幻中游

In the waning years of the Ming, a diligent scholar named Shih E—known for his steadfast refusal to bow to superstition—struggles through repeated failures at the imperial examinations. After countless setbacks, his perseverance finally earns him a place on the prestigious “Heavenly List,” and his reputation spreads across the province. Yet the honor brings a summons to the capital for a rigorous verification, thrusting him into a dilemma between duty and the safety of his young, prodigious son.

At home, his devoted wife, Zhu, offers pragmatic counsel, urging him to accept the appointment while assuring that their household can endure his absence. Together they prepare for the journey, gathering provisions, entrusting a loyal servant, and even acquiring a mysterious anthology of esoteric tales that piques Shih’s curiosity. The family’s resolve is tested as they set sail toward the bustling capital, where scholars gather, street performers recite legends, and the shadows of ancient myths linger in the alleys.

Along the way, Shih encounters a bustling market of curiosities, from a battered copy of “The Peony Pavilion” to a wandering storyteller recounting ghostly adventures. These encounters hint at a world where the line between scholarly pursuits and the supernatural is thin, promising a narrative that weaves ambition, familial devotion, and the subtle pull of unseen forces.