In an elegant garden with a small bridge, a trickling stream, overhanging willows, and a small pavilion, the magistrate of Tainan Prefecture hosts the wandering student Shao Zidu. The magistrate mistakenly believes Shao to be an official sent by the emperor, and is hoping to marry his daughter off to Shao.
小橋、流水、垂柳相伴，亭台優雅的後花園裡，台灣知府邀請被誤認為欽差大臣的落魄書生邵子都來家中盛情款待，希望能攀龍附鳳，將女兒嫁與欽差為妻。