The Lady Butcher and the Delicate Bride - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Mu Kongqing never expected Mother Mu to come to the Ji family’s house to drag him home in front of so many people. His face instantly flushed the color of pig liver. He slammed the gift he was holding onto the ground, turned around, walked toward the entrance, and snapped at Mother Mu with sharp, harsh words: “What are you doing here?”

Mother Mu rarely saw Mu Kongqing this enraged, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of displeasure. Seeing the crowd gathering around them, she said unhappily, “I came to call you home. Your father just bought a catty of pig tripe; go back and Mother will fry some preserved meat for you. Why come here to seek unpleasantness?”

Seeing his mother’s crude manner and being watched by so many people, Mu Kongqing couldn’t save face: “There was no unpleasantness. It only became unpleasant because you came.”

Noticing Liu Niannian squeezing through the back of the crowd to watch the commotion, Mu Kongqing hurriedly used his body to block his mother, not wanting the girl to see Mother Mu’s vulgar and lowly behavior.

Mother Mu was incredibly shrewd; she didn’t need to think deep to understand the reason behind Mu Kongqing’s attentive posturing. Her entire face darkened instantly. She grabbed Mu Kongqing’s arm and pulled him toward the gate: “Go back, go back! What are you staying here for? Our house has food and drink too; we don’t lack a single meal from their family.”

Mu Kongqing felt his mother had completely disgraced him. He forcefully shook off her hand: “If you want to go back, go back yourself! I’m not going back with you.”

Ji Yunniang, standing nearby, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She picked up the few gifts Mu Kongqing had placed on the ground and shoved them at their feet: “Today is my mother’s sixtieth birthday. You two should solve your family matters at home. It’s hard for everyone to work with you standing here, so we won’t keep you.”

The underlying meaning was a crystal-clear order to leave.

With these words spoken, no matter how much Mu Kongqing wanted to stay, it was no longer appropriate. He shot a vicious glare at Mother Mu, flicked his sleeves, and left the courtyard with a blackened face.

Seeing her son angry, Mother Mu hurriedly followed behind on her small feet. Yet, after taking only two steps, she ran back to snatch up the gifts on the ground. As she turned, she gave Liu Niannian a fierce glare before running out the door again.

Ji Yunniang watched their retreating backs, fuming: “What kind of people are they?”

Seeing her mother angry, Liu Niannian hurried over to comfort her. Ji Yunniang intended to have a few words with her to keep her away from Mu Kongqing, but now was not the time for such talk. The village women nearby had seen everything and chimed in: “This Mother Mu is truly outrageous. It’s one thing not to help a neighbor, but to come here and cause a scene, how shameless.”

“No wonder her two sons are so old and still haven’t found matches. Who would dare marry their daughter into that family?”

“Exactly. If she can torment her own biological daughter like that, you can imagine with your toes how she’d treat someone else’s daughter.”

Seeing that time was getting on, and knowing Ji Yunniang had brought over half a pig today, thick with fat and looking delicious, the women knew this meal would be excellent. They quickly got back to work.

Seeing the women busy again, Ji Yunniang remembered what Chu Yu had mentioned that morning. She pulled Old Lady Ji aside and said, “Mother, when I went to get the pork this morning, the Mu family’s third daughter had four large pig trotters sent over as a birthday gift for you. I didn’t want to take them at first, but since the Chu family’s eldest daughter gave them together, I couldn’t really refuse. I took the liberty of accepting them for you.”

Old Lady Ji was stunned for a moment. “That child—sigh, she’s truly thoughtful. Previously, the Mu elders wanted to sell her to Widower Zhang from next door. Later, Widower Zhang was arrested for a crime, and somehow the Chu family’s eldest daughter came to the door, gave them twenty taels of silver, and took her away.”

Old Lady Ji recounted the events of two months ago to her daughter, adding at the end, “Everyone knows about this. They say the Chu girl has the habit of the rubbed mirror, and I don’t know if it’s true. But from where I stand, San-ya is better off anywhere than staying with the Mus to marry Widower Zhang.”

“Mother, that Chu Yu should be reliable. She’s been running a butcher shop in the county for five years since she retired from the army. I often buy meat from her. She’s good-looking but has never been involved in anything improper. She’s nimble and hardworking, and she never shorts anyone on weight. If she wanted to marry a man, the line would stretch to the city gates; it’s a pity she has this preference.”

Old Lady Ji felt a bit of regret hearing this. “The Chu girl is a good one, and Mu San-ya is a good one too. That child is so thin and small, truly piteous. I don’t know what the Mu couple was thinking—giving birth but not raising her. They and their two sons eat meat at home while the girl is driven to the fields to work without even a meal. If you didn’t know better, you’d think the child was a stray they picked up.”

“That child makes one’s heart ache!” Ji Yunniang sighed as well. “It’s a good thing you are kind-hearted, Mother, helping her out from time to time.”

“It’s just that I saw the child looks a bit like you; those eyes and brows are exactly like yours when you were little. Seeing her hungry and cold felt like seeing you suffer. I helped when I could, but that woman was so detestable—she wouldn’t even let others be kind to her. It truly makes me furious.”

Seeing the old lady looking so upset, Ji Yunniang hurriedly stroked her back. “Mother, don’t be angry. I also think the child has a very familiar, kind face. But now that she has the Chu girl, the Mus don’t dare provoke her anymore. You can rest easy.”

Old Lady Ji finally calmed down. Seeing more guests arriving for the birthday, she stood up with a smile to greet them.

Over at the county butcher shop, because Ji Yunniang had taken half a pig early in the morning, the remaining half sold out very quickly. Chu Yu arrived home much earlier than usual.

She had noticed the lively atmosphere while passing the Ji house on her horse, so she wanted to pick up Mu Dingxiang quickly to go pay respects to Old Lady Ji.

However, when she got home, Mu Dingxiang said they should wait until later when the guests had dispersed.

Seeing Chu Yu’s confusion, Mu Dingxiang said haltingly, “My mother hasn’t gotten along with the Ji family since I was very small; they fought every few days. Later, when I got older and she saw Auntie Ji secretly giving me food, she scolded even harder. After that, I didn’t dare go to the Ji house anymore.”

Chu Yu understood instantly. Auntie Ji was celebrating her birthday, and being neighbors, the Mu family might show up. If Mother Mu saw Mu Dingxiang at the Ji house, there would likely be another scene.

Chu Yu grew angry: “It’s one thing for that woman to treat you poorly, but she won’t even let others be kind to you? What kind of heart does she have! Ignore her. We’re going now. I’d like to see what kind of words she dares to say.”

Seeing Chu Yu’s fierce determination, the anger Mu Dingxiang had harbored for two days gradually vanished. She hadn’t intended to stay mad for long anyway, and being moved by Chu Yu standing up for her, she couldn’t help but be touched. Still, not wanting to bring trouble to Auntie Ji, she remained hesitant, unable to move her feet.

But Chu Yu had already brought the horse over, along with the cloth they had bought that day. Sitting on the horse, she reached out her hand and said, “Quick, get on.”

Mu Dingxiang couldn’t refuse now, so she obediently took her hand and mounted.

With a nudge of Chu Yu’s legs, the horse took the command and galloped toward the Ji house.

It was now past noon, and the Ji family had just started the feast. Almost every adult and child in the village had arrived, offering auspicious wishes to Old Lady Ji. Aside from anything else, the good food today was enough to make everyone happy. Ji Yunniang and several older women were showing everyone to their tables. The villagers sat down in a flurry to begin the meal.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from outside. Everyone looked toward the courtyard gate. Soon, two women one tall and one short entered. The tall one was statuesque and valiant; the short one had red lips and white teeth, a pretty and charming young lady. Standing together, they were two beauties of different styles.

Even if they didn’t associate often, everyone more or less knew Chu Yu. They all greeted her, but they didn’t know who the pretty girl beside her was.

Ji Yunniang was standing at the door and hurried to welcome them: “Chu Yu, you’re here! You already gave four large trotters this morning, why bring more things? Why spend so much?”

Chu Yu smiled and handed the bolt of cloth to Ji Yunniang, taking Mu Dingxiang’s hand. “This is cloth Xiangxiang specifically picked for Auntie Ji. She can have a couple of outfits made.”

Mu Dingxiang called out sweetly to Ji Yunniang: “Auntie Ji.”

Ji Yunniang was startled. This fair-skinned, delicate young lady was Mu Dingxiang? She had seen her a few times before, always in the fields or on the way to work, small in stature, yellow-skinned, and skin and bones.

But the girl before her was not only taller, she had gained a fair amount of flesh. If they had met on the road, she truly wouldn’t have known it was the Mu family’s third daughter.

Before she could speak, Old Lady Ji stood up from her seat, walked to the door, and took Mu Dingxiang’s hand with a look of joy. “San-ya, it really is you! You’ve changed your look; you’re much prettier. Ah, following the Chu girl is better after all. Look at how well she’s raised you.”

As she spoke, her eyes grew misty. Ji Yunniang hadn’t realized her mother liked Mu Dingxiang so much and comforted her, “Mother, today is your big birthday. San-ya is living well now; don’t dwell on unhappy things.”

Old Lady Ji turned to Ji Yunniang. “Yunniang, seeing this child raised like this, she truly looks like she was pressed from the same mold as you when you were young. I can’t help but be moved.”

The nearby old women heard this and also peered at Mu Dingxiang, chiming in.

“Yunniang was the number one beauty for a hundred li when she was young. Looking at San-ya, she really does look like her. Even now, there’s a resemblance in spirit.”

“It seems all beautiful people look the same.”

“For such a beautiful girl, that Old Lady Mu actually wanted to marry her to Widower Zhang. She was truly blinded by money.”

“Exactly. If you ask me, being with a woman is better than being with that Widower Zhang. Look at how well San-ya has been cared for.”

Mu Dingxiang had never been stared at by so many people like this; her small face turned beet red and she didn’t know what to do.

Seeing her discomfort, Chu Yu pulled her behind her side to block her. “Sister Ji, you asked me to bring someone to eat this morning. I’ve brought her, and our stomachs are growling with hunger.”

Old Lady Ji hurried to take Mu Dingxiang’s hand. “Good child, we can’t let our San-ya go hungry. Come sit by me.”

Old Lady Ji was the birthday celebrant. Sitting by her were her grandson Ji Xiaoshu and Ji Yunniang’s children—Liu Niannian and Liu Zhu. Mu Dingxiang hurriedly took the old lady’s hand. “Auntie, it’s fine for me to sit with Chu Yu. Please, go attend to your business.”

Ji Yunniang also felt Old Lady Ji’s behavior was a bit improper. After a few words of persuasion, Old Lady Ji finally let go of her hand, but then whispered several reminders for her to eat more and not to leave too quickly, saying she would pack some meat for her to take home later.

It was exactly the same manner as when she used to secretly give her food in private.

In this large village, the greatest kindness Mu Dingxiang had received since childhood came from this old lady. Hearing her reminders again, her nose grew sharp and her eyes turned red.

Ji Yunniang was close enough to hear what her mother said to San-ya. She felt both the tragedy of the girl’s past and relief at her gratitude. She linked her arm with her mother’s. “Mother, San-ya has Chu Yu now and doesn’t lack food or clothes. You don’t need to worry about her like you used to. Let her go eat.”

Old Lady Ji rubbed her eyes. ” Ah, I’m getting old and muddled. Good, good, go on then.”

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