A hou hsiao-hsien film
from the 1892 dialect novel by han ziyun as translated into mandarin by Eileen Chang
the most elite pleasure quarters in late 19th century Shanghai...
Lay hidden in the city's British concession
these enclaves were known as “flower houses”
“All fortunes! 3 great fortunes!”
Why do I keep losing today?
If you lose, you have to drink!
I won't accept defeat!
What? Empty your cup!
“All fortunes! 2 together! 5 champions!”
“5 champions!”
It's a tiel
neither of you won
then they should both drain their cups!
It would be fair for both of you all have to drink
good!
Everybody, drink!
This is very enjoyable!
Who's next?
Me
All right, luo!
Let's use the chicken-pattern cups
yufu...
“2 together!"
"8 immortals!”
“2 together! 3 great fortunes!”
“3 great fortunes!”
Drink up!
My young brother yufu is new here,
but look how many girls will drink for him!
Impressive!
“ An easy win! 5 champions!”
All right..."8 immortals!”
“8 immortals!”
Pour wine for him
your brother's rather good at this game
he's learned from experts!
“2 together!"
4 joys! 2 together!”
“3 great fortunes! 8 immortals!”
“4 joys!”
Pour wine for him
you have to drink!
Please, not too much!
Young people always have a way!
Yufu, who's she?
Crystal's younger sister
don't you know?
Crystal is always feeling ill her sister is here in her place
thank you, miss
we should let yufu go
we can go on playing
the women all think he should stop
because crystal's is waiting for him
have some more wine!
Come on, drink up!
He and crystal are really serious about each other!
I've seen besotted couples in my time...
But none like them!
It's as if they're stuck together like toffee!
Sticking with each other.
They go out together, come in together
if a day goes by without a meeting, it's the end of the world!
Crystal asks the women to track him everywhere
and if they lose him?
Then she bursts into tears!
I tell you,
I've never seen the like!
That's what love is all about, isn't it?
What happens when they're together?
I'll tell you!
I visited him one morning...
And found them
gazing into each other's eyes
just sitting there, gazing at each other!
Not saying anything?
Not a word! Hopelessly lovestruck!
You know what that's called?
What?
Tell us!
“Mental telepathy”! Let's drink!
Fate has brought them together
luo calls it "fate"...
I believe in it!
Really? I call it 'bad Karma'
what?
Notice how pale yufu is?
He's caught in her trap!
He looks so pale, doesn't he?
One time I suggested a visit to the opera
you know what crystal said?
What?
“The opera's just a lot of noise.
Why go?”
But the opera is a blast!
So I suggested to go out in a horse-carriage instead
I thought they'd enjoy looking around
you know what crystal said?
"Who wants to bump around in a horse-carriage?”
Again, a horse-carriage trip is a blast!
And it didn't even end there!
My next suggestion was to go and be photographed
nice idea
for a souvenir!
You know what crystal said?
“But the camera will capture the beams
from your eyes!”
Next morning I saw her licking his eyes!
Licking his eyes?
With her tongue!
Actually licking his eyes!
This has been going on for half a month or more!
What a story!
Let's have some more winel
and the food's getting cold
your next dish!
What is it?
A delicacy!
Bean-curd soup!
Bean-curd soup in a sand pot
what's wrong with master wang?
Master wang has been calling on Jasmin
and so today crimson sent her maids
to beat Jasmin at the ming garden
I didn't know crimson was so vicious!
That wasn't vicious!
I think she was silly to go to so much trouble
if they'd damaged her jewelry,
master wang would have paid for it anyway
and if you'd been crimson?
Me?
I'm not inclined to tell you
they're quarrelling!
Why don't you call on cinnamon and see how I react?
You think I wouldn't dare?
I'd have cinnamon come out to give you a beating!
It sounds nicer than it is.
You're saying this to impress master Hong?
All of your talk is ridiculous
why?
As a flower girl,
you have many callers
so you must accept that your callers
will see other flower girls!
What do you mean?
It's simple enough
we're in business, so there's no other way
if you buy my exclusive services for three seasons, then I'll see no-one else
isn't that right?
You mean you want to leech off me?
If not you, then who else ¢
right?
Drink! Drink!
Master zhu, I challenge you!
This is what I call a party!
Flowers of Shanghai
Crimson, of the huifang enclave
master wang,
it was your mistake
you should be frank with our mistress
it's nothing even you called on ten Jasmin
it's no right to hide from her
when crimson found out, she wailed...
“Master wang has abandoned me
for Jasmin!”
Master wang simply called on Jasmin
for a cup of wine
last night
and now he's here, as usual
master Hong!
Don't blame our mistress
for being upset!
When master wang began calling on her...
She had many other callers
but they stopped coming...
When master wang became her patron
we invited them back, but master wang said...
“Never mind if they come or not,
I'll support you myself!"
Master wang...
Those were your exact words!
Our mistress has been very contented with master wang
she takes no other gentlemen callers
you also said...
You'd take care of
all our mistress's debts
master Hong...
How can you blame our mistress
for being upset?
There's nothing more to say about this
put Jasmin out of your mind
master wang is here now
crimson, you have not lost face
let's put this behind us
master wang will buy you clothes and jewelry
and he'll clear whatever debts you have
that settles everything, doesn't it?
I don't mind him calling on Jasmin
what I mind is the secrecy!
And he's with her almost all the time!
Master tang, I've been with master wang
for four to five years
and what you see in this room is all that he's ever given me
he's been calling on Jasmin for only ten days...
And she has already has an entire new wardrobe
seeing what's going on,
his friends have rushed to buy furniture for her
master tang, you have no idea!
This is nonsense!
Flower girls are recompensed for their services
their callers have no responsibility for their other debts
you're asking too much!
No flower girl relies on just one caller
and no gentleman limits himself to one flower girl
we can go wherever we please!
It's tedious to even discuss this!
You're right, master Hong
no flower girl relies on just one caller
our mistress has plenty of other callers
why should she rely only on master wang?
But master wang made her
a promise
if he'd kept his promise,
our mistress would have no complaint
as you say, no gentleman has to limit himself
to one flower girl
our mistress can say nothing
but while he is calling on Jasmin...
Our debts remain unpaid
which of us is being “tedious”?
You or our mistress?
All right
none of this properly concerns us
let's go
are you leaving now, master wang?
Jingda!
Master wang, you can leave if you want to
no-one will detain you
but let's make one thing clear
jingda and I were up all night comforting our mistress
we didn't sleep at all
tonight we will sleep
women like us are never responsible...
If our luck turns bad and we are left penniless
master wang...
You cannot blame us for this situation
we should leave now
stay as long as you like
I'm sorry you were troubled
tomorrow we'll set two banquet tables to apologize to you
no need for that
You were too scared of us to come alone?
Did you think I will bully you?
You turn up today with two friends
for what reason?
What they said just made me angrier!
Very clever of you!
Master wang is not at fault
those friends led him astray
maybe they were the ones
who led him to call on Jasmin
he needed no help!
His friends didn't push him
he found that little chicken all by himself!
Jasmin is no chicken these days
she even hires opera troupes for entertainment!
Master wang...
How much have you spent on her? Thousands?
Nonsense
really?
Well, master wang needn't bother his head about it
smoke some opium
Ginseng soup for you, master wang
Azhu, why is crimson so upset?
What do you mean?
I've promised to pay her debts,
but she still says I'm cheating her
master wang understands very well
no, that's why I'm asking
master wang, an intelligent man like you
should understand
our mistress has always treated you well
why didn't you clear her debts before now?
Now you say you'll clear them
but you sound grudging
how can she accept if you begrudge her for holding you to your promise?
But she's the one holding a grudge!
Our mistress has nothing to be angry about
sooner or later,
master wang will clear her debts for her
for her
it's all up to you
but should your relationship with crimson
depend on such trivial details?
Well, should it?
If I don't clear her debts, she calls me bad
and if I clear them, she still calls me bad
what does she really want?
Master wang, do I really need to explain?
Don't get angry...
Just don't get angry, all right?
I'll follow your advice
All you can say is "don't get angry”?
If you were me, wouldn't you get angry?
If I were you, I'd be over it by morning
Don't get angry...
Don't cry...
Come on.
Don't cry...
Pearl, of the gongyang enclave
Master Hong is here
Where were you last night?
I called on Jasmin,
then went home
why is your mother hitting treasure?
It's nothing
treasure should mind
what she says
she wants more than
she can have
alongside Jade, she's nothing
there's always trouble
when she tries to compete
what did treasure say?
Treasure said...
“Jade doesn't have her own hookah,
so auntie took mine for her”
“she goes out
in my old dresses, too”
Jade overheard this,
and refused to wear the dress again
this morning she stayed in bed,
saying she felt ill.
That's why mother is scolding treasure
she's asked me to talk to Jade
what are you supposed to say to her?
It's difficult for me
just seeing her makes me angry
she gets a few bookings
and she's so full of herself
while treasure gets beaten,
as if she'd only just entered the house
but Jade is a real asset
if you weren't the daughter of the house,
she might look down on you too
don't say that, she and I are quite close
she pays more attention to me than to mother
a booking for mistress Jade
coming
I just told her...
If she refused to go,
then your mother would have to send treasure instead
she rushed off the moment she heard that
well done!
Eat something.
You should eat before we go out
and you should eat before you go drinking
not hungry, and I should go now
then send for me later.
I'll eat, have a wash and join you
all right
Mistress Pearl, food's ready
ask Jade if she's hungry, we could eat together
Sister.
Feeling better?
Better.
Have some more
treasure opens her mouth without thinking
without thinking
she says whatever comes into her head
anyway, you're not like her
you get many bookings, mother likes you
you needn't be so sensitive
if treasure upsets you, tell me -
don't tell mother
Does it seem like I'm taking treasure's side?
I'm not really
after all, we're just flower girls
all working in this one house
some years from now, we'll all be married
even the most popular of flower girls...
Has only a fleeting period
of fame
try to look at it that way
sister, you think too much
I'm too ignorant to know what's true and what isn't
I'll never blame you
for setting me right
I just hope you really understand
let's eat.
Emerald, of the shangren enclave
Do you have any money?
Yes.
Just look at you, at your age!
You still want to keep lovers?
Don't care about face?
Here's some spending money for them
I won't.
I'm tired of reminding you.
Who else can you borrow from?
Don't worry, this is the last time
thank you, master luo,
this is so embarrassing
at least you realize that
why does she need the money?
She irritates me so much,
look at her...
When she has money, her men take it
when she doesn't, she borrows from me
scold her about it,
and she pretends not to understand
a few days later she's forgotten all about it
a booking for mistress emerald!
What can I do about her?
Where is it?
Houma street
all right
who is she seeing?
There are several men
some new,
as well as the old ones
carrying on like that at her age!
I saw an old man in the outer room. Is he one of them?
That's her tailor, zhang.
How could he be her lover?
That money was
to pay his bill
Where in houma street?
The qian residence again
it's a mahjong party,
they'll want me to play for someone
if no-one else books me,
I'll be stuck there
sometimes I just sit for two or three hours
it's such a bore
then why not turn them down?
I can't refuse a booking,
auntie would be furious
she'd scold you?
Definitely
if I do nothing wrong,
she never says a word
but one small mistake
and I never hear the end of it
Make yourself comfortable,
I'll be back as soon as I can - all right
Sister.
What is it?
Look
your auntie beat you again
I've told you, learn how to flatter!
If you won't listen to me, you'll get beaten
but my auntie isn't like yours
she beats me whether I flatter
or not
one man called on me several times,
and I was accused of flattering him too much
didn't you follow my advice?
I said exactly what you told me to say
“if you want me to entertain callers,
don't beat me!”
That made her lock me in
and tie me to the bed
she asked me if I dared to refuse a booking
so tell her you do,
and let them beat you
I couldn't stand the pain
I had to give in to her to get away
if you're afraid of pain,
you should be an official's wife or daughter,
not a flower girl
is there any opium?
There's a vat over there
how can anyone swallow it?
It's so bitter!
Some people take it raw,
it must ruin their stomachs!
So painful!
I don't think
she'll ever learn
you know,
last month master chen...
Threw a banquet for her
but that was one whole month ago
then she had a caller
who ordered some food and wine for her
but he turned out to be an old friend of hers, a freeloader!
The clerk from the foreign goods store
he came after dinner
and stayed past midnight!
You see why third sister
beats her?
No tips from serving wine, and no outside bookings?
That one banquet was the lot!
No more in prospect
so her total earning for the month was one foreign dollar!
You expect your auntie to live on the north-west wind?
Well, do you?
You want to have outside affairs and treat non-paying callers?
You're wasting your breath
you're useless!
You deserve to be beaten to death!
Otherwise you'll go on losing money!
Stop it
get her out, she makes me so angry!
Where is all this bad luck coming from?
Jasmin, of the east hexing enclave
16 foreign dollars is too much?
Too much. Ten is about right
give him ten, or 12 at most
The best-value emeralds
are in temple market
then I'll trouble master Hong for the emerald jewelry
that's fine with me
Qiao!
Coming...
Bring hot towels, clear the table
yes
You have some too
I don't want to
it's addictive, I won't be able to work!
It's not addictive
crimson smokes it, and she's no addict
crimson has many callers,
why should she care?
Even if she gets addicted,
she'll be fine
actually,
she has very few callers now
how do you know?
I saw the books
aside from me, she's had only 20 or 30 bookings,
all from old callers
that's enough,
considering that she has you
you don't understand
she supports her whole family, she needs a lot
how much do they need
if the whole family shares one small room?
Unless she spends a lot on herself
she doesn't spend much
nhe takes a horse carriage every few days
that's not so expensive
so where does the money go?
How should I know?
You suggested she spends a lot!
Tell me what she spends it on
I have no idea
how crimson spends money
don't call on her and tell her I said this
if you do,
she'll think I'm talking behind her back
don't worry, I won't say anything
You and crimson
have been together for three or four years now
what can I tell you about her
that you don't know?
You're so naive!
Crimson is always vilifying you
and here you are, helping to cover up her problems!
When I began calling on crimson, she told me
"a really good gentleman caller is every flower girl's dream”
"now that we have met,
I need no other caller”
I told her she could stop being a flower girl and marry me if she wanted
and she was quick to agree
but she was just humoring me
she said we could marry if I paid all her debts
so I paid them, and then she said her parents didn't approve of the match
master wang is kind to come when he's asked to
it proves our banquet table still has legs!
Mistress, you have me to thank
It seems she doesn't want to marry me
I can't tell what she's thinking
Master wang, please smoke
It's such a trial for you to come here!
Not one of our stupid servants
prepares your pipe for you
I don't need anyone to
Have some tea, master wang
The jeweler gave you this to look at?
Yes, 16 foreign dollars for a hairpin!
It must be cheaper at temple market
you already have hairpins like this
you can buy them for someone else,
why can't I buy a pair for myself?
Of course you can,
but you already have several pairs
you could buy something else
I will buy something else
frankly, I don't need another hairpin
but I'm angry,
so I want to buy a pair...
Just to waste 16 more of your foreign dollars
then take 16 foreign dollars and buy something else!
There's nothing special about these hairpins
nothing special about me either,
so they suit me
you're not serious!
Mistress crimson is known
throughout Shanghai!
Am I still a mistress?
I'm less than a wild chicken!
I can't be called “mistress”
Sister, Jade and I must have been enemies in a previous lifetime!
We've just quarrelled again!
She's still saying bad things about me
I can't stand it
she wasn't talking about you
of course she was!
That's why auntie threw me out!
All right, I give in
I'll never say another word when we're in auntie's room
satisfied?
What is the matter with you two?
Stop it!
Treasure, go to your room
Jade, sit over here
I've told you many times
not to argue with her
you know she isn't too bright
Pearl...
Master Hong
luo has set a banquet table in emerald's rooms
let's go there later
all right.
Jade, please leave us
Honest flower girls
are so devious these days!
You all drink together, you must know what I mean
which girl are you talking about?
You all sit around a table drinking...
But young master zhu slips an emerald pendant
to Jade under the table
and then Jade asks me not to tell you
so why are you telling me now?
I advised her to tell you!
I said
it would make you
more eager to help...
If she ever needs a favor
Jade is doing very well now
so maybe it's time she got married
you can be her match-maker
you can do it... I'll help you.
Master Hong, your invitation
Mistress, master wang is here
mistress...
I heard!
Am I wrong to call you?
You have no callers
and you're brimming with jealousy
Don't you want to eat, mistress?
Azhu...
We haven't eaten either.
Order some dishes, we can eat together
but you've been drinking,
you must have eaten
we really haven't
mistress, shall I order for you too?
I don't want to eat
master wang, if you're hungry, order for yourself
mistress hasn't even had a sip of tea...
I'll get her some congee later
liang, bring some tea
Master Hong
I'll leave first
master Hong, are you going?
Bye.
What's wrong with you?
Nothing!
I want to talk to you. Come over here
if you want to talk, then talk
I don't want to see you unhappy all day
every time I come, you're unhappy
you know how upsetting it is
to see you like this?
Don't be like this,
if only for my sake
I'm unhappy, that's a fact!
What do you want me to do?
If you don't like it,
go somewhere that you can be happy!
I'm being patient with you, and you're so rude to me...
I said nothing
when you came
not a word to offend you.
And all you say is that I look unhappy
now you say I'm being rude
I think you're the one who's being insensitive
how can I be happy?
I see, it's always my fault
if I behave like this again, you might as well beat me
but don't be like this
Come here, I have something to discuss with you
Thank you.
Ham congee
Don't wait for me
Master ge, time for a drinking game
let's play
“2 together, 2 together”
“2 together, "5 champions”
“4 joys, 4 joys”
“2 together, 4 joys"
you lost!
Have something to eat!
Let's play again
come on, now
“2 together"
"2 together, 5 champions!”
"5 champions!”
Drink up!
Your next dish...
Good!
Mistress Pearl and mistress Jade from gongyang enclave are here
spring rolls, bring more spring rolls
Master wang, please eat more!
Jade, young master zhu is asking for you
shuren!
Please...
Who is that?
Shuren - he's zhu airen's nephew
I'm taking him here for fun.
Master Hong, have a game with me
all right, come on
you two are well matched
here's the wine
“2 together"
got you!
I lost
a rare occurrencel
shuren.
Shuren, let's play
I don't know how.
What is there to know?
Come on... good
“All fortunes!"
"8 immortals!”1 win!”
“ An easy win! 2 together"
“3 great fortunes! 1 win!"
Lost again! Shuren...
Come on, one more time
“all fortunes!”
“1 win! 1 win!”
“1 win!
Drink up
once again!
“5 champions! 2 together"
“5 champions! 1 win!”
Lost again!
Master luo lost two in a row!
Not in form tonight!
Come on, come on...
One more time
he can't bear to lose, play once more
“all fortunes!"
"3 big fortunes! 3 big fortunes!”
Let me drink for him
sorry, I've spilt it
never mind, wipe it up
What's that?
Take a look, master luo...
You know what it shows?
Yes, it's the 'wine rack'
don't discuss it with him! He's immoral!
You're wrong, it's not the 'wine rack'!
What's amusing all of you?
Put that away
or you'll be scolded
master luo...
Did emerald tell you
she wants to buy her freedom?
Yes, but it seems she can't
not really.
No girl who wants to buy her freedom announces the fact
she announces it when she has it
I'm okay with it.
Frankly, what I want is the business she brings,
not her person
if I don't let her go,
she'll be in no mood for business
so I may as well let her go
so why did she tell me she can't do it?
I wouldn't want to criticise her, but...
As you know,
emerald is a mischievous girl
in this business,
I buy in girls when they are seven or eight
and I bring them up until they're old enough to work
I pay for their food and clothes,
I teach them everything
but not all of them
make the grade as flower girls
emerald is clever,
and she's helped a lot
and now she wanted her freedom,
she recalls that
I originally paid 100 dollars for her
now, ten times 100 is only one thousand dollars
master luo, really...
There's no comparison between the original price and her value now!
So she says one thousand. What do you say?
I'm guided by my conscience
go to the teahouse
and see what other people think about this
her bookings alone amount to
one thousand dollars per season
not counting her tips
or the gifts she receives
master luo,
even if you paid me three thousand dollars...
It would balance only one year's earnings
and she could still earn a lot
as a flower girl
isn't that so, master luo?
Look at silver Phoenix here, for example...
Girl! Where is your mind wandering now?
Just look at her
a girl like silver Phoenix
gets no business
should I pay for her meals?
I should pay her 100 dollars and let her go!
A Shanghai flower girl can be worth
three thousand or one thousand
there's no fixed value
if you don't ask for too much,
I'll make it worth your while
we can be partners, and both of us can do well
master luo is quite right!
I'm sure that
we can come to a satisfactory arrangement
you're back!
Think it over, master luo
I will.
Is silver Phoenix asleep?
No.
You look dead on your feet!
Not at all, I was listening to auntie
did she really drop off?
Auntie hit her... don't mind her
leave us alone
Auntie was discussing the fee for your freedom
she wants three thousand
I urged her to reduce it
and I'll help you with some of it
we can sort this out together,
it will be fine
who asked you to pay?
I have plans of my own,
you needn't be involved
we'll see
all aunties are calculating by nature
my auntie is a self-made woman
she bought herself a few girls...
We didn't cost her much!
Take me,
I've been working here for five years
she's got nearly twenty thousand, just from me
and my dresses and furniture are worth
at least ten thousand
she'll keep all of it
but, she still demands three thousand!
If she deserves it, she'll get it!
Emerald, master luo thinks that
your value is two thousand dollars
he'll pay half of it.
Does that seem fair?
Give me a light
I didn't realize you were so wealthy!
You were so wealthy!
If I'm worth two thousand,
bring me five thousand first
where do you think I'd find so much money?
Come, this is no time for false modesty
I thought you were serious about this!
If my freedom is bought...
I'll need three thousand for clothes and accessories
to start afresh
you think one thousand from you
will be enough?
You want me to starve
once I leave this house?
So you don't want my help?
Of course I welcome your help!
Take care of my clothes and accessories...
And I'll be grateful for any further help you can give me!
Fine.
Auntie!
Forget what we discussed.
Her freedom is no concern of mine
where is your conscience!
Just reflect for a moment
you were orphaned at seven
and came to this flower house
I sympathised,
and treated you like my own child
I combed your hair,
bound your feet, everything
now you treat me as an enemy!
How did I offend you?
You want your freedom so that you can rise above us
I wished you success,
so that you could reciprocate my favours
and now you treat me like this!
So young, and yet so cruel
you'll come to a bad end!
Auntie, do stop crying! What does this matter?
I'm in your house,
you can decide whether to free me or not
I don't want to buy my freedom
and if we go on arguing like this, they'll hear us next door
I can make no sense of this
Ms. zhao, come and tell me your view.
A flower girl wants to buy her freedom.
Her patron wants to help
if master luo had other ideas...
He could discuss them with me
but now you reject his help
I see...
You want all of his money for yourself!
"3 great fortunes"
"4 joys!"
Let's drink!
Let's drink.
Losers drink their own penalties
all right, agreed
that's good
haven't seen you for a long while, master ke
take a seat
I don't want to see anyone
without a cup in his hand!
Keep the wine coming!
Let me drink with you
let's drink
come on, let's empty these cups
master zhu is a fine drinker!
Let's play the drinking game
come on...
Shall we play as a team?
Fine, you two together!
Master wang, let's play!
Let me beat him first
ready...
“All fortunes!”
"5 champions! All fortunes!
"5 champions! 2 together!”
"5 champions!"
"5 champions!" Drink!
Come on, your turn.
You have to drink!
Let's play.
Your turn... all fortunes!”
“All fortunes”
“2 together!”
“2 together!” drink!
He lost!
He lost! Empty the cup!
Master luo,
you should be drinking too!
Come, have something to eat
the food is getting cold!
This fish is straight from the huangpu river
very fresh! Come and eat!
What's happening?
I don't know, go and see
what's going on out there?
Something happened!
Let's play another round
“all fortunes”
“2 together, 2 together”
4 joys!"
"2 together”
4 joys!"
Sorry.
I'll drink
it's nothing
drink!
What happened?
Nothing...
It's a mess
drink!
They're just checking on gambling in the alley
nothing to worry about
just checking on gambling
no need to worry
there's been an accident in the alley!
What?
Someone has taken a bad fall, that's all
someone's had an accident!
What? Fell down?
Go and see!
Someone had a bad fall
we should go and see
Master wang, please slow down!
You scared me, you could have fallen!
Where's the mistress?
Downstairs, I think
master wang, you've drunk too much!
Liang, bring a hot towel
Master wang!
Master wang has dozed off
Master wang!
Master wang, what are you doing?
Please calm down!
Master wang, don't be angry!
Don't be angry, master wang!
Master wang!
Take care of these matters for me
what's it?
Congratulations, Jasmin!
It's good that you marry Jasmin now
but you do still have
some obligations to crimson
what obligations?
You are crimson's only caller.
She relies on you completely
if you don't call, she'll have no-one
bills are served at this time of year, she'll have many expenses
her parents, her brother, they all have to eat
what could she do?
If you punish her too much, it may kill her
You may now consider crimson's life worthless...
But we started out calling on her for pleasure,
and it shouldn't now come to this
pleasure shouldn't just
turn into vindictiveness
you're on their side, are you?
Don't be silly,
why should I side with them?
Then why should I call on her?
I warned you when you first called on her
that it had no meaning.
You didn't listen,
and you let the relationship grow
now you're furious with her,
and you accuse me of being on her side!
What can I say?
So why should I call on her?
I'm not asking you to call on her again,
just put in an appearance!
Why?
I'm thinking of you!
What if something happens to her?
They'll be relieved if you just show your face
just to see how they're coping
you've been calling on her for four or five years,
spending so many foreign dollar
you can't leave them facing those small seasonal bills now
if you help her settle those bills,
she'll survive
you need never call on her again if you don't want to
Master wang and master Hong are here
We never expected to see you here again!
Our mistress has been so anxious, she'll be so relieved
Master Hong
the downstairs staff are all worried that
master wang has turned against our mistress
I told them not to speak such nonsense
master wang was furious,
that's the only reason he's been blaming our mistress
deep inside, he knew our mistress wouldnt have an affair with an actor
I don't care if there was an affair or not,
it's not important
crimson...
If master wang weren't here, you'd be complaining
now he is here, and you're silent
liang, bring hot towels
Azhu, bring hot towel
immediately
Mistress, shall I have the table cleared?
Jingda, clear the table!
I've never seen you so angry in all the years
I've known you
A prosperous flower girl might have an affair
with an opera actor
but am I prosperous?
How could you imagine
I was having an affair?
You could torture me to death
with accusations
but I'd die with
a clear conscience
If you say you didn't, then you didn't.
It doesn't matter
My parents gave me this body
but everything else in these rooms came from your generosity
even if you broke all of it, it wouldn't matter
if you want to abandon me,
my only option will be death but to hell.
One blue crystal bracelet
one pair of cloud-pattern earrings
One pair of blue chrysanthemum Pearl earrings
one pair of inlaid-gold Jade earrings
one Jade bat-pattern pendant
one embroidered silk blouse, maroon, with Phoenix pattern
One embroidered silk skirt, black, with flower pattern
one embroidered silk blouse, black, with cloud pattern
zhao
woolen items in total: Two large trunks, two medium
and two small cotton items,
with or without linings:
Ten trunks, all accounted for
Emerald, this has been a long day for you
auntie, please sit down
I'm leaving your house,
but you will always be my auntie
I'll always be auntie huang's girl
auntie huang's girl
our fortunes will always be entwined
we'll both do well
you're right.
You are capable in business,
widely respected
but you should choose better male friends
this is my last word on this subject
have more respect for yourself,
you're over 50
don't make a fool of yourself with young men
if you buy a new flower girl for one thousand...
For one thousand...
You won't need to buy her
clothes or jewelry
golden Phoenix will be very popular
two years from now
at least as popular as I am
and so you'll prosper
that's right
silver Phoenix is useless
if anyone wants her, let her go
but golden Phoenix will be
a great success
take my advice, auntie, and you'll do well
right, that's absolutely true
the other things I said weren't true?
Of course not!
At my age I know...
Good advice when I hear it
I can hear them arriving, I'll go down
master luo, don't trouble yourself
This is the last time
I waste words on her!
If she wants to be sad and lonely, so be it!
It's not easy to run a flower house
and you've always criticised her openly
none of the seven flower-house owners
in her group is any good
if I made any mistake,
she'd beat me
surely not
look at golden flower
I've met three of those flower-house owners
golden flower's auntie is kinder than ours,
she doesn't beat her girls often
the girls in this house beg to be
put out of their misery
tell me one flower-house owner
who is good!
Good people wouldnt be in this profession!
Madam, I'll read it to you
“this contract of employment is hereby rendered null and void
by miss zhang, known as emerald”
“she has paid 1,000 taels of silver”
“no voice of objection has been raised”
all right?
Yes
“on this day of 6 October, 1884"
October 6th
please give your fingerprint
yes!
I'm next
here, see?
Correct.
You too, madam
okay. Where?
Here, please
I go to see emerald, be right back
you eat, take your time
please come back soon
eat more - ok
Emerald,
here's the agreement and the receipt
please check them for any mistake
master luo, at your leisure
please check them for me
Terrible calligraphy!
It's a standard agreement,
no mistakes
it's all right?
Yes
'dragon'? Is that someone's nickname?
He's one of her boyfriends.
Looks kind enough...
But he's always really devious!
He never fooled me
please check once more
Splendid!
Well sung!
Everybody must drink!
Master wang is being promoted!
He'll be moving to guangdong
let's all drink to master wang!
Congratulations, master wang!
May you enjoy continued success!
Let's drink
please let me be your host tomorrow evening
tomorrow evening
we'll come!
It'll be in the qingyun enclave
your flower girl is Laurel?
None of us knows her
she's new to me too
a friend of mine introduced us
so you call on her!
Let's play.
No penalty limits when we play tonight!
Master zhou, let's make a team!
“2 together! All fortunes!
All fortunes!”
“2 together! 2 together!”
Drink up
everybody, drink up!
Now you and me..."2 together!”
One man, one cup - that's right!
It's going to be
a great night!
Master wang, happy tonight?
Yes
if master wang is happy,
so are we all!
Master luo puts it well!
The best thing is his promotion
it's the most significant!
Where's the wine?
Good dishes, good alcohol, good friends!
Let's all toast to master wang again!
Together!
Good fortune, master wang!
Come back to see your old friends in Shanghai!
Don't forget us!
You must come back!
I'm most grateful to master wang
for introducing me to this position
it was nothing
Master wang,
you need a fresh pipe
have some tea.
Have some tea.
Liu, bring a hot towel
immediately
Master wang, these will take away the bitter taste
Clean the pipe
Master wang, your towel
Master wang, crimson's mother is
the only one attending her now?
Jingda left her,
and hasn't been replaced?
And she's moved to a smaller house,
is that true?
I don't know
Please smoke.
Master wang has left?
Yes
Master Hong,
why did master wang seem so depressed?
It's not master wang's fault!
He's going back to guangdong,
promoted...
Why should he be depressed?
Master wang liked crimson
when crimson proved untrue,
he married Jasmin
but Jasmin wasn't true to him either,
and so he went back to crimson
his heart has been in turmoil
how was Jasmin untrue?
Just take my word that she was
is it true that
master wang beat Jasmin?
Yes
he beat her hard and abandoned her
she took raw opium after that,
but we saved her life
master wang's nephew was sent away,
the whole affair was hushed up
Jasmin was too audacious!
Crimson would so amused
if she knew about it!
A booking for mistress Jade!
A booking for Jade, I must get back to work
please stay, master Hong
Jasmin was well off with master wang!
Why have an affair with his nephew?
If master wang weren't leaving,
he could start calling on Jade
that reminds me...
Mother asked me to discuss something with you.
What is it?
Jade started refusing callers
when she returned from shanjia gardens
we asked why,
and she said young master zhu had promised to marry her
we couldn't bear to disillusion her
can you ask young master zhu
if he really wants to take her as a second wife?
If not, please tell Jade
so that she can return to work
Jade is such an ambitious girl!
Both of them must be dreaming!
Even if young master zhu weren't engaged already...
How could Jade expect to be
his first wife?
Right?
What's that about being a first wife?
Why do some many flower girls
want to be first wives?
Crystal thought of nothing else,
and she died
and then there was celandine, and she failed
and now there's another one!
Have you finished?
You've forgotten the lesson of the hookah
you'll never be a match for Jade
Young master zhu, take some rest
I want to talk to you
what about?
In July, at the shanjia gardens...
We were talking, just like now
remember?
I remember
you remember what we said?
Tell me
we vowed to be man and wife, didn't we?
We said we'd die together
if we couldn't live together
I knew you wouldn't forget!
I've brought something...
What's it?
One cup for you and one for me.
Drink it!
What's in it?
Drink it!
Help! Help!
Somebody! Help!
Help!
What's happened?
What's the matter?
Take it easy.
Jade, what's happened?
Did you argue?
What happened?
Quick! You drank this?
What is it? Opium?
Quick! Qiaonan, come here!
You cruel and terrible man!
You vowed to die with me!
I'm taking you to hell!
What happened?
Did you drink any of it?
Quick, rinse your mouth with water!
You believe what callers tell you?
You're so naive!
It's always nonsense! Rinse your mouth!
Even if young master zhu weren't engaged,
he'd never take you as his first wife!
First wife?
He vowed to die with Mel
my uncle arranged the engagement, not me!
I had no say!
You pig! You're already engaged by your uncle!
Why don't you die?
Which medicine?
Quick!
Drink this!
Why did you do this?
Why?
Quick, drink it!
Put it there, I'll help myself
if he doesn't die, why should I?
I won't die before he does!
Such nonsense!
Take the medicine!
Help her take it
Uncle...
Shuren, sit down.
I told Jade...
Master zhu arranged the engagement.
The young master was not to blame
and I told her it doesn't matter
if she's first or second wife
she can marry the young master anyway,
I'll be matchmaker
but she refused! Get it right.
What on earth is she thinking?
Who has she been listening to?
Certainly not us!
Our advice would be to work hard,
not create scenes like that one!
I think that what Jade did...
Was half because of young master zhu,
and half aimed at treasure!
You may be right!
Shuren,
did you once say...
That you'd give Jade
whatever she wanted?
Yes
then let me help you resolve this problem
it will cost you at least 8,000,
at most 10,000.
Can you agree?
Yes
good,
then bear with me a moment
I'll think of a solution
how, uncle?
Don't ask
if it works, I'll tell you.
Be patient
Pearl, please tell Jade he'll pay...
5,000 for her freedom
and 5,000 for her dowry
everyone can agree to that. What do you think?
It might not work
I think it will!
The zhu family is very rich
young master zhu, please stay for dinner
azhu, order some dishes.
Young master and I will dine here
yes
put it to her, see what she says
all right, I'll try
What did she say?
Everything's settled, as you predicted
5,000 for her freedom,
5,000 for her dowry
Jade is afraid of looking ridiculous
if things don't work out as agreed
never mind!
I'll take all responsibility in this matter
then I'm sure all will be well
reassure her again
shuren, everything's settled
5,000 to pay for her freedom,
and 5,000 for her dowry
Jade's 'face' stays intact
your side spends a bit of money,
everyone's happy
who will she marry, uncle?
Don't ask,
nothing's harder than arranging a marriage
anyway, you can leave it to me
Uncle, who will she marry?
I told you,
marriages are hard to arrange!
Be grateful that we've found a solution!
Be patient!
Executive producer: Hou hsiao-hsien producers: Yang denggui, ichiyama shozo
starring Tony leung chao-wei, hada michiko
Michelle reis, carina lau, Jack kao
Rebecca pan, wei hsiao-hui, fang hsuan
Annie shizuka inoh, hsu ming, zhang ruiche, Jiang weiguo, xie yan
screenplay by chu tien-wen supervised by zhong acheng
director of photography: Mark Lee production designer: Hwarng wern-ying
music by hanno yoshihiro sound design: Tu tu-chih
editor: Liao ching-sung associate producers: Tsukinoki takashi, Osaka fumiko