In May, the scorching heat baked the earth, and even the big willow tree in the center of the village looked wilted and lifeless. Normally, not to mention the blazing noon sun, even in the morning people would stay indoors and avoid going out.
But today was different. At a courtyard on the western end of Gu Village in Qingshan Town, people had gathered both inside and outside, forming a tight crowd.
An elderly woman with graying hair, dressed in a faded brown patched outfit washed to a pale color, held a stick in her hand and was chasing a thin, frail girl around the yard, beating at her. As she swung the stick, she cursed loudly.
“You shameless little slut, worthless money-losing thing! I feed you and clothe you, and this is how you repay me? That’s your own aunt! You heartless disaster, jinx, how dare you hit her! Today I’ll beat you to death and save the Gu family from your misfortune!”
The girl was thin and weak—anyone who saw her would think she stood no chance against the enraged old woman. Yet in reality, after chasing her for a quarter of an hour and exhausting herself to the point of panting, the old woman hadn’t managed to land a single blow.
After chasing her for a while, the old woman realized this. She wiped the tears from her face, thinking of what the doctor had just said, and hatred surged in her heart.
“Back then people said you were the reincarnation of a jinx, that you killed your grandfather. Your parents thought you brought bad luck and wanted to throw you into the back mountain to feed the wolves—I was the one who stopped them. I regret it now!” She beat her chest in anguish. If she had known things would turn out like this, why had she stopped them? Her poor precious girl, born without a father, and now about to be killed by this jinx.
The more the old woman thought about it, the angrier she became. She turned to Yang Shi nearby and brought the stick down hard on her back. You gave birth to that girl—if she’s a jinx, you’re no better. If I can’t beat her to death today, beating you will do just as well.
Unlike her daughter, Yang Shi didn’t dodge. Even though she knew the old woman was furious and the blow would be heavy, she stood still and let it land.
The old woman showed her no mercy. She usually scolded Yang Shi even without cause, let alone now that Yang Shi’s daughter had injured her beloved child. Thinking of her daughter lying in bed, her life uncertain, she struck even harder.
Gritting her teeth, she said, “Second son, watch them. If anything happens to your sister, report it to the authorities. I want their whole family to be buried with her.”
At these words, the onlookers in the courtyard grew uneasy. The village chief coughed lightly and said, “Sister-in-law, we’re all saddened by what happened to your girl. If you’re not satisfied, give Er Ya a few blows—we won’t stop you. We’ve watched this child grow up; she’s always been honest. I don’t think she did it on purpose. You’re all from the same Gu family—there’s no need to take it as far as reporting to the authorities.”
Most people in Gu Village shared the surname Gu and traced their lineage back to the same ancestor. The village chief was also the clan leader. When such a big incident happened in Gu Shitou’s family, people naturally informed him immediately. After learning the full story, he had stood by watching the old woman rage without saying anything.
Everyone in the village knew the old woman was not to be provoked. Even plucking a blade of grass from her yard would earn a long scolding, let alone now, when her daughter’s life hung by a thread.
But this was different. If she really reported it, it would damage the reputation of the entire Gu Village. Not only the Gu clan, but even those with other surnames would object.
Knowing the old woman’s stubborn nature, the village chief added, “And what about Guangzong and Yaozu? I hear they’re very talented in their studies and are preparing for the county exam. If there’s a criminal sister in the family, how will they continue their exams? Our Gu family finally has promising young men—are you willing to ruin their future?”
Gu Guangzong and Gu Yaozu were the twin sons of the second branch and the old woman’s grandsons. Her favorite was her precious daughter, but next came these two promising boys.
The Great Xia Dynasty clearly stipulated that imperial examinations did not only evaluate knowledge, but also family background. If someone in the family committed crimes, no one within three generations could hold office.
The twins were eleven this year and considered the most promising candidates in Qingshan Town to become scholars or even provincial graduates.
The village chief believed that daughters would eventually marry out, and what the old woman cared about most should be the Gu family and her grandsons. Bringing up Guangzong and Yaozu should work. Even if she insisted on reporting it, he didn’t believe the second son would sacrifice his sons’ future for his sister.
Before the second son could speak, the old woman sneered. “What’s there to worry about? At worst, we split the family.”
Once the family was divided, they would no longer count as one household—surely that wouldn’t affect her grandsons.
Village chief: …
Taking a deep breath, he said disapprovingly, “Sister-in-law, you’re talking nonsense again. Shitou may not be your biological son, but he’s called you mother for so many years. Since Brother Gu passed away early, he’s worked hard and been filial. Aren’t you afraid of hurting him by saying this? Besides, if things were really that simple, would everyone need to be so cautious?”
As village chief, he understood the rules better than the illiterate old woman. The examination scrutiny extended beyond a single household—crimes within three to five generations could affect candidates. Even if the family split, they would still fall within the scope.
Seeing she remained silent, he softened his tone. “I say the most urgent matter is Yuan girl’s injury. The doctor didn’t say she’s beyond saving. How about this: since Er Ya caused it, let her kneel at the door for one night and pray for Yuan girl’s recovery. As for Shitou and his wife, since they failed to discipline their daughter, they’ll take on all the household work for a month. What do you think?”
The village chief had already investigated everything. While the incident was indeed caused by Er Ya, she wasn’t entirely to blame.
Gu Yuan, the old woman’s beloved daughter, lost her father before she was even born. The old woman doted on her excessively, raising her like a pampered young lady—she had never done any work.
Er Ya, a year older, was completely different. Her grandfather died right after she was born, and many said she brought bad luck. From the age of three or four, she helped her mother; later she cut pig grass and fed chickens and ducks. At only thirteen, she handled both housework and fieldwork skillfully.
Both were girls, yet Gu Yuan did nothing and had the best of everything, while Er Ya worked harder than an ox and ate the least. Normally quiet and withdrawn, Er Ya suddenly exploded today when she saw Gu Yuan sitting in the shade eating watermelon.
She not only threw the watermelon aside but also shoved her. Unfortunately, Gu Yuan hit her head on a stone stool and bled on the spot.
Was it her fault? Anyone exhausted would feel resentful seeing someone idle. But Gu Yuan hadn’t provoked her, and raising a hand against an elder was wrong.
In short, family matters were hard to judge.
If not for the old woman threatening to report it, the village chief wouldn’t have interfered. Others were just there to watch; as long as no one died, they wouldn’t meddle.
The old woman was famous for her temper—no one wanted trouble.
She wasn’t entirely unreasonable and knew she had to give the village chief some face. But she was unwilling to let Er Ya off so easily. Just as she was about to bargain, the girl suddenly spoke.
Her eyes blazed beneath her messy hair, and she shouted, “I did nothing wrong! Why should I kneel and pray for her? When she bullied me, you all pretended not to see. Now that it’s her, you suddenly act like good people!”
Had Gu Yuan bullied her? Yes. As a pampered girl, she treated others like servants. Since the family couldn’t afford maids, the elder and second daughters became her attendants. They did her tasks—if done well, it was expected; if not, they were scolded.
Like today: the watermelon was cut by the eldest sister, but neither she nor Er Ya got any—Gu Yuan ate it all.
Yet Er Ya ignored the fact that the watermelon had been given specifically to Gu Yuan by a relative. Gu Yuan had only asked for one-eighth to be cut, intending to save the rest for the family.
Even so, Er Ya refused to accept the punishment.
In ancient times, hierarchy mattered. The village chief’s word was law, and even the old woman respected him somewhat. For a junior girl like Er Ya to talk back made his face darken immediately.
Gu Shitou stepped forward and kicked Er Ya behind the knee, knocking her to the ground and forcing her to kneel before Gu Yuan’s door. Then he slapped her twice, left and right.
Afterward, he bowed and said to the village chief, “Please don’t mind her, she’s just a worthless girl. I’ll watch her tonight. No—she’ll kneel until my younger sister wakes up. What do you think?”
Gu Shitou cared deeply about face. By talking back, Er Ya had embarrassed him. He showed no mercy—his slaps were heavy, and her face quickly swelled.