Jing Wu and Jing Er returned in triumph and, after receiving their official appointments, became fifth-rank junior generals in one fell swoop.
Jing Er carefully prepared gifts and came to the courtyard where Qing Da and his family lived.
At the time, Qing Sheng was helping Father chop firewood. She gripped a piece of wood with both hands and bent it!
Crack! The wood, as thick as a grown man's arm, instantly snapped in two.
Just then, she spotted Jing Er approaching. She shyly put down the wood and hurried to tidy her appearance.
"Girl, break this one too!" Qing Da came over carrying a tree trunk that was a full two Qing Shengs long.
Qing Sheng immediately stamped her foot, ran behind Jing Er, and tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft. "Oh, honestly, Father! I can't even chop firewood, yet he's asking me to snap a tree."
Qing Da froze where he stood. He dropped the trunk and asked, his eyes wide with disbelief, "What did you say? Say that again?"
Qing Sheng lowered her head even farther and clutched the hem of Jing Er's robe. "I-I can't break such a big piece of wood."
"Uncle Qing, you're in the wrong here. A daughter ought to be pampered. Even a man would struggle with a trunk that big. How could you make her do such heavy work?"
Jing Er handed Qing Sheng his gifts and gently patted her hand. His doting gaze seemed to say, I'm here. Don't be afraid.
Qing Da was utterly stunned.
He pointed at himself. "I'm in the wrong? Don't I want to pamper her? Me?"
What had he done wrong?
His daughter was a mighty warrior who could send an ox flying with a punch.
How could she possibly be unable to split