何師參，字子蕭，齋于苕溪之東，門臨曠野。薄暮偶出，見婦人跨驢來，少年從其後。婦約五十許，意致清越。轉視少年，年十五六，丰采過於姝麗。何生素有斷袖之癖，睹之，神出於舍；翹足目送，影滅方歸。次日，早伺之。落日冥濛，少年始過。生曲意承迎，笑問所來。答以「外祖家」。生請過齋少憩，辭以不暇；固曳之，乃入。略坐興辭，堅不可挽。生挽手送之，殷囑便道相過。少年唯唯而去。生由是凝思如渴，往來眺注，足無停趾。
何师参，字子萧，斋于苕溪之东，门临旷野。薄暮偶出，见妇人跨驴来，少年从其后。妇约五十许，意致清越。转视少年，年十五六，丰采过于姝丽。何生素有断袖之癖，睹之，神出于舍；翘足目送，影灭方归。次日，早伺之。落日冥蒙，少年始过。生曲意承迎，笑问所来。答以「外祖家」。生请过斋少憩，辞以不暇；固曳之，乃入。略坐兴辞，坚不可挽。生挽手送之，殷嘱便道相过。少年唯唯而去。生由是凝思如渴，往来眺注，足无停趾。
He Shican, styled Zixiao, kept a study east of the Tiao Stream, its gate facing open country. Going out by chance one evening at dusk, he saw a woman coming along on a donkey with a youth walking behind. She was about fifty, with a clear, refined air. He Shican turned his eyes to the youth: fifteen or sixteen, and lovelier than any beauty. The scholar had always had a taste for the cut sleeve. At the sight of the youth his spirit left his body; he stood on tiptoe watching him go, and only went home when the figure had vanished. The next day he was out early, waiting. The sun had set and the light was dim before the youth came by at last. The scholar went out of his way to greet him, and asked with a smile where he had come from. “From my grandfather’s house,” he answered. The scholar asked him to stop at the study and rest a while; the youth said he had no time. The scholar would not let go of him, and at last he went in. He sat only a moment before rising to take his leave, and nothing would make him stay. The scholar held his hand as he saw him out, and begged him to call whenever he passed. The youth said yes, yes, and went. From then on the scholar was lost in longing, as if parched with thirst; he went out again and again to watch the road, and his feet were never still.
一日，日銜半規，少年歘至。大喜，要入，命館童行酒。問其姓字，答曰：「黃姓，第九。童子無字。」問：「過往何頻？」曰：「家慈在外祖家，常多病，故數省之。」酒數行，欲辭去。生捉臂遮留，下管鑰。九郎無如何，頳顏復坐。挑燈共語，溫若處子；而詞涉游戲，便含羞，面嚮壁。未幾，引與同衾。九郎不許，堅以睡惡為辭。強之再三，乃解上下衣，著褲臥床上。何滅燭，少時，移與同枕，曲肘加髀而狎抱之，苦求私昵。九郎怒曰：「以君風雅士，故與流連；乃此之為，是禽處而獸愛之也！」未幾，晨星熒熒，九郎徑去。生恐其遂絕，復伺之，蹀躞凝盼，目穿北斗。過數日，九郎始至。喜逆謝過；強曳入齋，促坐笑語，竊幸其不念舊惡。無何，解屨登床，又撫哀之。九郎曰：「纏綿之意，已鏤肺鬲，然親愛何必在此？」生甘言糾纏，但求一親玉肌。九郎從之。生俟其睡寐，潛就輕薄。九郎醒，攬衣遽起，乘夜遁去。生邑邑若有所失，忘啜廢枕，日漸委悴。惟日使齋童邏偵焉。
一日，日衔半规，少年歘至。大喜，要入，命馆童行酒。问其姓字，答曰：「黄姓，第九。童子无字。」问：「过往何频？」曰：「家慈在外祖家，常多病，故数省之。」酒数行，欲辞去。生捉臂遮留，下管钥。九郎无如何，頳颜复坐。挑灯共语，温若处子；而词涉游戏，便含羞，面向壁。未几，引与同衾。九郎不许，坚以睡恶为辞。强之再三，乃解上下衣，着裤卧床上。何灭烛，少时，移与同枕，曲肘加髀而狎抱之，苦求私昵。九郎怒曰：「以君风雅士，故与流连；乃此之为，是禽处而兽爱之也！」未几，晨星荧荧，九郎径去。生恐其遂绝，复伺之，蹀躞凝盼，目穿北斗。过数日，九郎始至。喜逆谢过；强曳入斋，促坐笑语，窃幸其不念旧恶。无何，解屦登床，又抚哀之。九郎曰：「缠绵之意，已镂肺鬲，然亲爱何必在此？」生甘言纠缠，但求一亲玉肌。九郎从之。生俟其睡寐，潜就轻薄。九郎醒，揽衣遽起，乘夜遁去。生邑邑若有所失，忘啜废枕，日渐委悴。惟日使斋童逻侦焉。
One day, when the sun was half down behind the hills, the youth suddenly appeared. Overjoyed, the scholar invited him in and told his study boy to bring wine. He asked the youth his name. “My family name is Huang,” he said, “and I am the ninth son. A boy has no courtesy name.” “Why do you pass this way so often?” “My mother is staying at my grandfather’s, and she is often ill, so I go to see her a lot.” After a few rounds of wine he wanted to leave. The scholar caught his arm to keep him and locked the door. Jiulang could do nothing about it; red in the face, he sat down again. They trimmed the lamp and talked. Jiulang was as gentle as a young girl, and whenever the talk turned teasing he blushed and turned his face to the wall. Before long the scholar drew him to share his quilt. Jiulang would not, insisting that he was a restless sleeper. Pressed again and again, he took off his outer clothes and lay down on the bed in his trousers. The scholar blew out the candle. After a little while he moved over onto the same pillow, crooked an arm over Jiulang’s thigh and held him close, begging hard for intimacy. Jiulang said angrily, “I stayed with you because I took you for a man of refinement. If this is what you do, you are living like a bird and loving like a beast!” Soon the morning stars were glimmering, and Jiulang left without a word. Afraid he would never come again, the scholar watched for him once more, pacing up and down and staring until his eyes nearly bored through the Dipper. Only after several days did Jiulang come. The scholar welcomed him gladly and begged his pardon; he pulled him into the study, sat close to him laughing and talking, and was secretly glad that he bore no grudge. Before long he took off his shoes, got onto the bed and once more caressed him and pleaded. Jiulang said, “Your tender feelings are carved on my heart. But why must affection come to this?” The scholar pressed him with sweet words, asking only to touch that jade-smooth skin once. Jiulang let him. The scholar waited until he was asleep, then stealthily took liberties. Jiulang woke, snatched up his clothes and sprang up, and fled into the night. The scholar was downcast, as if he had lost something; he forgot to eat and gave up sleep, and grew thinner and more wasted by the day. All he did was send his study boy out every day to watch for him.
一日，九郎過門，即欲徑去。童牽衣入之。見生清癯，大駭，慰問。生實告以情，淚涔涔隨聲零落。九郎細語曰：「區區之意，實以相愛無益于弟，而有害于兄，故不為也。君既樂之，僕何惜焉？」生大悅。九郎去後，病頓減，數日平復。九郎果至，遂相繾綣，曰：「今勉承君意，幸勿以此為常。」既而曰：「欲有所求，肯為力乎？」問之，答曰：「母患心痛，惟太醫齊野王先天丹可療。君與善，當能求之。」生諾之。臨去又囑。生入城求藥，及暮付之。九郎喜，上手稱謝。又強與合。九郎曰：「勿相糾纏，請為君圖一佳人，勝弟萬萬矣。」生問誰。九郎曰：「有表妹，美無倫。倘能垂意，當執柯斧。」生微笑不答。九郎懷藥便去。三日乃來，復求藥。生恨其遲，詞多誚讓。九郎曰：「本不忍禍君，故疏之；既不蒙見諒，請勿悔焉。」由是燕會無虛夕。
一日，九郎过门，即欲径去。童牵衣入之。见生清癯，大骇，慰问。生实告以情，泪涔涔随声零落。九郎细语曰：「区区之意，实以相爱无益于弟，而有害于兄，故不为也。君既乐之，仆何惜焉？」生大悦。九郎去后，病顿减，数日平复。九郎果至，遂相缱绻，曰：「今勉承君意，幸勿以此为常。」既而曰：「欲有所求，肯为力乎？」问之，答曰：「母患心痛，惟太医齐野王先天丹可疗。君与善，当能求之。」生诺之。临去又嘱。生入城求药，及暮付之。九郎喜，上手称谢。又强与合。九郎曰：「勿相纠缠，请为君图一佳人，胜弟万万矣。」生问谁。九郎曰：「有表妹，美无伦。倘能垂意，当执柯斧。」生微笑不答。九郎怀药便去。三日乃来，复求药。生恨其迟，词多诮让。九郎曰：「本不忍祸君，故疏之；既不蒙见谅，请勿悔焉。」由是燕会无虚夕。
One day Jiulang passed the gate and was going straight on, but the boy caught his sleeve and brought him in. Seeing how thin and haggard the scholar was, Jiulang was shocked and asked tenderly after him. The scholar told him the truth of his feelings, and his tears ran down as he spoke. Jiulang said softly, “My small reason was only this: being lovers would do me no good and would do you, my brother, harm. That is why I refused. But if it gives you such joy, why should I grudge it?” The scholar was delighted. After Jiulang left, his illness eased at once, and in a few days he was well. Sure enough, Jiulang came, and they became lovers. “I am going along with you now against my will,” he said. “Please don’t make a habit of it.” Then he said, “There is something I want to ask. Will you help me?” The scholar asked what it was. “My mother has pains in her heart, and only the Prior-to-Heaven Pill of the court physician Qi Yewang can cure them. You are friends with him; you could surely get some.” The scholar promised, and as Jiulang left he reminded him again. The scholar went into the city for the medicine and handed it to him that evening. Jiulang was pleased, and raised his hands to thank him. The scholar pressed him to lie with him again. “Don’t keep pestering me,” Jiulang said. “Let me find you a beauty, ten thousand times better than me.” “Who?” asked the scholar. “I have a cousin, beautiful beyond compare. If you have a mind to her, I will take up the axe for you.” The scholar smiled and said nothing. Jiulang tucked the medicine into his robe and left. He came back three days later, asking for more. Annoyed at how long he had been, the scholar heaped reproaches on him. Jiulang said, “I could not bear to bring disaster on you, so I kept my distance. Since you will not understand, don’t regret it later.” From then on not a night passed without their being together.
凡三日必一乞藥。齊怪其頻，曰：「此藥未有過三服者，胡久不瘥？」因裹三劑並授之。又顧生曰：「君神色黯然，病乎？」曰：「無。」脈之，驚曰：「君有鬼脈，病在少陰，不自慎者殆矣！」歸語九郎。九郎嘆曰：「良醫也！我實狐，久恐不為君福。」生疑其誑，藏其藥，不以盡予，慮其弗至也。居無何，果病。延齊診視，曰：「曩不實言，今魂氣已游墟莽，秦緩何能為力？」九郎日來省侍，曰：「不聽吾言，果至於此！」生尋卒。九郎痛哭而去。
凡三日必一乞药。齐怪其频，曰：「此药未有过三服者，胡久不瘥？」因裹三剂并授之。又顾生曰：「君神色黯然，病乎？」曰：「无。」脉之，惊曰：「君有鬼脉，病在少阴，不自慎者殆矣！」归语九郎。九郎叹曰：「良医也！我实狐，久恐不为君福。」生疑其诳，藏其药，不以尽予，虑其弗至也。居无何，果病。延齐诊视，曰：「曩不实言，今魂气已游墟莽，秦缓何能为力？」九郎日来省侍，曰：「不听吾言，果至于此！」生寻卒。九郎痛哭而去。
Every three days the scholar went to beg more of the medicine. Qi wondered at it, and said, “No one has ever needed more than three doses of this. Why is she so long in getting better?” So he wrapped up three doses together and gave them all. Then he looked at the scholar and said, “You look dark and drawn. Are you ill?” “No.” Qi felt his pulse and said in alarm, “You have a ghost’s pulse, and the illness is in the lesser yin. If you are not careful, you are done for!” The scholar went home and told Jiulang. Jiulang sighed. “A good doctor! I am really a fox. In the long run I fear I will be no blessing to you.” The scholar thought he was lying. He hid the medicine and did not give it all to him, afraid that he would stop coming. Not long after, the scholar did fall ill. He sent for Qi, who examined him and said, “You did not tell me the truth before. Now your soul is already wandering among the graves and the wild grass. What could even Huan of Qin do?” Jiulang came every day to look after him. “You would not listen to me, and now it has come to this!” Soon the scholar died. Jiulang wept bitterly and went away.
先是，邑有某太史，少與生共筆硯；十七歲擢翰林。時秦藩貪暴，而賂通朝士，無有言者。公抗疏劾其惡，以越俎免。藩升是省中丞，日伺公隙。公少有英稱，曾邀叛王青盼，因購得舊所往來札，脅公。公懼，自經。夫人亦投繯死。公越宿忽醒，曰：「我何子蕭也。」詰之，所言皆何家事，方悟其借軀返魂。留之不可，出奔舊舍。撫疑其詐，必欲排陷之，使人索千金于公。公偽諾，而懮悶欲絕。忽通九郎至，喜共話言，悲歡交集。既欲復狎。九郎曰：「君有三命耶？」公曰：「余悔生勞，不如死逸。」九郎悠懮以思。少間曰：「幸復生聚。君曠無偶，前言表妹，慧麗多謀，必能分懮。」公欲一見顏色。曰：「不難。明日將取伴老母，此道所經。君偽為弟也兄者，我假渴而求飲焉。君曰『驢子亡』，則諾也。」計已而別。
先是，邑有某太史，少与生共笔砚；十七岁擢翰林。时秦藩贪暴，而赂通朝士，无有言者。公抗疏劾其恶，以越俎免。藩升是省中丞，日伺公隙。公少有英称，曾邀叛王青盼，因购得旧所往来札，胁公。公惧，自经。夫人亦投缳死。公越宿忽醒，曰：「我何子萧也。」诘之，所言皆何家事，方悟其借躯返魂。留之不可，出奔旧舍。抚疑其诈，必欲排陷之，使人索千金于公。公伪诺，而懮闷欲绝。忽通九郎至，喜共话言，悲欢交集。既欲复狎。九郎曰：「君有三命耶？」公曰：「余悔生劳，不如死逸。」九郎悠懮以思。少间曰：「幸复生聚。君旷无偶，前言表妹，慧丽多谋，必能分懮。」公欲一见颜色。曰：「不难。明日将取伴老母，此道所经。君伪为弟也兄者，我假渴而求饮焉。君曰『驴子亡』，则诺也。」计已而别。
Some time before this, there had been an Academician in my county who as a boy had shared brush and inkstone with He Shican, and at seventeen had been made a member of the Hanlin Academy. At that time the Provincial Treasurer of Qin was greedy and cruel, but he had bought friends among the officials at court, and no one would speak against him. The Academician sent up a memorial denouncing his crimes, and was dismissed for meddling outside his office. Then the treasurer was promoted to governor of this very province, and watched day after day for a chance to strike at him. In his youth the Academician had been famous for his brilliance and had once won the favour of a prince who later rebelled; the Governor bought up the old letters between them and used them to threaten him. In terror, the Academician hanged himself, and his lady hanged herself too. The next day the Academician suddenly came back to life. “I am He Zixiao,” he said. When they questioned him, everything he spoke of was the business of the He family, and they realized that He Shican’s soul had come back in the Academician’s body. They could not keep him; he ran off to his old house. The Governor suspected a trick and was set on ruining him; he sent someone to demand a thousand taels of silver. The Academician pretended to agree, but his worry was nearly the death of him. Suddenly it was announced that Jiulang had come. Glad, they talked together, sorrow and joy all mingled. Soon the Academician wanted to be intimate again. “Do you have three lives?” said Jiulang. “Living is weary toil,” the Academician said. “I would rather have the ease of death.” Jiulang thought it over sadly. After a while he said, “It is a blessing that you are alive and we are together again. You are alone, with no wife. The cousin I spoke of before is clever and beautiful and full of resource; she can surely share your troubles.” The Academician wanted to see her face. “That’s easy. Tomorrow I am going to fetch her to keep my old mother company, and we will come this way. You pretend to be my sworn elder brother, and I will pretend to be thirsty and ask for a drink. If you say, ‘Your donkey is getting away,’ that means yes.” With their plan made, they parted.
明日亭午，九郎果從女郎經門外過。公拱手絮絮與語。略睨女郎，娥眉秀曼，誠仙人也。九郎索茶，公請入飲。九郎曰：「三妹勿訝，此兄盟好，不妨少休止。」扶之而下，系驢于門而入。公自起瀹茗。因目九郎曰：「君前言不足以盡，今得死所矣。」女似悟其言之為己者，離榻起立，嚶喔而言曰：「去休！」公外顧曰：「驢子其亡！」九郎火急馳出，公擁女求合，女顏色紫變，窘若囚拘，大呼九兄，不應。曰：「君自有婦，何喪人廉恥也？」公自陳無室，女曰：「能矢山河，勿令秋扇見捐，則惟命是聽。」公乃誓以皦日。女不復拒。事已，九郎至。女色然怒讓之。九郎曰：「此何子蕭，昔之名士，今之太史。與兄最善，其人可依。即聞諸妗氏，當不相見罪。」日向晚，公邀遮不聽去。女恐姑母駭怪。九郎銳身自任，跨驢徑去。居數日，有婦攜婢過，年四十許，神情意致，雅似三娘。公呼女出窺，果母也。瞥睹女，怪問：「何得在此？」女慚不能對。公邀入，拜而告之。母笑曰：「九郎稚氣，胡再不謀？」女自入廚下，設食供母，食已乃去。
明日亭午，九郎果从女郎经门外过。公拱手絮絮与语。略睨女郎，娥眉秀曼，诚仙人也。九郎索茶，公请入饮。九郎曰：「三妹勿讶，此兄盟好，不妨少休止。」扶之而下，系驴于门而入。公自起瀹茗。因目九郎曰：「君前言不足以尽，今得死所矣。」女似悟其言之为己者，离榻起立，嘤喔而言曰：「去休！」公外顾曰：「驴子其亡！」九郎火急驰出，公拥女求合，女颜色紫变，窘若囚拘，大呼九兄，不应。曰：「君自有妇，何丧人廉耻也？」公自陈无室，女曰：「能矢山河，勿令秋扇见捐，则惟命是听。」公乃誓以皦日。女不复拒。事已，九郎至。女色然怒让之。九郎曰：「此何子萧，昔之名士，今之太史。与兄最善，其人可依。即闻诸妗氏，当不相见罪。」日向晚，公邀遮不听去。女恐姑母骇怪。九郎锐身自任，跨驴径去。居数日，有妇携婢过，年四十许，神情意致，雅似三娘。公呼女出窥，果母也。瞥睹女，怪问：「何得在此？」女惭不能对。公邀入，拜而告之。母笑曰：「九郎稚气，胡再不谋？」女自入厨下，设食供母，食已乃去。
At noon the next day Jiulang did indeed come past the gate with a young woman. The Academician bowed with clasped hands and chatted on and on with him, stealing glances at the girl: her moth eyebrows were fine and long; she was truly an immortal. Jiulang asked for tea, and the Academician invited them in to drink it. “Don’t be startled, Third Sister,” said Jiulang. “This is my sworn brother. There is no harm in resting a little.” He helped her down, tied the donkey at the gate and went in. The Academician got up himself to brew the tea, and looked meaningfully at Jiulang. “What you told me before did not do her justice. Now I have found something to die for.” The girl seemed to sense that he was speaking of her. She rose from the couch and said in a small, soft voice, “Let’s go!” The Academician looked outside. “Your donkey is getting away!” Jiulang dashed out at once. The Academician took the girl in his arms and begged her to lie with him. Her face went purple; she was as helpless as a prisoner in bonds. She called loudly for her Ninth Brother, but there was no answer. “You have a wife of your own,” she said. “Why would you rob a girl of her honour?” The Academician told her he had no wife. “If you will swear by the hills and rivers never to throw me aside like a fan in autumn, then I will do as you say.” So he swore by the bright sun. She resisted no more. When it was over, Jiulang came back. The girl turned on him in anger. “This is He Zixiao,” said Jiulang, “once a famous scholar, now an Academician. He is my dearest friend, and a man you can rely on. Even if your mother hears of it, she will not blame us.” As evening came on, the Academician barred her way and would not let her go. She was afraid her aunt would be alarmed at her absence. Jiulang took it all on himself, mounted the donkey and rode off. Some days later a woman came by with a maid. She was about forty, and her looks and bearing were very like the girl’s. The Academician called the girl to peep at her: it was indeed her mother. Catching sight of her daughter, the woman asked in surprise, “How do you come to be here?” The girl was too ashamed to answer. The Academician invited her in, bowed to her and told her everything. The mother laughed. “Jiulang is such a child. Why didn’t he talk it over with me?” The girl went into the kitchen herself and served her mother a meal, and when she had eaten she left.
公得麗偶，頗快心期；而惡緒縈懷，恆蹙蹙有懮色。女問之，公緬述顛末。女笑曰：「此九兄一人可得解，君何懮？」公詰其故。女曰：「聞撫公溺聲歌而比頑童，此皆九兄所長也。投所好而獻之，怨可消，仇亦可復。」公慮九郎不肯。女曰：「但請哀之。」越日，公見九郎來，肘行而逆之。九郎驚曰：「兩世之交，但可自效，頂踵所不敢惜。何忽作此態向人？」公具以謀告。九郎有難色。女曰：「妾失身于郎，誰實為之？脫令中途雕喪，焉置妾也？」九郎不得已，諾之。公陰與謀，馳書與所善之王太史，而致九郎焉。王會其意，大設，招撫公飲。命九郎飾女郎，作天魔舞，宛然美女。撫惑之，亟請于王，欲以重金購九郎，惟恐不得當。王故沉思以難之。遲之又久，始將公命以進。撫喜，前郤頓釋。自得九郎，動息不相離；侍妾十餘，視同塵土。九郎飲食供具如王者；賜金萬計。半年，撫公病。九郎知其去冥路近也，遂輦金帛，假歸公家。既而撫公薨。九郎出資，起屋置器，畜婢僕，母子及妗並家焉。九郎出，輿馬甚都，人不知其狐也。余有「笑判」，並志之：
公得丽偶，颇快心期；而恶绪萦怀，恒蹙蹙有懮色。女问之，公缅述颠末。女笑曰：「此九兄一人可得解，君何懮？」公诘其故。女曰：「闻抚公溺声歌而比顽童，此皆九兄所长也。投所好而献之，怨可消，仇亦可复。」公虑九郎不肯。女曰：「但请哀之。」越日，公见九郎来，肘行而逆之。九郎惊曰：「两世之交，但可自效，顶踵所不敢惜。何忽作此态向人？」公具以谋告。九郎有难色。女曰：「妾失身于郎，谁实为之？脱令中途雕丧，焉置妾也？」九郎不得已，诺之。公阴与谋，驰书与所善之王太史，而致九郎焉。王会其意，大设，招抚公饮。命九郎饰女郎，作天魔舞，宛然美女。抚惑之，亟请于王，欲以重金购九郎，惟恐不得当。王故沉思以难之。迟之又久，始将公命以进。抚喜，前郤顿释。自得九郎，动息不相离；侍妾十余，视同尘土。九郎饮食供具如王者；赐金万计。半年，抚公病。九郎知其去冥路近也，遂辇金帛，假归公家。既而抚公薨。九郎出资，起屋置器，畜婢仆，母子及妗并家焉。九郎出，舆马甚都，人不知其狐也。余有「笑判」，并志之：
The Academician had won a lovely mate and was well content; yet his troubles weighed on him, and he always looked anxious and gloomy. The girl asked why, and he told her the whole story from beginning to end. She laughed. “Ninth Brother alone can settle this. Why worry?” The Academician asked how. “I hear the Governor is besotted with singing and keeps pretty boys. Those are all Ninth Brother’s talents. Give him what he likes, and his grudge will melt away — and you can have your revenge too.” The Academician feared Jiulang would refuse. “Just beg him,” she said. A day later, when the Academician saw Jiulang coming, he went out to meet him crawling on his elbows. Jiulang said in astonishment, “Ours is a friendship of two lives. If there is anything I can do, I would not grudge you my body from crown to heel. Why suddenly treat me like this?” The Academician told him the whole plan. Jiulang looked reluctant. The girl said, “Who was it that made me lose my virtue to this man? If he dies halfway, what will become of me?” Jiulang had no choice and agreed. The Academician laid his plans in secret. He wrote to his friend Academician Wang, and sent Jiulang to him. Wang understood what he meant. He gave a great feast and invited the Governor to drink, and had Jiulang dress as a girl and perform the Heavenly Demon Dance; he looked every inch a beautiful woman. The Governor was bewitched and begged Wang again and again, offering a great sum to buy Jiulang, afraid only that he might not get him. Wang made a show of deep thought to make it hard for him. After a long, long delay, he at last presented Jiulang, saying he came from the Academician. The Governor was delighted, and his old grudge melted away at once. From the day he got Jiulang he would not be parted from him, waking or resting; his dozen concubines were so much dust to him. Jiulang’s food and furnishings were a prince’s, and he was given gold by the ten thousand. Half a year later the Governor fell ill. Knowing that he was close to the road to the underworld, Jiulang loaded carts with gold and silk and, saying he was going home for a visit, took them to the Academician’s house. Soon after, the Governor died. Jiulang put up the money to build a house, furnish it and keep maids and servants, and he and his mother and his aunt all made their home there. When Jiulang went out, his carriage and horses were very fine, and no one knew he was a fox. I wrote a Mock Judgment on this, and I record it here as well:
男女居室，為夫婦之大倫；燥濕互通，乃陰陽之正竅。迎風待月，尚有蕩檢之譏；斷袖分桃，難免掩鼻之醜。人必力士，鳥道乃敢生開；洞非桃源，漁篙寧許誤入？今某從下流而忘返，舍正路而不由。雲雨未興，輒爾上下其手；陰陽反背，居然表裡為奸。華池置無用之鄉，謬說老僧入定；蠻洞乃不毛之地，遂使眇帥稱戈。系赤兔于轅門，如將射戟；探大弓于國庫，直欲斬關。或是監內黃鱣，訪知交于昨夜；分明王家朱李，索鑽報于來生。彼黑松林戎馬頓來，固相安矣；設黃龍府潮水忽至，何以御之？宜斷其鑽刺之根，兼塞其送迎之路。
男女居室，为夫妇之大伦；燥湿互通，乃阴阳之正窍。迎风待月，尚有荡检之讥；断袖分桃，难免掩鼻之丑。人必力士，鸟道乃敢生开；洞非桃源，渔篙宁许误入？今某从下流而忘返，舍正路而不由。云雨未兴，辄尔上下其手；阴阳反背，居然表里为奸。华池置无用之乡，谬说老僧入定；蛮洞乃不毛之地，遂使眇帅称戈。系赤兔于辕门，如将射戟；探大弓于国库，直欲斩关。或是监内黄鳣，访知交于昨夜；分明王家朱李，索钻报于来生。彼黑松林戎马顿来，固相安矣；设黄龙府潮水忽至，何以御之？宜断其钻刺之根，兼塞其送迎之路。
That man and woman share a chamber is the great bond between husband and wife; that the dry and the wet should meet is the proper opening between yin and yang. Even waiting for the moon in the breeze draws the charge of loose conduct; the cut sleeve and the shared peach can hardly escape the shame of a held nose. Only a strongman would dare to force open the bird’s path; the cave is no Peach Blossom Spring, so how may a fisherman’s pole stray in? Now So-and-so drifts down the lower stream and forgets to come back, leaves the proper road and will not take it. Before the clouds and rain have gathered, his hands are already wandering up and down; turning yin and yang back to back, he brazenly does mischief inside and out. He leaves the Flowery Pool in a land of no use, claiming falsely that the old monk is deep in meditation; the barbarian cave is a barren, hairless place, yet he sends the one-eyed general there to raise the spear. He tethers Red Hare at the camp gate, as though about to shoot the halberd; he takes the great bow from the state armoury, set on hacking his way through the pass. Perhaps it is the yellow eel in the Imperial Academy, calling on last night’s friend; plainly it is the red plum of the Wang family, demanding to be paid back for its boring in the next life. If war horses come pouring through the Black Pine Forest, all may still be well; but should the tide suddenly flood in at Yellow Dragon Prefecture, how will he hold it back? It is fitting to cut off the root of his boring and thrusting, and to block up the road by which he sends off and welcomes in.