The down-and-out noble scion, Wei Yanqing, disguised himself as a poor scholar to win a bet with his frivolous friends. He feigned illness to deceive Jiang Ning, an orphaned wonton seller, into falling for him. Deceived and desperate to save Wei Yanqing, Jiang Ning had no choice but to sign a deed of indenture, becoming a "joy-bringing" concubine for Xiao Yunjing, the son of the Chancellor, in exchange for fifty taels of silver for his medical treatment. On the wedding day, Jiang Ning overheard the truth and was utterly heartbroken, while Wei Yanqing, still unaware of the truth, stood beside her belittling and humiliating her further.
