Heo Seung, a law student at Boseong Professional School, returns to his hometown during summer vacation, completes his night studies, and travels to Seoul. However, his heart is drawn to Yu Sun, a simple maiden from his hometown. After graduating, Heo Seung passes the high official examination and becomes a lawyer. Although he had always been interested in the rural movement and decided to return to the countryside to live, he marries Jeong Seon, the only daughter of the wealthy merchant Yoon Cham Pan of Jangan, known for her beauty and scholarship, and settles in Seoul. Abandoning his ideals, Heo Seung argues with his wife in married life due to their disagreements and his refusal to accept legal cases. He then returns to his hometown and dedicates himself to working for the villagers. Jeong Seon, dissatisfied with this, has an affair with her husband's friend. Upon learning of this, Heo Seung travels to Seoul. It is then that his wife realizes her mistake, attempts suicide but fails, becomes disabled, and visits her husband to beg for forgiveness. Heo Seung forgives his wife and returns to his hometown with her, who has sworn to dedicate her life to the rural cause.