In 1920s Shanghai, Ma Zouri and Xiang Feitian establish a notorious beauty pageant called the Flowers Competition, which sets off a chain of tragic events when Wanyan Ying unexpectedly wins. The film stars Jiang Wen as Ma Zouri and Shu Qi as Wanyan Ying, amidst a complex web of relationships and power struggles between warlords, police inspectors, and prostitutes. As media reports on Wan Yanying's death circulation, Ma Zouri becomes a prime suspect and must use his wits to clear his name and outsmart his enemies.