Trapped by the Hunter

The Story

Scholar Edmund sells his wife for three hundred dollars to the feared hunter Rowan, a fate every village woman dreads. She braces for brutal mistreatment, yet Rowan surprises her with wildflowers, stewed chicken, and a promise to give her time. Greedy in-laws sneak into the house at night, beating her and stealing his rare white pheasants, which ruins Edmund’s exam future. Broken-handed, drunk, and drowning, Edmund begs for forgiveness at their grand wedding. She refuses him, choosing instead to hold Rowan’s hand. The contracted wife finally earns a real, warm marriage of her own.