The emperor, too impatient to wait for his ministers to present portraits of the renowned beauties, had already heard tales of two stunning courtesans working at a teahouse, admired for their beauty but refusing to sell their bodies. Claiming ill health to avoid morning court, he secretly left the capital in disguise to see them with his own eyes. On the road, he was attacked by bandits but was rescued by a young nobleman, who then joined him on his journey.