If you have read the story of The Mural (The Painted Wall) from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio by Pu Songling, you may have the question, why would the temple has the “heavenly maidens scattering flowers” painted on the wall?
After reading the story of “Corpse Change” from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio, many readers may have the same question. Why didn’t the cart driver wake his companions despite knowing the corpse was haunting?
The verse — “With flowers and wine, spring ever stays; Without lamp or candle, night self-illumines” — originates from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio: The Examination for the Post of City God (Kao Cheng Huang or Candidate for the City God).
The maxim — “Intentional good deeds deserve no reward; unintentional wrongdoings warrant no punishment” — originates from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Examination for the Post of City God (Candidate for the City God). It was Song Tao’s answer during his underworld examination.