Chapter 72 Lotus Fragrance

Sang Xiao, a native of Yizhou, has been lonely since childhood. His residence is located in Honghua Port, with beautiful scenery.

Sang Xiao is solemn and quiet. In addition to going to his neighbor's house for dinner, he stays in the bedroom and reads the rest of the time every day. The scholar next door joked, "Aren't you afraid of ghost foxes when you live alone at home?" Sang Xiao smiled and said, "What's the ghost fox afraid of? If the man dares to come, I will serve him with a sword. If the woman comes, I will welcome him with both hands and open the door to accept guests.

The scholar knew that Sang Xiao was bragging, so he decided to conspire with his friends. In the middle of the night, he used a ladder to build a wall and sent a prostitute to the study. The prostitute knocked on the door with his fingers. Sang Xiao peeped through the crack of the door and asked, "Who is outside?"

The prostitute replied, "I'm a female ghost."

Sang Xiao was frightened when he heard the words, and his teeth trembled up and down, and there was a sound. The prostitute patrolled for a long time before he slowly left. The next day, the scholar came to visit, and the two met. Sang Xiao was pale and said, "I saw the ghost last night. It's too unsafe here. I have to move away immediately."

The scholar smiled and said, "Why don't you open the door to accept customers?"

Sang Xiao suddenly realized that everything was a scholar's trouble, smiled and was not angry.

After half a year, another woman came to knock on the door this night. Sang Xiao thought that the scholar was repeating his skills and was joking with himself. This time, he couldn't be scared any more, so he opened the door and saw a young woman outside the door. She was charming and asked, "Where did the girl come from?"

The woman said, "The concubine Lianxiang is a prostitute of the West family." There were many brothel buildings on the port. When Sang Xiao heard this, he had no doubt at all. At that moment, the woman was invited to enter the house, and the two of them turned off the lights and went to bed.

Since then, lotus incense will come every three or five days.

This night, Sang Xiao sat alone and meditated, and a woman entered. Sang Xiao thought it was lotus fragrance, but looking at the woman's face, about fifteen or sixteen years old, gauze black hair, romantic posture, walking, if it was like leaving, she couldn't help but be stunned, and she suspected that the woman was a fox demon.

The woman said, "The daughter of a good concubine, surnamed Li. I admire the prince's elegant behavior, and I'm here to be gentle with you.

Sang Xiao was overjoyed and held the woman's palm, which was as cold as ice. He asked, "Why is it so cold?" The woman said, "My concubine has been weak and sick since she was a child. Just now, she blew a cold wind outside for a night, and her palms naturally cooled."

Sang Xiao nodded and stopped questioning. Then the two of them undressed and were extremely ecstatic. The woman's lower body was compact, as if she were a virgin. After that, the woman said, "Son, the whole concubine is handed over to you. If you don't mind the ugliness of the slave family, I will be willing to serve you every day in the future. Is there anyone else in the room?

Sang Xiao said, "There is only one prostitute next door, but she doesn't come often."

The woman said, "I don't like strangers. Please keep a secret for me. It's best to come and go, and it's best. There was a chicken crow outside the window. The woman left, untied an embroidered shoe and said, "If you miss me, take out your shoes and have a look, but don't do it when there is someone."

Sang Xiao agreed and stared at the embroidered shoes, which were as sharp as a cone. He loved them very much. At night, no one looked around. Sang Xiao took out his shoes to play. The woman floated, and the two of them were happy again.

Since then, every time Sang Xiao took out his shoes, the woman must come. She was surprised and asked, "Why is this again and again?" The woman smiled and said, "It's just a coincidence."

This night, Lian Xiang came and asked in shock, "I haven't seen you for a few days. Why is the prince so bleak?" Sang Xiao said, "Well, I don't think so." Lian Xiang said goodbye and left, and the two made an appointment: meet every ten days.

After Lianxiang left, within ten days, the woman visited at night. That night, the woman asked, "Where's your old lover? Why didn't you come for a long time?" Sang Xiao told the truth about their date, and the woman smiled and said, "So in my opinion, who is more beautiful between me and Lianxiang?"

Sang Xiao said, "Both of them are beautiful, but Lianxiang's skin is warmer than you."

The woman changed her color and said, "I know. Do you mean that Lianxiang is the fairy of the Moon Palace, and I can't compare with her?" The words are muffled. After a while, he said, "Since Lianxiang is so beautiful, I want to see her. Ten days later, I will wait for her to come to the door. I quietly hide behind the bed and peep. You are not allowed to leak the news."

Ten days later, Lianxiang came as scheduled. The man and the woman met and smiled happily. After the clouds and rain, Lianxiang frowned and said, "I haven't seen you for ten days. The prince is much inferior to the past. This must be overwork. You really don't have an affair?"

Sang Xiao was silent, and Lian Xiang said again, "The prince's veins are like chaos. This is haunted by ghosts."

The next night, the woman surnamed Li visited, and Sang Xiao asked, "Last night, how is Lianxiang's appearance?"

Miss Li said, "Beauty is beautiful. Unfortunately, it is not a human being. There is no such beauty in the world. I followed Lianxiang last night and found that she lived in a cave. If I guess correctly, Lianxiang must be a fox demon."

Sang Xiao didn't think so and thought, "She must be jealous of Lian Xiang's beauty and deliberately choreographed words to slander her."

A few days later, Lianxiang visited, and Sang Xiao tentatively said, "I have no doubt about my sister, but some people say that you are a fox demon, and I don't know whether it's true or not."

Lian Xiang asked, "Who said that?"

Sang Xiao smiled and said, "It's nothing. I'm joking with you."

Lian Xiang sighed, "Is it a demon or a human? What's the difference?"

Sang Xiao said, "Otherwise, it is rumored that the fox demon is good at seducing men. Once he is entangled, he will definitely die. This is the most terrible thing."

Lian Xiang smiled and said, "What you said is wrong. The prince is young. With your body now, as long as you know how to be temperate, you can recover in the next three days. Even if you are bewitched by the fox, what's the harm? On the contrary, if you revel with human women every day, the harm is more serious than the fox demon. How short-lived are the lustful men in the world? Are they all bewitched by fox demons? Needless to say, someone must speak ill of me behind my back.

Sang Xiao defended, "No, no, where is this?" Lianxiang didn't believe it and tried her best to ask. Sang Xiao had no choice but to reveal his mouth a little.

Lian Xiang listened attentively and nodded and said, "I said why the prince's health is getting worse and worse. It turned out to be excessive indulgence. Well, I'm afraid this Miss Li is not simple. When she comes tomorrow night, I'll take a look for you secretly.

Miss Ye Li came to the door on time and said three or two words with Sang Xiaogang. Suddenly, she heard a cough outside the window and hurried away. Lianxiang entered the house and said, "The prince is in a critical situation. Miss Li is not a ghost. If you continue to entangle with her, the time of death is not far away." When Sang Xiao heard the words, he didn't say anything.

Lian Xiang said, "I know that the prince can't forget the old feelings, but I can't bear to see you die. Tomorrow I will bring some herbs to treat your illness and get rid of the yin poison. Fortunately, the prince is not deeply poisoned, and he can recover in ten days.

The next night, Lianxiang really brought a bag of powder. Sang Xiao and Shui swallowed it. She went to the toilet several times. Her internal organs were clear, comfortable and energetic. Although she was grateful to Lianxiang in her heart, she was never willing to believe that Miss Li was a ghost.

Lianxiang came to see him every night. Sang Xiao wanted to have sex with her, but Lianxiang did not agree. A few days later, Sang Xiao's skin was full and she recovered. Lian Xiang said goodbye and told her, "You should never come with Miss Li again." Sang Xiao didn't say anything and agreed vaguely.

That night, Sang Xiao picked up the lamp and closed the house. He took out his embroidered shoes and gently stroked it. Miss Li suddenly came. She didn't see her for a few days, and her face was quite resentful. Sang Xiao said, "Lianxiang has been taking good care of me these days. It's all kind. Don't be resentful."

When Miss Li heard the words, her face was a little gentle. Sang Xiao took her to bed and whispered on her pillow, "I love the heart of Miss, heaven and earth, but some people say that you are a ghost."

Miss Li was an aggard and scolded, "This must be the fox demon's jealousy and frame-up. If the prince doesn't cut off contact with her, he will never see me again." With that, Sang Xiao tried his best to persuade him to give up.

After a night, Lian Xiang came to the door and said angrily, "The prince is entangled with the female ghost again. Isn't he really afraid of death?" Sang Xiao smiled and said, "Why should I be jealous?" Lian Xiang said angrily, "The son was seriously ill in bed the day before yesterday. Who treated you? How can you not be angry when you say such a thing to me now?

Sang Xiao half joked: "She told me that the illness the day before yesterday was caused by a fox demon." Lian Xiang sighed, "The prince is obsessed. You won't believe what I say now. I have to say goodbye for the time being. In a hundred days, the prince will be sick, and I will see you again. Let's go.

Since then, Sang Xiao and Miss Li have been happy every night. After more than two months, they are mentally exhausted and drowsy every day. At first, I could comfort myself, but my condition became worse and worse day by day, and my appetite was greatly reduced. I only drank a bowl of porridge every day. Gradually, my face turned yellow and my bones were as thin.

At this moment, Sang Xiao finally repented and understood that what Lianxiang said was true: Miss Li is really a ghost.

On this day, Sang Xiao was terminally ill and sighed, "I regret it so much. If I had followed Lianxiang's advice at the beginning, why did this? It's really self-inflicted. You can't live." I felt self-pity for a while and fell asleep.

In my sleep, I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. I hurriedly opened my eyes and watched. The curtain opened, and a woman walked into the room. Who else was there?

Lian Xiang came to the bedside and smiled, "Country bumpkin, do you still remember me?"

Sang Xiao choked with tears, regretted and blamed himself, and begged, "Good sister, I'm wrong. Please help me."

Lian Xiang said with a straight face, "The prince is terminally ill and hopeless. I'm here to say goodbye to you."

Sang Xiao sighed, "What my sister said is that I'm going to die anyway. The embroidered shoe under the bed is left by the female ghost. Please do me a favor and break it."

Lianxiang nodded, took out her shoes and played repeatedly in the light. Suddenly, Miss Li appeared out of thin air. At first glance, she saw Lianxiang and turned around to escape. Lian Xiang blocked the door with her body. Miss Li tried several times in vain.

As soon as Sang Xiao saw the enemy, he couldn't help scolding loudly. Miss Li bowed her head in shame and dared not answer. Lian Xiang smiled and said, "Now you and I should face it. Who is responsible for the prince's illness?"

Miss Li blushed shyly, but kept crying and choked, "It's all my fault, but Mr. Sang is innocent. Please save him again."

Lian Xiang asked, "Who the hell are you?" It's time to tell me now."

Miss Li said, "The cheap concubine was Li Tong's daughter. She died early and was buried outside the wall. Although the spring silkworm is dead, the silk is still unfinished. I am happy with the prince, purely from the bottom of my heart. As for causing him to be seriously ill, it is not my wish.

Lian Xiang said, "I heard that ghosts like to kill people, so that they can stay together in the underworld. Is that the case?"

Miss Li said, "Otherwise. It's no fun for the two ghosts to meet. If it's really fun, there are many young men in the underworld. Why is the concubine infatuated with the prince alone?

Lian Xiang sighed and said, "My sister is so stupid. The night is happy, and people can't stand it. What's more, it's a ghost?

Miss Li asked, "I heard that the fox demon can make people happy and kill people, is that right?"

Lian Xiang said, "That's just a kind of evil art. I'm not this kind of monster. There are fox demons that don't harm people, but there are no ghosts that don't harm people, because the ghosts are so sinister that they can't stand it.

When Sang Xiao heard the words, he suddenly realized that the two women, one is a fox and the other is a ghost. They are not human beings, but after getting along with each other for a long time, they are not afraid. It's just that the breath is like silk, and the whole body is uncomfortable, and I can't help moaning repeatedly.

Lian Xiang smiled and said, "sister, the prince is in pain. Do you want to save him?"

Miss Li nodded hurriedly, "Help, of course. Please do your best as soon as possible. My sister is very grateful.

Lian Xiang smiled and said, "I'm afraid that I will cure him. At that time, the two women will work together, and my sister will be jealous again."

Miss Li said with a serious look, "As long as my sister is willing to save the prince, my sister swears that from now on, she will break off contact with the prince and never see him again."

Lian Xiang smiled and said, "You don't have to make it so tragic and heroic. You and the prince are in love with each other. I don't know how to beat mandarin ducks." While talking, he took out the medicine bag from his arms and said, "I knew that my son would have today's disaster. In these three months, I will walk all over the mountains and collect medicine everywhere. Now the medicinal materials are ready, but there is still a lack of medicine.

Miss Li asked, "What kind of medicine do you want?"

Lian Xiang said, "With nothing, it's just a little bit of saliva in my sister's mouth. Liquid." As he spoke, he took out a pill and told him, "In your mouth, put it in your mouth and put it into the prince's stomach."

Miss Li blushed and looked down at her shoes and socks. She was quite embarrassed.

Lian Xiang smiled and said, "Isn't my sister's most proud thing about embroidered shoes?"

When Miss Li heard the words, she was even more ashamed and ashamed. Lian Xiang smiled and said, "It's not that I haven't done it. What a shame. In the past, you two were warm at night. I don't know how many times you kissed, but now why are you stingy?

Miss Li laughed at her repeatedly. She had no choice but to hold the pill in her mouth, fed it to Sang Xiao, and looked up at Lianxiang, which meant to ask: Are you ready?

Lian Xiang suppressed her smile and said solemnly, "It's not enough at one time. How many times will you do it again?" Miss Li had no choice but to kiss her three or four more times, and then Lian Xiang let her go.

Sang Xiao took the pills, and there was thunder in his abdomen. After a while, Dantian was hot and refreshed. Lianxiang nodded and said, "I'm cured."

When I was busy all night, the rooster crowed outside the house, and Miss Li was reluctant to leave. Lianxiang has just recovered from Sang Xiaojiu's illness, so she specially stayed to take care of her and guard her day and night. Miss Li often comes to visit at night. After two or three months, Sang Xiao completely recovered and was as healthy as ever.

But from then on, Miss Li came less and less. Even if it was rare, she left in a hurry. Lianxiang wanted to keep her to sleep with Sang Xiao, but Miss Li was resolute and did not agree. Finally, Sang Xiao was anxious and forcibly carried her to **. She took the initiative to tease her. Miss Li just closed her eyes and was unmoved.

More than ten days later, Miss Li suddenly disappeared. Sang Xiao missed her day and night. As long as she took out her embroidered shoes and gently stroked them, Miss Li would definitely appear. Now she touches her shoes every day, her hands are almost broken, and there is still no trace of the beautiful woman.

Lian Xiang sighed and said, "My sister is beautiful and charming. I feel sorry for her, not to mention a man."

Sang Xiao said, "People go to their shoes, see things and think about people. The more they miss, the more uncomfortable they are."

Before that, Zhang Shio had a daughter named Yan'er, who was 15 years old and died of illness. After a night, he suddenly woke up, got up and ran out. The rich man Zhang was so anxious that he closed the door and didn't let her go out. The woman shouted, "I'm Li Tong's daughter. Why did you imprison me? My shoes are still left with Mr. Sang. Let me out and find him. I'm a ghost. What's the advantage of shuting me up?"

When Master Zhang saw her nonsense, he was full of doubts and asked, "Yan'er, what's wrong with you?"

The woman said, "I'm not Yan'er, I'm Miss Li. Where is this? Open the door, open the door."

Master Zhang thought to himself, "Yan'er died and came back to life. Did she borrow the corpse to return her soul?" Try to calm down, pay attention to your thoughts, and say, "Girl, don't be impulsive. You keep shouting Mr. Sang's name. As far as I know, Mr. Sang is sick and has now gone back to his hometown to recuperate.

The woman shouted, "It's impossible. Mr. Sang has already recovered. Let me see him."

Rich Zhang said, "Okay, okay, don't be angry. Well, I'll send someone to send a letter to Mr. Sang and ask him to come to see you. How about that?

The woman urged, "Go, go."

Soon after the information was sent out, the servant came back and reported, " Mr. Sang will come in person soon. He also sent an embroidered shoe to the small one and told me to give it to Miss Yaner in person."

The woman received the embroidered shoes and tried them on, but found that the size was not right. It was a few inches smaller. She was stunned and looked at herself in the mirror. The person in the mirror was strange and mediocre. How could she be Miss Li in the past? I couldn't help crying, "How did I become this ugly? Oh, it's better to die."

He was frustrated and refused to eat. He hid in the quilt every day and did not dare to see anyone. He did not eat or drink for seven consecutive days, and his whole body was swollen. However, even if he was looking for death, he was stunned. Later, Miss Li was so hungry that she had to take a few mouthfuls of rice randomly. A few days later, Miss Li's whole body was itchy and her skin fell off layer by layer. When I got up in the morning and put on my shoes, the shoes became fat and big. I took out the embroidered shoes and tried them on again. The size just matched. He was overjoyed. He took a look in the mirror, his eyebrows were picturesque, and he regained his original appearance.

When Lian Xiang heard about this, she discussed with Sang Xiao, "My sister has borrowed the corpse to return the soul, and the prince should come to propose marriage and marry her as his wife." Sang Xiao said, "That being said, isn't it too abrupt if the two families have a rash visit?"

Lian Xiang came up with an idea and said, "Master Zhang will hold a birthday party for his wife in three days. The prince can go to celebrate his birthday and recognize his sister by the way."

Sang Xiao praised, "That's a good idea. That's it."

On the day of the birthday banquet, Sang Xiao went to congratulate. When Zhang's wife saw his name on the invitation, she secretly asked her daughter to identify behind the curtain. As soon as Miss Li saw Sang Xiao, she hurriedly ran up and pulled the corners of her clothes. Zhang's wife scolded, "What's the girl's house? Why don't you go back?"

Miss Li realized that she was overbehaving, shy and ashamed, and returned to her boudoir.

Sang Xiao met the beautiful woman. He was also excited and cried. He knelt down and bowed. For a moment, he forgot to say anything. Zhang's wife helped him up and said gently, "Son, don't cry. I'll marry your daughter to you. Go back and prepare, and send someone to propose marriage.

Sang Xiao nodded repeatedly. After going back, he asked his uncle to propose marriage. Zhang's wife agreed, and the two families chose an auspicious day and began to prepare for the happy event. At the time of parting, Zhang's wife made a request: marriage is okay, but Sang Xiao must get married and be a son-in-law.

This matter is so serious that Sang Xiao did not dare to agree rashly. He went back to discuss countermeasures with Lian Xiang. Lian Xiang sighed and said, "If the prince becomes a son-in-law, what should I do? If you move into Zhang's house with you, you will lose all your face. I'd better go." Turn around and want to go.

Sang Xiao said urgently, "Sister, don't go. You're right. You can't agree to the matter of being a sister-in-way. Not only do you have no face, but I also have no face.

Lian Xiang asked, "What are you going to do?"

Sang Xiao said, "Now that I have to confess." So he went to Zhang's house again and told the truth about the relationship between himself and Lianxiang. When Master Zhang and his wife heard that he had a wife, they couldn't help scolding him angrily. Fortunately, Miss Li persuaded her many times and said a lot of good words, so the Zhang family reluctantly agreed to the marriage.

On the day of marriage, Sang Xiao welcomed the bride into the house. The family was originally poor and the furnishings were simple, but I don't know what magic the lotus fragrance used. The room was full of brilliance, and there were luxurious red carpets everywhere. There were beautiful soft pillows in the bridal chamber, thousands of red candles were burning high, and it was indescably happy and warm.

Lianxiang held the bride and sent it into the bridal chamber. She took off the red cover. The three of them drank a few glasses of wine. Sang Xiao asked about the return of the soul. Miss Li said, "After leaving that day, I was depressed and bored. I remembered that I was a ghost and felt that I was obscent. Under all thoughts, he did not want to go back to the grave. He wandered in the wind, perched in the grass in the daytime, and walked around at night. This night, I happened to come to Zhang's house. I saw a girl sleeping **, closed her eyes and died, so I came forward to possess her. I didn't expect to take this to return the sun. When Lian Xiang heard the words, she thought silently.

Two months later, Lianxiang gave birth to a son. She had a postpartum illness. She knew that she would die soon. She took Miss Li's arm and said, "After my death, the child will be entrusted to you to take care of it. My son is your son."

Miss Li cried and comforted, "Sister, don't worry, I'll invite Langzhong again."

Lianxiang shook her head and said, "No need." While talking, Sang Xiao and Miss Li couldn't help crying when they saw the situation. Lian Xiang smiled and said, "Don't do this. Life is not happy, and death is not suffering. If there is fate, we will see you again in 14 years. After saying that, he closed his eyes and passed away, and his body turned into a white fox.

Sang Xiao wiped away her tears, buried the lotus fragrance, and put it in the earth for safety. In memory of his wife, he named his son Hu'er.

The fox is intelligent and deeply pleased with Miss Li. She takes good care of her and regards her as if she were her own. Every Tomb-sweeping Day, a family of three will go up the mountain to sweep the tomb for Lianxiang.

Later, Sang Xiao passed the examination and her family was rich, but Miss Li didn't have children for a long time. She was anxious and began to persuade her to take a concubine. On this day, an old woman came to sell her daughter. Miss Li invited her into the house and stared. She saw that the old woman's daughter was beautiful, surprised and happy, and shouted, "Sister Lianxiang has been reincarnated."

Sang Xiao heard the shout and came out to check. Seeing that the girl's face was like jade, he said to himself, "It's really the same as Lianxiang." Ask the old girl, "How old is the child?" The old lady said, "Fourteen." Sang Xiao asked again, "How much is the bride's fee?" The old lady said, "I hope my daughter can marry a good family. If you like it, give me three hundred taels of silver."

Sang Xiao said angrily, "The lotus fragrance is only worth 300 taels? It will be at least 3,000 taels." He took out 3,000 taels of silver tickets and handed them to the old woman and sent her to walk. The old woman thanked her happily and left happily.

Miss Li led the girl into the house and asked with a smile, "Do you remember me?"

The girl shook her head and said, "I don't know."

Miss Li was a little disappointed and asked, "What's your name?"

The girl said, "My surname is Wei. My father is a wine seller. He has been dead for three years."

Miss Li looked at the girl carefully. Seeing her appearance and attitude, she was all very similar to Lianxiang. When the old man met but did not know each other, she frowned in a hurry. Suddenly, she remembered something. She quickly slapped the girl on the top of the head with her hand and shouted, "Sister Lian, Sister Lian, don't you remember the fourteen-year appointment?"

The girl woke up like a dream and shouted out, "Are you Sister Li?" He looked at Sang Xiao again, his eyes were full of tears, and he choked and said, "Son, I miss you every day."

Sang Xiao patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, "Don't cry, don't cry." When you and I meet again, it's 'the return of Yan who seems to have known each other'. This is a happy event. Why did we cry instead? Look at your tears everywhere. If you cry any more, it won't look good.

The girl smiled, wiped away her tears, and began to narrate the reincarnation experience. "My mother told me that I was born with words. My family thought it was ominous and gave me a bowl of black dog blood. I didn't remember the cause and effect in my previous life, so I didn't know you just now. Fortunately, my sister patted me on the head a few times before I recovered my memory. The three of them recalled the past of their lives together, with sadness and joy.

On this cold eclipse, Miss Li said, "In the past, at this time, my father-in-law and I would go up the mountain to worship my sister." Lian Xiang said, "Where is my grave buried? Take me to have a look."

When the three came to the cemetery, they saw the barren grass leaving. Lian Xiang sighed, "The past is like a dream." Miss Li said, "Sister Lian and I have a good relationship and can't bear to be separated. It's better to bury our bones together.

Sang Xiao nodded in favor, dug out Miss Li's grave, took out the white bones, and buried it in the lotus tomb.