Chapter 2 — Riding on the Wind

If you refuse to wash my clothes, what am I supposed to wear outside?

Xie Guang never expected me to refuse, and immediately began to question me in a loud voice.

Then go naked and stay inside!

I flung those words back at him and turned on my heel, heading straight for the kitchen. Without a moment's hesitation, I proceeded to smash every single pot, pan, bowl, and dish into pieces. Hearing the terrible commotion, my mother-in-law and Xie Guang rushed over in a panic, only to be greeted by a devastating scene of destruction scattered across the floor.

Yun Niang! Look at the fine mess you have made!

Mother, I already told you that my hands are injured. Just lifting these pots and bowls sends sharp, agonizing pains shooting through my fingers. Please, you and my brother-in-law must be patient and wait a little longer. Although it will take some time, I can still manage to cook.

With that, I scooped a ladleful of water from the large storage jar. My hand gave a deliberate tremor, and the entire ladle of water splashed directly across my mother-in-law's face and body.

Li Shi Yun!

Furious, my mother-in-law opened her mouth to unleash a torrent of abuse, but suddenly—*gurgle, gurgle, gurgle*—Xie Guang's stomach let out a resounding, violent rumble.

Mother, why don't you cook this morning? I am truly starving!

Consumed by rage, she glared at him with utter disappointment, lamenting that iron could not be forged into steel.

Useless wretch! Apart from eating and sleeping, what on earth are you good for? If you possessed even a fraction of your eldest brother's capability, I would not have to endure such humiliation today!

Suddenly, her eyes darted about slyly, and her tone shifted instantly.

Since Yun Niang's hands are injured, she does not need to do any work today. Go outside and rest.

Hearing this, I stood on no ceremony whatsoever and strode out of the house. I knew that whatever malicious scheme the old hag had failed to execute last night, she would undoubtedly attempt again today. Half an hour later, three bowls of steaming porridge and a small dish of pickled vegetables were set upon the table.

Second brother, Yun Niang, come and eat.

My hands are shaking so badly, I will use a spoon to drink my porridge.

Under the heavy, calculating gaze of my mother-in-law, I finished every last drop of the porridge. Only when she saw this did a satisfied smile finally touch her lips.

Mother, I am feeling sleepy, so I am going back to our room to rest.

Go on then, off with you.

In my past life, I had waited hand and foot upon this wretched old woman for thirty whole years. I understood her better than she understood herself. For instance, I knew precisely where she kept her poisons hidden, tucked away in the lowest drawer of her bedside cabinet. I knew she sewed her secret savings into an old garment resting at the very bottom of her wooden chest. Furthermore, I was well aware of her illicit affair with the village physician, and I knew exactly where those deadly concoctions originated. Xie Guang had always been a man who cared for nothing that did not directly concern him; as long as he was spared from labor, he would tolerate almost anything. Therefore, taking advantage of the time the old hag spent cooking, he had retreated straight back to his bedroom to sleep. I seized the opportunity to slip into the old woman's room, pocketed her hidden money, and replaced the lethal powder in her stash with ordinary flour. Just as the pot of porridge was about to boil and she returned to her room to retrieve the poison, I slipped into the kitchen and emptied the actual poison directly onto the plate of pickled vegetables. In this household, I had never even possessed the privilege of eating pickled vegetables.

A short while later, both rooms plunged into absolute silence. It seemed the poison had begun to take effect. Clutching the old woman's stolen wealth, I walked openly and proudly out of the courtyard gates. Along the path, I happened to run into Ge Hongquan, the village physician, and a brilliant scheme instantly formed in my mind.

Uncle Ge, my mother sprained her back this morning and asked me to invite you over to take a look.

Suspecting nothing whatsoever, Ge Hongquan picked up his medical box and prepared to head straight for the Xie household.

Please go on ahead, Uncle Ge. I still need to pull the weeds out in the fields. My mother instructed me to pick some fresh greens around noon so we can host you for a wonderful meal.

You are far too polite, niece. Very well, Yun Niang, you go along and finish your work.

Ge Hongquan could be considered a distant relative of the Xie family, and it was entirely proper for him to address the old hag as sister-in-law. In my previous life, it was he who had stood behind the scenes, helping my mother-in-law plot and scheme against me while spreading vicious rumors of my promiscuity throughout the entire village. Having practiced medicine locally for many years, he commanded considerable prestige, and I had always respected him like an elder. After they trapped me and forced me into a marriage with Xie Guang, I remained barren for years. The old hag made Ge Hongquan treat me, subjecting me to all manner of bizarre and tormenting remedies: silkworm feces, talisman water, the ashes of menstrual cloths, and countless other absurd concoctions. I had endured unimaginable suffering. Being a simple country woman at heart, I had trusted every single word they said—until the day I was herding cattle up the mountain and heard sounds of decadent intimacy echoing from the dense thicket. Drawing closer to investigate, I discovered that the two figures entwined together were none other than my mother-in-law and Ge Hongquan. After their passionate liaison concluded, Ge Hongquan asked:

Cui Xiang, you knew perfectly well those remedies were useless, so why did you continue to torment Yun Niang?

What is this? Are you feeling sorry for that cheap wretch?

Pushing him away, the old hag feigned an intention to stand up. How could Ge Hongquan bear to let her go? He immediately pulled her back into his arms.

What are you saying? If I felt pity for her, why would I have cooperated with you in punishing her?

Hmph, if we did not torment her, wouldn't the whole world find out that my second son is incapable of siring children?

Hearing those words back then, my soul had nearly left my body in terror, and I had fled blindly down the mountain. How hateful it was that I had been so spineless my entire life! Even in that moment of horrifying realization, I still had not known how to fight back! Watching the hurried figure of Ge Hongquan receding into the distance, I secretly swore an oath. In my past life, I endured humiliation and lived in cowardly submission, only to meet a tragic end. In this lifetime, I would stake everything I had and fight to the death.