Prefect Fu, an official of Guangdong, well past sixty, was blessed with a late-life son named Fu Lian. Fu Lian was naturally bright, but unfortunately born a eunuch, thus incapable of procreation. This rumor spread like wildfire, known to all his acquaintances; consequently, though Fu Lian was already seventeen, no wife would marry him.

Prefect Fu worried constantly about the continuation of his lineage, distressed day and night, yet utterly helpless to change the situation.

One day, Fu Lian was studying at the schoolhouse when his tutor had to step out briefly. A monkey showman appeared outside the gate. Fu Lian, overcome by curiosity, rushed out to watch, utterly engrossed until he forgot his lessons. Fearing the master's reprimand, he decided to simply leave.

He wandered aimlessly, running several li from home, when ahead of him, a young lady in white, accompanied by a maidservant, walked gracefully. The lady occasionally glanced back; her allure was unmatched, her lotus feet moving lightly, swaying as she walked. Fu Lian’s heart stirred with desire, and he quickened his pace to catch up.

The lady noticed him as well and quietly instructed her maid, "Go and ask this young master if he is heading to Qiongzhou."

The maid duly approached and asked. Fu Lian smiled, "Whether I go to Qiongzhou or not, what business is that of your young mistress?"

The lady then said, "If the young master is determined to go to Qiongzhou, I happen to have a letter here. I would trouble you to deliver it to my hometown on your journey. My mother is waiting there and will certainly treat you well."

Fu Lian had fled his home with no destination in mind, thinking, "Sailing to Qiongzhou for a tour wouldn't be a bad idea." Thus, he nodded in agreement. The lady produced the letter and handed it to him. Fu Lian asked, "Where does the young lady reside?" The lady replied, "This humble one's surname is Hua, and I live in Qinnü Village, about three or four li north of Qiongzhou City."

Fu Lian confirmed the location, immediately set sail south, crossing the ocean. After several days, he arrived in Qiongzhou, disembarked, and headed straight for the northern part of the city. It was already dusk. He inquired about the whereabouts of Qinnü Village, but the locals all claimed ignorance. Fu Lian sighed, yet holding someone’s trust, he could not abandon the task halfway. So, he continued northward, walking for about four or five li until he reached a desolate expanse. Stretching his gaze as far as he could, the surroundings were overgrown with weeds, vast and silent. The stars and moon shone brightly in the sky. Using the celestial light, he spotted a tomb beside the road. He thought, "I’ll sleep within the cemetery for the night and continue traveling tomorrow. However, in this wilderness, encountering tigers or wolves could cost me my life. Ah, I have an idea—I’ll sleep atop the tree; that will be entirely safe." With that resolved, he used both hands and feet to climb an ancient pine, closed his eyes, and rested, listening to the whistling of the wind through the pines and the chirping of insects, his heart uneasy, delaying sleep.

Suddenly, he heard human voices from below the tree. Focusing intently, he peered down and saw that, somehow, a courtyard had materialized beside the tomb. A young girl sat on a stone, flanked by two maids holding lanterns. The girl looked around, saying, "The moon is bright and the stars are few tonight; the tea cake gifted by Lady Hua is perfect for brewing a pot of fragrant tea, to sip while admiring the moon."

In the dead of night, a delicate young girl coming to a gravesite to admire the moon—this scene was incredibly bizarre. Fu Lian’s mind raced, suspecting, "Could this woman not be human, but a ghost or phantom?" At this thought, his hair stood on end; he held his breath tightly, daring not to move. One of the maids inadvertently looked up and glanced toward the treetop, remarking, "There is someone in the tree." The lady started, rising in anger, "What brazen fool dares to spy!" Hearing this, Fu Lian was terrified. His presence exposed, with nowhere to hide, he had no choice but to circle down the pine tree and kneel on the ground, only begging for mercy.

The young lady saw that he was a handsome young man, and her anger turned to delight. She took his hand and led him to sit beside her on the stone. Now they were intimately close; the lady’s countenance was clearly visible. She appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, exquisitely beautiful. She asked, her voice carrying a local accent rather than the official dialect, "Why has the young master come here?"

Fu Lian composed himself and replied, "I am delivering a message for someone." The lady said, "The wilderness is fraught with danger; this is no place for conversation. If the young master does not disdain my humble abode, please come inside to talk." With that, she walked ahead, leading Fu Lian into the courtyard.

Entering the bedroom, an embroidered couch lay on the floor. The two maids spread out quilts and invited Fu Lian to rest on the couch. Fu Lian felt inadequate and said, "I had better sleep on the floor."

The lady laughed, "When we have such a distinguished guest, how could this humble one dare to neglect you? Young master, please do not be formal; let us sleep together." Fu Lian, having no choice, ended up sharing the bed with the lady. Internally panicked, he dared not move. The lady secretly stretched out her slender hand and gently teased his thigh. Fu Lian feigned deep sleep, pretending not to notice. Seeing he showed no displeasure, the lady grew bolder, her jade hand sneaking inside his undergarments and grasping his life-root. The touch revealed a soft, worm-like lump. With a sigh, she withdrew her hand with a sense of disappointment and quietly departed.

Not long after, the lady was leaning over a table, weeping softly. Fu Lian was overcome with shame, torturing himself with self-reproach and self-pity. The atmosphere in the room became desolate for a time. After crying for a while, the lady felt somewhat better. She ordered the maids to light the candles. Seeing the tear tracks glistening on her cheeks, a maid quickly asked, "Young mistress, why are you crying?"

The lady shook her head and sighed lightly, "I only lament my own bitter fate." After a pause, she added, "Wake Young Master Fu and let him leave." Hearing this, Fu Lian felt even more ashamed, thinking, "She wants to send me away. Where can I go in the middle of the night?"

While he was lost in thought, the door pushed open, and a woman entered. The maid announced, "Lady Hua has arrived." Fu Lian peeked through the quilt. Lady Hua appeared to be around fifty; although not young, she retained a certain charm.

Lady Hua walked to the table and asked the lady, "Why are the lights on so late in the room? Why aren't you sleeping?" The lady remained silent. Lady Hua’s gaze shifted, and seeing someone on the bed, she asked, "Who is hidden under the covers?"

The maid replied, "A young traveler, lodging here for the night."

Lady Hua looked at the lady and smiled, "Oh, I understand now. It seems tonight is Miss Qiaoniang's wedding night." The lady frowned and said nothing, tear stains still visible on her cheeks, her expression utterly miserable.

Lady Hua exclaimed in surprise, "On the night of the joining cups, the new bride is crying? Did the husband treat you too roughly?" Qiaoniang kept her head down, ignoring her, still silent, but the sorrow in her eyes deepened.

Lady Hua found this strange. She paced to the bedside and reached out to pull Fu Lian’s collar, wanting to see the groom’s face. With just a light tug, a letter slipped from his clothes and fell to the ground. Lady Hua picked up the envelope and examined it, her expression changing, "This is my daughter's handwriting." She unfolded the letter and read, sighing repeatedly.

Qiaoniang asked, "Why is Lady Hua sad?"

Lady Hua said, "Third Sister wrote in her letter: Her husband, Wu Lang, tragically died of illness, leaving her utterly alone and helpless. She does not know what to do now."

Qiaoniang pointed at Fu Lian, "He delivered the letter. Thankfully, we didn't rush him away earlier."

Lady Hua looked at Fu Lian, inquiring about her daughter’s current situation. Fu Lian recounted everything, but since he had only met Miss Hua once, his knowledge was very limited, and he finished his account in just a few sentences. Lady Hua listened intently, concluding, "I truly do not know how to repay the young master for traveling a thousand li to deliver this message." Her eyes traveled over him, noting his handsome features, and she smiled, asking, "Silly boy, what exactly did you do to displease Qiaoniang and make her so unhappy?"