A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY

The tragic death of butcher Ge Xiaoda cast suspicion on his wife, Xiao Baicai, who was alleged to have an improper relationship with Yang Naiwu (played by Wu Qihua). This relationship was suspected to be part of a conspiracy to kill Ge Xiaoda. Governor Liu Xitong (played by Lu Xiong) took on the case.

One night, a neighbor discovered Ge Xiaoda dead and covered in blood. Xiao Baicai was brought to trial, accused of adultery with Yang Naiwu and conspiring to murder her husband. Yang Naiwu, a Juren, could not be tortured due to his status, so he was imprisoned instead. Under Governor Liu's torture, Xiao Baicai revealed her history with Yang Naiwu.

Yang Naiwu fell in love with Xiao Baicai while collecting rent from her parents, who were his tenants. He arranged for Xiao Baicai to help with housekeeping, hoping to take her as a concubine. They developed feelings for each other but did not act on them due to the master-servant relationship and Yang's wife. After Xiao Baicai's parents died, Yang comforted her, and although they had physical contact, they held back due to her mourning period. Xiao Baicai vowed to marry Yang after mourning.

However, Xiao Baicai caught Yang's wife in an affair with Liu Haisheng, Governor Liu's son. Fearing exposure, Yang's wife forced Xiao Baicai to marry Ge Xiaoda, a notorious butcher. Xiao Baicai's attempt to escape failed, leading to her forced marriage.