Explore the enchanting tale of love, reincarnation, and eternal connections that transcends life and death between a scholar, a fox spirit and a female ghost.
Sang Xiao, whose courtesy name was Zi Ming, was a native of Yizhou. He lost his father at a young age and lived in Honghua Bu. Sang Xiao was a quiet and contented person. Apart from going to his neighbor’s house for meals twice a day, he spent the rest of his time reading quietly at home. One day, a scholar from the east, jokingly asked when visiting Sang Xiao’s place, “Aren’t you afraid of ghosts and foxes living alone?” Sang Xiao smiled and replied, “What is there for a real man to fear ghosts and foxes? If a male comes, I have a sharp sword; if a female comes, I’ll let her in.”
The scholar from the east returned home and, after discussing with his friends, had a courtesan climb over the wall with a ladder and then knocked on Sang Xiao’s door with a snap of her fingers. Sang Xiao peered through the door crack and asked who it was. The courtesan replied that she was a ghost, which terrified Sang Xiao, and his teeth chattered in fear. The courtesan dawdled for a while and then left.
Early the next morning, the scholar from the east came to Sang Xiao’s study. Sang Xiao recounted the events of the previous night and mentioned that he wanted to go home early. The scholar from the east clapped his hands and said, “Why didn’t you let her in?” Sang Xiao suddenly realized that the events of the previous night were a ruse, so he continued to live as before.
After half a year had passed, a woman knocked on the door late at night. Sang Xiao thought it was a friend playing a prank on him again, so he opened the door to let her in. To his surprise, it was an incredibly beautiful woman. He asked her where she came from, and the woman replied, “My name is Lianxiang, and I’m a courtesan from the West Street.” At that time, there were quite a few brothels in Honghua Bu, so Sang Xiao believed her. They then extinguished the lights and became extremely intimate, and from that moment on, she would come once every three to five days.
After half a year had passed, a woman knocked on the door late at night. Sang Xiao thought it was a friend playing a prank on him again, so he opened the door to let her in. To his surprise, it was an incredibly beautiful woman. He asked her where she came from, and the woman replied, “My name is Lianxiang, and I’m a courtesan from the West Street.” At that time, there were quite a few brothels in Honghua Bu, so Sang Xiao believed her. They then extinguished the lights and became extremely intimate, and from that moment on, she would come once every three to five days.
After half a year had passed, a woman knocked on the door late at night. Sang Xiao thought it was a friend playing a prank on him again, so he opened the door to let her in. To his surprise, it was an incredibly beautiful woman. He asked her where she came from, and the woman replied, “My name is Lianxiang, and I’m a courtesan from the West Street.” At that time, there were quite a few brothels in Honghua Bu, so Sang Xiao believed her. They then extinguished the lights and became extremely intimate, and from that moment on, she would come once every three to five days.
After spending the night, Lianxiang came, and Sang Xiao playfully said, “I never really believed it when someone said you were a fox spirit.” Lianxiang hurriedly asked, “Who said that?” Sang Xiao smiled and replied, “I was just joking with you.” Lianxiang asked, “What’s the difference between a fox spirit and a human?” Sang Xiao explained, “Being deceived by a fox spirit can lead to illness, and in severe cases, death, which is why people are afraid of them.” Lianxiang responded, “That’s not correct. At your age, your vitality can recover in three days after sexual activity. So, what does it matter even if I were a fox spirit? If one engages in sexual activity every night, humans would suffer more than fox spirits. Are all those who died of sexual diseases in the world victims of fox spirits? Nevertheless, there are always people who speak ill of me.” Sang Xiao tried to reassure her that nothing like that had happened, but Lianxiang continued to press him. Eventually, he reluctantly admitted to it.
Lianxiang said, “I suspected why you were so fatigued. But why is it so severe? Could she not be human? Don’t reveal this, but tomorrow night, I want to spy on her, just as she did to me.” That night, when Miss Li arrived, they had only exchanged a few words when they heard coughing from outside the window, and she hurriedly left. After Lianxiang came in, she said, “You are in danger! She’s truly a supernatural being! You’re infatuated with her beauty and haven’t severed the relationship promptly, so your death is imminent!” Sang Xiao thought she was jealous and remained silent. Lianxiang said, “I had anticipated that you wouldn’t forget about her, but I can’t bear to watch you die. Tomorrow, I will bring medicine to treat your affliction. Fortunately, the root of the illness is still shallow, and you will recover in ten days. You’ll need to sleep in the same bed with me, and I will oversee your recovery.”
The next night, Lianxiang indeed brought medicine. Sang Xiao took the medicine and immediately experienced a couple of strong purges, feeling as if his internal organs had been cleansed, and his spirits lifted instantly. While he was grateful to Lianxiang, he still didn’t believe that Miss Li was a ghost.
Night after night, Lianxiang slept in the same bed with Sang Xiao, but whenever he tried to engage in sexual activity, she would refuse. After several days of this, Sang Xiao’s health improved. When Lianxiang was about to leave, she earnestly admonished Sang Xiao to sever ties with Miss Li. Sang Xiao pretended to agree.
Once the lights were out and Sang Xiao was alone, he couldn’t help but pick up the embroidered shoe and think about Miss Li. Suddenly, Miss Li appeared, and because they hadn’t met for several days, she seemed somewhat resentful. Sang Xiao explained, “She performed a witchcraft ritual overnight to cure me, please don’t be angry. My affection for you remains unchanged.” This made Miss Li happy. Sang Xiao whispered on his pillow, “My love for you is deep, but some people say you are a ghost.” Miss Li was speechless for a long time and angrily replied, “It must be that seductive fox spirit who has confused you! If you don’t sever ties with her, I will never come again!” She began to cry. Sang Xiao did his best to comfort and persuade her, eventually calming her down.
The next night, when Lianxiang arrived and learned that Miss Li had come again, she angrily said, “Do you really want to court disaster?” Sang Xiao smiled and replied, “Why do you need to be so jealous of her?” This only infuriated Lianxiang further, and she said, “I’ve removed the root of death you planted. If I’m not jealous, what kind of person would I be?” Sang Xiao jokingly excused himself, saying, “She mentioned that the illness from a few days ago was the result of a fox spirit’s mischief.” Lianxiang sighed and said, “It’s just as you say. If you remain so stubborn, and if you encounter any mishap, no matter how many times I explain, it won’t matter. I’d better take my leave now. One hundred days from now, I will be by your bedside.” Sang Xiao couldn’t persuade her to stay, and Lianxiang left in anger.
From then on, Miss Li would come every night, and after about two months, Sang Xiao began to feel increasingly fatigued. Initially, he tried to rationalize it himself, but he grew weaker with each passing day until he could only manage to drink a bowl of thin rice gruel. He contemplated returning home to recover, but he was reluctant to leave all at once. He endured for a few more days, but eventually, he became so ill that he couldn’t get out of bed. A neighboring scholar, seeing how seriously ill he had become, sent a servant boy to bring him some food every day. At this point, Sang Xiao began to suspect Miss Li. He said to her, “I regret not listening to Lianxiang’s words in the beginning. I can’t believe it has come to this!” After saying that, he closed his eyes.
An hour later, he woke up, looked around, and realized that Miss Li had already left, and she never came back again.
Sang Xiao lay emaciated in the empty study, yearning for Lianxiang like a hungry person anticipates a bountiful harvest. One day, as he was lost in thought, someone suddenly lifted the curtain and entered the room – it was Lianxiang. Approaching his sickbed, Lianxiang tauntingly said, “Did I speak nonsense, country bumpkin?” Sang Xiao choked up for a long time, repeatedly admitting his mistake, and pleaded for Lianxiang’s help. She replied, “Your illness is beyond hope, there’s no way to save you. I’ve only come to bid you farewell to prove that I’m not jealous.” Sang Xiao was deeply saddened and asked, “There’s something under my pillow; please destroy it for me.” Lianxiang retrieved the embroidered shoe, brought it to the light, and examined it. At that moment, Miss Li suddenly entered the room, and upon seeing Lianxiang, she immediately tried to flee. Lianxiang blocked the door with her body, leaving Miss Li in a state of panic with no way to escape. Sang Xiao reprimanded Miss Li, who couldn’t utter a word in response. Lianxiang chuckled and said, “Today, I have the chance to confront Auntie face to face. In the past, I mentioned that your lord’s illness might be because of me. How does it seem now?” Miss Li hung her head in acknowledgment of her wrongdoing. Lianxiang said, “How could such a beautiful person like you end up becoming enemies due to a love affair?” Miss Li knelt down on the ground, crying in anguish, and begged for mercy and forgiveness. Lianxiang helped Miss Li to her feet and questioned her about her life. Miss Li said, “I am the daughter of Magistrate Li and died at a young age, buried outside the wall. I’m like a silkworm in spring; even though I’m dead, the silk I left behind hasn’t run out. My wish was to be with you, not to cause your death. Lianxiang asked, “I’ve heard that ghosts desire the death of humans because they can gather together more often after death. Is that true?” Miss Li replied, “No, that’s not the case. When two ghosts gather together, it’s not enjoyable. If it were, wouldn’t there be fewer young men in the underworld?” Lianxiang said, “That’s truly foolish! Engaging in such activities every night is already unbearable for humans, let alone with ghosts.” Miss Li asked, “Fox spirits can harm people; do you have any way to avoid that?” Lianxiang responded, “The ones who can harm people are those that absorb human yang energy to nourish themselves. I am not that kind of fox spirit. Therefore, in the world, there may be fox spirits that don’t harm people, but there definitely aren’t ghosts that don’t harm people, as ghosts carry heavy yin energy.”
After hearing their conversation, Sang Xiao realized that the stories of ghosts and fox spirits were true. Fortunately, he had become accustomed to their presence and was no longer as afraid. However, the thought of his imminent demise overwhelmed him, and he couldn’t help but burst into tears.
Lianxiang looked at Miss Li and asked, “How can you cure my husband?” Blushing, Miss Li admitted that she had no way to do so. Lianxiang chuckled and said, “Once my husband recovers his health, you, the jealous lady, will become even more sour.” Miss Li straightened her clothes and earnestly replied, “If a renowned physician can cure my husband’s illness and relieve my worries, I will willingly return to the underworld forever. How could I dare to show my face in the mortal world again?”
Lianxiang then took out medicine from a small pouch and explained, “I anticipated this day and went to collect herbs in the Three Mountains after we parted. It took me over three months to gather all the necessary ingredients. Even for someone afflicted with a chronic ailment near death, this medicine guarantees survival. However, the root cause of the illness must be addressed, and I’ll need your help with that.”
Miss Li asked, “What do you need?” Lianxiang replied, “A bit of cherry-scented saliva from your mouth. I’ll place the pill in his mouth, and I need you to pass some saliva mouth to mouth.”
Upon hearing this, Miss Li blushed and felt embarrassed. She hesitated, looked around nervously, and then lowered her head to gaze at her own shoes. Lianxiang teased her, saying, “Is the embroidered shoe your proudest possession, dear sister?” Miss Li felt even more ashamed, constantly shifting her gaze and appearing at a loss.
Lianxiang continued, “You’re usually quite skilled at this; why are you hesitating today?” She then placed the pill into Sang Xiao’s mouth and turned to urge Miss Li to provide the saliva. Reluctantly, Miss Li had no choice but to pass her saliva mouth to mouth. Lianxiang said, “One more time.” Miss Li spat again. This process repeated three or four times. After a while, Sang Xiao’s stomach rumbled like thunder. Lianxiang inserted another pill and transferred it mouth to mouth. Sang Xiao felt his lower abdomen burning with heat, and he suddenly felt rejuvenated.
Lianxiang exclaimed, “It’s done!” Upon hearing the rooster’s crow, Miss Li, step by step, reluctantly left the room.
Because Sang Xiao had just recovered from a severe illness, Lianxiang had to take care of him and couldn’t go to the neighboring house for meals anymore. She locked the front gate from the outside to give the appearance that Sang Xiao had returned to his hometown, cutting off all contact. She stayed by his side day and night.
Miss Li continued to visit every night, attentively serving Sang Xiao. Lianxiang treated Miss Li like a sister, and they developed a deep bond.
Three months later, Sang Xiao had fully recovered his health. However, Miss Li stopped visiting for several days, and when she did come, it was just for a brief visit. Whenever they met, she seemed melancholic. Lianxiang often invited Miss Li to stay longer, but she always declined.
One day, Sang Xiao chased after Miss Li and forcibly carried her back. She was incredibly light, almost like a straw doll. Miss Li couldn’t escape and lay down on her side, fully clothed, her body measuring less than two feet. Lianxiang felt sorry for her and allowed Sang Xiao to embrace her intimately. No matter how he shook her, she remained asleep. After a nap, when Sang Xiao woke up and searched for her, she had disappeared.
Several weeks passed, and Miss Li didn’t visit again. Sang Xiao missed her dearly and often took out the embroidered shoes to reminisce. Lianxiang commented, “Miss Li is so graceful and lovely that even I admire her, let alone a man like you.” Sang Xiao replied with sadness, “I used to think that whenever I touched the embroidered shoes, she would appear. I had my suspicions, but I never imagined she was a ghost. Now, facing the shoes and reminiscing about her, it’s truly heart-wrenching.” As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
Before this, there was a wealthy family named Zhang, and their daughter was called Yan’er, who was only fifteen years old. She fell seriously ill and couldn’t sweat, almost dying. After a night, she suddenly woke up and tried to run away. The Zhang family locked the doors and prevented her from leaving. Yan’er herself said, “I am the soul of the magistrate’s daughter. Due to Sang Lang’s affection for me, my shoes are still with him. I am indeed a ghost. What use is there in keeping me?” The Zhang family, hearing her speak in this manner, questioned her about why she had come here. Yan’er lowered her head in contemplation, looked around in confusion, and herself was bewildered, not knowing what had happened. Some people said that Sang Xiao had returned home due to illness, but Yan’er insisted it was a lie. The people in the Zhang family were all puzzled.
The scholar from the neighboring house heard about this and climbed over the courtyard wall to investigate. He saw Sang Xiao talking face to face with a beautiful woman, so he intruded and confronted them. However, in the midst of the tension, the beautiful woman had disappeared without a trace. The scholar from the neighboring house, in his astonishment, asked for the truth of the matter. Sang Xiao smiled and said, “Didn’t I tell you earlier? If the female comes, she’ll stay.” The scholar from the neighboring house then mentioned the matter of Yan’er. Sang Xiao immediately opened the door, eager to visit the Zhang family, but he was at a loss for a reason to do so.
The mother of the Zhang family heard that Sang Xiao had indeed not returned, which made her even more curious. She sent an old servant to request the shoes, and Sang Xiao handed over the embroidered shoes to her. Yan’er received the embroidered shoes with great joy and tried them on. To her surprise, the shoes were more than an inch smaller than her feet. She took a mirror and looked at herself, suddenly realizing that she had been born by borrowing someone else’s body. She then explained the whole story to Mrs. Zhang, who finally believed her.
Yan’er cried bitterly while looking in the mirror, saying, “In the past, I thought my appearance was quite good. Every time I saw Sister Lianxiang, I felt inferior. Now, I look like this. I’d rather be a ghost than a person!” Holding the embroidered shoes, she sobbed loudly, and no one could console her. After crying for a while, she covered herself with a blanket and lay motionless. She refused to eat, and her whole body swelled up. She went without food or drink for seven days and didn’t die. Gradually, the swelling began to subside, and then she felt extremely hungry and started eating.
A few days later, her body started itching all over, and she shed an entire layer of skin. When she woke up in the morning, her sleeping shoes had fallen to the ground. She picked them up and tried to put them on, finding them exceptionally large. She then retrieved the previous pair of embroidered shoes and tried them on. They fit perfectly, which delighted her. She looked into the mirror again, and this time, her eyebrows, eyes, and facial features were exactly the same as before, making her even more ecstatic. After grooming herself, she went to see her mother, and everyone who saw her was astonished.
Upon hearing about this strange incident, Lianxiang advised Sang Xiao to find a matchmaker and propose marriage. However, due to the disparity in wealth between the two families, he didn’t dare to proceed immediately. It happened to be Mrs. Zhang’s birthday, so Sang Xiao joined Mrs. Zhang’s sons and sons-in-law in paying their respects. Mrs. Zhang, upon seeing Sang Xiao’s name card, deliberately allowed Yan’er to secretly observe and identify the guests from behind a curtain. Sang Xiao was the last to arrive, and Yan’er quickly ran out, grabbing his clothes, wanting to go back with him. Mrs. Zhang scolded her a few words, and Yan’er, feeling embarrassed, went into the house.
Sang Xiao carefully observed Yan’er and found her to be exactly the same as Miss Li, without shedding a tear. He then knelt on the ground and didn’t get up. Mrs. Zhang helped him up, not thinking his behavior was inappropriate. After Sang Xiao left, he asked Yan’er’s uncle to act as the matchmaker. Mrs. Zhang planned to choose an auspicious day for Sang Xiao to marry into their family.
Sang Xiao went back to inform Lianxiang and discuss how to handle this matter. Lianxiang was deeply troubled for a long time and considered leaving Sang Xiao to go elsewhere. Sang Xiao was greatly shocked and burst into tears. Lianxiang said, “If you marry someone else in a candlelit wedding, I’ll follow you, what face would I have?” So, Sang Xiao decided to return to their hometown first, then marry Yan’er, and Lianxiang agreed.
Sang Xiao told the Zhang family about this, and when they heard that Sang Xiao already had a family, they angrily questioned him. Yan’er tried her best to explain, and they eventually agreed to Sang Xiao’s request. On the wedding day, Sang Xiao personally went to welcome the bride. The Zhang family’s furnishings were very simple, but when they arrived at Sang’s house, from the entrance to the main hall, everything was covered with carpets, and hundreds of lanterns were shining brightly, like a festive garden.
Lianxiang accompanied the bride into the bridal chamber, unveiled her, and they rejoiced just like before. Lianxiang shared a toast with her and inquired about the strange experience of returning to life. Yan’er said, “At that time, I was depressed and felt ashamed of being a ghost. After we parted that day, I was so angry that I didn’t want to return to the tomb. I drifted with the wind, envying the living when I saw them. During the day, I clung to the flowers and trees, and at night, I wandered freely. That day, I happened to come to the Zhang family, and when I saw a young girl lying on the bed, I attached myself to her body, not expecting to come back to life.” Lianxiang listened in silence, deep in thought.
Two months later, Lianxiang gave birth to a son. After childbirth, she suddenly fell seriously ill, growing weaker day by day. One day, Lianxiang grabbed Yan’er’s arm and said, “I entrust this little one to you, for you to care for. My child is your child too.” Yan’er shed tears and could only do her best to comfort her. They called for a doctor, but Lianxiang always refused treatment. Her condition worsened, and at the moment of her passing, her breath was as delicate as a thread hanging in the air. Sang Xiao and Yan’er cried sorrowfully.
Suddenly, Lianxiang opened her eyes and said, “Don’t be like this! You both enjoy life, but I am willing to die. If fate allows, we can meet again in ten years.” With that, she passed away. Sang Xiao uncovered the blanket to prepare for the arrangements and found that her body had transformed into a fox. Unable to treat her as a different species, Sang Xiao solemnly buried the fox. Her son was named Fox, and Yan’er raised him as if he were her own. Every Qingming Festival, she would hold Fox and go to Lianxiang’s grave to weep.
Later on, Sang Xiao passed the provincial examination and became a scholar. Their family gradually became prosperous, but Yan’er still hadn’t given birth to any children. Fox, their adopted son, was intelligent but weak and often ill. So, Yan’er often thought about allowing Sang Xiao to take a concubine.
One day, a maid suddenly reported, “There’s an old lady outside with her daughter, and they want to sell her.” Yan’er had them brought in and was shocked to see the girl, exclaiming, “It’s Lianxiang, reborn!” When Sang Xiao looked at the girl, he also found her strikingly similar to Lianxiang and was equally surprised. Yan’er asked, “How old is she?” The old lady replied, “She’s fourteen.” Yan’er then inquired, “How much is the betrothal gift?” The old lady said, “I only have this one daughter. As long as she has a good place to go and I have a place to eat, I’ll be satisfied. After I die, my old bones won’t be left in a ditch.” Sang Xiao paid a generous sum to keep the old lady’s daughter.
Yan’er held the young girl’s hand and led her into the inner room. She pinched her chin and smiled, saying, “Do you recognize me?” The girl replied, “I don’t.” Yan’er asked for her family name, and she said, “I’m surnamed Wei. My father used to sell drinks in Xucheng, and he passed away three years ago.” Yan’er quickly calculated that it had been exactly fourteen years since Lianxiang’s death. She examined the young girl carefully and found that her appearance and demeanor resembled Lianxiang in every way. She then patted the girl’s head and exclaimed, “Lianxiang, Lianxiang! The promise to reunite after ten years wasn’t a lie!” The young girl suddenly woke up as if from a deep sleep and cried out, “Oh!” Then, she stared closely at Yan’er. Sang Xiao laughed and said, “This is like ‘the returned swallow in a familiar scene.’” The young girl, tears streaming down her face, said, “Indeed. My mother told me that I could talk from the moment I was born, and everyone thought it was an ill omen. They made me drink dog’s blood to make me forget my past life. Today, I’ve just woken up from a deep dream. Madam, you must be Li Meimei, who was ashamed of being a ghost, right?” They then began to reminisce about their past lives, their emotions a mixture of sorrow and joy.
One day, during the Cold Food Festival, Yan’er said, “This day each year is when I cry for my sister with my husband.” So, everyone together climbed to the gravesite. By now, the place was overgrown with weeds, and the small trees had grown to be more than an inch thick. Lianxiang sighed as well. Yan’er said to Sang Xiao, “I had a close bond with Lianxiang for two lifetimes and can’t bear to be separated. We should let our remains rest together.” Sang Xiao heeded Yan’er’s words, opened Li Gu’s tomb, retrieved her remains, and then buried them together with Lianxiang’s remains. When family and friends heard of this strange occurrence, they all came to the gravesite in formal attire, with hundreds of people gathering spontaneously.
In the ninth year of Kangxi, I traveled to the southern region. When I reached Yizhou, I was delayed by rain and stayed at an inn to rest. There was a man named Liu Zijing, and his cousin showed me a biography of Sangsheng written by their classmate Wang Zizhang, which contained over ten thousand words. Fortunately, I had the chance to read it once. What is described here is just a general overview.
The chronicler of strange tales said: “Alas! The departed long for rebirth, while the living often desire death. Isn’t the most precious thing in the world the human body? Why do those who possess this precious human body often cast it aside, shamelessly clinging to life, not even as noble as a fox, quietly fading away, not even as dignified as a spirit?”
《莲香》
桑生名晓，字子明，沂州人。少孤，馆于红花埠。桑为人静穆自喜，日再出，就食东邻，馀时坚坐而已。东邻生偶至，戏曰：“君独居不畏鬼狐耶？”笑答曰：“丈夫何畏鬼狐？雄来吾有利剑，雌者尚当开门纳之。”邻生归，与友谋，梯妓于垣而过之，弹指叩扉。生窥问其谁，妓自言为鬼，生大惧，齿震震有声。妓逡巡自去。邻生早至生斋，生述所见，且告将归。邻生鼓掌曰：“何不开门纳之？”生顿悟其假，遂安居如初。
积半年，一女子夜来叩斋。生意友人之复戏也，启门延入，则倾国之姝。惊问所来，曰：“妾莲香，西家妓女。”埠上青楼故多，信之。息烛登床，绸缪甚至。自此三五宿辄一至。
一夕，独坐凝思，一女子翩然入。生意其莲，承逆与语。觌面殊非，年仅十五六，亸袖垂髫，风流秀曼，行步之间，若还若往。大愕，疑为狐。女曰：“妾良家女，姓李氏。慕君高雅，幸能垂盼。”生喜。握其手，冷如冰，问：“何凉也？”曰：“幼质单寒，夜蒙霜露，那得不尔！”既而罗襦衿解，俨然处子。女曰：“妾为情缘，葳蕤之质，一朝失守。不嫌鄙陋，愿常侍枕席。房中得无有人否？”生云：“无他，止一邻娼，顾不常至。”女曰：“当谨避之。妾不与院中人等，君秘勿泄。彼来我往，彼往我来可耳。”鸡鸣欲去，赠绣履一钩，曰：“此妾下体所着，弄之足寄思慕。然有人慎勿弄也！”受而视之，翘翘如解结锥，心甚爱悦。越夕无人，便出审玩。女飘然忽至，遂相款昵。自此每出履，则女必应念而至。异而诘之，笑曰：“适当其时耳。”
一夜，莲来，惊曰：“郎何神气萧索？”生言：“不自觉。”莲便告别，相约十日。去后，李来恒无虚夕。问：“君情人何久不至？”因以相约告。李笑曰：“君视妾何如莲香美？”曰：“可称两绝。但莲卿肌肤温和。”李变色曰：“君谓双美，对妾云尔。渠必月殿仙人，妾定不及。”因而不欢。乃屈指计，十日之期已满，嘱勿漏，将窃窥之。次夜，莲香果至，笑语甚洽。及寝，大骇曰：“殆矣！十日不见，何益惫损？保无他遇否？”生询其故，曰：“妾以神气验之，脉析析如乱丝，鬼症也。”次夜，李来，生问：“窥莲香何似？”曰：“美矣。妾固谓世间无此佳人，果狐也。去，吾尾之，南山而穴居。”生疑其妒，漫应之。
逾夕，戏莲香曰：“余固不信，或谓卿狐者。”莲亟问：“是谁所云？”笑曰：“我自戏卿。”莲曰：“狐何异于人？”曰：“惑之者病，甚则死，是以可惧。”莲香曰：“不然。如君之年，房后三日，精气可复，纵狐何害？设旦旦而伐之，人有甚于狐者矣。天下病尸瘵鬼，宁皆狐蛊死耶？虽然，必有议我者。”生力白其无，莲诘益力，生不得已，泄之。莲曰：“我固怪君惫也。然何遽至此？得勿非人乎？君勿言，明宵，当如渠之窥妾者。”是夜李至，裁三数语，闻窗外嗽声，急亡去。莲入曰：“君殆矣！是真鬼物！昵其美而不速绝，冥路近矣！”生意其妒，默不语。莲曰：“固知君不忘情，然不忍视君死。明日，当携药饵，为君以除阴毒。幸病蒂犹浅，十日恙当已。请同榻以视痊可。”次夜，果出刀圭药啖生。顷刻，洞下三两行，觉脏腑清虚，精神顿爽。心虽德之，然终不信为鬼。
莲香夜夜同衾偎生，生欲与合，辄止之。数日后，肤革充盈。欲别，殷殷嘱绝李，生谬应之。及闭户挑灯，辄捉履倾想。李忽至，数日隔绝，颇有怨色。生曰：“彼连宵为我作巫医，请勿为怼，情好在我。”李稍怿。生枕上私语曰：“我爱卿甚，乃有谓卿鬼者。”李结舌良久，骂曰：“必淫狐之惑君听也！若不绝之，妾不来矣！”遂呜呜饮泣。生百词慰解，乃罢。
隔宿，莲香至，知李复来，怒曰：“君必欲死耶！”生笑曰：“卿何相妒之深？”莲益怒曰：“君种死根，妾为若除之，不妒者将复何如？”生托词以戏曰：“彼云前日之病，为狐祟耳。”莲乃叹曰：“诚如君言，君迷不悟，万一不虞，妾百口何以自解？请从此辞，百日后当视君于卧榻中。”留之不可，怫然径去。
由是与李夙夜必偕，约两月馀，觉大困顿。初犹自宽解，日渐羸瘠，惟饮饘粥一瓯。欲归就奉养，尚恋恋不忍遽去。因循数日，沉绵不可复起。邻生见其病惫，日遣馆僮馈给食饮。生至是疑李，因谓李曰：“吾悔不听莲香之言，一至于此！”言讫而瞑。移时复苏，张目四顾，则李已去，自是遂绝。
生羸卧空斋，思莲香如望岁。一日，方凝想间，忽有搴帘入者，则莲香也。临榻哂曰：“田舍郎，我岂妄哉！”生哽咽良久，自言知罪，但求拯救。莲曰：“病入膏肓，实无救法。姑来永诀，以明非妒。”生大悲曰：“枕底一物，烦代碎之。”莲搜得履，持就灯前，反复展玩，李女欻入，卒见莲香，返身欲遁。莲以身蔽门，李窘急不知所出。生责数之，李不能答。莲笑曰：“妾今始得与阿姨面相质。昔谓郎君旧疾，未必非妾致，今竟何如？”李俛首谢过。莲曰：“佳丽如此，乃以爱结仇耶？”李即投地陨泣，乞垂怜救。莲遂扶起，细诘生平。曰：“妾，李通判女，早夭，瘗于墙外。已死春蚕，遗丝未尽。与郎偕好，妾之愿也，致郎于死，良非素心。”莲曰：“闻鬼物利人死，以死后可常聚，然否？”曰：“不然。两鬼相逢，并无乐处，如乐也，泉下少年郎岂少哉？”莲曰：“痴哉！夜夜为之，人且不堪，而况于鬼？”李问：“狐能死人，何术独否？”莲曰：“是采补者流，妾非其类。故世有不害人之狐，断无不害人之鬼，以阴气盛也。”
生闻其语，始知狐鬼皆真，幸习常见惯，颇不为骇。但念残息如丝，不觉失声大痛。莲顾问：“何以处郎君者？”李赧然逊谢。莲笑曰：“恐郎强健，醋娘子要食杨梅也。”李敛衽曰：“如有医国手，使妾得无负郎君，便当埋首地下，敢复靦然于人世耶！”莲解囊出药，曰：“妾早知有今，别后采药三山，凡三阅月，物料始备，瘵蛊至死，投之无不苏者。然症何由得，仍以何引，不得不转求效力。”问：“何需？”曰：“樱口中一点香唾耳。我一丸进，烦接口而唾之。”李晕生颐颊，俯首转侧而视其履。莲戏曰：“妹所得意惟履耳！”李益惭，俯仰若无所容。莲曰：“此平时熟技，今何吝焉？”遂以丸纳生吻，转促逼之，李不得已，唾之。莲曰：“再！”又唾之。凡三四唾，丸已下咽，少间，腹殷然如雷鸣。复纳一丸，自乃接唇而布以气。生觉丹田火热，精神焕发。莲曰：“愈矣！”李听鸡鸣，彷徨别去。莲以新瘥，尚须调摄，就食非计，因将户外反关，伪示生归，以绝交往，日夜守护之。李亦每夕必至，给奉殷勤，事莲犹姊，莲亦深怜爱之。
居三月，生健如初，李遂数夕不至。偶至，一望即去，相对时，亦悒悒不乐。莲常留与共寝，必不肯。生追出，提抱以归，身轻若刍灵。女不得遁，遂着衣偃卧，踡其体不盈二尺。莲益怜之，阴使生狎抱之，而撼摇亦不得醒。生睡去，觉而索之，已杳。后十馀日，更不复至。生怀思殊切，恒出履共弄。莲曰：“窈娜如此，妾见犹怜，何况男子！”生曰：“昔日弄履则至，心固疑之，然终不料其鬼。今对履思容，实所怆恻。”因而泣下。
先是，富室张姓有女字燕儿，年十五，不汗而死。终夜复苏，起顾欲奔。张扃户，不得出。女自言：“我通判女魂。感桑郎眷注，遗舄犹存彼处。我真鬼耳，锢我何益？”以其言有因，诘其至此之由，女低徊反顾，茫不自解。或有言桑生病归者，女执辨其诬，家人大疑。东邻生闻之，逾垣往窥，见生方与美人对语，掩入逼之，张皇间已失所在。邻生骇诘，生笑曰：“向固与君言，雌者则纳之耳。”邻生述燕儿之言，生乃启关，将往侦探，苦无由。
张母闻生果未归，益奇之，故使佣媪索履，生遂出以授。燕儿得之喜，试着之，鞋小于足者盈寸，大骇。揽镜自照，忽恍然悟己之借躯以生也者，因陈所由，母始信之。女镜面大哭曰：“当日形貌，颇堪自信，每见莲姊，犹增惭怍。今反若此，人也不如其鬼也！”把履号咷，劝之不解，蒙衾僵卧。食之，亦不食，体肤尽肿。凡七日不食，卒不死，而肿渐消，觉饥不可忍，乃复食。数日，遍体瘙痒，皮尽脱。晨起，睡舄遗堕，索着之，则硕大无朋矣。因试前履，肥瘦吻合，乃喜。复自镜，则眉目颐颊，宛肖生平，益喜。盥栉见母，见者尽眙。
莲香闻其异，劝生媒通之，而以贫富悬邈，不敢遽进。会媪初度，因从其子婿行，往为寿。媪睹生名，故使燕儿窥帘认客。生最后至，女骤出，捉袂，欲从与俱归，母诃谯之，始惭而入。生审视宛然，不觉零涕，因拜伏不起。媪扶之，不以为侮。生出，浼女舅执柯。媪议择吉赘生。
生归告莲香，且商所处。莲怅然良久，便欲别去，生大骇泣下。莲曰：“君行花烛于人家，妾从而往，亦何形颜？”生谋先与旋里而后迎燕，莲乃从之。生以情白张，张闻其有室，怒加诮让。燕儿力白之，乃如所请。至日，生往亲迎，家中备具，颇甚草草，及归，则自门达堂，悉以罽毯贴地，百千笼烛，灿列如锦。莲香扶新妇入青庐，搭面既揭，欢若生平。莲陪卺饮，因细诘还魂之异。燕曰：“尔日抑郁无聊，徒以身为异物，自觉形秽。别后愤不归墓，随风漾泊，每见生人则羡之。昼凭草木，夜则信足浮沉。偶至张家，见少女卧床上，近附之，未知遂能活也。”莲闻之，默默若有所思。
逾两月，莲举一子。产后暴病，日就沉绵，捉燕臂曰：“敢以孽种相累，我儿即若儿。”燕泣下，姑慰藉之。为召巫医，辄却之。沉痼弥留，气如悬丝，生及燕儿皆哭。忽张目曰：“勿尔！子乐生，我乐死。如有缘，十年后可复得见。”言讫而卒。启衾将敛，尸化为狐。生不忍异视，厚葬之。子名狐儿，燕抚如己出。每清明，必抱儿哭诸其墓。
后生举于乡，家渐裕，而燕苦不育。狐儿颇慧，然单弱多疾。燕每欲生置媵。一日，婢忽白：“门外一妪，携女求售。”燕呼入，卒见，大惊曰：“莲姊复出耶！”生视之，真似，亦骇，问：“年几何？”答云：“十四。”“聘金几何？”曰：“老身止此一块肉，但俾得所，妾亦得啖饭处，后日老骨不至委沟壑，足矣。”生优价而留之。燕握女手，入密室，撮其颔而笑曰：“汝识我否？”答言：“不识。”诘其姓氏，曰：“妾韦姓。父徐城卖浆者，死三年矣。”燕屈指停思，莲死恰十有四载。又审视女，仪容态度，无一不神肖者，乃拍其顶而呼曰：“莲姊，莲姊！十年相见之约，当不欺吾。”女忽如梦醒，豁然曰：“咦！”熟视燕儿。生笑曰：“此‘似曾相识燕归来’也。”女泫然曰：“是矣。闻母言，妾生时便能言，以为不祥，犬血饮之，遂昧宿因。今日始如梦寤。娘子其耻于为鬼之李妹耶？”共话前生，悲喜交至。
一日，寒食，燕曰：“此每岁妾与郎君哭姊日也。”遂与亲登其墓，荒草离离，木已拱矣。女亦太息。燕谓生曰：“妾与莲姊两世情好，不忍相离，宜令白骨同穴。”生从其言，启李冢得骸，舁归而合葬之。亲朋闻其异，吉服临穴，不期而会者数百人。
余庚戌南游至沂，阻雨，休于旅舍。有刘生子敬，其中表亲，出同社王子章所撰桑生传，约万馀言，得卒读。此其崖略耳。
异史氏曰：嗟乎！死者而求其生，生者又求其死，天下所难得者，非人身哉？奈何具此身者，往往而置之，遂至觍然而生不如狐，泯然而死不如鬼。
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