Pathway to Japanese Literature

In Miwasaki of Kii Province lived a man called Otake Takesuke, who prospered by employing many sea workers to harvest all manner of broad-finned and narrow-finned creatures from the waters. He had three children: an eldest son who managed the household in his father’s stead, a daughter next in line who was married off to Yamato, and a third son—a boy named Toyoo, gentle by nature from birth. He always favored capital-style elegance and lacked practical sense, so the family intended to make him either a scholar or monk, having been sending him to study under Shrine Attendant Abe Yumaro of Shingu.

It was the end of September. As Toyoo made his way to his teacher’s residence as usual, clouds swelled in the southeastern sky and rain started to fall. Having borrowed an umbrella from his teacher’s quarters, Toyoo set out only for the downpour to intensify when Asuka Shrine’s roof came into view. He sought shelter at a fisherman’s house he knew, waiting for the rain to let up, when a voice pleaded from the entrance: “Might this humble one beg shelter beneath your eaves awhile?” There stood a woman of striking beauty not yet twenty, accompanied by a girl of fourteen or fifteen whose hair was bound in a child’s topknot. The woman explained she was returning from pilgrimage to Nachi. Captivated by her loveliness, Toyoo offered her the borrowed umbrella. “I am Manago of Agata,” she declared, dwelling near Shingu,” before departing beneath the sheltering silk.

Afterward, Toyoo borrowed the householder’s straw raincoat and hat to return home, but unable to forget the woman’s visage, he could think of nothing else—and that night, in his dreams, he went to her dwelling. The gate was large, the house was large—a residence with lowered shutters and hanging blinds. Manago came out and served sake and sweets to entertain him, so they shared a joyful meeting in a pleasant drunken state. When morning came, Toyoo could not bear his desire to see the woman; without even eating breakfast, he went to Shingu and asked where the house of Manago of Agata was—but no one knew of such a place. By the time noon had passed, that girl with the child’s topknot hairstyle came from the east. The woman’s house was right there. It was a house with a large gate and structure—no different from the one he had seen in his dream, with shutters lowered and blinds drawn tight. The girl went inside and announced, “I have brought the master of the umbrella as bidden.” Then Manago came out and led Toyoo to the south-facing room. It was a room with wooden flooring where tatami mats had been laid—ornamental screens, decorative cupboards, and wall hangings with paintings—all antiquities from ancient times; no dwelling meant for mortal beings. Manago treated Toyoo to a feast. Manago explained that she herself had been the wife of such-and-such, a governor-appointed magistrate of Agata County in this province, but with her husband’s passing that spring, she now had no one to rely on for support. “In gratitude for your shelter from yesterday’s rain—for I believe you to be a man of trust—I would humbly devote all my remaining years to serving you,” she said. Though this was precisely what Toyoo desired, he said, “As one bound to serve my parents and siblings, I possess nothing but my nails and hair. I have no means to provide a dowry.” “If my lord would but visit me here from time to time and keep me company, that would suffice,” said Manago. She brought forth a long sword adorned with gold and silver and told him, “This was worn by my former husband.”

Toyoo was urged by Manago to stay overnight at all costs, but fearing reprimand for staying out without permission, he promised to return the next evening to stay and went home. When morning came, his elder brother Taro—preparing to set up beach seine fishing—passed by Toyoo’s bedchamber and noticed the long sword placed at his pillow glinting in the dying lamplight. When Taro asked in surprise, Toyoo said he had received it from someone. Their father, having heard of this, came as well, and their mother arrived to investigate. However, since directly addressing the matter was deemed too shameful, it fell to Taro’s wife to hear the details. When Toyoo spoke of Manago, his sister-in-law said, “Though it was ever so pitiful that a young man should sleep alone, this is most excellent news,” and that night she told Taro that Toyoo had found a woman. Taro frowned and said, “I have not heard of any magistrate in this province by the name ‘such-and-such of Agata County.’ As our family holds local office, no death of such stature could go unreported.” He then examined the long sword closely and gasped in shock. It was an object that had been dedicated to Kumano Gongen by the Minister of the Capital—one of the sacred treasures stolen around that time. After hearing this from Taro, their father declared, “Should this matter come to light through others, our entire house will be ruined. For our ancestors’ sake and our descendants’ future, I shall not hesitate to sacrifice even an unfilial son. Go and report this tomorrow!” He then had the matter formally denounced before the Chief Priest. Suke no Kimi Fumiya Hiroyuki, who had come to the Chief Priest’s residence to investigate the theft, dispatched about ten warriors to apprehend Toyoo.

Toyoo shed tears and tried to prove his innocence. Suke no Kimi then used Toyoo as a guide and dispatched warriors to Manago’s house. Though large in structure, its gate pillars had rotted and the eaves’ tiles crumbled away, bearing no semblance to an inhabited dwelling. Toyoo stood astonished. The warriors summoned nearby residents and demanded, “Is it true a woman from Agata County’s such-and-such resides here?” An elderly blacksmith emerged and declared: “Until three years past, this house thrived under a village headman of such-and-such name. But after his merchant ship bound for Tsukushi vanished at sea, those remaining scattered into ruin. Since then, none have dwelled here—yet this man entered yesterday and barely returned alive, a fact this old lacquer craftsman deemed strange enough to report.” Resolved to inspect the interior, they forced open the gate and searched. Within a chamber layered with dust stood a woman fair as a blossom behind an ancient screen—but when warriors pressed inward, thunder roared mightily, and with it she disappeared. Examining the room revealed stolen sacred treasures: Korean brocades, Chinese damasks, Japanese patterned cloths, silk tabbies, shields, spears, quivers, and halberds.

Thus, while Toyoo’s suspicion of grand theft was cleared, since the crime of possessing the sacred treasures could not be pardoned, he had been imprisoned—but through bribes employed by Toyoo’s father and elder brother Taro, he was released after about a hundred days. Ashamed to be seen by those who knew him, Toyoo went to stay with his sister in Yamato. His sister’s house was located in a place called Zakuroichi near Hasedera Temple, where they sold lamps, wicks, and similar goods. One day, as Toyoo was at the shop, a woman of exceptional grace—appearing to be a capital resident on a secret pilgrimage—arrived accompanied by a girl to purchase incense. The girl, upon seeing Toyoo, said, “My lady, he is here.”

It was Manago’s party. Toyoo exclaimed, “Ah, how terrifying!” and hid inside. The woman chased after Toyoo and said, “Ever since hearing my lord was summoned before the authorities, I conspired with a compassionate elder from the neighborhood to hastily prepare a crude shelter and caused thunder to roar when they came to seize me—all through my own designs.” Regarding the sacred treasures, she added, “What reason would a woman have to steal them? That was surely born of my former husband’s wicked heart.” The sister and her husband, finding reason in Manago’s words, cleared their suspicions. “This is no world where such precedents exist,” they declared. “How deeply we pity your heart that wandered so far in search—even should Toyoo refuse, we shall keep you by his side.” They kept Manago near Toyoo, and in time persuaded him to marry her.

When March arrived, the family decided to go on an outing. Manago protested, “Since childhood, whenever I walk through crowded places or long paths, this dreadful malady of rising vapors overcomes me—thus I humbly cannot join this excursion.” Yet they compelled her to accompany them against her will. And when they had gone to such-and-such temple and were walking along the waterfall’s edge, an old man with hair like twisted hemp appeared and declared, “How strange! This evil deity dares beguile humans?” Whereupon Manago and the girl leapt into the waterfall—and with that, clouds like spilled inkstick shavings blotted the sky as rain lashed down as though through a screen of wild bamboo. The old man hurriedly guided the bewildered people and accompanied them to a place where there were houses. The old man was one of the divine servants known as Taima no Sakando. “The evil deity is an aged serpent,” the old man admonished Toyoo. “Its nature is lustful—they say coupling with oxen spawns qilin, mating with horses begets dragon-steeds. That it has beguiled you appears equally born of your own complicity in its comely guise.”

Toyoo returned to Kii Province as though waking from a dream. His family reasoned that Toyoo had met such misfortune because he remained unmarried, and while seeking a bride for him, learned that the magistrate of Shiba-no-Sato had an unmarried daughter—a court lady under Ōuchi guardianship—now needing a husband; thus a matchmaker came to Toyoo’s household. When Toyoo’s family gladly accepted the proposal, the magistrate’s household sent attendants to fetch the young woman from the capital. The woman’s name was Tomiko. Upon her return from the capital, Toyoo was welcomed into her household. On the second night, having drunk himself merry, he playfully teased: “After years in the grand capital’s service, surely a rustic like me must vex you. There, ministers and nobles would vie for your favor—how cruel you must find this match now.” Tomiko lifted her face and retorted, “To forget our ancient vow while fawning over this common creature—that cruelty lies with you, not I.” Yet the voice was Manago’s.

Toyoo trembled violently. "If you deem others' words truthful and obstinately keep your distance," spoke an unearthly voice, "I shall exact vengeance. Though Kiji's mountains rise lofty as they may, with your blood I shall drench valley from peak." "My lady, why chastise him? Is this not our blessed covenant?" said the girl as she appeared from behind the screen.

The next day, Toyoo fled from the bridal chamber and spoke to the magistrate. Shoji decided to request the monk from Kurama Temple—who came year after year for the Kumano pilgrimage—to capture the suspicious entity. The Kurama Monk melted realgar into a small bottle and went to investigate Tomiko’s bridal chamber—where a snow-white serpent with gnarled horns like dead branches had opened its maw over three feet wide, its crimson tongue unfurling to fill the room. The monk, shocked, fainted but ultimately died.

When Toyoo went to see, she had transformed into the beautiful Tomiko. Toyoo said that since he couldn’t bear to cause others trouble on his account, he would follow wherever the suspicious entity went. Shoji stopped him and went to request Monk Fahai’s help at Dōjō-ji Temple in Komatsubara. Monk Fahai said, “Though I am now aged and fear my spiritual powers may not suffice, I cannot remain silent before your household’s calamity.” He took out a kesa permeated with the scent of mustard seeds and continued, “Lure the serpent demon here without suspicion. Cover its head with this robe, then press down with all your strength. Should your hands falter, it will surely escape.” Shoji returned joyfully and quietly handed the kesa to Toyoo. Toyoo went to Tomiko’s bridal chamber, seized an opening to drape the kesa over her, and pressed down with all his strength.

At that moment, Monk Fahai’s palanquin arrived. As he chanted incantations, pushed Toyoo aside, and removed the kesa, there lay Tomiko—limp—with a white serpent about three feet long coiled atop her. The monk seized it and placed it into the iron alms bowl his disciple was holding. When he resumed his incantations, a small snake about a foot long crawled out from behind the screen. Monk Fahai captured that one too and placed both in the iron alms bowl, draped his kesa over it to seal the vessel, and began carrying it away—whereupon Toyoo and the entire household pressed their palms together and tearfully saw him off. Upon returning to his temple, Monk Fahai had them dig deep before the main hall, buried his iron alms bowl there, and decreed it should never emerge into this world for all eternity.

This tale of *Serpent Nature’s Lust* is considered the most outstanding among Ueda Akinari’s *Tales of Moonlight and Rain*, yet it is not Akinari’s original creation but rather an adaptation of a Chinese legend. *The Strange Tale of Leifeng Pagoda* from *West Lake Stories*—a collection of legends from Hangzhou’s West Lake in China—serves as its source material. Leifeng refers to the name of a pagoda situated on the lakeshore of West Lake, constructed by Queen Huang of Wuyue; however, in *The Strange Tale of Leifeng Pagoda*, it is portrayed as having originated from a strange karmic bond. The author, too, was among those once astonished by the sight of the towering five-story pagoda that rose along the southern lakeshore of West Lake during his visit. In that West Lake, on the northern shore opposite Leifeng Pagoda on the southern shore, there stands one called Baoshu Pagoda.

The Strange Tale of Leifeng Pagoda

It was during the time when Emperor Gaozong of Song, pursued by Jin soldiers, crossed the Yangtze River and made his imperial journey to Hangzhou. In a place called Heizhu Lane by Guojun Bridge within Hangzhou’s city walls, there lived an able-bodied man named Xu Xuan. Having lost both parents in childhood, he had been taken under the care of an official named Li Ren—his elder sister’s husband. This Li Ren served as a Mushi official of the Nangaku Kozoku. Xu Xuan resided at this Li Ren’s household and would go daily to Guanxiang—where Li Ren’s younger brother Li Jiangshi operated a medicinal shop—to manage its affairs.

Xu Xuan was twenty-two years old at that time. He was a man with a delicate, beautiful face and a certain noble bearing.

It was the day of the Qingming Festival. Xu Xuan, intending to visit Baoshu Pagoda Temple to burn incense, consulted his sister that evening. Rising early the next morning, he purchased and prepared paper horses, incense sticks, red candles, sutra banners, and paper coins shaped like horseshoe silver ingots. After eating a meal, he donned newly tailored clothes and fine shoes, then went to meet Li Jiangshi at the shop in Guanxiang.

“Today I wish to pay my respects at Baoshu Pagoda. I humbly request but a single day’s leave.”

On Qingming Festival, it was local custom to visit ancestral graves and pray for the repose of their souls. Since Xu Xuan, having no parents, would naturally go to the temple instead, Li Jiangshi cheerfully granted his request. “By all means, go ahead and go. Off with you now.”

Thereupon, Xu Xuan left the shop and headed in the direction of Qiantang Gate.

It was a day under the intensely shining sun of early summer, and men and women visiting Buddhist temples and graves overflowed the streets. Among these people, some rode in palanquins, others in litters; some were mounted on horses or donkeys, while others traveled by boat.

Xu Xuan exited Qiantang Gate, crossed Shihan Bridge, ascended the road leading up Baoshi Mountain where Baoshu Pagoda towered, and made his way to the temple—but the temple was bustling with worshippers burning incense. Xu Xuan burned incense before the main hall, set ablaze paper horses and paper coins, lit red candles, and prayed for the repose of his parents’ souls. Then, having gone to the temple’s main hall, entered the guest hall to partake of a vegetarian meal, and completed his donation to the temple, he descended the mountain.

At the base of the mountain stood a hall called Shiseikan. When Xu Xuan had descended to Shiseikan, suddenly the sunlight faded and the surroundings grew dim. Xu Xuan opened his eyes wide in surprise. In the northwestern sky over West Lake, gray clouds had emerged, blocking the sunlight. A mist hung over the southeastern lakeshore where Leifeng Pagoda stood, and within that mist, the pagoda seemed to float. The mist then drifted eastward, blurring the Su Causeway. The solitary mountain below showed a tarnished silver line, dulled like smoke-stained metal. Before he could even think *It seems like rain*, small raindrops were already pattering down. Xu Xuan had taken shelter under Shiseikan’s eaves, but the rain only grew heavier, showing no sign of letting up. The sky was entirely blanketed by clouds of pale ink-black. Xu Xuan had no choice but to take off his shoes, remove his socks as well, tie them together and fasten them at his waist, become barefoot, leave the shelter of Shiseikan’s eaves, and run toward the lakeshore.

Xu Xuan intended to hire a boat from there and return all the way to Yujin Gate. Figures of people, startled by the sudden rain and fleeing while drenched, appeared here and there as black specks. In the lake too, small boats scurried right and left. These were all modest vessels with reed-thatched roofs, colloquially called Hangzhou boats. Among them was one with its prow turned eastward where an old man rowed at the stern—now passing directly before his eyes. Xu Xuan meant to hail whichever boat was nearest, but as he prepared to call out, something about the bamboo-hatted boatman struck him as familiar—so he peered closer at that shadowed face. It was Zhang Hegong, an old acquaintance. Xu Xuan’s heart swelled with joy.

“Mr. Zhang! Mr. Zhang! Hey, Mr. Zhang!”

It seemed Xu Xuan’s voice had been heard, for the boatman raised his face and looked toward the shore. “It’s me! It’s me! Mr. Zhang—could you take me to Yujin Gate?” The boatman spotted Xu Xuan. “Well now... Mr. Manager...”

The boatman exclaimed in surprise, yanked back on the stern to turn the bow toward shore, and gave a forceful push. With that, the boat immediately grated against the sandy shore where the willows’ pale green leaves appeared hazy by the water’s edge. Xu Xuan ran down to the water’s edge.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but take me to Yujin Gate. I went to burn incense at Baoshu Pagoda and got caught in the rain.” “That must have been rough! Please get on quickly—I’m headed to Yujin Gate myself.” “I see. That works out perfectly—I’ll take you up on that ride.”

Xu Xuan hurriedly washed his feet and boarded the boat. The boatman planted his oar in the water to push off, turned the bow eastward, and steadied the stern.

“Excuse me, excuse me! Boatman, I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you please let me board?” Hearing a rounded woman’s voice rich in timbre, Xu Xuan peered through a gap in the reed roof toward shore. A slender woman of striking beauty stood drenched in the rain, having her maidservant in a blue upper garment carry a small bundle. “Mr. Zhang, why don’t we give them a ride? They’re clearly in trouble.” “Right—since we’re going that way anyway—let’s give them a ride.” The boatman steered the vessel back toward land again. Fine rain like spun silk could be seen falling upon the bow.

“I’m terribly sorry—it started raining so suddenly…”

A seductive voice rang out as the women came aboard the boat. The beautiful woman's face emerged clearly beneath the reed roof. "I'm terribly sorry for intruding like this." The woman calmly offered her greeting from behind the reed shelter. Xu Xuan felt awkward. He hastily returned her courtesy while shifting his body backward.

“Please, come in.”

The woman entered just like that and sat down as if clinging to his knees. A faint scent of perfume applied to the woman's body lingered. Xu Xuan had averted his eyes because it was dazzling, but driven by curiosity to see the woman’s face clearly, he slowly raised them. His eyes met the woman’s black, moistened gaze fixed unwaveringly upon him. Xu Xuan hurriedly averted his eyes again. “Where do you reside?” The woman spoke in words that seemed to carry an obsession. Xu Xuan's awkward feelings somewhat subsided.

“Heizhu Lane by Guojun Bridge.” “My family name is Xu, and my given name is Xuan. And you?” “I am called Bai. My family belongs to Bai Sanban, and I am the younger sister of Bai Zhidian. I was married into the Zhang household, but my husband passed away. Today, I visited his grave, but then this rain started, and just as I was in distress—thanks to your kindness, I was saved.” “Is that so? Since I too lost my parents early, today I had gone to Baoshu Pagoda Temple. With this rain causing trouble, I thought to hire a boat to Yujin Gate—but upon coming here, there was an acquaintance’s boat, so I boarded it. It turned out most fortuitous.”

The boat traveled southward along the provincial capital's castle walls, mile after mile. The rain—fine as spun silk—fell ceaselessly beyond the reed-thatched roof. "When I left home this morning, the weather was so fair I never imagined this downpour. You've saved me from quite the predicament—thank you ever so much." A faint rustling betrayed the maidservant fidgeting at her mistress's side. "I'm staying with my sister too, working days at our kinsman's pharmacy. I begged time off without considering the weather either—we've all suffered today's troubles, haven't we?"

Xu Xuan was able to converse with the woman without becoming sullen.

The boat had already arrived outside Yujin Gate. The fine white rain was still falling. The woman, as if remembering something, looked intently around herself before pressing her mouth to the maidservant’s ear and whispering in a low voice, her face assuming a troubled expression. With her eyes crinkling in a smile, the maidservant whispered back to the woman. Even so, the woman wore a troubled expression.

“Well, you see…”

The maidservant’s face looked this way. Xu Xuan wondered what was going on. “This morning when leaving home, I was in such haste that I forgot to bring money. I truly apologize for the imposition, but might I humbly request to borrow the boat fare? Once I return home, I shall repay it immediately.” “That’s quite all right—I’ll pay for it.”

The boat arrived at the water’s edge. The woman fidgeted awkwardly.

“Well then, the boat has arrived. Let’s get off.”

Xu Xuan took several coins from the purse at his waist and placed them on the boat. “Thank you ever so much.” With those words, the woman slipped on her shoes and went ashore with the maidservant. Xu Xuan followed after them, still barefoot. Had dusk already fallen? The surroundings had taken on a grayish cast. The woman waited beneath a willow’s drooping branches for Xu Xuan to approach.

“Ah, if I may... Since the rain falls so heavily and daylight already fades, might we not repair to my home? I should also wish to return the coins I borrowed from you.” Xu Xuan had wanted to go to the woman’s home too, but feeling it would show discourtesy toward his sister’s household, he could not go.

“It is already quite late, so I shall call upon you another time.” “I see… Well then, I shall have the honor of seeing you again. Thank you ever so much.” The woman departed with a face tinged by lingering reluctance. The maidservant walked behind, carrying a bundle. Xu Xuan, too, felt a lingering reluctance, so he remained standing there; when he looked again this time, the figures of the two were already gone. Xu Xuan, with his mind focused, bid a few parting words to the boatman, dashed out from the shade of the willow tree, passed through Yujin Gate, and walked beneath the eaves of one of the closely packed houses lining the street. He was thus making his way to a nearby relative’s house to borrow an umbrella. Before his eyes, the figure of the woman from earlier appeared like a flower.

Xu Xuan went to his relatives in Sanqiao Lane. His relatives tried to detain him, saying it was dinnertime, but Xu Xuan—feeling as though happiness awaited him outside and loathing to be kept indoors—insisted on borrowing only an umbrella and went out. The sound of light, refreshing rain clung to the abruptly opened umbrella.

When he reached the Foreign Settlement, a familiar gentle woman’s voice sounded. “Oh, you…”

Xu Xuan turned to look leftward. Under the eaves of the teahouse stood Bai Niangzi from before, sheltering alone from the rain. "Oh—it was you? I must beg pardon for my earlier discourtesy."

“This humble one thanks you ever so much for earlier. As the rain pours so fiercely, I had my maidservant fetch an umbrella and am waiting here.” “I see… Well then, take this umbrella. I’m right nearby, so it’s perfectly fine without one.”

Xu Xuan tried to hand the umbrella in his grasp to the woman, but she did not extend her hand. “Thank you kindly, but that would be too much to impose. It would be most proper for my attendant to come instead.” “No, it’s fine. I’m already right nearby—there’s no need for an umbrella. Here, take it. I’ll come fetch it tomorrow.” “But that would be too much.” “No, it’s fine.”

Xu Xuan insistently thrust the umbrella handle toward the woman.

“I must apologize for the imposition, but may I humbly borrow it? My home is at Shuangchafang in Jianqiao.” The woman entwined her slender, long fingers around the handle.

“I see. Then I shall have the honor of seeing you again.”

Xu Xuan, so as not to cause the woman any concern, handed over the umbrella and immediately began walking hurriedly along under the eaves. At the same time, the woman also left the eaves and stepped out onto the stone-paved path.

Xu Xuan was still thinking of Bai Niangzi even after getting into bed that night.

The figure of a woman with vivid, lovely features was watching this way with an air of intent. He was recalling each of the woman’s words, laden with temptation, one by one.

Then there came a presence—someone parted the bedchamber curtain and entered. Xu Xuan started and turned his gaze that way. There remained Bai Niangzi's face, unchanged from daylight hours, its allure undiminished. Xu Xuan felt both elation and awkwardness; though certain he ought to speak, no fitting words came to him. The woman had already slipped into the bed before he realized it. Xu Xuan drowned in breath-stealing bliss—until sharp awareness pierced through, revealing it all as a dream.

The next morning, Xu Xuan went to his shop early as usual, but with Bai Niangzi filling his thoughts and finding himself unable to focus on his work, after lunch he concocted an excuse to leave the shop and made his way to Shuangchafang in Jianqiao.

Xu Xuan thus went about searching for Bai Niangzi’s house but could find no residence that seemed to be hers. Even when he asked people, not a single soul knew of it. Xu Xuan wondered if he had misheard the location, but since it was unquestionably Shuangchafang, he persisted in scouring every corner of the town without relenting. Yet even then, no such house could be found. With no other recourse, he resigned himself and began dragging his weary feet homeward.

Just then, from the eastern side of the east-west running street came a maidservant in a blue upper garment.

“Oh, you’ve come.”

“I came to retrieve the umbrella and have just arrived now—but where is it?”

Xu Xuan could not bring himself to say he had been searching for so long, feeling as though his innermost thoughts had been laid bare. He thus went, accompanied by the maidservant.

There stood an imposing multi-storied building with high walls encircling it on all sides. The maidservant went before it, stopped her feet briefly, and looked at Xu Xuan’s face.

“Here we are.” Xu Xuan was puzzled, wondering why he hadn’t been able to find such an imposing residence where this person lived. He followed the maidservant and passed through the gate there. The two of them entered the house and stood at the entrance to the central hall. “Madam, the person who troubled you yesterday has arrived.”

The maidservant spoke toward the interior. Then, Bai Niangzi’s voice sounded from within.

“Ah yes, then this way… Now, you must please come in.” The maidservant responded to Bai Niangzi’s invitation.

“Now, please do come in.” Xu Xuan was hesitating because it was difficult to enter. Then, the maidservant urged again. “Since Madam is also urging you so earnestly, please do come in.”

Xu Xuan steeled himself and entered. Both sides of the chamber were divided into four-paneled latticework screens, while a blue cloth curtain hung across one narrow entrance. The maidservant—likely going to inform Bai Niangzi—lifted the curtain with one hand and disappeared into the next chamber. Xu Xuan stood there surveying the room's arrangement. A pot of tiger-whisker calamus placed on the central table first suggested this was a woman's quarters. On both pillars hung four scroll paintings, with another object depicting a deity's image suspended between them. Beneath the divine portrait stood an incense stand bearing an ancient bronze burner and vase.

Bai Niangzi emerged with her sumptuously alluring face. Xu Xuan somehow felt he was no longer a mere roadside stranger, yet at the same time found this situation intensely awkward. “How gracious of you to come! I must thank you again for enduring such inconveniences on my behalf yesterday.”

“Oh, not at all. Today I happened to come this way and was thinking of inquiring where your residence might be—I had just resolved to ask some people when your maidservant appeared, which is why I took the liberty of paying this visit.”

When the two sat facing each other at the table, the maidservant brought tea. Xu Xuan drank while falling into raptures listening to the woman’s words. “Now then...” Though unwilling to move, Xu Xuan couldn’t linger over tea forever. As he began rising from his seat, the maidservant arrived bearing wine with preserved vegetables and fruits. “It’s meager fare,” she offered humbly. “No,” came Bai Niangzi’s refusal through lowered lashes, “we couldn’t impose further—you must excuse us.”

“There’s nothing here, but come now—have one. Please don’t say such things.” Xu Xuan thought it pitiable but also wanted to remain by the woman’s side. He sat down again and drank several cups of wine.

“Well then, I must take my leave—it seems to have grown quite late.”

Xu Xuan, having noticed that it had grown late, resolved to take his leave. “Shall I not detain you any longer? There’s truly nothing here to offer. Then, if you would please wait just a moment—the umbrella we borrowed yesterday was lent out again by a member of the household without our knowledge, but we’ll retrieve it immediately. We won’t take up much of your time.”

Xu Xuan thought that rather than taking the umbrella back immediately today, leaving it behind would provide a good pretext to return again. “Oh, there’s no need to rush about the umbrella—I can come retrieve it tomorrow as well, so there’s no need to trouble yourself specially today.” “Then tomorrow, I shall deliver it to your residence myself.” “No, I shall come myself. The shop has some free time as well.” “Then please do come for a visit, for I am troubled daily without company.”

“In that case, I shall come tomorrow. Thank you very much for your hospitality.”

Xu Xuan parted from Bai Niangzi and was seen off by the maidservant to the gate before returning home—yet his heart still seemed to linger by Bai Niangzi’s side so intensely that he could no longer comprehend himself. The next day, even when he went to his shop, he found himself unable to focus on work; devising another pretext to go out, he headed straight for Bai Niangzi’s house in Sōchabō.

As if she had known the time of Xu Xuan’s arrival and been waiting impatiently, the maidservant came out.

“Welcome! Please do come in. We were just speaking of you with Madam.” “Today I’ll just take the umbrella and be on my way. Please give it to me—I’ll trouble you no further here.”

Xu Xuan said as much, but he did not want to leave quickly. He was hoping Bai Niangzi would come out.

“Oh, don’t say such things—please do come in for a moment.”

Having said that, the maidservant went inside. Xu Xuan felt glad knowing the maidservant had gone to summon Bai Niangzi. He leaned forward intently, straining to catch any trace of Bai Niangzi's voice. Xu Xuan detected movement as the maidservant reappeared. Behind her shoulder emerged Bai Niangzi's face. "Now please—do come in," she urged. "We've waited since dawn, hoping you might honor us with a visit today."

“Today I must take my leave here—it would be improper to trouble you every day.” “For my part, I spend my days idly, so when a guest like yourself visits, I’m truly delighted. If you’re not pressed for time, please do come in.” “I’ve no pressing matters myself, but I couldn’t impose on you daily.”

“If you’ve no pressing matters, do come inside. Now then, please.” Xu Xuan followed Bai Niangzi to yesterday’s chamber without any sense of awkwardness. When he entered the room, sat facing her, and settled in place, the maidservant immediately arrived bearing wine and delicacies. “Truly now—I cannot impose daily over a single tattered umbrella. Today I must depart at once. If it has been returned, I’ll take it now.”

Xu Xuan thought that no matter how he considered it, he couldn’t possibly accept hospitality for two whole days over a single umbrella. “Oh please—though it’s nothing worthy—do partake. For I have matters I wish to discuss.”

Bai Niangzi said this and flushed slightly. That was the alluring face of Bai Niangzi he had seen in his dream. Xu Xuan lowered his eyes to the table. “Now then, please do partake. I shall join you as well.” At Bai Niangzi’s urging, Xu Xuan brought the cup to his lips, but he could not discern its taste. Xu Xuan thus felt his own face flush. “Now then, please do.” Xu Xuan held the cup as Bai Niangzi had instructed, but when he suddenly became aware of himself, he realized he had stayed far too long.

"There was something you wished to discuss... I've overstayed my visit."

“There is something I wish to discuss—so please drink another cup, for otherwise I could hardly bring myself to say it.” Bai Niangzi said this and fixed her eyes on Xu Xuan’s. They were eyes glistening with a white, viscous sheen. Xu Xuan, flustered, raised his cup to hide his face. Then her body—as if incarnated from perfume itself—drew near and pressed against him. “I swear this before the gods—it is no idle jest. Hear me truly. Having lost my husband, I live here alone yet find myself wanting in all things. Just as I resolved to act upon this plight, fate brought me your acquaintance. Now I entreat you: become master of this household.”

Before the poor orphan, dream-like happiness welled up and overflowed. Xu Xuan’s body trembled with joy, yet when he considered his own impoverished circumstances, marriage to such a wealthy gentlewoman was something he could never have conceived. He kept turning this over in his mind.

“Do you find this displeasing?”

Xu Xuan could no longer remain silent. He began to speak stammeringly. "It’s not that at all, but I have no home, nothing to my name—I’m being taken care of by my sister’s household, and during the day I work at a relative’s shop." "If you have no other obligations—if there are any such matters—then I shall handle everything myself."

Having said that, Bai Niangzi raised her face and called for the maidservant. The maidservant was already there. Bai Niangzi whispered some instructions.

The maidservant left the room just like that and, before long, returned with a small package and handed it to Bai Niangzi. Bai Niangzi placed it directly in front of Xu Xuan.

“Please use this for your expenses. Should it prove insufficient, more remains—so do say so.” It was fifty ryō in silver coins. Xu Xuan did not reach out. “If I were to accept this...” “Is this not perfectly acceptable? They’re meant for expenses.” Bai Niangzi carried it to Xu Xuan’s hand. Xu Xuan received it and slipped it into his sleeve. “Now then, as the hour grows late today, please return home and do visit again.”

The maidservant came there holding an umbrella. Xu Xuan rose unsteadily, took the umbrella, and went out. When night fell, Xu Xuan returned to his sister’s home intending to discuss marriage matters. However, unwilling to broach such a life-altering subject as mere casual talk, he went to bed that evening without uttering a word. The next morning upon rising, he took the meager coins he had saved until then and went to the market. There he bought chicken meat, goose meat, fish, fruits and nuts—even a cask of fine wine—arranged them in his room, and set out to summon Li Mushi and his wife.

“This morning, please have your meal at my place.”

Li Mushi and his wife found it extremely strange and came to Xu Xuan’s room. And the couple were astonished to see the feast laid out on the table. “Today—what in the world is all this? Isn’t this strange?”

Li Mushi blurted out.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you—so please do take a seat.” Xu Xuan said with composed formality.

“What’s this about? Just say it outright.” “Now, please have a couple of cups—I’ll explain everything in due time.”

Xu Xuan urged Li Mushi and his wife to drink the wine. The wine went around two or three times.

Xu Xuan then looked at Li Mushi’s face. “I have grown to this age while imposing on you all this time, but now I must make one more request in addition to that imposition—I wish to marry.” “A wedding, you say? Since weddings are important matters, let me think on it for a bit—you hear?”

Li Mushi looked at his wife’s face but said nothing more about the wedding after that. Xu Xuan, who had wanted to discuss matters more concretely, found this exasperating yet could do nothing about it.

When the drinking ended, Li Mushi left the room as if fleeing. Xu Xuan had no choice but to wait for Li Mushi’s reply, yet even after two days passed and then three, there was still no response. Therefore, Xu Xuan went to his sister’s place and said: “Sis, have you discussed that matter with Elder Brother yet?” “I haven’t yet.” “Why haven’t you done it?” “Because Elder Brother was busy.” “Rather than being busy, isn’t it that Elder Brother thinks my wedding will cost money and that’s why he’s avoiding this? There’s no problem with funds—I have them.”

Xu Xuan said this and took out fifty ryo of silver from his sleeve, handing it to his sister.

“I won’t burden Elder Brother with even a single coin. All I need is for you to act as my parents and hold the ceremony.” His sister broke into a smile upon seeing the money. “How strange—you’re not planning to marry some old crone, are you? Well, fine. I’ll hold onto this, and when Elder Brother returns, I’ll talk to him.”

Xu Xuan then came out of his sister’s room. The sister waited for Li Mushi to return that night and showed him the money Xu Xuan had left behind. “He has made promises with certain people. If we simply act as his parents and hold the ceremony, that will suffice. Shouldn’t we hasten to arrange the wedding?”

“So this money came from a woman, did it?”

Li Mushi said this and took up the silver in his hand. And cast his eyes upon the surface of that silver.

“T-this is terrible!”

Li Mushi opened his eyes as wide as they could go and was shocked.

“What has you so startled?” His wife remained uncomprehending. “This silver comes from Shao Dawei’s treasury—stolen! Fifty ingots stored within the vault have disappeared. The seal remains intact, yet the silver inside has vanished! Lin’an Prefecture has offered a fifty-ryo reward to track down the thief. Though I pity Xu Xuan, we’ve no choice—we must report this ourselves. Should this leak beyond our household, every one of us will lose our heads! This calamity defies measure!”

Li Mushi, unable to wait for morning to come, took the silver Xu Xuan had left behind and went to Lin’an Prefecture. At the prefectural office, Han Dayin heard Li Mushi’s formal complaint and inspected the silver. Having confirmed it was indeed stolen ingots from Shao Dawei’s treasury, he immediately dispatched constables to apprehend Xu Xuan and had him brought before the court for interrogation. “By Li Mushi’s accusation,” declared Han Dayin, “you stand confirmed as the thief who stole gold from Shao Dawei’s treasury. Where have you hidden the remaining forty-nine ingots? Confess plainly—it would be wise.”

From the moment the constables burst in, Xu Xuan—whose mind had already been thrown into disarray and who had lost all ability to discern things—was declared the thief of Shao Dawei’s treasury. Only then did he realize grave suspicion had fallen upon him. “I am absolutely not someone who would steal others’ belongings—this is a case of mistaken identity.”

Xu Xuan desperately defended himself. “Do not lie! The fact that you stole the gold from Shao Dawei’s treasury is proven by the fifty ryo you entrusted to your sister. Where did that money come from?” “That money was given to me by a woman named Bai who lives across from Xiuwang Wall in Jianqiao Shuangchafang Lane.” Xu Xuan then explained in detail the circumstances that had led him to make a marriage promise, beginning from when he grew close with Bai Niangzi there. Since Xu Xuan’s account seemed free of deceit, Han Dayin dispatched constables to apprehend Bai Niangzi.

The constables had Xu Xuan, still bound with ropes, guide them to Shuangchafang; they reached the front of Xiuwang Wall and proceeded to a black multi-storied building surrounded by high walls. It was an ancient house that showed no signs of human habitation. Xu Xuan stared wide-eyed at this strange sight. One of the constables ran to inquire at the neighboring house about its circumstances. This was said to be the residence of a man named Mao Xunshui whose entire family had perished in an epidemic five or six years prior—now supposedly uninhabited—though people had occasionally seen children emerge to purchase sundries, suggesting some occupants might remain; however, no families bearing the Bai surname were known in that region.

The constables stood before the house, finalized their plan, opened the gate, and entered. The doors were gone, the eaves sagged, weeds grew thick between the bricks, and the garden lay desolate—not a trace remained of the vibrant colors the house had displayed just days before. Xu Xuan could only stare in astonishment.

The constables split up and entered the rooms. In the dilapidated, gloom-filled room, there were only rats scurrying away at the sound of human footsteps; nowhere was there a trace of human figures. The constables who had split up somehow regrouped and proceeded to the innermost detached house. There was a room set one step higher, where a fair-skinned woman was sitting. The vivid red and blue hues of her garments came into view. The woman seemed to be sitting on the platform. The constables advanced suspiciously.

“We are constables from the prefectural office. Who are you? If you are Bai-shi, we hold Magistrate Han’s warrant. As there are matters to inquire about regarding the silver you gave Xu Xuan, you shall accompany us.”

The woman raised her face calmly, but even when she said nothing, there was no trace of surprise. “That calm composure—she’s a fraud! Seize her!” The constables all rushed forward at once. Just as they did, a thunderous roar resounded. The constables, startled, stood frozen in their tracks. And then, regaining their composure, they looked toward the woman. The woman’s figure was no longer visible. The constables, thinking they must not let her escape, steeled themselves and charged into the room. The woman’s figure remained nowhere to be seen, but beside the platform, bundles of silver had been piled up. That was his forty-nine missing silver ingots.

The constables carried the silver ingots and brought them to the hall of Lin’an Prefecture.

There, Xu Xuan was cleared of suspicion of theft, but on the charge of having received money from a person of unknown origin, he was sentenced to exile in Suzhou. On Shao Dawei’s side, he provided the promised reward of fifty ryo to Li Mushi as agreed. However, Li Mushi—having obtained this money through subjecting his brother-in-law to suffering—was tormented in his heart. And so, he visited Xu Xuan in prison, gave him the money for travel expenses, consulted with Li Jiangshi, and decided to send him off with two letters. One of these letters was addressed to a man called Director Fan, a clerk in Suzhou, and the other to a man named Wang who ran an inn beneath Jili Bridge.

On that day, Xu Xuan left the prison accompanied by two escorts. At the entrance of the prefectural office, Li Mushi and his wife, along with Li Jiangshi and others, came and were waiting. Xu Xuan shed tears, exchanged farewells with the people, and set out. After about three days, they arrived at Suzhou Prefecture. After reading Li Jiangshi’s letters, Director Fan and Proprietor Wang used money to pull strings, so Xu Xuan was placed under Proprietor Wang’s custody.

About half a year had passed since Xu Xuan had been under the care of Proprietor Wang. He suffered from boredom there every day.

Then, one day, Proprietor Wang entered the room. “A woman in a sedan chair has come looking for you—accompanied by a maid.”

Xu Xuan had no idea who it could be but went out to the entrance driven by curiosity. At the entrance stood his Bai Niangzi and a young maidservant in a blue upper garment. Xu Xuan’s surprise and anger surged forth as one. “You thief! After putting me through all this, what are you doing coming here again?”

“I am by no means such a wicked being. I came here to explain myself to you.” Bai Niangzi tilted her graceful head slightly, as if deeply troubled. “No matter how much you try to deceive me—do you think I’ll fall for that trick again, you monster?!”

Proprietor Wang, who had come after Xu Xuan, went to his side, thinking that Xu Xuan making a racket at the entrance would be unseemly if overheard by others. “She seems to have come from afar—wouldn’t it be better to let her inside and talk?” Proprietor Wang said this and then, looking toward Bai Niangzi, spoke. “Now then, please do come in.”

Bai Niangzi tried to move. Xu Xuan blocked her path. "You mustn’t let this thing into the house! This is the monster that tormented me!"

Bai Niangzi looked toward the maidservant and smiled. Proprietor Wang, seeing the woman’s beautiful, gentle face, did not doubt her.

“What kind of monster could there be? Well—we’ll settle this after talking properly. Come inside now.” Since Xu Xuan couldn’t oppose Proprietor Wang’s decision alone, he entered first. Bai Niangzi followed Proprietor Wang indoors with her maidservant. Inside, Proprietor Wang’s mother stared intently at Bai Niangzi’s refined bearing. After greeting Mama with poised courtesy, Bai Niangzi turned to see Xu Xuan standing rigidly nearby, his face contorted with anger.

“Have I not given myself to you? Why would I ever wish you harm? That silver—when I reconsider—belonged to my former husband. Knowing nothing of its origins, I gave it to you and thus brought about this misfortune. I came solely to say this.” Xu Xuan still found one thing puzzling. “When the constables of Lin’an Prefecture came, you were upon the platform—then vanished with a great noise. What became of that? Is that not strange?”

Bai Niangzi let out a laugh. “I ordered my maid to knock on the wooden wall—the noise left the constables flustered and unable to approach, so I seized that moment to flee and hide at Auntie’s house before Huazang Temple. You never once considered my circumstances, instead perversely calling me a monster. But if only your doubts could be resolved… Then I shall take my leave.”

Bai Niangzi broke into a hurried trot and made for the exit. Proprietor Wang’s Mama hurriedly ran over and stopped her. “My, you’ve come all this way—do rest for two or three days. Wouldn’t it be good to talk more?” Bai Niangzi did not seem inclined to turn back. The maidservant spoke from beside her. “Madam, since she has spoken so kindly, would it not be better to give it a little more thought?”

Bai Niangzi looked toward the maidservant. "But he no longer thinks anything of someone like me."

Proprietor Wang’s Mama would not release Bai Niangzi. “Now that everything’s been made clear, even Mr. Xu Xuan won’t keep speaking of things he doesn’t understand.” Xu Xuan’s doubts about Bai Niangzi had already been resolved. Proprietor Wang’s Mama accompanied Bai Niangzi to Xu Xuan’s chamber. Xu Xuan and Bai Niangzi became husband and wife from that night onward.

About half a year had passed since Bai Niangzi came to Xu Xuan.

One day—it was mid-February— Xu Xuan went strolling to Wofu Temple with two or three companions. The day’s warm breeze made it so fine that worshippers thronged the temple grounds. Xu Xuan’s group blended into the crowd of devotees before Wofu Temple, then turned back and passed through the gate to exit outside. There stood rows of fortune-tellers’ stalls and vendors’ carts lining the path. Among them moved a Taoist priest peddling medicines and dispensing consecrated waters. When this priest caught sight of Xu Xuan’s face, he cried out in alarm.

“Above your head rises a thread of malign energy; around your body clings something sinister.” “If you aren’t careful, your life will be in danger.”

Xu Xuan was extremely weakened in body and unwell in spirit. Moreover, he still harbored doubts about Bai Niangzi. Upon hearing those words, he grew terrified. He pressed his forehead to the ground and pleaded. “Please save me.”

The Taoist priest nodded and took out two talismans.

“I’ll give you this. Without informing anyone, insert one into your hair and burn the other at the third watch tonight.” Xu Xuan received them, parted from his friends, returned home, inserted one into his hair, and intending to burn the other at the third watch, waited without informing Bai Niangzi for the appointed hour to arrive. “You’re doubting me again and trying to burn talismans, aren’t you? After all this time together, what about me could possibly seem suspicious? This is too cruel.”

Bai Niangzi, who had been nearby, suddenly flew into a rage. Xu Xuan was flustered. “No—that’s not true—how could such a thing be possible?”

Bai Niangzi’s hand stretched out and reached the talisman hidden inside Xu Xuan’s sleeve. Bai Niangzi took the talisman to the flame of a nearby lamp and burned it. The talisman crackled fiercely as it burned to ashes. “Well? Even now, do you still find me suspicious?”

Bai Niangzi laughed. Xu Xuan had no choice but to explain himself. “Since the Taoist priest before Wofu Temple said that, that bastard must have been mocking me.”

“If that Taoist priest truly said such things, why don’t the two of us go see him tomorrow? Whether I’m suspicious or not will become clear at once.”

The next day, Xu Xuan and Bai Niangzi went together to the front of Wofu Temple. That day too, both the temple's interior and exterior bustled with worshippers. At the Taoist priest's stall too stood a cluster of people. When informed this was the priest in question, Bai Niangzi immediately ran toward him. "You wicked Taoist—I won't tolerate your deceptions!" The Taoist priest, who had been about to administer holy water to a worshipper, looked up with a startled expression. He fixed his gaze intently on Bai Niangzi's face.

“You demon! I know the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart True Law. Why not try drinking this holy water of mine? Your true form will reveal itself soon enough.”

Bai Niangzi laughed mockingly.

“Perfect timing—with all these good people watching! If I’m truly some suspicious creature, and your holy water can actually force my true form to appear, then I’ll drink it. Come now—give it here! I’ll drink!” “Then drink! Drink and prove it!” The Taoist priest thrust forward a cup filled with water. Bai Niangzi drained it in one swift motion, slammed the cup back onto the stall, and laughed. “Well? Shouldn’t my monstrous self be revealing itself about…now?” Xu Xuan and the onlookers stared without blinking at Bai Niangzi’s flawless features, but not the slightest change marred her beauty.

“Come now, wicked Taoist priest—where is your evidence? What part of me is suspicious?”

The Taoist priest stared wide-eyed, utterly dumbfounded. “How dare you spout such drivel to sunder husband and wife! This humble one shall now administer due chastisement.”

Bai Niangzi said this while muttering something under her breath and chanting. Then men appeared around the Taoist priest as if binding him with ropes, until his feet left the ground and he rose into the air. “There we go—that’s more like it.”

As Bai Niangzi said this and expelled a breath of energy from her mouth, the Taoist priest’s body crashed to the ground. The Taoist priest scrambled to his feet and fled, vanishing without a trace.

The eighth day of the fourth month—Buddha’s birthday—arrived.

Xu Xuan, feeling intrigued, told Bai Niangzi he wished to go to Joten-ji Temple to see the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration. Bai Niangzi brought out new upper and lower garments, dressed him in them, then fetched a golden fan. The golden fan had a coral pendant attached.

“Go quickly, and return quickly.”

Thereupon, Xu Xuan went to Joten-ji Temple. The temple grounds were bustling with plays and other performances. Xu Xuan was jostled and wandered about amid the waves of worshippers when fragmented rumors began reaching him—that thieves had broken into the Zhou Jianshi family’s treasury, stealing gold, silver, jewels, garments, and the like—but since this had nothing to do with him, he paid it no mind.

“Pardon me, pardon me—might I have a look at that fan?”

The man who had been about to pass by Xu Xuan suddenly stopped and grabbed the hand holding his fan. Xu Xuan, startled, looked at the man’s face. The man stared intently at the fan and the coral pendant attached to it, then shouted.

“Thief! I’ve caught the thief! Everyone, come here!”

Xu Xuan, startled, tried to explain himself but found no opening. The ropes were already biting relentlessly into his flesh. He was dragged from that very spot to the magistrate's office. "Your garments and fan have been confirmed as evidence! Now where have you hidden the remaining stolen goods? Speak at once! Refuse, and we'll put you to the torture!" Xu Xuan stood accused of being the thief who had robbed the Zhou Jianshi family's treasury.

“The clothes I am wearing and the fan I am holding were all given to me by my wife—I absolutely did not steal them!”

The Magistrate angrily rebuked him. “Cease your lies! No matter how much you deceive, these clothes and fan are irrefutable evidence! If you still claim your wife gave them to you, then bring her here! Where is she?”

“My wife is at Master Wang’s house on Kichibashi Bridge.” “Very well.” The Magistrate ordered the constables to haul Xu Xuan to Master Wang’s house. Master Wang, inside his home, stared in shock as Xu Xuan was dragged in by the constables. “What is happening here?”

“That woman subjected me to terrible suffering—is she at home now?” Xu Xuan’s voice trembled with anger. “Your wife, saying your return was late, went with her maidservant to search for you in the direction of Joten-ji Temple.”

The constables bound Master Wang in place of Bai Niangzi and took him along with Xu Xuan to the magistrate’s office. In the hall above, the magistrate waited for the constables’ return. The magistrate decided to hold the trial after capturing Bai Niangzi. Beside the Magistrate stood Zhou Jiangshi, observing the proceedings.

At that moment, someone from Zhou Jiangshi’s household arrived. It was news that the gold, silver, jewels, garments, and other items they had believed stolen had appeared in the empty chests of the storehouse. Zhou Jiangshi hurried back home, and just as his household members had said, all the items they had thought stolen were present. Only the fan and pendant remained missing—but since such items were commonplace, this alone could not prove Xu Xuan was the thief. When Zhou Jiangshi returned to the magistrate’s office and reported this matter, Xu Xuan was to be pardoned; however, as the location designated for Xu Xuan was deemed unsuitable, his banishment was redirected to Zhenjiang.

Just as Xu Xuan was to be sent to Zhenjiang, Li Mushi—under orders from Shao Dawei in Hangzhou—arrived opportunely in Suzhou. When Li Mushi went to Master Wang’s house and heard that Xu Xuan’s banishment had been redirected, he wrote a letter to relatives in Zhenjiang and handed it to Xu Xuan. The relatives in Zhenjiang were a man named Li Keyong, who operated a medicine shop beneath Harihashi Bridge.

Xu Xuan went to Zhenjiang with his escort and stopped by Li Keyong’s house. Li Keyong read the relative’s letter, had the escort eat a meal, then went together with them to the magistrate’s office where he used money to complete the procedures and brought Xu Xuan back home. Xu Xuan was able to settle at Li Keyong’s house. As his mind gradually calmed, he came to deeply grieve his own misfortune of being entangled with that terrifying enchantress. And he grew bitter.

Li Keyong learned that Xu Xuan had served as a manager at a medicine shop in Hangzhou, so when he tested him with tasks, he found Xu Xuan handled them thoroughly with no cause for concern. Therefore, he decided to appoint him as manager and put him in charge, but thinking it wouldn’t do for the other shop employees to grow envious, he gave Xu Xuan money and instructed him to invite the shop’s staff to a riverside tavern.

Eventually, after drinking wine and eating their meal, everyone departed, so Xu Xuan settled the bill afterward and left the riverside tavern alone—pleasantly intoxicated and in high spirits. He walked beneath the eaves of houses, the cool evening breeze cooling his wine-flushed cheeks. There was a multi-story building where a window happened to open at that moment—and with that motion, something came tumbling down to strike Xu Xuan’s head. Irritated, he snapped angrily.

“You fool! Watch where you’re going!”

In the window of the multi-story building was a woman’s face. The woman lowered her gaze and stared intently at Xu Xuan’s face before murmuring something and retreating inside. Xu Xuan, perplexed, kept watching that window—only for the woman to come hurrying out from the entrance moments later. It was Bai Niangzi.

“You sorceress! Have you come again to torment me? This time I won’t stand for it! Know that I’ll capture you and hand you over!” Bai Niangzi smiled with her eyes. “Oh please don’t speak so harshly—do listen to what I have to say. I’m truly sorry for implicating you twice now, but those clothes and fan belonged to my former husband. They’re not suspicious in the slightest—which is why your suspicions were cleared, no?”

“Then why weren’t you at Master Wang’s house when I returned?” “You see—since your return was delayed, the maidservant and I went to search for you, but then that commotion broke out… I grew frightened, so I came by boat to this house where the maidservant’s maternal relatives reside.”

Xu Xuan's anger toward Bai Niangzi subsided. Xu Xuan followed Bai Niangzi to that house, stayed there overnight, and thus they resumed their former roles as husband and wife.

Before long, Li Keyong’s birthday arrived. Xu Xuan and his wife also brought gifts and went to the Li family to offer their congratulations. Li Keyong had arranged a banquet and invited his close friends and acquaintances.

Li Keyong was a man of lecherous disposition. The instant he glimpsed Bai Niangzi, his true nature reared its head. Upon learning she had gone to the eastern lavatory, he stealthily abandoned his seat to trail her. Picturing the woman—lovely as a blossom—within, he stepped inside. There coiled a white serpent vast as a barrel’s girth. The creature’s eyes blazed like twin lanterns, casting golden light. Li Keyong recoiled in terror, but in his frantic flight, he stumbled and collapsed.

The daughter being raised in Li Keyong’s household found him collapsed and unconscious. The house erupted into an uproar as everyone gathered. After they administered medicine and such treatments, he finally regained consciousness. When the household members asked what had happened, he claimed it resulted from physical strain caused by days of unrelenting exhaustion.

Since Li Keyong’s condition had improved, the banquet resumed its former state, but before long concluded with the guests departing. Bai Niangzi had slipped away home unnoticed, but as if she had something to discuss with Xu Xuan, she quietly came to the shop. “I felt strangely unwell tonight,” she said, “so I came.” “After being treated to such a feast tonight,” he retorted, “shouldn’t you be feeling rather pleased?” “Pleased? You claimed the master here was an honest man, but he’s anything but! When I went to the eastern lavatory, he followed and tried to force himself on me. What a disgusting man!”

“However, it’s not as if he actually violated you, so let’s leave it at that. You should head back and rest early.” “But I’m terrified of that master—who knows what he might do to me next? Rather than stay here, why don’t we use the twenty or thirty taels I have to leave and open a small medicine shop near the wharf?”

Xu Xuan, too, rather than being bound by managing another’s household, wanted the freedom of having his own shop. He was moved by Bai Niangzi’s persuasive words. “Well, if we can have a small shop of our own, that would certainly be better.” “Then shall we have one?” “Yeah, having one would be good. Well, whether he’ll grant me leave or not—I’ll ask Master tomorrow.”

Xu Xuan consulted with Li Keyong the next day. Since Li Keyong had his own vulnerabilities and had experienced something uncanny, he did not oppose what Xu Xuan proposed. Thereupon, Xu Xuan and Bai Niangzi rented a suitable house near the wharf and started a pharmacy together. Xu Xuan was finally able to settle into his role as head of a household for the first time.

The seventh day of the seventh month arrived. That day was the birthday of the Heroic and Fierce Dragon King. Xu Xuan wanted to visit Jinshan Temple to offer incense and repeatedly urged Bai Niangzi to accompany him, but Bai Niangzi did not go. “You may go alone, but you must not enter the abbot’s quarters. Monks are preaching sermons there—they’ll surely demand alms. Do you understand? You must not go to the abbot’s quarters.” Xu Xuan decided to go alone, hired a boat, and headed to the island mountain of Jinshan Temple located about one *ri* upstream. The boats of worshippers coming and going to Jinshan Temple along the Yangtze River’s reddish-muddy currents floated like flocks of waterbirds. Between Jingkou and Guazhou lay a single stretch of water; on the Guazhou shore ahead, the willows appeared lush green.

Xu Xuan ascended to Jinshan Temple, went to the Dragon King Hall, finished offering incense there, and while wandering about, arrived at a place where many worshippers were listening to a monk’s sermon. Xu Xuan realized this was precisely the abbot’s-quarters Bai Niangzi had warned him against entering. He hurriedly left the abbot’s-quarters. The monk who had been preaching caught a fleeting glimpse of Xu Xuan’s face as he turned to leave.

“There is demonic aura in those eyes—summon that one!” One of the attendants went to call him, but Xu Xuan, already halfway down the mountain, did not hear. Then the monk suddenly grabbed his Buddhist staff and stood up—and chased after Xu Xuan.

At the mountain’s base, a strong wind had arisen and waves were churning, leaving the pilgrims distressed as they could not board their boats. Xu Xuan, who had descended the mountain, also mingled with the crowd and stood on the shore, waiting for the wind to calm.

Then, a small boat cut through the fierce winds with ease and began making its way toward shore. Xu Xuan thought it was a miraculous boat, and when he caught a glimpse inside, there were Bai Niangzi and her maidservant, the two of them revealing themselves. Bai Niangzi and Xu Xuan’s eyes met. “You there, board quickly! The wind has picked up—I came to fetch you.” The boat reached shore at the same moment. Xu Xuan joyfully descended to the water’s edge. Behind Xu Xuan was the monk who had been chasing him.

“You vile creature—what do you think you’re doing coming here?” Monk Fahai looked into the boat, shouted in anger, and raised his Buddhist staff. With that, Bai Niangzi and her maidservant somersaulted into the water and plunged beneath the surface. Xu Xuan was so startled that his eyes flew open. And thus, Xu Xuan became as though he had awoken from a dream. “What is the name of that monk?”

Xu Xuan, noticing this, asked the person beside him. "That is Reverend Fahai, the Living Buddha!"

The monk’s attendant came to summon Xu Xuan. Xu Xuan was led before the monk. “Where did you meet those women?”

Xu Xuan recounted everything from the beginning there.

The monk heard this and said: "This is karmic fate—yet it stems from your own deep desires. But your calamities seem to have passed. From now on, return to Hangzhou and become one who cultivates virtue and fulfills his destiny. Should such misfortune recur, come seek me at Jingci Temple in Hunan. Now I shall recite a verse for you to remember: *The serpent woman transforms anew, selling her form along West Lake’s shore; your heavy lust invites others’ schemes—in hardship, seek the old monk of Hunan.* Do you understand? Do not forget this verse."

Xu Xuan parted from Reverend Fahai and, trembling all over, returned to Li Keyong’s house in Harikobashi. Li Keyong heard about Bai Niangzi from Xu Xuan and, for the first time, spoke of the serpent demon he had seen on the night of his birthday. Thereupon, Xu Xuan closed down his house at the wharf and moved back into Li Keyong’s residence. However, before ten days had passed, an imperial pardon decree was issued from the court, and all others except those guilty of the Ten Abominations were pardoned. Xu Xuan was also pardoned at the same time, and due to Reverend Fahai’s admonition, he hurried back to Hangzhou.

Magistrate Li and his wife were waiting for Xu Xuan’s return. Magistrate Li waited until Xu Xuan’s greeting concluded and spoke.

“You’ve encountered quite the ordeal this time.” “I did everything I could when you went to Suzhou and when you went from Suzhou to Zhenjiang, but it must still have been difficult—and that’s because you keep wandering around aimlessly alone. You ought to take a wife and settle down properly. Then even suspicious characters won’t come near you.”

Xu Xuan wanted more than anything to remain still and composed. “I’ve been thoroughly chastened—I will not take a wife.”

Xu Xuan’s words had scarcely ended when a human voice sounded, and someone entered there. It was Xu Xuan’s elder sister who had arrived accompanied by Bai Niangzi and her maidservant. “You already have a wife, yet you dare spout such lies? Am I not your wife?”

Xu Xuan shook uncontrollably. Then, his voice quivering and trembling, he said: "Sis, that thing's a demon! Don't you listen to anything it says!"

Bai Niangzi went to Xu Xuan’s side. “You—though we are husband and wife—listen to others’ words and despise me? How cruel! Yet since I am your wife, I shall not go elsewhere.”

Bai Niangzi burst into tears. Xu Xuan hurriedly stood up and, pulling Magistrate Li by the sleeve, went outside. “That is the white snake spirit.” “What should I do?”

Xu Xuan told them of the strange events in Zhenjiang that he had not yet spoken of. “If it’s truly a snake, there’s someone who can help—Master Dai the Snake-Catcher before Byakubaji Temple. Why don’t we ask this man?”

Magistrate Li took the lead and accompanied Xu Xuan to Byakubaji Temple.

Master Dai was standing opportunely before his house. "Do you both require something of me?" Magistrate Li spoke with hurried urgency.

“A large white snake has come to my house and is trying to bring disaster. Please capture it.”

Magistrate Li said this, took out a single ryō silver coin from his waist, and placed it in Master Dai’s palm. “I’ll give you this now. If you would be so kind as to capture it, I’ll prepare another reward separately afterward.” Master Dai gladly accepted the silver. “Then I shall make preparations and follow shortly. Please go on ahead.” Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan immediately returned. Master Dai arrived shortly after, and in his hands he carried a bottle of realgar and a bottle of medicinal liquid.

“Where is the White Snake?” Magistrate Li indicated the room where Bai Niangzi was. Master Dai went to the indicated room as instructed, but the door was shut. As Master Dai muttered something and tried to open the door, it swung inward from within. Master Dai went inside. Inside was a white python as thick as a barrel, its eyes blazing like oil lamps and its tongue lashing like a flame as it thrust its maw toward Master Dai, poised to swallow him whole. Master Dai fled without even noticing the bottles falling from his hands.

Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan had come to see how Master Dai had fared. Master Dai nearly collided with them and noticed their presence. Magistrate Li said: “Master, did you capture it?”

Master Dai was breathing rapidly.

“If it were a snake, I could capture it—but that thing is a demon! I nearly had my life taken!” “I’ll return this silver.”

Having said this, Master Dai fled out as if running away.

Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan exchanged troubled glances. “You—come here.” Bai Niangzi’s voice came from within the room. Xu Xuan’s body shook violently. But thinking there was no telling what she might do if he refused, he crept inside. There sat Bai Niangzi with her maidservant, looking exactly as she always did. “How heartless you are—dragging that snake-catcher here! Torment me so cruelly, and I’ll show you my resolve… a plan that endangers every soul in Hangzhou!”

Xu Xuan was too terrified to stay and listen. He went outside just as he was, but fearing to stop his feet, walked wherever they carried him. He headed outside Qingbo Gate. After arriving there, he came to his senses and wondered what he should do now. Yet no clear idea of what course to take next arose in him. Then floated up in his mind the verse of the gatha that Monk Fahai of Jinshan Temple had spoken. At the same time surfaced the words Monk Fahai had said—"Should that accursed beast ensnare you again, come seek this old monk at Jingci Temple in Hunan." Taking strength from that memory, he set out toward Jingci Temple.

At Jingci Temple, there was a supervising monk. Xu Xuan asked the supervising monk about Monk Fahai. “I wish to have the honor of meeting Monk Fahai.”

“Monk Fahai has never once come to this temple.” Xu Xuan returned dejected. And then he came beneath Long Bridge. Xu Xuan didn’t know what to do next. He gazed at the lake water. It struck him—if I alone were to die, no one else would suffer. Before his eyes lay a dark and desolate world. He abruptly placed his foot on the railing and tried to jump over. Suddenly someone called out from behind.

“A man of your dignity—why would you hold life so lightly? If there are circumstances to discuss, I shall take part in hearing them.”

There stood Monk Fahai, carrying a robe and alms bowl on his back and holding a monk’s staff in his hand. Xu Xuan rushed to his side. “Please, I beg you to save my life!” “Well then—it seems that accursed beast has latched onto him again. Where is it now?” “She has come to the home of Magistrate Li, the husband of my elder sister.” “Very well. I shall give you this alms bowl—take it without her knowledge, suddenly place it over the woman’s head, and press down with all your might. No matter what occurs, do not loosen your grip. I shall follow shortly.”

Xu Xuan received the alms bowl from the Zen master and returned to Magistrate Li’s house. In one room of Magistrate Li’s house, Bai Niangzi was cursing and muttering something. Xu Xuan went to that room with a dejected expression. When Bai Niangzi saw Xu Xuan, she transformed into a demure woman and began to speak to him. Seizing an opportunity, Xu Xuan took out the alms bowl he had hidden in his sleeve and suddenly clamped it over her head with all his strength. The woman screamed and tried to remove it but could not. Her form gradually shrank smaller. As Xu Xuan kept pressing down with all his might, her figure finally disappeared entirely until only the alms bowl remained.

“It hurts! It hurts! For the sake of our bond as husband and wife all this time, I beg you—ease up just a bit! I’m going to die!”

From within the alms bowl came such a voice. Just then Magistrate Li arrived and said, "The monk has come declaring he's here to seize the suspicious one."

“That is Monk Fahai. Please let him in at once.”

Magistrate Li hurriedly went out, but before long returned accompanied by Monk Fahai. “The serpent demon lies subdued beneath this.” The Zen master had been chanting under his breath there. When he finished, he opened the alms bowl. A puppet-like figure about eight inches long lay limp within. The Zen master addressed the diminutive form. “Why do you cling to humans?” “I am the python who came to West Lake during the storm,” it replied. “While dwelling with the blue carp, I saw Xu Xuan and my heart stirred—thus came these events. Yet never have I taken a life! I implore you—show mercy!”

“Your sin of lust is gravest; thus, it cannot be permitted. Yet should you devote yourself to ascetic practice for a thousand years, your life may yet be spared. In any case, you must now reveal your true form.” At this, the marionette transformed into a white snake, while the form of a blue carp appeared beside it. Monk Fahai placed both snake and carp into the alms bowl, covered it with a kesa robe to seal them, carried it to Leifeng Temple for burial, erected a pagoda over the site, and thus prevented the white snake and blue carp from ever returning to the world. He then inscribed upon it a four-line gatha.

Leifeng Pagoda collapses; West Lake’s waters dry; river tides cease to rise—only then shall the White Snake emerge into the world.

Xu Xuan became Monk Fahai’s disciple and resided beneath Leifeng Pagoda; he expanded it into a grand seven-storied pagoda, but later, having accumulated merit, he passed away in seated meditation despite being free of illness. The fellow monks purchased an urn and cremated his bones, constructing a bone pagoda beneath Leifeng.