Water Hemlock, a creeping vine, bore purple, lentil-shaped flowers. If a human mistakenly ingested this herb, death was certain, and upon dying, they would transform into a "Water Hemlock Ghost." According to local legend, such ghosts could not enter the cycle of reincarnation unless they found a substitute victim, allowing them to be reborn. Consequently, in the areas surrounding Peach Blossom River in Chu, Water Hemlock Ghosts were especially numerous.

A scholar surnamed Zhu was visiting a friend when he became terribly thirsty along the road. He spotted a tea stall where an old woman was offering tea. He approached and asked for a cup. The old woman warmly served him a glass of cold tea. Scholar Zhu lifted it to his nose and smelled a strange odor; not daring to drink, he stood up to leave.

The old woman quickly stopped him, calling out, "Third Daughter, bring a better cup!"

Soon after, a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years emerged, gracefully holding a teapot, and poured Scholar Zhu a fresh cup. Seeing the girl's exceptional beauty, the rings on her fingers, the jade bracelets on her arms, and her slender figure, Zhu's thoughts naturally drifted to illicit fancy.

Lifting the new cup, the fragrance of the tea was overwhelming. He drank it down in one gulp and declared, "Excellent tea! Another cup, please."

The girl nodded and poured him a second cup. While she was pouring, Scholar Zhu slyly reached out and touched her wrist, deftly slipping one of the rings off and tucking it safely into his robe. The girl allowed Zhu's impertinence; her face flushed slightly, but she showed no anger.

Unable to control himself, Zhu asked, "What is your name, young lady? And where do you live?"

The girl replied, "If the gentleman returns this evening, I will wait for him here."

Zhu eagerly agreed, requested a pinch of tea leaves from the girl, declined the fresh cup, and departed in high spirits.

Upon arriving at his friend's house, he suddenly felt dizzy and his chest tight. He pondered, "Could the tea have been tainted?" Unable to draw a conclusion, he recounted the entire episode to his friend, whose face instantly paled. "This is bad! This must be a Water Hemlock Ghost. This is how my father died—there is no cure. What are we to do now?"

Zhu was utterly terrified. He quickly pulled out the leaves for inspection. They were not tea leaves at all, but clearly Water Hemlock. He then produced the ring and described the girl’s appearance to his friend, who mused, "This must be Kou Sanniang."

Zhu asked, "How can you be so certain she is Kou Sanniang?"

His friend explained, "The wealthy elder in South Village surnamed Kou has a daughter named Sanniang, renowned for her peerless beauty far and wide. She died several years ago after accidentally eating Water Hemlock. Without a doubt, she must be the one wreaking havoc."

Zhu cursed, "Damnation! Now even I am poisoned. Is there any remedy?"

His friend looked troubled and said, "There is a remedy, but it is a folk prescription, and it sounds rather horrifying."

"If it can save my life, I don't care if it's folk or orthodox! Tell me quickly, tell me!" Zhu grew impatient.

The friend continued, "Brother Zhu was poisoned by Kou Sanniang. All we need to do is find the trousers she wore when she was alive—whether inner or outer—boil them in water, and drink the decoction; your illness will naturally be cured."

Zhu cried out, "You want me to drink the water from a woman's trousers? Ptooey! That's disgusting! How will I ever show my face in public again?"

"Life is of greater importance than reputation. Brother Zhu is a smart man; you must decide how to weigh the options."

Zhu’s face went pale, and he looked utterly distraught. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and declared, "Fine. Just this once, and never again."

The friend smiled. "In that case, I will go to Elder Kou's house immediately and borrow a pair of trousers for you, Brother Zhu."

Saving a life is like fighting a fire. The friend galloped to the Kou Mansion and explained his purpose to Elder Kou. Elder Kou flatly refused, stating, "My daughter finally found a substitute victim, and you want me to save him? No way."

The friend pleaded bitterly, but Elder Kou’s stance was unyielding: he would not provide them.

The friend returned in frustration. Seeing him empty-handed, Zhu sighed and bitterly muttered, "That old man Kou is so heartless. After I die, I will never allow his daughter to be reborn."

The friend advised, "Stop cursing. Save your strength. I will take you home; before you die, you must see your parents one last time, mustn't you?"

Zhu remained silent for a long time, then finally said, "You are right. Let's go."

Upon reaching home, Zhu had barely stepped inside the door, before seeing his mother, when he could hold on no longer and breathed his last. Hearing the news, his mother wailed mournfully, hurriedly arranged the funeral, and laid her son to rest.

After Zhu's death, he left behind a son, just one year old. His wife soon remarried, leaving the old mother to raise her grandson and manage the household, living in extreme poverty.

One day, the old woman was weeping at home while holding her grandson when Zhu silently drifted in. The old woman was greatly alarmed and asked, "My son, didn't you die? Why have you returned?"

Zhu replied, "I heard you weeping in the Underworld, Mother, and I was filled with sorrow, so I specially returned to serve you. Although I am dead, I am not alone. Your grandson has already married, and my new wife will soon return to show filial piety to her mother-in-law. Please do not grieve, Mother."

The old woman asked, "Who is your daughter-in-law?"

Zhu explained, "The Kou family refused to help me in my final hour, which filled my heart with resentment. After my death, I searched everywhere for Kou Sanniang but did not know her whereabouts. Fortunately, someone named Geng Bo showed me the way; he told me Kou Sanniang was already on her way to the residence of Minister Ren to reincarnate. I rushed to the Ren family and forcibly brought her back. She is now my wife, and we are getting along very well."

As he spoke, a woman walked gracefully into the room, exquisitely dressed and adorned. Upon seeing Mother Zhu, she immediately knelt to pay respects. Zhu introduced her, "This is Kou Sanniang."

Mother Zhu saw Sanniang's refined demeanor; although she was a spirit, she felt no fear and smiled, "Good, the new daughter-in-law is dignified and proper, very good." She took off a jade pendant and gave it to Sanniang, saying, "This jade pendant is an heirloom of the Zhu family, passed from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, generation after generation. Sanniang, since you are now married to my son, you shall keep this jade pendant from now on."

Kou Sanniang thanked her joyfully and carefully stored the pendant. Zhu instructed, "Sanniang, now that you have entered the Zhu household, all household chores are your responsibility from now on. Why are you still standing there? Go and work!"

Kou Sanniang did not get angry. She willingly went to wash clothes and cook meals. As a young mistress, she had never done rough labor, so she was quite unaccustomed to it at first. However, she had a gentle nature and was quick-witted, learning quickly, and gradually became used to it. She became better and better at housework, which her mother-in-law noticed and secretly approved of. Zhu was also very pleased with his wife’s obedience and gentleness. He was not a vengeful man, and he gradually forgave her for poisoning him initially.

Sanniang missed her parents and asked the old woman to send a message to her family. Soon, Elder Kou and his wife came to visit. When relatives meet, there is naturally warmth. Mother Kou was displeased upon seeing the Zhu family's poverty. Sanniang persuaded her, "Now that your daughter is a ghost, why still care about whether the family is rich or poor? Zhu Lang and his mother have treated me with deep affection. Your daughter has decided to settle down here."

Mother Kou asked, "Who was that old woman who sold tea with you back then?"

Sanniang replied, "Her surname is Ni. She has grown old and lost her allure to deceive passersby, so she asked for my help. She has already reincarnated into a family of wine sellers." She looked at Zhu and smiled, "Since my husband is now son-in-law to the Kou family, why haven't you paid your respects to your in-laws?"

Zhu realized he had been remiss and quickly knelt to greet Elder Kou and his wife.

Elder Kou waved his hand, "No need. Young man, remember this: treat my daughter well from now on, and do not bully her. Also, I have been here for quite a while; won't you offer me a cup of tea?"

Zhu felt sheepish and embarrassed, quickly pouring water to brew tea while constantly apologizing.

After drinking the tea, Elder Kou stayed for a simple meal and then departed. Upon returning home, he sent two maids to serve his daughter and sent much gold, silver, and fabric, also building a new residence for Scholar Zhu.

From then on, the Zhu family’s life greatly improved. Kou Sanniang visited her parents from time to time. Sometimes her parents asked her to stay for a few extra days, but Sanniang always replied, "There is no one at home; I should return my daughter soon."

One day, someone in the village who had suffered Water Hemlock poisoning suddenly came back to life. People gossiped, convinced something strange had occurred. Zhu explained to his mother, "I was the one who brought him back to life. He was harmed by the Water Hemlock Ghost Li Jiu. I drove Li Jiu away and saved his life."

The old woman said, "Why do you always think of others and not find a substitute for yourself?"

Zhu said solemnly, "Water Hemlock Ghosts harm people and take lives; I despise such evil spirits the most. I wish I could drive them away one by one; how could I stoop so low as to commit such heinous acts! Moreover, I serve my mother, and my entire family lives together harmoniously; I have no desire to reincarnate again." From then on, whenever someone was poisoned by Water Hemlock, Zhu would rescue them one by one. Countless common people benefited from his kindness, and everyone was grateful.

More than ten years passed, and Mother Zhu died. Zhu handled the funeral rites, and after his son grew up, he found him a wife. The new daughter-in-law was none other than the granddaughter of Minister Ren. Minister Ren’s beloved concubine had given birth to a girl who died within a few months. Later, Minister Ren heard that Sanniang had reincarnated into his household only to be seized back by Zhu. He wondered, "Could my daughter be Sanniang reincarnated?" He drove his carriage to the Zhu residence, recognized Sanniang as his adopted daughter, and Zhu as his son-in-law. The two families became in-laws and maintained frequent contact.

Several years later, Zhu told his son, "The Jade Emperor, recognizing my merits among the common people, has appointed me as the 'Dragon Controller of the Four Rivers.' I must take up my post immediately, so I have come to bid you farewell." Before he finished speaking, the sound of iron hooves clattered in the courtyard. A carriage pulled by four scaled heavenly horses slowly settled down.

Zhu and Sanniang emerged in ceremonial dress and boarded the carriage together. With a mighty roar, clouds and mist billowed up in the courtyard, and the carriage ascended into the air, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

On the same day, Sanniang also returned to the Kou residence to bid farewell to her parents. Her words were identical to Zhu’s. Her mother tearfully tried to keep her, but Sanniang said, "Zhu Lang has already departed." She then drifted out and disappeared.

Zhu’s son was named E, courtesy name Lichen. After his father ascended to immortality, he obtained Kou family consent to bury Sanniang's remains together with Zhu’s.