“THREE MEN & A GIRL”

-The Story-

It is sheer chance that young scholar Hsu Wun-sau meets Tsai Lan-ying, lovely daughter of Minister Tsai, a high official in the court during the Ming Dynasty. The two fall in love in no time: and while Hsu plays the harp to please his sweetheart, Lan-ying accompnies him by playing the flute, to the bewildered amazement of her maid Tsui-hsiang. But their happy togetherness is short-lived for Hsu is disappointed to find Lan-ying gone the next morning.

Minister Tsai is requested by the Emperor to proceed back to the Capitol to take charge of the forthcoming Grand Examination. Before he departs he asks his wife to try to pick their daughter a prospective husband. Meantime, Minister Tsai has also a rather lazy son, Mrs. Tasi is urged to hire a private tutor to keep him in constant company. Tsai Teh-cheng improves in his education, and it is after some private investigation that Lan-ying is surprised to learn her brother’s companion is none other than her secret lover Hsu.

The couple tries many times to see each other-but each time they are spoiled by some last-minute interfrence since they are compelled to go it very secretly being forbidden by old Chinese family customs. Lan-ying's brother Teh-cheng, however, becomes suspicious and finally the couple is given a scold by Mrs. Tsai. Lan-ying begs to be married to Hsu but this is flatly refused by her mother, who decides to promise her to Chang Yi-fan, son of another high government official.

Lan-ying is heart-broken, and she decides to leave the house in disguise as a man. She meets Luh Tsao-lung, also a high government official, who mistakes her as a man and wants to bring her to the Capitol to sit on the Grand Examination.

It is queer even to Lan-ying that her own father Minister Tsai should fail to recognize her. The result of the Examination reveals that Hsu comes first Chang second and Lan-ying herself, under the surname of Luh, third. Minister Tsai pronounces all the three successful winners candidates for becoming his future son-in-law. The three go to the House of Minister Tsai-only to be told to wait, since his daughter is reported missing.

But Lan-ying’s disguise does not last very long, her identity is finally made. A fight is on between Hsu and Chang th claim for her hand. A compromise is being put sorth-Minister Tsai gives up his right to influence his daughier’s fate and future-he lets her to make the selection for herself and, naturally, Lan-ying loves only one man with whom she lives happily ever after.

-The End-