Emperor Zhengde of Ming Dynasty was notorious for his hedonism and irresponsibility. He decided to disguise himself as a civilian and travelled to the south of Yangtze, where he heard beautiful scenes were plentiful. Meanwhile, imperial guard Zhou Yong was preparing to visit his hometown in the south of Yangtze and volunteered to escort Zhengde.

When they arrived in the town of Meilong, Zhengde was attracted to a young girl who played the role of the celestial lady in a local festival. As his steps brought Zhengde to the Dragon and Phoenix Inn, he learned that the young girl Li Feng was the sister of the innkeeper. Zhengde asked for her name and caught her attention, and Li was excited to meet this young and handsome stranger. Waiter Daniu told Zhengde that they were not open for business because of the innkeeper's absence, but Li stopped him. Later when they heard that Li's brother was returning, Li asked Zhengde to hide himself in her bedroom. Zhengde wasted no time to express his passion for her and Li finally fell into his arms.

The next morning a senior official Liang Chu led troops to besiege the inn and pleaded Zhengde to leave for the capital. Only until then did Li recognise that her lover was the emperor. Zhengde gave her a jade ornament and pledged that he would send an order to marry her when he arrived in Beijing. Upon his return Zhengde was silenced by his mother's sternness and distracted by a powerful eunuch Liu Jin's innovative ideas to please him. Soon Li was out of his mind. A year later Li gave birth to a son, which made her the subject of gossip among the town dwellers. She soon fell sick of depression. Three years had passed and still Li could hear nothing from the capital.

Daniu was sympathetic with Li and begged his way to the capital, where he spread the story of Li and the emperor by singing. Finally Daniu managed to catch the attention of Liang, who then immediately reported to the emperor. Zhengde then sent an envoy to Meilong to receive Li. Li asked her sister-in-law to take care of the child and set off for the capital. Before arrival Li stopped to pray in an old temple in the countryside, where she finally collapsed and died quietly. As the envoy arrived at the palace, Zhengde was shocked with grief and regret to find that Li was already dead.

Starring: Li Feng - Lin Dai Emperor Zhengde - Zhao Lei Daniu - Jin Chuan Li's brother - Yang Zhiqing Li's sister-in-law - Hong Wei Emperor's mother - Tang Ruoqing Zhou Yong - Ma Li Liang Chu - Wang Yuanlong Liu Jin - Hong Bo