The Dance of Passion

When the YIMs see SING, they chase him away. Luckily, SING’s good friend and also the eldest son of the SUNGs, SUNG TUNG-YEUNG, rescues him. SING is determined to place his father’s nameplate in the ancestral hall. CHIU Yuk, the Superintendent of the SUNGs, who is also the stepmother of YEUNG, asks YEUNG to divorce his wife SHU LONG-YUET since she is unable to bear a child with him after ten years’ of marriage. YEUT faints when she hears the news. She is stunned to know she is diagnosed to be pregnant when she wakes up. YEUNG is worried that the YIMs would not share their wealth with the SUNGs, as instructed by their ancestors. The two clans are on the warpath. YEUNG confront YUET when he learns that she is pregnant – he needs to know with whom she has betrayed him. YUET swears that she is faithful to him. YUK is angry when she knows the doctor has wrongly diagnosed YUET. She suspects YEUNG is impotent.… ...

YEUNG refuses to marry FUN, saying that she is not born on a good date. YUK, however, argues that they are meant to be a couple and forces them to get married. YEUNG discloses to SING that he is impotent and SING believes that YUK makes use of FUN to unveil this secret. He suggests helping YEUNG by making YUET pregnant. YEUNG gets drunk and tells YUET about this plan. YUET is appalled. When YUK learns about the plan, she decides to let him go ahead so she can catch him red-handed. However, YEUNG finally gives up the idea, since he does not want to hurt YUET. SING blames YEUNG for his cowardice, but YEUNG reasons that he can still become the Superintendent even without having a son. FUNG and FUN are scheduled to get married the same day, but one is dreading it while the other is exhilarated about it. When they are on the way to their husbands’ house, a sandstorm breaks and they are snatched away by the bandits.… ...

FUNG and FUN return to the YIMs safely. TIN ask about her getting lost and she blames him for his distrust. FUN injures herself so that YUK will not suspect the blood on her leg. HEI and Commander CHO discuss the fighting against the bandits and CHO proposes again to manufacture firearms with HEI. HEI politely declines. The bandits rob and kill FUN’s family and FUN has to mourn her parents’ death for a year. YEUNG, therefore, postpones the marriage and YUK can do nothing. FUN stares hopelessly at her torn-down home and suddenly remembers her mother’s words. FUNG’s maid CHING is worried that FUNG is possessed by the ghost of HEI’s dead wife, as FUNG falls ill and faints. CHING suggests seeking help from the exorcist. FUNG slowly recovers and HEI’s father, YIP, tells FUNG about the story of HEI’s previous wife, who is snatched away by the bandits.… ...

FUNG marches into HEI’s study and demands a divorce so that she can have her freedom and dignity back. HEI is furious and tells her he controls her life and death. YUK asks FUN to take lunch to YEUNG, who is working in the field. YUET is upset. YUET refuses to let FUN help her prepare lunch and faints. FUN is disappointed when she sees YEUNG serve YUET with her medicine. She is further upset when she discovers a rat had bitten her wedding gown. YEUNG intends to make way for his stepbrother HIU to become the Superintendent, for he is tough and strong. SING is taken aback. CHEUK’s sister, KAM, goes to buy gunpowder, but is refused. SING buys her the gunpowder and helps her father dig a well. FUN meets SING when she is delivering lunch to YEUNG. SING then realizes that she is YEUNG’s second wife. HIU disappears and YUK suspects SING is involved.… ...

CHO rescues HIU, but HEI keeps him imprisoned in his home. YIP is upset about that. HEI believes it is a good opportunity to get rid of YEUNG. FUNG runs into HEI’s study and releases HIU. She challenges HEI that, if he refuses to divorce her, she will continue acting against him. Enraged, HEI slaps her. YUK and YEUNG are delighted to know that HIU is safe in an elder’s home at the SUNGs. YIP sighs as he recalls being the same tyrant as HEI when he was young. He finally learned his lesson 15 years ago when his sister was injured and became paralyzed. YIP persuades FUNG to be patient. FUN finally recovers from her illness. When she learns that she is exiled from the SUNGs, she begs YUK for forgiveness. However, YUK is not moved. YUK visits HEI to apologies to him, and FUNG is instructs to greet her. She mocks YUK but is humiliated in return. She then realizes HEI has used YUK to disgrace her.… ...

HEI learns that TIN has given FUNG a silver locket as a gift of love and decides to force TIN to get married. He asks TIN where he has put the silver locket, as it is a gift passed down by their ancestors. Intimidated, TIN asks FUNG to give him back the locket. FUNG is disappointed by his cowardice. SING takes the liberty to dig a well for TO, but the well collapses. SING falls into the quicksand and is nearly killed. YUK provokes HEI and KWAI takes the opportunity to seize her power. YUK can do nothing. FUNG is determined to leave the YIMs. She bids farewell to FUN, who is in a coma. She whispers into her ears, encouraging her to take the future into her own hands. FUNG is caught before she has a chance to step out of the house. TO saves SING. SING tells him that he comes back for revenge. TO points out that he is too kind-hearted and that he won’t succeed, and convinces him to leave the YIMs to start anew.… ...

FUNG seizes HEI’s gun and shoots at him. Suddenly, a group of bandits appear. HEI pulls FUNG away and hides in a cave. HEI is badly hurt and passes out. FUNG drags him along as she goes. HEI is delirious and the memories of his ex-wife being kidnapped by the bandits are brought back. Then they come across the bandits again and HEI fights for FUNG. Afterwards, HEI agrees to divorce FUNG and gives her a large sum of money. FUNG is puzzled. TIN is surprised to find that FUNG knows HEI is deaf. He tells FUNG that HEI tries to hide this secret to protect his name. He asks FUNG to leave with him, but she refuses. TIN tells HEI that he wants to leave the YIMs and takes FUNG with him. HEI is infuriated. CHO visits the YIMs and brings up the issue of manufacturing firearms. HEI cannot see CHO’s face, thus fails to read his lips. He cannot guess what he is talking about. Suddenly, FUNG appears and comes to his rescue.… ...

YEUNG is being laughed at by his people for his impotency. He knows KWAI is spreading rumors about him to take revenge. YEUNG gets himself drunk and FUN takes him back to his room. When she helps him take off his clothes, YEUNG sends her away. YUK tells YEUNG that if he wants to be the Superintendent, he must get FUN pregnant. YUET is shocked to learn that YEUNG agrees to let FUN get pregnant by another man. YEUNG tells YUET that his plan is complicated and involves the army. SING refuses to be the middleman when he learns that YEUNG is hiding the truth from FUN. KAM feels suddenly sick and TO takes her to the YIMs to see the doctor. They are chased away by the SUNGs. YEUNG comes forward and tries to help, but the people laugh at him. KAM is diagnosed with having a damaged lung and is required to visit the doctor every day. SING makes KAM stay at his place for the time being.… ...

YEUNG is very attentive to FUN and she is glad. TO and his daughter are bullied by the YIMs. SING confronts HEI when he tries to help them. Suddenly, a horse gets out of control and comes running towards HEI from behind his back. SING saves him but his eyes are hurt by some white powder. HEI refuses to be wrapped around the eyes. FUNG tries to persuade him to get some rest. YUET is told by YUK to celebrate LAN’s birthday, and LAN is delighted. YUK asks FUNG to say a few good words for YEUNG so that HEI will let him become the Superintendent. FUNG knows YUK is part of a conspiracy, but still agrees to help her nevertheless. YUK tells LAN that she has helped her restore her ancestral home. LAN then realizes that YUK wants to send her away. YUK admits that she does not want LAN to ruin her plans. HEI still does not trust FUNG. He still misses his ex-wife. FUNG is upset.… ...

When YUET helps massage LAN, LAN takes the opportunity to create conflict between YUET and FUN. YUK scolds her but she mocks her back. Rumors have it that YUK and HEI are having an affair. YUK knows that HEI will not tolerate people spreading rumors about him, so she chooses not to respond. The brother of CHEUK’s husband, KEI, leads a gang to beat up SING, accusing him of spreading the rumors. HEI points out that SUNG SAI-MAN is the real villain and blames KEI for taking his own revenge. TO is arrested by CHO and KAM seeks help from SING. YEUNG asks YUK to rescue TO, but YUK ignores him. HEI, in order to make SING owe him a favor, helps rescue TO and lets him dig a well for the YIMs. YUK goes to the temple to watch a drama play and the people there are gossiping about her affair with HEI. She does not react and stays indifferent, as she knows HEI will handle these people. When HEI arrives, no one dares say a word.… ...

SING congratulates YEUNG for having a son. He wonders why LAN will do something like that to hurt YEUNG without benefiting herself. SING goes to the YIMs to help clean up horse dung to repay HEI. FUN asks FUNG to take care of SING when she learns that he is working at the YIMs. Suddenly, LAN comes by for a visit and tells FUNG that FUN’s baby belongs to SING. FUNG is shocked. Luckily, HEI is not there. FUNG questions YUK about FUN’s pregnancy and YUK explains that she did it to make sure YEUNG has a son to carry on their heritage and that he can become the Superintendent. YUK asks FUNG to help keep it a secret to protect FUN. HIU delivers medicine to LAN. LAN thinks YUK sent HIU to please her so that she will keep quiet. She goes into a rage and says that the SUNGs owe her since she was made impotent. She can never give birth to a son. YUET then realizes that LAN was once raped by YUK’s husband.… ...

FUNG is suspicious of LAN’s death. YUK denies she is responsible and asks her to help her say a few good words in front of HEI, so that YEUNG will not be affected. FUNG tells her that she does not have much power and suggests she seek help from YIP. YUK kneels down to ask YIP for help, but he ignores her. YIP asks HEI whom he wants to be the Superintendent of the SUNGs, and points out that YEUNG’s father is not a good Superintendent and so HEI should not support YEUNG to succeed him. YIP suggests he support MAN, who is easier to manipulate. The SUNGs are voting for their Superintendent. The group with MAN as their leader is strongly against YEUNG; then HEI appears and congratulates YEUNG. No one dares say a word. The YIMs are irritated to hear that YEUNG wants to open a fireworks factory. They believe that is because YEUNG thinks HEI supports him. HEI uses KEI’s mother as a threat to force KEI to settle the dispute. KEI is annoyed.… ...

FUNG visits YUK at night and tells her about MAN’s pretence and conspiracy. YEUNG and SING go to look for MAN and find him being attacked. He passes out and YUK desperately seeks to settle the problem. HEI begs YIP to help solve the dispute over the YIMs and the SUNGs’ ancestral halls, but YIP says he is unable to help. The two clans are confronting each other in the ancestral hall. HEI is stranded, as he has no clue as to how to stop the fight. Then YEUNG appears with SING, who is all tied up. YEUNG says that it is SING who attacks MAN and KWAI also testifies against him. The crowd then beats him up. HEI goes to look for YIP and YIP admits that it is his idea to beat MAN up, as he wants to teach him a lesson. HEI tells FUNG that he and YIP have been fighting against each other in secret for years. She feels sorry for him when she knows the reason behind the fighting, and they get closer.… ...

FUN blames herself for the miscarriage and is sorry that the family is disappointed. FUNG comforts her. SING goes to visit TO and sees FUN returning to her home. He hides outside her home to protect her in secret. The next morning, he discovers that there are bandits coming and take FUN with him to escape. They come across the bandits again as they go uphill and FUN is kidnapped while SING is injured. FUNG discovers that FUN is missing and confronts YUK. YUK explains that FUN has gone back to her home and she has sent someone to bring her back. She then secretly asks HEI for help. FUNG and YEUNG find a blackmail letter in YUK’s room that is sent by the bandits and they realize that FUN has been kidnapped. YUK overhears YEUNG borrowing money from the elders and blames him for his recklessness. YUK tells him that the reason she borrowed money from HEI in secret was to protect FUN’s reputation. YEUNG feels guilty.… ...

KEI is discontented with HEI lending money to YUK to pay for FUN’s ransom. He believes that FUN is raped by the bandits and not worth the money. FUNG is angry and argues with him. YIP teaches HEI to let the rumor spread so as to give a blow to the SUNGs’ confidence, which will help boost the morale of the YIMs. FUNG is angry that HEI is being misunderstood, but he comforts her. HEI suddenly employs SING to work in his factory. SING knows that HEI makes use of him to rebuild the confidence of the YIMs. He discovers that the well at the factory is dry. All of a sudden, there is a thunder and SING feels uneasy. The thunder and lightning hit and damage the Signboard of Chastity. KEI believes it is an omen and says FUN brings bad luck to the clans. KWAI agrees and suggests they kill her. FUNG argues that it is ridiculous.… ...

The SUNGs and the YIMs are fighting over the issue of water shortage. HEI tries to calm everyone down by saying that he has sent people to the neighboring town to dig wells and bring water back. However, the crowd still believes that it was FUN who had brought about the bad luck. HEI sends SING to deliver food and necessities to FUNG, and TO suggests that KAM go with SING. KAM is impolite to FUN and FUNG knows that KAM is in love with SING. CHO suddenly arrives with his troops, saying he is stationing himself at the YIMs to help capture the bandits. HEI welcomes his intrusion, but the crowd dislikes it. YEUNG proposes to leave the YIMs temporarily in view of the draught. YUK objects, but no one listens to her. HEI is drinking with CHO when he hears that the SUNGs are leaving. He can’t care less. Not long afterwards, the bandits appear and HEI asks CHO to help fight them. CHO does as he is told and leaves.… ...

It is HUNG’s birthday and FUNG helps dress her up beautifully. YIP is furious. FUN is not angry with KAM, since she has been told by her mother from when she was small that she always brings bad luck. KAM hears that and changes her attitude towards FUN. When YEUNG brings back some water, the people are fighting over it and there is a commotion. YEUNG is hurt. YUK finally decides to let YEUNG divorce FUN to appease the crowd. HEI doesn’t think it will help. Instead, he thinks it will make FUN suffer even more. He says he will continue buying water from neighboring towns. Business is good and HEI’s fireworks factory is very busy. KEI’s wife, CHUI, accidentally sets the factory on fire and people run for their lives. FUNG knows that HEI cannot hear the alarm and insists on rescuing him herself. Everyone blames FUN for the fire and YIP proposes to burn FUN to appease the god. FUNG objects and is imprisoned.… ...

Suddenly, it rains and FUN is saved. KWAI suspects that SING and FUN are having an affair. Luckily, HEI arrives and clarifies the issue for them. HEI then imprisons YIP and tricks KEI into betraying YIP. YIP finally gives up and agrees to leave the YIMs. FUNG takes FUN onto the street, forcing her to face the crowd. FUN admits that she has feelings for SING, thus has breached the Rule of Chastity. SING catches a bandit and asks HEI to torture him into testifying for FUN. HEI is annoyed. He tells SING to marry quickly so that the rumors will die down. YUK knows FUN has fallen in love with SING. She lets FUN decide if she would like to elope with SING or stay with the YIMs. FUN is hesitant. YUK sees HEI’s ex-wife CHI KWAN appear at the YIMs and she quickly informs FUNG. FUNG brings CHI KWAN back to HEI’s home secretly and sends for a doctor. The doctor diagnoses her to be suffering from a mental disorder.… ...

FUNG tells FUN to elope with SING and start a new life. She is willing to help them. YUK is angry that FUNG has told FUN the truth and admits that she will do anything to ensure YEUNG become the Superintendent. FUN blames her for ruining her chastity and reputation. YUK argues that she bears bad luck and should accept her fate meekly. CHI KWAN disappears and HEI is furious. TO manages to send her back. TO refuses to accept HEI’s reward. He only wants to take SING as his godson and asks HEI not to bother with SING’s marriage. However, HEI refuses. FUNG proposes to send CHI KWAN to the city to cure her illness, but HEI wants her to stay until she recovers her memory. HEI lets CHI KWAN listen to her favorite song in the hope she will remember the past, but the song only makes FUNG sad. The bandit escapes and HEI suspects he is still hiding in his house. He is worried about CHI KWAN’s safety.… ...

YUK feels hopeless and tells FUN that it is her idea to make her pregnant and SING has nothing to do with it. She is willing to set her free. HEI is sad to have killed CHI KWAN. He keeps drinking and drinking. SING thus lies to him that CHI KWAN’s death is not his fault – she has committed suicide. HEI doesn’t believe him, saying that CHI KWAN will not kill herself for another man. SING tells him that CHI KWAN only returns to him in order to rescue the bandit. HEI is hurt. FUN runs happily to SING and tells him she wishes to elope with him. However, SING dare not leave with her. HEI and SING go hunting for the bandit and when they find him with the rest of the bandits. SING prevents HEI from killing him. SING thinks they should kill the whole gang instead of just one bandit. When HEI returns home, he realizes HIU is killed too. He goes to pay respects to HIU at the SUNGs but is stopped by YEUNG, who accuses him of being a coward.… ...

In order to stop SING from taking revenge, TO threatens to tell HEI his plan. SING then tells TO that HEI has once raped CHEUK and TO is shocked. YUET asks YUK if FUN is to stay or go, and YUK tells her to decide herself as she is in charge now. YUET goes to the temple to pay respects to, and seek advice from, the god. She is determined to have a child with YEUNG. YUK takes HEI’s gun when he is not looking and tries to shoot herself. HEI stops her, but the gunfire causes her to go deaf temporarily. FUNG believes that SING is up to something as he refuses to leave with FUN, whom he loves very much. She warns HEI to be careful, but he does not think so. FUNG also tells FUN to give up SING. YEUNG is about to leave home for a trip and YUET tells her to take this chance and leave. FUN goes to SING’s home and asks KAM to pass him a message – she will wait for him at the punishment site.… ...

When FUNG learns that HEI brings YUK bear’s gallbladder and musk to help cure her deafness, she is upset. When SING passes by the punishment site, he sees KEI’s mother and also FUN’s shoes. He knows that FUN has fallen into the well. He tries to rescue FUN, but is pushed down the well by KEI’s mother. KEI’s mother celebrates their death and dies suddenly. HEI decides to give KEI’s mother a big funeral service to appease KEI. HEI sees YUK standing on the fortress tower and worries that she will attempt to commit suicide again. He comforts her and tells her not to give up and to plan for her own future, but YUK refuses to listen to him. FUNG hears him from under the fortress tower and is heartbroken. SING cannot climb out of the well. He feels pity on FUN as she is treated so unfairly. FUN tells him she is content, as SING is with her when she dies. SING is touched and kisses her.… ...

YEUNG blames YUET for not looking for FUN when she disappears for two days. YUET tells him that FUN has decided to leave, but YEUNG argues that FUN has nowhere to go. He believes that YUET has changed and is disappointed. FUNG does not know why FUN does not leave. FUN tells her she has kissed SING in the well, and she feels herself a slut. She does not know what to do. FUNG brings a message from FUN to SING, and asks him not to go. YUK receives a letter from HEI, asking to meet with her. She feels strange. FUN arrives at SING’s house to find that FUNG has tricked him to KAT HING HALL. She knows something is wrong. SING sees YUK at KAT HING HALL and they know they are trapped. Then FUNG arrives with KEI and some elders accuse them of having an affair. If they choose to leave immediately, they will let them go. HEI then appears and clarifies everything for them.… ...

YUET increases the land rent, but the tenant refuses to negotiate with her. He requests to talk to YUK instead. YUET is angry. TIN appears to help her and YUET is grateful. All of a sudden, CHO comes by for a visit and recruits all the strong and young men into his army to fight against the bandits. He tells HEI that he knows the SUNGs have pretended to be bandits to trick him. HEI proposes to pay money in return for their strong men, but CHO asks a very high price. FUNG accuses CHO of taking advantage of them and suspects there is a traitor among the YIMs. She believes the traitor is YIP. HEI asks SING to deliver a letter to the government to report on CHO’s evil deeds. YUK receives a message from CHO, asking to meet with her. YUET insists on going with her. CHO tells her that he knows HEI reports against him and proposes to work with her to kill HEI, so that she can take over the YIMs.… ...

CHO imprisons HEI and HEI is surprised to find that SING is captured as well. FUNG asks YIP to rescue HEI, but YIP hints she must leave HEI in return. CHO suddenly releases HEI and SING. HEI knows something is wrong. On their way home, they meet TIN, who is hurrying to rescue them. HEI is sure something has gone wrong. HEI questions YUK to see if she has met with CHO and YUK avoids him. HEI then asks SING if he knows what has happened. SING tells him that he heard YUK crying for help that night. HEI believes she was raped by CHO and feels bad. Then rumor spreads that YUK has been raped. People from both clans refuse to let her take part in the boat lamp festival. TIN then offers a solution to settle the whole incident. YUK is upset that her people have destroyed her boat lamp. HEI comforts her. She asks HEI not to feel guilty for her. She believes that this is a punishment from god and hints that she is in love with him.… ...

YUK believes YUET need not get pregnant by another man to secure YEUNG’s position as the Superintendent. YUET does not agree with her and blames her for ruining the name of the SUNGs. YUET regards FUN as an omen and demands that if she is unable to bear a child for YEUNG, she has to leave. FUN is stunned to know that YUET find another man with whom to get herself pregnant. SING secretly meets with YUK. YUK asks SING when he will take her and HEI to the punishment site. SING explains that he has to plan carefully how to ruin HEI’s reputation completely and send him to suffer the Penalty of Torching. FUN overhears their conversation. FUNG discovers by chance that HUNG is conscious and can move her right hand. FUNG learns from KEI that YIP has once raped and killed someone’s wife. She goes to ask HUNG. HUNG tells her that YIP has beaten her to near death to prevent her from disclosing the truth.… ...

YUET faints and is still worried about the baby even in her sleep. FUN asks YEUNG to try to understand YUET’s intentions and selflessness. When YUET comes round, she is touched to see YEUNG by her bed. YEUNG names the baby and believes YUET will be a good mother. YEUNG thinks SING looks down on him when he sends someone to bring him some money to start his business. He gets drunk and goes to look for SING. He scolds SING and discloses openly that he is impotent. KWAI then questions YUET about her pregnancy and YUK helps YUET deny that adultery is committed. The SUNGs then call for a meeting at the ancestral hall. YUET disappears. Later, she is found dead in the field. She has committed suicide. When YUK and FUN help clean her corpse, they discover that she is not pregnant. HEI thinks that YUET commits suicide because it is he who made it impossible for YEUNG to have a child to succeed him.… ...

FUNG arrives at the SUNGs and accuses YUK of having cruel intentions on HEI. FUNG asks YUK to leave the YIMs, but she refuses. The new Superintendent of the SUNGs, KWAI, gets hold of YUK’s love letter. He invites HEI to the ancestral hall to be the judge. HEI is annoyed. YUK is furious as KWAI makes up the love letter. She believes that KWAI wants to seize all the power and properties of YEUNG. SING believes that that is a good opportunity to punish HEI and send him to suffer the penalty. SING tells HEI that YUK agrees to sell her assets and leave the YIMs under the pressure of KWAI. He also accuses FUNG of being the person behind all that. Infuriated, HEI goes to confront FUNG. FUNG denies having cooperated with KWAI and blames HEI for falling in love with YUK. HEI is angry and slaps her. FUN bids farewell to FUNG and promises that SING and YUK will not take revenge on HEI.… ...

KWAI leads his men to the SUNGs to look for HEI, but he is nowhere in sight. It turns out that YUK has let him leave. She cannot bear to have him caught. SING and FUN arrive at the pier. HEI sends them some money for their trip and SING realizes then that YUK has failed him. He then returns to the YIMs immediately. FUN tries to stop him but in vain. HEI receives the bad news of his bank closing down. He knows it was YIP and TIN who did it. YIP demands HEI to let TIN take over his business in three days; otherwise, he will close down KAT HING HALL. HEI is sad. SING questions YUK and refuses to give up his desire for vengeance. TO and KAM feel strange to find FUN being poisoned and leaves in the wild. KWAI calls for a meeting to look for YUK’s adultery partner. He also refuses to let HEI visit YUK. HEI is annoyed. He asks TIN to help him rescue YUK but he refuses. FUNG is heartbroken when she learns that HEI does so much for YUK.… ...

YIP suddenly faints. HEI thinks FUNG tries to kill YIP, but the doctor tells him that YIP has been sick for a very long time and will die soon. TO bears FUN uphill and on his way, he discovers KAM’s dead body. He is heartbroken. YIP dies and HEI arranges to have SING rescue YUK. But then SING returns and told him YUK has committed suicide. HEI rushes to her house and discovers she is still alive. The two of them then realize they are being set up. KWAI and KEI arrive with their men and accuse HEI of having an affair with YUK. FUNG tries to save HEI, but he tells her that he has never loved her. He is in love with YUK. FUNG is torn apart. FUN finds SING at CHEUK’s tomb and tells him about KAM’s lie. SING does not believe her and tells her that he plans to love her after he takes revenge on HEI for CHEUK. He cannot believe that she will lie to him. YUK and HEI are brought to the punishment site, about to suffer the Penalty of Torching.… ...