Xiao Cui (simplified: 小翠, traditional: 小翠, pinyin: Xiǎo Cuì, jyutping: siu2 ceoi3) was a servant and maid of Madam Wang. Her name “Xiao Cui” means “Little Jade,” reflecting her role as a young female servant.
Biography
Service to Madam Wang
Xiao Cui served as a trusted servant and maid to Madam Wang at Manor of Gathering Clouds. As one of Madam Wang’s personal attendants, she was involved in carrying out her mistress’s various schemes and enforcing her strict moral code.
Enforcement of Madam Wang’s justice
Xiao Cui was actively involved in Madam Wang’s system of moral enforcement, particularly in cases involving marital infidelity. She was tasked with escorting men who had been caught in adulterous relationships back to their homes to ensure they followed through on Madam Wang’s demands.
Specific case involvement
Xiao Cui was involved in at least seven cases of moral enforcement in various cities including Changshu, Danyang, Wuxi, and Jiaxing. Her role was to personally escort the accused men back to their homes and witness them carry out Madam Wang’s orders, which typically involved killing their current wives and marrying their mistresses through proper ceremonies.
Case of the young official
When Madam Wang confronted a young official who had been caught in an adulterous relationship with a Young Maiden Miao, Xiao Cui was assigned to escort him back to Suzhou city. She was instructed to personally witness him kill his wife and marry Young Maiden Miao through proper ceremonies before returning to report the completion of the task.
Personality and traits
Loyal and obedient
Xiao Cui was completely loyal to Madam Wang and obedient to her commands. She carried out her mistress’s orders without question, even when they involved extreme measures like forcing men to kill their wives.
Efficient and experienced
Having handled multiple cases of moral enforcement, Xiao Cui was experienced in dealing with reluctant participants and ensuring that Madam Wang’s justice was carried out according to her specifications.
Relationships
Madam Wang
Xiao Cui’s primary relationship was with her mistress Madam Wang, whom she served with absolute loyalty. She was one of Madam Wang’s most trusted servants, capable of handling sensitive and dangerous assignments.
Other servants
Xiao Cui worked alongside other servants like Xiao Lan and Xiao Shi, who also participated in Madam Wang’s moral enforcement activities. They formed a network of enforcers who carried out their mistress’s will across different regions.
Behind the scenes
Xiao Cui’s character represents the dark side of moral absolutism and the dangers of unquestioning loyalty. Her participation in Madam Wang’s extreme form of justice demonstrates how ordinary people can become complicit in cruelty when following orders from authority figures they respect.