Mr. Wei, a native of Xianyang, was the scion of an aristocratic family. His reckless nature led him to defile every servant girl in his household who possessed even moderate beauty. Once he carried ten thousand taels of silver with him, traveling extensively across the land in pursuit of famed courtesans. Those of average appearance were dismissed after a single night's stay; those truly extraordinary would keep him enthralled for months.

His uncle, ashamed by Wei's conduct, compelled him to study diligently. By day Mr. Wei attended school, but at night he secretly scaled walls and frequented pleasure houses. The uncle remained blissfully unaware of these escapades until one fateful night when Wei broke his leg in a fall. After thrashing him severely, the uncle declared: "Desiring courtesans is permissible, but first you must attain official rank through scholarly merit. On the day your name appears on the imperial examination list and wealth follows, enjoy yourself freely. Until then, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Boasting of his intelligence, Wei readily agreed to this arrangement. Thereafter he immersed himself in study with singular focus, passing first as a juren candidate, then achieving the prestigious jinshi degree. After attaining fame, old habits resurfaced - night after night spent in pleasure quarters with no return home. Yet fearing discovery by his uncle, whenever visiting Xianyang's brothels he always adopted an alias "Mr. Wei."

On one occasion passing through Xi'an, Mr. Wei encountered a boy of sixteen or seventeen named Luo Huiqing whose beauty rivaled any woman's. Delighted, he invited the youth home and gifted him many treasures. Learning that Luo had recently married a wife of exceptional charm, Wei requested an introduction. Without hesitation, Luo brought his wife to their lodging that very night - three shared one bed for several days.

Struck by affection for this boy, Wei inquired about his family background when considering taking Luo home. "My mother passed away long ago," Luo explained, "but my father is still alive though we've never met. I was not originally named Luo. When my mother lived in Xianyang years ago, she served a Mr. Wei of noble birth. The following April she gave me life. If you'll take me home and help locate my father, it would be the greatest favor."

At these words, Wei's face paled as sweat broke out over his body. This boy was none other than his own son! Stricken into silence, at dawn he bestowed generous gifts on Luo urging him to pursue an honest livelihood, then excused himself with urgent business and departed hurriedly.

Later assuming the post of county magistrate in Suzhou, Wei encountered a courtesan named Shen Weinian whose beauty was unparalleled. Upon learning her name derived from the poetic line "A spring breeze's melody for Lady Wei," he asked: "Is this why you bear your name?" She smiled gently: "Actually no. My mother was also a courtesan who met an Xianyang gentleman bearing our shared surname at seventeen. After three months of courtship, they pledged their hearts. When the gentleman returned home in August, I was born that same month - thus 'Weinian' to honor my biological father. He left my mother with a pair of golden mandarin ducks which remain with me still. But after parting ways, there's been no word. My mother's sorrow eventually claimed her life when I was three years old. Bought by Madam Shen, who raised me as her daughter, that explains our shared surname."

Shamefaced at his discovery - having fornicated with his own daughter - Wei brooded for hours before concocting a sinister scheme. Pretending to offer wine to Weiniang, he poisoned it secretly. As she drank and writhed in agony dying soon after, he summoned musicians and dancers, gifting them handsomely to bury the body.

The fallen courtesan had many influential admirers among poets and scholars who, upon learning of her murder, stormed official courts with righteous fury. Though bribes secured Wei's survival, his political career was irredeemably ruined at just thirty-eight years old.

Thereafter Mr. Wei vowed sincere repentance, vowing never to commit evil again. Yet despite numerous concubines, no children were born in the family. Desperate for an heir, he petitioned his uncle who feared corrupting any child placed under Wei's tutelage. Though agreeing to adoption, he stipulated it must wait until Mr. Wei's death.

Furious at this restriction, Wei considered adopting Luo Huiqing as final redemption. But clan elders refused the arrangement. Years later when sickly Luo lay dying on his deathbed, gasping "All those who pursue prostitutes are no better than beasts!" the uncle remarked with sorrow: "At last he acknowledges the truth - death must be near." And so they finally placed his second son's child into Mr. Wei's household just one month before the disgraced official died at age thirty-eight.