Kong Xueli, a descendant of the Sage Confucius, was a man of broad benevolence and refined manners, deeply versed in poetry. Once, a friend serving as an official in Tiantai County wrote, inviting Kong Sheng for a reunion. Kong Sheng gladly set off, but upon arrival, his friend had tragically passed away. Stranded in a strange place, utterly alone and penniless, Kong Sheng was reduced to destitution, unable to afford the journey home. In desperation, he took lodging at the Putuo Temple, earning his meager living by copying sutras.

A hundred paces west of the temple stood a large residence, the estate of a certain Mr. Shan. Mr. Shan had once been a prominent scion of a wealthy family, but a protracted lawsuit had ruined his fortunes, forcing him to relocate to the countryside. The mansion was consequently left vacant, falling into disrepair for lack of care.

One day, a heavy snow fell, leaving the roads deserted. Kong Sheng happened to pass by the entrance of the Shan residence and noticed a youth emerging. The young man was exquisitely refined and carried himself with scholarly grace. The two met, exchanged greetings, and the youth invited Kong Sheng in for a chat, an invitation Kong Sheng readily accepted.

Entering the estate, the courtyards they passed were not expansive, yet everywhere hung silken tapestries. They arrived at a great hall adorned with numerous ancient paintings and calligraphy scrolls. On a nearby table lay a slender volume titled Luanghuan Suoji (Trifles from the Azure Cave). Briefly flipping through it, Kong Sheng found it recorded only the strangest, most unheard-of tales.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Kong Sheng, operating on first impressions, naturally assumed the youth was the master of the house, and he made no inquiries into the young man's background or origins. The youth, however, was inquisitive, probing into every detail of Kong Sheng’s life. Learning of Kong Sheng’s rootless wandering, he expressed deep sympathy and advised, "Sir, you possess such abundant talent; why not set up a school and take pupils as your profession?"

Kong Sheng sighed, "Wandering abroad, I lament the lack of recommendation."

The youth responded, "If Brother looks down upon my own meager aptitude, I would willingly become your student."

Kong Sheng was overjoyed. "Master is too kind; let us remain friends," he quickly replied. He then asked the youth, "Why is your esteemed residence always locked, the main gate shut tight?"

The youth explained, "This is the Shan estate, long left unoccupied. My surname is Huangfu, and I hail from Shaanxi. My own home was destroyed by a wildfire, leaving me nowhere to stay, so I am temporarily lodging in this courtyard." Kong Sheng finally understood. That evening, the two conversed and laughed late into the night, and the youth insisted Kong Sheng share his couch for the sleeping arrangements.

The following morning, Kong Sheng awoke to a chillingly cold dawn. The considerate youth had already arranged for a pageboy to kindle a charcoal fire in the room.

Presently, the study attendant entered to report, "Master has arrived." Kong Sheng hastily went to greet him. An old man entered, his hair snow-white, who bowed and thanked him profusely. "Sir, I am deeply grateful that you do not disdain my son's youthful foolishness and diligently instruct him in his studies. However, as my son is but a beginner, the rites between teacher and pupil must not be disregarded. I hope in the future you will not treat him as an equal." Having spoken, he commanded his servants to bring forth robes, hats, shoes, and socks as gifts for Kong Sheng. He then ordered wine and a banquet to be served, inviting Kong Sheng to drink with him. The tables, chairs, cups, and dishes were all ostentatious and magnificent, dazzling in their splendor; many items were so unfamiliar that Kong Sheng could not even name them.

After the meal, the old man took his leave. The youth handed over his scholarly assignments, which consisted entirely of classical poems and lyrical verses, containing no policy discussions or the standardized essay style currently popular. Kong Sheng was perplexed and inquired about the reason. The youth smiled, "My study of letters is merely for self-cultivation; I have no intention of sitting for the imperial examinations or seeking official fame."

As dusk approached, the youth invited Kong Sheng for a final drink, saying, "Tonight, we shall drink until we are thoroughly intoxicated; tomorrow, the drinking must cease." He then instructed the pageboy, "Go out and see if the Master is asleep. If he is, summon Xiangnu to keep the guest company."

The pageboy obeyed and shortly returned carrying a pipa. Soon after, a woman appeared with graceful steps, exquisitely made up, breathtakingly beautiful.

The youth requested, "Play a piece for me to hear." The young woman nodded in assent, plucking the strings with ivory picks. The melody that soared forth was intense and sorrowful, a composition called The Lament of the Xiang Consorts—a tune unique and utterly new to Kong Sheng’s ears.

After the serving girl finished playing, she silently poured wine and attended to their needs, serving until the third watch before the feast was cleared away.

The next day, studying from the early morning, Kong Sheng found the youth remarkably intelligent, possessing a memory that retained everything after a single glance. Within two or three months, the youth could compose poetry and lyric verses with a notable literary flair, earning continuous praise from Kong Sheng. They agreed to share wine every five days, and whenever they drank, Xiangnu was summoned to attend them.

One evening, amidst the warmth of the wine, Kong Sheng gazed fixedly at Xiangnu, unable to look away. The youth understood his meaning and smiled, "Xiangnu was taken in by my father when she was young. Her beauty is modest; she is hardly a true paragon. Brother Kong is alone, and I have been planning day and night to find a suitable match for you."

Kong Sheng replied, "If I were truly to find a partner, it would have to be someone like Xiangnu."

The youth laughed, "Brother Kong is indeed rarely satisfied. There are countless beauties in the world; what is Xiangnu in comparison? There are many women far lovelier than she."

Six months later, Kong Sheng and the youth arranged an outing. When they reached the gate, they found the doors tightly shut. Kong Sheng asked, "Why are the gates closed in broad daylight?"

The youth replied, "My father worries that excessive socializing will scatter my focus, so he closes the doors to visitors." Kong Sheng accepted the explanation, nodding, and felt no suspicion.

That summer, the heat was oppressive, and Kong Sheng unexpectedly fell ill. A swelling, the size of a peach, developed on his chest. Overnight, the abscess grew rapidly to the size of a bowl, causing him intense pain and distress. The youth tended to him day and night, foregoing both sleep and food. He comforted Kong Sheng, "Teacher, worry not. I have a younger sister, Jiao Na, who excels at healing all manner of sickness. I have already dispatched a swift messenger to summon her. Once my sister arrives, I guarantee she will cure you immediately."

As he spoke, a pageboy announced, "Miss Jiao Na has arrived, the concubine mistress is here, and Miss Song is here too."

They heard the light patter of footsteps outside, and three women entered. The one in the center was a young maiden, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, with bright, intelligent eyes and a slender, graceful figure—it was Jiao Na. To her left was a woman around thirty, mature and alluring—the youth's concubine mistress. To the right was a woman of seventeen or eighteen, possessed of stunning beauty—this was Miss Song.

The youth led his sister, Jiao Na, to the bedside. Upon seeing the maiden’s face, Kong Sheng was instantly captivated, forgetting even his moans of pain. The youth instructed his sister, "This Brother Kong is my teacher and is as dear to me as flesh and blood. Treat his ailment well and do not neglect him."

Jiao Na nodded shyly, slowly unfurling her long sleeves and extending her delicate jade hand to take Kong Sheng’s pulse. The moment their skin touched, Kong Sheng was so struck by her orchid-like fragrance that he remained utterly dumbfounded.

Jiao Na smiled, "Brother, this friend of yours has a very rapid pulse; his illness is not light. But do not worry, though the condition is serious, it can be saved. However, since the skin lesion has hardened, treatment will require excising the flesh." As she spoke, she removed a golden bracelet from her arm and slowly fastened it tightly around Kong Sheng’s afflicted area. The tip of the abscess protruded perhaps an inch above the bracelet, while the remainder was firmly constrained by the gold band.

Jiao Na secured the bracelet with her left hand and took out a small knife, thin as paper, with her right. With a gentle cut at the base of the abscess, purplish blood flowed out, staining the bedsheets. Kong Sheng watched the maiden in a daze, so absorbed by her beauty that he felt absolutely no pain from the knife slicing his skin.

The necrotic flesh was soon removed. Jiao Na ordered a servant to bring clear water and meticulously washed Kong Sheng's wound. Then, she spat out a red pellet, the size of a glass marble, and placed it gently on the wound, allowing it to rotate slowly. After just one rotation, the skin on Kong Sheng’s arm felt as if it were steaming in hot fire. After the second rotation, the wound began to itch faintly. After the third rotation was complete, a pervasive coolness spread through him, penetrating to the very marrow of his bones.

Jiao Na retrieved the red pellet and declared, "The illness is cured." She turned and walked out the door. Kong Sheng leaped from the bed and immediately felt light and vigorous, his spirit more robust than before. He wanted to thank Jiao Na, but the maiden had vanished without a trace—where could he find her now?

From that day forward, Kong Sheng missed Jiao Na every waking moment, losing his appetite. The youth noticed and laughed, "Brother need not pine in unrequited love; your younger brother has already secured an excellent match for you."

Kong Sheng inquired, "Which young lady is she?"

The youth replied, "To speak of it, you have met this lady before; she is my relative."

Kong Sheng pondered for a long time, then sighed, "It is no longer necessary. Having seen the great ocean, water elsewhere seems insufficient; having passed Mount Wu, clouds elsewhere hold no allure."

The youth chuckled, "My father admires your talent and is eager to form a marriage bond with you. However, I have only one younger sister, and she is too young. My concubine mistress has a beloved daughter named A-Song, who is eighteen years old and possesses unparalleled beauty. If you doubt me, Cousin Song is presently admiring flowers in the garden pavilion; you may go and see for yourself."

Kong Sheng murmured, "I recall now, when I was being treated for my illness, three women came in total. This Cousin Song must be that Miss Song."

The youth confirmed, "Precisely, it is she."

Kong Sheng’s face brightened with delight. "Excellent, I shall go see Cousin Song immediately." He walked to the garden pavilion and indeed saw A-Song laughing and chatting with Jiao Na. Gazing closely, Miss Song’s delicate brows and fine features were every bit as beautiful as Jiao Na’s, and moreover, being in the prime of her youth, she possessed a more mature charm than the still-developing Jiao Na.

Kong Sheng was thrilled and immediately asked the youth to arrange the match. The youth readily agreed and returned the next day with the news, "The deed is done; tonight you shall be wed."

That night, drums and music played in concert as Kong Sheng welcomed Miss Song into his home. Seeing his bride transcend the mortal realm, like Chang'e descending from the moon, his bones felt softened and his tendons lax. The wedding night's communion was harmonious and exquisitely blissful.

One day, the youth spoke to Kong Sheng, "I shall never forget the kindness of your instruction. I have recently heard that Young Master Shan has returned from the countryside and ought to reclaim his residence. From now on, we shall each go our separate ways; who knows when we shall meet again."

Kong Sheng asked, "Where does my dear brother intend to go?"

The youth answered, "We will travel westward, wherever the road takes us."

Kong Sheng offered, "Let me travel with you."

The youth smiled, "Brother is a man with a family and a wife; how can you follow a humble fellow like me to wander? Furthermore, Brother has an aged mother at home who needs care. You must not act purely out of camaraderie." Kong Sheng conceded that the youth’s reasoning was sound and said no more.

A moment later, Elder Huangfu led Miss Song forward. The youth grasped Kong Sheng’s right hand, and with his other hand, held Miss Song’s, saying, "Brother, I entrust my cousin to you; treat her well."

Elder Huangfu, not one for many words, produced one hundred ounces of gold and presented it to Kong Sheng, saying simply, "Go now."

The youth said, "Let me see Big Brother off." He looked at Kong Sheng and instructed him, "Please close your eyes and do not move. I will deliver Big Brother and his wife home."

Kong Sheng obeyed, closing his eyes. He felt his body lift, floating lightly into the air. The rushing wind whistled past his ears. After the time it takes to steep half a cup of tea, his feet touched solid ground, and he heard the youth whisper softly, "We have arrived."

Kong Sheng opened his eyes. He was indeed back in his hometown. Only then did he realize that the youth and his entire family possessed extraordinary arts and were by no means ordinary mortals.

Kong Sheng pushed open the door to his residence. His mother was overjoyed, and upon seeing her beautiful daughter-in-law, she smiled so widely her lips nearly cracked. Kong Sheng turned back to look, but the youth had already vanished into the ether.

Miss Song lived a settled life with her husband, renowned far and wide for her virtue and filial piety; everyone praised her.

Later, Kong Sheng passed the highest imperial examination and was appointed an official in Yan'an. He took his wife with him to take up his post. Soon after, Miss Song gave birth to a boy, whom they named Xiaohuan.

Years later, Kong Sheng was dismissed from office for speaking out bravely against the Censorate High Office and returned home. One day, while hunting outside the city, he encountered a handsome, refined young man whose face seemed familiar. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Young Master Huangfu.

The reunion between the old friends was filled with unrestrained joy. The youth invited Kong Sheng to his home for a visit. They reached a village where the woods were dense, their canopy blotting out the sun. Pushing open the gates of the residence, they found it dazzling with gold and splendor, clearly the abode of nobility. Kong Sheng inquired about Jiao Na’s current condition. The youth replied, "My sister is already married."

Kong Sheng felt a pang of melancholy. He stayed one night and then took his leave. The next day, he returned with his wife and son to call upon them again. Jiao Na had received word and came out to greet them. The two cousins met, inevitably engaging in playful banter. Jiao Na took Miss Song's son, Xiaohuan, into her arms, teasing him gently and laughing, "Sister has mixed the lineage!" (meaning, mixed the family bloodline).

Kong Sheng stepped forward to express his gratitude for the life-saving cure. Jiao Na smiled, "It has been several years, Brother-in-law has achieved distinction. The wound is healed, but you haven't forgotten the pain, have you?" As she spoke, Jiao Na’s husband, Wu Lang, also emerged to pay his respects.

After staying one night, Kong Sheng bid farewell and returned home.

One day, the youth appeared before Kong Sheng with a deeply worried expression. "Heaven has sent disaster, I beg Big Brother to save us!"

Kong Sheng’s face changed. "What has happened?"

The youth remained silent, left the room, and soon returned with his sister Jiao Na and the rest of his family, all kneeling on the floor. Kong Sheng was greatly alarmed and rushed to ask the reason.

The youth declared, "Since matters have come to this, I can conceal it no longer. I am not human; I am a fox spirit. A calamity of lightning is approaching. If Big Brother is willing to risk his life for us, then the lives of our entire household can be saved. Otherwise, Big Brother should take your child and leave to avoid being implicated."

Kong Sheng responded magnanimously, "What do you take me for? Say no more. I swear to live and die with my dear brother. How can I assist you?"

The youth produced a ceremonial sword and said, "Please, Big Brother, take this sword and stand firm in the courtyard, allowing the thunder to strike. Do not move an inch."

Kong Sheng nodded, stepped outside, and stood erect, sword in hand. Indeed, dark clouds churned in the sky. Looking back at the residence, he could see no doors or tiles, only a massive fox den, its entrance gaping, seemingly bottomless. As he stood stunned, a thunderous crash shook the earth, and a violent storm of wind and rain erupted, tearing ancient trees from their roots.

Kong Sheng felt dizzy and deafened, yet he showed no fear, standing tall and unyielding. Suddenly, a hideous immortal, with a sharp beak and wicked claws, emerged from the swirling dark clouds and mist, reaching into the cave to seize a woman, laughing loudly.

Kong Sheng recognized the woman's attire and figure. Focusing his gaze, he saw it was Jiao Na. Frantic, he jumped up and fiercely swung the sword in his hand, striking the ghost immortal’s vital spot. The immortal shrieked in pain, forced to release Jiao Na, and retreated with a hateful glare.

At that very moment, thunder roared overhead, and a bolt of lightning struck Kong Sheng with terrifying speed, instantly killing him.

Soon after, the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, the weather clearing. Jiao Na slowly awoke, saw Kong Sheng lying dead beside her, and cried out, "Kong Lang died for me; I cannot live alone."

At that point, Miss Song, the youth, and the others crawled out from the cave. Jiao Na asked her cousin to cradle her husband’s head, use a golden hairpin to pry open Kong Sheng’s teeth, cup his cheeks with her hands, and breathe a red pellet from her own mouth into Kong Sheng’s. She administered breaths mouth-to-mouth.

After a few breaths, the pellet fell into his stomach, rattling faintly. Shortly thereafter, Kong Sheng groaned and opened his eyes, as if waking from a dream.

Safe after the tribulation, the family was reunited. Kong Sheng pointed out that the deep cave was unsuitable for dwelling and suggested everyone come back to his home. Everyone loudly agreed this was an excellent idea, save for Jiao Na, who remained subdued.

Kong Sheng invited Jiao Na and her husband Wu Lang to return with them to his hometown, but he worried that Wu Lang's parents might be reluctant to let them go. As they were debating this, a servant from the Wu residence arrived, reporting, "Great misfortune! A lightning calamity struck the Wu family; Young Master Wu and all his kin have perished." Jiao Na's face drained of color upon hearing this. She stamped her foot in grief and wept softly. It took much persuasion from everyone before she gradually calmed down.

Her husband dead, Jiao Na was left alone and without support, so she had no choice but to follow her brother to live in Kong Sheng’s old village. From then on, Kong Sheng and his wife, along with Jiao Na and her brother, lived in seclusion in their hometown, passing their days leisurely, drinking wine and playing chess.

Several years passed. Xiaohuan grew into a handsome youth, but a faint fox spirit aura clung to him. When he walked through the streets, everyone knew he was a descendant of the fox clan.