Xiang Linsao's Revenge

I am Xiang Linsao, one of the most renowned characters in Chinese literary history. Reflecting on my tumultuous life, I remember how my mother - in - law sold me for money after my first husband's death. I recall the joy of giving birth to a son, and the utter despair when I lost him. The insults and mockeries from the Lu family, despite my diligent service to them, also come to mind. I remember Aunt Lu's description of the horrors of hell, and Madam Lu's words that I would be punished there because I had two husbands.

Fearing that after my death, ghosts would saw me in half to be divided between my two husbands, I worked ceaselessly. My goal was to buy a threshold and place it in the temple, hoping that thousands of people stepping on it would wash away my sins. After a year of hard work, I achieved this. A smile returned to my face as I thought I could finally be seen as a normal person.

Then, during the annual sacrificial ceremony for the gods, I went to the temple with high hopes, eager to help with the offerings. But my heart shattered when Madam Lu forbade me, saying I was still burdened with great sin. I sat outside the temple, the snowflakes stinging my face. My mind went blank, and a lump formed in my throat, leaving me speechless.

"Why? I've never done any wrong in my life. Why must I endure so much suffering just because I'm poor, illiterate, and powerless? What a cruel fate!" I thought, my heart breaking. Suddenly, a vengeful thought took hold. I wanted to retaliate against the Lu family for looking down on me, against Aunt Lu for discouraging me, against this heartless society, and against this unfair destiny and the gods.

Consumed by anger, I grabbed a machete and rushed to the temple. I hacked at the threshold I had labored so hard for, blow after blow, until it was in pieces. As I did so, all the injustices I'd endured flashed through my mind, fueling my rage. I then entered the Lu family's residence, slashing at everything in sight. Since it was New Year's Eve and everyone had gone to the temple to pray, the house was empty. When I saw the statues of the gods on Master Lu Si's table, a wave of fury overwhelmed me. Blind with rage, I knocked the statues to the ground and trampled on the fragments, shouting, "God, if you truly exist, why have you given me such an unfair fate?"

After destroying all I could see, I felt a sense of relief and calm. "It feels so liberating to be bad," I thought. I no longer cared about the afterlife, whether my soul would go to a dreadful place or if hellish ghosts would tear me apart. I just wanted to live for my wounded dignity, tired of being looked down upon by others.