Gui Lan and Dai Yuan, complicit in Sun Yi's murder, shifted blame onto Bian Hong, whom they publicly executed as the scapegoat.
He held Gui Lan and Dai Yuan responsible for Sun Yi's murder but struggled to assert control over the commandery's military forces.
Lady Xu, enduring humiliation, pretended to agree, stating that she needed time to mourn her husband properly before complying with Gui Lan's demands.
Lady Xu tearfully implored Sun Gao and Fu Ying to assist her in killing Gui Lan, explaining the injustice done to her husband.
Lady Xu's courage and strategic prowess earned the soldiers' admiration viewing it as miraculous when she honored her husband's grave with Gui Lan and Dai Yuan's heads.
He appointed Sun Gao and Fu Ying as key military officers, executed Gui Lan and Dai Yuan's remaining followers and allowed Lady Xu to retire peacefully.
With her adversaries eliminated, Lady Xu returned to mourning attire, presenting Gai Lan and Dai Yuan's heads at her husband's coffin.
A poem extolling her bravery was composed:Full of resource and virtuous, few in the world are like her, Guilefully wrought she and compassed the death of the lusty assassins, Faithful servants are always ready to deal with rebellion,
Faced with the threat of her husband's murderers, she remained composed and ultimately devised a plan for vengeance, earning her the title of an exemplary and heroic woman.
Thus, the people of Jiangdong held Lady Xu in high esteem, as reflected in the verse: "Rare is the individual who possesses both talent and integrity, yet when confronted with treachery, they can be brought to ruin in an instant.