Wang Qing Is Sued over an Illicit Affair; Gong Duan Is Beaten and Takes a Convict as His Master

Now to tell the story: Wang Qing saw that the bench was behaving strangely and lifted his foot to kick it. He used too much force and twisted his ribs. He crouched on the ground, crying out again and again, “It hurts to death! It hurts to death!” For a long while he could not move. His wife heard the cries and came out. Seeing the bench knocked askew and her husband in such a state, she reached out and slapped Wang Qing on the face, saying, “You good-for-nothing! You wander about outside all day and never mind the house. It is rare enough that you come home tonight—and now what is this new nonsense!” Wang Qing said, “Wife, do not make fun of me. I have twisted my ribs and it hurts terribly!” The woman helped him up. Wang Qing leaned on his wife’s shoulder, gritted his teeth, shook his head, and cried, “Aiya, the pain is unbearable!” The woman scolded, “You wild thing, you are a disgrace! You are always fond of swinging your fists and kicking your legs, and now you have only yourself to thank.” She had hardly finished speaking when she herself felt that the words......