Chapter Six: Bound Together, United as One

In Gu Xiaoyao’s eyes, the stones hurled her way moved as slowly as crawling turtles. She dodged them with ease. Still unfamiliar with her surroundings, Gu Xiaoyao had no patience for further conversation with these people. Hunger gnawed at her—she hadn’t eaten since the night before. Fearing she might run off into the mountains again, Madam Liu had refused her even a morsel of food, allowing only a little water.

“You think I’m easy to bully, don’t you? What, do you also want to be tied to a tree and enjoy the wind like last time?”

The neighbors, watching from the sidelines, were utterly enthralled by the spectacle. This new daughter-in-law that Madam Liu had just brought into the family turned out to be ferocious indeed.

“You dare—” Madam Liu’s voice trembled, though her words remained sharp. She’d seen her stones dodged every time, and it unsettled her.

“If you dare lay a hand on me, just wait until the eldest comes home. I’ll have him divorce you!” she threatened.

Gu Xiaoyao was unmoved by such remarks. She bent down, picked up two stones, flexed her wrist, and sent them flying—striking Madam Liu’s knees dead-on.

With a heavy thud, Madam Liu collapsed to her knees on the gravel, grimacing in pain. Without a trace of pity, Gu Xiaoyao tied up both women. This time, she left them by the withered tree to reflect on their actions, rather than hanging them from the branches.

“Oh dear, Madam Liu has really met her match today. Who would have thought the new bride would be so formidable?”

“Exactly! Life won’t be easy for them now. This one’s not about to let herself be pushed around. I heard she’s from Pond Village—a poor place as well!”

The villagers watched the pair, now trussed up with their mouths stuffed, clicking their tongues in astonishment. Lotus Village was small; any family’s scandal would soon become common knowledge.

“What are you all doing here? Spring planting is just around the corner. Shouldn’t you be eating breakfast and getting to work instead of gathering here?”

The village head hobbled over, cane in hand, moving with surprising agility for his age. His snowy white beard was well-kept and billowed in the cold wind.

“Great-Grandpa, you’re here!”

“Such a cold morning—what brings you out so early?”

Some villagers, caught by his admonishment, managed awkward smiles, though none left.

This village head was the oldest in Lotus Village, made chief simply by virtue of longevity. Living to seventy in such hardship was a rare feat.

“Chengjin’s wife, untie them at once. You mustn’t do such things. She is your elder, you the younger—such behavior is inappropriate.”

The village head looked at the two bound women, shaking his head and waving his hand, urging Gu Xiaoyao to release them.

“What’s inappropriate about it? She hit me, so I tied her up. It’s only right. Or am I supposed to stand here and let her beat me senseless for the sake of propriety?”

Gu Xiaoyao had no patience for such logic. She had always lived by the rule—do not provoke, but never back down if provoked.

Normally, the village head’s word was law, but her retort left him so angry his vision nearly blurred.

“Chengjin’s wife, that’s not how things are done. She is your elder and you just a newcomer. You’ve only been married into Lotus Village two days, and already you cause such a scene. How will you ever live peacefully here in the future?”

Gu Xiaoyao was unmoved by these earnest admonitions. She replied coolly, “What does my conduct have to do with them? Besides, the village head should not meddle in my family’s affairs. When the eldest of the Chu family returns, I’ll give him a proper explanation.”

With the conversation at this point, the village head could hardly hobble over and untie them himself. It was clear he was none too willing to get involved any further.