Wang Dabao was the scoundrel who had persecuted the original owner.
One day, he hid in the grass, so engrossed in peeking at girls washing clothes that he tumbled into the water with a splash.
After crawling ashore, he went home to change, got into bed under the covers, and felt a dizzy spell. He thought it was a common cold and would get better in a few days.
To his surprise, even getting out of bed was difficult, and he couldn't stand steady. Fortunately, he had some preserved food at home, otherwise, he would have starved to death.
Wang Dabao felt as if all his bones were broken. The immersive terror he experienced made him afraid to sleep.
He had nightmares every night, of malevolent spirits from the water缠住 him and devouring him whole, or of giant pythons tightly constricting his body, opening their monstrous jaws to bite off his head…
The scenes were too impactful. No matter how much he told himself it was a dream, he couldn't wake up. He would only awaken after each torture ended.
Day and night, as soon as he closed his eyes, these things would appear, and the pain from the dreams would manifest in his body.
Wang Dabao: "All gods and immortals, please appear and show your spirits! I don't know who I've offended. Please, spare me, I truly know my mistakes. Wuwuwu, please leave, please leave…"
Wang Dabao muttered incessantly. Unconsciously, he drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, he found himself standing in the corner of his own house.
In the middle of the night, a cold gust of wind made him tremble all over. He hugged his arms, intending to run inside, but with a crash, the wall collapsed.
It pinned Wang Dabao firmly underneath. He didn't die immediately; his head was crushed, forming a large hole from which blood trickled out.
His lower body was smashed to pieces, and all his bones seemed to have broken. He endured this agony, unable to even cry for help.
More and more blood flowed. He felt death approaching. He was smiling, smiling that he could finally be free.
The next day, someone digging a road passed by his house and discovered the collapsed wall. As they approached, they were greatly startled by the large pool of blood.
"Help! Quick, someone! There's a dead person!"
Soon, a crowd gathered. Although they disliked him, they couldn't just leave him there.
The village chief organized a few people to move the debris pinning him, carried him to his own land, and buried him in a random spot.
"My, he died so miserably! So much blood was spilled. I heard his lower body was smashed beyond recognition."
"Alas, we were just talking about him yesterday, and today he's like this. As for that wall, who knows what happened. Perhaps he did some evil deeds and is now facing retribution."
"You might be right. That kid would do anything for a little money."
"It must be like that. Tsk, tsk, tsk. People really shouldn't do things with a guilty conscience."
"I feel like our village hasn't been peaceful lately, with one accidental death after another. I'll definitely burn more incense when I get back and pray for the Buddha's protection."
"Don't scare yourself. It's only been two people. Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. As long as we do nothing wrong, we have nothing to fear."
"That's right. These malevolent entities don't just kill randomly, do they?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Jun Jiuli poisoned Zhao Nanying, rendering him mute, and returned the body to the original owner. Yang Liu, holding her child, cried tears like a flood.
"Ling-ge, Mother will protect you for the rest of her life."
The child seemed to sense his mother's intense emotions, waving his small hands and babbling. He called out "Mother" indistinctly, making Yang Liu extremely happy.
Jun Jiuli left the child's food supplies. Yang Liu prepared them according to her memories. After the child fell asleep, she went to Zhao Nanying's study.
A strange smell filled the room. Upon seeing her, Zhao Nanying gave a fawning smile, likely famished.
"Zhao Nanying, so this is how it is for you. Hahaha, I want you to live every day as if in purgatory, so you can repay us, your mother and son."
Yang Liu sat on a stool by his bed, pulled out a wooden hairpin from her hair, and fiercely stabbed it into his thigh. Again and again, she continued, not stopping even as blood splattered out.
Yang Liu wouldn't let him die so easily. Zhao Nanying would never be able to turn over again. With his official status, no one would dare to harm their mother and son.
The remaining money at home was enough for their mother and son's living expenses and for Ling-ge's education.
Yang Liu stayed at home for over half a year, claiming to recuperate. Her parents tilled her land for her.
Her family was exempt from taxes. She only took ten percent of the grain, enough for her to eat. The rest was given to the Liu family, no matter how much her father tried to refuse.
The following year, she announced her health had recovered and began farming the land herself. As the child grew, she brought him along to help in the fields.
After the Zhao clan leader died, an uncle from another branch became the clan leader. Yang Liu was added to the clan genealogy. Though she found it disgusting, she couldn't let her child suffer.
Yang Liu tormented Zhao Nanying, ensuring the wounds were in places others wouldn't see. Outsiders all praised her as a good and kind woman.
When little Zong Ling wanted to see Zhao Nanying, Yang Liu would tidy the room and spray it with the incense Jun Jiuli had left behind.
Zhao Zongling had little memory of Zhao Nanying and was particularly afraid of his gaze, so they were not close.
Zhao Nanying lay on the bed for four years. His back rotted and became infested with maggots. He spent his days in a foul-smelling room, wishing for death daily.
His passing had no impact on Yang Liu and her son. After he was buried, they resumed their lives.
Zhao Zongling also showed a talent for academics. Yang Liu was meticulous in his education in other areas.
She feared he might become as selfish and self-serving as his father. She did not interfere with his marriage.
Zhao Zongling had no interest in becoming an official. After passing the Xiucai exam, he became a tutor in town and married his teacher's daughter.
Yang Liu did not wish to live with them and enjoyed her life in the countryside. Zhao Zongling was filial and respected her choice, often bringing his wife and children back to visit her.