In the western part of the city, near the Ciyawu kilns, lived a peasant woman, robust and formidable as any man, often resolving the woes of the local folk.

She lived separately from her husband, who resided in the neighboring county, some hundred li away.

His visits were rare, seldom lasting more than two nights before he departed.

The woman’s dwelling bordered the Yan Mountains, where she often trekked to sell her pottery to make a living.

Sometimes, when business was good and she had a small surplus, she would use it to aid the beggars.

One evening, while chatting with her neighbors, she suddenly stood up.

“My stomach aches,” she announced, “It seems the child is coming.” With that, she excused herself and left.

The next morning, a neighbor went to visit the woman’s home, only to find her returning, carrying two empty wine jars on her shoulder pole.

Entering the sleeping chamber, the neighbor discovered a baby asleep in the bed.

Upon inquiry, it turned out that after giving birth, the woman had neglected rest, instead heading to the market to sell wine.

Laden with weight, she had already covered over a hundred li on her round trip.

North of the county seat, there was a nunnery, and one of the nuns there was close friends with the peasant woman; they had sworn sisterhood.

Later, the nun disregarded the monastic rules and secretly took a lover.

When the peasant woman found out, her fury knew no bounds.

She personally hefted her carrying pole and headed to the temple to hold the nun accountable, intending to administer a sound beating.

It was only after the persistent pleading of many that she finally relented.

On another day, the peasant woman encountered the nun on the road and delivered several hard slaps across her face.

The nun asked, “What crime have I committed?” The woman offered no answer, instead launching into a barrage of punches and kicks.

The nun cried out in pain, wailing repeatedly until her voice grew hoarse and she was barely clinging to life.

Only then did the peasant woman stop, turn on her heel, and stride away.