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A supernatural wife
A certain Mr. Chao, of Chang-shan, lodged in a family of the
name of Tai. He was very badly off, and, falling sick, was brought
almost to death's door. One day they moved him into the verandah, that it might be cooler for him; and, when he awoke from a
nap, lo! a beautiful girl was standing by his side. "I am come to
be your wife," said the girl, in answer to his question as to who
she was; to which he replied that a poor fellow like himself did
not look for such luck as that; adding that, being then on his
deathbed, he would not have much occasion for the services of a
wife. The girl said she could cure him, but he told her he very
much doubted that; "And even," continued he, "should you
have any good prescription, I have not the means of getting it
made up."
"I don't want medicine to cure you with," rejoined the girl,
proceeding at once to rub his back and sides with her hand, which
seemed to him like a ball of fire. He soon began to feel much
better, and asked the young lady what her name was, in order, as
he said, that he might remember her in his prayers. "I am a
spirit," replied she; "and you, when alive under the Han dynasty
as Chu Sui-lang, were a benefactor of my family. Your kindness
being engraved on my heart, I have at length succeeded in my
search for you, and am able in some measure to requite you."
Chao was dreadfully ashamed of his poverty-stricken state,
and afraid that his dirty room would spoil the young lady's dress;
but she made him show her in, and accordingly he took her into
his apartment, where there were neither chairs to sit upon, nor
signs of anything to eat, saying, "You might, indeed, be able to
put up with all this; but you see my larder is empty, and I have
absolutely no means of supporting a wife."
"Don't be alarmed about that," cried she; and in another
moment he saw a couch covered with costly robes, the walls
papered with a silver-flecked paper, and chairs and tables appear,
the latter laden with all kinds of wine and exquisite viands. They
then began to enjoy themselves, and lived together as husband
and wife. Many people came to witness these strange things, and
were all cordially received by the young lady. She in turn always
accompanied Mr. Chao whenever he went out to dinner.
One day there was an unprincipled young graduate among the
company, which she seemed immediately to become aware of;
and, after calling him several bad names, she struck him on the
side of the head, causing his head to fly out of the window while
his body remained inside; and there he was, stuck fast, unable to
move either way, until the others interceded for him and he was
released. After some time visitors became too numerous, and if
she refused to see them they turned their anger against her
husband.
At length, as they were sitting together drinking with some
friends at the Tuan-yang festival, a white rabbit ran in, whereupon the girl jumped up and said, "The doctor has come for
me." Then, turning to the rabbit, she added, "You go on: I'll
follow you." So the rabbit went away, and then she ordered them
to get a ladder and place it against a high tree in the back yard,
the top of the ladder overtopping the tree. The young lady went
up first and Chao close behind her; after which she called out to
anybody who wished to join them to make haste up. None
ventured to do so with the exception of a serving-boy belonging
to the house, who followed after Chao; and thus they went up,
up, up, up, until they disappeared in the clouds and were seen no
more. However, when the bystanders came to look at the ladder,
they found it was only an old door-frame with the panels
knocked out; and when they went into Mr. Chao's room, it was
the same old, dirty, unfurnished room as before. So they determined to find out all about it from the serving-boy when he came
back; but this he never did.
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