In 1920s China, the young and beautiful Songlian is forced to leave behind her life as a student to become the fourth wife of a wealthy and powerful man. Upon arriving at the opulent yet suffocating mansion, she realizes that life in the household is not as idyllic as she imagined. The other wives, each with their own personalities and ambitions, see her as a threat to their status and comfort.
As she settles in, Songlian faces jealousy, manipulation, and the power struggles among the wives. Disputes escalate, and the games of intrigue become more dangerous. Each of them tries to win the husband’s attention, employing tricks and strategies, while the oppressive figure of the patriarch looms large, dictating the rules of the game.
The film reflects the painful contrast between the beauty of life and the darkness of human relationships, in an environment where love is distorted by the struggle for power. As the pressure mounts and secrets are revealed, Songlian must decide how far she is willing to go to survive in this cruel competition. The splendor of the red lanterns illuminating the house contrasts with the shadows of manipulation and suffering, underscoring the tragic existence of women trapped in the web of a patriarchal system.