| This was an adaptation of a famous Beijing opera, which originated from Chapter Five of Shui Hu Chuan (Outlaws of the Marsh) by Shi Naian (1296-1370 AD). |
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Talented Bian Ji earned a living by selling drawings at Hua Tian. One day, a rich
girl Liu Yueying came to his stall and they fell in love with each other at the
first sight. Liu's maid Chun Lan promised to be their matchmaker and asked Bian
to wait for the good news.
Bian had been waiting for hours but still nothing heard. Then he went away to do drawings at a customer's house. When the messenger from the Liu family came, he mistook Zhou Tong, a notorious bandit, as Bian and brought him home. Shocked and fearful, the Liu family apologised and asked Zhou to leave. But Zhou insisted to marry Liu, saying that he would kidnap his bride at all prices. Then Chun Lan asked Bian to disguise himself as a woman so that he could discuss the matter with Liu in her room. When Zhou and his men came, they kidnapped Bian and Chun Lan instead. Soon the police came and arrested Zhou for kidnapping someone's bride. Bian then fled for the civil service examinations in the capital. When the Liu servants came to receive their groom, they mistook Zhou's sister Yulou and brought her home with Chun Lan. Chun Lan did not dare to disclose the fact, and therefore Liu did not know her groom was a lady until the wedding day. Zhou Yulou explained the situation to Liu and left the following day. |
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Zhou was found guilty and sent into exile. His sister saved him on the way and
tried to convince him to give up. Zhou did not listen and returned to the Liu family,
attempting to kidnap his bride again. Yet he was stopped and sent away by Lu
Zhishen. Zhou fled to seek help from his sworn brother Li Zhong. However, Li
and Lu were good friends and they forced Zhou to give up. Meanwhile, Bian
returned to marry Liu after his success in the examinations.
Starring: |
