The Fox's Wedding

　　Yin Tianguan of Licheng was poor in his youth but bold and resourceful. In the county there stood the abandoned mansion of an old noble family. It covered dozens of acres, with towers and pavilions stretching in unbroken lines. Because strange things were often seen there, the place had fallen into disuse and no one lived in it. As time passed, it grew thick with brambles and weeds. Even in broad daylight, no one dared to enter.

　　One day, Yin was drinking with a group of fellow scholars. Someone joked, "Anyone who can spend a night in that mansion, we'll all chip in and buy him a feast." Yin sprang to his feet and said, "What's so hard about that?" He grabbed a mat and set off. The others escorted him to the gate and teased, "We'll wait here for a while. If you see anything, yell at once." Yin laughed and said, "If there are ghosts or foxes, I'll catch one as proof." Then he went inside.

　　The tall grass hid the path, and the mugwort and hemp grew like a thicket. It was the time of the first quarter moon, and the light was dim and yellow, but he could just make out the doors and windows. He groped his way through several courtyards until he reached the rear pavilion. He climbed the terrace. It was smooth and clean, quite pleasant, so he stopped there. Looking west, the moon hung like a thin thread above the mountains. He sat for a long time. Nothing out of the ordinary appeared, and he chuckled to himself, thinking the rumors were false. He spread his mat on the ground, used a stone as a pillow, and lay down to gaze at the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

　　Near the end of the first watch, he was drifting into sleep when he heard footsteps on the stairs—clatter, clatter—many people coming up. He pretended to be asleep and peeked through his lashes. He saw a person in blue clothes carrying a lotus-shaped lantern. Startled at the sudden sight of Yin, the visitor drew back and said to someone behind him, "There's a live person up here." A voice from below asked, "Who is it?" The answer came: "I don't know."

　　Soon an old man came up. He peered closely at Yin and said, "This is Minister Yin. He's fast asleep. Let's just get on with our business. The gentleman is carefree and easygoing; he probably won't be angry." Then they filed into the pavilion, and all the doors were thrown open. After a while, more and more people bustled about. The upstairs blazed with lights as bright as day. Yin shifted slightly and let out a sneeze.

　　Hearing that Yin was awake, the old man hurried out, knelt, and said, "Sir, my humble daughter is getting married tonight. I never expected to disturb a man of your rank. Please do not be too harsh with us." Yin rose, helped the old man up, and said, "I had no idea it was your joyous occasion tonight. I'm ashamed I have no gift to offer." The old man said, "Your presence alone, honored sir, dispels evil and brings good fortune. If you would consent to sit with us as a guest, it would be a double blessing and an even greater honor." Yin was pleased and agreed.

　　He entered the pavilion and saw that it was furnished with elegance and splendor. Then a woman came out and bowed to him. She appeared to be about forty. The old man said, "This is my wife." Yin returned the bow.

　　Soon the sound of pipes and drums filled the air, and someone came running up, shouting, "He's here!" The old man hurried to greet the newcomer, and Yin also rose to wait. In a moment, a cluster of gauze lanterns appeared, guiding the bridegroom. He was about seventeen or eighteen, handsome and refined. The old man ordered him to bow first to the honored guest. The young man looked at Yin, and Yin, acting as a sort of informal host, returned a half‑bow. Then the father‑in‑law and the groom bowed to each other, and they took their seats.

　　After a while, beautifully made‑up maidservants came and went. Wine and dishes steamed on the table. Jade bowls and gold cups glittered on the wine table. After several rounds of wine, the old man called a maid to invite the young lady to come out. The maid acknowledged and went in, but a long time passed and she did not return. The old man rose himself, lifted the curtain, and urged her. Finally several maids and older women ushered the bride in. Her jade pendants tinkled as she walked, and the fragrance of musk and orchids filled the air. The old man told her to bow to the honored guest. She did, then sat down beside her mother. Yin stole a glance at her. She wore a phoenix hairpin and bright pearl earrings; her beauty was beyond compare.

　　Then a gold cup was passed around for toasts. It held several pints. Yin thought to himself, This is something I can show my friends as proof. He secretly slipped it into his sleeve. Then he pretended to be drunk, leaned on the table, and slumped as if asleep. Everyone said, "The gentleman is drunk." Not long after, the bridegroom announced his departure. The music suddenly struck up again, and the whole party went downstairs in a flurry.

　　Afterwards, the host collected the wine vessels. One gold cup was missing. They searched everywhere but could not find it. Someone whispered that the sleeping guest might have taken it. The old man quickly hushed him, afraid that Yin might overhear. After a while, the pavilion fell completely silent inside and out. Only then did Yin rise. It was pitch black—no lamps or candles—only the lingering smell of perfume and wine filled the room. He saw that the east was already turning light. He walked out calmly. Feeling his sleeve, he found that the gold cup was still there.

　　When he reached the gate, the scholars were already waiting. They suspected that he had sneaked out during the night and returned in the morning. Yin showed them the gold cup. Astonished, they pressed him for an explanation, and he told them everything. They all realized that such a cup was not something a poor scholar could possess, and so they believed him.

　　Later, Yin passed the imperial examination and became an official in Feiqiu. There was a prominent family there named Zhu. The head of the Zhu family once gave a banquet in Yin’s honor. He ordered a large wine cup to be brought, but it did not come for a long time. A young servant whispered something to the host, covering his mouth, and the host’s face showed anger. Soon a gold cup was brought out for toasting. Yin looked at it closely. Its shape and carving were exactly the same as the fox cup. He was deeply puzzled and asked where the cup had been made.

　　The host replied, "There were eight such cups originally. When my ancestor was a minister in the capital, he commissioned a skilled artisan to make them. They have been handed down for generations and carefully stored. Because you, Magistrate, have honored us, I ordered them taken from the chest. Only seven were found. I suspected a servant had stolen one, but the chest had been sealed with dust for ten years, just as it always was. I simply cannot understand it."

　　Yin laughed and said, "That gold cup must have grown wings and flown away! But a treasure passed down through generations should not be lost. I happen to have one cup that closely resembles yours. Allow me to present it to you." After the banquet ended, he returned to his office, took out the cup, and sent it to the Zhu residence by fast horse. The host examined it and was utterly amazed. He went in person to thank Yin and asked where the cup had come from. Yin then told him the whole story from beginning to end. Only then did they understand that foxes could snatch objects from a thousand li away, yet they dared not keep them forever.



中文如下:
狐嫁女

【原文】

历城殷天官，少贫，有胆略。邑有故家之第，广数十亩，楼宇连亘。常见怪异，以故废无居人。久之，蓬蒿渐满，白昼亦无敢入者。会公与诸生饮，或戏云：“有能寄此一宿者，共醵为筵。”公跃起曰：“是亦何难！”携一席往。众送诸门，戏曰：“吾等暂候之。如有所见，当急号。”公笑云：“有鬼狐，当捉证耳。”遂入，见长莎蔽径，蒿艾如麻。时值上弦，幸月色昏黄，门户可辨。摩娑数进，始抵后楼。登月台，光洁可爱，遂止焉。西望月明，惟衔山一线耳。坐良久，更无少异，窃笑传言之讹。席地枕石，卧看牛女。

一更向尽，恍惚欲寐。楼下有履声，籍籍而上。假寐睨之，见一青衣人，挑莲灯，猝见公，惊而却退，语后人曰：“有生人在。”下问：“谁也？”答云：“不识。”俄一老翁上，就公谛视，曰：“此殷尚书，其睡已酣。但办吾事，相公倜傥，或不叱怪。”乃相率入楼，楼门尽辟。移时，往来者益众。楼上灯辉如昼。公稍稍转侧，作嚏咳。翁闻公醒，乃出，跪而言曰：“小人有箕箒女，今夜于归，不意有触贵人，望勿深罪。”公起，曳之曰：“不知今夕嘉礼，惭无以贺。”翁曰：“贵人光临，压除凶煞，幸矣。即烦陪坐，倍益光宠。”公喜，应之。入视楼中，陈设芳丽。遂有妇人出拜，年可四十馀。翁曰：“此拙荆。”公揖之。

俄闻笙乐聒耳，有奔而上者，曰：“至矣！”翁趋迎，公亦立俟。少选，笼纱一簇，导新郎入。年可十七八，丰采韶秀。翁命先与贵客为礼。少年目公。公若为傧，执半主礼。次翁婿交拜，已，乃即席。少间，粉黛云从，酒胾雾霈，玉碗金瓯，光映几案。酒数行，翁唤女奴请小姐来。女奴诺而入。良久不出。翁自起，搴帏促之。俄婢媪数辈，拥新人出，环珮璆然，麝兰散馥。翁命向上拜。起，即坐母侧。微目之，翠凤明珰，容华绝世。既而酌以金爵，大容数斗。公思此物可以持验同人，阴内袖中。伪醉隐几，颓然而寝。皆曰：“相公醉矣。”居无何，闻新郎告行，笙乐暴作，纷纷下楼而去。

已而主人敛酒具，少一爵，冥搜不得。或窃议卧客，翁急戒勿语，惟恐公闻。移时，内外俱寂，公始起。暗无灯火，惟脂香酒气，充溢四堵。视东方既白，乃从容出。探袖中，金爵犹在。及门，则诸生先俟，疑其夜出而早入者。公出爵示之。众骇问，因以状告。共思此物非寒士所有，乃信之。

后公举进士，任于肥丘。有世家朱姓宴公，命取巨觥，久之不至。有细奴掩口与主人语，主人有怒色。俄奉金爵劝客饮。谛视之，款式雕文，与狐物更无殊别。大疑，问所从制。答云：“爵凡八只，大人为京卿时，觅良工监制。此世传物，什袭已久。缘明府辱临，适取诸箱簏，仅存其七，疑家人所窃取，而十年尘封如故。殊不可解。”公笑曰：“金杯羽化矣！然世守之珍不可失，仆有一具，颇近似之，当以奉赠。”终筵归署，拣爵驰送之。主人审视，骇绝，亲诣谢公，诘所自来。公乃历陈颠末。始知千里之物，狐能摄致，而不敢终留也。

【翻译】

历城县的殷天官，小时候家里很穷，但为人胆子大有见识。县里有一所旧时世家大族的府宅，占地几十亩，里面的楼阁亭台一座座连绵不断。因为那里常常出现鬼怪异事，所以没有人居住，荒废下来。时间长了，府宅中渐渐长满了飞蓬、蒿草，大白天也没有人敢进去。有一天，殷公和县里的一群生员们饮酒，有人开玩笑说：“谁能在那个地方住一夜，大家就一块儿出钱请他吃桌酒席。”殷公一听就跳起来说：“这有什么难的！”当晚，他就拿着一张席子往那里去了。众人把他送到大门口，开玩笑说：“我们暂时在这里等上一会儿。如果看见了什么鬼怪狐精，你就赶快呼救。”他也笑着说：“要是真有鬼怪狐精，我就抓住它作个证明。”说完就进去了。只见院子里一片片高高的莎草把走道都遮住了，蒿艾长得密密麻麻。当时正值月初，上弦月不很明亮，幸好在朦胧昏黄的月光中，门窗还依稀可以分辨得出来。他摸索着走过几重庭院，才到了后边的楼阁。登上月台后，他觉得那里光滑清洁，十分可爱，就留在月台上了。再看看西边的月亮，只在山边还隐隐约约有一线月光。他在这里坐了很久，也没发现有一点儿异常情况，心里暗笑外边流传的那些话都不可信。于是躺在地上，头枕石头，躺着看天上的牛郎织女星。

到了半夜一更将要过去的时分，殷公恍恍惚惚地快要睡着了。忽然他听见楼下有阵杂乱的脚步声，有人走上楼来了。他假装睡着了，眯着眼偷看，只见是一个身穿青衣，手里挑着莲花灯的人，这人猛然看见殷公，吃了一惊，向后倒退了几步，对后边的来人说：“有个生人在这里。”下边的人问：“谁呀？”青衣人回答说：“不认得。”一会儿，一个老头儿上了楼，靠近殷公仔细看了看，说：“这是殷尚书，他睡得已经很香了。我们只管办自己的事儿，殷相公为人洒脱不拘，或许不会责怪我们的。”于是众人陆续进了楼，楼门全都敞开了。又过了一会儿，往来忙碌的人更多了。楼上灯火通明，如同白昼一样。殷公轻轻翻了翻身，打了个喷嚏。老头儿听到他醒了，赶快走了出来，跪下说道：“老头子我有个女儿今夜出阁，没想到冒犯了贵人，请不要太怪罪。”殷公起了身，扶起老头说：“不知道今天晚上是你家的喜庆日子，惭愧的是我没带什么贺礼来。”老头说：“能有您这样的贵人光临，为我们镇压凶煞，除去邪气，已经是幸运了。如果能烦请您入座陪客，对我们来说更是加倍的光彩和荣幸。”殷公很高兴，答应了他。进到楼里一看，布置陈设十分华丽。这时就有个妇人出来拜见，年纪大约有四十多岁。老头儿说：“这是我的老伴儿。”殷公向她作了一揖。

一会儿，只听得鼓乐齐鸣，有人跑上楼来，说：“到了！”老头儿马上前去迎接，殷公也站起身来等候。没多久，一簇红纱缠绕的灯笼，引导着新郎进来了。年纪约有十七八岁，仪表堂堂，俊秀文雅。老头儿让他先向贵客行礼。新郎看着殷公。殷公就像傧相那样行了半主礼。然后岳父和女婿互相交拜行礼，行礼完毕，大家才入酒席。又过了一会儿，浓妆艳抹的丫环们开始往来穿梭，一时间酒肉罗列，热气弥漫，玉碗金盆，交相映射，光芒照耀在酒桌上。酒喝过几巡后，老头儿叫丫环去请小姐来。丫环答应一声就进去了。但等了许久还不见出来。老头儿又亲自起身，撩起了帷帐去催促。一会儿，几个丫环和老妈子簇拥着新娘子出来了，她身上的金环玉佩“丁当”作响，一阵阵兰草和麝香的香气飘散出来。老头儿让女儿向上座贵客拜了一拜，她起身后，就坐在了母亲身边。殷公微微一看，只见她头上插着珠翠凤钗，耳边佩戴着明珠耳饰，容貌美丽，世上少有。过了一会儿，席上又用金爵向大家敬酒，那金爵大得能盛下好几斗酒。殷公心想这东西可以拿回去给朋友们作个物证，就悄悄地把金爵放在衣袖里，又假装喝醉了倚着酒桌，东倒西歪地睡起觉来。众人都说：“相公醉了。”没过多久，就听到新郎要起身告辞，顿时又是鼓乐大作，众人纷纷下楼离去了。

酒席结束以后，主人收拾酒具，发现少了一只金爵，到处搜寻都没有找到。有人便私下里议论是伏睡在那里的殷公拿走了金爵，老头儿急忙制止不让他说，唯恐被殷公听见。又过了一会儿，楼内楼外都恢复了寂静，殷公这才起来。但见漆黑一片，没有一星灯火，只有脂粉香和酒气在屋子里到处飘散。他看看东方已经发白，就从容地走下楼去。一摸袖子，那只金爵还在。到了大门口，众生员已经先等候在那里了，大家怀疑殷公是半夜里离开，早晨又进去的。殷公就拿出金爵来给大家看。大家看后都惊讶地追问，于是他把自己的所见所闻告诉了他们。大家都觉得这种金爵不是一个穷书生所能够有的，这才相信了他的话。

后来，殷公考中了进士，到肥丘做官。当地有一个姓朱的世家大族设宴招待他，席间主人命令仆人取大酒杯来，但很久也不见拿到。却有个小僮仆过去掩着嘴向主人耳语了几句。只见主人的脸上现出了怒色。不一会儿拿出大金爵向客人劝酒。殷公仔细一看，发现那金爵的款式和雕刻花纹与狐狸精的一点区别也没有。他心中十分疑惑，就问主人这金爵是哪里制作的。主人说：“这种金爵一共有八只，是我祖上在京城做官时，找能工巧匠监制的。这是我家传世的宝物，珍藏已经很久了。因为县令大人您屈驾光临，才让仆人去从箱子里取出来，但发现只剩下七只，先怀疑是仆人偷走了，但又看到箱子上十年积落的尘土还像原来一样没有任何变动。这事情实在让人费解。”殷公笑着说：“那只金爵成了仙飞走了吧！然而世代相传的珍宝不能丢失，我有一个金爵，和你家的非常相像，应当把它送给你。”宴会结束后，殷公回到官署，拿出金爵派人立即骑马送去。姓朱的主人把金爵审视了一遍，十分惊骇，亲自登门前来向殷公道谢，又问起了这只金爵的来历。殷公就把事情的原委一五一十地讲给他听。大家这才知道，远在千里之外的物品，狐狸精也能够设法取到，不过不敢最终留在自己那里。