On his way to the capital for the imperial examination, Zhang Sheng encounters Cui Yingying, the daughter of the Prime Minister, at the Pujiu Temple. The two fall in love at first sight and pledge their lives to each other in secret. With the help of the maid Hongniang, they break free from the constraints of feudal etiquette and resist the marriage arrangements imposed by the Prime Minister’s wife. After Zhang Sheng achieves top honors in the imperial examination, he returns to marry Yingying, and the two are finally united in a joyful union.