The Strange Case of Qinghe

My surname is Xin, and my given name is Yan. I am sixty-five years old this year, originally from Changzhou Prefecture, Jiangsu Province. My ancestors were once a wealthy family, with several generations
serving as officials in the imperial court. However, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, a literary inquisition implicated one of my ancestors, causing our family to decline. By my father's generation, we were a
destitute small landowner with less than a hundred acres of land and fewer than ten rooms.

Seeing that the family fortune was dwindling, my father sent me to a private school, hoping that I would achieve academic success, bring honor to the family, and change our fortunes.
However, I am naturally dull-witted, fond of reading but lacking in depth, and lacking the talent to draw inferences and make connections. Therefore, after ten years of hard study, I have only acquired a superficial knowledge,
a mere three and a half cartloads of learning.

At the age of sixteen, both his parents passed away, leaving him all alone. Unskilled at managing his fields and estate, he was filled with despair. A thought suddenly occurred to him: in his impoverished state, he might as well go to the capital to take the
imperial examinations and try his luck. Perhaps by some stroke of good fortune, he could obtain an official position, at least enough to make a living, if not wealth. So
he settled down and began to memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, the works of various philosophers, and Tang and Song dynasty poetry. Although he was rigidly bound by tradition, this rudimentary approach provided him with some
pretentious .

Please don't mistake me for an ignorant, charlatan, or wicked person. At least two points prove I'm not entirely bad: First, I'm not greedy.
There's a saying, "A clean magistrate can amass a fortune," but after forty years in office, I'm now retired and still live a simple, impoverished life. Second, I'm not lustful. Having
multiple wives and concubines is a traditional Chinese marriage custom. I consider myself a handsome young man in my youth, certainly not lacking in beautiful women's affections. Yet, apart from a young
maid who has served me since childhood, I've never had a wife or concubine. Although I've indulged in wine and women's company a few times and visited brothels, and have been tempted by beautiful women, all of
this was merely a casual affair, a game of life.

However, I am certainly not the "chivalrous," "righteous," and "upright" gentleman or incorruptible official that the people of Qinghe County praise. Because all my
actions are simply to pursue my own interests and satisfy my personal desires. Now let me recount the story of what I did in Qinghe County, the one that
brought me fame.

(I) An Unexpected Encounter on the Way to the Capital for the Imperial Examination After I had almost finished preparing my poems, books, rites, and essays, I dismissed my servants, sold my houses and land
, and saved up a few hundred taels of silver. Although my family was in decline, even a lean camel is bigger than a horse. I collected the pearls, agates, gemstones, and diamond rings passed down from my ancestors and
packed them into a small bag for safekeeping. I prepared two good horses, and my pageboy and I, one horse each, left home after the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 18th day of the eighth month of the 43rd year of Qianlong's reign,
and set off northward toward the capital.

At this point, I must add a few words. My pageboy was not a real pageboy, but a girl disguised as a boy named Xin Yan. Her father was a martial arts instructor who
guarded , so Xin Yan also possessed considerable martial arts skills. She was also adept at disguise and makeup. From a young age, her mother sent her to serve me
, so we were childhood sweethearts and kindred spirits.

Xin Yan was two years younger than me. While not as strikingly beautiful as a lady from a wealthy family, she had delicate features—willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, cherry lips, peach cheeks, a radiant face, and a slender, graceful figure—definitely
a beautiful woman. Especially noteworthy were her strong physique, her large, unbound feet, and
qualities rarely found in women: a strong, hardworking, and courageous nature. Most importantly, she was the only woman in the world who understood my temperament, interests, and hobbies, and was willing to serve me wholeheartedly.

So, what are my interests and hobbies? It's shameful to admit, but I have a particular fondness for watching young, beautiful women suffer under the oppression of power, their tragic, pitiful, and helpless state
being a sight to behold. For example, the execution of beautiful female prisoners on the execution ground is my favorite spectacle. Unfortunately, such opportunities
are rare in real life, so Xin Yan became my substitute for expressing my feelings and satisfying my desires. You might think I disrespect women and mock weak girls.

Not at all! I'm a weak, powerless scholar; a strong little girl could easily break my bones with a single blow. The only reason she willingly submits
to my "tyranny" is because we share the same ideals and are kindred spirits. I think there's probably no other woman in the world
willing to take on this role in life. This is why I've never married and have remained with Xin Yan for life.

But I digress. Let's get back to the main point. We, master and servant, set off north to the capital for the imperial examinations. They traveled day and night, eating and drinking as they pleased, traversing mountains and crossing
rivers by boat . Since they were empty-handed and without anyone behind them, they were free of any worries and enjoyed themselves immensely. They explored mountains and rivers, visited villages and markets
, and were thoroughly at ease.

This was during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, a time of great prosperity, with a thriving market economy, abundant goods, stable society, and a peaceful and prosperous life for the people – a picture of flourishing development. After traveling for
over a month, they had enjoyed the lush mountains and shimmering waters of the Jiangnan region, crossed the vast lands of Qi and Lu, and arrived in the ancient
land of Yan and Zhao, a region steeped in history and history of both heroism and tragedy. The northern regions were naturally sparsely forested and prone to sandstorms; furthermore, it was late autumn with withered grass and fallen leaves, which inevitably evoked a
sense of desolation and melancholy.

That day, the master and servant arrived at Qinghe County, located on the border of Hebei and Shandong provinces. They saw groups of people from the surrounding villages, hurrying and bustling about,
all heading in one direction with expectant and longing expressions. Puzzled, Xin Yan went to inquire. The little girl returned, her face beaming, and said to me, "Young master, good news!
We 're going to see a good show!"

"Little girl, what show are you talking about? I don't like watching plays!"

"Oh! Young master, don't you always like to tie me up, threatening to behead me and disembowel me? Well, today Qinghe County is going to execute
a ! Young master, imagine, seeing a real killing scene—isn't that a hundred times better than using an ugly girl like me as a model?"

"Really? What kind of person will they kill?" This was my favorite pastime, and I perked up immediately.

"I heard it's a woman who murdered her husband. Husband-killers are often both beautiful and lewd; wouldn't that be a good show?"

"Then let's hurry!"

We quickly spurred our horses towards Qinghe County, arriving about half an hour later. We found a Yuelai Inn to store our horses and luggage.
Without even a moment to rest, drink some water, or eat anything, we asked the innkeeper for directions to the execution ground and set off impatiently.

After turning two corners, we reached the main street—oh no! Soldiers were already stationed on the road, preventing pedestrians from passing. The execution procession was about to
arrive had been imposed! We had no choice but to stop and watch.

The sidewalks on both sides were crowded with people. Some craned their necks, gazing into the distance, as if anticipating the start of a good show; others were animated, talking animatedly,
freely expressing their excitement; some bent over, shaking their heads and sighing, seemingly complaining about the injustice of the world; and still others were hurling insults and making sarcastic remarks.
I wondered if they were cursing the government's despicable behavior or humiliating the prisoner's shamelessness.

Around me, several people who seemed to have some connection with or acquaintance with the condemned man were discussing: "I never imagined that the kind-faced, gentle,
and virtuous Aunt Wang would be such a wicked woman who murdered her husband!"

"My family has been neighbors with this Wang Yang family for years. A kind-hearted, unassuming woman like her would murder the eldest son of the Wang family? I refuse to believe it!"

"As the saying goes, 'It's easy to draw a tiger's skin, but hard to draw its bones; you can know a person's face, but not their heart!' There are many who are two-faced; I think she's just a nine-tailed fox spirit disguised as
a beautiful woman !"

"I think there's something fishy going on here. Perhaps the county magistrate received some benefits and framed her!"

"I say this is definitely a miscarriage of justice! The murderer should be her sister-in-law, Liu Liping. That little wench—a seductive face, a flirtatious nature, a wanton body, and a wanton promiscuous woman—she's disgusting to look at!"

"Don't make baseless guesses. You can't judge a book by its cover. How can you measure a person's character by their appearance? It's none of our business, so let's not concern ourselves with who's right or
wrong. Just watch the show, and when you get home, you go back to fishing, I'll dry my nets, and we'll each go about our own business."

"Sigh! That's true, but I still feel uneasy. Mother has been sentenced to death and will be executed today; there's no going back. The most pitiful one
is that child, Yu Gu, only ten years old. I really don't know how she'll survive."

"Doesn't she still have her second uncle and aunt? They're family, after all. They can't just abandon her, can they?"

"Ha! That vicious couple has been plotting against their brother and sister-in-law's fortune for a long time! Now that they're riding high, do they still have any compassion? I think they'll
sell Yu Gu sooner or later, either to a brothel or to be a child bride!"

"How pitiful!"

I heard Xin Yan whisper in my ear. "It sounds like another wrongful conviction!" Before I could reply, a commotion erupted.
Shouts filled the air. Broken drums, suonas, and gongs cleared the way, banners and flags fluttered in the wind, soldiers lined up in rows, and military and civil officials rode horses and sat in sedan chairs. In the center of the procession was
a wooden donkey carrying a female condemned prisoner. The execution procession was approaching!

Because of the occasional interference from the onlookers, the procession moved slowly, giving me ample time to examine the female prisoner closely. She was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight
years old. Her hands were tied behind her back, and a execution tag with the words "Yang Suchan, female prisoner to be executed by dismemberment" was inserted into her back. She sat on the wooden donkey, her head tilted back, eyes closed, and cherry lips slightly parted. Although
I couldn't discern any expression from her face, the occasional twitching of her facial muscles and the constant trembling of her body indicated that she was enduring indescribable pain.

Although her entire body was filthy from the mud, tiles, rotten vegetable scraps, stinky eggs, and the sweat, tears, semen, and urine hurled at her by the surrounding crowd
, it couldn't conceal her inherent beauty, fair skin, slender figure, and noble qualities. Most striking was
her long, thick, flowing, wavy hair, reaching her waist with a striking black sheen, beautifully and gracefully cascading down her back like a black satin
cloak.

"This female prisoner is truly beautiful!" Xin Yan whispered in my ear. Yes, the little girl, because of her own beauty, had never praised
another woman's beauty in front of me before; now even she called her a beauty, proving she truly was.

Surprisingly, a little girl followed behind the female prisoner, tightly gripping the wooden donkey and trying to pull the execution cart back,
crying , "Mama, Mama! Don't go! Give my mama back to me..." Every word was filled with tears and blood, a scene of tragic sorrow that moved many spectators to tears.

"This must be the daughter Yu Gu the passersby were talking about," I thought to myself. "So pitiful!"

In the blink of an eye, the procession passed by, followed by a large crowd of onlookers. Xin Yan held me tightly, afraid of being separated in the crush, and we were swept
along by crowd towards the execution ground.

The execution ground was at the crossroads of the city, already packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, back to back, completely jammed. We squeezed our way to within a mile of the execution ground
before we could go no further; the dense crowd ahead was impenetrable. The crowd continued to surge forward, making it
impossible forward or backward. We had no choice but to stand there and wait, straining our necks to look into the distance. The scene on the execution platform was indistinct, yet still vaguely visible.

The executioners were bustling about, seemingly binding the female prisoner's limbs wide open to the rack. Then came the sound of cannon fire, and figures flickered on the
platform . Amidst the clamor of cheers and shouts, accompanied by piercing screams and agonizing wails, came the sounds of pain.

"It's starting! It hurts!" Xin Yan nestled in my arms, her body agitated, her face pale, murmuring.

A full hour passed before the horrific screams gradually subsided, turning into soft panting and groans, until finally, all was silent. It seemed the execution
was over. As the tightly packed crowd at the execution ground began to loosen, people gathered on the surrounding streets continued to surge towards the execution ground. We
followed the flow of people forward, and after another half hour, we arrived at the scene of the murder.

Looking up, the prisoner was nowhere to be seen on the execution rack; only a ribcage, covered in bits of flesh and blood, remained hanging there.
Arms and legs, their flesh cut off, were broken into pieces, scattered across the execution platform. Several large basins held blood and flesh mixed together, along with
colorful entrails that emitted a pungent stench.

Ten-year-old Yu Gu, her face streaked with tears, was sobbing as she gathered her mother's scattered remains. Only
her was presumably to be displayed publicly.

This bloody and tragic scene instantly silenced the previously lively and intense atmosphere of the execution ground. A few idle hooligans
and ruffians were still making a ruckus, shouting, mocking, and cursing, but they posed no threat. The vast majority of people were
stunned and dumbfounded by the cruel and bloody scene. They sighed and lamented the beautiful woman's tragic fate, felt endless regret for the broken piece of flawless white jade, and
grieved deeply for her ten-year-old daughter, Wang Yugu, who would henceforth live a lonely, helpless, and miserable life.

"The most pitiful one is this child. From now on, she will live a lonely, destitute, and homeless life!"

Xin Yan said, her voice choked with tears. Suddenly, she ran a few steps, took a small silver ingot from her bosom, and placed it in the child's hand. Yugu looked up at us with
her bright, watery, sparkling eyes. Ah! Her appearance, her expression, and her long, wavy black hair
were exactly like her mother's, as if they were cast from the same mold. She was so beautiful! My nose tingled, and my eyes welled up with tears.

(II) The Landlady's Touching and Bizarre Story Back at the Yuelai Inn, it was nearly dusk when I realized my stomach was empty and I was starving.
I'd even forgotten to eat lunch while watching the execution! So I decided to combine the two meals into one. Entering the main hall, I found it packed with guests. Squeezing in, I found two seats
, ordered some food and drinks, and Xin Yan and I slowly began to enjoy our meal.

Most of the people in the inn were traveling merchants, and many had just witnessed the execution. Their lively conversations frequently
touched on topics like the execution ground and the female prisoner. Some marveled at the bloodshed and the horror of the killings, some praised the female prisoner's beauty and the pitiful state of the condemned, while others
inquired about the details of the case and the backgrounds of the people involved… This last point was exactly what I wanted to know, because I saw pity and sorrow for
this ! It seemed there was indeed some injustice involved, so I asked the waiter a few questions, but the answer was disappointing.

"We common folk don't know much, but the judge's ruling must be correct!"

"Sir, I'll bring you your wine and dishes. Once you've eaten and drunk your fill, go back to your room and get a good night's sleep. And please, don't discuss state affairs anymore, lest you get yourself into trouble
! Please, please."

The waiter's evasiveness and hesitation only fueled my suspicions and fueled my desire to uncover the truth. After the meal, I returned to my room, feeling uneasy and troubled. Seeing this, the young
maid Xin Yan stepped forward with a silly smile and said, "Young master is so sentimental and chivalrous! Do you really want to get to the bottom of this?"

"You wretched little girl, besides you, I'm afraid there's no one else in the world who can understand my feelings." "

I'm flattered by your praise, young master, but I dare not accept it. However, even if we uncover the truth, we are just ordinary people, powerless to help her clear her name.
Wouldn't that make us even more heartbroken?"

"That's hard to say. If she passes the imperial examination this time and gets a position in Yan and Zhao, then the situation will change. Perhaps a miracle
will happen!"

"Forget it, with your meager education, you think you can achieve anything? Dream on! In my opinion, this trip to the capital is just an excuse to sightsee. Others return home
in glory , but you, once you've spent all your money, we'll be begging our way home." The little girl and I grew up together, so she's used to
speaking without thinking.

"How dare you underestimate me, you little brat! Just wait and see how I deal with you!"

"Don't rush, don't rush, young master, listen to me. If you really want to know the truth about this death row inmate, I have a way."

"What way?"

"Just now, while we were eating in the inn, I saw a customer give the innkeeper a silver ingot, and the two of them were chatting
animatedly . I overheard a few words, and that's exactly what they were talking about. Why don't I go and find her? I'm sure I can get to the bottom of this!"

Xin Yan went out and, sure enough, brought the innkeeper back in a short while. The proprietress, in her early thirties, possessed a somewhat shrewd, businesswoman-like air, but was
undeniably attractive with a clean-cut face and a charming demeanor. She seemed to already know why she'd been brought here, and began to chatter incessantly as soon as she entered. Xin Yan poured her
a glass of water, and a smile crept across my face. What a capable young woman!

"Gentlemen, if you wish to know anything about this Wang Yangshi, I do know a little. Our families live on the same street, next door to each other, we
can hear each other's chickens and dogs. She and I are very close friends!"

After assuring us that her words were true and reliable, the proprietress expressed her concerns with a hint of worry. "However, she is
a death row inmate sentenced by the government, while we are law-abiding citizens. We don't want this to affect our lives. Gentlemen, please listen to this, get a good night's sleep, and
forget about it when you wake up. Just pretend I never said anything, and leave early tomorrow to avoid trouble!"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, we are not government officials. We are just lonely travelers with nothing to do, and we wanted to hear a story to pass the time. We won't tell anyone."
I wonder how much money the little girl gave her, but she actually persuaded this hesitant proprietress. Money really can make the devil turn the millstone!

Suddenly, I noticed the proprietress's slightly flushed face and youthful, sparkling eyes repeatedly drifting towards the young girl. I understood then that
while money was valuable, love was priceless. Xin Yan's slender figure, fair and delicate face, and unadorned feet made
her the epitome of a dashing young man, sure to attract any woman. A pang of jealousy stirred within me. This clumsy proprietress had fallen for a
fake, inferior girl, completely ignoring me, the genuine gentleman!

The proprietress cleared her throat and began to tell a captivating and bizarre story, as if recounting a classic tale: "In Qinghe County, Zhili Province,
there lived a wealthy family. The head of the household, named Wang Decai, had been a merchant in Zhili and Shandong for generations. Although not wealthy, his family was well-off. His wife
, Gao, had two sons. The eldest, Wang Sen, was filial, kind, honest, and capable, and was well-loved by his parents, who entrusted him with managing all the household affairs
. The younger son, Wang Lin, was uneducated, weak, and incompetent, and thus accomplished nothing. He was also
somewhat , but knowing he himself had no ability, he could only swallow his pride and remain subordinate."

"Twenty years ago, Wang Decai returned from purchasing seafood in Yantai and Weihai, bringing with him a five- or six-year-old girl from the countryside.
He told everyone that she was an orphan with no home, named Yang Suchan. Feeling sorry for her, he took her home to raise her. He also privately discussed with Madam Gao, saying, '
Although this child looks rustic, she has delicate features. With a little grooming, she'll be quite pretty. We don't have any daughters, so let's
raise her . When she grows up, if she's good, we'll marry her off to one of our sons; if she's not, we'll find someone else to marry her off to.' From then on, Miss Suchan
settled down in the Wang family. "

"People say: a girl changes drastically at eighteen, becoming more and more beautiful. Ten years later, this once rustic country girl had transformed into a fair and delicate
beauty , or a fragrant lotus reflected in a pond, standing tall and graceful, pure and charming. She was gentle and virtuous, kind and approachable, and also
skilled in needlework. The elderly couple, Wang Decai and his wife, were so enamored with her that they began to consider which of their sons should marry her. Her two older brothers were particularly fond of her, showering her with
attention and wanting to take her as their wife.

The two elders couldn't make up their minds, since they were both their own sons! They had to consult Su Chan herself. Considering both ethics and morals, and practical performance,
the girl unhesitatingly chose her eldest son, Wang Sen. When Yang Su Chan turned sixteen, she arranged their marriage. Wang Sen, having achieved his wish, was naturally overjoyed."

"The following year, Yang gave birth to a daughter, named Wang Yugu. This girl was as intelligent and beautiful as her mother, a miniature version of
Yang Suchan. Her parents-in-law and parents were overjoyed and cherished her like a precious jewel. The family of several people lived a life of plenty and harmony.

"Now, let's talk about the second son, Wang Lin. He already harbored jealousy towards his elder brother, and now seeing him married and having a daughter, enjoying a happy life, he felt even more resentful.
Gradually, a sense of hatred and revenge grew within him, bringing disharmony to the family and sowing the seeds for the later tragic events that would ensue."

"Two years ago, at the end of the year, Wang Decai, in order to train Wang Lin, sent him to collect debts in the neighboring Yanggu County. On his return journey, while passing Jingyanggang, he encountered a band of
robbers who not only robbed
him of all his money but also killed all the passing merchants and travelers. Coincidentally, the bandit leader had a young daughter named Liu Liping, who immediately took a liking to Wang Lin's wealthy demeanor and gentle appearance. She spared his life, abducted him to the mountain, and forced him into marriage.

Fearing death, Wang Lin immediately complied and married the bandit's wife. After staying on the mountain for more than ten days, he brought his wife home.

"His parents, elder brother, and sister-in-law were worried sick about Wang Lin's long absence and lack of news. When they suddenly saw him return safely with a beautiful
wife , the whole family was naturally overjoyed. So they held a grand banquet to celebrate their belated wedding."

"Speaking of this bandit woman, Liu Liping, she was only fifteen or sixteen years old at the time. She was beautiful and charming, and had grown up in the wilderness.
She had a foundation in martial arts, so she was strong, had a rough temper, was cunning, and acted boldly, which was beyond the reach of most men. In less than a year after her marriage, she
turned this happy and harmonious family into a mess. Her brothers and sisters-in-law were scheming against each other, her parents and children were estranged, and the neighbors were not at peace. "

"First, she is unfilial to her parents-in-law, believing that they are unfair and favor their eldest son and daughter-in-law. She often acts arbitrarily, speaks ill of them, and argues with them, causing the two elderly people to be
constantly worried and upset, and their physical and mental health to decline day by day. Second, she is jealous of her elder brother and sister-in-law. Now that her parents are old, the family property and business are all under the control
and management of her elder brother and sister-in-law. She doesn't know how much benefit they have gained from it. So she makes a lot of sarcastic remarks and sows discord, causing discord among the brothers and suspicion among the sisters-in-law
. Third, she complains that her husband is weak and incompetent, unable to stand on his own two feet, manage the household, and amass wealth for himself. As a result, she is full of complaints, never gives them a good face, and makes a fuss about dividing the family property every day."

"Now, let's talk about Wang Decai and his wife, Madam Gao. Firstly, they are both very old and frail, and secondly, their daughter-in-law, Liu, is causing them constant commotion. It's clear they don't have much
time . So, the couple secretly discussed their situation. The old man said to his wife, 'We are old and sickly, nearing the end of our lives. We are all over sixty; death is not a great loss. But there is
one thing that weighs on my mind. Our eldest son, Wang Sen, is honest and polite; our eldest daughter-in-law, Su Chan, is gentle and modest; our second son, Wang Lin, is weak and incompetent; and
our second daughter-in-law, Li Ping, is cunning and domineering. After we die, our descendants will surely be deceived and exploited by Liu and Li Ping. I want to divide our family property between the two brothers now, half for each, to avoid future
disputes and to spare our honest and kind husbands any harm. What do you think?' Madam Gao, with tears in her eyes, said, 'Old...'" " Your words are absolutely right, that's exactly how it should be. We can't let that vixen seize all the wealth my
ancestors have painstakingly accumulated!" Master Wang ordered his men to summon Wang Sen, Wang Lin, Su Chan, and Li Ping, and explained the division of the family property.

Wang Lin and Liu Shi were overjoyed and readily agreed. Liu Shi, shamelessly, said, "If Father wants to divide the family property, my Wang Lin is young and incompetent,
and doesn't know how to do business. I'm sure his future livelihood will be more losses than gains, and he'll eventually squander his inheritance. Unlike my brother and sister-in-law, who are skilled in business and will surely have a prosperous and wealthy business. Therefore,
Father should give us a larger share when dividing the property; my brother and sister-in-law should get 30%, and we should get 70%. That's the fair way!" Upon hearing this, the Master Wang was furious and said, "You
beast, spouting nonsense! " " Since ancient times, when families divide their property, it has always been divided equally. How
can there be such a thing as three-seven? Besides, your mother and I have lived under your brother's roof for the rest of our lives, and we no longer ask you to support us. Isn't that the same as giving you an extra share?" Wang Lin and Li Ping, scolded by their father, pouted, quite displeased. They knew their demands were almost
unreasonable and didn't say anything more. Wang Sen, seeing his father's anger, hurriedly advised, "Parents, my brother and I are siblings from the same mother, the closest of blood relatives
. If we divide the family property and live separately, our relatives and friends might laugh at us. Moreover, my brother is not good at business, and my sister-in-law is a martial artist and wouldn't know how to manage a household. It would be better if the family property wasn't divided, and my brother managed it, and I
lived with him. I guarantee that I would receive enough money every month to live comfortably and happily." "No, no..." "Yes." Upon hearing her brother's words, Liu became anxious and
quickly said, "It's better to divide it up. Otherwise, after our parents die, we won't know the details of the family fortune. If you manipulate things and embezzle all the property,
wouldn't be left with nothing?" Seeing that his good intentions had been turned against him by Liu, Wang Sen stopped speaking and obediently followed his father's orders to divide the family property.

The old man was also very unhappy and said, "I am not dead yet, and you are already arguing endlessly. What will happen after I die? It's better to divide it equally between you two
brothers !" He then wrote down all the real estate, businesses, gold, silver, and money in detail, and invited relatives, friends, and neighbors to witness. The two brothers each received
half, and the large mansion was divided into two courtyards, with each brother living in one courtyard.

(III) The Landlady Witnesses the Courtroom Torture "Ha, ha! The landlady's storytelling is so vivid and captivating, it's like a storyteller telling a tale." I

was still annoyed by her arrogance and deliberately questioned the meticulously crafted legend she had created, "But I wonder if you made it up yourself
, or if it's true? How did you know about someone else's family affairs?"

"Please don't laugh, gentlemen," the landlady finally told the truth. "This old woman is uneducated and can't read many characters. How could I possibly make up any stories? But my husband is a famous storyteller
in Qinghe County. What I just described is a story he wrote." "However," she continued, "my husband and Wang Sen and Wang Lin
are sworn brothers. They often come to my shop to eat and drink. Yang Suchan and I are also close friends. We
know a little about not only us, but the neighbors know as well. If you don't believe me, you can go and visit them. But now Suchan has been executed by the government, and I'm afraid no
one dares to mention the Wang family anymore!"

I understood. Everything the landlady said, although a story embellished by her husband, was based on real life and was still
true . The proprietress continued, "Gentlemen, please just take this as a story and don't take it seriously, lest it cause unnecessary trouble and anger. This world is
truly unfair!"

"Proprietress, please continue, we love to hear it," Xin Yan quickly interjected, afraid my bluntness would affect the proprietress's mood.

"Alright, I'll continue. What follows is exactly what I witnessed; there's no mistake about it. After the family division, within a few months, Wang Decai and Madam Gao
passed away one after the other. The brothers Wang Sen and Wang Lin each went their own way, and things were peaceful. However, this bandit-like woman, Liu Liping, was unruly and actually invited..."
Wang Lin spent his days helping bandit friends, doing nothing but eating, drinking, and having fun. He had no talent for making money, and no matter how much wealth he had, he couldn't afford to
squander it all.

"The elder brother next door, Wang Sen, worked diligently and his business flourished, bringing in a steady stream of wealth. His wife, Su Chan, was also a thrifty and capable homemaker, so the family
prospered . Liu Liping saw this

and was filled with jealousy. Jealousy turned into hatred, and hatred turned into enmity. A plot to murder and seize her brother's property was brewing! "Last winter, Wang Sen went to Jiangnan with friends to buy silk, but then disappeared without a trace. At the end of the year, his friends returned one after another. Su Chan went to inquire
and was shocked to find that Wang Sen had returned before them. Why hadn't he come home yet? Even as the year drew to a close, there was still no news. In order not to be impolite, she
pretended to be happy and, as in previous years, made new clothes for the whole family, arranged a banquet, and sent gifts to relatives, friends, and neighbors."

"As midnight approached on the 30th, after setting off firecrackers to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, she closed the door and, missing her husband, wondered where he was, whether he was safe and well. Overwhelmed with sorrow
, she embraced her daughter, Yu Gu, and wept bitterly.

Mother and daughter spent the New Year in cold, desolate, and utterly grief-stricken sorrow.

"More than a month passed, and Wang Sen was still nowhere to be found. Suddenly one day, a group of constables broke down the door and, without explanation, arrested Yang Suchan and her daughter..." Digging and excavating. By this time, hundreds of people had gathered inside and outside the courtyard to watch, wondering what had happened. All that could be heard was cheering and shouting from inside. Someone yelled, "
We've got it We've dug it out! It really is Wang Sen's corpse! And it's been dismembered into eight pieces!" A short while later, constables and yamen runners carried the body out. Everyone
who saw it felt nauseous and vomited. The body had been dismembered, its limbs separated, its body mutilated, its flesh mangled, and it was filthy and bloody. The head indeed resembled Wang Sen's.
Then, Su Chan was seen bound hand and foot with ropes and chained, led by Yu Gu, stumbling and being escorted to the county yamen.

"The next day, the county court held a public trial for Yang Suchan's murder of her husband. As the saying goes, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. When the court session began,
at least a thousand people from inside and outside the yamen rushed to watch. I was her neighbor, so naturally I arrived early and even secured a spot with an excellent view. Unexpectedly
, many witnesses appeared in court, each providing irrefutable evidence that Yang Suchan was indeed the adulterer who murdered her husband!

Amidst shouts of 'Majesty!', Magistrate Hu ascended the throne and ordered the convict, Yang Suchan, to be brought in and kneel to the side. The magistrate began: '
Yang , confess the truth about how you murdered your husband.'"

"Your Honor, please forgive me! I am innocent! My husband and I have been married for over ten years, always in harmony and loving each other. We have never even quarreled
. I have always been a dutiful wife. How could I have committed such a disobedient act as murdering my husband? Please, Your Honor, investigate thoroughly and clear my name!" Su Chan pleaded.

"Ha, ha. I've heard that kind of talk countless times. Which criminal doesn't claim innocence?" the magistrate said with a sly smile. "Actually, we investigated your case thoroughly
yesterday . Alright, now kneel down and listen carefully. That will shut your foul mouth and make you admit your guilt!"
Magistrate Hu's face darkened, and he sternly ordered his constables to bring in two men, the merchants who had traveled to Jiangnan with Wang Sen on business.

"Gentlemen, please tell us when you and Wang Sen went to Jiangnan and when you returned. Recount this in court," Magistrate Hu asked the two men.

“Wang Sen and I went to the Jiangnan region to purchase silk and other goods in early November last year. Because we couldn't agree on a price, the deal fell through. Wang Sen
returned home at the end of November, while we, being our first time in Jiangnan, spent another ten days sightseeing before returning.” “How long does it take to travel from Jiangnan to Qinghe?
” “At most half a month, at most twenty days.” “So, Wang Sen set off from Jiangnan at the end of November and will definitely arrive home before the New Year?” The
magistrate calculated for a moment and then said, “Alright, that's all for now. Go down. Now bring Liu Liping to the court!”

"Liu Liping, you accused your sister-in-law of murdering her husband. Tell us what you saw and heard in court." Only then did the
audience realize that it was Liu who had accused her sister-in-law, Yang, of murdering her husband. "Tell the truth, without any concealment or fabrication." "My
lord, please forgive me. I dare not spread rumors. Every word I have spoken is the truth, without a single lie. My brother has been away for several months. All his companions have returned, but he
has not. The whole family is anxious and restless. Only my sister-in-law is indifferent. She even dressed everyone in the household in new clothes and hats, played drums and set off
firecrackers , celebrating the New Year, completely disregarding my brother's well-being." "I was deeply concerned. I couldn't help but recall that around the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, late at night, I suddenly heard
the sound of digging and burying something in my elder brother's backyard next door. I sent my family to investigate, and they returned saying that my sister-in-law was leading servants to dig a hole and bury something. At the time, I wondered what treasure my brother's family
could possibly have hidden in their backyard.

In the following days, I often saw young men coming and going from my brother and sister-in-law's yard, with sounds of laughter and merriment emanating from them. I suspected there was more to it than met the eye, so I immediately became suspicious and, disregarding
family ties and friendship, rushed here to report this. I hope Your Honor will investigate thoroughly and give my Wang family justice!" "Your Honor, I'm innocent!" Su Chan cried out in alarm, hastily retorting, "
My sister-in-law's words are completely unfounded! I have never buried anything in the backyard!" "Things? Please investigate, Your Honor." "How dare you, you shrew! Shut up! Don't disrupt the court!
When I question you, you'll have your turn to speak." After scolding Yang, Magistrate Hu turned to Liu and said, "Liu Liping, for a woman like you, to have such
vigilance and the courage to put righteousness before family is truly commendable. You will be rewarded after the case is closed. You may leave now." Then, he brought two men dressed as servants in blue robes and
small hats , who knelt before the court and said, "We are servants of Wang Sen's household. On the night of the 20th of the twelfth month, the mistress ordered us to dig
a five-foot square pit in the back garden and bury several items wrapped in white cloth inside, instructing us: This is..." The family heirlooms were secretly passed down to
the eldest son by his parents when the family divided the property. They hid them to prevent his brothers from finding out and causing trouble. They gave each of us ten taels of silver and told us to keep it a strict secret and not to tell anyone! Then,
several well-dressed, slick-haired young men came up. I recognized them immediately—the same group of bandits who often played and joked around at Liu's house.
They all said in unison that they were brothers of Wang Sen and Wang Lin, and confessed that whenever Wang Sen wasn't around, Yang would often
flirt with them, and that she had had physical intimacy and sexual relations with some of them, thus proving that Yang Suchan was a promiscuous woman who had cheated on her husband.

"Yang, you criminal, have you understood what those people above have said? Now they've dug up your husband's body parts in your backyard. There's witness testimony and physical evidence.
What else do you have to say? I advise you to confess quickly: how did you collude with your lover to murder your husband? Confess everything truthfully to avoid physical punishment!"
"Your Honor, I'm innocent! I haven't done any of the things they're talking about, and I truly know nothing about them!" By this point in the interrogation, Yang Suqian was deathly pale,
tears streaming , sobbing uncontrollably. Not only were we, her neighbors and acquaintances, puzzled, but she herself probably couldn't understand how so many
witnesses had suddenly appeared, all wanting to put her to death!

"Hmph, hmph! You stubborn, shrewish woman, I see you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin! Guards, get her handcuffed!

" Several constables stepped forward, slipped the fingercuffs onto her fingers, and pulled hard. Yang screamed in agony, sweat, tears, snot, and saliva streaming down her face
. In an instant, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Reporting, Your Honor, the prisoner has fainted!" Magistrate Hu gave a signal to his men: "Make her give a confession!" The clerk took the confession slip, pulled up her
fingers , and made her fingerprint on it while she was unconscious. At this moment, a commotion arose from the crowd of onlookers. How could they make her sign a confession before she even gave one? Wasn't this torture to extract a confession?

"Silence! Silence!" Magistrate Hu picked up the gavel and slammed it down on the table, the resounding sound used to quell the commotion. Then he loudly
announced : "The case of Yang Suchan murdering her husband is irrefutable. There are witnesses and physical evidence, and the woman herself has signed and confessed. According to the criminal law of this dynasty,
Yang Suchan is sentenced to death by slow slicing. The execution will be carried out after approval from the Ministry of Justice! Yang Suchan is now being taken to the death row! Court adjourned!" The case was closed amidst the noise and doubts
. "

So, no one stood up for her or stood up for her after that?" I asked.

"Of course there are! But those who dare to speak out, at best, are arrested and imprisoned by the government, and at worst, are murdered without even realizing it. Think about it,
sir , Liu Liping was originally a bandit, isn't murder and murder commonplace for her? So I advise you two, since you already know this,
leave here early tomorrow, lest you accidentally let slip some information, get burned, and implicate me as well!"

Xin Yan and I couldn't tell the truth from the proprietress's story. However, for our own safety, we followed her advice and
left .

(IV) My Investigation and Visits After Returning to Qinghe County Perhaps it was my good luck, or perhaps it was the good deeds of my ancestors, but even I never expected that
someone like me, with only a half-baked knowledge, would actually pass the imperial examination, although at the bottom of the list, I was still given a minor official position. After six years of navigating the bureaucratic landscape across the country,
I was inexplicably transferred to Qinghe County as its magistrate.

That autumn, Xin Yan and I set off from Beijing for Qinghe. Along the way, the North China Plain stretched as far as the eye could see, the official roads wide and efficient, and our horses galloped swiftly.
While the scenery couldn't compare to the splendor of Jiangnan with its lush farmland and forests, the fields of wheat and beans rippled in the breeze, and rows of fruit trees stood tall. This foreshadowed my promising career and boundless future. After passing Hengshui and
Zaoqiang, Qinghe was not far off.

Passersby and shopkeepers along the way, hearing we were heading to Qinghe, repeatedly warned us: whether for business or tourism, be careful of your words and actions in Qinghe
, lest you offend the local smugglers and cause trouble for yourself. It seemed there were still wicked people causing trouble in Qinghe; my official career
was far from over!

Upon arriving in Qinghe County, in the first few days, colleagues and subordinates from within the government office, as well as wealthy merchants from outside, came to pay their respects. Some came to cultivate relationships, while others held welcome banquets,
creating a lively atmosphere for several days. I also took this opportunity to learn about the local customs and traditions. Of course, what I was most concerned about was to thoroughly clarify
a matter that had been lingering in my mind for several years: was there any injustice in Yang Suchan's case?

One day, during a casual conversation with the county magistrate, the official asked, "I've just arrived in this county and heard rumors that a local tyrant is running rampant in Qinghe County, oppressing the people
. Who is this tyrant so brazen?"

The magistrate replied, "It's just a group of petty thieves and bandits from Jingyang Ridge, who collude with a few wealthy people in the city to steal, extort money, and engage in fights and injuries. This
is common everywhere. The previous magistrate was too lenient and didn't crack down on them in time, which allowed them to gain some traction. Your Excellency, once you take office, you only need to enforce the law strictly, and you can
certainly eradicate this problem. There's no need to worry!

" The official continued, "I've heard from the people that six years ago, a woman named Yang Suchan was killed in Qinghe County. It was a miscarriage of justice.

I wonder if this is related to this local tyrant?"

"Criminal matters are not within my jurisdiction. This case was adjudicated by the former Magistrate Hu. Whether it was a wrongful conviction or not, I truly do not know the details, and I cannot disclose them to you." The county magistrate looked somewhat flustered, yet feigned composure, using words to evade the question. It was clear at a glance that he was a cunning and self-serving official! Nothing could be obtained
from him , so I did not press him further. 　　Another day, while drinking with the garrison officer, I raised the same question. Being a rough and straightforward martial artist, unafraid of retaliation from the bandits, and after a few drinks, he blurted out some details: "In the southeast of this county, there's a hill called Jingyang Ridge, where dozens of bandits are entrenched. They do nothing more than rob passing merchants, pickpocket, and steal chickens and dogs—they're not much of a threat. But seven or eight years ago, the bandit leader Liu Daba's daughter, Liu Liping, married the second son of Wang Decai, a wealthy man in Qinghe County. 　　This woman is cunning and treacherous, a master of manipulation. Using some unknown means, she wiped out the entire Wang family within three years, taking control of their entire fortune. More importantly, she brought the bandits from Jingyang Ridge into Qinghe County, making Liu Liping a local tyrant. She bullies the market, extorts money, injures and murders, brutally kills dissidents, monopolizes lawsuits, and harms the innocent. Everyone in Qinghe County lives in fear, and there's a chorus of resentment!" 　　"Her heinous acts have reached the point of utter lawlessness. Why hasn't the government arrested her and brought her to justice?" I asked in surprise. 　　"Alas! My lord, you are mistaken. Since she dares to be so arrogant and reckless in her evil deeds, she must have already bribed the government. In my opinion, the former magistrate Hu took quite a bit of money from her," the garrison commander said confidently. 　　"So Yang Suchan's case was truly a miscarriage of justice? Yang Suchan is Liu Liping's sister-in-law, and this wicked Liu woman murdered her to seize the family property?" 　　"It's not just Yang Suchan's case; there are other cases you don't know about! During the seven or eight years that the former magistrate Hu was in office, he executed three female criminals. One was Yang Suchan, whom you know; another was her daughter, Wang Yugu; and the third was Su Yanmei, a female criminal executed last year. I think they were all miscarriages of justice, all orchestrated by Liu Liping." 　　"How come her daughter was also executed? Why?" I was truly shocked, and the image of that beautiful little girl crying . 　　"Both mother and daughter were executed by slow slicing for murdering their husbands! Unfortunately, I am a military officer guarding the borders, and the emperor has decreed that military officers are not allowed to interfere in local affairs. Therefore, I could not find out the truth and only relied on my intuition."

"If you wish to know the details, sir, you can ask Zhang Yi, the clerk in the criminal investigation department. He's a good young man, honest and upright."

"We really should investigate this thoroughly. We can't let evil prevail while good people suffer!"

Influenced by him, I seemed to have made up my mind as well.

"If you, sir, are truly determined to seek justice for the people, to plead for their lives, and to rid the world of evil, I will mobilize troops to fully support you if you need me. Those
bandits and thieves will be no problem at all; they'll be captured in no time."

My true intention was merely to learn about the people of Qinghe County, to obtain some truth about the brutal murder of the female prisoner Yang Suchan, to stimulate my own desires and satisfy my
personal interests. Unexpectedly, this upright garrison commander provoked me, pushing me to the forefront of the fight against evil and the weak. Under these circumstances, I
couldn't show weakness. I immediately felt a surge of heroic spirit and swore an oath with the garrison commander to eradicate the wicked and treacherous woman from Qinghe County and restore peace to the people. However, to be fair
, it was precisely because I knew Liu Liping was also a beautiful woman that playing cat and mouse with her would be quite fun; otherwise, my heroic spirit wouldn't have been aroused!

The next day, I had Xin Yan prepare some good dishes to host a small banquet for Zhang Yi, the clerk of the criminal investigation department, in the back office. Incidentally, Xin Yan, that little girl, has now grown
into a beautiful 21-year-old young woman, youthful and stunning, needless to say. We spend every day together, playing our favorite games. Of course, she can't keep her virginity,
but she has no regrets and is loyal to her master. Now she has two identities: in the back office, she's my female steward; outside, she's my personal bodyguard disguised as a man.
This young woman highly skilled in martial arts; with her protection, bandits, thieves, and even Liu Liping are no match for her.

The clerk in the criminal investigation department was merely an insignificant official in the county government, mainly responsible for managing the county's criminal case files, providing legal advice to the magistrate during trials
, and writing documents related to official cases. Now, to be privately invited by the magistrate to drink in the back office was a huge honor, and he was naturally flattered and trembling with fear as he
accepted the invitation.

When he realized that my purpose in inviting him was to investigate the truth behind the case of Aunt Yu and her daughter, it was exactly what he wanted. He immediately became animated and began to speak at length
. Although his words contained many personal speculations and judgments, his clear-cut love and hate, his distinction between good and evil, and his upright and innocent spirit were far more noble than mine
, a magistrate who only solved cases for personal gain.

"In the past ten years, Qinghe County has executed three young and beautiful female criminals: Yang Suchan six years ago, Su Yanmei last year, and Wang
Yugu, who was executed by dismemberment just three months ago. I have been serving as a clerk in the criminal division for less than three years. Regarding the Yang Suchan case, although it is widely believed that it was a miscarriage of justice, I am not familiar with the details and therefore
cannot comment.

However, I was involved in the latter two cases from beginning to end and have carefully examined and analyzed the ins and outs of the cases. As a lowly clerk,
I cannot influence the overall situation, but I feel compelled to express my thoughts in front of you, sir. I hope you will not take offense."

"Wang Yugu was Yang Suchan's daughter, and Liu Liping was her aunt. After Yang's death, all of her property went to Liu, so Yugu should naturally
live with Liu—this is common sense. Logically, as a close aunt, she should have cared for and raised her poor niece, who had suffered a terrible tragedy and was
now orphaned, and helped her find a good family to marry into. However, not long after, Liu sold Yugu to a man named Li Baoguan as a
child bride. Just imagine how vicious Liu Liping's heart was, and how cruel her methods! This also confirms the folk tales of Liu murdering her brother and sister-in-law
and seizing the family property."

"Furthermore, what kind of person was Yu Gu's father-in-law, Li Baoguan? He was the chief executioner of Qinghe County, responsible for executing death row inmates. He was the one who carried out the execution of Yu Gu's mother,
Yang Suchan. He was inherently vicious and cruel, having killed countless people as if it were child's play. Moreover, he was short-tempered, domineering, and addicted to alcohol. He would get
drunk easily, causing trouble and fighting with others, and everyone despised and avoided him.

"His wife, Xu, was a foolish woman. Relying on her husband's connections, she worked as a jailer in the Qinghe County prison. She was greedy, insatiable, cruel, and
petty . She often extorted money from the prisoners, and those who had no money were subjected to beatings and humiliations. Even worse, she sold female prisoners' bodies to make money. Imagine,
how could Wang Yu Gu have a good life living in such a family? Although they were in-laws and daughter-in-law, there was no affection between them, and they were not treated as human beings."

"Even the terms of address were repulsive, like 'little whore,' 'little prostitute,' and 'you damned woman.'

She toiled like a beast of burden all day, yet received no food or clothing. Any slight dissatisfaction was met with verbal abuse and physical assault. Facing her vicious in-laws day and night—the very menacing father-in-law who
was also the murderer of her mother—she was physically and mentally broken, suffering unspeakable misery, utterly pitiful and pathetic.

"Her in-laws were cruel and wicked. If she had been fortunate enough to have a good husband and experience some marital love, it would have been alright. Unfortunately, this man, Li Yongfa, had suffered
from polio , leaving him mentally challenged, partially paralyzed, and impotent. Therefore, from the time Li Yongfa was twenty and Yu Gu was fourteen,
when they consummated their marriage, until the case was finally uncovered, Yu Gu remained a virgin."

"This fool Li Yongfa, though incapable of sexual intercourse, possesses an insatiable sadistic streak. Whenever he's in heat, he binds Yu Gu, hangs her up, her
snotty nose dripping down her face, and babbles incoherently indeciphered lewd moans. With his crippled legs, he tortures and ravages her in every way. Like a budding
flower stuck in a pile of cow dung, she's left to be battered and bruised by the wind and rain—truly pitiful.

Looking back now, it seems that Liu Liping's decision to sell Yu Gu to a family like Li Baoguan as a child bride was a long-term miscalculation." " Yes, she went! However, she happened to encounter Yu Gu, who was kind, gentle, and unassuming by nature. She only lamented her bad luck, accepting her fate passively and swallowing her anger without any resistance. This
allowed these villains to ride roughshod over her with impunity.

This situation of a tyrannical father-in-law, a shrewish mother-in-law, a shameless son, and a pitiful daughter-in-law was witnessed by the neighbors, who were furious. However, fearing Li Baoguan's professional
background and personal temper, no one dared to openly stand up for justice or defend the wronged. Only one woman, surprisingly, stood up
and fought for them—that was Su Yanmei." [The End]

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