米生者，閩人，傳者忘其名字、郡邑。偶入郡，醉過市廛，聞高門中簫鼓如雷。問之居人，云是開壽筵者，然門庭亦殊清寂。聽之，笙歌繁響。醉中雅愛樂之，並不問其何家，即街頭市祝儀，投晚生刺焉。或見其衣冠樸陋，便問：「君係此翁何親？」答言：「無之。」或言：「此流寓者，僑居於此，不審何官，甚貴倨也。既非親屬，將何求？」生聞而悔之，而刺已入矣。無何，兩少年出逆客，華裳眩目，丰采都雅，揖生入。見一叟南向坐，東西列數筵，客六七人，皆似貴冑；見生至，盡起為禮，叟亦杖而起。生久立，待與周旋，而叟殊不離席。兩少年致詞曰：「家君衰邁，起拜良艱，予兄弟代謝高賢之見枉也。」生遜謝而罷。遂增一筵於上，與叟接席。未幾，女樂作於下。座後設琉璃屏，以幛內眷。鼓吹大作，座客不復可以傾談。筵將終，兩少年起，各以巨杯勸客，杯可容三斗，生有難色；然見客受，亦受。頃刻四顧，主客盡釂；生不得已，亦強盡之。少年復斟。生覺憊甚，起而告退。少年強挽其裾。生大醉逿地，但覺有人以冷水灑面，恍然若寤。起視，賓客盡散，惟一少年捉臂送之，遂別而歸。後再過其門，則已遷去矣。自郡歸，偶適市，一人自肆中出，招之飲。視之，不識；姑從之入，則座上先有里人鮑莊在焉。問其人，乃諸姓，市中磨鏡者也。問：「何相識？」曰：「前日上壽者，君識之否？」生言：「不識。」諸言：「予出入其門最稔。翁，傅姓，但不知何省何官。先生上壽時，我方在墀下，故識之也。」日暮，飲散。鮑莊夜死於途。鮑父不識諸，執名訟生。檢得鮑莊體有重傷，生以謀殺論死，備歷械梏；以諸未獲，罪無申證，頌繫之。年餘，直指巡方，廉知其冤，出之。家中田產蕩盡，而衣巾革褫，冀其可以辨復，於是攜囊入郡。日將暮，步履頗殆，休於路側。遙見小車來，二青衣夾隨之。既過，忽命停輿。車中不知何言。俄一青衣問生：「君非米姓乎？」生驚起諾之。問：「何貧窶若此？」生告以故。又問：「安之？」又告之。青衣去，向車中語；俄復返，請生至車前。車中以纖手搴簾，微睨之，絕代佳人也。謂生曰：「君不幸得無妄之禍，聞之太息。今日學使署中，非白手可以出入者，途中無可解贈，……」乃於髻上摘珠花一朵，授生曰：「此物可鬻百金，請緘藏之。」生下拜，欲問官閥，車行甚疾，其去已遠，不解何人。執花懸想，上綴明珠，非凡物也。珍藏而行。至郡，投狀，上下勒索甚苦；出花展視，不忍置去，遂歸。歸而無家，依於兄嫂。幸兄賢，為之經紀，貧不廢讀。過歲，赴郡應童子試，誤入深山。會清明節，游人甚眾。有數女騎來，內一女郎，即曩年車中人也。見生停驂，問其所往。生具以對。女驚曰：「君衣頂尚未復耶？」生慘然於衣下出珠花，曰：「不忍棄此，故猶童子也。」女郎暈紅上頰。既，囑坐待路隅，款段而去。久之，一婢馳馬來，以裹物授生，曰：「娘子言：今日學使之門如市，贈白金二百，為進取之資。」生辭曰：「娘子惠我多矣！自分掇芹非難，重金所不敢受。但告以姓名，繪一小像，焚香供之，足矣。」婢不顧，委地下而去。生由此用度頗充，然終不屑夤緣。後入邑庠第一。以金授兄；兄善居積，三年，舊業盡復。適閩中巡撫為生祖門人，優卹甚厚，兄弟稱巨家矣。然生素清鯁，雖屬大僚通家，而未嘗有所干謁。一日，有客裘馬至門，都無識者。出視，則傅公子也。揖而入，各道間闊。治具相款。客辭以冗，然亦不竟言去。已而肴酒既陳，公子起而請閒，相將入內，拜伏於地。生驚問：「何事？」愴然曰：「家君適罹大禍，欲有求於撫臺，非兄不可。」生辭曰：「渠雖世誼，而以私干人，生平所不為也。」公子伏地哀泣。生厲色曰：「小生與公子，一飲之知交耳，何遂以喪節強人！」公子大慚，起而別去。越日，方獨坐，有青衣人入，視之，即山中贈金者。生方驚起，青衣曰：「君忘珠花否？」生曰：「唯唯，不敢忘！」曰：「昨公子，即娘子胞兄也。」生聞之，竊喜，偽曰：「此難相信。若得娘子親見一言，則油鼎可蹈耳；不然，不敢奉命。」青衣出，馳馬而去。更盡復返，扣扉入曰：「娘子來矣！」言未已，女郎慘然入，向壁而哭，不作一語。生拜曰：「小生非卿，無以有今日。但有驅策，敢不惟命！」女曰：「受人求者常驕人，求人者常畏人。中夜奔波，生平何解此苦，祇以畏人故耳，亦復何言！」生慰之曰：「小生所以不遽諾者，恐過此一見為難耳。使卿夙夜蒙露，吾知罪矣！」因挽其祛。隱抑搔之。女怒曰：「子誠敝人也！不念疇昔之義，而欲乘人之厄。予過矣！予過矣！」忿然而出，登車欲去。生追出謝過，長跪而要遮之。青衣亦為緩頰。女意稍解，就車中謂生曰：「實告君：妾非人，乃神女也。家君為南岳都理司，偶失禮於地官，將達帝聽；非本地都人官印信，不可解也。君如不忘舊義，以黃紙一幅，為妾求之。」言已，車發遂去。生歸，悚懼不已。乃假驅祟，言於巡撫。巡撫謂其事近巫蠱，不許。生以厚金賂其心腹，諾之，而未得其便也。既歸，青衣候門，生具告之，默然遂去，意似怨其不忠。生追送之曰：「歸語娘子：如事不諧，我以身命殉之！」既歸，終夜輾轉，不知計之所出。適院署有寵姬購珠，乃以珠花獻之。姬大悅，竊印為生嵌之。懷歸，青衣適至。笑曰：「幸不辱命。然數年來貧賤乞食所不忍鬻者，今還為主人棄之矣！」因告以情；且曰：「黃金拋置，我都不惜；寄語娘子：珠花須要償也！」踰數日，傅公子登堂申謝，納黃金百兩。生作色曰：「所以然者，為令妹之惠我無私耳；不然，即萬金豈足以易名節哉！」再強之，聲色益厲。公子慚而去，曰：「此事殊未了！」翼日，青衣奉女郎命，進明珠百顆，曰：「此足以償珠花否耶？」生曰：「重花者，非貴珠也。設當日贈我萬鎰之寶，直須賣作富家翁耳，什襲而甘貧賤，何為乎？娘子神人，小生何敢他望，幸得報洪恩於萬一，死無憾矣！」青衣置珠案間，生朝拜而後卻之。越數日，公子又至。生命治肴酒。公子使從人入廚下，自行烹調，相對縱飲，懽若一家。有客餽苦糯，公子飲而美之，引盡百琖，面頰微赬。乃謂生曰：「君貞介士，愚兄弟不能早知君，有愧裙釵多矣。家君感大德，無以相報，欲以妹子附為婚姻，恐以幽明見嫌也。」生喜懼非常，不知所對。公子辭而出，曰：「明夜七月初九，新月鉤辰，天孫有少女下嫁，吉期也，可備青廬。」次夕，果送女郎至，一切無異常人。三日後，女自兄嫂以及婢僕，大小皆有餽賞。又最賢，事嫂如姑。數年不育，勸納副室，生不肯。適兄賈於江淮，為買少姬而歸。姬，顧姓，小字博士，貌亦清婉，夫婦皆喜。見髻上插珠花，甚似當年故物；摘視，果然。異而詰之。答云：「昔有巡撫愛妾死，其婢盜出鬻於市，先人廉其直，買而歸。妾愛之。先人無子，生妾一人，故所求無不得。後父死家落，妾寄養於顧媼之家；顧，妾姨行，見珠，屢欲售去，妾投井覓死，故至今猶存也。」夫婦歎曰：「十年之物，復歸故主，豈非數哉！」女另出珠花一朵，曰：「此物久無偶矣！」因並賜之，親為簪於髻上。姬退，問女郎家世甚悉，家人皆諱言之。陰語生曰：「妾視娘子，非人間人也；其眉目間有神氣。昨簪花時，得近視，其美麗出於肌裏，非若凡人以黑白位置中見長耳。」生笑之。姬曰：「君勿言，妾將試之：如其神，但有所須，無人處焚香以求，彼當自知。」女郎繡襪精工，博士愛之，而未敢言，乃即閨中焚香祝之。女早起，忽檢篋中，出襪，遣婢贈博士。生見之而笑。女問故，以實告。女曰：「黠哉婢乎！」因其慧，益憐愛之：然博士益恭，昧爽時，必熏沐以朝。後博士一舉兩男，兩人分字之。生年八十，女貌猶如處子。生抱病，女鳩匠為材，令寬大倍於尋常。既死，女不哭；男女他適，則女已入材中死矣。因並葬之。至今傳為「大材冢」云。
有個姓米的書生，是福建人，傳述這件事的人已經忘了他的名字，也忘了他屬於哪個郡縣。有一次，他進了郡城，醉醺醺地經過街市，聽見一座高大門樓裡傳出雷鳴般的簫鼓聲。他向附近的居民打聽，說是有人在辦壽宴，可那家的門前和庭院卻十分清靜。他細聽，裡面笙聲歌聲交織，十分熱鬧。他醉中很喜歡這音樂，連是哪一家也沒問，就在街頭買了壽禮，遞進一張自稱晚生的名帖。有人看見他的衣帽樸素寒酸，便問：「你是這位老先生的什麼親戚？」他回答：「沒有親戚關係。」又有人說：「這位老先生是外地來的，暫住在這裡，不知道做的什麼官，十分尊貴傲慢。你既不是他的親戚，來這裡求什麼呢？」米生聽了有些後悔，可名帖已經遞進去了。不一會兒，兩個年輕人出來迎客，衣服華麗耀眼，容貌風度都很優雅，向米生作揖，請他進去。米生見一個老翁面朝南坐著，東西兩邊擺著幾桌酒席，有六七位客人，看著都像貴族子弟。見米生進來，眾人全起身行禮，老翁也拄著柺杖站了起來。米生站了很久，等著與老翁相互行禮，可老翁始終沒有離開座位。兩個年輕人說：「家父年老體弱，起身拜謝十分困難，我們兄弟代他感謝您屈尊光臨。」米生謙遜地答謝，便不再堅持。於是，他們在上首添了一桌，與老翁的席位相連。不久，女樂人在下面奏起音樂。座位後面設著琉璃屏風，遮住家中的女眷。鼓樂聲大作，賓客已無法交談。宴席快結束時，兩個年輕人起身，各拿著大杯向客人敬酒，每隻杯子能裝三鬥。米生露出為難的神色，但見其他客人都接了，也就接了。片刻後，他向四周一看，主人和客人都已喝乾，自己也只好勉強喝盡。年輕人又替他斟滿。他覺得十分疲憊，站起來告辭，年輕人卻拉住他的衣襟挽留。他醉得厲害，跌倒在地，只覺得有人往他臉上灑冷水，恍惚間像是醒了過來。起身一看，賓客已經散盡，只剩一個年輕人扶著他的胳膊送他出門，他便告別回家。後來再經過那家門前，那裡的人已經搬走了。米生從郡城回來後，有一天偶然來到街市，一個人從店裡出來，招呼他喝酒。他看了看，並不認識，還是暫且跟著進去，見同鄉鮑莊已經坐在那裡。問起那人的身份，才知道他姓諸，是街市上磨鏡子的。米生問：「你怎麼認識我？」那人說：「前些日子你去祝壽的那位老先生，你認識嗎？」米生說：「不認識。」姓諸的說：「我常到他家去，十分熟悉。老先生姓傅，不過不知道他是哪一省人，做的什麼官。你去祝壽時，我正站在臺階下面，所以認識你。」天黑後，眾人喝完酒散去。鮑莊當夜死在路上。鮑莊的父親不認識姓諸的，便指名控告米生。驗屍發現鮑莊身上有重傷，米生被以謀殺罪判了死刑，受盡了各種刑具的折磨。但姓諸的尚未抓獲，案件缺少證人核實，便讓米生不戴刑具，繼續關押。一年多後，直指前來巡察地方，查明他受了冤枉，將他釋放。這時，他家裡的田地產業已耗盡，秀才身份也被革除了。他希望能夠申辯恢復，便帶著行囊進郡城。天快黑時，他走得十分疲憊，在路旁休息。遠遠看見一輛小車過來，兩名青衣婢女分隨兩旁。車子經過他身邊後，忽然有人命令停車。車裡說了些什麼，他聽不清。不一會兒，一個婢女過來問他：「你不是姓米嗎？」米生驚訝地站起來，答應說是。婢女問：「怎麼窮困成這個樣子？」米生告訴她原因。又問：「你要去哪裡？」他也如實回答。婢女回到車前，向車裡說了幾句，隨即又回來，請米生過去。車中人伸出纖細的手掀起簾子，向他略看了一眼，原來是個絕代佳人。她對米生說：「你不幸遭受了無緣無故的災禍，我聽說後十分嘆息。如今學使署不是空著手就能進出的地方，我在路上沒有什麼可以取下來送給你的東西……」說著，從髮髻上摘下一朵珠花，交給米生，說：「這件東西能賣一百兩銀子，請你好好收存。」米生跪下拜謝，想問她的家世，車子卻走得很快，轉眼已去遠了，他仍不知道她是什麼人。他拿著珠花，猜想著她的身份，見上面綴著明珠，並非尋常之物，便珍重地收好，繼續趕路。到了郡城，他遞上訴狀，上下的人都狠狠向他勒索。他取出珠花，展開來看，卻捨不得賣掉，於是又回去了。回去後已無家可住，只能依靠哥哥嫂嫂。幸好哥哥賢良，替他料理生活，他雖窮困，仍沒有荒廢讀書。過了一年，他去郡城參加童子試，誤入深山。正逢清明節，遊人很多。有幾個女子騎馬過來，其中一個年輕女子，就是從前車裡的那個人。她見到米生，勒馬停下，問他要去哪裡。米生詳細回答。女子驚訝地說：「你還沒有恢復秀才身份嗎？」米生神情淒涼，從衣服下面取出珠花，說：「我捨不得丟掉這個，所以至今還是個童生。」女子臉頰泛起紅暈，隨後囑咐他坐在路邊等候，自己緩緩騎馬離去。過了很久，一個婢女騎馬趕來，交給米生一個包裹，說：「娘子說，如今學使門前像集市一樣，送你二百兩白銀，作為求取功名的費用。」米生推辭說：「娘子給我的恩惠已經很多了！我自認為考取秀才並不困難，這麼多銀子，我不敢接受。只要告訴我她的姓名，讓我畫一幅小像，焚香供奉，就足夠了。」婢女不理他，把包裹放在地上便走了。米生從此手頭頗為寬裕，卻始終不屑於託人鑽營。後來，他以第一名考取了秀才。他把銀子交給哥哥，哥哥善於經營積蓄，三年後，原有的產業全都恢復了。恰好福建巡撫是米生祖父的學生，對他們十分優待照顧，兄弟倆已經成了富戶。不過，米生向來清正耿直，雖與這位大官有世交關係，卻從不登門求他辦事。一天，有個穿著皮衣、騎著駿馬的客人來到門前，家裡沒有人認識。米生出來一看，原來是傅公子，便作揖請他進去，兩人各自說起別後的情形。米生準備酒菜款待他。傅公子推說事務繁忙，卻也沒有明確提出告辭。等到酒菜擺好，他站起來，請求單獨談話，兩人一同走進內室，傅公子忽然伏地拜倒。米生吃驚地問：「有什麼事？」傅公子悲傷地說：「家父剛遭了大禍，想求巡撫幫忙，非請兄長出面不可。」米生推辭說：「巡撫雖與我家有世交，可為了私事求人，是我平生不肯做的事。」傅公子伏在地上哀哭。米生嚴厲地說：「我與公子不過是一同喝過一次酒的交情，怎麼就要強迫我丟掉節操！」傅公子十分羞愧，起身告辭走了。第二天，米生正獨自坐著，一個青衣婢女走進來。他一看，正是從前在山中送銀子的那個。米生驚訝地站起來，婢女說：「你忘了珠花嗎？」米生說：「沒有，沒有，不敢忘！」婢女說：「昨天來的公子，就是娘子的親哥哥。」米生聽了，心中暗喜，卻裝作不信，說：「這話很難相信。要是娘子親自來見我，說一句話，我就是滾燙的油鍋也敢進去；不然，我不敢答應。」婢女出去，騎馬疾馳而去。到了夜裡更鼓敲盡時，她又回來，敲門進來說：「娘子來了！」話還沒說完，那女子便神情悽慘地進來，面向牆壁哭泣，一句話也不說。米生拜道：「沒有你，我就不會有今天。你有什麼吩咐，我怎敢不照辦！」女子說：「受人求助的人總愛傲慢待人，求人的人總要害怕別人。半夜裡奔波，我平生哪裡懂得這樣的苦楚，只因為怕你，才不得不來，還有什麼可說的！」米生安慰她說：「我沒有馬上答應，只怕錯過這次機會，以後很難再見到你。讓你在夜裡冒著露水趕來，我知道錯了！」說著，拉住她的袖口，偷偷在袖下撫摸她。女子憤怒地說：「你真是個卑鄙的人！不念從前的情義，卻想趁人遭難佔便宜。是我錯了！是我錯了！」她氣憤地走出去，登車要走。米生追出來認錯，直身跪在車前攔住她，婢女也替他說情。女子的怒氣稍稍消了，在車裡對他說：「實話告訴你，我不是人，是個神女。家父擔任南嶽都理司，偶然對地官失了禮，事情將要上報天帝。除非得到本地官員的印信，否則無法化解。你若沒有忘記過去的情義，就替我求一幅蓋了官印的黃紙。」說完，車子便駛走了。米生回到家，驚恐不已。他假稱要驅除邪祟，向巡撫提出請求。巡撫認為這件事近於巫蠱，不肯答應。米生用重金賄賂巡撫的心腹，那人答應了，卻還沒找到方便下手的機會。米生回來，見婢女等在門口，便把情形全部告訴她。婢女默默走了，看神情似乎在埋怨他沒有盡心。米生追出去送她，說：「回去告訴娘子：要是事情辦不成，我就拿性命來抵！」回家後，他整夜翻來覆去，不知道該怎麼辦。恰好巡撫府中的一個寵妾正在購買珍珠，他便把珠花獻給她。寵妾十分高興，偷偷取出官印，替他蓋在黃紙上。米生把黃紙揣在懷裡帶回家，婢女正好來到。他笑著說：「幸好沒有辜負所託。不過，這些年來，即使窮困得討飯吃，我也捨不得賣掉的東西，如今還是為了它的主人捨棄了！」於是告訴她事情的經過，又說：「黃金扔掉了，我都不心疼。告訴娘子：珠花一定要賠給我！」幾天後，傅公子登門道謝，送上一百兩黃金。米生變了臉色，說：「我這樣做，是因為令妹從前無私地幫助過我；不然，即使一萬兩黃金，難道就能換走我的名節嗎！」傅公子再三勸他收下，他的聲音和神色越發嚴厲。傅公子羞愧地離去，說：「這件事還遠沒有了結！」第二天，婢女奉女子的命令，送來一百顆明珠，說：「這些夠賠珠花嗎？」米生說：「我珍重珠花，並不是因為珍珠貴重。假如當初她送我價值萬金的寶物，我只管賣掉，做個富翁就是了，為什麼要把它層層包好，甘願忍受窮困呢？娘子是神，我怎敢有別的奢望，只盼能報答她大恩的萬分之一，死了也沒有遺憾！」婢女把珍珠放在桌上，米生恭敬地拜過，才退還給她。又過了幾天，傅公子再次來訪。米生命人準備酒菜，傅公子讓自己的隨從到廚房親自烹調。兩人相對暢飲，歡樂得像一家人。有個客人送來苦糯酒，傅公子喝了，覺得很好，一連喝盡上百杯，臉頰微微發紅。他對米生說：「你是個堅守節操的人，我們兄弟沒能早些瞭解你，比起妹妹，實在慚愧得很。家父感激你的大恩，無以為報，想讓妹妹與你結為夫妻，只怕你嫌棄人神有別。」米生又驚又喜，不知道怎樣回答。傅公子告辭出門，說：「明晚是七月初九，新月與辰星相接，天孫有個小女兒出嫁，是個吉日，你可以準備婚帳。」第二天晚上，果然有人送那女子過來，婚禮的一切都與常人無異。三天後，她給家中所有人送了禮物，上至哥哥嫂嫂，下至婢女僕人，無論大小都有賞賜。她又十分賢惠，侍奉嫂嫂如同侍奉婆婆。幾年過去，她沒有生育，便勸米生納妾，米生不肯。恰好哥哥在江淮經商，替他買了個年輕女子帶回來。那女子姓顧，小名博士，容貌也清秀柔美，夫妻倆都很喜歡。見她髮髻上插著一朵珠花，與當年的舊物十分相似，摘下來看，果然就是那朵。他們驚訝地追問來歷。博士回答：「從前有位巡撫的寵妾死了，她的婢女偷出這件東西，拿到街市上賣。先父見價錢便宜，就買回家。我很喜歡它。先父沒有兒子，只有我一個女兒，所以我想要什麼，他都答應。後來父親去世，家道衰落，我寄養在顧媼家裡。顧媼是我的姨輩親戚，見了這些珍珠，幾次想賣掉，我要投井尋死，所以這珠花才留到了今天。」夫妻倆感嘆說：「十年前的東西，又回到原主手裡，難道不是命中註定嗎！」女子另取出一朵珠花，說：「這一朵很久沒有配對的了！」便把兩朵一同賜給博士，親手插在她的髮髻上。博士退下後，詳細打聽女子的家世，家人都避諱著不肯說。她私下對米生說：「我看娘子不是人間的人，她的眉眼之間有神氣。昨天她替我簪花時，我得以近看，她的美麗從肌膚裡面透出來，並不像凡人，只靠眉眼的黑白搭配得好看。」米生笑她。博士說：「你別說出去，我要試試她。要是她是神，我有什麼想要的，只需在沒人處焚香祈求，她就應當自己知道。」女子繡的襪子十分精巧，博士很喜歡，卻不敢開口，便在自己房裡焚香祈求。女子早晨起來，忽然翻檢箱子，取出襪子，叫婢女送給博士。米生見了便笑，女子問他為什麼笑，他如實告訴她。女子說：「好個機靈的丫頭！」因為博士聰慧，她越發憐愛她。博士卻更加恭敬，每天天剛矇矇亮，便一定沐浴薰香，前去請安。後來博士一胎生了兩個男孩，兩個女子各撫養一個。米生到了八十歲，女子的容貌仍像少女。米生病了，女子召集工匠製作棺材，讓他們做得比尋常棺材寬大一倍。米生死後，女子沒有哭泣。等家中的男女走開，她已經進入棺材，也死了。家人於是把兩人合葬，直到今天，人們還稱那座墳為「大材冢」。
米生者，闽人，传者忘其名字、郡邑。偶入郡，醉过市廛，闻高门中箫鼓如雷。问之居人，云是开寿筵者，然门庭亦殊清寂。听之，笙歌繁响。醉中雅爱乐之，并不问其何家，即街头市祝仪，投晚生刺焉。或见其衣冠朴陋，便问：「君系此翁何亲？」答言：「无之。」或言：「此流寓者，侨居于此，不审何官，甚贵倨也。既非亲属，将何求？」生闻而悔之，而刺已入矣。无何，两少年出逆客，华裳眩目，丰采都雅，揖生入。见一叟南向坐，东西列数筵，客六七人，皆似贵胄；见生至，尽起为礼，叟亦杖而起。生久立，待与周旋，而叟殊不离席。两少年致词曰：「家君衰迈，起拜良艰，予兄弟代谢高贤之见枉也。」生逊谢而罢。遂增一筵于上，与叟接席。未几，女乐作于下。座后设琉璃屏，以幛内眷。鼓吹大作，座客不复可以倾谈。筵将终，两少年起，各以巨杯劝客，杯可容三斗，生有难色；然见客受，亦受。顷刻四顾，主客尽釂；生不得已，亦强尽之。少年复斟。生觉惫甚，起而告退。少年强挽其裾。生大醉逿地，但觉有人以冷水洒面，恍然若寤。起视，宾客尽散，惟一少年捉臂送之，遂别而归。后再过其门，则已迁去矣。自郡归，偶适市，一人自肆中出，招之饮。视之，不识；姑从之入，则座上先有里人鲍庄在焉。问其人，乃诸姓，市中磨镜者也。问：「何相识？」曰：「前日上寿者，君识之否？」生言：「不识。」诸言：「予出入其门最稔。翁，傅姓，但不知何省何官。先生上寿时，我方在墀下，故识之也。」日暮，饮散。鲍庄夜死于途。鲍父不识诸，执名讼生。检得鲍庄体有重伤，生以谋杀论死，备历械梏；以诸未获，罪无申证，颂系之。年余，直指巡方，廉知其冤，出之。家中田产荡尽，而衣巾革褫，冀其可以辨复，于是携囊入郡。日将暮，步履颇殆，休于路侧。遥见小车来，二青衣夹随之。既过，忽命停舆。车中不知何言。俄一青衣问生：「君非米姓乎？」生惊起诺之。问：「何贫窭若此？」生告以故。又问：「安之？」又告之。青衣去，向车中语；俄复返，请生至车前。车中以纤手搴帘，微睨之，绝代佳人也。谓生曰：「君不幸得无妄之祸，闻之太息。今日学使署中，非白手可以出入者，途中无可解赠，……」乃于髻上摘珠花一朵，授生曰：「此物可鬻百金，请缄藏之。」生下拜，欲问官阀，车行甚疾，其去已远，不解何人。执花悬想，上缀明珠，非凡物也。珍藏而行。至郡，投状，上下勒索甚苦；出花展视，不忍置去，遂归。归而无家，依于兄嫂。幸兄贤，为之经纪，贫不废读。过岁，赴郡应童子试，误入深山。会清明节，游人甚众。有数女骑来，内一女郎，即曩年车中人也。见生停骖，问其所往。生具以对。女惊曰：「君衣顶尚未复耶？」生惨然于衣下出珠花，曰：「不忍弃此，故犹童子也。」女郎晕红上颊。既，嘱坐待路隅，款段而去。久之，一婢驰马来，以裹物授生，曰：「娘子言：今日学使之门如市，赠白金二百，为进取之资。」生辞曰：「娘子惠我多矣！自分掇芹非难，重金所不敢受。但告以姓名，绘一小像，焚香供之，足矣。」婢不顾，委地下而去。生由此用度颇充，然终不屑夤缘。后入邑庠第一。以金授兄；兄善居积，三年，旧业尽复。适闽中巡抚为生祖门人，优恤甚厚，兄弟称巨家矣。然生素清鲠，虽属大僚通家，而未尝有所干谒。一日，有客裘马至门，都无识者。出视，则傅公子也。揖而入，各道间阔。治具相款。客辞以冗，然亦不竟言去。已而肴酒既陈，公子起而请闲，相将入内，拜伏于地。生惊问：「何事？」怆然曰：「家君适罹大祸，欲有求于抚台，非兄不可。」生辞曰：「渠虽世谊，而以私干人，生平所不为也。」公子伏地哀泣。生厉色曰：「小生与公子，一饮之知交耳，何遂以丧节强人！」公子大惭，起而别去。越日，方独坐，有青衣人入，视之，即山中赠金者。生方惊起，青衣曰：「君忘珠花否？」生曰：「唯唯，不敢忘！」曰：「昨公子，即娘子胞兄也。」生闻之，窃喜，伪曰：「此难相信。若得娘子亲见一言，则油鼎可蹈耳；不然，不敢奉命。」青衣出，驰马而去。更尽复返，扣扉入曰：「娘子来矣！」言未已，女郎惨然入，向壁而哭，不作一语。生拜曰：「小生非卿，无以有今日。但有驱策，敢不惟命！」女曰：「受人求者常骄人，求人者常畏人。中夜奔波，生平何解此苦，祇以畏人故耳，亦复何言！」生慰之曰：「小生所以不遽诺者，恐过此一见为难耳。使卿夙夜蒙露，吾知罪矣！」因挽其祛。隐抑搔之。女怒曰：「子诚敝人也！不念畴昔之义，而欲乘人之厄。予过矣！予过矣！」忿然而出，登车欲去。生追出谢过，长跪而要遮之。青衣亦为缓颊。女意稍解，就车中谓生曰：「实告君：妾非人，乃神女也。家君为南岳都理司，偶失礼于地官，将达帝听；非本地都人官印信，不可解也。君如不忘旧义，以黄纸一幅，为妾求之。」言已，车发遂去。生归，悚惧不已。乃假驱祟，言于巡抚。巡抚谓其事近巫蛊，不许。生以厚金赂其心腹，诺之，而未得其便也。既归，青衣候门，生具告之，默然遂去，意似怨其不忠。生追送之曰：「归语娘子：如事不谐，我以身命殉之！」既归，终夜辗转，不知计之所出。适院署有宠姬购珠，乃以珠花献之。姬大悦，窃印为生嵌之。怀归，青衣适至。笑曰：「幸不辱命。然数年来贫贱乞食所不忍鬻者，今还为主人弃之矣！」因告以情；且曰：「黄金抛置，我都不惜；寄语娘子：珠花须要偿也！」逾数日，傅公子登堂申谢，纳黄金百两。生作色曰：「所以然者，为令妹之惠我无私耳；不然，即万金岂足以易名节哉！」再强之，声色益厉。公子惭而去，曰：「此事殊未了！」翼日，青衣奉女郎命，进明珠百颗，曰：「此足以偿珠花否耶？」生曰：「重花者，非贵珠也。设当日赠我万镒之宝，直须卖作富家翁耳，什袭而甘贫贱，何为乎？娘子神人，小生何敢他望，幸得报洪恩于万一，死无憾矣！」青衣置珠案间，生朝拜而后却之。越数日，公子又至。生命治肴酒。公子使从人入厨下，自行烹调，相对纵饮，懽若一家。有客餽苦糯，公子饮而美之，引尽百琖，面颊微赪。乃谓生曰：「君贞介士，愚兄弟不能早知君，有愧裙钗多矣。家君感大德，无以相报，欲以妹子附为婚姻，恐以幽明见嫌也。」生喜惧非常，不知所对。公子辞而出，曰：「明夜七月初九，新月钩辰，天孙有少女下嫁，吉期也，可备青庐。」次夕，果送女郎至，一切无异常人。三日后，女自兄嫂以及婢仆，大小皆有餽赏。又最贤，事嫂如姑。数年不育，劝纳副室，生不肯。适兄贾于江淮，为买少姬而归。姬，顾姓，小字博士，貌亦清婉，夫妇皆喜。见髻上插珠花，甚似当年故物；摘视，果然。异而诘之。答云：「昔有巡抚爱妾死，其婢盗出鬻于市，先人廉其直，买而归。妾爱之。先人无子，生妾一人，故所求无不得。后父死家落，妾寄养于顾媪之家；顾，妾姨行，见珠，屡欲售去，妾投井觅死，故至今犹存也。」夫妇叹曰：「十年之物，复归故主，岂非数哉！」女另出珠花一朵，曰：「此物久无偶矣！」因并赐之，亲为簪于髻上。姬退，问女郎家世甚悉，家人皆讳言之。阴语生曰：「妾视娘子，非人间人也；其眉目间有神气。昨簪花时，得近视，其美丽出于肌里，非若凡人以黑白位置中见长耳。」生笑之。姬曰：「君勿言，妾将试之：如其神，但有所须，无人处焚香以求，彼当自知。」女郎绣袜精工，博士爱之，而未敢言，乃即闺中焚香祝之。女早起，忽检箧中，出袜，遣婢赠博士。生见之而笑。女问故，以实告。女曰：「黠哉婢乎！」因其慧，益怜爱之：然博士益恭，昧爽时，必熏沐以朝。后博士一举两男，两人分字之。生年八十，女貌犹如处子。生抱病，女鸠匠为材，令宽大倍于寻常。既死，女不哭；男女他适，则女已入材中死矣。因并葬之。至今传为「大材冢」云。
有个姓米的书生，是福建人，传述这件事的人已经忘了他的名字，也忘了他属于哪个郡县。有一次，他进了郡城，醉醺醺地经过街市，听见一座高大门楼里传出雷鸣般的箫鼓声。他向附近的居民打听，说是有人在办寿宴，可那家的门前和庭院却十分清静。他细听，里面笙声歌声交织，十分热闹。他醉中很喜欢这音乐，连是哪一家也没问，就在街头买了寿礼，递进一张自称晚生的名帖。有人看见他的衣帽朴素寒酸，便问：“你是这位老先生的什么亲戚？”他回答：“没有亲戚关系。”又有人说：“这位老先生是外地来的，暂住在这里，不知道做的什么官，十分尊贵傲慢。你既不是他的亲戚，来这里求什么呢？”米生听了有些后悔，可名帖已经递进去了。不一会儿，两个年轻人出来迎客，衣服华丽耀眼，容貌风度都很优雅，向米生作揖，请他进去。米生见一个老翁面朝南坐着，东西两边摆着几桌酒席，有六七位客人，看着都像贵族子弟。见米生进来，众人全起身行礼，老翁也拄着拐杖站了起来。米生站了很久，等着与老翁相互行礼，可老翁始终没有离开座位。两个年轻人说：“家父年老体弱，起身拜谢十分困难，我们兄弟代他感谢您屈尊光临。”米生谦逊地答谢，便不再坚持。于是，他们在上首添了一桌，与老翁的席位相连。不久，女乐人在下面奏起音乐。座位后面设着琉璃屏风，遮住家中的女眷。鼓乐声大作，宾客已无法交谈。宴席快结束时，两个年轻人起身，各拿着大杯向客人敬酒，每只杯子能装三斗。米生露出为难的神色，但见其他客人都接了，也就接了。片刻后，他向四周一看，主人和客人都已喝干，自己也只好勉强喝尽。年轻人又替他斟满。他觉得十分疲惫，站起来告辞，年轻人却拉住他的衣襟挽留。他醉得厉害，跌倒在地，只觉得有人往他脸上洒冷水，恍惚间像是醒了过来。起身一看，宾客已经散尽，只剩一个年轻人扶着他的胳膊送他出门，他便告别回家。后来再经过那家门前，那里的人已经搬走了。米生从郡城回来后，有一天偶然来到街市，一个人从店里出来，招呼他喝酒。他看了看，并不认识，还是暂且跟着进去，见同乡鲍庄已经坐在那里。问起那人的身份，才知道他姓诸，是街市上磨镜子的。米生问：“你怎么认识我？”那人说：“前些日子你去祝寿的那位老先生，你认识吗？”米生说：“不认识。”姓诸的说：“我常到他家去，十分熟悉。老先生姓傅，不过不知道他是哪一省人，做的什么官。你去祝寿时，我正站在台阶下面，所以认识你。”天黑后，众人喝完酒散去。鲍庄当夜死在路上。鲍庄的父亲不认识姓诸的，便指名控告米生。验尸发现鲍庄身上有重伤，米生被以谋杀罪判了死刑，受尽了各种刑具的折磨。但姓诸的尚未抓获，案件缺少证人核实，便让米生不戴刑具，继续关押。一年多后，直指前来巡察地方，查明他受了冤枉，将他释放。这时，他家里的田地产业已耗尽，秀才身份也被革除了。他希望能够申辩恢复，便带着行囊进郡城。天快黑时，他走得十分疲惫，在路旁休息。远远看见一辆小车过来，两名青衣婢女分随两旁。车子经过他身边后，忽然有人命令停车。车里说了些什么，他听不清。不一会儿，一个婢女过来问他：“你不是姓米吗？”米生惊讶地站起来，答应说是。婢女问：“怎么穷困成这个样子？”米生告诉她原因。又问：“你要去哪里？”他也如实回答。婢女回到车前，向车里说了几句，随即又回来，请米生过去。车中人伸出纤细的手掀起帘子，向他略看了一眼，原来是个绝代佳人。她对米生说：“你不幸遭受了无缘无故的灾祸，我听说后十分叹息。如今学使署不是空着手就能进出的地方，我在路上没有什么可以取下来送给你的东西……”说着，从发髻上摘下一朵珠花，交给米生，说：“这件东西能卖一百两银子，请你好好收存。”米生跪下拜谢，想问她的家世，车子却走得很快，转眼已去远了，他仍不知道她是什么人。他拿着珠花，猜想着她的身份，见上面缀着明珠，并非寻常之物，便珍重地收好，继续赶路。到了郡城，他递上诉状，上下的人都狠狠向他勒索。他取出珠花，展开来看，却舍不得卖掉，于是又回去了。回去后已无家可住，只能依靠哥哥嫂嫂。幸好哥哥贤良，替他料理生活，他虽穷困，仍没有荒废读书。过了一年，他去郡城参加童子试，误入深山。正逢清明节，游人很多。有几个女子骑马过来，其中一个年轻女子，就是从前车里的那个人。她见到米生，勒马停下，问他要去哪里。米生详细回答。女子惊讶地说：“你还没有恢复秀才身份吗？”米生神情凄凉，从衣服下面取出珠花，说：“我舍不得丢掉这个，所以至今还是个童生。”女子脸颊泛起红晕，随后嘱咐他坐在路边等候，自己缓缓骑马离去。过了很久，一个婢女骑马赶来，交给米生一个包裹，说：“娘子说，如今学使门前像集市一样，送你二百两白银，作为求取功名的费用。”米生推辞说：“娘子给我的恩惠已经很多了！我自认为考取秀才并不困难，这么多银子，我不敢接受。只要告诉我她的姓名，让我画一幅小像，焚香供奉，就足够了。”婢女不理他，把包裹放在地上便走了。米生从此手头颇为宽裕，却始终不屑于托人钻营。后来，他以第一名考取了秀才。他把银子交给哥哥，哥哥善于经营积蓄，三年后，原有的产业全都恢复了。恰好福建巡抚是米生祖父的学生，对他们十分优待照顾，兄弟俩已经成了富户。不过，米生向来清正耿直，虽与这位大官有世交关系，却从不登门求他办事。一天，有个穿着皮衣、骑着骏马的客人来到门前，家里没有人认识。米生出来一看，原来是傅公子，便作揖请他进去，两人各自说起别后的情形。米生准备酒菜款待他。傅公子推说事务繁忙，却也没有明确提出告辞。等到酒菜摆好，他站起来，请求单独谈话，两人一同走进内室，傅公子忽然伏地拜倒。米生吃惊地问：“有什么事？”傅公子悲伤地说：“家父刚遭了大祸，想求巡抚帮忙，非请兄长出面不可。”米生推辞说：“巡抚虽与我家有世交，可为了私事求人，是我平生不肯做的事。”傅公子伏在地上哀哭。米生严厉地说：“我与公子不过是一同喝过一次酒的交情，怎么就要强迫我丢掉节操！”傅公子十分羞愧，起身告辞走了。第二天，米生正独自坐着，一个青衣婢女走进来。他一看，正是从前在山中送银子的那个。米生惊讶地站起来，婢女说：“你忘了珠花吗？”米生说：“没有，没有，不敢忘！”婢女说：“昨天来的公子，就是娘子的亲哥哥。”米生听了，心中暗喜，却装作不信，说：“这话很难相信。要是娘子亲自来见我，说一句话，我就是滚烫的油锅也敢进去；不然，我不敢答应。”婢女出去，骑马疾驰而去。到了夜里更鼓敲尽时，她又回来，敲门进来说：“娘子来了！”话还没说完，那女子便神情凄惨地进来，面向墙壁哭泣，一句话也不说。米生拜道：“没有你，我就不会有今天。你有什么吩咐，我怎敢不照办！”女子说：“受人求助的人总爱傲慢待人，求人的人总要害怕别人。半夜里奔波，我平生哪里懂得这样的苦楚，只因为怕你，才不得不来，还有什么可说的！”米生安慰她说：“我没有马上答应，只怕错过这次机会，以后很难再见到你。让你在夜里冒着露水赶来，我知道错了！”说着，拉住她的袖口，偷偷在袖下抚摸她。女子愤怒地说：“你真是个卑鄙的人！不念从前的情义，却想趁人遭难占便宜。是我错了！是我错了！”她气愤地走出去，登车要走。米生追出来认错，直身跪在车前拦住她，婢女也替他说情。女子的怒气稍稍消了，在车里对他说：“实话告诉你，我不是人，是个神女。家父担任南岳都理司，偶然对地官失了礼，事情将要上报天帝。除非得到本地官员的印信，否则无法化解。你若没有忘记过去的情义，就替我求一幅盖了官印的黄纸。”说完，车子便驶走了。米生回到家，惊恐不已。他假称要驱除邪祟，向巡抚提出请求。巡抚认为这件事近于巫蛊，不肯答应。米生用重金贿赂巡抚的心腹，那人答应了，却还没找到方便下手的机会。米生回来，见婢女等在门口，便把情形全部告诉她。婢女默默走了，看神情似乎在埋怨他没有尽心。米生追出去送她，说：“回去告诉娘子：要是事情办不成，我就拿性命来抵！”回家后，他整夜翻来覆去，不知道该怎么办。恰好巡抚府中的一个宠妾正在购买珍珠，他便把珠花献给她。宠妾十分高兴，偷偷取出官印，替他盖在黄纸上。米生把黄纸揣在怀里带回家，婢女正好来到。他笑着说：“幸好没有辜负所托。不过，这些年来，即使穷困得讨饭吃，我也舍不得卖掉的东西，如今还是为了它的主人舍弃了！”于是告诉她事情的经过，又说：“黄金扔掉了，我都不心疼。告诉娘子：珠花一定要赔给我！”几天后，傅公子登门道谢，送上一百两黄金。米生变了脸色，说：“我这样做，是因为令妹从前无私地帮助过我；不然，即使一万两黄金，难道就能换走我的名节吗！”傅公子再三劝他收下，他的声音和神色越发严厉。傅公子羞愧地离去，说：“这件事还远没有了结！”第二天，婢女奉女子的命令，送来一百颗明珠，说：“这些够赔珠花吗？”米生说：“我珍重珠花，并不是因为珍珠贵重。假如当初她送我价值万金的宝物，我只管卖掉，做个富翁就是了，为什么要把它层层包好，甘愿忍受穷困呢？娘子是神，我怎敢有别的奢望，只盼能报答她大恩的万分之一，死了也没有遗憾！”婢女把珍珠放在桌上，米生恭敬地拜过，才退还给她。又过了几天，傅公子再次来访。米生命人准备酒菜，傅公子让自己的随从到厨房亲自烹调。两人相对畅饮，欢乐得像一家人。有个客人送来苦糯酒，傅公子喝了，觉得很好，一连喝尽上百杯，脸颊微微发红。他对米生说：“你是个坚守节操的人，我们兄弟没能早些了解你，比起妹妹，实在惭愧得很。家父感激你的大恩，无以为报，想让妹妹与你结为夫妻，只怕你嫌弃人神有别。”米生又惊又喜，不知道怎样回答。傅公子告辞出门，说：“明晚是七月初九，新月与辰星相接，天孙有个小女儿出嫁，是个吉日，你可以准备婚帐。”第二天晚上，果然有人送那女子过来，婚礼的一切都与常人无异。三天后，她给家中所有人送了礼物，上至哥哥嫂嫂，下至婢女仆人，无论大小都有赏赐。她又十分贤惠，侍奉嫂嫂如同侍奉婆婆。几年过去，她没有生育，便劝米生纳妾，米生不肯。恰好哥哥在江淮经商，替他买了个年轻女子带回来。那女子姓顾，小名博士，容貌也清秀柔美，夫妻俩都很喜欢。见她发髻上插着一朵珠花，与当年的旧物十分相似，摘下来看，果然就是那朵。他们惊讶地追问来历。博士回答：“从前有位巡抚的宠妾死了，她的婢女偷出这件东西，拿到街市上卖。先父见价钱便宜，就买回家。我很喜欢它。先父没有儿子，只有我一个女儿，所以我想要什么，他都答应。后来父亲去世，家道衰落，我寄养在顾媪家里。顾媪是我的姨辈亲戚，见了这些珍珠，几次想卖掉，我要投井寻死，所以这珠花才留到了今天。”夫妻俩感叹说：“十年前的东西，又回到原主手里，难道不是命中注定吗！”女子另取出一朵珠花，说：“这一朵很久没有配对的了！”便把两朵一同赐给博士，亲手插在她的发髻上。博士退下后，详细打听女子的家世，家人都避讳着不肯说。她私下对米生说：“我看娘子不是人间的人，她的眉眼之间有神气。昨天她替我簪花时，我得以近看，她的美丽从肌肤里面透出来，并不像凡人，只靠眉眼的黑白搭配得好看。”米生笑她。博士说：“你别说出去，我要试试她。要是她是神，我有什么想要的，只需在没人处焚香祈求，她就应当自己知道。”女子绣的袜子十分精巧，博士很喜欢，却不敢开口，便在自己房里焚香祈求。女子早晨起来，忽然翻检箱子，取出袜子，叫婢女送给博士。米生见了便笑，女子问他为什么笑，他如实告诉她。女子说：“好个机灵的丫头！”因为博士聪慧，她越发怜爱她。博士却更加恭敬，每天天刚蒙蒙亮，便一定沐浴熏香，前去请安。后来博士一胎生了两个男孩，两个女子各抚养一个。米生到了八十岁，女子的容貌仍像少女。米生病了，女子召集工匠制作棺材，让他们做得比寻常棺材宽大一倍。米生死后，女子没有哭泣。等家中的男女走开，她已经进入棺材，也死了。家人于是把两人合葬，直到今天，人们还称那座坟为“大材冢”。
There was a scholar named Mi, a man of Fujian. Whoever passed the story on has forgotten his given name, and his prefecture and county too. Once he went to the prefectural city, and as he was passing drunk through the market he heard pipes and drums thundering behind a lofty gate. He asked the people who lived nearby, and they said someone was holding a birthday feast. Yet the gateway and courtyard were strangely quiet. He listened: pipes and singing, a rich swell of sound. He was drunk and had always loved music, so he did not even ask whose house it was. He bought a birthday gift right there in the street and sent in his visiting card, signed ‘your junior’. Someone saw how plain and shabby his clothes and cap were and asked, “What relation are you to the old gentleman?” “None,” he answered. Another said, “He’s a stranger, only lodging here for a while. No one knows what office he holds, but he’s very grand and haughty. If you’re no relation, what are you after?” Mi heard this and was sorry, but his card had already gone in. Before long two young men came out to receive the guest. Their clothes were dazzling, and they were handsome and refined. They bowed Mi in. He saw an old man seated facing south, with several tables set out along the east and west sides, and six or seven guests who all looked like sons of noble houses. When they saw Mi come in they all rose to greet him, and the old man rose too, leaning on his staff. Mi stood a long while, waiting to go through the courtesies with him, but the old man never left his seat. The two young men spoke for him: “Our father is old and feeble, and finds it very hard to rise and bow. We brothers thank you in his place, worthy sir, for honouring us with your visit.” Mi modestly returned their thanks, and that was all. Then another table was added at the top, next to the old man’s. Soon girl musicians began to play below. Behind the seats stood a glass screen to shield the women of the household. The drums and pipes rose to such a din that the guests could no longer talk. When the feast was nearly over, the two young men rose and each pressed a huge cup on the guests. Each cup would hold three pecks. Mi looked dismayed, but when he saw the others accept, he accepted too. In a moment he looked around: host and guests had all drained their cups. Mi had no choice but to force his down as well. The young men poured again. Mi felt utterly spent, and rose to take his leave. The young men caught at his robe to keep him. Mi, dead drunk, fell sprawling. All he knew was that someone was sprinkling cold water on his face, and he came to as if waking. He got up and looked. The guests had all gone, and only one of the young men was holding his arm to see him out. So he said goodbye and went home. Later he passed that gate again, and they had moved away. After he came home from the city, he happened to go to the market one day, and a man came out of a shop and invited him in for a drink. Mi looked at him and did not know him. Still, he went in with him, and found Bao Zhuang, a man from his own village, already seated there. Mi asked who his host was. It was a man named Zhu, who polished mirrors in the market. “How do you know me?” Mi asked. “The man whose birthday you went to the other day — do you know him?” “No,” said Mi. “I’m in and out of that house more than anyone,” said Zhu. “The old man’s name is Fu, but I don’t know what province he’s from or what office he holds. When you went up with your birthday wishes, sir, I was just below the steps. That’s how I know you.” At dusk the drinking broke up. That night Bao Zhuang died on the road. Bao’s father did not know Zhu, so he named Mi in his suit. The inquest found grave wounds on Bao Zhuang’s body. Mi was sentenced to death for murder and suffered every kind of shackle and fetter. Zhu had not been caught, so there was no witness to prove the crime, and Mi was kept in custody, out of irons. After more than a year the imperial inspector came through on his tour, found out that Mi had been wronged, and let him go. His family’s land and property were all gone, and he had been stripped of his scholar’s robe and cap. He hoped to clear his name and have them restored, so he took up his bag and set off for the prefectural city. As the day was ending, worn out with walking, he rested at the roadside. In the distance he saw a small carriage coming, with a maid walking on either side. When it had passed, an order suddenly came to stop. Something was said inside, but he could not tell what. Presently one of the maids asked him, “Is your name not Mi, sir?” Mi started up and said it was. “Why are you so poor and wretched?” she asked. He told her the reason. “And where are you going?” He told her that too. The maid went back and spoke towards the carriage. She soon returned and asked Mi to come up to it. From inside, a slender hand lifted the curtain. She glanced at him sidelong: she was a beauty such as an age sees only once. She said to him, “You have had the misfortune to meet with a disaster you did nothing to deserve. When I heard of it I sighed. These days no one goes in and out of the education commissioner’s office empty-handed. I have nothing with me on the road that I can give you…” Then she took a pearl flower from her hair and handed it to him. “This will fetch a hundred taels. Please keep it safe.” Mi bowed to the ground and was about to ask about her family and rank, but the carriage moved off fast and was already far away. He had no idea who she was. He held the flower and wondered. It was set with bright pearls, no ordinary thing. He put it carefully away and went on. In the city he handed in his petition, but high and low they squeezed him hard for money. He took out the flower and looked it over, but could not bear to part with it, and so went home. At home he had no household of his own, and lived with his brother and sister-in-law. Luckily his brother was a good man and managed his affairs for him, so for all his poverty he did not give up his studies. A year later he set out for the prefectural city to sit the boys’ examination, and strayed deep into the mountains. It was the Qingming festival, and many people were out walking. Several women came riding by, and among them was a young lady. She was the one from the carriage of years before. Seeing Mi, she reined in her horse and asked where he was going. Mi told her everything. “Haven’t you got your robe and cap back yet?” she said in surprise. Mi, looking wretched, brought out the pearl flower from under his clothes. “I couldn’t bear to part with this, so I’m still a ‘boy’.” A flush rose to her cheeks. Then she told him to sit and wait by the roadside, and rode slowly off. After a long while a maid came galloping up and handed him a bundle. “My lady says the education commissioner’s gate is like a marketplace these days. She gives you two hundred taels of silver to pay your way forward.” Mi declined. “Your lady has done more than enough for me! I reckon getting back into the school won’t be hard, and I dare not take so much money. Only tell me her name, and I will paint a little portrait and burn incense before it. That will be enough.” The maid paid him no heed, dropped the bundle on the ground and left. From then on Mi had money to spare, but he never stooped to buying favour. Later he entered the county school at the head of the list. He gave the silver to his brother, who was good at managing and saving, and in three years the family’s old property was all recovered. It happened, too, that the governor of Fujian had been a student of Mi’s grandfather. He showed them great kindness, and the brothers came to be counted a wealthy family. But Mi had always been upright and stiff-necked. Though his family had old ties with so high an official, he never once went to him asking favours. One day a visitor in furs, on a fine horse, came to the gate, and no one knew him. Mi came out to look. It was the young master of the Fu family. Mi bowed him in, and they talked over the long time since they had met. Mi had food and wine laid out for him. The guest excused himself as busy, but did not actually say he would go. When the dishes and wine had been set out, the young master rose and asked to speak in private. They went together into an inner room, and there he threw himself down on the floor. “What is this?” asked Mi in alarm. In anguish the young man said, “My father has just met with great disaster. He needs a favour from the governor, and no one but you, brother, can get it.” Mi refused. “He may be an old friend of my family, but I have never in my life asked favours of men for private ends.” The young master lay on the floor and wept piteously. Mi’s face hardened. “You and I are acquaintances of one drinking party, nothing more. How can you push me to throw away my integrity?” The young master was deeply ashamed. He rose, took his leave and went. The next day, as Mi sat alone, a maid came in. He saw it was the one who had given him the silver in the mountains. Mi was just rising in surprise when she said, “Have you forgotten the pearl flower?” “No, no — I would never dare forget it!” “The young gentleman yesterday is my lady’s own brother.” Mi was secretly glad to hear it, but he pretended otherwise: “That is hard to believe. If your lady will see me herself and say a word, I would walk into a cauldron of boiling oil. Otherwise I cannot do as you ask.” The maid went out and galloped away. At the end of the watch she was back. She knocked and came in saying, “My lady is here!” Before she had finished, the young lady came in, stricken, turned her face to the wall and wept without a word. Mi bowed and said, “But for you I would not be where I am today. Whatever you bid me do, how could I not obey?” She said, “Those who are begged are always proud with others; those who beg are always afraid of others. Rushing about in the middle of the night — when in my life have I known such misery? It is only because I am the one who must fear. What more is there to say?” Mi comforted her. “The only reason I didn’t agree at once was that I was afraid it would be hard to see you again after this. To make you go out under the night dew — I know I am to blame!” With that he caught her by the cuff of her sleeve, and under it furtively pressed and tickled her. “You really are a low creature!” she cried in anger. “You forget the kindness of the past, and want to take advantage of someone in trouble. I was wrong about you! I was wrong!” She stormed out and got into her carriage to leave. Mi ran after her begging pardon, and knelt in her path to stop her. The maid too put in a word for him. Her anger eased a little, and from the carriage she said to him, “I will tell you the truth. I am not human; I am a goddess. My father is the Chief Administrator of the Southern Peak. He happened to give offence to the Officer of Earth, and the matter is going to be brought to the ears of the Emperor on High. Nothing can undo it but the seal of the human official who governs this region. If you have not forgotten our old friendship, take a sheet of yellow paper and get it for me.” With that the carriage set off and was gone. Mi went home in a state of dread. He spoke to the governor, pretending it was to drive away a haunting. The governor said it smacked of witchcraft and would not allow it. Mi bribed one of the governor’s trusted men handsomely. The man agreed, but had not yet found his chance. When Mi got home the maid was waiting at the gate. He told her everything. She went off without a word, seeming to resent that he had not been true. Mi ran after her and said, “Go back and tell your lady: if this fails, I will pay for it with my life!” Back inside, he tossed and turned all night, and could think of no plan. It so happened that a favourite concubine in the governor’s residence was buying pearls, so he presented the pearl flower to her. She was delighted. She secretly took the seal and stamped the paper for him. He came home with it inside his robe just as the maid arrived. He said with a smile, “Happily I have not failed in my errand. But all these years, poor and begging for my bread, I couldn’t bear to sell that flower. Now I have thrown it away after all, for its owner’s sake!” Then he told her how it had come about, and added, “I wouldn’t mind throwing away gold at all. But tell your lady: the pearl flower must be paid back!” A few days later young master Fu came to the hall to thank him and offered him a hundred taels of gold. Mi’s face changed. “I did it because your sister was kind to me without any thought for herself. Otherwise, could even ten thousand in gold buy a man’s good name?” When Fu pressed it on him again, his voice and looks grew harsher still. The young master left abashed, saying, “This matter is far from settled!” The next day the maid came at her lady’s command with a hundred bright pearls. “Is this enough to pay for the pearl flower?” Mi said, “I treasured the flower, but not because pearls are precious. Had she given me a treasure worth ten thousand ingots that day, I’d simply have sold it and made myself a rich old man. Why would I have wrapped it in layer on layer and put up with being poor? Your lady is divine — how could I dare hope for anything else? If I have repaid one ten-thousandth of her great kindness, I can die without regret!” The maid set the pearls on the table. Mi bowed to them reverently, and then sent them back. A few days later the young master came again. Mi ordered food and wine. The young master sent his own servants into the kitchen to do the cooking, and the two of them sat face to face and drank freely, as merry as one family. A guest had sent Mi a gift of bitter glutinous-rice wine. The young master tasted it, liked it, and drank off a hundred cups, till his cheeks were faintly flushed. Then he said to Mi, “You are a man of firm principle. My brother and I were too dull to know you sooner, and we have much to be ashamed of beside our sister. My father is grateful for your great kindness and has no way to repay it. He would like to give you my sister in marriage, but fears you may object that we are of the unseen world and you of the living.” Mi was overjoyed and frightened beyond measure, and did not know what to answer. The young master took his leave and went out, saying, “Tomorrow night is the ninth of the seventh month. The new moon hooks the Chen star, and the Heavenly Grandchild has a young daughter to marry below. It is a lucky day. You may set up the bridal tent.” The next evening they did indeed bring the young lady, and everything was just as with ordinary people. Three days later she gave presents to everyone, great and small, from Mi’s brother and sister-in-law down to the maids and menservants. She was most virtuous besides, and served her sister-in-law as she would a mother-in-law. For several years she bore no child. She urged Mi to take a concubine, but he would not. Then his brother, trading in the region of the Yangzi and the Huai, bought a young concubine for him and brought her home. Her surname was Gu and her pet name was Boshi. She too was fine and gentle in looks, and husband and wife were both pleased. They noticed a pearl flower in her hair that looked very like the one of years ago. They took it out to look, and it was. Amazed, they questioned her. She answered, “Once a governor’s favourite concubine died, and her maid stole this and sold it in the market. My late father got it cheap and bought it home. I loved it. My father had no son — I was his only child — so I got whatever I asked for. Later he died and the family came down in the world, and I was sent to live with old Mrs. Gu. She’s an aunt of mine on my mother’s side. When she saw the pearls she kept wanting to sell them, but I tried to throw myself down a well. That’s why it is still here today.” Husband and wife sighed: “A thing ten years gone comes back to its old owner — what is that, if not fate!” Mi’s wife brought out another pearl flower. “This one has long been without its mate!” she said. She gave Boshi both, and pinned them into her hair with her own hands. After Boshi had withdrawn, she asked many questions about her mistress’s family, but everyone in the house avoided the subject. She said to Mi in private, “The way I see it, my lady is not of this human world. There is something divine about her brows and eyes. Yesterday when she pinned the flowers on me I could look at her close, and her beauty comes from inside the skin. It’s not like ordinary women, whose looks are just a matter of where the black and white fall.” Mi laughed at her. “Don’t say anything,” said Boshi. “I’ll test her. If she is divine, then whenever I want something I need only burn incense and pray where no one can see, and she ought to know of herself.” Mi’s wife had embroidered stockings of beautiful work. Boshi loved them but dared not say so. She burned incense in her own room and prayed for them. Mi’s wife got up early, suddenly searched her chest, took out the stockings and sent a maid to give them to Boshi. Seeing this, Mi laughed. His wife asked why, and he told her the truth. “What a sly little minx!” she said. Because the girl was clever, she grew all the fonder of her. But Boshi only became more respectful, and every day at first light she would bathe, perfume herself and come to pay her respects. Later Boshi bore two sons at one birth, and the two women each raised one. When Mi was eighty, his wife still looked like a young girl. Mi fell ill, and she gathered carpenters to make a coffin twice the usual size. When he died she did not weep. But when the men and women of the household stepped away, she had already got into the coffin and died. So the two were buried together, and to this day, they say, people call it the Tomb of the Big Coffin.