Spring Tidings from Chang’an

I had the sharpest tongue in all of Chang’an. It was so vicious that I was still unmarried at twenty. When the dauntless Zhao family finally came to propose, I resolved to mend my ways, retire my lethal mouth, and become a quiet, lovely bride. On our wedding night, my husband – famed for being as gentle and refined as jade – lifted my veil and rubbed his hands together in excitement. “I hear that when my lady curses someone out, they have to rewrite their entire family tree before dawn?” I hurried to reassure him. “Don’t worry, Husband. I’ve turned over a new leaf.” Zhao Yuanxiu waved both hands, so anxious that he began to stammer. “No, no, no.” “From now on, my lady, please be even more ruthless. Spare no one.” Me: What?