Park So-sa, Jo Jinsa's young wife, lives days of constant anxiety due to her inescapable fate. One day, unable to contain her desires, she commits adultery. Because of her powerful father, Park Daegam, her in-laws tolerate the act and merely relocate her to the village of Paengnam. There, she grows close to Dangol-ne, a peddler, and together with three other women, they form the 'Cheongsanggye' to enjoy times of pleasure. However, Jo Jinsa, suspicious of his wife's behavior, follows her and witnesses the adultery. Enraged, Jo Jinsa draws a knife, but accidentally stabs himself and dies. This incident exposes the 'Cheongsanggye,' and the other women are executed by a hangman or throw themselves into the river. This time, Park So-sa covers up the affair with her father's help, but commits suicide inside her palanquin on the way back home.