Young Qin Chong fled his home, and was later adopted by the Zhu family, who own an oil shop, but his stepmother frames him and casts him out, forcing him to sell oil on the streets. A chance encounter with courtesan Yao Qin sparks instant attraction. When the Zhu family faces hardship, Qin Chong returns, vowing to achieve success in the imperial examinations, while Wu Ba kidnaps Yao Qin but meets his death in his own mansion, leaving her holding the murder weapon.This adaptation broke from tradition, replacing the usual gongs and drums with a Chinese orchestra for its score, adopting a folk-song style.