Cheng Sheng of Baixia City possessed a straightforward nature and held reverence for propriety in utter contempt. One day, returning from outside, he loosened his robes and belt, feeling the weight of the sash, as if something had dropped to the floor. Looking down, he saw nothing. In a subtle movement, a woman emerged from behind his clothes, smoothing her hair with a smile, her countenance exquisitely beautiful. Cheng suspected she was a ghost, but the woman declared, "I am no ghost, but a fox spirit." Cheng Sheng replied, "If I can possess such a beauty, I fear not a ghost, much less a mere fox." Thus, they came together in delight.

Two years later, a daughter was born, nicknamed Qingmei. The woman often told her husband, "Do not take another wife; I shall bear you a son." Cheng believed her and remained unmarried. Friends and relatives mocked him for his foolishness, and Cheng Sheng's resolve wavered, so he took Miss Wang of Hudong as a concubine. The fox wife heard this and became enraged. After finishing nursing Qingmei, she thrust the daughter at her husband, saying, "This is a costly burden for your household; raise her or kill her as you please.

Why should I act as a wet nurse for another's child!" Then she departed. Several years passed, and Qingmei grew into a young woman, intelligent and beautiful, closely resembling her mother. Subsequently, Cheng Sheng fell ill and died. Madam Wang remarried, and Qingmei went to live with her paternal uncle; the uncle was dissolute and solely intended to sell his niece for cash. Coincidentally, a scholar named Wang, a Jinshi awaiting appointment, lodged nearby.

Hearing of Qingmei’s intelligence, he purchased her at a high price to serve as a maid to his daughter, Axi. Axi was fourteen years old; upon seeing Qingmei, she was overjoyed, sharing her bed and remaining inseparable. Qingmei was also skilled in service, observing moods and expressions, and the entire household grew fond of her. Zhang Sheng of the county town, courtesy name Jieshou, was poor and owned nothing, renting a room in the Wang residence. His character was purely filial, and he excelled in scholarship.

Qingmei visited his dwelling by chance and saw Zhang Sheng sitting on a stone stool, eating bran porridge; she entered the room to chat with his aged mother and noticed delicacies like pig’s trotters displayed on the table. Old Master Zhang lay ill in bed; Zhang Sheng entered the room, helped his father relieve himself, and when the urine soiled his clothes, he showed no displeasure, covering the stain and cleaning it meticulously, fearful lest his father notice his embarrassment. Qingmei secretly marveled, and upon returning, she told Axi, "Our guest is no ordinary man. If the young lady has no desire for a good match, so be it; but if she does, then Zhang Sheng is one worthy of lifelong commitment." Axi worried about Zhang Sheng's poverty and her father's disapproval. Qingmei countered, "Not so.

Things are made by human effort. If the young lady is inclined, I shall arrange it for you. Invite Young Master Zhang to formally propose, and Mistress will surely summon the young lady for consultation. When replying, she only needs to say 'I agree,' and the matter will be settled." Axi replied, "Young Master Zhang is utterly destitute; marrying him would make me the laughingstock of the world." Qingmei asserted, "I can read faces; Young Master Zhang is destined for great success in the future; there is no mistake." The next day, Qingmei went to arrange the match. Zhang’s mother was greatly astonished, saying, "A proposal?

The families are mismatched. Surely, young lady, you are not trifling with an old woman?" Qingmei responded, "My young mistress heard of Young Master Zhang’s deeds and has taken a secret liking to him, hence she sent me to mediate. Do not hesitate; quickly send a matchmaker to propose. With my and the young mistress’s secret assistance, the Master will surely consent. Even if the marriage falls through, what loss will it be to Young Master Zhang?" Madam Zhang said, "Very well, what you say is reasonable; let us proceed thus." They entrusted the flower seller, Madam Hou, to act as matchmaker.

The Mistress heard this and smiled, relating it to Scholar Wang, who also laughed. He summoned his daughter and told her of Madam Hou's errand. Before Axi could reply, Qingmei spoke eloquently, praising Zhang Sheng’s virtue ceaselessly, saying, "Young Master Zhang is no mere creature of the pond; he will surely be illustrious in time." The Mistress asked Axi, "Marriage is a matter of a hundred years. If my daughter can endure meager meals, then agreeing to the marriage on your behalf is not out of the question." Axi lowered her gaze for a long time, staring at the wall, and said, "Poverty and wealth are matters of fate. If one’s fate is strong, poverty will not be eternal; if one’s fate is weak, even a noble heir could squander his fortune and be left without a place to stand.

This matter rests entirely upon the parents' decision." Scholar Wang had no intention of marrying his daughter off. The reason he summoned Axi was merely to amuse himself. Hearing his daughter's reply, he was displeased and said, "Do you truly wish to marry Zhang Sheng?" Axi did not answer. Upon asking again, she remained silent. Scholar Wang angrily retorted, "Wretched, unpromising creature!

To wish to marry a beggar and become his wife—do you intend to beg with a bamboo basket? You bring such shame upon us!" Axi’s face flushed crimson upon hearing this, and she left in tears. The matchmaker also retreated in embarrassment. Qingmei saw that the affair had failed and turned to plan for herself. Several days later, she visited Zhang Sheng late at night.

Zhang Sheng was studying and asked in surprise, "Young Mistress, why have you come here?" Qingmei stammered through her words. Zhang Sheng spoke sternly, "It is late; Madam, please return." Qingmei wept, "I am a respectable woman, not one seeking elopement; moved by your virtue, I am willing to follow by your side." Zhang Sheng replied, "I am grateful that Madam thinks so highly of me and praises my virtue. However, the unchaperoned union of a man and woman without a go-between is shameful even for the virtuous; how much more so for one who values integrity? Even if this led to marriage, people would mock it; how would I face them? Moreover, whether it succeeds or fails is hard to say." Qingmei asked, "If it were to succeed, would you take me in?" Zhang Sheng responded, "To gain a wife such as you, what more could I ask?

But there are three weighty concerns, hence I dare not readily promise." Qingmei asked, "What are the three?" Zhang Sheng stated, "You do not have autonomy, that is the first concern; even if you did, my parents would be displeased, that is the second; and even if my parents were agreeable, your value would surely be high, and my poor household could scarcely raise the redemption money—that is the third. Madam, you should leave quickly; in the vicinity of a plum grove or under a melon trellis, rumors are fearsome things." Qingmei nodded and departed, instructing him, "As long as your heart is true, we can devise a plan slowly." Zhang Sheng weakly agreed. Qingmei returned. Axi asked, "You wretched girl, where did you go?" Qingmei replied, "To the Zhangs'." Axi frowned, "Why go to the Zhangs'? Have you taken a fancy to Young Master Zhang and plan to elope with him?

Hey, you have quite the nerve. Your skin is itching for a beating, aren’t you asking for a family discipline?" Qingmei could offer no defense and could only recount the entire truth. Axi sighed upon hearing this: "Not consorting without proper rite is propriety; telling the parents is filial piety; not promising easily is trustworthiness. With these three virtues, Heaven must favor you. Why then worry about poverty?" After a pause, she added, "What are your plans?" Qingmei declared, "If it is not Young Master Zhang, I shall not marry." Axi laughed, "Foolish maid, how can you decide for yourself?" Qingmei said, "If things fail, then death is the only recourse." Axi reassured her, "Do not worry; I shall bring it about as you wish." Qingmei bowed deeply in thanks.

Several days later, Qingmei said to Axi, "Young Mistress, were the words you spoke to me the other day mere jest, or heartfelt sincerity? If it is true compassion, I have one more matter I beg your pity upon." Axi inquired, "What is it?" Qingmei replied, "Young Master Zhang is too poor to afford a bride, and I have no means to buy my own freedom. When the Master purchased me, he spent much gold and silver; if the redemption price is charged at the original cost, marrying me would be tantamount to not marrying at all." Axi pondered, "I am powerless in this matter as well. The redemption fee is decided entirely by my father; I dare not intercede." Hearing this, tears streamed down Qingmei's cheeks as she pleaded for mercy. Axi thought deeply for a long time and then said, "Do not fear; I have saved quite a bit of personal money, and I shall empty my coffers to help." Qingmei gave thanks and secretly notified the Zhang family to send the proposal.

Zhang’s mother was overjoyed, begged favors from many quarters, gathered the redemption money, and awaited good news. It happened that Scholar Wang was transferred to be the Magistrate of Quwo County. Axi seized the opportunity to tell her mother, "Qingmei is now grown. Since Father is going to govern in another prefecture, perhaps it is best to send her away." The Mistress, always mindful of Qingmei's sharp wit, worried that she might negatively influence her daughter. She always wished to marry Qingmei off but feared her daughter would be unhappy; upon hearing this suggestion, she was greatly pleased.

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