The Most Popular Stories of Huangmei Opera

Everyday life has its fair share of narratives, which we enjoy listening to; twists and turns, drenched in emotions, will always work their magic on people.

The stories of Huangmei Opera are special in the world of opera. They are taken from life but infused with romance and imagination. Among them, several of the most popular ones have become the beloved choices in the hearts of countless people.

Fairy Couple

The classic Huangmei Opera "Fairy Couple" bears strong characteristics of folk narration for its values and emotional aesthetics.It is a beautiful mythological story. It tells of the kind-hearted and beautiful Seventh Fairy who fell in love with the honest and simple Dong Yong. She secretly descended to the mortal world and married Dong Yong. Dong Yong sold himself to work as a long-term laborer for the wealthy Master Fu. The intelligent Seventh Fairy assisted Dong Yong in escaping slavery and regaining his freedom by skillfully weaving ten pieces of brocade silk in one night. The Jade Emperor was angry to find out about this. He demands that the Seventh Fairy to come back to the Heavenly Palace, failing which Dong Yong would be in trouble. To offer protection for Dong Yong, the Seventh Fairy had to endure the heart-rending pain to leave Dong Yong behind; thus creating a timeless tragedy.

The Female Imperial Son-in-law

It is one of the classical dramas in China. It is about Feng Suzhen who was engaged to Li Zhaoting since childhood. As time goes by, the Li family declined. Li Zhaoting went to the Feng family to seek help. But Feng Suzhen's parents forced him to break off the engagement, because he was poor. Feng Suzhen secretly gave Li Zhaoting silver in the garden. But her father accused Li Zhaoting of being a thief, and sent him to prison. Liu Wenju was nearest and arranged for Feng Suzhen to get married. While this happened, Feng Suzhen wore men's clothing and fled. She entered the capital under the name of Liu Zhaoting to take the imperial examinations and was duly honored. She was then forced to become the son-in-law of the emperor. On the wedding night, Feng Suzhen risked her life to explain the truth and moved the princess.

Double-inserted Willow

Sun Wenxiu was on his way to the capital to sit for the imperial examination. He made a vow to his wife Zhao Guiying, praying to achieve fame and return home in glory. Zhao Guiying stayed home to take care of her elderly parents and children. After waiting for a long time without his return, she took their children to the capital to look for him. But Sun Wenxiu had passed the examination and he lured by wealth and status, became the son-in-law of the powerful Minister Yan's mansion. Knowing the Zhao Guiying had come, he ordered Ma Rulin, to kill her. But her stories touched Ma Rulin, who let her go. The poor children end up on the street, begging for a living. At night, they wept outside the wall of Minister Yan's mansion. Minister Yan was very angry after learning the truth and reported it to the court, demanding capital punishment for Sun Wenxiu. Thus, Sun Wenxiu was stripped of his official title and exiled into the service of the troops.

Buckwheat Cake

It tells a story of a loving couple, Xu Wenjin and Wang Sannü, who were very poor. Whole day long, Xu Wenjin would forage for firewood, while nocturnally working on his books to improve his livelihood. Wang Sannü made buckwheat cakes at home, intending to take them to her parents' house to celebrate their 60th birthday. But at the birthday banquet, Wang Sannü was cast out because of her poverty. On a snowy night, Wang Sannü and her son were at last driven into the stable. When Xu Wenjin came to know of his wife's experiences, he was determined that he would change their fate through hard study. Eventually, Xu Wenjin passed the imperial examination and became the top-scorer. Meanwhile, Wang Sannü's parents' family became impoverished and begged after a fire. Despite those struggles, Wang Sannü didn't treat her parents the way they had treated her and took the two in, thus exhibiting tolerance and the spirit of piety.

Chuncao's Adventure in the Yamen

The story is about Li Banyue, the daughter of the prime minister. Along with her maid Chuncao, she went to Huashan to burn incense. They were harassed by Wu Du, the son of the Minister of Personnel. Fortunately, they were rescued by the righteous man Xue Meiting. Wu Du killed Zhang Yulian, a fisherman's daughter, and was in turn furiously killed by Xue Meiting. To avoid implicating others, Xue Meiting surrendered himself to the yamen. The maid Chuncao, in an effort to uphold justice, skillfully helped Xue Meiting out of the yamen. Eventually, she enabled her master Li Banyue and the righteous man Xue Meiting to get married happily.

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• The Most Popular Stories of Huangmei Opera
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