Wu Sheng of the county town, styled An Ren, was widowed in his thirties and lived alone in his study. One day, a certain xiucai (scholar) visited him. They conversed at length and found great pleasure in each other's company, thus forming a deep bond. The scholar’s servant, named Gui Tou (Ghost Head), also befriended Wu Sheng’s attendant, Bao Er, and the two got along famously. As time passed, it was discovered that Gui Tou was not human, but a fox spirit. Whenever Wu Sheng traveled far, he invariably brought Gui Tou along. The master and the two servants shared a single dwelling, and Gui Tou possessed the ability to vanish like a dragon taking flight; unless he willed it, no outsider could ever perceive him.

On one occasion, Wu Sheng was returning home from the capital when he heard en route that Wang Zixun had suffered misfortune at the hands of Nian Yang. Wu Sheng secretly instructed his attendant: "Keep a close watch, better safe than sorry." Gui Tou laughed, "No need. This journey will be successful as always." As the party arrived in Zhuozhou, they saw a richly dressed man tethering his horse beside a tavern. As Wu Sheng passed the establishment, the man mounted his horse and followed behind. After they conversed for a time, the man introduced himself: "I am from Shandong, my surname is Huang. I hold an official post in the Ministry of Revenue, and I am currently traveling east to my home. I am delighted to accompany you, young master; the journey shall not be lonely."

The two traveled together, and whenever they stopped to eat, Huang insisted on paying. Wu Sheng expressed superficial gratitude, but secretly grew suspicious. He privately asked Gui Tou, "Is Huang reliable?" Gui Tou replied, "No trouble." Only then did Wu Sheng feel at ease. As dusk settled, the three arrived at an inn to lodge. A handsome youth was already there, seemingly a fellow traveler seeking a room.

Huang entered the inn, bowed respectfully to the youth, his expression alight with pleasure, and asked, "When did you leave the capital?" The youth replied, "Yesterday." Huang took his hand and said, "Don't leave tonight; sleep with me." The youth smiled and nodded. Huang turned to Wu Sheng and introduced him: "This is Shi Lang, my younger cousin, a literary man. Tonight, the three of us shall keep the candles lit late, discussing poetry and prose." As he spoke, he produced bits of silver and ordered the waiter to fetch wine and dishes.

Before long, the feast arrived, and the three raised their cups together. The youth was dashing and elegant, brimming with talent, and felt an instant kinship with Wu Sheng, finding him extraordinarily congenial. During the meal, the youth repeatedly winked at Wu Sheng, subtly suggesting that he cheat during the wine-toasting games, thereby making a fool of Huang and punishing him with drinks. Every time Huang was punished, the youth would applaud and laugh. Seeing this, Wu Sheng liked him even more.

Subsequently, the youth and Huang began to gamble, inviting Wu Sheng to join. The three placed silver bets. Gui Tou secretly instructed Bao Er to lock the doors and windows, telling Wu Sheng, "If you hear any commotion, just get into bed and sleep; pay it no mind." Wu Sheng readily agreed. Each throw of the dice saw Wu Sheng lose small bets but win big ones. In about the time it takes an incense stick to burn for one watch (yigeng), he had accumulated over two hundred taels of silver.

The youth and Huang ran out of stakes and proposed wagering their horses. Suddenly, there was urgent knocking at the outer door, and several bailiffs shouted loudly, "Open up! Open up!" Wu Sheng leaped up, tossed the dice into the stove, climbed onto the bed, covered himself with the quilt, and feigned sleep. He vaguely heard the innkeeper's voice: "Esteemed sirs, we cannot find the key; we cannot open the door." A bailiff retorted, "No key? Then we’ll use force! Brothers, smash the door!" Following this came a series of heavy crashes, the bolt snapped, and four or five burly men burst into the room, looking menacing. The leader declared, "Someone reported that gambling is taking place here. Is that true?"

The youth and Huang both shook their heads, saying, "Absolutely not." A bailiff reached out, yanked off the quilt, pointed a finger at Wu Sheng, and barked, "Still daring to deny it? This fellow has a thieving look about him; he's clearly a gambler." Wu Sheng shouted in anger, "Catch the thief with the stolen goods! Without concrete evidence, do not wrongly accuse an innocent man."

The bailiffs behaved unreasonably, clamoring to search Wu Sheng's luggage. Wu Sheng resisted with all his might, but being alone and outnumbered, just as he could not hold them off, a sound of gongs and drums was heard outside—it seemed an official patrol was passing. Wu Sheng shouted for help. The "bailiffs" showed fear, forcefully dragged him back into the room, and pleaded, "We can discuss this calmly. Don't make a fuss, don't make a fuss."

Wu Sheng snorted coldly, calmly packed his belongings, and handed them to the innkeeper for safekeeping. Once the official patrol had moved on, the group of swindlers dared to emerge, slinking away sheepishly. Huang and the youth feigned surprise and went to find places to sleep. Huang suggested that the youth sleep with Wu Sheng. Wu Sheng placed his money pouch under his pillow, spread his quilt, and lay down. The youth also slipped under the covers and, naked, threw himself into Wu Sheng's embrace, whispering softly, "I admire your upright character, young master; I wish to be intimate with you." Wu Sheng knew there was a trap, but he was inherently fond of pleasure, accepting both men and women. It was rare for a youth to offer himself so eagerly, so he played along with the scheme and enjoyed himself with the youth.

The youth was excessively solicitous, but he hadn't accounted for Wu Sheng being a truly vigorous man with exceptional stamina. After a round of intense engagement, the youth gradually grew weak and repeatedly begged for mercy. Wu Sheng ignored him and continued his vigorous assault until he was fully