Min Da’an was very uneasy, a feeling that had grown since hearing of Xiu Yun’s escape. In the village, he was the only one who knew that Xiu Yun was framed, not actually caught in adultery. He had even kept this from Xiu Shui.
The sisters’ parents had passed away, and when Xiu Shui was not yet married, Xiu Yun had taken her into her own home. Min Da’an was good-looking and hardworking, taking good care of Xiu Shui.
When Min Da’an first saw Xiu Shui, he thought she was much prettier than Xiu Yun, but he had already proposed to Xiu Yun and had no reason to break the engagement. Though regretful, he had to give up. Unexpectedly, after being married for over a year, Xiu Shui was brought to live with them.
Xiu Yun noticed nothing unusual, but Min Da’an sensed Xiu Shui’s feelings for him and deeply regretted not proposing to her initially.
He sought opportunities to be alone with her, sweet-talking her. Eventually, he succeeded in seducing her.
After their affair began, Min Da’an started finding Xiu Yun troublesome and increasingly wanted to be with Xiu Shui as a true couple. He devised a plot to frame Xiu Yun for adultery.
Min Da’an tossed and turned, unable to sleep, when Xiu Shui asked, “Da’an, aren’t you asleep?”
Worried about Xiu Yun’s potential drowning, Xiu Shui had been sleepless. Hearing of Xiu Yun’s escape, she was secretly relieved but still felt guilty and concerned, and was now awakened by Min Da’an’s restlessness.
Thinking he was pondering the same things, she said, “I hope my sister can escape tonight.”
Min Da’an hypocritically agreed: “I also hope Xiu Yun doesn’t get caught. After all, we were husband and wife…”
Suddenly, an angry voice called from outside: “Min Da’an, you beast! How dare you harm me like this and talk about being husband and wife?” It was clearly Xiu Yun.
Min Da’an was shocked, not just because Xiu Shui was in the room, but because Xiu Yun’s words revealed she knew what he had done.
He sat up, glancing at Xiu Shui, whose face was equally pale, both frozen in uncertainty.
Xiu Yun cried and picked up a large stone near the door, furiously smashing it.
