The feverish on paintings has driven KANG XI to disguise and leave palace to look for fine art. His best painter, ZHANG NAM SHA accompanies the king and sets off the journey to Yang Zhou. At the same time, painter, CHENG PANG KIU specialises in painting bamboo; however, his father, CHENG ZI BEN has an opposite view.
The government officials arrest KIU for disruption. KIU claims innocent and has no intention in making trouble. Hence, ZHANG takes his explanation of carelessness into account and releases him. Meanwhile, SUN comes up a plan for fortune. KIU has no place to live; therefore, SUN invites KIU to his art gallery.
CHUI decides to work at a restaurant and practises her excellent cooking technique on dumpling. She hopes to find TSE or arises her attention by the delicacy one day. The smell of dumpling attracts KIU instead. Owing to poverty, KIU cannot afford to taste the delicious. Hence, CHUI gives him the food without charge. In return, KIU thanks CHUI by writing a poet on her handkerchief.
NONG considers that KIU has once saved his life, he agrees to keep the secret for him as compensate. Since the troublesome issue is solved, SUN and KIU rush to pay the ransom for TSE. But their rescue plan does not roll out smoothly. Because of late arrival; another buyer is adopting TSE. Under such circumstances, SUN has no choice but uses up all his saving to liberate TSE.
One day, KIU invites TSE to taste the dumplings made by CHUI. Although TSE finds the taste is so familiar, she is lacking of chance to meet CHUI at the moment. On the other hand, KIU has an idea to set free NONG. He asks SUN to imitate the work of NONG and launches to the market. The price drops eventually due to mass re-production. People lose interest in collecting the work of NONG also.
SUN is ashamed when the buyer takes TSE away. He tells KIU the truth and they search around the city for TSE. Fortunately, TSE is able to escape due to the slip sight of the buyer and reunion with KIU and SUN. They hurry to hide TSE and beats up the follower, CHIU, mistakenly. All of them shelter at the house of SUN. Finally, CHIU and TSE are reunion. CHUI tends to go home with TSE; however, SUN insists to have ransom from the WONG’s family. CHUI has no alternatives and leaves behind to accompany TSE. Meanwhile, she often quarrels with SUN for his ill-treat on TSE. KIU becomes a mediator to pacify both parties instead.
KIU presents his new painting to the rich buyer, while he is entertaining four famous artists. KIU learns a harsh lesson, his work is deprecated by those artists in a straightway. KIU goes home with despair, while BEN continues to persuade KIU to give up and returns home. But at least, he still has an understanding friend, CHIU; who always supports him.
ZHANG and KIU travel along the countryside and it is definitely a fertile trip for KIU. He forgets all his worries and gains a lot of new ideas for his work. Moreover, ZHANG teaches KIU to paint the bamboo in a new perspective. KIU completes his new painting and presents it to ZHANG as a gift. TSE realises that her mother is coming to pick her up very soon. Despite the happiness of reunion, she is upset for leaving KIU and his friend. CHIU helps TSE to dress up for meeting Mrs. Wong and the beauty of TSE attracts SUN at once.
SUN regrets to let go TSE. He brings along the ransom and tends to ask for the permission of WONG in getting married with TSE. Meanwhile, KIU arrives and proposes his love to TSE also. But their hopes vanish because WONG concerns money only. And, WONG drives them away harshly.
WONG identifies JUN is the ideal husband for TSE since JUN is brought up in a wealthy family. Hence, WONG creates opportunity for JUN to date TSE for picnic; and in coincidence, they meet KIU. KIU is upset because he notices that JUN is rich and his family has great influences at the imperial palace. But sometimes, despair can be healed by friendship; yet, ZHANG comforts his young fellow, KIU, kindly.
KIU promises ZHANG to withdraw from the art society and returns home. KIU is not just upset with his career disappointment; he also encounters hardship on his love issue. WONG insults KIU directly and drives him away; when KIU tries to say goodbye to TSE.
Sharing builds a closer relationship between KANG and KIU. They express their feelings by drawing the bamboo. At mid-night, there is an emergency call from the imperial. KANG leaves a referral letter to KIU and returns to palace. In the letter, KANG assigns KIU to be the chief art director. The achievement of KIU changes the view of WONG eventually. The success in career does not open all the gates for KIU because TSE refuses to forgive him and date with JUN instead. Meanwhile, JUN promises to shelter and support TSE whenever she is unhappy; furthermore, he is willing to be the replacement of KIU. TSE is moved by his generous.
WONG explains to TSE honestly that their family is bankrupt; hence, she forbids TSE to marry KIU. The family burden weighs too heavy for TSE and she can never imagine the matter will affect her whole life. TSE sobs sorrowfully. On the other hand, SUN teases CHUI; meanwhile, BEN also has bias on CHUI. CHUI is upset because she finds a lot of difficulties in fitting into the family of KIU.
Despite the persuasion of BEN, the students still have reservation to attend classes. BEN feels pity and blames KIU for his irresponsible act. However, KIU has a different opinion towards the perspective of studies; in fact, he does not believe education from books can enrich one’s life nor brings prosperity. BEN finds KIU more pathetic then.
CHIU insults NONG and SUN and releases them. Though the life is saved, NONG and SUN find no dignity to live in Yong Zhou anymore. Apart, the relationship goes rapidly between KIU and CHUI and they become a real couple after drunk on a splendid evening. At that time, the country is suffered from drought; hence, YONG releases all criminals in order to praise for mercy. And, ZHANG is set free then.
BEN claims that he draws the bamboo painting in order to get rid of the suspect of CHIU. Besides, ZHANG tends to praise YONG with his paintings privately but he has a reverse result. YONG does not appreciate the intention of ZHANG; moreover, he is still angry with ZHANG for not helping him during the throne of KANG. He humiliates ZHANG and orders him to satisfy with his role at present. ZHANG is furious.
KIU decides to help TSE to mend the painting secretly. Yet, CHUI feels suspicious and follows KIU; but she is upset to discover that KIU and TSE get along together again. One day, KIU meets SUN and NONG; they tell KIU that no one dares to draw at Yong Zhou due to the suppression from king. KIU feels pathetic about the situation.
Despite the illness of KIU, he carries on drawing and faints; hence, TSE takes care of him tenderly. Meanwhile, CHUI sobs and has the comfort of SUN in return. When KIU wakes up and he is pleased to find TSE takes care of himself. Just when KIU almost completes the painting, he asks TSE to elope again. TSE feels astonish and rushes out to calm down herself. She meets BEN coincidentally. BEN blames TSE for destroying the family of KIU and CHUI and asks her to withdraw as soon as possible. TSE feels guilty and decides to decline the proposal of KIU. KIU respects her decision and asks TSE to collect the painting tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, the private deal between YONG and JUN is call off. JUN receives an adjudication of death from YONG due to his delinquent. In fact, ZHANG is the one behind the plot; nevertheless, he persuades YONG to imprison Prince Fourteen also. ZHANG gets back his art gallery; but his arrogant becomes a burden to FONG.
CHUI returns Hing Fa to take care of BEN, who is seriously ill. Meanwhile, SUN and NONG promise to look for KIU. Besides, MUI fails to persuade KIU to return home; hence, she infatuates KIU and brings him home. The journey is rough and they nearly fall down from the cliff.
The next morning, BEN makes an announcement to close down the school; meanwhile, he encourages KIU to cultivate his career at the art society. KIU appreciates and accepts his generous support. So, KIU accompanies with CHUI and his younger brother, MARK set off for their journey to Yong Zhou and KIU finds the prosperity of Yong Zhou is amazing.
QIAN tends to pay a high price for the artwork of KIU. KIU fails to recognise QIAN and finds him lacking sense of art; thus, refuses his offer in a straightway. QIAN does not angry with him; on contrary, he appreciates his nobility. Unfortunately, the subordinate of QIAN beats KIU and takes away his artwork to praise QIAN. Nevertheless, he cheats QIAN that KIU is willing to trade off the artwork with a higher price. QIAN believes and feels disappointed towards KIU at once.
The district governor punishes QIAN because of his accusation. At the same time, KIU appears and confess the crime. He is punished too. The district governor has no sense of justice but puts both KIU and QIAN in jail; hence, they meet again and make up with each other. Furthermore, QIAN highly appreciates and respects the courage of KIU.
Though CHIU tends to hid his secret and executes the district governor immediately, the arrival of SHUN and MUI disclose his plot to QIAN. QIAN sentences CHIU to death and his family is confiscated. Besides, CHUI is recovered from coma and the doctor proves that she is pregnant too. However, the doctor recommends CHUI for an abortion due to her internal injury.
Since YAU often ill-treats the peasants, KIU considers giving him a lesson. At the grass field, KIU is bite by a snack. Luckily, MUI discovers him and carries KIU to visit the doctor in time. KIU is saved from danger then. CHUI thanks the help of MUI and realises that MUI can accompany KIU in the future.
CHUI passes away finally; but her death echoes with the sounds of sorrow at the heart of KIU consistently. Moreover, KIU puts the blame on MUI and always demands for a divorce. On contrary, MUI does not angry with him at all but understands his grieves literally. She insists to stay behind and takes care of KIU forever.
While fame follows KIU after he plays an important role for QIAN, SUN has an intention to seek for his help on NONG. However, SUN feels difficult to get close with KIU this time, especially when KIU becomes a government official. Therefore, MUI tries to help SUN and NONG at aside. Unfortunately, KIU does not pleased with their effort and reinforce the importance of equal and justice.
WONG cannot tolerate the master rapes TSE; hence, she kills all the people in the house. Mrs. Chan begs TSE to take her away breathlessly but she wants to take revenge on WONG also. Just when Mrs. Chan tries to hurt WONG, TSE kills her by accident. TSE takes all the fortune and runs away with WONG. And, this is the truth behind the story of TSE; yet, it is also an opening chapter for the revenge of TSE. In fact, TSE blames KIU for bringing her the entire unfortunate and causing the death of her husband, JUN. Apart, the drawing of PING impresses KIU; however, he feels inconvenient to select his painting due to his relationship with TSE.
MUI is imprisoned. Even though she tries to tell the truth, KIU neglects her explanation. Unexpectedly, TSE encourages KIU to set free MUI in order to misguide KIU violating the law. KIU is confused and fails to recognise the intention of TSE. He releases MUI eventually. Therefore, QIAN orders him to recover the last paintings and MUI within 3 days.
MUI persists in helping KIU and bustled around trying to rescue him. She seeks for the assistance of Mrs. Chan to disclose the secret of TSE; however, TSE does not fall into their trap. Moreover, she has strong believed in herself and her revenge on KIU. Until SUN mentions the unnoticed details, TSE has uncertainties. PING disagrees with TSE for framing KIU and intends to report to the yamen. Unfortunately, he does not succeed because WONG kills him in advance. TSE begins to suspect and forces WONG to tell her the truth. Hence, WONG admits her mistake, which has caused the outcomes.