寄生字王孫，郡中名士。父母以其襁褓認父，謂有夙惠，鍾愛之。長益秀美，八九歲能文，十四入郡庠。每自擇偶。父桂菴有妹二娘，適鄭秀才子僑，生女閨秀，慧豔絕倫。王孫見之，心切愛慕。積久，寢食俱廢。父母大憂，苦研詰之，遂以實告。父遣冰於鄭；鄭性方謹，以中表為嫌，卻之。王孫愈病。母計無所出，陰婉致二娘，但求閨秀一臨存之。鄭聞，益怒，出惡聲焉。父母既絕望，聽之而已。郡有大姓張氏，五女皆美；幼者名五可，尤冠諸姊，擇婿未字。一日，上墓，途遇王孫，自輿中窺見，歸以白母。母沈知其意，見媒媼于氏，微示之。媼遂詣王所。時王孫方病，訊知，笑曰：「此病老身能醫之。」芸娘問故。媼述張氏意，極道五可之美。芸娘喜，使媼往候王孫。媼入，撫王孫而告之。王孫搖首曰：「醫不對症，奈何！」媼笑曰：「但問醫良否耳：其良也，召和而緩至，可矣；執其人以求之，守死而待之，不亦癡乎？」王孫欷歔曰：「但天下之醫，無愈和者。」媼曰：「何見之不廣也？」遂以五可之容顏髮膚，神情態度，口寫而手狀之。王孫又搖首曰：「媼休矣！此余願所不及也。」反身向壁，不復聽矣。媼見其志不移，遂去。一日，王孫沉痼中，忽一婢入曰：「所思之人至矣！」喜極，躍然而起。急出舍，則麗人已在庭中。細認之，卻非閨秀，著松花色細褶繡裙，雙鉤微露，神仙不啻也。拜問姓名，答曰：「妾，五可也。君深於情者，而獨鍾閨秀，使人不平。」王孫謝曰：「生平未見顏色，故目中止一閨秀。今知罪矣！」遂與要誓。方握手殷殷，適母來撫摩，蘧然而覺，則一夢也。回思聲容笑貌，宛在目中。陰念：五可果如所夢，何必求所難遘。因而以夢告母。母喜其念少奪，急欲媒之。王孫恐夢見不的，託鄰嫗素識張氏者，偽以他故詣之，囑其潛相五可。嫗至其家，五可方病，靠枕支頤，婀娜之態，傾絕一世。近問：「何恙？」女默然弄帶，不作一語。母代答曰：「非病也。連日與爹娘負氣耳！」嫗問故。曰：「諸家問名，皆不願，必如王家寄生者方嫁。是為母者勸之急，遂作意不食數日矣。」嫗笑曰：「娘子若配王郎，真是玉人成雙也。渠若見五娘，恐又憔悴死矣！我歸，即令倩冰，如何？」五可止之曰：「姥勿爾！恐其不諧，益增笑耳！」嫗銳然以必成自任，五可方微笑。嫗歸，復命，一如媒媼言。王孫詳問衣履，亦與夢合，大悅。意雖稍舒，然終不以人言為信。過數日，漸瘳，祕招于媼來，謀以親見五可。媼難之，姑應而去。久之，不至。方欲覓問，媼忽忻然來曰：「機幸可圖。五娘向有小恙，日令婢輩將扶，移過對院。公子往伏伺之，五娘行緩澀，委曲可以盡睹矣。」王孫喜，明日，命駕早往，媼先在焉。即令縶馬村樹，引入臨路舍，設座掩扉而去。少間，五可果扶婢出。王孫自門隟目注之。女從門外過，媼故指揮雲樹以遲纖步，王孫窺覘盡悉，意顫不能自持。未幾，媼至，曰：「可以代閨秀否？」王孫申謝而返，始告父母，遣媒要盟。及妁往，則五可已別字矣。王孫失意，悔悶欲死，即刻復病。父母憂甚，責其自誤。王孫無詞，惟日飲米汁一合。積數日，雞骨支床，較前尤甚。媼忽至，驚曰：「何憊之甚？」王孫涕下，以情告。媼笑曰：「癡公子！前日人趁汝來，而故卻之；今日汝求人，而能必遂耶？雖然，尚可為力。早與老身謀，即許京都皇子，能奪還也。」王孫大悅，求策。媼命函啟遣伻，約次日候於張所。桂菴恐以唐突見拒。媼曰：「前與張公業有成言，延數日而遽悔之；且彼字他家，尚無函信。諺云：『先炊者先餐。』何疑也！」桂菴從之。次日，二僕往，並無異詞，厚犒而歸。王孫病頓起。由此閨秀之想遂絕。初，鄭子僑卻聘，閨秀頗不懌；及聞張氏婚成，心愈抑鬱，遂病，日就支離。父母詰之，不肯言。婢窺其意，隱以告母。鄭聞之，怒不醫，以聽其死。二娘懟曰：「吾姪亦殊不惡，何守頭巾戒，殺吾嬌女！」鄭恚曰：「若所生女，不如早亡，免貽笑柄！」以此夫妻反目。二娘故與女言，將使仍歸王孫，若為媵。女俛首不言，意若甚願。二娘商鄭，鄭更怒，一付二娘，置女度外，不復預聞。二娘愛女切，欲實其言。女乃喜，病漸瘥。竊探王孫，親迎有日矣。及期，以姪完婚，偽欲歸寧，昧旦，使人求僕輿於兄。兄最友愛，又以居村鄰近，遂以所備親迎車馬，先迎二娘。既至，則妝女入車，使兩僕兩媼護送之。到門，以氈貼地而入。時鼓樂已集，從僕叱令吹擂，一時人聲沸聒。王孫奔視，則女子以紅帕蒙首，駭極，欲奔；鄭僕夾扶，便令交拜。王孫不知何由，即便拜訖。二媼扶女，逕坐青廬，始知其閨秀也。舉家皇亂，莫知所為。時漸瀕暮，王孫不復敢行親迎之禮。桂菴遣僕以情告張；張怒，遂欲斷絕。五可不肯，曰：「彼雖先至，未受雁采；不如仍使親迎。」父納其言，以對來使。使歸，桂菴終不敢從。相對籌思，喜怒俱無所施。張待之既久，知其不行，遂亦以輿馬送五可至，因另設青帳於別室。而王孫周旋兩間，蹀踱無以自處。母乃調停於中，使序行以齒，二女皆諾。及五可聞閨秀差長，稱「姊」有難色。母甚慮之。比三朝公會，五可見閨秀風致宜人，不覺右之，自是始定。然父母恐其積久不相能，而二女卻無間言，衣履易著，相愛如姊妹焉。王孫始問五可卻媒之故。笑曰：「無他，聊報君之卻于媼耳。尚未見妾，意中止有閨秀；即見妾，亦略靳之，以覘君之視妾，較閨秀何如也。使君為伊病，而不為妾病，則亦不必強求容矣。」王孫笑曰：「報亦慘矣！然非于媼，何得一覲芳容。」五可曰：「是妾自欲見君，媼何能為。過舍門時，豈不知眈眈者在內耶。夢中業相要，何尚未知信耶？」王孫驚問：「何知？」曰：「妾病中夢至君家，以為妄；後聞君亦夢，妾乃知魂魄真到此也。」王孫異之，遂述所夢，時日悉符。父子之良緣，皆以夢成，亦奇情也。故並誌之。
寄生，字王孫，是郡裡有名的讀書人。父母見他還在襁褓中就能認出父親，覺得他從小就很聰明，格外疼愛他。他長大後越發俊美，八九歲就能寫文章，十四歲進了郡學。他一直想自己挑選妻子。他父親桂庵有個妹妹叫二孃，嫁給了秀才鄭子僑，生了一個女兒叫閨秀，聰明美麗，無人能比。王孫見了她，心裡十分愛慕。日子一久，連飯也吃不下，覺也睡不著了。父母十分擔憂，再三追問，他才說出實情。父親派媒人去鄭家提親，鄭子僑為人方正拘謹，嫌兩人是表兄妹，拒絕了。王孫的病越發嚴重。母親想不出辦法，私下婉轉地向二孃傳話，只求讓閨秀來探望他一次。鄭子僑聽說後更加惱怒，說了許多難聽的話。王孫的父母既然沒了指望，也只能聽任他這樣下去。郡裡有個姓張的大戶人家，五個女兒都很美，最小的叫五可，比幾個姐姐還要出眾，因為挑選丈夫，一直沒有訂親。有一天，她去上墳，路上遇見王孫，從轎子裡偷偷看見了他，回家便告訴母親。母親沈氏明白她的心意，見到媒婆於氏時，暗暗向她透露了。於媒婆於是來到王家。當時王孫正在病中，她問明緣由，笑著說：「這個病，老婆子我能治。」芸娘問她為什麼這樣說。於媒婆講了張家的意思，極力誇讚五可的美貌。芸娘很高興，讓她進去探望王孫。於媒婆進了屋，撫著王孫，把這件事告訴他。王孫搖頭說：「藥不對症，有什麼辦法！」於媒婆笑著說：「只要問醫生好不好就行了。只要是好醫生，請的是和，來的是緩，也可以。非認準一個人去求，寧可等到死也不改，不是太傻了嗎？」王孫嘆息著說：「可天下的醫生，沒有比和更好的。」於媒婆說：「你的眼界怎麼這樣窄呢？」於是把五可的容貌、頭髮、肌膚、神情、姿態，一邊用話描繪，一邊用手比畫。王孫又搖頭說：「老婆婆，別說了！這不是我想要的。」說完翻身朝著牆，不再聽她說話。於媒婆見他心意不改，就走了。有一天，王孫正在重病中，忽然有個婢女進來說：「你想念的人來了！」他歡喜極了，一下跳起身，急忙走出屋子，只見一位美人已經站在院裡。仔細一看，卻不是閨秀。她穿著松花色的細褶繡裙，一雙小腳微微露在裙外，簡直不比神仙遜色。王孫行禮，問她姓名。她回答：「我是五可。你是個用情很深的人，卻只鍾情於閨秀，讓人心裡不服。」王孫賠禮說：「我從來沒有見過你的容貌，所以眼裡只有閨秀。如今知道自己錯了！」於是兩人互相立下誓言。正握著手，情意綿綿，恰好母親過來撫摸他，他猛然醒來，原來是一個夢。回想她的聲音、容貌和笑容，仍然清清楚楚地浮現在眼前。他暗想：五可要是真像夢裡那樣，又何必非求一個難以得到的人呢？於是把夢告訴了母親。母親見他對閨秀的心思稍有轉移，十分高興，急著想替他提親。王孫怕夢裡的樣子不可靠，便托一個向來認識張家的鄰居老婦人，假借別的事到張家去，囑咐她暗中看看五可。老婦人到了張家，五可正在病中，倚著枕頭，手托著下巴，那婀娜的姿態，世上無人能比。老婦人走近問：「你哪裡不舒服？」五可默默擺弄衣帶，一句話也不說。母親替她回答：「不是生病。這幾天一直跟爹孃賭氣呢！」老婦人問緣故。母親說：「好幾家來提親，她都不願意，非得是王家寄生那樣的人才肯嫁。我這個做母親的勸得急了，她便故意幾天不吃飯。」老婦人笑著說：「姑娘要是配上王郎，真是一對玉人。他要是見到五姑娘，恐怕又要相思得憔悴死了！我回去就讓他請媒人來，怎麼樣？」五可阻止她說：「婆婆，別這樣！怕事情辦不成，反而更惹人笑話。」老婦人很有把握地把事情攬了下來，說一定能辦成，五可這才微微一笑。老婦人回去覆命，說的與於媒婆完全一樣。王孫又仔細問了五可的衣服和鞋子，也都與夢裡相合，十分高興。心裡雖然稍稍舒暢了些，卻始終不肯只憑別人的話就相信。過了幾天，病漸漸好轉，他秘密請於媒婆來，商量怎樣親眼見到五可。於媒婆覺得難辦，姑且答應下來，便走了。過了很久，她還沒有來。王孫正想找人去問，她忽然高高興興地來了，說：「幸好有個機會。五姑娘近來有點小病，每天讓婢女們扶著，到對面的院子去。公子去躲著等她，她走得慢，行動不大方便，你可以把她的容貌姿態看個清楚。」王孫很高興，第二天早早備馬前往，於媒婆已經先到了。她立刻讓人把馬拴在村裡的樹上，領王孫進了一間臨路的屋子，放好座位，關上門便走了。不一會兒，五可果然扶著婢女出來。王孫從門縫裡目不轉睛地看著她。五可從門外經過，於媒婆故意指點天上的雲和樹木，好讓她放慢腳步。王孫把她看得清清楚楚，心裡激動得無法自持。不久，於媒婆進來說：「她可以代替閨秀嗎？」王孫再三道謝，回家後才告訴父母，請媒人去訂下婚約。等媒人去了，五可卻已經另外許配給別人了。王孫大失所望，後悔憂悶得想死，立刻又病倒了。父母十分擔心，責怪他自己耽誤了自己。王孫無話可說，每天只喝一合米湯。過了幾天，他瘦得只剩一把骨頭，躺在床上，比先前病得更重。於媒婆忽然來了，吃驚地說：「怎麼虛弱成這樣？」王孫流著淚，把事情告訴她。於媒婆笑著說：「傻公子！前些日子，人家主動來求親，你偏偏拒絕；如今你去求人家，難道就一定能如願嗎？不過，還是可以想辦法的。你早些跟我商量，就是她已經許給京城的皇子，我也能替你爭回來。」王孫大喜，向她求辦法。於媒婆讓他們寫好書信，派出僕人，約定第二天到張家去。桂庵怕太冒失，遭到拒絕。於媒婆說：「先前我已經跟張公把話說定了，不過拖了幾天，他就要反悔？況且他把女兒許給別家，還沒有正式書信。俗話說：『先做飯的人先吃飯。』有什麼可猶豫的！」桂庵聽從了她。第二天，兩個僕人去了，張家沒有半句反對的話，還厚厚地賞了他們，讓他們回去。王孫的病立刻就好了，從此徹底斷了對閨秀的念想。當初鄭子僑拒絕提親時，閨秀就很不高興；等聽說張家的婚事定了，心裡更加抑鬱，於是病倒，一天天消瘦下去。父母追問，她不肯說。婢女看出了她的心思，私下告訴母親。鄭子僑聽說後，氣得不肯給她治病，任由她死去。二孃怨恨地說：「我的侄兒也很不錯，你為什麼非守著讀書人的迂腐規矩，要害死我的寶貝女兒！」鄭子僑怒道：「你生的女兒，還不如早點死，免得留下笑柄！」夫妻因此反目。二孃故意對女兒說，打算仍把她嫁給王孫，哪怕做妾也可以。閨秀低著頭不說話，看樣子卻很願意。二孃跟鄭子僑商量，鄭子僑更加生氣，把事情全交給二孃，女兒的事一概不管，也不再過問。二孃疼愛女兒，決心兌現自己的話。閨秀這才高興起來，病漸漸好了。二孃暗中打聽，得知王孫親自迎娶的日子已經定了。到了那天，她藉口侄兒成親，假裝要回孃家，天還沒亮就派人向哥哥借僕人和車子。哥哥一向疼愛妹妹，又因為兩家住的村子相近，就先把準備迎親的車馬派去接二孃。車馬到了，二孃卻把女兒裝扮好，讓她上車，派兩個男僕和兩個老婦人護送。到了王家門前，他們把氈子鋪在地上，讓閨秀踏著進去。此時吹鼓手已經到齊，隨行的僕人喝令他們吹奏敲打，一時間人聲喧鬧。王孫跑來一看，只見女子用紅帕蒙著頭，驚駭極了，想轉身逃走；鄭家的僕人從兩邊扶住他，便讓兩人交拜。王孫不知道是怎麼回事，只好拜完。兩個老婦人扶著女子，徑直讓她坐進青廬，這時才知道她是閨秀。全家驚慌失措，不知道怎麼辦。天色漸漸接近傍晚，王孫不敢再去迎親。桂庵派僕人把事情告訴張家，張公大怒，就想斷絕婚約。五可不肯，說：「她雖然先到了，卻沒有收過聘禮，還是讓他照常來迎娶我吧。」父親接受了她的話，就這樣答覆來人。僕人回去後，桂庵終究不敢照辦。一家人相對商量，高興也不是，生氣也不是。張公等了很久，知道王家不會來迎親，便也用車馬把五可送了過去。王家於是另在一間屋裡設了青帳。王孫在兩間屋子之間來回走動，徘徊不定，不知如何是好。母親便從中調停，讓兩個女子按年齡排定長幼，兩人都答應了。等五可聽說閨秀稍大些，要叫她姐姐時，卻露出了為難的神色。母親很擔心。到了婚後第三天全家相聚時，五可見閨秀風姿動人，不由得敬重起她來，長幼的次序這才定下。父母仍怕日子久了，兩人會不和，可兩個女子從沒有互相埋怨過，還換著穿衣服鞋子，像親姐妹一樣相愛。王孫這才問五可，當初為什麼拒絕媒人。五可笑著說：「沒有別的，只是想報復你拒絕於媒婆的事。你還沒見過我時，心裡只有閨秀；即使見過我，我也要故意不肯立刻答應，看看你把我和閨秀相比，究竟怎樣看待。你要是為她生病，卻不為我生病，我也不必硬求你接納我了。」王孫笑著說：「你報復得也太狠了！不過，要不是於媒婆，我怎麼能見到你的美貌呢？」五可說：「那是我自己想見你，於媒婆能做什麼？我從那間屋門前走過時，難道不知道你正在裡面盯著看嗎？我們在夢裡早已互相許下諾言，你怎麼還不相信那是真的呢？」王孫吃驚地問：「你怎麼知道？」五可說：「我病中夢見自己到了你家，以為只是個虛妄的夢；後來聽說你也做過這個夢，我才知道自己的魂魄真的來過這裡。」王孫覺得很奇異，便講了自己的夢，連日期和時辰也全都相合。父子兩人的美好姻緣，都是靠夢促成的，也是一段奇異的情事，所以一併記下來。
寄生字王孙，郡中名士。父母以其襁褓认父，谓有夙惠，钟爱之。长益秀美，八九岁能文，十四入郡庠。每自择偶。父桂庵有妹二娘，适郑秀才子侨，生女闺秀，慧艳绝伦。王孙见之，心切爱慕。积久，寝食俱废。父母大忧，苦研诘之，遂以实告。父遣冰于郑；郑性方谨，以中表为嫌，却之。王孙愈病。母计无所出，阴婉致二娘，但求闺秀一临存之。郑闻，益怒，出恶声焉。父母既绝望，听之而已。郡有大姓张氏，五女皆美；幼者名五可，尤冠诸姊，择婿未字。一日，上墓，途遇王孙，自舆中窥见，归以白母。母沈知其意，见媒媪于氏，微示之。媪遂诣王所。时王孙方病，讯知，笑曰：「此病老身能医之。」芸娘问故。媪述张氏意，极道五可之美。芸娘喜，使媪往候王孙。媪入，抚王孙而告之。王孙摇首曰：「医不对症，奈何！」媪笑曰：「但问医良否耳：其良也，召和而缓至，可矣；执其人以求之，守死而待之，不亦痴乎？」王孙欷歔曰：「但天下之医，无愈和者。」媪曰：「何见之不广也？」遂以五可之容颜发肤，神情态度，口写而手状之。王孙又摇首曰：「媪休矣！此余愿所不及也。」反身向壁，不复听矣。媪见其志不移，遂去。一日，王孙沉痼中，忽一婢入曰：「所思之人至矣！」喜极，跃然而起。急出舍，则丽人已在庭中。细认之，却非闺秀，着松花色细褶绣裙，双钩微露，神仙不啻也。拜问姓名，答曰：「妾，五可也。君深于情者，而独钟闺秀，使人不平。」王孙谢曰：「生平未见颜色，故目中止一闺秀。今知罪矣！」遂与要誓。方握手殷殷，适母来抚摩，蘧然而觉，则一梦也。回思声容笑貌，宛在目中。阴念：五可果如所梦，何必求所难遘。因而以梦告母。母喜其念少夺，急欲媒之。王孙恐梦见不的，托邻妪素识张氏者，伪以他故诣之，嘱其潜相五可。妪至其家，五可方病，靠枕支颐，婀娜之态，倾绝一世。近问：「何恙？」女默然弄带，不作一语。母代答曰：「非病也。连日与爹娘负气耳！」妪问故。曰：「诸家问名，皆不愿，必如王家寄生者方嫁。是为母者劝之急，遂作意不食数日矣。」妪笑曰：「娘子若配王郎，真是玉人成双也。渠若见五娘，恐又憔悴死矣！我归，即令倩冰，如何？」五可止之曰：「姥勿尔！恐其不谐，益增笑耳！」妪锐然以必成自任，五可方微笑。妪归，复命，一如媒媪言。王孙详问衣履，亦与梦合，大悦。意虽稍舒，然终不以人言为信。过数日，渐瘳，秘招于媪来，谋以亲见五可。媪难之，姑应而去。久之，不至。方欲觅问，媪忽忻然来曰：「机幸可图。五娘向有小恙，日令婢辈将扶，移过对院。公子往伏伺之，五娘行缓涩，委曲可以尽睹矣。」王孙喜，明日，命驾早往，媪先在焉。即令絷马村树，引入临路舍，设座掩扉而去。少间，五可果扶婢出。王孙自门隟目注之。女从门外过，媪故指挥云树以迟纤步，王孙窥觇尽悉，意颤不能自持。未几，媪至，曰：「可以代闺秀否？」王孙申谢而返，始告父母，遣媒要盟。及妁往，则五可已别字矣。王孙失意，悔闷欲死，即刻复病。父母忧甚，责其自误。王孙无词，惟日饮米汁一合。积数日，鸡骨支床，较前尤甚。媪忽至，惊曰：「何惫之甚？」王孙涕下，以情告。媪笑曰：「痴公子！前日人趁汝来，而故却之；今日汝求人，而能必遂耶？虽然，尚可为力。早与老身谋，即许京都皇子，能夺还也。」王孙大悦，求策。媪命函启遣伻，约次日候于张所。桂庵恐以唐突见拒。媪曰：「前与张公业有成言，延数日而遽悔之；且彼字他家，尚无函信。谚云：『先炊者先餐。』何疑也！」桂庵从之。次日，二仆往，并无异词，厚犒而归。王孙病顿起。由此闺秀之想遂绝。初，郑子侨却聘，闺秀颇不怿；及闻张氏婚成，心愈抑郁，遂病，日就支离。父母诘之，不肯言。婢窥其意，隐以告母。郑闻之，怒不医，以听其死。二娘怼曰：「吾姪亦殊不恶，何守头巾戒，杀吾娇女！」郑恚曰：「若所生女，不如早亡，免贻笑柄！」以此夫妻反目。二娘故与女言，将使仍归王孙，若为媵。女俛首不言，意若甚愿。二娘商郑，郑更怒，一付二娘，置女度外，不复预闻。二娘爱女切，欲实其言。女乃喜，病渐瘥。窃探王孙，亲迎有日矣。及期，以姪完婚，伪欲归宁，昧旦，使人求仆舆于兄。兄最友爱，又以居村邻近，遂以所备亲迎车马，先迎二娘。既至，则妆女入车，使两仆两媪护送之。到门，以毡贴地而入。时鼓乐已集，从仆叱令吹擂，一时人声沸聒。王孙奔视，则女子以红帕蒙首，骇极，欲奔；郑仆夹扶，便令交拜。王孙不知何由，即便拜讫。二媪扶女，径坐青庐，始知其闺秀也。举家皇乱，莫知所为。时渐濒暮，王孙不复敢行亲迎之礼。桂庵遣仆以情告张；张怒，遂欲断绝。五可不肯，曰：「彼虽先至，未受雁采；不如仍使亲迎。」父纳其言，以对来使。使归，桂庵终不敢从。相对筹思，喜怒俱无所施。张待之既久，知其不行，遂亦以舆马送五可至，因另设青帐于别室。而王孙周旋两间，蹀踱无以自处。母乃调停于中，使序行以齿，二女皆诺。及五可闻闺秀差长，称「姊」有难色。母甚虑之。比三朝公会，五可见闺秀风致宜人，不觉右之，自是始定。然父母恐其积久不相能，而二女却无间言，衣履易着，相爱如姊妹焉。王孙始问五可却媒之故。笑曰：「无他，聊报君之却于媪耳。尚未见妾，意中止有闺秀；即见妾，亦略靳之，以觇君之视妾，较闺秀何如也。使君为伊病，而不为妾病，则亦不必强求容矣。」王孙笑曰：「报亦惨矣！然非于媪，何得一觐芳容。」五可曰：「是妾自欲见君，媪何能为。过舍门时，岂不知眈眈者在内耶。梦中业相要，何尚未知信耶？」王孙惊问：「何知？」曰：「妾病中梦至君家，以为妄；后闻君亦梦，妾乃知魂魄真到此也。」王孙异之，遂述所梦，时日悉符。父子之良缘，皆以梦成，亦奇情也。故并志之。
寄生，字王孙，是郡里有名的读书人。父母见他还在襁褓中就能认出父亲，觉得他从小就很聪明，格外疼爱他。他长大后越发俊美，八九岁就能写文章，十四岁进了郡学。他一直想自己挑选妻子。他父亲桂庵有个妹妹叫二娘，嫁给了秀才郑子侨，生了一个女儿叫闺秀，聪明美丽，无人能比。王孙见了她，心里十分爱慕。日子一久，连饭也吃不下，觉也睡不着了。父母十分担忧，再三追问，他才说出实情。父亲派媒人去郑家提亲，郑子侨为人方正拘谨，嫌两人是表兄妹，拒绝了。王孙的病越发严重。母亲想不出办法，私下婉转地向二娘传话，只求让闺秀来探望他一次。郑子侨听说后更加恼怒，说了许多难听的话。王孙的父母既然没了指望，也只能听任他这样下去。郡里有个姓张的大户人家，五个女儿都很美，最小的叫五可，比几个姐姐还要出众，因为挑选丈夫，一直没有订亲。有一天，她去上坟，路上遇见王孙，从轿子里偷偷看见了他，回家便告诉母亲。母亲沈氏明白她的心意，见到媒婆于氏时，暗暗向她透露了。于媒婆于是来到王家。当时王孙正在病中，她问明缘由，笑着说：“这个病，老婆子我能治。”芸娘问她为什么这样说。于媒婆讲了张家的意思，极力夸赞五可的美貌。芸娘很高兴，让她进去探望王孙。于媒婆进了屋，抚着王孙，把这件事告诉他。王孙摇头说：“药不对症，有什么办法！”于媒婆笑着说：“只要问医生好不好就行了。只要是好医生，请的是和，来的是缓，也可以。非认准一个人去求，宁可等到死也不改，不是太傻了吗？”王孙叹息着说：“可天下的医生，没有比和更好的。”于媒婆说：“你的眼界怎么这样窄呢？”于是把五可的容貌、头发、肌肤、神情、姿态，一边用话描绘，一边用手比画。王孙又摇头说：“老婆婆，别说了！这不是我想要的。”说完翻身朝着墙，不再听她说话。于媒婆见他心意不改，就走了。有一天，王孙正在重病中，忽然有个婢女进来说：“你想念的人来了！”他欢喜极了，一下跳起身，急忙走出屋子，只见一位美人已经站在院里。仔细一看，却不是闺秀。她穿着松花色的细褶绣裙，一双小脚微微露在裙外，简直不比神仙逊色。王孙行礼，问她姓名。她回答：“我是五可。你是个用情很深的人，却只钟情于闺秀，让人心里不服。”王孙赔礼说：“我从来没有见过你的容貌，所以眼里只有闺秀。如今知道自己错了！”于是两人互相立下誓言。正握着手，情意绵绵，恰好母亲过来抚摸他，他猛然醒来，原来是一个梦。回想她的声音、容貌和笑容，仍然清清楚楚地浮现在眼前。他暗想：五可要是真像梦里那样，又何必非求一个难以得到的人呢？于是把梦告诉了母亲。母亲见他对闺秀的心思稍有转移，十分高兴，急着想替他提亲。王孙怕梦里的样子不可靠，便托一个向来认识张家的邻居老妇人，假借别的事到张家去，嘱咐她暗中看看五可。老妇人到了张家，五可正在病中，倚着枕头，手托着下巴，那婀娜的姿态，世上无人能比。老妇人走近问：“你哪里不舒服？”五可默默摆弄衣带，一句话也不说。母亲替她回答：“不是生病。这几天一直跟爹娘赌气呢！”老妇人问缘故。母亲说：“好几家来提亲，她都不愿意，非得是王家寄生那样的人才肯嫁。我这个做母亲的劝得急了，她便故意几天不吃饭。”老妇人笑着说：“姑娘要是配上王郎，真是一对玉人。他要是见到五姑娘，恐怕又要相思得憔悴死了！我回去就让他请媒人来，怎么样？”五可阻止她说：“婆婆，别这样！怕事情办不成，反而更惹人笑话。”老妇人很有把握地把事情揽了下来，说一定能办成，五可这才微微一笑。老妇人回去复命，说的与于媒婆完全一样。王孙又仔细问了五可的衣服和鞋子，也都与梦里相合，十分高兴。心里虽然稍稍舒畅了些，却始终不肯只凭别人的话就相信。过了几天，病渐渐好转，他秘密请于媒婆来，商量怎样亲眼见到五可。于媒婆觉得难办，姑且答应下来，便走了。过了很久，她还没有来。王孙正想找人去问，她忽然高高兴兴地来了，说：“幸好有个机会。五姑娘近来有点小病，每天让婢女们扶着，到对面的院子去。公子去躲着等她，她走得慢，行动不大方便，你可以把她的容貌姿态看个清楚。”王孙很高兴，第二天早早备马前往，于媒婆已经先到了。她立刻让人把马拴在村里的树上，领王孙进了一间临路的屋子，放好座位，关上门便走了。不一会儿，五可果然扶着婢女出来。王孙从门缝里目不转睛地看着她。五可从门外经过，于媒婆故意指点天上的云和树木，好让她放慢脚步。王孙把她看得清清楚楚，心里激动得无法自持。不久，于媒婆进来说：“她可以代替闺秀吗？”王孙再三道谢，回家后才告诉父母，请媒人去订下婚约。等媒人去了，五可却已经另外许配给别人了。王孙大失所望，后悔忧闷得想死，立刻又病倒了。父母十分担心，责怪他自己耽误了自己。王孙无话可说，每天只喝一合米汤。过了几天，他瘦得只剩一把骨头，躺在床上，比先前病得更重。于媒婆忽然来了，吃惊地说：“怎么虚弱成这样？”王孙流着泪，把事情告诉她。于媒婆笑着说：“傻公子！前些日子，人家主动来求亲，你偏偏拒绝；如今你去求人家，难道就一定能如愿吗？不过，还是可以想办法的。你早些跟我商量，就是她已经许给京城的皇子，我也能替你争回来。”王孙大喜，向她求办法。于媒婆让他们写好书信，派出仆人，约定第二天到张家去。桂庵怕太冒失，遭到拒绝。于媒婆说：“先前我已经跟张公把话说定了，不过拖了几天，他就要反悔？况且他把女儿许给别家，还没有正式书信。俗话说：‘先做饭的人先吃饭。’有什么可犹豫的！”桂庵听从了她。第二天，两个仆人去了，张家没有半句反对的话，还厚厚地赏了他们，让他们回去。王孙的病立刻就好了，从此彻底断了对闺秀的念想。当初郑子侨拒绝提亲时，闺秀就很不高兴；等听说张家的婚事定了，心里更加抑郁，于是病倒，一天天消瘦下去。父母追问，她不肯说。婢女看出了她的心思，私下告诉母亲。郑子侨听说后，气得不肯给她治病，任由她死去。二娘怨恨地说：“我的侄儿也很不错，你为什么非守着读书人的迂腐规矩，要害死我的宝贝女儿！”郑子侨怒道：“你生的女儿，还不如早点死，免得留下笑柄！”夫妻因此反目。二娘故意对女儿说，打算仍把她嫁给王孙，哪怕做妾也可以。闺秀低着头不说话，看样子却很愿意。二娘跟郑子侨商量，郑子侨更加生气，把事情全交给二娘，女儿的事一概不管，也不再过问。二娘疼爱女儿，决心兑现自己的话。闺秀这才高兴起来，病渐渐好了。二娘暗中打听，得知王孙亲自迎娶的日子已经定了。到了那天，她借口侄儿成亲，假装要回娘家，天还没亮就派人向哥哥借仆人和车子。哥哥一向疼爱妹妹，又因为两家住的村子相近，就先把准备迎亲的车马派去接二娘。车马到了，二娘却把女儿装扮好，让她上车，派两个男仆和两个老妇人护送。到了王家门前，他们把毡子铺在地上，让闺秀踏着进去。此时吹鼓手已经到齐，随行的仆人喝令他们吹奏敲打，一时间人声喧闹。王孙跑来一看，只见女子用红帕蒙着头，惊骇极了，想转身逃走；郑家的仆人从两边扶住他，便让两人交拜。王孙不知道是怎么回事，只好拜完。两个老妇人扶着女子，径直让她坐进青庐，这时才知道她是闺秀。全家惊慌失措，不知道怎么办。天色渐渐接近傍晚，王孙不敢再去迎亲。桂庵派仆人把事情告诉张家，张公大怒，就想断绝婚约。五可不肯，说：“她虽然先到了，却没有收过聘礼，还是让他照常来迎娶我吧。”父亲接受了她的话，就这样答复来人。仆人回去后，桂庵终究不敢照办。一家人相对商量，高兴也不是，生气也不是。张公等了很久，知道王家不会来迎亲，便也用车马把五可送了过去。王家于是另在一间屋里设了青帐。王孙在两间屋子之间来回走动，徘徊不定，不知如何是好。母亲便从中调停，让两个女子按年龄排定长幼，两人都答应了。等五可听说闺秀稍大些，要叫她姐姐时，却露出了为难的神色。母亲很担心。到了婚后第三天全家相聚时，五可见闺秀风姿动人，不由得敬重起她来，长幼的次序这才定下。父母仍怕日子久了，两人会不和，可两个女子从没有互相埋怨过，还换着穿衣服鞋子，像亲姐妹一样相爱。王孙这才问五可，当初为什么拒绝媒人。五可笑着说：“没有别的，只是想报复你拒绝于媒婆的事。你还没见过我时，心里只有闺秀；即使见过我，我也要故意不肯立刻答应，看看你把我和闺秀相比，究竟怎样看待。你要是为她生病，却不为我生病，我也不必硬求你接纳我了。”王孙笑着说：“你报复得也太狠了！不过，要不是于媒婆，我怎么能见到你的美貌呢？”五可说：“那是我自己想见你，于媒婆能做什么？我从那间屋门前走过时，难道不知道你正在里面盯着看吗？我们在梦里早已互相许下诺言，你怎么还不相信那是真的呢？”王孙吃惊地问：“你怎么知道？”五可说：“我病中梦见自己到了你家，以为只是个虚妄的梦；后来听说你也做过这个梦，我才知道自己的魂魄真的来过这里。”王孙觉得很奇异，便讲了自己的梦，连日期和时辰也全都相合。父子两人的美好姻缘，都是靠梦促成的，也是一段奇异的情事，所以一并记下来。
Jisheng, courtesy name Wangsun, was a noted scholar of the prefecture. Because he had recognized his father while still in swaddling clothes, his parents believed he was gifted with wisdom from birth, and they doted on him. As he grew he became more and more handsome. At eight or nine he could write; at fourteen he entered the prefectural school. He always meant to choose his own wife. His father, Gui’an, had a younger sister, Erniang, married to a licentiate named Zheng Ziqiao. They had a daughter, Guixiu, clever and lovely beyond compare. When Wangsun saw her, his heart went out to her. In time he could neither sleep nor eat. His parents were deeply worried and pressed him hard, and at last he told them the truth. His father sent a go-between to Zheng. Zheng was a stiff, scrupulous man; he objected that the two were cousins and refused. Wangsun grew worse. His mother, at her wits’ end, secretly and tactfully sent word to Erniang, asking only that Guixiu come to see him once. When Zheng heard, he was angrier still and said ugly things. Wangsun’s parents gave up hope and let things take their course. In the prefecture there was a great family named Zhang with five daughters, all beautiful. The youngest, Wuke, outshone all her sisters; she was choosy about a husband and still unbetrothed. One day, on her way to the family graves, she saw Wangsun on the road, peeping out from her sedan chair. Home again, she told her mother. Her mother, Mrs. Shen, understood what she meant and dropped a hint to a matchmaker, old Mrs. Yu. Mrs. Yu went to the Wangs’ house. Wangsun was ill just then. When she learned this, she laughed. “This illness I can cure.” Yunniang asked what she meant. Mrs. Yu told her what the Zhangs had in mind and praised Wuke’s beauty to the skies. Yunniang was pleased and sent her in to see Wangsun. Mrs. Yu went in, stroked him, and told him. Wangsun shook his head. “The medicine doesn’t suit the illness. What use is it?” Mrs. Yu laughed. “All you need ask is whether the doctor is good. If he’s good, then send for He and let Huan come — that will do. To insist on one man and wait for him till you die — isn’t that foolish?” Wangsun sighed. “But of all the doctors in the world, none is better than He.” “How narrow your view is!” said Mrs. Yu, and she described Wuke’s face and hair and skin, her look and her bearing, painting her with words and hands. Wangsun shook his head again. “Stop, granny! That is not what I long for.” He turned to the wall and would not listen any more. Seeing that his mind would not change, Mrs. Yu left. One day, as Wangsun lay deep in his illness, a maid suddenly came in and said, “The one you long for is here!” Overjoyed, he leapt up. He hurried out of the room, and the beauty was already in the courtyard. Looking closely, he saw it was not Guixiu. She wore a finely pleated embroidered skirt the yellow of pine pollen, the tips of her two little hooks just showing — as lovely as any immortal. He bowed and asked her name. “I am Wuke,” she said. “You are a man of deep feeling, yet you give it all to Guixiu. It isn’t fair.” Wangsun apologized. “I had never in my life seen your face, so there was no one in my eyes but Guixiu. Now I know my fault!” And he exchanged vows with her. They were clasping hands, full of tender feeling, when his mother came in to stroke him, and he woke with a start: it was a dream. Going over her voice, her face, her smile, he could still see her before his eyes. He thought to himself: if Wuke really is as she was in my dream, why go after one so hard to get? So he told his mother the dream. His mother, glad his longing had been somewhat turned aside, was eager to send a go-between. Wangsun, afraid the dream could not be trusted, asked a neighbour woman who had long known the Zhangs to call on them on some other pretext and get a secret look at Wuke. When the neighbour arrived, Wuke was ill, leaning on a pillow with her chin in her hand, so graceful that she outshone the whole world. The neighbour came close. “What’s the matter?” The girl played with her sash and did not say a word. Her mother answered for her. “It isn’t illness. She’s been sulking with her father and me for days!” The neighbour asked why. “Family after family has come asking her name, and she won’t have any of them. She’ll marry only somebody like Jisheng of the Wang family. I pressed her too hard, so she’s made up her mind not to eat, and hasn’t for days.” The neighbour laughed. “Miss, if you were matched with Master Wang, you’d be a pair of jade figures. And if he saw you, Fifth Miss, I’m afraid he’d pine to death all over again! When I get back I’ll have him send a go-between. How’s that?” Wuke stopped her. “Don’t, granny! If it doesn’t come off, they’ll only laugh at me more!” The neighbour eagerly took it on herself to see it through, and only then did Wuke give a faint smile. The neighbour came back and reported: everything was just as the matchmaker had said. Wangsun asked about Wuke’s clothes and shoes in detail; they too matched the dream. He was delighted. His mind was somewhat eased, but still he would not quite trust what others told him. After some days, when he was mending, he secretly sent for Mrs. Yu and asked her for a way to see Wuke himself. Mrs. Yu found it difficult, but agreed for the time being and left. A long time passed and she did not come. He was about to send and ask, when Mrs. Yu came in all smiles. “Luckily, there’s a chance. Fifth Miss has been a little unwell lately, and every day she has her maids help her across to the courtyard opposite. Go and lie in wait for her, young master. She walks slowly and stiffly, so you’ll be able to see every bit of her.” Wangsun was delighted. Next day he had his horse made ready and went early. Mrs. Yu was there before him. At once she had him tether his horse to a tree in the village, led him into a cottage beside the road, set out a seat, closed the door, and left. Before long Wuke came out, as promised, leaning on a maid. Wangsun fixed his eyes on her through a crack in the door. The girl passed by outside; Mrs. Yu, on purpose, kept pointing out clouds and trees to slow her dainty steps, and Wangsun took in every detail, his heart trembling past control. Soon Mrs. Yu came in. “Can she take Guixiu’s place?” Wangsun thanked her again and again and went home. Only then did he tell his parents, and they sent a go-between to settle the match. But when the go-between got there, Wuke had already been promised to someone else. Wangsun’s hopes collapsed. Sick with regret, he wished he were dead, and fell ill again on the spot. His parents, frantic, blamed him for ruining his own chances. Wangsun had nothing to say. He took only a small cup of rice water a day. After several days he lay propped in bed, nothing but skin and bone, worse than before. Mrs. Yu suddenly came. “Why are you so worn out?” she cried. Wangsun wept and told her. Mrs. Yu laughed. “Foolish young master! The other day she came after you, and you turned her away on purpose. Now you go after her — are you sure to get her? Still, something can be done. You should have come to me first: even if she were promised to a prince in the capital, I could get her back.” Wangsun was overjoyed and begged her for a plan. Mrs. Yu had them write a formal letter and send servants, arranging to call at the Zhangs’ the next day. Gui’an feared they would be refused for their presumption. Mrs. Yu said, “I had already reached an understanding with Mr. Zhang. It was put off only a few days, and he goes back on it so soon? Besides, no letters have passed yet with the other family. The saying goes, ‘Who lights the stove first eats first.’ Why hesitate?” Gui’an did as she said. Next day the two servants went; there were no objections at all, and they came back richly rewarded. Wangsun’s illness lifted at once. From then on he gave up all thought of Guixiu. Earlier, when Zheng Ziqiao refused the offer, Guixiu had been rather unhappy. When she heard the Zhang match was made, she grew still more depressed, fell ill, and wasted away day by day. Her parents questioned her; she would not say. A maid guessed what was on her mind and quietly told her mother. When Zheng heard, he was so angry that he would not send for a doctor, and left her to die. Erniang said bitterly, “My nephew is not so bad at all. Why cling to a pedant’s rules and kill my darling girl?” Zheng said in a rage, “A daughter of yours — better she die young and spare us the laughingstock!” Over this husband and wife fell out. Erniang deliberately told her daughter that she would have her go to Wangsun after all, even as a secondary wife. The girl bowed her head and said nothing, but seemed very willing. Erniang raised it with Zheng; Zheng grew angrier still, left it all to Erniang, put his daughter out of his mind, and would have nothing more to do with it. Erniang loved her daughter dearly and meant to make good her word. The girl was happy then, and slowly got better. In secret Erniang found out that the day had been fixed for Wangsun to fetch his bride. When the day came, she pretended she wanted to go home for her nephew’s wedding, and before dawn sent to her brother for servants and a carriage. Her brother loved her dearly, and their villages were near each other, so he sent the very carriage and horses prepared for fetching the bride to fetch Erniang first. When they arrived, she dressed her daughter, put her in the carriage, and sent two menservants and two old women to escort her. At the Wangs’ gate they laid felt on the ground and went in. The musicians had already gathered; the servants who came with her shouted to them to play and drum, and at once the place was a din of voices. Wangsun ran to look: a girl, her head covered with a red veil. He was horrified and wanted to run, but the Zheng servants closed in on either side and had the two of them bow to each other at once. Not knowing what was happening, Wangsun went through with the bows. The two old women led the girl straight to the green tent and seated her there, and only then did they find out it was Guixiu. The whole household was thrown into confusion, and no one knew what to do. It was getting toward dusk, and Wangsun no longer dared go and fetch his bride. Gui’an sent a servant to explain to Zhang. Zhang was furious and wanted to break off the match. Wuke would not have it. “She may have got there first,” she said, “but she has received no goose and no gifts. Better to have him come and fetch me all the same.” Her father accepted this and gave it as his answer to the messenger. The messenger came back, but Gui’an still did not dare do it. They sat facing each other, racking their brains, with nowhere to turn either joy or anger. Zhang waited a long time, saw that no one was coming, and sent Wuke over himself, by carriage and horse. So another green tent was set up in a separate room. Wangsun went to and fro between the two, pacing about, not knowing what to do with himself. His mother then made peace between them, ranking the two by age, and both girls agreed. But when Wuke learned that Guixiu was a little older, she balked at calling her “elder sister.” Wangsun’s mother was very worried. On the third day, when the whole family gathered, Wuke saw how charming Guixiu was and found herself giving her the place of honour, and from then on it was settled. Still, the parents feared that in time the two would not get on. But the girls never had a cross word; they wore each other’s clothes and shoes and loved each other like sisters. Only then did Wangsun ask Wuke why she had turned his go-between away. She laughed. “No reason. I was just paying you back for turning away Mrs. Yu. Before you had seen me, you had only Guixiu in mind. So even after you’d seen me, I held back a little, to see how you would rate me against Guixiu. If you fell ill for her and not for me, there was no need for me to force myself on you.” Wangsun laughed. “A cruel revenge! But without Mrs. Yu, how would I ever have had a glimpse of your lovely face?” “I wanted to see you myself,” said Wuke. “What could Mrs. Yu have done? When I passed that door, do you think I didn’t know someone was staring from inside? We had already pledged ourselves in the dream. Why don’t you believe it yet?” Wangsun asked in surprise, “How do you know?” “When I was ill I dreamed I came to your house, and I thought it was nonsense. Later I heard you had dreamed it too, and then I knew my soul had truly been here.” Wangsun marvelled, and told her his dream: the day and the hour matched exactly. Father and son both found their happy marriages through dreams. That too is a strange kind of love, and so I have recorded it as well.