In the Ming Dynasty, in the county of Lishui, Southern Zhili, there lived a young and exceptionally beautiful woman named Lin Sanniang. Her beauty was so renowned that she was the object of many young men’s daydreams. When it came time for her to marry, a local businessman named Chen De spent a considerable fortune to make her his wife. After their marriage, Chen De abandoned his business pursuits, spending all his time with Sanniang in a state of constant affection.
A husband’s daunting plan
Half a year into their marriage, Chen De opened his money chest only to find it empty. He realized that not only had he spent most of his savings on the marriage, but he had also been living off his capital since. Concerned about their future, he proposed to Sanniang that he would travel to the Linqing area to trade and earn some money, though it meant they might be apart for up to a year or more.
Chen De was worried about leaving Sanniang alone because she was delicate and young. However, Sanniang reassured him, promising she couldmake ends meet by doing embroidery work at home while he was away. Chen set off the next day with just enough money to cover his journey.
Temptation of the wife at her doorstep
Once alone, Sanniang initially kept to her promise, busying herself with embroidery. But as time passed, the loneliness became unbearable. Zhang Nu, a young man from next door who had long harbored feelings for her, saw his chance. He began to court Sanniang with flattering words, eventually winning her over, leading to an affair.
Returning with silver
Three years later, having saved more than 30 taels of silver, Chen De hurried home, unaware of the betrayal awaiting him. Arriving at night and in the rain, he decided to hide his money under a bridge for safety.
When he reached home, Sanniang, amid her dalliance with Zhang Nu, was shocked to hear her husband’s voice. Zhang quickly hid as Sanniang, feigning sleepiness, went to open the door. Relieved to see only his wife at home, Chen happily announced his earnings. Suspicious, Sanniang questioned the absence of the money. Chen explained that he had hidden it under the bridge to retrieve it the next day. However, Zhang, having overheard this, stole the money from the bridge that night.
The cunning plan of the magistrate
When Chen found the money gone the next day, he was devastated and confused. Desperate, he approached the local magistrate, Wu Fu, with his strange tale.
Wu quickly sensed something amiss and suspected Sanniang of infidelity. Given her staunch denial, Wu devised a cunning plan. He pretended to detain Chen while releasing Sanniang, anticipating that the illicit lover would seize the opportunity to visit her. To catch them red-handed, Wu instructed a bailiff to disguise himself as a beggar and secretly enter Chen’s home to eavesdrop. This strategic move allowed him to uncover the truth about Sanniang’s affair and the theft of the hidden money, leading to the decisive resolution of the case.
Justice prevails
Magistrate Wu then ordered the arrest of Sanniang and her lover, Zhang Nu, when they were caught together in Chen’s house. Zhang was sentenced to three years of penal servitude; Sanniang was sold into servitude, and Chen was declared innocent, and his lost property was returned to him. This definitive legal resolution restored Chen De’s fortunes while ensuring that justice was served for the crimes committed.
Translated by Joesph Wu
