Raise the Red Lantern

Song Lian (Gong Li), who had just studied in college for half a year, was forced by her greedy 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. At first, due to her status as a "newcomer", Songlian received the most favor from the master, but she was also criticized by the other three concubines, especially the second concubine (Cao Cuifen) who was hiding a knife behind her smile. Due to her inexperience in the world, Song Lian, who is rebellious and strong-willed, is eager to win, and Ji becomes a popular person around the master. She does not want her plan to be seen through, and is eventually defeated by her second aunt, leading to tragedy. Although the experience of the third concubine (He Saifei) is very different from Songlian, she has the same fate but cannot escape from it.