Liu Fanghui, a native of the capital, had a younger sister who was betrothed to a man named Dai Sheng, though the marriage had not yet been consummated. At that time, the Qing forces swept into the region. Fearing depredations from the soldiers, the family hastily dressed the young Miss Liu in her finest attire, intending to finalize the wedding immediately. As the final touches were being applied to her appearance, Qing soldiers abruptly burst in. The father and son scattered to save themselves, and in the ensuing chaos, Miss Liu was captured by a Qing soldier.

Throughout the journey, the soldier maintained a respectful demeanor and did not mistreat Miss Liu. Every night, he slept alone, yet ensured her provisions and meals were supplied with utmost care. Sometime later, the soldier captured a young man of similar age to Miss Liu, possessing an elegant and refined bearing. The soldier addressed the youth, saying, "I have no son; I wish to adopt you as my godson. Are you willing?" The youth demurred respectfully but agreed. The soldier then pointed to Miss Liu and added, "If you consent, I shall grant this maiden to you as your wife." The young man was overjoyed and immediately consented. Subsequently, the man and woman shared a bed, their intimacy harmonious, and during their pillow talk, they exchanged names. It turned out the youth was none other than Dai Sheng. ……………… ……………… ……………… A certain official from Shaanxi, serving in the Salt and Iron Bureau, was stationed far from his family. At that time, the rebellion led by Jiang Xiang erupted, and the official’s hometown was overrun by the rebel forces, cutting off all communication with his relatives. After the revolt was finally suppressed, the official sent men to inquire after his family, but within a hundred li, the land was deserted, and there was nowhere to seek news.

Later, the official traveled to the capital to report on his duties. An old family servant, a widower living alone and in poverty, heard that the Qing army had returned victorious, capturing numerous women whom they were selling in the marketplace, marked with straw bunches. With a few taels of silver jingling in his pocket, he set out to buy a wife. Because his funds were meager, he dared not approach the younger maidens. He spotted an elderly woman in the crowd whose appearance, though aged, was neat, and he purchased her, taking her back to his dwelling.

The old woman sat by the bedside, gazing intently. She suddenly exclaimed, "Is this not so-and-so?" The old servant asked, "How do you recognize me?" The crone replied, "You served under my son; of course, I know you." The servant was greatly alarmed and immediately reported the matter to the official. The official came to look, and indeed, the old woman was his mother. Overcome with joy, he immediately presented the servant with several dozen taels of silver as a reward.

With more silver in hand, the servant felt no inclination to buy the old woman back. This time, he fixed his gaze upon a woman about thirty years old, whose features were striking. He promptly paid her ransom and led her home. As they walked, the woman kept appraising the servant and suddenly said, "Is this not so-and-so?" The servant asked, "How do you recognize me too?" The woman replied, "You worked under my husband; how could I not know you?"

The servant grew increasingly astonished. He immediately escorted the woman back to the residence to present her to his master. Upon sight of his wife, the official burst into uncontrollable tears. To have his mother and wife reunited in a single day—it could only be attributed to the workings of fate.

The official’s spirits soared. He bestowed another hundred taels of silver upon the servant and arranged for him to marry a beautiful wife.