The double-Pearl Phoenix
- ScreenwriterTong Tik-sang
Intellectual Man Pit-ching (Wen Bizheng) encounters Fok Ting-kam (Huo Dingjin), daughter of the Minister Fok (Minister Huo), at a nunnery. He finds her double-pearl phoenix hairpin under peach blossom and pretends to be a fortune teller to approach her. Later on, Pit-ching sells himself as a servant to the Fok family in order to get close to Ting-kam. Ting Hon-sheung (Ding Hanchang), Prince Hon's adopted son, has no real talents and always wishes to get married with Ting-kam. On the Prince's birthday banquet, Bit-jing exposes the proud Hon-sheung’s inability and further embarrasses him. With the order from Minister Fok, Pit-ching brings the plum blossom to Ting-kam's chamber. Ting-kam’s servant, Chau-wah (Qiuhua) makes fun of Pit-ching but allows him to see his love only when Pit-ching promises to adopt her as his sister. Pit-ching and Ting-kam pledge their love to each other and get engaged before Pit-ching leaves for the Imperial Exam.
Upon learning the news of her marriage to Hon-sheung, Ting-kam sets fire to the chamber to fabricate her death and runs away with Chau-wah to the capital for Pit-ching. With no knowledge of the whereabouts of Pit-ching and limited money, the homeless Ting-kam and Chau-wah linger around. Fortunately, the talent of Ting-kam in literature is cherished by the old Prime Minister Lau King (Liu Jing) who then adopts Ting-kam as his own daughter. After reading the "Imperial Prayer to Heaven" written by Ting-kam, the Emperor is so impressed with her flair and titles her Princess. Pit-ching is summoned to the palace after winning the championship in the Imperial Exam. Due to his love to Ting-kam, Pit-ching refuses to marry the Princess even it is a royal order. Recognizing Ting-kam is indeed the Princess, Pit-ching changes his attitude and accepts the marriage willingly which irritates the narrow-minded Hon-sheung. To comfort Hon-sheung, Pit-ching marries his adopted sister, Chau-wah, to Hon-sheung.