Yang Wanshi, a scholar from Daming Prefecture, feared his wife above all else in life. His wife, Madam Yin, possessed a ferocious temperament, immediately resorting to blows if her husband showed the slightest disobedience. Yang Wanshi’s father, a widower in his sixties, was treated by Madam Yin not as a respected elder but as a mere servant. Yang Wanshi and his younger brother, Yang Wanzhong, witnessing their father's suffering, would secretly bring him scraps of food, never daring to let Madam Yin find out.

The elder Mr. Yang’s clothes were threadbare, and the brothers, terrified of public ridicule, never allowed their father to receive guests. Yang Wanshi, approaching forty, remained without an heir, so he took Madam Wang as a concubine. The couple spoke in hushed tones, constantly fearful of Madam Yin's authority.

The Yang brothers spent their days studying at home, awaiting the imperial examinations. One day, a youth passed by their gate, clad in splendid robes and possessing remarkable good looks. After a brief conversation, the two brothers felt an instant affinity for the young man. Upon asking his name, the youth introduced himself: “My surname is Ma, my given name Jieful.” From that day forward, the three became inseparable, sealing their bond with incense and prostrations, becoming sworn brothers of the opposite sex.

About half a year after they parted, Ma Jiefu returned to visit, accompanied by a young page. Coincidentally, the elder Mr. Yang was resting outside, basking in the sun while meticulously picking lice from his garments. Ma Jiefu, observing his simple attire, assumed he was a household servant and paid him little mind. He said to the old man, “I am an old friend of the master here. Kindly inform him of my presence.” Hearing this, the elder Mr. Yang pulled on his ragged padded jacket and turned to go inside.

Someone then informed Ma Jiefu, “This is the master’s father.” Ma Jiefu was greatly astonished. Just then, the Yang brothers emerged, beaming with smiles, to welcome their guest. The group proceeded to the main hall and took seats. Ma Jiefu inquired, “Where is the elder gentleman? I wish to pay my respects.”

Yang Wanshi demurred, “He is feeling unwell and indisposed.” Ma Jiefu nodded, pressing the matter no further. Host and guest settled into conversation, which flowed easily until dusk began to settle. Yang Wanshi repeatedly instructed a servant to prepare dinner, but no response came for a long time. The brothers went inside to hurry things along, and after yet another wait, a scrawny servant appeared holding a pot of poor wine, placed it silently on the table, and retreated.

Shortly thereafter, the wine was finished. Yang Wanshi ordered the meal served. After calling out seven or eight times, the thin servant finally ambled out, bringing a few bowls of coarse rice and a dish of salted vegetables, setting them down with an air of listlessness. “The food is here,” he mumbled, “Please enjoy.”

The food was atrocious, almost inedible. The Yang brothers exchanged embarrassed glances and forced smiles. “Our circumstances are humble, and our fare is meager. We ask your indulgence for the poor service.” Ma Jiefu was unperturbed, smiling, “Not at all.” He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat as if nothing were amiss.

After the meal, Yang Wanshi quickly excused himself. Yang Wanzhong brought two quilts to prepare accommodations for the guest. Ma Jiefu spoke, “I befriended you both because of your noble character. Yet, seeing your father suffer, you remain unmoved. Such inaction is truly shameful.” Yang Wanzhong’s face grew wet with tears, and he sighed, “Our family is cursed. My sister-in-law is ferocious, and all of us suffer under her tyranny. The hardships we endure cannot easily be told to outsiders.”

Ma Jiefu remained silent for a long moment before saying, “I had planned to depart first thing tomorrow morning. Now that I have stumbled upon this injustice, I cannot ignore it. Give me an empty room; I shall prepare my own food and save you the trouble.”

Yang Wanzhong nodded in agreement, prepared an empty room for Ma Jiefu, and bade him rest. Deep into the night, he crept into the kitchen and stole some rice and vegetables to give to Mr. Ma, terrified that Madam Yin might discover it. Ma Jiefu understood his predicament and politely refused, saying, “I will find my own provisions of rice, vegetables, and fruit. Do not trouble yourself, Brother Yang, lest you be put in a difficult position. It is late; please return to your rest.”

Once Yang Wanzhong had left, Ma Jiefu invited the elder Mr. Yang into his room, sharing his lodging. He personally went to the marketplace to buy new clothes and change the old man’s attire. Both father and son were overwhelmingly grateful.

Yang Wanzhong’s son, named Xi’er, was seven years old. He slept with his grandfather that night. Ma Jiefu gently stroked the boy’s head, saying, “This child will surely amount to something in the future, though his youth will be lonely.”

Madam Yin heard that the elder Mr. Yang was now well-provided for and became furious. She railed at Mr. Ma, accusing him of meddling. At first, her tirade was confined to the bedchamber, but when it failed to satisfy her rage, she stormed to where Ma Jiefu was staying, shouting insults. The Yang brothers hovered anxiously, daring to intervene with gentle persuasion, yet they could not stop her torrent of abuse. Ma Jiefu allowed Madam Yin to scream and curse without heeding her or showing anger.

The concubine, Madam Wang, was over five months pregnant when Madam Yin finally learned the news. Her jealousy instantly ignited. Without a word, she stripped Madam Wang bare and administered a brutal beating. Having vented her fury, she then summoned her husband, Yang Wanshi, ordering him to kneel for punishment, placing a woman’s silk scarf on his head, and then drove him out with a flurry of whips. Coincidentally, Ma Jiefu was just outside. Yang Wanshi was mortified and dared not approach. Under Madam Yin’s relentless pressure, Yang Wanshi had no choice but to flee out the door, with Madam Yin in hot pursuit.

The two chased each other until they reached the bustling market square. Madam Yin stood with her hands on her hips, pointing at Yang Wanshi and yelling curses at the top of her lungs. The surrounding townspeople, curious, gathered in droves to watch the spectacle. Ma Jiefu, displeased by Madam Yin’s shameless public display, sharply rebuked her: “Harlot, return home at once!”

The moment the words left his mouth, Madam Yin involuntarily turned and fled, as if pursued by a demon, kicking off her shoes and stockings in her haste. Barefoot, she raced back to her house, her face ashen. A maid retrieved her footwear and helped her put them on. Madam Yin appeared utterly despondent, and suddenly burst into loud, inconsolable sobs. The family was shocked, but dared not inquire for fear of her known wrath.

Ma Jiefu reached out to remove the silk scarf from Yang Wanshi’s head. Yang Wanshi repeatedly waved him off, pleading, “Don’t take it off, don’t! If my wife finds out, I’ll be beaten again.” Ma Jiefu was both irritated and amused. He forcefully untied the scarf. Yang Wanshi grew tense, unable to sit or stand still, deeply fearful of his wife’s retribution, pacing nervously outside the door.

Only after Madam Yin’s crying ceased did Yang Wanshi dare to re-enter the room. Madam Yin saw him return, said nothing, rose from her bed, and showed no anger. Yang Wanshi let out a breath of relief; the weight on his heart finally lifted. Privately, he discussed the events with his brother, both filled with astonishment. The family members, having witnessed Madam Yin’s humiliation, gossiped amongst themselves. When Madam Yin sensed the whispers, her rage mounted, and she summoned the servants and maids, subjecting them to severe floggings. After punishing the staff, her lingering fury still unspent, she went to Madam Wang’s room and deliberately provoked her.

Madam Wang had not recovered from her previous beating and remained bedridden. Madam Yin showed no sympathy. Seeing the concubine weak and vulnerable, she seized the perfect opportunity to press her advantage. She seized a rattan cane and began another savage assault. Madam Wang could not endure it; blood stained the bedding, resulting in a miscarriage.

When Yang Wanshi heard the news, he was overcome with grief and indignation, venting his sorrow to Ma Jiefu in a secluded spot, weeping uncontrollably. Ma Jiefu offered solace, saying, “Do not return home tonight; stay with me.” Yang Wanshi nodded emphatically.

In the middle of the night, Madam Yin awoke to find her husband gone. Her anger flared, and just as she was brooding, she heard a rhythmic knocking sound outside the window, as if someone were trying to force the door. Madam Yin was terrified, calling repeatedly for her maids. Suddenly, with a resounding crash, the main door burst open, and a giant figure, his features grotesque, strode into the room.

Moments later, several more men, carrying gleaming blades, filed in behind him. Madam Yin’s heart hammered against her ribs. She opened her mouth to scream, but the giant let out a cold snort, drew a sharp dagger, and held it to Madam Yin’s throat, his voice chillingly low: “Dare to call out, and I’ll slit your throat!”

Madam Yin trembled violently and begged, “Good sir, spare my life! I have plenty of private wealth; I’ll give it all to you.” The giant retorted, “I am an emissary from the underworld, sent to claim your heart. I care nothing for money.” Madam Yin grew even more terrified, falling to her knees and kowtowing repeatedly. The giant ignored her, drew the dagger, and sliced open the skin over her chest, saying coldly, “Slavery to your elders—is that deserving of death?” Madam Yin’s face turned pale, and she dared not argue. The giant moved the knife again, making another cut several inches long, and inquired, “Insulting your husband—is that also deserving of death?” Madam Yin stifled her pain, only managing pleas for mercy.

The giant spoke in a torrent, listing every one of Madam Yin’s sins. For every charge he listed, he scored a fresh cut across her chest—over ten cuts in total. Finally, he concluded, “The concubine bore children, who are technically your descendants as well. Why such cruelty, leading to Madam Wang’s abortion? This offense cannot be forgiven.” He commanded his retinue, “Bind Madam Yin’s hands behind her back and cut open her heart to see if it is red or black.”

Madam Yin cried out in terror, beating her head on the floor, weeping, “Immortal sir, spare me, I know I was wrong.” Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. The giant noted, “Yang Wanshi has returned. Since you admit your error, I shall spare you this time.” With a sweep of his hand, the entire group vanished instantly.

Not long after, Yang Wanshi stepped into the room. He was shocked to see Madam Yin naked, her hands tied behind her back, her chest crisscrossed with countless wounds. He quickly unbound her ropes and asked what had happened. Madam Yin recounted everything. Yang Wanshi turned deathly pale, secretly suspecting Ma Jiefu was behind the strange incident. The next day, when he mentioned it to Ma Jiefu, the latter looked utterly bewildered and said, “Such a thing occurred? I knew nothing of it.”

From that day on, Madam Yin restrained her temper, and for several months, she dared not speak a harsh word. Ma Jiefu was delighted and told Yang Wanshi with a smile, “To tell you the truth: I used a minor spell previously to instill fear in Madam Yin. Now that you two are living harmoniously, it is time for me to depart.” With those words, he left.

Every night Madam Yin slept beside Yang Wanshi, greeting him with a smile and attending to him devotedly. Yang Wanshi had never known such favor and found it almost unbearable, making him restless. One day, Madam Yin, recalling the giant’s face, shivered with fear, her limbs trembling. Yang Wanshi, eager to appease her, let slip a few careless words in conversation. Madam Yin’s face shifted dramatically; she suddenly leaped up and fiercely interrogated him. Yang Wanshi instantly regretted his slip, realizing he had no choice but to confess everything.

Madam Yin exploded into a tirade of abuse, while Yang Wanshi knelt, begging forgiveness, which she refused to grant. Yang Wanshi remained kneeling until the third watch of the night. Madam Yin finally said with malice, “I might forgive you, but only under one condition. I was stabbed over ten times in the chest by Mr. Ma; this injury demands vengeance. You stand still and open your chest, and let me strike you a few times, and then I will spare you.” As she spoke, she walked to the kitchen, picked up a cleaver, and advanced on Mr. Yang step by step.

Yang Wanshi, struck with terror, bolted out the door, with Madam Yin in hot pursuit. Cries for help mingled with curses, and the house descended into chaos with chickens crowing and dogs barking. Everyone in the household awoke. The younger brother, Yang Wanzhong, bewildered, saw the murderous look on Madam Yin’s face and, worried for his brother’s safety, dragged Yang Wanshi behind him, calling out, “Sister-in-law, calm your anger! We can discuss this reasonably.”

Madam Yin ignored him, continuing to shout abuse. In a flash of her eyes, she spotted the elder Mr. Yang, now splendidly dressed, which only enraged her further. She rushed over, swinging the cleaver, slashing Mr. Yang’s fine clothes into shreds, piece by piece. Then, she grabbed the father-in-law’s beard and ripped it out viciously.

Yang Wanzhong, witnessing his father’s humiliation, was filled with uncontrollable fury. He bent down, picked up a stone, and hurled it with force. It struck Madam Yin squarely on the forehead. She made no sound, merely slumping unconscious. Yang Wanzhong knew he had caused a catastrophe and forced a tragic smile, saying, “As long as my father and brother are safe, I die without regret.” With that, he threw himself into a well and died.

Some time later, Madam Yin slowly awoke. Hearing that Yang Wanzhong was dead, her anger subsided slightly. Subsequently, Yang Wanzhong was buried. His wife, determined to care for Xi’er, vowed never to remarry. Madam Yin cursed ceaselessly, refusing to give the widow food and viciously pressuring her to remarry. The wife, having no recourse, was forced to leave.

Xi’er was left utterly alone, wretched and miserable, suffering daily beatings from Madam Yin. It was only due to the constant pleading of other family members that his life was spared. Madam Yin also withheld food, forcing Xi’er to subsist on scraps and leftover rice. His body wasted away until he was hardly human; six months later, he was near death.