Ancient China is full of supernatural stories about the resurrection of the dead. Have you ever heard of the resurrection of the dead through the use of a painting? This is the story of a woman who committed suicide and was resurrected through the use of a painting.

Tragic childhood

During the Ming Dynasty, there lived a poor scholar named Song Zi’an in Zhenzhou City. His parents died young. He subsequently lived in Huanglong Temple, where he was raised by Master Juehui. After Master Juehui’s death, Huanglong Temple burned down.

Desperate, Song Zi’an built a thatched hut by the Furong River, where he made a living selling paintings.

Although Song Zi’an was a skilled painter, his fortunes were unfavorable. Sometimes, the paintings he sold in a day weren’t enough to buy paper and ink. To make a living, Song Zi’an took on the job of a painter. While this job might sound respectable, it wasn’t.

Painter

At that time, in Zhenzhou City, there was a custom that after death, a portrait had to be painted before the deceased could be placed in a coffin. “Painter” actually meant “painting corpses,” meaning painting portraits of the deceased.

Consequently, people considered painters unlucky, and no one wanted to associate with them. However, because of this, the “painter” earned a considerable income. Song Zi’an felt at ease, and he often used his remaining money to help the poor.

A Late-Night Encounter

Late one night, Song Zi’an was reading by candlelight. Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across the night sky. The door creaked open, and a girl in white appeared at the doorway, like a ghost.

Suddenly seeing the girl, Song Zi’an seemed a little bewildered. It took him a while before he remembered to greet her.

“Painter Song, can you paint my portrait?” the girl said softly.

“This—” Song Zi’an looked at the girl and hesitated. After all, he usually painted portraits of the dead. People would have been too eager to hide when they saw him, let alone ask him to paint their portraits. But now, the girl had asked. Song Zi’an was unsure whether to agree.

“Please, I know you’re a good person.” The girl saw Song Zi’an remained silent. Tears welled in his eyes, and his voice choked. Song Zi’an’s heart softened. He nodded, agreeing to the girl’s request.

Song Zi’an asked the girl to sit on a stool. He spread out his drawing paper and began to paint. The girl was very beautiful, especially the red mole on her lip, which added an incomparable charm.

Song Zi’an painted with great care, pouring all his energy into her. As he worked, a strange feeling suddenly arose within him.

Towards dawn, Song Zi’an finally finished the girl’s portrait. The girl studied her image, a tear trickling down her cheek. She slowly turned around, gazing at Song Zi’an, and said softly, “Thank you for painting me so beautifully.

After dawn, take the painting to Feixiangyuan and give it to the madam. She will give you money.” With that, she gently pushed open the door and walked out.

The Suicidal Girl

By the time Song Zi’an realized what was happening, the girl had already vanished. Staring at the half-open wooden door, Song Zi’an remained stunned. As he examined the girl’s portrait, his heart began to pound. Something felt off,her behavior was strange.

Women of the world inevitably possessed a certain allure. Yet, she appeared so pure and innocent, hardly a girl from Feixiangyuan. Otherwise, why would she have sent the painting to Feixiangyuan?

Daylight had slipped by. Song Zi’an was about to deliver the painting to Feixiangyuan when a man who looked like a housekeeper knocked on the door and entered. It was the manager of Feixiangyuan in the city. He said that Yanhong, a singer from Feixiangyuan, had hanged herself the previous night. He wanted Song Zi’an to paint her portrait for her coffin.

Song Zi’an had long heard of Yanhong’s name. She was the most outstanding singer in Zhenzhou City. She was also known for her strong character, selling her art rather than her body.

It was said that the county magistrate had offered a large sum of money to redeem her, hoping to marry her as a concubine. She had flatly refused. “Beauty is short-lived.” Song Zi’an’s heart stirred. He took the painting and followed the steward into the city.

Resurrecting the Soul Through a Painting

Arriving at Feixiang Courtyard and entering Miss Yanhong’s room, Song Zi’an’s eyes widened upon seeing Miss Yanhong lying in bed. He couldn’t believe it: the Miss Yanhong lying in bed was the very girl whose portrait he had asked her to paint the night before.

“How is this possible? She asked me to paint her all night long. How could she be dead?” Song Zi’an pointed at Yanhong’s body, his eyes wide as bells. “She even asked me to bring her portrait.” Everyone in Feixiang Courtyard was stunned by Song Zi’an’s words. They demanded that he bring out Miss Yanhong’s portrait.

Song Zi’an took out the portrait and slowly unfolded it. As soon as he did so, something even more unexpected happened. Miss Yanhong suddenly whimpered in bed and sat up. “Ghost!” the people in the room screamed, tumbling out.

Song Zi’an didn’t flee, instead, he remained calm. He bowed to Yanhong and said, “Whether you’re human or ghost, I deeply admire your chastity. It’s my great honor to paint your portrait.

” A flicker of gratitude flashed in Yanhong’s eyes. She gently walked to the window and said, “The King of Hell said you painted me so beautifully that he allowed me to use your painting to revive my soul, and so I’ve come back to life.”