Nie Xiaoqian (The Ghost Lover) (聂小倩)

Ning Caichen was a native of Zhejiang province. He was of a straightforward and honourable disposition, and constantly said to his friends, "I shall never in my life take a second wife."

Shortly afterwards he went on a journey to Jinhua, and arriving at a temple on the north side of the city, was so pleased with its seclusion and beauty that he decided to take up his quarters there. Within the precincts there was a lofty pagoda, which threw its shade over a number of spacious apartments: but the priests, seeing how poor he looked, were not very anxious to keep him; so he walked quietly into the pagoda and took up his abode in one of the rooms there, waiting for the examination which was shortly to be held.

During the daytime he kept his door shut, but at night he would sit trimming his lamp for study, when suddenly he heard some one walking about in the apartment overhead, and the sound seemed to approach the head of the stairs. This went on for some time without cessation, and Ning accordingly called out, "Who's there?"

"It is I, Yan Chixia," was the reply.

Ning held his tongue, but a moment afterwards the ceiling was removed and down came a man, who fixed his eyes upon Ning, saying, "What are you doing here?"

"I am revising my lessons," replied Ning; "and you, Sir, what may you be doing?"

"The moon is so bright," said the other, "I could not sleep, and should have been glad of some one to talk to; but you did not seem inclined for that."

"I shall be delighted," answered Ning; "pray take a seat."

He then made further inquiries about his visitor, who told him that his name was Yan Chixia, and that he was a scholar on his way up for the examination. Ning expressed his surprise that he had not met him before, and Yan replied that he had only just arrived. Thus they chatted away, until at length Yan said, "I have a small private apartment elsewhere, which I must now go and see to."

"Pray bring your things and stay here," cried Ning; "we can then have the pleasure of each other's society."

---

Yan agreed to this, and went off, returning shortly with his baggage, his bed-clothes, etc.; and then, producing a flask of wine, he invited Ning to join him. "I have no desire to drink," said Ning, "but I shall be happy to pledge you." So they spread out the mats and sat down to drink together. Yan then took from his belt a small box, and drew therefrom something which glittered brightly, and which he laid upon the table. It was about the size of a finger-nail, and shed a light which lit up the whole room.

"What is that?" asked Ning.

"It is a sword," replied Yan; "I was amusing myself by looking at it."

The next day Ning had occasion to go into the city, and on his return he found the gate of the temple bolted and barred, and was obliged to knock lustily before any one came to open it. This annoyed him very much, and on entering he complained to the priests, who told him that a madman had just been there, and that they had bolted the gate after him. Ning said nothing, but went off to his room, where Yan Chixia soon joined him. He then told Yan what the priests had said, and Yan replied, "No doubt they alluded to me." At this Ning was much astonished; but Yan went on to say, "I am not mad; I am a swordsman, and if I had not made short work with that fellow, where would you have been now?"

"What fellow do you mean?" asked Ning.

"You shall see," replied Yan, taking his sword from the box. It flashed brightly, and then seemed to disappear, while something fell to the ground with a clang. Yan picked it up, and showed it to Ning; it was a human head!

"Where did you learn your art?" cried Ning, in amazement.

"I will tell you another time," said Yan; "let us now go to sleep."

The next evening, as Ning was sitting by himself, a very beautiful girl came into the room, apparently about seventeen years of age. Ning asked her who she was, and she replied, "My name is Nie Xiaoqian; I am a native of this place, but died young, and was buried alongside the temple. A demon took possession of my body, and has compelled me ever since to be his slave, forcing me to go nightly and tempt scholars to their ruin, that he may feast upon their life-blood."

"But why do you tell me this?" asked Ning.

---

"Because," replied the girl, "I have now been employed in this horrid task for some years, and my conscience has begun to prick me. Besides," she added, weeping, "I see in you a man of honour and integrity, and I feel you would befriend me if you could."

Ning was deeply touched by the girl's story, and promised to do all in his power to help her. "Your bones," said he, "lie buried near this temple; could you not point out the spot?"

"Yes," replied she, "there is a white poplar growing above my grave."

Ning then asked her what she would have him do; to which she answered, "The demon is terribly powerful, and I fear we can do nothing against him unless we can get the assistance of some one skilled in the magic art."

"There is Yan Chixia," cried Ning; "he is a master swordsman; perhaps he could help us."

Xiaoqian seemed overjoyed at this, and begged Ning to go at once and secure his aid. Ning accordingly repaired to Yan's room, and told him the whole story; whereupon Yan readily promised his assistance, and agreed to meet them the following night.

At the appointed time Yan was there, with his sword drawn ready for action. Xiaoqian arrived shortly afterwards, trembling with fear. "Where is the demon?" asked Yan.

"He is coming now," whispered Xiaoqian, pointing towards the door.

Yan gripped his sword, and stood waiting. A moment later a hideous monster rushed into the room; but before it could do anything, Yan's sword flashed, and the demon fell dead upon the floor.

Xiaoqian thanked Yan with tears in her eyes for having saved her from a dreadful fate. Yan then told her that as the demon was now dead, she was free to go wherever she pleased. "But where can I go?" said she sadly; "I have no home, no friends."

---

Ning then proposed that she should accompany him back to his native place, and become his wife. Xiaoqian joyfully consented, and Ning promised to take her remains with him and give them proper burial near his own home.

The next day Ning dug up Xiaoqian's coffin, and found her body as beautiful and undecayed as when she was alive. He then packed up his baggage, and taking the coffin with him, set out on his journey home, accompanied by Xiaoqian's spirit.

On arriving at his destination, he buried Xiaoqian's remains in a secluded spot near his house, and built a small shrine over the grave. He then introduced Xiaoqian to his mother, who, though at first startled at the idea of her son marrying a ghost, was soon won over by Xiaoqian's gentle manners and filial piety.

Ning and Xiaoqian lived happily together for many years. She bore him a son, who afterwards became a distinguished scholar. And Ning, mindful of his early vow, never took another wife, remaining faithful to Xiaoqian until the end of his days.