Peony Pavilion 2001

In 1930s Suzhou, Cui Hua, a courtesan from a tea house, marries into a nobleman’s family as his fifth wife. During her time at the family mansion, she forms an intense bond with her husband’s female cousin, school teacher Rong Lan, sparked by their shared love for Kunqu Opera.

[Cui Hua] and her adolescent daughter Hui Hui endure constant neglect from her husband. In her loneliness, Cui Hua turns to opium, and she befriends the loyal butler, who soon after enlists in the army. Ultimately, Cui Hua and Hui Hui escape the mansion to live with Rong Lan.

[Xing Zhi Gang], a handsome examiner, arrives at Rong Lan’s school on assignment from the education ministry. The two begin seeing each other intimately, unbeknownst to Cui Hua. Rong Lan describes her feelings toward Cui Hua as indulgent, and she regards the time spent with Zhi Gang as guilt-free.

Cui Hua receives news that the butler had died in the war, and learns of his feelings for her from his diary. In the same afternoon, Cui Hua and Hui Hui bump into Rong Lan and Zhi Gang at the park. Zhi Gang insists they all spend time together, but Rong Lan refuses. Zhi Gang leaves, and Cui Hua wanders off to cry by the pond alone.

That night, Cui Hua asks Rong Lan to invite Zhi Gang over for dinner, but Rong Lan keeps quiet. Cui Hua returns to her room to smoke opium, despite her worsening health. Torn between both lovers, Rong Lan breaks down in tears.

Zhi Gang completes his assignment at Rong Lan’s school and departs, leaving Rong Lan to grieve the loss of their brief infatuation.

Cui Hua burns the butler’s diary, and spends a quiet night with Rong Lan reminiscing the times they’ve spent together. On another day, they visit the park with Hui Hui, and recall the day Cui Hua met Rong Lan and Zhi Gang. Rong Lan asks if Cui Hua cried because of the butler, or because of seeing her with Zhi Gang. Cui Hua doesn’t answer. Rong Lan brushes it off and insists they leave it in the past. She reminisces the birthday celebration she threw for Cui Hua years ago, calling it the happiest day of their lives, while Cui Hua falls asleep on her shoulder.