"Songlian (Gong Li), who had just been in college for half a year, was forced by her money-grubbing mother to marry into the Chen family compound and became the master's fourth concubine. There is an old rule in the Chen Mansion. The aunts and wives have to stand in front of their houses in the evening, waiting for the red lanterns sent by the servants to symbolize the "good fortune" of the master."