A Top Scholar's Blood, a Brothel's Tears

At Jiangnan's Zuiyue House, the courtesan Liu Yunshang is peerlessly talented and has ambitions that reach the heavens. She spends her entire fortune supporting Shen Yan, a poor scholar, so he can sit the imperial examinations. In return, he vows, "When I pass the exams, I'll come for you in an eight-man bridal sedan."

After three years of waiting, she finally hears that Shen Yan has made the honors list and become the top graduate. Dressed in red and ready to marry, Yunshang eagerly awaits her beloved.

But what arrives is not a bridal sedan, but an imperial decree of marriage and a cruel letter. The top scholar, once so devoted to her, writes poison into every word: "A pair of jade arms pillow a thousand men; a vermilion mouth has been tasted by countless others. How could a woman from a brothel like you ever be worthy of a top scholar like me?"

Every word cuts to the heart. Their bond is severed.

The next day, the scarlet wedding gown that never welcomed its groom becomes a shroud for her corpse. Her fragrant soul departs, blood staining the white silk as her life fades away. In the most resolute way, she denounces a faithless man and burns away the last glimmer of light this cruel, devouring world had left her.