The woman was named Xiu Yun, wife of Min Da’an. Da’an had been having an affair with her sister Xiu Shui. According to clan rules, he couldn’t divorce her without cause. Xiu Yun was virtuous and capable, so Da’an couldn’t find any reason to divorce her. After much thought, he devised a plan.
During a market trip, Da’an met a local ruffian and hired him to pose as a peddler in Luo Shang Village. As the ruffian forcibly harassed Xiu Yun, Da’an suddenly appeared with villagers, “catching them in the act.” The ruffian escaped through a window, leaving Xiu Yun with no way to defend herself.
Xiu Yun was bound and brought to the ancestral hall, set to be drowned in a pig cage the next day.
The cage was made of thin bamboo strips, tightly bound at the ends. Yu Yi circled it but couldn’t find a way to untie it. She went to a spot behind Xiu Yun where she couldn’t be seen and used a cutting tool to make a large opening big enough for a person to pass through. Then she used a small knife to cut the hemp rope binding Xiu Yun’s wrists.
Xiu Yun’s mouth was gagged, and she was bound so tightly she couldn’t even turn over. She could only stare wide-eyed, shaking her head frantically and making muffled sounds.
Yu Yi, seeing she wanted to say something, first removed the cloth stuffed in her mouth.
After catching her breath, Xiu Yun anxiously said, “Ling’er, what are you doing?! Go back. If Third Uncle finds out, he’ll beat you to death!”
Yu Yi said simply, “I’m here to save you, Aunt Xiu Yun.”
Xiu Yun shook her head, murmuring, “Don’t save me. You can’t save me…”
Yu Yi ignored her and continued cutting the ropes. Xiu Yun grew anxious: “Stop cutting! I won’t run away. If I run, I’ll never clear my name!”
Xiu Yun’s vision went black, almost fainting. Her own sister and husband were having an affair, conspiring to harm her, and she had been completely in the dark!
