The story Kim Binh Mai was originally developed from some details in the work Water Margin by Thi Nai Am. In Water Margin, the powerful Tay Mon Khanh had adultery with Vo Dai Lang's wife, Phan Kim Lien, so he plotted to kill Vo Dai Lang. Later, Vo Dai Lang's younger brother, Vo Tong, killed them both to avenge him. In Kim Binh Mai, developments related to the lives of Ximen Khanh and his concubines, including the three female characters mentioned above, are richly described. Many scenes depicting Ximen Qing's life of debauchery and pleasure are so vivid in detail that this novel was considered pornographic and banned.