法苑珠林 5.30

5.30

Xian Chao, whose style name was Yiqi, was a clerk of Jibei commandery during the Wei dynasty. In the middle of the Jiaping reign era, while spending the night alone, he dreamed that a divine maiden came to join him. She referred to herself as a heavenly jade maiden, a native of Dong commandery, surnamed Chenggong, and styled Zhiqiong. Having lost her parents early, the Heavenly Emperor took pity on her solitary distress and sent her down to marry and follow a husband. While dreaming, his vital spirits were stirred awake; he admired her extraordinary beauty, which was not the countenance of an ordinary mortal. After waking, he yearned for her, as if she were present yet vanished. After three or four such nights, she manifestly came to visit him. She rode in a curtained carriage accompanied by eight maidservants, wearing garments of damask, silk, and embroidery; her appearance and figure were like that of a flying immortal. She herself said she was seventy years old, but looked like a maiden of fifteen or sixteen. In the carriage were flagons and jars of pure white lapis lazuli, with five sets of drink and fare, filled with strange delicacies. She then set out wine and food to drink and dine together with Yiqi. She said to Yiqi: 'I am a jade maiden of heaven. Having been sent down to marry, I have come to join you. It is not on account of your virtue, but because of past karmic fortunes that we should be husband and wife. I can bring you no benefit, nor will I bring you harm. However, in your travels you may always ride light carriages and mount fat horses; in food and drink you may always obtain rare flavors and exotic dishes; and plain silks can be provided in abundance without lack. Yet I am a spirit, so I will not bear children for you, nor do I have a jealous nature; I will not interfere with your worldly marriage.' Thereupon they became husband and wife, and she presented him with a poem, the text of which read: