In the Northern Song Dynasty, Chen Shimei, the husband of Qin Xianglian went to the capital for the imperial exam and was missing for three years. Because Chen's parents passed away, Qin Xianglian came to the capital Kaifeng with their children—Dongge and Chunmei. Chen took the first place in the imperial exam and then married to the princess. Instead of recognizing them, Chen sent his servant Han Qi to kill them for fear of being betrayed his secret. Qin told the truth to Han Qi who was so touched that he let Qin and her children go and committed suicide. Under the help of the Prime Minister Wang Yanling, Qin brought a lawsuit against Chen Shimei at government of Kaifeng. Bao Zheng called Chen Shimei to the court, intending to persuade him but failed. The Emperor's aunt and the Queen Mother came successively to Bao Zheng to prevent the execution. Finally, Bao Zheng executed Chen Shimei according to law.

北宋时期，秦香莲的丈夫陈世美上京赶考，一去三年音信全无。公婆去世后，秦香莲带着一双儿女——冬哥和春妹，前往东京汴梁寻夫。没成想，陈世美早已高中状元并被招为驸马。陈不仅不与秦香莲母子相认，反而派家将韩琪准备暗中将其杀害。韩琪得知事情真相后，放走香莲母子，自己激于义愤自杀身亡。

秦香莲在相国王延龄的帮助下，到开封府向包公申诉冤情。包公设计将陈世美诱至开封府衙，好言相劝，要陈与香莲母子相认。陈世美不仅不听忠告，反而大耍蛮横。国太、皇姑得知消息先后前来求情，包公铁面无私，一一拒绝，最终将陈世美正法。