The Golden Feather Duster

On Su Meiyu’s wedding night, news of an emergency at the front arrives. Her husband lifts her red bridal veil and swears, “I, Ma Weiguo, will never let Su Meiyu down, for as long as I live.”

Three years later, Ma Weiguo returns home with the dashing female general Xiao Yanyan. “Over the past three years, Yanyan has won one battle honor after another and taken such good care of me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. From this day on, she will be my wife, and you will be my concubine!”

Su Meiyu asks, “What about the vow you made three years ago? Have you forgotten?”

For three years, Su Meiyu has honored her parents-in-law, cared for the servants, and kept everything in the household running smoothly. Now Ma Weiguo has dismissed all her efforts with a single sentence.

“So what if it means fighting on the battlefield? I, Su Meiyu, come from a family of generals. Three years ago, I gave up the battlefield for you, stayed at home, and devoted myself to cooking. Three years later, just watch me sweep across the battlefield and crush every foe in my path!”

Armed with nothing but a feather duster, Su Meiyu strikes at the throat from the front and stabs through the chest from behind. Every move stirs the wind, and she routs the enemy forces, leaving them to flee without their armor.

The emperor is overjoyed. “Guards! Award General Su a golden feather duster!”