常大用，洛人。癖好牡丹。聞曹州牡丹甲齊、魯，心向往之。適以他事如曹，因假搢紳之園居焉。而時方二月，牡丹未華，惟徘徊園中，目注勾萌，以望其拆。作懷牡丹詩百絕。未幾，花漸含苞，而資斧將匱；尋典春衣，流連忘返。一日，凌晨趨花所，則一女郎及老嫗在焉。疑是貴家宅眷，亦遂遄返。暮而往，又見之，從容避去。微窺之，宮妝豔絕。眩迷之中，忽轉一想：此必仙人，世上豈有此女子乎！急返身而搜之，驟過假山，適與媼遇。女郎方坐石上，相顧失驚。嫗以身幛女，叱曰：「狂生何為！」生長跪曰：「娘子必是神仙！」嫗咄之曰：「如此妄言，自當縶送令尹！」生大懼，女郎微笑曰：「去之！」過山而去。生返，不能徒步。意女郎歸告父兄，必有詬辱之來。偃臥空齋，自悔孟浪。竊幸女郎無怒容，或當不復置念。悔懼交集，終夜而病。日已向辰，喜無問罪之師，心漸寧帖。而回憶聲容，轉懼為想。如是三日，憔悴欲死。秉燭夜分，僕已熟眠。嫗入，持甌而進曰：「吾家葛巾娘子，手合鴆湯，其速飲！」生聞而駭，既而曰：「僕與娘子，夙無怨嫌，何至賜死？既為娘子手調，與其相思而病，不如仰藥而死！」遂引而盡之。嫗笑，接甌而去。生覺藥氣香冷，似非毒者。俄覺肺鬲寬舒，頭顱清爽，酣然睡去。既醒，紅日滿窗。試起，病若失，心益信其為仙。無可夤緣，但於無人時，彷彿其立處、坐處，虔拜而默禱之。一日，行去，忽於深樹內，覿面遇女郎，幸無他人，大喜，投地。女郎近曳之，忽聞異香竟體，即以手握玉腕而起，指膚軟膩，使人骨節欲酥。正欲有言，老嫗忽至。女令隱身石後，南指曰：「夜以花梯度牆，四面紅窗者，即妾居也。」匆匆遂去。生悵然，魂魄飛散，莫能知其所往。至夜，移梯登南垣，則垣下已有梯在，喜而下，果有紅窗。室中聞敲棋聲，佇立不敢復前，姑踰垣歸。少間，再過之，子聲猶繁；漸近窺之，則女郎與一素衣美人相對著，老嫗亦在坐，一婢侍焉。又返。凡三往復，三漏已催。生伏梯上，聞嫗出云：「梯也，誰置此？」呼婢共移去之。生登垣，欲下無階，恨悒而返。次夕，復往，梯先設矣。幸寂無人，入，則女郎兀坐，若有思者。見生驚起，斜立含羞。生揖曰：「自謂福薄，恐於天人無分，亦有今夕耶！」遂狎抱之。纖腰盈掬，吹氣如蘭，撐拒曰：「何遽爾！」生曰：「好事多磨，遲為鬼妒。」言未及已，遙聞人語。女急曰：「玉版妹子來矣！君可姑伏床下。」生從之。無何，一女子入，笑曰：「敗軍之將，尚可復言戰否？業已烹茗，敢邀為長夜之歡。」女郎辭以困惰。玉版固請之，女郎堅坐不行。玉版曰：「如此戀戀，豈藏有男子在室耶？」強拉之，出門而去。生膝行而出。恨絕，遂搜枕簟。冀一得其遺物。而室內并無香匳，祇床頭有水精如意，上結紫巾，芳潔可愛。懷之，越垣歸。自理衿袖，體香猶凝，傾慕益切。然因伏床之恐，遂有懷刑之懼，籌思不敢復往，但珍藏如意，以冀其尋。隔夕，女郎果至，笑曰：「妾向以君為君子也，而不知寇盜也，」生曰：「良有之。所以偶不君子者，第望其如意耳。」乃攬體入懷，代解裙結。玉肌乍露，熱香四流，偎抱之間，覺鼻息汗熏，無氣不馥。因曰：「僕固意卿為仙人，今益知不妄。幸蒙垂盼，緣在三生。但恐杜蘭香之下嫁，終成離恨耳。」女笑曰：「君慮亦過。妾不過離魂之倩女，偶為情動耳。此事宜要慎祕，恐是非之口，捏造黑白，君不能生翼，妾不能乘風，則禍離更慘於好別矣。」生然之，而終疑為仙，固詰姓氏。女曰：「既以妾為仙，仙人何必以姓名傳。」問：「嫗何人？」曰：「此桑姥。妾少時受其露覆，故不與婢輩同。」遂起，欲去，曰：「妾處耳目多，不可久羈，蹈隙當復來。」臨別，索如意，曰：「此非妾物，乃玉版所遺。」問：「玉版為誰？」曰：「妾叔妹也。」付鉤乃去。去後，衾枕皆染異香。由此三兩夜輒一至。生惑之，不復思歸。而囊橐既空，欲貨馬，女知之，曰：「君以妾故，瀉囊質衣，情所不忍。又去代步，千餘里將何以歸？妾有私蓄，聊可助裝。」生辭曰：「感卿情好，撫臆誓肌，不足論報；而又貪鄙，以耗卿財，何以為人矣！」女固強之，曰：「姑假君。」遂捉生臂，至一桑樹下，指一石，曰：「轉之！」生從之。又拔頭上簪，刺土數十下，又曰：「爬之。」生又從之。則甕口已見。女探入，出白鏹近五十兩許；生把臂止之，不聽，又出十餘鋌，生強反其半而後掩之。一夕，謂生曰：「近日微有浮言，勢不可長，此不可不預謀也。」生驚曰：「且為奈何！小生素迂謹，今為卿故，如寡婦之失守，不復能自主矣。一惟卿命，刀鋸斧鉞，亦所不遑顧耳！」女謀偕亡，命生先歸，約會於洛。生治任旋里，擬先歸而後逆之；比至，則女郎車適已至門。登堂朝家人，四鄰驚賀，而並不知其竊而逃也。生竊自危；女殊坦然，謂生曰：「無論千里外非邏察所及，即或知之，妾世家女，卓王孫當無如長卿何也。」生弟大器，年十七，女顧之曰：「是有慧根，前程尤勝於君。」完婚有期，妻忽夭殞。女曰：「妾妹玉版，君固嘗窺見之，貌頗不惡，年亦相若，作夫婦可稱嘉耦。」生聞之而笑，戲請作伐，女曰：「必欲致之，即亦非難。」喜問：「何術？」曰：「妹與妾最相善。兩馬駕輕車，費一嫗之往返耳。」生懼前情俱發，不敢從其謀；女固言：「不害。」即命車，遣桑媼去。數日，至曹。將近里門，媼下車，使御者止而候於途，乘夜入里。良久，偕女子來，登車遂發。昏暮即宿車中，五更復行。女郎計其時日，使大器盛服而逆之。五十里許，乃相遇，御輪而歸；鼓吹花燭，起拜成禮。由此兄弟皆得美婦，而家又日以富。一日，有大寇數十騎，突入第。生知有變，舉家登樓。寇入，圍樓。生俯問：「有仇否？」答言：「無仇。但有兩事相求：一則聞兩夫人世間所無，請賜一見；一則五十八人，各乞金五百。」聚薪樓下，為縱火計以脅之。生允其索金之請；寇不滿志，欲焚樓，家人大恐。女欲與玉版下樓，止之不聽。炫妝而下，階未盡者三級，謂寇曰：「我姊妹皆仙媛，暫時一履塵世，何畏寇盜！欲賜汝萬金，恐汝不敢受也。」寇眾一齊仰拜，喏聲「不敢」。姊妹欲退，一寇曰：「此詐也！」女聞之，反身佇立，曰：「意欲何作，便早圖之！尚未晚也。」諸寇相顧，默無一言。姊妹從容上樓而去。寇仰望無跡，鬨然始散。後二年，姊妹各舉一子，始漸自言：「魏姓，母封曹國夫人。」生疑曹無魏姓世家，又且大姓失女，何得一置不問？未敢窮詰，而心竊怪之。遂託故復詣曹，入境諮訪，世族并無魏姓。於是仍假館舊主人。忽見壁上有贈曹國夫人詩，頗涉駭異，因詰主人。主人笑，即請往觀曹夫人，至則牡丹一本，高與簷等。問所由名，則以此花為曹第一，故同人戲封之。問其「何種」？曰：「葛巾紫也。」心益駭，遂疑女為花妖。既歸，不敢質言，但述贈夫人詩以覘之。女蹙然變色，遽出，呼玉版抱兒至，謂生曰：「三年前，感君見思，遂呈身相報；今見猜疑，何可復聚！」因與玉版皆舉兒遙擲之，兒墮地並沒。生方驚顧，則二女俱渺矣。悔恨不已。後數日，墮兒處生牡丹二株，一夜徑尺，當年而花，一紫一白，朵大如盤，較尋常之葛巾、玉版，瓣尤繁碎。數年，茂蔭成叢；移分他所，更變異種，莫能識其名。自此牡丹之盛，洛下無雙焉。
常大用是洛陽人，特別喜愛牡丹。他聽說曹州的牡丹在齊、魯一帶首屈一指，心裡十分嚮往。恰好有別的事情要去曹州，便借住在一位縉紳的園子裡。當時才二月，牡丹還沒有開花，他只在園中徘徊，盯著初生的嫩芽，盼望花朵開放，還寫了一百首懷念牡丹的絕句。不久，牡丹漸漸長出了花苞，他的旅費卻快用盡了。他隨後典當了春衣，仍流連在園中，忘了回家。一天清晨，他趕到牡丹花旁，見一個年輕女子和一個老婦人在那裡。他猜想是富貴人家的女眷，便趕緊返回。傍晚再去，又見到她，那女子從容地避開了。他偷偷看去，只見她穿著宮裝，美豔絕倫。他正看得目眩神迷，忽然轉念想道：這一定是仙人，世上哪裡會有這樣的女子！他急忙轉身尋找，快步繞過假山，恰好遇上老婦人。那女子正坐在石頭上，兩人一照面，都吃了一驚。老婦人用身體擋住女子，呵斥道：「狂妄的書生，你想幹什麼！」常大用跪直身子，說：「娘子一定是神仙！」老婦人喝道：「說出這樣的胡話，就該把你捆起來送交令尹！」常大用十分害怕，那女子微微一笑，說：「走吧！」便和老婦人繞過假山離去了。常大用往回走，腿軟得幾乎邁不開步。他想，女子回去告訴父親和兄長，必定有人前來辱罵責罰。他躺在空蕩蕩的書房裡，後悔自己太過冒失，又暗自慶幸那女子沒有露出怒容，或許不會再把這件事放在心上。悔恨和恐懼交織，過了一夜，他就病倒了。太陽已經升到辰時，見沒有人來問罪，他心裡高興，漸漸安定下來。可是回想起女子的聲音和容貌，恐懼又變成了思念。這樣過了三天，他憔悴得幾乎要死。一天，他點著蠟燭坐到半夜，僕人已經睡熟，老婦人端著一碗湯走進來，說：「我家葛巾娘子親手調了鴆湯，你趕快喝下去！」常大用聽了大驚，隨後說：「我和娘子從來沒有仇怨，為什麼要賜我死？既然是娘子親手調的，與其相思成病，不如服藥而死！」說完便接過來一飲而盡。老婦人笑著接過碗，走了。常大用覺得藥氣清涼芬芳，不像有毒。不一會兒，胸中舒暢，頭腦清爽，便沉沉睡去。醒來時，紅日已經照滿窗戶。他試著起身，病竟像完全消失了，心裡越發認定她是仙人。他沒有辦法接近她，只能趁四下無人時，回想她站過、坐過的地方，虔誠地跪拜，默默祈禱。一天，他走到園中，忽然在濃密的樹叢裡迎面遇見那女子。幸好沒有旁人，他大喜，撲倒在地。女子走近，伸手拉他，他忽然聞到她渾身散發著奇異的香氣，便握著她潔白的手腕站起來。她手指上的皮膚柔軟細膩，讓他覺得渾身骨節都要酥了。他正要說話，老婦人忽然來了。女子讓他藏到石頭後面，向南指著說：「夜裡用花梯翻過牆，那間四面都是紅窗的屋子，就是我的住處。」說完便匆匆離去。常大用悵然若失，像魂魄都飛散了，也不知道她去了哪裡。到了夜裡，他搬來梯子，登上南牆，發現牆的另一邊已經放著一架梯子，便高興地下去，果然看見一間紅窗的屋子。屋裡傳來落棋子的聲音，他站著不敢再往前走，只好暫且翻牆回來。過了一會兒，他又翻過去，棋子聲還是接連不斷。他漸漸走近，偷偷向裡看，只見那女子和一個穿白衣的美人相對下棋，老婦人也坐在那裡，一個婢女在旁侍候。他又回來了。這樣來回了三次，已經到了三更。他伏在梯子上，聽見老婦人出來說：「這裡有架梯子，是誰放的？」便叫婢女一起把梯子搬走。常大用登上牆頭，卻沒有梯子下去，只能滿懷懊惱地返回。第二天晚上，他又去了，梯子已經提前放好。幸好四下寂靜無人，他走進屋裡，見女子獨自坐著，像在想著什麼。看見他，女子吃驚地站起來，側著身子，滿臉羞意。常大用作揖說：「我原以為自己福分淺薄，恐怕與你這樣的仙人沒有緣分，哪裡想到還能有今夜！」便上前親暱地抱住她。她纖細的腰肢兩手就能握住，撥出的氣息像蘭花一樣香。她推拒著說：「怎麼這樣急！」常大用說：「好事總有許多波折，遲了就會招來鬼神嫉妒。」話還沒說完，遠處傳來人聲。女子急忙說：「玉版妹子來了！你先藏到床底下。」常大用照做了。不一會兒，一個女子進來，笑著說：「打了敗仗的將軍，還敢再談交戰嗎？茶已經煮好了，請你過去，一起消遣這漫漫長夜。」葛巾推說疲倦，不想動。玉版再三邀請，葛巾仍坐著不肯去。玉版說：「這樣捨不得離開，難道屋裡藏了個男人？」說著硬把她拉起來，出了門。常大用跪著爬出來，失望到了極點，便翻找枕頭和席子，希望能找到一件她留下的東西。可是屋裡連香奩都沒有，只有床頭放著一柄水晶如意，上面繫著紫巾，芬芳潔淨，十分可愛。他把如意揣進懷裡，翻牆回來。整理衣領和袖子時，她身上的香氣仍凝留在衣服上，讓他更加傾慕。然而，藏在床底下的驚恐又使他害怕受到刑罰，思量之後，不敢再去，只把如意珍藏起來，盼她來尋找。隔了一晚，女子果然來了，笑著說：「我一直把你當作君子，沒想到你竟是個盜賊。」常大用說：「確實如此。我偶爾做了件不合君子身份的事，只是盼望能夠如意罷了。」說著把她摟進懷裡，替她解開裙帶。潔白的肌膚剛露出來，溫熱的香氣便向四處散開。兩人依偎擁抱時，他覺得連她的呼吸和汗氣也都帶著香，沒有一處不芬芳。他說：「我本來就認定你是仙人，如今更加知道自己沒有想錯。承蒙你垂愛，是三生結下的緣分。只怕像杜蘭香下嫁那樣，最終仍要留下離別的遺憾。」女子笑著說：「你想得太多了。我不過是像倩女那樣魂魄離身的女子，偶然為情所動罷了。這件事一定要謹慎保密，怕那些搬弄是非的人顛倒黑白，到時你不能生出翅膀，我不能乘風而去，因禍被迫分離，比好好分別還要悽慘。」常大用答應了，心裡卻始終懷疑她是仙人，執意追問她的姓名。女子說：「既然把我當作仙人，仙人又何必留下姓名。」他問：「那老婦人是誰？」女子說：「她是桑姥。我小時候受過她的庇護，所以待她和婢女們不同。」說著便起身要走，又說：「我住的地方耳目很多，不能在這裡停留太久，找到空當就會再來。」臨別時，她索要如意，說：「這不是我的東西，是玉版留下的。」常大用問：「玉版是誰？」她說：「是我叔父的女兒。」常大用把如意交給她，她便走了。她離去後，被褥和枕頭都沾滿了奇異的香氣。從此，她每隔兩三夜便來一次。常大用迷戀著她，再也不想回家。可是錢袋已經空了，他打算賣掉馬。女子知道後，說：「你為了我花光錢，又典當衣服，我實在於心不忍。要是再把代步的馬賣掉，一千多里的路，你怎麼回去？我有些私下積蓄的錢，多少可以幫你置辦行裝。」常大用推辭說：「感激你的一片情意，就是撫著胸口、指著身體發誓，也報答不了。要是再貪心卑鄙，花費你的錢財，還怎麼做人！」女子堅持要給，說：「暫且借給你。」便拉著他的胳膊來到一棵桑樹下，指著一塊石頭說：「把它翻開！」常大用照做了。她又拔下頭上的簪子，向土裡刺了幾十下，說：「把土扒開。」他又照做，便露出了一個甕口。女子把手伸進去，取出將近五十兩銀子。常大用抓著她的胳膊，想阻止她，她不聽，又取出十多錠銀子。常大用堅持放回一半，這才重新蓋好。一天晚上，女子對他說：「近日已經有些閒話，不能長久這樣下去，我們得提前想辦法。」常大用吃驚地說：「這可怎麼辦！我向來迂腐謹慎，如今為了你，卻像失了貞節的寡婦，再也做不了自己的主了。一切都聽你的吩咐，哪怕受刀鋸斧鉞之刑，我也顧不得了！」女子打算和他一起逃走，讓他先回家，約定在洛陽相會。常大用收拾行李回鄉，打算自己先到家，再回來迎接她。誰知他抵家時，女子的車也恰好到了門口。她登堂拜見家人，四鄰驚訝地前來道賀，都不知道她是偷偷逃來的。常大用暗自擔憂，女子卻十分坦然，對他說：「且不說相隔千里，巡查的人到不了這裡，即使知道了，我是世家之女，卓王孫也該拿長卿沒有辦法。」常大用的弟弟大器十七歲，女子看著他說：「他有慧根，前程比你還要好。」大器已經定了婚期，未婚妻卻忽然早逝。女子說：「我的妹妹玉版，你本來也曾偷偷見過，模樣很不錯，年齡也和他相仿，兩人做夫妻，可以說是一對好配偶。」常大用聽了笑起來，開玩笑請她做媒。女子說：「真想把她接來，也並不難。」常大用高興地問：「有什麼辦法？」女子說：「妹妹和我最要好，用兩匹馬拉一輛輕便的車，只要讓一個老婦人往返一趟罷了。」常大用怕先前的事全都暴露，不敢答應她的打算，女子卻堅持說：「不會有妨礙。」立即叫人備車，派桑媼去接。過了幾天，桑媼到了曹州。快到里門時，她下了車，讓車伕停在路旁等候，自己趁夜進去。過了很久，她帶著一個女子出來，登車就走。天黑便睡在車裡，五更又繼續趕路。葛巾算著她們行程的日子，讓大器穿上盛裝前去迎接。走出約五十里，雙方相遇，大器駕車迎她回來。在鼓樂聲和花燭光中，兩人起身行拜禮，結成夫妻。從此，兄弟倆都娶到了美麗的妻子，家境也一天比一天富裕。一天，幾十名騎馬的強盜突然闖進宅院。常大用知道出了事，帶著全家上樓。強盜進來後，把樓圍住。常大用俯身問：「你們和我家有仇嗎？」強盜回答：「沒有仇，只有兩件事相求：一是聽說兩位夫人的美貌世間少有，請讓我們見一面；二是我們五十八個人，每人要五百兩銀子。」他們把柴堆在樓下，準備放火，藉此威脅。常大用答應給錢，強盜卻還不滿意，要燒樓，家裡人都十分害怕。葛巾想和玉版一起下樓，眾人阻攔，她們不聽。姐妹倆盛裝走下來，離樓梯底下還剩三級時，葛巾對強盜說：「我們姐妹都是仙女，暫時到塵世走一遭，哪裡會怕強盜！想給你們一萬兩銀子，只怕你們不敢收。」強盜們一齊仰望著她們跪拜，連聲應道：「不敢！」姐妹倆正要退回去，一個強盜說：「這是騙人的！」葛巾聽見，轉身站住，說：「你們想幹什麼，就趕快動手！現在還不晚。」強盜們面面相覷，默不作聲。姐妹倆從容地上樓去了。強盜仰頭望著，直到看不見她們，這才一鬨而散。兩年後，姐妹倆各生了一個兒子，才漸漸說起自己的身世：「我們姓魏，母親受封為曹國夫人。」常大用疑心曹州沒有姓魏的世家，又想，大戶人家丟了女兒，怎麼會一直不聞不問？他不敢追問，心裡卻暗暗覺得奇怪。於是藉故又去曹州，進入曹州境內便四處打聽，世家大族中果然沒有姓魏的。他仍借住在原先的主人家裡，忽然看見牆上有贈給曹國夫人的詩，他感到十分驚異，便向主人詢問。主人笑了，立即請他去看曹夫人。到了那裡，只見一株牡丹，長得和屋簷一樣高。他問為什麼叫這個名字，主人說，因為這株花是曹州第一，所以朋友們開玩笑給它加了封號。他問：「是什麼品種？」主人說：「葛巾紫。」常大用心裡更加驚駭，便懷疑妻子是花妖。回家後，他不敢直接質問，只把贈給曹國夫人的詩說給她聽，觀察她的反應。葛巾皺起眉頭，臉色驟變，立即出去，叫玉版抱著孩子來，對常大用說：「三年前，我感激你對我的思念，便以身相報。如今受到猜疑，怎麼還能繼續相聚！」說著，她和玉版都舉起自己的孩子，遠遠地拋出去。兩個孩子落到地上，都消失了。常大用正驚愕地四下張望，兩個女子也已不見蹤影。他悔恨不已。幾天後，孩子落地的地方長出兩株牡丹，一夜之間便長到直徑一尺，當年就開了花，一株紫色，一株白色，花朵大如盤子，比尋常的葛巾、玉版，花瓣更繁密細碎。幾年後，枝葉茂盛，連成一片濃蔭。把它們分株移栽到別處，又變成了不同的品種，沒人認得它們的名字。從此，他家的牡丹繁盛無比，在洛陽沒有哪家能與之相比。
常大用，洛人。癖好牡丹。闻曹州牡丹甲齐、鲁，心向往之。适以他事如曹，因假搢绅之园居焉。而时方二月，牡丹未华，惟徘徊园中，目注勾萌，以望其拆。作怀牡丹诗百绝。未几，花渐含苞，而资斧将匮；寻典春衣，流连忘返。一日，凌晨趋花所，则一女郎及老妪在焉。疑是贵家宅眷，亦遂遄返。暮而往，又见之，从容避去。微窥之，宫妆艳绝。眩迷之中，忽转一想：此必仙人，世上岂有此女子乎！急返身而搜之，骤过假山，适与媪遇。女郎方坐石上，相顾失惊。妪以身幛女，叱曰：「狂生何为！」生长跪曰：「娘子必是神仙！」妪咄之曰：「如此妄言，自当絷送令尹！」生大惧，女郎微笑曰：「去之！」过山而去。生返，不能徒步。意女郎归告父兄，必有诟辱之来。偃卧空斋，自悔孟浪。窃幸女郎无怒容，或当不复置念。悔惧交集，终夜而病。日已向辰，喜无问罪之师，心渐宁帖。而回忆声容，转惧为想。如是三日，憔悴欲死。秉烛夜分，仆已熟眠。妪入，持瓯而进曰：「吾家葛巾娘子，手合鸩汤，其速饮！」生闻而骇，既而曰：「仆与娘子，夙无怨嫌，何至赐死？既为娘子手调，与其相思而病，不如仰药而死！」遂引而尽之。妪笑，接瓯而去。生觉药气香冷，似非毒者。俄觉肺鬲宽舒，头颅清爽，酣然睡去。既醒，红日满窗。试起，病若失，心益信其为仙。无可夤缘，但于无人时，仿佛其立处、坐处，虔拜而默祷之。一日，行去，忽于深树内，觌面遇女郎，幸无他人，大喜，投地。女郎近曳之，忽闻异香竟体，即以手握玉腕而起，指肤软腻，使人骨节欲酥。正欲有言，老妪忽至。女令隐身石后，南指曰：「夜以花梯度墙，四面红窗者，即妾居也。」匆匆遂去。生怅然，魂魄飞散，莫能知其所往。至夜，移梯登南垣，则垣下已有梯在，喜而下，果有红窗。室中闻敲棋声，伫立不敢复前，姑逾垣归。少间，再过之，子声犹繁；渐近窥之，则女郎与一素衣美人相对着，老妪亦在坐，一婢侍焉。又返。凡三往复，三漏已催。生伏梯上，闻妪出云：「梯也，谁置此？」呼婢共移去之。生登垣，欲下无阶，恨悒而返。次夕，复往，梯先设矣。幸寂无人，入，则女郎兀坐，若有思者。见生惊起，斜立含羞。生揖曰：「自谓福薄，恐于天人无分，亦有今夕耶！」遂狎抱之。纤腰盈掬，吹气如兰，撑拒曰：「何遽尔！」生曰：「好事多磨，迟为鬼妒。」言未及已，遥闻人语。女急曰：「玉版妹子来矣！君可姑伏床下。」生从之。无何，一女子入，笑曰：「败军之将，尚可复言战否？业已烹茗，敢邀为长夜之欢。」女郎辞以困惰。玉版固请之，女郎坚坐不行。玉版曰：「如此恋恋，岂藏有男子在室耶？」强拉之，出门而去。生膝行而出。恨绝，遂搜枕簟。冀一得其遗物。而室内并无香匳，祇床头有水精如意，上结紫巾，芳洁可爱。怀之，越垣归。自理衿袖，体香犹凝，倾慕益切。然因伏床之恐，遂有怀刑之惧，筹思不敢复往，但珍藏如意，以冀其寻。隔夕，女郎果至，笑曰：「妾向以君为君子也，而不知寇盗也，」生曰：「良有之。所以偶不君子者，第望其如意耳。」乃揽体入怀，代解裙结。玉肌乍露，热香四流，偎抱之间，觉鼻息汗熏，无气不馥。因曰：「仆固意卿为仙人，今益知不妄。幸蒙垂盼，缘在三生。但恐杜兰香之下嫁，终成离恨耳。」女笑曰：「君虑亦过。妾不过离魂之倩女，偶为情动耳。此事宜要慎秘，恐是非之口，捏造黑白，君不能生翼，妾不能乘风，则祸离更惨于好别矣。」生然之，而终疑为仙，固诘姓氏。女曰：「既以妾为仙，仙人何必以姓名传。」问：「妪何人？」曰：「此桑姥。妾少时受其露覆，故不与婢辈同。」遂起，欲去，曰：「妾处耳目多，不可久羁，蹈隙当复来。」临别，索如意，曰：「此非妾物，乃玉版所遗。」问：「玉版为谁？」曰：「妾叔妹也。」付钩乃去。去后，衾枕皆染异香。由此三两夜辄一至。生惑之，不复思归。而囊橐既空，欲货马，女知之，曰：「君以妾故，泻囊质衣，情所不忍。又去代步，千余里将何以归？妾有私蓄，聊可助装。」生辞曰：「感卿情好，抚臆誓肌，不足论报；而又贪鄙，以耗卿财，何以为人矣！」女固强之，曰：「姑假君。」遂捉生臂，至一桑树下，指一石，曰：「转之！」生从之。又拔头上簪，刺土数十下，又曰：「爬之。」生又从之。则瓮口已见。女探入，出白镪近五十两许；生把臂止之，不听，又出十余铤，生强反其半而后掩之。一夕，谓生曰：「近日微有浮言，势不可长，此不可不预谋也。」生惊曰：「且为奈何！小生素迂谨，今为卿故，如寡妇之失守，不复能自主矣。一惟卿命，刀锯斧钺，亦所不遑顾耳！」女谋偕亡，命生先归，约会于洛。生治任旋里，拟先归而后逆之；比至，则女郎车适已至门。登堂朝家人，四邻惊贺，而并不知其窃而逃也。生窃自危；女殊坦然，谓生曰：「无论千里外非逻察所及，即或知之，妾世家女，卓王孙当无如长卿何也。」生弟大器，年十七，女顾之曰：「是有慧根，前程尤胜于君。」完婚有期，妻忽夭殒。女曰：「妾妹玉版，君固尝窥见之，貌颇不恶，年亦相若，作夫妇可称嘉耦。」生闻之而笑，戏请作伐，女曰：「必欲致之，即亦非难。」喜问：「何术？」曰：「妹与妾最相善。两马驾轻车，费一妪之往返耳。」生惧前情俱发，不敢从其谋；女固言：「不害。」即命车，遣桑媪去。数日，至曹。将近里门，媪下车，使御者止而候于途，乘夜入里。良久，偕女子来，登车遂发。昏暮即宿车中，五更复行。女郎计其时日，使大器盛服而逆之。五十里许，乃相遇，御轮而归；鼓吹花烛，起拜成礼。由此兄弟皆得美妇，而家又日以富。一日，有大寇数十骑，突入第。生知有变，举家登楼。寇入，围楼。生俯问：「有仇否？」答言：「无仇。但有两事相求：一则闻两夫人世间所无，请赐一见；一则五十八人，各乞金五百。」聚薪楼下，为纵火计以胁之。生允其索金之请；寇不满志，欲焚楼，家人大恐。女欲与玉版下楼，止之不听。炫妆而下，阶未尽者三级，谓寇曰：「我姊妹皆仙媛，暂时一履尘世，何畏寇盗！欲赐汝万金，恐汝不敢受也。」寇众一齐仰拜，喏声「不敢」。姊妹欲退，一寇曰：「此诈也！」女闻之，反身伫立，曰：「意欲何作，便早图之！尚未晚也。」诸寇相顾，默无一言。姊妹从容上楼而去。寇仰望无迹，哄然始散。后二年，姊妹各举一子，始渐自言：「魏姓，母封曹国夫人。」生疑曹无魏姓世家，又且大姓失女，何得一置不问？未敢穷诘，而心窃怪之。遂托故复诣曹，入境咨访，世族并无魏姓。于是仍假馆旧主人。忽见壁上有赠曹国夫人诗，颇涉骇异，因诘主人。主人笑，即请往观曹夫人，至则牡丹一本，高与檐等。问所由名，则以此花为曹第一，故同人戏封之。问其「何种」？曰：「葛巾紫也。」心益骇，遂疑女为花妖。既归，不敢质言，但述赠夫人诗以觇之。女蹙然变色，遽出，呼玉版抱儿至，谓生曰：「三年前，感君见思，遂呈身相报；今见猜疑，何可复聚！」因与玉版皆举儿遥掷之，儿堕地并没。生方惊顾，则二女俱渺矣。悔恨不已。后数日，堕儿处生牡丹二株，一夜径尺，当年而花，一紫一白，朵大如盘，较寻常之葛巾、玉版，瓣尤繁碎。数年，茂荫成丛；移分他所，更变异种，莫能识其名。自此牡丹之盛，洛下无双焉。
常大用是洛阳人，特别喜爱牡丹。他听说曹州的牡丹在齐、鲁一带首屈一指，心里十分向往。恰好有别的事情要去曹州，便借住在一位缙绅的园子里。当时才二月，牡丹还没有开花，他只在园中徘徊，盯着初生的嫩芽，盼望花朵开放，还写了一百首怀念牡丹的绝句。不久，牡丹渐渐长出了花苞，他的旅费却快用尽了。他随后典当了春衣，仍流连在园中，忘了回家。一天清晨，他赶到牡丹花旁，见一个年轻女子和一个老妇人在那里。他猜想是富贵人家的女眷，便赶紧返回。傍晚再去，又见到她，那女子从容地避开了。他偷偷看去，只见她穿着宫装，美艳绝伦。他正看得目眩神迷，忽然转念想道：这一定是仙人，世上哪里会有这样的女子！他急忙转身寻找，快步绕过假山，恰好遇上老妇人。那女子正坐在石头上，两人一照面，都吃了一惊。老妇人用身体挡住女子，呵斥道：“狂妄的书生，你想干什么！”常大用跪直身子，说：“娘子一定是神仙！”老妇人喝道：“说出这样的胡话，就该把你捆起来送交令尹！”常大用十分害怕，那女子微微一笑，说：“走吧！”便和老妇人绕过假山离去了。常大用往回走，腿软得几乎迈不开步。他想，女子回去告诉父亲和兄长，必定有人前来辱骂责罚。他躺在空荡荡的书房里，后悔自己太过冒失，又暗自庆幸那女子没有露出怒容，或许不会再把这件事放在心上。悔恨和恐惧交织，过了一夜，他就病倒了。太阳已经升到辰时，见没有人来问罪，他心里高兴，渐渐安定下来。可是回想起女子的声音和容貌，恐惧又变成了思念。这样过了三天，他憔悴得几乎要死。一天，他点着蜡烛坐到半夜，仆人已经睡熟，老妇人端着一碗汤走进来，说：“我家葛巾娘子亲手调了鸩汤，你赶快喝下去！”常大用听了大惊，随后说：“我和娘子从来没有仇怨，为什么要赐我死？既然是娘子亲手调的，与其相思成病，不如服药而死！”说完便接过来一饮而尽。老妇人笑着接过碗，走了。常大用觉得药气清凉芬芳，不像有毒。不一会儿，胸中舒畅，头脑清爽，便沉沉睡去。醒来时，红日已经照满窗户。他试着起身，病竟像完全消失了，心里越发认定她是仙人。他没有办法接近她，只能趁四下无人时，回想她站过、坐过的地方，虔诚地跪拜，默默祈祷。一天，他走到园中，忽然在浓密的树丛里迎面遇见那女子。幸好没有旁人，他大喜，扑倒在地。女子走近，伸手拉他，他忽然闻到她浑身散发着奇异的香气，便握着她洁白的手腕站起来。她手指上的皮肤柔软细腻，让他觉得浑身骨节都要酥了。他正要说话，老妇人忽然来了。女子让他藏到石头后面，向南指着说：“夜里用花梯翻过墙，那间四面都是红窗的屋子，就是我的住处。”说完便匆匆离去。常大用怅然若失，像魂魄都飞散了，也不知道她去了哪里。到了夜里，他搬来梯子，登上南墙，发现墙的另一边已经放着一架梯子，便高兴地下去，果然看见一间红窗的屋子。屋里传来落棋子的声音，他站着不敢再往前走，只好暂且翻墙回来。过了一会儿，他又翻过去，棋子声还是接连不断。他渐渐走近，偷偷向里看，只见那女子和一个穿白衣的美人相对下棋，老妇人也坐在那里，一个婢女在旁侍候。他又回来了。这样来回了三次，已经到了三更。他伏在梯子上，听见老妇人出来说：“这里有架梯子，是谁放的？”便叫婢女一起把梯子搬走。常大用登上墙头，却没有梯子下去，只能满怀懊恼地返回。第二天晚上，他又去了，梯子已经提前放好。幸好四下寂静无人，他走进屋里，见女子独自坐着，像在想着什么。看见他，女子吃惊地站起来，侧着身子，满脸羞意。常大用作揖说：“我原以为自己福分浅薄，恐怕与你这样的仙人没有缘分，哪里想到还能有今夜！”便上前亲昵地抱住她。她纤细的腰肢两手就能握住，呼出的气息像兰花一样香。她推拒着说：“怎么这样急！”常大用说：“好事总有许多波折，迟了就会招来鬼神嫉妒。”话还没说完，远处传来人声。女子急忙说：“玉版妹子来了！你先藏到床底下。”常大用照做了。不一会儿，一个女子进来，笑着说：“打了败仗的将军，还敢再谈交战吗？茶已经煮好了，请你过去，一起消遣这漫漫长夜。”葛巾推说疲倦，不想动。玉版再三邀请，葛巾仍坐着不肯去。玉版说：“这样舍不得离开，难道屋里藏了个男人？”说着硬把她拉起来，出了门。常大用跪着爬出来，失望到了极点，便翻找枕头和席子，希望能找到一件她留下的东西。可是屋里连香奁都没有，只有床头放着一柄水晶如意，上面系着紫巾，芬芳洁净，十分可爱。他把如意揣进怀里，翻墙回来。整理衣领和袖子时，她身上的香气仍凝留在衣服上，让他更加倾慕。然而，藏在床底下的惊恐又使他害怕受到刑罚，思量之后，不敢再去，只把如意珍藏起来，盼她来寻找。隔了一晚，女子果然来了，笑着说：“我一直把你当作君子，没想到你竟是个盗贼。”常大用说：“确实如此。我偶尔做了件不合君子身份的事，只是盼望能够如意罢了。”说着把她搂进怀里，替她解开裙带。洁白的肌肤刚露出来，温热的香气便向四处散开。两人依偎拥抱时，他觉得连她的呼吸和汗气也都带着香，没有一处不芬芳。他说：“我本来就认定你是仙人，如今更加知道自己没有想错。承蒙你垂爱，是三生结下的缘分。只怕像杜兰香下嫁那样，最终仍要留下离别的遗憾。”女子笑着说：“你想得太多了。我不过是像倩女那样魂魄离身的女子，偶然为情所动罢了。这件事一定要谨慎保密，怕那些搬弄是非的人颠倒黑白，到时你不能生出翅膀，我不能乘风而去，因祸被迫分离，比好好分别还要凄惨。”常大用答应了，心里却始终怀疑她是仙人，执意追问她的姓名。女子说：“既然把我当作仙人，仙人又何必留下姓名。”他问：“那老妇人是谁？”女子说：“她是桑姥。我小时候受过她的庇护，所以待她和婢女们不同。”说着便起身要走，又说：“我住的地方耳目很多，不能在这里停留太久，找到空当就会再来。”临别时，她索要如意，说：“这不是我的东西，是玉版留下的。”常大用问：“玉版是谁？”她说：“是我叔父的女儿。”常大用把如意交给她，她便走了。她离去后，被褥和枕头都沾满了奇异的香气。从此，她每隔两三夜便来一次。常大用迷恋着她，再也不想回家。可是钱袋已经空了，他打算卖掉马。女子知道后，说：“你为了我花光钱，又典当衣服，我实在于心不忍。要是再把代步的马卖掉，一千多里的路，你怎么回去？我有些私下积蓄的钱，多少可以帮你置办行装。”常大用推辞说：“感激你的一片情意，就是抚着胸口、指着身体发誓，也报答不了。要是再贪心卑鄙，花费你的钱财，还怎么做人！”女子坚持要给，说：“暂且借给你。”便拉着他的胳膊来到一棵桑树下，指着一块石头说：“把它翻开！”常大用照做了。她又拔下头上的簪子，向土里刺了几十下，说：“把土扒开。”他又照做，便露出了一个瓮口。女子把手伸进去，取出将近五十两银子。常大用抓着她的胳膊，想阻止她，她不听，又取出十多锭银子。常大用坚持放回一半，这才重新盖好。一天晚上，女子对他说：“近日已经有些闲话，不能长久这样下去，我们得提前想办法。”常大用吃惊地说：“这可怎么办！我向来迂腐谨慎，如今为了你，却像失了贞节的寡妇，再也做不了自己的主了。一切都听你的吩咐，哪怕受刀锯斧钺之刑，我也顾不得了！”女子打算和他一起逃走，让他先回家，约定在洛阳相会。常大用收拾行李回乡，打算自己先到家，再回来迎接她。谁知他抵家时，女子的车也恰好到了门口。她登堂拜见家人，四邻惊讶地前来道贺，都不知道她是偷偷逃来的。常大用暗自担忧，女子却十分坦然，对他说：“且不说相隔千里，巡查的人到不了这里，即使知道了，我是世家之女，卓王孙也该拿长卿没有办法。”常大用的弟弟大器十七岁，女子看着他说：“他有慧根，前程比你还要好。”大器已经定了婚期，未婚妻却忽然早逝。女子说：“我的妹妹玉版，你本来也曾偷偷见过，模样很不错，年龄也和他相仿，两人做夫妻，可以说是一对好配偶。”常大用听了笑起来，开玩笑请她做媒。女子说：“真想把她接来，也并不难。”常大用高兴地问：“有什么办法？”女子说：“妹妹和我最要好，用两匹马拉一辆轻便的车，只要让一个老妇人往返一趟罢了。”常大用怕先前的事全都暴露，不敢答应她的打算，女子却坚持说：“不会有妨碍。”立即叫人备车，派桑媪去接。过了几天，桑媪到了曹州。快到里门时，她下了车，让车夫停在路旁等候，自己趁夜进去。过了很久，她带着一个女子出来，登车就走。天黑便睡在车里，五更又继续赶路。葛巾算着她们行程的日子，让大器穿上盛装前去迎接。走出约五十里，双方相遇，大器驾车迎她回来。在鼓乐声和花烛光中，两人起身行拜礼，结成夫妻。从此，兄弟俩都娶到了美丽的妻子，家境也一天比一天富裕。一天，几十名骑马的强盗突然闯进宅院。常大用知道出了事，带着全家上楼。强盗进来后，把楼围住。常大用俯身问：“你们和我家有仇吗？”强盗回答：“没有仇，只有两件事相求：一是听说两位夫人的美貌世间少有，请让我们见一面；二是我们五十八个人，每人要五百两银子。”他们把柴堆在楼下，准备放火，借此威胁。常大用答应给钱，强盗却还不满意，要烧楼，家里人都十分害怕。葛巾想和玉版一起下楼，众人阻拦，她们不听。姐妹俩盛装走下来，离楼梯底下还剩三级时，葛巾对强盗说：“我们姐妹都是仙女，暂时到尘世走一遭，哪里会怕强盗！想给你们一万两银子，只怕你们不敢收。”强盗们一齐仰望着她们跪拜，连声应道：“不敢！”姐妹俩正要退回去，一个强盗说：“这是骗人的！”葛巾听见，转身站住，说：“你们想干什么，就赶快动手！现在还不晚。”强盗们面面相觑，默不作声。姐妹俩从容地上楼去了。强盗仰头望着，直到看不见她们，这才一哄而散。两年后，姐妹俩各生了一个儿子，才渐渐说起自己的身世：“我们姓魏，母亲受封为曹国夫人。”常大用疑心曹州没有姓魏的世家，又想，大户人家丢了女儿，怎么会一直不闻不问？他不敢追问，心里却暗暗觉得奇怪。于是借故又去曹州，进入曹州境内便四处打听，世家大族中果然没有姓魏的。他仍借住在原先的主人家里，忽然看见墙上有赠给曹国夫人的诗，他感到十分惊异，便向主人询问。主人笑了，立即请他去看曹夫人。到了那里，只见一株牡丹，长得和屋檐一样高。他问为什么叫这个名字，主人说，因为这株花是曹州第一，所以朋友们开玩笑给它加了封号。他问：“是什么品种？”主人说：“葛巾紫。”常大用心里更加惊骇，便怀疑妻子是花妖。回家后，他不敢直接质问，只把赠给曹国夫人的诗说给她听，观察她的反应。葛巾皱起眉头，脸色骤变，立即出去，叫玉版抱着孩子来，对常大用说：“三年前，我感激你对我的思念，便以身相报。如今受到猜疑，怎么还能继续相聚！”说着，她和玉版都举起自己的孩子，远远地抛出去。两个孩子落到地上，都消失了。常大用正惊愕地四下张望，两个女子也已不见踪影。他悔恨不已。几天后，孩子落地的地方长出两株牡丹，一夜之间便长到直径一尺，当年就开了花，一株紫色，一株白色，花朵大如盘子，比寻常的葛巾、玉版，花瓣更繁密细碎。几年后，枝叶茂盛，连成一片浓荫。把它们分株移栽到别处，又变成了不同的品种，没人认得它们的名字。从此，他家的牡丹繁盛无比，在洛阳没有哪家能与之相比。
Chang Dayong was a man of Luoyang, and peonies were his obsession. He heard that the peonies of Caozhou were the finest in all Shandong, and his heart went out to them. It happened that other business took him to Caozhou, so he borrowed lodgings in the garden of a gentleman of rank there. But it was only the second month, and the peonies had not yet bloomed. He could only wander about the garden, his eyes fixed on the buds and shoots, watching for them to open. He wrote a hundred quatrains, Longing for the Peonies. Before long the flowers began to bud, but his money was running out; soon he pawned his spring clothes, lingering on and forgetting to go home. One day, at first light, he hurried to the flowers and found a young lady there with an old woman. Supposing she was one of the women of some noble house, he turned straight back. When he went in the evening he saw her again; she withdrew unhurriedly. He stole a glance: she was dressed like a lady of the palace and dazzlingly beautiful. In his daze a new thought suddenly struck him: she must be an immortal — how could the world hold a woman like this? He quickly turned back to look for her, and as he hurried round the rockery he ran right into the old woman. The young lady was sitting on a rock; they looked at each other in alarm. The old woman shielded the girl with her body and snapped, “Mad scholar, what are you doing?” Chang fell to his knees. “The lady must be a goddess!” The old woman spat at him. “Talking such wild nonsense — you ought to be tied up and handed to the magistrate!” Chang was terrified. The young lady smiled faintly. “Come away!” And they went off round the rockery. Chang went back, so weak in the legs he could hardly walk. He thought the young lady would go home and tell her father and brothers, and insults and abuse would surely follow. He lay down in his empty study, regretting his rashness. He took secret comfort that she had not looked angry; perhaps she would think no more of it. Torn between regret and fear, he was ill by morning. The sun climbed toward mid-morning, and when no one came to call him to account he was glad, and his heart gradually grew calm. But as he recalled her voice and face, his fear turned to longing. Three days of this, and he was so wasted he was nearly dead. He sat up by candlelight past midnight, his servant already sound asleep, when the old woman came in holding a bowl. “Our lady Gejin has mixed you a cup of poison with her own hands,” she said. “Drink it quickly!” Chang was startled. Then he said, “There has never been any grudge or ill will between the lady and me. Why should she send me death? But since the lady mixed it with her own hands, rather than fall ill of longing, I would sooner drink it and die!” And he drained it. The old woman laughed, took the bowl and left. Chang found the medicine smelled fragrant and cool, and did not seem to be poison. Soon he felt his chest ease and his head clear, and he fell into a deep sleep. When he woke the red sun filled the window. He tried getting up: the illness was gone as if it had never been. He was more convinced than ever that she was an immortal. He had no way to reach her. He could only, when no one was about, picture where she had stood and where she had sat, and bow there devoutly and pray in silence. One day, as he was walking, he came face to face with her deep among the trees. Luckily there was no one else there. Overjoyed, he threw himself on the ground. She came close to pull him up, and suddenly he caught a strange fragrance from her whole body. He took her jade-white wrist and rose; the skin of her fingers was so soft and smooth it seemed to melt his bones. He was just about to speak when the old woman suddenly appeared. The girl had him hide behind a rock, and pointed south. “At night, climb the wall by the flower ladder. The room with red windows on all four sides is where I live.” And she hurried away. Chang was left forlorn, his soul scattered, with no idea where she had gone. That night he moved a ladder and climbed the south wall, and found a ladder already standing at its foot. Delighted, he went down, and there indeed were the red windows. He heard the click of chess pieces from inside, and stood still, not daring to go nearer; for the time being he climbed back over the wall and went home. After a while he went over again, and the pieces were still clicking busily. He crept near and peeped in: the young lady and a beauty dressed in white sat facing each other over the board, the old woman sitting with them and a maid waiting on them. He went back again. Three times he went back and forth, and already the third watch was being called. As Chang lay flat on the ladder, he heard the old woman come out. “A ladder? Who put this here?” She called the maid and the two of them took it away. Chang climbed the wall but had no way down, and went back sick with disappointment. The next evening he went again, and the ladder was set there already. Luckily all was quiet and there was no one about. He went in: the young lady sat alone, motionless, as if lost in thought. Seeing him she started up and stood half turned away, shy. Chang bowed. “I thought my luck was too thin, that a heavenly being was not for me. Yet tonight has come after all!” And he took her in his arms. Her slender waist would barely fill his hands, and her breath was sweet as orchids. She pushed him away. “Why so fast?” “Good things meet with many obstacles,” said Chang. “Wait, and the ghosts grow jealous.” Before he had finished they heard voices in the distance. “Little Sister Yuban is coming!” she said urgently. “Hide under the bed for now.” Chang did so. Before long a girl came in and laughed. “Does the defeated general dare talk of battle again? I’ve already brewed the tea; may I invite you to make a long night of it?” The young lady excused herself, saying she was tired and lazy. Yuban pressed her; she would not budge. “So reluctant!” said Yuban. “Have you got a man hidden in your room?” She dragged her off by force, out of the door. Chang crawled out on his knees, utterly frustrated. He searched the pillow and mat, hoping to find something of hers left behind. But there was no scent box in the room, only a crystal ruyi at the head of the bed, with a purple kerchief tied to it, fragrant, clean and lovely. He put it inside his robe and went home over the wall. When he smoothed his collar and sleeves, the scent of her body still clung to them, and his longing grew keener than ever. But after hiding under the bed he was afraid of being punished, and after much thought he did not dare go back. He only treasured the ruyi, hoping she would come looking for it. Two evenings later she did come. She laughed. “I took you for a gentleman. I did not know you were a thief.” “That is true,” said Chang. “If for once I was no gentleman, it was only in the hope of my ruyi — of having things as I wished.” He drew her into his arms and untied her skirt for her. Her jade-white flesh was suddenly bare, and a warm fragrance flowed all around; as he held her close, her breath and her sweat were scented, and there was no breath of her that was not perfumed. So he said, “I always thought you were an immortal, and now I know I was not wrong. That you have looked on me with favour is a bond fated over three lives. But I fear that, as when Du Lanxiang came down to marry, it will end in parting and sorrow.” She laughed. “You worry too much. I am only a girl like Qiannü whose soul left her body, moved for a moment by love. This must be kept very secret. I fear wagging tongues will twist black and white, and then — you cannot grow wings, and I cannot ride the wind — a forced parting would be more bitter than a happy farewell.” Chang agreed, but he still suspected she was an immortal, and pressed her for her name. “Since you take me for an immortal,” she said, “why should an immortal leave a name behind?” “Who is the old woman?” he asked. “That is Granny Sang. When I was little I was sheltered under her dew, so she is not like the maids.” Then she rose to go. “There are too many eyes and ears where I live. I can’t stay long. When there’s a chance I’ll come again.” As she left, she asked for the ruyi. “This is not mine. Yuban left it.” “Who is Yuban?” he asked. “My cousin.” He handed it over and she went. After she had gone the quilt and pillow were steeped in a strange fragrance. From then on she came every two or three nights. Chang was so bewitched that he thought no more of going home. But his purse was empty, and he meant to sell his horse. She learned of it and said, “It hurts me that for my sake you have emptied your purse and pawned your clothes. And if you get rid of your horse, how will you get home, more than a thousand li? I have some savings of my own, which may help a little for the journey.” Chang declined. “I am grateful for your love. I could lay my hand on my heart and swear by my own body, and it would not repay you. If I were greedy and mean enough to spend your money too, what kind of man would I be?” She insisted. “Just borrow it, then.” She took him by the arm to a mulberry tree, pointed at a stone and said, “Turn that!” He did. Then she pulled the pin from her hair and stabbed the earth dozens of times. “Dig,” she said. He did that too, and the mouth of a jar appeared. She reached in and brought out nearly fifty taels of silver. Chang caught her arm to stop her, but she would not listen and brought out more than ten ingots besides. Chang insisted on putting half back, and then they covered the jar over. One evening she said to him, “Lately there has been a little gossip. This cannot go on. We must plan ahead.” Chang was alarmed. “What shall we do? I have always been a cautious pedant, but now for your sake I am like a widow who has lost her virtue — I am no longer my own master. I will do whatever you say. Knife, saw, axe or battle-axe, I haven’t time to care!” She planned for them to run away together. She told him to go home first, and they would meet at Luoyang. Chang packed and returned home, meaning to arrive first and then come back to meet her. But when he got there, her carriage had just reached his gate. She went into the hall and greeted the family. The neighbours all came round in surprise to congratulate them, never knowing she had run away from home. Chang secretly feared for himself; she was perfectly calm. “Leaving aside that we are a thousand li beyond the reach of any patrol,” she said to him, “even if they did find out — I am the daughter of an old family, and Zhuo Wangsun could do nothing about Changqing.” Chang’s younger brother Daqi was seventeen. She looked at him and said, “This one has roots of wisdom. His future will be even better than yours.” His wedding day had been fixed when his bride suddenly died. “My sister Yuban,” she said, “you once caught a glimpse of her. She is not bad-looking, and she is about his age. They would make a fine couple.” Chang laughed at this and jokingly asked her to be the go-between. “If you really want her, it isn’t hard,” she said. Delighted, he asked, “How?” “My sister and I are the closest of friends. Two horses and a light carriage, and one old woman’s trip there and back — that’s all it will cost.” Chang feared the whole affair would come to light and dared not go along with her plan, but she insisted, “No harm will come of it.” She ordered the carriage at once and sent Granny Sang. After some days the old woman reached Caozhou. Near the village gate she got down, had the driver stop and wait by the road, and went into the village under cover of night. After a long while she came back with a girl; they got into the carriage and set off. At dusk they slept in the carriage, and at the fifth watch they went on again. The young lady counted the days and had Daqi dress in his finest to go and meet them. About fifty li along the road they met, and he drove the carriage home himself. With drums and pipes and flowered candles, they rose and bowed and the rites were done. And so both brothers had beautiful wives, and the family grew richer by the day. One day a great band of robbers, several dozen horsemen, burst into the house. Chang knew something was wrong, and the whole household went up into the tower. The robbers came in and surrounded it. Chang leaned out and asked, “Do you have some grudge against us?” “No grudge,” they answered. “But we have two requests. One: we hear your two ladies are like nothing else in the world, and we beg a look at them. Two: there are fifty-eight of us, and we each want five hundred in silver.” They piled firewood at the foot of the tower, threatening to set it alight. Chang agreed to give them the money; the robbers were not satisfied and were about to burn the tower. The household was terrified. The young lady wanted to go down with Yuban. They tried to stop her, but she would not listen. Dressed in all their finery the two went down, and three steps short of the bottom she said to the robbers, “We sisters are both immortals, come down to the dusty world for a little while. Why should we fear robbers? I would like to give you ten thousand in gold, but I’m afraid you would not dare take it.” The robbers all bowed down together, looking up at them, and chorused, “We wouldn’t dare.” The sisters were about to withdraw when one robber said, “It’s a trick!” She heard it, turned round and stood still. “Whatever you mean to do, do it now! It is not too late.” The robbers looked at one another without a word. The sisters went back upstairs unhurriedly. The robbers stared up until they were out of sight, then broke up in a clamour and scattered. Two years later the sisters each bore a son. Only then did they begin to say a little about themselves: “Our family name is Wei. Our mother was given the title Lady of Cao.” Chang doubted there was any great family named Wei in Caozhou. Besides, if a great family lost a daughter, how could it let the matter drop without a word? He did not dare question them closely, but privately he thought it strange. So, making some excuse, he went to Caozhou again. Once there he made inquiries: among the old families there was none named Wei. So he lodged with his former host again. Suddenly he saw on the wall a poem presented to the Lady of Cao. Rather startled, he asked his host about it. The host laughed and invited him to go and see the Lady of Cao at once. It turned out to be a peony as tall as the eaves. When he asked how it came by the name, he was told that it was the finest flower in Caozhou, so their circle had given it the title in jest. He asked what kind it was. “Gejin Purple,” said the host. Chang was more alarmed than ever, and began to suspect his wife was a flower spirit. When he got home he dared not ask her outright; he only recited the poem to the Lady of Cao to see how she would take it. She frowned and her face changed. She went straight out and called Yuban to bring the children. Then she said to Chang, “Three years ago I was moved by your longing for me, and gave myself to you in return. Now that I am suspected, how can we stay together?” She and Yuban both lifted the children and flung them far away. The children fell to the ground and vanished. As Chang stared in shock, the two women vanished too. He was sick with regret. A few days later two peonies sprang up where the children had fallen. In a single night they measured a foot across and flowered that same year, one purple and one white, with blooms as big as plates, their petals more numerous and finer than those of the ordinary Gejin and Yuban. In a few years they had grown into a thick, shady clump. When they were divided and moved to other places, they turned into new varieties no one could name. From then on, the splendour of their peonies had no equal in Luoyang.