Original Text
Yu Xiaosi was a man of Dongchang, who made his living by hoarding goods. His wife, née Xia, was returning one day from a visit to her parents' home when she saw an old woman outside the gate, leading a young girl and weeping bitterly. Xia approached and asked what was the matter; the old woman wiped her tears and told her story. It turned out that the old woman's husband was named Wang Xinzai, also a descendant of an official family. Their fortunes had declined, and having no means of livelihood, he had begged a guarantor to borrow money from a wealthy man named Huang for business. On the road, he encountered bandits who robbed him of the money, though he was fortunate to escape with his life. When he returned home, Huang came to demand repayment; calculating the principal and interest, it came to no less than thirty taels of silver, and there was truly nothing with which to settle the debt. Huang, seeing that Wang's daughter Renzhen was very beautiful, desired to take her as a concubine, so he had the guarantor directly inform Wang Xinzai: if he agreed to this, not only would the debt be cleared, but an additional twenty taels of silver would be given. Wang Xinzai discussed it with his wife, who said, "Though our family is poor, we are still descendants of an official line. His family rose through base trades—how dare he think of taking our daughter as a secondary wife! Besides, Renzhen already has a betrothed; how can you make such a decision on your own?" Previously, the son of a Metropolitan Graduate named Fu, who lived in the same city, had been on good terms with Wang Xinzai. Fu had a son named Amao, and the two families had betrothed their children while they were still in swaddling clothes. Later, Fu went to Fujian as an official, but died after a little over a year; his wife and children were unable to return home, and all news of them was lost. Thus, by the time Renzhen reached fifteen, she was still not betrothed. When his wife mentioned this, Wang Xinzai had nothing to say, only brooding over how to repay the debt. His wife said, "If there is no other way, let me try to discuss it with my two younger brothers." The wife's maiden name was Fan; her grandfather had once served as an official in the capital, and her two nephews still possessed considerable farmland. The next day, Fan took her daughter back to her natal home and told her two brothers about Huang's pressing debt. The two brothers let her weep and wail without saying a word about helping her. So Fan returned, sobbing, and happened to meet Xia, who asked what was wrong; she wept and poured out her tale.
Xia felt great pity for them, and as she looked at the girl, whose graceful bearing and charming appearance were deeply moving, her heart grew even more sorrowful and distressed. She then invited the mother and daughter to her home, entertained them with wine and food, and comforted them, saying, "Do not grieve, mother and daughter; I will surely do my utmost to help you." Before Fan could even express her thanks, Ren Zhen had already fallen to her knees, weeping bitterly, and Xia felt even greater compassion for her. She planned and said, "Though I have some savings, it is not easy to gather thirty taels of silver. I will pawn some more items to make up the full amount for you." Fan and her daughter repeatedly bowed in gratitude. Xia arranged for them to return in three days to collect the money. After they parted, Xia spared no effort in raising the funds, but she dared not tell her husband. When the three days passed, the silver was still not enough, so she sent someone to borrow from her mother. Fan and her daughter had already arrived, and Xia told them the truth, promising to have the money ready the next day. That evening, the borrowed silver from her mother arrived, and Xia combined all the coins into a single bundle, placing it at the head of her bed. That night, a thief dug a hole through the wall and entered, holding a lantern. Xia woke with a start and, peering secretly, saw that the man carried a short sword on his arm and had a fierce appearance. Terrified, she dared not make a sound and pretended to be asleep. The thief approached the chest, intending to pry open the lock, but then turned and saw a bundle by Xia's pillow. He reached out, grabbed it, and examined it by the lantern light before stuffing it into his waist pouch, then left without opening the chest. Xia quickly rose and cried for help. Only a young maidservant was in the house, who shouted across the wall to the neighbors, but by the time they arrived, the thief was long gone. Xia then sat by the lamp, weeping softly. Seeing that the maidservant had fallen into a deep sleep, she untied her sash and hanged herself from the window lattice. At dawn, the maidservant awoke and, discovering this, hastily called for help, but Xia's limbs were already cold. When Yu Xiaosi heard of his wife's death, he rushed home and, upon questioning the maidservant, learned the cause. Greatly shocked, he wept tears as he arranged for her funeral.
It was then summertime, and Xia's corpse neither stiffened nor decayed. After seven days, she was placed in the coffin. After Xia was buried, Ren Zhen secretly slipped out of her home, went to her grave, and wept bitterly. Suddenly, a torrential rain poured down, thunder roared, the grave split open, and Ren Zhen was struck dead by the thunder. When Yu Xiaosi heard of this, he rushed to examine the site, found the coffin already opened, and his wife lying inside groaning, so he lifted her out. Looking further, he saw another female corpse beside it, not knowing who it was. Xia examined it closely and recognized Ren Zhen. While the couple was still in shock, soon Fan arrived, and seeing her daughter dead, she wept, saying, "I suspected she was here, and now indeed it is so! Ever since she heard of Madam's suicide, she wept day and night without cease. Tonight she told me she would come to the grave to wail bitterly, but I did not permit her." Moved by Ren Zhen's devotion, Xia discussed with her husband and decided to use the very coffin and grave prepared for Xia to bury Ren Zhen. Fan expressed her gratitude. Yu Xiaosi carried his wife home, and Fan also returned to tell her husband. Then they heard that a man in the north of the village had been struck dead by lightning on the road, with words written on his body: "The thief who stole Xia's money." Soon after, they heard the weeping of a neighbor woman, and thus learned that the man struck dead was her husband, Ma Da. The villagers reported this to the magistrate, who summoned Ma Da's wife to the yamen for severe interrogation. It turned out that Fan, moved by Xia's raising silver to redeem her daughter, had tearfully spoken of this to others, and Ma Da, a gambler and scoundrel, upon hearing it, conceived the idea of theft and stole the money from Yu's home. The magistrate ordered Ma Da's wife to be taken to search for the stolen goods; only twenty taels remained, and another four taels were found on Ma Da's corpse. The magistrate sentenced Ma Da's wife to be sold, using the proceeds to make up the shortfall. Xia was even more delighted and still gave all this money to Fan, letting her repay the creditors.
On the third night after Ren Zhen's burial, thunder and lightning flashed, a fierce wind howled, the grave was split open again, and Ren Zhen came back to life. She did not return to her own home but went to knock on the Xia family's door. Because Ren Zhen recognized Xia's grave and, seeing her absent, suspected she had already revived. Xia was startled awake by the knocking, rose, and asked through the door who it was. Ren Zhen said, "Madam, you have indeed come back to life! I am Ren Zhen." Xia, fearing she was a ghost, summoned an old neighbor woman to question her, and upon learning that Ren Zhen had revived, joyfully welcomed her into the house. Ren Zhen said of her own accord, "I wish to stay here and serve you, madam, and will not return home." Xia replied, "If so, would people not say I bought a maidservant with money? After your burial, I have already cleared your family's debts; you need not harbor any doubts." Ren Zhen, even more moved to tears, wished to serve Xia as a mother, but Xia would not agree. Ren Zhen said, "Your child can manage household chores and will not eat idly." At dawn, Xia informed Fan. Fan was overjoyed and hurried over, and she, complying with her daughter's wish, entrusted Ren Zhen to Xia. After Fan left, Xia forcibly sent Ren Zhen home. At home, Ren Zhen wept day and night, longing for Xia. Wang Xinzai then carried his daughter to the Yu residence, placed her inside the gate, and left. When Xia saw Ren Zhen, she was greatly startled, and upon inquiry learned the reason, so she peacefully allowed Ren Zhen to stay. When Ren Zhen saw Yu Xiaosi return, she quickly stepped forward and bowed, calling him father. Yu Xiaosi had no children of his own, and seeing Ren Zhen gentle and lovable, his heart was quite pleased. Ren Zhen spun yarn, wove cloth, and sewed clothes with great diligence. When Xia fell gravely ill, Ren Zhen attended her day and night without rest; seeing Xia not eat, she herself refused food, and her face was often streaked with tears. She said to others, "If Mother should suffer any mishap, I will not live!" When Xia's illness slightly improved, Ren Zhen broke into smiles and became joyful. Hearing of this, Xia wept with emotion and said, "I am forty years old and have no children; if I could bear a daughter like Ren Zhen, I would be fully content." Xia had never given birth, but after a year, she bore a son, and everyone considered this a reward for her good deeds.
After two years had passed, Ren Zhen had grown even more. Yu Xiaosi discussed with Wang Xinzai that they could no longer hold to the betrothal with the Fu family. Wang Xinzai said, "My daughter is in your household; her marriage matters are for you to decide." Ren Zhen was now seventeen, virtuous, beautiful, and unmatched in the world. When this news spread, suitors came to the Yu residence in an endless stream, and the Yu couple planned to select a wealthy family for her. The rich man Huang also sent a matchmaker to propose, but Yu Xiaosi detested his wealth and lack of virtue and firmly refused, choosing instead the Feng family for Ren Zhen. Feng was a renowned scholar of the region, and his son was intelligent and talented in letters. Yu Xiaosi intended to inform Wang Xinzai of this plan, but coincidentally, Wang Xinzai had gone out on business and had not yet returned, so Yu directly agreed to the match. Because Huang had failed in his suit at the Yu household, he pretended to go into business, tracked down Wang Xinzai's whereabouts, first hosted a banquet to invite Wang, then lent him some money, gradually becoming close with him. Huang then said his son was very clever and proposed the match himself; Wang Xinzai, grateful for his kindness and admiring his wealth, agreed to the betrothal. Upon returning, Wang Xinzai went to the Yu residence and learned that Yu Xiaosi had already accepted the Feng family's marriage contract the day before. When Yu Xiaosi heard Wang's account, he was greatly displeased, called Ren Zhen out, and explained the situation to her. Ren Zhen said angrily, "The Huang family, our creditor, is my enemy. To marry me into the enemy's house, I would rather die!" Wang Xinzai, feeling humiliated, sent someone to inform the Huang family that his daughter was already betrothed to the Feng family. Huang said furiously, "Ren Zhen's surname is Wang, not Yu. My betrothal with the Wang family came first; hers with the Feng family came later. How can she break the engagement!" He then filed a lawsuit at the county court. The magistrate intended to award Ren Zhen to Huang based on the order of the betrothals. Feng argued, "Wang Xinzai had already entrusted his daughter to the Yu family, and had stated beforehand that he would no longer interfere in Ren Zhen's marriage. Moreover, I have a formal marriage document; his agreement was merely over a cup of wine." The magistrate, unable to decide, planned to rule according to Ren Zhen's wishes. Huang then bribed the magistrate with silver, seeking his favor, and thus the case dragged on for over a month without resolution.
One day, a provincial graduate journeyed north to the capital for the imperial examinations, passing through Dongchang, where he sent someone to inquire about Wang Xinzhai. His inquiry happened to reach the Yu family, and Yu Xiaosi asked in return who he was. It turned out the graduate was named Fu, and he was Amao. He had already registered as a native of Fujian, had earned his provincial degree at eighteen, and because of a prior betrothal, had never married. His mother had instructed him to take the opportunity to seek out the Wang family and ask whether the girl Renzhen had already married another. Yu Xiaosi was overjoyed and invited Amao to his home, recounting in detail the events of recent years. However, since the prospective son-in-law had come from thousands of li away, he worried there was no proof to verify the matter. Amao opened his trunk and took out the marriage contract that Wang Xinzhai had written on that day. Yu Xiaosi then summoned Wang Xinzhai, and upon examination, it was indeed genuine, so everyone was delighted. That day, the magistrate reopened the case for review; Amao presented his name card to pay respects to the magistrate, and the case was dismissed. Amao chose an auspicious wedding date before departing. After the metropolitan examinations concluded, he purchased many gifts and returned, residing in the former Fu family residence, where he held the wedding ceremony. News of Amao passing the jinshi examination had already reached Fujian, and soon it was also reported in Dongchang. Amao further succeeded in the Ministry of Rites examination, served a probationary period in various capital departments, and only then returned. Renzhen was unwilling to go south, and Amao, because his property and ancestral graves were all in Dongchang, went alone to Fujian, bringing his father's coffin and escorting his mother back in a carriage. Several years later, Yu Xiaosi died, leaving a son only seven or eight years old. Renzhen cared for him even more than for her own younger brother, ensuring he studied and entered the county school. The family also became prosperous, all thanks to the support of Fu Amao.
The Chronicler of the Strange remarks: Could it be that among the divine dragons there are also wandering knights? They commend the virtuous and abhor the wicked, employing thunder and lightning in both life and death—this may well be likened to the "Qiantang Battle Dance." The thunderbolts struck repeatedly, all for the sake of a single person; how could one know that Ren Zhen was not a dragon maiden banished to the mortal realm?
Commentary
In the tale of Ren Zhen's joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, there are elements of innovation as well as tradition.
The innovative element is that Ren Zhen, a merchant's daughter, lived among merchants, and her joys and sorrows were driven by debt. The creditor, the wealthy Huang family, seeing her beauty, planned to take her as a concubine when her father could not repay the money. Her merchant father repeatedly acquiesced to Huang's scheme, and through this tortuous process, Ren Zhen struggled against fate, praising Lady Xia's righteous courage while also condemning and exposing the darkness of a money-driven society. Dan Minglun commented on this: "To manipulate interest and covet another's daughter is as vile as manipulating interest to ruin another's estate. I have seen such things, and I have seen them many times."
The traditional elements are manifested in two aspects: first, the pivotal plot point is a lightning strike, which revives the virtuous and charitable Lady Xia and Ren Zhen, while simultaneously striking dead Ma Da, who had stolen the money Lady Xia had painstakingly saved to redeem Ren Zhen—this plot clearly carries the traditional flavor of karmic retribution; second, when the wealthy Huang, his wicked intentions unchanged, sets a new trap to embroil Ren Zhen in a marital dispute, A Mao, who had been betrothed to Ren Zhen in swaddling clothes, arrives from afar having passed the imperial examinations as a juren, and thus, relying on the marriage contract and even more on his status as a juren, thoroughly defeats the schemes of the wealthy Huang, reuniting the family—thus, in terms of its narrative framework, "Ren Zhen" still does not escape the old trope of traditional marriage stories where a scholar triumphs over a merchant through the civil service examinations.