Qiao Nian, courtesy name Da Nian, was in his early twenties, a native of Jinning. He possessed notable talent from a young age, though his family was poor; he was known for his integrity and deep loyalty. His close friend, Gu Shu, passed away, leaving his wife destitute. Qiao Nian frequently provided her with assistance. Qiao Nian’s literary brilliance earned the admiration of the County Magistrate, and the two often discussed poetry. Shortly thereafter, the Magistrate died in office, his family stranded in Jinning with no means to return home. Qiao Nian sold off his assets and escorted the Magistrate’s coffin and his entire family back to their ancestral home, a journey spanning over two thousand li.
In the county town lived Scholar Shi, whose daughter, Liancheng, excelled at embroidery, was well-read, and deeply cherished by her father. Liancheng had once embroidered a piece titled The Weary Needle. Scholar Shi proudly displayed it, inviting talented scholars to compose poems in its honor, intending this as a means of selecting a suitable husband. Qiao Nian offered a poem: “Lazy hair piled high in verdant sway, at the orchid window she weaves jade lotus all day. Stitching till the mandarin ducks’ souls ache, she pauses her needle, twin brows tightly meet.” He offered another poem praising Liancheng’s mastery of embroidery: “Threads plucked seem drawn from life’s own grace, the flowers and birds achieve nature’s pace. The brocade weaving of ancient times holds no grander skill, yet how fortunate to convey such art to please the enlightened will.”
Liancheng was overjoyed by the poems, praising Qiao Nian effusively to her father, her heart already inclined toward him. However, the Scholar frowned upon Qiao Nian’s poverty. Liancheng spoke of Qiao Nian’s talents to everyone she met, and secretly dispatched a maid to send him silver and gold to support his studies. Qiao Nian sighed, “Liancheng is truly my soulmate.” He yearned for the beautiful woman with a burning hunger.
Not long after, Liancheng was betrothed by her father to Wang Huacheng, the son of a wealthy merchant. Upon hearing the news, Qiao Nian was plunged into despair, his thoughts perpetually haunted by his beloved, his devotion unwavering. Soon after, Liancheng fell gravely ill and could not rise from bed. A foreign Tuo Tou from the Western Regions claimed he could cure her, but required a coin’s weight of flesh from a man’s chest, to be used as a medicinal catalyst. Scholar Shi sent a messenger to consult with his future son-in-law, requesting his aid. Wang Huacheng scoffed, “Old fool, you think you can cut the flesh from my heart?” He flatly refused and sent the envoy away.
Desperate, Scholar Shi posted a public notice seeking a physician, promising: “Whoever endures the pain to cut flesh shall be granted my daughter’s hand in marriage.” Qiao Nian immediately presented himself. He drew a dagger, sliced flesh from his chest, and gave it to the Western monk. Blood drenched his robe. The monk dressed the wound, then prepared three pills using the human flesh, which were administered to Liancheng in three separate doses. The medicine worked, and she recovered.
Scholar Shi intended to uphold his vow and marry his daughter to Qiao Nian, dispatching a man to inform Wang. Wang Huacheng was furious and prepared to sue. The Scholar, helpless, hosted a banquet for Qiao Nian, placing a thousand jin of gold upon the table, saying, “I deeply regret failing to honor your great kindness. Please accept this thousand liang of gold as meager compensation.” He offered excuses for breaking his promise.
Qiao Nian was greatly displeased and declared, “The reason I risked cutting my flesh was solely to repay a true friend. Keep your silver for yourself; am I one who sells flesh?” He swept out of the room.
Liancheng, hearing of this, was deeply unsettled. She sent her maid to comfort Qiao Nian, saying, “With your talent, you will never remain obscure for long. Is there any lack of a wife in this world? Recently, I have been plagued by nightmares, foretelling my death within three years. For one soon to die, why should you struggle?” Qiao Nian gravely replied, “‘A scholar dies for one who truly understands him,’ this is not about lust. If Liancheng truly understood me, she would know: the love between a man and woman is not measured by permanence, but by sincerity.” The maid asserted, “My lady’s feelings for you are profound, witnessed by Heaven and Earth.” Qiao Nian responded, “If that is true, then when we meet again, if Liancheng can afford me one smile, I shall die without regret.”
Several days later, Qiao Nian was out traveling when he encountered Liancheng returning from her uncle’s home. Their eyes met, Liancheng conveying affection through her gaze, breaking into a radiant smile. Qiao Nian rejoiced, exclaiming, “Liancheng is truly my soulmate.”
Soon after, Wang Huacheng arrived to finalize the wedding date. Upon hearing this, Liancheng’s old illness flared up, and she died within months. Qiao Nian went to mourn her and collapsed in overwhelming grief. Scholar Shi sent his body home. Qiao Nian, knowing he himself was dead, felt no sadness, departing the village still hoping to meet Liancheng again. He gazed upon the north-south thoroughfare, the endless stream of travelers like ants, with himself mingled among them.
Presently, Qiao Nian entered an yamen and bumped into his old friend, Gu Sheng. Gu Sheng asked in shock, “This is the Underworld. How did you get here? Come, I will send you back.” Qiao Nian sighed, “My heart’s affair remains unresolved.” Gu Sheng replied, “I manage the records in the nether realm and am trusted by my superiors. If my services are required, I will spare no effort.” Qiao Nian asked, “Where is Liancheng?” Gu Sheng replied, “I do not know. Let us search around.” They explored several areas until they reached a corridor where they saw Liancheng and a woman in white, tears streaming down their faces, weeping in a corner.
Liancheng, seeing Qiao Nian, was overcome with grief and joy, asking, “Master, how did you arrive here?” Qiao Nian answered, “You died; how could I remain alive alone?” Liancheng wept, “For one as unfaithful as myself, your not despising me is already more than I deserve. Why sacrifice yourself for me? Though we were not destined to be companions in this life, I shall marry you in the next.”
Qiao Nian turned to Gu Sheng, saying, “Brother Gu, you are busy with your duties; please attend to them. I prefer death to life, but I trouble you to investigate this: where is Liancheng being reincarnated? I wish to follow her into the next life.” Gu Sheng nodded his assent and turned to leave.
The woman in white inquired about Qiao Nian’s background. Liancheng briefly explained. Hearing this, the lady grew even more sorrowful. Liancheng told Qiao Nian, “She shares my surname, her pet name is Bingniang, daughter of the Governor of Changsha. We traveled here together, caring for one another.” Qiao Nian observed her features; she too was a beauty.
They were about to exchange a few pleasantries when Gu Sheng returned, laughing, “The matter is settled! I pleaded with the King of Hell for you two, and I shall send the young lady back to the living world with you. How about it?” Hearing this, both rejoiced. Just as they were about to bid farewell, Bingniang burst into tears, “Sister is leaving, what about me? Please, Sister, have pity and save me! I will serve you as a slave or maid to repay your kindness.”
Liancheng looked on sadly but could do nothing. She consulted Qiao Nian on a plan. Qiao Nian turned to plead with Gu Sheng, “Brother Gu, please help me one last time.” Gu Sheng looked troubled, “I fear even I may be powerless.” Qiao Nian urged, “Do your best; whether you succeed or not, I shall be grateful.” Gu Sheng conceded, “Very well, I shall try.”
After a meal, Gu Sheng returned, shaking his head. “I apologize. I have exhausted every method, but I cannot help. I am truly sorry.” Hearing this, Bingniang cried mournfully, clutching Liancheng’s arm tightly, terrified that she would be abandoned.
Seeing her distraught appearance touched Gu Sheng’s soft heart, and he could not bear it. He gritted his teeth, “Brother Qiao, take Bingniang with you. I will bear any consequences.” Bingniang was ecstatic. The three took their leave. Qiao Nian worried that Bingniang’s return journey to her home would be long and without escort. Bingniang declared, “I plan to cling to you, Master, and not go home!” Qiao Nian shook his head, “Don’t be foolish. If you don’t return home, how can you be reborn? At most, I promise you that when I have time another day, I will accompany Liancheng to visit you in Hunan.” Coincidentally, a ghost runner was heading to Changsha to fetch a soul. Qiao Nian entrusted Bingniang to their care, bidding a tearful farewell.
On the way back, Liancheng moved slowly, resting after every short distance—resting more than ten times before they reached the village. She said, “Rebirth is unpredictable. To ensure everything is right, we must retrieve my physical body and return to your home to be reborn, lest I have regrets.” Qiao Nian strongly agreed. The two returned to Wang Huacheng’s residence. Liancheng hesitated nervously at the door. Qiao Nian supported her to the entrance. Liancheng confessed, “I am trembling to this point, utterly lacking resolve. If this marriage fails, regret will be eternal. We must plan carefully now, or once resurrected, I will lose my freedom.”
The two entered a side room and sat in silence. Liancheng suddenly asked, “Master, do you despise me?” Qiao Nian answered solemnly, “Absolutely not.” Liancheng smiled, “That’s good. I feared something might go wrong, so I decided to settle the matter decisively—let us consummate our marriage tonight.” Qiao Nian was overjoyed, and the two shared an embrace of extreme tenderness.
Afterward, both lingered in the room, afraid to go out. They hid for three days. Liancheng finally said, “‘An ugly wife must eventually meet her in-laws,’ as the saying goes. Hiding constantly is no solution. I have thought it over, and it is best to return to life first.” Qiao Nian nodded in agreement. Their souls slipped back into their respective sleeping bodies, and they awoke suddenly. Family members were astonished and brought them soup and water.
Qiao Nian sent someone to inform Scholar Shi, saying, “Please hand over Liancheng’s body to me; I have a way to revive her.” The Scholar was overjoyed and sent his daughter’s corpse. The moment it was placed on the bed, Liancheng awoke and told her father, “Your daughter has already pledged herself to Qiao Lang; this cannot change. If it does, I have only death.” Scholar Shi sighed, “You chose this path; decide for yourself. I will no longer interfere.”
The Wang family heard the news and filed a lawsuit with the magistrate. The county magistrate, swayed by bribes, ruled in favor of Wang Huacheng, sentencing Liancheng to him. Qiao Nian was so grief-stricken he was near death, yet utterly helpless. Liancheng married into the Wang family, refusing to eat or drink, seeking only death. In the dead of night, she attempted to hang herself, and though saved, her body was frail and close to expiring. Wang Huacheng was both angry and fearful, and finally sent his wife back to her parents' home. Scholar Shi sent his daughter to Qiao Nian, and the lovers were finally united.
After Liancheng recovered, she often thought of Bingniang and wished to send a letter to inquire after her, but the distance was too great, so she gave up the idea. One day, the couple was relaxing at home when a servant reported, “Many carriages have arrived outside the gate.” The couple went out to look, and Bingniang was already in the courtyard. The three were overjoyed at their reunion. The Governor of Shi personally delivered his daughter, saying, “My girl owes her very life to the Master’s help. She swore never to marry another, desiring only to serve the Master, so I had no choice but to follow her wishes.” Qiao Nian bowed repeatedly in thanks.