楊萬石，大名諸生也。生平有「季常之懼」。妻尹氏，奇悍。少迕之，輒以鞭撻從事。楊父年六十餘而鰥，尹以齒奴隸數。楊與弟萬鐘常竊餌翁，不敢令婦知。然衣敗絮，恐貽訕笑，不令見客。萬石四十無子，納妾王，旦夕不敢通一語。兄弟候試郡中，見一少年，容服都雅。與語，悅之。詢其姓字，自云：「介甫，姓馬。」由此交日密，焚香為昆季之盟。既別，約半載，馬忽攜僮僕過楊。值楊翁在門外，曝陽捫蝨。疑為傭僕，通姓氏使達主人。翁披絮去。或告馬：「此即其翁也。」馬方驚訝，楊兄弟岸幘出迎。登堂一揖，便請朝父。萬石辭以偶恙。促坐笑語，不覺向夕。萬石屢言具食，而終不見至。兄弟迭互出入，始有瘦奴持壺酒來。俄頃引盡。坐伺良久，萬石頻起催呼，額頰間熱汗蒸騰。俄瘦奴以饌具出，脫粟失飪，殊不甘旨。食已，萬石草草便去。萬鐘襆被來伴客寢。馬責之曰：「曩以伯仲高義，遂同盟好。今老父實不溫飽，行道者羞之！」萬鐘泫然曰：「在心之情，卒難申致。家門不吉，蹇遭悍嫂，尊長細弱，橫被摧殘。非瀝血之好，此醜不敢揚也。」馬駭嘆移時，曰：「我初欲早旦而行，今得此異聞，不可不一目見之。請假閒舍，就便自炊。」萬鐘從其教，即除室為馬安頓。夜深竊餽蔬稻，惟恐婦知。馬會其意，力卻之。且請楊翁與同食寢。自詣城肆，市布帛，為易袍袴。父子兄弟皆感泣。
楊萬石是大名的秀才，一向怕老婆。他的妻子尹氏異常兇悍，稍有不順她的心意，就拿鞭子打他。楊萬石的父親六十多歲，妻子已經去世，尹氏把他當奴僕看待。楊萬石和弟弟萬鍾常常偷偷給父親送吃的，不敢讓尹氏知道。可是老人穿著破爛的棉衣，兄弟倆怕招人嘲笑，不讓他見客。萬石四十歲還沒有兒子，娶了王氏做妾，卻從早到晚連一句話也不敢跟她說。兄弟倆在郡城等候考試時，遇見一個年輕人，相貌俊秀，衣著雅緻。他們與他交談，很喜歡他，問起姓名，他說：「我叫介甫，姓馬。」從此雙方交往一天比一天親密，焚香結拜為兄弟。分別後，大約過了半年，馬介甫忽然帶著僮僕來楊家拜訪。恰好楊老翁在門外曬太陽、捉蝨子，馬介甫以為他是傭人，便報上姓名，請他通報主人。老翁披著破棉衣進去了。有人告訴馬介甫：「這就是他們的父親。」馬介甫正在驚訝，楊氏兄弟已經把頭巾往後推起，出來迎接。他進廳作了一揖，便請求拜見他們的父親。萬石推辭說父親恰好身體不適，招呼他坐下，大家談笑起來，不知不覺已近傍晚。萬石幾次說要準備飯菜，卻始終不見送來。兄弟倆輪流進進出出，才有一個瘦弱的僕人拿來一壺酒，不一會兒就喝完了。他們又坐著等了很久，萬石頻頻起身催促，額頭和兩頰熱汗直冒。過了一會兒，瘦僕才端出飯菜，粗米飯也沒做熟，實在不好吃。吃完飯，萬石匆匆離開，萬鍾抱著被褥來陪客人過夜。馬介甫責備他說：「先前我以為你們兄弟重情重義，才與你們結拜。如今你們的老父親竟然吃不飽、穿不暖，連過路的人都會替你們羞愧！」萬鍾流著淚說：「心裡雖想好好孝敬父親，到底難以做到。家門不幸，偏偏遇上一個兇悍的嫂子，家裡的長輩和弱小都無端受到摧殘。若不是生死相交的朋友，這種家醜實在不敢說出來。」馬介甫驚歎了許久，說：「我原想明天一早就走，如今聽說這樣的怪事，不能不親眼看看。請借我一間空屋，我自己做飯就行。」萬鍾照他的話，收拾出一間屋子，把他安頓下來。深夜裡，萬鍾偷偷送來蔬菜和米，唯恐尹氏知道。馬介甫明白他的心意，堅決推辭了，還請楊老翁跟自己一起吃飯、睡覺。他親自到城裡的店鋪買來布帛，給老人換了新袍子和褲子。楊家父子兄弟都感動得流下淚來。
杨万石，大名诸生也。生平有「季常之惧」。妻尹氏，奇悍。少迕之，辄以鞭挞从事。杨父年六十余而鳏，尹以齿奴隶数。杨与弟万钟常窃饵翁，不敢令妇知。然衣败絮，恐贻讪笑，不令见客。万石四十无子，纳妾王，旦夕不敢通一语。兄弟候试郡中，见一少年，容服都雅。与语，悦之。询其姓字，自云：「介甫，姓马。」由此交日密，焚香为昆季之盟。既别，约半载，马忽携僮仆过杨。值杨翁在门外，曝阳扪虱。疑为佣仆，通姓氏使达主人。翁披絮去。或告马：「此即其翁也。」马方惊讶，杨兄弟岸帻出迎。登堂一揖，便请朝父。万石辞以偶恙。促坐笑语，不觉向夕。万石屡言具食，而终不见至。兄弟迭互出入，始有瘦奴持壶酒来。俄顷引尽。坐伺良久，万石频起催呼，额颊间热汗蒸腾。俄瘦奴以馔具出，脱粟失饪，殊不甘旨。食已，万石草草便去。万钟襆被来伴客寝。马责之曰：「曩以伯仲高义，遂同盟好。今老父实不温饱，行道者羞之！」万钟泫然曰：「在心之情，卒难申致。家门不吉，蹇遭悍嫂，尊长细弱，横被摧残。非沥血之好，此丑不敢扬也。」马骇叹移时，曰：「我初欲早旦而行，今得此异闻，不可不一目见之。请假闲舍，就便自炊。」万钟从其教，即除室为马安顿。夜深窃餽蔬稻，惟恐妇知。马会其意，力却之。且请杨翁与同食寝。自诣城肆，市布帛，为易袍袴。父子兄弟皆感泣。
杨万石是大名的秀才，一向怕老婆。他的妻子尹氏异常凶悍，稍有不顺她的心意，就拿鞭子打他。杨万石的父亲六十多岁，妻子已经去世，尹氏把他当奴仆看待。杨万石和弟弟万钟常常偷偷给父亲送吃的，不敢让尹氏知道。可是老人穿着破烂的棉衣，兄弟俩怕招人嘲笑，不让他见客。万石四十岁还没有儿子，娶了王氏做妾，却从早到晚连一句话也不敢跟她说。兄弟俩在郡城等候考试时，遇见一个年轻人，相貌俊秀，衣着雅致。他们与他交谈，很喜欢他，问起姓名，他说：“我叫介甫，姓马。”从此双方交往一天比一天亲密，焚香结拜为兄弟。分别后，大约过了半年，马介甫忽然带着僮仆来杨家拜访。恰好杨老翁在门外晒太阳、捉虱子，马介甫以为他是佣人，便报上姓名，请他通报主人。老翁披着破棉衣进去了。有人告诉马介甫：“这就是他们的父亲。”马介甫正在惊讶，杨氏兄弟已经把头巾往后推起，出来迎接。他进厅作了一揖，便请求拜见他们的父亲。万石推辞说父亲恰好身体不适，招呼他坐下，大家谈笑起来，不知不觉已近傍晚。万石几次说要准备饭菜，却始终不见送来。兄弟俩轮流进进出出，才有一个瘦弱的仆人拿来一壶酒，不一会儿就喝完了。他们又坐着等了很久，万石频频起身催促，额头和两颊热汗直冒。过了一会儿，瘦仆才端出饭菜，粗米饭也没做熟，实在不好吃。吃完饭，万石匆匆离开，万钟抱着被褥来陪客人过夜。马介甫责备他说：“先前我以为你们兄弟重情重义，才与你们结拜。如今你们的老父亲竟然吃不饱、穿不暖，连过路的人都会替你们羞愧！”万钟流着泪说：“心里虽想好好孝敬父亲，到底难以做到。家门不幸，偏偏遇上一个凶悍的嫂子，家里的长辈和弱小都无端受到摧残。若不是生死相交的朋友，这种家丑实在不敢说出来。”马介甫惊叹了许久，说：“我原想明天一早就走，如今听说这样的怪事，不能不亲眼看看。请借我一间空屋，我自己做饭就行。”万钟照他的话，收拾出一间屋子，把他安顿下来。深夜里，万钟偷偷送来蔬菜和米，唯恐尹氏知道。马介甫明白他的心意，坚决推辞了，还请杨老翁跟自己一起吃饭、睡觉。他亲自到城里的店铺买来布帛，给老人换了新袍子和裤子。杨家父子兄弟都感动得流下泪来。
Yang Wanshi was a licentiate of Daming. All his life he suffered from ‘Jichang’s fear’. His wife, whose maiden name was Yin, was extraordinarily fierce. If he crossed her in the least, she took the whip to him. Yang’s father was over sixty and a widower, and Mrs. Yin counted him among the servants. Yang and his younger brother, Wanzhong, often slipped the old man food on the sly, not daring to let the woman know. But he went about in tattered padded clothes, and for fear of ridicule they never let him see visitors. At forty Wanshi had no son, and took a concubine, Wang; but morning or evening, he dared not exchange a single word with her. While the brothers were in the prefectural city waiting for the examinations, they met a young man of fine looks and elegant dress. They talked with him and liked him. When they asked his name, he said, “Jiefu. My surname is Ma.” From then on their friendship grew closer by the day, and they burned incense and swore to be brothers. After they parted, about half a year went by, and then Ma suddenly came to call on Yang with his servants. Old Yang happened to be outside the gate, sunning himself and picking lice. Taking him for a hired servant, Ma gave his name and asked him to take it to his master. The old man wrapped his tattered padding round him and went. Someone told Ma, “That was his father.” Ma was still taken aback when the Yang brothers came out to greet him, their caps pushed back. Once in the hall, after a bow, Ma asked to pay his respects to their father. Wanshi excused him, saying he happened to be unwell. They sat close together, talking and laughing, and before they knew it evening was coming on. Wanshi kept calling for the meal to be served, but it never came. The brothers took turns going in and out, and at last a scrawny servant brought a pot of wine. It was drunk in no time. They sat waiting a long while. Wanshi kept getting up to call for the food, hot sweat steaming on his brow and cheeks. At last the scrawny servant brought out the dishes: coarse grain, badly cooked, not at all tasty. When they had eaten, Wanshi hurried off. Wanzhong brought his bedding to keep the guest company for the night. Ma reproached him. “I swore brotherhood with you two because I thought you were men of high principle. But your old father is not even warm or fed. A stranger passing on the road would be ashamed of it!” Wanzhong’s tears fell. “What is in my heart is hard to put into words. Our family is cursed. By ill luck we have a shrew for a sister-in-law, and old and young alike are cruelly abused. If you were not a brother sworn in blood, I would not dare let this shame out.” Ma sighed in dismay for a long time. “I meant to leave early tomorrow morning,” he said. “But now that I have heard so strange a thing, I must see it with my own eyes. Let me borrow a spare room, and I will do my own cooking.” Wanzhong did as he asked and had a room cleared for Ma to stay in. Late at night he secretly brought him vegetables and rice, fearful that the woman would find out. Ma understood, and firmly refused them. He also asked old Yang to eat and sleep with him. He went himself to the shops in town, bought cloth and silk, and had a new gown and trousers made for the old man. Father and sons were all moved to tears.
萬鐘有子喜兒，方七歲，夜從翁眠。馬撫之曰：「此兒福壽，過於其父，但少年孤苦耳。」婦聞老翁安飽，大怒，輒罵，謂馬強預人家事。初惡聲尚在閨闥，漸近馬居，以示瑟歌之意。楊兄弟汗體徘徊，不能制止；而馬若弗聞也者。妾王，體妊五月，婦始知之，褫衣慘掠。已，乃喚萬石跪受巾幗，操鞭逐出。值馬在外，慚懅不前。又追逼之，始出。婦亦隨出，叉手頓足，觀者填溢。馬指婦叱曰：「去，去！」婦即反奔，若被鬼逐。袴履俱脫，足纏縈繞於道上，徒跣而歸，面色灰死。少定，婢進襪履。著已，噭啕大哭。家人無敢問者。馬曳萬石為解巾幗。萬石聳身定息，如恐脫落；馬強脫之。而坐立不寧，猶懼以私脫加罪。探婦哭已，乃敢入，趦趄而前。婦殊不發一語，遽起，入房自寢。萬石意始舒，與弟竊奇焉。家人皆以為異，相聚偶語。婦微有聞，益羞怒，遍撻奴婢。呼妾，妾創劇不能起。婦以為偽，就榻搒之，崩注墮胎。萬石於無人處，對馬哀啼。馬慰解之。呼僮具牢饌，更籌再唱，不放萬石歸。婦在閨房，恨夫不歸，方大恚忿。聞撬扉聲，急呼婢，則室門已闢。有巨人入，影蔽一室，猙獰如鬼。俄又有數人入，各執利刃。婦駭絕欲號。巨人以刀刺頸，曰：「號便殺卻！」婦急以金帛贖命。巨人曰：「我冥曹使者，不要錢，但取悍婦心耳！」婦益懼，自投敗顙。巨人乃以利刃畫婦心而數之曰：「如某事，謂可殺否？」即一畫。凡一切凶悍之事，責數殆盡，刀畫膚革，不啻數十。末乃曰：「妾生子，亦爾宗緒，何忍打墮？此事必不可宥！」乃令數人反接其手，剖視悍婦心腸。婦叩頭乞命，但言知悔。俄聞中門啟閉，曰：「楊萬石來矣。既已悔過，姑留餘生。」紛然盡散。無何，萬石入，見婦赤身繃繫，心頭刀痕，縱橫不可數。解而問之，得其故，大駭，竊疑馬。
萬鐘有個兒子叫喜兒，剛滿七歲，晚上跟祖父一起睡。馬介甫撫摸著他，說：「這孩子的福氣和壽命都勝過他的父親，只是年少時要受些孤苦。」尹氏聽說老翁過得安穩，又能吃飽，勃然大怒，動不動就罵，說馬介甫硬要插手別人家的事。起初罵聲還只在內院，後來漸漸罵到馬介甫住處附近，故意讓他聽見，表明自己不歡迎他。楊氏兄弟急得渾身是汗，來回走動，卻無法制止；馬介甫則像什麼也沒聽見一樣。王氏懷孕五個月，尹氏才發覺，便剝掉她的衣服，狠狠拷打。打完以後，又叫萬石跪著戴上女人的頭巾，拿鞭子把他趕出門。恰好馬介甫在外面，萬石羞慚恐懼，不敢往前走。尹氏又追著逼他，他才出去。尹氏也跟著出來，叉著雙手，連連跺腳，圍觀的人擠得滿滿的。馬介甫指著她喝道：「走開！走開！」尹氏立即轉身奔逃，像被鬼追趕一樣。褲子和鞋子全掉了，裹腳布拖在路上，纏繞成一團，她光著腳跑回家，臉色灰白如死人。稍稍安定下來，婢女送來襪子和鞋子。她穿好後便放聲大哭，家裡沒有一個人敢問。馬介甫拉過萬石，要替他解下女人的頭巾。萬石挺直身子，屏住呼吸，像是生怕頭巾掉下來，馬介甫硬給他摘了。他卻坐立不安，仍怕妻子追究他擅自摘掉頭巾的罪過。打聽到尹氏已經哭完，他才敢進去，猶猶豫豫地走上前。尹氏竟然一句話也沒說，忽然起身，進房獨自睡了。萬石這才放下心來，私下和弟弟談起，都覺得奇怪。家裡的人也認為這事反常，聚在一起悄悄議論。尹氏聽到一點風聲，越發羞憤，把奴婢挨個打了一遍。她叫王氏來，王氏傷得太重，起不了身。尹氏以為她裝病，走到床邊拷打她，打得她大量出血，流掉了胎兒。萬石找了個沒人的地方，對著馬介甫悲痛哭泣。馬介甫安慰他，叫僮僕準備豐盛的酒菜，二更已經報過，仍不肯放萬石回去。尹氏在房裡怨恨丈夫不回來，正在大發脾氣，忽然聽見撬門的聲音，急忙叫婢女，可房門已經打開。一個巨人走進來，影子遮滿整間屋子，面目猙獰，像鬼一樣。接著又有幾個人進來，各自拿著鋒利的刀。尹氏嚇得幾乎昏過去，正要叫喊，巨人用刀尖頂著她的脖子，說：「敢叫就殺了你！」尹氏急忙提出用金銀布帛贖命。巨人說：「我是陰間的使者，不要錢，只來取兇悍婦人的心！」尹氏更加害怕，撲倒在地，把額頭都磕破了。巨人用利刃在她胸口划著，逐項數落她的罪過，說：「像某一件事，你說該不該殺？」說一件，就劃一刀。她做過的種種兇惡之事，幾乎都被一一數盡，刀刃在皮膚上劃出的傷口有幾十處。最後巨人說：「妾生下的孩子，也是你家傳宗接代的後人，你怎麼忍心把他打掉？這件事絕不能饒恕！」便叫那幾個人把她的手反綁起來，要剖開她的身體，看看這兇悍婦人的心腸。尹氏叩頭求饒，只管說自己知道後悔了。忽然聽見中門開關的聲音，巨人說：「楊萬石回來了。既然她已經悔過，姑且留她一條命。」眾人紛紛散去。不久，萬石進房，看見妻子赤裸著身體，被繩子捆住，胸口刀痕縱橫，數也數不清。他替她解開繩子，詢問緣故，得知經過後十分驚駭，暗暗懷疑是馬介甫做的。
万钟有子喜儿，方七岁，夜从翁眠。马抚之曰：「此儿福寿，过于其父，但少年孤苦耳。」妇闻老翁安饱，大怒，辄骂，谓马强预人家事。初恶声尚在闺闼，渐近马居，以示瑟歌之意。杨兄弟汗体徘徊，不能制止；而马若弗闻也者。妾王，体妊五月，妇始知之，褫衣惨掠。已，乃唤万石跪受巾帼，操鞭逐出。值马在外，惭懅不前。又追逼之，始出。妇亦随出，叉手顿足，观者填溢。马指妇叱曰：「去，去！」妇即反奔，若被鬼逐。袴履俱脱，足缠萦绕于道上，徒跣而归，面色灰死。少定，婢进袜履。着已，噭啕大哭。家人无敢问者。马曳万石为解巾帼。万石耸身定息，如恐脱落；马强脱之。而坐立不宁，犹惧以私脱加罪。探妇哭已，乃敢入，趦趄而前。妇殊不发一语，遽起，入房自寝。万石意始舒，与弟窃奇焉。家人皆以为异，相聚偶语。妇微有闻，益羞怒，遍挞奴婢。呼妾，妾创剧不能起。妇以为伪，就榻搒之，崩注堕胎。万石于无人处，对马哀啼。马慰解之。呼僮具牢馔，更筹再唱，不放万石归。妇在闺房，恨夫不归，方大恚忿。闻撬扉声，急呼婢，则室门已辟。有巨人入，影蔽一室，狰狞如鬼。俄又有数人入，各执利刃。妇骇绝欲号。巨人以刀刺颈，曰：「号便杀却！」妇急以金帛赎命。巨人曰：「我冥曹使者，不要钱，但取悍妇心耳！」妇益惧，自投败颡。巨人乃以利刃画妇心而数之曰：「如某事，谓可杀否？」即一画。凡一切凶悍之事，责数殆尽，刀画肤革，不啻数十。末乃曰：「妾生子，亦尔宗绪，何忍打堕？此事必不可宥！」乃令数人反接其手，剖视悍妇心肠。妇叩头乞命，但言知悔。俄闻中门启闭，曰：「杨万石来矣。既已悔过，姑留余生。」纷然尽散。无何，万石入，见妇赤身绷系，心头刀痕，纵横不可数。解而问之，得其故，大骇，窃疑马。
万钟有个儿子叫喜儿，刚满七岁，晚上跟祖父一起睡。马介甫抚摸着他，说：“这孩子的福气和寿命都胜过他的父亲，只是年少时要受些孤苦。”尹氏听说老翁过得安稳，又能吃饱，勃然大怒，动不动就骂，说马介甫硬要插手别人家的事。起初骂声还只在内院，后来渐渐骂到马介甫住处附近，故意让他听见，表明自己不欢迎他。杨氏兄弟急得浑身是汗，来回走动，却无法制止；马介甫则像什么也没听见一样。王氏怀孕五个月，尹氏才发觉，便剥掉她的衣服，狠狠拷打。打完以后，又叫万石跪着戴上女人的头巾，拿鞭子把他赶出门。恰好马介甫在外面，万石羞惭恐惧，不敢往前走。尹氏又追着逼他，他才出去。尹氏也跟着出来，叉着双手，连连跺脚，围观的人挤得满满的。马介甫指着她喝道：“走开！走开！”尹氏立即转身奔逃，像被鬼追赶一样。裤子和鞋子全掉了，裹脚布拖在路上，缠绕成一团，她光着脚跑回家，脸色灰白如死人。稍稍安定下来，婢女送来袜子和鞋子。她穿好后便放声大哭，家里没有一个人敢问。马介甫拉过万石，要替他解下女人的头巾。万石挺直身子，屏住呼吸，像是生怕头巾掉下来，马介甫硬给他摘了。他却坐立不安，仍怕妻子追究他擅自摘掉头巾的罪过。打听到尹氏已经哭完，他才敢进去，犹犹豫豫地走上前。尹氏竟然一句话也没说，忽然起身，进房独自睡了。万石这才放下心来，私下和弟弟谈起，都觉得奇怪。家里的人也认为这事反常，聚在一起悄悄议论。尹氏听到一点风声，越发羞愤，把奴婢挨个打了一遍。她叫王氏来，王氏伤得太重，起不了身。尹氏以为她装病，走到床边拷打她，打得她大量出血，流掉了胎儿。万石找了个没人的地方，对着马介甫悲痛哭泣。马介甫安慰他，叫僮仆准备丰盛的酒菜，二更已经报过，仍不肯放万石回去。尹氏在房里怨恨丈夫不回来，正在大发脾气，忽然听见撬门的声音，急忙叫婢女，可房门已经打开。一个巨人走进来，影子遮满整间屋子，面目狰狞，像鬼一样。接着又有几个人进来，各自拿着锋利的刀。尹氏吓得几乎昏过去，正要叫喊，巨人用刀尖顶着她的脖子，说：“敢叫就杀了你！”尹氏急忙提出用金银布帛赎命。巨人说：“我是阴间的使者，不要钱，只来取凶悍妇人的心！”尹氏更加害怕，扑倒在地，把额头都磕破了。巨人用利刃在她胸口划着，逐项数落她的罪过，说：“像某一件事，你说该不该杀？”说一件，就划一刀。她做过的种种凶恶之事，几乎都被一一数尽，刀刃在皮肤上划出的伤口有几十处。最后巨人说：“妾生下的孩子，也是你家传宗接代的后人，你怎么忍心把他打掉？这件事绝不能饶恕！”便叫那几个人把她的手反绑起来，要剖开她的身体，看看这凶悍妇人的心肠。尹氏叩头求饶，只管说自己知道后悔了。忽然听见中门开关的声音，巨人说：“杨万石回来了。既然她已经悔过，姑且留她一条命。”众人纷纷散去。不久，万石进房，看见妻子赤裸着身体，被绳子捆住，胸口刀痕纵横，数也数不清。他替她解开绳子，询问缘故，得知经过后十分惊骇，暗暗怀疑是马介甫做的。
Wanzhong had a son, Xi’er, just seven years old, who slept with his grandfather at night. Ma stroked the boy’s head. “This child will have more fortune and a longer life than his father,” he said, “but his boyhood will be lonely and hard.” When the woman heard that the old man was fed and comfortable, she was furious and kept cursing, saying Ma was forcing his way into other people’s family business. At first her abuse stayed within the women’s quarters, but little by little it came closer to Ma’s rooms, so that he could not fail to hear it. The Yang brothers paced about in a sweat but could not stop her, while Ma behaved as if he had heard nothing. The concubine Wang was five months pregnant before the woman found out. She stripped her and beat her cruelly. When she had finished, she called Wanshi, made him kneel to receive a woman’s headcloth, and drove him out with the whip. Ma happened to be outside, and Wanshi was too ashamed to go out. She chased and drove him again, and only then did he go. The woman came out after him, hands on her hips, stamping her feet, and onlookers crowded round. Ma pointed at the woman and shouted, “Go! Go!” At once she turned and ran as if ghosts were after her. Her trousers and shoes came off, her foot bindings trailed in loops along the road, and she went home barefoot, her face ashen as death. When she had calmed down a little, a maid brought her stockings and shoes. As soon as she had put them on, she burst into loud wailing. No one in the household dared ask her anything. Ma pulled Wanshi over to take the headcloth off for him. Wanshi stood stiffly and held his breath, as if afraid it might fall off; Ma took it off by force. But Wanshi could not sit or stand still, afraid he would be punished for taking it off without leave. Only when he had found out that she had stopped crying did he dare go in, faltering as he went. The woman said not a word. She got up abruptly and went into her room to sleep alone. Only then did Wanshi breathe easier, and he and his brother marvelled at it in private. The whole household thought it strange and gathered in twos and threes to whisper about it. The woman caught wind of this and, more ashamed and furious than ever, beat every servant in the house. She called for the concubine, but the concubine’s wounds were so bad that she could not get up. The woman thought she was shamming, and beat her where she lay in bed, until she bled heavily and miscarried. Wanshi, where no one could see, wept bitterly in front of Ma. Ma comforted him. He called his servant boy to prepare a feast, and would not let Wanshi go home until the second watch had been called. In her room the woman was fuming that her husband had not come back. She heard someone prising at the door and shouted for a maid, but the door was already open. A giant came in, his shadow filling the room, hideous as a ghost. Then several more came in, each with a sharp blade. The woman was terrified and about to scream. The giant held his knife to her throat. “Scream and you’re dead!” Quickly she offered gold and silk to buy her life. “I am a messenger from the underworld,” said the giant. “I don’t want money. I have come only for a shrew’s heart!” More frightened than ever, she threw herself down and knocked her head till it bled. The giant then drew his blade across the skin over her heart and listed her crimes. “Such-and-such a thing — does that deserve death or not?” And one cut. He went through nearly all her cruelties, one by one, and the knife scored her skin no fewer than dozens of times. Finally he said, “The child the concubine was carrying would have carried on your family line too. How could you bear to beat it out of her? This can never be forgiven!” He ordered the others to tie her hands behind her back, so that they could cut her open and look at the shrew’s heart and guts. She knocked her head on the floor begging for her life, saying over and over that she repented. Then they heard the middle gate open and shut. “Yang Wanshi is coming,” said the giant. “Since she has repented, we will spare her life for now.” And they all scattered. Shortly afterwards Wanshi came in and found his wife naked and tied up, with knife cuts across her heart this way and that, too many to count. He untied her and asked what had happened. When he heard, he was horrified, and privately suspected Ma.