Scholar Du Jiǔwǎn’s wife fell gravely ill. It happened to coincide with the Double Ninth Festival, and a friend had invited him to a celebratory banquet. The scholar rose early to wash and dress, bidding farewell to his wife. Just as he was stepping out the door, he noticed her murmuring incessantly, seemingly conversing with someone unseen.

Du Jiǔwǎn was greatly puzzled. He moved closer to the bedside and inquired. From his wife's lips came the word, "Son." The family, already aware that something was amiss—for Du's mother had just passed away, her coffin not yet interred—thought to themselves: "This must surely be the spirit of my mother making an appearance." He immediately knelt down in reverence and asked, "Are you my mother?"

His wife cursed him, "You brute. I am your father! How can you not recognize me?" Du Jiǔwǎn replied, "If you are my father, you are no stranger. Why then do you plague your daughter-in-law?" The voice from his wife’s mouth called Du’s childhood name, saying, "I have come specifically for your wife. Why are you resenting your old man? Your daughter-in-law’s span of life is complete; by rights, she should die. Four figures arrived just now to claim her soul. The leader was named Zhang Huáiyù. It was only through my strenuous pleading that they agreed to show mercy. I have already promised to offer them gifts and burn tribute." Du Jiǔwǎn immediately went outside the door and began burning paper money.

The wife spoke again, "The four have gone. For my sake, they agreed to spare your wife. In three days, I plan to host a banquet to express my gratitude. However, your mother is frail and old and cannot manage the food and drink. On the day of the feast, I must trouble your wife to come and assist."

Du Jiǔwǎn objected, "The realms of Yin and Yang are separate paths; how can my daughter-in-law overstep her bounds? I beg your forgiveness." The wife retorted, "My son, do not be afraid. She will go and return quickly. This is her duty, and she cannot afford to be lazy." After a brief pause, she added, "I am leaving now." With the final word, the wife closed her eyes and lay motionless for a long while before finally stirring back to consciousness.

When Du inquired about the preceding conversation, his wife was completely bewildered and could recall nothing. She only said, "Just now, I saw four people arrive who wanted to drag me to the Underworld. Fortunately, my father-in-law pleaded on my behalf and offered assistance, bribing the emissaries with silver, which persuaded them to leave. I saw that my father-in-law still had two silver ingots in his pocket and immediately coveted one to tide us over. But he discovered my attempt and scolded me: 'What are you doing! Is this sort of money something you are allowed to spend?' I was startled and quickly withdrew my hand, not daring to make another move." Given his wife’s long illness, Du feared her mind was muddled and her speech unclear, so he remained half-believing, half-doubting.

Three days later, the couple was chatting and laughing when the wife suddenly’s eyes widened, and she fell silent, merely staring fixedly at the scholar, scrutinizing him. After a long pause, she finally said, "Your wife is too greedy. The day before yesterday, she saw the silver I carried and instantly harbored covetous thoughts. But because of her long poverty, I won't blame her. Now, I ask your daughter-in-law to accompany me to the netherworld for a moment. After the banquet preparations are complete, I will send her back; do not worry." As soon as she finished speaking, the wife lost consciousness. She awoke half a day later and told her husband, "Just now, my father-in-law summoned me and instructed me: 'I have already hired the cooks; you do not need to handle the preparation yourself, only direct from the side. The feasts in the Underworld are not like those in the mortal world—when plating the dishes, you must ensure they are heaped full. Remember this, remember it well.' I nodded and committed it to memory. When I arrived in the kitchen, I saw two women wielding knives, chopping vegetables and cooking. Both were dressed in red with green trimming, and they addressed me as 'Sister-in-law.' Every time a dish was served, they insisted that I inspect it. During the banquet, the same four emissaries from before were present. After all the food and wine were served, my father-in-law told me it was time to return."

Du Jiǔwǎn was utterly astonished upon hearing this, and he recounted the matter to everyone he met.