臨江高蕃，少慧，儀容秀美。十四歲入邑庠。富室爭女之；生選擇良苛，屢梗父命。父仲鴻，年六十，止此子，寵惜之，不忍少拂。初，東村有樊翁者，授童蒙於市肆，攜家僦生屋。翁有女，小字江城，與生同甲，時皆八九歲，兩小無猜，日共嬉戲。後翁徙去，積四五年，不復聞問。一日，生於隘巷中，見一女郎，豔美絕俗。從以小鬟，僅六七歲。不敢傾顧，但斜睨之。女停睇，若欲有言。細視之，江城也。頓大驚喜。各無所言，相視呆立，移時始別，兩情戀戀。生故以紅巾遺地而去。小鬟拾之，喜以授女。女入袖中，易以己巾，偽謂鬟曰：「高秀才非他人，勿得諱其遺物，可追還之。」小鬟果追付生。生得巾大喜。歸見母，請與論婚。母曰：「家無半間屋，南北流寓，何足匹偶？」生言：「我自欲之，固當無悔。」母不能決，以商仲鴻；鴻執不可。生聞之悶悶，嗌不容粒。母憂之，謂高曰：「樊氏雖貧，亦非狙儈無賴者比。我請過其家，倘其女可偶，當亦無害。」高曰：「諾。」母託燒香黑帝祠，詣之。見女明眸秀齒，居然娟好，心大愛悅。遂以金帛厚贈之，實告以意。樊媼謙抑而後受盟。歸述其情，生始解顏為笑。逾歲，擇吉迎女歸，夫妻相得甚懽。而女善怒，反眼若不相識；詞舌嘲啁，常聒於耳。生以愛故，悉含忍之。翁媼聞之，心弗善也，潛責其子。為女所聞，大恚，詬罵彌加。生稍稍反其惡聲，女益怒，撻逐出戶，闔其扉。生㗩㗩門外，不敢叩關，抱膝宿簷下。女從此視若仇。其初，長跪猶可以解；漸至屈膝無靈，而丈夫益苦矣。翁姑薄讓之，女牴牾不可言狀。翁姑忿怒，逼令大歸。樊慚懼，浼交好者請於仲鴻；仲鴻不許。年餘，生出遇岳，岳邀歸其家，謝罪不遑。妝女出見，夫婦相看，不覺惻楚。樊乃沽酒款婿，酬勸甚殷。日暮，堅止留宿，掃別榻，使夫婦並寢。既曙辭歸，不敢以情告父母，掩飾彌縫。自此三五日，暫一寄岳家宿，而父母不知也。樊一日自詣仲鴻。初不見，迫而後見之。樊膝行而請。高不承，諉諸其子。樊曰：「婿昨夜宿僕家，不聞有異言。」高驚問：「何時寄宿？」樊具以告。高赧謝曰：「我固不知。彼愛之，我獨何仇乎？」樊既去，高呼子而罵。生但俛首，不少出氣。言間，樊已送女至。高曰：「我不能為兒女任過，不如各立門戶，即煩主析爨之盟。」樊勸之，不聽。遂別院居之，遣一婢給役焉。月餘，頗相安，翁嫗竊慰。未幾，女漸肆，生面上時有指爪痕；父母明知之，亦忍不置問。
臨江人高蕃，從小聰明，容貌俊秀。十四歲時，他考入了縣學。有錢人家爭著要把女兒嫁給他，可他挑選得十分苛刻，多次違背父親的意思。他父親高仲鴻已經六十歲，只有這一個兒子，對他十分寵愛，不忍心稍稍違揹他的心意。早先，東村有位樊老翁，在街市的店鋪裡教小孩子讀書，帶著家人租住高家的房子。老翁有個女兒，小名江城，和高蕃同年出生。當時兩人都才八九歲，天真無邪，每天在一起玩耍。後來老翁搬走了，一連四五年，再沒有彼此的訊息。一天，高蕃在一條狹窄的巷子裡，看見一個年輕女子，美貌出眾，身後跟著一個才六七歲的小丫鬟。他不敢轉頭直看，只拿眼角偷偷看她。那女子停下來望著他，像是想說什麼。他仔細一看，原來是江城，頓時又驚又喜。兩人誰也沒有開口，只呆呆地相對站著，過了好一陣才分開，都依依不捨。高蕃故意把一塊紅手巾丟在地上，隨後走了。小丫鬟撿起來，高興地交給江城。江城把手巾藏進袖子，換成自己的，裝作若無其事地對丫鬟說：「高秀才又不是外人，他丟了東西，我們不能藏著不還，你追上去還給他吧。」小丫鬟果然追上去，把手巾交給高蕃。高蕃得到手巾，十分歡喜，回家見了母親，請她替自己去說親。母親說：「他們連半間自己的房子都沒有，四處漂泊，怎麼配得上我們家？」高蕃說：「是我自己想娶她，當然不會後悔。」母親拿不定主意，就和高仲鴻商量，高仲鴻堅決不答應。高蕃聽說後悶悶不樂，連一粒米也咽不下。母親擔心他，便對高仲鴻說：「樊家雖然窮，也不是那些奸猾的掮客和無賴可比的。我去他們家看看，如果那姑娘適合做媳婦，想來也沒有什麼不好。」高仲鴻答應了。母親藉口去黑帝祠燒香，到了樊家。見江城眼睛明亮，牙齒整齊潔白，果然長得秀麗，心裡十分喜歡，就送了豐厚的金帛，坦白說出來意。樊家老婦謙讓了一番，才答應這門親事。母親回家說明經過，高蕃這才舒展眉頭，露出笑容。過了一年，選定吉日，把江城迎娶進門，夫妻十分恩愛。可是江城很容易發怒，一翻臉就像不認識丈夫似的，尖刻的譏諷和責罵常在他耳邊響個不停。高蕃因為愛她，一概忍讓。父母聽說後，心裡不滿，私下責備兒子。江城聽到了，大為惱火，罵得更加厲害。高蕃稍稍回了幾句難聽的話，她就越發憤怒，把他打出房門，關上門。高蕃在門外抽泣，不敢敲門，抱著膝蓋在屋簷下過了一夜。從此江城把他當作仇人。起初，他長跪求情，還能讓她消氣；漸漸地，連下跪也不管用了，做丈夫的越發受苦。公婆稍稍責備她，她就頂撞反抗，簡直無法形容。公婆氣憤之下，逼兒子把她休回孃家。樊老翁又羞愧又害怕，托相好的朋友向高仲鴻求情，高仲鴻不答應。一年多以後，高蕃出門遇見岳父，岳父邀他回家，連連賠罪，又讓女兒打扮好，出來見他。夫妻相互看著，不覺都感到悲傷。樊老翁買酒招待女婿，十分熱情地勸酒。到了傍晚，他堅持留女婿過夜，另外收拾了一張床，讓夫妻同睡。天亮後，高蕃告辭回家，不敢把實情告訴父母，設法遮掩過去。從此每隔三五天，他就偷偷到岳父家住一夜，父母一直不知道。有一天，樊老翁親自來見高仲鴻。高仲鴻起初不肯見，他再三懇求，才得以見面。樊老翁跪著挪到他跟前求情。高仲鴻不答應，把事情推給兒子。樊老翁說：「女婿昨晚還住在我家，也沒聽他說什麼不同意的話。」高仲鴻吃驚地問：「他什麼時候去你家住的？」樊老翁把事情全告訴了他。高仲鴻紅著臉賠禮說：「我實在不知道。他既然愛她，我又何必獨自記恨她呢？」樊老翁走後，高仲鴻叫來兒子責罵。高蕃只是低著頭，連大氣也不敢出。說話間，樊老翁已經把女兒送來了。高仲鴻說：「我不能再替兒子媳婦承擔過錯，不如各自過日子，就勞煩你主持分開吃住的約定吧。」樊老翁勸他，他不肯聽。於是讓小夫妻住到另一處院子，派一個丫鬟供他們使喚。一個多月裡，兩人過得還算安穩，老夫妻暗自寬慰。可沒多久，江城漸漸又放肆起來，高蕃臉上時常有指甲抓出的傷痕。父母明明知道，也忍著不問。
临江高蕃，少慧，仪容秀美。十四岁入邑庠。富室争女之；生选择良苛，屡梗父命。父仲鸿，年六十，止此子，宠惜之，不忍少拂。初，东村有樊翁者，授童蒙于市肆，携家僦生屋。翁有女，小字江城，与生同甲，时皆八九岁，两小无猜，日共嬉戏。后翁徙去，积四五年，不复闻问。一日，生于隘巷中，见一女郎，艳美绝俗。从以小鬟，仅六七岁。不敢倾顾，但斜睨之。女停睇，若欲有言。细视之，江城也。顿大惊喜。各无所言，相视呆立，移时始别，两情恋恋。生故以红巾遗地而去。小鬟拾之，喜以授女。女入袖中，易以己巾，伪谓鬟曰：「高秀才非他人，勿得讳其遗物，可追还之。」小鬟果追付生。生得巾大喜。归见母，请与论婚。母曰：「家无半间屋，南北流寓，何足匹偶？」生言：「我自欲之，固当无悔。」母不能决，以商仲鸿；鸿执不可。生闻之闷闷，嗌不容粒。母忧之，谓高曰：「樊氏虽贫，亦非狙侩无赖者比。我请过其家，倘其女可偶，当亦无害。」高曰：「诺。」母托烧香黑帝祠，诣之。见女明眸秀齿，居然娟好，心大爱悦。遂以金帛厚赠之，实告以意。樊媪谦抑而后受盟。归述其情，生始解颜为笑。逾岁，择吉迎女归，夫妻相得甚懽。而女善怒，反眼若不相识；词舌嘲啁，常聒于耳。生以爱故，悉含忍之。翁媪闻之，心弗善也，潜责其子。为女所闻，大恚，诟骂弥加。生稍稍反其恶声，女益怒，挞逐出户，阖其扉。生㗩㗩门外，不敢叩关，抱膝宿檐下。女从此视若仇。其初，长跪犹可以解；渐至屈膝无灵，而丈夫益苦矣。翁姑薄让之，女抵牾不可言状。翁姑忿怒，逼令大归。樊惭惧，浼交好者请于仲鸿；仲鸿不许。年余，生出遇岳，岳邀归其家，谢罪不遑。妆女出见，夫妇相看，不觉恻楚。樊乃沽酒款婿，酬劝甚殷。日暮，坚止留宿，扫别榻，使夫妇并寝。既曙辞归，不敢以情告父母，掩饰弥缝。自此三五日，暂一寄岳家宿，而父母不知也。樊一日自诣仲鸿。初不见，迫而后见之。樊膝行而请。高不承，诿诸其子。樊曰：「婿昨夜宿仆家，不闻有异言。」高惊问：「何时寄宿？」樊具以告。高赧谢曰：「我固不知。彼爱之，我独何仇乎？」樊既去，高呼子而骂。生但俛首，不少出气。言间，樊已送女至。高曰：「我不能为儿女任过，不如各立门户，即烦主析爨之盟。」樊劝之，不听。遂别院居之，遣一婢给役焉。月余，颇相安，翁妪窃慰。未几，女渐肆，生面上时有指爪痕；父母明知之，亦忍不置问。
临江人高蕃，从小聪明，容貌俊秀。十四岁时，他考入了县学。有钱人家争着要把女儿嫁给他，可他挑选得十分苛刻，多次违背父亲的意思。他父亲高仲鸿已经六十岁，只有这一个儿子，对他十分宠爱，不忍心稍稍违背他的心意。早先，东村有位樊老翁，在街市的店铺里教小孩子读书，带着家人租住高家的房子。老翁有个女儿，小名江城，和高蕃同年出生。当时两人都才八九岁，天真无邪，每天在一起玩耍。后来老翁搬走了，一连四五年，再没有彼此的消息。一天，高蕃在一条狭窄的巷子里，看见一个年轻女子，美貌出众，身后跟着一个才六七岁的小丫鬟。他不敢转头直看，只拿眼角偷偷看她。那女子停下来望着他，像是想说什么。他仔细一看，原来是江城，顿时又惊又喜。两人谁也没有开口，只呆呆地相对站着，过了好一阵才分开，都依依不舍。高蕃故意把一块红手巾丢在地上，随后走了。小丫鬟捡起来，高兴地交给江城。江城把手巾藏进袖子，换成自己的，装作若无其事地对丫鬟说：“高秀才又不是外人，他丢了东西，我们不能藏着不还，你追上去还给他吧。”小丫鬟果然追上去，把手巾交给高蕃。高蕃得到手巾，十分欢喜，回家见了母亲，请她替自己去说亲。母亲说：“他们连半间自己的房子都没有，四处漂泊，怎么配得上我们家？”高蕃说：“是我自己想娶她，当然不会后悔。”母亲拿不定主意，就和高仲鸿商量，高仲鸿坚决不答应。高蕃听说后闷闷不乐，连一粒米也咽不下。母亲担心他，便对高仲鸿说：“樊家虽然穷，也不是那些奸猾的掮客和无赖可比的。我去他们家看看，如果那姑娘适合做媳妇，想来也没有什么不好。”高仲鸿答应了。母亲借口去黑帝祠烧香，到了樊家。见江城眼睛明亮，牙齿整齐洁白，果然长得秀丽，心里十分喜欢，就送了丰厚的金帛，坦白说出来意。樊家老妇谦让了一番，才答应这门亲事。母亲回家说明经过，高蕃这才舒展眉头，露出笑容。过了一年，选定吉日，把江城迎娶进门，夫妻十分恩爱。可是江城很容易发怒，一翻脸就像不认识丈夫似的，尖刻的讥讽和责骂常在他耳边响个不停。高蕃因为爱她，一概忍让。父母听说后，心里不满，私下责备儿子。江城听到了，大为恼火，骂得更加厉害。高蕃稍稍回了几句难听的话，她就越发愤怒，把他打出房门，关上门。高蕃在门外抽泣，不敢敲门，抱着膝盖在屋檐下过了一夜。从此江城把他当作仇人。起初，他长跪求情，还能让她消气；渐渐地，连下跪也不管用了，做丈夫的越发受苦。公婆稍稍责备她，她就顶撞反抗，简直无法形容。公婆气愤之下，逼儿子把她休回娘家。樊老翁又羞愧又害怕，托相好的朋友向高仲鸿求情，高仲鸿不答应。一年多以后，高蕃出门遇见岳父，岳父邀他回家，连连赔罪，又让女儿打扮好，出来见他。夫妻相互看着，不觉都感到悲伤。樊老翁买酒招待女婿，十分热情地劝酒。到了傍晚，他坚持留女婿过夜，另外收拾了一张床，让夫妻同睡。天亮后，高蕃告辞回家，不敢把实情告诉父母，设法遮掩过去。从此每隔三五天，他就偷偷到岳父家住一夜，父母一直不知道。有一天，樊老翁亲自来见高仲鸿。高仲鸿起初不肯见，他再三恳求，才得以见面。樊老翁跪着挪到他跟前求情。高仲鸿不答应，把事情推给儿子。樊老翁说：“女婿昨晚还住在我家，也没听他说什么不同意的话。”高仲鸿吃惊地问：“他什么时候去你家住的？”樊老翁把事情全告诉了他。高仲鸿红着脸赔礼说：“我实在不知道。他既然爱她，我又何必独自记恨她呢？”樊老翁走后，高仲鸿叫来儿子责骂。高蕃只是低着头，连大气也不敢出。说话间，樊老翁已经把女儿送来了。高仲鸿说：“我不能再替儿子媳妇承担过错，不如各自过日子，就劳烦你主持分开吃住的约定吧。”樊老翁劝他，他不肯听。于是让小夫妻住到另一处院子，派一个丫鬟供他们使唤。一个多月里，两人过得还算安稳，老夫妻暗自宽慰。可没多久，江城渐渐又放肆起来，高蕃脸上时常有指甲抓出的伤痕。父母明明知道，也忍着不问。
Gao Fan of Linjiang was a clever boy, handsome and graceful. At fourteen he entered the county school. Rich families competed to make him their son-in-law, but he was very particular in his choice and kept defying his father’s wishes. His father, Zhonghong, was sixty, and this was his only son; he doted on him and could not bear to cross him in the least. Some years before, an old man named Fan from the East Village, who taught small children in a shop in the market, had brought his family and rented a house from the Gaos. Old Fan had a daughter whose pet name was Jiangcheng. She and Gao were born in the same year; they were both eight or nine then, two innocent children, and they played together every day. Later the old man moved away, and for four or five years nothing more was heard of them. One day, in a narrow lane, Gao saw a young woman of rare and dazzling beauty, followed by a little maid of only six or seven. He did not dare stare at her, only glanced at her sidelong. The girl stopped and gazed back, as if she wanted to say something. He looked closer: it was Jiangcheng. He was suddenly overjoyed. Neither of them said anything; they stood staring at each other in a daze, and only after a while did they part, each reluctant to go. Gao dropped his red handkerchief on the ground on purpose and walked on. The little maid picked it up and happily gave it to her mistress. The girl put it in her sleeve and swapped it for her own. “Scholar Gao is no stranger,” she said to the maid, pretending. “We mustn’t keep what he dropped. Run after him and give it back.” The little maid did run after him and gave it to Gao. When Gao got the handkerchief he was overjoyed. He went home to his mother and asked her to arrange a marriage. “They haven’t half a room to call their own,” said his mother. “They drift about from north to south. How can they be a match for us?” “I want her myself,” said Gao. “I will never regret it.” His mother could not decide, and talked it over with Zhonghong, who refused outright. When Gao heard this he sank into gloom and could not swallow a grain of rice. His mother was worried for him. “The Fans may be poor,” she said to Zhonghong, “but they are not like sly brokers and good-for-nothings. Let me call at their house. If the girl is a fit match, there can be no harm in it.” “Very well,” said Zhonghong. Gao’s mother went there on the pretext of burning incense at the shrine of the Black Emperor. She found the girl had bright eyes and fine teeth and was truly lovely, and she was greatly taken with her. So she gave them generous presents of money and silk, and told them plainly what she had in mind. Old Mrs. Fan modestly declined at first, then accepted the betrothal. Gao’s mother came home and told what had happened, and for the first time Gao’s face cleared and he smiled. A year later they chose a lucky day and fetched the bride home. Husband and wife got on wonderfully together. But the girl had a hot temper. She would turn her eyes on him as if he were a stranger, and her sharp tongue was always nagging in his ears. Because he loved her, Gao put up with all of it. When his parents heard of it they were not pleased, and they quietly scolded their son. Jiangcheng overheard and was furious, and her abuse grew worse than ever. When Gao answered back a little, she grew angrier still, beat him, drove him out of the house and shut the door. Gao stood whimpering outside, not daring to knock, and spent the night under the eaves hugging his knees. From then on she treated him like an enemy. At first, kneeling to her could still make peace; but in time even going down on his knees did no good, and the husband’s lot grew harder and harder. When his parents mildly reproached her, she defied them in ways past describing. His parents were outraged and insisted she be sent back to her family for good. Old Fan, ashamed and afraid, asked a friend to plead with Zhonghong, but Zhonghong would not hear of it. A year and more later, Gao went out and met his father-in-law, who invited him home and apologized over and over. He had his daughter dress up and come out to see him. Husband and wife looked at each other, and both felt a pang of sadness. Fan bought wine and entertained his son-in-law, pressing him to drink with great warmth. When it grew dark he insisted that Gao stay the night; he made up a separate bed and let husband and wife sleep together. At daybreak Gao said goodbye and went home. He dared not tell his parents, and covered it up and patched it over. After that, every three or five days he would spend a night at his father-in-law’s house, and his parents knew nothing of it. One day Fan went himself to see Zhonghong. At first Zhonghong would not see him, and only received him when Fan insisted. Fan went up to him on his knees and pleaded. Zhonghong would not agree, and put it off onto his son. “Your son spent last night at my house,” said Fan, “and I heard no word against it from him.” Zhonghong was startled. “When has he been staying there?” Fan told him everything. Zhonghong blushed and apologized. “I really did not know. If he loves her, why should I alone bear her a grudge?” When Fan had gone, Zhonghong called his son and cursed him. Gao only hung his head and hardly dared breathe. While they were still at it, Fan arrived with his daughter. “I cannot answer for my children’s doings,” said Zhonghong. “Better that we keep separate households. May I trouble you to witness the agreement?” Fan tried to talk him out of it, but he would not listen. So the couple were given a separate courtyard to live in, and a maid was sent to wait on them. For a month or so they lived in fair peace, and the old couple were secretly relieved. But before long the girl grew more and more unbridled. Gao often had the marks of her nails on his face. His parents knew perfectly well, but bore it and did not ask.
一日，生不堪撻楚，奔避父所，芒芒然如鳥雀之被鸇敺者。翁媼方怪問，女已橫梃追入，竟即翁側捉而箠之。翁姑涕噪，略不顧贍，撻至數十，始悻悻以去。高逐子曰：「我惟避囂，故析爾。爾固樂此，又焉逃乎？」生被逐，徙倚無所歸。母恐其折挫行死，今獨居而給之食。又召樊來，使教其女。樊入室，開諭萬端，女終不聽，反以惡言相苦。樊拂衣去，誓相絕。無何，樊翁憤生病，與嫗相繼死。女恨之，亦不臨弔，惟日隔壁噪罵，故使翁姑聞。高悉置不知。生自獨居，若離湯火，但覺淒寂。暗以金啗媒媼李氏，納妓齋中，往來皆以夜。久之，女微聞之，詣齋嫚罵。生力白其誣，矢以天日，女始歸。自此日伺生隙。李嫗自齋中出，適相遇，急呼之；嫗神色變異，女愈疑。謂嫗曰：「明告所作，或可宥免；若猶隱祕，撮毛盡矣！」媼戰而告曰：「半月來，惟勾欄李雲娘過此兩度耳。適公子言，曾於玉笥山見陶家婦，愛其雙翹，囑奴招致之。渠雖不貞，亦未便作夜度娘，成否故未必也。」女以其言誠，姑從寬恕。媼欲行，又強止之。日既昏，呵之曰：「可先往滅其燭，便言陶家至矣。」媼如其言。女即遽入。生喜極，挽臂促坐，具道飢渴。女默不語。生暗中索其足，曰：「山上一覲仙容，介介獨戀是耳。」女終不語。生曰：「夙昔之願，今始得遂，何可覿面而不識也？」躬自捉火一照，則江城也。大懼失色，墮燭於地，長跪觳觫，若兵在頸。女摘耳提歸，以針刺兩股殆遍，乃臥以下床，醒則罵之。生以此畏若虎狼；即偶假以顏色，枕席之上，亦震慴不能為人。女批頰而叱去之，益厭棄不以人齒。生日在蘭麝之鄉，如犴狴中人，仰獄吏之尊也。女有兩姊，俱適諸生。長姊平善，訥於口，常與女不相洽。二姊適葛氏。為人狡黠善辨，顧影弄姿，貌不及江城，而悍妒與埒。姊妹相逢無他語，惟各以閫威自鳴得意。以故二人最善。生適戚友，女輒嗔怒；惟適葛所，知而不禁。
一天，高蕃實在受不了毒打，跑到父親那裡躲避，慌亂得像一隻被鷹追趕的小鳥。老夫妻正驚訝地問他怎麼回事，江城已經橫拿著棍子追了進來，竟在公公身旁抓住丈夫就打。公婆哭喊著勸阻，她絲毫不理，打了幾十下，才怒氣衝衝地離開。高仲鴻趕兒子走，說：「我就是為了躲開吵鬧，才讓你們分開過日子。你既然喜歡這樣，又逃什麼呢？」高蕃被趕出來，徘徊著無處可去。母親怕他受這樣的折磨，很快就會死，便讓他獨自住下，給他送飯，又叫樊老翁來管教女兒。樊老翁進了屋，千方百計地開導勸說，江城始終不聽，反而用惡言辱罵他。樊老翁拂袖而去，發誓和她斷絕關係。不久，樊老翁氣得生了病，和妻子相繼去世。江城仍記恨他們，連弔喪也不去，只是每天隔著牆大聲叫罵，故意讓公婆聽見。高仲鴻全當不知道。高蕃獨居以後，像是脫離了滾水烈火，只覺得淒涼寂寞。他暗中拿錢收買媒婆李氏，讓她把妓女帶進書房，來去都在夜裡。時間一久，江城隱約聽到了訊息，就到書房大罵。高蕃竭力辯解，說這是誣陷，指著天日發誓，江城才回去。從此她每天都盯著他，想找出破綻。一次，李婆婆從書房出來，正好被她撞見，她急聲把人叫住。李婆婆神色大變，江城越發懷疑，對她說：「把你幹的事明明白白說出來，或許還能饒你。要是再瞞著，我就把你的頭髮一把把全揪掉！」李婆婆發著抖說：「這半個月，只有勾欄裡的李雲娘來過兩次。剛才公子說，曾在玉笥山見過陶家的媳婦，看上了她的一雙小腳，叫我把她找來。她雖然不守貞節，也不是隨便肯在夜裡來私會的人，所以這事成不成，還說不準。」江城覺得她說的是實話，暫且饒了她。李婆婆想走，江城卻硬把她留下。天黑後，江城喝令她說：「你先去把他的蠟燭滅掉，就說陶家的媳婦來了。」李婆婆照辦了，江城隨即走了進去。高蕃喜出望外，拉著她的胳膊催她坐下，盡情訴說自己的渴慕。江城默不作聲。高蕃在黑暗中摸她的腳，說：「自從在山上見過你那仙女般的容貌，我一直念念不忘的，就是這雙腳。」江城仍不說話。高蕃說：「長久以來的心願，今天總算實現了，怎麼能面對面坐著，卻看不清你的樣子呢？」他親自拿來燈火一照，竟是江城。他嚇得臉色全變，蠟燭掉在地上，跪在她面前渾身發抖，像刀架在脖子上。江城揪著他的耳朵拖回家，用針把他兩條大腿幾乎紮了個遍，隨後讓他睡在床下，自己一醒就罵他。高蕃從此怕她如同怕虎狼。即便她偶爾給他一點好臉色，到了床上，他也嚇得無法行房。江城就打他耳光，喝令他滾開，越發厭惡他，根本不把他當人看。高蕃每天身處香氣繚繞的閨房，卻像關在牢裡的人，只能敬畏地仰望獄吏。江城有兩個姐姐，都嫁給了秀才。大姐溫和善良，不善言辭，常和江城合不來。二姐嫁給葛家，為人狡猾，能言善辯，喜歡顧影自憐，擺弄姿態，容貌不如江城，兇悍嫉妒卻和她不相上下。姐妹見面沒有別的話，只顧各自誇耀自己管束丈夫的威風，十分得意，因此兩人格外親密。高蕃去親友家，江城總要發怒，只有去葛家，她知道了也不禁止。
一日，生不堪挞楚，奔避父所，芒芒然如鸟雀之被鹯敺者。翁媪方怪问，女已横梃追入，竟即翁侧捉而箠之。翁姑涕噪，略不顾赡，挞至数十，始悻悻以去。高逐子曰：「我惟避嚣，故析尔。尔固乐此，又焉逃乎？」生被逐，徙倚无所归。母恐其折挫行死，今独居而给之食。又召樊来，使教其女。樊入室，开谕万端，女终不听，反以恶言相苦。樊拂衣去，誓相绝。无何，樊翁愤生病，与妪相继死。女恨之，亦不临吊，惟日隔壁噪骂，故使翁姑闻。高悉置不知。生自独居，若离汤火，但觉凄寂。暗以金啗媒媪李氏，纳妓斋中，往来皆以夜。久之，女微闻之，诣斋嫚骂。生力白其诬，矢以天日，女始归。自此日伺生隙。李妪自斋中出，适相遇，急呼之；妪神色变异，女愈疑。谓妪曰：「明告所作，或可宥免；若犹隐秘，撮毛尽矣！」媪战而告曰：「半月来，惟勾栏李云娘过此两度耳。适公子言，曾于玉笥山见陶家妇，爱其双翘，嘱奴招致之。渠虽不贞，亦未便作夜度娘，成否故未必也。」女以其言诚，姑从宽恕。媪欲行，又强止之。日既昏，呵之曰：「可先往灭其烛，便言陶家至矣。」媪如其言。女即遽入。生喜极，挽臂促坐，具道饥渴。女默不语。生暗中索其足，曰：「山上一觐仙容，介介独恋是耳。」女终不语。生曰：「夙昔之愿，今始得遂，何可觌面而不识也？」躬自捉火一照，则江城也。大惧失色，堕烛于地，长跪觳觫，若兵在颈。女摘耳提归，以针刺两股殆遍，乃卧以下床，醒则骂之。生以此畏若虎狼；即偶假以颜色，枕席之上，亦震慴不能为人。女批颊而叱去之，益厌弃不以人齿。生日在兰麝之乡，如犴狴中人，仰狱吏之尊也。女有两姊，俱适诸生。长姊平善，讷于口，常与女不相洽。二姊适葛氏。为人狡黠善辨，顾影弄姿，貌不及江城，而悍妒与埒。姊妹相逢无他语，惟各以阃威自鸣得意。以故二人最善。生适戚友，女辄嗔怒；惟适葛所，知而不禁。
一天，高蕃实在受不了毒打，跑到父亲那里躲避，慌乱得像一只被鹰追赶的小鸟。老夫妻正惊讶地问他怎么回事，江城已经横拿着棍子追了进来，竟在公公身旁抓住丈夫就打。公婆哭喊着劝阻，她丝毫不理，打了几十下，才怒气冲冲地离开。高仲鸿赶儿子走，说：“我就是为了躲开吵闹，才让你们分开过日子。你既然喜欢这样，又逃什么呢？”高蕃被赶出来，徘徊着无处可去。母亲怕他受这样的折磨，很快就会死，便让他独自住下，给他送饭，又叫樊老翁来管教女儿。樊老翁进了屋，千方百计地开导劝说，江城始终不听，反而用恶言辱骂他。樊老翁拂袖而去，发誓和她断绝关系。不久，樊老翁气得生了病，和妻子相继去世。江城仍记恨他们，连吊丧也不去，只是每天隔着墙大声叫骂，故意让公婆听见。高仲鸿全当不知道。高蕃独居以后，像是脱离了滚水烈火，只觉得凄凉寂寞。他暗中拿钱收买媒婆李氏，让她把妓女带进书房，来去都在夜里。时间一久，江城隐约听到了消息，就到书房大骂。高蕃竭力辩解，说这是诬陷，指着天日发誓，江城才回去。从此她每天都盯着他，想找出破绽。一次，李婆婆从书房出来，正好被她撞见，她急声把人叫住。李婆婆神色大变，江城越发怀疑，对她说：“把你干的事明明白白说出来，或许还能饶你。要是再瞒着，我就把你的头发一把把全揪掉！”李婆婆发着抖说：“这半个月，只有勾栏里的李云娘来过两次。刚才公子说，曾在玉笥山见过陶家的媳妇，看上了她的一双小脚，叫我把她找来。她虽然不守贞节，也不是随便肯在夜里来私会的人，所以这事成不成，还说不准。”江城觉得她说的是实话，暂且饶了她。李婆婆想走，江城却硬把她留下。天黑后，江城喝令她说：“你先去把他的蜡烛灭掉，就说陶家的媳妇来了。”李婆婆照办了，江城随即走了进去。高蕃喜出望外，拉着她的胳膊催她坐下，尽情诉说自己的渴慕。江城默不作声。高蕃在黑暗中摸她的脚，说：“自从在山上见过你那仙女般的容貌，我一直念念不忘的，就是这双脚。”江城仍不说话。高蕃说：“长久以来的心愿，今天总算实现了，怎么能面对面坐着，却看不清你的样子呢？”他亲自拿来灯火一照，竟是江城。他吓得脸色全变，蜡烛掉在地上，跪在她面前浑身发抖，像刀架在脖子上。江城揪着他的耳朵拖回家，用针把他两条大腿几乎扎了个遍，随后让他睡在床下，自己一醒就骂他。高蕃从此怕她如同怕虎狼。即便她偶尔给他一点好脸色，到了床上，他也吓得无法行房。江城就打他耳光，喝令他滚开，越发厌恶他，根本不把他当人看。高蕃每天身处香气缭绕的闺房，却像关在牢里的人，只能敬畏地仰望狱吏。江城有两个姐姐，都嫁给了秀才。大姐温和善良，不善言辞，常和江城合不来。二姐嫁给葛家，为人狡猾，能言善辩，喜欢顾影自怜，摆弄姿态，容貌不如江城，凶悍嫉妒却和她不相上下。姐妹见面没有别的话，只顾各自夸耀自己管束丈夫的威风，十分得意，因此两人格外亲密。高蕃去亲友家，江城总要发怒，只有去葛家，她知道了也不禁止。
One day Gao could not bear the beating any longer and fled to his father’s rooms, wild and helpless as a sparrow chased by a hawk. The old couple were just asking in surprise what was the matter when Jiangcheng came storming in after him with a cudgel. Right there at his father’s side she seized him and thrashed him. His parents wept and shouted, but she paid them no heed at all, and only after some dozens of blows did she stalk off in a huff. Zhonghong drove his son out. “I set you up apart only to get away from the noise,” he said. “Since you enjoy this so much, why run away from it?” Driven out, Gao wandered about with nowhere to go. His mother, afraid that such ill-treatment would be the death of him, had him live on his own and sent him food. She also called Fan and had him talk to his daughter. Fan went into her room and reasoned with her every way he could, but the girl would not listen, and instead made his life a misery with her foul tongue. Fan shook out his sleeves and left, vowing to have nothing more to do with her. Before long Old Fan fell ill from rage, and he and his wife died one after the other. Jiangcheng, still resenting them, did not even go to mourn. Every day she only shouted abuse through the wall, so that her parents-in-law would hear. Zhonghong pretended to know nothing of it. Living on his own, Gao felt as though he had escaped from boiling water and fire, but he was lonely and forlorn. He secretly bribed an old matchmaker, Mrs. Li, to bring a singing girl to his study, coming and going only by night. After a while Jiangcheng got wind of it. She went to the study and swore at him. Gao protested that it was a lie, swearing by sun and sky, and at last she went home. From then on she watched every day for his slips. Once, as Mrs. Li was coming out of the study, she ran into her and called her over sharply. The old woman’s face changed, and Jiangcheng grew more suspicious. “Tell me plainly what you have been up to,” she said, “and I may let you off. If you go on hiding it, I’ll pull out every hair on your head!” Trembling, the old woman told her. “In the last fortnight only Li Yunniang from the singing houses has been here, twice, that’s all. Just now the young master told me that he once saw a Mrs. Tao on Mount Yusi and fell for her little feet, and he told me to bring her to him. She may not be virtuous, but she is no woman of the night either, so I can’t say whether it will come off.” Jiangcheng believed she was telling the truth and let her off for the time being. When the old woman wanted to go, she made her stay. When it was dark she ordered her: “Go ahead and put out his candle, and tell him the Tao woman has come.” The old woman did as she was told. Jiangcheng went straight in. Gao was overjoyed. He took her by the arm, drew her down beside him and poured out how he had hungered and thirsted for her. Jiangcheng said not a word. In the dark Gao felt for her feet. “Since I saw your heavenly face that once on the mountain,” he said, “I have thought of nothing else.” Still she said nothing. “Now at last the wish I have held so long is coming true,” said Gao. “How can we be face to face and I not see you?” He took the light himself and held it up: it was Jiangcheng. He went white with terror and dropped the candle on the floor. He knelt before her shaking all over, as if a blade were at his throat. She dragged him home by the ear and pricked his thighs all over with a needle. Then she made him sleep on the floor below the bed, and whenever she woke she cursed him. After this Gao feared her like a tiger or a wolf. Even when she now and then showed him a kind face, in bed he was too terrified to be a man. Then she slapped his face and drove him off, and despised him more than ever, and no longer counted him as human. Every day Gao lived among the orchid and musk of the women’s rooms like a man in jail, looking up in awe at his jailer. Jiangcheng had two elder sisters, both married to licentiates. The eldest was gentle and good and slow of speech, and never got on with Jiangcheng. The second sister was married to a man named Ge. She was sly and clever with her tongue, forever admiring her reflection and striking poses. She was not so pretty as Jiangcheng, but every bit as fierce and jealous. When the two of them met they talked of nothing else: each boasted of her own rule over her husband. So these two were the best of friends. Whenever Gao visited relatives or friends, Jiangcheng flew into a rage; only to the Ges’ house might he go, and she knew of it and did not forbid it.