The film centers on a wealthy family, the Qin, where Master Qin presides over three children: Feng Xiao Ivy Ling Po and Feng Sheng Chin Feng from his late wife, and a third son from his current wife. The second wife sowing discord between Feng Xiao, Feng Sheng, and their father sets the stage for a storm of misfortune. Feng Sheng leaves home to take the Imperial exams but is robbed and left for dead, only to be rescued by a passing General who becomes his lifeline.
Meanwhile, the stepmother hatches a scheme to force Feng Xiao into a marriage with her cousin, a powerful and wealthy lord, all while framing Feng Xiao’s fiancé, Li Ru Long Chin Han for burglary and sending him to prison. Feng Xiao remains steadfast in her virtue and refuses to break off the engagement, choosing loyalty over convenience. With her maid Chun Lan Li Ching, Feng Xiao disguises herself as a man to travel in search of her missing brother, hoping to reunite the family. Months pass, and the siblings’ separation weighs heavily as they struggle to locate Feng Sheng.
As the Imperial exams draw near, Chun Lan suggests Feng Xiao take the tests under Li Ru Long’s alias, hoping that a first-place victory would grant her the authority to free Li Ru Long from prison. If she could achieve greatness, she might secure enough influence to overturn the present injustice.
Feng Xiao does indeed triumph, placing first in the exams and earning an audience with the Emperor, who is pleased and soon arranges for the top scholar to marry the Princess. At this moment, Feng Sheng resurfaces to visit the man once known as Li Ru Long, now renamed Qi Cai Sheng after being adopted by General Qi. Qi Cai Sheng hears the news that the newly crowned Top Scholar is Li Ru Long, whom he believes to be the fiancé of his sister. The siblings finally confront each other, narrating the tangled web of events that have kept them apart.
An Imperial order arrives abruptly: Feng Xiao, alias Li Ru Long, is to marry the Princess immediately. Unable to refuse or explain the true identity, Feng Xiao finds herself on the wedding night, facing a very confused Princess An Ning Fang Ying.
Throughout the tense night, Feng Xiao reveals her true gender to the Princess. Rather than reject her, the Princess chooses forgiveness and vows to help. The next day, the two approach the Emperor with their case as a retelling of the “original story.” Amused, the Emperor entertains a solution: he could adopt the brave girl as a princess, free her arrested fiancé, and allow the marriages to proceed. Yet when Feng Xiao discloses her true identity, the Emperor’s anger flares and he initially orders execution.
In a turn of mercy, the Princess pleads, and Feng Sheng’s petition weighs in, leading to a forgiveness that paves the way for a double wedding. The Emperor decrees that Li Ru Long will wed the adopted princess, and Princess An Ning will marry Qi Cai Sheng. The tale closes on a note of reconciled families and restored bonds, with the two unions symbolizing justice, loyalty, and the enduring power of truth.
