China in the 1920s. When her father has died, 19-year-old Songlian is forced to marry the wealthy 50-year-old Chen, who already has three wives, each of them living in a separate wing of the mansion. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend, and a red lantern is lit in front of the chosen wing. As each wife schemes and plots to ensure a night with their husband, things start to get out of hand...