枝姐為了傻兒子著想，討了孤苦無依的秋蓮做童養媳，秋蓮經年受盡皮肉之苦，幸得順興憐惜，二人私定終身；阿雄豪賭成性，為求生活無虞，用甜言蜜語誘惑枝姐，甘受外人冷嘲熱諷，招贅給枝姐為夫。阿雄對楚楚可憐的秋蓮愛慕不已，但礙於枝姐而不敢有所表示。一天，他趁枝姐不在，欲強暴秋蓮，後被傻兒子發覺，在糾纏間殺了傻兒子並嫁禍於順興，在枝姐和阿雄有力證供下，順興被判死刑！秋蓮眼見無望，於是偕同順興投崖自盡。

　　剧情主要描写日本占据台湾时期，自小被卖身到别家作养女的秋莲和青年顺兴相恋，但少女自卖身为养女的那一刻，即已丧失了人权和地位，在这种不合人性的封建桎梏下，他们的命运只能走向悲剧结局。

Zhijie, in her bid to find a wife for her mentally-challenged son, found Chu Lien to become her daughter-in-law. From then, Chu Lien's life becomes miserable, constantly being physically abused. Fortunately, Shun-hsing took pity on her, both of them quietly exchange solemn vows to each other...