Act I

Scene One: The young beauty, Gülnaz, is in love with the student Sarvar. Her impoverished father, Rustam bey, decides to improve his financial situation by marrying his beautiful daughter to the wealthy but elderly merchant, Mashadi Ibad. Sarvar devises a plan to prevent this and advises Gülnaz to comply with her father's wishes without worry. Rustam bey expresses his desire to his daughter, who pretends to agree. However, the maid Sanam, who loves Gülnaz as her own daughter, opposes this marriage.

Mashadi Ibad visits Rustam bey's house to see the girl. Gülnaz and Sanam mock him. Attracted to women, Mashadi Ibad also takes a liking to the maid. Rustam bey invites guests to celebrate his daughter's engagement. The festivities intensify with toasts and songs by the khanende. However, by the end of the celebration, one guest—Hasan, an intellectual—insults Mashadi Ibad, leading to a brawl.

Act II

Scene Two: Rustam bey regrets deciding to marry his daughter to Mashadi Ibad. Gülnaz and Sarvar meet in the garden and confess their love. Meanwhile, Mashadi Ibad arrives at Rustam bey's house to secretly see the girl. Facing a high fence, he hires a servant to assist him. Peering over the fence, he sees Sarvar with Gülnaz, leading to an argument. Mashadi Ibad seeks revenge by enlisting Gochu Asker and his men. However, Sarvar and his friends, as planned, ridicule and chase away the bandits.

Returning home, Rustam bey encounters Sarvar and threatens to kill him. Sarvar reveals his plan and convinces Rustam bey to support the young lovers. Mashadi Ibad complains about his mistreatment, attracting a crowd. Rumors spread that Gülnaz has two suitors. Opportunists exploit this, each promising Mashadi Ibad help in exchange for money. Finally, they decide to summon Rustam bey for a serious discussion. Rustam bey announces that Sarvar is his daughter's uncle and agrees to expedite the wedding. Everyone congratulates Mashadi Ibad.

Act III

Scene Three: Mashadi Ibad is taken to the traditional pre-wedding bathhouse. In the dressing room, the bath attendant, Mashadi Gazanfar, praises his establishment, supported by Usta Magerrem and other attendants, who sing and dance. Mashadi Ibad and his friends exit the bath. To avoid payment, Ghasangulu bey, Rza bey, and Gochu Asker feign a quarrel and leave, blaming the attendant. Realizing the situation, Mashadi Ibad pays the bill and sends a servant after them. The friends return nonchalantly and ceremoniously escort the groom from the bathhouse.

Scene Four: At Mashadi Ibad's home, the wedding celebration is underway, led by Gochu Asker. Guests dance, and a servant performs a meykhana, mocking the cunning beys. After Ghasangulu bey, Rza bey, and Hasan bey dance and sit, Gochu Asker takes center stage for his dance. He then invites Mashadi Ibad to dance, saying, "The groom should dance too, so that market prices drop." After the dance, they go to fetch the bride. Left alone, Mashadi Ibad adjusts his attire confidently but worries about how the well-bred girl will adapt to his home. He decides to lock all windows and doors once she arrives to accustom her to staying indoors.

The sounds of the wedding procession approach, and Sarvar, disguised as the bride, is brought in by a group of girls. After the dancers leave, Mashadi Ibad, humming happily, approaches the bride. Lifting the veil, he is terrified to see Sarvar armed instead of Gülnaz. Sarvar forces Mashadi Ibad to write that he doesn't love Gülnaz and wishes to marry the maid Sanam. After Sarvar leaves, Mashadi Ibad raises an alarm about the bride's escape. A crowd gathers, and Mashadi Ibad asks his friends, "Why didn't you check if the bride was a man or a woman?" They respond, "A bride can only be a woman." Furious, Mashadi Ibad exclaims, "The bride turned out to be a man!" The cunning beys, promising help, again ask for money. Mashadi Ibad drives them away and, calling Sanam, asks her to marry him.

With the words "If not this one, then that one," everyone congratulates Mashadi Ibad.