Chapter Twenty-One: Severed Bonds

Su Dajie, thinking of the benefits soon to be in her grasp, strode swiftly to Banxia's door.

“Banxia, are you home?”

Banxia was wringing out clothes. In this era, without a spin-dryer and with the frequent rains of April and May, if the clothes weren’t wrung dry, they’d stink and never air out. She used all her strength, her face contorted from the effort, when suddenly someone knocked at the door. She let out a breath, her arms weak and powerless now, so she hastily hung up the clothes and went to the door. “Who is it?” she asked.

“It’s me, your sister-in-law.”

She actually dared to come? Clearly, her threats yesterday hadn’t been strong enough—or perhaps the woman’s skin was just too thick. Still, they knew each other, so Banxia couldn’t simply refuse to open the door. She reached out and slid it open.

“What brings you here?”

“Let’s talk inside, let’s talk inside.” Su Dajie squeezed in regardless.

“Alright then, what is it you want?”

“I came straight from home and I’m a bit thirsty. Could you pour me a cup of water?”

What nonsense—coming all this way just for water. Banxia was curious to see what tricks she was up to, so she went to the kitchen and poured her a bowl of water.

Banxia handed over the water when she returned. Su Dajie took a sip, looking around the house. “You keep this place pretty clean, little sister, but there’s not much in here.”

“Of course not, my family’s poor.”

“I know. Back then, when your brother and I agreed to your marriage, we didn’t look carefully enough, just thought you liked it, so we agreed. But look now… If you don’t live well, how will you face your mother- and father-in-law in the afterlife?” She even squeezed out a few tears.

Banxia, seeing this act, chose to ignore it, refusing to cooperate.

Su Dajie realized it was hard to perform alone and wiped her tears. “I know you resent us now, and I admit we’ve made mistakes before. After your rebuke yesterday, I thought hard all night and felt truly guilty. So at dawn, I went to the temple outside the city to fetch you some holy water. They say it cures all ailments, grants long life, and keeps you youthful.”

“Sister-in-law, why don’t you give it to my brother instead? If he ever gets his legs broken, perhaps this divine water could help grow him a pair more.” Turning a man into a beast—Banxia didn’t believe a word Su Dajie said. No one offers kindness for nothing; it was clear this wasn’t well-intentioned.

“Your brother is a rough man, he’d just waste such good stuff. As for Master Huang’s matter, we’ve already settled it—gave him silver and apologized. If you’re truly unwilling, we won’t force it.”

That was impossible. Banxia had seen their true colors these past days—a couple who’d force their newlywed sister to remarry for silver wouldn’t pay compensation to anyone. Such a claim was obviously false.

Seeing Banxia unmoved, Su Dajie cursed inwardly but kept a smile on her face. “Sister, do you still not trust me, think there’s something wrong with this water? Here, I’ll drink some first.” She poured a small cup and drank it herself. “It’s precious, so I’ll just have a little. Now you can rest assured.”

Banxia was even less reassured. Clearly, she’d have to drink it, so she relied on a unique skill honed at drinking tables—fortunately, her sleeves were wide and it was easier now.

“I’ll just take a couple of sips; a whole bottle is too much.”

“Of course, keep the rest for later.”

Banxia raised her hand, covering her mouth with her sleeve. Su Dajie watched her throat move, thinking she’d swallowed the water, and finally relaxed. Banxia was now certain there was something wrong with the medicine. After sitting for a moment, she suddenly said, “Sister-in-law, my head feels dizzy…”

Dizziness was exactly the goal. Su Dajie laughed to herself but feigned concern. “Are you ill? Lie down on the bed, I’ll fetch the doctor.” With that, she helped Banxia onto the bed.

Banxia let her fuss as she pleased.

Su Dajie left. After a while, Banxia heard the door creak—this time, more than one person entered. Banxia quickly lay down, adjusting her breathing to appear as if she were asleep.

“My sister’s inside—go on now,” Su Dajie’s voice urged.

“Are you sure there won’t be trouble?”

“Don’t worry, if anything, we’re the ones at a loss. If you’re unwilling, we’ll find someone else.”

“I’m willing.” The man made up his mind and stepped inside.

“We’ll stand guard outside,” the other two said, and left.

Banxia understood at last—her so-called brother and sister-in-law had found someone to dishonor her. What kind of family would stoop to this?

The man approached, then lifted the bed curtain.

Though young, Banxia’s beauty was already apparent. Her skin was white as snow, with no trace of rural labor. The man felt he’d struck gold and eagerly reached out his hand.

In that instant, Banxia’s eyes snapped open. She grabbed him and pressed him down on the bed. He tried to shout, but his mouth was muffled by a blanket. He struggled, but Banxia’s grip was unbreakable. Then, with a swift chop, she knocked him unconscious.

“Seems noisy in there—do you think there’s a problem?” someone outside asked.

“A man’s business always makes a bit of noise, doesn’t it?” Banxia’s brother replied with a lewd smile. The more noise, the better—let’s see how she talks her way out of this.

As they spoke, there was a commotion outside—the sound of Gan Sui returning.

“Brother-in-law, you’re back…” Su Jinyu stammered. Since Gan Sui’s arrival, Banxia had treated him to good food and drink, so he no longer looked as frail as before. Having been a person of status in a previous life, a certain dignity came naturally to him. Now, as he looked coldly at Su Dajie, she actually felt a chill of fear.

“Who are you?”

“We’re Banxia’s brother and sister-in-law. You haven’t brought her to visit yet, so naturally you wouldn’t know us.”

“Since you’re here, why stand outside? Come in and sit awhile.”

“They’re probably afraid of spoiling my fun,” Banxia suddenly said, opening the door.

“What—how are you…”

“How am I still awake? Sister-in-law, you brought such a ‘grand gift’—I really can’t accept it. You’d best take it back.” With that, she tossed the unconscious man out.

“This… Sister, who is this?” Deny everything, of course.

“You don’t know him? Weren’t you the ones who let him in?”

“Don’t accuse me, sister. I came out of concern, found you unwell, and was about to fetch the doctor. Who’d have guessed you had a man hidden inside? Well, brother-in-law, it’s our fault for not keeping her in line. If you want to divorce her, we won’t object.”

“So you’re going to ‘righteously cut off your own kin’?”

“There’s no other way, sister. You should have been more discreet in broad daylight…”

“So you want to slander me for adultery? I, Su Banxia, don’t tolerate a grain of sand in my eye. If you force me to a dead end, I’ll drag you down with me.” With that, she grabbed a stick by the door and stormed after Su Dajie, beating her mercilessly.

Su Dajie had no chance against her, fleeing around the courtyard, yelping in pain. “Su Jinyu, you wretch, aren’t you going to stop your sister?”

Su Jinyu, a scoundrel by nature, picked up a hatchet from the yard and charged at Banxia. Gan Sui was about to intervene, but Banxia, as if she had eyes on the back of her head, kicked him straight into the wall, man and hatchet both. She didn’t stop there—she thrashed him with the stick as he rolled on the ground, unable to dodge the blows.

“Murder! She’s killing us to cover up her infidelity!”

Banxia burned with fury but didn’t stop. “Shout all you like, sister-in-law. I’d love the whole village to come and judge. There’s still that water you brought—let’s take it all to the magistrate and let everyone see what heartless creatures you are.”

Su Dajie dared not yell further, curling up in the courtyard. The commotion roused the man who’d been knocked out earlier. Seeing the scene, he quickly said, “This isn’t my fault—they paid me to come, said I’d get both a beauty and silver.”

“Anything left to say?” Banxia stood over Su Jinyu, her gentle face now as terrifying as a demon to him.

“Sister, it was them—they schemed this together. I was forced into it…”

“Ungrateful wretch! Everything I did was for this family,” Su Dajie snapped.

“Enough! I won’t have such clamor in my courtyard. If there’s a dispute, let’s report it to the authorities, and include this trespasser as well. We’ll see what the magistrate decides,” Gan Sui said, perfectly imitating a sour scholar’s airs.

“It’s just a misunderstanding, no need for the authorities,” Su Dajie said with a forced smile.

“A small matter? I dare not call it that. Have you ever seen siblings-in-law push someone to their death? I agree—let’s go to the magistrate. Such black-hearted scum should be imprisoned for years.”

The couple panicked at last and dashed for the door. The man hesitated, then followed them out.

Banxia chased to the entrance. “Wait for the magistrate to send you to jail!” The group fled even faster.

Only now did Banxia return triumphantly to the courtyard.

“What happened?” Gan Sui asked.

“These two are the original body’s brother and sister-in-law—real pieces of work. The very day I arrived, my brother told me to remarry, took my dowry silver, and yesterday came asking for more. I refused, so they came up with this harebrained scheme. They clearly didn’t realize I’ve seen far worse in my day. Such petty tricks don’t work on me… But why did you come back?”

“I remembered the book I copied yesterday and thought I’d bring it to Manager Yan, so I turned back for it.”

“Well, you didn’t lose out—you got to watch a good show,” Banxia said, smug.

Gan Sui ruffled her hair. “Don’t get complacent. It’s better to offend a gentleman than a petty person—you never know when they’ll bite back. Next time, don’t let such people even step into the yard.”

Banxia agreed readily. The house was a mess after the ruckus, so she and Gan Sui set about tidying up. Neither of them noticed that by the wall next door, Gan Eryang was sitting on a small stool, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle she’d just witnessed. This was more entertaining than any opera—she’d have plenty of gossip to share at the village women’s gathering that afternoon.