The Two Brides by Pu Songling
After his cousin Kuei-hsiu's father refuses their marriage, Chi-shêng falls ill, then turns to Wu-k‘o after seeing her in a dream. On his wedding day, Kuei-hsiu's mother sends her ahead as a bride; Wu-k‘o follows, and both wives live happily together. Wu-k‘o later reveals that she tested his attachment by refusing him and that their dreams of her visit matched.
By Pu Songling · Genre: Short Story, Romance, Supernatural Fiction · 2,415 words
First lines
Note on the title: This story is a sequel to the last.
Genres
- Short Story — A compact prose narrative follows Chi-shêng's frustrated marriage proposals through an unexpected wedding and a final explanation of matching dreams.
- Romance — Chi-shêng's attachment to Kuei-hsiu, his subsequent pursuit of Wu-k‘o, and both women's determination to marry him drive the action.
- Supernatural Fiction — The couple recount matching dreams of Wu-k‘o's visit, which she understands as her spirit having gone to Chi-shêng.
Tags
matchmaking · cousin marriage · lovesickness · shared dreams · wedding surprises · polygamy
What this Textopian page supports
The Two Brides is listed on Textopian as a short story by Pu Songling, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Pu Songling
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Romance, Supernatural Fiction
- Length: 2,415 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Two Brides by Pu Songling
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