Zhou Fan is betrothed to the Empress, but feigns a life of dissipation, secretly strengthening his power. The Empress issues an edict to annul the engagement. The Zhou State Duke banishes him from the Zhou family. The Prince announces plans to assassinate the Empress. Zhou Fan goes to see the courtesan, Xi Yue. Unbeknownst to him, the Empress has also come to see Zhou Fan. Seeing him enter the brothel, she disguises herself as a man to follow him.
