To continue with the lotus reference, the most “prized” brides were the ones whose feet measured only three inches, not the standard four; and oh, if a girl didn’t shout, scream, or resist the bindings as they broke her bones, then she was considered to be the best match for any good son. Oh, and if she bore sons too. No need for useless daughters.

I really wonder if anyone really took the pain with a grain of salt because they wanted bound feet and a good husband, with nary a thought like “fuckit! I’ll move to Mongolia!” in their heads, even just for a split second.