Jiaona: Become soul mates with a fox

Explore the story of Kong Xueli and his intimate friend Jiaona, where their deep spiritual connection transcends physical intimacy.

Scholar Kong Xueli, a descendant of Confucius, was a gentle and reserved individual, skilled in poetry. He had a like-minded friend who served as a county magistrate in Tiantai County and wrote a letter inviting him to come. When Kong Xueli arrived there, the county magistrate had just passed away. Consequently, Kong Xueli found himself stranded in the area, unable to return home. He took up residence in the Bodhi Temple and was hired by the monks there to transcribe scriptures.

Heading westward from Bodhi Temple for more than a hundred steps, there is a residence belonging to Mr. Shan. Mr. Shan was originally a wealthy young man from a distinguished family, but his fortunes declined due to a major lawsuit. With a decrease in family members, he moved to the countryside, leaving his mansion vacant. One day, as heavy snow fell silently and the road was devoid of pedestrians, Kong Xueli happened to pass by Mr. Shan’s mansion and saw a handsome young man coming out. The young man, upon seeing Kong Xueli, approached and greeted him. After a few exchanges, he invited Kong Xueli inside as a guest. Kong Xueli had a favorable impression of the young man and readily entered through the gate. Inside, the rooms, while not overly spacious, were adorned with silk curtains and hung with numerous calligraphy and paintings of ancient scholars. On the study desk, there was a book with the title “Langhai’s Miscellaneous Records.” Kong Xueli flipped through the book, finding its contents entirely unfamiliar to him. Believing the young man to be the owner of Mr. Shan’s residence, Kong Xueli refrained from inquiring about his background. After the young man inquired about Kong Xueli’s experiences in detail and expressed sympathy, he suggested that Kong Xueli open a school to teach students. Kong Xueli sighed and said, “I am a stranger in this land. Who would be willing to recommend me?” The young man replied, “If you don’t mind my foolishness, I would be honored to be your student.” Kong Xueli was delighted and, not daring to consider himself a teacher, preferred to treat each other as friends. Kong Xueli then asked, “Why has your family’s mansion been locked up for so long?” The young man replied, “This is the residence of the Shan family. Mr. Shan moved to the countryside, leaving it vacant for an extended period. My surname is Huangfu, and my family has lived in Shaanxi for generations. Due to our house being destroyed by a wildfire, we temporarily reside here.” Kong Xueli now understood that the young man was not the owner of the Shan family mansion. That night, the two of them had a cheerful conversation, and the young man insisted that Kong Xueli stay with him.

The next morning, just as the day was breaking, servants came in and lit a charcoal fire in the room. The young man had already risen and gone into the inner chamber, while Kong Xueli was still sitting on the bed, wrapped in blankets. At this moment, a servant entered and said, “Sir, your father has arrived.” Kong Xueli hurriedly got out of bed and saw an elderly man with snowy white hair entering the room. He sincerely thanked Kong Xueli, saying, “I am grateful that you are willing to teach my unruly son and guide him in his studies. He has just started learning poetry and prose. Please do not treat him as an equal just because you are friends.” After speaking, he presented Kong Xueli with a set of silk clothing, a sable hat, a pair of socks, and shoes. Once Kong Xueli had washed his face and combed his hair, the old man ordered food and wine to be brought in. Kong Xueli noticed that the furniture, beddings, undergarments, and outerwear in this place were all splendid but unfamiliar to him. After a few rounds of wine, the old man stood up to bid farewell, leaning on his cane as he left. After the meal, the young man took out the homework related to their courses and showed it to Kong Xueli. Kong Xueli noticed that all of it was classical Chinese poetry and prose, with no essays for the imperial examination system. He asked why that was the case. The young man smiled and said, “I have no desire to participate in the imperial examinations and gain official titles.” In the evening, the young man had more wine brought in and said, “Let’s enjoy ourselves one more time tonight, but tomorrow it won’t be allowed.” He then called for the servants and said, “Go and check if my father is asleep. If he is, quietly summon Xiangnu to come here.” The servants left and returned with a pipa wrapped in a brocade bag. After a while, a maid entered the room, elegantly dressed and exceptionally beautiful. The young man asked her to play the tune “Lament of the Xiang Fei” on the pipa. The maid plucked the strings with an ivory pick, producing a melody that alternated between passionate and haunting, unlike anything Kong Xueli had heard before. The young man had more large wine cups brought in, and they continued to revel until the early hours of the morning before dispersing.

The next day, the two of them got up early to study. The young man was extremely intelligent, with an exceptional memory for his studies. He could recite and compose poems immediately. After just two or three months, the poems and essays he wrote were already brilliant and thought-provoking. They agreed to meet every five days to share a drink, and each time, Xiangnu would be summoned. One evening, Kong Xueli, under the influence of alcohol, became infatuated and couldn’t take his eyes off Xiangnu. The young man understood his intentions and said, “This maid was adopted by my father. My elder brother lives alone without a family, and I’ve been planning this for you day and night for a long time. I’ll find you a suitable wife very soon.” Kong Xueli replied, “If you intend to find a companion for me with good intentions, she must be like Xiangnu.” The young man laughed and said, “You truly are a rare and peculiar person! If you believe that is enough, your desires are far too easily satisfied.”

Six months later, Kong Xueli decided to go to the outskirts of the city for a leisurely stroll. When he reached the main gate, he found that both doors were locked from the outside. Upon asking the young man, he was told, “My father is afraid that too much socializing and leisure activities will disrupt my character, so he uses this method to decline visitors.” Kong Xueli, upon hearing this, felt at ease. It was the height of summer, and Kong Xueli and the young man moved their study to a pavilion in the garden. One day, a swelling the size of a peach suddenly appeared on Kong Xueli’s chest. Overnight, it had grown to the size of a bowl, causing him great pain and constant moaning. The young man visited him from morning till night, worrying so much that he couldn’t eat or sleep. After a few more days, Kong Xueli’s chest sore worsened to the point where he couldn’t eat or drink. The old man also came to visit, but they could only sigh in helplessness. The young man said, “Two nights ago, I thought of Jiaona Meimei as someone who could treat Mr. Kong’s illness. I sent someone to fetch her from her maternal grandfather’s house. Why hasn’t she arrived yet?” Not long after, a servant came in and reported, “Miss Jiaona has arrived, and Aunt Song is here as well.” The young man and his father immediately went to the inner chamber. After a while, the young man brought his sister to visit Kong Xueli. Jiaona appeared to be about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a charming gaze that revealed her intelligence. Her slender figure was graceful and elegant, like a willow. When Kong Xueli saw such a remarkably beautiful woman, he instantly forgot his pain and moaning, feeling refreshed. The young man said to Jiaona, “This is my closest friend, whose friendship surpasses that of a brother. Please, sister, treat him well.” Jiaona, thus encouraged, suppressed her shyness, waved her long sleeves, and approached the bedside to examine him. As she took Kong Xueli’s pulse, he sensed waves of fragrance emanating from her, more fragrant than orchids. After diagnosing his pulse, Jiaona smiled and said, “You were meant to have this illness; your heart rate has quickened. Although the illness is severe, it can still be treated. However, the pus has already solidified, so it will require cutting to remove.” She then removed a golden bracelet from her arm and placed it on the affected area. Slowly, she pressed downward. The swollen wound gradually bulged to over an inch in height, surpassing the circumference of the bracelet, and the remaining pus lump was suctioned within the bracelet’s ring, reducing its size. Jiaona then raised her robe and took out a thin dagger, thinner than a sheet of paper. Holding the bracelet with one hand, she held the dagger with the other and began to cut along the base of the wound. A purplish blood flowed continuously, staining the bedding. During this time, Kong Xueli, captivated by Jiaona’s alluring figure, not only felt no pain but also feared that she would finish too quickly, unable to enjoy her proximity for longer. After a short while, the decayed flesh was all removed, leaving behind a lump that resembled a tumor on a diseased tree. Jiaona then asked for water to clean the incision. She spat out a red pill the size of a marble, placed it on the flesh, and pressed it, making it spin. After just one rotation, Kong Xueli felt a surge of heat in his chest. Another rotation, and the wound began to itch. By the third rotation, he felt an overall cooling sensation that penetrated to his bone marrow. Jiaona put away the red pill and returned it to her mouth, saying, “It’s done!” She quickly walked out of the room. Kong Xueli jumped up and hurriedly went to thank her. His severe illness of many days seemed to have vanished in an instant. However, Kong Xueli found it hard to contain his feelings whenever he thought of Jiaona’s beautiful face.

From then on, Kong Xueli abandoned his books and spent his days sitting idle, with no place to channel his thoughts. The young man had already discerned his intentions and said, “I’ve been searching for you for a long time and have finally found a suitable partner.” Kong Xueli asked, “Who is it?” The young man replied, “She’s also a relative of mine.” After deep contemplation, Kong Xueli said, “It’s not necessary.” He then turned to the wall and recited two lines of poetry, “Once the vast sea turns to mere water, only Wu Mountain remains in the clouds.” The young man understood his meaning and said, “My father admires your erudition and talent and has often thought about forming a marital alliance with you. However, I only have a younger sister, and she’s still too young. My aunt has a daughter named A Song, who is eighteen and not unattractive. If you don’t believe me, A Song comes to the garden pavilion every day. You can discreetly observe her from the front room, and you’ll see for yourself.” Following the young man’s instructions, Kong Xueli indeed saw Jiaona accompanied by a beautiful woman. He observed her finely arched eyebrows, dainty and slender feet adorned with embroidered phoenix shoes, and a countenance that rivaled Jiaona’s. Delighted, he asked the young man to act as a matchmaker. The next day, the young man emerged from the inner chamber and congratulated Kong Xueli, saying, “It’s a done deal.” They prepared another courtyard for Kong Xueli’s wedding. On that evening, with drums and music resounding, the dust on the beams was shaken loose and scattered everywhere. Kong Xueli, on the verge of sharing a bed with the celestial maiden he had longed for, even began to doubt whether the palace in the moon’s Guanghan Realm was truly in the heavens. After their marriage, Kong Xueli was extremely content in his heart.

One day, the young man suddenly said to Kong Xueli, “The knowledge and insights we’ve gained from studying together have been imprinted in my mind every day. However, the legal dispute in Mr. Dan’s family has been resolved, and he is returning, urging me to return to our estate promptly. We are preparing to leave this place and go back to the west. I realize that from now on, it will be difficult for us to meet again, and my heart is filled with parting sorrow.” Kong Xueli expressed his willingness to go with them, but the young man advised him to return to his own hometown. Kong Xueli felt that returning home would be quite challenging. The young man said, “Don’t worry; we can send you back immediately.” Before long, the old man arrived with A Song and even gave Kong Xueli one hundred taels of gold. The young man held Kong Xueli and his wife separately, instructing them to close their eyes. Kong Xueli suddenly felt himself rising into the air, with the sound of rushing wind in his ears. After a while, he heard the young man say, “We’ve arrived.” When Kong Xueli opened his eyes, he indeed saw his hometown. Only then did he realize that the young man was not an ordinary person. Kong Xueli joyfully knocked on the door of his home, and his mother was overjoyed. When she saw his beautiful wife, everyone was filled with happiness and relief. But when they turned around, the young man had already disappeared. A Song served her mother-in-law with great filial piety, and her beauty and virtues became well-known among the local villagers and neighbors.

Later, Kong Xueli passed the imperial examination and was appointed as the administrative officer of Yan’an Prefecture. He moved there with his whole family, except for his mother, who didn’t make the journey due to the long distance. A Song gave birth to a son named Xiao Huan. However, Kong Xueli soon offended a high-ranking inspector and was dismissed from his position. He had to stay there pending further action and couldn’t return to his hometown immediately. One day, while hunting in the outskirts, he unexpectedly encountered a handsome young man riding a small black horse who kept gazing at him. Upon closer inspection, Kong Xueli realized it was the son of the Huangfu family. They stopped their horses, gathered together, and were filled with mixed emotions. The young man invited Kong Xueli to visit their place, and upon arrival at their village, they found lush, dense trees casting deep shadows that shielded the sun. At the young man’s home, they saw large golden studs on the door, resembling the grandeur of a prestigious family. Kong Xueli inquired about the young man’s sister, learning that she had already been married, and also found out that his mother-in-law had passed away. This news deeply saddened him, and he was overwhelmed with emotion. After staying for one night, Kong Xueli departed but later returned with his wife and child. Jiaona also visited and playfully lifted and lowered Kong Xueli’s child, teasing, “Sister, you’ve disrupted our lineage!” Kong Xueli once again thanked Jiaona for her past medical treatment, to which she replied with a smile, “Brother-in-law, you’ve become prosperous. You’ve healed the scars but haven’t forgotten the pain, have you?” Jiaona’s husband, Wu Lang, also came to pay his respects. Kong Xueli’s family stayed for two nights before departing.

One day, the young man, with a worried expression, said to Kong Xueli, “Heaven is about to bring a great calamity upon us. Can you help us?” Although Kong Xueli didn’t know what was happening, he immediately agreed. The young man quickly went out and summoned his entire family to the hall, where they all expressed their gratitude to Kong Xueli. Kong Xueli was greatly surprised and urgently asked what was going on. It was then that the young man revealed, “I am not a human but a fox. We are now facing the disaster of a thunderstrike. If you are willing to stand up and help us, there is still hope for my family to survive. Otherwise, I would ask you to take the child and leave quickly to avoid being implicated.” Kong Xueli swore that he was willing to live and die together with them. So, the young man asked him to hold a precious sword and stand in front of the main gate, instructing him, “Even if you are struck by thunder, do not move!” Kong Xueli followed the young man’s instructions. Indeed, the sky became densely overcast, and daytime turned into pitch-black night, as if a massive black stone had descended. When he looked back at their original dwelling, he saw no grand estate but a towering grave, below which was a deep, bottomless pit. Just as he was bewildered, a thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the sky, shaking the earth; then came a storm of wind and rain that uprooted ancient trees. Although Kong Xueli felt dazed and deafened, he stood there unmoved. In the midst of the rolling black smoke, a malevolent ghost suddenly appeared, with a pointed mouth and long claws, grabbing someone from the pit and rising through the black smoke. Kong Xueli glimpsed the person’s attire and felt it resembled Jiaona. He immediately leaped into the air, striking the malevolent ghost with all his might, causing the person to fall from the sky. Suddenly, there was a deafening thunderclap, like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting apart. Kong Xueli fell to the ground and died.

After a while, the clouds cleared, and Jiaona regained consciousness on her own. She saw Kong Xueli lying dead beside her and burst into tears, saying, “Kong Lang sacrificed himself to save me, why am I still alive?” At that moment, Songniang also came out, and together, they carried Kong Xueli back home. Jiaona had Songniang hold Kong Xueli’s head and had the young man use a golden hairpin to open his teeth, then used her fingers to hold his cheeks, opening his mouth and placing the red pill on his tongue. She then pressed her mouth against his and blew air into his mouth. The red pill followed the air into Kong Xueli’s throat, making a “gege” sound. After a while, Kong Xueli suddenly opened his eyes and regained consciousness. Seeing his loved ones gathered around him, he felt as if he had just awakened from a deep dream. The family was reunited, and their fear turned into joy.

Kong Xueli believed that staying near the grave was not appropriate, so he discussed with his family the idea of returning to his hometown. The whole family agreed, except for Jiaona, who was feeling downcast. Kong Xueli asked her to go with Wu Lang, but she was concerned about leaving her in-laws, who would miss their young son. They couldn’t come to a decision. Just then, a servant from the Wu family arrived, panting and sweating. Everyone was surprised and questioned him, only to learn that the Wu family had also suffered a calamity on the same day, and all the family members had died. When Jiaona heard this news, she was overwhelmed with grief, pounding her chest and crying uncontrollably. After much consolation from the family, they finally decided to return to Kong Xueli’s hometown together. After Kong Xueli finished his business in the city, the family set off that very night. Upon their return to their hometown, Kong Xueli allowed the family of the gentleman (the fox) to stay in his unused garden. The garden gate was always locked, and it was only opened when Kong Xueli and Songniang came. Kong Xueli and the gentleman’s siblings often played chess, drank together, chatted, and feasted like a family. As Little Huan grew up, he had a handsome face and the clever nature of a fox. When he went to the market, people knew he was the child born of a fox.

The chronicler of strange tales said: Regarding Kong Xueli, I don’t envy him for having a beautiful wife, but I envy him for having an intimate girlfriend. Seeing her beauty can make one forget hunger and thirst, and hearing her voice can bring smiles to people’s faces. Having such a good friend, sharing drinks and casual conversations together, that kind of spiritual connection is even more enjoyable than the physical intimacy between lovers.

《娇娜》

孔生雪笠，圣裔也。为人蕴藉，工诗。有执友令天台，寄函招之。生往，令适卒。落拓不得归，寓菩陀寺，佣为寺僧抄录。

寺西百馀步，有单先生第。先生故公子，以大讼萧条，眷口寡，移而乡居，宅遂旷焉。一日，大雪崩腾，寂无行旅。偶过其门，一少年出，丰采甚都。见生，趋与为礼，略致慰问，即屈降临。生爱悦之，慨然从入。屋宇都不甚广，处处悉悬锦幕，壁上多古人书画。案头书一册，签云《琅嬛琐记》。翻阅一过，俱目所未睹。生以居单第，意为第主，即亦不审官阀。少年细诘行踪，意怜之，劝设帐授徒。生叹曰：“羁旅之人，谁作曹丘者？”少年曰：“倘不以驽骀见斥，愿拜门墙。”生喜，不敢当师，请为友。便问：“宅何久锢？”答曰：“此为单府，曩以公子乡居，是以久旷。仆皇甫氏，祖居陕。以家宅焚于野火，暂借安顿。”生始知非单。当晚，谈笑甚欢，即留共榻。

昧爽，即有僮子炽炭于室。少年先起入内，生尚拥被坐。僮入白：“太公来。”生惊起。一叟入，鬓发皤然，向生殷谢曰：“先生不弃顽儿，遂肯赐教。小子初学涂鸦，勿以友故，行辈视之也。”已，乃进锦衣一袭，貂帽、袜、履各一事。视生盥栉已，乃呼酒荐馔。几、榻、裙、衣，不知何名，光彩射目。酒数行，叟兴辞，曳杖而去。餐讫，公子呈课业，类皆古文词，并无时艺，问之。笑云：“仆不求进取也。”抵暮，更酌曰：“今夕尽欢，明日便不许矣。”呼僮曰：“视太公寝未。已寝，可暗唤香奴来。”僮去，先以绣囊将琵琶至。少顷，一婢入，红妆艳绝。公子命弹《湘妃》。婢以牙拨勾动，激扬哀烈，节拍不类夙闻。又命以巨觞行酒，三更始罢。

次日，早起共读。公子最惠，过目成咏，二三月后，命笔警绝。相约五日一饮，每饮必招香奴。一夕，酒酣气热，目注之。公子已会其意，曰：“此婢为老父所豢养。兄旷邈无家，我夙夜代筹久矣。行当为君谋一佳耦。”生曰：“如果惠好，必如香奴者。”公子笑曰：“君诚‘少所见而多所怪’者矣。以此为佳，君愿亦易足也。”

居半载，生欲翱翔郊郭，至门，则双扉外扃。问之，公子曰：“家君恐交游纷意念，故谢客耳。”生亦安之。时盛暑溽热，移斋园亭。生胸间肿起如桃，一夜如碗，痛楚吟呻。公子朝夕省视，眠食都废。又数日，创剧，益绝食饮。太公亦至，相对太息。公子曰：“儿前夜思先生清恙，娇娜妹子能疗之。遣人于外祖母处呼令归，何久不至？”俄僮入白：“娜姑至，姨与松姑同来。”父子疾趋入内。少间，引妹来视生。年约十三四，娇波流慧，细柳生姿。生望见颜色，呻顿忘，精神为之一爽。公子便言：“此兄良友，不啻胞也，妹子好医之。”女乃敛羞容，揄长袖，就榻诊视。把握之间，觉芳气胜兰。女笑曰：“宜有是疾，心脉动矣。然症虽危，可治。但肤块已凝，非伐皮削肉不可。”乃脱臂上金钏安患处，徐徐按下之。创突起寸许，高出钏外，而根际馀肿，尽束在内，不似前如碗阔矣。乃一手启罗衿，解佩刀，刃薄于纸。把钏握刃，轻轻附根而割。紫血流溢，沾染床席。而贪近娇姿，不惟不觉其苦，且恐速竣割事，偎傍不久。未几，割断腐肉，团团然如树上削下之瘿。又呼水来，为洗割处。口吐红丸，如弹大，着肉上，按令旋转。才一周，觉热火蒸腾；再一周，习习作痒；三周已，遍体清凉，沁入骨髓。女收丸入咽，曰：“愈矣！”趋走出。生跃起走谢，沉痼若失。而悬想容辉，苦不自已。

自是废卷痴坐，无复聊赖。公子已窥之，曰：“弟为兄物色，得一佳偶。”问：“何人？”曰：“亦弟眷属。”生凝思良久，但云：“勿须。”面壁吟曰：“曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云。”公子会其指，曰：“家君仰慕鸿才，常欲附为婚姻。但止一少妹，齿太稚。有姨女阿松，年十八矣，颇不粗陋。如不见信，松姊日涉园亭，伺前厢，可望见之。”生如其教，果见娇娜偕丽人来，画黛弯蛾，莲钩蹴凤，与娇娜相伯仲也。生大悦，请公子作伐。公子翼日自内出，贺曰：“谐矣。”乃除别院，为生成礼。是夕，鼓吹阗咽，尘落漫飞，以望中仙人，忽同衾幄，遂疑广寒宫殿，未必在云霄矣。合卺之后，甚惬心怀。

一夕，公子谓生曰：“切磋之惠，无日可以忘之。近单公子解讼归，索宅甚急。意将弃此而西，势难复聚，因而离绪萦怀。”生愿从之而去。公子劝还乡闾，生难之。公子曰：“勿虑，可即送君行。”无何，太公引松娘至，以黄金百两赠生。公子以左右手与生夫妇相把握，嘱闭眸勿视。飘然履空，但觉耳际风鸣。久之，曰：“至矣。”启目，果见故里，始知公子非人。喜叩家门，母出非望，又睹美妇，方共忻慰，及回顾，则公子逝矣。松娘事姑孝，艳色贤名，声闻遐迩。

后生举进士，授延安司李，携家之任，母以道远不行。松娘举一男，名小宦。生以忤直指罢官，罣碍不得归。偶猎郊野，逢一美少年，跨骊驹，频频瞻顾。细视，则皇甫公子也。揽辔停骖，悲喜交至。邀生去，至一村，树木浓昏，荫翳天日。入其家，则金沤浮钉，宛然世族。问妹子则嫁，岳母已亡，深相感悼。经宿别去，偕妻同返。娇娜亦至，抱生子掇提而弄曰：“姊姊乱吾种矣。”生拜谢曩德。笑曰：“姊夫贵矣。创口已合，未忘痛耶？”妹夫吴郎，亦来谒拜。信宿乃去。

一日，公子有忧色，谓生曰：“天降凶殃，能相救否？”生不知何事，但锐自任。公子趋出，招一家俱入，罗拜堂上。生大骇，亟问。公子曰：“余非人类，狐也。今有雷霆之劫。君肯以身赴难，一门可望生全。不然，请抱子而行，无相累。”生矢共生死。乃使仗剑于门，嘱曰：“雷霆轰击，勿动也！”生如所教。果见阴云昼暝，昏黑如瑿。回视旧居，无复闬闳，惟见高冢岿然，巨穴无底。方错愕间，霹雳一声，摆簸山岳；急雨狂风，老树为拔。生目眩耳聋，屹不少动。忽于繁烟黑絮之中，见一鬼物，利喙长爪，自穴攫一人出，随烟直上。瞥睹衣履，念似娇娜。乃急跃离地，以剑击之，随手堕落。忽而崩雷暴裂，生仆，遂毙。

少间，晴霁，娇娜已能自苏。见生死于旁，大哭曰：“孔郎为我而死，我何生矣！”松娘亦出，共舁生归。娇娜使松娘捧其首，兄以金簪拨其齿，自乃撮其颐，以舌度红丸入，又接吻而呵之。红丸随气入喉，格格作响。移时，醒然而苏。见眷口满前，恍如梦寤。于是一门团圞，惊定而喜。

生以幽圹不可久居，议同旋里。满堂交赞，惟娇娜不乐。生请与吴郎俱，又虑翁媪不肯离幼子，终日议不果。忽吴家一小奴，汗流气促而至。惊致研诘，则吴郎家亦同日遭劫，一门俱没。娇娜顿足悲伤，涕不可止。共慰劝之，而同归之计遂决。生入城勾当数日，遂连夜趣装。既归，以闲园寓公子，恒反关之，生及松娘至，始发扃。生与公子兄妹，棋酒谈宴，若一家然。小宦长成，貌韶秀，有狐意。出游都市，共知为狐儿也。

异史氏曰：余于孔生，不羡其得艳妻，而羡其得腻友也。观其容可以忘饥，听其声可以解颐。得此良友，时一谈宴，则“色授魂与”，尤胜于“颠倒衣裳”矣。