blossoming romance between Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen. After their initial meeting on a ferry boat in West Lake, where Xu Xian lent them his umbrella on a rainy day, the two fall deeply in love ¹. They get married and open a medicine shop together.
However, their happiness is short-lived. Fahai, the abbot of Jinshan Temple, discovers that Bai Suzhen is a snake demon and informs Xu Xian. Fahai advises Xu Xian to give Bai Suzhen realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival, which forces her to reveal her true form as a large white snake ¹. Xu Xian dies of shock upon seeing his wife's true identity.
Bai Suzhen's love for Xu Xian drives her to embark on a perilous journey to Kunlun, where she steals a magical herb to revive him. With the herb's power, Xu Xian comes back to life, but their reunion is bittersweet, as Fahai's interference continues to threaten their love ¹. Would you like to hear more about the legend or explore other Chinese folktales?