Original subtitles

Love is of source unknown, and yet it grows ever deeper...

Far-sun film Presents

Joey Wang Rie Miyazawa Daniel Wu

in a film by Yonfan

Everything has come to pass.

In the dream,

I still can smell the fragrance of the opium.

In my cousin's Noble House, music still plays day and night.

What a life of luxury.

In a trance,

I seem to hear Jade's voice singing again.

Alas... only in a dream.

Long ago...

Auntie five is going to sing.

Let's join her.

What is she singing?

A song from "Peony Pavilion".

The decoration looks splendid.

See

how spring blossoms have yielded their beauty

only to the dry well and these crumbled walls.

What a pleasant feeling, what a lovely scene.

How can I not be enchanted?

Such joyous moments.

In whose courtyard can this be?

Flying in the morning, rolling in the evening.

Clouds pass by the windows of this jade-green cott

Silks of rain, flakes of wind.

Where painted boats float on the misty lake.

How can fair maids be unaware of such precious moments?

It seems we've met before

Come, Pearl. Say hello to your mother.

Mother, Auntie Lan, good evening.

It's time for birthday felicitations.

And beheld each other in solemn awe.

Words are not needed in such beautiful silence.

Wang Ma, why is my nephew older than my mother?

It's because the Noble House is so big.

You'll understand in the future.

Wang Ma, why doesn't Auntie Lan have children?

Well... I don't know either.

Come over here. It's time for the birthday felicitations.

Get ready and be respectful.

Grandpa, what are you taking?

Something delicious.

I want some too.

Some other time.

Master, it's time for birthday felicitations.

This is a good card.

This is a good domino, why don't you take it.

I don't want it.

Grandpa, people need to bow.

I don't want to bow.

As you like.

Go pay your respects.

It's been a long time since father last visited mother.

Go ask your father then.

Fix your hat.

Kneel down.

Excuse me, mothers.

First bow.

May your blessing deep as the Ocean.

Second bow.

May your longevity high as the Mountain.

Third bow.

Felicitations.

Lucky money for everyone!

Let's read together...

My family name is also Rong.

But I don't live in my cousin's Noble House.

In those days

great families falling apart was a common thing.

My parents didn't leave much for me,

but they left me with a modern mind.

My mother said, for China to get strong

women have to come out from their hidden chambers.

Miss Rong?

How do you do, Miss Rong?

How do you do?

Miss, I have a question to ask.

What does "philosophy" mean?

You are learning such a difficult word.

Miss, why do we learn English?

It can help you do great things for the country.

Well, I can become a diplomat in the future.

Good-bye... good-bye, Miss.

It's comforting to teach them.

Yes.

My Lady, here is your bird's-nest soup.

Thank you.

My Lady, do you want anything else?

No.

Mother, why do you want me to read and write? It's so tiring.

If you read well,

then you can contribute to society.

Mother, what is society?

Well... society is a place where a lot of people get along.

Mother, have you been to society then?

Yes, I've been there and now I'm in this beautiful garden.

Then, will you go back to the society?

I think not.

If you don't to society, then I won't go, too.

I want to be with you.

What an excuse for being lazy.

Let's see how you did in writing.

Very nice hand-writing.

What did you write?

Before my bed a pool of light...

Before my bed a pool of light.

Can it be frost upon the ground?

Eyes raised, I see the moon so bright.

Head bent, in homesickness I'm drowned.

Auntie Lan.

Oh, here you are!

I came right after school

and bought some treats for Pearl.

You're spoiling her again.

I'm happy. I love it.

How is your homework to-day?

Very good.

I brought a 3D camera.

Let's take some photos. Okay?

I like it!

Mother, am I pretty?

Very pretty.

My Lady, you look so elegant.

Thank you.

Come on. Everybody look here!

Pearl, raise your head a little.

Look here. Are you ready?

One day, I asked Jade:

What do you want the most?

She said, someone to care for me,

think of me.

I said, what about those admirers at the Moon-Lit Chamber?

She said, they only admired me.

They wanted to possess me.

That's different.

Come with me. Hurry.

What's up?

Auntie Lan has a special birthday present for you.

Come with me.

Is it true?

Hurry up.

Mother, wait here for a second.

What are you two playing on me?

I am going to do a small trick for you.

My cousin's birthday feast

cost two thousand taels of silver.

But for Jade's own birthday,

she didn't even remember herself.

Who knows the loneliness behind all this luxury?

On her birthday...

Pearl and I gave her a surprise.

Oh, Young Lady,

I've searched for you everywhere,

and you are here.

Young Lady,

it is so natural,

that I have fallen in love with you!

Only for you, my lovely friend fair as a flower,

even as the years trickle away,

I have searched everywhere,

Mom, Happy Birthday.

And find you hiding deep in your chamber.

It seems we've met before

and beheld each other in solemn awe.

Words are not needed in such beautiful silence.

The beauty of Jade

once enchanted a lot of people.

In the end, she married into the Noble House.

And became cousin's fifth concubine.

The extravagance of the Noble House is illusioned with delight.

But soon, the happy days will end.

What, then, will remain?

My Lady, Butler Yee is bringing the monthly allowa

Madam, please sign on the account book

and put your seal on it.

Madam, is there anything else?

No. Thank you.

That day, Young Master came back to pay respect to grandmother.

He saw a newcomer in the Noble House.

It was his cousin from far away.

Yung, sit down.

The Young Master immediately fell in love with her

As for her, she felt the Young Master,

was the only one in the Noble House she could rely

Oh... these servants from the old society...

I will get your cape.

My Lady Five, Master is expecting.

Butler Yee.

Madam, your fan.

This way, my Lady Five.

Silks of moist air are blown to this quiet courtya

Spring is curling like threads.

I hesitate a second

to fix my hair-pin.

Master, we have found the white parrot you like.

The white parrot is here.

Bring it.

Master, this is a famous breed from the west.

What is its name?

It's called Bai Bai.

Master, please keep it.

Keep it then.

Thank you master.

The shape is so exquisite,

the material is so well chosen,

the craftsmanship is so perfect.

What an ingenious artifact.

You are such a connoisseur.

This jade was our grand-mistress's personal belongings.

Our grand-mistress brought with her twenty maids,

thirty cart-loads of dowry and married into the Noble House.

All the relatives and friends came for the occasion

The celebration lasted for twelve days and nights.

Butler Da, you have surely seen the world.

It was indeed fortunate for a low-bred person like

to be in the Noble House.

Look,

this artifact is such a rare find.

It was an imperial piece from the French Revolution

It proves the old saying:

"The swallows that used to be in the Palace

have nowflown into the houses of peasants."

Lo not because of urgent needs at home,

our Master wouldn't part with it so easily.

Good. I'll pay halo as deposit.

The rest will be paid upon delivery.

Thank you.

Match! This was such a good domino.

It will help me win this round.

Thank you sister.

Oh yes, there was a shipment of French brocade in Shanghai.

They say it's so beautiful.

We should have them sent here to look at.

There's no point.

I dare not make strange clothes out of them.

Unlike our sister Jade

who dares to try everything.

After all, we are from a different class.

Thank you, my dear sister.

Good health!

Dear sister three, don't be so jealous.

What did Jade ever do to you?

Jade, your turn to play.

I heard that the allowance was ten taels short last month.

I wonder if Butler Yee...

Butler Yee is a righteous person.

Not at all as you imply.

Butler Yee should start his own family now.

Sister Four, why don't you find him a good wife?

We are people with status.

How can we do this kind of thing?

Talk about status!

A few days ago, I saw Butler Da selling the family's Peacock screen.

I think very soon this household will crumble.

Are you okay, Jade?

I'm a bit drunk.

I'd like to go back.

I'll get a maid to escort you.

Don't worry.

I'll be okay with some fresh air.

Madam, please be seated.

I had too much wine.

I'm a bit drunk.

Madam, it will be fine.

It's late and you're still working on the accounts

Is there really that much to do?

I've finished the family accounts already.

I am writing my diary.

Diary?

Yes, Madam.

What do you write in it?

About people and events in this Noble House.

Is that right?

Am I in it?

Yes, Madam.

Teacher...

Lady Five, good evening.

So impolite! You should address her as Madam.

Yes. Madam, good evening.

Teacher, I have copied all the words you asked me

Take a look.

Hmm. Your writing is not bad.

You have improved.

It's late.

I must go.

Yes. May I see you off.

Yung, prepare the light.

This way please, Madam.

I heard from Butler Da

most treasures in the house were sold.

Our Master is still indulging in his world

and does nothing but lie around all day.

I feel it will

soon be time for me to move out from here.

Perhaps...

I have to sing again in Moon-Lit Chamber.

I remember the night cousin and I

went to watch you singing in Moon-lit Chamber.

I was attracted to you the first sight I saw you.

Cousin said you looked like the Goddess of Mercy.

I will never forget that moment.

So much ennui is stirred up by this year's scenes of spring.

Inside and outside these white-washed walls, high and low.

Falling blossoms, like spring's yearnings, are floating everywhere.

My heart is like the wild rose

that gets caught in my dress

and cannot let go.

How glamorous it was at Moon-Lit Chamber.

But, finally, I married into this Noble House.

And here I met you again.

I meant to ask you to quit opium.

But, you look so beautiful in the smoke

I just can't bring myself to do it.

Then don't.

Jade, don't go too far.

I must leave.

I'll see you off.

No. Don't worry.

I insist.

Come.

Sit down.

Take care.

Beautiful music, graceful movement.

Every step you take opens the gate of your heart.

Imagine you are in Buckingham Palace,

dancing with all the princes and princess.

Be careful!

Isn't dancing fun?

Yes. And so modern.

My lady, Butler Yee is joining the army.

Oh... How come I was never told?

Madam, I come to bid you farewell.

Thank you for your care throughout the years.

Yung will take my place to serve you.

Please be kind to him.

Madam.

Wang Ma, please get ten taels of silver.

Madam, money is no use to a soldier.

Thank you for your kindness.

Yung.

Yung bids farewell to Madam on behalf of Butler Ye

My Lady, I'll see them off.

I never noticed him before.

But, now I feel sad.

Are you satisfied, now?

Yes.

Actually, the bests always come last.

Butler Da, I have bought everything I like.

Don't listen to him.

Our Master has a lot of treasures.

Yes, yes yes...

...Our Master will soon have an opera here.

You are cordially invited.

Good. I'll be there.

Please.

Butler Da. Which opera will this be?

The Peony Pavilion.

I like that one too.

But, I like action-drama better.

Very well, I'll arrange it.

That's a promise.

Killing time by counting the beats of the drum,

and listening to the drops of rain,

an exile like me.

Cannot go back to my own country.

Oh, where should I go

to seek rescue?

Your singing is good.

How long have you been in the troupe?

Twelve years.

How old are you?

Just over eighteen.

So young, and yet so good.

Madam is so kind.

When I was eighteen, I married into this Noble House.

Before that, I used to sing at Moon-Lit Chamber.

Ever been there?

No.

Would you like to go?

Moon-Lit Chamber was such a luxurious and decadent

In the chamber of Jade,

each customer, five taels of silver.

For me to perform in a private room,

would feed a family for a month.

Oh, those sumptuous days! So decadent!

We girls liked to play cards. Do you know how?

A little.

Then, let's play.

I can't afford it.

Of course you can.