Chapter 3

It is said that Zhang Xiangu is a clever woman, and most practitioners of the divination arts emphasize keen observation and adaptability.

However, faced with the current situation, Zhang Xiangu can no longer come up with any clever solutions. She can only awkwardly bring up her only somewhat acceptable reason: “Her father doesn’t know yet. Such a big matter, how can I decide without consulting the head of the family? We only have this one child left, and as a woman of the household, I can’t make such decisions on my own.” In her heart, she curses the lady for not being an easy person to deal with!

The lady laughs and says, “Why wouldn’t the head of your household agree? I just want Zhu Ying to give birth to a grandson for me, and he doesn’t have to stay in my house forever.”

Zhang Xiangu makes up her mind, thinking: “Your Zhu family’s legal matters are none of our business. Even if the third son is a boy, I shouldn’t involve him in your troubles! It’s better to agree for now, take the third son away, hide for a few days, and enquire about the whereabouts of that damned ghost. Come back when things are settled.”

The lady, also skilled in observing words and expressions, notices Zhang Xiangu’s hidden thoughts and frowns. She is also pushed to the wall, as her own family knows her family affairs, and she may seem prosperous but is forced into a corner. The lady’s face turns cold as she says, “No need to deceive me with nonsense! We can all die together!”

This statement lacks reason, and Zhang Xiangu, having gone through careful planning, won’t let the lady harm her daughter. She becomes firm, lifts her head, and says, “I’m doing well. Why should I accompany you? Your fourth uncle only wants your money and doesn’t care about us! Conspiring with you would be boarding a thief’s ship! Investigate it yourself. Am I, Zhang Xiangu, a fool?! Let’s see who gives in first!”

The two women are at an impasse, both with knives at their throats, unable to retreat. Sister Hua’s mind is a mess, silently glancing at “Zhu Ying.” While Sister Hua understands that pressuring Zhang Xiangu is unreasonable, and she knows the difficult situation of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, words of persuasion are neither appropriate nor unnecessary.

The lady’s gaze sharpens, coldly staring at Zhang Xiangu, who stands her ground.

In the midst of their standoff, the third son suddenly frowns and says, “Someone is coming.” Sister Hua adds, “It sounds like some commotion.”

The lady instructs, “Sister Hua, send the little girl to check.” Before she finishes, the front door is loudly pounded.

They vaguely hear a voice saying, “Zhang Xiangu! Old witch, come out and take responsibility!” and “Give me back my sixth brother’s life!”

The lady says, “This is not my concern. I won’t say anything; you can’t escape now. Hua Jie, secure the back door, close all the windows, lock the door. Let’s go meet the head of the Zhu family!”

Zhang Xiangu is now completely trapped, wondering why she’s involved in Zhu Liu’s death.

————————–

The urgency of the head of the Zhu family’s arrival has a reason. According to the surveillance, once Zhang Xiangu entered the main house, there was no movement inside. Being astute, the head of the Zhu family sensed something was amiss.

In hesitation, he received another message: the lady’s nephew, an official in the county government, got a letter from the lady and is bringing people to Zhu family village.

This can’t happen! He can’t let Yu Ping ruin things! He hastily found an excuse and brought his family to the main house. He didn’t consider what fate awaited Zhang Xiangu due to his actions.

Every temple has a few unjust spirits, doesn’t it?

As the lady and her group arrive in the front hall, the head of the Zhu family is already seated. The courtyard is filled with Zhu family members holding tools like hoes and sticks, along with some women gossiping and pointing fingers.

The lady acknowledges the head of the Zhu family and asks, “Uncle Four, even if it’s family, barging into my house like this isn’t right, is it? Bullying a widow and orphan without anyone to stand up for me? My husband is dead, my parents are dead, my brothers are gone. It’s easy to bully me now, isn’t it? Thinking my nephew won’t come to my defense, right?”

The head of the Zhu family says, “It’s not because of you; it’s this monster!” pointing at Zhang Xiangu. The Zhu family members are ready to attack Zhang Xiangu.

Zhang Xiangu, feeling cornered, thinks: This place is no longer safe. I might as well cause a scene, take the opportunity to make a fuss, and go find my father with Zhu Ying! She glares at the head of the Zhu family and says, “Bah! Who’s the monster here? When you asked me to send off your daughter-in-law who hanged herself, why didn’t you call me a monster then? Old man! Why did your daughter-in-law hang herself? You old lecher!”

The head of the Zhu family sees she’s about to reveal more embarrassing details and quickly shouts, “Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense! Zhu Jiu, you speak!”

Zhu Jiu, shivering, steps forward and says, “Yesterday, I and Sixth Brother went to Xiangu’s house.”

The lady realizes instantly that her son’s body is in the backyard, and the head of the Zhu family is sitting in the front yard for a trial. Why wouldn’t her nephew and grandnephew come to see their uncle and grandfather? It’s not about seeking trouble with Zhang Xiangu, but it’s aimed at her!

She steps forward and says, “If Uncle Four wants to hold a trial, don’t do it here. I’ll send someone to deliver a letter to the yamen for my nephew. As for how Zhu Liu died, wasn’t it slipping on a dark road and getting impaled by a tree branch?!”

The head of the Zhu family’s face darkens. “I don’t need your opinion! Let your eldest son come out and speak!”

Below, voices chime in: “Yeah, where’s the eldest son? Why is he hiding?” “That’s right! This matter should be handled by him!” “Men handle affairs; what’s the point of a woman talking?”

The lady understands even more now—this is aimed at her!

Zhang Xiangu subtly signals her daughter, indicating they should escape during the chaos.

On the other side, the head of the Zhu family and the lady make eye contact, both understanding the situation. The lady signals the two farmhands to guard their sides, ready for any confrontation.

The voice said, “Are you causing trouble in my house, planning a rebellion? Let’s see who I can spare! In the past twenty years, who has benefited from offending me?!”

Old Master Si also shouted loudly, “Don’t let the demon escape! Keep an eye on the madam; don’t let the demon harm her!”

As the iron-like hands were about to reach Zhang Xiangu, cries of pain erupted. Several hands revealed long, bloody gashes, exposing bone.

The scene fell silent for a moment. Zhu Jiu crawled to the corner, yelling hoarsely, “I can’t control him; this little beast can kill!”

The third elder weighed his axe in his hand.

Old Master Si stomped his foot and yelled, “Rebellion! Rebellion! The bastard dared to harm someone!”

The Zhu family members, in fury, brandished their tools and shouted, “Kill this little beast!”

Old Master Si was about to direct the crowd when suddenly a hand forcefully pulled him aside. Astonished and furious, he was about to curse but swallowed his words—a bloodied axe blade was poised at his neck!

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

The third brother spoke slowly, “Come on, let’s talk like civilized people.” The young voice still carried a hint of innocence, and despite his fair and handsome face, there was now a sense of fear in anyone looking at him.

Old Master Si choked, and the third elder teased him, “Speak in human language.”

Zhu Jiu ran out in a frenzy.

The lady, having seen more of the world, remained composed. Though internally shocked, she maintained a calm facade and said to the third brother, “Third brother, be steady with your hand; don’t get angry.” She subtly signalling him not to drop the axe. Then, she asked Old Master Si to speak: “Tell them to disperse. I won’t hold it against you. When my nephew arrives, let him mediate and talk to both of you. Old Master Si, apologize for falsely accusing Xiangu, and Third Brother, speak softly. My nephew should be arriving soon. Third Brother, is that okay?”

The third brother remained motionless, as if waiting for Old Master Si to speak in a human manner. Zhang Xiangu approached, tidying her clothes, and said, “Tell this shameless old man to give us a ride, and we’ll leave! You are not allowed to follow us!” The Zhu family members dared not move and hesitated to disperse.

The situation reached a deadlock.

It wasn’t until darkness fell that a commotion at the village entrance indicated that Yu Ping had finally arrived!

—

Yu Ping was a shrewd man in his thirties with a square face. He was accompanied by men dressed in official attire, some carrying swords, others wielding iron chains or carrying newly painted fire sticks, exuding an air of official authority.

The people of the Zhu family felt as if they had found a saviour, pleading, “Come take the thief!”

Madam Yu also smiled—a relaxed smile different from the one she had when dealing with Zhang Xiangu and her son. She approached Yu Ping, and the two exchanged a few whispered words.

Yu Ping smiled at Old Master Si, saying, “Greetings, old sir. I understand the situation. You’ve made a mistake accusing the wrong person. Can we talk and settle this?”

Old Master Si, realising his two months of scheming were falling apart, felt disappointed, angry, and resentful towards Yu Ping: “Tell this little beast to move the axe away!”

However, Yu Ping didn’t allow the Third Brother to lower the axe. Instead, he said to the Zhu family members, “Disperse! Once the matter is resolved, I’ll escort the old man back home. It’s not appropriate for you to intervene here.” The officials started clamouring, “If you don’t listen, we’ll lock you up!”

Yu Ping asked Old Master Si, “What do you have to say?”

With no better option, Old Master Si signalling his family to retreat: “I’m fine. Go home, boil some water, and wait for me to return for a foot bath.”

The Zhu family members gradually exited the main hall but didn’t disperse; they gathered outside.

Madam Yu ordered the gate to be closed tightly: “Secure the door bar! No one opens it without my command!”

Yu Ping remarked, “Too cautious. I’ve arrived; what is there to fear, young man? Take a break.”

Only then did the third brother put down the axe.

Yu Ping grinned and said, “Third brother, feeling tired? Sit down, have some tea. I’ll have them accompany you. Once I’ve spoken with my cousin, I’ll come back to have a drink with you.”

Old Master Si nodded with a grim face, glaring at the third brother again. However, the little beast pulled out the axe again, startling Old Master Si, who nearly fell off his chair, much to Zhang Xiangu’s amusement.

Madam Yu invited her nephew Yu Ping, Zhang Xiangu, and third brother, “Let’s talk in the back.” A maid prepared a meal to entertain the officials.

Zhang Xiangu said, “Your family matters don’t concern us outsiders. We’ll leave now.”

Yu Ping looked at his aunt and said with a smile, “Madam, don’t be in a hurry. It’s dark, the road is not safe, and there are unruly people outside. Even if you want to leave, it’s better to wait until morning. I’ll settle Aunt’s matters and then escort you home. How about that?”

Remembering that the Zhu family members were still outside, Zhang Xiangu realised that dealing with these troublesome people and the half-grown child might be difficult for Third Brother. Reluctantly, she went to the backyard with her third brother.

Leading the way with a lantern, Hua, the maid, lit up the surroundings. Madam Yu reached over and patted Yu Ping’s cheek. He hurriedly covered his left cheek. “A cat, a cat did it!”

Zhang Xiangu stifled a laugh, but when the Third Brother glanced at her, her expression turned worried. Yu Ping, an official, was more challenging to deal with than Madam Yu. He came to help his aunt, but how could they shift the marriage proposal away from him?