太原耿氏，故大家，第宅弘闊。後凌夷，樓舍連亙，半曠廢之。因生怪異，堂門輒自開掩，家人恆中夜駭嘩。耿患之，移居別墅，留老翁門焉。由此荒落益甚。或聞笑語歌吹聲。耿有從子去病，狂放不羈，囑翁有所聞見，奔告之。至夜，見樓上燈光明滅，走報生。生欲入覘其異。止之，不聽。門戶素所習識，竟撥蒿蓬，曲折而入。登樓，殊無少異。穿樓而過，聞人語切切。潛窺之，見巨燭雙燒，其明如晝。一叟儒冠南面坐，一媼相對，俱年四十餘。東向一少年，可二十許；右一女郎，裁及笄耳。胾肉滿案，團坐笑語。生突入，笑呼曰：「有不速之客一人來！」群驚奔匿。獨叟出，叱問：「誰何入人閨闥？」生曰：「此我家閨闥，君佔之。旨酒自飲，不一邀主人，毋乃太吝？」叟審諦，曰：「非主人也。」生曰：「我狂生耿去病，主人之從子耳。」叟致敬曰：「久仰山斗！」乃揖生入，便呼家人易饌。生止之。叟乃酌客。生曰：「吾輩通家，座客無庸見避，還祈招飲。」叟呼：「孝兒！」俄少年自外入。叟曰：「此豚兒也。」揖而坐，略審門閥。叟自言：「義君姓胡。」生素豪，談議風生，孝兒亦倜儻；傾吐間，雅相愛悅。生二十一，長孝兒二歲，因弟之。叟曰：「聞君祖纂涂山外傳，知之乎？」答：「知之。」叟曰：「我涂山氏之苗裔也。唐以後，譜系猶能憶之；五代而上無傳焉。幸公子一垂教也。」生略述涂山女佐禹之功，粉飾多詞，妙緒泉涌。叟大喜，謂子曰：「今幸得聞所未聞。公子亦非他人，可請阿母及青鳳來，共聽之，亦令知我祖德也。」孝兒入幃中。少時，媼偕女郎出。審顧之，弱態生嬌，秋波流慧，人間無其麗也。叟指婦云：「此為老荊。」又指女郎：「此青鳳，鄙人之猶女也。頗惠，所聞見，輒記不忘，故喚令聽之。」生談竟而飲，瞻顧女郎，停睇不轉。女覺之，輒俯其首。生隱躡蓮鉤，女急斂足，亦無慍怒。生神志飛揚，不能自主，拍案曰：「得婦如此，南面王不易也！」媼見生漸醉，益狂，與女俱起，遽搴幃去。生失望，乃辭叟出。而心縈縈，不能忘情于青鳳也。
太原的耿家原先是個大戶人家，宅院寬敞宏大。後來家道衰落，一排排相連的樓房屋舍，有一半都空著，荒廢了。宅子裡因此發生了怪事，廳堂的門常常自行開關，家裡人經常半夜受驚，喊成一片。耿家主人為此煩惱，便搬到另一處宅院，留下一個老翁看門。從此，這裡更加荒涼破敗，有時能聽見談笑、唱歌和吹奏樂器的聲音。耿家主人有個侄子叫去病，性情狂放，不受拘束。他囑咐看門的老翁，只要聽見或看見什麼，就趕快來告訴他。到了夜裡，老翁看見樓上燈光忽明忽暗，便跑去報信。耿去病想進去看看究竟有什麼怪事。老翁勸阻，他不聽。他一向熟悉這宅子裡的門戶通道，便撥開蒿草，轉過一道道彎，走了進去。登上樓，絲毫沒發現異樣。他穿過樓房，聽見有人低聲說話，便悄悄窺看。只見兩支大蜡燭同時燃著，照得屋裡像白天一樣明亮。一個戴著儒生帽子的老翁朝南坐著，一個老婦與他相對，兩人都是四十多歲。一個二十歲左右的少年朝東坐著，右邊有個姑娘，才十五歲左右。桌上擺滿了肉，幾個人圍坐著談笑。耿去病突然闖進去，笑著喊道：「來了一個不請自來的客人！」眾人吃了一驚，紛紛跑去躲藏。只有老翁走出來，喝問：「你是什麼人，竟闖進人家的內室？」耿去病說：「這是我家的內室，被您佔住了。您只顧自己喝好酒，也不請主人喝一杯，未免太吝嗇了吧？」老翁仔細打量他，說：「你不是這裡的主人。」耿去病說：「我是狂放的書生耿去病，是主人的侄子。」老翁恭敬地說：「久仰您的大名，一直十分敬慕！」於是拱手請他進屋，又叫家裡人換上新的飯菜。耿去病攔住了，老翁便給他斟酒。耿去病說：「我們兩家就算是世交了，在座的人不必躲著我，還請叫他們回來一起喝酒。」老翁喊道：「孝兒！」不一會兒，那少年從外面進來。老翁說：「這是我的兒子。」少年向耿去病行禮，隨後坐下，雙方略略問了問彼此的家世。老翁自我介紹說：「我叫義君，姓胡。」耿去病一向豪爽，談論起來興致勃勃，孝兒也灑脫不拘。兩人暢談心事，十分投契。耿去病二十一歲，比孝兒大兩歲，便把他當作弟弟。老翁說：「聽說您的祖父編寫過《塗山外傳》，您知道書裡的內容嗎？」耿去病回答：「知道。」老翁說：「我是塗山氏的後代。唐朝以後的家族世系，我還能記得；五代以前的，就沒有記載傳下來了。還望公子指教。」耿去病大略講述了塗山氏女子幫助禹的功勞，又添上許多修飾的話，說得精彩，話頭不斷湧出。老翁十分高興，對兒子說：「今天有幸聽到了從未聽過的事。公子也不是外人，可以請你母親和青鳳來一起聽，也讓她們知道我們祖先的功德。」孝兒走進帷幕後。不一會兒，老婦和姑娘一同出來。耿去病仔細看那姑娘，只見她姿態柔弱，嬌美動人，一雙清澈的眼睛透著聰慧，人世間沒有這樣美麗的女子。老翁指著老婦說：「這是我的妻子。」又指著姑娘說：「這是青鳳，我的侄女。她很聰明，聽過、見過的事總能記住，所以叫她來聽聽。」耿去病講完，便開始喝酒，眼睛一直望著青鳳，捨不得移開。青鳳察覺了，便低下頭。耿去病偷偷用腳碰她的小腳，她趕緊把腳收回，卻沒有生氣。耿去病心神激盪，無法自持，拍著桌子說：「能娶到這樣的妻子，就是讓我做國王，我也不願換！」老婦見他漸漸喝醉，越發放肆，便與青鳳一同起身，匆忙掀開帷幕走了。耿去病很失望，便向老翁告辭，離開了宅子。可他心裡始終牽掛著青鳳，無法忘懷。
太原耿氏，故大家，第宅弘阔。后凌夷，楼舍连亘，半旷废之。因生怪异，堂门辄自开掩，家人恒中夜骇哗。耿患之，移居别墅，留老翁门焉。由此荒落益甚。或闻笑语歌吹声。耿有从子去病，狂放不羁，嘱翁有所闻见，奔告之。至夜，见楼上灯光明灭，走报生。生欲入觇其异。止之，不听。门户素所习识，竟拨蒿蓬，曲折而入。登楼，殊无少异。穿楼而过，闻人语切切。潜窥之，见巨烛双烧，其明如昼。一叟儒冠南面坐，一媪相对，俱年四十余。东向一少年，可二十许；右一女郎，裁及笄耳。胾肉满案，团坐笑语。生突入，笑呼曰：「有不速之客一人来！」群惊奔匿。独叟出，叱问：「谁何入人闺闼？」生曰：「此我家闺闼，君占之。旨酒自饮，不一邀主人，毋乃太吝？」叟审谛，曰：「非主人也。」生曰：「我狂生耿去病，主人之从子耳。」叟致敬曰：「久仰山斗！」乃揖生入，便呼家人易馔。生止之。叟乃酌客。生曰：「吾辈通家，座客无庸见避，还祈招饮。」叟呼：「孝儿！」俄少年自外入。叟曰：「此豚儿也。」揖而坐，略审门阀。叟自言：「义君姓胡。」生素豪，谈议风生，孝儿亦倜傥；倾吐间，雅相爱悦。生二十一，长孝儿二岁，因弟之。叟曰：「闻君祖纂涂山外传，知之乎？」答：「知之。」叟曰：「我涂山氏之苗裔也。唐以后，谱系犹能忆之；五代而上无传焉。幸公子一垂教也。」生略述涂山女佐禹之功，粉饰多词，妙绪泉涌。叟大喜，谓子曰：「今幸得闻所未闻。公子亦非他人，可请阿母及青凤来，共听之，亦令知我祖德也。」孝儿入帏中。少时，媪偕女郎出。审顾之，弱态生娇，秋波流慧，人间无其丽也。叟指妇云：「此为老荆。」又指女郎：「此青凤，鄙人之犹女也。颇惠，所闻见，辄记不忘，故唤令听之。」生谈竟而饮，瞻顾女郎，停睇不转。女觉之，辄俯其首。生隐蹑莲钩，女急敛足，亦无愠怒。生神志飞扬，不能自主，拍案曰：「得妇如此，南面王不易也！」媪见生渐醉，益狂，与女俱起，遽搴帏去。生失望，乃辞叟出。而心萦萦，不能忘情于青凤也。
太原的耿家原先是个大户人家，宅院宽敞宏大。后来家道衰落，一排排相连的楼房屋舍，有一半都空着，荒废了。宅子里因此发生了怪事，厅堂的门常常自行开关，家里人经常半夜受惊，喊成一片。耿家主人为此烦恼，便搬到另一处宅院，留下一个老翁看门。从此，这里更加荒凉破败，有时能听见谈笑、唱歌和吹奏乐器的声音。耿家主人有个侄子叫去病，性情狂放，不受拘束。他嘱咐看门的老翁，只要听见或看见什么，就赶快来告诉他。到了夜里，老翁看见楼上灯光忽明忽暗，便跑去报信。耿去病想进去看看究竟有什么怪事。老翁劝阻，他不听。他一向熟悉这宅子里的门户通道，便拨开蒿草，转过一道道弯，走了进去。登上楼，丝毫没发现异样。他穿过楼房，听见有人低声说话，便悄悄窥看。只见两支大蜡烛同时燃着，照得屋里像白天一样明亮。一个戴着儒生帽子的老翁朝南坐着，一个老妇与他相对，两人都是四十多岁。一个二十岁左右的少年朝东坐着，右边有个姑娘，才十五岁左右。桌上摆满了肉，几个人围坐着谈笑。耿去病突然闯进去，笑着喊道：“来了一个不请自来的客人！”众人吃了一惊，纷纷跑去躲藏。只有老翁走出来，喝问：“你是什么人，竟闯进人家的内室？”耿去病说：“这是我家的内室，被您占住了。您只顾自己喝好酒，也不请主人喝一杯，未免太吝啬了吧？”老翁仔细打量他，说：“你不是这里的主人。”耿去病说：“我是狂放的书生耿去病，是主人的侄子。”老翁恭敬地说：“久仰您的大名，一直十分敬慕！”于是拱手请他进屋，又叫家里人换上新的饭菜。耿去病拦住了，老翁便给他斟酒。耿去病说：“我们两家就算是世交了，在座的人不必躲着我，还请叫他们回来一起喝酒。”老翁喊道：“孝儿！”不一会儿，那少年从外面进来。老翁说：“这是我的儿子。”少年向耿去病行礼，随后坐下，双方略略问了问彼此的家世。老翁自我介绍说：“我叫义君，姓胡。”耿去病一向豪爽，谈论起来兴致勃勃，孝儿也洒脱不拘。两人畅谈心事，十分投契。耿去病二十一岁，比孝儿大两岁，便把他当作弟弟。老翁说：“听说您的祖父编写过《涂山外传》，您知道书里的内容吗？”耿去病回答：“知道。”老翁说：“我是涂山氏的后代。唐朝以后的家族世系，我还能记得；五代以前的，就没有记载传下来了。还望公子指教。”耿去病大略讲述了涂山氏女子帮助禹的功劳，又添上许多修饰的话，说得精彩，话头不断涌出。老翁十分高兴，对儿子说：“今天有幸听到了从未听过的事。公子也不是外人，可以请你母亲和青凤来一起听，也让她们知道我们祖先的功德。”孝儿走进帷幕后。不一会儿，老妇和姑娘一同出来。耿去病仔细看那姑娘，只见她姿态柔弱，娇美动人，一双清澈的眼睛透着聪慧，人世间没有这样美丽的女子。老翁指着老妇说：“这是我的妻子。”又指着姑娘说：“这是青凤，我的侄女。她很聪明，听过、见过的事总能记住，所以叫她来听听。”耿去病讲完，便开始喝酒，眼睛一直望着青凤，舍不得移开。青凤察觉了，便低下头。耿去病偷偷用脚碰她的小脚，她赶紧把脚收回，却没有生气。耿去病心神激荡，无法自持，拍着桌子说：“能娶到这样的妻子，就是让我做国王，我也不愿换！”老妇见他渐渐喝醉，越发放肆，便与青凤一同起身，匆忙掀开帷幕走了。耿去病很失望，便向老翁告辞，离开了宅子。可他心里始终牵挂着青凤，无法忘怀。
The Geng family of Taiyuan had once been a great house, with mansions broad and spacious. Later it went into decline, and of its long rows of towers and halls, half stood empty and abandoned. Then strange things began to happen there: the doors of the main hall would open and shut by themselves, and the household was forever waking in the night and crying out in alarm. Troubled by this, Geng moved to another estate and left an old man to keep the gate. After that the place grew more desolate still. Now and then sounds of laughter and talk, of singing and piping, were heard. Geng had a nephew, Qubing, a wild young man who knew no restraint. He told the old gatekeeper to come running and tell him if he saw or heard anything. That night the old man saw lights flickering in the upper storey of a tower and ran to tell the young scholar. Qubing wanted to go in and see what the strange thing was. The old man tried to stop him, but he would not listen. He had always known the doors and passages well, and he pushed his way through the mugwort and weeds and wound his way in. He climbed the tower and found nothing out of the ordinary at all. He went on through the tower and heard people talking in low voices. He crept up and peered in. Two huge candles were burning, as bright as day. An old man in a scholar’s cap sat facing south, and an old woman sat across from him, both in their forties. Facing east was a young man of about twenty, and on the right a girl of barely fifteen. The table was loaded with meat, and they sat around it laughing and talking. Qubing burst in and called out with a laugh, “One uninvited guest has arrived!” They all scattered in fright and hid. Only the old man came out. “Who are you,” he demanded, “to break into a family’s private rooms?” “These are my family’s private rooms,” said Qubing, “and you have taken them over. You drink your fine wine by yourselves and never once invite the host. Isn’t that rather stingy?” The old man looked him over carefully. “You are not the master,” he said. “I am Geng Qubing, the wild scholar,” said Qubing, “the master’s nephew.” The old man said respectfully, “I have long looked up to you as to Mount Tai and the Northern Dipper!” He bowed and invited Qubing in, and called to his household to bring fresh dishes. Qubing stopped him. So the old man poured wine for his guest. “Our families are as good as one,” said Qubing. “Your company need not hide from me. Pray call them back to drink with us.” “Xiao’er!” the old man called. In a moment the young man came in from outside. “This is my good-for-nothing son,” said the old man. The young man bowed and sat down, and they asked a little about each other’s families. “I am Yijun,” the old man said, “of the Hu family.” Qubing had always been bold, and his talk flowed like the wind. Xiao’er too was free and easy, and as they poured out their thoughts they took a great liking to each other. Qubing was twenty-one, two years older than Xiao’er, so he treated him as a younger brother. “I hear your grandfather compiled An Unofficial History of Tushan,” said the old man. “Do you know it?” “I do,” Qubing answered. “I am descended from the Tushan clan,” said the old man. “From the Tang onward I can still recall our family tree, but before the Five Dynasties nothing has come down to us. I would be grateful, young sir, if you would instruct me.” Qubing told briefly how the Tushan girl helped Yu the Great in his labours, embroidering it with many words, his fine ideas welling up like a spring. The old man was delighted. “Today we have the good fortune to hear what we never heard before,” he said to his son. “The young gentleman is no stranger. Ask your mother and Qingfeng to come and listen with us, so that they too may know our ancestors’ virtue.” Xiao’er went in behind the curtain. Soon the old woman came out with the girl. Qubing looked her over closely. Her slender grace was full of charm, and wit flowed in her clear autumn eyes; there was no such beauty in the world of men. The old man pointed to the woman and said, “This is my old wife.” And pointing to the girl: “This is Qingfeng, my niece. She is quite clever, and whatever she hears or sees she remembers, so I called her in to listen.” When Qubing had finished his talk he drank, gazing at the girl, his eyes fixed on her and never turning away. She noticed, and kept her head lowered. Under the table he slyly trod on her little lotus foot. She quickly drew her feet back, but showed no anger. Qubing’s spirits soared until he was no longer his own master. He slapped the table. “Give me a wife like this, and I wouldn’t trade places with a king on his throne!” Seeing that he was growing drunk and wilder by the moment, the old woman rose with the girl, swept aside the curtain and was gone. Qubing was disappointed, and he took his leave of the old man and went out. But his heart was in a tangle, and he could not stop thinking of Qingfeng.
至夜，復往，則蘭麝猶芳，而凝待終宵，寂無聲咳。歸與妻謀，欲攜家而居之，冀得一遇。妻不從，生乃自往，讀于樓下。夜方憑幾，一鬼披髮入，面黑如漆，張目視生。生笑，染指研墨自涂，灼灼然相與對視。鬼慚而去。次夜，更既深，滅燭欲寢，聞樓後發扃，闢之外閛然。急起窺覘，則扉半啟。俄聞履聲細碎，有燭光自房中出。視之，則青鳳也。驟見生，駭而卻退，遽闔雙扉。生長跽而致詞曰：「小生不避險惡，實以卿故。幸無他人，得一握手為笑，死不憾耳。」女遙語曰：「惓惓深情，妾豈不知？但叔閨訓嚴，不敢奉命。」生固哀之，云：「亦不敢望肌膚之親，但一見顏色足矣。」女似肯可，啟關出，捉之臂而曳之。生狂喜，相將入樓下，擁而加諸膝。女曰：「幸有夙分，過此一夕，即相思無用矣。」問：「何故？」曰：「阿叔畏君狂，故化厲鬼以相嚇，而君不動也。今已卜居他所，一家皆移什物赴新居，而妾留守，明日即發矣。」言已，欲去，云：「恐叔歸。」生強止之，欲與為歡。方持論間，叟掩入。女羞懼無以自容，俯首倚床，拈帶不語。叟怒曰：「賤婢辱吾門戶！不速去，鞭撻且從其後！」女低頭急去，叟亦出。尾而聽之，訶詬萬端。聞青鳳嚶嚶啜泣，生心意如割，大聲曰：「罪在小生，于青鳳何與？倘宥鳳也，刀鋸斧鉞，小生願身受之！」良久寂然，生乃歸寢。自此第內絕不復聲息矣。生叔聞而奇之，願售以居，不較直。生喜，攜家口而遷焉。居逾年，甚適，而未嘗須臾忘鳳也。
到了夜裡，耿去病又去那座宅子。蘭花和麝香的氣味還留著，他凝神等了一整夜，卻寂靜無聲，連一聲咳嗽也沒聽見。他回家和妻子商量，想帶著家人搬進去住，盼著能再見青鳳一次。妻子不肯，他便獨自前往，在樓下讀書。一天夜裡，他正靠著書桌，一個披頭散髮的鬼走了進來，臉黑得像漆，瞪大眼睛盯著他。耿去病笑了，把手指蘸上硯裡的墨，塗在自己臉上，也目光炯炯地與鬼對視。那鬼慚愧地走了。第二天夜裡，已經很晚了，耿去病熄了蠟燭，正要睡覺，聽見樓後有人拔開門閂，接著門砰的一聲朝外打開。他急忙起來窺看，只見門半開著。不一會兒，傳來輕細的腳步聲，有人舉著蠟燭從房裡出來。他仔細一看，原來是青鳳。青鳳突然看見他，嚇得往後退，趕緊關上兩扇門。耿去病直起身跪著，對她說：「我不怕危險，實在都是為了你。幸好這裡沒有別人，只要能握一握你的手，和你說笑幾句，就是死了也沒有遺憾。」青鳳隔著門說：「你這樣深切的情意，我怎麼會不知道？只是叔叔對家中女子管教很嚴，我不敢答應。」耿去病一再苦苦請求，說：「我也不敢指望與你親近，只要見一見你的面容，就心滿意足了。」青鳳似乎答應了，開門走出來。耿去病抓住她的手臂，把她拉了過來，欣喜若狂地帶她來到樓下，抱起她，讓她坐在自己膝上。青鳳說：「幸好我們前世有緣，才能這樣相聚。過了今晚，再怎麼相思也沒有用了。」耿去病問：「為什麼？」青鳳說：「叔叔怕你太狂放，所以變成厲鬼來嚇你，可你毫不動搖。如今他已經另找了住處，全家都帶著東西搬到新家去了，只留下我看守這裡，明天我也要走了。」說完，她便想離開，說：「我怕叔叔回來。」耿去病強留她不走，想和她親熱。兩人正在爭執，老翁突然闖了進來。青鳳又羞又怕，無地自容，低著頭靠在床邊，捻著衣帶，一句話也不說。老翁怒道：「下賤的丫頭，竟敗壞我家的名聲！還不快走，等著挨鞭子嗎！」青鳳低著頭，急忙走了，老翁也跟著出去。耿去病跟在後面聽，只聽老翁不停地責罵。聽見青鳳低聲抽泣，耿去病心如刀割，大聲說：「錯都在我，和青鳳有什麼關係？只要您饒了青鳳，無論刀砍、鋸割，還是斧頭加身，我都願意親自承受！」過了很久，外面靜了下來，耿去病才回去睡覺。從此，宅子裡再也沒有任何聲息。他叔叔聽說這件事，覺得驚奇，願意把宅子賣給他住，價錢也不計較。耿去病很高興，便帶著家人搬了進去。他住了一年多，十分舒適，卻沒有一刻忘記青鳳。
至夜，复往，则兰麝犹芳，而凝待终宵，寂无声咳。归与妻谋，欲携家而居之，冀得一遇。妻不从，生乃自往，读于楼下。夜方凭几，一鬼披发入，面黑如漆，张目视生。生笑，染指研墨自涂，灼灼然相与对视。鬼惭而去。次夜，更既深，灭烛欲寝，闻楼后发扃，辟之外閛然。急起窥觇，则扉半启。俄闻履声细碎，有烛光自房中出。视之，则青凤也。骤见生，骇而却退，遽阖双扉。生长跽而致词曰：「小生不避险恶，实以卿故。幸无他人，得一握手为笑，死不憾耳。」女遥语曰：「惓惓深情，妾岂不知？但叔闺训严，不敢奉命。」生固哀之，云：「亦不敢望肌肤之亲，但一见颜色足矣。」女似肯可，启关出，捉之臂而曳之。生狂喜，相将入楼下，拥而加诸膝。女曰：「幸有夙分，过此一夕，即相思无用矣。」问：「何故？」曰：「阿叔畏君狂，故化厉鬼以相吓，而君不动也。今已卜居他所，一家皆移什物赴新居，而妾留守，明日即发矣。」言已，欲去，云：「恐叔归。」生强止之，欲与为欢。方持论间，叟掩入。女羞惧无以自容，俯首倚床，拈带不语。叟怒曰：「贱婢辱吾门户！不速去，鞭挞且从其后！」女低头急去，叟亦出。尾而听之，诃诟万端。闻青凤嘤嘤啜泣，生心意如割，大声曰：「罪在小生，于青凤何与？倘宥凤也，刀锯斧钺，小生愿身受之！」良久寂然，生乃归寝。自此第内绝不复声息矣。生叔闻而奇之，愿售以居，不较直。生喜，携家口而迁焉。居逾年，甚适，而未尝须臾忘凤也。
到了夜里，耿去病又去那座宅子。兰花和麝香的气味还留着，他凝神等了一整夜，却寂静无声，连一声咳嗽也没听见。他回家和妻子商量，想带着家人搬进去住，盼着能再见青凤一次。妻子不肯，他便独自前往，在楼下读书。一天夜里，他正靠着书桌，一个披头散发的鬼走了进来，脸黑得像漆，瞪大眼睛盯着他。耿去病笑了，把手指蘸上砚里的墨，涂在自己脸上，也目光炯炯地与鬼对视。那鬼惭愧地走了。第二天夜里，已经很晚了，耿去病熄了蜡烛，正要睡觉，听见楼后有人拔开门闩，接着门砰的一声朝外打开。他急忙起来窥看，只见门半开着。不一会儿，传来轻细的脚步声，有人举着蜡烛从房里出来。他仔细一看，原来是青凤。青凤突然看见他，吓得往后退，赶紧关上两扇门。耿去病直起身跪着，对她说：“我不怕危险，实在都是为了你。幸好这里没有别人，只要能握一握你的手，和你说笑几句，就是死了也没有遗憾。”青凤隔着门说：“你这样深切的情意，我怎么会不知道？只是叔叔对家中女子管教很严，我不敢答应。”耿去病一再苦苦请求，说：“我也不敢指望与你亲近，只要见一见你的面容，就心满意足了。”青凤似乎答应了，开门走出来。耿去病抓住她的手臂，把她拉了过来，欣喜若狂地带她来到楼下，抱起她，让她坐在自己膝上。青凤说：“幸好我们前世有缘，才能这样相聚。过了今晚，再怎么相思也没有用了。”耿去病问：“为什么？”青凤说：“叔叔怕你太狂放，所以变成厉鬼来吓你，可你毫不动摇。如今他已经另找了住处，全家都带着东西搬到新家去了，只留下我看守这里，明天我也要走了。”说完，她便想离开，说：“我怕叔叔回来。”耿去病强留她不走，想和她亲热。两人正在争执，老翁突然闯了进来。青凤又羞又怕，无地自容，低着头靠在床边，捻着衣带，一句话也不说。老翁怒道：“下贱的丫头，竟败坏我家的名声！还不快走，等着挨鞭子吗！”青凤低着头，急忙走了，老翁也跟着出去。耿去病跟在后面听，只听老翁不停地责骂。听见青凤低声抽泣，耿去病心如刀割，大声说：“错都在我，和青凤有什么关系？只要您饶了青凤，无论刀砍、锯割，还是斧头加身，我都愿意亲自承受！”过了很久，外面静了下来，耿去病才回去睡觉。从此，宅子里再也没有任何声息。他叔叔听说这件事，觉得惊奇，愿意把宅子卖给他住，价钱也不计较。耿去病很高兴，便带着家人搬了进去。他住了一年多，十分舒适，却没有一刻忘记青凤。
The next night he went again. The scent of orchid and musk still lingered, but though he waited intently all night long, there was not a sound, not so much as a cough. He went home and talked it over with his wife: he wanted to move the family there, in the hope of meeting the girl. His wife would not agree, so Qubing went alone and did his reading downstairs in the tower. One night, as he was leaning on his desk, a ghost came in with its hair hanging loose and its face black as lacquer, and stared at him with wide eyes. Qubing laughed, dipped his fingers in his inkstone and smeared his own face, and stared back at it, eyes blazing. The ghost was abashed and went away. The next night, when it was very late and he had blown out the candle and was about to go to bed, he heard a bolt drawn at the back of the tower, and a door outside swung open with a bang. He got up quickly to look, and found the door half open. Soon he heard light, quick footsteps, and candlelight came out of a room. He looked: it was Qingfeng. Seeing him so suddenly, she started back in fright and quickly shut both leaves of the door. Qubing knelt upright and spoke to her. “I braved danger and terror for your sake alone. Now, by good luck, no one else is here. If I could only hold your hand and see you smile, I would die without regret.” She answered from behind the door, “Do you think I don’t know how deep and true your feelings are? But my uncle keeps strict rules for the women of the house. I dare not do as you ask.” Qubing pleaded with her all the harder. “I don’t dare hope to touch you,” he said. “Only to see your face would be enough.” She seemed to give in. She opened the door and came out, and he caught her by the arm and drew her to him. Wild with joy, he led her downstairs, took her in his arms and set her on his knee. “We are lucky to have a bond from some former life,” she said. “But after tonight, longing will do no good.” “Why?” he asked. “My uncle was afraid of your wildness, so he turned himself into a fiend to frighten you, but you did not flinch. Now he has found a place to live elsewhere. The whole family has moved our things to the new house. I stayed behind to watch over this one, and tomorrow I leave too.” When she had said this she wanted to go. “I’m afraid my uncle will come back,” she said. Qubing held her back by force and wanted to make love to her. While they were still arguing, the old man slipped in. The girl was so ashamed and frightened she did not know where to put herself. She hung her head and leaned against the bed, twisting her sash and saying nothing. “Worthless wench!” the old man said in a rage. “You disgrace my house! Get out this instant, or the whip will follow you!” The girl hung her head and hurried off, and the old man went out too. Qubing followed and listened. The old man was berating her endlessly. When he heard Qingfeng sobbing softly, Qubing felt as if his heart were being cut. “The fault is mine,” he shouted. “What has it to do with Qingfeng? If you will only pardon her, I will suffer the knife, the saw, the axe, the halberd — I will take them all on my own body!” For a long while all was still, and Qubing went back to bed. From then on not a sound was heard in the house again. His uncle heard of it and marvelled. He offered to sell Qubing the house to live in, without haggling over the price. Qubing was glad, and moved there with his family. He lived there more than a year, very contentedly, but he never forgot Qingfeng for a moment.
會清明上墓歸，見小狐二，為犬逼逐。其一投荒竄去，一則皇急道上。望見生，依依哀啼，闒耳輯首，似乞其援。生憐之，啟裳衿，提抱以歸。閉門，置床上，則青鳳也。大喜，慰問。女曰：「適與婢子戲，遘此大厄。脫非郎君，必葬犬腹。望無以非類見憎。」生曰：「日切懷思，系于魂夢。見卿如獲異寶，何憎之云！」女曰：「此天數也，不因顛覆，何得相從？然幸矣，婢子必以妾為已死，可與君堅永約耳。」生喜，另舍舍之。積二年餘，生方夜讀，孝兒忽入。生輟讀，訝詰所來。孝兒伏地，愴然曰：「家君有橫難，非君莫拯。將自詣懇，恐不見納，故以某來。」問：「何事？」曰：「公子識莫三郎否？」曰：「此吾年家子也。」孝兒曰：「明日將過，倘攜有獵狐，望君之留之也。」生曰：「樓下之羞，耿耿在念，他事不敢預聞。必欲僕效綿薄，非青鳳來不可！」孝兒零涕曰：「鳳妹已野死三年矣！」生拂衣曰：「既爾，則恨滋深耳！」執卷高吟，殊不顧瞻。孝兒起，哭失聲，掩面而去。生如青鳳所，告以故。女失色曰：「果救之否？」曰：「救則救之；適不之諾者，亦聊以報前橫耳。」女乃喜曰：「妾少孤，依叔成立。昔雖獲罪，乃家範應爾。」生曰：「誠然，但使人不能無介介耳。卿果死，定不相援。」女笑曰：「忍哉！」次日，莫三郎果至，鏤膺虎韔，僕從甚赫。生門逆之。見獲禽甚多，中一黑狐，血殷毛革；撫之，皮肉猶溫。便托裘敝，乞得綴補。莫慨然解贈。生即付青鳳，乃與客飲。客既去，女抱狐于懷，三日而蘇，展轉復化為叟。喜顧女曰：「我固謂汝不死，今果然矣。」女謂生曰：「君如念妾，還乞以樓宅相假，使妾得以申返哺之私。」生諾之。叟赧然謝別而去。入夜，果舉家來。由此如家人父子，無復猜忌矣。生齋居，孝兒時共談宴。生嫡出子漸長，遂使傅之；蓋循循善教，有師範焉。
有一年清明，耿去病掃墓回來，看見兩隻小狐狸正被狗追趕。一隻逃進荒野，另一隻在路上驚慌失措。它看見耿去病，便依偎過來，悲哀地叫著，垂下耳朵，低著頭，像是在求他救助。耿去病可憐它，敞開衣襟，把它抱在懷裡帶回家。他關上門，把狐狸放在床上，它竟變成了青鳳。耿去病大喜，關切地問她發生了什麼事。青鳳說：「剛才我和婢女嬉戲，遇上了這場大難。要不是你，我一定被狗吃了。希望你不要因為我不是人，就嫌棄我。」耿去病說：「我每天都在深深地思念你，連夢裡也牽掛著你。如今見到你，就像得到了稀世珍寶，哪裡會嫌棄！」青鳳說：「這是天意。要不是遭遇這場災難，我怎麼能和你在一起？這也算幸運了，婢女一定以為我已經死了，我就可以和你約定，永遠相守。」耿去病很高興，另外安排了一處房子讓她住。過了兩年多，一天夜裡，耿去病正在讀書，孝兒忽然進來。他停下讀書，驚訝地問孝兒為什麼來。孝兒伏在地上，悲痛地說：「我父親遭了意外的災難，只有你能救他。他本想親自來懇求，又怕你不肯接納，所以派我來。」耿去病問：「出了什麼事？」孝兒說：「公子認識莫三郎嗎？」耿去病說：「他父親和我家長輩是科舉同年。」孝兒說：「他明天會經過這裡，要是帶著獵到的狐狸，希望你把狐狸留下。」耿去病說：「當年在樓下受到的羞辱，我一直記在心裡，別的事我不敢過問。一定要我幫忙，就非得青鳳親自來不可！」孝兒流著淚說：「鳳妹妹三年前就死在荒野裡了！」耿去病氣憤地甩著衣袖說：「既然如此，我就更加怨恨了！」說完拿起書，大聲誦讀，看也不看孝兒。孝兒站起來，失聲痛哭，掩著臉走了。耿去病來到青鳳住處，把事情告訴她。青鳳臉色都變了，問：「你到底救不救他？」耿去病說：「當然救。剛才不答應，也不過是想報復一下他先前對我的蠻橫。」青鳳這才高興起來，說：「我從小失去父母，靠叔叔撫養長大。過去我雖然受了責罰，可按家裡的規矩，他本來就該這樣做。」耿去病說：「確實如此，可還是讓人心裡放不下。你要是真死了，我一定不會救他。」青鳳笑著說：「你好狠心！」第二天，莫三郎果然來了，騎著胸前配有雕飾的馬，帶著虎皮弓袋，隨從眾多，很有氣勢。耿去病到門口迎接。他看見莫三郎獵獲了許多禽獸，其中有一隻黑狐狸，毛皮上滿是鮮血。他摸了摸，皮肉還溫熱，便藉口自己的皮袍破了，請求拿這隻狐狸來補衣服。莫三郎爽快地解下狐狸，送給了他。耿去病立刻把狐狸交給青鳳，隨後陪客人喝酒。客人離開後，青鳳把狐狸抱在懷裡。過了三天，狐狸甦醒了，翻動身體，又變回了老翁。老翁高興地望著青鳳說：「我一直說你沒有死，如今果然如此。」青鳳對耿去病說：「你要是顧念我，還請把樓房借給他們住，讓我能盡一盡報答叔叔養育之恩的心意。」耿去病答應了。老翁紅著臉道謝，告辭離去。到了夜裡，他果然帶著全家來了。從此，雙方親如一家，如同父子，再也沒有猜疑。耿去病住在書齋裡，孝兒時常來和他談天飲酒。耿去病正妻所生的兒子漸漸長大，他便請孝兒教孩子讀書。孝兒耐心引導，善於教導，很有為人師表的風範。
会清明上墓归，见小狐二，为犬逼逐。其一投荒窜去，一则皇急道上。望见生，依依哀啼，阘耳辑首，似乞其援。生怜之，启裳衿，提抱以归。闭门，置床上，则青凤也。大喜，慰问。女曰：「适与婢子戏，遘此大厄。脱非郎君，必葬犬腹。望无以非类见憎。」生曰：「日切怀思，系于魂梦。见卿如获异宝，何憎之云！」女曰：「此天数也，不因颠覆，何得相从？然幸矣，婢子必以妾为已死，可与君坚永约耳。」生喜，另舍舍之。积二年余，生方夜读，孝儿忽入。生辍读，讶诘所来。孝儿伏地，怆然曰：「家君有横难，非君莫拯。将自诣恳，恐不见纳，故以某来。」问：「何事？」曰：「公子识莫三郎否？」曰：「此吾年家子也。」孝儿曰：「明日将过，倘携有猎狐，望君之留之也。」生曰：「楼下之羞，耿耿在念，他事不敢预闻。必欲仆效绵薄，非青凤来不可！」孝儿零涕曰：「凤妹已野死三年矣！」生拂衣曰：「既尔，则恨滋深耳！」执卷高吟，殊不顾瞻。孝儿起，哭失声，掩面而去。生如青凤所，告以故。女失色曰：「果救之否？」曰：「救则救之；适不之诺者，亦聊以报前横耳。」女乃喜曰：「妾少孤，依叔成立。昔虽获罪，乃家范应尔。」生曰：「诚然，但使人不能无介介耳。卿果死，定不相援。」女笑曰：「忍哉！」次日，莫三郎果至，镂膺虎韔，仆从甚赫。生门逆之。见获禽甚多，中一黑狐，血殷毛革；抚之，皮肉犹温。便托裘敝，乞得缀补。莫慨然解赠。生即付青凤，乃与客饮。客既去，女抱狐于怀，三日而苏，展转复化为叟。喜顾女曰：「我固谓汝不死，今果然矣。」女谓生曰：「君如念妾，还乞以楼宅相假，使妾得以申返哺之私。」生诺之。叟赧然谢别而去。入夜，果举家来。由此如家人父子，无复猜忌矣。生斋居，孝儿时共谈宴。生嫡出子渐长，遂使傅之；盖循循善教，有师范焉。
有一年清明，耿去病扫墓回来，看见两只小狐狸正被狗追赶。一只逃进荒野，另一只在路上惊慌失措。它看见耿去病，便依偎过来，悲哀地叫着，垂下耳朵，低着头，像是在求他救助。耿去病可怜它，敞开衣襟，把它抱在怀里带回家。他关上门，把狐狸放在床上，它竟变成了青凤。耿去病大喜，关切地问她发生了什么事。青凤说：“刚才我和婢女嬉戏，遇上了这场大难。要不是你，我一定被狗吃了。希望你不要因为我不是人，就嫌弃我。”耿去病说：“我每天都在深深地思念你，连梦里也牵挂着你。如今见到你，就像得到了稀世珍宝，哪里会嫌弃！”青凤说：“这是天意。要不是遭遇这场灾难，我怎么能和你在一起？这也算幸运了，婢女一定以为我已经死了，我就可以和你约定，永远相守。”耿去病很高兴，另外安排了一处房子让她住。过了两年多，一天夜里，耿去病正在读书，孝儿忽然进来。他停下读书，惊讶地问孝儿为什么来。孝儿伏在地上，悲痛地说：“我父亲遭了意外的灾难，只有你能救他。他本想亲自来恳求，又怕你不肯接纳，所以派我来。”耿去病问：“出了什么事？”孝儿说：“公子认识莫三郎吗？”耿去病说：“他父亲和我家长辈是科举同年。”孝儿说：“他明天会经过这里，要是带着猎到的狐狸，希望你把狐狸留下。”耿去病说：“当年在楼下受到的羞辱，我一直记在心里，别的事我不敢过问。一定要我帮忙，就非得青凤亲自来不可！”孝儿流着泪说：“凤妹妹三年前就死在荒野里了！”耿去病气愤地甩着衣袖说：“既然如此，我就更加怨恨了！”说完拿起书，大声诵读，看也不看孝儿。孝儿站起来，失声痛哭，掩着脸走了。耿去病来到青凤住处，把事情告诉她。青凤脸色都变了，问：“你到底救不救他？”耿去病说：“当然救。刚才不答应，也不过是想报复一下他先前对我的蛮横。”青凤这才高兴起来，说：“我从小失去父母，靠叔叔抚养长大。过去我虽然受了责罚，可按家里的规矩，他本来就该这样做。”耿去病说：“确实如此，可还是让人心里放不下。你要是真死了，我一定不会救他。”青凤笑着说：“你好狠心！”第二天，莫三郎果然来了，骑着胸前配有雕饰的马，带着虎皮弓袋，随从众多，很有气势。耿去病到门口迎接。他看见莫三郎猎获了许多禽兽，其中有一只黑狐狸，毛皮上满是鲜血。他摸了摸，皮肉还温热，便借口自己的皮袍破了，请求拿这只狐狸来补衣服。莫三郎爽快地解下狐狸，送给了他。耿去病立刻把狐狸交给青凤，随后陪客人喝酒。客人离开后，青凤把狐狸抱在怀里。过了三天，狐狸苏醒了，翻动身体，又变回了老翁。老翁高兴地望着青凤说：“我一直说你没有死，如今果然如此。”青凤对耿去病说：“你要是顾念我，还请把楼房借给他们住，让我能尽一尽报答叔叔养育之恩的心意。”耿去病答应了。老翁红着脸道谢，告辞离去。到了夜里，他果然带着全家来了。从此，双方亲如一家，如同父子，再也没有猜疑。耿去病住在书斋里，孝儿时常来和他谈天饮酒。耿去病正妻所生的儿子渐渐长大，他便请孝儿教孩子读书。孝儿耐心引导，善于教导，很有为人师表的风范。
It happened that he was coming home from sweeping the family graves at the Qingming festival when he saw two little foxes being chased by a dog. One of them bolted off into the wilds; the other was running frantically about on the road. Seeing Qubing, it whimpered piteously and clung near him, ears drooping and head bowed, as if begging for help. He took pity on it, opened the front of his robe, lifted it in and carried it home. He shut the door and set it on the bed — and it was Qingfeng. He was overjoyed and asked tenderly how she was. “I was just playing with my maid,” she said, “and met with this terrible danger. If it weren’t for you, I would have ended up in a dog’s belly. I hope you won’t hate me now that you know I am not your kind.” “I have longed for you every day,” said Qubing. “You have been bound up in my very dreams. Finding you is like finding a rare treasure. How could I hate you?” “This is Heaven’s will,” she said. “If I had not been thrown into such peril, how could I ever have come to you? And it is lucky too: my maid is sure to think I’m dead, so now you and I can be together for good.” Qubing was delighted and gave her rooms of her own. More than two years passed. One night Qubing was reading when Xiao’er suddenly came in. Qubing put down his book and asked in surprise what had brought him. Xiao’er threw himself on the ground. “My father is in sudden peril,” he said in great distress, “and no one but you can save him. He wanted to come and beg you himself, but feared you would not receive him, so he sent me.” “What is it?” asked Qubing. “Do you know Mo Sanlang, sir?” said Xiao’er. “He is the son of one of my family’s examination friends,” said Qubing. “Tomorrow he will pass this way,” said Xiao’er. “If he has a fox among his game, I hope you will keep it back.” “The shame I suffered in the tower still burns in my mind,” said Qubing. “I dare not concern myself with anything else. If you must have my poor help, nothing will do unless Qingfeng comes!” Xiao’er wept. “Sister Feng died in the wilds three years ago!” Qubing angrily shook out his robe. “In that case my grudge is all the deeper!” He picked up his book and began to chant aloud, and did not so much as glance at him. Xiao’er got up, sobbing aloud, covered his face and left. Qubing went to Qingfeng and told her what had happened. She went pale. “Will you really save him or not?” “Save him I will,” said Qubing. “I refused just now only to pay him back a little for how he treated me before.” Then she was happy. “I was orphaned young,” she said, “and my uncle raised me. He punished me then, but only as our family’s rules required.” “True,” said Qubing. “But it still leaves a man feeling sore. If you really had died, I would certainly not have helped him.” Qingfeng laughed. “How hard-hearted you are!” The next day Mo Sanlang did come, his horse in a carved breastplate and his bow in a tiger-skin case, with a grand train of servants. Qubing met him at the gate. He saw that they had taken a great deal of game, and among it was a black fox, its fur dark with blood. He stroked it: the flesh under the skin was still warm. At once he pretended that his fur coat was worn and begged for the fox to patch it. Mo generously untied it and gave it to him. Qubing handed it straight to Qingfeng, then sat down to drink with his guest. When the guest had gone, Qingfeng held the fox in her arms. After three days it came to, rolled over, and turned back into the old man. He looked at her with joy. “I always said you were not dead, and now I see it is true.” “If you care for me,” Qingfeng said to Qubing, “please lend us the tower and the house again, so that I can repay my uncle as the young crow feeds its parent.” Qubing agreed. The old man thanked him, red in the face, said goodbye and left. That night, as she had said, the whole family came. From then on they were like one family, fathers and sons, with no more mistrust between them. Qubing lived in his study, and Xiao’er often came to talk and feast with him. When Qubing’s son by his wife was growing up, he had Xiao’er tutor him. Xiao’er taught him patiently and well, a true model of a teacher.