In Nanjing, the capital of South Tan, the Tung Gu dignitary of the Sun arrives in order to persuade the emperor to submit to the Sunam. Minister Sun Qiqiu, under various pretexts, does not admit him to the sovereign. According to his advice, the governor Han Xi-zai sends the famous songwriter Qin Zho-lan to Tao Gu. However, Tao Gu does not even look at her, portraying a strict Confucian.

Han Xi Zai informs the Minister that he saw an encrypted inscription made by Tao Gu, in which he complains about being alone. They decide to send Qin Zho-lan back to him, this time under the guise of a young widow. In the evening, Tao Gu hears her singing. Captivated by the beauty of a woman, he offers her his love and promises to later marry her. She agrees. After a date, Tao Gu gives her his poem to the melody "Beautifully Around."

The Minister informs Tao Gu that the sovereign is ready to accept him. At the party, a feast is arranged. The Qin Zho-lan songbook appears. Tao Gu is trying to put on a mask of the guardian of morality, but Qin Zho-lan convicts him, and he is forced to admit his signature to the poem. Having lost his face, Tao Gu runs to his friend Qian Chu, the ruler of Hangzhou.

Qian Chu welcomes Tao Gu. Two years later, the Suna troops capture Nanjing.Qin Zho-lan, having broken with her previous occupation and dreaming of meeting with Tao Gu, gets to Hangzhou. Learning about this. Qian decides to unite the lovers, but pre-tests a woman, offering her to find Tao Gu in a crowd of officials. She, of course, finds Tao and tells him of her loyalty. Tao Gu also admits her feelings. Qian promises to persuade the Sung emperor to forgive Tao Gu and return to his former post, after which the wedding will be played.