A Spray of Plum Blossoms

Upon graduation, Hu Luting is appointed captain in Guangdong and leaves his hometown of Shanghai. Bai Lede remains behind, secretly in love with Hu's sister Zhuli. The move sets the stage for a divided loyalty between friendship and love.

Bai's father uses his influence to secure Bai's posting to Guangdong. Bai shares a sorrowful farewell with Zhuli as he departs, signaling the beginning of a new life far from home. The goodbye foreshadows the loyalties and loves that will soon collide.

Bai reaches his Guangdong post and instantly falls in love with Shi Luohua, the general's daughter. His heart shifts away from Zhuli, creating a new, complicated triangle. Bai's obsession with Luohua sets him on a path at odds with his friend Hu.

Hu Luting begins a romance with Luohua, while General Shi remains ignorant of the relationship. The general intends for Luohua to marry Liao Di'ao, creating a conflict between duty and desire. The budding affair threatens to destabilize both families.

Bai betrays his friend by informing General Shi that Luohua and Hu plan to elope. As a consequence, Hu is dishonorably discharged from military service. The betrayal fractures their friendship and increases Luohua's distress over losing Hu.

Bai continues to woo Luohua, but she remains uninterested and focused on the loss of Hu. Her heartbreak reinforces her distance from Bai and deepens the rift between Bai's feelings and his real loyalties. Bai's attachment to Luohua contrasts with his lingering love for Zhuli in Shanghai.

Hu encounters a bandit group and agrees to lead them, accepting the dangerous life with the plan to return for Luohua someday. His new role marks a radical shift from his former captain's life. The decision intensifies the quest to reclaim his lost love.

While Luohua, Bai and Liao travel through the forest, they are attacked. Luohua manages to escape, Bai pursues her, and an argument erupts between Bai and Luohua. Hu intervenes just in time, and he and Luohua are reunited.

General Shi arrives at the scene and realizes he was wrong to oppose the relationship between Hu and Luohua. He witnesses Liao flee and grants his blessing to their union, signaling a reconciliation of the conflict.

Hu forgives Bai for betraying him earlier, and Bai reveals that his true love is Zhuli back in Shanghai. The confession resolves Bai's inner conflict and confirms Zhuli's enduring role in his heart.