石太璞，泰山人，好厭禳之術。有道士遇之，賞其慧，納為弟子。啟牙籤，出二卷，上卷驅狐，下卷驅鬼，乃以下卷授之，曰：「虔奉此書，衣食佳麗皆有之。」問其姓名，曰：「吾汴城北村玄帝觀王赤城也。」留數日，盡傳其訣。石由此精於符籙，委贄者踵接於門。一日，有叟來，自稱翁姓，炫陳幣帛，謂其女鬼病已殆，必求親詣。石聞病危，辭不受贄，姑與俱往。十餘里入山村，至其家，廊舍華好。入室，見少女臥縠幛中，婢以鉤挂帳。望之年十四五許，支綴於床，形容已槁。近臨之，忽開目云：「良醫至矣。」舉家皆喜，謂其不語已數日矣。石乃出，因詰病狀。叟言：「白晝見少年來，與共寢處，捉之已杳，少間復至，意其為鬼。」石曰：「其鬼也，驅之匪難；恐其是狐，則非余所敢知矣。」叟云：「必非必非。」石授以符，是夕宿於其家。夜分，有少年入，衣冠整肅。石疑是主人眷屬，起而問之。曰：「我鬼也。翁家盡狐。偶悅其女紅亭，姑止焉。鬼為狐祟，陰騭無傷，君何必離人之緣而護之也？女之姊長亭，光豔尤絕。敬留全璧，以待高賢。彼如許字，方可為之施治；爾時我當自去。」石諾之。是夜，少年不復至，女頓醒。天明，叟喜，以告石，請石入視。石焚舊符，乃坐診之。見繡幕有女郎，麗若天人，心知其長亭也。診已，索水灑幛。女郎急以椀水付之，蹀躞之間，意動神流。石生此際，心殊不在鬼矣。出辭叟，託製藥去，數日不返。鬼益肆，除長亭外，子婦婢女，俱被淫惑。又以僕馬招石，石託疾不赴。明日，叟自至。石故作病股狀，扶杖而出。叟拜已，問故。曰：「此鰥之難也！曩夜婢子登榻，傾跌，墮湯夫人泡兩足耳。」叟問：「何久不續？」石曰：「恨不得清門如翁者。」叟默而出。石走送曰：「病瘥當自至，無煩玉趾也。」又數日，叟復來；石跛而見之。叟慰問三數語，便曰：「頃與荊人言，君如驅鬼去，使舉家安枕，小女長亭，年十七矣，願遣奉事君子。」石喜，頓首於地。乃謂叟：「雅意若此，病軀何敢復愛。」立刻出門，並騎而去。入視祟者既畢，石恐背約，請與媼盟。媼遽出曰：「先生何見疑也？」即以長亭所插金簪，授石為信。石朝拜之。已，乃遍集家人，悉為祓除。惟長亭深匿無跡；遂寫一佩符，使人持贈之。是夜寂然，鬼影盡滅，惟紅亭呻吟未已，投以法水，所患若失。石欲起辭，叟挽止殷懇。至晚，肴核羅列，勸酬殊切。漏二下，主人乃辭客去。石方就枕，聞叩扉甚急；起視，則長亭掩入，辭氣倉皇，言：「吾家欲以白刃相仇，可急遁！」言已，逕返身去。石戰懼無色，越垣急竄。遙見火光，疾奔而往，則里人夜獵者也。喜。待獵畢，乃與俱歸。心懷怨憤，無路可伸，思欲之汴城尋赤城，而家有老父，病廢已久，日夜籌思，莫決進止。忽一日，雙輿至門，則翁媼送長亭至，謂石曰：「曩夜之歸，胡再不謀？」石見長亭，怨恨都消，故亦隱而不發。媼促兩人庭拜訖。石將設筵，辭曰：「我非閒人，不能坐享甘旨。我家老子昏髦，倘有不悉，郎肯為長亭一念老身，為幸多矣。」登車遂去。蓋殺婿之謀，媼不之聞；及追之不得而返，媼始知之。頗不能平，與叟日相詬誶；長亭亦飲泣不食。媼強送女來，非翁意也。長亭入門，詰之，始知其故。過兩三月，翁家取女歸寧。石料其不返，禁止之。女自此時一涕零。年餘，生一子，名慧兒，買乳媼哺之。然兒善啼，夜必歸母。一日，翁家又以輿來，言媼思女甚。長亭益悲，石不忍復留之。欲抱子去，石不可，長亭乃自歸。別時，以一月為期，既而半載無耗。遣人往探之，則向所僦宅久空。又二年餘，望想都絕；而兒啼終夜，寸心如割。既而石父又病卒，倍益哀傷；因而病憊，苫次彌留，不能受賓朋之弔。方昏憒間，忽聞婦人哭入。視之，則縗絰者長亭也。石大悲，一慟遂絕。婢驚呼，女始啜泣，撫之良久，始漸甦。自疑已死，謂相聚於冥中。」女曰：「非也。妾不孝，不能得嚴父心，尼歸三載，誠所負心。適家人由海東經此，得翁凶問。妾遵嚴命而絕兒女之情，不敢循亂命而失翁媳之禮。妾來時，母知而父不知也。」言間，兒投懷中。言已，始撫之，泣曰：「我有父，兒無母矣！」兒亦噭啕，一室掩泣。女起，經理家政，柩前牲盛潔備，石乃大慰。而病久，急切不能起。女乃請石外兄款洽弔客。喪既閉，石始杖而能起，相與營謀齋葬。葬已，女欲辭歸，以受背父之譴。夫挽兒號，隱忍而止。未幾，有人來告母病，乃謂石曰：「妾為君父來，君不為妾母放令去耶？」石許之。女使乳媼抱兒他適，涕洟出門而去。去後，數年不返。石父子漸亦忘之。一日，昧爽啟扉，則長亭飄入。石方駭問，女戚然坐榻上，嘆曰：「生長閨閣，視一里為遙；今一日夜而奔千里，殆矣！」細詰之，女欲言復止。請之不已，哭曰：「今為君言，恐妾之所悲，而君之所快也。邇年徙居晉界，僦居趙搢紳之第。主客交最善，以紅亭妻其公子。公子數逋蕩，家庭頗不相安。妹歸告父；父留之，半年不令還。公子忿恨，不知何處聘一惡人來，遣神綰鎖，縛老父去。一門大駭，頃刻四散矣。」石聞之，笑不自禁。女怒曰：「彼雖不仁，妾之父也。妾與君琴瑟數年，止有相好而無相尤。今日人亡家敗，百口流離，即不為父傷，寧不為妾弔乎！聞之忭舞，更無片語相慰藉，何不義也！」拂袖而出。石追謝之，亦已渺矣。悵然自悔，拚已決絕。過二三日，媼與女俱來，石喜慰問。母女俱伏。驚而詢之，母女俱哭。女曰：「妾負氣而去，今不能自堅，又欲求人，復何顏矣！」石曰：「岳固非人；母之惠，卿之情，所不忘也。然聞禍而樂，亦猶人情，卿何不能暫忍？」女曰：「頃於途中遇母，始知縶吾父者，蓋君師也。」石曰：「果爾，亦大易。然翁不歸，則卿之父子離散；恐翁歸，則卿之夫泣兒悲也。」媼矢以自明，女亦誓以相報。石乃即刻治任如汴，詢至玄帝觀，則赤城歸未久。入而參之。便問：「何來？」石視廚下一老狐，孔前股而繫之。笑曰：「弟子之來，為此老魅。」赤城詰之，曰：「是吾岳也。」因以實告。道士謂其狡詐，不肯輕釋。固請，乃許之。石因備述其詐，狐聞之，塞身入灶，似有慚狀。道士笑曰：「彼羞惡之心，未盡亡也。」石起，牽之而出，以刀斷索抽之。狐痛極，齒齦齦然。石不遽抽，而頓挫之，笑問曰：「翁痛之，勿抽可耶？」狐睛睒閃，似有慍色。既釋，搖尾出觀而去。石辭歸。三日前，已有人報叟信，媼先去，留女待石。石至，女逆而伏。石挽之曰：「卿如不忘琴瑟之情，不在感激也。」女曰：「今復遷還故居矣，村舍鄰邇，音問可以不梗。妾欲歸省，三日可旋，君信之否？」曰：「兒生而無母，未便殤折。我日日鰥居，習已成慣。今不似趙公子，而反德報之，所以為卿者盡矣。如其不還，在卿為負義，道里雖近，當亦不復過問，何不信之與有？」女次日去，二日即返。問：「何速？」曰：「父以君在汴曾相戲弄，未能忘懷，言之絮絮；妾不欲復聞，故早來也。」自此閨中之往來無間，而翁婿間尚不通弔慶云。
石太璞是泰山人，喜歡用法術鎮邪除災。有個道士遇見他，欣賞他的聰慧，收他做了弟子。道士打開帶牙籤的書函，取出兩卷書，上卷講驅狐，下卷講驅鬼。他把下卷交給石太璞，說：「虔誠奉行這部書，衣食和美貌的妻子都會有的。」石太璞問他的姓名，道士說：「我是汴城北村玄帝觀的王赤城。」道士住了幾天，把其中的訣竅全都傳給了他。石太璞從此精通符籙，帶著禮物前來求助的人接連不斷。一天，一個自稱姓翁的老翁來了，擺出許多錢財綢帛，說女兒被鬼纏上，病得快要死了，一定要求他親自去。石太璞聽說病情危急，推辭不收禮物，先跟著老翁去了。走了十多里，進入一個山村，到了老翁家，見廊屋都很華美。進了房間，看見一個少女躺在薄紗帳子裡，婢女用鉤子掛起帳子。少女看起來十四五歲，虛弱地癱在床上，面容已經枯槁。石太璞走近，她忽然睜開眼說：「好醫生來了。」全家都很高興，說她已經好幾天不說話了。石太璞便走出去，詢問病情。老翁說：「大白天就看見一個少年來，和她睡在一起。想去捉他，他卻沒了蹤影，過一會兒又來了，我們猜他是鬼。」石太璞說：「若是鬼，驅除並不難；就怕是狐狸，那就不是我敢管的了。」老翁說：「一定不是，一定不是。」石太璞給了他一道符，當晚住在他家。半夜，有個少年進來，衣冠整齊。石太璞以為是主人家的親屬，起身詢問。少年說：「我是鬼。翁家全都是狐狸。我偶然喜歡上他家的女兒紅亭，就暫時住在這裡。鬼來糾纏狐狸，你不插手，也不會損害陰德，何必拆散別人的姻緣來保護他們呢？紅亭的姐姐長亭更加光彩照人。我一直沒有碰她，特意把她留給有德有才的人。他們若答應把她嫁給你，你才可以替他們驅鬼；到時候我自然會走。」石太璞答應了。這一夜，少年沒有再去糾纏紅亭，紅亭立刻清醒了。天亮後，老翁很高興，把這事告訴石太璞，請他進去看看。石太璞燒掉先前的符，坐下來診視。他看見繡簾後有個年輕女子，美得如同天仙，心裡知道她就是長亭。診視完畢，他要水來灑帳子。長亭趕緊端來一碗水，她輕步來往之間，石太璞已經心動，目光也跟著她走。這時候，他的心思全不在鬼身上了。他出去向老翁告辭，藉口回家製藥，一連幾天沒有回來。鬼更加放肆，除了長亭，家裡的兒媳和婢女都被他淫亂迷惑。翁家又派僕人牽馬去請石太璞，石太璞推說有病，不肯去。第二天，老翁親自來了。石太璞故意裝出腿腳有病的樣子，拄著柺杖出來。老翁行過禮，問他怎麼回事。石太璞說：「這就是沒有妻子的苦處啊！前幾天夜裡，婢女爬上床時跌了一跤，把湯夫人碰落了，熱水燙傷了我的兩隻腳。」老翁問：「為什麼這麼久不續娶呢？」石太璞說：「只恨找不到像您這樣清白的人家。」老翁默默地走了出去。石太璞趕著送他，說：「等病好了，我自然會去，不必勞煩您親自跑來。」又過了幾天，老翁再次來了，石太璞一瘸一拐地出來相見。老翁問候了幾句，便說：「近來我和妻子商量過，您若能把鬼趕走，讓全家安心睡覺，小女長亭今年十七歲，我們願意把她嫁給您。」石太璞大喜，伏在地上叩頭，接著對老翁說：「您既然有這樣的好意，我哪裡還敢顧惜這有病的身子。」他立刻出門，和老翁並騎而去。進去看過被鬼糾纏的人後，石太璞怕翁家反悔，請求和老太太立下誓約。老太太馬上出來，說：「先生為什麼懷疑我們呢？」隨即把長亭戴的金簪交給石太璞，作為信物。石太璞向她行了大禮，隨後把家裡人全都召集起來，一一施法驅邪。只有長亭躲在深處，不見蹤影，他便寫了一道隨身佩戴的符，派人送給她。當夜一片安靜，鬼影完全消失了。只有紅亭仍在呻吟，他給她喝了法水，病痛便像從沒有過一樣。石太璞想起身告辭，老翁誠懇地挽留。到了晚上，酒菜果品擺滿桌子，主人不斷殷勤勸酒。二更時，主人這才向客人告辭離開。石太璞剛要睡下，忽然聽見急促的敲門聲。起身一看，是長亭悄悄進來了，神色語氣都很慌張，說：「我家要拿刀殺你，快逃！」說完，她轉身就走了。石太璞嚇得渾身發抖，臉色慘白，翻過牆急忙逃跑。遠遠看見火光，便拼命跑過去，原來是村裡夜間打獵的人。他很高興，等他們打獵結束，便跟著一起回去。他心裡又怨又憤，卻無處申訴，想去汴城找王赤城，但家中老父久病臥床，日夜思量，始終拿不定主意。忽然有一天，兩頂轎子到了門前，是翁老太太送長亭來了。老太太對石太璞說：「那天夜裡回去，為什麼不再和我們商量一下呢？」石太璞一見長亭，怨恨全都消了，也就把那件事藏在心裡，沒有說出來。老太太催著兩人在庭院裡行了婚禮。石太璞要擺酒席，老太太推辭說：「我不是閒人，不能坐著享用美食。我家老頭子年老糊塗，倘若有什麼做得不周到的地方，你肯為了長亭，顧念一下我這個老婆子，我就感激不盡了。」說完上轎走了。原來謀殺女婿的事，老太太並不知道，直到追趕石太璞的人空手回來，她才得知。她很不服氣，每天和老翁爭吵責罵；長亭也暗自流淚，不肯吃飯。老太太堅持送女兒過來，並不是老翁的意思。長亭進門後，石太璞問起，才知道這些緣故。過了兩三個月，翁家來接女兒回孃家探親。石太璞料想她去了就不會回來，不許她去。長亭從此常常落淚。一年多後，她生了個兒子，取名慧兒，僱了乳母餵養。可是孩子愛哭，夜裡總要回到母親身邊。一天，翁家又派轎子來，說老太太非常想念女兒。長亭越發傷心，石太璞不忍心再留她。她想抱孩子一起去，石太璞不答應，長亭便獨自回去了。分別時，她約定一個月回來，可是過了半年，仍沒有訊息。派人去探問，才知道他們從前租住的房子早已空了。又過了兩年多，石太璞已經完全不再指望她回來，可孩子整夜啼哭，讓他心如刀割。不久，石太璞的父親又因病去世，他更加悲傷，因而病倒，身體衰弱，躺在守喪的草蓆上，已經奄奄一息，不能接受親友的弔唁。正昏昏沉沉時，忽然聽見一個婦人哭著進來。一看，原來是穿著喪服的長亭。石太璞悲痛萬分，大哭一聲，便昏死過去。婢女驚叫起來，長亭這才抽泣著撫慰他，過了很久，他才漸漸甦醒。他以為自己已經死了，兩人是在陰間相聚。長亭說：「不是的。我不孝，沒能讓父親回心轉意，被他阻攔了三年，不能回來，實在辜負了你。近來家裡有人從海東經過這裡，得知公公去世的訊息。我聽從父親的嚴令，割捨了夫妻母子的情分，卻不敢聽從不合道理的命令，失去做兒媳應盡的禮數。我來的時候，母親知道，父親不知道。」她說話時，孩子已經撲進她懷裡。等說完，她才撫摸著孩子，哭著說：「我有父親，孩子卻沒有母親了！」孩子也放聲大哭，滿屋的人都掩面流淚。長亭起身料理家事，靈柩前的肉食和糧食祭品都備得潔淨齊全，石太璞這才大感安慰。可是他病了很久，一時還不能起床，長亭便請他的表兄接待弔唁的客人。弔唁的事告一段落後，石太璞才拄著柺杖起身，兩人一起籌辦齋事和安葬。葬禮結束，長亭想告辭回去，接受違背父命的責罰。丈夫挽留，孩子號哭，她便忍住心中的為難，留下了。沒過多久，有人來報母親病了，她便對石太璞說：「我為了你的父親回來，你難道不肯為了我的母親放我走嗎？」石太璞答應了。長亭讓乳母抱著孩子到別處去，自己流著眼淚走出門。她這一走，又是幾年沒有回來，石太璞父子也漸漸忘了她。一天，天剛亮，石太璞打開門，長亭便飄然進來。石太璞正吃驚地詢問，她已經滿面憂傷地坐在床上，嘆息說：「我從小長在閨房裡，一里路都覺得遠，如今卻在一天一夜裡奔走了千里，真是累壞了！」石太璞仔細追問，長亭欲言又止。他不斷懇求，她才哭著說：「現在告訴你，恐怕讓我悲傷的事，卻會讓你高興。近幾年我們搬到晉地，租住在趙搢紳的宅子裡。房主和我們相處得很好，父親把紅亭嫁給了他家的公子。那公子常常跑出去放蕩遊樂，家裡很不和睦。妹妹回來告訴父親，父親便留下她，半年不讓她回去。公子心懷怨恨，不知從哪裡請了一個惡人來，派神靈拿著鎖鏈，把老父親綁走了。全家嚇得魂飛魄散，頃刻間四散逃走。」石太璞聽了，忍不住笑起來。長亭生氣地說：「他雖然不仁，卻是我的父親。我和你做了幾年夫妻，一向只有恩愛，沒有怨恨。如今家人失散，家園毀了，上百口人流離失所，你即使不替父親傷心，難道也不肯安慰我嗎？聽了這事，你竟歡喜得手舞足蹈，連一句安慰的話都沒有，多麼無情無義！」說完拂袖而去。石太璞追出去道歉，她卻已經沒了蹤影。他悵然悔恨，以為兩人從此就徹底斷絕了。過了兩三天，老太太和長亭一起來了，石太璞很高興，上前問候。母女二人卻都跪伏在地。他吃驚地詢問，兩人一起哭起來。長亭說：「我負氣走了，如今卻不能堅持，又來求人，還有什麼臉面呢！」石太璞說：「岳父固然做得不像個人，可母親的恩惠、你的情意，我一直沒有忘記。不過，聽說他遭了災禍而高興，也是人之常情，你為什麼不能暫且容忍一下呢？」長亭說：「剛才我在路上遇見母親，才知道綁走父親的，原來就是你的師父。」石太璞說：「果真如此，那就很容易了。可是老翁不回來，你們父女就要離散；只怕老翁一回來，你的丈夫又要流淚，孩子又要悲傷了。」老太太發誓表明誠意，長亭也發誓一定報答他。石太璞便立刻收拾行裝，前往汴城，打聽著到了玄帝觀，王赤城也剛回來不久。他進去拜見，王赤城便問：「你來做什麼？」石太璞看見廚房裡有隻老狐狸，前腿被穿了孔，用繩子拴著。他笑著說：「弟子是為了這個老妖怪來的。」王赤城追問，他說：「這是我的岳父。」便把實情告訴了師父。道士說狐狸狡猾奸詐，不肯輕易放走。他再三懇求，道士才答應。石太璞又詳細說起老狐狸怎樣欺騙自己，狐狸聽了，把身子鑽進灶裡，似乎很慚愧。道士笑著說：「它的羞恥心還沒有完全喪失。」石太璞起身，牽著狐狸出去，用刀割斷繩子，往外抽。狐狸疼得厲害，咬牙切齒。石太璞不馬上抽出來，反而一頓一頓地扯著，笑著問：「老翁覺得疼，那不抽出來可好？」狐狸眼睛閃動，像是很生氣。等解開了，它搖著尾巴走出道觀，離去了。石太璞也告辭回家。他到家前三天，已經有人來報告老翁的訊息，老太太先走了，留下長亭等他。石太璞一到，長亭便出來迎接，跪伏在地。石太璞扶起她說：「你若沒有忘記夫妻的情分，就不必這樣感激。」長亭說：「如今我們又搬回舊居了，村子離得近，訊息來往也能暢通。我想回去探望父母，三天就能回來，你信不信？」石太璞說：「孩子生下來沒有母親，也沒有因此夭折。我天天獨自過日子，早已習慣了。如今我不像趙公子那樣，反而以恩德回報怨恨，為你能做的已經全做了。你若不回來，便是你辜負情義，路雖然近，我也不會再去過問，有什麼不信的呢？」長亭第二天去了，兩天便回來。石太璞問：「怎麼這麼快？」她說：「父親對你在汴城戲弄他的事，一直不能忘記，說起來絮絮叨叨，我不想再聽，所以早些回來了。」從此兩家的女眷往來不斷，可翁老翁和石太璞之間，仍然不互相弔喪慶賀。
石太璞，泰山人，好厌禳之术。有道士遇之，赏其慧，纳为弟子。启牙签，出二卷，上卷驱狐，下卷驱鬼，乃以下卷授之，曰：「虔奉此书，衣食佳丽皆有之。」问其姓名，曰：「吾汴城北村玄帝观王赤城也。」留数日，尽传其诀。石由此精于符箓，委贽者踵接于门。一日，有叟来，自称翁姓，炫陈币帛，谓其女鬼病已殆，必求亲诣。石闻病危，辞不受贽，姑与俱往。十余里入山村，至其家，廊舍华好。入室，见少女卧縠幛中，婢以钩挂帐。望之年十四五许，支缀于床，形容已槁。近临之，忽开目云：「良医至矣。」举家皆喜，谓其不语已数日矣。石乃出，因诘病状。叟言：「白昼见少年来，与共寝处，捉之已杳，少间复至，意其为鬼。」石曰：「其鬼也，驱之匪难；恐其是狐，则非余所敢知矣。」叟云：「必非必非。」石授以符，是夕宿于其家。夜分，有少年入，衣冠整肃。石疑是主人眷属，起而问之。曰：「我鬼也。翁家尽狐。偶悦其女红亭，姑止焉。鬼为狐祟，阴骘无伤，君何必离人之缘而护之也？女之姊长亭，光艳尤绝。敬留全璧，以待高贤。彼如许字，方可为之施治；尔时我当自去。」石诺之。是夜，少年不复至，女顿醒。天明，叟喜，以告石，请石入视。石焚旧符，乃坐诊之。见绣幕有女郎，丽若天人，心知其长亭也。诊已，索水洒幛。女郎急以椀水付之，蹀躞之间，意动神流。石生此际，心殊不在鬼矣。出辞叟，托制药去，数日不返。鬼益肆，除长亭外，子妇婢女，俱被淫惑。又以仆马招石，石托疾不赴。明日，叟自至。石故作病股状，扶杖而出。叟拜已，问故。曰：「此鳏之难也！曩夜婢子登榻，倾跌，堕汤夫人泡两足耳。」叟问：「何久不续？」石曰：「恨不得清门如翁者。」叟默而出。石走送曰：「病瘥当自至，无烦玉趾也。」又数日，叟复来；石跛而见之。叟慰问三数语，便曰：「顷与荆人言，君如驱鬼去，使举家安枕，小女长亭，年十七矣，愿遣奉事君子。」石喜，顿首于地。乃谓叟：「雅意若此，病躯何敢复爱。」立刻出门，并骑而去。入视祟者既毕，石恐背约，请与媪盟。媪遽出曰：「先生何见疑也？」即以长亭所插金簪，授石为信。石朝拜之。已，乃遍集家人，悉为祓除。惟长亭深匿无迹；遂写一佩符，使人持赠之。是夜寂然，鬼影尽灭，惟红亭呻吟未已，投以法水，所患若失。石欲起辞，叟挽止殷恳。至晚，肴核罗列，劝酬殊切。漏二下，主人乃辞客去。石方就枕，闻叩扉甚急；起视，则长亭掩入，辞气仓皇，言：「吾家欲以白刃相仇，可急遁！」言已，径返身去。石战惧无色，越垣急窜。遥见火光，疾奔而往，则里人夜猎者也。喜。待猎毕，乃与俱归。心怀怨愤，无路可伸，思欲之汴城寻赤城，而家有老父，病废已久，日夜筹思，莫决进止。忽一日，双舆至门，则翁媪送长亭至，谓石曰：「曩夜之归，胡再不谋？」石见长亭，怨恨都消，故亦隐而不发。媪促两人庭拜讫。石将设筵，辞曰：「我非闲人，不能坐享甘旨。我家老子昏髦，倘有不悉，郎肯为长亭一念老身，为幸多矣。」登车遂去。盖杀婿之谋，媪不之闻；及追之不得而返，媪始知之。颇不能平，与叟日相诟谇；长亭亦饮泣不食。媪强送女来，非翁意也。长亭入门，诘之，始知其故。过两三月，翁家取女归宁。石料其不返，禁止之。女自此时一涕零。年余，生一子，名慧儿，买乳媪哺之。然儿善啼，夜必归母。一日，翁家又以舆来，言媪思女甚。长亭益悲，石不忍复留之。欲抱子去，石不可，长亭乃自归。别时，以一月为期，既而半载无耗。遣人往探之，则向所僦宅久空。又二年余，望想都绝；而儿啼终夜，寸心如割。既而石父又病卒，倍益哀伤；因而病惫，苫次弥留，不能受宾朋之吊。方昏愦间，忽闻妇人哭入。视之，则缞绖者长亭也。石大悲，一恸遂绝。婢惊呼，女始啜泣，抚之良久，始渐甦。自疑已死，谓相聚于冥中。」女曰：「非也。妾不孝，不能得严父心，尼归三载，诚所负心。适家人由海东经此，得翁凶问。妾遵严命而绝儿女之情，不敢循乱命而失翁媳之礼。妾来时，母知而父不知也。」言间，儿投怀中。言已，始抚之，泣曰：「我有父，儿无母矣！」儿亦噭啕，一室掩泣。女起，经理家政，柩前牲盛洁备，石乃大慰。而病久，急切不能起。女乃请石外兄款洽吊客。丧既闭，石始杖而能起，相与营谋斋葬。葬已，女欲辞归，以受背父之谴。夫挽儿号，隐忍而止。未几，有人来告母病，乃谓石曰：「妾为君父来，君不为妾母放令去耶？」石许之。女使乳媪抱儿他适，涕洟出门而去。去后，数年不返。石父子渐亦忘之。一日，昧爽启扉，则长亭飘入。石方骇问，女戚然坐榻上，叹曰：「生长闺阁，视一里为遥；今一日夜而奔千里，殆矣！」细诘之，女欲言复止。请之不已，哭曰：「今为君言，恐妾之所悲，而君之所快也。迩年徙居晋界，僦居赵搢绅之第。主客交最善，以红亭妻其公子。公子数逋荡，家庭颇不相安。妹归告父；父留之，半年不令还。公子忿恨，不知何处聘一恶人来，遣神绾锁，缚老父去。一门大骇，顷刻四散矣。」石闻之，笑不自禁。女怒曰：「彼虽不仁，妾之父也。妾与君琴瑟数年，止有相好而无相尤。今日人亡家败，百口流离，即不为父伤，宁不为妾吊乎！闻之忭舞，更无片语相慰藉，何不义也！」拂袖而出。石追谢之，亦已渺矣。怅然自悔，拼已决绝。过二三日，媪与女俱来，石喜慰问。母女俱伏。惊而询之，母女俱哭。女曰：「妾负气而去，今不能自坚，又欲求人，复何颜矣！」石曰：「岳固非人；母之惠，卿之情，所不忘也。然闻祸而乐，亦犹人情，卿何不能暂忍？」女曰：「顷于途中遇母，始知絷吾父者，盖君师也。」石曰：「果尔，亦大易。然翁不归，则卿之父子离散；恐翁归，则卿之夫泣儿悲也。」媪矢以自明，女亦誓以相报。石乃即刻治任如汴，询至玄帝观，则赤城归未久。入而参之。便问：「何来？」石视厨下一老狐，孔前股而系之。笑曰：「弟子之来，为此老魅。」赤城诘之，曰：「是吾岳也。」因以实告。道士谓其狡诈，不肯轻释。固请，乃许之。石因备述其诈，狐闻之，塞身入灶，似有惭状。道士笑曰：「彼羞恶之心，未尽亡也。」石起，牵之而出，以刀断索抽之。狐痛极，齿龈龈然。石不遽抽，而顿挫之，笑问曰：「翁痛之，勿抽可耶？」狐睛睒闪，似有愠色。既释，摇尾出观而去。石辞归。三日前，已有人报叟信，媪先去，留女待石。石至，女逆而伏。石挽之曰：「卿如不忘琴瑟之情，不在感激也。」女曰：「今复迁还故居矣，村舍邻迩，音问可以不梗。妾欲归省，三日可旋，君信之否？」曰：「儿生而无母，未便殇折。我日日鳏居，习已成惯。今不似赵公子，而反德报之，所以为卿者尽矣。如其不还，在卿为负义，道里虽近，当亦不复过问，何不信之与有？」女次日去，二日即返。问：「何速？」曰：「父以君在汴曾相戏弄，未能忘怀，言之絮絮；妾不欲复闻，故早来也。」自此闺中之往来无间，而翁婿间尚不通吊庆云。
石太璞是泰山人，喜欢用法术镇邪除灾。有个道士遇见他，欣赏他的聪慧，收他做了弟子。道士打开带牙签的书函，取出两卷书，上卷讲驱狐，下卷讲驱鬼。他把下卷交给石太璞，说：“虔诚奉行这部书，衣食和美貌的妻子都会有的。”石太璞问他的姓名，道士说：“我是汴城北村玄帝观的王赤城。”道士住了几天，把其中的诀窍全都传给了他。石太璞从此精通符箓，带着礼物前来求助的人接连不断。一天，一个自称姓翁的老翁来了，摆出许多钱财绸帛，说女儿被鬼缠上，病得快要死了，一定要求他亲自去。石太璞听说病情危急，推辞不收礼物，先跟着老翁去了。走了十多里，进入一个山村，到了老翁家，见廊屋都很华美。进了房间，看见一个少女躺在薄纱帐子里，婢女用钩子挂起帐子。少女看起来十四五岁，虚弱地瘫在床上，面容已经枯槁。石太璞走近，她忽然睁开眼说：“好医生来了。”全家都很高兴，说她已经好几天不说话了。石太璞便走出去，询问病情。老翁说：“大白天就看见一个少年来，和她睡在一起。想去捉他，他却没了踪影，过一会儿又来了，我们猜他是鬼。”石太璞说：“若是鬼，驱除并不难；就怕是狐狸，那就不是我敢管的了。”老翁说：“一定不是，一定不是。”石太璞给了他一道符，当晚住在他家。半夜，有个少年进来，衣冠整齐。石太璞以为是主人家的亲属，起身询问。少年说：“我是鬼。翁家全都是狐狸。我偶然喜欢上他家的女儿红亭，就暂时住在这里。鬼来纠缠狐狸，你不插手，也不会损害阴德，何必拆散别人的姻缘来保护他们呢？红亭的姐姐长亭更加光彩照人。我一直没有碰她，特意把她留给有德有才的人。他们若答应把她嫁给你，你才可以替他们驱鬼；到时候我自然会走。”石太璞答应了。这一夜，少年没有再去纠缠红亭，红亭立刻清醒了。天亮后，老翁很高兴，把这事告诉石太璞，请他进去看看。石太璞烧掉先前的符，坐下来诊视。他看见绣帘后有个年轻女子，美得如同天仙，心里知道她就是长亭。诊视完毕，他要水来洒帐子。长亭赶紧端来一碗水，她轻步来往之间，石太璞已经心动，目光也跟着她走。这时候，他的心思全不在鬼身上了。他出去向老翁告辞，借口回家制药，一连几天没有回来。鬼更加放肆，除了长亭，家里的儿媳和婢女都被他淫乱迷惑。翁家又派仆人牵马去请石太璞，石太璞推说有病，不肯去。第二天，老翁亲自来了。石太璞故意装出腿脚有病的样子，拄着拐杖出来。老翁行过礼，问他怎么回事。石太璞说：“这就是没有妻子的苦处啊！前几天夜里，婢女爬上床时跌了一跤，把汤夫人碰落了，热水烫伤了我的两只脚。”老翁问：“为什么这么久不续娶呢？”石太璞说：“只恨找不到像您这样清白的人家。”老翁默默地走了出去。石太璞赶着送他，说：“等病好了，我自然会去，不必劳烦您亲自跑来。”又过了几天，老翁再次来了，石太璞一瘸一拐地出来相见。老翁问候了几句，便说：“近来我和妻子商量过，您若能把鬼赶走，让全家安心睡觉，小女长亭今年十七岁，我们愿意把她嫁给您。”石太璞大喜，伏在地上叩头，接着对老翁说：“您既然有这样的好意，我哪里还敢顾惜这有病的身子。”他立刻出门，和老翁并骑而去。进去看过被鬼纠缠的人后，石太璞怕翁家反悔，请求和老太太立下誓约。老太太马上出来，说：“先生为什么怀疑我们呢？”随即把长亭戴的金簪交给石太璞，作为信物。石太璞向她行了大礼，随后把家里人全都召集起来，一一施法驱邪。只有长亭躲在深处，不见踪影，他便写了一道随身佩戴的符，派人送给她。当夜一片安静，鬼影完全消失了。只有红亭仍在呻吟，他给她喝了法水，病痛便像从没有过一样。石太璞想起身告辞，老翁诚恳地挽留。到了晚上，酒菜果品摆满桌子，主人不断殷勤劝酒。二更时，主人这才向客人告辞离开。石太璞刚要睡下，忽然听见急促的敲门声。起身一看，是长亭悄悄进来了，神色语气都很慌张，说：“我家要拿刀杀你，快逃！”说完，她转身就走了。石太璞吓得浑身发抖，脸色惨白，翻过墙急忙逃跑。远远看见火光，便拼命跑过去，原来是村里夜间打猎的人。他很高兴，等他们打猎结束，便跟着一起回去。他心里又怨又愤，却无处申诉，想去汴城找王赤城，但家中老父久病卧床，日夜思量，始终拿不定主意。忽然有一天，两顶轿子到了门前，是翁老太太送长亭来了。老太太对石太璞说：“那天夜里回去，为什么不再和我们商量一下呢？”石太璞一见长亭，怨恨全都消了，也就把那件事藏在心里，没有说出来。老太太催着两人在庭院里行了婚礼。石太璞要摆酒席，老太太推辞说：“我不是闲人，不能坐着享用美食。我家老头子年老糊涂，倘若有什么做得不周到的地方，你肯为了长亭，顾念一下我这个老婆子，我就感激不尽了。”说完上轿走了。原来谋杀女婿的事，老太太并不知道，直到追赶石太璞的人空手回来，她才得知。她很不服气，每天和老翁争吵责骂；长亭也暗自流泪，不肯吃饭。老太太坚持送女儿过来，并不是老翁的意思。长亭进门后，石太璞问起，才知道这些缘故。过了两三个月，翁家来接女儿回娘家探亲。石太璞料想她去了就不会回来，不许她去。长亭从此常常落泪。一年多后，她生了个儿子，取名慧儿，雇了乳母喂养。可是孩子爱哭，夜里总要回到母亲身边。一天，翁家又派轿子来，说老太太非常想念女儿。长亭越发伤心，石太璞不忍心再留她。她想抱孩子一起去，石太璞不答应，长亭便独自回去了。分别时，她约定一个月回来，可是过了半年，仍没有消息。派人去探问，才知道他们从前租住的房子早已空了。又过了两年多，石太璞已经完全不再指望她回来，可孩子整夜啼哭，让他心如刀割。不久，石太璞的父亲又因病去世，他更加悲伤，因而病倒，身体衰弱，躺在守丧的草席上，已经奄奄一息，不能接受亲友的吊唁。正昏昏沉沉时，忽然听见一个妇人哭着进来。一看，原来是穿着丧服的长亭。石太璞悲痛万分，大哭一声，便昏死过去。婢女惊叫起来，长亭这才抽泣着抚慰他，过了很久，他才渐渐苏醒。他以为自己已经死了，两人是在阴间相聚。长亭说：“不是的。我不孝，没能让父亲回心转意，被他阻拦了三年，不能回来，实在辜负了你。近来家里有人从海东经过这里，得知公公去世的消息。我听从父亲的严令，割舍了夫妻母子的情分，却不敢听从不合道理的命令，失去做儿媳应尽的礼数。我来的时候，母亲知道，父亲不知道。”她说话时，孩子已经扑进她怀里。等说完，她才抚摸着孩子，哭着说：“我有父亲，孩子却没有母亲了！”孩子也放声大哭，满屋的人都掩面流泪。长亭起身料理家事，灵柩前的肉食和粮食祭品都备得洁净齐全，石太璞这才大感安慰。可是他病了很久，一时还不能起床，长亭便请他的表兄接待吊唁的客人。吊唁的事告一段落后，石太璞才拄着拐杖起身，两人一起筹办斋事和安葬。葬礼结束，长亭想告辞回去，接受违背父命的责罚。丈夫挽留，孩子号哭，她便忍住心中的为难，留下了。没过多久，有人来报母亲病了，她便对石太璞说：“我为了你的父亲回来，你难道不肯为了我的母亲放我走吗？”石太璞答应了。长亭让乳母抱着孩子到别处去，自己流着眼泪走出门。她这一走，又是几年没有回来，石太璞父子也渐渐忘了她。一天，天刚亮，石太璞打开门，长亭便飘然进来。石太璞正吃惊地询问，她已经满面忧伤地坐在床上，叹息说：“我从小长在闺房里，一里路都觉得远，如今却在一天一夜里奔走了千里，真是累坏了！”石太璞仔细追问，长亭欲言又止。他不断恳求，她才哭着说：“现在告诉你，恐怕让我悲伤的事，却会让你高兴。近几年我们搬到晋地，租住在赵搢绅的宅子里。房主和我们相处得很好，父亲把红亭嫁给了他家的公子。那公子常常跑出去放荡游乐，家里很不和睦。妹妹回来告诉父亲，父亲便留下她，半年不让她回去。公子心怀怨恨，不知从哪里请了一个恶人来，派神灵拿着锁链，把老父亲绑走了。全家吓得魂飞魄散，顷刻间四散逃走。”石太璞听了，忍不住笑起来。长亭生气地说：“他虽然不仁，却是我的父亲。我和你做了几年夫妻，一向只有恩爱，没有怨恨。如今家人失散，家园毁了，上百口人流离失所，你即使不替父亲伤心，难道也不肯安慰我吗？听了这事，你竟欢喜得手舞足蹈，连一句安慰的话都没有，多么无情无义！”说完拂袖而去。石太璞追出去道歉，她却已经没了踪影。他怅然悔恨，以为两人从此就彻底断绝了。过了两三天，老太太和长亭一起来了，石太璞很高兴，上前问候。母女二人却都跪伏在地。他吃惊地询问，两人一起哭起来。长亭说：“我负气走了，如今却不能坚持，又来求人，还有什么脸面呢！”石太璞说：“岳父固然做得不像个人，可母亲的恩惠、你的情意，我一直没有忘记。不过，听说他遭了灾祸而高兴，也是人之常情，你为什么不能暂且容忍一下呢？”长亭说：“刚才我在路上遇见母亲，才知道绑走父亲的，原来就是你的师父。”石太璞说：“果真如此，那就很容易了。可是老翁不回来，你们父女就要离散；只怕老翁一回来，你的丈夫又要流泪，孩子又要悲伤了。”老太太发誓表明诚意，长亭也发誓一定报答他。石太璞便立刻收拾行装，前往汴城，打听着到了玄帝观，王赤城也刚回来不久。他进去拜见，王赤城便问：“你来做什么？”石太璞看见厨房里有只老狐狸，前腿被穿了孔，用绳子拴着。他笑着说：“弟子是为了这个老妖怪来的。”王赤城追问，他说：“这是我的岳父。”便把实情告诉了师父。道士说狐狸狡猾奸诈，不肯轻易放走。他再三恳求，道士才答应。石太璞又详细说起老狐狸怎样欺骗自己，狐狸听了，把身子钻进灶里，似乎很惭愧。道士笑着说：“它的羞耻心还没有完全丧失。”石太璞起身，牵着狐狸出去，用刀割断绳子，往外抽。狐狸疼得厉害，咬牙切齿。石太璞不马上抽出来，反而一顿一顿地扯着，笑着问：“老翁觉得疼，那不抽出来可好？”狐狸眼睛闪动，像是很生气。等解开了，它摇着尾巴走出道观，离去了。石太璞也告辞回家。他到家前三天，已经有人来报告老翁的消息，老太太先走了，留下长亭等他。石太璞一到，长亭便出来迎接，跪伏在地。石太璞扶起她说：“你若没有忘记夫妻的情分，就不必这样感激。”长亭说：“如今我们又搬回旧居了，村子离得近，消息来往也能畅通。我想回去探望父母，三天就能回来，你信不信？”石太璞说：“孩子生下来没有母亲，也没有因此夭折。我天天独自过日子，早已习惯了。如今我不像赵公子那样，反而以恩德回报怨恨，为你能做的已经全做了。你若不回来，便是你辜负情义，路虽然近，我也不会再去过问，有什么不信的呢？”长亭第二天去了，两天便回来。石太璞问：“怎么这么快？”她说：“父亲对你在汴城戏弄他的事，一直不能忘记，说起来絮絮叨叨，我不想再听，所以早些回来了。”从此两家的女眷往来不断，可翁老翁和石太璞之间，仍然不互相吊丧庆贺。
Shi Taipu, a man of Mount Tai, was fond of the arts of charms and exorcism. A Daoist met him, admired his quick wits, and took him as a disciple. The Daoist undid the ivory tag of a book case and took out two volumes. The first was for driving out foxes, the second for driving out ghosts. He gave Shi the second, saying, “Serve this book devoutly, and food, clothes and a beautiful woman will all be yours.” Asked his name, he said, “I am Wang Chicheng, of the Temple of the Dark Emperor in the village north of Bian.” He stayed several days and passed on all his secrets. From then on Shi was a master of talismans and charms, and the people bringing gifts to his door trod on one another’s heels. One day an old man came who said his surname was Weng. He laid out a dazzling display of money and silk and said his daughter was sick with a ghost and close to death; he begged Shi to come in person. Hearing that she was in danger, Shi declined the gifts and went along with him for the time being. After ten li or more they came into a mountain village and reached the house. Its galleries and rooms were splendid. In the bedroom a girl lay behind gauze curtains; a maid hooked the curtain back. She looked fourteen or fifteen. She lay limp on the bed, wasted away. When Shi came near, she suddenly opened her eyes and said, “A good doctor has come.” The whole household rejoiced: she had not spoken for days, they said. Shi went out and asked about the illness. “In broad daylight a young man is seen coming to lie with her,” said the old man. “When we try to catch him he is gone, and a moment later he is back. We think he is a ghost.” “If it is a ghost,” said Shi, “driving it out is not hard. If it should be a fox, that is beyond what I dare undertake.” “It isn’t, it isn’t,” said the old man. Shi gave him a talisman and stayed the night. At midnight a young man came in, his clothes and cap in good order. Taking him for one of the family, Shi got up to ask who he was. “I am a ghost,” he said. “The Wengs are all foxes. I happened to take a fancy to their daughter Hongting, so I am staying here a while. A ghost haunting foxes does your hidden merit no harm. Why must you break up a love affair to protect them? The girl’s elder sister, Changting, is even more dazzling. I have respectfully kept her whole, a flawless jade, for some worthy gentleman. If they promise her to you, then treat them, and not before; at that time I will leave of my own accord.” Shi agreed. That night the young man did not come, and the girl came to herself at once. At dawn the old man was delighted. He told Shi and asked him to come in and see her. Shi burned the old talisman and sat down to examine her. Behind an embroidered curtain he saw a young woman as lovely as a goddess, and knew in his heart she was Changting. When he had finished, he asked for water to sprinkle on the curtains. The young woman hurried over with a bowl of water; as she moved to and fro on her small steps, his heart stirred and his spirit went out to her. At that moment Shi’s mind was not on ghosts at all. He went out and took leave of the old man, saying he had to go and make up medicines, and stayed away for days. The ghost grew bolder. Apart from Changting, the sons’ wives and the maids all fell to his lust. They sent a servant with a horse to fetch Shi; Shi pleaded illness and did not go. The next day the old man came himself. Shi pretended to have a bad leg and came out on a stick. The old man bowed and asked what had happened. “These are the troubles of a man without a wife!” said Shi. “The other night my maid climbed on the bed and slipped, and Lady Hot-Water fell and scalded both my feet.” “Why have you gone so long without remarrying?” the old man asked. “It’s only that I can’t find a family as respectable as yours, sir,” said Shi. The old man went out without a word. Shi saw him off. “When I am better I will come of my own accord. Don’t trouble your honoured feet.” Some days later the old man came again, and Shi limped out to meet him. After a few words of sympathy the old man said, “I have just been talking with my wife. If you drive the ghost away and let the whole household sleep in peace, our daughter Changting, who is seventeen, will be sent to serve you.” Shi was delighted and knocked his head on the ground. “Since you mean so kindly,” he said, “how could I go on sparing this sick body?” He set out at once, and they rode off side by side. When he had gone in and seen all the afflicted, Shi, afraid they would break their word, asked to swear it with the old woman. She came straight out. “Why do you doubt us, sir?” she said, and gave him the gold pin from Changting’s hair as a pledge. Shi bowed low to her. Then he gathered the whole household and purified them all. Only Changting stayed hidden deep inside and never showed herself, so he wrote a talisman for her to wear and had it taken to her. That night all was still; the ghost had vanished without a trace. Only Hongting still moaned; he gave her charmed water, and her trouble left her as if it had never been. Shi wanted to take his leave, but the old man earnestly pressed him to stay. In the evening dishes and fruits were spread out, and he was plied with wine most warmly. At the second watch the host at last bade his guest good night and left. Shi had just lain down when there was an urgent knocking at the door. He got up to look: it was Changting, who slipped in and closed the door. In a frightened voice she said, “My family means to take a knife to you. Run, quickly!” With that she turned and was gone. Shi shook with fear, the colour gone from his face. He climbed over the wall and fled. Far off he saw firelight and ran toward it: it was villagers out hunting by night. He was glad. He waited until the hunt was over and went home with them. He was bitter and angry, but had no way to get redress. He thought of going to Bian to find Chicheng, but he had an old father at home who had long been an invalid. He turned it over day and night and could not decide whether to go or stay. Then one day two sedan chairs came to his gate: the Wengs’ old woman was bringing Changting. She said to Shi, “Why did you go home that night without another word with us?” When Shi saw Changting all his resentment melted away, so he too kept it hidden and said nothing. The old woman hurried the two of them through their wedding bows in the courtyard. Shi was going to lay on a feast, but she declined. “I am not a woman of leisure. I cannot sit and enjoy fine food. My old man is muddled and senile. If he has failed you in anything, I would count it a great kindness if you would think of me, for Changting’s sake.” She got into her carriage and left. The truth was that the old woman had known nothing of the plot to kill her son-in-law; only when the others came back from chasing him empty-handed did she learn of it. She was very upset and quarrelled with the old man every day, and Changting wept quietly and would not eat. The old woman had insisted on bringing her daughter; it was not the old man’s wish. Shi learned all this only after Changting had come into his house and he questioned her. Two or three months later the Wengs came to take their daughter home for a visit. Shi guessed she would not come back and forbade it. From then on she would often weep. A year or so later she bore a son, named Hui’er. They hired a wet nurse to feed him, but the boy cried a great deal and at night always had to go back to his mother. One day the Wengs sent a sedan chair again, saying the old woman was longing for her daughter. Changting grew sadder than ever, and Shi could not bear to keep her any longer. She wanted to take the child; Shi would not allow it, so Changting went home alone. At parting she said she would be back in a month. Half a year passed without a word. He sent someone to look, and found that the house they had rented had long stood empty. Two years and more went by, and he gave up all hope. Yet the child cried all night, and it cut him to the heart. Then Shi’s father fell ill and died, which doubled his grief. He fell ill himself and wasted away, and lay near death on the mourning mat, unable to receive the condolences of guests and friends. As he lay in a stupor, he suddenly heard a woman come in weeping. He looked: it was Changting, in mourning hemp. Shi was so overcome that with one great howl he fainted away. The maid cried out in alarm. Only then did Changting break into sobs. She stroked him for a long time, and slowly he came round. He thought he must be dead, and that they were together again in the world below. “No,” she said. “I was a bad daughter: I could not win my father over, and he kept me from coming back for three years. I have truly wronged you. Just now some of my family passed this way from east of the sea and brought word of your father’s death. I obeyed my father’s stern orders and gave up the love of wife and mother, but I dared not obey a wrong order so far as to fail in my duty as a daughter-in-law. When I came, my mother knew and my father did not.” As she spoke, the boy threw himself into her arms. Only when she had finished did she stroke him. “I have a father,” she wept, “and my child has no mother!” The boy wailed too, and the whole room hid their faces and wept. She got up and took charge of the household. The offerings of meat and grain before the coffin were clean and complete, and Shi was much comforted. But he had been ill a long time and could not get up so quickly, so she asked his cousin to receive the mourners. When the mourning visits were over, Shi was at last able to get up on a stick, and together they arranged the rites and the burial. After the burial she wanted to go home and take her punishment for disobeying her father. But her husband held her back and the boy wailed, and she swallowed her feelings and stayed. Before long someone came to say her mother was ill. She said to Shi, “I came for your father. Will you not let me go for my mother?” Shi agreed. She had the wet nurse carry the boy off somewhere else, and went out of the gate in tears. After she left, years passed and she did not come back. Shi and his son gradually forgot her. One day, at first light, Shi opened his door and Changting swept in. Before Shi could ask in alarm what was wrong, she sat down sadly on the couch and sighed. “I was raised in the women’s rooms and thought a single li a long way. Now I have run a thousand in a day and a night. I am worn out!” He asked her what had happened; she began to speak and stopped. He kept on asking, and she wept. “If I tell you now, I am afraid what grieves me will delight you. These last years we moved to Shanxi and rented the mansion of a gentleman named Zhao. Landlord and tenants were the best of friends, and Hongting was married to his son. But the son kept running off on his pleasures, and there was no peace in the family. My sister came home and told our father, and Father kept her with us and would not let her go back for half a year. The son was furious. He hired some villain from somewhere, who sent spirits with chains to bind my old father and carry him off. The whole family took fright and scattered in a moment.” Shi could not help laughing. She was angry. “Cruel he may be, but he is my father. For years you and I have been in tune as zither and lute, with nothing but love and never a reproach. Now our people are lost and our house is ruined, a hundred of us scattered and homeless. Even if you don’t grieve for my father, will you not feel for me? You hear of it and dance for joy, without one word of comfort. How heartless!” She shook out her sleeves and left. Shi ran after her to apologise, but she was already gone. He was dejected and sorry, and resigned himself to its being over for good. Two or three days later the old woman came with her daughter. Shi was glad and greeted them warmly, but mother and daughter both fell to the ground before him. Startled, he asked why, and both of them wept. “I went off in a temper,” said Changting, “and now I cannot hold firm and want to beg your help. How can I show my face?” “Your father is no human being, certainly,” said Shi. “But your mother’s kindness and your love I have never forgotten. Still, to be glad when you hear of a disaster is only human. Couldn’t you bear with me a little?” “Just now I met my mother on the road,” she said, “and learned that the man who has my father in bonds is your own master.” “If so, it is very easy,” said Shi. “But if the old man does not come back, you are parted from your father; and I fear that if he does come back, your husband will weep and your son grieve.” The old woman swore an oath to prove her good faith, and Changting too swore to repay him. Shi packed at once and set out for Bian. He asked his way to the Temple of the Dark Emperor and found that Chicheng had only lately come home. He went in to pay his respects. “Why have you come?” Chicheng asked at once. Shi saw an old fox in the kitchen, tied by a cord through a hole pierced in its foreleg. He laughed. “Your disciple has come for this old devil.” Chicheng asked what he meant. “He is my father-in-law,” said Shi, and told him the whole truth. The Daoist said the fox was cunning and treacherous and would not lightly let it go. Shi pressed him, and at last he agreed. Shi then told at length how the fox had tricked him. Hearing this, the fox squeezed itself into the stove, as if ashamed. The Daoist laughed. “He has not lost his sense of shame entirely.” Shi got up and led the fox out. He cut the cord with a knife and began to pull it out. The fox, in great pain, gnashed its teeth. Shi did not pull it out at once but jerked it by fits and starts, and asked, laughing, “Does it hurt, sir? Shall I leave it in?” The fox’s eyes flashed, and it looked angry. Once free, it wagged its tail, went out of the temple and was gone. Shi took his leave and went home. Three days earlier someone had brought news of the old man; the old woman had gone home first and left her daughter to wait for Shi. When Shi arrived, Changting came out to meet him and fell to her knees. Shi raised her. “If you have not forgotten what we are to each other, zither and lute, there is no need for gratitude.” “We have moved back to our old home now,” she said. “The village is close by, so word can pass between us freely. I would like to go home to see my parents. I can be back in three days. Do you trust me?” “The boy was born and had no mother, and he has not died of it,” said Shi. “I have lived day after day without a wife and have grown used to it. Now, unlike young Master Zhao, I have repaid wrong with kindness; I have done all I can for you. If you do not come back, the breach of faith is yours, and though the way is short I will not ask after you again. So what is there for me not to trust?” She left the next day and was back two days later. “Why so soon?” he asked. “Father cannot forget how you made sport of him in Bian. He goes on and on about it. I did not want to hear any more, so I came back early.” From then on the women of the two houses came and went freely; but between father-in-law and son-in-law there was still no exchange of condolences or congratulations, or so it is said.