One dusk, the scholar journeyed toward Hubei and stopped overnight at an inn while passing through Liuhe. While stretching his legs outside, he chanced upon a fellow townsman, Zhao Donglou—a major merchant who spent most of his time traveling for business and rarely returned home. Both men were overjoyed at the reunion. Zhao invited the scholar to his quarters for a chat. As they approached the door, the scholar stopped dead in his tracks, startled by the sight of a beautiful woman sitting inside. He immediately turned to leave, but Zhao grabbed his robe, calling out through the window, "Girl, my friend and I have business to discuss; step out for a while."

The two men entered the room, and Zhao quickly arranged wine and food, exchanging pleasantries. The scholar asked, "What place is this?" Zhao replied, "This is a brothel. Since I travel constantly, I've borrowed this spot to rest." During their conversation, the beautiful woman frequently entered and exited. The scholar grew increasingly uneasy and rose to take his leave, but Zhao insisted he stay.

Presently, a young girl passed by the doorway. Upon seeing the scholar, she shot him lingering, affectionate glances. She possessed an elegant air, beautiful as a celestial being. Wang Wen, usually upright in character, found his senses completely captivated. He asked, "Who is this beauty?" Zhao replied, "She is the madam's second daughter, nicknamed Yatou, only fourteen years old. She has countless admirers, many of whom offer money just to sleep with her, but she refuses them all. For this reason, she is often whipped by her mother, and remains unwed."

Hearing this, the scholar lowered his head in silence, staring vacantly. Zhao chuckled, "Brother Wang, are you smitten? If you truly wish it, I will arrange things for you." Wang Wen sighed, "I dare not harbor such thoughts." Despite his words, he was very slow to depart. Zhao smiled again, "Really not tempted?" The scholar replied, "Brother Zhao's kindness is appreciated, but alas, my purse is thin. Even if I had the notion, what recourse would I have?"

Zhao had merely been joking, thinking to himself, "Yatou has a fiery temperament; how could she possibly favor a poor scholar?" Yet he said aloud, "Money is no object; I'll find a way. Is ten taels enough?"

The scholar pondered, "How could ten taels be enough? But it’s better than nothing." He accepted the silver, thanked Zhao profusely, and left. He then emptied his own coffers and scraped together another five taels, asking Zhao to intercede. The madam naturally scorned the small sum, but Yatou persuaded her, saying, "Mother always scolds me for refusing clients. Now, as you wish. Though fifteen taels for my first time isn't much, it's still a transaction. Let’s just settle for it. Once there is a first time, there will be second chances; there will be plenty of opportunities to earn money later on."

The madam had long been displeased with her daughter’s stubborn refusal to entertain guests. Seeing her daughter finally willing to accept a client of her own accord, she was naturally delighted to agree. She nodded, ordering a maidservant to summon the scholar.

That night, the scholar and Yatou shared a bed, their pleasure boundless. Afterward, Yatou said, "I live a life in this pleasure quarter, and I am grateful that you, sir, did not despise my lowly status and spent the night with me. However, you have squandered your entire fortune for just one night of pleasure. What about tomorrow?"

At these words, the scholar’s eyes filled with tears. Yatou quickly consoled him, "Sir, do not weep. My falling into this wretched life was not my choice. You are a man of integrity, and I wish to stay with you forever. For the long term, let us flee tonight." The scholar was overjoyed. The two rose from the bed. They heard the watchman strike the gong three times outside. Yatou quickly changed into men's clothing. Under the cover of the night, the pair, accompanied by a servant, made a hasty escape.

The scholar had two donkeys with him. Yatou pulled several yellow talismans from her bosom and affixed them to the donkeys' ears and the servant's thighs. The three whipped their mounts, and the donkeys sped away with unbelievable swiftness.

The wind howled past their ears, forcing the scholar to keep his eyes nearly shut. By dawn, the party arrived at the Han River docks, where they rented a house. The scholar inquired how the girl mastered such magic. Yatou said, "I can tell you the truth, but you must not be afraid. I am not human; I am a fox spirit. My mother’s greedy nature forced me to serve clients daily, and I long resented her. Now that we have escaped this torment, a hundred miles away, Mother can never trace us again. We are safe from now on."

The scholar harbored no further doubt and declared, "I am beside myself with joy that I can take you as my wife. But having nothing left but bare walls, I feel ashamed. How shall we earn a living?" Yatou replied, "That is nothing to worry about. You can open a small shop in the marketplace to support us; it won't be a problem. If you lack capital, simply sell the two donkeys."

The scholar followed her advice and indeed opened a small shop near the door, managing the business of selling wine and tea with his servant. Yatou, meanwhile, embroidered shawls and purses at home to sell, and they made a decent profit daily. Their circumstances gradually improved. The scholar hired several maids to serve his wife and additional staff to run the shop, ceasing his own direct involvement, only supervising from the side.

One day, Yatou suddenly turned pale and said, "We are facing great disaster tonight; what shall we do?" The scholar asked, "What is happening?" Yatou explained, "Mother has discovered where we live and will surely come to force me back. If she sends my sister, there is no need to worry; I fear only if she comes herself." Around midnight, Yatou breathed a sigh of relief, "No need to worry; it's my sister who has arrived."

Hardly had the words left her mouth when the other girl pushed open the door and entered. Yatou greeted her with a smile, but the newcomer scolded, "Shameless girl, daring to elope! Mother sent me to bring you back to justice." As she spoke, she reached inside her clothes and produced a rope, which she looped around Yatou’s neck. Yatou angrily retorted, "What crime have I committed?" The sister grew even angrier, shoving her sibling to the ground with a sharp thwack, tearing Yatou's skirt.

The maids and servants in the room rushed out to defend Yatou. The sister, suddenly fearful, fled in panic. Yatou sighed, "When my sister returns, Mother will surely come in person. Disaster is upon us; think of a plan quickly." She ordered the servants to pack their things, intending to move that very night, when the madam suddenly materialized out of thin air, her face contorted with rage. "I knew the little girl would resist; I had to do this myself," she roared.

Yatou knelt, begging for mercy, but her mother ignored her, grabbing her by the hair and striding away. The scholar wandered about in sorrow, losing his appetite and sleep. He rushed back to Liuhe, searching for any trace of Yatou, hoping to redeem her with a large sum of money. When he reached Liuhe, the familiar doors were there, but the people were gone. Yatou’s family of three had vanished without a trace. Inquiring with the neighbors, all replied, "We don't know when they moved away."

The scholar returned disappointed. He dismissed his household servants, packed his bags, and headed east back to his hometown.

Several years later, the scholar happened to pass through Yandu and stopped by an orphanage. There, he saw a small boy, about seven or eight years old. The servant, sharp-eyed, noticed the boy’s features bore a striking resemblance to his young master and kept staring at him. The scholar asked, "What are you looking at?" The servant laughed, "This little boy looks a lot like the master." The scholar smiled faintly and gazed intently at the child. The boy carried himself with unusual distinction. The scholar thought, The lad truly resembles me, and since I have no son, I might as well buy his freedom and raise him as my godson.

He asked the boy his name, and the child replied, "Wang Zi." The scholar was surprised, "How do you know your surname if you were abandoned as a child?" The boy said, "The director of the orphanage told me. He said when he found me, there was writing on my chest: 'Son of Wang Wen of Shandong.'" The scholar was greatly alarmed and exclaimed, "I am Wang Wen, but I have no son! This must be someone with the same name."

He was fond of the child's intelligence and took him home immediately. The neighbors, upon seeing the boy, knew he was the scholar's son without needing to ask. After a few years, Wang Zi grew up strong and capable, enjoying hunting and fighting, neglecting his studies. The scholar scolded him repeatedly, but to no avail.

Wang Zi claimed he could see ghosts and demons, which the neighbors refused to believe. Not long after, a certain fox demon was causing trouble in the village, and they asked Wang Zi to identify it. Wang Zi pointed out the demon’s hiding spot. Several strong men, armed with wooden clubs, administered a severe beating, during which the piteous cries of the fox demon were heard ceaselessly, its fur and blood splattering the ground. From then on, the fox spirits vanished, and the house knew peace. The villagers heard of this and marveled secretly.

One day, the scholar went to the marketplace for recreation and suddenly encountered Zhao Donglou. Zhao’s clothes were disheveled, and his face was gaunt. The scholar exclaimed in shock, "Brother Zhao, how have you fallen to this state?" Zhao sighed, "It's a long story. Let's find a quiet place to talk it over."

The two returned to the scholar’s residence, where Wang Wen prepared a banquet to calm Zhao’s nerves. After a few cups of wine, Zhao began to recount his experiences: "After the madam captured Yatou, she tormented her day and night. Soon after, the entire family moved north. The madam forced Yatou to accept clients, but Yatou swore she would never comply. In a fit of anger, the madam imprisoned her. Later, Yatou gave birth to a son and abandoned him in a desolate alley. I heard he was taken in by the orphanage. He must be grown up by now. He is Wang brother's flesh and blood."

Hearing this, the scholar wept profusely, saying, "Heaven be merciful! My wicked son has already reunited with me." He briefly recounted his side of the story and then asked again, "Brother Zhao, why are you so wretched?" Zhao sighed, "Only today did I realize that love in a brothel is not to be taken seriously. Alas, it has come to this; there is nothing more to say."

It turned out that when the madam’s family moved, Zhao followed along. However, his cargo was vast, making relocation difficult, so he sold everything off quickly at low prices. Expenses for lodging and food along the way were substantial, all paid by Zhao, causing him huge losses. The woman, Nizi, was notoriously extravagant. Within a few years, Zhao's wealth of ten thousand taels was entirely gone. When the madam saw his fortune depleted, she immediately treated him coldly. Nizi, having found someone new, became infatuated with a wealthy young master and stayed out all night. Zhao was filled with bitter resentment, but being in a foreign land, weak and alone, he could do nothing.

One day, the madam was out, and Yatou peeked through the window, shouting loudly, "Young Master Zhao, this humble servant has something to tell you: courtesans are fundamentally heartless, only caring for money. Now that you are ruined yet still infatuated, if you do not leave soon, disaster will not be far off!" Zhao was terrified upon hearing this and awoke as if from a dream. He finally resolved to return home.

Before leaving, he secretly visited Yatou one last time. Yatou wrote a letter, asking him to deliver it to the scholar.

Zhao narrated the whole sequence of events and presented the letter. In it, Yatou had written: Learning that Zi’er has reunited with his father makes me immensely relieved. As for my own misfortune, Young Master Zhao will explain it for me. What more is there to say about the karmic debt of a past life? I am confined in this dark, sunless room. I am whipped daily until my skin breaks, enduring unbearable hunger, making each day feel like a year. If my husband has not forgotten our past affection, he can discuss a strategy with our son to save me from this plight. Though Mother and Sister are cruel, they are still my flesh and blood. I strictly instruct Zi’er never to harm their lives.

The scholar read the letter, tears streaming down his face. He immediately produced his travel money and commanded his son to go rescue her. Wang Zi, who was just eighteen that year, was beside himself with fury upon hearing of his mother’s suffering. Without another word, he set off immediately. When he reached the madam’s residence, he saw carriages and horses gathered densely outside; the business was flourishing. Wang Zi stormed into the building. Nizi was feasting with a client. Seeing Wang Zi, her face instantly changed. Wang Zi strode quickly toward her and killed her with a single sword stroke.

The client cried out in shock, "Bandits are murdering people!" Before he could finish speaking, Nizi’s body convulsed, transforming into a fox, instantly reverting to its true form. Wang Zi charged into the back courtyard, sword in hand. He saw the madam ordering a maidservant to boil soup. When she noticed Wang Zi approaching, she suddenly vanished. Wang Zi scanned the area, then laughed, bent down, picked up his bow and arrow, drew the string, and shot an arrow toward the roof beam. It struck the madam precisely in the heart. A shriek echoed, and the corpse of a fox fell from mid-air.

Wang Zi chopped off the fox's head with his sword and found the place where his mother was imprisoned. He smashed the doors and windows with a large stone and rescued Yatou. Mother and son wept loudly upon meeting. Yatou asked, "Where is your grandmother?" Wang Zi replied, "I killed her." Yatou chided him, "You disobedient child! You should have buried your grandmother properly."

Wang Zi pretended to agree, secretly stripping the fox hides and hiding them away. After the madam died, she left behind much gold and silver, which Wang Zi happily took without ceremony. He returned home with his mother. The husband and wife were reunited amidst sorrow and joy. The scholar asked about the madam’s whereabouts. Wang Zi said, "She's in my bundle." As he spoke, he opened the parcel and took out two fox pelts.

Yatou was furious and cursed, "Rebellious son, how dare you be so insolent!" She began to sob uncontrollably, almost dying of grief. The scholar tried his best to comfort her and scolded his son, "Why are you still standing there? Bury those fox skins quickly!" Wang Zi mumbled resentfully, retorting, "Mother, you just escaped hardship, and already you forget the suffering you endured?" Yatou became even angrier and continued to weep. Wang Zi had no choice but to dig a hasty pit and carelessly bury the fox skins, only then did Yatou calm down.

After Yatou’s return, the scholar’s family became even wealthier. Grateful for Zhao’s timely warning, he sent him a large amount of gold and silver. Only then did Zhao realize that the madam’s entire family were fox demons.

Wang Zi served his parents with extreme filial piety, but his temper remained volatile; if their words clashed even slightly, he would immediately erupt into shouting and cursing. Yatou confided in her husband, "Our son has 'stubborn sinews' in him. If they aren't pulled out, he will eventually kill people, cause disaster, and bankrupt the family."

One night, Wang Zi went to bed, snoring thunderously. The couple worked together and tied his hands and feet with rope. Startled awake, Wang Zi shouted, "I am innocent, why are you tying me up?" Yatou replied, "Don't be afraid, I am treating your illness." Wang Zi refused to listen, shouting loudly, but his limbs were restrained, and he could not break free.

Yatou took out a long needle and pricked her son's ankle bone, driving it in three or four fen deep. With a knife, she cut the "stubborn sinews" in his leg and pulled the underlying knot out. Following the same procedure, she did the same to his hands and the back of his head, removing every single one. Once everything was done, she untied the ropes and told her son, "It's fine now; go back to sleep."

The next morning, Wang Zi went to his parents' bedroom, knelt, and repented, "I feel deeply guilty for all my past actions. Please forgive me, Mother and Father." The scholar and his wife were overjoyed to hear this.

From then on, Wang Zi’s temperament became gentle, like that of a young maiden, earning him great praise from the neighbors.