Original Text
When Gao Mengshuo, a native of Fei County, served as the prefect of Chengdu, a strange case occurred. Previously, a merchant from the west had taken up residence in Chengdu and married a widow from Qingcheng Mountain. Not long after, the merchant returned home on business and came back over a year later. As soon as the couple reunited, the merchant suddenly died. The merchant's partner grew suspicious and reported the matter to the authorities. Gao Mengshuo also suspected the widow of having an illicit affair and subjected her to severe interrogation. Despite the use of all manner of cruel tortures, the widow steadfastly refused to confess. Gao Mengshuo then transferred the case to a higher court, but it could not be concluded due to a lack of solid evidence, and the case dragged on, with the widow languishing in prison for a long time. Later, someone in Gao Mengshuo's yamen fell ill, and an old physician was summoned. By chance, the conversation turned to the widow's case. Upon hearing it, the physician blurted out, "Is the widow's mouth pointed?" Gao Mengshuo asked, "What do you mean by that?" At first, the physician was reluctant to speak, but after repeated questioning, he said, "Around Qingcheng Mountain, there are several villages where the women often have intercourse with snakes. The daughters they bear have pointed mouths, and their private parts contain something like a snake's tongue. During intercourse, this tongue sometimes extends, and once it enters the male organ, the man's yang energy collapses, and he dies instantly." Gao Mengshuo was greatly shocked by this but still not entirely convinced. The physician said, "There is a witch here who can administer a drug that makes a woman's mind wander and her heart intoxicated, causing her tongue to protrude on its own. Whether it is true or false can be tested." Gao Mengshuo followed the physician's instructions and had the witch give the woman the drug. Her tongue indeed extended, and the mystery was resolved. Gao Mengshuo reported the case to his superiors, who also tested it in the same manner, and only then was the widow released without charge.
Commentary
This narrative describes a peculiar illness involving sudden death during intercourse. According to modern medical explanations, the cause often stems from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. Among these, prolonged separation, reunion after a long time, and excessive fatigue become very significant triggers. The sexual incident between the Western merchant and the widow from Qingcheng Mountain likely falls into this category. The tale attributes this to notions such as "women who often copulate with snakes give birth to daughters with pointed beaks and something like a snake's tongue in their private parts," which is somewhat sensational. However, fortunately, this strange account allowed the Qingcheng woman to escape disaster, preventing the tragedy from escalating further.