Raise the Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂)

Mother, stop!

You've been talking for three days.

I've thought it over.

Alright, I'll get married.

Good! To what sort of man?

What sort of man? Is it up to me?

You always speak of money. Why not marry a rich man?

Marry a rich man and you'll only be his concubine.

Let me be a concubine.

Isn't that a woman's fate?

Miss, looking for someone?

I'm Songlian.

We met once, remember?

It's our Fourth Mistress! Please wait...

We sent the bridal sedan for you. Didn't it arrive?

I walked here myself.

- Let me carry it. - I can manage.

Wait here. I'll go take a look.

Who are you?

Fourth Mistress, please come in.

So the Fourth Mistress is you!

Yes, I'm the Fourth Mistress!

Bring my suitcase inside.

This is where you will live.

My name is Chen Baishun, the housekeeper. I am at your service.

Why are there so many red lanterns?

Because you're coming!

Fourth Mistress, this is part of our family custom.

I'm here to serve you.

You'll get used to it.

Fourth Mistress. We're here to do your hair and help you change.

Master, congratulations on your wedding.

How was the foot massage?

A woman's feet are very important.

When they're comfortable, she is healthier...

...and better able to serve her man.

Pick up that lantern.

Yes, that one.

Higher...

Look up.

Educated girls are different.

Now, undress and get in bed.

Put out the lights.

What? I have all these lanterns so I can see.

I like it bright and formal.

Who's there?

Third Mistress is sick. She wants you to come.

I'm in bed.

It's an emergency.

She said you must come.

It can wait till tomorrow.

If something serious happens to her,

we'll be blamed.

Damn it! What is she up to?

I'll have to go see. Or she won't let me sleep tonight.

The Master is leaving? Going to the third house?

Yes!

Light the lanterns at the third house!

Fourth Mistress...

Fourth Mistress...

Fourth Mistress. According to our custom,

you should visit the other three mistress.

Take your breakfast later.

It's our custom to have all meetings and meals here.

The Chen family's customs go back many generations.

It is important that you obey them.

Kowtow to our ancestors.

First, go to greet the master at the Third Mistress' house.

It seems they're still asleep.

We'll come back.

First Mistress, the Fourth Mistress is here to visit.

Big sister.

How old are you?

Nineteen.

I heard you went to university.

For six months.

It's good you're educated.

You'll get used to living here.

Get on well with your sisters.

Serve the Master well.

You can go now.

Such sins, such sins...

What is she, about 100 years old? Ancient!

Second Mistress, the Fourth Mistress has come to visit.

Fourth sister is here. Come in!

Second sister.

Do come in.

What a pretty face! What is your name?

Songlian.

A pretty name, too.

I'm Zhouyun. Just call me by my name.

You look like a student.

I was at university for six months.

Why did you leave?

My father died. The family couldn't afford it.

How old was your father?

Fifty-three.

So young!

Life is so unpredictable.

Tea, Fourth Mistress.

Fourth sister, please have some tea.

Where are you from?

Fengcheng.

They grow tea there.

My father was in the tea business.

His shop closed down.

Your mother let you marry someone from so far away?

She's my stepmother.

I see.

So, how was the foot massage last night?

Is it like that every night?

Silly.

You can't have it whenever you wish.

Where the master spends the night...

...that mistress gets a foot massage and lighted lanterns.

With a new wife as young and pretty as you...

...I'm afraid I won't be enjoying these privileges for some time.

But don't underestimate the importance of this custom.

If you can manage to have a foot massage every day...

...you'll soon be running this household.

Yizhen, come meet your Fourth Aunt.

Fourth Aunt!

How useless! I only have a daughter.

It's getting late.

We must visit the Third Mistress.

Sorry, I just keep talking.

Of course you must meet the Third Mistress.

She was a famous opera singer.

She sings well and is pretty too.

But she can be so difficult.

Asking for the Master on...

...your wedding night!

So impolite to you!

Wasn't she sick?

Sick? She's just spoiled!

Has the Master left?

Just now. They're putting out the lanterns.

Let's meet the Third Mistress.

Third Mistress says she isn't feeling well...

...and says she'll meet you another day.

Third Mistress' son, Feilan.

Same age as Miss Yizhen.

Come meet your Fourth Aunt.

Fourth Aunt!

Fourth Mistress...

Fourth Mistress...

...this is Yan'er.

Master says she'll be your maid.

Yan'er, come greet the Fourth Mistress.

Fourth Mistress.

I've seen her before. Bad tempered, isn't she?

No, she's a good girl. Quick and hardworking too.

Been here for several years.

No lice in her hair, are there? I hate lice.

Let the Fourth mistress take a look.

Kneel down. Let's look at your hair.

What is that smell? Go wash your hair!

Didn't you hear?

I only washed it yesterday.

And wash the clothes I just took off while you're at it.

Go, quickly!

Or the Fourth Mistress will be angry. Go!

Yan'er!

Yan'er!

Why haven't you washed your hair?

The Master favours you and you thought he'd choose you as a wife.

You as our Fourth Mistress?

You were born to be a servant.

Serve the Fourth Mistress well!

Don't waste your time dreaming!

And don't forget to wash your hair!

Where is Meishan?

The Third Mistress is coming.

Doctor Gao is writing her a prescription.

Here comes third sister.

Third sister, this is our fourth sister.

You haven't met, have you?

Third sister!

Songlian is new here. Take good care of her.

From now on, you sisters must get on well with each other.

Let's eat.

Why aren't you eating?

I don't like meat.

What vegetable dishes do we have today?

Master, today we have...

...fragrant mushrooms, chrysanthemum moss hair, bird's nest...

...thrice-fried mushroom, five-color vegetables...

...vegetarian hot-pot and also heart of cactus.

According to custom...

...the one with lighted lanterns can have whatever she likes.

What would you like?

I want spinach and beancurd.

Bring some spinach and beancurd.

Also some young bean sprouts.

Fourth Mistress...

Master asks you to wait at the door for instructions.

What instructions?

Please wait outside.

The Master may have instructions before he retires.

But why do we have to wait outside?