顧生，金陵人。博于材藝，而家綦貧。又以母老，不忍離膝下，惟日為人書畫，受贄以自給。行年二十有五，伉儷猶虛。對戶舊有空第，一老嫗及少女稅居其中。以其家無男子，故未問其誰何。一日，偶自外入，見女郎自母房中出，年約十八九，秀曼都雅，世罕其匹，見生甚避，而意凜如也。生入問母。母曰：「是對戶女郎，就吾乞刀尺。適言其家亦止一母。此女不似貧家產。問其何為不字，則以母老為辭。明日當往拜其母，便風以意；倘所望不奢，兒可代養其母。」明日造其室，其母一聾媼耳。視其室，並無隔宿糧。問所業，則仰女十指。徐以同食之謀試之，媼意似納，而轉商其女；女默然，意殊不樂。母乃歸。詳其狀而疑之曰：「女子得非嫌吾貧乎？為人不言亦不笑，艷如桃李，而冷如霜雪，奇人也！」母子猜嘆而罷。
顧生是金陵人，精通多種才藝，家裡卻十分貧窮。他母親年紀大了，他不忍離開母親，每天只替人寫字作畫，收些酬勞維持生活。他已經二十五歲，還沒有娶妻。對門原有一座空宅，一位老婦人和一個年輕女子租住在裡面。因為這家沒有男人，顧生便沒有打聽她們的來歷。一天，他從外面回來，偶然看見那女子從母親房裡走出來。她大約十八九歲，容貌秀美，身姿婀娜，舉止嫻雅，世間很少有人能比得上。見到顧生，她連忙避開，神情卻冷峻得讓人不敢親近。顧生進屋問母親。母親說：「這是對門的姑娘，來向我借剪刀和尺子。她剛才說，家裡也只有一個母親。這姑娘看著不像貧苦人家出身。我問她為什麼還沒許配人家，她說是因為母親年老。明天我去拜訪她母親，順便暗示一下結親的意思。要是她們要求不高，你可以替她奉養母親。」第二天，顧生的母親去了她們家，發現女子的母親是個耳聾的老婦人。看看屋裡，連留到第二天的糧食都沒有。問她們靠什麼生活，原來全靠女子做針線活。她慢慢試探著提起兩家結親、一起過日子的打算。老婦人似乎願意，轉頭和女兒商量，女子卻沉默不語，顯得很不樂意。顧生的母親便回去了。她細說女子的表現，疑惑地說：「這姑娘難道嫌我們家窮嗎？她不說話，也不笑，長得像桃李花一樣豔麗，卻像霜雪一樣冰冷，真是個奇怪的人！」母子倆猜測感嘆了一番，也就作罷。
顾生，金陵人。博于材艺，而家綦贫。又以母老，不忍离膝下，惟日为人书画，受贽以自给。行年二十有五，伉俪犹虚。对户旧有空第，一老妪及少女税居其中。以其家无男子，故未问其谁何。一日，偶自外入，见女郎自母房中出，年约十八九，秀曼都雅，世罕其匹，见生甚避，而意凛如也。生入问母。母曰：「是对户女郎，就吾乞刀尺。适言其家亦止一母。此女不似贫家产。问其何为不字，则以母老为辞。明日当往拜其母，便风以意；倘所望不奢，儿可代养其母。」明日造其室，其母一聋媪耳。视其室，并无隔宿粮。问所业，则仰女十指。徐以同食之谋试之，媪意似纳，而转商其女；女默然，意殊不乐。母乃归。详其状而疑之曰：「女子得非嫌吾贫乎？为人不言亦不笑，艳如桃李，而冷如霜雪，奇人也！」母子猜叹而罢。
顾生是金陵人，精通多种才艺，家里却十分贫穷。他母亲年纪大了，他不忍离开母亲，每天只替人写字作画，收些酬劳维持生活。他已经二十五岁，还没有娶妻。对门原有一座空宅，一位老妇人和一个年轻女子租住在里面。因为这家没有男人，顾生便没有打听她们的来历。一天，他从外面回来，偶然看见那女子从母亲房里走出来。她大约十八九岁，容貌秀美，身姿婀娜，举止娴雅，世间很少有人能比得上。见到顾生，她连忙避开，神情却冷峻得让人不敢亲近。顾生进屋问母亲。母亲说：“这是对门的姑娘，来向我借剪刀和尺子。她刚才说，家里也只有一个母亲。这姑娘看着不像贫苦人家出身。我问她为什么还没许配人家，她说是因为母亲年老。明天我去拜访她母亲，顺便暗示一下结亲的意思。要是她们要求不高，你可以替她奉养母亲。”第二天，顾生的母亲去了她们家，发现女子的母亲是个耳聋的老妇人。看看屋里，连留到第二天的粮食都没有。问她们靠什么生活，原来全靠女子做针线活。她慢慢试探着提起两家结亲、一起过日子的打算。老妇人似乎愿意，转头和女儿商量，女子却沉默不语，显得很不乐意。顾生的母亲便回去了。她细说女子的表现，疑惑地说：“这姑娘难道嫌我们家穷吗？她不说话，也不笑，长得像桃李花一样艳丽，却像霜雪一样冰冷，真是个奇怪的人！”母子俩猜测感叹了一番，也就作罢。
Gu was a scholar of Jinling. He was gifted in many arts, but his family was very poor. And because his mother was old, he could not bear to leave her side; he simply painted pictures and wrote out calligraphy for people day after day and lived on the fees. He had reached twenty-five and still had no wife. Across the street there had long been an empty house, and an old woman and a young girl rented it. Since there was no man in their household, he had never asked who they were. One day, coming in from outside, he happened to see a young woman come out of his mother’s room. She was about eighteen or nineteen, graceful, lovely and refined, with few to match her in the world. When she saw Gu she kept well out of his way, and there was something cold and stern about her. Gu went in and asked his mother. “It is the girl from across the street,” she said. “She came to borrow my scissors and ruler. She told me that she too has only her mother at home. That girl does not look as if she was born to a poor family. I asked her why she is not yet promised to anyone, and she said her mother is old. Tomorrow I will go and call on her mother and drop a hint of what I have in mind. If they do not hope for too much, you could look after her mother for her.” The next day she went to their house. The mother was only a deaf old woman. Looking round the room, she saw that there was not even grain enough for the next day. She asked what they lived on: everything depended on the girl’s ten fingers. Little by little she sounded the old woman out on the idea of the two households eating together. The old woman seemed to take to it, and turned to talk it over with her daughter. The girl said nothing, but she was plainly not pleased. So Gu’s mother went home. She went over the girl’s manner and puzzled over it. “Could the girl think we are too poor?” she said. “She neither speaks nor smiles. Lovely as peach and plum blossom, and cold as frost and snow. A strange one!” Mother and son wondered and sighed, and left it there.
一日，生坐齋頭，有少年來求畫。姿容甚美，意頗儇佻。詰所自，以「鄰村」對。嗣後三兩日輒一至，稍稍稔熟，漸以嘲謔；生狎抱之，亦不甚拒，遂私焉。由此往來昵甚。會女郎過，少年目送之，問為誰。對以「鄰女」。少年曰：「艷麗如此，神情何可畏？」少間，生入內。母曰：「適女子來乞米，云不舉火者經日矣。此女至孝，貧極可憫，宜少周恤之。」生從母言，負斗米款門，達母意。女受之，亦不申謝。日嘗至生家，見母作衣履，便代縫紉；出入堂中，操作如婦。生益德之。每獲饋餌，必分給其母，女亦略不置齒頰。母適疽生隱處，宵旦號咷。女時就榻省視，為之洗創敷藥，日三四作。母意甚不自安，而女不厭其穢。母曰：「唉！安得新婦如兒，而奉老身以死也！」言訖，悲哽。女慰之曰：「郎子大孝，勝我寡母孤女什百矣。」母曰：「床頭蹀躞之役，豈孝子所能為者？且身已向暮，旦夕犯霧露，深以祧續為懮耳。」言間，生入。母泣曰：「虧娘子良多，汝無忘報德。」生伏拜之。女曰：「君敬我母，我勿謝也，君何謝焉？」於是益敬愛之。然其舉止生硬，毫不可干。
一天，顧生坐在書房裡，有個少年前來求畫。他相貌十分俊美，舉止卻頗為輕浮。顧生問他從哪裡來，他回答說：「鄰村。」此後，他每隔兩三天就來一次，兩人逐漸熟悉，開始互相說笑。顧生親暱地抱住他，他也不怎麼拒絕，兩人便私下有了情愛關係，從此往來十分親密。有一次，那女子恰好經過，少年一直望著她，問她是誰。顧生說：「鄰家的姑娘。」少年說：「長得這麼漂亮，神情怎麼這樣嚇人？」過了一會兒，顧生進了內屋。母親說：「剛才那姑娘來討米，說家裡已經一整天沒開火了。她十分孝順，窮成這樣，實在可憐，我們該接濟她一些。」顧生聽了母親的話，揹著一斗米去敲她家的門，說明母親的心意。女子收下米，也沒有道謝。她常到顧生家來，看見他母親做衣服鞋子，就替她縫製。她在堂屋裡進進出出，操持家務，像家裡的媳婦一樣，顧生越發感激她。每次得到別人送的糕點食物，他總要分些給她母親，女子也從不提起這些。顧生的母親恰好在私處生了毒瘡，日夜疼得哭喊。女子常到床前探望，替她洗瘡敷藥，一天三四次。顧生的母親很過意不去，女子卻毫不嫌髒。母親說：「唉！要是能有個像你這樣的媳婦，照顧我直到死去，該多好啊！」說完便悲傷得哽咽起來。女子安慰她說：「您兒子十分孝順，你們的處境比我們孤女寡母好上十倍百倍。」母親說：「床前這些貼身服侍的事情，哪裡是孝順的兒子能做得了的？再說，我已經到了晚年，隨時可能染病死去，最擔心的就是家裡沒有後人。」說話間，顧生進來了。母親哭著說：「多虧這位姑娘照料，你可別忘了報答她的恩德。」顧生伏身向女子叩拜。女子說：「你敬重我的母親，我也沒有道謝，你又何必謝我呢？」從此，顧生更加敬愛她。可是她的舉止依然冷硬，他絲毫不敢冒犯。
一日，生坐斋头，有少年来求画。姿容甚美，意颇儇佻。诘所自，以「邻村」对。嗣后三两日辄一至，稍稍稔熟，渐以嘲谑；生狎抱之，亦不甚拒，遂私焉。由此往来昵甚。会女郎过，少年目送之，问为谁。对以「邻女」。少年曰：「艳丽如此，神情何可畏？」少间，生入内。母曰：「适女子来乞米，云不举火者经日矣。此女至孝，贫极可悯，宜少周恤之。」生从母言，负斗米款门，达母意。女受之，亦不申谢。日尝至生家，见母作衣履，便代缝纫；出入堂中，操作如妇。生益德之。每获馈饵，必分给其母，女亦略不置齿颊。母适疽生隐处，宵旦号咷。女时就榻省视，为之洗创敷药，日三四作。母意甚不自安，而女不厌其秽。母曰：「唉！安得新妇如儿，而奉老身以死也！」言讫，悲哽。女慰之曰：「郎子大孝，胜我寡母孤女什百矣。」母曰：「床头蹀躞之役，岂孝子所能为者？且身已向暮，旦夕犯雾露，深以祧续为懮耳。」言间，生入。母泣曰：「亏娘子良多，汝无忘报德。」生伏拜之。女曰：「君敬我母，我勿谢也，君何谢焉？」于是益敬爱之。然其举止生硬，毫不可干。
一天，顾生坐在书房里，有个少年前来求画。他相貌十分俊美，举止却颇为轻浮。顾生问他从哪里来，他回答说：“邻村。”此后，他每隔两三天就来一次，两人逐渐熟悉，开始互相说笑。顾生亲昵地抱住他，他也不怎么拒绝，两人便私下有了情爱关系，从此往来十分亲密。有一次，那女子恰好经过，少年一直望着她，问她是谁。顾生说：“邻家的姑娘。”少年说：“长得这么漂亮，神情怎么这样吓人？”过了一会儿，顾生进了内屋。母亲说：“刚才那姑娘来讨米，说家里已经一整天没开火了。她十分孝顺，穷成这样，实在可怜，我们该接济她一些。”顾生听了母亲的话，背着一斗米去敲她家的门，说明母亲的心意。女子收下米，也没有道谢。她常到顾生家来，看见他母亲做衣服鞋子，就替她缝制。她在堂屋里进进出出，操持家务，像家里的媳妇一样，顾生越发感激她。每次得到别人送的糕点食物，他总要分些给她母亲，女子也从不提起这些。顾生的母亲恰好在私处生了毒疮，日夜疼得哭喊。女子常到床前探望，替她洗疮敷药，一天三四次。顾生的母亲很过意不去，女子却毫不嫌脏。母亲说：“唉！要是能有个像你这样的媳妇，照顾我直到死去，该多好啊！”说完便悲伤得哽咽起来。女子安慰她说：“您儿子十分孝顺，你们的处境比我们孤女寡母好上十倍百倍。”母亲说：“床前这些贴身服侍的事情，哪里是孝顺的儿子能做得了的？再说，我已经到了晚年，随时可能染病死去，最担心的就是家里没有后人。”说话间，顾生进来了。母亲哭着说：“多亏这位姑娘照料，你可别忘了报答她的恩德。”顾生伏身向女子叩拜。女子说：“你敬重我的母亲，我也没有道谢，你又何必谢我呢？”从此，顾生更加敬爱她。可是她的举止依然冷硬，他丝毫不敢冒犯。
One day, as Gu sat in his study, a young man came asking for a painting. He was very handsome, but rather frivolous and forward in his manner. Asked where he was from, he answered, “The next village.” After that he came every two or three days. They grew a little more familiar, and gradually he began to tease and banter. Gu took him in his arms, and he did not much resist, and so they became lovers in secret. From then on they were very close. Once the girl happened to pass by. The young man followed her with his eyes and asked who she was. “The girl next door,” said Gu. “So lovely,” said the young man, “and yet how frightening she looks!” A little later Gu went into the house. “The girl was just here begging for rice,” his mother said. “She says they have not lit their stove for a whole day. She is a most devoted daughter, and so poor it is pitiful. We ought to help her a little.” Gu did as his mother said. He carried a peck of rice over, knocked at their door and told them it was from his mother. The girl took it, but did not thank him. She often came to Gu’s house, and when she saw his mother making clothes and shoes, she did the sewing for her. She came and went about the hall and did the housework like a daughter-in-law. Gu was more and more grateful to her. Whenever he was given cakes or sweets, he always shared them with her mother, and the girl never said a word about it. Gu’s mother happened to get an abscess in her private parts, and she cried out with the pain night and day. The girl often came to her bedside to see her, washed the sore and put medicine on it, three or four times a day. The old woman felt very uneasy about it, but the girl did not mind the filth. “Ah!” said Gu’s mother. “If only I had a daughter-in-law like you to look after me till I die!” And she choked with sobs as she said it. The girl comforted her. “Your son is a very good son,” she said. “He does a hundred times more than a lone girl like me can do for her widowed mother.” “Running about at the bedside is not work a son can do,” said the old woman. “And I am near my end. Any day the cold and damp may carry me off. What I truly worry about is that the family line will die out.” As she spoke, Gu came in. His mother wept. “We owe this girl a great deal,” she said. “Don’t forget to repay her kindness.” Gu bowed down to the ground to her. “You are good to my mother,” said the girl, “and I have not thanked you. Why should you thank me?” After that Gu respected and loved her more than ever. But she was stiff and cold in her ways, and he could not make the slightest advance.
一日女出門，生目注之，女忽回首，嫣然而笑。生喜出意外，趨而從諸其家，挑之亦不拒，欣然交歡。已，戒生曰：「事可一而不可再。」生不應而歸。明日又約之，女厲色不顧而去。日頻來，時相遇，並不假以詞色。少遊戲之，則冷語冰人。忽於空處問生：「日來少年誰也？」生告之。女曰：「彼舉止態狀，無禮於妾頻矣。以君之狎暱，故置之。請更寄語：再復爾，是不欲生也已！」生至夕，以告少年，且曰：「子必慎之，是不可犯！」少年曰：「既不可犯，君何私犯之？」生白其無。曰：「如其無。則猥褻之語，何以達君聽哉？」生不能答。少年曰：「亦煩寄告：假惺惺勿作態；不然，我將遍播揚。」生甚怒之，情見於色，少年乃去。一夕方獨坐，女忽至，笑曰：「我與君情緣未斷，寧非天數。」生狂喜而抱於懷，欻聞履聲籍籍，兩人驚起，則少年推扉入矣。生驚問：「子胡為者？」笑曰：「我來觀貞潔人耳。」顧女曰：「今日不怪人耶？」女眉豎頰紅，默不一語，急翻上衣，露一革囊，應手而出，而尺許晶瑩匕首也。少年見之，駭而卻走。追出戶外，四顧渺然。女以匕首望空拋擲，戛然有聲，燦若長虹，俄一物墮地作響。生急燭之，則一白狐身首異處矣。大駭。女曰：「此君之孌童也。我固恕之，奈渠定不欲生何！」收刃入囊。生曳令入，曰：「適妖物敗意，請俟來宵。」出門徑去。次夕女果至，遂共綢繆。詰其術，女曰：「此非君所知。宜須慎秘，洩恐不為君福」又訂以嫁娶，曰：「枕席焉，提汲焉，非婦伊何也？業夫婦矣，何必復言嫁娶乎？」生曰：「將勿憎吾貧耶？」曰：「君固貧，妾富耶？今宵之聚，正以憐君貧耳。」臨別囑曰：「苟且之行，不可以屢。當來我自來，不當來相強無益。」後相值，每欲引與私語，女輒走避。然衣綻炊薪，悉為紀理，不啻婦也。
一天，女子出門，顧生一直望著她。她忽然回過頭來，嫣然一笑。顧生喜出望外，趕忙跟著她到了她家，向她求歡，她也不拒絕，兩人便歡歡喜喜地有了肌膚之親。事後，她告誡顧生說：「這事只能有一次，不能再有第二次。」顧生沒有答話，回家去了。第二天，他又約她，她卻板起臉來，不理他，逕自走了。她每天都來顧生家，兩人時常遇見，她卻從不給他好臉色，也不說一句親熱的話。顧生稍稍逗她，她就用冷言冷語讓他碰壁。忽然有一次，她在無人處問顧生：「近來常來的那個少年是誰？」顧生告訴了她。女子說：「他已經多次用輕佻的舉止和神態冒犯我。因為他與你親密，我才沒有追究。請你再替我傳句話：要是再這樣，就是不想活了！」到了晚上，顧生把這番話告訴少年，又說：「你一定要謹慎，她可不能冒犯！」少年說：「既然不能冒犯，你為什麼又私下冒犯她？」顧生辯解說沒有這回事。少年說：「如果沒有，這些猥褻的話怎麼會傳到你耳朵裡？」顧生答不上來。少年說：「也麻煩你給她傳句話：別再裝出那副假正經的樣子，不然我就把事情到處宣揚。」顧生十分生氣，臉上也顯露出來，少年便走了。一天晚上，顧生正獨自坐著，女子忽然來了，笑著說：「我與你的情緣還沒有斷，難道不是天意嗎？」顧生欣喜若狂，把她抱在懷裡。忽然聽見一陣雜亂的腳步聲，兩人驚得站了起來，原來是少年推門進來了。顧生吃驚地問：「你來幹什麼？」少年笑著說：「我來看看這位貞潔的人罷了。」又轉頭對女子說：「今天不責怪別人了？」女子眉毛豎起，臉頰漲紅，一句話也不說，急忙掀起上衣，露出一個皮囊，隨手便抽出一把一尺多長、晶瑩閃亮的匕首。少年見了，嚇得轉身逃跑。女子追出門外，四下望去，卻已不見蹤影。她把匕首朝空中擲去，只聽一聲脆響，刀光燦爛，如一道長虹。不一會兒，一個東西砰的一聲落在地上。顧生趕忙拿燭火去照，原來是一隻白狐，身子和頭已經分開了。他大為驚駭。女子說：「這就是你寵愛的那個少年。我本已饒了他，奈何他偏偏不想活！」說完，把匕首收回皮囊。顧生拉著她，要她進屋。女子說：「剛才那妖物敗了興致，請等明晚吧。」說罷便出門走了。第二天晚上，女子果然來了，兩人便親熱纏綿。顧生問她那是什麼本領，女子說：「這不是你該知道的。你一定要謹慎保密，洩露出去，恐怕對你沒有好處。」顧生又和她商量婚事。女子說：「我與你同床共枕，又替你提水做事，不是妻子又是什麼？我們已經是夫妻了，何必再說嫁娶？」顧生說：「莫非你嫌我窮？」女子說：「你確實窮，難道我就富嗎？今晚與你相聚，正是因為憐惜你貧窮。」臨走時，她囑咐說：「這樣私下相會，不能有太多次。該來的時候，我自然會來；不該來的時候，勉強我也沒有用。」此後，兩人遇見，顧生每次想拉她私下說話，她總是避開。可是縫補衣服、燒火做飯這些事情，她全都替他料理，和妻子一樣。
一日女出门，生目注之，女忽回首，嫣然而笑。生喜出意外，趋而从诸其家，挑之亦不拒，欣然交欢。已，戒生曰：「事可一而不可再。」生不应而归。明日又约之，女厉色不顾而去。日频来，时相遇，并不假以词色。少游戏之，则冷语冰人。忽于空处问生：「日来少年谁也？」生告之。女曰：「彼举止态状，无礼于妾频矣。以君之狎暱，故置之。请更寄语：再复尔，是不欲生也已！」生至夕，以告少年，且曰：「子必慎之，是不可犯！」少年曰：「既不可犯，君何私犯之？」生白其无。曰：「如其无。则猥亵之语，何以达君听哉？」生不能答。少年曰：「亦烦寄告：假惺惺勿作态；不然，我将遍播扬。」生甚怒之，情见于色，少年乃去。一夕方独坐，女忽至，笑曰：「我与君情缘未断，宁非天数。」生狂喜而抱于怀，欻闻履声籍籍，两人惊起，则少年推扉入矣。生惊问：「子胡为者？」笑曰：「我来观贞洁人耳。」顾女曰：「今日不怪人耶？」女眉竖颊红，默不一语，急翻上衣，露一革囊，应手而出，而尺许晶莹匕首也。少年见之，骇而却走。追出户外，四顾渺然。女以匕首望空抛掷，戛然有声，灿若长虹，俄一物堕地作响。生急烛之，则一白狐身首异处矣。大骇。女曰：「此君之娈童也。我固恕之，奈渠定不欲生何！」收刃入囊。生曳令入，曰：「适妖物败意，请俟来宵。」出门径去。次夕女果至，遂共绸缪。诘其术，女曰：「此非君所知。宜须慎秘，泄恐不为君福」又订以嫁娶，曰：「枕席焉，提汲焉，非妇伊何也？业夫妇矣，何必复言嫁娶乎？」生曰：「将勿憎吾贫耶？」曰：「君固贫，妾富耶？今宵之聚，正以怜君贫耳。」临别嘱曰：「苟且之行，不可以屡。当来我自来，不当来相强无益。」后相值，每欲引与私语，女辄走避。然衣绽炊薪，悉为纪理，不啻妇也。
一天，女子出门，顾生一直望着她。她忽然回过头来，嫣然一笑。顾生喜出望外，赶忙跟着她到了她家，向她求欢，她也不拒绝，两人便欢欢喜喜地有了肌肤之亲。事后，她告诫顾生说：“这事只能有一次，不能再有第二次。”顾生没有答话，回家去了。第二天，他又约她，她却板起脸来，不理他，径自走了。她每天都来顾生家，两人时常遇见，她却从不给他好脸色，也不说一句亲热的话。顾生稍稍逗她，她就用冷言冷语让他碰壁。忽然有一次，她在无人处问顾生：“近来常来的那个少年是谁？”顾生告诉了她。女子说：“他已经多次用轻佻的举止和神态冒犯我。因为他与你亲密，我才没有追究。请你再替我传句话：要是再这样，就是不想活了！”到了晚上，顾生把这番话告诉少年，又说：“你一定要谨慎，她可不能冒犯！”少年说：“既然不能冒犯，你为什么又私下冒犯她？”顾生辩解说没有这回事。少年说：“如果没有，这些猥亵的话怎么会传到你耳朵里？”顾生答不上来。少年说：“也麻烦你给她传句话：别再装出那副假正经的样子，不然我就把事情到处宣扬。”顾生十分生气，脸上也显露出来，少年便走了。一天晚上，顾生正独自坐着，女子忽然来了，笑着说：“我与你的情缘还没有断，难道不是天意吗？”顾生欣喜若狂，把她抱在怀里。忽然听见一阵杂乱的脚步声，两人惊得站了起来，原来是少年推门进来了。顾生吃惊地问：“你来干什么？”少年笑着说：“我来看看这位贞洁的人罢了。”又转头对女子说：“今天不责怪别人了？”女子眉毛竖起，脸颊涨红，一句话也不说，急忙掀起上衣，露出一个皮囊，随手便抽出一把一尺多长、晶莹闪亮的匕首。少年见了，吓得转身逃跑。女子追出门外，四下望去，却已不见踪影。她把匕首朝空中掷去，只听一声脆响，刀光灿烂，如一道长虹。不一会儿，一个东西砰的一声落在地上。顾生赶忙拿烛火去照，原来是一只白狐，身子和头已经分开了。他大为惊骇。女子说：“这就是你宠爱的那个少年。我本已饶了他，奈何他偏偏不想活！”说完，把匕首收回皮囊。顾生拉着她，要她进屋。女子说：“刚才那妖物败了兴致，请等明晚吧。”说罢便出门走了。第二天晚上，女子果然来了，两人便亲热缠绵。顾生问她那是什么本领，女子说：“这不是你该知道的。你一定要谨慎保密，泄露出去，恐怕对你没有好处。”顾生又和她商量婚事。女子说：“我与你同床共枕，又替你提水做事，不是妻子又是什么？我们已经是夫妻了，何必再说嫁娶？”顾生说：“莫非你嫌我穷？”女子说：“你确实穷，难道我就富吗？今晚与你相聚，正是因为怜惜你贫穷。”临走时，她嘱咐说：“这样私下相会，不能有太多次。该来的时候，我自然会来；不该来的时候，勉强我也没有用。”此后，两人遇见，顾生每次想拉她私下说话，她总是避开。可是缝补衣服、烧火做饭这些事情，她全都替他料理，和妻子一样。
One day as the girl went out, Gu’s eyes followed her. Suddenly she turned her head and gave him a sweet smile. Delighted beyond his hopes, Gu hurried after her to her house. He made advances, and she did not refuse; she lay with him gladly. When it was over, she warned him: “This can happen once, but not again.” Gu made no answer and went home. The next day he asked her again, but she gave him a stern look and walked off without a glance. She came every day and they often met, but she never gave him a kind word or look. If he joked with her a little, her words were cold enough to freeze. Once, when no one was about, she suddenly asked him, “Who is that young man who comes every day?” Gu told her. “His behaviour and his looks have insulted me many times,” she said. “Because he is your intimate, I have let it pass. Please give him a message from me: if he does it again, he does not want to live.” That evening Gu told the young man, and added, “You had better be careful. She is not one to be crossed!” “If she is not to be crossed,” said the young man, “why have you been crossing her in secret?” Gu protested that he had not. “If you have not,” said the young man, “then how would talk of such indecent things come to your ears?” Gu could not answer. “Then please give her a message from me too,” said the young man. “Tell her to drop her prim little act. Or I will spread it everywhere.” Gu was very angry, and it showed on his face, and the young man went away. One evening as Gu sat alone, the girl suddenly came. “The bond between you and me is not broken,” she said, smiling. “Is that not fate?” Wild with joy, Gu took her in his arms. All at once they heard footsteps clattering. The two of them started up in alarm: the young man had pushed open the door and come in. “What are you doing here?” Gu asked, startled. The young man laughed. “I have only come to look at the chaste lady.” He turned to the girl. “Not blaming anyone today?” The girl’s brows stood up and her cheeks flushed. Without a word she flung up her outer jacket, showing a leather bag, and at her touch out came a dagger a foot long, gleaming like crystal. At the sight of it the young man took fright and ran. She chased him out of the door, but when she looked all around there was no one to be seen. The girl hurled the dagger up into the sky. It rang out, flashing like a long rainbow, and in a moment something fell to the ground with a thud. Gu hurried out with a candle: it was a white fox, its head and body lying apart. He was horrified. “That was your catamite,” said the girl. “I had already forgiven him, but what can I do when he is set on dying?” She put the blade back in its bag. Gu pulled at her to come in. “That demon has spoiled the mood,” she said. “Please wait till tomorrow night.” And she went straight out of the door. The next evening she did come, and they made love. He asked about her art. “That is not something for you to know,” she said. “You must keep it secret. If it gets out, I fear it will not be good for you.” He also proposed that they marry. “I share your pillow and I draw your water. What am I if not your wife? We are husband and wife already. Why talk of marrying?” “Is it that you dislike my being poor?” said Gu. “You are poor, it is true. Am I rich? It is because I pity your poverty that we are together tonight.” As she left she warned him: “Stolen meetings like this must not happen often. When I should come, I will come of myself. When I should not, forcing me will do no good.” After that, whenever they met and he tried to draw her aside for a private word, she always slipped away. But she mended his torn clothes and saw to his cooking fire, managing everything for him, no less than a wife.
積數月，其母死，生竭力葬之。女由是獨居。生意孤寢可亂，逾垣入，隔窗頻呼，迄不應。視其門，則空室扁焉。竊疑女有他約。夜復往，亦如之。遂留佩玉於窗間而去之。越日，相遇於母所。既出，而女尾其後曰：「君疑妾耶？人各有心，不可以告人。今欲使君無疑，烏得可？然一事煩急為謀。」問之，曰：「妾體孕已八月矣，恐旦晚臨盆。『妾身未分明』，能為君生之，不能為君育之。可密告母覓乳媼，偽為討螟蛉者，勿言妾也。」生諾，以告母。母笑曰：「異哉此女！聘之不可，而顧私於我兒。」喜從其謀以待之。又月餘，女數日不至，母疑之，往探其門，蕭蕭閉寂。叩良久，女始蓬頭垢面自內出。啟而入之，則復闔之。入其室，則呱呱者在床上矣。母驚問：「誕幾時矣？」答云：「三日。」捉繃席而視之，則男也，且豐頤而廣額。喜曰：「兒已為老身育孫子，伶仃一身，將焉所託？」女曰：「區區隱衷，不敢掬示老母。俟夜無人，可即抱兒去。」母歸與子言，竊共異之。夜往抱子歸。
過了幾個月，女子的母親去世了，顧生盡力替她安葬。女子從此獨自居住。顧生心想，她一個人睡，或許能經不住撩撥，便翻牆進去，隔著窗戶一聲聲叫她，始終沒有回應。再看她的房門，門關著，屋裡卻沒有人。他暗自懷疑女子另有約會。第二天夜裡再去，還是一樣。他便把自己的佩玉留在窗邊，離開了。隔天，兩人在顧生母親那裡遇見。顧生出來後，女子跟在他後面說：「你懷疑我嗎？每個人都有自己的心事，不能告訴別人。如今要讓你不再懷疑，又怎麼做得到？不過，有一件事，要麻煩你趕緊替我安排。」顧生問是什麼事。女子說：「我已經懷孕八個月了，恐怕早晚就要生產。我的身份還不能公開，能替你生下孩子，卻不能替你養育。你可以悄悄告訴母親，讓她找個奶媽，對外假稱是收養的孩子，別提起我。」顧生答應了，把這件事告訴母親。母親笑著說：「這姑娘真奇怪！向她求親，她不肯，卻又私下與我兒子好了。」她高高興興地照這個辦法準備，等著孩子出生。又過了一個多月，女子連續幾天沒來，顧生的母親心裡生疑，便去她家探望。只見門關著，冷冷清清，毫無聲息。敲了很久，女子才從裡面出來，頭髮蓬亂，滿臉汙垢。她開門讓顧生的母親進去，隨即又把門關上。進到房裡，才發現床上有個嬰兒，正哇哇啼哭。顧生的母親吃驚地問：「生下來幾天了？」女子回答：「三天。」母親掀開襁褓一看，是個男孩，下巴豐滿，額頭寬闊。她高興地說：「你已經替我生了孫子，可你孤零零一個人，今後又能依靠誰呢？」女子說：「我有些難以說出的心事，不敢全告訴您。等到夜裡沒有人的時候，您就可以把孩子抱走。」顧生的母親回去告訴兒子，母子倆私下都覺得奇怪。到了夜裡，便去把孩子抱回了家。
积数月，其母死，生竭力葬之。女由是独居。生意孤寝可乱，逾垣入，隔窗频呼，迄不应。视其门，则空室扁焉。窃疑女有他约。夜复往，亦如之。遂留佩玉于窗间而去之。越日，相遇于母所。既出，而女尾其后曰：「君疑妾耶？人各有心，不可以告人。今欲使君无疑，乌得可？然一事烦急为谋。」问之，曰：「妾体孕已八月矣，恐旦晚临盆。『妾身未分明』，能为君生之，不能为君育之。可密告母觅乳媪，伪为讨螟蛉者，勿言妾也。」生诺，以告母。母笑曰：「异哉此女！聘之不可，而顾私于我儿。」喜从其谋以待之。又月余，女数日不至，母疑之，往探其门，萧萧闭寂。叩良久，女始蓬头垢面自内出。启而入之，则复阖之。入其室，则呱呱者在床上矣。母惊问：「诞几时矣？」答云：「三日。」捉绷席而视之，则男也，且丰颐而广额。喜曰：「儿已为老身育孙子，伶仃一身，将焉所托？」女曰：「区区隐衷，不敢掬示老母。俟夜无人，可即抱儿去。」母归与子言，窃共异之。夜往抱子归。
过了几个月，女子的母亲去世了，顾生尽力替她安葬。女子从此独自居住。顾生心想，她一个人睡，或许能经不住撩拨，便翻墙进去，隔着窗户一声声叫她，始终没有回应。再看她的房门，门关着，屋里却没有人。他暗自怀疑女子另有约会。第二天夜里再去，还是一样。他便把自己的佩玉留在窗边，离开了。隔天，两人在顾生母亲那里遇见。顾生出来后，女子跟在他后面说：“你怀疑我吗？每个人都有自己的心事，不能告诉别人。如今要让你不再怀疑，又怎么做得到？不过，有一件事，要麻烦你赶紧替我安排。”顾生问是什么事。女子说：“我已经怀孕八个月了，恐怕早晚就要生产。我的身份还不能公开，能替你生下孩子，却不能替你养育。你可以悄悄告诉母亲，让她找个奶妈，对外假称是收养的孩子，别提起我。”顾生答应了，把这件事告诉母亲。母亲笑着说：“这姑娘真奇怪！向她求亲，她不肯，却又私下与我儿子好了。”她高高兴兴地照这个办法准备，等着孩子出生。又过了一个多月，女子连续几天没来，顾生的母亲心里生疑，便去她家探望。只见门关着，冷冷清清，毫无声息。敲了很久，女子才从里面出来，头发蓬乱，满脸污垢。她开门让顾生的母亲进去，随即又把门关上。进到房里，才发现床上有个婴儿，正哇哇啼哭。顾生的母亲吃惊地问：“生下来几天了？”女子回答：“三天。”母亲掀开襁褓一看，是个男孩，下巴丰满，额头宽阔。她高兴地说：“你已经替我生了孙子，可你孤零零一个人，今后又能依靠谁呢？”女子说：“我有些难以说出的心事，不敢全告诉您。等到夜里没有人的时候，您就可以把孩子抱走。”顾生的母亲回去告诉儿子，母子俩私下都觉得奇怪。到了夜里，便去把孩子抱回了家。
Some months later her mother died, and Gu did all he could to bury her. From then on the girl lived alone. Gu thought that now she slept alone she might be won. He climbed over the wall and called to her through the window again and again, but she never answered. He looked at her door: it was locked on an empty room. He secretly suspected she was meeting someone else. He went again the next night and found it the same. So he left his jade pendant on the window sill and went away. The next day they met at his mother’s. When they came out, the girl followed him and said, “You suspect me? Everyone has something in their heart that cannot be told. If I wanted you to have no suspicions now, how could that be done? But there is one thing I must trouble you to arrange at once.” He asked what it was. “I am eight months with child,” she said. “I am afraid it may come any day. ‘My standing is not yet clear.’ I can bear the child for you, but I cannot raise it for you. Tell your mother in secret to find a wet nurse, and pretend you are adopting a child. Don’t mention me.” Gu promised, and told his mother. His mother laughed. “What a strange girl! She would not be betrothed, and yet she has been sleeping with my son on the quiet.” She was glad to fall in with the plan, and waited. After another month or so the girl did not come for several days. His mother grew suspicious and went to look at her door. It was shut, silent and desolate. She knocked for a long time, and at last the girl came out from inside, her hair tangled and her face dirty. She opened the door, let her in and shut it again. When she went into the room, there was a baby wailing on the bed. “When was it born?” the old woman asked in astonishment. “Three days ago.” She lifted the swaddling and looked: it was a boy, with full cheeks and a broad forehead. “So you have given me a grandson,” she said, overjoyed. “But you are all alone in the world. Who will you rely on?” “I have my private reasons,” said the girl, “and I dare not lay them before you, mother. Wait till night when no one is about, and then you can carry the child away.” The old woman went home and told her son, and they wondered at it together. That night she went and brought the baby home.
更數夕，夜將半，女忽款門入，手提革囊，笑曰：「我大事已了，請從此別。」急詢其故，曰：「養母之德，刻刻不去諸懷。向云『可一而不可再』者，以相報不在床第也。為君貧不能婚，將為君延一線之續。本期一索而得，不意信水復來，遂至破戒而再。今君德既酬，妾志亦遂，無憾矣。」問：「囊中何物？」曰：「仇人頭耳。」檢而窺之，鬚髮交而血模糊。駭絕，復致研詰。曰：「向不與君言者，以機事不密，懼有宣洩。今事已成，不妨相告：妾浙人。父官司馬，陷於仇，彼籍吾家。妾負老母出，隱姓名，埋頭項，已三年矣。所以不即報者，徒以有母在；母去，又一塊肉累腹中，因而遲之又久。曩夜出非他，道路門戶未稔，恐有訛誤耳。」言已出門，又囑曰：「所生兒，善視之。君福薄無壽，此兒可光門閭。夜深不得驚老母，我去矣！」方悽然欲詢所之，女一閃如電，瞥爾間遂不復見。生嘆惋木立，若喪魂魄。明以告母，相為嘆異而已。後三年生果卒。子十八舉進士，猶奉祖母以終老云。異史氏曰：「人必室有俠女，而後可以畜孌童也。不然，爾愛其艾豭，彼愛爾婁豬矣！」
又過了幾個晚上，將近半夜時，女子忽然敲門進來，手裡提著一個皮囊，笑著說：「我的大事已經辦完，就此與你告別。」顧生急忙問她緣故。女子說：「你奉養我母親的恩德，我每時每刻都記在心裡。以前說這事只能有一次，不能再有第二次，是因為我並不是要用床上的歡愛報答你。你窮得無法娶妻，我便打算替你延續一脈香火。本來希望一次就能懷上孩子，沒想到月經又來了，所以才破例有了第二次。如今你的恩德已經報答，我的心願也已實現，沒有遺憾了。」顧生問：「皮囊裡裝的是什麼？」女子說：「仇人的頭罷了。」顧生打開一看，只見鬍鬚和頭髮交纏在一起，滿是血汙。他驚駭極了，又仔細追問。女子說：「以前不告訴你，是怕事情謀劃得不夠隱秘，訊息洩露出去。如今事情已經辦成，告訴你也無妨。我是浙江人，父親做過司馬，遭仇人陷害，那人抄沒了我家的財產。我揹著老母親逃出來，隱去姓名，隱藏行蹤，已經三年了。沒有立即報仇，只因為母親還在；母親去世後，肚子裡又有了孩子的牽累，因此又拖延了很久。前些夜裡出門，沒有別的事，只是還不熟悉道路和門戶，怕弄錯了。」說完，她走出門，又囑咐道：「生下的孩子，你要好好照顧。你福薄，壽命不長，這個孩子能使你家門增光。夜深了，別驚醒老母親，我走了！」顧生心中悲傷，正想問她要去哪裡，女子卻像閃電一般一閃，眨眼間便不見了。顧生嘆息惋惜，木然站著，像丟了魂一樣。天亮後，他把事情告訴母親，母子倆也只能一同感嘆驚異。三年後，顧生果然去世。他兒子十八歲考中進士，還一直奉養祖母，直到她壽終。異史氏說：「一個人家裡必須有個女俠，才可以養著寵愛的美少年。不然，你愛他的男色，他卻愛你家裡的女人了！」
更数夕，夜将半，女忽款门入，手提革囊，笑曰：「我大事已了，请从此别。」急询其故，曰：「养母之德，刻刻不去诸怀。向云『可一而不可再』者，以相报不在床第也。为君贫不能婚，将为君延一线之续。本期一索而得，不意信水复来，遂至破戒而再。今君德既酬，妾志亦遂，无憾矣。」问：「囊中何物？」曰：「仇人头耳。」检而窥之，须发交而血模糊。骇绝，复致研诘。曰：「向不与君言者，以机事不密，惧有宣泄。今事已成，不妨相告：妾浙人。父官司马，陷于仇，彼籍吾家。妾负老母出，隐姓名，埋头项，已三年矣。所以不即报者，徒以有母在；母去，又一块肉累腹中，因而迟之又久。曩夜出非他，道路门户未稔，恐有讹误耳。」言已出门，又嘱曰：「所生儿，善视之。君福薄无寿，此儿可光门闾。夜深不得惊老母，我去矣！」方凄然欲询所之，女一闪如电，瞥尔间遂不复见。生叹惋木立，若丧魂魄。明以告母，相为叹异而已。后三年生果卒。子十八举进士，犹奉祖母以终老云。异史氏曰：「人必室有侠女，而后可以畜娈童也。不然，尔爱其艾豭，彼爱尔娄猪矣！」
又过了几个晚上，将近半夜时，女子忽然敲门进来，手里提着一个皮囊，笑着说：“我的大事已经办完，就此与你告别。”顾生急忙问她缘故。女子说：“你奉养我母亲的恩德，我每时每刻都记在心里。以前说这事只能有一次，不能再有第二次，是因为我并不是要用床上的欢爱报答你。你穷得无法娶妻，我便打算替你延续一脉香火。本来希望一次就能怀上孩子，没想到月经又来了，所以才破例有了第二次。如今你的恩德已经报答，我的心愿也已实现，没有遗憾了。”顾生问：“皮囊里装的是什么？”女子说：“仇人的头罢了。”顾生打开一看，只见胡须和头发交缠在一起，满是血污。他惊骇极了，又仔细追问。女子说：“以前不告诉你，是怕事情谋划得不够隐秘，消息泄露出去。如今事情已经办成，告诉你也无妨。我是浙江人，父亲做过司马，遭仇人陷害，那人抄没了我家的财产。我背着老母亲逃出来，隐去姓名，隐藏行踪，已经三年了。没有立即报仇，只因为母亲还在；母亲去世后，肚子里又有了孩子的牵累，因此又拖延了很久。前些夜里出门，没有别的事，只是还不熟悉道路和门户，怕弄错了。”说完，她走出门，又嘱咐道：“生下的孩子，你要好好照顾。你福薄，寿命不长，这个孩子能使你家门增光。夜深了，别惊醒老母亲，我走了！”顾生心中悲伤，正想问她要去哪里，女子却像闪电一般一闪，眨眼间便不见了。顾生叹息惋惜，木然站着，像丢了魂一样。天亮后，他把事情告诉母亲，母子俩也只能一同感叹惊异。三年后，顾生果然去世。他儿子十八岁考中进士，还一直奉养祖母，直到她寿终。异史氏说：“一个人家里必须有个女侠，才可以养着宠爱的美少年。不然，你爱他的男色，他却爱你家里的女人了！”
A few nights later, near midnight, the girl suddenly knocked at the door and came in, carrying a leather bag. She smiled. “My great task is done,” she said. “From now on we part.” He asked her urgently why. “Your kindness in caring for my mother has never been out of my mind for a moment,” she said. “When I said before, ‘once but not again’, it was because I did not mean to repay you in bed. You were too poor to marry, so I meant to carry on your line for you. I hoped to conceive at the first try, but my monthly flow came again, and so I broke my rule a second time. Now your kindness is repaid and my purpose fulfilled. I have no regrets.” “What is in the bag?” he asked. “My enemy’s head, that is all.” He opened it and looked: beard and hair tangled together, a blur of blood. He was horrified, and pressed her again with questions. “I did not tell you before,” she said, “because a plan that is not kept close will leak, and I was afraid it would. Now that it is done, I may as well tell you. I am from Zhejiang. My father was an assistant prefect. An enemy brought him down and had our whole family’s property seized. I carried my old mother out on my back. We changed our names and kept our heads down, and that was three years ago. The only reason I did not take my revenge at once was that I still had my mother. When she was gone, there was another lump of flesh weighing in my belly, so it was put off even longer. Those nights I was out, it was only that I did not yet know the roads and gates, and I was afraid of making a mistake.” With that she went out of the door, and added, “Take good care of the child. Your fortune is thin and you will not live long; this boy can bring glory to your house. It is late. Don’t wake your old mother. I am going!” As he was asking, heartsick, where she would go, she was gone in a flash like lightning, and in the blink of an eye she was nowhere to be seen. Gu stood there like a block of wood, sighing, as if he had lost his soul. In the morning he told his mother, and all they could do was sigh and marvel together. Three years later Gu did indeed die. His son became a jinshi at eighteen, and they say he still cared for his grandmother to the end of her days. The Historian of the Strange says: Only a man who has a lady knight-errant at home can afford to keep a catamite. Otherwise, while you fancy his handsome boar, he will fancy your sow!