During the period of the Zhenghua reign, there lived a young scholar from Guangping named Feng, who was frivolous in his youth and given to drink.

One morning, Feng stepped out and encountered a young maiden dressed in a crimson skirt, possessing striking beauty. Following her was a maidservant; the mistress and servant hurried through the grass, their clothes and shoes damp with dew. Feng was instantly taken with the maiden’s appearance. In the evening, returning home somewhat inebriated, he noticed a long-abandoned temple by the roadside. From within emerged a woman—the very beauty he had seen that morning.

The maiden, seeing Feng unexpectedly, turned and entered the temple. Feng thought to himself: A temple is a place for monastics to cultivate purity; how could a woman be housed here? Pondering this, he tethered his donkey at the gate and entered to investigate. He saw crumbling walls and dilapidated structures, with weeds growing thick upon the stone steps. Just as he was hesitating, a white-haired old man emerged slowly, his attire neat and tidy, and asked, “From where does the young master come?” Feng replied, “I am merely passing by this ancient sanctuary, wishing to admire the scenery. And where might the elder reside?” The old man said, “I am a wanderer with no fixed abode, temporarily settling my household here. It is rare to have such a distinguished guest; if you do not disdain it, please come in for a cup of tea.”

The two walked side by side to the rear courtyard of the main hall. A stone path led to a chamber where the surface was clean. Entering the room, they found bead curtains draped, and the air was thick with the scent of incense. After seating themselves, they exchanged names. The host introduced himself: “My surname is Xin.” Feng, still not entirely sober, half-drunk and half-awake, inquired, “I hear the elder has a marriageable daughter; I do not presume to be overly bold, but I wish to take your daughter as my wife. What are your thoughts on this?” The old man smiled and chuckled, “This matter is not for me to decide; I must consult my wife.” Feng nodded, “That is only proper.” He requested brush and ink from the host and composed a poem: “A thousand pieces of gold to seek the jade pestle, diligently offering it with one’s own hand. If Yunying is willing, she shall personally pound the dark frost.” The host smiled without speaking, passing the verses to those nearby for appreciation.

Presently, a maidservant whispered a few words into the old man’s ear. The host rose, saying, “Please wait a moment, young master; I shall return shortly.” He lifted the curtain and entered the sleeping quarters. Vaguely, Feng heard low murmurs inside, exchanging a few sentences. The old man soon returned. Feng thought to himself, “The important matter should be settled.” To his surprise, the old man began to chatter about trivial matters, carefully avoiding any mention of the marriage. Feng grew impatient and asked, “Elder, what is your ultimate decision? I beg you to speak plainly.”

The old man replied, “Young master, you are truly outstanding, and I have long admired you. However, there are certain hidden circumstances that make it inconvenient to speak of.” Feng said, “Please speak without reservation.” The old man confessed, “I have a total of nineteen daughters. Twelve are already married. These marital arrangements are entirely decided by my wife; I never interfere.” Seeing the elder drone on, Feng waved his hand dismissively, “I have no interest in such trifles. I only seek the crimson-clad maiden from this morning.” Old Man Xin remained silent, paying him no mind, yet the unspoken implication was clear: if you wish to marry my daughter, forget it.

Suddenly, a soft, sweet voice drifted from inside the room. Feng could restrain himself no longer. Fueled by the wine, he made a scene, demanding, “Since a marital union cannot be formed, surely I can at least behold your daughter’s beauty?” As he spoke, he pulled aside the bead curtain and barged into the private chamber. Indeed, he saw a graceful, tall young woman dressed in red.

Feng’s sudden, uninvited entry greatly startled all the women in the room. Old Man Xin was beside himself with rage and commanded his male servants to seize the intruder and bodily throw him out. They heaved him out unceremoniously, flinging him into the thicket where tiles and stones scattered around him with a violent clamor. The surge of alcohol masked the pain for Feng. Hearing the loud sound of his donkey grazing and chewing nearby, he scrambled up from the tangled grass, mounted the beast, and staggered away. The night was dark, and Feng inadvertently strayed into a deep valley. The howling of wolves and screeching of owls filled the air, chilling him to the core. Lost and bewildered, he had no idea where he was.

Gazing into the distance toward a forest, where lights flickered faintly, Feng surmised, “There must be a village here.” He went to seek lodging, finding a compound with high walls. He knocked on the door with his whip. Someone inside inquired, “Who is there, disturbing the deep night?” Feng replied, “I am lost; I hope you can grant me shelter.” The questioner said, “Please wait a moment; I will report to the master.” Feng stood waiting, and after a short while, a servant emerged and took his donkey.

Feng entered the house and observed the magnificent hall, brightly lit. After sitting for a brief time, a stately woman emerged to inquire about the guest’s name, which Feng truthfully provided. A moment later, several maids in green clothing appeared, supporting an elderly lady. They announced, “The Lady Regent has arrived.” Feng rose to kneel and perform the required obeisance, but the old lady waved him off, inviting him to sit. She asked, “Is the young master perhaps the grandson of Feng Yunzi?” Feng confirmed, “Precisely.” The old lady remarked, “So you are the son of my nephew. I am old and frail, and my legs are inconvenient, so relatives rarely visit.”

Feng said, “I lost both my parents when I was young, and I do not know most of my grandfather’s old acquaintances. How should I address the elderly lady?” The Lady Regent replied, “You need not ask more; you will know in due time.” Feng dared not say more, turning over in his mind the origins of the master he had just left, yet grasping no clue whatsoever. The Lady Regent then asked, “Why has the young master come here so late at night?” Feng, naturally bold and confident, recounted his entire experience at the temple in detail. The Lady Regent laughed, “Matters of marriage are good things. Furthermore, the young master is a celebrated scholar of our time; he certainly would not dishonor the young woman’s family. Why would that fox spirit act so contemptuously? Rest assured, I will settle this matter.” Feng was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

The Lady Regent glanced around and remarked, “I did not know Xin’s daughters were so exquisitely beautiful.” A green-clad maidservant responded, “Old Man Xin has nineteen daughters, each one beautiful as a flower. Which one did the young master wish to marry?” Feng said, “The one dressed in red, about fifteen years old.” The maidservant replied, “That is the Fourteenth Daughter. She came with her mother in the third month to pay respects for the Lady Regent’s birthday; how could you forget?”

The Lady Regent smiled, “I recall now. Is it perhaps the one whose face was veiled and whose shoes were embroidered with lotuses stuffed with fragrant spices?” The maidservant confirmed, “That is she.” The Lady Regent commented, “This little one knows how to adorn herself; she is naturally alluring. However, her figure is indeed graceful; the young master has good taste.” She immediately commanded the maidservant, “Go and invite the Fourteenth Daughter here.” The maidservant accepted the order and departed, returning shortly to announce, “The Fourteenth Young Lady has arrived.”

Feng looked up and saw a woman in red courtesying gracefully before the old lady. The Lady Regent reached out and helped her up, saying, “You are my nephew’s wife; there is no need for ceremony.” Hearing this, the woman’s face flushed slightly, and she stood gracefully without daring to speak. The Lady Regent gently stroked her hair and asked, “Fourteenth Daughter, what have you been doing at home lately?” The girl lowered her head and replied, “Nothing much, just embroidery.” She glanced up and saw Feng, looking shy and uneasy.

The Lady Regent said, “This is my nephew; he kindly wished to arrange a marriage with the young lady. Why did you drive him out, causing him to become lost?” The girl remained silent, head bowed. The Lady Regent continued, “I summoned the young lady here for no other reason than to act as a matchmaker for my nephew.” The girl remained silent. The Lady Regent, decisive and swift, immediately ordered her servants to prepare the bedding for a wedding chamber for the two of them. The girl blushed and said, “This matter is not for me to decide; I must report to my parents.” The Lady Regent countered, “If I arrange it for you, surely your parents would not dare refuse?”

The girl replied, “The Lady Regent’s command, my parents would likely not dare defy. But to marry so hastily—even if this maidservant were to die, I would never agree.” The Lady Regent laughed, “A young woman who will not yield to coercion—excellent! You are indeed worthy of being Feng’s daughter-in-law.” She took a golden flower from her hair and presented it to Feng, saying, “Keep this token. Go home, select an auspicious day, and I will send the bride over for the wedding ceremony.” She pointed to a maidservant and said, “Escort my nephew home.” Outside, the rooster crowed, and a servant brought forth the donkey. Feng took his leave with reluctance. After walking only a few steps, he glanced back, and the entire village had vanished. Before him lay only dense pine forests and tangled weeds, amidst which stood a few solitary graves. Feng pondered for a long time and finally realized: was this not the burial ground of Minister Xue?

Minister Xue had passed away long ago; he was the younger brother of Feng’s maternal grandmother. Thus, the Lady Regent repeatedly called himself her nephew’s son (grand-nephew). If this were so, then Feng surmised, was the Lady Regent also a ghost? And the Fourteenth Daughter—what was her true identity?

Feng sighed and returned, arbitrarily selecting a date, waiting only for the wedding. Sometimes he could not help but wonder: could the words of spirits be relied upon? He journeyed again to the temple; the halls were desolate. He inquired among the nearby villagers about the whereabouts of the Fourteenth Daughter, and everyone replied, “We have never seen her. But fox spirits are often seen haunting the temple grounds.” Feng reasoned to himself, “If I can take the beautiful woman as my wife, even if the Fourteenth Daughter is a demon, what does it matter?”