The scholar Shi, intending to seek office in the capital, packed his belongings and set out for the imperial city. Passing through Dezhou, Shi was suddenly struck by a grievous illness; he vomited blood and could not rise, remaining bedridden in his boat. His servant stole his silver and gold and fled without a word. Shi raged, which only aggravated his condition, cutting off his means of sustenance. The boatman secretly schemed to abandon Shi entirely. Just then, a woman traveling on another boat heard of his plight while they were moored near the shore one evening, and she volunteered to take him in.

The boatman rejoiced and immediately ushered Shi into his cabin. Shi opened his eyes and looked at the woman: she was in her early forties, clad in luxurious silks, with a striking, beautiful face. As he murmured his thanks, the woman sighed, “Sir, you are beset by this grave malady; your life hangs by a thread.” Hearing this, Shi wept bitterly. The woman then said, “I possess an elixir that can recall the dead to life. When you have recovered from this illness, you must not forget my kindness.” Shi swore solemnly, “I would never dare forget.”

The woman produced a pill and gave it to Shi to swallow. Half a day later, Shi’s condition improved. The woman attended to him diligently, her intimacy surpassing that of a wedded couple, and Shi’s gratitude deepened. A month later, Shi was fully restored to health. The woman then spoke, “This humble concubine is lonely and without support. If you, sir, do not scorn my age and fading looks, I wish to become your wife.”

At this time, Shi was in his early thirties and had been widowed for many years. Hearing her proposal, he was overjoyed beyond measure and immediately became entwined with the woman, their passion unrestrained. The woman brought out her private funds to provide Shi with travel money. They pledged that once Shi had achieved fame and status, they would return home together.

After arriving in the capital, Shi used gold and silver to bribe officials and successfully secured a position. He still possessed a good deal of wealth, so he immediately purchased a fine steed and an opulent carriage, preparing for his triumphant return home. Yet, he recalled that the woman was advanced in years and not a suitable match for his new standing. He thus used a hundred ounces of gold to arrange a marriage for a young lady of the Wang family as a secondary wife, feeling uneasy and fearing the older woman might discover the arrangement. Upon his return journey, he deliberately avoided passing through Dezhou, choosing a long detour.

A year passed thus, and Shi never contacted the woman.

Shi’s cousin, who occasionally traveled through Dezhou, happened to lodge near the woman. The woman knew the cousin’s identity and visited him to inquire after Shi’s whereabouts; the cousin truthfully told her everything. The woman erupted in curses, recounting the nature of their relationship. The cousin, incensed by this injustice, tried to placate her: “Perhaps Cousin Shi is overwhelmed with official duties and has no time to look after you, sister-in-law. Write him a letter, and I shall take it back for you.” The woman followed his advice and wrote the letter, but Shi remained unmoved and paid it no heed.

Another year turned. The woman traveled to Shi’s residence herself and asked the gatekeeper to announce her, but Shi refused to see her. One day, as Shi was deep in a feast, he suddenly heard an incessant clamor of shouting and cursing. He paused his cup to listen closely, and in that moment, the woman had flung open the curtains and entered. Shi gasped in terror, his face turning the color of dust. The woman roared, “Faithless man! How happily you feast! Have you forgotten how you attained this wealth and status? Our bond was not slight. Even if you were to take a concubine, you should have discussed it with me; I would not have forbidden it.”

Shi held his breath, daring not speak. After a long silence, shame finally overtook him. He knelt, admitted his fault, and begged for forgiveness. The woman’s anger somewhat subsided. Shi spoke with his new concubine, Lady Wang, asking her to present herself to the woman with the deference due a younger sister. Lady Wang resisted. Shi insisted repeatedly, and Lady Wang finally acquiesced, coming out to bow. The woman returned the courtesy, saying, “Younger sister, do not be afraid; I am not a jealous person. It is just that Shi Lang utterly disregards our shared past, which is too much. If you were in my position, you would also be displeased.”

Lady Wang asked for the full story, which the woman recounted, detail by detail. Upon hearing it, Lady Wang also became enraged, hurling sharp accusations and curses, deeply feeling the injustice. Shi felt utterly disgraced, offering only ceaseless pleas for mercy. After venting her fury for a time, the woman’s anger dissolved, and the three of them reconciled.

Before the woman arrived, Shi had secretly instructed his retainers never to announce her. Now that she had burst unannounced into the main hall, Shi was furious and severely reprimanded the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper protested, saying, “The main door was barred, and I always kept the small key on my person. I truly do not know how the lady entered.” His words carried a note of genuine grievance.

Shi found this strange but dared not question the woman further. Though they outwardly exchanged pleasantries, a rift had already formed between them in their hearts. Fortunately, the woman was wise and virtuous, never seeking to dominate or quarrel. After each meal, she would return to her room, close the door, and sleep early, never inquiring where Shi spent his nights. Lady Wang, initially worried the woman would try to steal favor, was finally relieved and grew increasingly respectful toward her, paying her respects morning and evening. The woman managed the household with leniency and precision, discerning the minutest details.

One day, Shi lost his official seal, throwing the entire household into a panic. They searched everywhere to no avail. The woman smiled and said, “Do not worry; the seal is in the well. Drain the water, and you will surely find it.” Shi tested her words, and indeed, the lost seal was recovered from the bottom of the well. He asked her, “How did you know?” The woman only smiled and remained silent. It seemed she knew who had stolen the seal, yet she steadfastly refused to reveal the culprit.

After several years of cohabitation, Shi began to notice peculiar aspects in the woman’s words and actions, leading him to suspect she was not entirely human. After she retired to bed one night, he ordered the servants to observe her closely. The servants returned reporting, “We only heard the sound of rustling clothes coming from the inner chamber, and we could not ascertain what the mistress was doing.”

The woman and Lady Wang had grown very close. One evening, Shi was out on business. The two women drank together and eventually collapsed drunk on the mats. The woman’s body transformed into that of a fox. Lady Wang felt a pang of pity, fearing she would grow cold, and covered the creature with a thick quilt. Shortly after, Shi returned home. Lady Wang revealed the truth, and Shi was overcome with rage, seizing a knife to slay the fox. Lady Wang prevented him, arguing, “Even if she is a spirit, sister, what has she done to wrong you, husband?” Shi would not listen and insisted on carrying out the slaughter.

The woman started, awakened by the commotion, and cursed him, “Your heart is truly venomous! We cannot stay in this place. That pill I gave you before—give it back to me.” As she spoke, she spat once, the globule landing squarely on Shi’s cheek. Shi felt his face instantly chilled as if plunged in ice; an itch rose in his throat, and involuntarily, he spat out the pill. The pill was not dissolved; its size and shape were exactly as before.

The woman snatched up the pill and departed in anger. Lady Wang rushed out to follow, but the woman had vanished.

That night, Shi’s old illness returned with a vengeance, and he vomited blood without stopping. Six months later, he died from the ailment.