小梅 （Xiao Mei)

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白話譯文 Google Translation (modified and changed to make more sense and add some notes to help understanding by sptt)

Wang Muzhen of Mengyin (1) County is a descendant of an official family. He once went to Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, and on the way met an elderly woman sitting on the side of the road crying. Wang Muzhen went forward and asked the old woman why she was crying. The old woman said, "My deceased husband left only one child. This child committed a capital crime. Who can find a way to save him?" Wang Muzhen was always very generous, he asked the old woman to write down the name of her child , took out all the money he brought, and moved around, and even released the child on bail. The child was released from prison. He heard that Wang Muzhen saved his life. He didn't understand what was going on, so he went to the hotel to visit Wang Muzhen. When asked about this at the hotel, Wang Muzhen said: "There is no reason, it's just pity that your mother is an old woman." The child was greatly frightened and said, "My mother has been dead for many years." Wang also felt this a strange thing. In the evening, the old woman came to thank Wang Muzhen, who accused her of telling lies. The old woman said, "I'll tell you the truth, I'm an old fox in Dongshan (2). I had a good relationship with this child's father twenty years ago, so I can't bear to see his father cut off his offspring, and no one will take care of his grave." Mr Wang was in awe of the old woman, and when he wanted to ask her a few more words, she had disappeared.

Mr Wang's wife was very virtuous, and she believed in Buddhism, and she never ate meat. She arranged a clean room at home and offered the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (3) statue. Because she did not have a son, she burned incense and prayed every day. And God also worked well. Every time she asked her dream, telling people to avoid this house, so everything in the family is done according to God's will. Later, she became ill and became very ill, so she moved the bed to this room, and arranged sheet, quilt and mattress in the room, keeping the door closed all day, as if waiting for someone. Mr Wang was very puzzled, but because she was so ill that he couldn't bear to hurt her, he didn't go further. Wang's wife was ill for two years, disliked the noise, and pushed others out to sleep alone in the house. People listened secretly, and it seemed that someone was talking to her; they opened the door to see, and there was no one, quiet. During her illness, she had no other worries than that she had a daughter who was only fourteen years old and was not married, so she urged to arrange a dowry every day and send her to marry. After her daughter got married, she had nothing to worry about, so she asked Mr Wang to go to her bed, took Mr Wang's hand and said, "We are going to say goodbye. When I first got sick, Bodhisattva told me that I should die soon. Because my daughter was not married, Bodhisattva gave me some medicine, which delayed my death for a while. Bodhisattva wanted to go back to the South Sea (5) and left her maid Xiaomei to serve me. I am going to die today, and I have not given birth to a son for you. Baoer, this child, I like him very much, and I am worried that you will marry a wicked woman in the future, and the mother and the son will not have any place to go and stay safe. Xiaomei is a beautiful, gentle and virtuous woman, you can marry her as a successor when I die." It turns out that Mr Wang has one concubine and she gave birth to a boy named Baoer. Mr Wang thought her wife's words were absurd, so he said, "You always respect the gods, and now you say this, isn't it an insult to the gods?" The wife said, "Xiaomei has served me for more than a year, and we are very close to each other. " Mr Wang asked, "Where is Xiaomei?" The wife said, "Isn't she in the inner room?" Mr Wang was guarding his wife's spirit at night, and when she heard a faint cry in the inner room, he was greatly surprised and suspected that there was a ghost. He called the maids, and when he was about to open the door, he saw a beautiful sixteen-year-old woman in the room, crying in a filial attire. Everyone thought it was a god, and they knelt down and worshiped together. The woman held back her tears and helped everyone up. Mr Wang looked at her intently, the woman just lowered her head. Mr Wang said to her: "If what my dead wife said is true, please go to the hall immediately and accept the worship of my children; if not, I don't dare to think about it, so as not to take guilt." (4) The woman came out shyly. climbed up to the north hall. Mr Wan ordered the maid to bring a chair to the south. Mr Wang bowed first, and the women also bowed; going down, they knelt down and kowtowed in descending order, and the women received the salute dignifiedly. Only when Mr Wang's concubine came to pay her respects, the woman came down and held her back. Since Mr Wang's wife became ill, the maids and servants in the family had been lazy and stealthy, and the family had not looked good for a long time. After everyone did all things , they all stood on both sides of the line very quietly. The woman said, "I'm grateful for the kindness of Mr Wang's wife, staying in the world, and she entrusted me with major housework. You should change yourselves. I'll forgive the past mistakes. Otherwise, no one cares about you." Everyone raised their heads and looked up. Look, the woman is really like a hanging portrait of Guanyin, always being blown by the wind. After listening to the woman's instructions, everyone was in awe, and they agreed to "yes" together before the woman began to arrange the funeral, and everything was in order. From then on, as long as she ordered them to do big things and small things, she didn't dare to slack off. The women managed internal and external affairs rigorously. Even if Mr Wang wanted to do something, he had to tell her before doing it. Although they met several times a day, Mr Wang did not dare to whisper a word to her. After the funeral was over, Mr Wang wanted to mention the marriage, but she didn't dare to say it directly, so she asked the concubine to show her intention a little. The woman said, "I am entrusted by Mr Wang's wife, and it is my duty to do so. But the important matters of marriage should not be sloppy. Mr Nian Bo Huang (5) is highly respected. If I ask him to preside over the wedding, I will only listen." At this time, the servant of Yishui Huang (6) had resigned and lived at home. He was a good friend of Mr Wang's father and had close contacts. Mr Wang went to invite him in person, saw Huang Taipu (7) , and told him the truth. Huang also felt strange, so he and Wang came to Wang's house. When the woman heard that Mr Huang was coming, she hurried out to meet him. When Huang Taipu saw Xiaomei, he was amazed that she was a fairy, and humbly did not dare to openly accept the ceremony. Then, however, he helped her buy a generous dowry, held a wedding ceremony and went home. Xiaomei gave him pillows and shoes, like treating him as a father in-laws, and the two families became closer since then.

After the marriage, Mt Wang always regarded Xiaomei as a god, and was very serious when they were intimate, and constantly asked about the living conditions of the Bodhisattva. Xiaomei smiled and said, "You are too stupid, how can there be a real goddess who goes down to earth to marry a layman?" Wang still asked Xiaomei's life experience. Xiaomei said: "You don't have to ask me so hard, since you treat me as a god, you will make offerings sooner or later, and naturally there will be no disasters" Xiaomei's management of the maids and servants was very kind and generous, and did not speak without a smile; when the maids and servants saw Xiaomei from a distance, they immediately silently stopped talking. Xiaomei smiled and said to them, "Do you still take me as a god? I'm not a god. I'm actually a cousin of Mr Wang's wife. We were very close when we were young. She missed me when she got sick, and secretly asked Nanzhuang Wang's grandma (8) to call me here. It's just because I approach my brother-in-law every day, and there are fears of suspicion between men and women, so I pretended to be a god and she locked me in the house, but where is the god?" Everyone still didn't believe it, and they served her every day and observed her every move. She was no different from ordinary people, and since then the legend of the god slowly subsided. 

But those naughty slaves in the past, Ms Wang did not educate them when she was alive. Now when Xiaomei said a word, and they never refused to say hello to her. They all said this: "We don't know why, and to be honest, we're not afraid of her; but as soon as we see her face, our hearts soften, so we can't bear to go against her will." After Xiaomei took charge of the housework, for a few years, the land  expanded contiguously, and more than 10,000 stones of grain (9) were stored in the warehouse. 

A few years later, Mr Wang's concubine gave birth to a girl, and Xiaomei gave birth to a boy. The boy was born with a red dot on his arm, hence the name Xiaohong (small red). On the day counting a full month after the birth, Xiaomei asked Mr Wang to hold a feast to invite Huang Taipu. (10) Mr Huang sent a very rich congratulatory gift, but he himself refused to come because he was too old. Xiaomei sent two old women to invite him again, and Mr Huang came to congratulate this in person. Xiaomei held the child and exposed the child's left arm to tell Huang Taipu why he was called Xiaohong, and repeatedly asked if the name was good. Huang Taipu said with a smile: "This red dot is Xihong (happy red), and the name can be added with a character, called Xihong." Xiaomei was very happy and thanked him again. On this day, the sound of drum music filled the courtyard, and relatives, wealthy people and friends kept coming and going, like a bustling city. Huang Taipu stayed for three days before leaving. 

After Xihong's birthday, a group of carriages and horses suddenly appeared outside the door, saying that they were taking Xiaomei back to her parents' house. In the past ten years, Xiaomei had no relatives and friends, why did she suddenly have a family and everyone was talking about it, but Xiaomei didn't seem to hear anything. After grooming himself, he took the child in her arms and asked Mr Wang to send her off. Mr Wang agreed. When they were twenty or thirty miles away, the road was so quiet that there were no pedestrians. Xiaomei stopped the car, called Mr Wang to dismount, and said to him in private: "My husband , my husband Wang. We will meet for a short time, parting for a long time, and it is not too tragic. Is it okay?” Mr Wang panicked and asked what was wrong. Xiaomei said, “Who do you think I am?” Mr Wang replied, “I don’t know.” Xiaomei said, “In Jiangnan, you once rescued a dead criminal, did you?” Wang said: "There wsas such a thing." Xiaomei said: "It was my mother who cried on the road. She was grateful for your loyalty and wanted to repay you. Because your wife believed in Buddhism, she asked me to pretend to be a god and marry you in return. My wish for giving birth to this child has been fulfilled. I think you will have bad luck. I am afraid that this child cannot be raised with you, so I will take him back to my parents’ home to relieve the child’s distress. When you go back, remember: there is someone at home. When you die, you go to the willow embankment of the West River in the morning when the rooster croaks and sees a sunflower lantern, so hurry up and block the road and ask him to avoid disaster." Mr Wang agreed, "Yes." He asked Xiaomei when she would come back. Xiaomei said: "I can't be sure, you just need to remember what I said just now, and the reunion won't be too long." When parting, she held Wang's hand and exchanged tears. Then she got into the car and drove away like a hurricane. Mr Wang couldn't see anyone in the distance, so he went home. After six or seven years, Xiaomei has not heard from her. This year, the plague in the four villages suddenly spread, and many people died. A maid from Mr Wang's family died after being sick for three days. So Mr Wang remembered what Xiaomei said before leaving, and began to care about this matter. On this day, he was drinking with his guests, but unexpectedly fell asleep after getting drunk. When he woke up, he heard a rooster crowing, so he hurriedly got up to the West River embankment, and saw lights flickering, as if he had just passed by. He hurriedly chased after him, and he was only a hundred paces away from the lights, but the further he chased, the more he lost sight of it, and he went home very regretful. Within a few days, he fell ill and died. 

There are many rogues in the Wang family. Because Mr Wang died, they used power to bully others. The crops and trees of Wang's family were openly cut down, and the life of the Wang family gradually declined. Another year later, Baoer died again, and the family had no choice. The rogues are also more domineering, dividing up the Wang family's fields, robbing the Wang family's cattle and horses, and also dividing up the Wang family's house. Because Mr Wang's concubine still lived there, they gathered a few people and sold her to someone else. The concubine fell in love with her little girl and did not leave, the mother and daughter hugged each other and cried, which was terrible. At a very critical time, she suddenly heard a sedan chair coming from outside the gate. Everyone saw that it was Xiaomei who led her son out of the sedan chair. Xiaomei looked around and saw so many people, she asked, "Who are these people?" The concubine cried and told her all the reasons. When Xiaomei's face changed, she called Congren to come and ordered the door to be locked. The rogues wanted to resist, but their limbs were weak and they had no strength. Xiaomei asked someone to tie them up one by one, tied them to the pillars in the corridor, and gave them three bowls of gruel a day. Immediately, he sent the old servant to tell Mrs. Huang, and then went into the house and wept bitterly. After crying for a while, Xiaomei said to the concubine, "This is also the number of days. I originally planned to come back last month, but my mother was sick and delayed for a few days, so there was a situation. Unexpectedly, our family became a waste in a blink of an eye." The maids said that they were all robbed by the rogues, and Xiaomei regretted even more. The next day, the maids heard that Xiaomei was back, and they all fled back by themselves. The rogues who were tied to the post were arguing that Xiaomei's son was not Mr Wang's blood and flesh, and Xiaomei did not argue with them. Later, Huang Taipu came, and Xiaomei led her son out to greet him. Mr Huang saw thatND he took the boy's arm, lifted the sleeve of his left arm, and called everyone to see it in public. Seeing that the cinnabar mole was clearly visible, it proved that the boy was indeed a descendant of Mr Wang. Then, after checking the lost things in detail, registering them in a book, Mr Huang personally took it to the county magistrate. The county magistrate ordered the rogues to be arrested, each of them hit forty boards, and the whereabouts of the things were strictly tracked down. In a few days, the fields, cattle and horses were all returned to the Wang family. When things are done, Mr Huang Twanted to go home. Xiaomei led her son to kneel and kowtowed, crying and saying, "I'm not from the world. Uncle, you know it. I have entrusted this child to your uncle." Mr Huang said, "As long as I have a breath, I will do my best. Take care of him." After Mr Huang left, Xiaomei arranged everything, handed over the child to her concubine, and prepared wine and offerings to go to Mr Wang's grave to sweep the grave. Xiaomei didn't come back for a long time, and people went to take a look, only to see the offerings, but Xiaomei had disappeared. 

Ishi said: "A person who does not end his descendants will not end his descendants. Although the situation mentioned above is a matter of personnel, it is actually God's will. When the master's family is prosperous, there are good friends in the seat. A piece enjoys wealth, honor and glory in the leather coat of the carriage and horse; but after the owner's death, the family status declines, and after a few years new grass grows on the tomb, the former friends not only refuse to take care of his surviving family, but friends in high-ranking cars look at his surviving family and are afraid to leave It’s not too far, and it’s not easy to hide. A friend who died without forgetting, being grateful and thinking of repaying your kindness, is just a human being or a fox. If you have a lot of wealth, I am willing to be your housekeeper.”

sptt notes

（1）Mengyin (蒙陰) County - the name of the county, belonged to Qingzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province in Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now belongs to Linyi City, Shandong Province.

(2) Dongshan - literally East Mountain.

(3) Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva - in Buddhism a very popular figure. Guanyin is more popular,

4) if not, I don't dare to think about it, so as not to take guilt." (4)

(5) Nian Bo Huang - Nian Bo (年伯) is the nickname of a person who is the same generation as a farther. Uncle. Usually a socially respected rank of person. Huang is a sir name.

(6) Yishui (沂水) County. The name of the place in Shandong Province. Near (1) Mengyin (蒙陰) County

(7) Huang Taipu - Maybe the full name of Mr Huang.

(8) Nanzhuang Wang's grandma - Nanzhuang is a name of a place.

 (9)10,000 stones of grain -  'stone'  is a unit of grain.

(10) On the day counting a full month after the birth .  .  .  .  - this is Chinese tradition to celebrate.

譯文

蒙陰縣王慕貞，是官宦人家的後代。他偶然一次去江浙一帶，在路上碰見一個老年婦女坐在路邊哭泣。王慕貞向前問老婦人為什麼哭，老婦人説：“我死去的丈夫只留下一個孩子，這孩子犯了死罪，有誰能想辦法救救他”王慕貞素來很慷慨，就記下了她孩子的名字，拿出他帶的所有銀錢，到處活動，竟把這個孩子保釋了出來。 這孩子出了獄，聽説是王慕貞救了他的命，心裏不明白是怎麼回事，就到旅店裏去拜訪王慕貞，一方面問個明白，一方面表示感謝。到了旅店裏問起這件事來，王慕貞説：“沒有什麼原因，只是可憐你母親是個老人罷了。”孩子聽了大為驚懼，説：“我母親早已死了多年了”王也覺得這事奇怪。 到了晚上，老婦人來向王慕貞道謝，王責備她講了假話。老婦人説：“我實話告訴你，我是東山里的老狐。二十年前曾與這孩子的父親交好過，所以不忍心他父親斷了後代，沒有人給他上墳填土。”王生對老婦人肅然起敬，再想問她幾句話時，她已經消失不見了。 當初，王慕貞的妻子很賢惠，又好信佛，素來不吃葷食。在家收拾了一口乾淨的屋子，供着觀音菩薩像。因為沒生兒子，天天燒香禱告。而神也很靈，每每託夢給她，叫人躲避開這間房子，因此家中諸事都按神的旨意辦。後來王氏病了，病勢很重，她就把牀搬到這間屋裏來，又另安排了被褥在內室，整天關着門，好像在等待什麼人。王慕貞很納悶，但又因為她病得糊糊塗塗的，不忍心傷害她，所以也就未加深究。王妻卧病不起兩年，厭惡喧鬧，並攆出別人獨自一人睡在屋裏。別人偷着聽聽，似乎有人與她説話；打開門看看，又靜靜的一個人也沒有。她在病中沒有別的心事，就是有個女兒才十四歲，沒有出嫁，她就天天催着給女兒治辦嫁妝，打發女兒出嫁。後來女兒出了嫁，她沒有心事了，就叫王慕貞到她牀前，握住王的手説：“我們要永別了。我剛開始病的時候，菩薩告訴我，我命該早死，因女兒未嫁，心事未了，所以賜了點藥，延遲了些時候。要回南海，留下她的侍女小梅侍候我。我今將要死去，我這個薄命人又沒給你生個兒子。保兒這孩子，我很喜歡他，擔心你將來娶個厲害媳婦，他們母子沒有歸所。小梅這女子，長得秀氣美麗，又很温柔賢惠，我死了你可娶她為繼室。”原來王慕貞有一妾，生一男孩，名叫保兒。王慕貞認為妻子説話荒唐，就説：“你素來敬重的是神靈，今説這話，不是侮辱神嗎”妻子説：“小梅侍奉我已經一年多了，互相親密無間，我已好言求過她了。”王慕貞問：“小梅在哪裏”妻子説：“內室裏不是她嗎”王慕貞剛想再問，妻子眼一閉就死了。 王慕貞夜裏為妻子守靈，聽到內室隱隱有哭泣的聲音，大為驚訝，懷疑有鬼。叫了丫鬟使女們來，要開門看時，見屋裏有一個十六歲的美麗女子，身穿孝服在哭。大家都認為是神，一起跪下叩拜。女子收了淚扶大家起來。王慕貞凝神看着她，女子只是低着頭。王慕貞就對她説：“若是我死去的妻子説的話是真的，請立即上堂，接受兒女們的參拜；如果不是，我也不敢妄想，免得自取罪責。”女子靦腆地走出來。登上北堂屋。王命使女搬來椅子朝着南方。王慕貞先拜，女子也答拜；往下就按長幼卑賤依次跪下叩頭，女子端莊地受了禮。唯有王慕貞的妾來拜時，女子下來拉住。王慕貞自從妻子去世後，家中的丫鬟、使女和僕人們又懶又偷，家中長時間不成樣子。大家參拜以後，都非常肅靜地站列兩旁。女子説：“我感激夫人的盛意，留在人間，又把家務大事託給我，你們應各自洗心革面。以前的錯誤，我一概既往不咎，不然的話，不要説沒有人管你們.” 大家抬起頭來向上看，女子真像掛的觀音畫像一樣，時時被風吹動着。大家聽了女子的訓示，都非常敬畏，一起答應“是”女子才開始安排喪事，一切都井井有條。從此，大事小事只要她吩咐下來，沒有敢懈怠的。女子管理內外事務嚴謹。就連王慕貞要幹什麼，也要先告訴她才去幹。雖然他倆一天幾次見面，王慕貞並不敢與她説一句悄悄話。 王氏的喪事辦完了，王慕貞想提成親的事，又不敢自己直接説，就囑咐小妾稍稍去示意一下。女子説：“我受夫人囑託，義不容辭。但婚姻大事，不能馬虎。年伯黃先生，德高望重，若求他來主持婚禮，我惟命是聽。”這時，沂水黃太僕，已辭官在家閒居，他是王慕貞父輩的好朋友，來往很密切。王慕貞就親自去請，見到黃太僕，把實情告訴了他。黃也覺得奇怪，便與王一同來到王家。女子聽説黃太僕來了，急忙出來拜見。黃太僕一見小梅，驚奇地認為是仙女，謙遜地不敢受禮。接着幫助她置辦了優厚的嫁妝，舉行了結婚大禮就回家去了。小梅又送給他枕頭、鞋，像對待公婆一樣，從此兩家更加親密。

合婚以後，王慕貞始終把小梅當神看待，親熱時也很嚴肅，時時追問菩薩的起居情況。小梅笑着説：“你也太傻了，哪有真正的神人下凡與俗人結婚的”王還是追問小梅的身世。小梅説：“不必苦苦追問了既然你拿我當神，就早晚供養着，自然就無災無殃。” 小梅管理僕人非常仁慈寬厚，不帶笑容不説話；但是丫鬟使女們打鬧時，遠遠看見小梅，就馬上默默地不吱聲了。小梅笑着對她們説：“難道你們還拿我當神嗎我哪裏是神, 實際上是夫人的姨表妹。我們小時就很要好，姐姐病後想我，偷着讓南莊王姥姥叫我來的。只是因為天天接近姐夫，男女之間怕有嫌疑，所以假託是神，將我關在屋裏，其實哪裏是神呀。” 大家還是不相信，天天侍奉在她身旁，觀察她的一舉一動，和平常人並沒有兩樣，從此神的傳説才慢慢平息了。但是以前那些頑皮的奴婢，王氏活着時打罵都沒有教育好的，小梅説一句話，沒有不聽招呼的。都這樣説：“我們自己也不知為什麼，説實在的也不是怕她；但只要一見她的臉面，就心裏軟了，所以不忍心違揹她的意旨。” 小梅執掌家務以後，幾年的時間，土地連片，倉裏存糧一萬多石。

又過幾年，王慕貞的妾生了一女孩，小梅生了一男孩。這男孩生下來，在臂上有一個紅點子，因此起個名字叫小紅。滿月的那天，小梅讓王慕貞舉行盛筵邀請黃太僕。黃太僕也送了很豐盛的賀禮，但他本人推辭年紀大不能來；小梅又打發兩個老婦人再去請，黃太僕才親自來賀喜。小梅抱着孩子，露出小孩的左臂告訴黃太僕為什麼叫小紅，並再三請教這名字好不好。黃太僕笑着説：“這個紅點是喜紅，名字可增加一個字，叫喜紅。”小梅很高興，再一次拜謝。這一天，鼓樂之聲充滿了庭院，親戚富友來往不絕，猶如鬧市。黃太僕留住了三天才走。 喜紅的生日過後，忽然門外來了一羣車馬，説是接小梅回去走孃家。過去十幾年，小梅並無親友，怎麼忽然有了孃家大家議論紛紛，而小梅好像什麼也沒聽見。自己梳洗打扮已畢，把孩子抱在懷裏，要王慕貞送他，王答應了。送到二三十里處，路上靜得沒有行人了，小梅停住車，叫王下馬，私下對王説：“王郎王郎。咱們相會的時間短，別離的時間長，不是太悲慘了嗎”王驚慌地問怎麼了，小梅説：“你以為我是什麼人”王回答：“不知道。”小梅説：“在江南，你曾救過一個死罪犯人，有沒有”王説：“有這回事。”小梅説：“在路上哭的就是我的母親。她感激你的義氣，想報答你。因為你夫人信佛，讓我假託神仙，嫁給你以圖報答。幸好生下這個孩子，心願已了。我看你將要有晦運，這個孩子在你那裏，恐怕不能養育，所以藉着回孃家帶走他，以解除兒的危難。你回去記住：家裏有人死時，你在早上雞叫頭遍就到西河柳堤上，看見有挑葵花燈的，趕快擋住道路求他，可以免除災難。”王答應説：“是。”又問小梅什麼時候回來，小梅説：“不能肯定，你只要記住我剛才的話，再會時間不會太長。”臨別時，握住王的手雙淚交流。接着上車風馳電掣般地走了。王遠遠看不見人影了，才回了家。 經過了六七年，小梅一直沒有音信。這一年忽然四鄉瘟疫流行，死的人很多，王慕貞家一個丫鬟病了三天就死了。於是王想起小梅臨走説的話，就開始關心這個事。這一天他與客人飲酒，不料喝了個大醉睡着了。一覺醒來，聽見雞叫，於是他急忙起來到西河堤上，看見有燈光閃閃爍爍，好像剛剛過去。他就急忙追趕，相距燈光也就百步之遠，可是越追越遠，漸漸就看不見了，他十分懊悔地回了家。幾天的工夫，他便得了急病，接着就死去了。 王家這一家族裏有很多無賴之徒，因為王慕貞死了，就仗勢欺人。王慕貞家的莊稼、樹木，公然去砍伐，王家的日子漸漸衰敗。又隔一年，保兒又死了，一家人更是沒有作主的。無賴們也更橫行霸道，瓜分了王家的田地，搶走了王家的牛、馬；還要瓜分王家宅子。因為王慕貞的妾還住在裏面，他們便糾集了幾個人硬是把她賣給了別人。妾戀着自己的小女孩不走，母女抱頭痛哭，慘不忍睹。正在十分危難的時候，忽然聽到大門外有轎子來了。大家一看，見是小梅領着兒子從轎子裏出來。小梅四下看了看，見人這麼多，就問：“這都是些什麼人”妾哭着告訴了她一切情由。小梅臉色一變，便叫從人來，吩咐把大門鎖了。無賴們想要抗拒，可四肢發軟一點力氣也沒有了。小梅叫人把他們一個一個都綁起來，拴在走廊的柱子上，一天給他們三碗稀粥。隨即打發老僕人去告訴黃太僕，然後才到屋裏痛哭。哭了一會兒，小梅對妾説：“這也是天數我本來打算上月回來，正碰上母親生病耽誤了幾天，所以才有的情景。不料轉眼之間咱家成了廢”又問以前的丫鬟使女們，説是都被無賴們搶去了，小梅更加嘆惜第二天，丫鬟使女們聽説小梅回來了，都自己逃了回來，主僕相見，雙雙痛苦不已。 拴在柱子上的無賴們，都吵着説小梅的兒子不是王慕貞的親骨肉，小梅也不與他們分辯。隨後，黃太僕來到，小梅領兒子出來迎接。黃公見了拉住男孩的臂膀，捋起左臂的袖子，當眾叫大家看，見那個硃砂痣清清楚楚，證明這男孩確是王慕貞的後代。然後把丟失的東西，詳細檢查，登記造冊，黃公親自拿着去找了縣官。縣官命人逮捕了無賴們，各打了四十大板，又嚴加追查東西的下落。不幾日，田地、牛馬等，都歸還了王家。 事情料理完了，黃太僕要回家。小梅領着兒子跪下叩頭，哭着説：“我並不是世間的人，叔父你是知道的。今把這孩子委託給叔父你了。”黃公説：“只要我有一口氣，我一定盡力照顧好他。” 黃公走後，小梅把一切事情安排就緒，把孩子交給妾照管，自己備了酒、祭品到王慕貞墳上去掃墓。半天的工夫沒有回來，人們去了一看，光見祭品擺着，而小梅卻已不見了。 異史氏説：“不絕人家後嗣的人，人家也不會絕了他的後人，上邊説的情況雖是屬於人事，實際也是天意啊。主人家興盛的時候，座中有好朋友，一塊享受車馬皮衣富貴榮華；但主人死後，家勢衰落，再過幾年墓上生新草，昔日朋友不僅不肯照顧他的遺屬，乘高車有地位的朋友望着他的遺屬唯恐走得不遠，躲得不快呢。死了朋友而不忘懷，感恩而想着報恩，僅僅是人，還是狐狸呢倘若你有很多財富，我願意替你當管家。” 、

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原文

蒙陰王慕貞[1]，世家子也。偶遊江浙，見媪哭於途，詰之。言：“先夫止遺一子，今犯死刑，誰有能出之者”王素慷慨，志其姓名，出橐中金為之斡旋[2]，竟釋其罪。 其人出，聞王之救己也，茫然不解其故；訪詣旅邱， 感位謝問。王曰：“無他，憐汝母老耳。”其人大駭曰：“母故已久。”王亦異之。抵暮，温來申謝，王咎其謬誣。媪曰：“實相告：我東山老狐也。 二十年前，曾與兒父有一夕之好，放不忍其鬼之餒也[3]。”王悚然起敬，再欲詰之，已杳。 先是，王妻賢而好佛，不茹葷酒；治潔室，懸觀音像，以無子，日日焚禱其中。而神又最靈，輒示夢，教人趨避[4]，以故家中事皆取決焉。後有疾， 綦篤，移榻其中；又別設錦裀於內室而扃其户，若有所伺。王以為惑，而以 其疾勢昏瞀[5]，不忍傷之。卧病二年，惡囂[6]，常屏人獨寢。潛聽之，似 與人語；啓門視之，又寂然。病中他無所慮，有女十四歲，惟日催治裝遣嫁。 既醮，呼王至榻前，執手曰：“今訣矣[7]初病時，菩薩告我命當速死：念 不了者，動女未嫁，因賜少藥，伸延息以待。去歲，菩薩將回南海，留案前 侍女小梅，為妾服役。今將死，薄命人又無所出[8]。保兒，妾所憐愛，恐娶 悍怒之婦，今其子母失所。小梅姿容秀美，又温淑，即以為繼室可也。”蓋 王有妾，生一子，名保兒。王以其言荒唐，曰：“卿素敬者神，今出此言， 不已褻乎[9]”答雲：“小梅事我年餘[10]，相忘形骸[11]，我已婉求之矣。” 問：“小梅何處”曰：“室中非耶”方欲再詰，閉目已逝。 王夜守靈幃[12]，聞室中隱隱啜泣[13]，大駭，疑為鬼。喚諸婢妾啓鑰 視之，則二八麗者，絞服在室[14]。眾以為神，共羅拜之。女斂涕扶掖[15]。 王凝注之，俯首而已。王曰：“如果亡空之言非妄[16]，請即上堂，受兒女 朝謁[17]；如其不可，僕亦不敢妄想，以取罪過。”女艦然出[18]，竟登北 堂[19]。王使婢為設坐南向，王先拜，女亦答拜；下而長幼卑賤，以次伏叩， 女莊容坐受；惟妾至，則挽之。自夫人卧病，婢情奴偷[20]，家久替。眾參 已[21]，肅肅列恃[22]。女曰：“我感夫人盛意，羈留人間，又以大事相委， 汝輩宜各洗心[23]，為主效力，從前愆尤[24]，悉不計校；不然，莫謂室無 人也”共視座上，真如懸觀音圖像，時被微風吹動。聞言驚惕[25]，鬨然 並諾。女乃排撥喪務[26]，一切井井[27]。由是大小無敢懈者。女終日經紀 內外[28]，王將有作，亦稟白而行；然雖一夕數見，並不交一私語。 既殯， 王欲申前約，不敢徑告，囑妾微示意。女曰：“妾受夫人諄囑[29]，義不容 辭；但匹配大禮，不得草草。年伯黃先生[30]，位尊德重，求使主秦晉之盟[31]，則惟命是聽。”時沂水黃太僕[32]，致仕閒居，於王為父執[33]，往來最善。王即親詣，以實告。黃奇之，即與同來。女聞，即出展拜。黃一見， 驚為天人，遜謝不敢當禮[34]；既而助妝優厚[35]，成禮乃去。女饋遺枕履， 若奉舅姑，由此交益親。 合巹後，王終以神故，褻中帶肅，時研詰菩薩起居[36]。女笑曰：“君亦太愚，焉有正直之神[37]，而下婚塵世者”主力審 所自[38]。女曰：“不必研窮[39]，既以為神，朝夕供養，自無殃咎[40]。” 女御下常寬[41]，非笑不語；然婢賤戲押時，遙見之，則默默無聲。女笑諭 曰：“豈爾輩尚以我為神耶我何神哉實為夫人姨妹，少相交好；姊病見思，陰使南村王姥招我來。第以日近姊夫，有男女之嫌，故託為神道[42]， 閉內室中，其實何神。”眾猶不信。而日侍邊傍，見其舉動，不少異於常人，浮言慚息。然即頑奴鈍婢，王素撻楚所不能化者，女一言無為樂於奉命。皆 雲：“並不自知。實非畏之；但睹其貌，則心自柔，故不忍拂其意耳。”以 此百廢具舉。數年中，田地連阡[43]，倉廩萬石矣。 又數年，妾產一女。女生一子——子生，左臂有朱點，因字小紅，彌月[44]女使王盛筵招黃，黃賀儀豐渥，但辭以耄[45]，不能遠涉；女遣兩温強 邀之，黃始至。抱兒出，袒其左臂，以示命名之意。又再三問其吉凶。黃笑 日，“此喜紅也，可增一字，名喜紅。女大悦，更出展叩[46]，是日，鼓樂充庭，貴戚如市。 黃留三日始去。忽門外有輿馬來，逆女歸寧。向十餘年，井無瓜葛，共議之，而女若不聞。理妝竟，抱子於懷，要王相送，王從之。至二三十里許，寂無行人，女停輿，呼王下騎，屏人與語，曰：“王郎王郎，會短離長，謂可悲否”王驚問故，女曰：“君謂妾何人也”答曰：“不知。”女曰，“江南拯一死罪，有之”曰：“有。”曰：“哭於路者吾母也；感義而思所報，乃因夫人好佛，附為神道，實將以妾報君也，今幸生此褪褓物，此願已慰。妾視君晦運將來[47]，此兒在家，恐不能育，故借歸寧，解兒危難，君記取：家有死口時，當於晨雞初唱，詣西河柳堤上， 見有挑葵花燈來者，遮道苦求，可免災難。”王曰：“諾。”因訊歸期。女 雲：“不可預定。要當牢記吾言[48]，後會亦不遠也。”臨別執手，愴然交 涕。俄登輿，疾若風；王望之不見，始返。 經六七年，絕無音問。忽四鄉瘟疫流行，死者甚眾，一婢病三日死。王 念曩囑，頗以關心。是日與客飲，大醉而睡。既醒，聞雞鳴，急起至堤頭， 見燈光閃爍，適已過去。急追之，止隔百步許，愈追愈遠，漸不可見，懊恨 而返。數日暴病，尋卒。 王族多無賴，共憑凌其孤寡[49]，田禾樹木，公然 伐取，家日凌替[50]。逾歲，保兒又殤，一家更無所主。族人益橫，割裂田 產，廄中牛馬俱空；又欲瓜分第宅，以妾居故，遂將數人來，強奪鬻之。妾戀幼女，母子環泣，慘動鄰里。方危難間，俄聞門外有肩輿人，共覘，則女 引小郎自車中出。四顧人紛如市，問：“此何人”妾哭訴其由。女顏色慘 變，便喚從來僕役，關門下鑰。眾欲抗拒，而手足若痿[51]，女令一一收縛， 系諸廊柱，日與薄粥三匝。即遣老僕奔告黃公，然後入室哀位。泣已，謂妾 曰：“此天數也。已期前月來，適以母病耽延，遂至於今。不謂轉盼間已成 丘墟[52]”問舊時婢媪，則皆被族人掠去，又益欷歔。越日，婢僕聞女至， 皆自遁歸，相見無不流涕。所摯族人，共噪兒非慕貞體胤[53]，女亦不置辨。 既而黃公至，女引兒出迎。黃握兒臂，便捋左袂，見朱記宛然，因袒示眾人， 以證其確。乃細審失物，登簿記名，親詣邑令。令拘無賴輩，各答四十，械禁嚴追[54]；不數日，田地馬牛，悉歸故上。黃將歸，女引兒位拜日：“妾非世間人，叔父所知也。令以此子委叔父矣[55]。”黃曰：“老夫一息尚在， 無不為區處[56]。”黃去，女盤查就緒，托兒於妾，乃具饌為夫祭掃[57]， 半日不返。視之，則杯誤猶陳，而人杳矣。 異史氏曰：“不絕人嗣者，人亦不絕其嗣，此人也而實夭也[58]。至座有良朋，車裘可共；迨宿莽既滋，妻 子陵夷，則車中人望望然去之矣[59]。死友而不忍忘，感恩而思所報，獨何人哉狐乎倘爾多財，吾為爾宰[60]。”



[1] 註釋 編輯 據《聊齋志異》鑄雪齋抄本

[1]蒙陰：縣名，明清屬山東省青州府，今屬山東省臨沂市。王慕貞，未詳。

[2]斡（Wō握）旋：扭轉；調解。

[3]鬼之餒：此從青柯享刻本，底本作“兒之餒”。鬼魂捱餓。指無後嗣， 祭享無人。《左傳·宣公四年》：“鬼猶求食，若敖氏之鬼不其餒而。”

[4]趨避：指趨吉避凶。

[5]昏瞀（mào 冒）：昏亂；神智不清。瞀，紊亂，錯亂。

[6]惡囂：厭惡喧鬧。

[7]今訣矣：此從二十四卷抄本，底本作“今決矣”。訣，訣別。

[8]薄命人：王妻自稱，意謂自己福運單薄。無所出：謂未曾生育。

[9]不已褻乎：豈不太褻讀神明麼。已，太，過分。

[10]小梅事我年餘：此從二十四卷抄本，底本無“小梅”二字。

[11]相忘形骸：此從青柯亭本，底本作“相忘形體”。謂二人相得，不 分彼此。形骸，軀體。

[12]靈幃：靈樟。遮隔靈牀的帳慢。

[13]啜泣：飲位，抽泣。

[14]縗（cuī崔）服：服喪三年者之服：白衣，胸前披麻。

[15]扶掖：自肋下攙抉。

[16]亡室：亡妻。

[17]朝謁：拜見。

[18]靦（miǎn 免）然：羞慚貌。

[19]北堂：堂屋；正房。

[20]婢惰奴偷：奴婢們懈怠苟且。偷，苟且，偷懶。《大戴禮·盛德》：“無度量則小者偷墮，大者復靡，而不知足。”

[21]參：參拜。

[22]肅肅：恭敬貌。又嚴整貌。

[23]洗心，洗滌邪惡之心；猶言改過自新。

[24]愆（qiān 千）尤：過失，罪過。

[25]悚（sǒng 聳）惕：惶恐戒懼。

[26]排撥，安排指揮。

[27]井井：有條不紊的樣子。

[28]經紀：經管。

[29]諄囑：懇切囑託。

[30]年伯，對於與父同年登科者的尊稱。明清泛稱父輩友人。

[31]秦晉之盟，春秋時秦、晉兩國世為婚姻，後因以“秦晉”稱兩姓聯 姻之好。

[32]沂水黃太僕：未詳，疑出虛構。

[33]父執：父親的摯友。泛指父輩至交。

[34]遜謝：謙遜推辭。

[35]助妝：贈助妝奩之費；指贈送婚禮賀儀。

[36]起居：日常生活。

[37]正直之神：古人認為神有聰明正直而始終如一的品格。《左傳·莊 公三十一年》：“史囂曰：神，聰明正直而壹者也。”

[38]所自：來歷。

[39]研窮：猶言追根究底。

[40]殃咎：災患。

[41]御下常寬對待下人常很寬容。御，駕馭，對待。

[42]神道：神術或神意。

[43]連阡：阡陌相連；謂地產增多。

[44]彌月：指嬰兒出生滿月之慶。

[45]耄（mào 冒）：年高。《禮記·曲禮》：“八十、九十曰耄。”

[46]展叩：相見叩謝。

[47]晦運：不吉利的命運。

[48]要當：一定要。

[49]憑凌：侵奪。

[50]凌替：衰落。

[51]倭（wěi 委）：筋肉痿縮，偏枯之疾。此謂癱軟無力。

[52]轉盼間：猶轉眼間。形容短暫。

[53]體胤：親生骨肉。胤，嗣。

[54]械禁：桎梏手足而禁閉之。

[55]委：委託。遺累。

[56]區處：安排料理。

[57]祭掃：致祭，掃墓。

[58]“此人”句：意謂上述情況雖屬人事，實由天意。

[59]“至座有良朋”五句：分別刻畫主人盛時和衰後朋友的不同態度。 座有良朋，即李邕所謂“座上客常滿，樽中酒不空”。車裘可共，即子路所 謂“願車馬，衣輕裘，與朋友共，敝之而無憾”。二句寫主人家勢盛時，有 美酒車裘供客，朋友亦樂與共享富貴。“迨宿莽既滋”以下三句，則寫主人 死後，家勢衰落，昔日朋友不僅莫肯顧恤遺屬，抑且去之惟恐不遠、不速。 宿莽既滋，墓草萌出新芽，指主人死後經年。《禮記·檀弓》上：“朋友之 墓，有宿草而不哭焉。”車中人，乘高車的人，指有地位的朋友。望望然去 之，不高興地離開，惟恐遺屬有所告求。《孟子·公孫丑》上：“望望然去 之，若將浼焉。”此用其意。陵夷，此從青柯亭本，底本作“凌夷”。

[60]宰：管家。
Notes
edit
According to the manuscript of " Strange Tales from a Liaozhai " Zhuxuezhai
[1] Mengyin: the name of the county, belonged to Qingzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province in Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now belongs to Linyi City, Shandong Province. Wang Muzhen, unknown.
[2] 斡 (Wō grip) spin: twist; mediation.
[3] Ghosts of Nervousness: This is from Qingke's engraved version, and the original version is "Children's Nervousness". Ghosts are starving. It means that there is no heir, and there is no one to sacrifice to enjoy. "Zuo Zhuan Xuangong Four Years": "Ghosts still ask for food, if the ghosts of the Ao clan are not discouraged."
[4] To avoid: refers to seeking good luck and avoiding evil.
[5] dizzy (mào 門): dizzy; confused. Confused, confused, confused.
[6] Violent noise: hate noise.
[7] Now the Judgment: This is the manuscript of the twenty-four volumes, and the base version is "This is the final decision". farewell, farewell.
[8] Poor people: Wang's wife claimed that her luck was poor. No birth: that is not born.
[9] Incessantly blasphemous: Is it not too blasphemous to read the gods? Already, too, too much.
[10] Xiaomei has served me for more than a year: this manuscript is in twenty-four volumes, and there is no word "Xiaomei" in the original.
[11] Xiang Wang Xing Xie: This is from the Qing Ke Ting version, and the original version is "Xian Wang Xing Xian". It is said that the two have each other, regardless of each other. body, body.
[12] Lingwei: Lingzhang. The tent that shields the dead bed is slow.
[13] Sobbing: drinking bit, sobbing.
[14] 羞 (cuī Cui) clothes: the clothes of those who have been mourning for three years: white clothes, with linen on the chest.
[15] Fuye: make a choice from the bottom of the rib.
[16] Dead room: dead wife.
[17] pilgrimage: see you.
[18] shy (miǎn free) Ran: ashamed of appearance.
[19] Beitang: main room; main room.
[20] Slaves and slaves steal: slaves and slaves are slack and stubborn. Steal, cowardly, be lazy. "Da Dai Li Shengde": "If there is no measure, the small will fall by the wayside, and the big will return to slump, but will not be satisfied."
[21] Reference: visit to worship.
[22] Susu: Respectful appearance. And strict appearance.
[23] Wash the heart, wash the evil heart;
[24] Guilt (qiān thousand) especially: fault, sin.
[25] Fright (sǒng 雲) Ti: fear and fear.
[26] Dispatch, arrange command.
[27] Well: well-organized appearance.
[28] Brokerage: Management.
[29] Instruct: earnestly entrust.
[30] Nianbo, the honorific title for those who entered the university in the same year as their father. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, they were called friends of the father's generation.
[31] The alliance between Qin and Jin, in the Spring and Autumn Period, the marriage between Qin and Jin was a marriage between the two countries. Later, the two surnames were called "Qin Jin" as a good marriage.
[32] Yishui Huang Taipu: Unknown, suspected to be fictional.
[33] Father: Father's best friend. Refers to the kinship of the parents.
[34] Xun Xie: humble refusal.
[35] Make-up assistance: the fee for the gift of makeup assistance; it refers to the gift of wedding congratulations.
[36] Living: Daily life.
[37] The God of Righteousness: The ancients believed that God had a wise, righteous and consistent character. "Zuo Zhuan: The Thirty-One Years of Duke Zhuang": "Shi Xiao said: God, one who is wise and upright."
[38] From: Origin.
[39] Research on poverty: You still want to get to the bottom of it.
[40] Disaster: disaster.
[41] The imperial family is often tolerant towards the servants. To control, to control, to treat.
[42] Shinto: divine art or divine will.
[43] Lianqian: Connected to each other; that the real estate increases.
[44] Miyue: refers to the celebration of the full moon of the baby's birth.
[45] 葄 (mào 風): old age. "Book of Rites, Quli": "Eighty and ninety are called elders."
[46] Zhan Kou: See you and thank you.
[47] Misfortune: Unlucky fate.
[48] ​​To be: must.
[49] Ping Ling: Invading.
[50] Ling for: Decline.
[51] 倭 (wěi committee): muscle atrophy and shrinkage, a disease of partial dryness. This is called paralysis.
[52] Zhuanpanjian: still in the blink of an eye. Described briefly.
[53] Body Yin: own flesh and blood. Yin, heir.
[54] Mechanical ban: confinement by shackles and hands and feet.
[55] Commission: Commission. tired.
[56] District Office: Arrange cooking.
[57] Sacrificial sweeping: offering sacrifices, sweeping tombs.
[58] "This person" sentence: It means that although the above situation is a matter of human affairs, it is actually by God's will.
[59] The five lines of "There are good friends in the seat": respectively describe the different attitudes of the master's friends in the prosperous period and the declining period. There are good friends in the seat, which is what Li Yong called "the seat is always full, but the wine in the bottle is not empty". Chariots and furs can be shared, that is, what Zilu said, "I wish the carriages and horses, the clothes are light and the furs, to share with friends, and we will have no regrets." The second sentence says that when the host's family is prosperous, there are wines, cars and furs for guests, and friends are happy to share wealth and honor. The following three sentences, "Susu Mang is fertile", describe that after the owner's death, the family situation declined, and the former friends not only did not care for the survivors, but also feared that they would not be far or fast. Su Mang is nourished, and the tomb grass sprouts new shoots, which refers to the years after the owner's death. "Book of Rites · Tan Gong": "The tomb of a friend, there is grass on the bed without crying." The person in the car, the person riding a high car, refers to a friend of status. Looking at him, he left unhappily, lest the survivors ask for something. In "Mencius Gongsun Chou": "If you look at it and go away, if you are about to die." This is what it means. Lingyi, this is from Qingke Pavilion, and the original is "Lingyi".
[60] slaughter: housekeeper. [






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Google Translation (modified by sptt)
Xiaomei - Volume 9 , Chapter 22



Wang Muzhen from Mengyin County, Shandong Province was a wealthy family. Once, when he traveled around Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he saw an old woman sobbing on the side of the road, so he stepped forward to ask. The old woman said, " My deceased husband has only one son. Now, he has committed a crime and was sentenced to death. Who can save him? " Money activities, in the end, absolved him of the guilt. After the man was released from prison, he heard that Wang Muzhen saved him, but he didn't understand why, so he inquired about where Wang Muzhen lived, came to thank Wang Muzhen, and asked Wang Muzhen why he wanted to save him. Wang Muzhen said: " There is no other reason, but to pity your old mother. " The man was very surprised and said, " My mother has passed away for a long time. " Wang Muzhen was also very strange. In the evening, the old woman came to thank her, and Wang Muzhen blamed her for talking nonsense. The old woman said, " To tell you the truth, I was originally an old fox from Dongshan. I was married to this child's father for one night 20 years ago, so I couldn't bear to let him never be sacrificed in the underworld. " Wang Muzhen listened to the old woman . Said, I was very moved and respected her very much. When I wanted to ask her a few words, she disappeared without a trace.

It is said that Wang Muzhen's wife is wise and a good Buddha. She doesn't eat meat or drink, she cleans up a clean room and hangs the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue; because she has no son, she burns incense and prays in this room every day. The Guanyin Bodhisattva is very effective, and often tells her how to seek benefits and avoid evil in her dreams, so she decides everything in the family. Later, she became ill, and when she was seriously ill, she had the bed moved to this room. In addition, an embroidered quilt was laid in the house, and the door was closed tightly, as if waiting for someone. Wang Muzhen was very confused by this approach, but because she was seriously ill, she couldn't bear to hurt her heart. My wife has been ill for two years and hates annoying noises. She often drives everyone away and sleeps alone. Wang Muzhen eavesdropped, as if she was talking to someone, but when she opened the door, she was silent. She had nothing to worry about during her illness. She only had a 14 -year-old daughter, and she urged people to prepare a dowry every day. After her daughter got married, his wife called Wang Muzhen to the bed, took him by the hand and said, " Today we are going to part! When I first got sick, the Bodhisattva told me that I was destined to die soon, but I was worried that my younger daughter was not married, so, The Bodhisattva gave me some medicine, so I waited for a long time. Last year, when the Bodhisattva returned to the South China Sea, he left his maid, Xiaomei, to serve me. Now, I am dying, and I have not given birth to a son. I like Baoer very much. I'm just afraid that you marry a woman with a fierce personality, so that their mother and son have no one to rely on. Xiaomei is beautiful and has a soft temperament, so you can marry her to fill the house. " It turned out that Wang Muzhen had a concubine and gave birth to a son named Baoer.

Wang Muzhen heard what his wife said was very absurd, so she said: " You have always respected the Bodhisattva, but now you say something like this, don't you think it will offend the Bodhisattva? " The wife replied: " Xiaomei has served me for more than a year, and we get along regardless of you. I, I have asked her to agree. " Wang Muzhen asked, " Where is Xiaomei? " The wife said, " Isn't it in the house? " Wang Muzhen was about to ask again, but her wife had already closed her eyes and died. Wang Muzhen was watching the spirit at night and heard the faint sound of weeping in the back room. She was very surprised and suspected that it was a ghost. I called a few maids to open the door and saw a beautiful girl sitting in the room in a filial attire. Everyone thought she was a god, and all gathered around and bowed to her. The girl stopped her tears and helped everyone up. Wang Muzhen stared at her, but she just lowered her head and said nothing. Wang Muzhen said: " If what my dead wife said is true, please go up to the hall and be worshipped by my children. If not, I don't dare to think about it, lest I bring sins on my own. " The girl blushed in shame . Come out of the room and go up to the front lobby. Wang Muzhen asked the maid to put the master's seat and asked her to sit down. Wang Muzhen saluted her first, and the girl also returned. The following people will meet in order of seniority and juniority, and the girl will sit there solemnly to receive the audience. Only when Mr Wang's concubine came out to worship, did she help her up.

Since Mr Wang's wife was sick in bed, the maids were lazy, the servants stole, and the family seemed to be no one in charge. After the family met, they all stood by respectfully. Xiaomei said: " In order to thank my wife for her kindness, I decided to stay in the world, and my wife entrusted me with a heavy burden. You should change your minds from now on and serve the master. The past faults will not be investigated again, otherwise, don't think that there is no family at home. People are in charge. " Everyone saw Xiaomei sitting on the seat, like a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva hanging on the wall, fluttering in the breeze, when they heard what she said, everyone was vigilant and agreed in unison. So, Xiaomei ordered to arrange the funeral, everything was clear and orderly. From then on, no one in the family dared to be lazy. Xiaomei was busy taking care of various things outside the house all day long. Wang Muzhen asked her what she wanted to do before doing it. Although they could meet several times every night, they never talked about their personal relationships. After his wife was buried, Wang Muzhen wanted to fulfill the previous agreement, but she did not dare to explain it to Xiaomei in person, so she asked her to show it. Xiaomei promised: " I have promised my wife's entrustment and will not refuse, but the wedding etiquette should not be hasty. Mr. Nianbo Huang is a respected and virtuous man. If he can preside over the wedding, then I must obey. "

At that time, Huang Taipu of Yishui was resigning and staying at home. He was a friend of Mr Wang's father, and the two families had close contacts. Mr Wang immediately went to see Mr. Huang in person and told him the truth. Mr. Huang was surprised when he heard it, so he and Mr Wang came to the Wang's house. After Xiaomei found out, she immediately came out to see him. When Mr. Huang saw her, he praised Xiaomei as a fairy in the sky. Mr Huang did not dare to promise to preside over the wedding ceremony. Xiaomei gave him pillows and shoes, just like honoring her farther in-laws. Since then, the two have become more intimate.

After they got married, Wang Muzhen was always restrained when they were intimate because Xiaomei was a god, and often asked her about the life of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Xiaomei smiled and said, " You're too stupid. How about an upright immortal marrying a mortal? " Wang Muzhen asked again and again, Xiaomei said, " You don't have to ask me, since you think I'm an immortal, I will worship me sooner or later. Naturally, there will be no disaster. " Xiaomei is very generous to the maids and servants in the family, and they all smile and talk, but when the maids laugh and play, when they see her from a distance, they immediately remain silent. Xiaomei smiled and told everyone: " Do you still think I'm a fairy? What kind of fairy is there? In fact, I'm Mrs.'s aunt and cousin. I've been very close since I was a child. I picked it up. At that time, because I was close to my brother-in-law every day, I might be suspected of being a man or a woman. So, I pretended to be a servant of the Bodhisattva. When I was locked in the room, what kind of god was there . " The behavior is no different from ordinary people. So the rumors gradually disappeared. Even so, those stubborn servants, lazy maids, can't be corrected by whipping, as long as Xiaomei said it, no one would be unwilling to follow the correction. They all said, " I don't know why, and I'm not afraid of her, but when I saw her face, my heart softened naturally, so I couldn't bear to go against her orders . " solved. After a few years, the fields were connected together, and there were thousands of stones of grain in the warehouse.

A few years later, the concubine gave birth to another daughter. Xiaomei gave birth to a boy. When the boy was born, there was a small red mole on his left arm, hence the nickname Xiaohong (little red). On the day counting full month after the birth () , Xiaomei asked Mr Wang to put on a sumptuous banquet and invited Mr. Huang to come to the banquet. Mr. Huang gave a very generous gift, but he refused to say that he was too old to go out; Xiaomei sent two old ladies to invite him, and Mr. Huang came over. She took the child out, showed her left arm to Mr. Huang, explained the origin of the name, and kept asking about the good and bad luck of the child. Mr. Huang said with a smile: " This is Xihong. You can add another word. It's called Xihong. " On that day, the sound of drums filled the courtyard, relatives and distinguished guests came one after another, and the house was as lively as a market. Mr. Huang didn’t return after staying for three days.

One day, a car suddenly arrived outside the door, saying that it was to welcome Xiaomei back to her parents' house. For more than ten years, Xiaomei's family has never been in contact with anyone. Everyone was talking a lot, but Xiaomei didn't seem to hear it. After finishing her grooming and dressing up, she held the child in her arms and asked Wang Muzhen to send her off. Wang Muzhen followed her for about 20 to 30 miles. Seeing that there was no one on the road, Xiaomei stopped. Get out of the car, tell Wang Muzhen to get off the horse and come forward, avoid others and say to Wang Muzhen, " Wang Lang, Wang Lang, we have only seen each other for a short time now, and we have been apart for a long time. It's really sad !" Wang Muzhen asked in surprise what this meant. Xiaomei said, " Guess who I am? " Wang Muzhen replied, " I don't know. " Xiaomei said, " You rescued a man who committed a capital crime in Jiangnan, didn't you? " Wang Muzhen replied, " Yes. " Xiaomei He added: " The old lady crying by the road is my mother. In order to thank you for your kindness and loyalty, I wanted to repay you, so I took the opportunity of the lady to be a good Buddha and pretended to be a god, and really used me to repay you. Ah! Now, fortunately, this child is born. This wish is over! I think your bad luck is about to come. I am afraid that this child will not be raised at home, so I use the excuse of returning to my parents' home to avoid disasters. You have to remember that if you are at home When there is a dead person, when the rooster crows the first time in the morning, they should rush to the willow embankment of the Xihe River. When they see the person carrying the sunflower lantern, they will stop and beg him on the way, so as to avoid the disaster. " Wang Muzhen said: " Okay. . ” Asked again when she came back, Xiaomei said :" You can't know in advance, you have to keep my words firmly in mind, and the day we will meet will not be too far away. " As they parted, they held each other's hands and shed tears. Then Xiaomei boarded the car and left, and the car ran like the wind. Wang Muzhen didn't return home until she saw that the car was gone.

Six or seven years after Xiaomei left, there was little news. This year, the plague in the four towns suddenly spread, and many people died of the disease. A maid died after being sick for three days. Wang Muzhen remembered Xiaomei's exhortations in the past, and was very attentive to this matter. On this day, I happened to be drinking with a guest, and fell asleep after being drunk. When I woke up, I heard a rooster crowing. I hurriedly got up and ran to the embankment. I saw the lights flickering, and I had passed by. He hurriedly chased after him, only a hundred paces away, but as he chased further and further, he gradually lost sight. He returned home in chagrin, and a few days later, suddenly fell ill and died shortly after.

There are quite a few rogues in the Wang family, who take the opportunity to bully the Wang family orphans and widows, openly harvest and cut down trees and crops. The Wang family is falling day by day. A year later, Bao'er died again, and the family did not care much. The people of the clan became more domineering, dividing up his family's property, and all the cattle and horses in the village were looted. They wanted to divide up the house again, because Wang Muzhen's wife lived here, so a few people wanted to sell her forcibly. The mother was reluctant to bear her little daughter, and the mother and daughter cried face to face. The nearby neighbors saw the tragic scene. When they were in crisis, they suddenly heard the sound of a sedan chair being carried in outside the door. When everyone saw it, it was Xiao Mei who pulled her son out of the sedan chair. She looked around, shouting like a market, and asked, " Who are these people? " the little wife cried and told her what had happened. When Xiaomei heard this, she immediately changed her face, and told the servants who followed to close the door and lock it. Xiaomei asked someone to tie them up one by one and tied them to the pillars under the porch, and only gave them three bowls of gruel a day. Xiaomei sent the old servant to tell Mr. Huang. Then, she went into the house and cried bitterly. After crying, Xiaomei said to her wife, " These are all fates. I wanted to come back last month, but my mother was sick and delayed some time. I didn’t come back until today. I didn’t expect this place to turn into ruins in a blink of an eye. ” Asked about the old servants and maids, who had all been snatched by the clan, and cried bitterly.

A day later, when the maid and servant heard that Xiaomei was back, they all ran back secretly, and everyone wept bitterly when they met. The people who were bound said that the child Xiaomei brought back was not Wang Muzhen's son. Xiaomei did not argue with them, and soon, Mr. Huang came. Xiaomei brought her son out to greet him. Mr. Huang held the child's arm and lifted the left sleeve to reveal a clear red mole, which he revealed to everyone, which proved to be true. Therefore, carefully examine the lost things, register them in the book, go to the county, and ask the county magistrate to order the arrest of all the rogues, beat forty boards each, lock their hands and feet, and sternly recover the lost things. Within a few days, the fields, cattle and horses were all returned to their original owners. Mr. Huang was about to go home. Xiaomei took the child and cried and said, " I'm not from the world, uncle, you know it. Now, I entrust this child to you. " Mr. Huang said, " As long as I am an old man He is still alive and will not let him decide. After Mr. Huang returned, Xiaomei arranged the housework and entrusted the child to the concubine, so she prepared sacrifices to visit the grave of her deceased husband. After going for a long time, she did not see her back. When people went to the grave to take a look, they saw that the food and wine were still there, but the person had disappeared without a trace, and they had nowhere to go.

Ishi said: " A person who does not cut off the heirs of others will never cut off his heirs. At first glance, it is a matter of the world, but in fact it is God's will. When the family is prosperous, there are fine wines, carts and horses for guests to enjoy, and friends are also happy to be with them. You share wealth and honor; when your family declines after your death, your wife and children are helpless, and those friends with status will leave complaining, lest they have anything to do with you. After you die, you can't bear to forget your benefits, feel your kindness and think of repayment, only what What about people? It's a fox! If you have money, I'll be your housekeeper and take care of your affairs. "





小梅 卷九 第廿二篇

山東蒙陰縣的王慕貞，是個有錢人家。有一次，他到江浙一帶遊歷，看到一個老太婆在路邊輟啜泣，就上前詢問。老太婆說：“我死去的丈夫只留下一個兒子，如今，他犯了罪被判處死刑，有誰能把他救出來呢？”王慕貞為人一向大方豪爽，就記下老太婆兒子的姓名，拿錢活動，最後，為他開脫了罪責。這個人出獄後，聽說是王慕貞救了自己，但不明白為什麼，就打聽王慕貞住的地方，來向王慕貞道謝，並請問王慕貞為什麼要救他。王慕貞說：“沒有別的原因，不過是可憐你年老的母親罷了。”這個人一聽非常吃驚，說：“我母親已經過逝很久了。”王慕貞也很奇怪。到了晚上，老太婆來道謝，王慕貞責怪她亂說。老太婆說：“實話告訴你吧，我本是東山的老狐狸。20 年前曾和這孩子的父親，做過一夜夫妻，因此我不忍心讓他絕後在陰間沒人祭祀。”王慕貞聽老太婆這樣一說，心裏很感動，對她很敬重，還想問她幾句話時，她卻無影無蹤了。 話說王慕貞的妻子賢慧好佛。她不吃葷不喝酒，收拾出一間乾淨的屋子懸掛觀音菩薩像；因為她沒有生兒子，就天天在這屋裏焚香禱告。那觀音菩薩很靈驗，常常托夢告訴她如何趨利避邪，所以家中大大小小的事都由她來決斷。後來，她患了病，病重時，叫人把床移到這間屋子裏來。另外又在屋裏鋪設了繡花的被褥，把門關得緊緊的，似乎在等什麼人。王慕貞對這個作法很迷惑，但因為她病重昏憒，不忍傷她心。妻子病了兩年，討厭煩嘈雜音，時常把別人都趕走，一個人獨自睡覺。王慕貞偷聽，好像她在跟人說話，等打開門一看，卻又無聲無息。她在病中沒有什麼操心的事，只有個14 歲的女兒，天天催人準備嫁妝嫁出去。女兒出嫁後，妻子把王慕貞叫到床前，拉著他的手說：“今天要分別了！剛得病時，菩薩告訴我，命中註定很快要死的，但是不放心小女兒沒出嫁，因此，菩薩賜給我一點藥，讓我拖著日子等待。去年，菩薩臨回南海時，留下侍女小梅來服侍我。如今，我要死了，我這薄命人沒有生兒子。保兒我很喜歡，只怕你娶個個性凶悍的女人，讓他們母子沒人依靠。小梅長的漂亮、性情柔和，可以把她娶過來做填房。”原來，王慕貞有個小老婆，生有一個兒子叫保兒。 王慕貞聽妻子的話非常荒唐，便說：“你一向敬重菩薩，現在說出這樣的話來，不覺得這會得罪菩薩嗎？”妻子回答說：“小梅服侍我一年多了，我們相處的不分你我，我已經求她答應了。”王慕貞問：“小梅在那裡？”妻子說：“屋裏的不是嗎？”王慕貞正要再問，妻子卻已閉上眼睛死了。王慕貞夜裏守靈，聽到裏屋隱隱約約有哭泣聲，非常吃驚，疑心是鬼。叫來幾個丫鬟打開門一看，只見一位漂亮的姑娘，穿著孝服坐在屋裏。大家都以為她是神明，一齊圍著向她叩拜。那姑娘止住淚，扶起大家。王慕貞兩眼凝視著她，她只是低頭不語。王慕貞說：“如果我死去的妻子說的話是真的，請你走上廳去，受兒女們一拜，如果不行，我也不敢妄想，以免自身招來罪過。”那姑娘羞答答紅著臉走出房來，登上正面大廳。王慕貞叫丫鬟擺上主人的座位，請她坐下。王慕貞先對她施禮，姑娘也回拜。以下按長幼尊卑，依次拜見，姑娘嚴肅地端坐在那裏接受眾人拜見。只有王慕貞的小老婆出來拜時，才扶她起來。 自從王慕貞妻子患病在床，丫鬟偷懶，僕人盜竊，家裏像沒有人管一樣。家人拜見完了之後，都恭恭敬敬地站在一旁。小梅說：“為感謝夫人的好意，我決定留在人間，夫人又把重擔託付給我。你們應該從此洗心革面，為主人效力。從前的過錯，一律不再追究，否則，不要以為家裏沒人管事。”大家見坐在座位上的小梅，就像掛在牆上的觀音菩薩像，在微風中飄動，聽到她說的話大家都收心警惕，齊聲答應。於是，小梅吩咐安排發喪的事，一切清清楚楚，有條不紊。從此以後，家中大小沒有敢偷懶懈怠的。小梅整天忙著照應家裏家外各種事，王慕貞要做什麼，也事先問過她然後才去辦。雖然他們每天晚上可以見到幾次面，但從未談及私情，妻子入葬以後，王慕貞很想履行以前的約定，但又不敢當面和小梅說明，就讓小老婆去示意。小梅答應說：“我答應了夫人托付，不會推辭，可是婚嫁禮儀不能草草率率。年伯黃老先生，位尊德重，能由他來主持婚禮，那我一定唯命是從。” 那時，沂水的黃太僕正辭官在家，他是王慕貞父親的朋友，兩家交往密切。王慕貞馬上親自去見黃老先生，把實情都告訴了他。黃老先生一聽很驚奇，便和王慕貞一同來到王家。小梅知道後，立刻出來拜見。黃老先生一見，稱讚小梅如同天上的仙女，謙辭不敢答應主持婚儀，隨即送來一份厚厚的賀禮，婚禮進行完畢後，才回家去。小梅送給他枕頭、鞋子，如同孝敬公婆一樣。從此以後，兩家交往更加親密。 他們結婚以後，王慕貞總因為小梅是個神明，親熱時也拘拘束束，還時常向她打聽觀音菩薩的生活情形。小梅笑著說：“你也太笨了。那有正直的神仙嫁給凡人的？”王慕貞又再三追問，小梅說：“，你不必問來問去既然你認為我是神仙，那就早晚供奉著，自然就沒有災禍。”小梅對家中丫鬟僕人都很寬宏大量，都是微笑著說話，可是丫鬟們嬉笑、玩耍時，遠遠見到她，便立刻默不作聲。小梅笑著告訴大家說：“難道你們大家還認為我是神仙嗎？我那裡是什麼神仙！實際上我是夫人的姨表妹，從小就很要好，姐姐病中想念我，暗中叫南村王姥姥把我接來。那時因天天接近姐夫。恐有男女之嫌。所以，假託是菩薩的侍女。關在屋裏，其實那裡是什麼神明。”大家還是不相信，但天天在她身邊，看她舉止動作和平常人沒有不同。於是謠言漸漸消失了。

即使這樣，那些頑劣的僕人，懶惰的丫鬟，鞭打處罰也改不掉的，只要小梅一說，沒有不樂意遵從改正的。他們都說：“不知道為甚麼，也不是怕她，但一看她的臉兒，心就自然而然地軟下來，所以不忍違背她的吩咐。“就這樣，家裏原來有問題的各種事，都解決了。過了幾年，田地連成一片，庫房裏有萬石的糧食。 又過幾年，小老婆又生了一個女兒。小梅生了一個男孩，孩子生下來時，左胳臂上有一顆小紅痣，因此，小名叫小紅。滿月那天，小梅讓王慕貞擺上豐盛的酒席，邀請黃老先生來赴宴。黃老先生送了很厚的賀禮，但推辭說自己年齡已大，不能出遠門；小梅派了兩名老婆子去強邀，黃老先生才過來。她抱出孩子，露出左胳臂給黃老先生看，說明名字的來由，又不斷詢問這孩子的吉凶禍福。黃老先生笑著說：“這是喜紅，可以增加一個字，名字叫喜紅吧。”小梅聽到後，非常高興，便上前叩謝。那天，鼓樂聲充滿庭院，親戚、貴客紛紛前來，家裏熱鬧得如同市場，等黃老先生住了三天才回去。 一天，門外忽然有車馬來到，說是迎接小梅回娘家去的。十多年來，小梅娘家從來無人來往。大家都議論紛紛，而小梅卻好像沒有聽到一樣，梳洗打扮完畢，把孩子抱在懷中，要王慕貞送她，王慕貞跟著她大約走了二三十里路，看看路上寂靜無人，小梅便停下車，叫王慕貞下馬近前，避開別人跟王慕貞說：“王郎、王郎，我們現在是相見時間短，別離時間長，真事可悲啊!”王慕貞吃驚地問這話是什麼意思。小梅說：“你猜我是什麼人？”王慕貞答道：“不知道。”小梅說：“你在江南地方救過一個犯死罪的人，是嗎？”王慕貞答道：“是。”小梅又說：“那個在路邊哭的老太太，就是我的母親。為感激你的恩情義氣，好好要報答你，於是，便借夫人好佛的機會，假託神明，實在是用我來報答你呀！如今，好在生了這個孩子。這個心願算是了啦！ 我看你霉運快要來了，這孩子在家，恐怕養不大，所以藉口回娘家來躲避災難，你要記住，家中若有死人時，要在早晨公雞啼第一聲時，趕到西河柳堤上去，看到提葵花燈的人，就在半路上攔住苦苦哀求他，可以免去災難。”王慕貞說：“好。”又問她回來的日子，小梅說 ：“不能預先知道，你要牢牢記住我的話，相見的日子就不會太遠。”臨別時，他們互相拉著手，流下淚來。隨後小梅便登上車走了，車子奔走如風。王慕貞一直看到車子不見了，才返回家去。 小梅走後六七年，渺無音信。這一年，忽然四鄉瘟疫流行，病死的人很多。一個丫鬟病了三天就死了。王慕貞想起從前小梅的叮嚀，很留心此事。這天，正好和客人喝酒，大醉後便睡著了，一醒就聽到雞叫，急忙起身跑到堤上去，只見燈火一晃一晃的，已經走過去了。他急忙追趕，前後只差百步左右，卻愈追愈遠，漸漸就看不見了。他懊惱地回到家裏，幾天後，突然生病，不久就死了。 王氏家族裏，頗有些無賴之徒，借機欺侮王家孤寡，公然收割、砍伐樹木莊稼。王家一天比一天敗落。過了一年，保兒又死了，家裡更沒有鐘心，族裏人更加橫行霸道，瓜分他家田產，廄裏牛馬也被搶掠一空。他們又想瓜分宅院，因為王慕貞小老婆住在這裏，於是，便有幾個人要強行把她賣掉。母親捨不得自己的小女兒，母女面對面痛哭，附近鄰里都看到了這淒慘的場面，正在危急之時，突聽門外有一頂轎子抬進來的聲音。大家一看，卻是小梅拉著兒子從轎裏走出來。她向四面一看，亂嚷嚷如同市場一樣，就問：“這是些什麼人？”小老婆哭著告訴她所發生的一切。小梅一聽，立刻變臉，便叫跟來的僕人關門下鎖，眾族人剛要反抗，但手腳卻痿缩沒力不聽使喚。小梅叫人把他們一個一個都綁起來，拴在廊下柱子上，一天只給三碗稀粥。小梅打發老僕人跑去告訴黃老先生，然後，自己進到屋裏痛哭，哭完，小梅對小老婆說：“這些都是命運。本想上個月回來，恰好母親病了耽誤些時間，直到今天才回來。沒想到一轉眼這裏已經變成廢墟。”問到舊日的僕人丫鬟，原來都被族人搶去了，又痛哭起來。 過了一天，丫鬟、僕人聽說小梅回來了，都自己偷著跑回來，大家一見面都痛哭流淚。被綁住的族人，都說小梅帶回的孩子不是王慕貞的兒子。小梅也不與他們分辯，不久，黃老先生來了。小梅帶著兒子出來迎接。黃老先生握住孩子的手臂，掀起左邊衣袖，露出清清楚楚的紅痣，便袒露給大家看，證明是千真萬確的。於是，仔細地審查失去的東西，登記在冊子上，到縣裏去，請縣官下令拘捕眾無賴族人，各打四十大板，枷住手腳關起來，並嚴厲地追回失物。沒幾天，田地、牛馬統統都歸還原主。黃老先生準備回家去，小梅帶著孩子哭拜說：“我不是世間的人，叔叔您是知道的。現在，我把這個孩子託付給您了。”黃老先生說：“只要我老頭子一口氣還在，不會不給他作主的。黃老先生回去後，小梅安排完家事，把孩子託付給小老婆，便準備祭品去給故去的丈夫掃墓。去了好久，不見她回來，人們去墳上一看，只見酒菜都還擺在那裏，人卻已無影無蹤，不知所終了。 異史氏說：“不斷絕人家後嗣的人，人家也不斷絕他的後嗣。乍看是世間事而實際上是天意呀。家勢興旺時，有美酒車馬供客人享用，朋友也樂得與你共享富貴；等到你死後家道衰落，妻兒無助，那些有地位的朋友都會埋怨地離去，惟恐有所瓜葛。你死後不忍忘記你的好處，感你的恩德想到報答的，只有什麼人呢？是狐狸吧！假如你有錢，我來做你的管家，為你打理事務。”