Synopsis

An adaptation of Zhang Yimou's film of the same name, the story is set in the 1930s. A young woman is forced to become the third wife of an old feudal lord. His other two wives, who are jealous of each other, receive the bride unwillingly.

The lord and his three wives pass the time playing mahjong and watching Peking Opera at home. They enjoy the opera so much that they arrange to invite the performers to play mahjong with them. During the mahjong game, the third wife rendezvous with her lover, a martial arts performer in the opera troupe.

The jealous second wife discovers their secret and informs the lord. Despite this act of loyalty, the second wife fails to gain the lord's favour and in fact infuriates him. She rapidly goes insane. In the end, the tense feudal family structure bloodily crashes down.

Overture

In the 1930s, inside the yard of a large, secluded house, the Master orders to lights the red lanterns. A young girl is being forced into a sedan chair. She is the new third wife of the master. Before she climbs in, she remembers her lover - a young actor in an opera troupe.

Act I

Amid the joyful atmosphere of the wedding, the first and second wives welcome this newcomer with mixed feelings. On the wedding night, the new wife struggles hard against her tragic destiny, but finally in vain. 

Act II

The master kills time with his wives day after day, watching Peking Opera and playing mahjong. The new wife takes advantage of the short hours of disengagement to meet her old lover, but is discovered by the second wife, who has evil intentions towards her.

Act III

The young lovers continue their secret affairs. The second wife informs against them and the master catches the daring lovers in the act. The second wife hopes to win back her lost love, but receives nothing from the lord. Lost and shattered, the second wife ignores the law the house. She grabs the lighting stick, which is the symbol of the master's power, and lights the red lanterns. In great fury, the lord orders his minions to execute the second wife who dares to break his house law.

Finale

The young lovers and the second wife are brought to the execution ground. Facing their death, they forgive each other and embrace with tolerance and love. Their young lives and beautiful love are strangled by feudalism.