Original Translation of Strange Tales from Liaozhai Yingning

The original translation of Strange Tales from Liaozhai Yingning is as follows:

Wang Zifu is from Luodian, Juxian County. My father died when I was a child. He was so clever that he was admitted to the scholar at the age of fourteen. Mother loves him very much, and he is not allowed to play in the wild at ordinary times. He was engaged to Xiao's daughter, but she died before she got married, so he didn't get married yet.

On the Lantern Festival, my uncle's son Wu Sheng invited him to go out for a tour. Just outside the village, a servant came to my uncle's house and called Wu Sheng away. Seeing a lot of women playing, Wang Zifu wandered alone in fun. There was a girl with a maid and a plum blossom in her hand. She was peerless and smiling.

Wang Sheng was so engrossed that he forgot the taboo between men and women. The girl walked a few steps and turned to her maid and said, "This young man's eyes are shining like a thief!" " Throw the flowers on the ground and walk away with a smile. Wang Sheng picked up the flower, feeling very disappointed, as if he had lost his soul, and walked back gloomily.

When I get home, I hide the plum blossoms under my pillow, lie down with my head down and sleep, without talking or eating. Mother was very worried, and invited people to sacrifice to pray for God to drive away evil spirits and ghosts. However, his illness became heavier and his body soon became thin. Ask a doctor to treat him and let him take medicine to disperse, but he becomes trance-like, as if fascinated by something. Mother asked him with concern how he got sick, but he just kept silent and didn't answer. Just when Wu Sheng came, he told him to ask privately.

Wu Sheng came to the bed, and Wang Zifu shed tears as soon as he saw him. Wu Sheng sat on the edge of the bed and comforted him. He slowly asked about the cause of his illness. Wang Sheng told him the truth and begged him to find a way. Wu Sheng said with a smile, "You are really stupid. What's so difficult to realize this wish?"? I'll definitely check for you. Hiking in the wild must not be the daughter of a big family.

If she has not been betrothed to others, this marriage will surely succeed; Otherwise, if you try to spend more bride price, it is estimated that you will definitely agree. As long as you recover from your illness, it's on me. " The prince's clothes smiled when he heard this. Wu Sheng came out to tell her aunt and looked for the woman's residence. But I have snooped around, and there is no trace or clue. Mother was very worried and couldn't think of anything. However, since Wu Sheng left, Wang Zifu became cheerful and began to eat something.

a few days later, Wu sheng came to visit again. Wang Sheng asked him how things were going.

Wu Sheng lied to him and said, "I've already found out. Whose family did I think it was? It turned out to be my aunt's daughter, that is, your aunt's cousin, who is not engaged yet. Although intermarriage between cousins is a bit inappropriate, telling them the truth will not be unsuccessful. " Wang Sheng beamed with joy and asked, "Where does she live?" Wu Sheng lied to him and said, "It's in the southwest mountains, about thirty miles from here." Wang Sheng asked him again and again, and Wu Sheng insisted that he was responsible for the matter, so he left.

The prince obeyed this diet and gradually increased, getting better and recovering day by day. Look under the pillow. Although the flowers have withered, the petals have not fallen. I miss you intently and play with you, just like seeing that girl. Blame Wu Sheng for not coming, and write to invite him. Wu Sheng prevaricated and refused to come. Wang Sheng was very angry and moped all day.

mother was afraid that he would get sick again, so she quickly asked someone to intercede for him. As soon as I discussed it with him, I shook my head to express my disagreement. I just look forward to Wu Sheng every day. Wu Sheng has never heard from him, and he is even more resentful. On second thought, 3 miles is not far, so why rely on others? So I put the plum blossom in my sleeve and went to search for it in anger, but my family didn't know it.

I walked alone, and there was nowhere to ask for directions. I just walked towards Nanshan. After about 3 miles, I saw mountains around me, and the green everywhere was refreshing. No pedestrians were seen quietly, and only birds could cross the steep path. Far below the valley, hidden by flowers and trees, there is a small village. He went down into the village and saw that there were not many houses. Although they were all straw houses, they felt very neat and elegant.

There is a family whose gate faces north, weeping willows are weeping in front of it, peach blossoms and apricot blossoms are particularly flourishing in the wall, and slender bamboos are mixed in the middle, and wild birds are chirping inside. It must be somebody else's garden. I dare not go in rashly. Looking back, I saw a smooth and clean big stone at the opposite gate, so I sat down and rested on it. After a while, I heard a woman in the wall, calling in a long voice: "Xiaorong", with a very delicate voice.

While standing there listening, a girl came from east to west, holding an apricot flower and putting it on her bun with her head down. When I looked up and saw Wang Sheng, I stopped inserting flowers and went in with a smile on my face. Look carefully, it is the girl I met on the road on the last Yuan Festival. My heart suddenly cheered up, but I thought that there was no reason to go in and call menstruation, and I was worried that I had never been in contact, for fear of making a mistake. There is no one in the gate to ask.

I sit and lie for a while, walking around uneasily, staring eagerly from morning until after noon, forgetting my hunger and thirst. From time to time, I saw that woman peeping with half her face exposed, and seemed surprised that he didn't leave here.

suddenly, an old woman came out on crutches and said to the prince's suit, "Where are you from? I heard that I've been here since morning and I've been here until now. What are you going to do? Aren't you hungry? " Wang Sheng quickly got up to salute her and replied, "I'm here to visit my relatives." The old woman is deaf and can't hear clearly. Wang Sheng said it again loudly. I asked him, "What's your relative's surname?" Wang sheng can't answer.

The old woman smiled and said, "It's really strange. If you don't even know your last name, what relatives are you visiting? I think you, young man, are also a bookworm. Why don't you come with me and have some coarse rice? There is a small bed to sleep in. It's not too late to come back tomorrow morning and ask for your name. "

Wang Sheng is hungry and wants to eat, and he is very happy at the thought of getting close to that beautiful woman. Follow the old woman in, only to see the white stone paving the way in the door, with red flowers on both sides and petals scattered on the stone steps; Winding to the west, another door opened, and the yard was full of bean sheds and flower stands.

He was politely invited into the room. The painted wall was as bright and clean as a mirror, and the begonia outside the window was covered with branches and flowers. When he came into the room, all the mattresses, tables, chairs and beds were unclean and smooth. No sooner had I sat down than someone peeped through the window. The old woman shouted, "Xiao Rong! Cook quickly. " There's a maid screaming out. After sitting down, he said his family background and family background in detail. The old woman asked, "Is your grandfather's family surnamed Wu?" Wang Sheng said, "Yes."

The old woman said in surprise, "You are my nephew! Your mother is my sister. In recent years, because my family is poor and there are no boys, I haven't heard from you. My nephew has grown so big that I don't know him yet. " Wang Sheng said: "This time I came here specially to see menstruation, and I forgot my surname in a hurry."

The old woman said, "My husband's family name is Qin, and he didn't have any children. There is only one daughter, who was also born by the little wife. Her mother remarried and left it to me to raise. People are not dull, but lack of education, laughing and not knowing sorrow. Stay for a while and let her come and recognize you. "

soon, the maid prepared the meal and the fat and tender chicken. The old woman politely advised him to have dinner, and the maid came to clean up the dishes. The old woman said, "Go and call Ning Gu." The handmaid promised to leave. For a long time, I heard faint laughter outside the door. The old woman shouted again, "Ying Ning, your aunt and cousin are here." Laughing before the door. The maid pushed her into the room, covering her mouth and laughing uncontrollably.

The old woman glared and said, "There are guests here, laughing and laughing. What is it like?" The girl stood there fighting back a smile, and Wang Sheng bowed to her. The old woman said, "This is Cousin Wang, your aunt's son. It's a joke that the family doesn't know each other yet. " Wang Sheng asked, "How old is my cousin?" The old woman didn't hear you clearly, so Wang Sheng said it again. The girl smiled again.

The old woman said to Wang Sheng, "I'm talking about a lack of training, so you can see it. I'm sixteen years old, and I'm as stupid as a child. " Wang Sheng said, "I am one year younger than my nephew." "My nephew is seventeen years old. Isn't he born in the year of Geng Wu and a horse?" Wang Sheng nodded. The old woman asked again, "Who is the nephew's daughter-in-law?" Answer: "Not yet." "Like a nephew learned appearance, how seventeen years old haven't engagement? Yingning doesn't have a husband's family yet. You two are excellent, but it's a pity that you have cousins. "

Wang Sheng didn't speak. He just stared at Ying Ning, ignoring everything else. The handmaid whispered to the girl, "His eyes are burning, and he hasn't changed as a thief." Ying Ning laughed again and said to her maid, "Go and see if the peach blossoms are in bloom?" I stood up quickly, covered my mouth with my sleeves, and went out with small steps. When I reached the door, I burst out laughing. The old woman also stood up and told her maid to make the bedding and give Wang Sheng a place to rest.

He added, "It's not easy for my nephew to come. You should stay for three or five days and send you back later. If you feel lonely and boring, there is a small garden behind the house where you can go for fun; There are also books to read. "

The next day, when I came to the back of the house, I found a small garden half an acre in size. The delicate green grass was covered with a layer of felt, and the tidbits of willows were scattered all over the path. There are three straw houses, surrounded by flowers and trees. He was walking through the flowers when he heard a rustling noise in the tree. He looked up and saw that it was Ying Ning on it. When she saw the prince's clothes, she almost fell down with laughter. Wang Sheng said, "Come on, you're going to fall."

yingning laughed as she came down, and she couldn't help herself. Just when I was about to land, I accidentally fell down and the laughter stopped. Wang Sheng held her and secretly pinched her wrist. Ying Ning laughed again and couldn't walk on the tree. It took a long time to finish. When her laughter stopped, Wang Sheng showed her the plum blossoms in his sleeve. Ying Ning took the flower and said, "It has withered. Why do you still have it? " Wang Sheng said, "My sister threw it away during the Lantern Festival, so I kept it." Ying Ning asked, "What's the point of saving it?" Wang Sheng said, "I can't forget it when it is used to express my love.

Since I met you last Yuan Festival, I've missed you so much that I'm seriously ill, and I feel I can't live. I didn't expect to see you again. I hope you will give me pity. " Ying Ning said: "This is a small matter. What are relatives reluctant to part with? When cousin you go back, the flowers in the garden must be sent to you by an old servant, and a large bundle will be folded on your back. " Wang Sheng said, "Is Sister stupid?" Ying Ning said, "How can you be stupid?"

Wang Sheng said, "I don't love flowers, I love people who hold them." Ying Ning said: "There is natural affection between relatives. Is it necessary to say this love?" Wang Sheng said, "What I mean by love is not the love between relatives, but the love between husband and wife." Ying Ning asked, "What's the difference?" Wang Sheng said, "At night, we will share the same bed." Ying Ning looked down for a long time and said, "I'm not used to sleeping with strangers." Before the words were finished, the maid came quietly, and Wang Sheng slipped away in dismay.

After a while, we met in the old lady's room. The old woman asked, "Where have you been?" Ying Ning replied that she was talking in the garden. The old woman said, "The rice has been cooked for a long time. What's the long story?" Ying Ning said, "Cousin wants to sleep with me."

Wang Zifu was so embarrassed that she quickly stared at her, but Ying Ning smiled and didn't say any more. Fortunately, the old woman didn't hear me, but she kept asking questions. Wang Sheng quickly covered up the past with other words. Then he whispered to blame Ying Ning. Ying Ning asked, "Shouldn't you have said that just now?" Wang Sheng said: "This is what others said behind their backs." Ying Ning said, "How can you carry your old mother behind someone else's back? Besides, sleeping places are common, so what should I avoid? " Wang Sheng sighed at her stupidity and couldn't make her understand.

Just after dinner, the family took two donkeys to find the prince's clothes. It turned out to be like this: mother waited for Wang Sheng for a long time and didn't see him go home, so she began to doubt it; Almost all the villages have been searched, but there is still no trace. So I went to inquire about Wu Sheng. Wu Sheng remembered what he had said before and taught them to look for it in the southwest mountain direction.

I found several villages before I came here. Wang Sheng came to the door and happened to meet them. He went in to tell the old woman and asked to go back with Ying Ning. The old woman said happily, "I have this wish, and it won't happen overnight." It's just that old bones can't go far; Fortunately, it is great to have a nephew to take her sister and let her know her aunt. " Just call Ying Ning. Ying Ning came with a smile.

The old woman said, "What's there to be happy about, laughing all the time? If you can't laugh, you are a perfect person. " So he glared at her angrily. Then he said, "eldest brother wants to take you with him, so you can go and tidy up." After entertaining the Wangs for dinner, they were sent out, saying, "Aunt's family is rich in land and property, and she can afford people who eat idle food. When you get there, don't come back for the time being, and learn a little poetry etiquette, so that you can serve your in-laws in the future.

just ask auntie to find a good husband for you. " The two men set off. Going back to the ravine, I vaguely saw the old woman leaning against the door and looking north.

when I got home, my mother was surprised to see the girl so beautiful and asked who it was. Wang Zifu replied that it was my aunt's daughter. Mother said, "What Wu Sheng told you earlier is a lie. I don't have a sister, how can I have a niece? " Asked the girl again, Ying Ning replied, "I was not born to this mother. My father's surname is Qin. When he died, I was still in infancy and I can't remember clearly. "

Mother said, "I have a sister who is married to a family named Qin, which is true; But she has been dead for a long time, how can she still be alive? " So I asked in detail how the face is and whether there is a mole. The situation is completely consistent. Mother said in amazement, "It is like this. But it has been many years since he died, how can he still be alive? " While wondering, Wu Sheng came and Ying Ning hid in the inner room. Wu Sheng asked why, puzzled for a long time, and suddenly asked, "Is this girl's name Ying Ning?" Wang Sheng said yes.

Wu Shenglian is called strange. Asked how he knew, Wu Sheng said, "After Qin's aunt died, my uncle lived alone, was fascinated by the fox, got tuberculosis and died. The fox gave birth to a daughter named Yingning, who was wrapped in an infant and slept in a bed. Everyone in the family has seen her. After my uncle died, the fox often came.

Later, I asked Tianshi to draw a symbol and stick it on the wall, and the fox took his daughter away. Is this it? " Everyone is speculating about suspicious places, only to hear the sound of eating from the inner room, all of which are Ying Ning's laughter. Mother said, "This girl is so stupid." Wu Sheng asked to meet her face to face.

when mother went into the inner room, the girl was still laughing. Mother urged her to come out, then tried to hold back her laughter, and faced the wall for a while before she walked out of the inner room. Just after a ceremony, he turned and hurried into the room, laughing again. All the women in the room were made to laugh by her.

Wu Sheng proposed to go to the mountains to explore what is strange, and by the way, he could also act as a matchmaker to propose marriage. Find the location of the village, all the houses are gone, only scattered mountain flowers. Wu Sheng recalled the place where his aunt was buried, as if it were not far away; But the grave was lost and unrecognizable, so I had to turn back with a sigh in surprise.

Mother suspected that the girl was a ghost, so she went in and told her what Wu Sheng said, but the girl was not afraid at all. And pity to comfort her homeless, she is not sad, but also