My Husband's Love Child Can Rot for All I Care

On the way home from praying at the temple, I encountered an abandoned baby.

Seeing the coachman about to pull the reins, I sharply scolded him, telling him to whip the horses and leave quickly.

Because this child was the illegitimate son of my husband and his white moonlight.

They didn't want to raise him and planned to abandon him for me to care for.

In my previous life, I took him in, and my own son and daughter died tragically. In my old age, I was driven out of my home by my adopted son and froze to death.

In this life, let the abandoned baby feed the wolves!

1

"Butcher Lin, there's an abandoned baby by the roadside, should we stop?"

The coachman saw the baby crying loudly by the intersection.

He slowed down, hesitantly asking me.

I woke up from my nap and immediately scolded: "Are you going to raise it if we pick it up? Hurry up and leave, you bleeding-heart fool, your whole family will die."

The coachman, scolded by me, didn't dare meddle further.

In my previous life, after giving birth to a son and daughter, I went to the Buddhist temple to fulfill a vow.

On the way back, I found an abandoned baby by the roadside.

I felt I had a connection with him and kindly adopted him, even finding him a wet nurse.

But that night, a fire broke out.

Both my children were burned to death in the fire.

From then on, my mental state became unstable, and in my grief, I treated my adopted son as my own child.

When the adopted son grew up, the first thing he did was have my husband divorce me and welcome the former wet nurse into our home as his mother, driving me to the City God Temple where I froze to death.

Only after I died did I learn that the adopted son was the illegitimate child of my husband and the wet nurse.

He had always resented me.

Believing I had caused his mother and father to separate.

To take revenge on me, the three of them occupied my ancestral property, ground my bones to ashes, made them into bone bricks to tread underfoot, hypocritically calling it "letting us witness their happiness."

Thinking of this, I gritted my teeth in hatred.

Those usurping dogs.

In this life, if they dare set foot in my home, they can wait for death!

2

When I returned home, my poor scholar husband was rarely standing at the door to welcome me. Previously, he had always disdained spending time with me.

He considered me, a butcher, crude and reeking of copper, not elegant at all. He preferred women who were weak as willows.

For example, the white moonlight standing beside him.

"Wife, you've come just in time. I met Sister Su on the road. She's a pitiable woman, abandoned by her husband."

"Her mother died of a serious illness, and she could only sell herself to pay for the funeral. You are the most kind-hearted, and I took pity on her, so I took the liberty of buying her back. Wife, you won't blame me, will you?"

Su Mei stood delicately behind Shen Youwen.

She performed a hesitant curtsey to me.

In my previous life, I pitied Su Mei's miserable circumstances and took her in as my sister.

But my kindness raised a pack of ungrateful curs.

I glanced at her and said to Shen Youwen: "So you bought a slave, is that it? Perfect, I'm short-handed for butchering. She can come with me to the government office to register as a bondservant and help me press the pork later."

Hearing she would have to butcher pigs, Su Mei frantically shook her head, timidly looking at Shen Youwen: "My lord, Mei'er cannot butcher pigs. I heard Sister has three children, you must be short of a wet nurse. Mei'er can be the wet nurse."

"That's right, with three children now, Wife, you must be overwhelmed. Su Mei looks like she has no strength, let her be the wet nurse!"

Shen Youwen nodded in agreement, thinking his reasoning was sound and I certainly wouldn't refuse.

Watching their self-satisfied appearance made me sick.

I took my bundle down from the carriage and said coldly: "I have one son and one daughter, when did I have a third child? Could it be that you've fathered an illegitimate child outside, husband?"

Seeing me open the bundle, which contained only a butcher's knife, two tiger-head dolls, and some dried food, the faces of this adulterous pair instantly changed dramatically.

Shen Youwen gripped me hard, asking frantically: "You came down the mountain, didn't you pick up a child?"

3

"Do I not have children of my own? Why would I bother raising someone else's? Shen Youwen, don't tell me you're actually raising an illegitimate child behind my back!"

I was broad and stout, standing before him with furrowed brows.

This useless piece of trash Shen Youwen immediately didn't dare utter a word.

The townspeople suddenly became excited, saying a baby boy had been found at the temple, nearly frozen to death, and was now being treated by Doctor Xu.

Hearing this news, Su Mei forcefully pushed me aside, quickly lifted her skirts, and shouted: "My poor son, if anything happens to you, I won't live either!"

Shen Youwen guiltily glanced at me.

He understood his fox's tail could no longer be hidden.

So, without righteous confidence, he accused me: "Lin Yue, you venomous woman, since you knew that child was my flesh and blood, why didn't you save him?"

"If my son has even the slightest problem, just wait for me to divorce you, this shrew! Later, you can forget about Xi'er and Le'er!"

He flung his sleeve and left, using the child to threaten me.

In our town, whether it's a uxorilocal marriage or a regular marriage, after divorce, the children must be given to the father's custody. As for whether they're raised well, the government doesn't care.

I thought of my poor children.

My heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

Shen Youwen actually dared to threaten me. Didn't he know what business I was in?

4

While feeding my two children in the courtyard, I sent someone to invite my father.

My father had doted on me since childhood.

If Shen Youwen dared to bully me, he could just wait and see.

Outside the courtyard, the threshold was broken by a crowd of people.

Shen Youwen, holding the coachman's collar, arrogantly kicked open my courtyard gate, followed by a group of indignant neighbors.

"It was wrong of me to keep a mistress, but you venomous woman, why did you watch my son die and do nothing? An innocent child!"

"Neighbors, come help me reason with them. Whose wife would watch their own child die and do nothing?"

Shen Youwen complained with resentment.

As a scholar, he was the most scheming and knew best how to stir people's emotions.

Neighbors who were usually on good terms with him helped him accuse me: "Lin Yue, you're a mother after all. The child is innocent, why take your anger out on him?"

"That's right, no wonder you couldn't get married at your age. Your face shows your heart—you're so venomous. Scholar Shen was willing to marry you; you should be secretly laughing."

"Our Baoyun Town can't tolerate such a venomous woman. Quick, seize her and send her to the government office. Let the magistrate decide!"

...

Hearing them want to send me to the government office.

Shen Youwen stood even straighter, and even made demands of me: "If you don't want to be exiled to the frontier, honestly hand over the family property to me, go to the government office to receive ten staffs as punishment, and agree to my divorcing you."

"Xi'er and Le'er will be left in Su Mei's care. You'll give me one tael of silver each month for Yao'er's medical expenses."

I glanced at the instigating crowd, then took out my butcher knife from under the table and fiercely struck it into the tabletop.

This heartless man.

He had schemed for my money, and now he wanted to scheme for my children too.

Su Mei, holding the child and pretending to cry nearby, was actually watching me with mocking eyes, as if enjoying a good show.

It really ignited the fire in my heart.

5

"Neighbors, I know you all mean well, but I didn't know the abandoned baby at the mountain was Shen Youwen's son."

"If I had known, even if I died, I would have saved that child. You might as well ask the child's birth mother why she abandoned the child before condemning me."

The baby in my arms suddenly burst into loud wails.

Taking advantage of this, I also put on the appearance of a scoundrel, sitting on the ground and crying my heart out.

The neighbors looked at each other, feeling I did have a point.

Times were hard now, and it was difficult enough to raise one's own children.

Who would add another mouth to feed for no reason?

Moreover, the child's mother was present—she was the one at fault for losing the child.

Furthermore, although this child was Shen Youwen's illegitimate son, without today's incident, who would have known the child was Shen Youwen's?

Among the crowd, someone with authority understood and spat at Shen Youwen: "You bastard, bringing some wild woman to cause trouble. Are you bullying Butcher Lin for being uneducated?"

"Everyone, disperse. He's using his own son to frame his own wife. Even tigers don't eat their young—he's simply heartless."

...

For a moment.

Shen Youwen and Su Mei were almost drowned by the neighbors' saliva.

After the neighbors left, my father arrived.

He watched the chaotic crowd disperse, saw Su Mei holding the child and crying, and asked me with a strange expression what had happened.

I explained the whole situation clearly.

Father remained silent instead.

Holding my child, I kicked over Lin Youwen and angrily said to my father: "I am determined to divorce this man. This evil-hearted, rotten-gutted thing, bringing that rotten woman might cost me my life one day."

6

Father rapped his tobacco pouch.

Su Mei skillfully refilled his pipe with tobacco leaves.

She pitifully knelt and kowtowed to me: "Mei'er just wants a home. Now that the child is born, it really can't be hidden or raised. Mei'er won't compete with Sister, even being a second wife would do."

And she calls this not competing?

What common family has two wives? It would be laughable.

"Get lost. If you want to keep that coward Shen Youwen, then keep him. This lady doesn't want him."

"My father is the county magistrate's clerk. This divorce is settled. As for the children and property, you two won't get a single bit. Get out, all of you!"

I kicked Su Mei away.

Then turned to light my father's tobacco pipe.

Father had doted on me most since childhood.

Although my request didn't conform to ritual propriety, he was the county magistrate's clerk, the local king turtle of our town—even if unreasonable, it would become reasonable.

Holding my child, I waited for my father to uphold justice for me.

But Father hoarsely said, using his pipe to burn my hand impatiently: "You're ugly and uneducated, who would want you if you divorce? Don't be willful at your age. Ehuang and Nuying is also a beautiful story."

I didn't understand this nonsense about goose-yellow or whatever.

But seeing Father not on my side, I acted like I did as a child, sitting on the ground, crying out for Father: "I still have my father, I can still butcher pigs. Without him, my daughter will definitely live better."

"If we don't divorce, then drive that vixen away!"

I pointed at Su Mei.

Shen Youwen certainly wouldn't give up Su Mei.

Faced with a choice between the two, he could only choose the former.

But Su Mei covered her mouth, holding her sickly child, and pulled at Father's pants leg, wailing loudly: "Father! Your daughter is also an illegitimate child, growing up with people pointing fingers at me."

"Your daughter really can't bear to let Yao'er suffer such gossip at such a young age. He's your own grandson, your grandson with my mother!"

I stood in place, looking at Father in disbelief.

He and Mother had always been loving.

He had treated me exceptionally well since childhood—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he'd give me the stars if I asked. How could my father also be this贱 woman Su Mei's father?

7

I grabbed my butcher knife and was about to strike at Su Mei.

Father clattered his tobacco bag down. He kicked my kneecap and said disgustedly: "Savage and crude, exactly like your butcher mother. Are you going to kill this old man too?"

"Mei'er is your own sister. She has suffered much outside. The matter of elevating her as second wife is settled. As the elder sister and main wife, you must provide both the dowry and bride price."

I went weak in the knees, squatting down with dim eyes.

I thought asking Father to come was to back me up.

Who would have thought my father was also a heartless, unfaithful bastard, actually keeping a mistress behind my mother's back and fathering such a grown daughter.

The three of them stood together like villains in league.

Father seemed to see through my thoughts and sneered: "Still thinking of divorce? Once you leave, you won't be able to take Xi'er and Le'er with you, and you can forget about taking any family property either."

I took a deep breath.

I couldn't be reckless. Xi'er and Le'er couldn't be without their mother.

They restrained me, unwilling to let me leave—first, they coveted the money I earned from butchering, and second, they coveted the generous dowry my mother had left me.

Since they didn't want me to leave and insisted on entering my home.

I, Butcher Lin, was not someone to be trifled with.

Seeing my silence.

Shen Youwen saw this as my agreement. He became arrogant, relying on Father's support, and boldly slapped me: "Shameless thing, you made me lose so much face today."

Father glanced at him sideways, cursed him as a fool, and kindly reminded him: "You don't even understand this reasoning? Holding the child, she can't escape your grasp."

I touched my face, feeling chilled to the bone.

The way they looked at me wasn't like I was human, but like livestock.

Su Mei provocatively helped me up, intimately calling: "Sister, hurry and prepare the bride price. Mei'er is still waiting to be a mother to Xi'er and Le'er."

8

"Never mind, after all, she's my own sister. Better to keep wealth in the family. With Father's words, I will treat you well from now on."

I reluctantly patted the dust off my body.

Under Su Mei's suspicious gaze, I went to the wardrobe and took out the silver I had saved over the years from butchering, taking out forty taels of silver.

First, I stuffed half the silver into Father's hands, apologizing to him: "Father, consider this the bride price for Shen Youwen's marriage. Today's incident was my fault. I apologize to you."

"This half is for my sister's dowry. I didn't know you were here all these years, causing today's misunderstandings. I apologize to you too."

Seeing the gleaming white silver.

All three of them gasped in unison.

Holding my child, I pitifully knelt at Shen Youwen's feet: "Husband, I only beg you not to divorce me. I cannot be without Xi'er and Le'er."

"In the future, all the money I earn will be yours to spend, supporting you in becoming the top scholar, raising my sister's child, and providing for Father in old age."

I put on a perfect show of being willing to endure humiliation for the sake of my children.

Making them think I could swallow my pride for my children.

Finally, as the three of them exchanged sinister glances and smiled, Su Mei hypocritically spoke: "Elder sister, what are you saying? Mei'er is here to join this family, not to break it apart."

"In the future, let's live our days beautifully together. Elder sister earns money, I manage the household, husband achieves official success. This is simply a divine tale."

I smiled in agreement.

Once she marries in, if I don't kill this adulterous pair, I will never rest.

Dare to be a mother to my children? She lacks both the life and fortune for it.

9

I handled Su Mei's wedding arrangements myself, and not only that, I suggested Father have Su Mei recognized into the family lineage, to avoid people gossiping.

Ten miles of red dowry, eight bearers carrying the sedan chair.

Even when Shen Youwen married me, he didn't have such grandeur.

This made Su Mei and the other two overjoyed.

Neighbors all praised me as a rare good wife and daughter.

Generous and tolerant.

I cooed to the two children in my arms, hypocritically responding: "It is my blessing to be able to help my husband expand the family."

When the groom entered the bridal chamber, I specially blocked Shen Youwen.

Shen Youwen was drunk. Seeing me block him, he unhappily scolded: "Now Mei'er is also my properly married wife. Are you planning to cause trouble?"

I hugged a jar of pig penis wine and handed it to Shen Youwen, saying委屈ly: "This jar is great for virility. I was also afraid you'd lose face in front of all our relatives and friends."

Shen Youwen was now in his thirties.

His body had long been depleted.

Hearing it was this stuff, Shen Youwen pretended to scold me but tightly hugged the wine jar: "This thing, this scholar doesn't need. If you hadn't brought it, this scholar wouldn't drink it."

I responded appropriately.

Seeing him anxiously hug the wine jar into the bridal chamber without even closing the door.

He immediately guzzled several jin of it.

On the wedding night, the sounds of wedding revelry and the adulterous pair's coupling continued until dawn.

In the side room, I held my children, singing lullabies.

The corner of my mouth unconsciously curved into a fierce smile, the kind that only appeared when butchering.

If you like to drink, Shen Youwen should drink more.

The doctor had said his body was weak.

虚不受补更容易出事儿。

10

Early in the morning, while Shen Youwen and the others were still asleep, I carried my two children on my back, butchered a pig, divided the pork, and delivered it to buyers.

At the Yihong Courtyard, the madam saw me come.

She teased: "Serving your husband and new wife last night, and still able to get up today. Sister Yue truly has an open mind and good health."

I wiped my sweat and carried the pork to the back kitchen.

When I returned, after the crowd had thinned.

I pulled the madam's hand, slipped silver into it, and asked her in a low voice: "That person I asked you to watch out for some days ago, is there any news?"

The madam's eyes rolled.

She pulled me to the firewood room.

By the firewood pile lay a beautiful woman with pus oozing from her leg.

"This is a girl from the capital. If she weren't sick, she wouldn't be worth this price."

"Sister Lin, take her home, and you can definitely suppress that vixen at home."

Seeing I was satisfied.

The madam gave me a look.

And had people carry her to my cart.

Liu Yi's eyes sparkled as she tugged at my sleeve: "I heard the madam talk about your affairs. As long as the money is sufficient, this old lady guarantees to cure that vixen dead."

"Mmm, none of them are as rich as me."

I took Liu Yi to the clothing store and makeup shop.

Clothes make the man, saddle makes the horse.

She was beautiful, but still needed some adornment.

Sure enough, after careful dressing, she was several times more beautiful than Su Mei.

Returning to the residence, Su Mei and the other two were eating at the table. Seeing me bring back a beautiful woman, Su Mei's face immediately darkened as she threw down her chopsticks.

Shen Youwen, however, couldn't take his eyes off her.

Liu Yi seductively curtseyed to Shen Youwen: "This concubine greets the master."

That voice was enough to melt bones.

Su Mei directly threw porridge at Liu Yi: "Bitch, what kind of slut are you being so early in the morning!"

She then turned her spearhead toward me.

"Lin Yue, are you intentionally making trouble for me?"

11

Su Mei was only half right.

I helped Liu Yi up and explained to Shen Youwen: "This is a concubine I've taken for you, husband. With three children in the courtyard, and Sister's weak constitution, she certainly can't care for them well."

"Besides, it's common for men to have three wives and four concubines. Why is Sister so angry? Shouldn't this be husband's decision?"

Liu Yi's eyes were like hooks.

With just one glance, Shen Youwen couldn't look away.

Men are so lustful.

Shen Youwen despised me, cheated behind my back—he wasn't a good person at his core.

Su Mei, with red-rimmed eyes, looked at Shen Youwen, trying to get him to uphold justice.

Shen Youwen wasn't stupid. He pretended to scold me: "You were indeed too reckless in this matter, but since the person is already here, what's done is done. I don't manage backyard affairs."

He saw the situation was unfavorable.

And used the excuse of academy business to slip away.

Only the three of us remained in the courtyard. Su Mei directly overturned the table, pointing at me and cursing: "You shameless bitch, ugly and causing trouble. How dare you let an outsider bully me! I'm going to find Father and reason with him!"

I smiled leisurely.

Seeing her holding the child and leaving, I didn't stop her.

She could think of things, so could I.

After Mother died, Father's mistress also died.

Father is a man.

As long as he's a man, it's impossible not to be moved by beauty.

If Su Mei goes now, she might even catch a matchmaker arriving to arrange a marriage for Father.

Today was a rest day. Shen Youwen certainly had no business at the academy.

I had Liu Yi freshen up, stir-fried two small dishes, and had her take them to Shen Youwen.

The sooner she captures Shen Youwen's heart.

The sooner they can go to hell.

12

Late at night, when Su Mei returned, she was seething with anger as she held her child.

She kicked open my door: "You shameless bitch, you harmed my husband, and now you're harming Father. Father is old, and you're arranging marriages for him! Are you worthy of your dead mother?"

Whether I was worthy or not had nothing to do with her.

"You know Father is old and has no one to care for him. Aren't you worried? Finding a companion for Father to care for him is my filial piety."

"Besides, the ones who wronged my mother are you and Father, and your mother who died in the wilderness without even a name!"

Xi'er and Le'er were awakened by the noise.

Hearing the children cry, I slapped Su Mei's face: "If you break rules and barge in again without permission, next time it won't be just a slap."

My hand strength was great.

Su Mei's face immediately swelled up. She held her child, crying as she ran to find Shen Youwen, but the courtyard was empty, so she held her child and searched for him at the academy.

It was already late at night.

I called up neighbors, asking them to follow me to find Su Mei.

A neighbor woman saw Su Mei go to the academy.

The neighbors pulled me along, and we went to the academy together.

The academy gate was wide open, and from inside came Su Mei's heart-wrenching sobs and the baby's cries.

"Oh heavens, Auntie, hurry in and see. Is Su Mei in some kind of trouble inside?" I panted, making way for the gossiping aunties.

The aunties rushed in to look.

They all flushed red with shame, cursing Teacher Shen for being shameless, actually mixing with someone in the academy.

Unable to continue watching, they left.

The neighbors made Shen Youwen a laughingstock, talking endlessly.

Shen Youwen was on the resting bamboo couch, holding Liu Yi, and forcefully slapped Su Mei: "Shameless woman, you've ruined this scholar's reputation."

13

After last night's incident, Shen Youwen's job as a teacher was revoked this morning.

His private morals were corrupt, unfit to be a teacher.

"Look what you've done. Now neighbors point fingers at this scholar, laughing at me."

"Stupid woman, truly stupid!"

Shen Youwen received the news and caused an uproar at home.

Su Mei wasn't stupid either. She relied on Shen Youwen to live.

She softened her body, shed a few tears, and flattered him: "This concubine was wrong. I shouldn't have been so petty, but it's all because I love my lord too much that I lost control for a moment."

"My lord is so talented, you shouldn't be a mere teacher, wasting your talent. This concubine is willing to use her dowry to support you in the imperial examinations. Then, when you return with honor, they will all look at you differently."

Su Mei offered silver money, and her words struck Shen Youwen's heart. No matter how angry he was, he was quickly placated.

Liu Yi and I watched, Liu Yi snorted.

"This woman has very clever methods."

If her methods weren't clever.

I wouldn't have been harmed so tragically in my previous life.

"Since husband has decided to take the imperial examinations, then Liu Yi and I also support you. But with many people and chaotic affairs at home, you will certainly be disturbed."

"Husband, what do you think of this? I will fund renting a room for you in the west of town, and let the two sisters visit you when they have time."

I pushed open the door and walked straight in to say.

Shen Youwen was thinking exactly this.

Seeing me propose it myself, he naturally thought it was excellent.

So he quickly settled on the house to rent and took the silver from me.

Su Mei also clung to him, packing her luggage and saying she would move over to care for him.

Suddenly, the large courtyard became much cleaner.

Liu Yi asked me if Shen Youwen could really pass.

I smiled without answering.

If he could really pass, he wouldn't have married me.

Supporting him was just to get that adulterous pair out of my home, to die outside, not dirtying the small courtyard my mother left me.

14

After Shen Youwen moved out, I had Liu Yi visit him from time to time, bringing him the nourishing pig penis wine.

He loved drinking pig penis wine.

Su Mei wasn't idle either. Now she not only had to serve Shen Youwen but also constantly guard against Liu Yi competing for favor, afraid that one day Liu Yi would steal her affection.

Su Mei clung to Shen Youwen every day.

This led to rapid consumption of the pig penis wine.

I calculated the time and had Liu Yi stock up on medicinal herbs, white liquor, white vinegar, and grain at home.

After early spring, the county would experience heavy rains, leading to mountain floods and plague epidemics.

Our town was situated high, so mountain floods didn't affect us much.

But plague was hard to guard against.

Thinking of the previous life, when my adopted son was infected with plague, I cared for him day and night, only to have my kindness repaid with evil. I couldn't help but feel hatred.

In this life without me, let Su Mei be the one to save him!

Sure enough, as soon as spring began, the rain in town fell incessantly, and soon the accumulated water in town exceeded knee height.

News of other towns being flooded spread, making people panic.

"Should we still deliver food to them today?"

Liu Yi held the food box, hesitantly asking me.

I shook my head.

With such heavy rain, we couldn't deliver it either.

If they starved to death, or fell ill.

There was nothing we could do.

"They can't hold out and will come find us. You guard the home well. These days, don't let outsiders in."

"Not even Shen Youwen and Su Mei. Without my order, not one is to be allowed in."

I played with the rattle.

Xi'er and Le'er could already call "Mother."

I absolutely would not allow them to have any more accidents.

15

After the rain receded, plague indeed emerged.

Every household kept their doors tightly closed, no one wanted to catch the disaster.

Just like in my previous life, Su Mei's son Shen Yao was struck.

Late at night, Su Mei came holding her child and begging for help.

With plague-infected people in the city, officers would take away those with plague, locking them all in dungeons to fend for themselves.

Anyone who sheltered them would receive thirty strokes and be exiled.

"Lin Yue, I know you can hear me. Quick, open the door for me. If anything happens to my son, I'll make sure you die horribly."

"Lin Yue, open the door quickly!"

Su Mei pounded on the door with all her might.

I had Liu Yi report to the authorities, and the magistrate immediately brought people.

"No, you can't take my child!"

"My husband is the town's scholar, my father is the county magistrate's clerk. How dare you touch me? I'll skin you alive!"

Su Mei refused to let the officers take the child.

But the officers didn't care.

If the plague was allowed to spread, more than just Shen Yao would die.

I peeked through the door crack—Shen Youwen had also come, holding an umbrella.

He pleaded in a mournful voice: "Mei'er, I asked the doctor. If the child is infected with plague, he's done for."

"Let the officers take the child away, alright? If disaster strikes, everyone in the whole town, including you and me, will die."

Hearing this, the usually weak Su Mei became uncontrollably angry and backhanded Shen Youwen across the face, nearly mad: "You're just afraid Yao'er will pass the illness to you. You're cowardly, afraid of death. But that's the child I carried for ten months."

"You're afraid, but I'm not. I want to accompany Yao'er. He's so small, how can he survive in a dungeon?"

Truly a pillow-mate.

Su Mei saw Shen Youwen as clearly as I did.

He was the most petty, cowardly, and afraid of death.

As Su Mei was dragged away by officers, her mouth cursed us venomously, wishing us horrible deaths.

16

Shen Youwen slumped his back, sighing as he knocked on the door.

"Wife, please open the door. The west courtyard is uninhabitable. If you don't open the door, your husband will die outside."

"Xi'er and Le'er are still young. Wife, open the door quickly."

Even now, he was still using my children to threaten me.

I gritted my teeth, spat, then wailed loudly: "Husband, I don't dare open the door either. Yao'er has the plague. If he infects Xi'er and Le'er..."

"Then your family line will be completely cut off. I hope husband will consider the two children and not return home for now."

With Yao'er ill, Shen Youwen now only had two children.

If he wanted to end his family line, he was welcome to come in.

I also instructed Liu Yi to throw the prepared food and pig penis wine from the courtyard to outside. With these, he wouldn't die so quickly.

Sure enough, Shen Youwen shouldered the food and only cursed me a few times as a venomous woman without actually forcing his way in.

But if he had really tried to force his way in.

This old lady could have beaten him out too.

Spring passed, the floods receded, and the plague also dissipated.

I thought Su Mei should have died in the dungeon.

But she came with officers, banging on my door: "Smash it, smash it all for this madam. This bitch mistreated me in the past, today I'll let her taste bitterness too."

The pork shop had been open for less than half a day.

Su Mei, dressed in gold and silver, smashed my shop.

I held my butcher knife at them.

The officers seized me, took my butcher knife, and warned me: "If you dare disrespect Madam Mei again, we'll throw you in jail."

17

Common people dare not fight officials.

The officers held me down and took all the meat and silver from the shop.

Su Mei stared at me with venomous eyes. She picked up the butcher knife and chopped off two of my fingers.

"Bitch, you thought I'd die if I went to jail!"

"But I was born lucky. The magistrate's son caught the plague, and under my close care, he came back from the gates of hell."

"I'm about to become the magistrate's son's wife. You bitch who bullied me before, this is your retribution!"

Su Mei vented her anger, her neck held extremely high.

The officers escorted me back home.

At home, Shen Youwen, who should have been studying in the west courtyard, had been beaten up and lay on the ground like a dead dog.

A tall, well-dressed man stood beside him.

I recognized him.

This was Gao Zhiming, the county magistrate's son.

Seeing Su Mei return, Shen Youwen's face changed dramatically. He crawled up from the ground, pointing at her and cursing: "Shameless woman, how dare you cheat on me. A woman like you should be drowned in a pond."

Su Mei snorted and kicked Shen Youwen in the chest.

Shen Youwen quickly fell to the ground, his lips pale and unable to speak.

"You heartless, ungrateful poor scholar. This madam is here to divorce you today. Quick, sign the divorce letter with me. After this, we go our separate ways!"

Su Mei threw the divorce letter in his face.

Gao Zhiming gave Shen Youwen two kicks, forcibly pulled Shen Youwen's hand, and had him sign and fingerprint the divorce letter.

18

After taking the divorce letter, Su Mei stepped on my broken hand, leaning down to say viciously: "Lin Yue, you think I'll let you off this easily? Dream on."

After the group left, I helped up Shen Youwen, who was lying on the ground. He had been beaten so badly he had more air going in than out, his face ashen gray, with no real hope of living.

Liu Yi went to fetch a doctor.

The doctor felt his pulse and his expression was not good.

I wept bitterly, asking: "Doctor, is there any hope for my husband?"

"His body has long been hollowed out, and he's also contracted venereal disease. After taking this beating, it's adding insult to injury. You should prepare for his funeral!"

The doctor shook his head, shouldered his medicine box, and left.

He didn't even prescribe a single medicine.

Hearing the doctor's words, Shen Youwen fearfully tugged at my clothes, begging for help: "Wife, you must save me, I don't want to die."

I coldly pushed his hand away.

"Shen Youwen, begging me is useless. If King Yama wants you dead at the third watch, how can I keep you until the fifth?"

"Rest assured, after you die, I will definitely care for Xi'er and Le'er well. Otherwise, you'll have died in vain. Shen Youwen, rest in peace!"

Hearing me say this.

Shen Youwen's chest heaved violently as he cursed me and then cursed Su Mei.

No matter how he raged.

I just dragged him to the pigsty.

This was something I had wanted to do since the first day of my rebirth.

Seeing him competing with pigs for food in the pigsty.

I finally laughed heartily. Heartless men should have long been like this.

I had originally planned to use pig penis wine to slowly hollow out Shen Youwen's body.

But even heaven couldn't bear to watch.

Wanting him to die early.

This was Shen Youwen's fate.

I closed the pigsty gate and turned to find Liu Yi.

"Go spread the word in town about Su Mei remarrying and bringing people to beat her husband to death. She gave me the opportunity, so I must make good use of it."

Liu Yi took the broken silver and went to the streets.

Su Mei wanted to make things difficult for me—she should first ensure her own survival.

19

Shen Youwen didn't survive the second day. When I prepared to butcher pigs early in the morning, half his body was leaning in the pig trough, mouth and nose wide open, dead.

I quickly cleaned him up.

Then, I wailed loudly, calling neighbors over.

"Sister, you're truly pitiful, attracting such a vixen who killed your husband, and now she wants to become the county magistrate's son's wife."

"This requires a life for a life. Even if she's the magistrate's son's wife, when the emperor commits a crime, he suffers the same punishment as commoners. Sister, hurry and report to the authorities."

...

Neighbors advised me to report to the authorities.

Everyone thought Su Mei had killed Shen Youwen, and not a single person suspected me.

I cried loudly in pain: "Xi'er and Le'er are so young without a father. Honorable magistrate, that venomous woman Su Mei must pay with her life!"

Surrounded by all the neighbors.

I came to the government office and struck the petition drum.

Su Mei also heard the news and rushed over. She looked at me with disdain and sneered: "Lin Yue, you're truly stupid as a pig, coming to the county magistrate to accuse the county magistrate's son and daughter-in-law. Just wait to be beaten by the magistrate!"

Of course I understood this principle.

But I had ways to drag Su Mei down with me.

"Even if I sacrifice this worthless life, I must let my husband rest in peace. Su Mei, you will face retribution."

"Retribution? This madam fears retribution the least."

Su Mei disdainfully blocked me.

If I lost the lawsuit, I would also receive twenty strokes.

This was a harmful and profitless deal for her.

I wiped the tears from the corner of my eye.

But did she really think the magistrate would help her?

20

"I wish to accuse Su Mei of harming Shen Youwen's life, of being loose in morals, and of deceiving the magistrate's son."

I submitted the complaint.

The coroner also presented Shen Youwen's autopsy report.

Magistrate Gao had long arranged a proper family match for his son.

I didn't believe.

He would truly be willing to let his son marry such a woman with a complicated background.

If he were truly willing.

Magistrate Gao wouldn't have tolerated his subordinates beating Shen Youwen to death, leaving such a large handle against him.

Su Mei was still smug, thinking she had backing.

Little did she know, she had long been thoroughly calculated by Magistrate Gao.

I also knew I couldn't offend the magistrate's son.

So on the complaint, I only wrote about Su Mei's crimes.

With both witness and evidence complete, plus the pressure of watching citizens, Magistrate Gao couldn't possibly ruin his reputation for Su Mei.

Su Mei was initially unconcerned, until Gao Zhiming also changed his tune: "Your Honor, Su's family saved my life, and she used this to order her servants to beat Shen Youwen."

"I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen, leading to this tragedy."

"This matter is entirely because Su Mei is too snake-hearted, completely unrelated to me."

Gao Zhiming cleared himself with just a few words.

Su Mei panicked immediately.

Her face paled as she clutched Gao Zhiming's sleeve, begging: "Zhiming, how can you say that? It was I who saved you at the risk of my life. You said you would marry me!"

Su Mei's pleading didn't earn Gao Zhiming's pity.

Gao Zhiming's face darkened as he kicked her away.

"You bitch, and you still dare say you want to be my wife. That Shen Youwen had venereal disease, and you think you're clean?"

"Fortunately, Lin Yue notified this young master last night, otherwise I would have been completely deceived by you."

"Venomous woman, wanting to marry this young master—you're simply dreaming!"

Everyone had turned against her.

Magistrate Gao ordered Su Mei seized and immediately sentenced her to death.

Three days later, she was executed.

At death, Su Mei looked resentfully at all of us, cursing loudly: "You ungrateful dogs, I curse you all to die horribly."

This was retribution.

In her previous life, she was ungrateful, so she couldn't blame others for burning bridges after crossing them.

21

After Su Mei's death, I threw her child to my father.

Father had married a new wife, with a violent temper and ruthless methods, who couldn't tolerate others.

Shen Yao didn't even survive half a year before being drowned in a cesspool by the new wife.

Liu Yi had long contracted venereal disease and died in the spring of the following year.

I bought her a coffin and chose a good location.

I hope she can be happy in her next life.

As for me, I continued my butchering trade, safely raising my two children to adulthood.