Ghost Marriage Horror Part 3
As the morning light pierces the mountain mist, the small animals awaken with the rising sun. The forest is lush and verdant, with dewdrops clinging to the leaves, brimming with life.
Wang Pan'er, carrying her sword, searched the area where the rabbits had been seen moving several times yesterday.
Rabbits are such good at hiding; you can't find them at night, and you can't catch them during the day either.
"Ooh ooh ooh~"
The sound of a rooster crowing came from not far away.
If you don't have rabbits, chickens will do!
Remove the bones and make chicken soup, then grill the chicken legs and breasts.
Wang Pan'er swallowed hard and walked towards the sound.
The rooster not only didn't dodge, but its feathers stood on end, and it proudly and arrogantly flapped its wings at her, its golden-red tail feathers exploding like a folding fan in the morning light.
You're the one!
Wang Pan'er drew her sword, and amidst the flashing blades, the rooster took flight, ran more than ten meters, and then collapsed to the ground.
With meat in hand, we also need some vegetables; a balanced mix of meat and vegetables makes for a healthy and delicious meal.
The mushrooms under the tree were of all kinds, and Wang Pan'er didn't care about the type; as long as she was sure they weren't poisonous, she would pick one or two.
Each type of mushroom has its own unique flavor, and the taste of cooking them together is enough to make one's mouth water just thinking about it.
The area around the funeral parlor was deserted and rich in resources. Large patches of shepherd's purse grew there, and amaranth and purslane were also readily available.
What was most surprising was that there were also wild chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and galangal. Although they weren't very good, they were better than nothing.
Wang Pan'er returned home laden with her spoils, humming a little tune with delight. She plucked the rooster, deboned it, and threw the skin and fat into the cleaned brazier to render chicken oil.
Chicken oil doesn't taste as good as lard or peanut oil, nor is it as healthy as camellia oil, but given her malnourished and emaciated appearance, Wang Pan'er couldn't choose it.
As the golden chicken fat rendered in the basin, releasing its aroma, she threw in the mushrooms as well. The mushrooms absorbed the oil, becoming incredibly flavorful.
Next, skewer the removed chicken pieces with small branches and roast them slowly over a low fire.
Without enough tools, everything becomes complicated. If she wanted to drink chicken soup, she had to carry the brazier with the stir-fried mushrooms to the stream to fill it with water. She also had to pick some soapberries to wash off the grease after eating them.
Wang Pan'er tirelessly prepared the picnic, which was finally completed before noon. The food looked and smelled delicious, making her, who was starved for oil and fat, very hungry.
Wang Pan'er was very satisfied.
Mu Chuan woke up in a small house filled with the aroma of food. When he opened his eyes, he saw a woman grabbing a stick from a roast chicken and eating it with gusto.
Using leaves as spoons and bamboo tubes as bowls, their survival skills exceeded his imagination.
Hearing the noise, Wang Pan'er turned her head: "You're awake. There's some for you. Come and eat with us."
The dryness and itchiness in Mu Chuan's throat was even more unbearable than hunger. He didn't want to make a request to the woman, but he was really uncomfortable: "I'm thirsty, I want to drink water."
Wang Pan'er pointed to a row of bamboo tubes stacked on the earthen brick platform: "We must have those. After boiling them three times, they are cleaner than mountain spring water."
Mu Chuan, wrapped in her cloak, moved to the front of the stage with strange steps and drank three cups of liquor to quench her thirst.
Wang Pan'er handed him a skewer of golden-brown, fragrant chicken legs and a bamboo tube of chicken soup: "My parents drugged me and forced me into a ghost marriage. Luckily, I survived. I can't go home, so I can only bring you here to take refuge temporarily. The conditions are simple, so please bear with it."
Mu Chuan shook his head, not daring to complain. If he had to rely on himself, even if he could endure the bleeding from his wounds, he would still have to dig up whatever was in the ground and eat it when he was hungry.
He slowly took a bite of the chicken leg, his nostrils flaring slightly, and his eyes widened: "Young lady, your cooking skills are truly remarkable!"
"?"
Although she was fairly satisfied with the meal, Mu Chuan's expression of having never eaten such delicious food before was exaggerated to an extreme.
"I just ground some chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and galangal powder, sprinkled them on randomly, how could it taste this good?"
"Sichuan pepper? Galangal? What are these?" Mu Chuan touched a few crumbs with his fingertips and sniffed them lightly. "This stuff is spicy and pungent, much like the pepper that is a tribute item from Lingnan."
"Huh? Spices? You've never eaten these before?!"
Mu Chuan shook his head, then stretched his neck and peered into the spices in Wang Pan'er's mouth: "Indeed, I've never heard of it. My mother owns a rather large restaurant, and I recognize all the common dishes there."
"What about bay leaves, cinnamon, and star anise?"
Mu Chuan ate slowly, taking small bites with great elegance, a sight to behold: "I've heard of cinnamon. It's sold by traveling merchants from the Western Regions; it's an ingredient for making incense."
Therefore, Mu Chuan must have an extraordinary background. Things that even he has never heard of must be blank in this world.
Wang Pan'er lightly tapped the edge of the stone mortar with her fingertips, a glint of light flashing in her eyes—this era had no concept of seasonings and spices, so shouldn't she pack her bags and prepare to welcome immense wealth!
Once Mu Chuan's injuries have healed, take her out of the village, go to any town, and ask Mu Chuan to scrape together some capital for her to set up a stall and make medicinal cuisine. Then, money will come from all directions.
This first person she met in this other world, even though he had a sword to her neck, how could he not be considered a beautiful little lucky star!
Wang Pan'er smiled and handed over another pot of chicken soup, and thoughtfully picked a piece of each type of mushroom: "You boys have bigger appetites, eat more."
Mu Chuan shuddered at the goosebumps that had risen on her skin. She felt that Mu Chuan was full of wicked ideas, none of which were good.
But who can resist such delicious food? He picked up the bamboo tube and sipped a few mouthfuls of chicken soup. The piping hot, fragrant soup filled his stomach, making him feel incredibly comforted.
This woman was vulgar and fierce, but her skills were truly admirable.
Ordinary middle-aged farmers have to tighten their belts during the lean season when food is scarce.
On her first day after escaping the arranged marriage, despite having an injured person with her, she managed to prepare a meal with both vegetables and meat, eating with her mouth glistening with oil.
And that row of bamboo tubes—they were clearly not there when we entered this room.
Mu Chuan was curious: "How was it done?"
"I used your sword to cut it, didn't I?"
"A sword!" Mu Chuan had a bad feeling. He looked around and confirmed that the broken iron leaning against the door, covered in blood and chipped, was indeed his hard-won treasured sword!
Mu Chuan's vision went black, and he felt as if there were countless halos of light above his head.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Wang Pan'er quickly caught him. "Are you starving and have low blood sugar?"
Mu Chuan pointed at the sword, not even bothering with his usual diction, and angrily rebuked Wang Pan'er: "You've ruined my sword like this!"
"The bloodstains can be washed away easily. As for the nick, you can find a blacksmith to re-polish it when you get back to town. If it weren't for your precious sword, we wouldn't have been able to have such a hearty meal. It's a great contributor!"
Mu Chuan's defenses crumbled, and he swayed precariously: "You simply don't understand..."
"Hey! I can tell this isn't an ordinary item, but when you're about to die, even the most extraordinary things are just material possessions. Eat more and take care of yourself. As long as you're alive, you can always rebuild!"
After saying that, Wang Pan'er picked out a chicken wing root with the skin on, along with the chicken cartilage that is highly sought after in modern times and called "Palm Treasure", and placed it in Mu Chuan's hand in a flattering manner: "This is my favorite part. Now it's yours, don't be angry!"
It's so cloying.
Mu Chuan moved two inches to the side, and Wang Pan'er followed suit, clinging to him and holding the wing root in front of his eyes.
The chicken leg he had just eaten was barely enough to fill his stomach, and his belly was still growling. After hesitating for a long time, he still raised his hand rather shamelessly.
He angrily took a bite, the crispy outer layer bursting with scalding hot juices on his tongue, making him gasp. After chewing a few times, his pent-up anger subsided considerably.
No wonder people always say that if you eat someone else's food, you are obligated to do so.
Mu Chuan had never experienced hunger in his life and couldn't understand this feeling before. Moreover, this woman was sharp-tongued, and he knew he couldn't win the argument, so he wisely shut his mouth.
He comforted himself that he was lucky to have survived, then put aside his resentment and ate the roasted chicken drumsticks with satisfaction.
Wang Pan'er propped her head up as she watched him eat with relish, her eyes shining with loving kindness, and she smiled, revealing eight of her teeth.
Feeling the gazes focused on him, Mu Chuan couldn't help but look up at the motionless Wang Pan'er with suspicion.
love?
It's even stranger now.
During the meal, Wang Pan'er was so happy that she became overjoyed, but her joy turned to sorrow. After she finished cleaning the brazier and drying the clothes, she was about to change Mu Chuan's clothes when she touched his forehead and realized that Mu Chuan was not one of the lucky ones; he still had a fever.
She lifted the plantain covering the wound, revealing an abnormal red color in the surrounding skin, indicating inflammation.
The injury was severe. The herbs I picked up weren't potent enough, and I couldn't properly disinfect them, so inflammation was to be expected.
They were kindred spirits, she didn't ask about Mu Chuan's background, and Mu Chuan didn't interfere in her affairs either, making him a good buddy. Besides, he was so handsome; just looking at him a few times would improve her mood. Without Mu Chuan, she would have to be very careful in making plans to leave the mountain.
It is a rare blessing to have someone to keep you company in this funeral parlor.
She didn't want Mu Chuan to die.
Where should she get some tools to save Mu Chuan's life?
If she went back to Wangjia Village for help, she would definitely be taken back to the original owner's house, or even imprisoned, poisoned again, and sent to the landlord's house.
Apart from her neighbor Sanya, who always hid in a corner of the house and was always deeply affectionate and wary, the original owner had no one she could trust.
Sanya's father was an alcoholic who loved to beat his wife and children when he was drunk. Her mother was a typical submissive village woman who swallowed all her grievances, wiped away her tears, and continued to toil day and night for her husband and son.
The original owner was kind-hearted and helped take care of Sanya when she was beaten half to death twice. When Sanya woke up, she cried and wanted to kowtow to the original owner, saying that she had no way to repay her.
I have nothing to repay you with, it's just that the time hasn't come yet.
Wang Pan'er was hiding in Sanya's pigsty. When she waved to Sanya, who came to feed the pigs, Sanya was so startled that she threw the wooden bucket of swill at the pigs.
The domestic pig squealed loudly and ran angrily around the pigpen.
Wang Pan'er revealed herself: "San Ya, it's me. I didn't die and escaped."
Sanya pinched her own face, feeling a distinct pain, then looked at Wang Pan'er's feet, where the shadow was very real.
She rushed to Wang Pan'er, hugged her tightly, and burst into tears, crying, "Waaah, Sister Pan'er, you're not dead, that's so good!"
“I’m not dead, do me a favor.” Wang Pan’er took out the pearls and jade from her phoenix crown. “I need strong liquor and gauze, two sets of coarse old clothes, a set of men’s clothes, and some salt. You can take these hairpins. If your father beats you because something is missing, give him the hairpins to exchange for money.”
Sanya nodded tearfully, clutched her hairpin tightly, and turned to go into the kitchen. With trembling hands, she took down the earthenware jar containing wine from the beam and then pulled the still-damp coarse cloth shirt from the clothesline.
The amount of strong liquor was small, and the coarse cloth clothes made Mu Chuan appear much shorter than he was, but something was better than nothing.
Wang Pan'er accepted the gifts, patted Sanya's head, and sighed: "This village is a cannibalistic place. Sanya, if you could muster some courage, you could at least suffer less."
Sanya found Wang Pan'er's words profound, but could only understand their literal meaning. She couldn't guess what Wang Pan'er was trying to express, but she keenly sensed that this girl next door had changed. Someone who used to be like her was now like a little goddess with wings, and this man-eating mountain could no longer hold her back.
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