Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

The next morning.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

Wang Xuan got up upon hearing the sound and opened the door.

A girl of about sixteen years old stood in front of the door. Her simple dress accentuated her slender figure. She had gentle features and was not wearing any makeup, yet she was still beautiful and charming.

With skin as white as snow and a slender figure, she is still young, but has already shed her childishness, possessing both the charm of a young girl and an ethereal, otherworldly beauty.

She spoke softly, "Is it Young Master Wang, the third-ranked scholar?"

Feng San Niang is a fox spirit who is born with the ability to observe a person's eyebrows, temperament, bone structure, and future prospects. She can discern the quality of a scholar's academic achievements simply by looking at his appearance and demeanor.

The man before her was incredibly talented, and she already knew her answer.

Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly; this form of address sounded rather strange.

He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and asked, "May I ask your name, young lady? What brings you here?"

Wang Xuan was staying at the post station, which was guarded by postmen. Ordinary women could not enter and leave at will, so the woman in front of him was no ordinary person.

The young woman curtsied and said, "I am Feng San Niang, the sworn sister of Fan Shiyi Niang."

"Your name is Feng San Niang?"

Wang Xuan carefully examined the girl in front of him.

Feng San Niang asked curiously, "Has Young Scholar Wang heard of me?"

Feng San Niang, Fan Shiyi Niang...

Isn't this the protagonist of the story "Feng San Niang" in Liaozhai?

These two names sound so familiar.

He had not read all of the stories in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.

However, he had a deep memory of this particular piece.

Who wouldn't want to see two pretty girls snuggling together?

Feng San Niang was originally a fox spirit, and she fell in love with Fan Shiyi Niang.

However, she also knew that the two were both women, and that humans and demons were different, so she always thought about finding a reliable man for Fan Shiyi Niang.

Later, she met Meng Anren, a poor scholar, at the temple. San Niang saw that although he was poor at present, he would definitely pass the imperial examination and have a bright future. She believed that he was the perfect match for Shiyi Niang.

She took the initiative to confess her feelings to Shiyi Niang and volunteered to act as a matchmaker for the two of them. She visited Meng Sheng as Shiyi Niang's sworn sister, thus starting this marriage.

Fan Chongwen disliked Meng Anren's poor family background and resolutely refused to marry him. However, Fan Shiyi Niang said that she would not marry anyone but Meng Anren. Fan Chongwen thought that they had an affair and, in a fit of rage, betrothed Shiyi Niang to a powerful and wealthy young man.

Fan Shiyi Niang had already agreed to marry Meng Anren to Feng San Niang. Now, how could a woman marry two husbands? In despair, she hanged herself.

Feng San Niang used a fox clan elixir to revive Shi Yi Niang from the dead, and led the two to a secluded place to live in seclusion, finally allowing them to marry.

After their marriage, the three of them lived together in a separate courtyard. The third wife deliberately avoided suspicion and rarely met with Meng Anren.

But Eleventh Sister couldn't bear to be separated from Third Sister, so she came up with a plan to imitate the ancient practice of two women serving one husband, hoping to marry Third Sister with Meng Anren so they could stay together forever.

Feng San Niang was naturally unwilling.

Fan Shiyi Niang devised a plan to get Feng San Niang drunk, and then summoned Meng Anren, who naturally accepted all comers.

After sobering up, Third Sister realized that she had broken her vow and was no longer destined for immortality. She frankly revealed her identity as a fox spirit and said that Eleventh Sister was her love tribulation. This earthly bond was over, and staying would only delay her cultivation.

He then resolutely withdrew and left.

This ending is truly heartbreaking.

Thoughts may churn a thousand times, but they pass in the blink of an eye.

"Please come in and talk," Wang Xuan said gently, stepping aside. "I suppose that Eleventh Sister is the girl I saw at the Fan residence yesterday? I seem to have heard people say that you two have a deep friendship."

Feng San Niang slowly walked into the house and said with a light smile, "Yes, Little Wang, the third-ranked scholar."

Wang Xuan led her to a seat and said gently, "You may call me Young Master or Young Master Wang, there's no need to address me as the Third Scholar."

Feng Sanniang called out softly, "Young Master Wang."

"Third Sister came to see me; could it be that you have a matching line for yesterday's couplet?"

Feng San Niang paused slightly, then shook her head: "No. However, Shiyi Niang also has a pair; would you be willing to give them a try, young master?"

"I would like to hear the details."

Feng Sanniang smiled gently: "The three lights are the sun, the moon, and the stars."

After a moment's thought, Wang Xuan replied, "The four seasons are spring, autumn, and winter."

Feng San Niang frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "But Xia is missing from this couplet."

Wang Xuan calmly retorted, "Summer is all around us, why should it be written into words?"

"Young master, you are truly discerning," Feng Sanniang said with a light scolding, then got down to business. "Actually, I came here today to act as matchmaker for you. Shiyi Niang has taken a liking to you and is willing to entrust her life to you. I wonder what your opinion is, young master?"

Wang Xuan said solemnly, "Third Sister, I already have a wife at home. Would Eleventh Sister be willing to become my concubine?"

"Even if Eleventh Sister agreed, I'm afraid Master Fan wouldn't." Third Sister Feng immediately stood up, her delicate brows furrowed, her tone tinged with anger: "You already have a wife at home, why bother provoking her?"

How did I provoke her?

Feng Sanniang, her heart heavy with unsettling emotions, said urgently, "Yesterday, your words in front of her were unrestrained and captivating, and you left behind such absolutes, disturbing her mind. Now that Shiyi Niang has feelings for you, isn't this just provoking her?"

Wang Xuan remained silent for a moment, then smiled apologetically and said, "It was indeed my recklessness that caused this, and I am willing to try to make amends."

"How are you going to make amends? Are you going to divorce your wife?"

Wang Xuan slowly shook his head and said, "Friends made in poverty and hardship should not be forgotten, and wives who have shared hardship should not be abandoned."

He paused briefly, then slowly continued, "If Eleventh Sister is willing to be my concubine, I am willing to marry her. If not, since Eleventh Sister is still unmarried, I will find her another excellent match, what do you say?"

Feng San Niang still looked gloomy and could only ask, "Who?"

Wang Xuan smiled meaningfully: "You were going to act as a matchmaker for me just now, so how about I return the favor and act as a matchmaker for you, Third Sister?"

Feng San Niang was taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed red, both ashamed and angry: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Does Third Sister like Eleventh Sister?"

Feng San Niang quickly averted her gaze and denied it in a flustered tone, "No, you're talking nonsense, how could I?"

"Third Sister, there's no need to hide it. Since you care so much about Eleventh Sister's situation, you must love her too," Wang Xuan said gently, his tone softening. "Think about it. If Eleventh Sister marries the wrong person, her life will be ruined. Do you really want to see another man wantonly bully, humiliate, and whip her? Perhaps he'll even force her to get you drunk, so that she'll also..."

Wang Xuan couldn't bear to see Meng Anren take advantage of the situation to get what he wanted from Feng San Niang in the future.

This can be considered a well-intentioned suggestion from him.

Feng San Niang's delicate body trembled slightly.

Whether it was Eleven's or her own, she didn't want to see this ending.

She retorted, still dissatisfied, "I'm a girl, how can I marry her?"

"Third Sister is indeed beautiful, but if she were dressed as a man, she would also be absolutely stunning. If you're concerned about your identity, I can become your sworn brother and mediate for you, what do you say?"

"This is absurd! How could this be?"

"You're not Eleventh Sister, how do you know she's unwilling?" Wang Xuan said calmly. "How about Third Sister arranges for me to go out with her, and I'll explain the pros and cons to her?"