Xiqu

Stop the Horse:
During the Northern Song Dynasty, General Yang heeds Madam She’s orders to disguise herself as a man
to spy on the Liao kingdom military. On her way back, Jiao Guangpu stops her horse and lures her into an inn. Jiao, orignally a Song army general, ended up opening an inn to make a living after he was captured
and abandoned in Liao territory. He has long yearned to return home, but is unable to cross the borders. He sees an official’s emblem on General Yang belt and wants to steal it. Yang finds Jiao suspicious and fights with him. Jiao notices Yang doesn’t seem to be a Liao army general, tests her and finds out the truth. In the end, Jiao Guangpu pretends to be General Yang’s horse attendant and together they return home.

Top Scholar as Matchmaker:
The Song Emperor brings Princess Chai hunting near the border, where they encounter the Liao army. Yang Yanzhao passes by and rescues the emperor and the princess, just as Fu Dingkui, the son of a minister, rushes to the scene. The Song Emperor mistakes Fu for the hero and promises the princess’
hand in marriage to him. Yet Princess Chai falls in love with the handsome Yang Yanzhao, and sends him a cryptic poem as well as a gift of pearl-adorned clothing. Yang is summoned back to the capital, where he gets help to decrypt the poem and finds it is Princess Chai’s declaration of love for him. He informs the Song Emperor of the princess’ intentions, but the emperor insists it was Fu Dingkui who rescued them. Princess Chai requests an inquiry to find out the truth, so the Yang and Fu fathers bring their two sons to the Golden Palace. Yang Yanzhao and Fu Dingkui are asked to recall the rescue process and the truth comes out. The Emperor declares that according to his ancestors, whoever receives the pearl-adorned garment from the princess shall be her husband. Yang Yanzhao immediately presents the precious clothing given by Princess Chai, so they marry and live happily ever after.