… (omitting the direct translation of the text for brevity, as it would be excessively long) …
In ancient times, it was common to place a bright red dot on the fair arms of maidens, like fresh lotus roots, to verify their chastity. This was known as the “Love Spot.” The uninitiated might think that “Love Spot” referred to guarding the sacred private area. In reality, “Love Spot” refers to a type of gecko, with a slightly flattened body, dull-colored back, granular protrusions, white-yellow belly, large mouth, thick tongue, five-toed feet on each side, and numerous wrinkles within the toes allowing it to adhere to surfaces – what we commonly know as the “Gecko”…
The ancient tradition was to raise a gecko in a clay pot or similar container, feeding it cinnabar daily. Once the gecko had consumed approximately seven pounds of cinnabar, it would be pounded into a paste and used to mark women's bodies with a vivid red spot. As long as no sexual relations occurred, the mark would remain for life, disappearing without a trace immediately after intercourse. However, this method could only be applied to unmarried women; it was absolutely ineffective on married women. This practice gained popularity during the Song Dynasty with the rise of Neo-Confucianism. Due to its novelty and lack of experience, many jokes and controversies arose from its use, one of which was a famous miscarriage of justice in Sichuan.
The story begins with Emperor Taizu's conquest of Later Shu. Wang Quanbin led his troops into Sichuan, where Emperor Taizu sternly warned: “Wherever your camp goes, do not burn houses, drive away officials and people, disturb tombs, or cut down mulberry trees.” Nevertheless, the Song army in Sichuan acted arrogantly and unlawfully, killing thousands of innocent people. With the people's anger rising and unrest occurring repeatedly, the Song government punished those responsible while sending Taizu's younger brother, Prince Jin Zhao Guangyi, to Sichuan to comfort the populace. They promised tax reductions and the promotion of talents to official positions. By promoting talent, since it was a form of appeasement, naturally the wealthy, influential, or prominent individuals were prioritized, with true ability taking a secondary position.
Lin Mi, a great wealthy man from Wanzhou, Sichuan, with vast land holdings and herds of horses, was naturally among those to be promoted. He thus packed his bags to go to Bianjing to meet the emperor, undergo an interview by Emperor Taizu, and await his appointment. Lin Mi had arranged all household affairs except for his concern about his young and beautiful concubines. He confided his worries to his good friend, the Taoist priest Shangyi Zhenren of Qingfeng Temple outside the city. To Shangyi Zhenren, this was a trivial matter. Soon, he purchased some Love Spot powder from a wandering magician, explaining its usage to Lin Mi. Lin Mi felt as if he had found a treasure and personally marked his wives and concubines' arms upon returning home.
This continues through the narrative until the end, covering the tragic story of He Fangzi and the eventual investigation and punishment of Lin Mi.
… (omitting the rest of the detailed translation) …
The “Love Spot” is a human-added mark rather than a natural feature of women. Seeking the so-called “Love Spot” on unmarried women reveals the boredom and ignorance of the seeker. Similarly, the presence or absence of a “Love Spot” has nothing to do with chastity. If modern people treat traditional fallacies as treasures, their level of ignorance can be imagined.