于七一案，連坐被誅者，棲霞、萊陽兩縣最多。一日俘數百人，盡戮于演武場中，碧血滿地，白骨撐天。上官慈悲，捐給棺木，濟城工肆，材木一空。以故伏刑東鬼，多葬南郊。甲寅間，有萊陽生至稷下，有親友二三人亦在誅數，因市楮帛，酹奠榛墟，就稅舍于下院之僧。明日，入城營幹，日暮未歸。忽一少年，造室來訪。見生不在，脫帽登床，著履仰臥。僕人問其誰，合眸不對。既而生歸，則暮色朦朧，不甚可辨。自詣床下問之，瞠目曰：「我候汝主人，絮絮逼問，我豈暴客耶！」生笑曰：「主人在此。」少年即起著冠，揖而坐，極道寒暄，聽其音，似曾相識。急呼燈至，則同邑朱生，亦死于七之難者。大駭卻走，朱曳之云：「僕與君文字之交，何寡于情？我雖鬼，故人之念，耿耿不忘。今有所瀆，願無以異物猜薄之。」生乃坐，請所命。曰：「令女甥寡居無偶，僕欲得主中饋。屢通媒約，輒以無尊長命為辭。幸無惜齒牙餘惠。」先是，生有女甥，早失恃，遺生鞠養，十五始歸其家。俘至濟南，聞父被刑，驚而絕。生曰：「渠自有父，何我之求？」朱曰：「其父為猶子啟櫬去，今不在此。」問：「女甥向依阿誰？」曰：「與鄰媼同居。」生慮生人不能作鬼媒。朱曰：「如蒙金諾，還屈玉趾。」遂起握生手，生固辭，問：「何之？」曰：「第行。」勉從與去。
於七一案中，受牽連而被處死的人，以棲霞、萊陽兩縣最多。有一天，幾百名俘虜全被殺死在演武場上，鮮血流滿地面，白骨堆積如山。上官心生憐憫，捐出棺木，濟南城各家作坊的木材因此用得一乾二淨。所以，這些被處死的東鄉人的鬼魂，大多葬在南郊。甲寅年間，有個萊陽書生來到稷下。他有兩三個親友也在被殺的人中，便買了紙錢和祭祀用的絹帛，到雜草叢生的墳地灑酒祭奠，又向下院的僧人租了房間住宿。第二天，他進城辦事，到了傍晚還沒回來。忽然有個少年到房裡拜訪，見書生不在，就脫了帽子上床，穿著鞋仰面躺下。僕人問他是誰，他閉著眼睛不回答。不久書生回來，天色已經昏暗，看不清少年的面貌。他親自走到床前詢問，少年瞪著眼說：「我等你家主人，你這樣嘮嘮叨叨地逼問，難道我是強盜嗎！」書生笑道：「主人就在這裡。」少年立刻起身戴好帽子，作揖坐下，熱情地說了許多寒暄的話。書生聽他的聲音，覺得似曾相識，急忙叫人拿燈來，一看，原來是同縣的朱生，也是死在於七之難中的人。書生大驚，退後要逃，朱生拉住他說：「我和你是以文章結交的朋友，你怎麼這樣薄情？我雖然成了鬼，對老朋友的思念卻始終沒有忘記。今天有件事想冒昧求你，希望你不要因為我是鬼，就猜疑輕視我。」書生這才坐下，問他有什麼事。朱生說：「你的外甥女獨自生活，沒有丈夫，我想娶她，讓她料理家務。我已經幾次托媒人去提親，她總以沒有尊長做主為由推辭。希望你肯替我說句話，成全這件事。」原來，書生有個外甥女，幼年喪母，交給他撫養，直到十五歲才回到自己家。後來她被俘，押到濟南，聽說父親被處死，受驚而死。書生說：「她自己有父親，為什麼來求我？」朱生說：「她父親的棺木已經被侄子掘出運走，如今不在這裡了。」書生問：「外甥女現在依靠誰生活？」朱生說：「和鄰居的一位老婦人同住。」書生擔心活人不能給鬼做媒。朱生說：「你若肯答應，還得勞煩你親自走一趟。」說著起身拉住書生的手。書生堅決推辭，問：「去哪裡？」朱生說：「只管跟我走。」書生勉強跟著他去了。
于七一案，连坐被诛者，栖霞、莱阳两县最多。一日俘数百人，尽戮于演武场中，碧血满地，白骨撑天。上官慈悲，捐给棺木，济城工肆，材木一空。以故伏刑东鬼，多葬南郊。甲寅间，有莱阳生至稷下，有亲友二三人亦在诛数，因市楮帛，酹奠榛墟，就税舍于下院之僧。明日，入城营干，日暮未归。忽一少年，造室来访。见生不在，脱帽登床，着履仰卧。仆人问其谁，合眸不对。既而生归，则暮色朦胧，不甚可辨。自诣床下问之，瞠目曰：「我候汝主人，絮絮逼问，我岂暴客耶！」生笑曰：「主人在此。」少年即起着冠，揖而坐，极道寒暄，听其音，似曾相识。急呼灯至，则同邑朱生，亦死于七之难者。大骇却走，朱曳之云：「仆与君文字之交，何寡于情？我虽鬼，故人之念，耿耿不忘。今有所渎，愿无以异物猜薄之。」生乃坐，请所命。曰：「令女甥寡居无偶，仆欲得主中馈。屡通媒约，辄以无尊长命为辞。幸无惜齿牙余惠。」先是，生有女甥，早失恃，遗生鞠养，十五始归其家。俘至济南，闻父被刑，惊而绝。生曰：「渠自有父，何我之求？」朱曰：「其父为犹子启榇去，今不在此。」问：「女甥向依阿谁？」曰：「与邻媪同居。」生虑生人不能作鬼媒。朱曰：「如蒙金诺，还屈玉趾。」遂起握生手，生固辞，问：「何之？」曰：「第行。」勉从与去。
于七一案中，受牵连而被处死的人，以栖霞、莱阳两县最多。有一天，几百名俘虏全被杀死在演武场上，鲜血流满地面，白骨堆积如山。上官心生怜悯，捐出棺木，济南城各家作坊的木材因此用得一干二净。所以，这些被处死的东乡人的鬼魂，大多葬在南郊。甲寅年间，有个莱阳书生来到稷下。他有两三个亲友也在被杀的人中，便买了纸钱和祭祀用的绢帛，到杂草丛生的坟地洒酒祭奠，又向下院的僧人租了房间住宿。第二天，他进城办事，到了傍晚还没回来。忽然有个少年到房里拜访，见书生不在，就脱了帽子上床，穿着鞋仰面躺下。仆人问他是谁，他闭着眼睛不回答。不久书生回来，天色已经昏暗，看不清少年的面貌。他亲自走到床前询问，少年瞪着眼说：“我等你家主人，你这样唠唠叨叨地逼问，难道我是强盗吗！”书生笑道：“主人就在这里。”少年立刻起身戴好帽子，作揖坐下，热情地说了许多寒暄的话。书生听他的声音，觉得似曾相识，急忙叫人拿灯来，一看，原来是同县的朱生，也是死在于七之难中的人。书生大惊，退后要逃，朱生拉住他说：“我和你是以文章结交的朋友，你怎么这样薄情？我虽然成了鬼，对老朋友的思念却始终没有忘记。今天有件事想冒昧求你，希望你不要因为我是鬼，就猜疑轻视我。”书生这才坐下，问他有什么事。朱生说：“你的外甥女独自生活，没有丈夫，我想娶她，让她料理家务。我已经几次托媒人去提亲，她总以没有尊长做主为由推辞。希望你肯替我说句话，成全这件事。”原来，书生有个外甥女，幼年丧母，交给他抚养，直到十五岁才回到自己家。后来她被俘，押到济南，听说父亲被处死，受惊而死。书生说：“她自己有父亲，为什么来求我？”朱生说：“她父亲的棺木已经被侄子掘出运走，如今不在这里了。”书生问：“外甥女现在依靠谁生活？”朱生说：“和邻居的一位老妇人同住。”书生担心活人不能给鬼做媒。朱生说：“你若肯答应，还得劳烦你亲自走一趟。”说着起身拉住书生的手。书生坚决推辞，问：“去哪里？”朱生说：“只管跟我走。”书生勉强跟着他去了。
In the Yu Qi affair, of all those put to death for their connection with the rebels, the most came from the two counties of Qixia and Laiyang. In a single day several hundred captives were slaughtered on the parade ground. Jade-green blood covered the earth, and white bones were heaped to the sky. The high officials, in their mercy, donated coffins, and the timber in the workshops of Jinan was used up. So it was that most of the ghosts of those easterners who died under the knife were buried outside the south wall of the city. In the jiayin year a scholar of Laiyang came to Jixia. Two or three of his relatives and friends had been among the executed, so he bought paper money and silk to burn, poured libations of wine on the overgrown burial ground, and took lodging with the monks of a small branch temple. The next day he went into the city on business, and at sunset he had not yet come back. Suddenly a young man came to his room to call on him. Finding the scholar out, he took off his hat, climbed onto the bed and lay down on his back with his shoes on. The servant asked who he was. He closed his eyes and did not answer. When the scholar came back, it was already dusk, too dim to make the man out. He went up to the bed himself and asked. The young man glared at him. “I am waiting for your master. Why keep pestering me with questions? Do you take me for a robber?” The scholar laughed. “The master is here.” At once the young man got up, put on his cap, bowed and sat down, and made a great deal of polite talk. His voice sounded familiar. The scholar hurriedly called for a lamp: it was Zhu, a scholar of his own county, who had also died in the Yu Qi affair. Terrified, he backed away. Zhu pulled him back. “You and I were friends in letters. Why so little feeling? Ghost though I am, I have never once forgotten an old friend. I have a favour to ask of you now. I hope you will not think the worse of me because I am no longer of your kind.” So the scholar sat down and asked what he wanted. “Your niece is living alone, without a husband,” said Zhu. “I would like her to run my household. I have sent a go-between to her several times, but each time she refuses, saying she has no elder to give the word. I hope you will not grudge me a word on my behalf.” Now, the scholar had a niece, his sister’s daughter, who had lost her mother young and been left to him to bring up. At fifteen she had gone back to her own family. She was taken captive to Jinan, and when she heard her father had been executed, she died of the shock. “She has her own father,” said the scholar. “Why come to me?” “Her father’s coffin has been dug up and taken away by his nephew,” said Zhu. “He is not here now.” “Whom has my niece been living with?” “With an old woman, a neighbour.” The scholar doubted whether a living man could act as go-between for ghosts. “If you will give me your golden promise,” said Zhu, “I must trouble your jade feet to come with me.” He got up and took the scholar by the hand. The scholar firmly declined, and asked, “Where to?” “Just come,” said Zhu. Reluctantly the scholar went with him.
北行里許，有大村落，約數十百家。至一第宅，朱以指彈扉，即有媼出，豁開兩扉，問朱：「何為？」曰：「煩達娘子，云阿舅至。」媼旋反，頃復出，邀生入，顧朱曰：「兩椽茅舍子大隘，勞公子門外少坐候。」生從之入。見半畝荒庭，列小室二。甥女迎門啜泣，生亦泣，室中燈火熒然。女貌秀潔如生，凝目含涕，遍問妗姑。生曰：「具各無恙，但荊人物故矣。」女又嗚咽曰：「兒少受舅妗撫育，尚無寸報，不圖先葬溝瀆，殊為恨恨。舊年伯伯家大哥遷父去，置兒不一念，數百里外，伶仃如秋燕。舅不以沉魂可棄，又蒙賜金帛，兒已得之矣。」生以朱言告，女俯首無語。媼曰：「公子曩托楊姥三五返，老身謂是大好。小娘子不肯自草草，得舅為政，方此意慊得。」言次，一十七八女郎，從一青衣遽掩入，瞥見生。轉身欲遁。女牽其裾曰：「勿須爾！是阿舅。」生揖之。女郎亦斂衽。甥曰：「九娘，棲霞公孫氏。阿爹故家子，今亦『窮波斯』，落落不稱意。旦晚與兒還往。」生睨之，笑彎秋月，羞暈朝霞，實天人也。曰：「可知是大家，蝸廬人焉得如此娟好！」甥笑曰：「且是女學士，詩詞俱大高作。昨兒稍得指教。」九娘微哂曰：「小婢無端敗壞人，教阿舅齒冷也。」甥又笑曰：「舅斷弦未續，若個小娘子，頗能快意否？」九娘笑奔出，曰：「婢子顛瘋作也！」遂去，言雖近戲，而生殊愛好之，甥似微察，乃曰：「九娘才貌無雙，舅倘不以糞壤致猜，兒當請諸其母。」生大悅，然慮人鬼難匹。女曰：「無傷，彼與舅有夙分。」生乃出。女送之，曰：「五日後，月明人靜，當遣人往相迓。」生至戶外，不見朱。翹首西望。月銜半規，昏黃中猶認舊徑。見南面一第，朱坐門石上，起逆曰：「相待已久，寒舍即勞垂顧。」遂攜手入，殷殷展謝。出金爵一、晉珠百枚，曰：「他無長物，聊代禽儀。」既而曰：「家有濁醪，但幽室之物，不足款嘉賓，奈何！」生撝謝而退。朱送至中途，始別。
兩人向北走了一里左右，來到一個大村落，約有幾十上百戶人家。到了某處宅院，朱生用手指輕彈門扇，立刻有個老婦人出來，敞開兩扇門，問朱生：「有什麼事？」朱生說：「勞煩告訴娘子，她舅舅來了。」老婦人轉身進去，不一會兒又出來，請書生入內，回頭對朱生說：「我們這兩間茅屋太狹窄，勞煩公子在門外坐著等一會兒。」書生跟她進去，只見半畝大小的荒涼庭院裡，並排有兩間小屋。外甥女迎到門口，抽泣不止，書生也哭了。屋裡燈光微微閃動，外甥女的容貌仍像活著時那樣秀麗潔淨。她含著眼淚望著書生，把舅母、姑母的情況一一問過。書生說：「大家都平安，只是你舅母已經去世了。」外甥女又嗚咽著說：「我小時候蒙舅舅、舅母撫養，還沒有報答過一點恩情，沒想到自己先葬在荒溝裡，實在遺憾。去年，伯伯家的大哥把父親遷走，卻一點也不顧念我。我遠在幾百里外，像秋天的孤燕一樣孤苦無依。舅舅沒有因為我是沉淪的鬼魂就拋棄我，又送來錢帛，我已經收到了。」書生把朱生的話告訴她，她低著頭，沒有說話。老婦人說：「公子先前托楊姥來了好幾趟，我覺得這門親事很好。小娘子不肯自己草率決定，如今有舅舅做主，這才稱心了。」正說著，一個十七八歲的女郎帶著一名青衣婢女突然進來，瞥見書生，轉身就要躲開。外甥女拉住她的衣襟說：「不用這樣！這是我舅舅。」書生向她作揖，女郎也整理衣襟還禮。外甥女說：「這是九娘，棲霞公孫家的。她父親本是世家子弟，如今也窮困潦倒，處處不得志。她每天早晚都和我來往。」書生偷偷看她，只見她笑起來眉眼彎彎，如同秋月，羞紅的臉頰像早晨的雲霞，真像天上的仙人。他說：「一看就知道出自大戶人家，住在簡陋小屋裡的人，哪裡能有這樣的美貌！」外甥女笑道：「她還是位女學士，詩詞都寫得很好。昨天我還得到她一些指教。」九娘微笑著說：「這小丫頭無緣無故拿人取笑，叫你舅舅笑話我了。」外甥女又笑道：「舅舅喪妻後還沒續娶，像這樣的小娘子，能讓您稱心嗎？」九娘笑著跑出去，說：「這丫頭髮瘋了！」隨後便走了。這話雖然像是玩笑，書生卻十分愛慕九娘。外甥女似乎察覺了，便說：「九孃的才貌無人能比，舅舅如果不嫌棄她已經埋身泥土，我就去向她母親提親。」書生非常高興，卻又擔心人和鬼難以結成夫妻。外甥女說：「沒有關係，她和舅舅有前世的緣分。」書生於是告辭。外甥女送他出去，說：「五天後，月明人靜的時候，我會派人去接您。」書生到了門外，不見朱生，便抬頭向西望去。月亮露出半圓，在昏黃的月光中，還能認出先前走過的路。他看見南面一處宅院前，朱生坐在門邊的石頭上。朱生起身迎接，說：「我已經等了很久，請到寒舍坐坐。」說著拉著書生的手進去，一再懇切地道謝。他拿出一個金酒杯、一百顆晉珠，說：「我沒有別的貴重東西，姑且拿這些代替聘禮。」隨後又說：「家裡有些濁酒，可惜都是陰間的東西，不能用來招待貴客，怎麼辦呢！」書生擺手致謝，告辭出來。朱生送他到半路，才與他分別。
北行里许，有大村落，约数十百家。至一第宅，朱以指弹扉，即有媪出，豁开两扉，问朱：「何为？」曰：「烦达娘子，云阿舅至。」媪旋反，顷复出，邀生入，顾朱曰：「两椽茅舍子大隘，劳公子门外少坐候。」生从之入。见半亩荒庭，列小室二。甥女迎门啜泣，生亦泣，室中灯火荧然。女貌秀洁如生，凝目含涕，遍问妗姑。生曰：「具各无恙，但荆人物故矣。」女又呜咽曰：「儿少受舅妗抚育，尚无寸报，不图先葬沟渎，殊为恨恨。旧年伯伯家大哥迁父去，置儿不一念，数百里外，伶仃如秋燕。舅不以沉魂可弃，又蒙赐金帛，儿已得之矣。」生以朱言告，女俯首无语。媪曰：「公子曩托杨姥三五返，老身谓是大好。小娘子不肯自草草，得舅为政，方此意慊得。」言次，一十七八女郎，从一青衣遽掩入，瞥见生。转身欲遁。女牵其裾曰：「勿须尔！是阿舅。」生揖之。女郎亦敛衽。甥曰：「九娘，栖霞公孙氏。阿爹故家子，今亦『穷波斯』，落落不称意。旦晚与儿还往。」生睨之，笑弯秋月，羞晕朝霞，实天人也。曰：「可知是大家，蜗庐人焉得如此娟好！」甥笑曰：「且是女学士，诗词俱大高作。昨儿稍得指教。」九娘微哂曰：「小婢无端败坏人，教阿舅齿冷也。」甥又笑曰：「舅断弦未续，若个小娘子，颇能快意否？」九娘笑奔出，曰：「婢子颠疯作也！」遂去，言虽近戏，而生殊爱好之，甥似微察，乃曰：「九娘才貌无双，舅倘不以粪壤致猜，儿当请诸其母。」生大悦，然虑人鬼难匹。女曰：「无伤，彼与舅有夙分。」生乃出。女送之，曰：「五日后，月明人静，当遣人往相迓。」生至户外，不见朱。翘首西望。月衔半规，昏黄中犹认旧径。见南面一第，朱坐门石上，起逆曰：「相待已久，寒舍即劳垂顾。」遂携手入，殷殷展谢。出金爵一、晋珠百枚，曰：「他无长物，聊代禽仪。」既而曰：「家有浊醪，但幽室之物，不足款嘉宾，奈何！」生㧑谢而退。朱送至中途，始别。
两人向北走了一里左右，来到一个大村落，约有几十上百户人家。到了某处宅院，朱生用手指轻弹门扇，立刻有个老妇人出来，敞开两扇门，问朱生：“有什么事？”朱生说：“劳烦告诉娘子，她舅舅来了。”老妇人转身进去，不一会儿又出来，请书生入内，回头对朱生说：“我们这两间茅屋太狭窄，劳烦公子在门外坐着等一会儿。”书生跟她进去，只见半亩大小的荒凉庭院里，并排有两间小屋。外甥女迎到门口，抽泣不止，书生也哭了。屋里灯光微微闪动，外甥女的容貌仍像活着时那样秀丽洁净。她含着眼泪望着书生，把舅母、姑母的情况一一问过。书生说：“大家都平安，只是你舅母已经去世了。”外甥女又呜咽着说：“我小时候蒙舅舅、舅母抚养，还没有报答过一点恩情，没想到自己先葬在荒沟里，实在遗憾。去年，伯伯家的大哥把父亲迁走，却一点也不顾念我。我远在几百里外，像秋天的孤燕一样孤苦无依。舅舅没有因为我是沉沦的鬼魂就抛弃我，又送来钱帛，我已经收到了。”书生把朱生的话告诉她，她低着头，没有说话。老妇人说：“公子先前托杨姥来了好几趟，我觉得这门亲事很好。小娘子不肯自己草率决定，如今有舅舅做主，这才称心了。”正说着，一个十七八岁的女郎带着一名青衣婢女突然进来，瞥见书生，转身就要躲开。外甥女拉住她的衣襟说：“不用这样！这是我舅舅。”书生向她作揖，女郎也整理衣襟还礼。外甥女说：“这是九娘，栖霞公孙家的。她父亲本是世家子弟，如今也穷困潦倒，处处不得志。她每天早晚都和我来往。”书生偷偷看她，只见她笑起来眉眼弯弯，如同秋月，羞红的脸颊像早晨的云霞，真像天上的仙人。他说：“一看就知道出自大户人家，住在简陋小屋里的人，哪里能有这样的美貌！”外甥女笑道：“她还是位女学士，诗词都写得很好。昨天我还得到她一些指教。”九娘微笑着说：“这小丫头无缘无故拿人取笑，叫你舅舅笑话我了。”外甥女又笑道：“舅舅丧妻后还没续娶，像这样的小娘子，能让您称心吗？”九娘笑着跑出去，说：“这丫头发疯了！”随后便走了。这话虽然像是玩笑，书生却十分爱慕九娘。外甥女似乎察觉了，便说：“九娘的才貌无人能比，舅舅如果不嫌弃她已经埋身泥土，我就去向她母亲提亲。”书生非常高兴，却又担心人和鬼难以结成夫妻。外甥女说：“没有关系，她和舅舅有前世的缘分。”书生于是告辞。外甥女送他出去，说：“五天后，月明人静的时候，我会派人去接您。”书生到了门外，不见朱生，便抬头向西望去。月亮露出半圆，在昏黄的月光中，还能认出先前走过的路。他看见南面一处宅院前，朱生坐在门边的石头上。朱生起身迎接，说：“我已经等了很久，请到寒舍坐坐。”说着拉着书生的手进去，一再恳切地道谢。他拿出一个金酒杯、一百颗晋珠，说：“我没有别的贵重东西，姑且拿这些代替聘礼。”随后又说：“家里有些浊酒，可惜都是阴间的东西，不能用来招待贵客，怎么办呢！”书生摆手致谢，告辞出来。朱生送他到半路，才与他分别。
They went north about a li and came to a large village of some scores of households, perhaps a hundred. They stopped at a house, and Zhu tapped on the door with his finger. At once an old woman came out and flung open both leaves of the door. “What is it?” she asked Zhu. “Please tell the young lady that her uncle has come.” The old woman went back in and soon came out again to invite the scholar in. Turning to Zhu, she said, “Our two-room cottage is too cramped. Would the young master please sit outside the gate and wait a little?” The scholar followed her in. He saw an overgrown courtyard of half a mu, with two small rooms side by side. His niece met him at the door, sobbing, and the scholar wept too. A lamp glimmered faintly in the room. The girl looked as fine and fresh as she had in life. She gazed at him with tears in her eyes and asked after each of her aunts. “They are all well,” said the scholar, “but my wife has passed away.” She sobbed again. “When I was little you and Aunt brought me up, and I have never repaid you the least bit. I never thought I would be buried in a ditch before you. It grieves me so. Last year my cousin, my uncle’s eldest son, moved Father away, and never gave me a thought. Hundreds of li from home, I am as forlorn as a swallow in autumn. But you did not think a lost soul fit to be abandoned, Uncle — you sent me money and silk. I have received them.” The scholar told her what Zhu had said. She bowed her head and said nothing. “The young master sent old Mrs. Yang here three or five times,” said the old woman. “I thought it was a very good match. But the young lady would not settle it carelessly on her own. Now that her uncle is here to decide, she can be content.” As she was speaking, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, followed by a maid in blue, burst in unannounced. She caught sight of the scholar and turned to flee. The niece caught her by the skirt. “No need for that! It’s my uncle.” The scholar bowed to her, and the girl curtsied in return. “This is Jiuniang,” said the niece, “of the Gongsun family of Qixia. Her father comes from an old family, but now he too is a ‘poor Persian’, and life has not gone his way. She keeps me company morning and evening.” The scholar stole a glance at her. When she smiled, her brows curved like the autumn moon; when she blushed, it was like the clouds at dawn. She was truly a being from heaven. “Of course she is from a great family,” he said. “How could anyone from a snail-shell hut be so lovely?” The niece laughed. “She is a lady scholar besides. Her poems and lyrics are very fine. Yesterday she gave me a little instruction.” Jiuniang smiled faintly. “The little wretch runs people down for no reason. She will make your uncle laugh at me.” The niece laughed again. “Uncle’s broken string has not been restrung. Would a young lady like this suit you?” Jiuniang ran out laughing. “The girl has gone mad!” And she was gone. Though the words were half in jest, the scholar was greatly taken with her. His niece seemed to notice it a little. “Jiuniang has no equal in talent or looks,” she said. “If you won’t hold it against her that she is dust and dirt, Uncle, I will speak to her mother.” The scholar was delighted, but he worried that a man and a ghost could hardly be matched. “No harm in it,” said his niece. “She and you have a bond from a former life.” Then the scholar went out. She saw him off. “In five days,” she said, “when the moon is bright and all is still, I will send someone to fetch you.” Outside the door, the scholar could not see Zhu. He craned his neck and looked west. The moon was a half circle, and in its dim yellow light he could still make out the path he had come by. He saw a house to the south, with Zhu sitting on the stone by its gate. Zhu got up to meet him. “I have been waiting a long while. Please honour my humble house.” Hand in hand they went in, and Zhu thanked him warmly again and again. He brought out a gold wine cup and a hundred pearls of Jin. “I have nothing else of value,” he said. “Let these stand in for the betrothal goose.” Then he said, “There is some cloudy wine in the house, but it is a thing of the dark world, not fit to offer an honoured guest. What a pity!” The scholar waved it away with thanks and withdrew. Zhu saw him halfway home before they parted.
生歸，僧僕集問，隱之曰：「言鬼者妄也，適友人飲耳。」後五日，朱果來，整履搖箑，意甚欣。方至戶，望塵即拜。笑曰：「君嘉禮既成，慶在旦夕，便煩枉步。」生曰：「以無回音，尚未致聘，何遽成禮？」朱曰：「僕已代致之。」生深感荷，從與俱去。直達臥所，則女甥華妝迎笑。生問：「何時于歸？」女曰：「三日矣。」朱乃出所贈珠，為甥助妝。女三辭乃受，謂生曰：「兒以舅意白公孫老夫人，夫人作大歡喜。但言老耄無他骨肉，不欲九娘遠嫁，期今夜舅往贅諸其家。伊家無男子，便可同郎往也。」朱乃導去。村將盡，一第門開，二人登其堂。俄白：「老夫人至。」有二青衣扶嫗升階。生欲展拜，夫人云：「老朽龍鐘，不能為禮，當即脫邊幅。」指畫青衣，進酒高會。朱乃喚家人，另出肴俎，列置生前；亦別設一壺，為客行觴。筵中進饌，無異人世。然主人自舉，殊不勸進。
書生回來後，僧人和僕人都圍上來詢問。他隱瞞了實情，說：「說有鬼，都是胡說，我剛才只是到朋友那裡喝酒去了。」五天後，朱生果然來了，鞋子穿得整整齊齊，搖著扇子，十分高興。他剛到門口，遠遠看見書生便行禮，笑道：「你的婚事已經定了，喜事就在眼前，請跟我走一趟。」書生說：「還沒收到回話，我也沒送聘禮，怎麼這麼快就定下來了？」朱生說：「我已經替你送去了。」書生十分感激，便跟著他一起去。兩人直接來到朱生的臥房，外甥女盛裝迎出來，笑容滿面。書生問：「你什麼時候成親的？」外甥女說：「已經三天了。」朱生於是拿出先前贈送的珍珠，給外甥女添作嫁妝。她推辭了三次才收下，隨後對書生說：「我把舅舅的心意告訴了公孫老夫人，老夫人非常歡喜。只是說自己年紀大了，沒有別的親人，不願讓九娘遠嫁，希望舅舅今晚到她家入贅。她家沒有男子，就讓我的丈夫陪您去吧。」朱生便領著書生前去。快到村子盡頭時，一處宅院的大門開著，兩人走進廳堂。不一會兒，有人通報：「老夫人來了。」兩名青衣婢女扶著老婦人走上臺階。書生要行拜禮，老夫人說：「我年老體衰，不能行禮，大家就免去這些拘束吧。」她吩咐婢女擺酒設宴。朱生又叫來自己的家人，另外送上菜餚，擺在書生面前，還單獨放了一壺酒，給書生斟酒。席間端上的飯菜，與人間沒有什麼不同。不過主人們都只管自己吃喝，並不勸書生享用。
生归，僧仆集问，隐之曰：「言鬼者妄也，适友人饮耳。」后五日，朱果来，整履摇箑，意甚欣。方至户，望尘即拜。笑曰：「君嘉礼既成，庆在旦夕，便烦枉步。」生曰：「以无回音，尚未致聘，何遽成礼？」朱曰：「仆已代致之。」生深感荷，从与俱去。直达卧所，则女甥华妆迎笑。生问：「何时于归？」女曰：「三日矣。」朱乃出所赠珠，为甥助妆。女三辞乃受，谓生曰：「儿以舅意白公孙老夫人，夫人作大欢喜。但言老耄无他骨肉，不欲九娘远嫁，期今夜舅往赘诸其家。伊家无男子，便可同郎往也。」朱乃导去。村将尽，一第门开，二人登其堂。俄白：「老夫人至。」有二青衣扶妪升阶。生欲展拜，夫人云：「老朽龙钟，不能为礼，当即脱边幅。」指画青衣，进酒高会。朱乃唤家人，另出肴俎，列置生前；亦别设一壶，为客行觞。筵中进馔，无异人世。然主人自举，殊不劝进。
书生回来后，僧人和仆人都围上来询问。他隐瞒了实情，说：“说有鬼，都是胡说，我刚才只是到朋友那里喝酒去了。”五天后，朱生果然来了，鞋子穿得整整齐齐，摇着扇子，十分高兴。他刚到门口，远远看见书生便行礼，笑道：“你的婚事已经定了，喜事就在眼前，请跟我走一趟。”书生说：“还没收到回话，我也没送聘礼，怎么这么快就定下来了？”朱生说：“我已经替你送去了。”书生十分感激，便跟着他一起去。两人直接来到朱生的卧房，外甥女盛装迎出来，笑容满面。书生问：“你什么时候成亲的？”外甥女说：“已经三天了。”朱生于是拿出先前赠送的珍珠，给外甥女添作嫁妆。她推辞了三次才收下，随后对书生说：“我把舅舅的心意告诉了公孙老夫人，老夫人非常欢喜。只是说自己年纪大了，没有别的亲人，不愿让九娘远嫁，希望舅舅今晚到她家入赘。她家没有男子，就让我的丈夫陪您去吧。”朱生便领着书生前去。快到村子尽头时，一处宅院的大门开着，两人走进厅堂。不一会儿，有人通报：“老夫人来了。”两名青衣婢女扶着老妇人走上台阶。书生要行拜礼，老夫人说：“我年老体衰，不能行礼，大家就免去这些拘束吧。”她吩咐婢女摆酒设宴。朱生又叫来自己的家人，另外送上菜肴，摆在书生面前，还单独放了一壶酒，给书生斟酒。席间端上的饭菜，与人间没有什么不同。不过主人们都只管自己吃喝，并不劝书生享用。
When the scholar got back, the monks and his servant gathered round to ask where he had been. He kept it from them. “Talk of ghosts is nonsense. I was just out drinking with a friend.” Five days later Zhu did come, his shoes neatly tied, waving a fan, in high spirits. He bowed low while he was still at the door. “Your wedding is settled,” he said, laughing, “and the celebration is only hours away. Please come along.” “There has been no answer,” said the scholar, “so I have not even sent the betrothal gifts. How can it be settled so soon?” “I have sent them for you,” said Zhu. The scholar was deeply grateful and went with him. They went straight to Zhu’s bedroom, where the scholar’s niece, splendidly dressed, met him with a smile. “When were you married?” he asked. “Three days ago,” she said. The scholar then took out the pearls Zhu had given him and gave them to her toward her trousseau. She declined three times before she accepted them. Then she said to him, “I told old Lady Gongsun what you wanted, Uncle, and she was very pleased. But she says she is old and has no other kin, and she does not want Jiuniang married far away, so she asks you to go tonight and marry into their house. There are no men in their family, so my husband can go with you.” So Zhu led him there. Near the end of the village the gate of a house stood open, and the two of them went up into its hall. Presently someone announced, “The old lady is here.” Two maids in blue helped an old woman up the steps. The scholar was about to kneel and bow, but she said, “I am old and doddering, and can’t manage the ceremonies. Let us do without formality.” She directed the maids to bring wine for a grand feast. Zhu then called his own servants to bring other dishes and set them in front of the scholar. He also set out a separate pot of wine and poured for the guest himself. The food served at the banquet was no different from the world of the living. But the hosts helped themselves, and did not once press him to eat.