改过自新 — “To correct one's errors and turn over a new leaf”

Chunyu Yi was a renowned physician in the early Western Han Dynasty, also known as Taicang Gong. He began studying medicine at a young age. In 180 BC, he became an apprentice to Gongcheng Yangqing, who, then over seventy, imparted all his secret medical formulas, as well as the pulse diagnosis methods of Huang Di and Bian Que, and the art of diagnosing by facial complexion. This enabled Chunyu Yi to predict the life or death of patients and resolve difficult cases.

After three years of study, his diagnoses were largely accurate. However, he often traveled and was not always available to treat patients, leading to resentment from many families. In 176 BC, Chunyu Yi was accused and sentenced to be escorted to Chang'an for punishment.

He had five daughters, who cried as they followed him. He angrily exclaimed, "Having no sons means there's no one useful when it matters most!" His youngest daughter, Tiying, was deeply saddened by her father's words. She followed him all the way to Chang'an and submitted a petition to Emperor Wen.

In her petition, she wrote, "My father was an official, and the people of Qi praised his integrity. Now he has committed a crime and faces punishment. I am deeply distressed that those who are executed cannot be brought back to life, and those who suffer mutilation cannot be restored. Even if they wish to correct their mistakes and turn over a new leaf, there is no way for them to do so. I humbly request to become a government slave to atone for my father's crime, so that he may have an opportunity to make a fresh start."

Emperor Wen was moved by Tiying's sincerity. He pardoned Chunyu Yi, and in the same year, abolished corporal punishment.