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Overview
Shang first meets Tertia Hu, who introduces her younger sister Quarta. Quarta openly says she is a fox and warns that Tertia has already killed three people. Skilled in the arts of the Immortals, she writes a charm for Shang's door that bars her dangerous sister. The sisters later drive off a rival fox woman and reconcile with Shang.
At his parents' request, a man from Shensi whose brother was killed by fox spirits performs an exorcism. Four wreaths of smoke enter two bottles sealed with pig's bladder. From inside, Quarta reproaches Shang and tells him to lower the ritual flag and prick the bladder. She escapes as white smoke, and the exorcist, noting that one prisoner has fled, ascribes it to fate.
Ten years later she meets Shang beneath a tree, saying she has attained immortality and cannot return to mortal affairs. Twenty years after that she comes again, now entered in the register of immortals, names the date of his death and promises him safe passage to the happy land. Shang dies on that day.
Origins & earliest records
Literary narrative by Pu Songling, attested here in the 1880 Giles translation. This is neither an origin date nor proof of an oral source.
Records & interpretation
Giles, Volume I, story XIX, Miss Quarta Hu, pp. 152–157.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio
Selected bibliography; public-domain English translation by Giles.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text, public-domain translationStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio, volumes I and II (plain text)Research access: 2026-10-06
- Catalogue recordStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Project Gutenberg catalogue recordResearch access: 2026-10-06
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.