The Widow's Sacrifice

L Ming Dynasty a Lu family hired a young scholar called Zhao Rongjiang to be their private tutor in the busy city of Dongcheng. Lu Zi, a little youngster, aged seven, was left without an adult to look up to after his father's recent death. Despite not having yet passed the imperial test, Zhao enthusiastically accepted the post, hoping to establish a reputation for himself and ensure a solid future for himself.

On a specific night, as Zhao was deep in thought, his studies illuminated by the dappling candlelight, a gentle tap reverberated throughout the chamber. Curious, he got up from his seat and opened the door, only to be greeted by the sight of the freshly bereaved housewife. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her exquisite face, and the tenderness and despair in her eyes were palpable.

"Excuse my late-hour invasion, but I am in a state of turmoil," she murmured to Mr. Zhao, her voice quivering with passion. The evenings have been extended and lonely since my spouse passed away. I seek consolation in your presence tonight, with the moon and wind as witnesses. Even if it's only for one night, would you mind letting me use your pillow?"

Her audacious proposal surprised Zhao, a guy known for his honesty and moral compass. He was well aware that giving in to such temptations was unacceptable behavior for a scholar and would reflect poorly on him and his family. "Madam, a woman's reputation and virtue are her most precious possessions," he said softly but directly. It would be unbecoming of me to participate in such misconduct in my capacity as a scholar. You should go back to your rooms and respect yourself and your honor, I beg you. There would be nothing but shame and scandal if word got out about this meeting.

The housewife refused to budge from her perch, even after hearing his words of wisdom. With a strong desire to uphold his moral compass, Zhao delicately guided her towards the door, hoping she would go. But the housewife tried to go back inside the room, her heart racing with anguish. The housewife's fingers got stuck in the doorway because Zhao was in a rush to shut it and stop any further temptation. As a sharp agony coursed through her fingers, she let out a piercing cry.

As soon as Zhao realized his error, he pried open the door, letting the housewife remove her bandaged fingers. With her head down in humiliation and remorse, she quietly withdrew to her bedroom. Her fingers hurt so badly that they were a continual reminder of her carelessness while she lay in bed. As a revered widow, how could she have sunk to this level of dishonor? She was so distraught that she groped for a knife as she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

A scarlet torrent of blood spurted out as the housewife swiftly and decisively chopped the two fingers caught by the door. She passed out on the floor as the agony took hold of her. She was too scared to yell for rescue when she came to her senses. Instead, she secretly preserved the severed fingers in a little box, which she would keep for years after mixing them with lime and wrapping them in layers of fabric.

Ignoring the housewife's selflessness, Zhao Rongjiang left the Lu home the next day, fixated on his destiny. The Lu family found a new tutor to help their kid as the years passed. The lad matured into a guy who did very well on the admission test because of his dedication to learning. He went to the nation's capital and got a job in a prominent ministry.

Thinking back on his mother's difficult years as a widow, the young official—now called Lu Zi—wanted to pay tribute to her virtue by requesting a chastity plaque from the court, representing her undying devotion. Funny enough, Zhao Rongjiang had also worked to become a senior court officer in charge of cases like this.

The irony of the circumstance washed over Zhao when he got Lu Zi's application. The housewife Lu Zi aimed to honor was someone whose genuine character he recognized, and he knew it. Without hesitating, Zhao turned down the application, denying his mother the respect Lu Zi had longed for.

Lu Zi confessed to his mother about his confusion over the several rejections, asking whether the family had not paid Zhao's compensation as an instructor, which may have triggered his seeming resentment. His mom smiled knowingly, showing she knew why Zhao did what he did. With the assurance that it would fix the problem, she gave her son a little box and told him to give it to his old instructor.

Following orders, Lu Zi handed the package to Zhao Rongjiang, who opened it to find two severed fingers, lime-shriveled and discolored. Memories of that tragic night flooded back when he saw small signs of blood on the gray dirt within the container. Instantaneously, Zhao grasped the enormity of the housewife's secret and the extent of her sacrifice.

After considering Lu Zi's request for the chastity plaque, Zhao Rongjiang granted it the next day, honoring the housewife's steadfast devotion to purity despite temptation. The tale of the widow's selfless act passed down through generations, became an enduring symbol of the importance of honesty and the extent to which people would go to protect their dignity in a society where one's reputation was paramount.

The Lu family became more affluent, and the widow's story became more jealously guarded as time passed; this served as a reminder that the most heroic deeds are not always easy to see. As a result, the tale of the widow's selflessness continued to be told, serving as an example of how unwavering moral principles may endure.