Huaihuai has had a hard life. Disguised as a man, she works as a junior constable at the county yamen, diligently helping the people find lost chickens and catch ducks.
But the magistrate keeps giving her a hard time...
One day, the magistrate asks Cheng Huai, “Have you heard of the Shadowless Hall?”
Cheng Huai answers, “Your humble servant has not. I am an honest and law-abiding person, and have never heard of this infamous band of assassins.”
Another day, the magistrate asks, “Do you know what crime it is to disguise yourself as a man and use someone else’s identity to sneak into the county yamen?”
Cheng Huai immediately drops to her knees. “Have mercy, sir! Your humble servant doesn’t know. But I do know that you are kind and generous, compassionate as a bodhisattva, and magnanimous enough to forgive a lowly person like me. I’ll work like an ox or a horse for you. Please spare me!”
…
Huaihuai has been in a particularly bad mood lately. She’s already kicked her magistrate out of their bedroom and made him sleep in the study.
It’ll get sweet! It definitely will!
