The Lady Butcher and the Delicate Bride - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Madam Bai’s face became extremely unsightly upon hearing Chu Yu’s words.

But currently, the Bai family’s silk and cocoon business had withered, Bai Lin was lying bedridden, and her father-in-law did nothing all day except go out to walk his birds. Her son was at a critical moment in his pursuit of scholarly honors, and all matters of the household, large and small, were managed by her. If she didn’t grab onto Chu Yu this life-saving straw tightly, she didn’t know how much longer the Bai Manor could endure.

“Xiao Yu, don’t be hasty. This isn’t exactly coming to borrow money from you; it’s just that your shop is in the county now. If you build a house in the village, the time spent traveling back and forth is significant. It would be better to simply build a small courtyard right next to the Bai Manor. Since you’re building anyway, being closer makes it convenient for you and Hong-er to visit and look after each other.”

Madam Bai gazed intensely at Chu Yu. Hong-er’s performance in the last few exams showed signs of a high ranking. Given the contributions Chu Yu had made to the Bai family, marrying her as a concubine later wouldn’t be considered a humiliation to her. At her age, having a scholar like Hong-er willing to take her in should be considered the result of the Chu family burning high quality incense in their past lives.

Chu Yu never expected the Bai family to be harboring such designs. They wanted to use Bai Fuhong to stabilize her so she would continue to toil for the Bai family like an ox or a horse. Setting aside the fact that she had absolutely no romantic feelings for Bai Fuhong—and that her previous care was only due to the deathbed requests of Bai Funuan and Ding Rao, she hadn’t expected these people to “climb onto her nose after being given a face.”

Furthermore, given Madam Bai’s current posture, if Bai Fuhong truly passed the examinations, that would be the true beginning of a life in deep water and scorching fire.

The way the Bai family treated her how was it any different from how the Mu family treated Mu Dingxiang!

Thinking of this, Chu Yu turned to look at Mu Dingxiang, who was still turning the soil. The young girl was working with her head down, occasionally glancing over with a look of unease on her face.

Seeing her like that, Chu Yu couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity in her heart, as well as a sense of shared fate. Looking back at the elegantly dressed mother and son before her, she felt a wave of disgust. She didn’t want to speak another word to them; she only wanted to drive them away quickly.

Bai Fuhong, hearing the words Madam Bai had just spoken, expressed his full agreement.

So, his mother had come today to persuade Chu Yu to return. Joy welled up in his heart, and his eyes were locked tightly on Chu Yu, waiting for her to nod in agreement.

Chu Yu had completely lost interest in continuing the conversation. She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms triggered by the shameless requests of these two and said with a cold laugh: “So, Madam has come this time because she wants me to go to the Bai Manor, use my own money to build a small courtyard, live in a house I paid for, and continue to work for the Bai family like an ox or a horse. Is that it?”

Madam Bai felt very uncomfortable hearing this, but upon reflection, that was indeed the meaning. It just sounded a bit unpleasant when stated so bluntly by Chu Yu. She hurriedly added: “If you don’t want to build an extra house, that’s fine too. You can live in the Bai Manor together. Although the rooms are few, we can squeeze in. That way, the money for the house can be saved for household expenses, and you won’t have to work so hard in the future.”

“Of course, Hong-er’s performance in the recent provincial exams has been excellent, and the masters at the academy are full of praise, all feeling he has hope of passing this time. So you needn’t worry; once he achieves high honors, there will naturally be a place for you in our Bai family.”

Listening to Madam Bai’s additional comments, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh at how blind she had been in the past, unable to see the shamelessness of the Bai family. Her father had spent so many years of his life serving such a family; it was truly a case of poor judgment of character.

She didn’t know where the Bai family got their confidence, assuming that she, Chu Yu, had to have Bai Fuhong, or that she was desperate to be a daughter-in-law in their house. Moreover, in everything Madam Bai said, she never mentioned the status of a primary wife; she likely meant for her to be a concubine.

Indeed, at her age, if it weren’t for the money, how could the Old Master and the Madam before her tolerate their “precious darling” marrying a woman so much older?

“I’m afraid you’ve made a mistake. I have no desire whatsoever to return to the Bai family.”

Bai Fuhong had waited a long time only to hear such a response from Chu Yu. He couldn’t help but widen his eyes. What did she mean? Since childhood, she had protected him in every way, and after returning from the military, she often looked after his well-being. What unmarried woman would treat a man with such diligence? If one said she didn’t harbor secret feelings for him, no one would believe it.

Since she was interested in him, why was she unwilling to return to the Bai family?

Bai Fuhong grew anxious. He was already deeply in love with Chu Yu. Although this woman was seven or eight years older than him, he didn’t mind. He was a dignified Xiucai; he had lowered his status, so why should she, a woman who slaughtered pigs, refuse him?

Perhaps she is just testing me, Bai Fuhong thought to himself.

“Chu Yu, there’s no need to play hard to get. Although the Bai family is currently in decline, it’s only a temporary transition. Once I pass the exams in one go, the Bai family can regain its former glory. When we move back into the large mansion, we can still guarantee your position.”

Chu Yu rubbed her throbbing temples, narrowed her eyes, and stared at Bai Fuhong. “Young Master Bai, you might have misunderstood. Regarding you—from beginning to end, I have never had any such intentions. Furthermore, I am already married. You two may go back now.”

The moment Chu Yu’s last sentence left her mouth, it was like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky exploding over the heads of the Bai mother and son, making their eyes see stars.

“Impossible! You’ve only been back for half a year; how could you be married? We asked the villagers on our way here, and no one said you were married.” The scholarly air about Bai Fuhong vanished instantly, and he became agitated. His frantic tone made him look like a stray dog.

“You heard correctly. I am already married. Do you see that? That little girl working over there is my wife—that’s right, just like your elder sister, I have the habit of the ‘rubbed mirror’ and ‘broken sleeve.’ Haha, didn’t expect that, did you?”

In the distance, Mu Dingxiang saw the group staring at her. Not knowing what they were discussing, she could only offer a shallow smile in return.

And this smile looked exceptionally piercing in Bai Fuhong’s eyes. His limbs went weak for a moment, and he was filled with both rage and fury. “Impossible! I don’t believe it. You must be speaking out of anger.”

Madam Bai hadn’t expected her son to be so obsessed. Fearing he might suffer some mishap from the shock—since he was the only sprout left in the Bai family—she felt maternal pain and scolded Chu Yu sternly: “Xiao Yu, I didn’t expect you to be such a person. Just because the Bai Manor didn’t save a room for you when we moved, you feel abandoned. Even if you don’t like Hong-er, there’s no need to use such means to retaliate against him!”

It was truly like talking to a wall. Chu Yu felt exhausted and didn’t want to speak to them anymore. She waved her hand. “Go back quickly. My Furong Village does not welcome you.”

The Bai mother and son were being driven away like stray dogs, and their faces became extremely unsightly. Bai Fuhong had always been proud and had never suffered such an insult. He flicked his sleeves and boarded the carriage in a huff, stepping on the small stool.

Just as the carriage was about to start, Chu Yu added one more thing from behind: “Young Master Bai, make the most of your time to prepare for your exams. When you become a Juren, you must return those eighty taels of silver to me.”

Inside the carriage, Bai Fuhong heard this. His palms, resting on his knees, instantly clenched tight. His face was distorted and gloomy, as dark as dripping ink.

Chu Yu watched the Bai mother and son leave, then turned and walked back to Mu Dingxiang’s side.

“Truly bad luck, having two lunatics show up first thing in the morning.” Chu Yu bent down, picked up her hoe, and continued working.

Mu Dingxiang looked at Chu Yu hesitantly. She had just heard her shout something about eighty taels of silver toward the carriage. It seemed the previous story about the silver being stolen by mountain bandits was a lie; giving it to these two was the truth. However, she didn’t mind much. If it hadn’t been for the loss of those eighty taels at the time, she wouldn’t have had the chance to plan the future with Chu Yu. And by now, she could earn money herself; for the cost of building this house, she, Mu Dingxiang, could confidently say she contributed a share.

Still, the bossy attitude of the mother and son was truly irritating.

With the arrival of the Bai family, Chu Yu’s good mood for the morning was mostly ruined. She would hoe a few times and then let out a sigh.

Mu Dingxiang stopped her work and lightly tugged on Chu Yu’s sleeve. “Don’t be unhappy, okay?”

Chu Yu turned her head, seeing the worry on her face, and sighed softly. “In fact, how am I any different from you? We both have the fate of being an ox or a horse for others.”

Mu Dingxiang certainly didn’t think so. In her heart, Chu Yu was a woman who stood tall. Even if she made some ill-timed decisions, it was surely out of kindness. Unlike herself, who had no power to resist at all. She took Chu Yu’s hand and said, “It’s alright, Chu Yu. From now on, we won’t let others bully us again.”

Seeing the abundant comfort on her youthful face, Chu Yu’s dejected mood began to improve. She looked into her eyes and smiled. “Mhm. Let’s not think of those things. Now I have you, and you have me. We don’t have to fear anyone.”

Chu Yu’s gaze was firm and burning, making Mu Dingxiang feel a bit shy. She let go of the other’s sleeve, turned around with feigned composure, and picked up the iron shovel to continue loosening the soil. However, the blood-red color at the tips of her ears betrayed the fact that she was bashful.

The young girl’s crimson ears and shy face made Chu Yu’s heart stir. Her hands gripped the hoe tightly. She had to use her sharp teeth to lightly bite the tip of her tongue to suppress a certain impulse that had suddenly arisen in her heart.

Mu Dingxiang didn’t feel any movement behind her and turned to take a look, only to crash into Chu Yu’s burning gaze. In an instant, she had nowhere to hide. She stood in place, somewhat at a loss, holding the shovel as she said with shy irritation, “You aren’t allowed to look at me like that.”

Only then did Chu Yu snap out of it amidst the gentle scolding. She lightly bit her lip, but her eyes still didn’t move from Mu Dingxiang. Her face was also flushed red—whether from the sun or something else. Finally, she said haltingly:

“Xiangxiang, you look truly beautiful like this.”

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