A Master’s Wife and a Ghost

A wu is one who summons the gods through dance. A xi is one who serves the spirits with ritual purity. Men are called xi, women wu. Wu and xi can see ghosts and spirits; they are both human and divine, with a dual identity. Hence the saying, "One is both a master's wife and a ghost." Xie Yan, the only son of the Xie family, is recruited by the Wu family because he carries the Collection of Xie Yu, and is married to Wu Changze, the young clan leader's son. Who could have known that Changze would die three days later, and Xie Yan would flee? A month afterward, clouds and mist gather over Cangqiong Mountain. A ten-year-old child finds the old Xie family home and calls Xie Yan Master's Wife. Xie Yan rubs his forehead helplessly. "I'm a man. If you're going to call me anything, call me Master." "All right, Master's Wife." Yi Zhi smiles sweetly. Years later, the handsome young disciple wraps his arms around Xie Yan. "Yi Zhi thinks it's about time I called you something else." Xie Yan is overjoyed. His years of careful teaching have finally paid off; his young disciple has learned to call him Master at last. He wipes away a tear. "From now on, I won't call you Master's Wife. How about calling you my darling?" Xie Yan: ...