東昌卞氏，業牛醫者，有女小字臙脂，才姿惠麗。父寶愛之，欲占鳳於清門，而世族鄙其寒賤，不屑締盟，所以及笄未字。對戶龔姓之妻王氏，佻脫善謔，女閨中談友也。一日，送至門，見一少年過，白服裙帽，丰采甚都。女意似動，秋波縈轉之。少年俯其首，趨而去。去既遠，女猶凝眺。王窺其意，戲之曰：「以娘子才貌，得配若人，庶可無恨。」女暈紅上頰，脈脈不作一語。王問：「識得此郎否？」答云：「不識。」王曰：「此南巷鄂秀才秋隼，故孝廉之子。妾向與同里，故識之，世間男子，無其溫婉。今衣素，以妻服未闋也。娘子如有意，當寄語使委冰焉。」女無語，王笑而去。數日無耗，心疑王氏未暇即往，又疑宦裔不肯俯拾。邑邑徘徊，縈念頗苦；漸廢飲食，寢疾惙頓。王氏適來省視，研詰病因。答言：「自亦不知。但爾日別後，即覺忽忽不快，延命假息，朝暮人也。」王小語曰：「我家男子，負販未歸，尚無人致聲鄂郎。芳體違和，非為此否？」女赬顏良久。王戲之曰：「果為此者，病已至是，尚何顧忌？先令夜來一聚，彼豈不肯可？」女嘆息曰：「事至此，已不能羞。，但渠不嫌寒賤，即遣媒來，病當愈；若私約，則斷斷不可！」王頷之，遂去。王幼時與鄰生宿介通，既嫁，宿偵夫他出，輒尋舊好。是夜宿適來，因述女言為笑，戲囑致意鄂生。宿久知女美，聞之竊喜，幸其機可乘也。將與婦謀，又恐其妒，乃假無心之詞，問女家閨闥甚悉。次夜，踰垣入，直達女所，以指叩窗。內問：「誰何？」答以：「鄂生。」女曰：「妾所以念君者，為百年，不為一夕。郎果愛妾，但宜速倩冰人；若言私合，不敢從命。」宿姑諾之，苦求一握纖腕為信。女不忍過拒，力疾啟扉。宿遽入，即抱求歡。女無力撐拒，仆地上，氣息不續。宿急曳之。女曰：「何來惡少，必非鄂郎；果是鄂郎，其人溫馴，知妾病由，當相憐恤，何遂狂暴若此！若復爾爾，便當鳴呼，品行虧損，兩無所益！」宿恐假跡敗露，不敢復強，但請後會。女以親迎為期。宿以為遠，又請之。女厭糾纏，約待病愈。宿求信物，女不許。宿捉足解繡履而去。女呼之返，曰：「身已許君，復何吝惜？但恐『畫虎成狗』，致貽污謗。今褻物已入君手，料不可反。君如負心，但有一死！」宿既出，又投宿王所。既臥，心不忘履，陰揣衣袂，竟已烏有。急起篝燈，振衣冥索。詰之，不應。疑婦藏匿，婦故笑以疑之。宿不能隱，實以情告。言已，遍燭門外，竟不可得。懊恨歸寢，竊幸深夜無人，遺落當猶在途也。早起尋之，亦復杳然。先是，巷中有毛大者，游手無籍。嘗挑王氏不得，知宿與洽，思掩執以脅之。是夜，過其門，推之未扃，潛入。方至窗下，踏一物，耎若絮帛，拾視，則巾裹女舄。伏聽之，聞宿自述甚悉，喜極，抽身而出。踰數夕，越牆入女家，門戶不悉，誤詣翁舍。翁窺窗，見男子，察其音蹟，知為女來者。心忿怒，操刀直出。毛大駭，反走。方欲攀垣，而卞追已近，急無所逃，反身奪刃；媼起大呼，毛不得脫，因而殺之。女稍痊，聞喧始起。共燭之，翁腦裂不復能言，俄頃已絕。於牆下得繡履，媼視之，臙脂物也。逼女，女哭而實告之；但不忍貽累王氏，言鄂生之自至而已。天明，訟於邑。邑宰拘鄂。鄂為人謹訥，年十九歲，見客羞澀如童子。被執，駭絕。上堂不知置詞，惟有戰慄。宰益信其情真，橫加梏械。生不堪痛楚，以是誣服。即解郡，敲扑如邑。生冤氣填塞，每欲與女面相質；及相遭，女輒詬詈，遂結舌不能自伸，由是論死。往來覆訊，經數官無異詞。後委濟南府復案。時吳公南岱守濟南，一見鄂生，疑不類殺人者，陰使人從容私問之，俾盡得其詞。公以是益知鄂生冤。籌思數日，始鞫之。先問臙脂：「訂約後，有知者否？」答：「無之。」「遇鄂生時，別有人否？」亦答：「無之。」乃喚生上，溫語慰之。生自言：「曾過其門，但見舊鄰婦王氏與一少女出，某即趨避，過此並無一言。」吳公叱女曰：「適言側無他人，何以有鄰婦也？」欲刑之。女懼曰：「雖有王氏，與彼實無關涉。」公罷質，命拘王氏。數日已至，又禁不與女通，立刻出審，便問王：「殺人者誰？」王對：「不知。」公詐之曰：「臙脂供言，殺卞某汝悉知之，胡得隱匿？」婦呼曰：「冤哉！淫婢自思男子，我雖有媒合之言，特戲之耳。彼自引奸夫入院，我何知焉！」公細詰之，始述其前後相戲之詞。公呼女上，怒曰：「汝言彼不知情，今何以自供撮合哉？」女流涕曰：「自己不肖，致父慘死，訟結不知何年，又累他人，誠不忍耳。」公問王氏：「既戲後，曾語何人？」王供：「無之。」公怒曰：「夫妻在床，應無不言者，何得云無？」王供：「丈夫久客未歸。」公曰：「雖然，凡戲人者，皆笑人之愚，以炫己之慧，更不向一人言，將誰欺？」命梏十指。婦不得已，實供：「曾與宿言。」公於是釋鄂拘宿。宿至，自供：「不知。」公曰：「宿妓者必無良士！」嚴械之。宿自供：「賺女是真。自失履後，未敢復往，殺人實不知情。」公怒曰：「踰牆者何所不至！」又械之。宿不任凌藉，遂以自承。招成報上，無不稱吳公之神。鐵案如山，宿遂延頸以待秋決矣。然宿雖放縱無行，故東國名士。聞學使施公愚山賢能稱最，且又憐才恤士之德，因以一詞控其冤枉，語言愴惻。公乃討其招供，反覆凝思之。拍案曰：「此生冤也！」遂請於院、司，移案再鞫。問宿生：「鞋遺何所？」供曰：「忘之。但叩婦門時，猶在袖中。」轉詰王氏：「宿介之外，姦夫有幾？」供言：「無有。」公曰：「淫亂之人，豈得專私一個？」供言：「身與宿介，稚齒交合，故未能謝絕；後非無見挑者，身實未敢相從。」因使指其人以實之。供云：「同里毛大，屢挑而屢拒之矣。」公曰：「何忽貞白如此？」命搒之。婦頓首出血，力辨無有，乃釋之。又詰：「汝夫遠出，寧無有託故而來者？」曰：「有之，某甲、某乙，皆以借貸餽贈，曾一二次入小人家。」蓋甲、乙皆巷中游蕩子，有心於婦而未發者也。公悉籍其名，並拘之。既集，公赴城隍廟，使盡伏案前。便謂：「曩夢神人相告，殺人者不出汝等四五人中。今對神明，不得有妄言。如肯自首，尚可原宥；虛者，廉得無赦！」同聲言無殺人之事。公以三木置地，將並加之；括髮裸身，齊鳴冤苦。公命釋之，謂曰：「既不自招，當使鬼神指之。」使人以氈褥悉障殿窗，令無少隙；袒諸囚背，驅入暗中，始授盆水，一一命自盥訖；繫諸壁下，戒令「面壁勿動。殺人者，當有神書其背」。少間，喚出驗視，指毛曰：「此真殺人賊也！」蓋公先使人以灰塗壁，又以煙煤濯其手：殺人者恐神來書，故匿背於壁而有灰色；臨出，以手護背，而有煙色也。公固疑是毛，至此益信。施以毒刑，盡吐其實。判曰：「宿介：蹈盆成括殺身之道，成登徒子好色之名。祗緣兩小無猜，遂野鶩如家雞之戀；為因一言有漏，致得隴興望蜀之心。將仲子而踰園牆，便如鳥墮；冒劉郎而至洞口，竟賺門開。感帨驚尨，鼠有皮胡若此？攀花折樹，士無行其謂何！幸而聽病燕之嬌啼，猶為玉惜；憐弱柳之憔悴，未似鶯狂。而釋么鳳於羅中，尚有文人之意；乃劫香盟於襪底，寧非無賴之尤！蝴蜨過牆，隔窗有耳；蓮花卸瓣，墮地無蹤。假中之假以生，冤外之冤誰信？天降禍起，酷械至於垂亡；自作孽盈，斷頭幾於不續。彼踰牆鑽隙，固有玷夫儒冠；而僵李代桃，誠難消其冤氣。是宜稍寬笞扑，折其已受之慘；姑降青衣，開其自新之路。若毛大者：刁猾無籍，市井凶徒。被鄰女之投梭，淫心不死；伺狂童之入巷，賊智忽生。開戶迎風，喜得履張生之蹟；求漿值酒，妄思偷韓掾之香。何意魄奪自天，魂攝於鬼。浪乘槎木，直入廣寒之宮；逕泛漁舟，錯認桃源之路。遂使情火息焰，慾海生波。刀橫直前，投鼠無他顧之意；寇窮安往，急兔起反噬之心。越壁入人家，止期張有冠而李借；奪兵遺繡履，遂教魚脫網而鴻離。風流道乃生此惡魔，溫柔鄉何有此鬼蜮哉！即斷首領，以快人心。臙脂：身猶未字，歲已及笄。以月殿之仙人，自應有郎似玉；原霓裳之舊隊，何愁貯屋無金？而乃感關雎而念好逑，竟繞春婆之夢；怨摽梅而思吉士，遂離倩女之魂。為因一線纏縈，致使群魔交至。爭婦女之顏色，恐失『臙脂』；惹鷙鳥之紛飛，並托『秋隼』。蓮鉤摘去，難保一瓣之香；鐵限敲來，幾破連城之玉。嵌紅豆於骰子，相思骨竟作厲階；喪喬木於斧斤，可憎才真成禍水！葳蕤自守，幸白璧之無瑕；縲絏苦爭，喜錦衾之可覆。嘉其入門之拒，猶潔白之情人；遂其擲果之心，亦風流之雅事。仰彼邑令，作爾冰人。」案既結，遐邇傳誦焉。自吳公鞫後，女始知鄂生冤。堂下相遇，腆然含涕，似有痛惜之詞，而未可言也。生感其眷戀之情，愛慕殊切；而又念其出身微，且日登公堂，為千人所窺指，恐娶之為人姍笑，日夜縈迴，無以自主。判牒既下，意始安帖。邑宰為之委禽，送鼓吹焉。
東昌有個姓卞的人，以給牛治病為生。他有個女兒，小名胭脂，聰明有才，容貌秀麗。父親把她當作寶貝，十分疼愛，想從清白人家替她挑個好女婿，可那些世家大族嫌他家貧窮、身份低微，不屑與他結親，所以胭脂到了十五歲，仍沒有訂婚。對門龔家的妻子王氏，性情輕佻活潑，愛說笑話，是胭脂在閨中談心的朋友。一天，胭脂送她到門口，看見一個年輕男子經過，穿著白衣白裙，戴著白帽，儀表十分俊秀。胭脂似乎動了心，目光一直追隨著他。那男子低下頭，快步走開了。人已經走遠，胭脂還凝神望著。王氏看出了她的心思，打趣說：「憑你的才貌，要是能嫁給這樣的人，大概就沒什麼遺憾了。」胭脂雙頰泛紅，含情不語。王氏問：「你認識這位公子嗎？」胭脂說：「不認識。」王氏說：「這是南巷的鄂秀才秋隼，是已故孝廉的兒子。我從前和他住在同一個街坊，所以認識他。世上的男子，沒有比他更溫柔和氣的。他如今穿白衣，是因為替妻子服喪的期限還沒滿。你要是有意，我就託人給他傳個話，讓他請媒人來。」胭脂沒有說話，王氏笑著走了。過了幾天，仍沒有訊息。胭脂心裡一會兒猜想王氏還沒有空去說，一會兒又猜想那官宦人家的子弟不肯屈尊娶自己。她憂悶地來回徘徊，滿心掛念，苦惱不已，漸漸吃不下飯，喝不下水，終於病倒在床上，十分虛弱。王氏恰好來看她，一再追問病因。胭脂回答：「我自己也不知道。只是那天和你分別以後，就覺得恍恍惚惚，心裡不痛快。如今不過勉強吊著一口氣，隨時都可能死去。」王氏低聲說：「我家男人出門挑貨做生意，還沒有回來，一直沒人給鄂公子傳話。你身體不好，是不是為了這件事？」胭脂臉紅了好一陣。王氏打趣說：「真要是為了這個，既然已經病成這樣，還有什麼顧忌？先讓他夜裡來和你見一面，他難道還會不答應嗎？」胭脂嘆息說：「事情到了這一步，我也顧不上害羞了。只要他不嫌我家貧窮、身份低微，馬上派媒人來，我的病就會好；要是私下約會，那是萬萬不行的！」王氏點點頭，便走了。王氏年輕時就和鄰家的宿介有私情。嫁人以後，宿介只要打聽到她丈夫出門，就來和她重溫舊情。這天夜裡，宿介恰好來了，王氏便把胭脂的話當作笑話說給他聽，又開玩笑地叫他替胭脂向鄂生傳話。宿介早就知道胭脂貌美，聽了暗自高興，慶幸有了可乘之機。他想和王氏商量，又怕她嫉妒，於是裝作隨口閒談，把胭脂家的門戶和閨房位置問得一清二楚。第二天夜裡，他翻過院牆，徑直來到胭脂的房間，用手指敲窗。裡面問：「誰？」他回答：「鄂生。」胭脂說：「我之所以思念你，是想和你結為夫妻，過一輩子，並不是為了一夜的歡好。你如果真心愛我，就該趕快請媒人來；要是想私下與我相好，我不能答應。」宿介暫且答應下來，苦苦央求，只要握一握她的手腕，作為定情的憑證。胭脂不忍拒絕得太狠，勉強支撐著病體，打開了門。宿介立刻闖進來，抱住她，要求與她交歡。胭脂沒有力氣抵抗，跌倒在地，喘不過氣來。宿介趕緊把她拉起來。胭脂說：「你是哪裡來的惡少，肯定不是鄂公子！真要是鄂公子，他那樣溫柔和氣，知道我為什麼生病，理當憐惜我，怎麼會這樣狂暴！你要是再這樣，我就大聲呼救，到時兩個人的名聲都毀了，對誰也沒有好處！」宿介怕冒名的事敗露，不敢再強迫她，只求以後再見。胭脂說，要等他正式來迎娶自己時再見。宿介嫌太久，又央求起來。胭脂厭煩他的糾纏，便答應等病好了再見。宿介索要信物，胭脂不肯給。他便抓住她的腳，脫下一隻繡鞋，拿著就走。胭脂叫他回來，說：「我連終身都許給你了，還有什麼捨不得的？只是怕好事做不成，反而壞了事，害我遭受汙衊。如今這樣貼身的東西已經到了你手裡，想來也要不回來了。你如果負心，我就只有一死！」宿介出去以後，又到王氏那裡過夜。躺下後，他心裡還惦記著那隻鞋，偷偷摸了摸衣袖，鞋竟然不見了。他急忙起身，點亮燈，抖開衣服，到處尋找。王氏問他在找什麼，他不回答。他懷疑是王氏藏起來了，王氏卻故意笑著，讓他更加疑心。宿介瞞不下去，只好把實情告訴她。說完，又提著燈把門外照了個遍，仍找不到。他懊惱地回去睡下，暗自慶幸深夜沒有旁人，鞋既然掉了，應該還在路上。清早起來尋找，卻也毫無蹤影。原來，巷子裡有個毛大，遊手好閒，沒有正經營生。他曾經挑逗王氏，沒有得逞，知道宿介與她相好，就想趁兩人私會時把他們抓個正著，藉此要挾她。這天夜裡，他經過王氏門口，一推，發現門沒有閂上，便偷偷進去了。剛走到窗下，就踩著一件東西，軟得像棉絮和絲綢。撿起來看，原來是手巾包著的一隻女鞋。他伏在那裡偷聽，聽見宿介把事情的經過說得清清楚楚，心中大喜，便悄悄退了出去。又過了幾夜，毛大翻牆進了胭脂家。因為不熟悉門戶，他誤闖到了卞老翁的房間。老翁從窗裡往外看，見是個男子，聽他的聲音，看他的行跡，知道他是衝著女兒來的，心中憤怒，拿著刀直接衝了出去。毛大大驚，轉身逃跑。正要爬牆時，卞老翁已經追到了近前。他倉促間無處可逃，便回身奪過了刀。老婦人起來大聲呼喊，毛大脫不了身，就把老翁殺了。胭脂的病稍稍好些，聽見喧鬧才起來。母女一起拿燈照看，只見老翁頭顱裂開，再也說不出話，不一會兒就斷了氣。她們在牆腳找到一隻繡鞋，老婦人一看，是胭脂的東西，便逼問女兒。胭脂哭著說出了事情經過，可不忍牽連王氏，只說是鄂生自己找上門來的。天亮後，母女到縣衙告狀。邑宰拘捕了鄂生。鄂生為人謹慎，不善言辭，年紀十九歲，見了客人就像小孩子一樣羞澀。被抓以後，他嚇壞了。到了公堂，不知道該說什麼，只會發抖。邑宰因此更加相信他確實有罪，蠻橫地給他上刑。鄂生受不了痛苦，只得屈打成招。隨後他被押送到府裡，捱打受刑與在縣衙時一樣。他滿心冤屈，每次都想和胭脂當面對質，可一見面，胭脂就責罵他，他因此說不出話，無法為自己申辯，就這樣被判了死罪。案子來回複審，經過了好幾個官員，沒有一個提出不同的意見。後來，案子交給濟南府複審。當時吳南岱任濟南知府，一見鄂生，就覺得他不像殺人的人，暗中派人從容地私下詢問，讓他把話全都說出來。吳公因此更加確信鄂生受了冤枉。他思索籌劃了幾天，才開始審訊。先問胭脂：「你們約定以後，還有別人知道嗎？」胭脂回答：「沒有。」「你遇見鄂生時，旁邊還有別人嗎？」她也回答：「沒有。」吳公於是叫鄂生上來，溫言安慰。鄂生自己說：「我曾經從她家門口經過，只看見從前的鄰居王氏和一個少女出來，我就趕緊走開了。除此以外，我沒和她說過一句話。」吳公呵斥胭脂：「剛才說旁邊沒有別人，怎麼又有個鄰居婦人？」說著就要用刑。胭脂害怕了，說：「雖然有王氏，可她確實與這件事無關。」吳公停止對質，命人拘捕王氏。過了幾天，王氏被帶到了。他又不許她和胭脂接觸，立刻提出來審問，開口便問：「殺人的人是誰？」王氏回答：「不知道。」吳公詐她說：「胭脂供稱，殺卞某的事你全都知道，怎麼還敢隱瞞？」王氏叫道：「冤枉啊！那淫蕩的丫頭自己想著男人，我雖然說過替她做媒的話，也不過是逗她罷了。她自己把姦夫引進院裡，我怎麼會知道！」吳公仔細追問，她才把前後逗弄胭脂的話說了出來。吳公叫胭脂上來，怒道：「你說她不知道內情，如今她怎麼自己招認替你們撮合了？」胭脂流著淚說：「是我自己不爭氣，害得父親慘死。這場官司不知道哪年才能了結，再牽連別人，我實在不忍心。」吳公問王氏：「你逗弄她以後，還對誰說過？」王氏供稱：「沒有。」吳公怒道：「夫妻躺在床上，應該無話不說，怎麼能說沒有？」王氏說：「丈夫出門很久了，一直沒回來。」吳公說：「即便這樣，凡是逗弄別人的人，都是拿人家的傻氣取笑，來誇耀自己的聰明。要是一個人也不告訴，那你又是騙給誰看？」他命人夾她十指。王氏迫不得已，如實供稱：「曾經告訴過宿介。」吳公於是釋放鄂生，拘捕宿介。宿介到了，供稱：「不知道。」吳公說：「和淫婦私通的人，必定不是什麼正派士子！」隨即給他嚴刑拷打。宿介供稱：「欺騙胭脂是真的。自從丟了鞋以後，我就沒敢再去過，殺人的事我確實不知道。」吳公怒道：「會翻牆的人，還有什麼事幹不出來！」又給他用刑。宿介禁不住折磨，便把殺人的罪認了下來。口供寫成後報了上去，沒有人不稱讚吳公斷案如神。案子定得像鐵一樣牢、像山一樣穩，宿介就只等秋天被處決了。不過，宿介雖然放縱，沒有品行，卻是山東的知名士子。他聽說學使施愚山的賢德和才幹最受稱讚，又有愛惜人才、體恤士子的美德，便寫了一份狀詞，向他申訴冤情，言辭十分悲痛。施公調來他的供詞，反覆凝神思量，拍案說：「這個士子是冤枉的！」於是向院、司請求，把案子調來重新審訊。他問宿生：「鞋丟在哪裡？」宿介供稱：「不記得了。但我敲那婦人的門時，鞋還在袖子裡。」施公轉而問王氏：「除了宿介，你還有幾個姦夫？」她供稱：「沒有。」施公說：「淫亂的人，怎麼會只和一個人私通？」王氏供稱：「我和宿介小時候就有私情，所以一直沒能斷絕。後來並不是沒有人挑逗過我，但我實在不敢跟他們相好。」施公便讓她指出那些人，證實自己的話。她供稱：「同一個街坊的毛大，多次挑逗我，我都拒絕了。」施公說：「怎麼忽然就這樣貞潔了？」命人打她。王氏磕頭磕得流了血，竭力申辯確實沒有，施公才停止責打。又問：「你丈夫遠出，難道沒有人找藉口到你家來？」王氏說：「有。某甲、某乙，都曾以借錢、送禮為由，到我家裡來過一兩次。」原來，甲、乙都是巷子裡的閒蕩之徒，對王氏有意，還沒有表露出來。施公記下所有人的名字，把他們一併拘捕。人到齊後，施公來到城隍廟，讓他們都跪伏在神案前，說：「先前神人在夢裡告訴我，殺人的人就在你們這四五個人之中。如今面對神明，不許說假話。要是肯自首，還可以酌情寬恕；要是撒謊，等查出來，絕不饒恕！」眾人齊聲說自己沒有殺人。施公把枷、杻、桎三樣刑具放在地上，準備全給他們戴上，又把他們的頭髮束起，衣服剝掉，眾人一齊喊冤叫苦。施公命人鬆開他們，說：「既然不肯自己招認，就讓鬼神指出兇手。」他讓人用氈子和被褥把殿裡的窗戶全遮起來，不留一點縫隙，又讓犯人露出後背，把他們趕進黑暗中，這才給他們一盆水，命他們一個個洗完手，再把他們綁在牆邊，告誡說：「面朝牆，不許動。殺人的人，神會在他的背上寫字。」過了一會兒，他叫眾人出來察看，指著毛大說：「這才是真正的殺人賊！」原來，施公事先讓人在牆上塗了石灰，又在他們洗手的水裡摻了煙煤。殺人的人怕神來背上寫字，就把背緊貼在牆上，因此背上沾了石灰；臨出來時，又用手護住後背，因此還沾了煙煤的黑色。施公本來就懷疑是毛大，到這時更加確信。他給毛大用重刑，毛大終於把實情全都說了出來。判詞說：「宿介：你像盆成括一樣，空有一點小聰明，卻走上了招來殺身之禍的道路；又像登徒子一樣，落下了好色的名聲。只因為你們從小相好，沒有顧忌，便把婚外的情人當作家中的妻子一樣留戀；又因為聽到一句洩露出來的話，就有了得了隴地還想要蜀地的貪心。像《將仲子》裡所說的那樣，越過人家的園牆，像鳥一樣落進院子；冒充進仙洞的劉郎，竟騙得女子為你開了門。碰動女子的佩巾，驚得狗叫，老鼠尚且有一張皮，人怎麼能這樣不知羞恥！攀折花木，任意摧殘，正是讀書人沒有品行的表現！幸好你聽到病中女子的嬌聲哀求，還知道憐惜這塊美玉；看到她像弱柳一樣憔悴，也沒有一味輕狂。不再強迫她，如同放出網中的小鳳凰，還算留著一點文人的心腸；可從她腳上搶去繡鞋，強取定情的信物，難道不是無賴至極！你像蝴蝶一樣飛過院牆，卻不知有人隔窗偷聽；繡鞋像蓮花脫落的花瓣，落在地上，便不知去向。一個冒名者之外，又生出一個冒名者；一場冤案之外，又添上一場冤案，誰肯相信？禍事從天而降，酷刑把你折磨得瀕臨死亡；自己作的孽已經不少，腦袋也險些保不住。你翻牆鑽隙的行徑，固然玷汙了讀書人的身份，可讓你代人受罪，確實難以平息你的冤屈。因此應當稍減杖責，把已經受過的慘痛折抵進去；暫且罰你降為青衣、在生員中降等示懲，給你改過自新的機會。至於毛大：奸詐狡猾，沒有正經營生，是個市井兇徒。鄰家婦人雖拒絕過他，他的淫心卻不死；窺見輕狂的男子進入巷子，就忽然生出了奸計。見門開著，趁機進去，欣喜地踏上了張生私會情人的路；本想求一碗漿水，竟遇上了美酒，便妄想像韓掾一樣，偷得女子的芳香。不料竟被上天奪了膽，被鬼神攝了魂！胡亂乘著木筏，想直入月宮；逕自划著漁船，卻走錯了通往桃源的路。於是歡愛的熱火熄滅，慾望的海里掀起了波濤。卞老翁持刀直衝過來，只想打死這隻老鼠，顧不得別的；窮途末路的賊無處可逃，便像被逼急的兔子一樣，回身咬人。他翻牆進人家，原只打算借用別人的名號；奪刀後遺下繡鞋，卻使真兇如魚兒逃出網，旁人如鴻雁落入網。風流的路上竟生出這樣的惡魔，溫柔之鄉怎會有這樣的陰險之徒！立即斬首，以快人心。胭脂：還沒有訂婚，年紀已經十五歲。你像月宮裡的仙人，本來就該有個美玉般的郎君；彷彿是身穿霓裳的仙女下凡，哪裡還用愁沒有金屋安置你？可是你被《關雎》觸動，思念佳偶，竟縈繞著思春的夢；又像《摽梅》中的女子一樣，怨嘆婚期將過，盼望好男子來求婚，思念得如同倩女一般魂魄離身。只因為一縷情絲糾纏，便招來一群惡人。爭奪女子的美色，都怕錯失了『胭脂』；惹得猛禽紛飛，兩個惡人都假託『秋隼』的名號。繡鞋被奪去，便難保這一瓣蓮花的清香；閨門被敲開，幾乎毀了價值連城的美玉。像骰子裡嵌了紅豆，刻骨的相思竟成了禍端；父親像大樹一樣遭斧頭砍倒，可愛而又可恨的美貌，竟真的惹出了災禍。幸好你守住閨門，也守住自己，仍如白玉一般沒有瑕疵；受了拘押，仍苦苦抗爭，所幸最終還能蓋上新婚的錦被。讚許你在那人入門時拒絕他的無禮要求，你仍是個純潔的有情人；成全你對心上人的愛慕，也是一件風流雅事。命那邑令，做你們的媒人。」案子了結以後，這篇判詞遠近傳誦。自從吳公審訊以後，胭脂才知道鄂生是冤枉的。兩人在堂下相遇時，她羞愧地含著眼淚，像有許多悲痛、悔恨的話，卻又說不出口。鄂生被她對自己的眷戀感動，深深愛慕她；可又想到她出身低微，而且天天上公堂，被成千的人觀看、指點，怕娶了她會遭人譏笑。他日夜反覆思量，拿不定主意。等判詞下達，他的心才安定下來。邑宰替他送了聘禮，又派了鼓樂隊去迎親。
东昌卞氏，业牛医者，有女小字臙脂，才姿惠丽。父宝爱之，欲占凤于清门，而世族鄙其寒贱，不屑缔盟，所以及笄未字。对户龚姓之妻王氏，佻脱善谑，女闺中谈友也。一日，送至门，见一少年过，白服裙帽，丰采甚都。女意似动，秋波萦转之。少年俯其首，趋而去。去既远，女犹凝眺。王窥其意，戏之曰：「以娘子才貌，得配若人，庶可无恨。」女晕红上颊，脉脉不作一语。王问：「识得此郎否？」答云：「不识。」王曰：「此南巷鄂秀才秋隼，故孝廉之子。妾向与同里，故识之，世间男子，无其温婉。今衣素，以妻服未阕也。娘子如有意，当寄语使委冰焉。」女无语，王笑而去。数日无耗，心疑王氏未暇即往，又疑宦裔不肯俯拾。邑邑徘徊，萦念颇苦；渐废饮食，寝疾惙顿。王氏适来省视，研诘病因。答言：「自亦不知。但尔日别后，即觉忽忽不快，延命假息，朝暮人也。」王小语曰：「我家男子，负贩未归，尚无人致声鄂郎。芳体违和，非为此否？」女赪颜良久。王戏之曰：「果为此者，病已至是，尚何顾忌？先令夜来一聚，彼岂不肯可？」女叹息曰：「事至此，已不能羞。，但渠不嫌寒贱，即遣媒来，病当愈；若私约，则断断不可！」王颔之，遂去。王幼时与邻生宿介通，既嫁，宿侦夫他出，辄寻旧好。是夜宿适来，因述女言为笑，戏嘱致意鄂生。宿久知女美，闻之窃喜，幸其机可乘也。将与妇谋，又恐其妒，乃假无心之词，问女家闺闼甚悉。次夜，逾垣入，直达女所，以指叩窗。内问：「谁何？」答以：「鄂生。」女曰：「妾所以念君者，为百年，不为一夕。郎果爱妾，但宜速倩冰人；若言私合，不敢从命。」宿姑诺之，苦求一握纤腕为信。女不忍过拒，力疾启扉。宿遽入，即抱求欢。女无力撑拒，仆地上，气息不续。宿急曳之。女曰：「何来恶少，必非鄂郎；果是鄂郎，其人温驯，知妾病由，当相怜恤，何遂狂暴若此！若复尔尔，便当鸣呼，品行亏损，两无所益！」宿恐假迹败露，不敢复强，但请后会。女以亲迎为期。宿以为远，又请之。女厌纠缠，约待病愈。宿求信物，女不许。宿捉足解绣履而去。女呼之返，曰：「身已许君，复何吝惜？但恐『画虎成狗』，致贻污谤。今亵物已入君手，料不可反。君如负心，但有一死！」宿既出，又投宿王所。既卧，心不忘履，阴揣衣袂，竟已乌有。急起篝灯，振衣冥索。诘之，不应。疑妇藏匿，妇故笑以疑之。宿不能隐，实以情告。言已，遍烛门外，竟不可得。懊恨归寝，窃幸深夜无人，遗落当犹在途也。早起寻之，亦复杳然。先是，巷中有毛大者，游手无籍。尝挑王氏不得，知宿与洽，思掩执以胁之。是夜，过其门，推之未扃，潜入。方至窗下，踏一物，耎若絮帛，拾视，则巾裹女舄。伏听之，闻宿自述甚悉，喜极，抽身而出。逾数夕，越墙入女家，门户不悉，误诣翁舍。翁窥窗，见男子，察其音迹，知为女来者。心忿怒，操刀直出。毛大骇，反走。方欲攀垣，而卞追已近，急无所逃，反身夺刃；媪起大呼，毛不得脱，因而杀之。女稍痊，闻喧始起。共烛之，翁脑裂不复能言，俄顷已绝。于墙下得绣履，媪视之，臙脂物也。逼女，女哭而实告之；但不忍贻累王氏，言鄂生之自至而已。天明，讼於邑。邑宰拘鄂。鄂为人谨讷，年十九岁，见客羞涩如童子。被执，骇绝。上堂不知置词，惟有战栗。宰益信其情真，横加梏械。生不堪痛楚，以是诬服。即解郡，敲扑如邑。生冤气填塞，每欲与女面相质；及相遭，女辄诟詈，遂结舌不能自伸，由是论死。往来覆讯，经数官无异词。后委济南府复案。时吴公南岱守济南，一见鄂生，疑不类杀人者，阴使人从容私问之，俾尽得其词。公以是益知鄂生冤。筹思数日，始鞫之。先问臙脂：「订约后，有知者否？」答：「无之。」「遇鄂生时，别有人否？」亦答：「无之。」乃唤生上，温语慰之。生自言：「曾过其门，但见旧邻妇王氏与一少女出，某即趋避，过此并无一言。」吴公叱女曰：「适言侧无他人，何以有邻妇也？」欲刑之。女惧曰：「虽有王氏，与彼实无关涉。」公罢质，命拘王氏。数日已至，又禁不与女通，立刻出审，便问王：「杀人者谁？」王对：「不知。」公诈之曰：「臙脂供言，杀卞某汝悉知之，胡得隐匿？」妇呼曰：「冤哉！淫婢自思男子，我虽有媒合之言，特戏之耳。彼自引奸夫入院，我何知焉！」公细诘之，始述其前后相戏之词。公呼女上，怒曰：「汝言彼不知情，今何以自供撮合哉？」女流涕曰：「自己不肖，致父惨死，讼结不知何年，又累他人，诚不忍耳。」公问王氏：「既戏后，曾语何人？」王供：「无之。」公怒曰：「夫妻在床，应无不言者，何得云无？」王供：「丈夫久客未归。」公曰：「虽然，凡戏人者，皆笑人之愚，以炫己之慧，更不向一人言，将谁欺？」命梏十指。妇不得已，实供：「曾与宿言。」公于是释鄂拘宿。宿至，自供：「不知。」公曰：「宿妓者必无良士！」严械之。宿自供：「赚女是真。自失履后，未敢复往，杀人实不知情。」公怒曰：「逾墙者何所不至！」又械之。宿不任凌借，遂以自承。招成报上，无不称吴公之神。铁案如山，宿遂延颈以待秋决矣。然宿虽放纵无行，故东国名士。闻学使施公愚山贤能称最，且又怜才恤士之德，因以一词控其冤枉，语言怆恻。公乃讨其招供，反复凝思之。拍案曰：「此生冤也！」遂请于院、司，移案再鞫。问宿生：「鞋遗何所？」供曰：「忘之。但叩妇门时，犹在袖中。」转诘王氏：「宿介之外，奸夫有几？」供言：「无有。」公曰：「淫乱之人，岂得专私一个？」供言：「身与宿介，稚齿交合，故未能谢绝；后非无见挑者，身实未敢相从。」因使指其人以实之。供云：「同里毛大，屡挑而屡拒之矣。」公曰：「何忽贞白如此？」命搒之。妇顿首出血，力辨无有，乃释之。又诘：「汝夫远出，宁无有托故而来者？」曰：「有之，某甲、某乙，皆以借贷餽赠，曾一二次入小人家。」盖甲、乙皆巷中游荡子，有心于妇而未发者也。公悉籍其名，并拘之。既集，公赴城隍庙，使尽伏案前。便谓：「曩梦神人相告，杀人者不出汝等四五人中。今对神明，不得有妄言。如肯自首，尚可原宥；虚者，廉得无赦！」同声言无杀人之事。公以三木置地，将并加之；括发裸身，齐鸣冤苦。公命释之，谓曰：「既不自招，当使鬼神指之。」使人以毡褥悉障殿窗，令无少隙；袒诸囚背，驱入暗中，始授盆水，一一命自盥讫；系诸壁下，戒令「面壁勿动。杀人者，当有神书其背」。少间，唤出验视，指毛曰：「此真杀人贼也！」盖公先使人以灰涂壁，又以烟煤濯其手：杀人者恐神来书，故匿背于壁而有灰色；临出，以手护背，而有烟色也。公固疑是毛，至此益信。施以毒刑，尽吐其实。判曰：「宿介：蹈盆成括杀身之道，成登徒子好色之名。祗缘两小无猜，遂野鹜如家鸡之恋；为因一言有漏，致得陇兴望蜀之心。将仲子而逾园墙，便如鸟堕；冒刘郎而至洞口，竟赚门开。感帨惊尨，鼠有皮胡若此？攀花折树，士无行其谓何！幸而听病燕之娇啼，犹为玉惜；怜弱柳之憔悴，未似莺狂。而释幺凤于罗中，尚有文人之意；乃劫香盟于袜底，宁非无赖之尤！蝴蜨过墙，隔窗有耳；莲花卸瓣，堕地无踪。假中之假以生，冤外之冤谁信？天降祸起，酷械至于垂亡；自作孽盈，断头几于不续。彼逾墙钻隙，固有玷夫儒冠；而僵李代桃，诚难消其冤气。是宜稍宽笞扑，折其已受之惨；姑降青衣，开其自新之路。若毛大者：刁猾无籍，市井凶徒。被邻女之投梭，淫心不死；伺狂童之入巷，贼智忽生。开户迎风，喜得履张生之迹；求浆值酒，妄思偷韩掾之香。何意魄夺自天，魂摄于鬼。浪乘槎木，直入广寒之宫；径泛渔舟，错认桃源之路。遂使情火息焰，欲海生波。刀横直前，投鼠无他顾之意；寇穷安往，急兔起反噬之心。越壁入人家，止期张有冠而李借；夺兵遗绣履，遂教鱼脱网而鸿离。风流道乃生此恶魔，温柔乡何有此鬼蜮哉！即断首领，以快人心。臙脂：身犹未字，岁已及笄。以月殿之仙人，自应有郎似玉；原霓裳之旧队，何愁贮屋无金？而乃感关雎而念好逑，竟绕春婆之梦；怨摽梅而思吉士，遂离倩女之魂。为因一线缠萦，致使群魔交至。争妇女之颜色，恐失『臙脂』；惹鸷鸟之纷飞，并托『秋隼』。莲钩摘去，难保一瓣之香；铁限敲来，几破连城之玉。嵌红豆于骰子，相思骨竟作厉阶；丧乔木于斧斤，可憎才真成祸水！葳蕤自守，幸白璧之无瑕；缧絏苦争，喜锦衾之可覆。嘉其入门之拒，犹洁白之情人；遂其掷果之心，亦风流之雅事。仰彼邑令，作尔冰人。」案既结，遐迩传诵焉。自吴公鞫后，女始知鄂生冤。堂下相遇，腆然含涕，似有痛惜之词，而未可言也。生感其眷恋之情，爱慕殊切；而又念其出身微，且日登公堂，为千人所窥指，恐娶之为人姗笑，日夜萦回，无以自主。判牒既下，意始安帖。邑宰为之委禽，送鼓吹焉。
东昌有个姓卞的人，以给牛治病为生。他有个女儿，小名胭脂，聪明有才，容貌秀丽。父亲把她当作宝贝，十分疼爱，想从清白人家替她挑个好女婿，可那些世家大族嫌他家贫穷、身份低微，不屑与他结亲，所以胭脂到了十五岁，仍没有订婚。对门龚家的妻子王氏，性情轻佻活泼，爱说笑话，是胭脂在闺中谈心的朋友。一天，胭脂送她到门口，看见一个年轻男子经过，穿着白衣白裙，戴着白帽，仪表十分俊秀。胭脂似乎动了心，目光一直追随着他。那男子低下头，快步走开了。人已经走远，胭脂还凝神望着。王氏看出了她的心思，打趣说：“凭你的才貌，要是能嫁给这样的人，大概就没什么遗憾了。”胭脂双颊泛红，含情不语。王氏问：“你认识这位公子吗？”胭脂说：“不认识。”王氏说：“这是南巷的鄂秀才秋隼，是已故孝廉的儿子。我从前和他住在同一个街坊，所以认识他。世上的男子，没有比他更温柔和气的。他如今穿白衣，是因为替妻子服丧的期限还没满。你要是有意，我就托人给他传个话，让他请媒人来。”胭脂没有说话，王氏笑着走了。过了几天，仍没有消息。胭脂心里一会儿猜想王氏还没有空去说，一会儿又猜想那官宦人家的子弟不肯屈尊娶自己。她忧闷地来回徘徊，满心挂念，苦恼不已，渐渐吃不下饭，喝不下水，终于病倒在床上，十分虚弱。王氏恰好来看她，一再追问病因。胭脂回答：“我自己也不知道。只是那天和你分别以后，就觉得恍恍惚惚，心里不痛快。如今不过勉强吊着一口气，随时都可能死去。”王氏低声说：“我家男人出门挑货做生意，还没有回来，一直没人给鄂公子传话。你身体不好，是不是为了这件事？”胭脂脸红了好一阵。王氏打趣说：“真要是为了这个，既然已经病成这样，还有什么顾忌？先让他夜里来和你见一面，他难道还会不答应吗？”胭脂叹息说：“事情到了这一步，我也顾不上害羞了。只要他不嫌我家贫穷、身份低微，马上派媒人来，我的病就会好；要是私下约会，那是万万不行的！”王氏点点头，便走了。王氏年轻时就和邻家的宿介有私情。嫁人以后，宿介只要打听到她丈夫出门，就来和她重温旧情。这天夜里，宿介恰好来了，王氏便把胭脂的话当作笑话说给他听，又开玩笑地叫他替胭脂向鄂生传话。宿介早就知道胭脂貌美，听了暗自高兴，庆幸有了可乘之机。他想和王氏商量，又怕她嫉妒，于是装作随口闲谈，把胭脂家的门户和闺房位置问得一清二楚。第二天夜里，他翻过院墙，径直来到胭脂的房间，用手指敲窗。里面问：“谁？”他回答：“鄂生。”胭脂说：“我之所以思念你，是想和你结为夫妻，过一辈子，并不是为了一夜的欢好。你如果真心爱我，就该赶快请媒人来；要是想私下与我相好，我不能答应。”宿介暂且答应下来，苦苦央求，只要握一握她的手腕，作为定情的凭证。胭脂不忍拒绝得太狠，勉强支撑着病体，打开了门。宿介立刻闯进来，抱住她，要求与她交欢。胭脂没有力气抵抗，跌倒在地，喘不过气来。宿介赶紧把她拉起来。胭脂说：“你是哪里来的恶少，肯定不是鄂公子！真要是鄂公子，他那样温柔和气，知道我为什么生病，理当怜惜我，怎么会这样狂暴！你要是再这样，我就大声呼救，到时两个人的名声都毁了，对谁也没有好处！”宿介怕冒名的事败露，不敢再强迫她，只求以后再见。胭脂说，要等他正式来迎娶自己时再见。宿介嫌太久，又央求起来。胭脂厌烦他的纠缠，便答应等病好了再见。宿介索要信物，胭脂不肯给。他便抓住她的脚，脱下一只绣鞋，拿着就走。胭脂叫他回来，说：“我连终身都许给你了，还有什么舍不得的？只是怕好事做不成，反而坏了事，害我遭受污蔑。如今这样贴身的东西已经到了你手里，想来也要不回来了。你如果负心，我就只有一死！”宿介出去以后，又到王氏那里过夜。躺下后，他心里还惦记着那只鞋，偷偷摸了摸衣袖，鞋竟然不见了。他急忙起身，点亮灯，抖开衣服，到处寻找。王氏问他在找什么，他不回答。他怀疑是王氏藏起来了，王氏却故意笑着，让他更加疑心。宿介瞒不下去，只好把实情告诉她。说完，又提着灯把门外照了个遍，仍找不到。他懊恼地回去睡下，暗自庆幸深夜没有旁人，鞋既然掉了，应该还在路上。清早起来寻找，却也毫无踪影。原来，巷子里有个毛大，游手好闲，没有正经营生。他曾经挑逗王氏，没有得逞，知道宿介与她相好，就想趁两人私会时把他们抓个正着，借此要挟她。这天夜里，他经过王氏门口，一推，发现门没有闩上，便偷偷进去了。刚走到窗下，就踩着一件东西，软得像棉絮和丝绸。捡起来看，原来是手巾包着的一只女鞋。他伏在那里偷听，听见宿介把事情的经过说得清清楚楚，心中大喜，便悄悄退了出去。又过了几夜，毛大翻墙进了胭脂家。因为不熟悉门户，他误闯到了卞老翁的房间。老翁从窗里往外看，见是个男子，听他的声音，看他的行迹，知道他是冲着女儿来的，心中愤怒，拿着刀直接冲了出去。毛大大惊，转身逃跑。正要爬墙时，卞老翁已经追到了近前。他仓促间无处可逃，便回身夺过了刀。老妇人起来大声呼喊，毛大脱不了身，就把老翁杀了。胭脂的病稍稍好些，听见喧闹才起来。母女一起拿灯照看，只见老翁头颅裂开，再也说不出话，不一会儿就断了气。她们在墙脚找到一只绣鞋，老妇人一看，是胭脂的东西，便逼问女儿。胭脂哭着说出了事情经过，可不忍牵连王氏，只说是鄂生自己找上门来的。天亮后，母女到县衙告状。邑宰拘捕了鄂生。鄂生为人谨慎，不善言辞，年纪十九岁，见了客人就像小孩子一样羞涩。被抓以后，他吓坏了。到了公堂，不知道该说什么，只会发抖。邑宰因此更加相信他确实有罪，蛮横地给他上刑。鄂生受不了痛苦，只得屈打成招。随后他被押送到府里，挨打受刑与在县衙时一样。他满心冤屈，每次都想和胭脂当面对质，可一见面，胭脂就责骂他，他因此说不出话，无法为自己申辩，就这样被判了死罪。案子来回复审，经过了好几个官员，没有一个提出不同的意见。后来，案子交给济南府复审。当时吴南岱任济南知府，一见鄂生，就觉得他不像杀人的人，暗中派人从容地私下询问，让他把话全都说出来。吴公因此更加确信鄂生受了冤枉。他思索筹划了几天，才开始审讯。先问胭脂：“你们约定以后，还有别人知道吗？”胭脂回答：“没有。”“你遇见鄂生时，旁边还有别人吗？”她也回答：“没有。”吴公于是叫鄂生上来，温言安慰。鄂生自己说：“我曾经从她家门口经过，只看见从前的邻居王氏和一个少女出来，我就赶紧走开了。除此以外，我没和她说过一句话。”吴公呵斥胭脂：“刚才说旁边没有别人，怎么又有个邻居妇人？”说着就要用刑。胭脂害怕了，说：“虽然有王氏，可她确实与这件事无关。”吴公停止对质，命人拘捕王氏。过了几天，王氏被带到了。他又不许她和胭脂接触，立刻提出来审问，开口便问：“杀人的人是谁？”王氏回答：“不知道。”吴公诈她说：“胭脂供称，杀卞某的事你全都知道，怎么还敢隐瞒？”王氏叫道：“冤枉啊！那淫荡的丫头自己想着男人，我虽然说过替她做媒的话，也不过是逗她罢了。她自己把奸夫引进院里，我怎么会知道！”吴公仔细追问，她才把前后逗弄胭脂的话说了出来。吴公叫胭脂上来，怒道：“你说她不知道内情，如今她怎么自己招认替你们撮合了？”胭脂流着泪说：“是我自己不争气，害得父亲惨死。这场官司不知道哪年才能了结，再牵连别人，我实在不忍心。”吴公问王氏：“你逗弄她以后，还对谁说过？”王氏供称：“没有。”吴公怒道：“夫妻躺在床上，应该无话不说，怎么能说没有？”王氏说：“丈夫出门很久了，一直没回来。”吴公说：“即便这样，凡是逗弄别人的人，都是拿人家的傻气取笑，来夸耀自己的聪明。要是一个人也不告诉，那你又是骗给谁看？”他命人夹她十指。王氏迫不得已，如实供称：“曾经告诉过宿介。”吴公于是释放鄂生，拘捕宿介。宿介到了，供称：“不知道。”吴公说：“和淫妇私通的人，必定不是什么正派士子！”随即给他严刑拷打。宿介供称：“欺骗胭脂是真的。自从丢了鞋以后，我就没敢再去过，杀人的事我确实不知道。”吴公怒道：“会翻墙的人，还有什么事干不出来！”又给他用刑。宿介禁不住折磨，便把杀人的罪认了下来。口供写成后报了上去，没有人不称赞吴公断案如神。案子定得像铁一样牢、像山一样稳，宿介就只等秋天被处决了。不过，宿介虽然放纵，没有品行，却是山东的知名士子。他听说学使施愚山的贤德和才干最受称赞，又有爱惜人才、体恤士子的美德，便写了一份状词，向他申诉冤情，言辞十分悲痛。施公调来他的供词，反复凝神思量，拍案说：“这个士子是冤枉的！”于是向院、司请求，把案子调来重新审讯。他问宿生：“鞋丢在哪里？”宿介供称：“不记得了。但我敲那妇人的门时，鞋还在袖子里。”施公转而问王氏：“除了宿介，你还有几个奸夫？”她供称：“没有。”施公说：“淫乱的人，怎么会只和一个人私通？”王氏供称：“我和宿介小时候就有私情，所以一直没能断绝。后来并不是没有人挑逗过我，但我实在不敢跟他们相好。”施公便让她指出那些人，证实自己的话。她供称：“同一个街坊的毛大，多次挑逗我，我都拒绝了。”施公说：“怎么忽然就这样贞洁了？”命人打她。王氏磕头磕得流了血，竭力申辩确实没有，施公才停止责打。又问：“你丈夫远出，难道没有人找借口到你家来？”王氏说：“有。某甲、某乙，都曾以借钱、送礼为由，到我家里来过一两次。”原来，甲、乙都是巷子里的闲荡之徒，对王氏有意，还没有表露出来。施公记下所有人的名字，把他们一并拘捕。人到齐后，施公来到城隍庙，让他们都跪伏在神案前，说：“先前神人在梦里告诉我，杀人的人就在你们这四五个人之中。如今面对神明，不许说假话。要是肯自首，还可以酌情宽恕；要是撒谎，等查出来，绝不饶恕！”众人齐声说自己没有杀人。施公把枷、杻、桎三样刑具放在地上，准备全给他们戴上，又把他们的头发束起，衣服剥掉，众人一齐喊冤叫苦。施公命人松开他们，说：“既然不肯自己招认，就让鬼神指出凶手。”他让人用毡子和被褥把殿里的窗户全遮起来，不留一点缝隙，又让犯人露出后背，把他们赶进黑暗中，这才给他们一盆水，命他们一个个洗完手，再把他们绑在墙边，告诫说：“面朝墙，不许动。杀人的人，神会在他的背上写字。”过了一会儿，他叫众人出来察看，指着毛大说：“这才是真正的杀人贼！”原来，施公事先让人在墙上涂了石灰，又在他们洗手的水里掺了烟煤。杀人的人怕神来背上写字，就把背紧贴在墙上，因此背上沾了石灰；临出来时，又用手护住后背，因此还沾了烟煤的黑色。施公本来就怀疑是毛大，到这时更加确信。他给毛大用重刑，毛大终于把实情全都说了出来。判词说：“宿介：你像盆成括一样，空有一点小聪明，却走上了招来杀身之祸的道路；又像登徒子一样，落下了好色的名声。只因为你们从小相好，没有顾忌，便把婚外的情人当作家中的妻子一样留恋；又因为听到一句泄露出来的话，就有了得了陇地还想要蜀地的贪心。像《将仲子》里所说的那样，越过人家的园墙，像鸟一样落进院子；冒充进仙洞的刘郎，竟骗得女子为你开了门。碰动女子的佩巾，惊得狗叫，老鼠尚且有一张皮，人怎么能这样不知羞耻！攀折花木，任意摧残，正是读书人没有品行的表现！幸好你听到病中女子的娇声哀求，还知道怜惜这块美玉；看到她像弱柳一样憔悴，也没有一味轻狂。不再强迫她，如同放出网中的小凤凰，还算留着一点文人的心肠；可从她脚上抢去绣鞋，强取定情的信物，难道不是无赖至极！你像蝴蝶一样飞过院墙，却不知有人隔窗偷听；绣鞋像莲花脱落的花瓣，落在地上，便不知去向。一个冒名者之外，又生出一个冒名者；一场冤案之外，又添上一场冤案，谁肯相信？祸事从天而降，酷刑把你折磨得濒临死亡；自己作的孽已经不少，脑袋也险些保不住。你翻墙钻隙的行径，固然玷污了读书人的身份，可让你代人受罪，确实难以平息你的冤屈。因此应当稍减杖责，把已经受过的惨痛折抵进去；暂且罚你降为青衣、在生员中降等示惩，给你改过自新的机会。至于毛大：奸诈狡猾，没有正经营生，是个市井凶徒。邻家妇人虽拒绝过他，他的淫心却不死；窥见轻狂的男子进入巷子，就忽然生出了奸计。见门开着，趁机进去，欣喜地踏上了张生私会情人的路；本想求一碗浆水，竟遇上了美酒，便妄想像韩掾一样，偷得女子的芳香。不料竟被上天夺了胆，被鬼神摄了魂！胡乱乘着木筏，想直入月宫；径自划着渔船，却走错了通往桃源的路。于是欢爱的热火熄灭，欲望的海里掀起了波涛。卞老翁持刀直冲过来，只想打死这只老鼠，顾不得别的；穷途末路的贼无处可逃，便像被逼急的兔子一样，回身咬人。他翻墙进人家，原只打算借用别人的名号；夺刀后遗下绣鞋，却使真凶如鱼儿逃出网，旁人如鸿雁落入网。风流的路上竟生出这样的恶魔，温柔之乡怎会有这样的阴险之徒！立即斩首，以快人心。胭脂：还没有订婚，年纪已经十五岁。你像月宫里的仙人，本来就该有个美玉般的郎君；仿佛是身穿霓裳的仙女下凡，哪里还用愁没有金屋安置你？可是你被《关雎》触动，思念佳偶，竟萦绕着思春的梦；又像《摽梅》中的女子一样，怨叹婚期将过，盼望好男子来求婚，思念得如同倩女一般魂魄离身。只因为一缕情丝纠缠，便招来一群恶人。争夺女子的美色，都怕错失了‘胭脂’；惹得猛禽纷飞，两个恶人都假托‘秋隼’的名号。绣鞋被夺去，便难保这一瓣莲花的清香；闺门被敲开，几乎毁了价值连城的美玉。像骰子里嵌了红豆，刻骨的相思竟成了祸端；父亲像大树一样遭斧头砍倒，可爱而又可恨的美貌，竟真的惹出了灾祸。幸好你守住闺门，也守住自己，仍如白玉一般没有瑕疵；受了拘押，仍苦苦抗争，所幸最终还能盖上新婚的锦被。赞许你在那人入门时拒绝他的无礼要求，你仍是个纯洁的有情人；成全你对心上人的爱慕，也是一件风流雅事。命那邑令，做你们的媒人。”案子了结以后，这篇判词远近传诵。自从吴公审讯以后，胭脂才知道鄂生是冤枉的。两人在堂下相遇时，她羞愧地含着眼泪，像有许多悲痛、悔恨的话，却又说不出口。鄂生被她对自己的眷恋感动，深深爱慕她；可又想到她出身低微，而且天天上公堂，被成千的人观看、指点，怕娶了她会遭人讥笑。他日夜反复思量，拿不定主意。等判词下达，他的心才安定下来。邑宰替他送了聘礼，又派了鼓乐队去迎亲。
A man named Bian of Dongchang made his living as a cattle doctor. He had a daughter whose childhood name was Yanzhi, clever and lovely. Her father doted on her and hoped to match her with a family of scholars; but the old families looked down on his poverty and humble trade and would not deign to make a match, so though she had come of age she was still not betrothed. Across the road lived the wife of a man named Gong, Mrs. Wang, a flighty woman fond of joking, who was the girl’s friend and confidante. One day, as the girl saw her to the gate, a young man passed by, dressed in white with a skirt and cap, and very handsome. The girl seemed taken with him, and her eyes followed him, lingering. The young man lowered his head and hurried away. When he was far off, the girl was still gazing after him. Mrs. Wang saw what she was feeling, and teased her. “With your talents and your looks, young lady, if you could be matched with a man like that, you’d have nothing to regret.” A blush rose to the girl’s cheeks; she gazed silently and said not a word. “Do you know who he is?” asked Mrs. Wang. “No,” she answered. “That’s E Qiusun, the licentiate from the south lane, son of the late provincial graduate. I used to live in the same neighbourhood, so I know him. There’s no gentler man in the world. He’s in white now because his mourning for his wife isn’t over. If you’re interested, young lady, I’ll send him word and have him send a go-between.” The girl said nothing, and Mrs. Wang went off laughing. Several days passed without news. The girl suspected Mrs. Wang had not had time to go yet, and then suspected that a son of an official family would not stoop to pick her up. She brooded and lingered, and her longing tormented her; little by little she stopped eating and drinking, and took to her bed, sick and weak. Mrs. Wang happened to come to see her, and pressed her for the cause of her illness. “I don’t know myself,” she said. “But ever since we parted that day I’ve felt low and listless. I’m only just clinging to life; I may not last from morning to night.” Mrs. Wang whispered, “My husband is away peddling and hasn’t come back, so there’s been no one to send word to young E. You’re poorly — isn’t this the reason?” The girl blushed scarlet for a long time. Mrs. Wang teased her: “If that’s what it is, and you’re this ill already, why worry about propriety? First have him come one night and meet you. Why would he refuse?” The girl sighed. “Things have come to this — I’m past being shy. If only he doesn’t scorn my poverty and humble birth and sends a go-between at once, I’ll get well. But a secret meeting — never!” Mrs. Wang nodded and left. When she was young, Mrs. Wang had had an affair with a neighbour’s son, a scholar named Su Jie. After she married, whenever Su found out that her husband had gone away, he came to renew their old pleasures. That night Su happened to come, and she told him what the girl had said, for a laugh, and teasingly asked him to pass the message on to E. Su had long known the girl was beautiful. Hearing this, he was secretly glad, and delighted to have an opening. He thought of plotting it with the woman, but was afraid she would be jealous; so, as if without purpose, he asked about the girl’s house and rooms in great detail. The next night he climbed over the wall, went straight to the girl’s room and tapped on the window with his finger. “Who’s there?” she asked from inside. “E,” he answered. “If I long for you,” said the girl, “it is for a hundred years, not for one night. If you really love me, you should find a go-between quickly. But if you speak of a secret union, I dare not do as you ask.” Su pretended to agree, and begged hard just to hold her slender wrist as a pledge. The girl could not bear to refuse him too harshly, and dragging herself from her sickbed, she opened the door. Su rushed in and at once seized her, demanding her love. The girl had no strength to fight him off, fell to the ground and could not get her breath. Su hastily pulled her up. “What young thug is this?” she said. “You can’t be E. If you were E — he is gentle and mild; he would know why I am ill and take pity on me. How could he be so violent? If you do that again, I’ll scream, and we’ll both be ruined, and neither of us will gain anything!” Afraid his disguise would be found out, Su did not dare force her further, and only asked for another meeting. The girl said it would be on the day he came for her as his bride. Su thought that too far off, and asked again. Tired of his pestering, she agreed to wait till she was well. Su asked for a keepsake; she refused. Su seized her foot, pulled off her embroidered shoe and went off. She called him back. “I have promised myself to you; why should I grudge you anything? But I fear we will ‘try to paint a tiger and end with a dog,’ and bring shame and slander on me. Now that something so intimate is in your hands, I don’t suppose you’ll give it back. If you go back on me, there is nothing left for me but death!” When Su left, he went to spend the night at Mrs. Wang’s. Once he was in bed, he had not forgotten the shoe; he felt secretly in his sleeve — it was gone. He jumped up, lit a lamp, shook out his clothes and searched everywhere. She asked what he was doing; he did not answer. He suspected she had hidden it, and she laughed on purpose to make him suspect it more. Su could not keep it from her, and told her the truth. Then he searched with a lamp all round outside the door, but could not find it. He went back to bed vexed, but secretly comforted himself that so late at night no one would be about, and that it must still be lying on the path. He got up early to look, but it was gone without a trace. Now, in the lane lived one Mao Da, an idler with no proper trade. He had once made advances to Mrs. Wang and got nowhere, and knowing that Su was her lover, he meant to catch them in the act and blackmail her. That night he passed her gate, pushed it, found it unbolted, and slipped in. Just as he reached the window, he trod on something soft as wadding or silk. He picked it up and looked: it was a woman’s shoe wrapped in a kerchief. Crouching to listen, he heard Su telling the whole story. Overjoyed, he slipped away. A few nights later he climbed the wall into the girl’s house; but not knowing the doors and rooms, he went by mistake to the old man’s quarters. The old man peeped out of the window and saw a man; from his voice and his movements he knew he had come for his daughter. In fury he seized a knife and went straight out. Mao was frightened and turned to run. He was about to climb the wall when Bian came up close behind; with no way to escape, Mao turned back and wrenched the knife from him. The old woman got up and screamed. Mao could not get away, and so he killed him. The girl, who was a little better, heard the uproar and only then got up. They brought a light: the old man’s skull was split, he could not speak, and in a moment he was dead. Under the wall they found the embroidered shoe. The old woman looked at it: it was Yanzhi’s. She pressed the girl, who wept and told the truth; but unwilling to drag Mrs. Wang into it, she said only that E had come to her of his own accord. At dawn they took the case to the county. The magistrate had E arrested. E was a cautious, tongue-tied young man of nineteen, as shy with visitors as a little boy. When he was seized he was frightened out of his wits. Brought into court, he did not know what to say, and could only tremble. This made the magistrate all the surer of his guilt, and he put him to torture. Unable to bear the pain, the young man confessed falsely. He was sent on to the prefecture, where he was beaten as in the county. Choking with the injustice of it, he always wanted to face the girl and have it out; but whenever they met, she cursed and reviled him, and he was so tongue-tied that he could not defend himself. So he was sentenced to death. The case went back and forth through retrial after retrial; several officials heard it, and none came to a different verdict. Later it was sent to Jinan Prefecture for review. At that time Lord Wu Nandai was prefect of Jinan. As soon as he saw E, he doubted he was the kind of man who kills, and secretly sent someone to question him privately and at leisure, so as to get his whole story. From this the lord was all the more sure that E had been wronged. After thinking it over for several days, he began the trial. First he asked Yanzhi, “After you made your pact, did anyone know of it?” “No one,” she answered. “When you met E, was anyone else there?” Again she answered, “No one.” Then he called the young man up and spoke to him gently to comfort him. “I did pass her gate once,” the young man said, “but I only saw my old neighbour Mrs. Wang come out with a young girl. I hurried away at once. Beyond that, I never said a word.” Lord Wu shouted at the girl, “You just said there was no one else nearby. Where does this neighbour woman come from?” He was about to have her put to torture. The girl was frightened. “Mrs. Wang was there, but she really had nothing to do with it.” The lord stopped the hearing and ordered Mrs. Wang arrested. In a few days she was brought in. He kept her from any contact with the girl and brought her out for trial at once, and asked her straight away, “Who was the murderer?” “I don’t know,” she answered. The lord tricked her: “Yanzhi has testified that you know all about the killing of Bian. How can you hide it?” The woman cried out, “It’s not fair! The slut was mooning after a man on her own. I may have talked of matchmaking, but it was only a joke. She brought her lover into the yard herself; how should I know?” The lord questioned her closely, and at last she told him all the teasing that had passed between them. The lord called the girl up and said angrily, “You said she knew nothing about it. Now why has she confessed to bringing you together?” The girl wept. “It is my own wickedness that has caused my father’s cruel death. No one knows what year this case will end, and to drag someone else in as well — I truly could not bear it.” The lord asked Mrs. Wang, “After you teased her, whom did you tell?” “No one,” she testified. The lord said angrily, “Husband and wife in bed tell each other everything. How can you say no one?” “My husband has been away a long time and not come back,” she testified. “Even so,” said the lord, “anyone who teases another laughs at their foolishness to show off their own wit. If you never told a single person, whom were you fooling?” He ordered her ten fingers put in the press. The woman had no choice but to tell the truth: “I told Su.” So the lord released E and had Su arrested. When Su came, he testified, “I know nothing about it.” “A man who sleeps with whores can be no gentleman!” said the lord, and had him severely tortured. Su testified, “It’s true I tricked the girl. But after I lost the shoe I never dared go back. About the killing I really know nothing.” The lord said angrily, “A man who climbs walls will stop at nothing!” and tortured him again. Su could not stand the abuse, and confessed. The confession was drawn up and reported to the higher authorities, and everyone praised Lord Wu’s godlike insight. The case was as firm as iron and as solid as a mountain, and Su stretched out his neck to wait for the autumn executions. But though Su was dissolute and of bad character, he was a well-known scholar of the eastern province. He heard that the education commissioner, Lord Shi Yushan, was the most able and virtuous of officials, and moreover one who pitied talent and cared for scholars. So he sent him a petition protesting his innocence, in words of great anguish. The lord sent for his confession and pondered it over and over. Then he struck the table. “This scholar is innocent!” He asked the governor and the provincial judge to transfer the case to him for retrial. He asked Su, “Where did you lose the shoe?” “I don’t remember,” Su testified. “But when I knocked at the woman’s door it was still in my sleeve.” The lord turned to question Mrs. Wang. “Besides Su Jie, how many lovers have you had?” “None,” she testified. “A loose woman,” said the lord, “keeping to just one man?” She testified, “Su Jie and I were lovers when we were children, so I couldn’t break it off. Later there were others who made advances, but I truly didn’t dare go along with them.” So he made her name them to prove it. She testified, “Mao Da from our lane made advances again and again, and I refused him every time.” “And how did you suddenly become so chaste?” said the lord, and ordered her flogged. The woman knocked her head on the ground till it bled, and swore there had been nothing; so he let her go. He asked again, “With your husband far away, was there never anyone who came on some pretext?” “There were. So-and-so and So-and-so both came into my house once or twice, to borrow money or bring presents.” These two were both idlers from the lane who had designs on her but had not yet made a move. The lord took down all their names and had them all arrested. When they were all gathered, the lord went to the temple of the City God and made them all kneel before the altar. Then he told them, “I had a dream in which a god told me that the murderer is one of you four or five. Now that you are before the god, you may not lie. If you will confess, there may still be mercy; if you lie, when I find you out there will be no pardon!” With one voice they said they had killed no one. The lord had the three instruments of torture set on the ground, ready to put on them all. Their hair was bound up and their bodies stripped, and they all cried out at the injustice. The lord ordered them released, and said, “Since you will not confess, I shall have the spirits point out the man.” He had felt and blankets hung over all the windows of the temple hall, so that not a crack of light came through. He had the prisoners’ backs bared and drove them into the darkness; then he gave them a basin of water and had each of them wash his hands in turn. He tied them up by the wall and ordered them, “Face the wall and do not move. On the murderer’s back a god will write.” After a while he called them out to inspect them, and pointing at Mao, he said, “This is the real murderer!” For the lord had had the wall smeared with lime beforehand, and had soot put in the water they washed their hands in. The murderer, afraid the god would come and write on him, had hidden his back against the wall, and so it had lime on it; and as he came out, he had covered his back with his hands, and so it had soot on it. The lord had suspected Mao all along, and now he was sure. He put him to cruel torture, and Mao told the whole truth. His verdict read: “Su Jie: You trod the road of Pencheng Kuo, whose little talent got him killed, and earned a name for lust like Master Dengtu’s. Only because two children played together without a care, the wild duck was loved like the hen at home; because one word slipped out, having won Long, you set your heart on Shu. Like Zhongzi in the song you climbed the garden wall and dropped in like a bird; posing as Liu Chen at the fairies’ cave, you tricked the door open. ‘Do not stir my sash, do not set the dog barking’ — the rat at least has its skin; how could a man behave like this? Climbing for flowers and breaking branches — what is to be said of a scholar without conduct! Luckily you heeded the sick swallow’s tender cries and still spared the jade; you pitied the frail willow’s wan looks, and were not as wild as the oriole. That you let the little phoenix out of the net shows something still of the man of letters; but to rob her of a fragrant pledge from beneath her stocking — is that not the very height of villainy! The butterfly crossed the wall, but beyond the window there were ears; the lotus shed a petal, and it fell to the ground and left no trace. So from the false was born a falser still; and who would believe a wrong beyond the wrong? Disaster fell from heaven, and cruel torture brought you to the brink of death; the sin was of your own making, and your head was all but parted from your body. Your climbing of walls and creeping through gaps has indeed disgraced the scholar’s cap; but the plum that withered in the peach’s place — such a wrong is hard to dispel. It is fitting to lighten your flogging somewhat, counting against it the sufferings you have already borne, and for now to degrade you to the blue gown, opening a way for you to make yourself new. As for Mao Da: a slippery villain with no trade, a ruffian of the marketplace. Though the neighbour woman threw her shuttle at him, his lust would not die; watching the wild youth come down the lane, a thief’s cunning suddenly woke in him. Finding the door open to the breeze, he was glad to tread in Zhang’s footsteps; asking for broth and finding wine, he madly thought to steal Clerk Han’s perfume. Who would have thought that Heaven would snatch his wits and ghosts seize his soul? Rashly riding the raft, he meant to sail straight into the Palace of Vast Cold; steering his fishing boat, he mistook the road to the Peach Blossom Spring. So the fire of passion was snuffed out, and waves rose on the sea of lust. Bian came straight on with his knife, bent on striking the rat with no care for the vase; the cornered bandit had nowhere to go, and the desperate hare turned to bite. He climbed into another man’s house hoping only that Zhang’s hat would sit on Li’s head; snatching the blade and dropping the embroidered shoe, he let the fish slip the net while the wild goose was caught. That the road of romance should breed such a demon! How could the land of tenderness hold such a creature of darkness? Let his head be struck off at once, to gladden the hearts of all. Yanzhi: still unbetrothed, she had reached the age of the hairpin. An immortal of the moon palace, she should surely have a husband fair as jade; one of the old troupe of the Rainbow Skirt, why should she fear having no golden house? Yet stirred by ‘The Ospreys’ she longed for a fine mate, and wandered into the Spring Dame’s dream; grieving like the song of the falling plums, she yearned for a good man, till her soul left her body like Qiannü’s. Because of one tangled thread, a host of demons came at her together. Fighting over a woman’s colouring, they feared to lose the ‘Rouge’; stirring up a flurry of birds of prey, they both passed themselves off as the ‘Autumn Falcon’. The lotus hook was plucked away, and it was hard to keep the fragrance of one petal; the iron threshold was battered, and the jade worth many cities nearly shattered. Red beans set in dice — the bones of longing became the stair to disaster; her father, the tall tree, fell to the axe — the hateful darling truly became a flood of ruin. Yet Yet she kept herself locked away and guarded, and happily the white jade has no flaw; in fetters she fought hard, and happily the brocade quilt can still cover all. We commend her refusal at the door: she is still a pure-hearted lover. We grant the wish of her thrown fruit: this too is a graceful romance. Let the county magistrate act as your go-between.” When the case was closed, the verdict was recited far and wide. Only after Lord Wu’s trial did the girl learn that E had been wronged. When they met below the court, she was abashed and in tears, as if she had words of grief and regret that she could not say. The young man was moved by her devotion and loved her deeply; but he also thought of her low birth, and how every day she had gone up into court and been stared at and pointed at by thousands, and he feared that if he married her people would laugh at him. Day and night he turned it over and could not make up his mind. Only when the judgment came down did his heart settle. The county magistrate sent the betrothal gifts on his behalf, and sent a band of drums and pipes for the wedding.