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Wu Tsing’s second wife and first concubine is a clever, manipulative woman, and the de facto ruler of Wu Tsing’s household. At the beginning of “Magpies,” Popo tells a parable about how one person’s sorrow feeds another person’s joy. Second Wife derives all her power in the household from this principle. She initially gains control over Wu Tsing by manipulating his superstitions and fears. She helps encourage First Wife’s opium addiction, keeping her in a deteriorated mental state. She constantly reminds Wu Tsing of Fifth Wife’s poor, rural upbringing so that he doesn’t become overly attached to her. Worst of all, in order to recuse herself from childbearing, she arranges for the rape of An-mei’s mother. By taking advantage of the weaknesses of those around her, she makes herself strong. However, her power is ultimately as fragile as the glass pearls she gifts An-mei. When An-mei smashes the beads in front of Second Wife after her mother’s suicide, she signals that she now has the upper hand. Second Wife has sacrificed nothing to gain her power, only taken the pain of others. In contrast, An-mei’s mother sacrifices everything to keep An-mei safe and creates lasting protection.
