In a small town, the only son of the local dominant family is found dead, naked in the bed of wine shop proprietress Cheng Niang. The young man's father, Lin Chi-Hsing, insists it is a murder committed by Cheng Niang's husband Tseng Chai-Chu, who claims he is innocent. Soon after Cheng Niang mysteriously disappears, Old Lin successfully bribes the Magistrate Tang to sentence Tseng to death for the crime. Cheng Niang learns about her husband's death and hangs herself...