真情是否能跨越生死？《王蘭》描寫一位女子在命運無情捉弄下，仍堅守初心與情義，即使陰陽相隔，也不願背棄承諾。故事融合愛情、志怪與人性，展現蒲松齡對忠誠與命運的深刻描寫。
Can true devotion survive even death itself? “Wang Lan” tells the moving story of a woman whose unwavering loyalty defies fate, blending romance, the supernatural, and profound reflections on destiny into one of Pu Songling’s unforgettable tales.
中文
王蘭自幼聰慧溫婉，出身普通人家，雖無顯赫門第，卻以善良誠懇聞名鄉里。她與青年書生李生自幼相識，兩人志趣相投，彼此傾心，雙方父母亦默許婚約，只待李生考取功名便正式成婚。然而天意弄人，李生赴京應試途中遭逢疫病，不幸客死異鄉，消息傳回故里後，王蘭悲痛欲絕。親友勸她另覓良緣，她卻堅決拒絕，日日守著兩人昔日書信與信物，始終相信真情不會隨死亡消失。數月後，每逢夜深人靜，王蘭總夢見李生前來探望。夢中的他神情平和，依舊談論往日理想，叮囑她珍重身體，不必因自己而耽誤一生。王蘭醒來後雖然傷感，卻覺得夢境真實得不可思議。某夜，她忽然聽見熟悉的敲門聲，開門後竟看見李生站在月光下，容貌與生前毫無分別。兩人促膝長談直到天明，李生始終未曾踏入陽光，只在雞鳴之前悄然離去。此後，他隔數日便來探望一次，陪伴王蘭讀書賞月，宛如昔日一般。王蘭從未向外人提起，只將這段奇異相聚深藏心中。直到一位雲遊道士經過村中，遠遠望見李生的身影後，神色驟變。他告訴王蘭，人鬼終究殊途，即使鬼魂沒有惡意，長久相聚仍會耗損陽氣，對雙方都沒有好處。王蘭雖萬分不捨，仍決定與李生坦誠相對。再次相見時，李生微笑承認自己早已身故，只因心願未了，不忍留下她孤身一人，因此才借月夜重返人間。如今見她仍然堅強善良，自己已無遺憾，也該回到應去之處。他輕輕將當年訂情玉佩交還王蘭，感謝她始終不改初心。臨別前，兩人在月色下互道珍重，李生的身影隨晨霧漸漸消散，只留下淡淡花香瀰漫庭院。王蘭沒有沉溺悲傷，而是將玉佩珍藏終身，並照顧雙方父母，行善積德，以完成兩人共同的心願。多年後，她安然辭世。鄉人相傳，在她離開人世那一夜，有人看見一對年輕男女並肩走向遠方，神情安詳而幸福，彷彿終於跨越陰陽再次團聚。《王蘭》沒有刻意渲染鬼怪恐怖，而是以細膩筆觸描寫真情的力量。蒲松齡藉由陰陽重逢的奇幻情節，讚頌忠誠、信任與承諾，並提醒世人，真正的愛情並不因生命終止而消失，而會化作支撐彼此前行的力量，使人即使歷經命運考驗，依然能守住內心最珍貴的善良與真心。
English Version
Wang Lan was known throughout her village for her gentle nature, intelligence, and sincere kindness. Though born into an ordinary family, she possessed quiet dignity that earned everyone’s respect. From childhood she shared a deep friendship with a young scholar named Li. As they grew older, admiration blossomed into love, and their families happily agreed that they would marry once Li completed the imperial examinations. Before that dream could be fulfilled, tragedy struck. While traveling to the capital, Li contracted a deadly illness and passed away far from home. News of his death devastated Wang Lan. Family members urged her to accept another marriage proposal, believing time would heal her sorrow. She refused every suggestion, preserving his letters and keepsakes as treasured reminders of the promises they had shared. Months later, unusual dreams began visiting her night after night. Li appeared calm and peaceful, speaking gently about their memories while encouraging her to care for herself and continue living without regret. The dreams felt so vivid that she awoke believing they had truly met. One moonlit evening, a familiar knock echoed at her door. Opening it cautiously, she found Li standing quietly beneath the silver light exactly as he had appeared in life. They spent the night talking, reading poetry, and recalling happier days together. Before sunrise, however, he always departed without explanation. These mysterious visits continued for many weeks. Wang Lan kept the secret hidden from everyone, fearing disbelief or misunderstanding. Eventually, a wandering Taoist priest passed through the village and caught sight of Li’s lingering spirit. Recognizing the supernatural truth, he gently warned Wang Lan that although the ghost carried no malicious intent, prolonged meetings between the living and the dead would gradually weaken both worlds. With a heavy heart, Wang Lan decided she must finally ask Li the truth. During their next meeting, he quietly admitted that he had indeed died months earlier. Unable to abandon the woman he loved, his spirit had remained only until he knew she possessed the strength to continue without him. Seeing her unwavering compassion and courage, he realized his final attachment could now be released. Before departing forever, he returned the jade pendant they had exchanged as a pledge of love, thanking her for preserving their promise even after death separated them. As dawn approached, his figure slowly dissolved into the morning mist, leaving behind only the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers. Wang Lan chose not to surrender to endless grief. Instead, she devoted herself to caring for both families, helping neighbors, and living according to the ideals they had once dreamed of sharing together. Many years later, after her peaceful passing, villagers claimed they witnessed a young couple walking side by side beneath the moonlight, smiling as they disappeared into the distant mountains. Whether vision or miracle, the story inspired generations to believe that genuine devotion transcends mortality itself. Through this deeply emotional narrative, Pu Songling transforms the supernatural into a celebration of enduring love, reminding readers that sincere affection does not vanish with death but continues to guide, strengthen, and illuminate the hearts of those who remain faithful to their deepest promises.
