On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor ["King" in the Chinese version] (Chow Yun-fat) and the second of his three sons, Prince Jai (Jay Chou), return from their military campaign to Nanjing so they can celebrate the holiday with their family. However, the Empress ["Queen" in the Chinese version] has been in an affair with the first son, Crown Prince Wan (Liu Ye (actor)), who was born of the Emperor's previous wife. At the same time, Crown Prince Wan has been in an affair with Jiang Chan (Li Man), daughter of the Imperial Doctor, and is keen on rejecting the throne so that he may run away with her.