"Kui, go to sleep now." "We'll gather here tomorrow to welcome the bride." "Okay." "This couple's a match made in heaven" "Their happy union's sure to last" "After the ritual, into the love nest" "The ceremony oflove is about to commence" "Lovebirds on the pillow witness their passion" "Under the bedsheet it reaches fruition" "Fire in their eyes won't die till dawn" "This time next year they'll yield a son" "Kui, let's rest." "Okay, let's rest." "Let's rest." " Go back, go back!" " I'm tired, sister Ma." "Move it or we'll miss the banquet." "She won't miss her big night." "Watch it!" "Kui, hurry up." "He's exhausted!" "Shit!" "You can look but not touch." " Aren't you tired?" " I'm never tired." "I know what's on your mind." "You guys wanna take a peek, right?" "Sure." "My grandpa told me first one to see the bride will prosper." " Really?" " Sure." "You wouldn't dare lift her veil." "Wanna bet?" "Foul mouth!" "She's a beauty if you look hard." "Young mistress, don't." "All through with your nonsense?" "Keep your eyes down." "Come down and rest awhile." " It's the Whirlwind Gang." " Whirlwind Gang?" "I beg you, please let us through." "This is real gold." "Sir, you can't do that!" "You can't!" "Sir, you can't!" "Run, Kui!" "Run!" "Madam." "You're fast, Kui." "You're so strong." "I've seen my share of bandits." "Not one has outrun me yet." "Put me down." " I'm not tired." " My shoes!" "Hey, kid, you sure can run." "Sir, please let us go this time." "Please, you can't take her." "Kill him!" "Don't!" "Don't kill anyone." "I'll go with you." "Young mistress!" "Hurry!" "Here comes the bride!" "Madam... the bandits got the bride!" "Silence!" "Silence!" "They got us beyond the sand hill." "Dozens of men from the Whirlwind Gang!" "And young mistress..." "Drink some water." "Old Liu, where's the young master?" "Madam!" "Kui!" "Kui!" "Little bastard's still alive." "Lucky he survived." "Go home and have some ginger soup." "Sleep and you'll be fine." "The Whirlwind Gang's got the bride." "What can you do about it?" "The Whirlwind Gang's got the bride." "Let's go." "Get up." "Get up!" "Leave me alone!" "What are you doing?" "What do you think you're doing?" "Are you crazy?" "You little bastard!" "Come back!" "Where are you going?" "Come back!" "She saved my life!" "Is she your woman?" "Get the hell back here, asshole!" "A toast to the bandit" "And he's down on his knee" "My blood starts to boil up fast This killer will pay with his life" "Bravo!" "He can't escape, even with wings" "I'll take my revenge on him today" "Too late Your life I cannot spare" "My sword is already out of its sheath" "Who's there?" "Stop!" "The bandit gets it on the head" "Chief, you were great today." "The guys all cheered." "Yeah, you were really something!" "Chief, we meant well bringing the woman here." " At least tell us what to do." " Get in there!" "Who's making that noise?" " Get in there!" " I wanna see the chief." "I wanna see the chief." "Who's speaking?" "I'm Tang." "Aren't you the actor on stage?" "Just say what's on your mind." "I'm here to speak with the chief." "We have no secrets here." "Speak." "I'm hungry." "Speak." "I haven't eaten for two days." "Go ahead and eat." "You can leave us alone here." "No need for that." "What do you want from me?" "I'm here for my woman." "Your woman?" "The bride I carried for the Liu's." "What'll you do if I don't give her back?" "Nothing I can do." "I'm no match for you." "Chief, there are plenty of women around." "Why pick an unlucky, hairless virgin?" "She's hairless?" "Sure." "You don't believe me?" "Madam." "Madam, why are you up?" "I became a widow in my middle age, childless in my old age." "Such is my fate." "Please do not grieve so much." "Move it!" "My vest!" "So she's an unlucky hairless virgin, and I can't marry her, right?" "You can if you're blessed by the sign of the dragon." "But you don't even have a beard!" "Enough nonsense about dragons!" "How'd you know she's hairless?" "My cousin told me." "They used to bathe together." "But if you don't mind her, it's your own business." "You see... the wine is poisoned." "It'll make you deaf." "Drink it." "Then I'll let her go." "I always keep my word." "No one can claim otherwise." "Kui, don't be a fool!" "Kui!" "Coward!" "You really thought it was poisoned?" "No, I was afraid he'd change his mind and have me killed." "Folks back home will never know." "She's lucky." "Our chief's still mourning the death of his wife." "Otherwise..." "Hey, kid!" "The chief says you've got guts." "After you take her back, come join us." "What do you say?" "Fellas, leave me out of this." "I'm just a farmer." "I'm no bandit." "Look!" "The chief's up there watching." "I won't ever forget your kindness." "Grab your chance, Kui." "She's a beauty!" " You still wanna carry me?" " Sure, it's the rule." "Aren't you afraid I'll bring you bad luck?" "Ready?" "Kui?" "Wait here." "Madam!" "Kui has brought the bride!" " Kui." " Sister Ma." "Here's some millet madam sent for you." "Thanks." "Did something happen?" "The day the bride was kidnapped, young master went for his gun." "He was gonna fight the bandits, but the gunpowder suddenly went off." "He was killed." "He's dead?" "Madam said to reward you for bringing the young mistress, so take it." "First time I've ever had to make this thing." "Jade, you can go now." "Sister Ma, spread the ashes." "Take off your clothes." "Do as you're told." "It's for your own good." "Kneel down." "Get up." "It didn't stir the ashes, madam." "Not even a bit." "That's good." "Get dressed." "Madam, everything's set." "Mistress, in the bandits' hideout, women are forced to... you know?" "Madam wants to protect the family's good name." "So don't tell anyone you were there." "When people ask, just say Kui hid you beyond the cliffs, understand?" "Sister Ma, boil some ginger soup to warm her up." "Sister Ma, it's all set." "Young mistress, you must face backwards to cleanse your sin." "Brother." "You're awake!" "You slept for three days!" "I thought you were dead." "You had us worried." "Water." "Give it to me." "Not feeling too bad?" "That's good." "They're gonna finish the wedding." "They need your help." "Isn't the young master dead?" "Go make something to eat." "What about the young mistress?" "That's none of your business!" "Just do your part." "Get up if you're well." "On the wheel oflife and death" "Everyone gets his turn to play" "When death finally comes your way" "Westward your soul will fly away" "May your trip to the heavens be brief" "And the passage to your next life quick" "The tofu maker went back to his hometown." "Madam said Kui's done well for the Liu's." "She wants to hire him long-term." "Why don't you talk it over?" "Give me your answer soon." "Don't keep me waiting." "I can show myself out." "Take care." "What do you think?" "I'll ask Kui when he comes back." "There's no need." "It pays two loads of wheat a year!" "Let me do that." "Are you well?" "No." "That's enough." "Don't strain yourself." "I've got nothing but strength." "Silly." "Kui... do you have enough to eat here?" "Sure." "You must eat enough to work, you hear?" "Kui." "Give me your clothes." "I'll wash them." "I don't have any others to change into." " And the ones you wore at the wedding?" " Those were my brother's." "Jade." "Where are young master's old clothes?" "Find them for me." "Okay." "Puppy!" "What, Mom?" " Go to your uncle and get some tofu." " Okay." " Don't let people see you." " Okay." "Uncle!" "What is it, Puppy?" "Mom wants tofu!" " Mom wants tofu!" " Quiet!" "Wait here." "Here." "Don't let anyone know." "If they ask, just say you bought it." "Now off you go." "Kui." "Yes, young mistress." "Can I help you?" "Blockhead!" "Want me to give it to you myself?" "Did I do something wrong?" "Come here." "Open your eyes and see for yourself." "Wow!" "Is the soy bean juice cooked?" "Yeah, it's all in the pot." "Still too hot." "I'll add salt later." "The key to good tofu is temperature." "Still monkeying around?" "You're not a kid anymore." "Don't wreck the place." "The cloth merchant's birthday is coming up." "He ordered some tofu." "You mustn't disappoint an old customer." "Here, use the beans in this pot." "Do the pants fit?" "Yes, thank you." "You're part of the family now." "We'll make you a new pair by New Year." "The pants belonged to the young master." "They've only been washed once." "Practically new." "They cost four coins." "We'll just take some grain from his annual share." "Yes, madam." "Don't be mad, madam." "She didn't mean it." "I'm not mad." "I'll just get another one." "Young mistress." "Say something to make her happy." "Come on." "Hurry up." "Why do you treat me like this?" "I don't want this wooden husband!" "I don't want it!" "Don't you dare move!" "Go make the bed." "Madam." "It's your husband." "Who else is gonna sleep with it?" "She's just a kid." "She doesn't understand." "Forgive her this time." "How dare she disobey me!" "Get those thoughts out of your head!" "Kui?" "Kui?" "Young mistress has run away!" "Go find her!" "Let's split up." "You go that way." "Jade..." "I don't need you here." "Go clean up the mistress' room." "All right." "Listen, my daughter." "You're bound to your marriage." "Try not to think about it too much." "How far can you run anyway?" "I owe them money." "It's your fate." "Just accept it." "Don't be mad with her, madam." "She belongs to the Liu family dead or alive." "I promise I'll bring her back myself every time she dares to run away." "It's not that serious, in-law." "Old Liu." "You called, madam?" "Tell Kui to wrap some tofu for our in-law." "Yes." "Young mistress." "Young mistress." "Yes, Kui." "What is it?" "Young mistress..." "I see everything here between you and the Liu family." "You have to stop fighting it." "Don't try to kill yourself again." "Kui." "Can't you look me in the eyes when you speak to me?" "Young mistress." "Don't cry." "Madam will hear you." "Kui." "I don't want to stay here." "I don't want to be the mistress here." "Take me away, Kui." "Sister Ma, go see what's going on." "Young mistress, are you in bed?" "Yes." "I knocked over a stool." "That's all." "Just as I thought." "Try to go to sleep." "Kui." "Kui." "What's the matter?" "My work's done." "Just taking a break." "Something's on your mind." "I miss my brother." "What?" "That's silly." "People only miss their mothers." "But my brother's good to me." "Better keep your eyes down." "I know you're naive, so I'll remind you:" "Don't do anything stupid." "Now, go take the mistress to the temple." "It's the anniversary of young master's death." "Please go in, young mistress." "I'll wait here." "Okay." "Young man." "Who?" "Me?" "Come here." "Young man, something's bothering you." "Wanna have your fortune told?" "I don't have any money." "It's on me." "Sir, I've done something wrong." "Be prudent when you act." "Kui." "Kui." "Is that her?" "Stay away from that one!" "Kui." "Come on, hop on." "It'll be faster that way." "Kui." "Warm me some water." "I want to wash my hair." "Kui." "Why are you avoiding me?" "Am I a scorpion?" "Do I sting?" "Young mistress..." "I'm the one to blame." "Did I blame you?" "I..." "You're a man." "Young mistress... don't pressure me!" "I'm no good!" "That's fine." "You may go." "When I was young, people always used to say," ""One should live for his reputation."" "I've suffered as a widow for 20 years." "I know how you feel." "Remember, people should live for their reputation." "Now eat something." "I don't feel well." "Sister Ma, take young mistress' dinner to her room." "Young mistress... you have to eat." "I've worked here many years." "Nothing escapes my eyes around here." "It's my duty as a housekeeper, you know?" "Just hear me out:" "Don't overdo it." "Old Liu, stop her!" "Stop the mistress." "You can't go." "I'm begging you, young mistress." "If you go, they'll be blamed." "You're the mistress of this house." "Don't misbehave." "Go back." " Let's go." " No, I won't!" "Get her!" "Let me go!" "I won't go back!" "Let me go!" "I won't go back!" "Let go of me!" "Are you leaving?" "Kui... are you leaving me here?" "You brought me here." "Now take me away." "I'll follow you anywhere." "Kui." "Kui!" "Don't force me to die." "Shame on you!" "We've never had such shameless people in our family." "Madam." "Kui, you've done us wrong." "Sister Ma, have the men tie her up." "Madam." "You helped us before, so I'll spare you." "Get the hell out of here and never come back!" "Stop it!" "Stop it!" "Just go." "Every family has its rules." "Adultery is a great sin." "But since she kept her chastity after being kidnapped, her life will be spared." "Her ankles are to be broken so she will remain faithful." "Madam." "Let bygones be bygones." "If it weren't for you, she'd be executed." "With her ankles broken, she'll calm down." "I've remained faithful for 20 years." "Why can't she?" "ONE YEAR LATER" "Open the gate." "Kui, you're back!" "Kui." "Unchain her." "Give her a proper burial." "Shame on you!" "I N HONOR OF MADAM LI U'S CHASTITY" "THE ELDERS OF THE DISTRICT ERECTED A TOMBSTONE" "TO COMMEMORATE MADAM LI U'S CHASTITY." "THEY BOW BEFORE IT I N REVERENCE EACH YEAR."