The Palace of Wu has stood for a thousand years, and now old Mandarin Wu is sending his grandson, the last of the clan, to Europe for his education under the care of James Muir. Little Wu grew into manhood, learning the ways of the West, while retaining the ancient traditions of his family. He is married to his arranged bride, but a year later, Wu's wife dies giving birth to a daughter. Wu became a Mandarin with great wealth and power, while his daughter, Nang Ping, grew into a beautiful woman. Nang Ping has been promised to the son of another Mandarin, but one day she meets Basil Gregory, son of a wealthy businessman.
Months pass, and the young couple falls deeply in love.
Basil and his family must return home, and Nang Ping tells Basil that she is carrying his child. Nang Ping entertains the Gregorys at her father's home in his absence, and Nang Ping realizes that she could never fit into Basil's life. She tells Basil that her story was a lie and that she is to marry a Mandarin's son. Wu learns that Nang Ping is pregnant, and his tradition says that he must kill her to save her from being forever cursed. Nang Ping understands that the honor of the house of Wu must be preserved, and she willing goes to the altar in their house, where her father stabs her to death.