Lady Sour (Vinegar Wife / 醋娘子 / Chuk Leung Ji)

Lai Chi, Master Tung and Madam Ching have been staying in the room for two hours.

I wonder...

Don't think about naughty things! It's not what you think it is.

How do you know? You peeped into the room, didn't you?

No, I didn't. Madam Ching is doing Master Tung's makeup.

What?

Master Tung will play He Xiangu to celebrate Old Madam's birthday.

Madam Ching is very nervous. She's practising in her room every day.

She wants Master Tung to stand out from the crowd.

Gosh, Master Tung is one of the few handsome guys in Yau Tak Town.

Now he has to disguise himself as a woman.

It's all because of Madam Ching.

She wanted to surprise Old Madam and ordered us not to tell anyone.

But I bet Master Tung looks better than you with makeup.

Oh no! He's going to look like...

Like what?

Old Madam...

What were you talking about?

Using the Eight Immortals to celebrate my birthday? Not bad.

Whose idea was that?

Ching-ching...

It was your idea?

Well, Kai Chun brought it up first.

I discussed it with everyone and we all thought it was a good idea.

We wanted to cheer you up, Mom.

That's sweet of you all. Actually I've prepared something.

Mom, that's the luminous pearl His Majesty gave to you.

I begged you many times to save it for my dowry. Why did you take it out?

Because you still haven't gotten married. I've waited long enough.

This year on my birthday, I'll give it to whoever comes up with the best gift idea.

Honey, it must be you. Say thank you to Grandma.

Well, I don't deserve it.

Ching-ching, let me ask you something.

How many women are there among the Eight Immortals?

He Xiangu is the only one.

Exactly. There are many women in our house. Why must you ask Tung to dress like a woman?

I... I wanted to do something different to make you happy.

Make me happy? You wanted to make yourself happy!

That wasn't Sis's intention. Since you love watching plays,

she asked us to put on a play to cheer you up.

Right, Grandma. The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is fun to watch.

It's fun.

This is absurd, not fun!

A big man dressed as a woman? That's shameful!

It's shameful.

It's disgraceful! Disgraceful.

I won't allow it! Sure. Not allowed!

Mom, don't be mad.

Celebrating your birthday is a happy thing. Don't get upset over something like that.

Right, Mom. Brother and I already said you might not like the idea,

but someone insisted on it.

I'm glad you know!

They're just kids, but you two adults shouldn't horse around with them!

Right, no horsing around, Mom. I'm horsing around?

No, we are.

Mom, don't be mad. Chill out. Chill out.

Think about what you're going to give me.

I'll decide to whom I shall give the pearl.

That's all, I'm tired. Be careful, Mom.

Yes... Grandma, I'll walk with you.

Looks like your chances are very slim.

Lucky you. You don't have to play Tie Guaili.

It's all your fault.

Because of your silly idea, my daughter got humiliated in front of everyone.

That's not the reason.

Cho Ching is an eyesore to the Chin family. They criticise whatever she does and says.

You hear that? I don't know why you're still making longevity noodles.

Someone else may get praised for doing this, but you won't stand a chance of winning.

Just buy a gift or something.

Mom, I've never thought about winning. I just hope I can lose beautifully.

Right, creativity and sincerity count. She may still stand a chance.

Look at these... Four Blessings longevity noodles.

Putting taste aside, they look very nice.

Since you said so, let me make you a bowl of noodles.

What? Hey...

Logically, you should be supporting your sister.

Why are you helping my daughter? I don't suppose...

Stop guessing. Madam Cho, you've got the wrong idea.

Cho Ching is like a brother to me. No one will support her except me, you know.

Right, Mom. Not everyone will keep discouraging me like you do.

How could you say that? All right, tomorrow I'll go talk to Old Madam

and toady to her, then you'll stand a better chance.

Don't even think about it. I just hope you won't get me into trouble.

What do you think?

It's not good, and not bad either.

What's that supposed to mean?

That means it's not creative. Just forget it, Sweetie.

I'm not going to give up so easily! I'll keep cooking for you!

That's the spirit! I'll help you cook for your mom!

Old Madam!

Madam Cho? It's been a while. You look great.

You too. You came to visit Ching-ching?

No, I came to visit you. Tung told me you complained about body aches,

so I brought geranium essential oils to give you a massage.

It will help loosen up your body.

Thanks, but my skin is all loosened.

It's not like that. Let me give you a massage first.

I don't want to trouble you, Madam Cho.

We are in-laws. There's no trouble at all.

Does it feel good?

Ying To, see if the tonic soup is ready yet. Get one more bowl for Madam Cho.

Yes, Old Madam.

Old Madam, you're so kind.

So are you, Madam Cho. You're helping your daughter win people's support.

All parents care about their children.

They all say, parents can’t help worrying no matter how old their children are.

Tung's taking a concubine is an irreversible fact,

but compared to Shan Cha, Ching-ching is at a disadvantage.

She's too outspoken, and easily gets people offended.

So I'm wondering if it's too late to ask you a favour.

You and your daughter can only be people pleasers.

It's a tough process for a daughter-in-law to become a mother-in-law.

I bet you were treated badly when you first married into the Chin family.

Who would have dared? Old Madam is a princess.

Back then, even my mother-in-law had to give way to me.

Right, she's just a kid. Please bear with her, Old Madam.

I'll teach her a lesson at home.

I'll teach my own daughter and leave your daughter to you.

That's what family upbringing is about.

Mom really came to see Grandma. Grandma will probably be harsh on her.

It's Ying To.

How come there are two bowls?

Old Madam told me to get one more bowl for Madam Cho.

Really?

See? Madam Ching, you worry too much.

I don't think so. You and your mom have always been really close.

Now your mom is serving Old Madam. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Right, I should be helping my mom out. I'm going to go now.

Madam Ching, do you mind?

Old Madam, is this too strong?

Madam Cho, are you worried my bones are brittle or are you just tired?

I'm not tired at all. I'm just worried it's too strong for you.

Madam Cho, why are you bending over and holding an empty cup?

I thought you were going to...

Old Madam has an itchy throat. She's not going to spit.

Madam Cho, you use cups for spitting, not for drinking tea?

Just a little misunderstanding.

Shall we continue?

Sure.

Mom!

Reheat the soup for Grandma.

Sure.

Mom, how's your back?

Oh, I slipped at the entrance and twisted my back.

I'll put some medicated wine on it when I get home.

Why did you come to see Grandma?

I helped you get back at her.

That old witch always humiliated us in front of others.

I pretended to be giving her a massage and pinched her really hard.

Mom, you've got some gum.

Of course. Now she knows we're not pushovers.

My mom even dared to teach Grandma a lesson.

From now on no one will dare to mess with me.

I feel much better now.

But you know, her birthday is coming up. We must give her a nice present.

Make sure you do it right.

OK, Mom, I'll do everything as you say.

Aunt Sheung.

Ching-ching, come here. I want to talk to you.

What is it?

The luminous pearl is supposed to be mine. So I suggest that you don't compete with me.

Like Grandma said, that's another issue.

I really want to impress her this time.

So, can you give me a chance?

In her heart, you'll always be a pile of...

Poo, right? I know that.

That's why I want to use this chance to reverse her impression.

I'm determined to win.

I'm determined to win too.

Aunt Sheung! Honey!

Tung, have you bought a gift yet?

Shan Cha did. She bought it at the market.

Really? What is it?

It's a turtle.

Turtle? Is there any special meaning to it?

Every time Grandma and I went to the Miu Sum Nunnery for worship,

she would stop by the turtle pond to take a look.

I know turtles symbolise longevity.

After Grandma gets this present,

she can either raise it at home or release it for goodness' sake.

I think Grandma is going to love it, but someone may not be very pleased.

I'm not talking about you.

Turtle, hurry up and eat.

You can’t starve yourself. Eat more and get strong.

Grandma will be happy when she sees you. She's going to live to 100.

You only care about the turtle. Have you eaten yet?

Not yet, Sis.

Exactly. You haven't eaten anything, but you're feeding the turtle rice.

It's OK, as long as the turtle is eating.

They told me the turtle refused to eat, so I brought you some leaves.

See if it likes them.

Thank you, Sis.

That's your problem. You always put others before yourself.

Just like today when Aunt Sheung asked you about the gift, you told her everything.

You gave her a chance to buy something more meaningful and win the luminous pearl.

That's OK. I don't care if I can't win the luminous pearl,

as long as Grandma is happy.

I don't know if I should call you stupid or naive.

By the way, Sis, what have you prepared?

I'm not stupid enough to tell you.