The Chun Dang family is known for the virtue of their ladies. The matriarch of the household puts all her energy into maintaining its honor. Meanwhile, the lady Yeon Ji is unable to bear children. The matriarch oppresses Yeon Ji’s fundamental rights and instincts with her self-righteousness and stubbornness. In order to carry on the family lineage, the matriarch brings a surrogate woman into the house. Finally, the matriarch, who values the honor and dignity of her noble household above life itself, demands Yeon Ji to kill herself. Unable to escape her fate, Yeon Ji hangs herself on the tree where defiled women are hanged.