Yin Tianguan of Licheng was poor in youth but bold and resourceful. In the county there was a mansion of an old family, covering several score mu, with linked towers and halls. Strange things were often seen there, and for that reason it stood abandoned with no one living in it. In time the wormwood grew thick, and even in broad daylight none dared enter. Once, when the future minister was drinking with some licentiates, someone jested, "Whoever can spend a night in that house, we will all club together to stand him a feast." Yin leapt up and cried, "What is so hard in that!" Taking a mat with him, he went. The others escorted him to the gate and said in jest, "We will wait for you a while; if you see anything, cry out at once." Yin laughed and said, "If there are ghosts or foxes, I shall catch them for evidence."
He entered and found tall sedge overgrowing the path and mugwort as dense as hemp. It was the time of the first quarter moon, and luckily the dim moonlight showed him the doors. Feeling his way through several courtyards, he at last reached the rear tower. He climbed the moon terrace, which was smooth and pleasant, and stopped there. Looking west, the bright moon was but a line resting on the mountain. He sat a long while, and nothing at all strange appeared; he secretly smiled at the falseness of the tales. He spread his mat on the ground, pillowed his head on a stone, and lay watching the Herd-boy and the Weaver Girl stars. When the first watch was nearly over, he dozed off in a daze. He heard footsteps on the stairs below, rustling up. Feigning sleep, he glanced sidelong and saw a person in blue carrying a lotus lantern, who, catching sight of him, started back in alarm and said to one behind, "There is a living man here." A voice below asked, "Who is it?" "I do not know," was the answer. Presently an old man came up, looked at Yin closely, and said, "This is Minister Yin; he is fast asleep. Let us attend to our business; the gentleman is free and easy and will perhaps not chide us." Then they went in a body up to the tower, all the doors of which were flung open. After a while more and more people came and went, and the tower blazed with light as bright as day. Yin stirred a little and coughed and sneezed. The old man, hearing that he was awake, came out and knelt, saying, "I have a humble daughter who is to be married this night. I little thought to disturb your honor; I hope you will not take it too amiss." Yin rose, raised him up, and said, "I did not know that this was your wedding night; I am ashamed to have no gift for it." The old man said, "Your honor's presence suppresses evil and brings fortune. We are fortunate. If you would but honor us with your company, it would add greatly to our glory." Yin was pleased and assented. Entering, he saw the tower furnished with splendor. A woman came out and bowed; she was past forty. "This is my unworthy wife," said the old man. Yin bowed to her. Presently a blare of pipes and drums assailed the ears, and someone ran up crying, "They have come!" The old man hurried out to meet them, and Yin stood waiting too. After a little, a cluster of caged lanterns led in the bridegroom, a youth of seventeen or eighteen, of graceful and handsome mien. The old man bade him first salute the noble guest. The youth looked at Yin, who, as if he were the master of ceremonies, returned half a host's bow. Then the bridegroom and the bride's father bowed to each other, and after that they took their seats. Presently beauties with painted brows came flocking like clouds, wine and dainties rose in a mist, and jade bowls and gold cups glittered upon the table. When the wine had gone round several times, the old man called a waiting-maid to bring out the young lady. The maid assented and went in, but did not come out for a long while. The old man rose himself, lifted the curtain, and urged her on. Presently the maids came crowding in with the bride, whose girdle-jewels tinkled and whose scent of musk and orchids filled the air. The old man bade her bow to the guest. Rising, she sat beside her mother. Yin glanced at her sidelong—a bright phoenix hairpin, sparkling earrings, a beauty matchless in the world. Presently wine was poured into a golden cup of huge capacity, holding several pecks. Yin thought to himself that this cup would be worth showing to his companions, and slipped it secretly into his sleeve. Then, pretending drunkenness, he leaned on the table and fell asleep. All said, "The gentleman is drunk." After a while the bridegroom was heard to take his leave, and with a great burst of music the company trooped down the stairs and away. Then the host gathered up the wine-vessels and found one small cup missing; he searched secretly everywhere. Someone whispered that the sleeping guest must have it. The old man hastily bade them be silent, fearing only that Yin might hear.
After a while all was quiet within and without. Only then did Yin rise. It was dark, with no lamp, but the scent of cosmetics and wine filled the four walls. Seeing that the east was white with dawn, he came out leisurely. He felt in his sleeve—the golden cup was still there. At the gate the licentiates were already waiting, suspecting that he had gone out at night and come back at dawn. Yin brought out the cup to show them. Astonished, they questioned him, and Yin told them the whole tale. Reflecting that such a thing could not belong to a poor scholar, they believed him.
Later Yin passed the examinations and became magistrate of Feiqiu. A great family of the Zhu clan gave a banquet in his honor and ordered a huge goblet to be brought, but it was a long time in coming. A serving-lad whispered to the host, whose face grew angry. Presently a golden cup was brought to urge the guest to drink. Yin examined it closely—its shape and carving were exactly like the fox's cup. Puzzled, he asked whence it came. The host answered, "There were eight cups; when my father was a minister at the capital he had them made by a skilled craftsman. They are heirlooms and have been carefully kept. On account of your honor's visit we have just taken them from the chest, and only seven remain. I suspected a servant of stealing one, but they have lain sealed in dust for ten years—it is very strange." Yin smiled and said, "The golden cup has been transformed and flown away. But the heirloom is not to be lost. I have one very like it, which I beg to present to you." When the feast was over he returned to his office, chose out the cup, and sent it to the host. The host examined it and was astounded. He came in person to thank Yin and ask whence it came, and Yin told him the whole story from beginning to end. Then he knew that a thing a thousand li away the fox could fetch—yet dare not keep forever.