Zhao, a resident of Yishui County, was returning to town after attending to some business when he saw a woman in white weeping by the roadside. Her sobs were heartbreaking, and her appearance was exquisite. Pity stirred in his heart, and he stood gazing at her, rooted to the spot.

The woman wept, saying, "A grown man should walk his road instead of staring at me. What is your intention?" Zhao replied, "Seeing as the wilderness is empty, your sorrowful cries deeply affected me." The woman explained, "My husband has passed away from illness, hence my grief." Zhao suggested, "Since your husband is dead, you should choose a better match." The woman sighed, "I am utterly alone; who would take me in? If someone were willing, I would gladly accept even the position of a concubine."

Zhao grinned and eagerly put himself forward. The woman pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Zhao was overjoyed and declared, "Your home is far from here; let me find a sedan chair for you to ride in." The woman declined, "There is no need for the trouble." She then set off ahead, her pace impossibly swift. After they arrived home, the woman diligently managed the household affairs, gentle and virtuous. In the blink of an eye, spring gave way to autumn, and time sped by.

One day, the woman said to Zhao, "Because I felt a deep connection to your kindness, I yielded and married you. In a haze, three years have already passed, and now I must leave." Zhao questioned her, "Did you not say you had no one at home? Where are you planning to go now?" The woman confessed, "Those words before were all lies to deceive you; how could I be without a home? My father sells medicine in Jinling. If you wish to see me again, you may bring herbs and travel there; I won't let you make the trip in vain." Zhao agreed, "Very well. If you must depart, I will prepare a carriage and horses for you." The woman refused, "No need." She walked out and left; he could not catch up, and in an instant, she vanished without a trace.

Zhao stayed home alone, missing his beautiful companion. Thus, he loaded a cart with medicinal herbs and traveled to Jinling. Upon reaching his destination, he lodged at an inn and began asking about the woman's residence. Gradually, he arrived at a pharmacy, from which an old man emerged, speaking as he came, "My son-in-law has arrived," before inviting Zhao inside.

Entering the main courtyard, he indeed saw the woman washing clothes beneath a tree.

When they met, the woman's demeanor was cold; she neither spoke nor smiled, merely keeping her head down to wash. Displeased, Zhao felt a strong urge to leave, but the old man held him back. The woman, however, continued to ignore him completely.

The old man ordered his daughter to cook a meal to entertain her husband, stating, "Eat first, and after the meal, this old man will give you travel money." The woman replied, "Give him little gold or silver; his fortune is shallow, and he cannot bear too much wealth. Give him a dozen prescriptions; that will be enough to keep him comfortable for his whole life." The old man then asked, "What about the cartload of herbs that the young master brought?" The woman answered, "I sold them all and earned a dozen taels of silver, which I will give to him entirely."

The old man nodded, picked up a brush, wrote down a stack of prescriptions, gifted them to Zhao, and sent him back to his village.

Upon returning, Zhao tested the prescriptions; they were remarkably effective in treating illness, extraordinary in their power. These prescriptions have been passed down to this day. Among them is one remedy, made from mashed garlic mixed with rainwater, used to treat fatty growths, which is said to be exceedingly efficacious.