It is China in the 1920’s. After her father’s death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen already has two wives, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master’s attention carries power, status and privilege.  Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice.  Each wife schemes and plots to make sure it’s hers.  The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each concubine’s darkest secrets.