After the Truth Came Out, She Dropped the Sweet, Virtuous Act

In the first month of Lu Wantang and Jiang Jinhuai’s marriage, Shen Shitu accused the Lu family of embezzlement. The Lu estate was sealed, and the family was thrown into prison. In the second month, the entire Lu family was executed. Lu Wantang escaped that fate because she had married out of the family. In the seventh month, someone knocked on the Jiang family’s door and left a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. Only Lu Wantang knew the child belonged to her older brother and sister-in-law. In the second year of their marriage, Jiang Jinhuai married Shen Chuchu. In the third year, Shen Chuchu framed Lu Wantang for poisoning her. Branded as a jealous woman, Lu Wantang was demoted from wife to concubine. In the fourth year, Lu Wantang and Shen Chuchu fought over a keepsake from Lu Wantang’s mother. Shen Chuchu was injured, and Jiang Jinhuai scattered glowing coals across the floor. He ordered Lu Wantang’s shoes and socks removed, then had her forced to walk barefoot over the coals as punishment. In the fifth year, Lu Yuxuan, the child Lu Wantang had adopted, fell ill. None of the physicians in the household dared to treat him. Shen Chuchu made Lu Wantang kneel on shards of glass for three hours before finally allowing a physician to see Lu Xuanxuan. As a result, Lu Wantang’s knees were left with a chronic ailment. In the sixth year, Lu Wantang’s personal maid, Zhiyu, offended Shen Chuchu and was beaten to death by her. Lu Wantang knelt outside Jiang Jinhuai and Shen Chuchu’s bedroom for two whole days, begging him to give Zhiyu justice, but to no avail. Six years and four months into their marriage, Shen Chuchu framed Lu Yuxuan for pushing her into the water, causing her to miscarry. Jiang Jinhuai ordered Lu Yu to pay for it with his life.