諸生王文，東昌人。少誠篤。薄遊於楚，過六河，休於旅舍，閒步門外。遇里戚趙東樓，大賈也，常數年不歸。見王，相執甚懽，便邀臨存。至其所，有美人坐室中，愕怪卻步。趙曳之，又隔窗呼妮子去，王乃入。趙具酒饌，話溫涼。王問：「此何處所？」答云：「此是小勾欄。余因久客，暫假床寢。」話間，妮子頻來出入。王跼促不安，離席告別。趙強捉令坐。俄，見一少女經門外過，望見王，秋波頻顧，眉目含情，儀度嫻婉，實神仙也。王素方直，至此惘然若失。便問：「麗者何人？」趙曰：「此媼次女，小字鴉頭，年十四矣。纏頭者屢以重金啗媼，女執不願，致母鞭楚，女以齒穉哀免，今尚待聘耳。」王聞言俯首，默然癡坐，酬應悉乖。趙戲之曰：「君倘垂意，當作冰斧。」王憮然曰：「此念所不敢存。」然日向夕，絕不言去。趙又戲請之。王曰：「雅意極所感佩，囊澀奈何！」趙知女性激烈，必當不允，故許以十金為助。王拜謝趨出，罄貲而至，得五數，強趙致媼。媼果少之。鴉頭言於母曰：「母日責我不作錢樹子，今請得如母所願。我初學作人，報母有日，勿以區區放卻財神去。」媼以女性拗執，但得允從，即甚懽喜。遂諾之，使婢邀王郎。趙難中悔，加金付媼。王與女懽愛甚至。既，謂王曰：「妾煙花下流，不堪匹敵；既蒙繾綣，義即至重。君傾囊博此一宵懽，明日如何？」王泫然悲哽。女曰：「勿悲。妾委風塵，實非所願。顧未有敦篤可託如君者。請以宵遁。王喜，遽起；女亦起。聽譙鼓已三下矣。女急易男裝，草草偕出，叩主人扉。王故從雙衛，託以急務，命僕便發。女以符繫僕股並驢耳上，縱轡極馳，目不容啟，耳後但聞風鳴；平明，至漢江口，稅屋而止。王驚其異。女曰：「言之，得無懼乎？妾非人，狐耳。母貪淫，日遭虐遇，心所積懣。今幸脫苦海。百里外，即非所知，可幸無恙。」王略無疑貳，從容曰：「室對芙蓉，家徒四壁，實難自慰，恐終見棄置。」女曰：「何為此慮。今市貨皆可居，三數口，淡薄亦可自給。可鬻驢子作貲本。」王如言，即門前設小肆，王與僕人躬同操作，賣酒販漿其中。女作披肩，刺荷囊，日獲贏餘，飲膳甚優。積年餘，漸能蓄婢媼。王自是不著犢鼻，但課督而已。
秀才王文是東昌人，從小誠實厚道。他到楚地遊歷，經過六河，在客店歇下，閒來走到門外散步。他遇見同鄉親戚趙東樓。趙東樓是個大商人，常常幾年不回家。他見到王文，高興地握住他的手，便邀他到自己的住處。到了那裡，王文看見屋裡坐著一位美人，驚訝之下，往後退去。趙東樓拉住他，又隔著窗戶叫妮子離開，王文這才進屋。趙東樓備下酒菜，兩人談起各自近況。王文問：「這是什麼地方？」趙東樓回答：「這是個小妓院。我在外住得太久，暫時在這裡借宿。」談話間，妮子頻頻進出。王文侷促不安，離席告辭。趙東樓硬拉住他，讓他坐下。不一會兒，一個少女從門外經過，看見王文，便頻頻回眸，眉眼間滿是情意，舉止文雅柔美，簡直像個仙女。王文一向端正耿直，到這時卻悵然失神，便問：「那位美人是誰？」趙東樓說：「她是這裡老婦的二女兒，小名鴉頭，今年十四歲。客人屢次拿重金誘使老婦答應讓她接客，她卻堅決不肯，因此捱了母親的鞭打。她以年紀還小為由，苦苦哀求，才得以免去，如今還在等人出錢聘請。」王文聽了，低頭不語，呆呆坐著，答話全都失了分寸。趙東樓逗他說：「你若有意，我來替你說合。」王文悵然道：「這種念頭，我不敢有。」可是天色漸晚，他始終不說要走。趙東樓又拿這事逗他。王文說：「你的好意，我十分感激，可惜囊中羞澀，怎麼辦呢！」趙東樓知道鴉頭性情剛烈，料定她不會答應，便許諾拿出十兩銀子相助。王文拜謝，趕忙出去，拿儘自己的錢回來，也只有五兩，便催趙東樓去找老婦。老婦果然嫌少。鴉頭對母親說：「你天天責怪我不給你做搖錢樹，如今我願意照你的意思辦。我才剛開始做這行，日後總有報答你的時候，不要為這一點錢，把財神放走了。」老婦知道女兒倔強，只要她肯答應，就已經十分高興，便應允了，叫婢女去請王文。趙東樓不好半途反悔，只得添上銀子，交給老婦。王文與鴉頭十分相愛。隨後，鴉頭對王文說：「我是淪落風塵的卑微女子，配不上你。既然蒙你這樣眷愛，這份情義就十分深重。你花光了所有的錢，只換來今晚的相聚，明天又怎麼辦呢？」王文落下淚來，悲傷得說不出話。鴉頭說：「別難過。我流落風塵，實在不是自己情願，只是一直沒遇見像你這樣忠厚可靠、可以託付的人。我們趁夜逃走吧。」王文大喜，立刻起身，鴉頭也站了起來。聽城樓的更鼓，已經敲過三更。鴉頭急忙換上男裝，兩人匆匆出去，敲開客店主人的門。王文原先騎著兩頭驢來，便說有急事，吩咐僕人立刻出發。鴉頭把符繫在僕人的大腿和驢耳朵上，放開韁繩，疾馳而去。一路快得讓人睜不開眼，只聽見耳後風聲呼嘯。天亮時，他們到了漢江口，租下一間屋子住下。王文驚訝於她的異術。鴉頭說：「說出來，你不會害怕嗎？我不是人，是狐狸。母親貪財好色，我天天受她虐待，心裡積滿了怨憤。如今幸好逃出了苦海。到了百里以外，她就不知道我的所在，我們可以慶幸無事了。」王文絲毫沒有疑慮，平靜地說：「屋裡有你這樣美麗的妻子，家裡卻只有四面空牆，我實在難以安心，只怕最終還是會被你拋棄。」鴉頭說：「為什麼擔心這個？如今市上的貨物，都可以買來經營。家裡兩三口人，生活清淡些，也能養活自己。可以賣掉驢子，拿來做本錢。」王文照她說的辦，在門前開了一間小店。他與僕人一起親自幹活，賣酒和飲料。鴉頭做披肩，繡荷包，每天都有盈餘，飲食也很豐足。過了一年多，漸漸能僱用婢女和老婦。王文從此不再穿著圍裙親自勞作，只負責督管店務。
诸生王文，东昌人。少诚笃。薄游于楚，过六河，休于旅舍，闲步门外。遇里戚赵东楼，大贾也，常数年不归。见王，相执甚懽，便邀临存。至其所，有美人坐室中，愕怪却步。赵曳之，又隔窗呼妮子去，王乃入。赵具酒馔，话温凉。王问：「此何处所？」答云：「此是小勾栏。余因久客，暂假床寝。」话间，妮子频来出入。王跼促不安，离席告别。赵强捉令坐。俄，见一少女经门外过，望见王，秋波频顾，眉目含情，仪度娴婉，实神仙也。王素方直，至此惘然若失。便问：「丽者何人？」赵曰：「此媪次女，小字鸦头，年十四矣。缠头者屡以重金啗媪，女执不愿，致母鞭楚，女以齿穉哀免，今尚待聘耳。」王闻言俯首，默然痴坐，酬应悉乖。赵戏之曰：「君倘垂意，当作冰斧。」王怃然曰：「此念所不敢存。」然日向夕，绝不言去。赵又戏请之。王曰：「雅意极所感佩，囊涩奈何！」赵知女性激烈，必当不允，故许以十金为助。王拜谢趋出，罄赀而至，得五数，强赵致媪。媪果少之。鸦头言于母曰：「母日责我不作钱树子，今请得如母所愿。我初学作人，报母有日，勿以区区放却财神去。」媪以女性拗执，但得允从，即甚懽喜。遂诺之，使婢邀王郎。赵难中悔，加金付媪。王与女懽爱甚至。既，谓王曰：「妾烟花下流，不堪匹敌；既蒙缱绻，义即至重。君倾囊博此一宵懽，明日如何？」王泫然悲哽。女曰：「勿悲。妾委风尘，实非所愿。顾未有敦笃可托如君者。请以宵遁。王喜，遽起；女亦起。听谯鼓已三下矣。女急易男装，草草偕出，叩主人扉。王故从双卫，托以急务，命仆便发。女以符系仆股并驴耳上，纵辔极驰，目不容启，耳后但闻风鸣；平明，至汉江口，税屋而止。王惊其异。女曰：「言之，得无惧乎？妾非人，狐耳。母贪淫，日遭虐遇，心所积懑。今幸脱苦海。百里外，即非所知，可幸无恙。」王略无疑贰，从容曰：「室对芙蓉，家徒四壁，实难自慰，恐终见弃置。」女曰：「何为此虑。今市货皆可居，三数口，淡薄亦可自给。可鬻驴子作赀本。」王如言，即门前设小肆，王与仆人躬同操作，卖酒贩浆其中。女作披肩，刺荷囊，日获赢余，饮膳甚优。积年余，渐能蓄婢媪。王自是不着犊鼻，但课督而已。
秀才王文是东昌人，从小诚实厚道。他到楚地游历，经过六河，在客店歇下，闲来走到门外散步。他遇见同乡亲戚赵东楼。赵东楼是个大商人，常常几年不回家。他见到王文，高兴地握住他的手，便邀他到自己的住处。到了那里，王文看见屋里坐着一位美人，惊讶之下，往后退去。赵东楼拉住他，又隔着窗户叫妮子离开，王文这才进屋。赵东楼备下酒菜，两人谈起各自近况。王文问：“这是什么地方？”赵东楼回答：“这是个小妓院。我在外住得太久，暂时在这里借宿。”谈话间，妮子频频进出。王文局促不安，离席告辞。赵东楼硬拉住他，让他坐下。不一会儿，一个少女从门外经过，看见王文，便频频回眸，眉眼间满是情意，举止文雅柔美，简直像个仙女。王文一向端正耿直，到这时却怅然失神，便问：“那位美人是谁？”赵东楼说：“她是这里老妇的二女儿，小名鸦头，今年十四岁。客人屡次拿重金诱使老妇答应让她接客，她却坚决不肯，因此挨了母亲的鞭打。她以年纪还小为由，苦苦哀求，才得以免去，如今还在等人出钱聘请。”王文听了，低头不语，呆呆坐着，答话全都失了分寸。赵东楼逗他说：“你若有意，我来替你说合。”王文怅然道：“这种念头，我不敢有。”可是天色渐晚，他始终不说要走。赵东楼又拿这事逗他。王文说：“你的好意，我十分感激，可惜囊中羞涩，怎么办呢！”赵东楼知道鸦头性情刚烈，料定她不会答应，便许诺拿出十两银子相助。王文拜谢，赶忙出去，拿尽自己的钱回来，也只有五两，便催赵东楼去找老妇。老妇果然嫌少。鸦头对母亲说：“你天天责怪我不给你做摇钱树，如今我愿意照你的意思办。我才刚开始做这行，日后总有报答你的时候，不要为这一点钱，把财神放走了。”老妇知道女儿倔强，只要她肯答应，就已经十分高兴，便应允了，叫婢女去请王文。赵东楼不好半途反悔，只得添上银子，交给老妇。王文与鸦头十分相爱。随后，鸦头对王文说：“我是沦落风尘的卑微女子，配不上你。既然蒙你这样眷爱，这份情义就十分深重。你花光了所有的钱，只换来今晚的相聚，明天又怎么办呢？”王文落下泪来，悲伤得说不出话。鸦头说：“别难过。我流落风尘，实在不是自己情愿，只是一直没遇见像你这样忠厚可靠、可以托付的人。我们趁夜逃走吧。”王文大喜，立刻起身，鸦头也站了起来。听城楼的更鼓，已经敲过三更。鸦头急忙换上男装，两人匆匆出去，敲开客店主人的门。王文原先骑着两头驴来，便说有急事，吩咐仆人立刻出发。鸦头把符系在仆人的大腿和驴耳朵上，放开缰绳，疾驰而去。一路快得让人睁不开眼，只听见耳后风声呼啸。天亮时，他们到了汉江口，租下一间屋子住下。王文惊讶于她的异术。鸦头说：“说出来，你不会害怕吗？我不是人，是狐狸。母亲贪财好色，我天天受她虐待，心里积满了怨愤。如今幸好逃出了苦海。到了百里以外，她就不知道我的所在，我们可以庆幸无事了。”王文丝毫没有疑虑，平静地说：“屋里有你这样美丽的妻子，家里却只有四面空墙，我实在难以安心，只怕最终还是会被你抛弃。”鸦头说：“为什么担心这个？如今市上的货物，都可以买来经营。家里两三口人，生活清淡些，也能养活自己。可以卖掉驴子，拿来做本钱。”王文照她说的办，在门前开了一间小店。他与仆人一起亲自干活，卖酒和饮料。鸦头做披肩，绣荷包，每天都有盈余，饮食也很丰足。过了一年多，渐渐能雇用婢女和老妇。王文从此不再穿着围裙亲自劳作，只负责督管店务。
Wang Wen, a licentiate of Dongchang, was honest and steady from his youth. Travelling for a time in Chu, he passed through Liuhe and put up at an inn. He was strolling outside the gate when he ran into Zhao Donglou, a kinsman from his home village. Zhao was a great merchant who often stayed away for years at a time. When he saw Wang, he took his hands with great delight and invited him to visit his lodging. When they got there, a beautiful woman was sitting in the room. Wang was startled and drew back. Zhao pulled him along and called through the window for Nizi to go, and Wang went in. Zhao set out wine and food, and they talked of how each had fared. Wang asked, “What sort of place is this?” “It’s a little pleasure house,” Zhao answered. “I’ve been away from home so long that I’m borrowing a bed here for the time being.” While they talked, Nizi kept coming in and going out. Wang grew uneasy and rose from the table to take his leave. Zhao caught hold of him and made him sit down. A moment later a young girl passed the door. She saw Wang, and her eyes, clear as autumn water, turned back to him again and again, full of feeling. Her manner was graceful and gentle: she was like an immortal. Wang had always been upright and strict with himself, but now he was lost and dazed. “Who is the beauty?” he asked. “The old woman’s second daughter,” said Zhao. “Her pet name is Yatou. She’s fourteen. Clients have tempted the old woman with large sums again and again, but the girl stubbornly refuses, and her mother has whipped her for it. She begged off because she is so young, and she is still waiting to be spoken for.” Wang hung his head when he heard this and sat in a silent daze, and every answer he gave was beside the point. Zhao teased him: “If you’ve taken a fancy to her, I’ll be your go-between.” “I wouldn’t dare even think of it,” said Wang gloomily. But the day was drawing to evening, and he said not a word about leaving. Zhao teased him with the offer again. “I’m deeply grateful for your kindness,” said Wang, “but what can I do with an empty purse?” Zhao knew the girl was fierce-tempered and was sure she would refuse, so he promised ten taels of silver toward it. Wang thanked him with a bow and hurried out, and came back with all he had: five taels. He pressed Zhao to take it to the old woman. As expected, she thought it too little. But Yatou said to her mother, “Every day you scold me for not being your money tree. Now let me do as you wish. I’m only starting out in the trade, and the day will come when I repay you. Don’t let the god of wealth get away from you over a trifle.” The old woman knew how stubborn the girl was, and was delighted just to have her consent. She agreed, and sent a maid to invite Mr. Wang in. Zhao could hardly go back on his word, and added his own silver to what he gave the old woman. Wang and the girl made love with great tenderness. Afterwards she said to him, “I am a low thing of the flower-and-smoke trade, not fit to be your match. But since you have loved me so dearly, I owe you a great deal. You emptied your purse for the pleasure of this one night. What about tomorrow?” Wang wept and choked with grief. “Don’t grieve,” she said. “I never chose this life. It’s only that I have never met anyone so true and dependable as you to trust myself to. Let us run away tonight.” Wang was overjoyed and sprang up; she rose too. They heard the watch drum: it had already struck the third watch. The girl quickly changed into men’s clothes, and they hurried out together and knocked at the innkeeper’s door. Wang had come with two donkeys; he pleaded urgent business and told his servant to set out at once. The girl tied charms to the servant’s thigh and to the donkeys’ ears, and they let the reins go and galloped at full speed. They could not open their eyes, and behind their ears they heard only the wind howling. At dawn they reached the mouth of the Han River, rented a house and stopped. Wang was amazed at the strangeness of it. “If I tell you, won’t you be afraid?” said the girl. “I’m not human. I’m a fox. My mother is greedy and lewd, and she abused me every day, until my heart was full of bitterness. Now, by good luck, I’ve escaped that sea of suffering. Once we’re a hundred li away, she won’t know where I am. We should be safe.” Wang had no doubts at all. He said calmly, “With a lotus flower facing me in my room and nothing in my house but four bare walls, I can hardly feel easy. I’m afraid you’ll leave me in the end.” “Why worry about that?” she said. “Nowadays any goods in the market can be stocked and sold. Two or three people living plainly can support themselves. Sell the donkeys for capital.” Wang did as she said and set up a little shop right by the door, where he and the servant worked with their own hands, selling wine and drinks. The girl made capes and embroidered purses. Each day they made a profit, and they ate and drank very well. After a year or so they could afford maids and an old serving woman. From then on Wang no longer wore the calf-nose apron; he only kept an eye on the work.
女一日悄然忽悲，曰：「今夜合有難作，奈何！」王問之。女曰：「母已知妾消息，必見凌逼。若遣姊來，吾無憂；恐母自至耳。」夜已央，自慶曰：「不妨，阿姊來矣。」居無何，妮子排闥入。女笑逆之。妮子罵曰：「婢子不羞，隨人逃匿！老母令我縛去。」即出索子縶女頸。女怒曰：「從一者得何罪？」妮子益忿，捽女斷衿。家中婢媼皆集。妮子懼，奔出。女曰：「姊歸，母必自至。大禍不遠，可速作計。」乃急辦裝，將更播遷。媼忽掩入，怒容可掬，曰：「我故知婢子無禮，須自來也！」女迎跪哀啼。媼不言，揪髮提去。王徘徊愴惻，眠食都廢。急詣六河，翼得賄贖。至則門庭如故，人物已非。問之居人，俱不知其所徙。悼喪而返。於是俵散客旅，囊貲東歸。後數年，偶入燕都，過育嬰堂，見一兒，七八歲。僕人怪似其主，反復凝注之。王問：「看兒何說？」僕笑以對，王亦笑。細視兒，風度磊落。自念乏嗣，因其肖己，愛而贖之。詰其名，自稱王孜。王曰：「子棄之襁褓，何知姓氏？」曰：「本師嘗言，得我時，胸前有字，書山東王文之子。」王大駭曰：「我即王文，烏得有子？」念必同己姓名者。心竊喜，甚愛惜之。及歸，見者不問而知為王生子。孜漸長，孔武有力，喜田獵，不務生產，樂鬥好殺；王亦不能箝制之。又自言能見鬼狐，悉不之信。會里中有患狐者，請孜往覘之。至則指狐隱處，令數人隨指處擊之，即聞狐鳴，毛血交落，自是遂安。由是人益異之。
一天，鴉頭忽然沉默下來，悲傷地說：「今晚該有災難發生，怎麼辦呢！」王文問她緣故。鴉頭說：「母親已經知道我的訊息，一定會來逼迫我。若是派姐姐來，我倒不擔心，只怕母親親自來。」到了半夜，她又慶幸地說：「沒事了，是姐姐來了。」不久，妮子推門而入。鴉頭笑著迎上去。妮子罵道：「你這不知羞恥的丫頭，跟人逃出來躲藏！母親叫我把你綁回去。」說著，便拿出繩子，套住鴉頭的脖子。鴉頭怒道：「我只守著一個人，有什麼罪？」妮子更加惱怒，揪住鴉頭，把她的衣領都扯斷了。家裡的婢女和老婦全都聚過來，妮子害怕，跑了出去。鴉頭說：「姐姐回去後，母親一定親自來。大禍就在眼前，要趕緊想辦法。」於是急忙收拾行裝，準備再次遷走。老婦忽然闖進來，滿臉怒氣，說：「我就知道這丫頭不聽話，必須自己來！」鴉頭迎上去跪下，哭著哀求。老婦一言不發，揪住她的頭髮，把她提走了。王文來回徘徊，悲痛萬分，寢食俱廢。他急忙趕到六河，希望出錢把鴉頭贖回來。到了那裡，門庭依舊，人卻已經換了。他問附近住戶，誰也不知道她們搬去了哪裡，只得傷心地回來。於是結束了客居在外的生意，帶著錢財回到東昌。幾年後，他偶然去了燕都，經過育嬰堂，看見一個七八歲的男孩。僕人驚訝這孩子很像主人，反覆盯著看。王文問：「你看這孩子做什麼？」僕人笑著告訴他緣故，王文也笑了。仔細看那孩子，氣度開朗大方。王文想到自己沒有兒子，又因孩子像自己，心裡喜歡，便花錢把他領了出來。問他的名字，孩子說自己叫王孜。王文說：「你在襁褓裡就被丟棄了，怎麼知道自己的姓名？」孩子說：「師父曾告訴我，撿到我的時候，我胸前有字，寫著山東王文之子。」王文大驚，說：「我就是王文，怎麼會有兒子？」他想，這一定是個與自己同名同姓的人。心裡卻暗暗高興，對孩子十分疼愛。回到家鄉後，見過孩子的人，不用問就認定他是王文的兒子。王孜漸漸長大，身強力壯，喜歡打獵，不肯經營生計，好鬥嗜殺，王文也管束不了他。他還自稱能看見鬼和狐狸，大家都不信。恰好鄉里有人受狐狸擾害，請王孜去檢視。王孜到了那裡，便指出狐狸藏身的地方，叫幾個人照著他指的地方打去，立刻聽見狐狸叫聲，毛和血一起落下，從此那家便安寧了。大家因此更加覺得他不同尋常。
女一日悄然忽悲，曰：「今夜合有难作，奈何！」王问之。女曰：「母已知妾消息，必见凌逼。若遣姊来，吾无忧；恐母自至耳。」夜已央，自庆曰：「不妨，阿姊来矣。」居无何，妮子排闼入。女笑逆之。妮子骂曰：「婢子不羞，随人逃匿！老母令我缚去。」即出索子絷女颈。女怒曰：「从一者得何罪？」妮子益忿，捽女断衿。家中婢媪皆集。妮子惧，奔出。女曰：「姊归，母必自至。大祸不远，可速作计。」乃急办装，将更播迁。媪忽掩入，怒容可掬，曰：「我故知婢子无礼，须自来也！」女迎跪哀啼。媪不言，揪发提去。王徘徊怆恻，眠食都废。急诣六河，翼得贿赎。至则门庭如故，人物已非。问之居人，俱不知其所徙。悼丧而返。于是俵散客旅，囊赀东归。后数年，偶入燕都，过育婴堂，见一儿，七八岁。仆人怪似其主，反复凝注之。王问：「看儿何说？」仆笑以对，王亦笑。细视儿，风度磊落。自念乏嗣，因其肖己，爱而赎之。诘其名，自称王孜。王曰：「子弃之襁褓，何知姓氏？」曰：「本师尝言，得我时，胸前有字，书山东王文之子。」王大骇曰：「我即王文，乌得有子？」念必同己姓名者。心窃喜，甚爱惜之。及归，见者不问而知为王生子。孜渐长，孔武有力，喜田猎，不务生产，乐斗好杀；王亦不能箝制之。又自言能见鬼狐，悉不之信。会里中有患狐者，请孜往觇之。至则指狐隐处，令数人随指处击之，即闻狐鸣，毛血交落，自是遂安。由是人益异之。
一天，鸦头忽然沉默下来，悲伤地说：“今晚该有灾难发生，怎么办呢！”王文问她缘故。鸦头说：“母亲已经知道我的消息，一定会来逼迫我。若是派姐姐来，我倒不担心，只怕母亲亲自来。”到了半夜，她又庆幸地说：“没事了，是姐姐来了。”不久，妮子推门而入。鸦头笑着迎上去。妮子骂道：“你这不知羞耻的丫头，跟人逃出来躲藏！母亲叫我把你绑回去。”说着，便拿出绳子，套住鸦头的脖子。鸦头怒道：“我只守着一个人，有什么罪？”妮子更加恼怒，揪住鸦头，把她的衣领都扯断了。家里的婢女和老妇全都聚过来，妮子害怕，跑了出去。鸦头说：“姐姐回去后，母亲一定亲自来。大祸就在眼前，要赶紧想办法。”于是急忙收拾行装，准备再次迁走。老妇忽然闯进来，满脸怒气，说：“我就知道这丫头不听话，必须自己来！”鸦头迎上去跪下，哭着哀求。老妇一言不发，揪住她的头发，把她提走了。王文来回徘徊，悲痛万分，寝食俱废。他急忙赶到六河，希望出钱把鸦头赎回来。到了那里，门庭依旧，人却已经换了。他问附近住户，谁也不知道她们搬去了哪里，只得伤心地回来。于是结束了客居在外的生意，带着钱财回到东昌。几年后，他偶然去了燕都，经过育婴堂，看见一个七八岁的男孩。仆人惊讶这孩子很像主人，反复盯着看。王文问：“你看这孩子做什么？”仆人笑着告诉他缘故，王文也笑了。仔细看那孩子，气度开朗大方。王文想到自己没有儿子，又因孩子像自己，心里喜欢，便花钱把他领了出来。问他的名字，孩子说自己叫王孜。王文说：“你在襁褓里就被丢弃了，怎么知道自己的姓名？”孩子说：“师父曾告诉我，捡到我的时候，我胸前有字，写着山东王文之子。”王文大惊，说：“我就是王文，怎么会有儿子？”他想，这一定是个与自己同名同姓的人。心里却暗暗高兴，对孩子十分疼爱。回到家乡后，见过孩子的人，不用问就认定他是王文的儿子。王孜渐渐长大，身强力壮，喜欢打猎，不肯经营生计，好斗嗜杀，王文也管束不了他。他还自称能看见鬼和狐狸，大家都不信。恰好乡里有人受狐狸扰害，请王孜去查看。王孜到了那里，便指出狐狸藏身的地方，叫几个人照着他指的地方打去，立刻听见狐狸叫声，毛和血一起落下，从此那家便安宁了。大家因此更加觉得他不同寻常。
One day the girl suddenly grew quiet and sad. “Tonight trouble will come,” she said. “What can we do?” Wang asked what she meant. “My mother has learned where I am,” she said. “She is sure to come after me. If she sends my sister, I have nothing to fear. I’m afraid she’ll come herself.” Late in the night she said happily, “It’s all right. My sister is coming.” Before long Nizi pushed open the door and came in. The girl met her with a smile. Nizi cursed her: “You shameless slut, running off with a man and hiding! Mother told me to tie you up and bring you back.” She took out a rope and noosed it round the girl’s neck. “What crime is it to keep to one man?” the girl said angrily. Nizi grew angrier still, grabbed hold of her and tore her collar. The maids and the serving woman all came running. Nizi took fright and ran out. “Now that my sister has gone back, my mother will surely come herself,” said the girl. “Great trouble is near. We must make plans quickly.” She hurried to pack, meaning to move again. Suddenly the old woman burst in, her face plainly full of anger. “I knew the little slut would be insolent. I had to come myself!” The girl went to meet her, knelt and wept and pleaded. The old woman said nothing, seized her by the hair and carried her off. Wang paced about in anguish and could neither sleep nor eat. He hurried to Liuhe, hoping to buy her back. When he got there, the gate and courtyard were as before, but the people were gone. He asked the neighbours, but none knew where they had moved. He went back in grief. Then he wound up his business on the road and went home east with his money. Some years later he happened to go to Yan, the capital. Passing a foundling home, he saw a boy of seven or eight. Wang’s servant was struck by how much the boy looked like his master and stared at him again and again. “What are you looking at the boy for?” Wang asked. The servant smiled and told him, and Wang smiled too. Looking closely at the boy, he found him open and fine in his bearing. He had no heir himself, and the boy looked like him, so he took a liking to him and paid to take him home. He asked the boy’s name. “Wang Zi,” said the boy. “You were abandoned in swaddling clothes,” said Wang. “How do you know your surname?” “The master here once told me that when they found me, there was writing on my chest: ‘Son of Wang Wen of Shandong.’” Wang was astounded. “I am Wang Wen. How could I have a son?” He thought it must be someone with the same name. But secretly he was glad, and cherished the boy dearly. When they got home, everyone who saw the boy knew without asking that he was Wang’s son. As Zi grew up he was strong and powerful. He loved hunting, did not attend to making a living, and delighted in fighting and killing; even Wang could not control him. He also said he could see ghosts and foxes, but nobody believed him. It happened that someone in the village was plagued by a fox, and they asked Zi to come and look. When he arrived, he pointed out where the fox was hiding and had several men strike at the spot. At once they heard a fox shriek, and fur and blood fell together. After that the house was at peace, and people thought Zi all the more remarkable.