Original Text
Wang Jisheng, styled Wangsun, was a renowned scholar of Daming Prefecture. His parents, because he could recognize his father while still in swaddling clothes, deemed him naturally intelligent and cherished him deeply. As he grew older, he became increasingly handsome; by the age of eight or nine, he could compose essays, and at fourteen, he entered the prefectural academy. Wang Jisheng often wished to choose his own spouse. His father, Wang Gui'an, had a younger sister named Erniang, who married the scholar Zheng Ziqiao and bore a daughter named Guixiu, who was beautiful, clever, and unmatched in the world. When Wang Jisheng saw her, he fell deeply in love, and over time, he became so lovesick that he could neither eat nor sleep. His parents were extremely worried and pressed him to reveal the cause; Wang Jisheng then confessed the truth. His father sent a matchmaker to the Zheng family to propose marriage, but Zheng Ziqiao, being stubborn and strict by nature, considered marriage between cousins improper and refused the match. Wang Jisheng's condition worsened. His mother, Yunniang, could think of no solution and secretly sent someone to gently discuss the matter with Erniang, hoping only that Guixiu might visit the Wang household once to see Wang Jisheng. When Zheng Ziqiao heard of this, he grew even more furious and spoke harshly. Wang Jisheng's parents, now in despair, could only let matters take their course.
In the prefecture there was a wealthy Zhang family with five daughters, all of whom were beautiful; the youngest, named Wuke, was even more exquisite than her sisters and was still selecting a husband without having been betrothed. One day, while on her way to a grave-sweeping ceremony, Wuke saw Wang Jisheng from within her carriage and, upon returning home, told her mother of his appearance. Her mother, discerning Wuke's feelings, summoned the matchmaker Yu and secretly instructed her to propose the match. Yu then went to the Wang residence. At that time, Wang Jisheng was still ill; upon hearing of his condition, Yu laughed and said, "This ailment I, an old woman, can cure." Yuniang asked what she meant, and Yu recounted the Zhang family's intentions, praising Wuke's beauty most highly. Yuniang was delighted and sent Yu to see Wang Jisheng. Entering his chamber, Yu patted Wang Jisheng and told him the purpose of her visit. Wang Jisheng shook his head and said, "The medicine does not match the disease; what use is it?" Yu chuckled and replied, "When consulting a physician, one only asks if his skill is superior. If his skill is indeed great, even if one summons Yi He but receives Yi Huan, the illness can still be cured. If you stubbornly insist on a particular doctor to treat you, even if you die waiting for him, is that not utter folly?" Wang Jisheng sobbed and said, "But among all the physicians under heaven, none surpasses Yi He." Yu said, "How narrow is your vision!" Then she vividly described Wuke's countenance, complexion, and demeanor, both in words and gestures, to Wang Jisheng. Wang Jisheng again shook his head and said, "Mother, say no more! This person is not the one in my heart." With that, he turned his face to the wall and would listen no further. Seeing that Wang Jisheng's resolve was unshakable, Yu had no choice but to leave.
One day, Wang Jisheng lay in a daze from illness when suddenly a maidservant entered and said, "The one you long for has arrived!" Overjoyed, Wang Jisheng leaped from his bed and rushed out of the room, only to find a beautiful woman already standing in the courtyard. Gazing closely, he realized she was not Guixiu; she wore a fine pleated silk skirt of pine-flower hue, her tiny feet barely visible, like a celestial maiden descended to earth. Wang Jisheng stepped forward to bow and asked her name. The maiden replied, "I am Wuke. Your deep affection is fixed solely on Guixiu, which stirs resentment in my heart." Wang Jisheng apologized, saying, "In all my life, I have never seen your countenance before, so my eyes beheld only Guixiu. Today, I recognize my fault!" With that, he pledged his vows to Wuke. As he warmly clasped her hand, his mother happened to come and stroke him; he awoke with a start, realizing it had all been a dream. Recalling Wuke's voice and visage as if still before him, he thought to himself, "If Wuke is truly as I saw in the dream, why pursue the elusive Guixiu?" Thus, he recounted the dream to his mother.
Yunniang was very pleased that her son's intention had changed, and she hurriedly sought someone to go to the Zhang family to propose marriage. Wang Jisheng, fearing that what he had seen in his dream might not be true, entrusted an elderly neighbor woman who was acquainted with the Zhang family to pretend she had some business there, instructing her to secretly observe Wu Ke. When the old woman arrived at the Zhang household, Wu Ke was ill, resting her head on a pillow and supporting her fragrant cheek with her hand, presenting a graceful and captivating posture that was truly of a beauty that could topple kingdoms. The old woman approached and asked, "What illness is this?" Wu Ke silently played with her sash, uttering not a single word. Her mother replied on her behalf, "It is not an illness. These past few days, she has been sulking with her parents!" The old woman inquired as to the reason, and the mother said, "Many families have come to propose marriage, but she refuses them all, insisting that she will only marry Wang Jisheng of the Wang family. Because I, as her mother, urged her too harshly, she grew angry and has not eaten for several days." The old woman laughed and said, "If this young lady were to marry Master Wang, they would truly be a pair of jade-like beings. If he were to see Fifth Miss, I fear he would waste away from longing! Let me return and inform the Wang family, and have them send a matchmaker to propose. What do you think?" Wu Ke stopped her, saying, "Mother, do not do this! I fear that if he refuses, it will only invite ridicule!" The old woman resolutely promised to accomplish the matter, and only then did Wu Ke smile and agree. The old woman returned to the Wang family to report, and her account matched that of the matchmaker. Wang Jisheng inquired in detail about Wu Ke's attire, and it was exactly as he had seen in his dream, filling him with great joy. Although his mind was somewhat eased, he still dared not fully trust what others had said.
After a few days, Wang Jisheng's illness gradually improved, and he secretly summoned the matchmaker Yu to discuss arranging a personal meeting with Wuke. Yu found it quite difficult but agreed for the time being and left. After a long while, Yu still had not returned. Just as Wang Jisheng was about to send someone to inquire, Yu suddenly arrived in high spirits and said, "Fortunately, there is an opportunity now. Wuniang has been slightly unwell and every day lets her maid support her as she takes a stroll in the opposite courtyard. Sir, go ahead and hide in wait; Wuniang moves slowly, so you can get a clear look at her." Wang Jisheng was delighted. The next day, he had his horse prepared early and set off, finding Yu already waiting there. She had him tie the horse to a tree outside the village, then led him into a room facing the street, had him sit down, closed the door, and left. After a short while, Wuke indeed came out leaning on her maid. Wang Jisheng watched her intently through a crack in the door. As Wuke passed by the door, Yu deliberately pointed at clouds and trees to slow her pace. Wang Jisheng saw Wuke clearly, his heart racing uncontrollably. Soon, Yu returned and asked, "Can she stand in for a lady?" Wang Jisheng thanked her and went home. Upon returning, he immediately told his parents about seeing Wuke and sent a matchmaker to the Zhang family to propose marriage. But when the matchmaker arrived at the Zhangs, it turned out that Wuke had already been betrothed to someone else.
Wang Jisheng was utterly disheartened, his regret and anguish nearly killing him, and he fell ill once more. His father was deeply worried, blaming him for ruining the good fortune himself. Wang Jisheng could only remain silent, consuming but a single bowl of rice gruel each day; within a few days, he had wasted away to skin and bones, lying in bed, more gravely ill than before. One day, Yu Shi suddenly arrived and asked in astonishment, "How have you fallen so ill?" Wang Jisheng wept and told her the truth. Yu Shi laughed and said, "What a foolish young master! Before, it was they who pursued you, yet you deliberately refused; now it is you who seek them—how can it be accomplished at a moment's notice? Still, there may be a way. Had you consulted me earlier, even if she were betrothed to a prince of the capital, I could have snatched her back for you." Wang Jisheng was overjoyed and begged her for a plan. Yu Shi then had him write a letter, which was sent to the Zhang family, and arranged to await a reply at their home the next day. Wang Gui'an feared that acting rashly might provoke rejection from the Zhangs, but Yu Shi said, "Previously, I had already made an agreement with Master Zhang; it was only after a few days' delay that they suddenly reneged. Moreover, they claimed that Fifth Lady was already betrothed to another, yet there was no letter or pledge. As the saying goes, 'He who cooks first eats first.' What is there to doubt?" Wang Gui'an heeded her advice. The next day, two servants were sent to the Zhang family with betrothal gifts, and the Zhangs raised no objections, rewarding them generously. Wang Jisheng's illness then vanished at once, and from that day forward, he never again pined for the young lady of the house.
At first, Zheng Ziqiao rejected the betrothal gifts from the Wang family, and Guixiu was greatly displeased. When she later heard that the Wang and Zhang families had formed a marriage alliance, her heart grew even more despondent, and she fell ill, growing weaker day by day. Her parents asked her what was wrong, but she refused to speak. A maidservant, having discerned Guixiu's thoughts, secretly informed her parents. Upon hearing this, Zheng Ziqiao was furious and refused to summon a physician for Guixiu, leaving her to die of her illness. Erniang complained, "My nephew is not inferior either; why must you cling to those stale, rigid conventions and bring about our daughter's death?" Zheng Ziqiao, burning with shame and anger, retorted, "A daughter like the one you bore is better off dead early, lest she become a laughingstock for others!" From then on, the couple turned against each other. Erniang consulted with her daughter, suggesting she still marry Wang Jisheng, but only as a concubine. Guixiu lowered her head in silence, appearing quite willing. Erniang then discussed it with Zheng Ziqiao, who grew even more enraged, leaving the matter entirely to Erniang's handling and washing his hands of the marriage. Driven by deep love for her daughter, Erniang resolved to make her plan a reality, whereupon Guixiu became cheerful and her illness gradually improved.
Erh-niang secretly learned that Wang Chi-sheng's wedding date had been set. On that day, she pretended to return to her mother's home on the pretext of her nephew's marriage. At dawn, she sent someone to her brother's house to borrow a carriage. Wang Kuei-an, who was most affectionate toward his younger sister and mindful that the two villages were close, dispatched the carriage intended for the bride to fetch Erh-niang first. When the carriage arrived, Erh-niang dressed her daughter and placed her aboard, sending two maids and two serving women as escorts. The carriage reached the Wang household, where red felt was spread on the ground, and Kuei-hsiu was led inside. The musicians were already prepared, and the servants ordered them to strike up the instruments; in an instant, voices clamored and drums and pipes blared. Wang Chi-sheng rushed out to see a woman veiled in red silk, and, utterly astonished, turned to flee; but two of the Cheng family's servants stepped forward and seized him by the arms, forcing him to bow with the bride. Before Wang Chi-sheng knew what was happening, the wedding rites were completed. The two serving women helped the woman into the bridal chamber, and only then did he realize she was Kuei-hsiu. The entire household fell into confusion, not knowing what to do. As evening gradually approached, Wang Chi-sheng dared not go to the Chang family to fetch the new bride. Wang Kuei-an sent a servant to inform the Changs of the situation. The Changs, enraged, wished to break off the engagement. Wu-k'o disagreed, saying, "Though she arrived first, no formal betrothal gifts were exchanged; it is better to let the Wangs come to fetch me as planned." Her father accepted this advice and told the messenger. The servant returned and reported this, but Wang Kuei-an ultimately dared not act according to the Changs' wishes. The family sat together in deliberation, caught between amusement and anger. The Changs waited long, and knowing the Wangs would not come, sent their own carriage to deliver Wu-k'o to the Wang household. The Wangs set up another bridal chamber in a separate room, and Wang Chi-sheng shuttled between the two chambers, at a loss. Then Yun-niang mediated, proposing that Wu-k'o and Kuei-hsiu settle seniority by age, and both girls agreed. When Wu-k'o learned that Kuei-hsiu was slightly older, she was reluctant to call her elder sister, causing Yun-niang great worry. On the third day, when the two met their parents-in-law, Wu-k'o saw that Kuei-hsiu was elegant in manner and dignified in bearing, and involuntarily addressed her as elder sister; from then on, the two brides settled their order. Wang Kuei-an and his wife feared that in time they would not get along, but the two daughters-in-law never quarreled; they exchanged garments and loved each other like sisters.
At this time, Wang Jisheng asked Wu Ke why she had initially rejected the marriage proposal, and Wu Ke said with a smile, "There is no other reason—it was merely to repay you for refusing the matchmaker Yu's proposal. Before you had seen me, your heart was occupied solely with that other lady; even after you met me, I resolved to maintain a dignified air, to observe whether your attitude toward me matched that toward her. If you had fallen ill for her sake but not for mine, I would not have insisted that you marry me." Wang Jisheng laughed and said, "The revenge was indeed severe! Had it not been for the matchmaker Yu, how could I have ever beheld your lovely countenance?" Wu Ke replied, "It was I who wished to see you—how could the matchmaker Yu have managed it? When I passed before that gate, did I not know there was someone inside staring intently at me? In my dream, I had already made a pact with you—why did you still not believe?" Wang Jisheng asked in astonishment, "How did you know of my dream?" Wu Ke said, "When I was ill, I dreamed of coming to your house and thought it absurd, but later I heard that you too had dreamed, and only then did I realize that my spirit had truly visited this place." Wang Jisheng found it miraculous and recounted his own dream, which matched Wu Ke's in both hour and date. The blessed union of Wang Guian and his son were both achieved through dreams, which can indeed be called a wondrous romance. Thus I have recorded them together.
The Chronicler of Strange Tales remarks: The father was infatuated with love, and the son nearly died for it. What is called a love-seed—does it not refer to someone like Wangsun? Without a father skilled in dreaming, how could there be a son who would leave his own body for love!
Commentary
This piece is the sequel to the preceding story "Wang Gui'an." Jisheng is the son of Wang Gui'an from the previous tale, and Wang Gui'an and Yunniang also remain active in this narrative. This is a unique occurrence within the structure of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." The reason for this phenomenon likely relates to Pu Songling's deliberate intention to create novelty and explore different plotlines under the same framework. The "Historian of the Strange" remarks: "The father was infatuated with love, and the son nearly died for it. What is called a love-stricken seed—does it not refer to this noble scion? Without a father who dreamed of love, how could there be a son whose soul departed?" Dan Minglun commented: "This piece takes the two words 'love-stricken seed' as its root, and the two words 'soul departure' as its thread." This can serve as a key to understanding "Wang Gui'an" and "Jisheng" in parallel.
Since this piece is structured around formal variations, there are many debatable points in character depiction and content description. For instance, Wang Gui'an's infatuation with Yunniang marks him as a true lover, yet when Jisheng proves fickle, can he also be deemed a true lover? In the tale of Wang Gui'an, Yunniang could not accept the reality of sharing a husband with another woman, which was likely the marital boundary for respectable young women of the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially their parents. However, in this story, not only are Wu Ke and Guixiu willing to accept shared marriage, making light of the matter, but their parents also acquiesce. Notably, Guixiu's father, Scholar Zheng, who had rejected a match due to cousinly relations, would surely have raised objections and fury over the issue of shared marriage. These are points readers must ponder, yet the narrative evades them. Nevertheless, purely from a literary technique perspective, this piece is indeed imbued with romanticism, "like wandering through the Shanyin Path, offering endless delights, and when seeking the subtlety of its brushwork, it resembles the three divine mountains of the sea, visible yet unattainable" (as commented by Dan Minglun).