunics fluttered along the city walls as they slaughtered batch after batch of encroaching beasts. One sister after another met her end above and below the wall; the scene was tragic beyond words.

Chu Yu’s leg became snared in a rope, leaving her unable to dodge a beast’s attack. Just as she was about to have her head bitten off, Ding Rao threw herself forward, risking her life to save her.

Hot, wet blood sprayed across Chu Yu’s face. Choking on blood, Ding Rao whispered: “…A-Yu, don’t be afraid.”

Chu Yu brought Ding Rao, who had only one breath left, back to the camp. After settling her final affairs, Ding Rao finally followed Bai Funuan into the afterlife.

Enduring her sorrow, Chu Yu joined the guards in a life-and-death struggle against the beasts. Through the combined, stubborn resistance of various skilled individuals, they defeated the leader of the beasts, the Taotie, annihilated all mortal enemies, and finally secured victory.

When the war ended, the entire perimeter of the Great Wall was strewn with corpses. So many heroic sons and daughters could never return home; it was a heart-wrenching sight.

Chu Yu could finally go home. Upon her return, she received news that her father had died of an incurable illness; the Bai family had found his body and handled his funeral arrangements.

“The child wishes to provide, but the parent is gone.” Chu Yu knelt before her father’s grave and wept uncontrollably. Having seen far too much life and death over those years, her originally lively and passionate temperament began to sink. The smiles on her face gradually grew rare. For the first few months after her return, she was almost like a walking corpse, living her days in a daze.

But life had to go on. Chu Yu finally settled her heart to continue living.

She had grown up in the Bai Manor and had never worked the land. The fields in her hometown were all rented out to others, and she possessed no professional skills. The only things the years in the army had left her were a body full of strength and fighting techniques. When she first returned, she couldn’t even find a way to make a living.

By chance, she encountered an old butcher. The old butcher took a liking to her ruthless streak, took her under his wing, and taught her how to slaughter pigs. Thus, she finally had a job to put food on the table.

When she first returned, the Bai family sent for her. Master Bai still harbored a grudge over the events of that year.

Chu Yu originally wanted to argue, but then she thought of the words Ding Rao had said in her final moments after saving her life. She felt she owed the Bai family for taking Bai Funuan away. Bai Lin was frail and sickly, and the younger brother Bai Fuhong was still young. Ding Rao had hoped that if Chu Yu could return alive, she would help look after them.

Regarding the matter of taking the blame for her two friends back then, even if Chu Yu felt some resentment at the start, all of that became so small and insignificant during her days of slaying enemies at the border.

Furthermore, in that war, the one who should have died was herself. If not for Ding Rao.

Chu Yu thought of Bai Lin again. He was the person she admired most in the Bai family. Bai Lin had saved her father’s life; though his body was weak, he was wise, refined, and elegant. He had allowed her to study alongside Bai Funuan and the others when she was very young. Knowing she liked martial arts, he even sent her to learn some fist and foot techniques from a master. Compared to her own father, Bai Lin was more like a father to her.

After her return, Chu Yu visited Bai Lin from time to time. He was sometimes lucid and sometimes muddled. Chu Yu stayed in the Bai Manor mostly because of him, in addition to Ding Rao and Bai Funuan.

Because of Ding Rao’s final wish, Bai Lin’s past care, and the fact that the Bai Manor had handled her father’s funeral, Chu Yu remained silent and accepted the false accusations. For these years, aside from setting up her stall to slaughter pigs and sell meat, she spent the rest of her time helping out at the Bai Manor.

Now, Bai Lin was long bedridden and mentally unsound. The Bai Manor consisted only of the elderly Master Bai, his daughter-in-law Miss Ding, and the eighteen-year-old Bai Fuhong. The silk and satin business had plummeted due to lack of care. For years, the Bai Manor had been living off its savings with almost no income. Two months ago, they sold the large mansion, and now the family of four plus a few servants lived in a smaller two-entry house.

Previously, to make helping out more convenient, Chu Yu had lived in the Bai Manor. Now that they had sold the house and left no room for her, she had to move back to the village. Since the family house had long since collapsed from neglect, she could only live in the cave.

The Bai family’s silk fortune had been built on Bai Lin, but his health had been poor since childhood. Later, he happened to save Chu Yu’s father from drowning, and his own body suffered further damage, fluctuating between better and worse.

Upon receiving the news of Bai Funuan’s death in battle, the shock caused him to fall into a coma, and the Bai family gradually fell into ruin.

When Chu Yu was at the Bai house previously, she rose before dawn to slaughter pigs, sold meat in the morning, and had to help the Bai family handle small matters for the shops in the afternoon. She was exhausted by the end of the day.

Now that the Bai family had sold the house, she would have to commute between the county town and the village. After second thoughts, she stopped going to help.

She had been back from the army for five years, and she had helped the Bai family enough during that time. Though Master Bai was old, Miss Ding was in her prime, and Bai Fuhong had grown into an adult. Even to fulfill her two friends’ final wishes, she couldn’t support them for a lifetime.

Chu Yu hadn’t been to the Bai Manor for over two months, but now they had sent someone to call for her. She didn’t know their intent.

Upon arriving at the Bai Manor, Chu Yu greeted Master Bai as usual. The old man maintained his usual foul expression toward her, but Miss Ding looked rather sheepish.

“Master, I wonder why you have summoned me here?”

“Can I not call you over if there’s nothing wrong? Look at you—you’ve been gone for two months and haven’t spared a thought for this place. Are you just waiting for this old man to die so you can clap your hands in joy?”

Chu Yu had grown used to such words from Master Bai over the years. The old man had always blamed Bai Funuan’s death on her. Every time they met, his words were barbed, and he was never hesitant to order her around.

But now, Chu Yu had experienced a period of freedom outside. Especially returning to Furong Village every afternoon to a virtuous, capable, and understanding little wife and a lively, cute “daughter,” she felt her life was complete. Returning to the Bai Manor now, she only felt the place was cold, dark, and uncomfortable. Hearing Master Bai’s words made her feel even worse.

So her tone was not particularly pleasant either: “Master, the Bai Manor has you and the Young Madam. Little Young Master has now grown into an adult. I have my own livelihood to attend to outside. From now on, if there is nothing pressing, I will not come often.”

“Bastard! Have you forgotten how you instigated A-Nuan to enlist back then! If not for you, how could she have died? If she hadn’t died, her father wouldn’t be bedridden from grief. I never thought you’d be so cold-blooded and ungrateful as to try and kick our Bai Manor aside now!” Master Bai was so angry he beat his chest.

Chu Yu, who had carried this blame for so many years, was no longer in the mood to continue. She straightened her back and stared at Master Bai, her gaze making people shudder.

She lifted her head and said word by word: “There was no private affair between A-Nuan and me. I did not instigate her to enlist back then. As for who exactly did, I’m sure you’ve realized from the belongings they left behind over the years. But as for why you keep tying me down, you and the Young Madam know full well. I only agreed to help care for the family out of respect for the fact that you saw my father through his final journey, and because of the entrustments of A-Rao and A-Nuan. But over these years, I have done my utmost duty.”

Seeing Chu Yu’s anger, Miss Ding hurriedly tried to soothe her: “A-Yu, Father didn’t mean that. He’s just speaking recklessly out of excessive grief. You are a good child. Now the Bai Manor is declining day by day, and A-Hong’s schooling expenses are high with no income at home. We still need to rely on your help in the future.”

Over these years—aside from the five years in the army—Chu Yu had spent almost all her time with the people of the Bai Manor. How could she not know what kind of people they were? Master Bai’s temper was greater than the heavens; he allowed no one to contradict him. Back then, the Bai family’s self-made success relied primarily on his son Bai Lin, yet he had always been arrogant, believing it was his own merit. Now that the Bai family was ruined, he still didn’t know how to keep a low profile.

As for Miss Ding, the mistress of the household, she had enjoyed a life of luxury since marrying in. It wasn’t until something happened to Bai Lin that she lost her support. Her only hope now was for her son to study well so that when he achieved success in the imperial examinations, she could continue being a wealthy lady.

But the son was not yet successful, and only two small shops remained of the silk business. Trade was dismal, sometimes not even covering costs. Fortunately, Chu Yu had helped a lot over the years, even covering various household expenses.

Now that Chu Yu had been gone for only two months, Miss Ding realized the household was truly too difficult to maintain.

Chu Yu naturally knew what they were thinking. Because of Bai Funuan and Ding Rao, she had worked hard and sacrificed so much. If they could have pulled themselves together during these years, discarded their former status as wealthy folk, and lowered their faces to find another livelihood, they should have been able to crawl out of the mire by now, rather than reaching this current state.

She thought of how when the Bai family sold the mansion and bought a new smaller one, they didn’t even leave a room for her. Master Bai had even said: “Your butcher shop isn’t far away. Isn’t there a small room behind the shop? You can stay in that small room and just come to the manor to help in the afternoons.”

At that time, she had felt completely disheartened. But seeing the Bai family acting this way now was truly laughable.

“My father followed the Master for many years. Because I never explained the matter of A-Nuan and Sister Rao, he left in shame and met an untimely end. Speaking of which, Father owed the Bai Manor nothing. On the contrary, when the Master pressured Father back then, there must have been no lack of intimidation.”

The words Master Bai used when he spoke to Chu Yu’s father were so harsh they still rang in Chu Yu’s ears.

Later, it was because Ding Rao had saved her life that she returned to work like an ox or horse. Thinking about it, these five years were enough to repay those two friends who died for the Great Zhou.

However, Master Bai always ignored her contributions and kept trying to take a mile when given an inch. This made the usually loyal and righteous Chu Yu unable to swallow her anger any longer.

“Your father’s matter was because of his guilty conscience. If you hadn’t done such a thing, why would he have left because he was too ashamed to stay at the Bai house? In the end, it was your fault.” Master Bai’s health was still robust; he shouted this with a full voice.

“What fault do I have? I never incited anyone to enlist with me, nor did I have a private affair with any person surnamed Bai, male or female. On the contrary, during these five years, I have worked like an ox or horse for the Bai family, yet the Master has ignored it. This truly chills my heart.” Chu Yu let out a cold laugh. This old man was indeed as stubborn as ever.

“Furthermore, enlisting is the duty of every citizen of the Great Zhou. Every son and daughter of the Great Zhou takes pride in serving. We shed our blood and sacrifice our lives outside to protect every inch of land and every citizen within the borders. Yet I never thought Master Bai would consider being a soldier a disgrace. Is this not trampling on the souls of every fallen soldier? If the border guards heard this, I wonder what they would think. If A-Nuan knew in the afterlife, she would surely feel ashamed to have such a family.”

It was impossible not to be disappointed, angry, or emotional. Thinking of the comrades who died in the war along the Great Wall during those five years, Chu Yu’s body couldn’t help but tremble as she spoke.

Seeing Chu Yu’s emotional state and the fierce look in her eyes—as if she were a Rakshasa from hell—Master Bai, despite his years, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear. This Chu Yu was someone whose hands had been stained with blood. He immediately shut his mouth and went silent.

“Do you truly think I am afraid of you? That you can hold A-Nuan’s matter over my head forever? I tell you, no one can force me to do what I do not wish to do. Not only was there nothing between A-Nuan and me, but even if there were, what could you do to me?”

Chu Yu was glad she hadn’t told them about Ding Rao saving her life; otherwise, who knows how much more these two would have demanded.

Seeing this, Miss Ding hurried out to smooth things over: “A-Yu, Father didn’t mean that. Recently, even the last two shops of the Bai Manor couldn’t be kept running. Yesterday we negotiated to transfer them. After settling the payments for goods and labor, there was actually not enough money left. That’s why he’s so anxious and losing his temper.”

“If there’s not enough money, I can’t help either. Since two months ago, I have had nothing to do with the Bai Manor. Next time Master Bai loses his temper, remember not to direct it at me.” After saying that, she turned to leave.

Seeing this, Master Bai grew anxious and shot a look at Miss Ding. Miss Ding quickly stood up and grabbed her sleeve.

Chu Yu looked at Miss Ding in surprise: “What does the Young Madam mean by this?”

“A-Yu, I have no choice. The Bai Manor is now destitute. We can only rely on A-Hong, but A-Hong won’t pass his exams for a while, so we can’t count on him yet. My husband cannot move, and his medicine costs five taels a month alone. There are only me and my father-in-law left. We don’t know what livelihood to find to survive. The current debt for goods and A-Hong’s tuition and study expenses all require money. My father-in-law and I can’t think of a way.”

Shedding her usual image of a wealthy lady, Miss Ding pleaded with her, eyes filled with tears.

Chu Yu listened, then looked over at Master Bai. The old man was looking away with a cold, haughty expression.

Pleading for help while still maintaining such an attitude!

Chu Yu felt annoyed and didn’t want to stay for another moment.

Miss Ding hurriedly cried out, “Father.”

Only then did Master Bai turn his face back, saying somewhat reluctantly: “I, an old man, am nothing; I’m just someone with one foot in the grave anyway. But pity my son lying on his sickbed—he saved your father back then after all. How else do you think his weak health came about? He choked on water and damaged his heart and lungs while saving your father. And my dear grandson—he’s even lost his only elder sister. If A-Nuan knew in the afterlife, she would surely die with her eyes open.”

Mentioning Bai Lin did move Chu Yu.

But listening to this father-in-law and daughter-in-law duo alternating their words, and constantly mentioning Bai Fuhong, Chu Yu couldn’t help but frown deeply.

Ever since experiencing the mess with the Mu family, Chu Yu had a very poor impression of scholars who only thought about getting ahead through the imperial examinations. If a young person had a talent for study and was diligent, that was naturally good the court needed such talent. but for someone who studied poorly and didn’t work hard, just hanging around the academy, what was the point of taking the exams? Better to go home, farm the land, and be filial to one’s parents.

Her impression of Bai Fuhong grew even worse.

“Then how do you want me to help?” Chu Yu finally stopped and asked. It was time to settle things. Ding Rao’s sacrifice to save her life, Bai Lin’s saving of her father and his kindness, and the Bai family’s funeral for her father—all of this could not be repaid endlessly.

“A-Yu, haven’t you been back for several years? I’m sure you’ve saved some money from slaughtering pigs during these years, probably two or three hundred taels. Why don’t you lend it to the Bai Manor first to pay for the goods? Once A-Hong passes his exams and can earn money, he’ll pay you back.” Seeing her tone soften, Miss Ding spoke hurriedly.

In fact, besides the money, she had another matter. Her precious son had somehow fallen in love with this female butcher. He had been hinting for his mother to play matchmaker. But how could Miss Ding allow someone of Chu Yu’s background to be a daughter-in-law of the Bai family? Chu Yu was already twenty-six, while Bai Fuhong was eighteen she was much older.

Furthermore, Chu Yu was not only a butcher but also a commoner. Not only would she be no help to Fuhong, but she was also so rebellious; if she entered the family, she wouldn’t be easy to control.

What caused her a headache was that the son had rejected several marriage proposals for her sake. Now he was eighteen and still alone, which worried her greatly. She had hurriedly discussed it with her father-in-law, who also didn’t like such a headstrong granddaughter-in-law.

So when they changed houses two months ago, the two had intentionally left no room for Chu Yu, to prevent her from staying at the manor and to sever the possibility between them.

But helplessly, Bai Fuhong was devoted and insisted on Chu Yu. The two then discussed making Chu Yu a concubine first, and then marrying a wife of equal status later.

Though Chu Yu was full of murderous aura and worked a disgraceful trade, according to their observations, a butcher could earn some money—at least thirty or forty taels a year. This way, even if the silk business couldn’t continue, they could rely on Chu Yu for the family to survive, and Fuhong could continue studying in peace.

But looking at Chu Yu’s fierce appearance now, Miss Ding didn’t dare mention making her a concubine. She could only mention the money first and find another way for the rest later.

Hearing Miss Ding’s demand, Chu Yu’s face darkened. Truly, “a person’s heart is never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.” Two months ago they had sold a large mansion, which must have brought in three to five hundred taels. Now she was crying poverty in front of her and plotting for the small change in a poor butcher’s pocket.

Thinking of her devoted help over these five years only to end up like this, Chu Yu’s eyes dimmed. This Bai family was the same kind of lot as Mu Dingxiang’s natal family.

She let out a cold snort: “I indeed earned a lot of money these years. Including the subsidies issued by the court upon my return, there’s about two or three hundred.”

Chu Yu paused. “But during these years, besides subsidizing your large household, plus the Ji’an Hall, there isn’t much left.”

Ji’an Hall was established by the court to house homeless children. Many of them were descendants of soldiers who had sacrificed their lives back then. But over the years, many parts of the country were in need of reconstruction; the funds needed everywhere meant the small Ji’an Hall received very little in monthly allocations.

Chu Yu had fought alongside their fathers and brothers and felt great pity for these children. Since she had no family or property and was a lone person, almost all the silver she earned went to Ji’an Hall.

So when Madam Bai asked, she directly spread out the receipts from Ji’an Hall for the two of them to see.

Seeing that so much money had been donated to Ji’an Hall by Chu Yu, Master Bai’s suppressed rage flared up instantly. The rage went to his heart, and he suddenly fainted.

Chu Yu didn’t know how she got home. Her horse carried her across the river. Mu Dingxiang happened to be in the field hurriedly transplanting rice seedlings. Seeing her sitting on the horse looking dazed and lost, she ran over and asked: “Chu Yu, what’s wrong?”

Chu Yu lowered her head and looked at the girl’s small, tilted face beneath the horse, filled with worry. Her despondent mood improved slightly because of it.

She dismounted and lightly patted her shoulder: “It’s nothing major. Just when I was withdrawing the money I’d saved over the years from the money changer, I accidentally ran into some bandits, and all the silver was stolen.”

Hearing this, Mu Dingxiang became nervous: “Then are you alright?”

She touched Chu Yu’s hand and looked around her body to see if she was injured anywhere.

Looking at her nervous state, the corners of Chu Yu’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch into a slight smile: “My skills are good; it’s just the silver was swiped when I wasn’t paying attention.”

Chu Yu had been a soldier and was very skilled. Anyone who could swipe silver from Chu Yu must be even more formidable. Mu Dingxiang said hurriedly: “If the silver is lost, it’s lost; we can just earn it again. It’s fine as long as you’re okay.”

“Then do you know how much silver was swiped?” Chu Yu observed her expression carefully.

“How much?” Mu Dingxiang’s heart skipped. When Chu Yu took her from the Mu family, she paid twenty taels; could it be more than those twenty?

“Eighty taels.” Chu Yu tried to keep her voice flat.

Mu Dingxiang couldn’t believe her ears. she stared wide-eyed at Chu Yu: “Am I hearing things?”

“You didn’t hear wrong; it just happened.” Chu Yu also looked as if her heart were aching.

The Bai Manor said it was a loan and had someone guarantee it with a promissory note, but Chu Yu didn’t know when the money could be repaid. If Bai Fuhong could pass the exams, it shouldn’t be hard to get the money back.

“Waaaah, those cursed bandits,” Mu Dingxiang’s heart ached terribly. but what could be done if the money was stolen? Chu Yu must be even more heartbroken than herself. she hurriedly comforted her: “Have you reported it to Constable Yuan? Maybe some can be recovered.”

“I did. Fenghua said it won’t be recovered for a while.”

Looking at Chu Yu’s dejected face, Mu Dingxiang felt for the first time that she was so pitiful. Taking her hand, she said: “Chu Yu, don’t worry. I will support you. I have two taels there; though it’s not much, it can last for a while. Once autumn passes and the harvest comes, we won’t lack food.”

Chu Yu couldn’t help but be moved by the girl’s words. She thought the girl would at most comfort her and tell her to work hard at slaughtering pigs to earn the money back; she hadn’t expected her to say she would support her and give her all the two taels she had saved for five or six years. You had to know that when those two taels were dug up by Mother Mu, she had cried herself sick and was still shedding tears even while sleeping.

Because of this, the unpleasantness with the Bai family vanished without a trace.

If the silver is gone, it can be earned again. Having such a girl by her side was worth more than those eighty taels. she grabbed Mu Dingxiang’s hand and said: “Then I’ll be relying on you to support me from now on.”

Since “marrying” Chu Yu, Mu Dingxiang had relied on her for care. Now seeing her looking so destitute, she couldn’t help but feel pained. Patting her chest, she said: “Don’t worry, I will support you.”

After saying that, her heart was still a bit uneasy, wondering if she could truly support Chu Yu well. But thinking back to the Mu house, where those five or six mu of land could support the family and have leftover grain to pay for Mu Kongqing’s tuition, and Chu Yu had ten mu here, she felt more confident.

Furthermore, previously in this home, she was worried Chu Yu would dislike her for being useless and earning little. But now that Chu Yu was relying on her, it meant they would be together forever, and she didn’t have to worry about being alone in the future. Thinking this, she felt the future was full of hope.

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