[Eldest sister Fang Rui, second sister Li Shen, youngest sister Nan Xun, mother Lin Yuni, father Su Chengfeng]
A rule-bound horror tale in Luoyang: Don't get involved in the legal dispute between the Su and Lin families, or a vengeful spirit will drain your blood.
This rule applies to everyone, but the three biological daughters of Su Chengfeng and Lin Yuni are the only ones who can't escape it.
After divorcing Su Chengfeng, Lin Yuni took their three daughters and moved back to her parents' home, where she spent more than a decade living under someone else's roof. She thought, I've suffered so much for these three. If it weren't for these burdens, why would I have to grovel in my parents' home?
-
When Fang Rui was born, her parents still loved each other. She had experienced a happy family, and stubbornly believed that if she managed things well and was a proper, dignified young lady, her family would stay peaceful.
But only after marrying did Fang Rui realize that even doing everything perfectly as a woman was useless. Others might get the sweetness, but she would be left with the bitterness.
Everyone said Li Shen was sharp, fierce, and hot-tempered. Fortunately, Fang Rui was mild-mannered and knew how to navigate the situation. But Fang Rui knew just how much she benefited by hiding behind Li Shen.
Li Shen had once been a scholar. She passed the exams to enter the Palace Women's Bureau and served as a record-keeping official under the Empress's very nose. Unfortunately, her mother caused so much trouble that Li Shen had no choice but to resign and return home to hold the family together. So she opened shops, bought land, became a businesswoman, and served as the family's backbone.
Nan Xun said,
