Resumen del episodio 5 de The Lady in Butcher's House
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Amidst the lively cheers and playful taunts of the wedding guests, Hu Jiao and Xu Qingjia participated in the ceremonial bridal rituals. They shared the nuptial cup, then attempted to bite a red jujube suspended by a string. However, the string was suddenly pulled back, causing their lips to meet in an accidental kiss. The guests erupted in excited shouts, calling them "a truly married couple, a balance of yin and yang, good luck and good fortune."
Furious, Hu Jiao immediately ordered everyone to leave, prompting the black-clad individual, who had been hiding, to slip away in the confusion. Later that evening, in the bridal chamber, Xu Qingjia suggested they make some noise to avoid suspicion from those listening outside, especially Jia Quan, who was still nearby. He feared their fake marriage would be discovered.
Hu Jiao, however, slapped him, questioning how he, who claimed to have no experience with women before marriage, would know about making such noises. Xu Qingjia, unable to explain clearly, initially cited "The Analects" but eventually admitted he heard about it from a classmate who frequented brothels. Hu Jiao sternly warned him never to have money again to prevent him from visiting such places. Xu Qingjia then resigned himself to sleeping on the floor, retrieving bedding from the cabinet.
He noted that a "good man doesn't fight with a woman," and Hu Jiao acknowledged his gentlemanly behavior. That night, Hu Jiao talked in her sleep, describing her meat-cutting tasks, disturbing Xu Qingjia's rest. The next morning, Hu Jiao had not yet fully adjusted to her new role. Xu Qingjia proposed they address each other as "Wife" and "Husband" to maintain their pretense in front of others.
Hu Jiao initially found it awkward, recalling her mother used to call her father by his full name. Xu Qingjia insisted it was necessary to avoid exposure. After his gentle persuasion, Hu Jiao hesitantly addressed him as "Husband," accepting that they must live as a married couple for the next three years for the sake of his ambitions. Xu Qingjia then affectionately called her "Wife." Three days later, it was time for them to depart for Shangyong County.
Hu Tingzhi, unable to bear the painful separation, locked himself in his room. Hu Houfu tried in vain to persuade his father to come out, reminding him it would be a long time before he saw Hu Jiao again, as the journey to Shangyong would take half a month. Accepting his father's stubbornness, Hu Houfu, accompanied by his wife Wei Shi, went to bid farewell to Hu Jiao.
He presented her with a beautifully crafted knife, a weapon she had always desired, for self-defense. Hu Houfu jokingly called it her "Shangfang defense knife," meant to "slay treacherous officials." To ease her family's worries, Hu Jiao subtly enacted a scene. She brandished her new knife and quietly urged Xu Qingjia to scold her fiercely. Taking her cue, Xu Qingjia loudly chastised her for "playing with knives all day long," demanding she put it down immediately.
Hu Jiao instantly became docile, admitting her fault and saying women should follow rules. This dramatic transformation left Hu Houfu and Wei Shi utterly astonished, relieved that someone could finally keep their spirited daughter in line. Just as they were about to leave, Lin Cui rushed over with a basket of fruit, expressing regret for her delay. She hoped Hu Jiao could stay a few more days to celebrate the upcoming River God Festival and release river lanterns.
Hu Houfu, unable to contain his emotions, also began to cry, begging Hu Jiao to delay her departure. Hu Jiao, however, comforted them, reminding them that she was going to Shangyong to "get promoted and get rich," not to die. She assured Lin Cui that she would marry her true love "in one try."
Hu Houfu, still emotional, advised Hu Jiao to listen to Wei Shi, who was smarter, and to be gentle with Xu Qingjia, as he was a "scholar and weak," cautioning her "don't be a husband beater." Wei Shi asked her to write upon arrival. Finally, Hu Jiao, saying "All right, Husband," joined Xu Qingjia in the carriage.
Unseen, Hu Tingzhi watched from behind his door, hoping that if Hu Jiao blamed him for not seeing her off, she would miss home less. After a journey of fifteen days, they finally arrived in Shangyong County. While Hu Jiao was by the river to wash her face, she and Xu Qingjia noticed an old man standing alone at the water's edge, seemingly contemplating suicide. They quickly intervened and saved him.
The old man revealed himself to be Chi Wenjun, the former County Commissioner of Shangyong. He recognized Xu Qingjia as the "second-place scholar" who rejected the Prime Minister's daughter to marry a butcher's daughter, a story that had made him famous as the "dumb person who rejected precious jade to choose a rock." Hu Jiao was offended by the insult, but Chi Wenjun clarified he was merely feeling sorry for himself and not attempting suicide.
Hu Jiao urged the old man to speak to Xu Qingjia, identifying him as the new County Commissioner. Chi Wenjun then recounted his story, explaining he had been framed and unjustly imprisoned. He noted that Xu Qingjia, despite being a top scholar, was assigned to a small, remote county like Shangyong, which suggested he lacked powerful connections in the capital.
Chi Wenjun advised Xu Qingjia to "stay here and keep a low profile," accept any favors that came his way, and "not antagonize" the local county yamen officials, lest he suffer a similar fate. Hu Jiao, however, was unimpressed, dismissing Chi Wenjun as an "official who does not stand up for the people" and suggesting he should "go home instead and sell sweet potatoes."
She believed he was not a good person, and Xu Qingjia agreed with her sentiment, stating that "to be an official is to do my best for the people and country." Just then, Gao Zheng, the County Lieutenant of Shangyong, arrived with his men to apprehend Chi Wenjun. Gao Zheng stated that Chi Wenjun had escaped three times and deserved to die, adding that it was "more convenient if dead" as he would only need to bring back the head.
Xu Qingjia intervened, arguing that killing a convict who had given himself up was going "overboard" and "unreasonable." Gao Zheng questioned if Xu Qingjia was an "accomplice." Xu Qingjia introduced himself as the new County Commissioner and Hu Jiao as his wife, requesting civility. Gao Zheng looked intently at Xu Qingjia before finally retracting his blade and ordering his men to take Chi Wenjun away alive.
Watching Gao Zheng's intense gaze at Xu Qingjia, Hu Jiao remarked that he was "a bit too fierce," and "if he were a woman, I'd wonder if he liked you." Xu Qingjia playfully asked Hu Jiao to protect him in Shangyong. The following day, Xu Qingjia and Hu Jiao arrived at the Shangyong County Government Office.
Chen Tinghui, the county's apparitor, greeted Xu Qingjia and informed him that the County Lieutenant, Registrar, and Administrative Clerk were about to hold a meeting and requested his presence. Xu Qingjia, being new to his official post as County Commissioner, decided to attend. He entrusted Hu Jiao to a land agent, who promised to arrange a maid and help with household matters.
Hu Jiao, telling Xu Qingjia to "Go to work," expressed her intention to "build a career" in Shangyong, not just "cook and clean," and instructed the agent to show her houses. The agent introduced a maid named La Mei to Hu Jiao. Meanwhile, Chen Tinghui led Xu Qingjia to the main hall, leaving him to wait with administrative records and account books.
In a side room, the other officials, including Yang Siren, the bookkeeper, and Song Hao, the assistant, deliberately delayed their appearance. They openly discussed their plan to "frustrate him a little" and expressed disdain for Xu Qingjia's early proposals for government affairs, noting his ideas about setting up schools and reducing taxes would lack funding. They also mentioned the "winter clothing tax," implying it was beneficial to them.
Gao Zheng, present in the room, remained silent and eventually left for the main hall before the others. He found Xu Qingjia engrossed in reviewing the county's financial records. During her house hunt, the land agent informed Hu Jiao that as the County Commissioner, her husband was the second highest official in Shangyong, and that the county government would cover their living expenses, including rent.
When Yang Siren, Song Hao, and the others finally arrived, they made excuses for their tardiness. Xu Qingjia explained he was studying the county's expenditures, mentioning expenses related to "Jade Spring Pavilion and Xianyin Workshop," indicating he was already looking into irregularities. He then inquired about the whereabouts of Magistrate Zhu, who was reportedly on "important business." Xu Qingjia insisted on meeting the Magistrate.
He then raised a point of confusion: the implementation of a "winter clothing tax" three months prior. He noted that despite a drought last year, which should have led to tax reductions, this new tax increased levies by 20%. He questioned whether this tax could be removed. Yang Siren objected, explaining it was approved by Magistrate Zhu after careful consideration.
They proposed a dinner that evening at Jade Spring Pavilion where Xu Qingjia could discuss his concerns directly with Magistrate Zhu. Xu Qingjia agreed. Unbeknownst to them, Magistrate Zhu was calmly carving gold ingots in his study, seemingly unconcerned by the unfolding events. Concurrently, Hu Jiao, still searching for a house, encountered an old man, the owner of a promising three-courtyard house.
Upon hearing Xu Qingjia's name, the man abruptly called him "Exploiter Xu" and refused to rent the property, leaving Hu Jiao perplexed by her husband's sudden negative reputation. The land agent quickly offered a flimsy excuse, and Hu Jiao, though suspicious, continued her house hunt.
