| | During Guangde. There was a man named Sun Ke, a xiucai scholar, who, after failing the examination, traveled to Luozhong. When he arrived at the bank of Weiwang Chi, suddenly there appeared a grand mansion with fresh earth and woodwork; passersby pointed it out. This was the residence of the Yuan family. Ke went straight to knock on the door, but no one answered. There was a small room beside the gate; its curtains were quite clean, presumably a place for waiting on guests. Ke therefore pulled aside the curtain and entered. After a long time, he suddenly heard someone unlocking the door. A woman with radiant beauty and refined demeanor. Her beauty was astonishing; she was as dazzling as newly polished pearls reflecting the moonlight, and as graceful as willows just beginning to hold their smoky charm. Her fragrance was like that of orchids cleansed by divine water, her jade-like purity untouched by dust. Ke suspected she might be the daughter of the household and merely observed in secret. The woman plucked daffodils from the courtyard, stood there in deep thought for a long time, and then recited a poem: "They see it as a plant to forget sorrow; I look upon it as decaying grass." "Green mountains and white clouds—only they can truly embrace my heart." She recited the poem with a sorrowful expression. Later, she came and pulled aside the curtain. Suddenly she saw Ke. She was startled and embarrassed, then hurriedly went into the house. A servant girl came out to question him: "Who are you, that you should be here in the evening?" Ke then explained about his temporary residence. He said. Unfortunately, there was a collision. She felt quite embarrassed and startled. I hope you will kindly convey my apologies to the young lady. The servant girl reported everything in detail. The woman said. My ugliness and clumsiness, not to mention my failure to groom myself—yet the gentleman has been gazing at the curtain for a long time. He should have seen everything. How could I possibly avoid him any longer? I wish the gentleman would wait a moment in the inner hall; I shall soon dress up and come out. Ke was captivated by her beauty and overjoyed. He asked the servant girl, saying. Whose daughter is she? She said. She is the daughter of former official Yuan, who died young; she has no relatives or in-laws. Only three or five of us attendants live here with her in this mansion. The young lady is looking for a suitable husband, but has not yet found one. After some time, she finally came out to see Ke. Her beauty and charm surpassed what he had seen before. She ordered the attendants to serve tea and fruits, saying. Since you, gentleman, have no residence of your own. You may move your belongings into this courtyard. She pointed to the servant girl and said to Ke. If you need anything, just tell these people. Ke was only embarrassed and grateful. Ke had not yet married. And now he saw the woman's beauty as such. He then sent a matchmaker to propose, and the young lady was also happy to accept; thus he took her in as his wife. The Yuan family had ample resources and possessed great wealth in gold and silk. But Ke had long been poor; suddenly, his carriages and horses were splendid, and he wore luxurious clothes and ornaments, which caused much suspicion and surprise among relatives and friends. Many came to question Ke, but he never gave a truthful answer. Ke became arrogant and haughty; he no longer sought fame or official rank, but instead spent his days mingling with the wealthy and powerful, drinking freely and singing wildly. In this manner, for three or four years, he never left Luozhong. One day, he unexpectedly met his cousin Zhang Xianyun, a reclusive scholar; Ke said to him. After such a long separation, I have often thought of spending time with you in leisurely conversation. I wish to bring my bedding and come over for the night to talk heartily. Zhang Xianyun came as he had agreed. When it was nearly midnight and they were about to sleep, Zhang Xianyun took Ke's hand and secretly said to him. My elder brother has received some teachings in the Daoist tradition; just now, observing your words and expressions, I sensed a strong aura of demonic energy. I wonder if you have encountered something unusual. I wish to hear from you all the details, both great and small. Otherwise, you will suffer misfortune. Ke said. I have never encountered anything unusual. Zhang Xianyun then said again. Human beings are endowed with yang essence, while demons receive yin energy; when the soul is suppressed and the spirit is exhausted, a person may achieve immortality. When the spirit suppresses the soul and it fades away, a person will die immediately. Therefore, ghosts and monsters have no form and are entirely yin; immortals cast no shadow and are completely yang. The waxing and waning of yin and yang, the struggle between soul and spirit—when there is even a slight imbalance within the body, it will always be revealed in one's complexion. Earlier, when I observed your spirit and vitality, yin had already taken over yang's place; evil forces have invaded the righteous organs. Your true essence has been greatly depleted, your awareness is gradually failing, your bodily fluids are draining away, and your roots are being shaken. Your bones will soon turn to dust, and your complexion no longer glows with healthy color. You must be consumed by strange and monstrous influences. Why do you persist in concealing the cause? Ke was startled into realization, and so he recounted the reason for his marriage. Zhang Xianyun was greatly alarmed and said. This is precisely the case; what can be done about it? Ke said. My brother, please consider this; what is so strange about it? Zhang said. How could the Yuan family have no relatives at all in the world? Moreover, she is intelligent and capable of many things—this alone is strange enough." He then told Zhang. My entire life has been full of misfortunes. For a long time I have suffered from cold and hunger; through this marriage, I found some relief. I cannot betray her kindness—what else can I do? Zhang Xianyun angrily said. A true man should first be able to take care of himself. How can he serve a ghost? The classics say: "Evil spirits arise from human actions. If there is no fault in a person, evil will not act on its own." Moreover, which is more important—righteousness or one's own life? Your body suffers the calamity, yet you still consider the so-called "benevolence" of a ghost. Even a child three feet tall would think this unacceptable; how much more so for a true man? Zhang added. I have a precious sword. It is also comparable to the swords of Ganjiang and Zhuyue. Any demon or ghost that encounters it will be destroyed. Its divine efficacy has been verified many times before and after; I cannot list them all. Tomorrow morning, I will lend it to you. If you carry it into a secret chamber. You will surely witness her disgrace. This is no different from the story of Master Wang in ancient times, who used a precious mirror to expose an ugly parrot. If not, then you will only be unable to sever this bond of affection. The next day. Ke accepted the sword. Zhang Xianyun bid farewell, clasping his hand and saying. Watch for the right opportunity. Ke then took the sword with him. He hid inside the room, but still showed hesitation and reluctance. Yuan Shi soon became aware of it. She was furious and scolded Ke, saying. Your poverty and sorrow are all because of me; I have brought you ease and prosperity. You disregard kindness and righteousness, and now dare to act improperly. Such is your heart. Not even dogs or pigs would eat what remains of you. How could you possibly uphold virtue and integrity in this world? After being scolded, Ke was ashamed and fearful. He kowtowed and said. I received instruction from my maternal uncle; it was not of my own accord. I wish to make a blood oath, and from now on will never entertain any other thoughts. Sweating profusely, he fell to the ground. Yuan Shi then searched and found his sword. She snapped it into pieces, as if breaking a light lotus root. Ke became even more terrified, as though he wanted to flee in panic. Yuan Shi then laughed and said. Zhang Xianyun is a mere boy who failed to teach his maternal nephew the way of righteousness, leading him into treachery. He should be disgraced for this. However, judging by your heart, it truly does not seem to be so. Yet I have been matched with you for several years now; what are you afraid of? Ke finally felt slightly reassured. A few days later. He happened to meet Zhang Xianyun outside. Said. Without reason, you made me provoke the tiger's beard; I almost didn't escape from its jaws. Zhang Xianyun asked where the sword was. He answered truthfully in detail. Zhang Xianyun was greatly startled and said, "This is not something I knew about. I was deeply afraid and dared not come to pay my respects." More than ten years later. Yuan Shi had already raised two sons. She managed her household very strictly and disliked any interference from outsiders. Later, Ke went to Chang'an and visited his old friend Wang Xiangguo Jin. Wang recommended him to Zhang Wanqing, the Magistrate of Nankang, who appointed him as a military planner. He then took his family with him and went there. Whenever Yuan Shi encountered tall pine trees or high mountains, she would gaze at them for a long time, as if feeling some unease. Upon arriving in Duan Zhou, Yuan Shi said. Half a journey from here along the riverbank is Xiasan Temple; my family once had a disciple, monk Huiyou. He lived in this temple. It has been several decades since we last met; the monk is now very old, with a deep understanding of Buddhist practice. He can distinguish between body and soul, and is skilled in purifying oneself from worldly impurities. If we could have a meal there, it would greatly benefit our journey southward. Ke said, "Indeed. So he prepared vegetarian offerings of various kinds. When they arrived at the temple, Yuan Shi was delighted. She changed into new clothes, tidied her makeup, and brought along her two sons. They went to the old monk's quarters as if they were familiar with the path. Ke found this rather strange. He then presented a green jade ring to the monk, saying, "This is an old item from your quarters." The monk did not recognize it either. After the meal ended, dozens of wild monkeys came down from a tall pine tree, linking arms with one another. They gathered on the stone platform to eat. Later, they let out sorrowful howls and clung to vines as they leaped about; Yuan Shi felt a pang of sympathy. Soon she took up her brush and wrote on the monk's wall, saying. My heart has been bound by affection; without cause, I have changed so much that I nearly vanished. It would be better to follow my companions back into the mountains and let out a long howl, vanishing deep into mist and smoke. She then threw her brush to the ground, embraced her two sons while sobbing a few times, and said to Ke, "Live well, live well. I shall part from you forever." She then tore her clothes and transformed into an old monkey, leaping up the trees while howling in pursuit. As she was about to reach the deep mountains, she turned back for one last look. Ke was shocked and terrified, as if his soul had fled and his spirit shattered. For a long time. He embraced his two sons in deep grief. Then he asked the old monk, who finally realized what had happened. "This monkey was raised by me when I was still a novice," said the monk. During Kaiyuan, an imperial envoy named Gao Lishi passed through here and took pity on its intelligence. He exchanged a bundle of silk for it. It is said that upon arriving in Luoyang, he presented the monkey to the emperor. At that time, many imperial envoys who came and went spoke highly of its intelligence and cleverness, saying it had been well trained to live in the Shangyang Palace. During the An Shi Rebellion, no one knew where it went. Alas! I did not expect to witness such an extraordinary sight today. The green jade ring was originally a gift from a Hu person of Keling; at that time, it also went with the monkey's neck. Now I finally understand. Ke was then filled with melancholy and sorrow. They moored their boat for six or seven days. Carrying his two sons, he turned the boat back. He could no longer proceed to his post. From Chuanqi (Tales of the Marvelous).
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