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Welcome to Chinestories, a podcast that brings to life the captivating tales of ancient China. Dive into timeless stories from classics like Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Dream of the Red Chamber, and The Three Words and Two Slaps. Here, you'll encounter talented scholars, beautiful maidens, spirits, and mystical creatures like fox spirits and ghosts. Each episode transports you to a world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, showcasing the richness of Chinese folklore and literature.


After hearing this, Fan secretly discussed a plan with Meng. She suggested that he pretend to leave on a long journey. That night, she tricked Sanniang into drinking a lot of wine until she was thoroughly drunk. With Sanniang asleep, Meng quietly slipped into her room and lay beside her.

When Sanniang woke up the next morning, she said to Fan,

"Sister, you’ve trapped me. If I had kept my vow of celibacy, I would have ascended to the first heaven when my training was complete. But now, because of your scheme, this was meant to be my fate."

She packed her things, preparing to leave. Fan, filled with guilt, pleaded with her,

"Please, don’t blame me. I only meant well."

Sanniang sighed,

"Let me tell you the truth—I’m a fox spirit. When I first saw your beauty, I became enamored, entangled in emotions I couldn't control. Now, I’ve fallen into my own trap. This is a trial of love and desire, one I couldn't escape. If I stay any longer, the love demon will torment me without end. Sister, you have a bright future ahead. Cherish it, and take care of yourself."

With that, Sanniang disappeared, leaving no trace behind. Fan and Meng were left in awe, marveling at her story for a long time.

A year later, Meng passed both the provincial and metropolitan exams, and was appointed to a prestigious position at the Hanlin Academy. Feeling it was time to mend the family rift, he brought his official name card to Fan’s father, seeking to pay his respects.

Fan’s father, filled with shame and regret, refused to see him. After much persistence from Meng, he eventually agreed to meet. Meng bowed low, showing great respect and treating him like a father-in-law. However, Fan’s father was still bitter and suspected Meng of mocking him. To clear up the misunderstanding, Meng asked for a private conversation, where he explained everything that had happened.

Fan’s father was still skeptical, so he sent someone to investigate Meng’s story. Only when the truth was confirmed did he finally rejoice. He asked Meng not to tell anyone about the ordeal, fearing potential trouble.

Two years later, the same powerful gentleman who had once tried to marry his son to Fan was caught in a bribery scandal. Both father and son were exiled to the remote frontier of Liaohai. With that, Fan was finally free to return to her family home.


The story of Feng Sanniang is filled with romance, mystery, and a deep sense of tragedy. It portrays an intense, same-sex love, the struggles of marriage due to class differences, and the presence of a mystical fox spirit.

In this tale, heterosexual love is considered the "norm," and where there is a so-called "normal," there is a so-called "abnormal." In ancient Chinese literature, depictions of male homosexuality are not uncommon. However, these stories often reduce male same-sex relationships to a dynamic of manipulation and exploitation, reflecting the power disparity between the high-ranking and the subservient. Such relationships are more about power and pleasure than mutual affection. In contrast, stories depicting female same-sex love are incredibly rare.

Why? Because in a patriarchal society, women were often seen as objects of male desire, dependent and fragile beings. It was inconceivable for women to have romantic inclinations that did not point towards men but towards other women.

The story of Feng Sanniang showcases the plight and helplessness faced by women in same-sex love. The bond between Sanniang and Fan is deep and goes beyond mere friendship. Yet, in the societal norms of their time, female same-sex relationships were considered taboo, making it impossible to be acknowledged or accepted. Sanniang understands that, despite their profound affection, she cannot offer Fan the socially accepted marriage and family. Thus, caught between love and reality, she chooses to arrange Fan’s marriage to Meng Anren. This act reflects both her concern for Fan’s happiness and her concession to the societal norms of their time. In the end, Sanniang's departure symbolizes her persistence in love and, simultaneously, her submission to the social pressures that dictate the limits of her relationship.