Italy, late 17th century: In a country occupied by Spain, Carmela is happily married to Luca, a miller. Besides Luca, other men also find the beautiful miller's wife attractive, not least the governor Don Teofilo, who tries to exploit his power. Carmela and Luca enjoy all kinds of privileges, above all they do not have to pay the annoying road tolls that the heartless governor demands from all the villagers. However, the governor wants more than just the beautiful woman's charming smile in return. On the advice of his secretary Gardunia, who is actually the brains behind all the governor's decisions, he has Luca imprisoned so that he can spend a night with Carmela. But when Don Teofilo believes that Carmela is now at his mercy, she leads him on. A turbulent game of confusion ensues, in which Luca, who has been released, also actively intervenes.