Chapter 10: The Slaughterer’s Daughter

Chapter 10: The Slaughterer's Daughter

Indeed, Mother Tu seemed to be well taken care of physically, but her mental state was poor. Grease was on the corners of her mouth, stains on her blankets and clothes, and there was an odor distinct from the stench of the pigsty.

It was the smell of cooked meat.

The Tu family raised pigs, so even in their poverty, they would not lack for grease. However, at the old lady's age, doctors would surely advise a light diet. Even the wealthiest families would give such reminders; it didn't make sense for her to be eating meat every day.

A chilling thought suddenly occurred to Jiang Yunxin.

She looked sharply at Tu Zhengde.

Tu Zhengde was apologizing earnestly to Fang Mingyan, but Fang Mingyan's expression wasn't particularly amiable. Could he have noticed something as well?

Suddenly, Jiang Yunxin spoke up. "Your Excellency, I would like some meat."

In an instant, all eyes lit up.

Fang Mingyan looked at her, momentarily lost, wondering, "Who am I? Where am I? What did I just hear?"

At that moment, Jiang Yunxin ignored him and continued, "Let's buy a pig."

"..."

Fang Mingyan considered himself someone who had weathered many storms, but at this moment, his mind was not processing quickly. He opened his mouth and managed to ask, "Which pig do you want?"

Long Qiao covered his eyes in distress, unable to bear the sight. My Lord, you and Little Jiang, what on earth are you talking about?

But Jiang Yunxin strode over to the pigpen and pointed at the one she had seen earlier. "That one, it looks delicious."

She was referring to the spotted pig that had swallowed Tu Zhengde's finger.

When Fang Mingyan saw the pig and then glanced at Jiang Yunxin, he understood her intention.

Tu Zhengde's neighbor had mentioned that this pig had ingested Tu Zhengde's finger.

It hadn't been long since the finger was swallowed, so it wouldn't have been digested yet. Whether it was swallowed whole or chewed, it would still be in the pig's stomach.

If they opened the pig and found the finger, the truth would be revealed. If they didn't find it, then Tu Zhengde's neighbor was lying. If they did find it but the finger didn't match, it was possible that Tu Zhengde had used sleight of hand to deceive them. Knowing that they would soon arrive, he might have deliberately acted out a tragic scene in front of his neighbors to secure their testimony.

In the end, they were searching for a fingerless body snatcher, and Tu Zhengde was fingerless with the same finger amputated. It was too coincidental.

Jiang Yunxin pondered that perhaps the resentful gaze from Tu's mother wasn't directed at her. The fierce yet unfocused look could have been aimed behind her, where Tu Zhengde and Fang Mingyan stood.

Therefore, it was likely that the person she despised was actually Tu Zhengde, her own son.

Speculation was futile; everything required evidence to support it.

Hearing Jiang Yunxin's request, Tu Zhengde was stunned. "You want to buy this pig?"

"Yes," Fang Mingyan replied decisively. "Long Qiao will pay."

While wondering if his master had lost his mind, Long Qiao dared not resist and took out a silver ingot.

In truth, he had no idea how much a pig would cost. After all, he wasn't in charge of the kitchen. He had accompanied Fang Mingyan to buy many things before, but never a live pig.

Even if he was craving pork, it wouldn't make sense to buy one like this.

What would they do after buying it? Would they ride it back alive? Or would they kill it on the spot and hire people to carry it?

Long Qiao's expression changed. Would they expect him and Xue Dongyang to carry it?

Looking at Xue Dongyang, Xue Dongyang's face also turned pale. "I... I think I twisted my ankle just now. This pig weighs about as much as two people. You can carry it alone. Besides, I'll cheer you on from the side."

Long Qiao almost jumped up to punch Xue Dongyang.

As the two exchanged glances, trying to decide who would be the unlucky one to carry the pig, Jiang Yunxin spoke again.

"I know how to slaughter a pig," she said. "Should I demonstrate for you?"

Both Long Qiao and Xue Dongyang were stunned.

While it was true that an undertaker used a knife, it was a different kind of knife altogether. They had never seen an undertaker kill a pig in their lives.

However, Fang Mingyan said, "We've been walking for a while, and it's already noon. I'm getting a bit hungry. Meat and vegetables taste best when they're fresh. Master Tu, do you have a stove, pots, and firewood here?"

"Y-yes, yes," Tu Zhengde replied, though he had no idea what Fang Mingyan was planning.

Fang Mingyan smiled. "I'll borrow your cooking utensils. I'll buy a pig and grill some of the tender parts for lunch. The rest..."

He waved his hand generously. "Distribute it among everyone."

A pig was worth quite a sum, and everyone was stunned.

However, Xue Dongyang, who thought his lord had lost his mind, took out a silver ingot and numbly said, "Here, take the money. Is that enough?"

"Enough, enough, enough," Tu Zhengde nodded repeatedly. "There's still more."

"You don't need to give me change," Fang Mingyan said. "Just lend me a hand and help me get this pig out."

While either Xue Dongyang or Long Qiao could have dragged the pig out, the smell in the pen was truly unbearable.

Fang Mingyan wasn't worried about his subordinates, but rather, he didn't want to be in close contact with them if they reeked. It would be a torment for him as well.

Neither of them could rely on it, let alone Jiang Yunxin.

She might be skilled in wielding a knife, precise and ruthless, but how could a young lady, born into a noble family, possibly drag a pig out of the sty? Indeed, it was physically impossible for her; it would take several strong men to lift a pig onto a chopping block.

Fortunately, Fang Mingyan had mentioned that he only needed a small portion of meat, with the rest to be distributed among them.

With such generosity, everyone present was delighted.

There were only a few people, yet this was a substantial pig – each person would receive a considerable share, enough to feed their entire families, with leftovers that could be sold for money.

Wasn't this like silver raining from the sky? They couldn't help but be grateful to the provider of such fortune.

Thus, they all eagerly and efficiently dragged out the pig that had swallowed Tu Zhengde's finger.

Goodness, the pig squealed loudly, its cries both pitiful and savory.

But then, something even more tragic occurred.

Jiang Yunxin's dagger wasn't long enough, so she rolled up her sleeves and took up Tu Zhengde's hog-killing knife. With one swift stroke...

The knife was inserted diagonally from the throat to the chest, stopping at the heart. The handle was twisted twice to ensure a hit, then withdrawn.

In went the blade white, out came the blade red, and the pig was dispatched.

It was a clean death, though sorrowful, but seemingly not overly painful.

Everyone was left speechless.

Old Zhou muttered, "Slaughtering Beauty?"

What on earth was that? Was it some analogy derived from the Tofu Beauty? Jiang Yunxin couldn't help rolling her eyes at Old Zhou.

Tu Zhengde also couldn't help but ask, "Miss, do... you perhaps come from a family of butchers?"

Jiang Yunxin smiled, remaining silent.

When it comes to 'slaughtering', you know the 'pig', while I know the 'slaughtering'. We're sort of in the same line of work.

Next, she immediately set about searching for the half-swallowed finger.

Now, the severed finger should be in its stomach, explaining their frantic impatience. If the finger had been bitten off, it wouldn't be an issue; pigs chew, but they don't crush. There's still a chance for recovery.