Qi Anqi of Jinan was frivolous in nature, fond of visiting brothels. His wife gently advised him against it, but Qi Anqi paid no heed.

His wife, Lady Lin, was beautiful and virtuous. When the Qing soldiers invaded, Lady Lin was captured. During the night encampment, a Qing soldier attempted to violate her. Lady Lin feigned compliance, and when the soldier was off guard, she drew the short saber kept by her bedside and took her own life to preserve her purity.

The next day, as the Qing soldiers departed, they tossed Lady Lin’s body onto the open fields. Someone informed Master Qi of the event. Overwhelmed with grief, Qi Anqi went to the wilderness to search. He found his wife barely breathing, immediately hoisted her onto his back, and carried her home. Lady Lin’s eyes fluttered slightly, and she let out a soft moan. Qi Anqi fed her soup through a bamboo tube, praying the while, “If my wife can be restored to life, from this day forward, we shall never be estranged.”

Half a year passed, and Lady Lin’s condition gradually improved. However, the nerves in her neck had been severed by the sharp blade, causing her head to tilt permanently to the left, greatly diminishing her beauty. Qi Anqi held no resentment because of her disfigurement; instead, he cherished and loved her more tenderly than before, keeping his vow never to seek out other women.

Lady Lin felt ashamed and intended to find a concubine for Master Qi, but he refused. After living together for several years, as Lady Lin remained unable to bear children, she brought up the matter again. Qi Anqi replied, “I long ago swore not to take a second woman; heaven and earth can bear witness. If fate dictates that we remain childless, I dare not complain. If it is not meant that our line should end, are you not still in the prime of your life, unable to bear children yourself?”

Lady Lin remained silent, feigning illness, and slept alone. Secretly, she instructed the maid Haitang to attend to her husband at night. After a few days, Lady Lin asked Haitang, “How have things progressed between you? Have you shared a bed?” Haitang shook her head, “No.” Lady Lin did not believe her and went to Master Qi’s room late that night to investigate. She saw her husband sound asleep, snoring like thunder.

Lady Lin quietly slipped into the bed and touched Qi Anqi with her hand. Startled awake, Qi Anqi asked, “Who is it?” Lady Lin leaned close to his ear and whispered, “It is Haitang.” Qi Anqi said gravely, “I have already made a solemn oath: to be utterly faithful to my wife. Young woman, please return.”

Lady Lin had no choice but to get off the bed and leave, but she was not yet ready to give up. She sent Haitang again, disguised as herself, to wait upon Master Qi. Qi Anqi pondered, “My wife has always been reserved; she would never proactively seduce her husband.” Suspicion arose in his heart. He reached out and felt Haitang’s neck, finding no scar. Knowing she was a mere maid, he scolded her fiercely. Haitang’s face flushed crimson, and she withdrew in shame.

The next morning, Qi Anqi told his wife, “The maid has improper intentions; she tried to seduce me in the middle of the night. Send her away quickly, let her marry.” Lady Lin laughed, “It’s rare for a maid to offer herself so willingly; why be so stubborn? If Haitang were to carry your child, wouldn’t the Qi family finally have an heir? That would be more than you could ask for.” Qi Anqi responded, “If a man breaks his covenant and speaks falsely, how can he expect to continue his lineage?” Hearing this, Lady Lin argued no further.

Several days later, the couple chatted idly. Lady Lin laughed, “When common folk farm, they never dare to delay the planting season. It is the same between husband and wife, but this farmer of yours has not visited the field for quite some time. I will seek you out tonight.” Qi Anqi understood immediately and nodded with a smile.

That night, Lady Lin extinguished the candles and secretly instructed Haitang to sleep in her place under the covers. Before long, Qi Anqi arrived punctually for their meeting. He undressed and got into bed, saying with a smile, “The farmer has arrived. Lately, the farm tools have rarely been unsheathed; if they are not sharp enough, please forgive me, my lady.” Haitang dared not speak, and then the man and woman engaged in intimacy. Haitang whispered softly, “This lowly servant is but a delicate flower and tender blossom, unable to endure hard usage; please be gentle, my lord.” Qi Anqi nodded in agreement, and his movements indeed became somewhat restrained.

Afterward, Haitang excused herself under the pretense of needing the privy and hastily left. Lady Lin secretly counted the time, and after about the span it takes to drink a cup of tea, she returned to the bed without making a sound. By then, Qi Anqi was already deep in slumber. The next morning, when he awoke to find his wife sleeping beside him, he did not become suspicious in the least.

From then on, the mistress and maid frequently swapped places, and Qi Anqi remained completely ignorant of the deception. Not long after, Haitang became pregnant. Lady Lin secretly tested her husband’s resolve, saying, “I always urged you to favor Haitang, but you never listened. If one day Haitang were to impersonate me and lie with you, bearing your child, what would you do?”

Qi Anqi pondered for a moment and then said, “Even if Haitang’s scheme succeeded, I would not favor her. At most, I would keep the son, but as for the mother, I would sell her to the authorities.” Lady Lin sighed and said no more.

Several months later, Haitang gave birth to a son. Lady Lin secretly hired a wet nurse and took the child to her maternal home to be raised. This continued for four or five years, and then Haitang bore another son and a daughter. The eldest son was named Changsheng; he was already seven years old and studying at his maternal grandmother’s home. Lady Lin would visit her mother’s house every half a month, taking the opportunity to see her children.

Haitang grew older, and Qi Anqi often urged his wife to dismiss the maid. Lady Lin reluctantly agreed. Haitang missed her children daily. Lady Lin told her husband, “You often complain that I won’t let Haitang marry. My mother has a sworn godson, and I have already betrothed Haitang to him.” Thereupon, she dressed Haitang splendidly and sent her away.

Several more years passed, and the children grew into adulthood. It was Master Qi’s birthday. Lady Lin prepared a banquet, awaiting the guests. During the feast, Qi Anqi sighed, “Time flies; in a blink, I am over fifty. It is fortunate that you and I are healthy and our family prosperous, but the only regret is that we have no children under our knees.” Lady Lin replied, “Your temperament is stubborn; in the past, I urged you to take a concubine, and you always refused. Who can you blame now? However, if you desire sons, two are not difficult, let alone one?”

Qi Anqi broke into a smile and said, “Good, tomorrow you shall send two sons to me.” Lady Lin said, “That is easy enough.” The next morning, Lady Lin took a carriage to her maternal home, dressed the three children splendidly, and brought them all home. Arriving at the main hall, Lady Lin made the children line up to offer birthday wishes to Master Qi, calling him Father.

After the felicitations, the children stood up and began to play among themselves. Qi Anqi was utterly bewildered. Lady Lin explained, “My lord asked me for two sons, and I took the liberty of adding a daughter for you.” She then recounted the entire affair, from beginning to end. Qi Anqi was overjoyed and laughed, “You kept this hidden from me so well! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Lady Lin replied, “If I had told you early, I feared you might drive the children’s mother away. Now that the children are grown, surely you won’t mistreat Haitang anymore?”

Master Qi was moved to tears and laughed, “Never, never again shall I.” Thereupon, the couple welcomed Haitang back home. The entire family lived in harmony and enjoyed a long, peaceful life together.