Ms. Liu, the mother of Qiu-hu, is visited by the parents of her daughter-in-law Luo Mei-ying - father and mother. The matchmaker encourages her, but immediately accuses her of marrying the poor Qiu-hu. But Mei-in believes in her husband’s future. Suddenly an official is recruiting into the army: it is Qiu-hu's turn to serve his duties. There is a woeful farewell of the three-day spouses. Qiu-hu leaves, promising to write home.

10 years have passed - there is no news from Qiu-hu. The neighboring rich man Lee, taking advantage of the fact that the impoverished father Mei-in owes him a lot of grain, forces him to agree to give his daughter for him (Qiu-hu, according to him, died). The father agrees and even takes on the mission of convincing (using Lee's gifts) his wife. By tricking her into accepting gifts, Mei-in's father forces his wife to go with his daughter. She yearns for her husband and looks after a sick mother-in-law. Suddenly, a father and mother appear, followed by an uninvited bridegroom. Mei-in rejects the very idea of ​​a new marriage. She shames her father and drives the groom.

Qiu-hu, having risen to the rank of "middle nobleman," returns to his mother (he does not remember his wife). Mother is resting at home, while Mei-in went to collect tuts. Driving past the mulberry tree, Qiu-hu decides to drag himself behind the woman he liked. Mei-in rejects him, despite promises and persuasion, calls for the help of peasants and escapes from an unsolicited boyfriend.

Qiu-hu is dating his mother. He realizes that he was molesting his wife. A wife appears and attacks the husband with reproaches, he tries to unlock. Wife requires a divorce. The quarrel is interrupted by Li's appearance, accompanied by Mei-in's parents, on whom Li is still screaming. Qiu-hu ordered Li to be captured and sent to the county for due punishment. Following go and wife Lo. Finally, the threat of Qiu-hu’s mother to commit suicide causes Mei-in to reconcile with her husband.