Jin Dayong, a native of Zhongzhou, came from an official family. He married Gengniang, the prefect's daughter, a virtuous and beautiful woman, and the couple shared a deep affection. At that time, bandits were rampant, and the people suffered greatly. Jin Dayong moved his entire family south to escape the turmoil.

On the road, they encountered a youth fleeing with his wife. He introduced himself as Wang Shiba from Guangling and offered his services as a guide. Jin Dayong was delighted, and the two families traveled and lodged together. One day, arriving at the riverside, Gengniang said to her husband, "Do not share a boat with the young man. He constantly steals glances at me; his eyes flicker with lust, and his intentions are wicked." Jin Dayong agreed.

Wang Shiba diligently hired a boat and helped move Jin Dayong's luggage, bustling about with great attentiveness. Jin Dayong could not bear to refuse his good intentions, especially considering he was traveling with a young wife; he assumed there would be no great harm. The young wife lodged with Gengniang, possessing a gentle and elegant demeanor.

Wang Shiba sat at the head of the boat, chatting with the boatmen, and they found each other congenial.

Before long, the sun set. The waterway stretched on, vast and indistinct as to north or south. Jin Dayong looked all around; the water seemed treacherous, and suspicion arose in his heart. Soon after, the bright moon ascended. By its light, he observed that they were surrounded entirely by reeds. A short while later, the vessel docked. Wang Shiba invited Jin Dayong and his son out of the cabin to converse, seizing the opportunity to push him into the water. Jin Dayong's father shouted loudly, but the boatman was swift; a bamboo pole swept across, knocking the old gentleman under the water to drown.

Jin Dayong’s mother came out upon hearing the noise but was dispatched by the boatman in the same manner, easily killed. Wang Shiba feigned a cry for help. Gengniang, standing behind, had witnessed the entire process. Seeing the entire family drowned, she showed no panic, only weeping, "My in-laws are both gone; what am I to do?" Wang Shiba persuaded her, "My lady, do not worry. Come with me to Jinling. The fields and dwellings at home are quite sufficient to support us, and life will be without care." Gengniang stopped her tears, "If it is truly so, my desire is fulfilled."

Wang Shiba was overjoyed and diligently sought to please Gengniang. At dusk, Wang Shiba approached Gengniang seeking intimacy. Gengniang pleaded indisposition, and Wang Shiba returned dejectedly, going instead to sleep with the young wife.

Near the end of the first watch, Wang Shiba and his wife argued incessantly, though the reason was unclear. They only heard the young wife say, "What you have done deeply violates natural law; are you not afraid of heavenly punishment and the lightning shattering your skull?" Wang Shiba became enraged and slapped the young wife across the face. The young wife, driven to desperation, cried out, "Just beat me to death, so I won't have to be the wife of a murderer!" Wang Shiba roared like a madman, kicking the young wife out. There was a dull splash as she fell into the water, and the passengers exclaimed in an uproar, saying, "Someone has drowned!"

Before long, the group arrived in Jinling. Wang Shiba guided Gengniang to his home and presented her to his mother. The old madam looked surprised and said, "Why has the daughter-in-law changed her appearance?" Wang Shiba replied, "The former wife fell into the water and died; I have taken a new one." Returning to the room, Wang Shiba again attempted to violate the woman. Gengniang laughed, "Sir, you are a man over thirty years old; how can you be so unreasonable? An ordinary family requires even a small cup of wine when taking a wife; is your household so wealthy that you lack even wine? To confront each other while sober—what propriety is this?"

Wang Shiba repeatedly nodded, prepared wine, and eagerly urged Gengniang to drink. Wang Shiba drained his cup again and again. He excused himself from drinking further, but Gengniang held a large bowl, acting charmingly and coquettishly. Wang Shiba could not refuse and drank three or four more bowls. Thoroughly drunk and stupefied, he stripped off his clothes and urged Gengniang to bed.

Gengniang extinguished the lamps and candles, excused herself to relieve herself, left the room, found a steel knife, and pressed her hand over Wang Shiba's neck in secret. Wang Shiba, groggy, smiled and reached for her wrist, murmuring endearments. Gengniang exerted all her strength and slashed. Wang Shiba did not die instantly; he screamed and scrambled up. Gengniang swung the knife again, delivering several more blows before Wang Shiba finally expired.

The old madam heard the noise and came out to inquire. Gengniang killed her too. In the struggle, Wang Shiba’s younger brother, Wang Shijiu, was alerted. Gengniang knew she could not escape and turned the knife upon herself. The blade was dull, and in her haste, she could not cut deeply enough. She flung the door open and bolted out. Wang Shijiu pursued her, but Gengniang had already leaped into the pond.

Wang Shijiu called the servants, who fished Gengniang out. She had been dead for some time, yet her body was as fair as if alive. The family examined Wang Shiba's corpse and found a letter placed on the window ledge. They opened and read it; it was a missive written by Gengniang before her death, detailing the injustices she had suffered. Everyone praised Gengniang as a fierce woman of virtue and raised funds for her burial. At dawn, several thousand onlookers gathered, gazing upon Gengniang's remains and paying their respects. In one day, one hundred taels of gold were collected, and Gengniang was buried in the southern suburbs. Among the crowd, some charitable souls presented Gengniang with a pearl coronet and robes; her burial accoutrements were exceptionally rich.

Previously, after Jin Dayong fell into the water, he had grasped a piece of driftwood and managed to float, thus surviving. As dawn broke, he drifted into the Huai River and was rescued by a small boat. This boat had been commissioned by the wealthy merchant, Elder Yin, specifically for rescuing drowning victims. After waking, Jin Dayong went personally to the Yin residence to express his thanks. Elder Yin received him warmly, treated him generously, and insisted he stay to tutor his sons. Jin Dayong hesitated, unsure of what to do, as the fate of his family remained unknown, and he needed to go search for them.

A moment later, a servant reported: "Two corpses were pulled from the river, one an old man and one an old woman." Jin Dayong suspected they were his parents and rushed to identify them; it was indeed so.

Elder Yin arranged for the purchase of coffins for him. As Jin Dayong was deep in mourning, the servant reported again: "A drowning woman has been rescued; she claims to be Young Master Jin's wife."

Jin Dayong cried out in shock. The woman was already there, but she was not Gengniang; it was the young wife who had been with Wang Shiba. The young woman wept upon seeing him and begged him to take her in. Jin Dayong said, "My mind is in chaos; how can I have the leisure to consider your welfare?" The young woman grew even more sorrowful.

Elder Yin learned the circumstances and smiled, "This is Heaven’s will. A bride delivered to your door—why be so formal? Quickly remarry." Jin Dayong replied, "My parents have just passed; this is the time for filial mourning. Moreover, my great vengeance remains unexacted. Keeping a frail woman by my side is only a burden." The young woman countered, "If what you say is true, supposing Gengniang were still alive, would you abandon her just because you must mourn and seek revenge?" Elder Yin nodded, "That is reasonable. For now, take her in. As for marriage, we shall speak of that later." Jin Dayong murmured assent, accepting the arrangement.

Elder Yin financed Jin Dayong's parents' funeral rites. On the day of the burial, the young woman wore plain mourning clothes and wept bitterly, as if for her own parents. Once his parents were laid to rest, Jin Dayong tucked a sharp weapon into his robes and prepared to go to Guangling. The young woman stopped him, saying, "Your humble servant’s surname is Tang; her ancestral home is Jinling. She is from the same region as Wang Shiba. His claim of being from Guangling was entirely a lie. Moreover, the river pirates are largely his accomplices. Going to Guangling now would not only fail to bring revenge but would invite disaster upon yourself." Jin Dayong paused, uncertain of his next move. Suddenly, news spread of the fierce woman who had slain her enemies—the entire Huai River region knew of the incident. People vividly recounted the fierce woman's name and how she punished the villains.

Jin Dayong felt a momentary surge of joy upon hearing the news, but upon hearing that Gengniang had taken her own life, sorrow immediately followed. He told Miss Tang, "It is fortunate that I did not dishonor you. With such a fierce woman in my family, how could I bear the treachery of marrying again?" The young woman said, "We already have an agreement between us; I will not leave you, no matter what. As long as I can remain by your side, I am willing to be your concubine."

At that time, a Deputy General, Lord Yuan, was an old acquaintance of Elder Yin. General Yuan was preparing for a western campaign and stopped by the Yin residence. He happened to see Jin Dayong and praised him highly, hiring him as his secretary. Soon after, when bandits invaded the border, General Yuan achieved merit in suppressing them, and his subordinates all received commendations. Jin Dayong, due to his competent handling of correspondence, was officially appointed an assistant military officer (Youji). He returned to his hometown in glory and married Miss Tang.

After a few days at home, Jin Dayong took his wife to Jinling to pay respects at Gengniang's grave. Passing through Zhenjiang, they wished to ascend Jinshan. As their boat sailed midstream, a small skiff approached them head-on. On the skiff were two people: an old crone and a young woman whose face was beautiful and closely resembled Gengniang. The boat moved swiftly. The young woman peered at Jin Dayong through the window; her expression and movements were strikingly similar to Gengniang’s.

Jin Dayong was startled and doubtful, not daring to question them. In a moment of urgency, he cleverly called out, "Look at the flock of ducks flying to the sky!" Upon hearing this, the young woman also called out, "The greedy dog tries to steal the cat's scent!" These two phrases were their intimate secret language from their years together in private chambers.

Jin Dayong was greatly shocked. He ordered the oarsman to steer closer to the skiff and looked intently. The young woman was indeed Gengniang. A young maidservant in green helped Gengniang cross over to their boat. Husband and wife embraced and wept, sharing the sorrows of their separation.

Miss Tang bowed to Gengniang with the respect due a principal wife. Gengniang, startled, asked for the explanation. Jin Dayong briefly recounted the events. Gengniang took Miss Tang's hand and said, "I never forgot that moment on the boat. I never imagined we would become one family in Wu and Yue. I am indebted to you for burying my in-laws; I should thank you properly. How could I allow you to bow to me?" They exchanged courtesies regarding their ages; Miss Tang was one year younger than Gengniang, and they began addressing each other as sisters.

Before this, after Gengniang was buried, she had no sense of time within the tomb. Suddenly, she heard a voice call out, "Gengniang, your husband is not dead; you shall be reunited." She awoke as if from a dream. She reached out and felt all around; the sides were solid walls. Only then did she realize she was dead and buried. She felt only a dull sensation, no pain. Some wicked youths, coveting the rich burial goods, dug up the grave and broke the coffin. Just as they were about to search the contents, they saw Gengniang revive and were utterly terrified. Gengniang, fearing the evil youths would harm her, said, "It is fortunate you came, allowing me to see the light of day again. Take all the hairpins and jewelry on my head. I only ask that you sell me to a temple to become a nun; this way, you profit, and I will not reveal this matter."

The wicked youths replied, "The lady is so chaste and resolute, revered by gods and men alike. We committed this inhuman act only because we were poor and desperate. As long as you promise not to expose us, how could we bear to sell you to a convent?" Gengniang said, "I willingly choose to become a nun; I will not blame you." One of the youths said, "Madam Geng of Zhenjiang is a childless widow; if she sees the lady, she will surely be overjoyed." Gengniang thanked him. She pulled off her own jewels and trinkets and gave them all to the thieves. The thieves dared not accept, but Gengniang insisted repeatedly until they finally consented to take the gifts.

The group carried the lady with them and, upon arriving at Madam Geng's house, fabricated a story that they were lost at sea due to a storm and pleaded for the old madam to take Gengniang in.

Madam Geng, from a very wealthy family, was living alone as a widow. She was overjoyed to see Gengniang and treated her as her own daughter. One day, mother and daughter returned from Jinshan and, by Heaven's grace, were reunited with Jin Dayong. Gengniang recounted the entire sequence of events, and Jin Dayong was overwhelmed with emotion. He immediately boarded a boat to pay respects to his mother-in-law. Madam Geng treated him as a son-in-law, detained him for several days, and then allowed him to leave.

Thereafter, the two families maintained frequent contact.