The play was adapted by Tian Han from Wang Shifu's Yuan Zaju of the same name. It premiered in 1959 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and became Zhang Pai's next masterpiece, following "Wang Jiang Ting."

The opera tells the story of Zhang Gong in Luoyang, who was on his way to the exams and stayed at the ancient temple of Pujiu. He fell in love at first sight with Cui Yingying, the daughter of the Prime Minister Cui Jue. He asked Hongniang the maid of Cui Yingying about her master, but was rebuked.

The renegade general Sun Feihu surrounded the temple with his army and threatened to marry Cui Yingying. Mrs. Cui, the mother of Cui Yingying promised that the one who could retreat the army was able to marry her daughter. Zhang Gong wrote a letter to the White Horse General Du Que to seek his help. Then, Du Que came to the rescue them with his soldiers, and Sun Feihu was captured after losing.

After the siege, Mrs.Cui said nothing about the marriage, allowing only Zhang Gong and Cui Yingying to be brother and sister. Luckily, Hongniang helped him by suggesting that Zhang Gong write a poem to Cuiyingying. Then at night, Zhang Gong jumped the wall to meet Cui Yingying.

Later, Zhang Gong missed Cui Yingying too much that he got lovesickness, Hongniang brought Cui Yingying to his room. When Mrs.Cui found out about this, she reprimanded Hongniang, who said she did not keep her word. In desperation, Mrs.Cui promised Zhangong that if Zhangong passed the exam successfully, she would marry her daughter. So, Cui Yingying said farewell to Zhang Gong.