In the Ming Dynasty, two brothers, Zhang Zhong and Zhang Yi, lived in He Nei County. Their father, a respected pharmacist, passed away a year ago, leaving Zhang Zhong to manage the family business. Zhang Yi, a scholar with a civil exam degree, showed little interest in the pharmacy. Zhang Zhong was married to the beautiful Liu Qing, a woman admired by many.
At the age of 20, Zhang Yi was encouraged by his brother to marry, but he rejected the idea, joking that only a woman as beautiful as Liu Qing would be worthy. Zhang Zhong, while happy with his wife, worried about his brother's stubbornness.
One day, Zhang Yi discovered his brother had suddenly passed away. Liu Qing, in deep mourning, explained that Zhang Zhong had complained of chest pain after their intimate relations, drank some water, but later died in his sleep. Zhang Yi suspected his brother had died from overexertion, but when entering the room, he noticed a strange scent, which he dismissed as Liu Qing's perfume.
Months later, after managing the pharmacy in his brother's place, Zhang Yi was visited by Liu Qing late at night, dressed in white, holding a garment she had made for him. As they conversed, Liu Qing confessed her love for him and offered to marry him. Overcome with emotion, Zhang Yi embraced her.
The next day, Liu Qing was summoned by the local magistrate, as Zhang Yi had accused her of murdering his brother. At the magistrate’s office, Liu Qing claimed Zhang Yi had assaulted her after his brother’s death, but Zhang Yi insisted she had poisoned his brother. He described a strange fragrance in her room, similar to the one he had smelled before, and linked it to a deadly drug he suspected she had used. Despite Liu Qing's denials, the magistrate found a hidden pouch of poison on her, confirming Zhang Yi’s suspicions. Liu Qing, now revealed as a murderer who targeted wealthy men, collapsed in silence, admitting her guilt.
Zhang Yi survived due to his recent health regimen, which counteracted the poison's effects. The case exposed Liu Qing’s deadly scheme, leading to her capture.
