Chen Xiucai of Shuntian Prefecture, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, studied at a temple, yet his talent was mediocre, and he achieved little. The Master had numerous disciples, among them a scholar surnamed Zhu, who claimed to be from Shandong. He studied day and night without rest, residing in the study year-round and never returning home. When asked the reason, he would reply, "My family is destitute, and this opportunity for learning is hard-won. Would it not be a waste of time to constantly return home?"

The Xiucai greatly admired these words and wished to become his companion, staying long-term at the temple for mutual discussion. The scholar, however, said, "No, our Master's knowledge is limited; this is not a place to linger. I have heard that Mr. Lü possesses profound erudition. We should prepare a remuneration and formally seek his tutelage." The Xiucai nodded in agreement.

Mr. Lü was originally a scholar from Zhejiang who had fallen on hard times while adrift elsewhere, making it difficult to return home. Seeing the two Xiucai approaching to become his students brought him immense joy. Of the pair, the scholar was notably clever, absorbing written characters upon sight. More than a month passed in a blink, when the scholar suddenly requested leave to return home, disappearing for over ten days.

One day, the Xiucai happened to visit Tianning Temple and unexpectedly ran into the scholar, whom he found working there. Seeing the Xiucai suddenly, the scholar looked visibly uneasy. The Xiucai asked, "Why did you abruptly stop your studies?" The scholar sighed and replied, "I am penniless and unable to afford tuition. Thus, I must step out every so often to work odd jobs and earn wages. Once I have saved enough for the fees, I will certainly return to the academy." The Xiucai pondered, "This way of life is no solution. You should return to your studies first; I will find a way to manage the tuition."

The Xiucai’s father owned a small hotel and had modest savings. Recently, silver had frequently gone missing from home—naturally stolen by the Xiucai, who was fiercely scolded by his father. Hearing this, the scholar was terrified and anxious, unwilling to cause the Xiucai further trouble, and thus voluntarily proposed withdrawing from school.

When Mr. Lü inquired about his reason, the scholar told the truth. Mr. Lü was displeased: "Since your family is poor, why did you not say so earlier? Am I an unreasonable man?" He immediately returned the entire fee, saying, "Do not overthink this. Study diligently from now on; I will charge you no tuition."

Half a year later, Mr. Lü’s son arrived in Shuntian and brought his father back to their hometown. After the old gentleman departed, the Xiucai and the scholar became even more diligent, focusing solely on achieving scholarly success and making a name for themselves. Before long, the Xiucai entered the county school and said to the scholar, "In a few months, the imperial examination will take place. Given my aptitude, the odds of my success are slim—perhaps one in ten. What should be done?"

The scholar replied, "Worry not. I shall participate in the examination on your behalf; achieving success on the Golden List will be as easy as turning a hand." The Xiucai asked, "Our appearances are different; how can you substitute for me?" The scholar laughed, "I have my methods." On the day of the examination, the scholar brought along a man, saying, "This is my cousin, Liu Tianruo. He is hospitable, and his home is not far; we can visit for a while." As he spoke, he reached out and pushed the Xiucai, who, caught off guard, tumbled to the ground. Instantly, his soul left his body, and he cried out in shock, "What is happening?"

Liu Tianruo chuckled, "Fear not, come with me." The two arrived at a residence where they stayed for several days. Unaware of the passage of time, it was already Mid-Autumn Festival. Liu Tianruo remarked, "Today, the Prince Li’s gardens are thronged with visitors. Let us go see the spectacle, and then we can escort the young master home." He then commanded a page to prepare wine and food and rose to his feet, stepping out.

Crossing a water sluice, they spotted a painted pleasure boat anchored beneath the willow trees. The two boarded the vessel hand in hand. Liu Tianruo instructed the page, "A new courtesan has arrived at the Plum Blossom Pavilion recently; go and invite her here." The page obeyed and soon returned, followed by a beautiful woman who introduced herself as Miss Li, named Eyun, a famous courtesan of the capital.

Liu Tianruo commanded her to sing. Li Eyun gracefully offered her voice; the melody was graceful and utterly captivating. When the song concluded, the host and guests applauded loudly. The Xiucai asked, "I hear the lady composed a 'Ruan Xi Sha' that is quite engaging. Might you recite it for us?" Li Eyun nodded and recited: "Teary-eyed, I faced the mirror stand; opening the curtain, I suddenly saw the younger sister-in-law approach; bowing and turning, I examined her silken shoes. Forced to soften my green eyebrows into a smile, repeatedly I wiped my fragrant cheek with my sleeve, cautiously lest I be suspected." The Xiucai listened intently and praised when she finished, "A fine lyric." Liu Tianruo remarked, "It is a fine lyric, but perhaps overly mournful."

As they spoke, the boat docked. The three passed through a long corridor lined with walls covered in inscriptions of poetry and verses. The Xiucai, brimming with excitement, took a brush and inscribed that very 'Ruan Xi Sha' lyric upon the wall. Soon, the sun began to set. Liu Tianruo announced, "It is getting late; I shall escort the young master back now."

Upon reaching home, Liu Tianruo took his leave. The Xiucai stepped into the room and saw a person entering from outside—a face and demeanor exactly like his own—who smiled and said, "Brother Chen, have you been well?" That voice, gentle and refined, belonged to the scholar. The Xiucai recognized it after only one hearing and exclaimed, "Are you Brother Zhu?"

That person was indeed the scholar. Hearing the recognition, he smiled faintly and said, "Since things have come to this, I can hide nothing further. At that time, I was not human, but a ghost. Because my friendship with Brother Chen ran deep, I borrowed your body to participate in the examination to repay your kindness. Now that the examination is complete, I must move on to reincarnation. I shall return your physical form to you." The Xiucai asked, "What was the result of this examination?"

The scholar replied, "Smooth sailing. Achieving the rank is not in doubt." The Xiucai pleaded, "Do not rush off yet; finish the Metropolitan Examination for me before you depart." The scholar said, "Brother Chen’s fortune is too thin; the title of Jinshi is not yours to claim." The Xiucai remained silent for a while, then asked, "Where do you plan to reincarnate?" The scholar answered, "Mr. Lü and I share a karmic bond of father and son, and my cousin Liu Tianruo serves in the Underworld. With his assistance, the King of Hell has approved my rebirth into the Lü family." Upon finishing, he collapsed onto the ground.

Silence enveloped the surroundings. The Xiucai asked, "Brother Zhu, are you still there?" The scholar called out, "I am still here. Do not speak yet; quickly merge with your physical body." The Xiucai nodded, and his soul seeped back into his shell, allowing him to slowly stand up. Just then, a flash of light illuminated the room, and the scholar reappeared, extending both hands, saying, "Quickly fetch ink and brush, and write the character 'Zhu' on the palm of each of my hands so we may recognize each other later."

After the characters were written, the Xiucai brought out wine to bid the scholar farewell. The scholar shook his head, "No need for trouble. If Brother Chen does not forget our old friendship, please visit Zhejiang for a reunion after the results are posted." With those words, he vanished.

Several days later, the Xiucai indeed passed the provincial examination, immediately packed his belongings, and headed for the Lü family residence in Zhejiang. Mr. Lü’s wife, already over fifty, had long been unable to bear children. On the very day the Xiucai arrived, she suddenly gave birth to a baby boy, whose hands remained tightly clenched. The Xiucai smiled, "This is my friend, Brother Zhu. If you do not believe me, there is the character 'Zhu' on each of his hands." As soon as he finished speaking, the child opened his hands, revealing the character 'Zhu' clearly marked on each palm.