廣東有搢紳傅氏，年六十餘，生一子，名廉。甚慧，而天閹，十七歲，陰裁如蠶。遐邇聞知，無以女女者。自分宗緒已絕，晝夜懮怛，而無如何。廉從師讀。師偶他出，適門外有猴戲者，廉視之，廢學焉。度師將至而懼，遂亡去。離家數里，見一素衣女郎，偕小婢出其前。女一回首，妖麗無比。蓮步蹇緩，廉趨過之。女回顧婢曰：「試問郎君，得無欲如瓊乎？」婢果呼問。廉詰其何為。女曰：「倘之瓊也，有尺一書，煩便道寄里門。老母在家，亦可為東道主。」廉出本無定向，念浮海亦得，因諾之。女出書付婢，婢轉付生。問其姓名居里，云：「華姓，居秦女村，去北郭三四里。」生附舟便去。
廣東有個姓傅的鄉紳，已經六十多歲，只有一個兒子，名叫廉。傅廉很聰明，卻天生不能行房，到了十七歲，陰莖還只有蠶那麼大。遠近的人都知道這件事，沒有人肯把女兒嫁給他。傅父認定自家的香火已經斷了，日夜憂傷，卻毫無辦法。傅廉跟著老師讀書。有一天，老師恰好出門，門外又來了個耍猴的，傅廉跑去看，把功課丟在一邊。估計老師快回來了，他心裡害怕，索性逃走。離家幾里後，看見一名穿白衣的年輕女子，帶著一個小丫鬟走在前面。那女子回頭看了一眼，容貌嬌豔無比。她走得緩慢，腳步也不大靈便，傅廉快步超過了她。女子回頭對丫鬟說：「試著問問那位公子，是不是要到瓊州去？」丫鬟果然叫住他詢問。傅廉問她為什麼打聽這個。女子說：「如果你去瓊州，我有一封信，想麻煩你順路送到我家。我老母親在家，也能招待你。」傅廉出來時本就沒有定下去處，覺得渡海去一趟也好，便答應了。女子把信交給丫鬟，丫鬟又轉交給他。他問女子的姓名和住處，女子說：「我姓華，住在秦女村，離北城門三四里。」傅廉便搭船去了。
广东有搢绅傅氏，年六十余，生一子，名廉。甚慧，而天阉，十七岁，阴裁如蚕。遐迩闻知，无以女女者。自分宗绪已绝，昼夜懮怛，而无如何。廉从师读。师偶他出，适门外有猴戏者，廉视之，废学焉。度师将至而惧，遂亡去。离家数里，见一素衣女郎，偕小婢出其前。女一回首，妖丽无比。莲步蹇缓，廉趋过之。女回顾婢曰：「试问郎君，得无欲如琼乎？」婢果呼问。廉诘其何为。女曰：「倘之琼也，有尺一书，烦便道寄里门。老母在家，亦可为东道主。」廉出本无定向，念浮海亦得，因诺之。女出书付婢，婢转付生。问其姓名居里，云：「华姓，居秦女村，去北郭三四里。」生附舟便去。
广东有个姓傅的乡绅，已经六十多岁，只有一个儿子，名叫廉。傅廉很聪明，却天生不能行房，到了十七岁，阴茎还只有蚕那么大。远近的人都知道这件事，没有人肯把女儿嫁给他。傅父认定自家的香火已经断了，日夜忧伤，却毫无办法。傅廉跟着老师读书。有一天，老师恰好出门，门外又来了个耍猴的，傅廉跑去看，把功课丢在一边。估计老师快回来了，他心里害怕，索性逃走。离家几里后，看见一名穿白衣的年轻女子，带着一个小丫鬟走在前面。那女子回头看了一眼，容貌娇艳无比。她走得缓慢，脚步也不大灵便，傅廉快步超过了她。女子回头对丫鬟说：“试着问问那位公子，是不是要到琼州去？”丫鬟果然叫住他询问。傅廉问她为什么打听这个。女子说：“如果你去琼州，我有一封信，想麻烦你顺路送到我家。我老母亲在家，也能招待你。”傅廉出来时本就没有定下去处，觉得渡海去一趟也好，便答应了。女子把信交给丫鬟，丫鬟又转交给他。他问女子的姓名和住处，女子说：“我姓华，住在秦女村，离北城门三四里。”傅廉便搭船去了。
In Guangdong there was a gentleman of the official class named Fu. He was past sixty and had one son, named Lian. The boy was very bright, but he had been born a eunuch: at seventeen his member was no bigger than a silkworm. Word of it spread far and near, and no one would give him a daughter to marry. Fu reckoned that his family line was finished. Day and night he grieved over it, but there was nothing to be done. Lian studied with a tutor. One day the tutor happened to go out, and just then a man with performing monkeys came by the gate. Lian went to watch and forgot his lessons. Reckoning that the tutor would soon be back, he grew frightened and ran away. A few li from home he saw a young woman dressed in white walking ahead of him with a little maid. She turned her head once: she was bewitchingly lovely beyond compare. Her small bound feet made slow, halting progress, and Lian hurried past her. She turned to the maid and said, “Ask the young gentleman whether he might be going to Qiong.” The maid called out and asked him. Lian asked why she wanted to know. The young woman said, “If you are going to Qiong, I have a letter I would trouble you to leave at my village on your way. My old mother is at home; she can play host to you.” Lian had set out with nowhere in mind, and thought he might as well cross the sea, so he agreed. She took out the letter and gave it to the maid, and the maid passed it to him. He asked her name and where she lived. “My name is Hua,” she said. “We live at Qin Girl Village, three or four li outside the north wall.” Lian took passage on a boat and went.
至瓊州北郭，日已曛暮。問秦女村，迄無知者。望北行四五里，星月已燦，芳草迷目，曠無逆旅，窘甚。見道側一墓，思欲傍墳棲止，大懼虎狼。因攀樹猱升，蹲踞其上。聽松聲謖謖，宵蟲哀奏，中心忐忑，悔至如燒。忽聞人聲在下，俯瞰之，庭院宛然；一麗人坐石上，雙鬟挑畫燭，分侍左右。麗人左顧曰：「今夜月白星疏，華姑所贈團茶，可烹一盞，賞此良夜。」生意其鬼魅，毛髮森豎。不敢少息。忽婢子仰視曰：「樹上有人！」女驚起曰：「何處大膽兒，暗來窺人！」生大懼，無所逃隱，遂盤旋下，伏地乞宥。女近臨一睇，反恚為喜，曳與並坐。睨之，年可十七八，姿態艷絕。聽其言，亦非土音。問：「郎何之？」答云：「為人作寄書郵。」女曰：「野多暴客，露宿可虞。不嫌蓬蓽，願就稅駕。」邀生入。室惟一榻，命婢展兩被其上。生自慚形穢，願在下床。女笑曰：「佳客相逢，女元龍何敢高臥？」生不得已，遂與共榻，而惶恐不敢自舒。未幾，女暗中以纖手探入，輕捻脛股。生偽寐，若不覺知。又未幾，啟衾入，搖生，迄不動。女便下探隱處。乃停手悵然，悄悄出衾去。俄聞哭聲。生惶愧無以自容，恨天公之缺陷而已。女呼婢篝燈。婢見啼痕，驚問所苦。女搖首曰：「我自嘆吾命耳。」婢立榻前，耽望顏色。女曰：「可喚郎醒，遣放去。」生聞之，倍益慚怍；且懼宵半，茫茫無所復之。
到了瓊州北城門外，天已經快黑了。他打聽秦女村，卻始終沒有人知道。向北走了四五里，星月已經明亮，眼前盡是芳草，曠野裡沒有一家客店，他十分為難。看見路邊有座墳墓，本想靠著墳頭歇息，又很怕遇到虎狼，便攀著樹幹爬上去，蹲在樹枝上。聽著松樹沙沙作響，夜裡的蟲子淒涼地鳴叫，他心裡忐忑，悔恨得像火燒一樣。忽然聽見下面有人說話，低頭一看，竟有一座清清楚楚的庭院。一名美麗的女子坐在石頭上，兩個梳著雙髻的丫鬟舉著彩繪的蠟燭，分站在她左右。女子向左邊看了看，說：「今晚月亮明亮，星星稀疏，可以把華姑送的團茶煮一盞，賞賞這美好的夜景。」傅廉猜她們是鬼怪，嚇得汗毛直豎，連呼吸也不敢放開。忽然，一個丫鬟抬頭說：「樹上有人！」女子驚得站起來，說：「哪裡來的大膽小子，暗地裡偷看別人！」傅廉十分害怕，又無處躲藏，只好繞著樹幹爬下來，伏在地上求她寬恕。女子走近看了他一眼，反而轉怒為喜，拉他起來，讓他坐在自己身邊。他偷眼看去，女子約有十七八歲，容貌姿態都極美。聽她說話，也不是本地口音。女子問：「公子要到哪裡去？」他回答：「替人送一封信。」女子說：「野外強盜很多，露宿實在危險。你若不嫌棄我這寒舍，就請留下歇息。」說著邀他進屋。屋裡只有一張床，她叫丫鬟在上面鋪了兩床被子。傅廉為自己的身體缺陷感到羞慚，請求睡在低處的床鋪上。女子笑道：「遇到這樣好的客人，我這個女元龍怎麼敢獨佔高床？」傅廉沒有辦法，只好和她睡在同一張床上，卻惶恐得不敢舒展身體。不久，女子在黑暗中把纖細的手伸進他的被子，輕輕捏他的小腿和大腿。他假裝睡著，像是毫無知覺。又過了一會兒，女子掀開被子鑽進來，搖晃他，他始終不動。女子便往下摸他的私處，隨即停下手，失望地悄悄退出被子。片刻後，他聽見了哭聲。傅廉又驚慌又羞愧，恨不得無地自容，只能怨恨老天讓自己生來就有缺陷。女子叫丫鬟點燈。丫鬟看見她臉上的淚痕，驚訝地問她有什麼傷心事。女子搖頭說：「我只是感嘆自己的命罷了。」丫鬟站在床前，仔細看著她的臉色。女子說：「把公子叫醒，打發他走吧。」傅廉聽了，更加羞愧，又怕這半夜三更，四野茫茫，再也沒有地方可去。
至琼州北郭，日已曛暮。问秦女村，迄无知者。望北行四五里，星月已灿，芳草迷目，旷无逆旅，窘甚。见道侧一墓，思欲傍坟栖止，大惧虎狼。因攀树猱升，蹲踞其上。听松声谡谡，宵虫哀奏，中心忐忑，悔至如烧。忽闻人声在下，俯瞰之，庭院宛然；一丽人坐石上，双鬟挑画烛，分侍左右。丽人左顾曰：「今夜月白星疏，华姑所赠团茶，可烹一盏，赏此良夜。」生意其鬼魅，毛发森竖。不敢少息。忽婢子仰视曰：「树上有人！」女惊起曰：「何处大胆儿，暗来窥人！」生大惧，无所逃隐，遂盘旋下，伏地乞宥。女近临一睇，反恚为喜，曳与并坐。睨之，年可十七八，姿态艳绝。听其言，亦非土音。问：「郎何之？」答云：「为人作寄书邮。」女曰：「野多暴客，露宿可虞。不嫌蓬荜，愿就税驾。」邀生入。室惟一榻，命婢展两被其上。生自惭形秽，愿在下床。女笑曰：「佳客相逢，女元龙何敢高卧？」生不得已，遂与共榻，而惶恐不敢自舒。未几，女暗中以纤手探入，轻捻胫股。生伪寐，若不觉知。又未几，启衾入，摇生，迄不动。女便下探隐处。乃停手怅然，悄悄出衾去。俄闻哭声。生惶愧无以自容，恨天公之缺陷而已。女呼婢篝灯。婢见啼痕，惊问所苦。女摇首曰：「我自叹吾命耳。」婢立榻前，耽望颜色。女曰：「可唤郎醒，遣放去。」生闻之，倍益惭怍；且惧宵半，茫茫无所复之。
到了琼州北城门外，天已经快黑了。他打听秦女村，却始终没有人知道。向北走了四五里，星月已经明亮，眼前尽是芳草，旷野里没有一家客店，他十分为难。看见路边有座坟墓，本想靠着坟头歇息，又很怕遇到虎狼，便攀着树干爬上去，蹲在树枝上。听着松树沙沙作响，夜里的虫子凄凉地鸣叫，他心里忐忑，悔恨得像火烧一样。忽然听见下面有人说话，低头一看，竟有一座清清楚楚的庭院。一名美丽的女子坐在石头上，两个梳着双髻的丫鬟举着彩绘的蜡烛，分站在她左右。女子向左边看了看，说：“今晚月亮明亮，星星稀疏，可以把华姑送的团茶煮一盏，赏赏这美好的夜景。”傅廉猜她们是鬼怪，吓得汗毛直竖，连呼吸也不敢放开。忽然，一个丫鬟抬头说：“树上有人！”女子惊得站起来，说：“哪里来的大胆小子，暗地里偷看别人！”傅廉十分害怕，又无处躲藏，只好绕着树干爬下来，伏在地上求她宽恕。女子走近看了他一眼，反而转怒为喜，拉他起来，让他坐在自己身边。他偷眼看去，女子约有十七八岁，容貌姿态都极美。听她说话，也不是本地口音。女子问：“公子要到哪里去？”他回答：“替人送一封信。”女子说：“野外强盗很多，露宿实在危险。你若不嫌弃我这寒舍，就请留下歇息。”说着邀他进屋。屋里只有一张床，她叫丫鬟在上面铺了两床被子。傅廉为自己的身体缺陷感到羞惭，请求睡在低处的床铺上。女子笑道：“遇到这样好的客人，我这个女元龙怎么敢独占高床？”傅廉没有办法，只好和她睡在同一张床上，却惶恐得不敢舒展身体。不久，女子在黑暗中把纤细的手伸进他的被子，轻轻捏他的小腿和大腿。他假装睡着，像是毫无知觉。又过了一会儿，女子掀开被子钻进来，摇晃他，他始终不动。女子便往下摸他的私处，随即停下手，失望地悄悄退出被子。片刻后，他听见了哭声。傅廉又惊慌又羞愧，恨不得无地自容，只能怨恨老天让自己生来就有缺陷。女子叫丫鬟点灯。丫鬟看见她脸上的泪痕，惊讶地问她有什么伤心事。女子摇头说：“我只是感叹自己的命罢了。”丫鬟站在床前，仔细看着她的脸色。女子说：“把公子叫醒，打发他走吧。”傅廉听了，更加羞愧，又怕这半夜三更，四野茫茫，再也没有地方可去。
By the time he reached the north wall of Qiongzhou, dusk had fallen. He asked for Qin Girl Village, but no one had heard of it. He walked north four or five li. The moon and stars were bright by now, the tall grass blurred before his eyes, and there was no inn anywhere in the wilderness. He was in a sorry plight. Seeing a grave by the road, he thought of resting against the mound, but he was terrified of tigers and wolves. So he climbed a tree like a monkey and crouched in its branches. The wind soughed in the pines and the night insects shrilled mournfully; his heart pounded, and his regret burned like fire. Suddenly he heard voices below. He looked down, and there was a courtyard, plain as day. A beautiful woman sat on a stone, and two maids with their hair in double knots held painted candles on either side of her. The lady turned to her left and said, “The moon is white tonight and the stars are few. Brew a cup of the tea cake Aunt Hua gave us, and we will enjoy this fine night.” Lian took them for ghosts or goblins, and his hair stood on end. He dared not breathe. Suddenly a maid looked up and said, “There is someone in the tree!” The woman started up. “What bold rascal is this, spying on people in the dark?” Lian was terrified. There was nowhere to run or hide, so he slid down the trunk and lay on the ground begging pardon. She came close and gave him one look, and her anger turned to pleasure. She pulled him up to sit beside her. He stole a glance: she was about seventeen or eighteen, and dazzling in looks and bearing. From her speech, she was not from these parts either. “Where are you going, sir?” she asked. “I am carrying a letter for someone,” he said. “There are many violent men in the wilds,” she said. “It is dangerous to sleep in the open. If you do not mind a humble hut, I hope you will rest here.” She invited him in. There was only one bed in the room, and she had the maid spread two quilts on it. Lian, ashamed of what he was, asked to sleep on the low couch. She laughed. “When I meet so fine a guest, how could I play the lady Yuanlong and keep the high bed to myself?” He had no choice but to share the bed with her, but he was too frightened to stretch out. Before long, in the dark, she slipped a slender hand under his quilt and lightly pinched his leg and thigh. He pretended to be asleep, as though he felt nothing. Before long again she opened his quilt, got in and shook him, but he never moved. Then she reached down to his private parts. Her hand stopped. Disappointed, she quietly left his quilt. In a moment he heard her weeping. Lian was so ashamed and frightened he wished he could vanish, and could only curse Heaven for the flaw it had made in him. The woman called the maid to light a lamp. The maid saw the traces of tears and asked in alarm what was wrong. The woman shook her head. “I am only sighing over my own fate.” The maid stood by the bed, watching her face. The woman said, “Wake the gentleman and send him away.” Hearing this, Lian was more ashamed than ever; and he was afraid too, in the middle of the night, with nowhere in the darkness to go.
籌念間，一婦人排闥入。婢白：「華姑來。」微窺之，年約五十餘，猶風格。見女未睡，便致詰問。女未答。又視榻上有臥者，遂問：「共榻何人？」婢代答：「夜一少年郎寄此宿。」婦笑曰：「不知巧娘諧花燭。」見女啼淚未乾，驚曰：「合巹之夕，悲啼不倫；將勿郎君粗暴也。」女不言，益悲。婦欲捋衣視生，一振衣，書落榻上。婦取視，駭曰：「我女筆意也！」拆讀嘆吒。女問之。婦云：「是三姐家報，言吳郎已死，煢無所依，且為奈何？」女曰：「彼固云為人寄書，幸未遣之去。」婦呼生起，究詢書所自來。生備述之。婦曰：「遠煩寄書，當何以報？」又熟視生，笑問：「何迕巧娘？」生言：「不自知罪。」又詰女。女嘆曰：「自憐生適閹寺，沒奔啄，以木代口，閹人人，是以悲耳。婦顧生曰：「慧黠兒，固雄而雌者耶？是我之客，不可久溷他人。」遂導生入東廂，探手于褲誇而驗之。笑曰：「無怪巧娘零涕。然幸有根蒂，猶可為力。」挑燈遍翻箱簏，得黑丸，授生，令即吞下，秘囑勿嘩，乃出。生獨臥籌思，不知藥醫何症。將比五更，初醒，覺臍下熱氣一縷，直沖隱處，蠕蠕然似有物垂股際；自探之，身已偉男。心驚喜，如乍膺九錫。櫺色才分，婦即入，以炊餅納生室，叮囑耐坐，反關其戶。出語巧娘曰：「郎有寄書勞，將留招三娘來，與訂姊妹交。且復閉置，免人厭煩。」乃出門去。生迴旋無聊，時近門隙，如鳥窺籠。望見巧娘，輒欲招呼自呈，慚訥而止。延及夜分，婦始攜女歸。發扉曰：「悶煞郎君矣！三娘可來拜謝。」途中人逡巡入，向生斂衽。婦命相呼以兄妹。巧娘笑曰：「姊妹亦可。」並出堂中，團坐置飲。飲次，巧娘戲問：「寺人亦動心佳麗否？」生曰：「跛者不忘履，盲者不忘視。」相與粲然。
他正想著怎麼辦，一名婦人推門進來。丫鬟稟告說：「華姑來了。」傅廉偷偷看去，婦人約有五十多歲，仍有幾分風韻。她見女子還沒睡，便問緣故，女子沒有回答。又看見床上躺著一個人，便問：「和你睡在一起的是誰？」丫鬟替她回答：「今晚有位年輕公子來這裡借宿。」婦人笑道：「我還不知道巧娘成了親呢。」見女子淚痕未乾，又驚訝地說：「新婚之夜哭成這樣，可不合情理。莫非公子待你粗暴？」女子不說話，哭得更傷心了。婦人想拉開傅廉的衣服看看，一抖衣服，信就掉在床上。她拿起來一看，驚道：「這是我女兒的筆跡！」拆開讀過，不住嘆息。女子問她出了什麼事。婦人說：「是三姐寄來的家信，說吳郎已經死了，她孤苦無依，這可怎麼辦？」女子說：「他本來就說是替人送信的，幸好還沒把他打發走。」婦人叫傅廉起來，詳細詢問信從哪裡來。傅廉把經過全說了。婦人說：「勞煩你從這麼遠的地方送信，該怎麼報答你呢？」她又仔細看著傅廉，笑著問：「你怎麼得罪巧娘了？」傅廉說：「我不知道自己有什麼過錯。」她又問巧娘。巧娘嘆道：「我只是可憐自己，活著時嫁給了宦官，死後又投身於閹人，所以傷心。」婦人回頭對傅廉說：「你這聰明伶俐的孩子，原來是個男子，卻和女子一樣不能行房嗎？你是我的客人，不能長久打擾別人。」她便領他進了東廂房，把手伸進他的褲襠檢視，笑道：「難怪巧娘流淚。不過幸好根還在，還能想些辦法。」她挑亮燈，把箱子竹籠翻了個遍，找到一顆黑色藥丸，交給傅廉，叫他立刻吞下，又悄悄叮囑他不要聲張，才走出去。傅廉獨自躺著思量，不知道這藥治的是什麼病。快到五更時，他剛醒過來，便覺得肚臍下面有一股熱氣，直衝私處，那裡慢慢蠕動，像有個東西垂在兩腿之間。伸手一摸，自己的陰莖已經長得粗大了。他又驚又喜，彷彿剛得了皇帝賜予的九錫。窗欞剛透出晨光，婦人就進來了，把炊餅送進屋裡，叮囑他耐心待著，出去後把門關好。她對巧娘說：「公子替我們送信，辛苦了一趟，我要留住他，把三娘接來，讓她和巧娘結為姐妹。暫且再把他關起來，免得惹人厭煩。」說完便出了門。傅廉無聊地在屋裡來回走動，時常湊到門縫前，像籠裡的鳥向外張望。望見巧娘，就想招呼她，把自己的變化告訴她，卻又羞得說不出口。一直等到半夜，婦人才帶著女兒回來。她打開門說：「可把公子悶壞了！三娘，來拜謝他。」那名路上遇見的女子遲疑著走進來，向傅廉行禮。婦人叫他們以兄妹相稱。巧娘笑道：「叫姐妹也行。」大家一起到堂屋，圍坐下來，擺上酒席。飲酒時，巧娘開玩笑地問：「宦官也會對美人動心嗎？」傅廉說：「瘸腿的人不會忘記走路，瞎眼的人不會忘記看東西。」大家都笑了起來。
筹念间，一妇人排闼入。婢白：「华姑来。」微窥之，年约五十余，犹风格。见女未睡，便致诘问。女未答。又视榻上有卧者，遂问：「共榻何人？」婢代答：「夜一少年郎寄此宿。」妇笑曰：「不知巧娘谐花烛。」见女啼泪未干，惊曰：「合卺之夕，悲啼不伦；将勿郎君粗暴也。」女不言，益悲。妇欲捋衣视生，一振衣，书落榻上。妇取视，骇曰：「我女笔意也！」拆读叹咤。女问之。妇云：「是三姐家报，言吴郎已死，茕无所依，且为奈何？」女曰：「彼固云为人寄书，幸未遣之去。」妇呼生起，究询书所自来。生备述之。妇曰：「远烦寄书，当何以报？」又熟视生，笑问：「何迕巧娘？」生言：「不自知罪。」又诘女。女叹曰：「自怜生适阉寺，没奔啄，以木代口，阉人人，是以悲耳。妇顾生曰：「慧黠儿，固雄而雌者耶？是我之客，不可久溷他人。」遂导生入东厢，探手于裤夸而验之。笑曰：「无怪巧娘零涕。然幸有根蒂，犹可为力。」挑灯遍翻箱簏，得黑丸，授生，令即吞下，秘嘱勿哗，乃出。生独卧筹思，不知药医何症。将比五更，初醒，觉脐下热气一缕，直冲隐处，蠕蠕然似有物垂股际；自探之，身已伟男。心惊喜，如乍膺九锡。櫺色才分，妇即入，以炊饼纳生室，叮嘱耐坐，反关其户。出语巧娘曰：「郎有寄书劳，将留招三娘来，与订姊妹交。且复闭置，免人厌烦。」乃出门去。生回旋无聊，时近门隙，如鸟窥笼。望见巧娘，辄欲招呼自呈，惭讷而止。延及夜分，妇始携女归。发扉曰：「闷煞郎君矣！三娘可来拜谢。」途中人逡巡入，向生敛衽。妇命相呼以兄妹。巧娘笑曰：「姊妹亦可。」并出堂中，团坐置饮。饮次，巧娘戏问：「寺人亦动心佳丽否？」生曰：「跛者不忘履，盲者不忘视。」相与粲然。
他正想着怎么办，一名妇人推门进来。丫鬟禀告说：“华姑来了。”傅廉偷偷看去，妇人约有五十多岁，仍有几分风韵。她见女子还没睡，便问缘故，女子没有回答。又看见床上躺着一个人，便问：“和你睡在一起的是谁？”丫鬟替她回答：“今晚有位年轻公子来这里借宿。”妇人笑道：“我还不知道巧娘成了亲呢。”见女子泪痕未干，又惊讶地说：“新婚之夜哭成这样，可不合情理。莫非公子待你粗暴？”女子不说话，哭得更伤心了。妇人想拉开傅廉的衣服看看，一抖衣服，信就掉在床上。她拿起来一看，惊道：“这是我女儿的笔迹！”拆开读过，不住叹息。女子问她出了什么事。妇人说：“是三姐寄来的家信，说吴郎已经死了，她孤苦无依，这可怎么办？”女子说：“他本来就说是替人送信的，幸好还没把他打发走。”妇人叫傅廉起来，详细询问信从哪里来。傅廉把经过全说了。妇人说：“劳烦你从这么远的地方送信，该怎么报答你呢？”她又仔细看着傅廉，笑着问：“你怎么得罪巧娘了？”傅廉说：“我不知道自己有什么过错。”她又问巧娘。巧娘叹道：“我只是可怜自己，活着时嫁给了宦官，死后又投身于阉人，所以伤心。”妇人回头对傅廉说：“你这聪明伶俐的孩子，原来是个男子，却和女子一样不能行房吗？你是我的客人，不能长久打扰别人。”她便领他进了东厢房，把手伸进他的裤裆查看，笑道：“难怪巧娘流泪。不过幸好根还在，还能想些办法。”她挑亮灯，把箱子竹笼翻了个遍，找到一颗黑色药丸，交给傅廉，叫他立刻吞下，又悄悄叮嘱他不要声张，才走出去。傅廉独自躺着思量，不知道这药治的是什么病。快到五更时，他刚醒过来，便觉得肚脐下面有一股热气，直冲私处，那里慢慢蠕动，像有个东西垂在两腿之间。伸手一摸，自己的阴茎已经长得粗大了。他又惊又喜，仿佛刚得了皇帝赐予的九锡。窗棂刚透出晨光，妇人就进来了，把炊饼送进屋里，叮嘱他耐心待着，出去后把门关好。她对巧娘说：“公子替我们送信，辛苦了一趟，我要留住他，把三娘接来，让她和巧娘结为姐妹。暂且再把他关起来，免得惹人厌烦。”说完便出了门。傅廉无聊地在屋里来回走动，时常凑到门缝前，像笼里的鸟向外张望。望见巧娘，就想招呼她，把自己的变化告诉她，却又羞得说不出口。一直等到半夜，妇人才带着女儿回来。她打开门说：“可把公子闷坏了！三娘，来拜谢他。”那名路上遇见的女子迟疑着走进来，向傅廉行礼。妇人叫他们以兄妹相称。巧娘笑道：“叫姐妹也行。”大家一起到堂屋，围坐下来，摆上酒席。饮酒时，巧娘开玩笑地问：“宦官也会对美人动心吗？”傅廉说：“瘸腿的人不会忘记走路，瞎眼的人不会忘记看东西。”大家都笑了起来。
While he was turning this over, a woman pushed the door open and came in. “Aunt Hua is here,” said the maid. Lian stole a look at her: she was about fifty, but still had some style. Seeing that the young woman had not gone to sleep, she asked what was the matter. The young woman did not answer. Then the older woman saw someone lying on the bed and asked, “Who is sharing your bed?” The maid answered for her: “A young gentleman came tonight and asked to stay.” The woman laughed. “I did not know Qiaoniang had lit the wedding candles.” Seeing the tears still wet on the girl’s face, she said in surprise, “Weeping on your wedding night is hardly fitting. Was the young man rough with you?” The young woman said nothing, and wept the harder. The older woman went to pull back Lian’s clothes and look at him; at one shake of the clothes, the letter fell onto the bed. She picked it up and looked at it in astonishment. “This is my daughter’s hand!” She broke it open, read it, and sighed. The young woman asked what was wrong. “It is a letter home from Sanniang,” said the woman. “She says young Wu is dead and she is left alone with no one to rely on. What is to be done?” “He did say he was carrying a letter for someone,” said the young woman. “Luckily we had not sent him away.” The woman called Lian to get up and asked him exactly where the letter had come from. He told her everything. “You have come a long way to bring this letter,” she said. “How shall I repay you?” She looked him over again and asked, smiling, “How did you offend Qiaoniang?” “I do not know what I did wrong,” said Lian. She asked the young woman. Qiaoniang sighed. “I pity myself. In life I was married to a eunuch, and in death I have given myself to a gelded man. That is why I weep.” The older woman turned to Lian. “So, my clever lad, you are a male who is really a female? You are my guest; you must not trouble someone else any longer.” She led him into the east wing, put her hand into the crotch of his trousers and felt him. She laughed. “No wonder Qiaoniang was in tears. But luckily there is a root there, so something can still be done.” She lit a lamp and rummaged through every chest and basket, found a black pill and gave it to him, telling him to swallow it at once. She told him in secret to make no noise, and went out. Lian lay alone thinking, wondering what the medicine could cure. Toward the fifth watch he woke for the first time and felt a thread of heat run from below his navel straight down to his private parts; something stirred and seemed to hang between his thighs. He felt for himself: he was a man now, and a big one. He was astonished and overjoyed, as if he had just received the Nine Bestowals. As soon as light showed at the window lattice, the woman came in, put some steamed buns in his room, told him to sit patiently, and locked the door behind her. Outside, she said to Qiaoniang, “The young man has had the trouble of bringing our letter. I am going to keep him here till I fetch Sanniang, and the two can swear to be sisters. Meanwhile I have shut him in again, so he will not be a nuisance to anyone.” Then she went out of the gate. Lian paced about with nothing to do, going now and then to the crack of the door like a bird peering out of its cage. When he caught sight of Qiaoniang he longed to call out and show her what he now was, but shame tied his tongue. Not until midnight did the woman come back with her daughter. She opened the door. “You must be bored to death, sir! Sanniang, come and thank him.” The young woman he had met on the road came in hesitantly and curtsied to him. Her mother told them to call each other brother and sister. Qiaoniang laughed. “Sisters would do as well.” They all went out to the hall, sat in a circle and set out wine. As they drank, Qiaoniang asked teasingly, “Can a palace eunuch be stirred by a beauty too?” Lian said, “The lame never forget walking, nor the blind seeing.” They all burst out laughing.
巧娘以三娘勞頓，迫令安置。婦顧三娘，俾與生俱。三娘羞暈不行。婦曰：「此丈夫而巾幗者，何畏之？」敦促偕去。私囑生曰：「陰為吾婿，陽為吾子，可也。」生喜，捉臂登床，發硎新試，其快可知。既于枕上問女：「巧娘何人？」曰：「鬼也。才色無匹，而時命蹇落。適毛家小郎子，病閹，十八歲而不能人，因邑邑不暢，齎恨如冥。」生驚，疑三娘亦鬼。女曰：「實告君，妾非鬼，狐耳。巧娘獨居無耦，我母子無家，借廬棲止。」生大愕。女云：「無懼，雖故鬼狐，非相禍者。」由此日共談宴。雖知巧娘非人，而心愛其娟好，獨恨自獻無隙。生蘊藉，善諛噱，頗得巧娘憐。一日，華氏母子將他往，復閉生室中。生悶氣，繞室隔扉呼巧娘。巧娘命婢歷試數鑰，乃得啟。生附耳請間。巧娘遣婢去。生挽就寢榻，偎向之。女戲掬臍下，曰：「惜可兒此處闕然。」語未竟，觸手盈握。驚曰：「何前之渺渺，而遽累然！」生笑曰：「前羞見客，故縮，今以誚謗難堪，聊作蛙怒耳。」遂相綢繆。已而恚曰：「今乃知閉戶有因。昔母子流蕩棲無所，假廬居之。三娘從學刺繡，妾曾不少秘惜。乃妒忌如此！」生勸慰之，且以情告。巧娘終銜之。生曰：「密之，華姑囑我嚴。」語未及已，華姑掩入。二人皇遽方起。華姑嗔目，問：「誰啟扉？」巧娘笑逆自承。華姑益怒，聒絮不已。巧娘故哂曰：「阿姥亦大笑人！是丈夫而巾幗者，何能為？」三娘見母與巧娘苦相抵，意不自安，以一身調停兩間，始各拗怒為喜。巧娘言雖憤烈，然自是屈意事三娘。但華姑晝夜閑防，兩情不得自展，眉目含情而已。
巧娘覺得三娘趕路勞累，催著她去睡。婦人看著三娘，叫她和傅廉一起去。三娘滿臉羞紅，不肯動身。婦人說：「他雖然是個男人，卻和女子一樣，你怕他什麼？」她催促兩人一起離開，又私下叮囑傅廉：「暗地裡做我的女婿，明面上做我的兒子，這樣就行。」傅廉很高興，拉著三孃的胳膊上了床，如同剛磨好的刀第一次試用，其中的快活可想而知。事後，他在枕邊問三娘：「巧娘是什麼人？」三娘說：「她是鬼。才華和容貌都無人能比，只是命運坎坷。她嫁給毛家的小郎子，那人有不能行房的病，到了十八歲仍不能過夫妻生活。她因此鬱鬱不樂，懷著怨恨死去。」傅廉吃了一驚，懷疑三娘也是鬼。三娘說：「實話告訴你，我不是鬼，是狐。巧娘獨自住著，沒有伴侶，我和母親又無家可歸，就借她的房子住下。」傅廉十分驚愕。三娘說：「別怕，我們雖然是鬼狐，卻不會害你。」從此，他們每天一起談笑飲宴。傅廉雖然知道巧娘不是人，心裡卻愛她的美貌，只遺憾找不到機會向她表露。傅廉舉止文雅，又善於說討人喜歡的話、逗人發笑，很得巧娘喜愛。一天，華姑母女要去別處，又把傅廉關在屋裡。傅廉悶得不快，繞著屋子，隔門呼喚巧娘。巧娘叫丫鬟拿幾把鑰匙逐一試過，終於把門打開。傅廉湊到她耳邊，請求和她單獨說話。巧娘打發丫鬟離開。傅廉拉她到床邊，依偎著她。巧娘開玩笑地伸手摸他肚臍下面，說：「可惜你這樣可愛的人，這裡卻少了東西。」話沒說完，手裡就握了滿滿一把。她驚道：「怎麼先前那麼小，忽然變得這樣大了！」傅廉笑道：「先前它羞於見客，所以縮了起來；現在受不了你的嘲笑，就像青蛙生氣那樣鼓起來罷了。」兩人便親熱起來。事後，巧娘氣憤地說：「現在才知道，關門原來是有緣故的。以前她們母女四處流浪，無處安身，我把房子借給她們住。三娘跟我學刺繡，我從來沒有半點藏私。她們竟這樣嫉妒！」傅廉勸慰她，又把實情告訴了她，巧娘卻始終心懷怨恨。傅廉說：「要保密，華姑嚴厲叮囑過我。」話還沒說完，華姑就突然進來了，兩人慌忙起身。華姑怒目問道：「誰開的門？」巧娘笑著迎上去，承認是自己。華姑更加生氣，喋喋不休地責罵。巧娘故意笑著說：「大娘也太可笑了！他雖然是個男人，卻和女子一樣，能做什麼呢？」三娘見母親和巧娘激烈爭執，心裡不安，便在兩人之間調解，才讓她們各自轉怒為喜。巧娘雖然說話憤怒激烈，此後卻委屈自己，盡力照顧三孃的心意。但華姑日夜防範，傅廉和巧娘無法盡情相愛，只能用眉目傳情。
巧娘以三娘劳顿，迫令安置。妇顾三娘，俾与生俱。三娘羞晕不行。妇曰：「此丈夫而巾帼者，何畏之？」敦促偕去。私嘱生曰：「阴为吾婿，阳为吾子，可也。」生喜，捉臂登床，发硎新试，其快可知。既于枕上问女：「巧娘何人？」曰：「鬼也。才色无匹，而时命蹇落。适毛家小郎子，病阉，十八岁而不能人，因邑邑不畅，赍恨如冥。」生惊，疑三娘亦鬼。女曰：「实告君，妾非鬼，狐耳。巧娘独居无耦，我母子无家，借庐栖止。」生大愕。女云：「无惧，虽故鬼狐，非相祸者。」由此日共谈宴。虽知巧娘非人，而心爱其娟好，独恨自献无隙。生蕴藉，善谀噱，颇得巧娘怜。一日，华氏母子将他往，复闭生室中。生闷气，绕室隔扉呼巧娘。巧娘命婢历试数钥，乃得启。生附耳请间。巧娘遣婢去。生挽就寝榻，偎向之。女戏掬脐下，曰：「惜可儿此处阙然。」语未竟，触手盈握。惊曰：「何前之渺渺，而遽累然！」生笑曰：「前羞见客，故缩，今以诮谤难堪，聊作蛙怒耳。」遂相绸缪。已而恚曰：「今乃知闭户有因。昔母子流荡栖无所，假庐居之。三娘从学刺绣，妾曾不少秘惜。乃妒忌如此！」生劝慰之，且以情告。巧娘终衔之。生曰：「密之，华姑嘱我严。」语未及已，华姑掩入。二人皇遽方起。华姑嗔目，问：「谁启扉？」巧娘笑逆自承。华姑益怒，聒絮不已。巧娘故哂曰：「阿姥亦大笑人！是丈夫而巾帼者，何能为？」三娘见母与巧娘苦相抵，意不自安，以一身调停两间，始各拗怒为喜。巧娘言虽愤烈，然自是屈意事三娘。但华姑昼夜闲防，两情不得自展，眉目含情而已。
巧娘觉得三娘赶路劳累，催着她去睡。妇人看着三娘，叫她和傅廉一起去。三娘满脸羞红，不肯动身。妇人说：“他虽然是个男人，却和女子一样，你怕他什么？”她催促两人一起离开，又私下叮嘱傅廉：“暗地里做我的女婿，明面上做我的儿子，这样就行。”傅廉很高兴，拉着三娘的胳膊上了床，如同刚磨好的刀第一次试用，其中的快活可想而知。事后，他在枕边问三娘：“巧娘是什么人？”三娘说：“她是鬼。才华和容貌都无人能比，只是命运坎坷。她嫁给毛家的小郎子，那人有不能行房的病，到了十八岁仍不能过夫妻生活。她因此郁郁不乐，怀着怨恨死去。”傅廉吃了一惊，怀疑三娘也是鬼。三娘说：“实话告诉你，我不是鬼，是狐。巧娘独自住着，没有伴侣，我和母亲又无家可归，就借她的房子住下。”傅廉十分惊愕。三娘说：“别怕，我们虽然是鬼狐，却不会害你。”从此，他们每天一起谈笑饮宴。傅廉虽然知道巧娘不是人，心里却爱她的美貌，只遗憾找不到机会向她表露。傅廉举止文雅，又善于说讨人喜欢的话、逗人发笑，很得巧娘喜爱。一天，华姑母女要去别处，又把傅廉关在屋里。傅廉闷得不快，绕着屋子，隔门呼唤巧娘。巧娘叫丫鬟拿几把钥匙逐一试过，终于把门打开。傅廉凑到她耳边，请求和她单独说话。巧娘打发丫鬟离开。傅廉拉她到床边，依偎着她。巧娘开玩笑地伸手摸他肚脐下面，说：“可惜你这样可爱的人，这里却少了东西。”话没说完，手里就握了满满一把。她惊道：“怎么先前那么小，忽然变得这样大了！”傅廉笑道：“先前它羞于见客，所以缩了起来；现在受不了你的嘲笑，就像青蛙生气那样鼓起来罢了。”两人便亲热起来。事后，巧娘气愤地说：“现在才知道，关门原来是有缘故的。以前她们母女四处流浪，无处安身，我把房子借给她们住。三娘跟我学刺绣，我从来没有半点藏私。她们竟这样嫉妒！”傅廉劝慰她，又把实情告诉了她，巧娘却始终心怀怨恨。傅廉说：“要保密，华姑严厉叮嘱过我。”话还没说完，华姑就突然进来了，两人慌忙起身。华姑怒目问道：“谁开的门？”巧娘笑着迎上去，承认是自己。华姑更加生气，喋喋不休地责骂。巧娘故意笑着说：“大娘也太可笑了！他虽然是个男人，却和女子一样，能做什么呢？”三娘见母亲和巧娘激烈争执，心里不安，便在两人之间调解，才让她们各自转怒为喜。巧娘虽然说话愤怒激烈，此后却委屈自己，尽力照顾三娘的心意。但华姑日夜防范，傅廉和巧娘无法尽情相爱，只能用眉目传情。
Since Sanniang was tired from the journey, Qiaoniang made her go to bed. Her mother looked at Sanniang and told her to sleep with Lian. Sanniang blushed and would not go. “He is a man in a woman’s headdress,” said her mother. “What is there to fear?” She pressed them to go together, and whispered to Lian, “Be my son-in-law in secret and my son in public; that will do.” Lian was delighted. He took her by the arm and led her to bed: a blade fresh from the whetstone, tried for the first time; you can imagine the pleasure. Afterward, on the pillow, he asked her, “Who is Qiaoniang?” “A ghost,” she said. “Her talent and beauty have no equal, but fate was against her. She was married to a young man of the Mao family who was impotent from illness; at eighteen he still could not be a husband. She pined, joyless, and carried her grievance down into the dark.” Lian was startled, and suspected that Sanniang was a ghost too. “To tell you the truth,” she said, “I am not a ghost. I am a fox. Qiaoniang lives alone with no mate, and my mother and I have no home, so we borrowed her house to stay in.” Lian was astounded. “Do not be afraid,” she said. “Ghosts and foxes we may be, but we mean you no harm.” From then on they talked and feasted together every day. Though Lian knew Qiaoniang was not human, he loved her delicate beauty, and only regretted that he found no chance to offer himself. He was refined, and good at flattery and jokes, and Qiaoniang grew fond of him. One day Aunt Hua and her daughter were going off somewhere, and again shut him in his room. Lian, sulking, went round the room calling to Qiaoniang through the door. Qiaoniang had her maid try one key after another until the door opened. Lian whispered in her ear, asking to see her alone. Qiaoniang sent the maid away. Lian drew her to the bed and nestled against her. She teasingly cupped him below the navel and said, “A pity, my darling, that you have nothing here.” Before she had finished speaking, her hand was full. “How was it so tiny before,” she said in surprise, “and now so suddenly heavy?” Lian laughed. “Before, it was shy of meeting a guest, so it shrank. Now it cannot bear your mockery, so it has puffed itself up like an angry frog.” Then they made love. Afterward she said resentfully, “Now I know why the door was locked. Mother and daughter were drifting about with nowhere to live, and I lent them my house. Sanniang learned embroidery from me, and I never kept back the least secret. And she is this jealous!” Lian soothed her, and told her what had really happened. But Qiaoniang went on bearing a grudge. “Keep this secret,” said Lian. “Aunt Hua was strict with me.” Before he had finished, Aunt Hua slipped in. The two scrambled up in a fluster. Aunt Hua glared. “Who opened the door?” Qiaoniang laughed, went to meet her and owned up. Aunt Hua grew angrier and scolded on and on. Qiaoniang said with a mocking smile, “Old mother, you are too absurd! He is a man in a woman’s headdress. What could he do?” Sanniang, seeing her mother and Qiaoniang so bitterly at odds, was uneasy, and put herself between them to make peace, until each at last turned her anger to a smile. Fierce as Qiaoniang’s words had been, from then on she bent herself to please Sanniang. But Aunt Hua watched them day and night, and the lovers could never be alone; they could only speak with their eyes.
一日，華姑謂生曰：「吾兒姊妹皆已奉事君。念居此非計，君宜歸告父母，早訂永約。」即治裝促生行。二女相嚮，容顏悲惻。而巧娘尤不可堪，淚滾滾如斷貫珠，殊無已時。華姑排止之，便曳生出。至門外，則院宇無存，但見荒塚。華姑送至舟上，曰：「君行後，老身攜兩女僦屋于貴邑。倘不忘夙好，李氏廢園中，可待親迎。」生乃歸。
一天，華姑對傅廉說：「我女兒和她姐姐都已經服侍過你了。想來一直住在這裡也不是辦法，你應該回家告訴父母，早日定下終身婚約。」她立刻收拾行裝，催傅廉動身。兩名女子相對而立，滿臉悲傷。巧娘尤其難以忍受，眼淚像斷了線的珠子，滾滾而下，怎麼也止不住。華姑把她推開，制止她哭，便拉著傅廉出去。到了門外，院落房屋都不見了，只看見一座荒墳。華姑把他送上船，說：「你走以後，我就帶著兩個女兒，到你們縣裡租房住。你若不忘往日的情意，我們就在李家的廢園裡，等你親自來迎娶。」傅廉便回家了。
一日，华姑谓生曰：「吾儿姊妹皆已奉事君。念居此非计，君宜归告父母，早订永约。」即治装促生行。二女相向，容颜悲恻。而巧娘尤不可堪，泪滚滚如断贯珠，殊无已时。华姑排止之，便曳生出。至门外，则院宇无存，但见荒冢。华姑送至舟上，曰：「君行后，老身携两女僦屋于贵邑。倘不忘夙好，李氏废园中，可待亲迎。」生乃归。
一天，华姑对傅廉说：“我女儿和她姐姐都已经服侍过你了。想来一直住在这里也不是办法，你应该回家告诉父母，早日定下终身婚约。”她立刻收拾行装，催傅廉动身。两名女子相对而立，满脸悲伤。巧娘尤其难以忍受，眼泪像断了线的珠子，滚滚而下，怎么也止不住。华姑把她推开，制止她哭，便拉着傅廉出去。到了门外，院落房屋都不见了，只看见一座荒坟。华姑把他送上船，说：“你走以后，我就带着两个女儿，到你们县里租房住。你若不忘往日的情意，我们就在李家的废园里，等你亲自来迎娶。”傅廉便回家了。
One day Aunt Hua said to Lian, “My daughter and her sister have both served you now. Staying on here is no plan for the future. You should go home and tell your parents, and settle the marriage soon.” She packed his things at once and hurried him off. The two young women looked at each other, their faces full of grief, and Qiaoniang most of all could not bear it: her tears rolled down like pearls from a broken string and would not stop. Aunt Hua pushed her aside and pulled Lian out. Outside the gate, the courtyard and buildings were gone; there was only a desolate grave. Aunt Hua saw him onto the boat and said, “After you have gone, I will bring both girls and rent a house in your county. If you do not forget our old affection, we will be waiting in the derelict garden of the Li family for you to come and fetch your bride.” So Lian went home.
時傅父覓子不得，正切焦慮，見子歸，喜出非望。生略述崖末，兼至華氏之訂。父曰：「妖言何足聽信？汝尚能生還者，徒以閹廢故；不然，死矣！」生曰：「彼雖異物，情亦猶人；況又慧麗，娶之亦不為戚黨笑。」父不言，但嗤之。生乃退。而技癢不安其分，輒私婢；漸至白晝宣淫，意欲駭聞翁媼。一日，為小婢所窺，奔告母，母不信，薄觀之，始駭。呼婢研究，盡得其狀。喜極，逢人宣暴，以示子不閹，將論婚于世族。生私白母：「非華氏不娶。」母曰：「世不乏美婦人，何必鬼物？」生曰：「兒非華姑，無以知人道，背之不祥。」傅父從之，遣一僕一嫗往覘之。出東郭四五里，尋李氏園，見敗垣竹樹中，縷縷有炊煙。嫗下乘，直造其闥，則母子拭幾濯溉，似有所伺。嫗拜致主命。見三娘，驚曰：「此即吾家小主婦耶？我見猶憐，何怪公子魂思而夢繞之。」便問阿姊。華姑嘆曰：「是我假女，三日前，忽殂謝去。」因以酒食餉嫗及僕。嫗歸，備道三娘容止，父母皆喜。末陳巧娘死耗，生惻惻欲涕。至親迎之夜，見華姑親問之，答云：「已投生北地矣。」生欷歔久之。迎三娘歸，而終不能忘情巧娘，凡有自瓊來者，必召見問之。或言秦女墓夜聞鬼哭。生詫其異，入告三娘。三娘沉吟良久，泣下曰：「妾負姊矣！」詰之，答云：「妾母子來時，實未使聞。茲之怨啼，將無是姊？向欲相告，恐彰母過。」生聞之，悲已而喜，即命輿，宵晝兼程，馳詣其墓。叩墓木而呼曰：「巧娘，巧娘！某在斯。」俄見女郎捧嬰兒，自穴中出，舉首酸嘶，怨望無已。生亦涕下。探懷問誰氏子，巧娘曰：「是君之遺孽也。誕三月矣。」生嘆曰：「誤聽華姑言，使母子埋懮地下，罪將安辭！」乃與同輿，航海而歸。抱子告母，母視之，體貌豐偉，不類鬼物，益喜。二女諧和，事姑孝。後傅父病，延醫來。巧娘曰：「疾不可為，魂已離舍。」督治冥具，既竣而卒。兒長，絕肖父；尤慧，十四游泮。高郵翁紫霞，客于廣而聞之。地名遺脫，亦未知所終矣。
這時，傅父找不到兒子，正焦急萬分，忽然看見他回來，喜出望外。傅廉大致講了事情的始末，也說了和華家訂下婚約的事。父親說：「妖怪的話，怎麼值得相信？你還能活著回來，只因為你天生不能行房；否則早就死了！」傅廉說：「她們雖然不是人，感情卻和人一樣。何況她又聰明又美麗，娶了她，也不會被親友笑話。」父親不說話，只嗤笑了一聲，傅廉便退了出去。但他剛有了行房的能力，總想試試，不能安分，常常私下和丫鬟親熱，漸漸竟在白天也公然行房，有意讓父母聽說後吃驚。一天，一個小丫鬟看見了，跑去告訴母親。母親不信，走近一看，才驚呆了。她叫來那名與傅廉親熱的丫鬟，詳細詢問，弄清了全部情況。她高興極了，逢人便說，表明兒子並不是天閹，又打算替他向世家大族求親。傅廉私下對母親說：「不是華家的女子，我就不娶。」母親說：「世上美麗的女子多的是，何必非要娶鬼怪？」傅廉說：「要不是華姑，我就永遠不能過夫妻生活，背棄她會招來不祥。」傅父依了他，派一個男僕和一個老婦人去檢視。他們出了東城門四五里，找到李家園子，看見殘破的牆垣、竹子和樹木之間，升起幾縷炊煙。老婦人下了車，徑直來到門前，只見華姑母女正在擦桌子、洗器皿，像是在等什麼人。老婦人行禮，傳達主人的意思。見了三娘，她驚歎道：「這就是我們家的少夫人嗎？連我看了都喜愛，難怪公子日夜思念，連夢裡也忘不了。」她又問起姐姐。華姑嘆道：「那是我的養女，三天前忽然去世了。」隨後用酒飯招待老婦人和男僕。老婦人回去，把三孃的容貌舉止詳細說了一遍，傅廉父母都很高興。最後說到巧孃的死訊，傅廉傷心得幾乎落淚。到了親自迎娶的那天晚上，他見到華姑，親口問起這件事，華姑回答：「她已經到北方投胎了。」傅廉嘆息抽泣了很久。他把三娘娶回家，卻始終忘不了巧娘。凡有從瓊州來的人，他一定叫來詢問。有人說，秦女墓裡夜間常能聽見鬼哭。傅廉覺得奇怪，回屋告訴三娘。三娘沉思許久，流下眼淚說：「我對不起姐姐！」傅廉追問，她回答：「我和母親來這裡時，確實沒有告訴她。如今怨恨哭泣的，莫非就是姐姐？以前我就想告訴你，又怕顯出母親的過錯。」傅廉聽了，悲傷過後又高興起來，立刻叫來車子，日夜兼程，趕到巧娘墓前。他敲著墓邊的樹，呼喊道：「巧娘，巧娘！我在這裡！」不久，一名女子抱著嬰兒從墓穴裡出來，抬起頭悲痛地哭著，滿是怨恨。傅廉也流下眼淚，伸手去抱她懷裡的孩子，問是誰的。巧娘說：「這是你留下的孩子，出生三個月了。」傅廉嘆道：「我錯聽了華姑的話，讓你們母子在地下受苦，這罪過我怎麼推得掉！」他便帶她們母子同坐一輛車，渡海回家。他抱著孩子去告訴母親。母親看那孩子身體結實，模樣魁偉，一點也不像鬼怪，更加高興。兩個女子相處和睦，對婆婆都很孝順。後來傅父生病，請來醫生。巧娘說：「這病治不好了，他的魂已經離開身體。」她催著準備喪葬用品，剛準備完畢，傅父就去世了。孩子長大後，容貌和父親極像，而且格外聰明，十四歲就考中了秀才。高郵的翁紫霞客居廣東時，聽說了這件事。具體地名已經遺漏，後來怎樣，也不知道了。
时傅父觅子不得，正切焦虑，见子归，喜出非望。生略述崖末，兼至华氏之订。父曰：「妖言何足听信？汝尚能生还者，徒以阉废故；不然，死矣！」生曰：「彼虽异物，情亦犹人；况又慧丽，娶之亦不为戚党笑。」父不言，但嗤之。生乃退。而技痒不安其分，辄私婢；渐至白昼宣淫，意欲骇闻翁媪。一日，为小婢所窥，奔告母，母不信，薄观之，始骇。呼婢研究，尽得其状。喜极，逢人宣暴，以示子不阉，将论婚于世族。生私白母：「非华氏不娶。」母曰：「世不乏美妇人，何必鬼物？」生曰：「儿非华姑，无以知人道，背之不祥。」傅父从之，遣一仆一妪往觇之。出东郭四五里，寻李氏园，见败垣竹树中，缕缕有炊烟。妪下乘，直造其闼，则母子拭几濯溉，似有所伺。妪拜致主命。见三娘，惊曰：「此即吾家小主妇耶？我见犹怜，何怪公子魂思而梦绕之。」便问阿姊。华姑叹曰：「是我假女，三日前，忽殂谢去。」因以酒食饷妪及仆。妪归，备道三娘容止，父母皆喜。末陈巧娘死耗，生恻恻欲涕。至亲迎之夜，见华姑亲问之，答云：「已投生北地矣。」生欷歔久之。迎三娘归，而终不能忘情巧娘，凡有自琼来者，必召见问之。或言秦女墓夜闻鬼哭。生诧其异，入告三娘。三娘沉吟良久，泣下曰：「妾负姊矣！」诘之，答云：「妾母子来时，实未使闻。兹之怨啼，将无是姊？向欲相告，恐彰母过。」生闻之，悲已而喜，即命舆，宵昼兼程，驰诣其墓。叩墓木而呼曰：「巧娘，巧娘！某在斯。」俄见女郎捧婴儿，自穴中出，举首酸嘶，怨望无已。生亦涕下。探怀问谁氏子，巧娘曰：「是君之遗孽也。诞三月矣。」生叹曰：「误听华姑言，使母子埋懮地下，罪将安辞！」乃与同舆，航海而归。抱子告母，母视之，体貌丰伟，不类鬼物，益喜。二女谐和，事姑孝。后傅父病，延医来。巧娘曰：「疾不可为，魂已离舍。」督治冥具，既竣而卒。儿长，绝肖父；尤慧，十四游泮。高邮翁紫霞，客于广而闻之。地名遗脱，亦未知所终矣。
这时，傅父找不到儿子，正焦急万分，忽然看见他回来，喜出望外。傅廉大致讲了事情的始末，也说了和华家订下婚约的事。父亲说：“妖怪的话，怎么值得相信？你还能活着回来，只因为你天生不能行房；否则早就死了！”傅廉说：“她们虽然不是人，感情却和人一样。何况她又聪明又美丽，娶了她，也不会被亲友笑话。”父亲不说话，只嗤笑了一声，傅廉便退了出去。但他刚有了行房的能力，总想试试，不能安分，常常私下和丫鬟亲热，渐渐竟在白天也公然行房，有意让父母听说后吃惊。一天，一个小丫鬟看见了，跑去告诉母亲。母亲不信，走近一看，才惊呆了。她叫来那名与傅廉亲热的丫鬟，详细询问，弄清了全部情况。她高兴极了，逢人便说，表明儿子并不是天阉，又打算替他向世家大族求亲。傅廉私下对母亲说：“不是华家的女子，我就不娶。”母亲说：“世上美丽的女子多的是，何必非要娶鬼怪？”傅廉说：“要不是华姑，我就永远不能过夫妻生活，背弃她会招来不祥。”傅父依了他，派一个男仆和一个老妇人去查看。他们出了东城门四五里，找到李家园子，看见残破的墙垣、竹子和树木之间，升起几缕炊烟。老妇人下了车，径直来到门前，只见华姑母女正在擦桌子、洗器皿，像是在等什么人。老妇人行礼，传达主人的意思。见了三娘，她惊叹道：“这就是我们家的少夫人吗？连我看了都喜爱，难怪公子日夜思念，连梦里也忘不了。”她又问起姐姐。华姑叹道：“那是我的养女，三天前忽然去世了。”随后用酒饭招待老妇人和男仆。老妇人回去，把三娘的容貌举止详细说了一遍，傅廉父母都很高兴。最后说到巧娘的死讯，傅廉伤心得几乎落泪。到了亲自迎娶的那天晚上，他见到华姑，亲口问起这件事，华姑回答：“她已经到北方投胎了。”傅廉叹息抽泣了很久。他把三娘娶回家，却始终忘不了巧娘。凡有从琼州来的人，他一定叫来询问。有人说，秦女墓里夜间常能听见鬼哭。傅廉觉得奇怪，回屋告诉三娘。三娘沉思许久，流下眼泪说：“我对不起姐姐！”傅廉追问，她回答：“我和母亲来这里时，确实没有告诉她。如今怨恨哭泣的，莫非就是姐姐？以前我就想告诉你，又怕显出母亲的过错。”傅廉听了，悲伤过后又高兴起来，立刻叫来车子，日夜兼程，赶到巧娘墓前。他敲着墓边的树，呼喊道：“巧娘，巧娘！我在这里！”不久，一名女子抱着婴儿从墓穴里出来，抬起头悲痛地哭着，满是怨恨。傅廉也流下眼泪，伸手去抱她怀里的孩子，问是谁的。巧娘说：“这是你留下的孩子，出生三个月了。”傅廉叹道：“我错听了华姑的话，让你们母子在地下受苦，这罪过我怎么推得掉！”他便带她们母子同坐一辆车，渡海回家。他抱着孩子去告诉母亲。母亲看那孩子身体结实，模样魁伟，一点也不像鬼怪，更加高兴。两个女子相处和睦，对婆婆都很孝顺。后来傅父生病，请来医生。巧娘说：“这病治不好了，他的魂已经离开身体。”她催着准备丧葬用品，刚准备完毕，傅父就去世了。孩子长大后，容貌和父亲极像，而且格外聪明，十四岁就考中了秀才。高邮的翁紫霞客居广东时，听说了这件事。具体地名已经遗漏，后来怎样，也不知道了。
Meanwhile Lian’s father had searched for his son without finding him, and was sick with worry. When his son came home he was overjoyed beyond all hope. Lian told him roughly what had happened, and of his betrothal to the Hua family. His father said, “Why listen to a demon’s talk? The only reason you came back alive is that you were useless as a eunuch. Otherwise you would be dead!” “They may be strange creatures,” said Lian, “but they have feelings like people. And she is clever and lovely besides; marrying her would not make us a laughingstock among our kin.” His father said nothing, only snorted. Lian withdrew. But his new skill itched to be used and he could not keep to his place: he took to sleeping with the maids in secret, and by degrees grew bold enough to do it in broad daylight, hoping word would reach the old couple and startle them. One day a little maid saw him and ran to tell his mother. His mother did not believe it until she went close and looked, and then she was astonished. She called the maid in and questioned her, and got the whole story. She was overjoyed and told everyone she met, to show that her son was no eunuch, and set about arranging a match with a great family. Lian told his mother privately, “I will marry no one but the Hua girl.” “There is no shortage of beautiful women in the world,” said his mother. “Why must it be a ghost?” Lian said, “If not for Aunt Hua, I would never have known how to be a man. To turn my back on her would bring bad luck.” His father gave in, and sent a manservant and an old woman to look into it. Four or five li outside the east wall they searched for the Li garden, and among broken walls and bamboo they saw a thread of cooking smoke. The old woman got down from her carriage and went straight to the door. Inside, mother and daughter were wiping the tables and washing the vessels, as if expecting someone. The old woman bowed and delivered her master’s message. When she saw Sanniang she exclaimed, “Is this our young mistress-to-be? Even I adore her at first sight; no wonder the young master’s soul longs for her and his dreams circle round her.” Then she asked about the elder sister. Aunt Hua sighed. “She was my adopted daughter. Three days ago she suddenly passed away.” She gave the old woman and the servant food and wine. When the old woman came home she described Sanniang’s looks and manners in full, and both parents were pleased. Last of all she gave the news of Qiaoniang’s death, and Lian was so grieved he nearly wept. On the night he went to fetch his bride, he saw Aunt Hua and asked her about it himself. “She has already been reborn somewhere in the north,” she answered. Lian sighed and sobbed for a long time. He brought Sanniang home, but he could never forget Qiaoniang, and whenever anyone came from Qiong he always sent for them and asked. Someone said that at the Qin Girl’s grave a ghost could be heard weeping at night. Lian was struck by it, and went in and told Sanniang. Sanniang was silent a long while; then she wept and said, “I have wronged my sister!” He pressed her, and she answered, “When my mother and I came here, we never told her. This weeping and complaining—could it be her? I meant to tell you before, but I was afraid of exposing my mother’s fault.” At this Lian’s grief turned to joy. He called for a carriage at once and hurried to the grave, travelling day and night. He knocked on the tree by the grave and called, “Qiaoniang! Qiaoniang! I am here.” A moment later a young woman came out of the grave holding a baby. She raised her head and sobbed bitterly, reproaching him without end. Lian wept too. He reached for the child in her arms and asked whose it was. “This is the seed you left behind,” said Qiaoniang. “He was born three months ago.” Lian sighed. “I listened to Aunt Hua and left mother and child buried in sorrow underground. How can I escape the blame?” He took them in the carriage with him, crossed the sea and went home. He carried the boy in to his mother; she looked him over, saw that he was plump and sturdy and nothing like a ghost, and was all the happier. The two wives lived in harmony and served their mother-in-law dutifully. Later Lian’s father fell ill and a doctor was sent for. Qiaoniang said, “The illness cannot be cured. His soul has already left its house.” She had the funeral things made ready, and as soon as they were finished he died. The boy grew up the very image of his father, and especially clever: at fourteen he entered the county school. Weng Zixia of Gaoyou heard this story while staying in Guangdong. The place names had dropped out of it, and no one knows how it all ended.