 Part 15 of a selection from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. A selection from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio by Poo Song Ling, translated by Herbert Alan Giles. Volume 1, Part 15, Miss Ying Ning or the Laughing Girl. At Loh Tien in the province of Shantung, there lived a youth named Wang Zufu, who had been left an orphan when quite young. He was a clever boy and took his bachelor's degree at the age of 14, being quite his mother's pet, and not allowed by her to stray far away from home. One young lady to whom he had been betrothed having unhappily died, he was still in search of a wife when, on the occasion of the Feast of Lanterns, his cousin Wu asked him to come along for a stroll. But they had hardly got beyond the village before one of his uncle's servants caught them up and told Wu he was wanted. The latter accordingly went back, but Wang, seeing plenty of nice girls about and being in high spirits himself, proceeded on alone. Amongst others he noticed a young lady with her maid. She had just picked a sprig of plum blossom and was the prettiest girl he had ever heard of, her smiling face being very captivating. He stared and stared at her quite regardless of appearances, and when she had passed by she said to her maid, That young fellow has a wicked look in his eyes. As she was walking away, laughing and talking, the flower dropped out of her hand, and Wang, picking it up, stood there disconsolate as if he had lost his wits. He then went home in a very melancholy mood, and, putting the flower under his pillow, lay down to sleep. He would neither talk nor eat, and his mother became very anxious about him and called in the aid of the priests. By degrees he fell off in flesh and got very thin, and the doctor felt his pulse and gave him medicines to bring out the disease. Occasionally he seemed to be wildered in his mind, but in spite of all his mother's inquiries would give no clue as to the cause of his malady. One day when his cousin Wu came to the house, Wang's mother told him to try and find out what was the matter, and the former, approaching the bed, gradually and quietly led up to the point in question. Wang, who had wept bitterly at the sight of his cousin, now repeated to him the whole story, begging him to lend some assistance in the matter. How foolish you are, cousin, cried Wu, there will be no difficulty at all, I'll make inquiries for you. The girl herself can't belong to a very aristocratic family to be walking alone in the country. If she's not already engaged, I have no doubt we can arrange the affair, and even if she is unwilling, an extra outlay will easily bring her round. You make haste and get well, I'll see to it all. Wang's features relaxed when he heard these words, and Wu left him to tell his mother how the case stood, immediately setting on foot inquiries as to the whereabouts of the girl. All his efforts, however, proved fruitless to the great disappointment of Wang's mother, for since his cousin's visit, Wang's collar and appetite had returned. In a few days Wu called again, and in answer to Wang's questions, falsely told him the affair was settled. Who do you think the young lady is, said he, why a cousin of ours, who is only waiting to be betrothed. And though you two are a little near, I daresay this difficulty may be overcome. Wang was overjoyed and asked where she lived, so Wu had to tell another lie and say, on the south-west hills about ten miles from here. Wang begged him again and again to do his best for him, and Wu undertook to get the betrothal satisfactorily arranged. He then took leave of his cousin, who from this moment was rapidly restored to health. Wang drew the flower from underneath his pillow and found that, though dried up, the leaves had not fallen away. He often sat playing with this flower and thinking of the young lady, but by and by, as Wu did not reappear, he wrote a letter and asked him to come. Wu pleaded other engagements being unwilling to go, at which Wang got into a rage and quite lost his good spirits, so that his mother, fearing a relapse, proposed to him a speedy betrothal in another quarter. Wang shook his head at this and sat day after day waiting for Wu until his patience was thoroughly exhausted. He then reflected that ten miles was no great distance and that there was no particular reason for asking anybody's aid, so, concealing the flower in his sleeve, he went off in a huff by himself without letting it be known. Having no opportunity of asking the way, he made straight for the hills, and after about ten miles walking found himself right in the midst of them enjoying their exquisite verduer but meeting no one and with nothing better than mountain paths to guide him. Away down in the valley below, almost buried under a densely luxuriant growth of trees and flowers, he aspired a small hamlet and began to descend the hill and make his way thither. He found very few houses and all built of rushes, but otherwise pleasant enough to look at. Before the door of one, which stood at the northern end of the village, were a number of graceful willow trees and inside the wall plenty of peach and apricot trees with tufts of bamboo between them and birds chirping on the branches. As it was a private house he did not venture to go in, but sat down to rest himself on a huge smooth stone opposite the front door. By and by he heard a girl's voice from within, calling out Pasayo Jung, and noticing that it was a sweet-toned voice set himself to listen when a young lady passed with a bunch of apricot flowers in her hand which she was sticking into her bent down head. As soon as she raised her face she saw Wang and stopped putting in the flowers. Then, smothering a laugh, she gathered them together and ran in. Wang perceived to his intense delight that she was none other than his heroine of the Feast of Lanterns, but recollecting that he had no right to follow her in was on the point of calling after her as his cousin. There was no one, however, in the street, and he was afraid lest he might have made a mistake. Neither was there anybody at the door of whom he could make inquiries. So he remained there in a very restless state until the sun was well down in the west, and his hopes were almost at an end, forgetting all about food and drink. He then saw the young lady peep through the door, apparently very much astonished, to find him still there, and in a few minutes out came an old woman leaning on a stick who said to him, Wenz, do you come, sir? I hear you have been here ever since morning. What is it you want? Aren't you hungry?" Wang got up and, making a bow, replied that he was in search of some relatives of his, but the old woman was deaf and didn't catch what he said, so he had to shout it out again at the top of his voice. She asked him what their names were, but he was unable to tell her, at which she laughed and said, It is a funny thing to look for people when you don't know their names. I am afraid you are an unpractical gentleman. You had better come in and have something to eat. We'll give you a bed, and you can go back to-morrow and find out the names of the people you are in quest of. Now Wang was just beginning to get hungry, and, besides, this would bring him nearer to the young lady, so he readily accepted and followed the old woman in. They walked along a paved path banked on both sides with hibiscus, the leaves of which were scattered about on the ground, and, passing through another door, entered a courtyard full of trained creepers and other flowers. The old woman showed Wang into a small room with beautifully white walls and a branch of a crab tree coming through the window, the furniture being also nice and clean. They had hardly sat down when it was clear that someone was taking a peep through the window. Whereupon the old woman cried out, Hsiao Zheng, make haste and get dinner. And a maid from outside immediately answered, Yes, ma'am. Meanwhile Wang had been explaining who he was, and then the old lady said, Was your maternal grandfather named Wu? He was, replied Wang. Well, I never cried the old woman. He was my uncle and your mother and I are cousins. But in consequence of our poverty and having no sons, we have kept quite to ourselves, and you have grown to be a man without my knowing you. I came here, said Wang, about my cousin, but in the hurry I forgot your name. My name is Qin, replied the old lady. I have no son, only a girl, the child of a concubine, who, after my husband's death, married again and left her daughter with me. She's a clever girl, but has had very little education, full of fun and ignorant of the sorrows of life. I'll send for her by and by to make your acquaintance. The maid then brought in the dinner a well-grown fowl, and the old woman pressed him to eat. When they had finished and the things were taken away, the old woman said, Call Miss Ning, and the maid went off to do so. After some time there was a giggling at the door, and the old woman cried out, Ying Ning, your cousin is here. There was then a great tittering as the maid pushed her in, stopping her mouth all the time to try and keep from laughing. Don't you know better than to behave like that, asked the old woman, and before a stranger, too? So Ying Ning controlled her feelings, and Wang made her abou, the old woman, saying, Mr. Wang is your cousin. You have never seen him before. Isn't that funny? Wang asked how old his cousin was, but the old woman didn't hear him, and he had to say it again, which sent Ying Ning off into another fit of laughter. I told you, observed the old woman, she hasn't much education, now you see it. She is sixteen years old, and as foolish as a baby. One year younger than I am, remarked Wang, oh, you're seventeen, are you? Then you were born in the year such and such, under the sign of the horse. Wang nodded ascent, and then the old woman asked who his wife was, to which Wang replied that he had none. What? A clever, handsome young fellow of seventeen not yet engaged? Ying Ning is not engaged either. You two would make a nice pair if it weren't for the relationship. Wang said nothing but looked hard at his cousin, and just then the maid whispered to her, it is the fellow with the wicked eyes, he's at his old game. Ying Ning laughed and proposed to the maid that they should go and see if the peaches were in blossom or not, and off they went together, the former with her sleeve stuffed into her mouth until she got outside, where she burst into a hearty fit of laughing. The old woman gave orders for a bed to be got ready for Wang, saying to him, it is not often we meet, you must spend a few days with us now you are here, and then we'll send you home. If you are at all dull, there is a garden behind where you can amuse yourself and books for you to read. So next day Wang strolled into the garden, which was of moderate size, with a well-kept lawn and plenty of trees and flowers. There was also an arbor consisting of three posts with a thatched roof, quite shut in on all sides by the luxuriant vegetation. Pushing his way among the flowers, Wang heard a noise from one of the trees, and looking up saw Ying Ning, who at once burst out laughing and nearly fell down. Don't, don't! cried Wang, you'll fall. Then Ying Ning came down, giggling all the time, until when she was near the ground she missed her hold and tumbled down with a run. This stopped her merriment, and Wang picked her up, gently squeezing her hand as he did so. Ying Ning began laughing again, and was obliged to lean against a tree for support, it being some time before she was able to stop. Wang waited till she had finished, and then drew the flower out of his sleeve and handed it to her. It's dead, said she. Why do you keep it? You dropped it, cousin, at the Feast of Lanterns, replied Wang, and so I kept it. She then asked him what was his object in keeping it, to which he answered, to show my love and that I have not forgotten you. Since that day when we met I have been very ill from thinking so much of you, and am quite changed from what I was. But now that it is my unexpected good fortune to meet you, I pray you have pity on me. You need not make such a fuss about a trifle, replied she, and with your own relatives too. I'll give orders to supply you with a whole basket full of flowers when you go away. Wang told her she did not understand, and when she asked what it was she didn't understand, he said, I didn't care for the flower itself, it was the person who picked the flower. Of course, answered she, everybody cares for their relations, you need not have told me that. I wasn't talking about ordinary relations, said Wang, but about husbands and wives. What's the difference, asked Yingning. Why, replied Wang, husband and wife are always together. Just what I shouldn't like, cried she, to be always with anybody. At this juncture up came the maid, and Wang slipped quietly away. By and by they all met again in the house, and the old woman asked Yingning where they had been, whereupon she said they had been talking in the garden. Dinner has been ready a long time, I can't think what you have had to say all this while, grumbled the old woman. My cousin, answered Yingning, has been talking to me about husbands and wives. Wang was much disconcerted, and made a sign for her to be quiet, so she smiled and said no more. And the old woman luckily did not catch her words, and asked her to repeat them. Wang immediately put her off with something else, and whispered to Yingning that she had done very wrong. The latter did not see that, and when Wang told her that what he had said was private, answered him that she had no secrets from her old mother. Besides, said she, what harm can there be in talking on such a common topic as husbands and wives? Wang was angry with her for being so dull, but there was no help for it, and by the time dinner was over he found some of his mother's servants had come in search of him, bringing a couple of donkeys with them. It appeared that his mother, alarmed at his non-appearance, had made strict search for him in the village, and when unable to discover any traces of him had gone off to the Wu family to consult. There her nephew, who recollected what he had previously said to young Wang, advised that a search should be instituted in the direction of the hills, and accordingly the servants had been to all the villages on the way until they had at length recognized him as he was coming out of the door. Wang went in and told the old woman, begging that he might be allowed to take Yingning with him. I have had the idea in my head for several days, replied the old woman, overjoyed, but I am a feeble old thing myself, and couldn't travel so far. If, however, you will take charge of my girl and introduce her to her aunt, I shall be very pleased. So she called Yingning, who came up laughing as usual, whereupon the old woman rebuked her, saying, What makes you always laugh so? You would be a very good girl, but for that silly habit. Now here's your cousin, who wants to take you away with him. Make haste and pack up. The servants who had come for Wang were then provided with refreshment, and the old woman made them both farewell, telling Yingning that her aunt was quite well enough off to maintain her, and that she had better not come back. She also advised her not to neglect her studies and to be very attentive to her elders, adding that she might ask her aunt to provide her with a good husband. Wang and Yingning then took their leave, and when they reached the brow of the hill, they looked back and could just discern the old woman leaning against the door and gazing towards the north. On arriving at Wang's home, his mother, seeing a nice-looking young girl with him, asked in astonishment who she might be, and Wang at once told her the whole story. But that was all an invention of your cousin Wu's, cried his mother. I haven't got a sister, and consequently I can't have such a niece. Yingning here observed, I am not the daughter of the old woman, my father was named Qin and died when I was a little baby, so that I can't remember anything. I had a sister, said Wang's mother, who actually did marry a Mr. Qin, but she died many years ago and can't be still living, of course. However, on inquiring as to facial appearance and characteristic marks, Wang's mother was obliged to acknowledge the identity, wondering at the same time how her sister could be alive when she had died many years before. Just then in came Wu and Yingning retired within, and when he heard the story, remained some time lost in astonishment, and then said, Is this young lady's name Yingning? Wang replied that it was, and asked Wu how he came to know it. Mr. Qin answered he, after his wife's death was bewitched by a fox and subsequently died. The fox had a daughter named Yingning and was well known to all the family, and when Mr. Qin died, as the fox still frequented the place, the Taoist Pope was called in to exercise it. The fox then went away, taking Yingning with it, and now here she is. While they were thus discussing, peels of laughter were heard coming from within, and Mrs. Wang took occasion to remark what a foolish girl she was. Wu begged to be introduced, and Mrs. Wang went in to fetch her, finding her in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, which she subdued only with great difficulty, and by turning her face to the wall. By and by she went out, but after making a bow, ran back and burst out laughing again, to the great amusement of all the ladies. Wu then said he would go and find out for them all about Yingning and her queer story, so as to be able to arrange the marriage. But when he reached the spot indicated, village and houses had all vanished, and nothing was to be seen except hill-flowers scattered about here and there. He recollected that Mrs. Qin had been buried at no great distance from that spot. He found, however, that the grave had disappeared, and he was no longer able to determine its position. Not knowing what to make of it all, he returned home, and then Mrs. Wang, who thought the girl must be a disembodied spirit, went in and told her what Wu had said. Yingning showed no signs of alarm at this remark, neither did she cry at all when Mrs. Wang began to condole with her on no longer having a home. She only laughed in her usual silly way, and fairly puzzled them all. Sharing Mrs. Wang's room, she now began to take her part in the duties of a daughter of the family, and as for needlework they had rarely seen anything like hers for findness. But she could not get over that trick of laughing, which, by the way, never interfered with her good looks and consequently rather amused people than otherwise amongst others a young married lady who lived next door. Wang's mother fixed an auspicious day for the wedding, but still feeling suspicious about Yingning was always secretly watching her. Finding, however, that she had a proper shadow, she had her dressed up when the day came in all the finery of a bride and would have made her perform the usual ceremonies, only Yingning laughed so much she was unable to kneel down. They were accordingly obliged to excuse her, but Wang began to fear that such a foolish girl would never be able to keep the family counsel. Luckily she was very reticent and did not indulge in gossip, and moreover, when Mrs. Wang was in trouble or out of temper, Yingning could always bring her around with a laugh. The maid servants, too, if they expected a whipping for anything, would always ask her to be present when they appeared before their mistress, and thus they often escaped punishment. Yingning had a perfect passion for flowers. She got all she could out of her relations and even secretly pawned her jewels to buy rare specimens, and by the end of a few months the whole place was one mass of flowers. Behind the house there was one especial tree which belonged to the neighbors on that side, but Yingning was always climbing up and picking the flowers to stick in her hair, for which Mrs. Wang rebuked her severely, though without any result. One day the owner saw her and gazed at her some time in rapt astonishment. However, she didn't move, deigning only to laugh. The gentleman was much smitten with her, and when she smilingly descended the wall on her own side, pointing all the time with her finger to a spot hard by, he thought she was making an assignation. So he presented himself at nightfall at the same place, and sure enough Yingning was there. Seizing her hand to tell his passion, he found that he was grasping only a log of wood which stood against the wall. And the next thing he knew was that a scorpion had stung him violently on the finger. There was an end of his romance, except that he died of the wound during the night, and his family at once commenced an action against Wang for having a witch wife. The magistrate happened to be a great admirer of Wang's talent, and knew him to be an accomplished scholar. He therefore refused to grant the summons, and ordered the prosecutor to be bambooed for false accusation. Wang interposed and got him off his punishment, and returned home himself. His mother then scolded Yingning well, saying, I knew your two playful disposition would someday bring sorrow upon you, but for our intelligent magistrate we should have been in a nice mess. Any ordinary hawk-like official would have had you publicly interrogated in court, and then how could your husband ever have held up his head again? Yingning looked grave and swore she would laugh no more, and Mrs. Wang continued, there's no harm in laughing as long as it is seasonable laughter. But from that moment Yingning laughed no more, no matter what people did to make her, though at the same time her expression was by no means gloomy. One evening she went in tears to her husband, who wanted to know what was the matter. I couldn't tell you before, said she, sobbing. We had known each other such a short time, but now that you and your mother have been so kind to me, I will keep nothing from you, but will tell you all. I am the daughter of a fox. When my mother went away she put me in the charge of the disembodied spirit of an old woman, with whom I remained for a period of over ten years. I have no brothers, only you to whom I can look, and now my foster mother is lying on the hillside with no one to bury her and appease her discontented shade. If not too much I would ask you to do this, that her spirit may be at rest, and know that it was not neglected by her whom she brought up. Wang consented, but said he feared they would not be able to find her grave, on which Yingning said there was no danger of that, and accordingly they set forth together. When they arrived Yingning pointed out the tomb in a lonely spot amidst a thicket of brambles, and there they found the old woman's bones. Yingning wept bitterly, and then they proceeded to carry her remains home with them, subsequently interring them in the Qin family vault. That night Wang dreamt that the old woman came to thank him, and when he waked he told Yingning, who said that she had seen her also, and had been warned by her not to frighten Mr. Wang. Her husband asked why she had not detained the old lady, but Yingning replied, she is a disembodied spirit and would be ill at ease for any time surrounded by so much life. Wang then inquired after his sow-jung, and his wife said, she was a fox too and a very clever one. My foster mother kept her to wait on me, and she was always getting fruit and cakes for me so that I have a friendship for her and shall never forget her. My foster mother told me yesterday she was married. After this, whenever the great fast day came around, husband and wife went off without fail to worship at the Qin family tomb, and by the time a year had passed she gave birth to a son, who wasn't a bit afraid of strangers, but laughed at everybody, and in fact took very much after his mother. Footnotes One. Caught in the aid of the priests. Sickness being supposed to result from evil influence, witchcraft, etc., just as often is from more natural causes. Two. An extra outlay will easily bring her round. The rule which guides betrothals in China is that the doors should be opposite, i.e., that the families of the bride and bridegroom should be of equal position on the social scale. Any unpleasantness about the value of the marriage presence and so on is thereby avoided. Three. Go you two are a little near. Marriage between persons of the same surname, except in special cases, is forbidden by law, for such are held to be blood relations, descended linearly from the same original couple of that name. Inasmuch however, as the line of dissent is traced through the male branches only, a man may marry his cousins on the maternal side without let or hindrance except that of sentiment, which is sufficiently strong to keep these alliances down to a minimum. Four. The child of a concubine, who after my husband's death married again. A very unjustifiable proceeding in Chinese eyes, unless driven to it by actual poverty. Five. Under the sign of the horse. The Chinese years are distinguished by the names of twelve animals, namely rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and boar. To the common question, what is your honorable age? The reply is frequently, I was born under the whatever, and the hearer by a short mental calculation can tell at once how old the speaker is, granting of course the impossibility of making an error of so much as twelve years. Six. A clever, handsome young fellow of seventeen, not yet engaged. Parents in China like to get their sons married as early as possible, in the hope of seeing themselves surrounded by grandsons and the family name in no danger of extinction. Girls are generally married at from fifteen to seventeen. Seven. Why, replied Wang, husband and wife are always together, just what I shouldn't like, cried she, to be always with anybody. This scene should forever disabuse people of the notion that there is no such thing as making love among the Chinese. That the passion is just as much a disease in China as it is with us, will be abundantly evident from several subsequent stories. Though by those who have lived and mixed with the Chinese people, no such confirmation will be needed. I have even heard it gravely asserted by an educated native that not a few of his countrymen had died for love of the beautiful Miss Lin, the charming but fictitious heroine of the so-called Dream of the Red Chamber. Playgoers can hear hardly fail to notice a very striking similarity to the close of the first act of Sir W. S. Gilbert's Sweethearts. Eight. Gazing towards the North. Looking sorrowfully after them. Nine. Taoist Pope. The semi-divine head of the Taoist religion wrongly called the Master of Heaven. In his body is supposed to reside the soul of a celebrated Taoist, an ancestor of his, who actually discovered the elixir of life and became an immortal some 1800 years ago. At death the precious soul above mentioned will take up its abode in the body of a merciful member of the family to be here and after revealed. Meantime the present Pope makes a very respectable income from the sale of charms by working miracles and so forth, and only about 1877 he visited Shanghai where he was interviewed by several foreigners. Ten. Finding, however, that she had a proper shadow. Disembodied spirits are supposed to have no shadow and but very little appetite. There are also certain occasions on which they cannot stand the smell of sulfur. Fisk, in his Myths and Mythmakers, page 230, says, almost universally ghosts, however impervious to thrust of sword or shot of pistol, can eat or drink like squire westerns. Eleven. Yingning laughed so much she was unable to kneel down. The all-important item of a Chinese marriage ceremony amounting, in fact, to calling God to witness the contract. Twelve. One a special tree. The Mu Siang or Rosa Bank Saye. Thirteen. The magistrate refused to grant the summons and ordered the prosecutor to be bambooed for false accusation, strictly in accordance with Chinese criminal law. Fourteen. She is a disembodied spirit and would be ill at ease for any time surrounded by so much life. These disembodied spirits are unable to stand for any length of time the light and life of this upper world, the darkness and death being as it were necessary to their existence and comfort. Fifteen. The Great Fast Day. The day before the annual spring festival. End of Miss Yingning or the Laughing Girl. Part sixteen. All selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio. Volume one. This is Livivostu recording. All Livivostu recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Livivostu.org. A selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio. By Pu Song Ling. Translated by Herbert Aaron Giles. Volume one. Part sixteen. The Magic Sword. Read Vivivin Chen March 2008 in Guangzhou, China. Ning Caichen was a Zhijian man and a good-natured honorable pharaoh found out telling people that he had only loud wands. Happening to go to Jinghua, he took shelter in a temple to the north of the city. Very nice as far as ornamentation went, but overgrown with grass, taller than a man's head, and evidently not so much frequented. On either side were the priest's apartments. The doors of which were ajar with the obsession of small room on the south side, where the lock had a new appearance. In the east corner, he inspired a group of bangboos growing over a large pool of water lilies in flower. And being much pleased with the quiet of the place determined to remain more sparsely as the grand examiner being in the town, all lodges had gone up in price. So he wronged about waiting till the priest should return. And in the evening, a gentleman came and opened a door on the south side. Ning quickly met up to him and waited about in front of him all his desire. There is no one here whose permission you need to ask, replied the stranger. I am only lodging here. And you don't object to the longliness? I shall be very pleased to have the benefit of your society. Ning was delighted and making self a strawberry and put up a board for table as if he intended to remain some time. And that night by the beams of the clear bright moon, they sat together in the render and talked. The stranger's name was Yen Chi Xia and Ning thought he was a student out for the probing soul examination. Only his dialect was not that of a Zhejiang man. On being asked, he said he came from Sen Si and there was an air of straight forwardness about all his remarks. By and by, when their conversation was exhausted, they bedded each other good night and went to bed. But Ning, being in a strange place, was quite unable to sleep and soon he heard sounds of voices from the room on the north side. Getting up, he peeped through a window and saw in a small culture the other side of a low wall a woman of about 40 with her own maid servant and a long-fated girl, humpbacked and feeble-looking. They were charming by the light of the moon and the mystery said, Why doesn't Xiu Qing come? She ought to be here by now, replied the other. She isn't offended with you, is she? asked the lady. Not there are no of. But she seems to want to get trouble. Such person don't deserve to be treated well, said the other. And she had hardly uttered this word when I came a young girl of 17 or 18 and very nice looking. The old servant laughed and said, Ah, don't talk about people behind their backs. We were just mentioning you as you come without our hearing you. But fortunately we were saying nothing bad about you. And as fast as that goes, I didn't shoo. If I am a young feral wife, I should certainly thank love with you. You don't praise me, replied the girl. I'm sure I don't know who we are. And then the lady and the girl said something together and Mr. Nim, thinking they were the family next door, turned around to sleep without paying further attention to them. In a little while, no sound was to be heard. But as he was dropping off to sleep, he perceived that somebody was in the room. Jumping out in gray haste, he found it was the young lady he had just seen. And detecting at once that she was going to attempt to bewitch him, certainly better be grown. She then produced a lump of gold which he threw away and told her to go after it or he would call his friend. So she had no alternative but to go, murdering something about his heart being like iron or stone. Next day, a young candidate for the examination came and lodged in the east room with his servant. He, however, was killed that very night and his servant the night after. The causes of both showing a small hole in the soul of the food as ill-bought by a hole and from which little blood can. No one knew who had committed this murder and when Mr. Yin came home, Nim asked him what he thought about it. He replied that it was a work of evil but Nim was a brave pharaoh and that didn't fight on him much. In the middle of the night, Xiaoqian appeared to him again and said, I have seen many men but none with a still cold heart like yours. You are an outright man and I will not attempt to deceive you. Xiaoqian, whose family name is Nie, died when only 18 and was buried alongside this temple. A devil then took possession of me and employed me to bewitch people by my beauty, contrary to my incarnation. There is now nothing left in this temple to slug and I feel that ifs will be employed to kill you. Nim was very frightened at this and asked her what he should do. Sleep in the same room with Mr. Yin, replied Xu. What? Asked Yan. Cannot the spirit trouble Yan? He is a strange man, she answered and they didn't like going near him. Nim then inquired how the spirit worked. I bewitched people, said Xiaoqian and then they bore a hole in the foot which renders the victim senseless and proceeded to draw the blood which the devils drink. Another method is to tempt people by false gold. The bones are some horrid demon and if they receive it, their hearts and livers will be torn out. The method is used according to the circumstances. Nim thanked her and asked when he ought to be prepared to which she replied tomorrow night. At the parting she wept and said I am about to sink into the great sea with no friendly sword at hand but your sense of duty is boundless and you can save me if you will clap my bones and bury them in some quiet spot I shall not again be subject to these misfortunes. Nim said he would do so and asked when she lay buried. At the foot of the aspen tree on which there is a bird's nest replied Xu and passing out of the door disappeared. The next day, Nim was afraid that Yan might be going away somewhere and went over early to invite him across. When Yan Fu were produced to lose noon and Nim whom took care not to lose sight of Yan then asked Yan to remain there for the night. Yan declaimed on the ground that he liked being by himself but Nin wouldn't hear any excuses and carried all Yan's things to his own room so that he had no alternative but to consent. However, he won't Nin say I know you are a gentleman and a man or owner. If you see anything you don't quite understand I pray you not to be too inquisitive. Do not pray into my bosses or it might be the worst for both of us. Nin promised to attempt to what he said and by and by they most liked doubt to sleep and Yan having placed his bosses on the window sill was soon snoring loudly. Nin himself could not sleep and after some time he saw a figure moving stealthily outside a lamp approaching the window to peep through. His eyes flashed like lightning and Nin in a terrible fright was just upon the point of calling Yan. When something flowed out of the bosses like a string of white silk and dashed against the window sill returned at once to the box disappearing very much like lightning. Yan heard the noise and got up. Nin all the time pretended to be asleep in order to watch what happened. The former then opened the box and took of something which he smelled and examined by the light of the moon. It was dazzlingly white like crystal and about two inches in length by the width of an onion leaf in breath. He then web-tipped carefully and put it back in the broken box saying, Both faces dabbled there to dare thus to break my box upon which he went back to bed. But Nin who was lost in astonishment arose and asked him what it all meant telling at the same time what he himself had seen. As you and I are good friends, replied Yan, I won't make any secret of it. The fact is I am a jealous priest. But for the window sill, the devil would have been killed. As it is, he is badly wounded. Nin asked him what it was he had there web-tipped and he told him it was his sword on which he had spelled the presence of the devil. At Nin's request, he produced the weapon, a bright little miniature or sword. And from that time, Nin held his friend in high esteem than ever. Next day, he fight chase Cicilbrad outside the window which led around to the north of the temple and there among a number of graves, he discovered the aspen tree with the verse next at its summit. He then fulfilled his promise and prepared to go home. In giving him a farewell banquet and presenting him with only the case which he said contained a sword and which he had distant from him all devils and bogies. Nin then wished to learn a little of Yan's art but the latter replied that although he might accomplish this easily enough being as he was an outright man yet he was well off in life and not in condition where it would be of any advantage to him. Nin then pretending that he had a younger sister buried here dug up Cicilbrad's bones and having wrapped them up in grave clothes hire a boat and settle on his way home. On his arrival as his library looked towards the open country he made a grave harbour and buried the bones there sacrificing and invoking Xiaoqian as furrows. In pity for your lonely ghost I have placed your remains near my humble cottage where we shall be near each other and no devil would dare annoy you. I pray you reject not my sacrifice for though it be. After this he was proceeding home when he suddenly heard himself addressed from behind the voice asking him not to hurry and turning around he behead Xiaoqian who thanked him saying would I to die ten times for you I could not discharge my dad let me go home with you and weigh upon your father and mother you will not repent it. Looking closely at her he observed that she had a beautiful complexion and feet as small as bamboo shoes being altogether much prettier now that he came to see her by daylight. So they went together to his home and buried her to wear a wire Ning ran into to tell his mother to the very grace price of the already. Now Ning's wife had been here for a long time and his mother advised him not to say a word about it to her for fear of frightening her. In the middle of which in rush Xiaoqian and through herself on the ground before them this is the young lady said Ning were upon his mother in some land turned her attention to Xiaoqian who cried out a lonely orphan without brother or sister the object of your son's cart needs some compassion best to be allowed to give her poor services as some return for the favors shown Ning's mother seeing that she was a nice, present looking girl began to lose fear of her and replied Madam the preference you show for my son is highly present to an old body like myself but this is the only hope of our family and I hardly dare agree to his taking a devil wife Oh I have but one motive in what I ask and since Xiaoqian and you have no faith in disembodied people then let me regain as my brother and live under your protection serving you like a daughter Ning's mother could not resist her straightforward manner and Xiaoqian asked to be allowed to see Ning's wife but this was denied on the plea that the lady was you Xiaoqian then went to the kitchen and get ready the dinner running about the place as if she had lived there all her life Ning's mother was however much afraid of her and would not let her sleep in the house so Xiaoqian went to the library and was just entering when suddenly she fed back a few steps and began to walk hurriedly back forth and forwards in front of the door Ning seeing this called out and asked her what it meant to which she replied the presence of that thought frightens me and that's why I could not accompany you on your way home Ning at once understood her and hang out the suitcase in another place where upon she entered lighted a candle and set down for sometimes she did not speak at length asking Ning if he started at night or not for said she when I was little I used to repeat the long yin stroke but now I have forgotten more than half and therefore I should like to borrow a copy and when you're at leisure in the evening you might hear me Ning said he would and they said silently there for some time after which Xiaoqian went away and took out her quarters elsewhere morning and night she waited on Ning's mother bringing water for her to wash in occupying herself with household matters and endeavoring to please her in every way in the evening before she went to bed she would always go in and repeat a little of the stroke and leave as soon as she thought Ning was getting sleepy now the yin stroke Ning's wife had kicked his mother a great deal of extra trouble more in fact than she was equal to but ever since Xiaoqian's arrival all this was changed and Ning's mother felt kindly disposed to the girl in consequence gradually growing to regard her almost as her old child and forgetting quite that she was a spirit accordingly she didn't make her leave the house at night and Xiaoqian whom being a devil had not tasted meat or jing since her arrival now began at the end of six months to take a little thin growth mother and son alike become very fond of her and henceforth Ning mentioned what she really was neither was dangerous able to detect the fat by and by Ning's wife dad and his mother secretly wished him to espouse Xiaoqian though she rather jaded any unfortunate consequences that might arise this Xiaoqian perceived and seizing an opportunity said to Ning's mother I have been with you for more than a year and you ought to know something of my disposition because I was unwilling to injure Chabora's I followed your son either there was no other motive and as your son had sung himself one of the best of men I would now remain with him for three years in order that he may obtain for me some more called Imperial Abribution which would do me honor in the rhymes below Ning's mother knew that she meant no evil but hesitated to put the family's whole sorrow posterity into jeopardy Xiaoqian however reassured her by saying that Ning would have three sons and that I would not be interrupted by his marrying her on the strength of this the marriage was arranged to the great joy of Ning a feast prepared and friends and relatives invited and when in response to a call the bride herself came forth in her gay wedding dress the beholders took her rather for fairy than for evil after this numerous congratulatory presents were given by the various female members of the family who vied with one another in making her acquaintance and this Xiaoqian returned by gifts or paintings or flowers done by herself in which she was very skillful the receivers being extremely proud of such much of her friendship one day she was landing at the window in a despondent mode when suddenly she asked where the showcase was oh, replied Ning as you seemed afraid of it I wouldn't be elsewhere I have now been so long under the influence of surrounding life said Xiaoqian that I should not be afraid of it anymore let's hung it on the bed why so? asked Ning for the last three days explained Xu I have been much agitated in mind and I'm afraid that that devil at the temple angry it might escape may come suddenly and carry me off so Ning brought the showcase and Xiaoqian after examining it closely remarked ah, this is where the magician puts people I wondered how many was lying before it gets old and worn out as it is now even now when I look at it my flesh crept the case was then hung up and next day removed to over the door at night they sat down and watched Xiaoqian warning Ning not to go to sleep and suddenly something fell down from like a bird Xiaoqian in the flight got behind the curtain but Ning looked at the thing and found it was a e-pod darkness with glaring eyes and a bloody mouth coming straight to the door style 3 creeping up he made a grab at the showcase and seemed about to tear it in pieces when bam, the showcase become as big as a war zone and from it a devil protruded part of its body and draped the imp in nothing more was heard and the showcase resumed its original size Ning was greatly alarmed but Xiaoqian came out rejoicing and said ah, there's an end to all my troubles in the showcase they found only a few quotes or clear water, nothing else after this events Ning took his daughter's degree and Xiaoqian bought him a sum he then took a kankyuban and had one more sum by each all of whom became in time distinguished men footnotes one, he told him it was his sword every doused priest has a magic sword corresponding to our magicians' warmth two, bamboo suits which were could are a very good substitute for asparagus three, being a devil had not taste me or drink since her arrival disembodied spirits are supposed to have no shadow and have very little appetite four, some are called imperial approvation some yes are from time to time bestowed upon virtuous widows and wives filial sums and daughters and others this consist of some rotatory skull or tablet and are much prized by the family of the recipient five I have not been so long under the influence of surrounding life these disembodied spirits are unable to stand for any length of time the light and life of the upper world darkness and death being as it were necessary to their existence and comfort end of the magic sword Part 17 of a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio, Volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio by Pu Sang Ling translated by Herbert Allen Giles Volume 1 Part 17 the Shui Meng plant the Shui Meng is a poisonous herb it is a creeper like the bean and has a similar red flower those who eat of it die and become Shui Meng devils tradition asserting that such devils are unable to be born again unless they can find someone else who has also eaten of this poison to take their place these Shui Meng devils abound in the province of Hunan where by the way the phrase same year man is applied to those born in the same year who exchange visits and call each other brother their children addressing the father's brother as uncle this has now become a regular custom there a young man named Chu was on his way to visit a same year friend of his when he was overtaken by a violent thirst suddenly he came upon an old woman sitting by the roadside under a shed and distributing tea gratis and immediately walked up to her to get a drink she invited him into the shed and presented him with a bowl of tea in a very cordial spirit but the smell of it did not seem like the smell of ordinary tea and he would not drink it rising up to go away the old woman stopped him and called out San Nieng bring some good tea immediately a young girl came from behind the shed carrying in her hands a pot of tea she was about fourteen or fifteen years old and a very fascinating appearance with glittering rings and bracelets on her fingers and arms as Chu received the cup from her his reason fled and drinking down the tea she gave him the flavor of which was unlike any other kind he proceeded to ask for more then watching for a moment when the old woman's back was turned he seized her wrist and drew a ring from her finger the girl blushed and smiled and Chu, more and more inflamed asked her where she lived come again this evening replied she and you'll find me here Chu begged for a handful of her tea which he stowed away with the ring and took his leave arriving at his destination he felt a pain in his heart which he at once attributed to the tea telling his friend what had occurred alas you are undone cried the other they were shwee-mang devils my father died the same way and we were unable to save him there is no help for you Chu was terribly frightened and produced the handful of tea which his friend at once pronounced to be the leaves of the shwee-mang plant he then showed him the ring and told him what the girl had said were upon his friend after some reflection said she must be sang-niang of the ku family how could you know her name asked Chu hearing his friend use the same words as the old woman oh replied he there was a nice looking girl of that name who died some years ago from eating of the same herb she is doubtless the girl you saw here someone observed that if the person so entrapped by a devil only knew its name and could procure an old pair of its shoes he might save himself by boiling them in water and drinking the liquor as medicine Chu's friend there upon rushed off at once to the ku family and implore them to give him an old pair of their daughter's shoes but they, not wishing to prevent their daughter from finding a substitute in Chu flatly refused his request so he went back in anger and told Chu who ground his teeth with rage saying if I die she shall not obtain her trans-migration thereby his friend then sent him home and just as he reached the door he fell down dead to his corpse which was in due course interred and he left behind one little boy barely a year old his wife did not remain a widow but in six months married again and went away putting Chu's son under the care of his grandmother who was quite unequal to any toil and did nothing but weep morning and night one day she was carrying her grandson about in her arms crying bitterly all the time mother, much alarmed, brushed away her tears and asked him what it meant mother, replied he down in the realms below I heard you weeping I am therefore come to tend you although a departed spirit I have a wife who has likewise come to share your toil therefore do not grieve his mother inquired who his wife was to which he replied when the ku family sat still and left me to my fate I was greatly incensed against them and after death I sought for San Niang not knowing where she was I have recently seen my old same-year friend and he told me where she was she had come to life again in the person of the baby daughter of a high official named Jen but I went thither and dragged her spirit back she is now my wife and we get on extremely well together a very pretty and well-dressed young lady here entered and made obeisance to Chu's mother saying this is San Niang of the ku family and although not a living being Mrs. Chu at once took a great fancy to her Chu sent her off to help in the work of the house and in spite of not being accustomed to this sort of thing she was so obedient to her mother-in-law as to excite the compassion of all the two then took up their quarters in Chu's old apartments and there they continued to remain meanwhile San Niang asked Chu's mother to let the ku family know and to this she did not withstanding some objections raised by her son Mr. and Mrs. Ku were much astonished at the news and ordering their carriage proceeded at once to Chu's house there they found their daughter and parents and child fell into each other's arms San Niang entreated them to dry their tears but her mother noticing the poverty of Chu's household was unable to restrain her feelings we are already spirits cried San Niang what matters poverty to us besides I am very well treated here and am all together as happy as I can be they then asked her who the old woman was to which she replied her name was Ni she was mortified at being too ugly to entrap people herself and got me to assist her she has now been born again at a soy shop in the city come since you are the son-in-law pay the proper respect to my father and mother or what shall I think of you Chu made his obeisance and San Niang went into the kitchen to get food ready for them at which her mother became very melancholy and went away home once she sent a couple of maid servants a hundred ounces of silver and rolls of cloth and silk besides making occasional presents of food and wine so that Chu's mother lived in comparative comfort San Niang also went from time to time to see her parents but would never stay very long pleading that she was wanted at home and such excuses and if the old people attempted to keep her she simply went off by herself her father built a nice house for Chu with all kinds of luxuries in it but Chu never once entered his father-in-law's door subsequently a man of the village who had eaten Shui Meng and had died in consequence and brought back to life to the great astonishment of everybody however Chu explained it saying I brought him back to life he was the victim of a man named Li Chiu but I drove off Li's spirit when it came to make the other take his place Chu's mother then asked her son why he did not get a substitute for himself to which he replied I do not like to do this I am anxious to put an end to rather than take advantage of such a system I am very happy waiting on you and have no wish to be born again from that time all persons who had poisoned themselves with Shui Meng were in the habit of feasting Chu and obtaining his assistance in their trouble but in ten years time his mother died and he and his wife gave themselves up to sorrow and would see no one bidding their little boy put on mourning beat his breast and perform the proper ceremonies two years after Chu had buried his mother his son married the granddaughter of a high official named Zhen this gentleman had had a daughter by a concubine who had died when only a few months old and now hearing the strange story of Chu's wife he came to call on her and arranged the marriage he then gave his granddaughter to Chu's son and a free intercourse was maintained between the two families however one day Chu said to his son because I have been of service to my generation God has appointed me keeper of the dragons and I am now about to proceed to my post there upon four horses appeared in the courtyard drawing a carriage with yellow hangings the flanks of the horses being covered with scale like trappings husband and wife came forth in full dress and took their seats and while son and daughter-in-law were weeping their adduce disappeared from view that very day the Chu family saw their daughter arrive and bitting them farewell she told them the same story the old people would have kept her but she said my husband is already on his way and leaving the house parted from them forever Chu's son was named Ngo and his literary name was Li Chen he begged San Yang's bones from the Ku family and buried them by the side of his father's footnotes one Shui Meng Li Xium Religiosum S and Z is meant two such devils are unable to be born again unless they can find someone else who has also eaten of this poison to take their place the disembodied spirits of the Chinese inferno are permitted under certain conditions of time and good conduct to appropriate to themselves the vitality of some human being who as it were exchanges places with the so-called devil three in the province of Hunan the phrase same year man is applied to those born in the same year the common application of the term same year men is to persons who have graduated at the same time four distributing tea gratis this is by no means an uncommon form of charity during the temporary distress at Canton in the summer of 1877 large tubs of gruel were to be seen standing at convenient points ready for any poor person who might wish to stay his hunger it is thus and by similar acts of benevolence such as building bridges repairing roads etc etc that the wealthy China man strives to maintain an advantageous balance in his record of good and evil and of the Xui Meng plant part 18 of a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio volume 1 this is a live of acts recording all live of acts recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liveofacts.org a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio by Puxong Lin translated by Herbert Allen Giles volume 1 part 18 little Zhu a man named Li Hua dwelt at Changzhou he was very well off and about 50 years of age but he had no sons only one daughter named Xiao Hui a pretty child on whom her parents doted when she was 14 she had a severe illness and died leaving their home desolate and depriving them of their chief pleasure in life Mr. Li then bought a concubine and she by and by bore him a son who was perfectly idolized and called Zhu or the pearl this boy grew up to be a fine manly fellow though so extremely stupid that when 5 or 6 years old he didn't know poles from corn and could hardly talk plainly his father however loved him dearly and did not observe his faults now a chance that a one-eyed priest came to collect arms in the town and he seems to know so much about everybody's private affairs that the people all look upon him as superhuman he himself declared he had control over life, death, happiness and misfortune and consequently no one dared review him whatever son he chose to ask of them from Li he demanded 300 ounces of silver but was offered only 10 which he refused to receive this sum was increased to 30 ounces when upon the priest looked sternly at Li and said I must have 100 not a fraction less Li now got angry and went away without giving him any the priest too rising up in a rage and shouting after him I hope you won't repent shortly after this event little Jew felt sick and crawled about the bed scratching the mat his face being of an ashen paleness this frightened his father who hurried off with 80 ounces of silver and begged the priest to accept them a large sum like this is no traveling matter to earn said the priest smiling but what can the poor recruits like myself do for you so Li went home to find that little Jew was already dead and this worked him into such a state that he immediately laid a complaint before the magistrate the priest was accordingly summoned and interrogated but the magistrate wouldn't accept his defense and order to be bamboo'd the blows sounded as if falling on leather upon which the magistrate commanded his to search him and from about his person they drew forth two wooden man a small coffin and five small flags the magistrate here flew into a passion and made certain mystic signs with his fingers which when the priest saw he was frightened and came to excuse himself but the magistrate would not listen to him and had him bamboo'd to death Li thanked him for his kindness and taking his leave proceeded home in the evening after dusk he was sitting alone with his wife when suddenly in popped a little boy who said Pa why did you hurry on so fast I couldn't catch you up looking at him more closely they saw that he was about seven or eight years old and Mr Li in some alarm was on the point of questioning him when he disappeared reappearing again like smoke and curling round and round got upon the bed Li pushed him off and he fell down without making any sound crying out Pa, why do you do this and in the moment he was on the bed again Li was frightened and ran away with his wife the boy calling after them Pa, Ma, Bu, Wu they went into the next room bolting the door after them but there was a little boy at their heels again Li asked him what he wanted to which he replied I belong to Suzhou my name is Zhan at six years of age I was left an orphan my brother and his wife couldn't bear me so they sent me to live at my maternal grandfather's one day when playing outside a wicked priest killed me by his black art underneath a mulberry tree with no spirit dooming me to everlasting devil them without hope of transmigration happily you exposed him and I would now remain with you as your son the path of men and devils replied Li lie in different directions how can we remain together give me only a tiny room cry the boy a bed, a mattress and a cup of cold brew every day I asked for nothing more so Li agreed to the great delight of the boy who slept by himself in another part of the house coming in the morning and walking in and out like any ordinary person hearing Li's concubine crying bitterly he asked how long little Zhu had been dead and she told him seven days it's cold weather now said he and the body can't have decomposed have the great open and let me see it if not too far gone I can bring him to life again Li was only too pleased and went off with the boy and when they opened the grave they found the body in perfect preservation but while Li was controlling his emotions lo the boy had vanished from his sight wondering very much at this he took little Zhu's body home and had hardly laid it on the bed when he noticed the eyes moved little Zhu then called for some broth which put him into a perspiration and then he got up they were all overjoyed to see him come to life again and what is more he was much brighter and cleverer than before at night however he lay perfectly stiff and rigid without showing any sign of life as he didn't move when they turned him over and over they were much frightened and thought he had died again but toward daybreak he awaked as if from a dream and in reply to their questions said that when he was with the wicked priest there was another boy named Ge Zi and that the day before when he had been unable to catch up his father it was because he had stayed behind to bid a due to Ge Zi that Ge Zi was now the son of an official impergatory named Jiang and very comfortably settled and that he had invited him then to go and play with him that evening and had sent him back on a white-nosed horse his mother then asked him if he had seen Little Zhu impergatory to which he replied Little Zhu has already been born again he and our father here had not really the destiny of father and son Little Zhu was merely a man named Yan Zi Fang from Jin Ling who had come to reclaim an old debt now Mr. Li had formally traded to Jin Ling and actually owed money for goods to a Mr. Yan but he had died and no one else knew anything about it so that he was now greatly alarmed when he heard this story his mother next asked the little Zhu if he had seen his sister Xiao Hui and he said he had not promising to go again and inquire about her a few days afterwards he told his mother that Xiao Hui was very happy impergatory being married to a son of one of the judges and that she had any quantity of jewels and crowds of attendants when she went abroad did she come home to see her parents? asked his mother well replied the boy that people you know haven't got any flesh or bones however if you can only remind them of something that happened in their past lives their feelings are at once touched so yesterday I managed through Mr. Zhang to get an interview with Xiao Hui and we sat together on a coral couch and I spoke to her of her father and mother at home all of which she listened to as if she was asleep I then remarked sister when you were alive you were very fond of embroidering double stemmed flowers and once you cut your finger with the scissors and the blood ran over the silk but you brought it into the picture as a crimson cloud your mother has that picture still hanging at the head of her bed a perpetual souvenir of you sister have you forgotten this? then she burst into tears and promised to ask her husband to let her come and visit you his mother asked when she would arrive but he said he could not tell however one day he ran in and cried out mother Xiao Hui has come with the splendid equipage and a train of servants we had better get plenty of wine ready in a few moments he came in again saying here is my sister at the same time asking her to take a seat and rest he then wept but none of those presents sold anything at all by and by he went out and burned a quantity of paper money and made offerings of wine outside the door returning shortly and saying he had sent away her attendance for a while also that Xiao Hui asked if the green covalent a small portion of which had been burnt by a candle was still in existence it is replied her mother and going to a box she at once produced the covalent Xiao Hui would like a bed make up for her in her old room said her crazy brother she wants to rest a while and we'll talk with you again in the morning now their next door neighbor named Zhao had a daughter who was formerly a great friend of Xiao Hui's and that night she dreamt that Xiao Hui appeared with a turban on her head and a red mantle over her shoulders she talked and laughed together precisely as in days gone by I am now a spirit said Xiao Hui and my father and mother can no more see me than if I was far separated from them dear sister I will borrow your body from which to speak to them you need feel nothing on the moral when Miss Zhao met her mother she felt on the ground before her she remained some time in a state of unconsciousness at that saying madam it is many years since we met your hair has become very white the girls mad said her mother in alarm and thinking something had gone wrong proceeded to follow her out of the door Miss Zhao went straight to Li's house and there was tears who did not know what to make of it all yesterday said Miss Zhao when I came back I was unhappily unable to speak with you I feel your rage that I was to die before you and leave you to mourn my loss how can I redeem such behavior her mother there upon began to understand the scene and weeping said to her I have heard that you hold an honorable position and this is a great comfort to me but living as you do in the palace of a judge how is it you are able to get away my husband replied she is very kind and his parent treat me with all possible consideration I experience no harsh treatment at their hands here Miss Zhao resist her cheek upon her hand exactly a Xiao Hui had been want to do when she was alive and at that moment in came her brother to say that her attendants were ready to return I must go said she rising up and weeping bitterly all the time after which she fell down and remained some time unconscious as before exactly after this event Mr. Li became dangerously ill and no medicines were of any avail so that his son feared they would not be able to save his life two devils sat at the head of his bed one holding an iron stack the other a nettle hemp rope four or five feet in length day and night his son implored them to go but they would not move and Mrs. Li in sorrow began to prepare the funeral clothes toward evening her son entered and cried out strangers and women leave the room my sister's husband is coming to see his father in law he then clap his hands and burst out laughing what is the matter as his mother and laughing answer he because when the two devils heard my sister's husband was coming they both ran under the bed like terrapins drawing in their heads by and by looking at nothing he began to talk about the weather and ask his sister's husband how he did and then he clap his hands and said I beg the two devils to go but they would not it's all right now after this he went out to the door and returned saying my sister's husband has gone he took away the two devils tied to his horse my father ought to get better now besides Xiao Hui's husband said he would speak to the judge and obtain a hundred years lease of life both for you and my father the whole family rejoiced exceedingly at this and when night came Mr. Lee was better and in a few days quite well again a tutor was engaged for the quasi little Jew who showed himself an apt pupil and at 18 years of age took his specialist degree he could also see things of the other world and when anyone in the village was ill he pointed out where the devils were and burned them out with fire so that everybody got well however before long he himself became very ill and his flesh turned green and purple whereupon he said the devils afflict me thus because I let out their secrets henceforth I shall never divulge them again footnotes one in reply to their question said that when he was with the wicked priest there was another boy named Ge Zi it may be necessary here to remind the readers that Zhan spirits is speaking from Jew's body two little Jew was nearly a man named Yan Zi Fang who had come to reclaim an old debt we shall come by and by to a story illustrative of this extraordinary belief three she had any quantity of jewels the sumon bonoom of many a Chinese woman four burned a quantity of paper money Chinese silver cold sigh sea from the Cantonese sigh sea fine silk because it pure it may be drawn out under the application of heat into fine silk threads it's cast in the form of shoes weighing from one to one hundred ounces paper imitations of this are burnt for the use of the spirits in the world below the sharp edges of a shoe of sigh sea a cost by the mold containing the molten silver being gently shaken until the metal has set with the view to secure uniform fineness throughout the lump five Mrs. Li in sorrow began to prepare the funeral clothes that is regarded as a summons from the authority of purgatory lictors are sent to arrest a dual man armed with a written warrant similar to those issue on earth from a magistrate's yamen and of little jewel part nineteen of a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio volume one this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio by Poo Song Ling translated by Herbert Allen Giles volume one part nineteen Ms. Querta Hu Mr. Shang was a native of Taishan and lived quietly with his books alone one autumn night when the silver river was unusually distinct and the moon shining brightly in the sky he was walking up and down under the shade with his thoughts wandering somewhat at random when lo a young girl leaped over the wall and smiling asked him what are you thinking about sir also deeply Shang looked at her and seeing that she had a pretty face asked her to walk in she then told him her name was Hu and that she was called Tersha but when he wanted to know where she lived she laughed and would not say so he did not inquire any further by degrees they struck up a friendship and Ms. Tersha used to come and chat with him every evening he was so smitten that he could hardly take his eyes off her and at last she said to him what are you looking at at you cried he my lovely rose my beautiful peach I could gaze at you all night long if you think so much of poor me answered she I don't know where your wits would be if you saw my sister Querta Mr. Shang said he was sorry he didn't know her and begged that he might be introduced so next night Ms. Tersha brought her sister who turned out to be a young damsel of about 15 with a face delicately powdered and resembling the lily or like an apricot flower seen through mist and all together as pretty a girl as he had ever seen Mr. Shang was charmed with her and inviting them in began to laugh and talk with the elder while Ms. Querta sat playing with her girdle and keeping her eyes on the ground by and by Ms. Tersha got up and said she was going where upon her sister rose to take leave also but Mr. Shang asked her not to be in a hurry and requested the elder to assist in persuading her you needn't hurry said she to Ms. Querta and accordingly the latter remained chatting with Mr. Shang without reserve and finally told him she was a fox however Mr. Shang was so occupied with her beauty that he didn't pay any heed to that but she added my sister is very dangerous she has already killed three people anyone bewitched by her has no chance of escape happily you have bestowed your affections on me and I shall not allow you to be destroyed you must break off your acquaintance with her at once Mr. Shang was very frightened and implored her to help him to which she replied in the box I am skilled in the arts of immortals I will write out a charm for you which you must paste on the door and thus you will keep her away so she wrote down the charm and in the morning when her sister came inside she fell back crying out ungrateful minks you've thrown me up for him have you you two being destined for each other what have I done that you should treat me thus she then went away and a few days afterwards Ms. Querta said she too would be absent for a day so Shang went out for a walk by himself and suddenly beheld a very nice looking young lady emerged from the shade of an old oak that was growing on the hillside why so dreadfully pensive said she to him those who girls can never bring you a single scent she then presented Shang with some money and made him go on ahead and buy some good wine adding I'll bring something to eat with me and we'll have a jolly time of it Shang took the money and went home doing as the young lady had told him and by and by in she herself came and threw on the table a roast chicken in a shoulder of salt pork which she had once proceeded to cut up they now set to work to enjoy themselves and had hardly finished when they heard someone coming in and the next minute in walked Ms. Tersha and her sister the strange young lady didn't know where to hide and managed to lose her shoes but the other two began to revile her saying out upon you base box what are you doing here they then chased her away after some trouble and Shang began to excuse himself to them until at last they all became friends again as before one day however a shenxi man arrived riding on a donkey and coming to the door said I have long been in search of these evil spirits now I have got them I thought the man's remark rather strange and asked him whence he had come across much land and sea replied he for eight or nine months out of every year I am absent from my native place these devils killed my brother with their poison alas alas and I have sworn to exterminate them but I have traveled many miles without being able to find them they are now in your house and if you do not cut them off you will die even as my brother now Shang and the young ladies had kept their acquaintance ship very dark but his father and mother had guessed that something was up and much alarmed bade the shenxi man walk in and perform his exorcisms the latter then produced two bottles which he placed upon the ground and proceeded to mutter a number of charms and cabalistic formulae whereupon four reeds of smoke passed two by two into each bottle I have the whole family replied he in an ecstasy of delight and he proceeded to tie down the mouths of the bottles with a pig's bladder sealing them with the utmost care Shang's father was likewise very pleased and kept his guest to dinner but the young man himself was sadly dejected and approaching the bottles unperceived meant his ear to listen ungrateful man said Miss Querta from within to sit there and make no effort this was more than Shang could stand and he immediately broke the seal but found that he could not untie the knot not so cried Miss Querta merely laid down the flag that now stands on the altar and with a pin prick the bladder and I can get out Shang did as she bade him and in a moment a thin streak of white smoke issued forth from the hole and disappeared in the clouds when the shenxi man came out and saw the flag lying on the ground he started violently and cried out escaped this must be your doing young sir he then shook the bottle and listened finally exclaiming luckily only one has got away she was faded not to die and may therefore be pardoned there upon he took the bottles and went his way some years afterwards Shang was one day superintending his reefers cutting the corn when he described Miss Querta at a distance sitting under a tree he approached and she took his hand saying ten years have rolled away since we last met since then I have gained the prize of immortality but I thought that perhaps you had not quite forgotten me and so I came to see you once more Shang wished her to return home with him to which she replied I am no longer what I was that I should mingle in the affairs of mortals we shall meet again and as she said this she disappeared but twenty years later when Shang was one day alone Miss Querta walked in Shang was overjoyed and began to address her but she answered him saying my name is already enrolled in the register of the immortals and I have no right to return to earth however out of gratitude to you I have determined to announce to you the date of your dissolution that you might put your affairs in order fear nothing I will see you safely through to the happy land she then departed and on the day named Shang actually died a relative of a friend of mine Mr. Li Wenyu frequently met the above mentioned Mr. Shang footnotes one silver river the milky way is known to the Chinese under this name unquestionably a more poetical one than our own two her name was Hu is the sound of the character for Fox it is also the sound of quite a different character which is used as a surname three the immortals that is of the Taoists four she was fated not to die and may therefore be pardoned predestination after the event is luckily for China the form of the superstition which really appeals to her all practical children not a larger percentage than with ourselves allow belief in an irremediable destiny to divert their efforts one moment from the object in view though thousands upon thousands are ready enough to acknowledge the will of heaven in any national or individual calamities that may have befallen five I have gained the prize of immortality any disembodied spirit whose conduct for a certain term of years is quite satisfactory is competent to obtain this reward thus instead of being born again on earth perhaps as an animal they become angels or good spirits and live forever in heaven in the state of supreme beatitude six a relative of a friend of mine Mr. Li Wenyu frequently met the above mentioned Mr. Shang our author occasionally ends up with a remark of this kind and these have undoubtedly had their weight with his too credulous countrymen end of Ms. Quark Da Hu part 20 a selection from strange stories from a Chinese studio volume 1 this is Livivox recording all Livivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Livivox.org a selection from strange stories from Chinese studio by Puxong Lin translated by He Wei Arang volume 1 part 20 Mr. Zhu the considerate husband read Livivin Xuan March 2008 in Guangzhou, China at the village of Zhu in Qiyan there was a man named Zhu who died at the age of 50 and all years his family once proceeded to put on their mourning robes when suddenly they heard the dead men cry out rushing out to the coffin they found that he had come to life again and began full of joy to ask him all about it but the old gentleman replied only to his wife saying when I died I did not expect to come back however by the time I had got a few miles on my way I thought of the poor old body I was living behind me dependent for everything on others and with no more enjoyment of life so I made up my mind to return and take you away with me the bystanders thought this was only the discontented talker or man who had just regained consciousness and attached no importance to it but the old man repeated it and then his wife said it's all very well but you have only just come to life how can you go and die again directly it is extremely simple replied her husband you go and pack up everything ready the old lady loved and did nothing upon which Mr. Zhu urged her again to prepare and then she left the house in a short time she returned and pretended that she had done what he wanted then you had better dress said he but Mrs. Zhu did not move until he pressed her again and again after which she didn't like to cross him and by and by she came out all fully equipped the other ladies in the family were loving on the slide when Mr. Zhu laid his head upon the pillow and told his wife to do likewise she was beginning to say it is too ridiculous when Mr. Zhu banged the bat with his hand and cried out was there to love that in dying upon which the very member of the family seeing the old gentleman was in a rage begged she to gratify his will Mrs. Zhu then write down alongside of her husband to the infidels amusement of the spectators but it was soon noticed that the old lady had cease to smile and by and by her two eyes crossed at one time no sound was heard as if she was fast asleep and when some of those present approached to touch her they found she was as cold as ice and no longer breathing then turned into her husband they perceived that he also has passed away this story was full related to me by a younger sister-in-law who in the 21st year of the rhyme can see was employed in the house of high officer named B foot no the 21st year of the rhyme can see was 1682 AD and of Mr. Zhu the considerate husband and of a selection from strange stories from Chinese studio by translated by volume one