Act I
Scene 1: Two sides of the wall
Inside her family’s mansion, Zhu Yingtai yearns to experience the outside world, but she is constantly prohibited to go out by her parents. Eventually, she is allowed to leave home to study, because her father thinks an educated girl would marry well.
Scene 2: The first encounter
On the way to the academy, Zhu Yuting revels in her first time experiencing freedom. She is so overjoyed that she even thinks the sky and the earth feel the same way. Then Liang and Zhu meet for the first time, and they continue on to the academy together as sworn brothers.
Scene 3: At the academy
Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai pay homage to Confucius as part of the entrance ceremony. During their time at the academy, Liang discovers Zhu is a girl. Back in the dormitory facing each other in a large shared bed, the protagonists are embarrassed. However, they are secretly in love, and their love is fulfilled in a dream.
Scene 4: Seasons
Time flies, and Zhu and Liang’s affections grow deeper. Zhu’s mother sends a letter saying that she‘s ill and Zhu must go home to see her.
Scene 5: Seeing her off
When Zhu Yingtai leaves the academy, Liang Shanbo sees her off and accompanies her all the way home. They are unwilling to part with each other.
Act II
Scene 1: Bird in a cage
Zhu Yingtai hurries home to see her mother and discovers that she had been lied to. Her father actually needs her to get married to continue the prestigious family line. She is understandably horrified and wants to escape back to the academy, but her mother holds her captive at home.
Scene 2: The balcony
Suffering from missing her, Ling Shanbo goes to Zhu’s mansion to propose marriage. The couple meet and dance, recalling the past. They agree to elope, but Zhu’s mother overhears their plan.
Scene 3: Liang’s death
Liang and Zhu attempt to elope, but at the critical moment when they manage to escape, they get caught. Liang is badly beaten and dies in indignation, and Zhu is locked up again.
Scene 4: The wedding
Believing in the power of their love, Zhu anticipates being with Liang one day and doesn’t know he is dead. When she gets his bloodstained clothes from her mother, she is completely grief-stricken. Frozen in shock, she resembles a lifeless puppet, allowing her mother and the maids to control her and prepare her for the wedding.
Scene 5: At Liang’s grave
On her way to the groom’s family home, Zhu Yingtai passes by Liang Shanbo’s grave. She stops to grieve for him and ultimately jumps into the grave, dying for love.
Finale: The Butterflies
Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai both transform into butterflies and fly happily away together. Their love lasts forever.
