Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story

Zhang Qi Ye dies young. His sons continue the thriving post-war family business. Qi Ye’s bereaved wife Xiu Niang shuns Shu Yu for causing Qi Ye’s death. Shu Qin runs the household and convinces Xiu Niang to leave her room on her 48th birthday. Xiu Niang insists Shu Yu cannot pay respects to Qi Ye. Shu Qin gets Shu Yu to make Xiu Niang’s favourite tapioca leaf curry, but the leaves are sold out.

During dinner, Shu Yu tries unsuccessfully to win Xiu Niang’s favour and gets upset at Shu Qin. Yao Guang accidentally injured Yao Ming while playing with a gun. The only witness to the incident, An Ya, turns mute due to shock. The family hides Yao Ming’s death from Xiu Niang. When Xiu Niang rebukes Si Li for arguing with the servants, Si Li reveals Yao Ming’s death. The shocked Xiu Niang faints.

Jin Hai stops Jin Quan from disciplining Si Li. Shu Yu objects to Jin Hai firing Fang. Shu Qin punishes her by forfeiting two months’ pay. Si Li resents being told to respect her elders. An Ya’s condition worsens with Yao Guang’s threats, gets kidnapped, and doesn’t return after the ransom is paid. Seven years later, a homeless con artist Xin Niang defends street urchins and challenges Bai Ah Li.

Xin Niang saves an old man while fighting Bai Ah Li at Disaster Hall and earns his respect. Shu Qin loses her son and continues searching for her long-lost daughter An Ya. An Na resents her parents Jin Quan and Si Li for deeming her a jinx and sending her away. Xin Niang wins a fight with a thug over her wages. Xin Niang’s quick thinking and smarts during a con catch Shu Qin’s eye and impress her.

Shu Qin whips Yao Guang and Yao Liang for calling Yao Zu a bastard. A furious Si Li is ignored by Jin Quan. An Na, bitter, secretly causes Shu Qin’s fall. Zhu gambles her money away. Xin Niang is mocked for living like a beggar. Zhu hears about the long-lost An Ya and has Xin Niang impersonate her. Xin Niang admits to the sham when she meets Shu Qin, who declares she’s An Ya after examining her.

Jin He returns to see Xin Niang fighting with Yao Guang and Yao Liang. Shu Qin admits Xin Niang isn’t An Ya but wants to adopt her. Xin Niang flees and is deemed ungrateful. Zhu severs ties with her after gambling away the money from the Zhangs. Shu Qin and Jin He save Xin Niang on the streets. Seven years pass. Xin Niang prepares Nyonya dishes to welcome Yue Niang. An Na vies for her favour.

Xin Niang’s buah keluak fried rice is praised by Yue Niang. Xiao Lao Shu is hurt in a gang fight. Xin Niang helps him and warns Bai Ah Li to stay away from the triads. An anxious Xin Niang hears that Ah Zhu may be in Siam and helps a woman fleeing the Mansion. Zu Ye audits his bird’s nest business. When he saves Hong Yu, who is fleeing capture, Bai Ah Li interrupts, leading Zu Ye to call the cops.

Xin Niang disguises herself and teams up with Bai Ah Li, who keeps Feng busy while Hong Yu escapes. Yao Zu and the cops turn up and arrest Feng. Xin Niang ignores Yao Zu’s words and insists Bai Ah Li is a worthy friend. Shu Qin gets Xin Niang to help at the warehouse and teach girls to read. She shares Yue Niang’s trials, motivating Xin Niang to earn her title as a Nyonya and start a business.