The wealthy, landed Wu family lives a luxurious and protected life style within a sprawling compound surrounded by canals. Yet beyond the walls of the Wu compound, the world is in turmoil. The perfection of the Wu family's life starts to unravel before Madame Wu's 40th birthday celebration has even begun. All are stunned. A wife never arranges her own replacement.
Concubinage is a male prerogative, grudgingly tolerated by women.
Chiuming inherits responsibility for servicing Mr. Wu. But Madame Wu's manipulations soon backfire. The terrified Chiuming fails to satisfy Mr. Wu, who seeks relief among the town's prostitutes. Chiuming is left miserable beyond endurance. Then Madame Wu joins Fengmo's tutoring sessions with Andre and finds herself drawn to Andre's knowledge and intelligence.