庚娘（复仇女神）：
聊斋故事系列四合一（原著-注释-白话-英译）


原文：

金大用，中州*旧家子也。聘尤太守*女，字庚娘，丽而贤，逑好甚敦*。以流寇之乱*，家人离逖*，金携家南窜。途遇少年，亦偕妻以逃者，自言广陵*王十八，愿为前驱。金喜，行止与俱。至河上，女隐告金曰：“勿与少年同舟，彼屡顾我，目动而色变，中叵测也。”金诺之。王殷勤觅巨舟，代金运装，劬劳臻至*，金不忍却。又念其携有少妇，应亦无他。妇与庚娘同居，意度亦颇温婉。王坐舡*头上与橹人倾语，似甚熟识戚好。未几日落，水程迢递，漫漫不辨南北。金四顾幽险，颇涉疑怪。顷之，皎月初升，见弥望皆芦苇。既泊，王邀金父子出户一豁*，乃乘间挤金入水；金有老父，见之欲号，舟人以篙筑*之，亦溺；生母闻声出窥，又筑溺之。王始喊救。母出时，庚娘在后，已微窥之。既闻一家尽溺，即亦不惊，但哭曰：“翁姑俱没，我安适*归！”王入劝：“娘子勿忧，请从我至金陵*，家中田庐颇足赡给，保无虞也。”女收涕曰：“得如此，愿亦足矣。”王大悦，给奉良殷。既暮，曳女求欢，女托体姅*，王乃就妇宿。 初更既尽，夫妇喧竞，不知何由。但闻妇曰：“若所为，雷霆恐碎汝颅矣！”王乃挝妇。妇呼云：“便死休！诚不愿为杀人贼妇！”王吼怒，捽妇出。便闻骨董一声，遂哗言妇溺矣。



注释：

1．中州：指河南省。2．太守：明清对知州、知府的俗称。知州、知府就是一州之长。而府，则是明清的区划，比县大一些。3．逑好甚敦：夫妻感情深厚。逑，匹配。敦，笃厚。语出《诗。周南。关雎》：“窈窕淑女，君子好逑。”4．流寇之乱：指明末李自成起义军从陕西攻入河南。5．离逖：也称“离逷”，远离故土。“逖”、“逷”皆读“替”。6．广陵：扬州。7．劬劳臻至：辛劳周到。指跑前跑后照顾得殷勤周到。劬，读“渠”。8．舡：船。读“箱”。9．一豁：即“一豁心目”，远望散心。10．筑：捅。11．安适：往那里去。安，文言中疑问词，哪里的意思。适，前往。12．金陵：南京。13．体姅：月经期。姅，读“半”。14．捽：揪。读“琢磨”的琢。


白话：

金大用，中州名门之后，娶了尤太守的女儿为妻，字庚娘，美丽而贤惠，夫妻感情深厚。因为流寇作乱，全家人逃离故乡，金大用携家带口往南逃。途中遇到一位年轻人，也和妻一起逃亡，自称是广陵的王十八，愿意为他们在前边带路。金大用非常高兴，二人行走止步都在一起。到了一条河上，庚娘悄悄地告诉金大用：“别和那个年轻人乘同一条船，他总看我，两眼滴溜溜转，脸色都变了，一定没安好心。”金大用答应了。王十八献殷勤寻找大船，替金搬运行李，操劳周到，金不忍推辞。又觉得他还携带年轻的妻子，应该不会有别的想法。王的媳妇和庚娘在一起住，脾气秉性也很温柔。王十八坐在船头上与掌橹的人谈得很热火，好像很熟悉，关系也不错。没过多久太阳落山了，水路遥远，茫茫一片，分不出东南西北。金大用环视四周，僻静隐蔽，开始产生怀疑。片刻之后，明月东升，放眼望去，都是芦苇。船停下来之后，王十八邀请金大用父子出来远望散心，于是乘机把金大用挤到水里；金大用有老父在身边，看到之后就想喊，船夫就用篙一捅，他也落水了；金大用母亲听到动静出来偷偷地看望，船夫也把她捅到水里淹死了。这个时候王十八才假惺惺地喊救人。母亲出来时，庚娘在后面，已经略微看到些情况。等到听说一家人都淹死了，她也不惊慌，只是哭着说：“公公婆婆都死了，我可往那里去呀！”王十八近来劝道：“娘子别发愁，请跟我一起到金陵，家里要房有房，要地有地，足能养活你，保你无忧无虑。”庚娘不再哭泣，说：“如果真是这样，我也就满足了。”王十八非常高兴，伺候得格外殷勤。天一黑，他就拉扯庚娘求欢，庚娘推托说整赶上来月经，王十八才到妻子那里去睡觉。 一更天刚过，夫妇俩大吵大闹喧竞，不知什么原因。只听媳妇说：“你这样做，脑袋要遭雷劈的！”王十八就打媳妇。媳妇大声说：“死了倒干净！真不愿意给杀人贼做媳妇！”王十八一边怒吼，一边揪着媳往外走。只听咕咚一声，接着就听人们大声说媳妇淹死了。

英译：

Jin Dayong was a scholar in Zhongzhou County, Henan Province. He married a beautiful and virtuous wife, Geng Niang.
Shortly after their marriage, a war broke out. Jin and his family fled from his native place. On the way, he met a young man, Wang, who was also a refugee from Guangling (now Yangzhou) running away from home together with his wife. Wang said he was willing to be forerunner. Jin was very happy. From then on, they were always in company with each other, inseparable as body and shadow.
Later on, they were on a river. Geng Niang secretly said to Jin, “Don’t take a same boat with Wang. He often cast furtive glances at me. I’m afraid he harbors evil intentions.”
Jin agreed with his wife. But Wang found a large boat and cordially helped Jin carry luggage. In a word, he spared no efforts to do everything to please Jin. Softhearted by nature, Jin had no heart to decline his kindness. Moreover, Wang had a young wife with him. There should be nothing unexpected.
Wang’s wife stayed together with Geng Niang. The young lady was rather refined in manner. And Wang was concentrated in talking with the boatman on the bow, as if they were on familiar terms with each other.
The sun set before long. On a vast expanse of water, Jin had already lost his bearings. Looking around, he found the circumstances very out-of-way. Filled with suspicion, he realized that his family had fell in a perilous position.
The moon rose up very soon. Boundless reeds greeted his eyes. Having the boat docked, Wang asked Jin and his father to come out of the cabin for relaxation. Taking advantage of Jin’s being lack of vigilance, Wang pushed Jin into the water. Seeing this, Jin’s father wanted to cry. But the boatman struck him into the water with a barge-pole. The poor old man was drowned. Hearing the strange noise, Jin’s mother came out to have a look but was also struck into the river by Wang’s barge-pole. The old lady was drowned, too.
Only at the moment everything finished, did Wang begin to cry for help. He was certainly putting on an act. But the actual state of affairs was unable to escape from Geng Niang’s eyes. The reason was that when Jin’s mother walked out, Geng Niang stealthily stood at the door and therefore indistinctly saw what Wang did, just in time.
Learning other people of the family were all drowned, Geng Niang was very calm. She didn’t show up any sign of astonishment.
She only cried, “My parents-in-law are drowned. Where can I go?”
Wang entered the cabin immediately and comforted her.
“Don’t worry.” Wang said. “You can live with me. I’m a rich man. I have more than enough houses and lands at home. You can rely on me. No problem.”
Geng Niang stopped crying and said, “If so, I’ll be fully satisfied.”
Wild with joy, Wang served her much more cordially. In the evening, he held her and wanted to have something sexual with her. She refused him on a pretext of her being in menstrual period. Wang could do nothing but sleep with his wife.
Shortly after the first watch of the night, Geng Niang heard the couple quarreling fiercely without knowing why.
“It’s wicked of you!” accursed Wang’s wife. “You should be struck by thunderbolt!”
Wang slapped his wife in the face.
“That’s enough! Let me die!” Wang’s wife cried. “I really don’t want to be the wife of a murderer!”
Beside himself with rage, Wang roared and dragged his wife out. Following a splash, his wife drowned herself in the river.


原文：

未几抵金陵，导庚娘至家，登堂见媪，媪讶非故妇。王言：“妇堕水死，新娶此耳。”归房，又欲犯。庚娘笑曰：“三十许男子，尚未经人道*耶？市儿初合卺亦须一杯薄浆酒，汝家沃饶，当即不难。清醒相对，是何体段*？”王喜，具酒对酌。庚娘执爵，劝酬殷恳。王渐醉，辞不饮。庚娘引巨碗，强媚劝之，王不忍拒，又饮之。于是酣醉，裸脱促寝。庚娘撤器灭烛，托言溲溺*，出房，以刀入，暗中以手索王项，王犹捉臂作昵声。庚娘力切之，不死，号而起；又挥之，始殪*。媪仿佛有闻，趋问之，女亦杀之。王弟十九觉焉。庚娘知不免，急自刎，刀钝鈌*不可入，启户而奔，十九逐之，已投池中矣。呼告居人，救之已死，色丽如生。共验王尸，见窗上一函，开视，则女备述其冤状。群以为烈，谋敛资作殡。天明集视者数千人，见其容皆朝拜之。终日间得金百，于是葬诸南郊。好事者为之珠冠袍服，瘗藏*丰满焉。

注释：

1．人道：男女房事。2。体段：体统。3。溲溺：小解。溲，读“搜”，排泄小便；小便。溺，小便。5。殪：死；杀死。读“义”。6。钝鈌：刀刃不锋利，叫“钝”；刀刃卷缺，叫“鈌”，读“决”。7。瘗藏：陪葬物。读“义葬”。瘗，埋藏。

白话：

每多久就到了南京，王连忙把庚娘领到家，登堂入室，拜见老夫人。老夫人一看不是原来的媳妇感到十分惊讶。王说：“媳妇落水死了，就新娶了这个媳妇。”王回到房间，又想冒犯庚娘。庚娘笑着说：“三十多的男人了，怎么还不懂得夫妇之道呀？市井小民初次合房也要喝上一杯薄酒，你家这么阔气，这点小事应当不难办到吧？不然的话，等一觉醒来二人相对，成何体统？”王非常高兴，便拿出酒来和庚娘对饮。庚娘端着酒杯，殷勤诚恳地劝酒。王渐渐地喝醉了，推辞不再饮。庚娘拿起大碗，强颜欢笑地继续劝酒，王不忍心拒绝，又饮了起来。于是喝的烂醉如泥，脱光衣服催促庚娘就寝。庚娘撤掉酒具，吹灭蜡烛，假托要小解，于是走入房间，继而持刀而入，暗中用手摸索王的脖子，王还抓着庚娘的胳膊发出亲昵的声音。庚娘用力切他，他没有死，大喊大叫地起来；庚娘又挥刀猛砍，他在死掉。老夫人似乎听到动静，过来想问个究竟，庚娘也把她杀了。王的弟弟王十九感觉到发生了什么事。庚娘知道免不了一死，于是急忙自杀，可是刀子太钝，刺不进自己的皮肉，就开门逃跑，十九紧追不舍，可是庚娘已经跳进池塘。王十九大呼小叫地告诉邻居，可庚娘被救上来已经死了，只见她面色红润，和活人一样。大家一起给王验尸，见窗子上有一封信，打开一看，才发现那是庚娘在详细地述说自己的冤屈。众人都把庚娘当作烈女看待，为她筹集资金出殡。天亮的时候，围观者已经聚集数千人，见到她的面容，都争相朝拜。一天下来，筹集的百两黄金，就把她埋葬在南郊。好事的人还为她置备了带珍珠的帽子和华贵的寿袍。陪葬物十分丰富。


英译：

Shortly after the war was over, together with Geng Niang, Wang came back to his native place. Geng Niang was guided into his home to see his parents. Seeing this woman wasn’t her daughter-in-law, Wang’s mother felt quite surprised.
“My wife fell into a river and was drowned.” Wang told his mother. “So I married this new wife.”
Back into his own room, Wang wanted to harass Geng Niang again.
Geng Niang smilingly said, “You have the effrontery to say it! As a man over twenty years old, don’t you know anything about sexual activities? Even the most humble men know they must have themselves half-drunk before doing this sort of things. Now that you’re a rich man, I don’t think it’s difficult for you to drink some wine first. Do this sort of things with a clear head! It’s too disgraceful.”
Wang was very happy to drink with Geng Niang. Yet, with a wine bottle in hand, Geng Niang only urged Wang to drink. Gradually, Wang became drunk and refused to drink anymore. Holding a large bowl, Geng Niang still tried to look cheerful and urged him to drink. Having no heart to refuse her, Wang had to drink continuously. He was finally as drunk as a sow. Taking off clothes, he urged Geng Niang to sleep.
Taking wine and candle away, Geng Niang walked out on the pretext of going to pass urine. A moment later, she came back with a knife in hand. She groped for his head in the dark. Grasping her arm, Wang still muttered in great intimacy.
Exerting her strength, Geng Niang valiantly stabbed Wang, but he was still alive. He cried out and got up. She stabbed him time and again. He died at last. Hearing something unusual, his mother came and wanted to ask. But before opening her mouth, the old lady was already killed by Geng Niang. And meanwhile, Wang’s brother also realized something wrong.
Knowing she could find no hiding-place, Geng Niang immediately committed suicide by cutting her throat. But she failed because the knife was too dull. She could do nothing but push the window open and jump out and run as fast as possible. Wang’s brother ran after her. Geng Niang already jumped into a pond before Wang’s brother could catch up with her.
On hearing the news, many villagers ran over and tried every means to save her without any delay. But Geng Niang already died. Her appearance was extremely beautiful as if she was still alive.
After a postmortem examination for Wang, people found a letter on the window. On reading this letter, they learnt all about her misfortune Geng Niang stated in every detail.
Treating Geng Niang as a heroine, the villagers were busy with raising money for her funeral. After day break, thousands of people gathered here paying their respects to her remains. A large amount of fund was quickly collected. Some kind people also prepared gorgeous grave-clothes and expensive funerary objects for Geng Niang. Geng Niang was buried in the south suburb.




原文：

初，金生之溺也，浮片板上，得不死。将晓至淮上，为小舟所救。舟盖富民尹翁，专设以拯溺者。金既苏，诣翁申谢。翁优厚之。留教其子。金以不知亲耗，将往探访，故不决。俄曰：“捞得死叟及媪。”金疑是父母，奔验果然。翁代营棺木。生方哀恸，又白：“拯一溺妇，自言金生其夫。”生挥涕惊出，女子已至，殊非庚娘，乃十八妇也。向金大哭，请勿相弃。金曰：“我方寸已乱，何暇谋人？”妇益悲。尹审其故，喜为天报，劝金纳妇。金以居丧为辞，且将复仇，惧细弱*作累。妇曰：“如君言，脱*庚娘犹在，将以报仇居丧*去之耶？”翁以其言善，请暂代收养，金乃许之。卜葬翁媪，妇缞绖*哭泣，如丧翁姑。既葬，金怀刃托钵，将赴广陵，妇止之曰：“妾唐氏，祖居金陵，与豺子同乡，前言广陵者诈也。且江湖水寇，半伊同党，仇不能复，只取祸耳。”金徘徊不知所谋。忽传女子诛仇事，洋溢河渠*，姓名甚悉。金闻之一快，然益悲，辞妇曰：“幸不污辱。家有烈妇如此，何忍负心再娶？”妇以业有成说，不肯中离，愿自居于媵妾。

注释：

1．细弱：妇幼老弱等一家老小。2。脱：假如，或许。3．居丧：服丧。是说父母辞世，子女服丧三年。4．卜葬：择日而葬。卜，选择。读“补”。如，卜居，择地而居。5．缞绖：读“崔碟”，服丧的一种。6．广陵：扬州。金陵：南京。7．业有成说：把夫妻关系敲定。

白话：

当初，金大用落水之后，趴在一块漂浮的木板上，才没有死。快天亮的时候漂到了淮河上，被小船救起。小船大概是尹姓富翁专门为救落水者准备的。金苏醒后，就到老翁出表示拜谢。老翁热情款待他。留他教儿子读书。金因为不知亲人消息，准备四处探访而犹豫不决。不久有人说：“捞上一对死了的老夫妻。”金怀疑是自己的父母，就跑去看，果然不错。老翁代他置办棺木。金生极其哀恸，这时又有人说：“救上来一名落水的妇人，自称金生是她的丈夫。”金生涕泪横流，吃惊地往外跑，那女子已经到了，可并不是庚娘，而是王十八的媳妇。她向金大哭，请求他别抛弃她。金说：“我的心绪早已大乱，哪里有闲功夫帮助别人？”妇人越发悲伤。尹老翁问清来龙去脉，高兴地以为是老天的报应，劝金生收留妇人。金以居丧为借口，况且还将复仇，恐怕惧被家小拖住后腿。妇人说：“如果像你所说的那样，假如庚娘还在，那你就以报仇居丧为由把她赶走吗？”老翁认为她言之有理，就请求金暂时代他收养，金生这才答应。择日埋葬父母时，妇人披麻戴孝，哭哭泣泣，如同死了公婆。丧事结束，金生怀揣刀手托钵，要到扬州去，妇人连忙制止说：“我姓唐，祖居南京，和那个狼崽是同乡，从前说扬州是骗你呢。况且江湖水上的贼寇，一半是他的同党，仇不能报，只会招祸呀。”金生徘徊不知如何是好。忽然又传说女子杀人复仇的事，早在水乡泽国传遍了，姓甚名谁也很详细。金声听了感到十分痛快，可也越发悲伤起来，于是辞别妇人说：“万幸没有遭到玷污。家有这样的贞烈媳妇，怎忍心辜负她再娶呢？”妇人认为金与亡妻的夫妻名分早已铁定，虽然不肯半途离开，也只能甘愿做小。


英译：

After falling into the river, Jin grasped a wooden plank. Only because of this, did he have a narrow escape from death. Nearly at day break, he was saved by a little boat which was probably a life-boat belonging to a local rich old man named Yin.
Waking up, Jin paid a visit to the old man extending his hearty thanks. Cordially entertaining him, the old man asked Jin to stay with him as a tutor for his son.
Without knowing anything about his family, Joe was going to look for them, so he couldn’t make his mind whether or not he should accept this kind offer.
Shortly, someone said, “A dead old couple was dredged out of the river.”
Jin suspected they were his parents. He went to have a look and found they really were her parents. The old rich man prepared two coffins for the dead immediately.
Jin’s sorrow had just begun, others said, “A drowned woman was saved. She said her husband was Jin.”
Tears in eyes, Jin hurriedly rushed out. And the woman had already arrived. But she wasn’t his wife Geng Niang. She was just a young lady of eighteen years old. The stranger cried and asked Jin not to abandon her.
“I’m troubled in my heart.” Jin said. “ How can I help others?”
On hearing this, the young lady became more sorrowful than before.
Stealthily pondering over this matter, the old man thought this might be the will of Heaven. Taking this matter as a happy event, he urged Jin to take her.
On the pretext of being in funeral period, Jin declined.
“Besides, I’m going to take revenge.” Jin said. “I’m afraid I’ll be encumbered with a family, if I have one.”
“If Geng Niang is still alive, don’t you have the heart to abandon her on the pretext of taking revenge and being in funeral period?”
Thinking her words quite reasonable, the old man persuaded Jin into accepting the lady for the time being. Only at this moment, did Jin agree to take her.
During the funeral, the young lady cried sorrowfully as if she was the daughter-in-law of Jin’s parents.
After burying his parents, Jin was going to take revenge. But the young lady dissuaded him from doing so.
“I’m Wang’s fellow villager.” She said. “I know his diehard followers are all over the area of rivers and lakes. You can’t avenge yourself. And worse of all, you’ll be involved in disaster.”
While Jin didn’t know what to do next, the rumor was widespread that a woman bravely killed her enemy. Even her name was perfectly clear.
On learning this, Jin was delighted but simultaneously very sorrowful. He came to the young lady to express his refusal again.
“It’s so lucky our family hasn’t been soiled.” He said. “Now that I have this sort of heroine, how can I have the heart to betray her by my re-marriage?”
Taking on the pretext that he already agreed to accept her, the young lady refused to leave. She was even willing to be his concubine.


原文：

会*有副将军袁公，与尹有旧*，适将西发，过尹，见生，大相知爱，请为记室*。无何，流寇犯顺*，袁有大勋，金以参机务*，叙劳*，授游击*以归。夫妇始成合卺之礼。 居数日，携妇诣金陵，将以展*庚娘之墓。暂过镇江，欲登金山。漾舟中流，欻一艇过，中有一妪及少妇，怪少妇颇类庚娘。舟疾过，妇自窗中窥金，神情益肖。惊疑不敢追问，急呼曰：“看群鸭儿飞上天耶！”少妇闻之。亦呼云：“馋猧儿欲吃猫子腥耶！*”盖当年闺中之隐谑*也。金大惊，反棹近之，真庚娘。青衣*扶过舟，相抱哀哭，伤感行旅。唐氏以嫡礼*见庚娘。庚娘惊问，金始备述其由。庚娘执手曰：“同舟一话，心常不忘，不图吴越一家*矣。蒙代葬翁姑，所当首谢，何以此礼相向？”乃以齿序*，唐少庚娘一岁，妹之。

注释：

1．会：机会，时机。如“恰逢其会”，正赶上机会。此处引申为“当时正好”。2．有旧：有旧交情。3．记室：古代官名，掌管章表书记文檄之职。4．犯顺：叛逆。5．参机务：参谋军机要务。机务指军事机密。6．叙劳：按照功劳升迁。此处指得官。7．游击：下级武官名。8．展：扫墓。　
9．馋猧儿欲吃猫子腥耶：馋嘴狗想吃猫剩下的荤腥了吧？猧，狗，读“窝”。10．隐谑：玩笑话的隐语。谑，读“穴”，开玩笑。11．青衣：侍女。12．嫡礼：以正妻之礼见庚娘。13．吴越一家：敌对双方成为一家。吴越，指敌对双方。吴越，春秋时期两个诸侯国名。两国长期处于敌对状态，交战数世，后人就常用吴越代称成敌对双方。14．齿序：年龄为序。齿，年龄。如”“齿德俱尊”，年纪和品德都令人尊敬。指德高望重的老者。

白话：

当时正好有一位姓袁的副将军，和尹老翁有旧交情，正好要向西部发兵，路过尹家，见到了金生，非常喜欢他，就请他当了军中记室。没过多久，流寇叛乱，袁副将军立下大功，金生也因为参与军机而立功，被授予游击之官归乡探亲。夫妇这才正式举行成婚大礼。 过了几天，携带媳妇前往南京，去给庚娘扫墓。过了镇江，想登金山。乘船过江的时候，突然从身边划过一条船，船里有一位老太太和一位少妇，他觉得很奇怪，少妇非常像庚娘。船很快地划过去了，少妇从窗中窥视金生，神情也很像是庚娘。金生又吃惊又怀疑，也不敢追问，就急忙大声喊道：“看群鸭儿飞上天啦！”少妇听到后，也大声喊道：“馋狗想吃猫剩下的荤腥啦！”这都是当年闺中开玩笑的隐语。金生大吃一惊，叫船往回划近那条船，果真是庚娘。庚娘被侍女搀扶到金生的船上，两人相抱痛哭，令过往行人也非常悲伤。唐氏就以正妻拜见庚娘。庚娘吃惊地问是怎么回事，金生才把来龙去脉细说一遍。庚娘拉着唐氏的手说：“同在一条船上这么一说，这件事真是永远记在心上难以忘怀了，真没想到原来的仇敌现在居然成了一家。承蒙你代我埋葬了公婆，我应该首先感谢你，你怎么能以这种礼节对待我？”于是按照年龄大小，唐氏比庚娘小一岁，以妹妹相称。


英译：

The rich old man Yin had a good friend who was a general. One day, the general went west on duty and took the opportunity to pay a visit to Yin. Thinking highly of Jin, the general engaged him as his adjutant. Constantly rendering outstanding services, Jin had become a high-ranking commander before long. Taking a home leave as a good opportunity, he married the young lady.
A few days later, the couple took a boat going south to visit Geng Niang’s grave and offered sacrifices to her. They suddenly found a boat in which there were two women, one old, one young. Of the two, the latter seemed to be Geng Niang. When looking at Jin, her manner was nearly the same as that of Geng Niang. But Jin didn’t dare to follow and the boat passed by quickly.
Having a brain wave, Jin said aloud, “The duck is flying to the sky!”
On hearing this, the young lady replied, “The cat is eating fish!”
These two sentences were the joking words Jin and Geng Niang used to say whenever they were happy. Much astonished, Jin turned round and caught up with her. Truly, she was Geng Niang!
Supported by a maid, Geng Niang stepped over into Jin’s boat. Hugging tightly, they were chocked with tears.
Treating Geng Niang as Jin’s formal wife, Tang made a formal call to her.Greatly surprised, Geng Niang asked what had had happened. Only by then did Jin detail the whole story. Taking Tang’s hands, Geng Niang said, “ We say something like this in a same boat and this makes us never forget this matter. I’ve never expected the original enemies should become members in a same family. I am very grateful to you because you buried my father-in-law and mother-in-law for me. I should thank you first. How can you treak me according to these proprieties?” Since Tang was a year younger than Geng Niang, she treated Geng Niang as her elder sister in age order.



原文：

先是*，庚娘既葬，自不知历几春秋。忽一人呼曰：“庚娘，汝夫不死，尚当重圆。”遂如梦醒。扪之四面皆壁，始悟身死已葬，只觉闷闷，亦无所苦。有恶少窥其葬具丰美，发冢破棺，方将搜括，见庚娘犹活，相共骇惧。庚娘恐其害己，哀之曰：“幸汝辈来，使我得睹天日。头上簪珥，悉将去，愿鬻*我为尼，更可少得直。我亦不泄也。”盗稽首曰：“娘子贞烈，神人共钦。小人辈不过贫乏无计，作此不仁。但无漏言幸矣。何敢鬻作尼！”庚娘曰：“此我自乐之。”又一盗曰：“镇江耿夫人寡而无子，若见娘子必大喜。”庚娘谢之。自拔珠饰悉付盗，盗不敢受，固与之，乃共拜受。遂载去，至耿夫人家，托言舡风所迷。耿夫人，巨家，寡媪自度。见庚娘大喜，以为己出。适母子自金山归也，庚娘缅述*其故。金乃登舟拜母，母款之若婿。邀至家，留数日始归。后往来不绝焉。


注释：

1．先是：先，从前。是，这。在这之前，此前。2．鬻：卖。读“玉”。3．舡：船。读“红”。
4．缅述：追述。

白话：

此前，庚娘被埋葬之后，自己也不知过了几年。忽然有一个人招呼她：“庚娘，你丈夫没死，还应该重新团圆。”于是就如同从梦中醒来。摸一摸四面都是墙壁，这才觉悟到已经死了被埋葬在这里，只觉得很憋闷，倒也不怎么痛苦。这时有两个年轻的歹徒偷看到殉葬品又多又美，就掘坟破棺，刚要收拾殉葬品，见庚娘还活着，双方对视都很害怕。庚娘恐怕他们伤害自己，就哀求道：“幸亏你们来，才使我重见天日。头上发簪耳环，都拿去，我愿意让你们把我当尼姑卖掉，还可以再得一点钱。我也不向外泄露这件事。”其中一个盗墓贼连忙磕头说：“娘子贞烈，神人都钦佩。小人不过太穷没有办法，才做这种不仁不义的事。但是不往外泄露就已经万幸了。哪里还敢把你当尼姑卖掉呢！”庚娘说：“这是我自愿的。”另一名盗墓贼说：“镇江耿夫人独身一人，无儿无女，如果见到娘子必然非常高兴。”庚娘谢过他们。自己拔下珠宝饰品全都交给盗墓贼，他们不敢收，庚娘坚决要给，两贼才一起下拜接受。于是把庚娘用船送到耿夫人家，借口说船遇到大风迷失了方向。耿夫人，大户人家，独身一人度日。见到庚娘非常高兴，把她视为自己所生。刚才母女二人离开金山回家，庚娘把事情前因后果详细追述一遍。金生连忙登上对方的船，以岳母相拜，老太太也把金生当女婿款待。邀请他到家里，留下住上几天才回家。此后往来不断。


英译：

After being buried underground, Geng Niang didn’t know how many years had passed over. A man suddenly called her, “Geng Niang, your husband didn’t die. You should reunite.”
Hearing this, she felt dazed as if just waking up from a dream. Feeling with hands, there were walls all round. Only at this moment, did she realize she already died and was buried deep under the ground. She only felt stuffy but not painful.
It turned out to be an accidental occurrence.
There were several loafers in this area. One day, it suddenly occurred to them that they could get something valuable by robbing a grave. They still remembered there were many expensive funerary objects in Geng Niang’s coffin.
After opening the coffin, they found Geng Niang was still alive. Both the grave robbers and Geng Niang were scared to death. Geng Niang was afraid the evil doers would hurt her.
“As luck would have it, you happen to come here when I need help,” said Geng Niang. “Otherwise, I would never be able to see the daylight again.” She implored them to take pity on her. “There’re some expensive jewelries in my hair. Don’t hesitate to take them all. Even if selling me out as a nun, maybe you can get some money. Whatever you do, I’ll keep secret.”
The head of the grave robbers hurriedly kowtowed to her, saying, “You’re really a virtuous heroine. Both the gods and human beings highly admire and respect you.” He said continuously. “We do this sort of evil things only because of poverty. If you can keep secret for us, we already feel satisfied. How can we get the guts to sell you as a nun?”
“I’m all willingness to let you do,” said Geng Niang.
“The widow Mrs. Gen has no son and daughter,” another grave robber said. “If she sees you, she is certainly delighted.”
Geng Niang thanked them and took off the jewelries from her hair and gave them to the grave robbers. They didn’t dare to accept them. But she persisted in giving them the jewelries. At last, they took them very politely.
They settled Geng Niang into a boat and sent her to Mrs. Gen. The old lady was indeed very delighted and took her as her own daughter. And today, they were just on their way home after a journey and met Jin by chance.
Learning the whole story, Jin was deeply moved and turned round to her new mother a kowtow. And the old lady treated Jin as her own son-in-law.
Cordially invited by Mrs. Gen, Jin and his new wife visited Geng Niang’s new home and stayed there for several days. From then on, the two families had been keeping a very close relationship.



原文：

异史氏曰：“大变当前，淫者生之，贞者死焉。生者裂人眦*，死者雪人涕*耳。至如谈笑不惊，手刃*仇雠*，千古烈丈夫中岂多匹俦*哉！谁谓女子，遂不可比踪彦云*也？”

注释：

1．裂人眦：令人恨得眼眶爆裂。眦，眼眶，读“自”。同“眥”。2．雪人涕：令人涕泪满面。雪，擦拭。3．手刃：亲手杀掉。刃，动词，杀。4．仇雠：仇敌。雠，音义皆同“仇”。5．匹俦：匹敌，并列，相提并论。俦，伴侣，读“筹”。
6．比踪彦云：和彦云相比。意思是说与英雄相比。比踪，并驾齐驱。相比。彦云，是曹魏时期王淩的字。王因为反对司马氏专权被杀。

白话：

作者感言：“重大变故发生后，坏人活着，好人死了。活着的气得人眼眶爆裂，死了的令人悲伤流泪。（烈女）甚至谈笑自由，处变不惊，亲手杀掉仇敌，自古以来的豪杰男儿有几个能和她相比呢！谁说女子不能和彦云那样的英烈相比？

英译：


Author’s Commentary:
With an emergency before us, whoever loose survive, whoever pure and chaste die. The survivors cause our wrath, while the dead make us lament with tears. As for Geng Niang and her like who can kill their enemies without turning a hair and just talking cheerfully and humorously, through the ages, only a few men with fiery temper can compare favorably with them. Who says women cannot run neck and neck with brave men?