A fairly enjoyable opera scripted by Chang Cheh. Unlike other films in this genre, the singing is less frequent and usually faster paced.

Two concubines are vying to become the empress by being the first to produce a male heir. Li Zheng Fei does, but is tricked out of her due by the other concubine, Liu, who dispatches a maid with the heir to drown it in the river. The maid and fate intervene and the heir is spirited away to safety. Complications ensue and the heir becomes the emperor after all, but is in the thrall of Liu, with Li Zheng Fei leading a sorry existence far from the palace. Judge Bao and retinue enter the scene and attempt to right decade-old wrongs in a very cinematic manner.

If you've not seen a Huangmei Opera, this is a pretty painless place to start.