Xiqu

Having lived as a hostage in Jin since childhood, Princess Hongluan gives Yelu Junxiong her pledge to be his wife. However, her ship is sunk by pirates on the way back to Song. In the water, Hongluan is mistaken as Ni Xiudian, who tries to drown herself to avoid the marriage arranged by her father Ni Si’an. Hongluan is saved by Ni Si’an, but has lost her memory. Later, Si’an marries her to Shang Quanxiao in his daughter’s place. Madame Shang despises Hongluan, but Quanxiao, out of pity, accommodates her.

Junxiong, being the champion in the imperial examination for military officers, bumps into Hongluan at Minister Shang’s mansion. However, he is wrongly regarded as a flirtatious man and expelled by Minster Shang. One night, Prince Di, brother of Hongluan, comes to order Si’an to translate a letter from Jin. Trying to fudge on it but in vain, Si’an has Princess Hongluan disguised as a man and read the letter. Prince Di is impressed and decides to marry his sister (Xiudian) to Hongluan.

On the wedding night, the two girls each give birth to a baby. Madame Shang has no choice but to say that she is the mother of the newborns. That night, under the order from Prince Di, Junxiong tries the strange case, but his true identity is revealed. Facing punishment from Prince Di, the desperate Junxiong sings “The Barbarian’s Song” which revives Hongluan’s memory and unexpectedly leads to the reunion of the Ni’s family. Finally, happiness befalls the two pairs of lovers after so much distress.