A Solitary Scholar and His Midnight Visitor

In the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), a scholar named Tan Sheng lived a life of quiet desperation. At forty years old—an advanced age for bachelorhood in ancient China—he remained unmarried, finding solace only in his fervent recitations of the Classic of Poetry (Shijing). This foundational Confucian text, filled with romantic odes like Guanju (“Ospreys Cry”), likely deepened his longing for companionship.

One fateful midnight, his solitude was shattered by the arrival of an extraordinary visitor: a breathtaking young woman, no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, whose beauty and attire surpassed all earthly standards. She proposed an immediate marriage but issued a cryptic warning: “I am different from ordinary people. You must never illuminate me with firelight. Only after three years may you look upon me.”

The Forbidden Revelation

Their unconventional union flourished, producing a son within two years. Yet Tan Sheng’s curiosity proved his undoing. Unable to resist the mystery, he stealthily lit a lamp while his wife slept. The horrifying revelation: her upper body had fully regenerated as human flesh, while below the waist remained skeletal.

The awakened spirit wept bitterly: “You have betrayed me. I was so close to complete resurrection—why couldn’t you wait one more year?” Her anguish stemmed from interrupted fanhun (返魂), a Daoist concept of soul-return where spirits could regain human form through specific rituals and timeframes.

The Parting Gifts

Though their marital bond was irrevocably broken, the ghostly bride demonstrated remarkable pragmatism. Recognizing Tan Sheng’s poverty, she led him to a supernatural palace filled with treasures. There, she gifted him a pearl-encrusted robe—a garment that would alter his destiny—and tore a piece from his sleeve as keepsake before vanishing into the night.

The Royal Reckoning

When Tan Sheng later sold the robe at market, it was purchased by the household of the Prince of Suiyang (modern Shangqiu, Henan). The prince immediately recognized it as burial attire from his deceased daughter’s tomb. Accused of grave robbery, Tan Sheng recounted his unbelievable story.

Investigation proved astonishing:
– The daughter’s tomb showed no signs of disturbance
– The torn sleeve fragment matched perfectly beneath the coffin lid
– Their young son bore striking resemblance to the deceased princess

Faced with irrefutable evidence, the prince not only accepted Tan Sheng’s account but embraced him as son-in-law, securing an official post (langzhong court attendant) for their half-human heir.

Cultural Echoes Through the Centuries

This 2nd-century CE tale from Liexian Zhuan (Biographies of Immortals) reveals several enduring themes in Chinese literature:

1. Scholar-Spirit Romance Tropes
The story established narrative patterns that would dominate later zhiguai (supernatural tales) and Ming-Qing dynasty vernacular fiction—particularly the impoverished scholar receiving supernatural aid from a beautiful otherworldly woman.

2. Confucian Tensions
Tan Sheng’s failure to keep his promise reflects Confucian concerns about self-discipline, while the ghost’s filial concern for their child embodies xiao (filial piety) beyond death.

3. Han Dynasty Burial Practices
The pearl robe represents actual Han aristocratic funerary customs, where jade burial suits and precious textiles were believed to aid the soul’s journey.

Modern Psychological Interpretations

Contemporary readers might view this as:
– An allegory for the dangers of impatience in relationships
– Projection of male anxieties about female mystery
– Wish-fulfillment fantasy for marginalized scholars

The tale’s endurance speaks to universal human fascinations—our fear of the unknown, longing for second chances, and the transformative power of love across unimaginable boundaries. While modern sensibilities dismiss literal ghost marriages, the story’s emotional core—trust betrayed, opportunities lost, and unexpected redemption—remains profoundly resonant.