Wei Yunwang, a native of Benquan in Yidu County, hailed from a once-prominent aristocratic family. Later, their fortunes declined, leaving him too poor to pursue further studies. In his early twenties, he dropped out of school and followed his father-in-law into the merchant trade, selling wine for a living.

One evening, Wei Yunwang lay alone in his room above the tavern when he suddenly heard a rhythmic tapping sound from downstairs, suggesting someone was approaching. Startled, he sat up, holding his breath to listen intently. The sound grew nearer, ascending the stairs, each footfall resonating with a dull thud. Soon, two maids carrying lanterns arrived beneath his bed. Trailing behind them was a young scholar, leading a lady forward, who paused near the bed and smiled.

Wei Yunwang was greatly perplexed, but after a moment’s thought, a sudden realization struck him: this group must be fox spirits. The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he instinctively lowered his gaze, too intimidated to look up.

The scholar chuckled, “Sir, there is no need for suspicion. My younger sister has a connection with you and has specially come to meet you. If you do not mind, she will keep you company.” Wei Yunwang raised his eyes to observe the scholar, noting his dazzling, fur-trimmed robe, which immediately made him feel unworthy and unsure how to respond. The scholar then signaled his maids, and carrying their lanterns, they departed, saying, “A spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Please enjoy yourselves, gentlemen, I bid you farewell.”

Wei Yunwang closely examined the lady; she was exquisitely lovely, appearing fragile and ethereal, a vision of celestial beauty, which pleased him immensely. Yet, the vast disparity in their wealth filled him with shame, making him too timid to initiate conversation. The lady laughed, “Sir, you do not seem like a mere bookworm, so why do you carry such a pedantic air about you?” As she spoke, she moved closer to the quilt, slipped underneath, and reached a hand into Wei’s embrace to warm herself. Wei Yunwang broke into a smile, reached out to pull down the lady’s trousers, and the two began to engage in playful intimacy.

The next morning, the two maids returned to fetch the lady. As they left, they arranged another meeting. That evening, the lady duly arrived, remarking with a smile, “Sir, you are blessed indeed, to gain such a fine wife without spending a single coin, one who throws herself into your arms night after night.” Seeing that the premises were empty, Wei Yunwang was overjoyed. He ordered wine and prepared a feast, and they enjoyed playing finger-guessing games, with the lady winning nine times out of ten. She then proposed, “How about I keep the counters? You guess, and if you are right, you win; if not, you lose. If I keep guessing, you will never have a chance to win.” As she predicted, they played games throughout the entire night, reveling in boundless delight.

As the hour grew late, they retired to bed. The lady murmured, “Sleeping on the quilt last night felt so dry and cold; it was unbearable.” She called out for her maids, “Bring us a new set of bedding.” Before long, a fresh cover arrived, unfurled to reveal exquisite embroidery, soft and fragrant enough to intoxicate the senses. They slept embraced, the sweet scent lingering—this scene was truly a paradise of tenderness.

From then on, the two enjoyed nightly pleasure, which soon became their regular custom.

Six months later, Wei Yunwang returned to his village to visit relatives. One moonlit night, while chatting with his wife by the bedside, he suddenly spotted the lady sitting atop the wall, beckoning him gently. Wei Yunwang approached the wall, and the woman reached out to pull him up; they climbed over the wall together. The woman took his hand and spoke earnestly, “From this day forward, I must bid you an eternal farewell. Please accompany me a little way, so as not to waste the deep affection we shared for half a year as husband and wife.”

Wei Yunwang was considerably startled and asked, “What is happening?”

The lady replied, “Our marriage was ordained by fate. Our destiny together is fulfilled; there is no need for more words.” As she spoke, they reached the edge of the village, where the two maids waited by the roadside with their lanterns. The group then ascended the high mountain to the south. The lady spoke her final farewell to Mr. Wei, trying in vain to persuade him to stay, but she departed resolutely.

Mr. Wei stood motionless, his heart heavy, gazing upward until he saw the twin lights flicker, brighten, and dim, finally vanishing into the distance, becoming completely indistinct. He turned back, deeply unhappy and filled with melancholy.

That night, the lights on the mountaintop did not extinguish, and all the villagers witnessed them.