Temptress Moon Page #2

- Sir, your room is ready.

- Thanks.

I'll take it myself.

-

-

- Who's that?

- Duanwu, Ruyi's cousin.

In name he's a master.

In fact he's a servant.

He prepares

Ruyi's opium pipe.

I know that role well.

I'll go wash up.

-

-

Miss, where is

the family library?

Over there.

Thank you.

Miss, why are you

following me?

I forgot to tell you.

There are no books

in the library anymore.

Be careful.

Miss, your sister-in-law says

her brother's on his way

to see you.

Her brother?

Very well.

If I have any visitors,

tell them I'm not feeling well.

Sister-in-law, Ruyi is not here.

Please come in.

This is my brother Zhongliang.

He just finished school

in Peking.

He's come to say hello to Ruyi.

Sister-in-law.

I am Zhongliang.

Help yourself to whatever books

you wish to read.

Have you two met?

Is this what you wear?

Is this what you read?

Is this the life you lead?

These silks and satins

are hideous.

Do you know how much the world

has changed in ten years?

Do you?

Russian Revolution,

Great War...

warlords...

Nationalism...

Lenin, Communism,

Sun Yat-sen...

freedom from

arranged marriages...

equal rights for women...

youths dying for a cause.

-

-

Have you heard?

Girl students in Peking

wear skirts...

and short tops

with tight waists.

They stroll by

the Forbidden City...

with little red flags

in their hands.

Walls tall and red...

bordered by weeping willows

swaying in the breeze.

The Peking sky

is blue and clear.

The palace towers

are decorated with gold...

and white kites sail in the air.

Higher and higher...

further and further...

till they're gone.

Do you want to spend

the rest of your life here?

-

- You stayed in Peking

for so long.

- How could you be so cruel

and not write even once?

-

You know.

Sister, that's enough.

Duanwu, come here.

Kneel!

Why did we let a distant

relation, like yourself...

into the family's

inner sanctum?

Because you seemed

loyal and honest.

We were quite surprised

when Ruyi sent the women away.

And you not only

failed to dissuade her,

but even aided her!

You traitor!

You've sent away

all the women...

of old master and his son.

It's no small matter, you know.

A grown man like you

trailing after that girl.

It's all backwards.

Are you after

the family fortune?

Pang An,

I don't want one penny.

All I want is to look

after my sister.

Your "sister indeed!

And if she marries?

I'll go with her.

We're finished!

Are there no real men

left in this family?

My poor ancestors!

The Pangs haven't a man left!

I weep before

young master Zhengda!

Old master's dead!

Old master!

We've no men left. Old master!

It's not every day one sees

loyalty like yours to Ruyi.

Zhongliang.

Zhongliang.

You haven't seen him yet.

Husband...

Look...

Look who's come back.

-

- Sir.

Sir.

Miss Ruyi sent me to ask you...

to teach her how

to ride a bicycle.

Your young miss thinks

everyone's her servant,

does she?

If you're too busy...

Look straight ahead!

Look ahead!

I want to kiss you.

SUZHOUN BOARDI NG HOUSE

Near Pang Estate

F***!

It's been two days!

Why no word from you?

What's with you?

How's it going?

- That was quick.

- I'm just getting started.

How come there's two?

These are the goods

Miss Pang ordered.

What's this?

How foolish of me.

I forgot you Pangs

would need to search me.

Maybe Miss Ruyi

has forgotten...

when I was a boy,

I was her brother's servant.

So go ahead.

Keep looking!

Do it!

Search my things!

Hurry up!

Sir, you mustn't treat

elder sister like this!

She's curious

because she likes you!

- That's the way she is.

- She likes me?

Whether I like her

is more the point.

Why are you here?

What do you think?

Just a sisterly visit

to my little brother.

They have things

like these in Shanghai.

That Jing boy who was engaged

to Ruyi works in Shanghai.

He studied in Japan.

Do you know why

they broke the engagement?

What's it to me?

Zhongliang, you couldn't get

close to her. She's poison.

What a joke!

The idea of me with her.

I've seen you.

I've seen you kiss her.

You can't lie to me!

Me, lie to you?

How shall I put this, sister?

I served her brother.

How could I dare court

the mistress of the house?

How could I?

I was nothing but a slave

to you and Zhengda...

a worthless, poor relation.

I hate this place

and everyone in it!

-

-

I see.

- You hate even me.

- Yes!

Yes, I do!

I was 13 when

you brought me here...

You had no one else!

to live with you

and "study."

You made everyone call me "Sir,"

but I was just your servant!

"Zhongliang...

"brought your school books?

"Prepare Zhengda's opium pipe

when you're not studying.

"Zhongliang.

"Come here.

Give sister a kiss.

Come on!"

I'll never love again.

Never.

I'll never love again...

because of you.

I see.

Then why are you here?

Why don't you leave then?

I'm not as pretty as she is.

She's not as pretty as you.

You're a young girl.

But Father always said

that a woman is more

beautiful than a girl.

That's just men's talk.

Aren't you a man?

I'd rather not be.

You're wrong, you know.

A woman is more beautiful

than a girl.

I'm sure...

Zhongliang does like you.

Do you think so?

I don't want to be

a girl anymore.

I've come to tuck you in.

What is it?

I'm heavy.

You get on top.

Hold me here.

Like this.

You're pressing me.

Let me come up a bit more.

Put your hand here.

I'll hold you here.

Is that right?

Here?

I'll move my leg a little.

Yesterday was all my fault.

Please don't be mad at me.

Even if you are mad at me,

I still like you.

Duanwu.

You may go.

Sir, this is a note

for you from Ruyi.

How is Master doing today?

He's doing well.

Did he eat all his food?

Will he sleep here tonight?

So here's where the Pang men

had their fun, eh?

Zhongliang.

- Not like that.

-

Hold me here.

I'll hold you there.

- You're heavy. I'll get on top.

- Be quiet!

I know what to do.

I've practiced

with Duanwu for you.

Zhongliang!

Don't you want me?

I have to leave here.

I don't want to stay either.

Take me with you.

If I can't take you to Peking...

I won't take you anywhere.

Let me look at you.

I want to look at you.

Boss misses you.

He keeps asking after you.

He wants a report.

Tell Boss...

I'll be back in Shanghai

in 3 days.

Tomorrow morning

we leave for Peking.

So, you're off?

Early tomorrow.

Zhongliang.

I know you don't

want me along.

But you owe it to me!

I can't go on like this.

I've been so lonely here...

these ten years...

Looking into that face

every day.

I know.

But I have to leave you.

I can't bear

to watch you suffer!

So take me!

Take me so I won't suffer!

I can't take you.

You'll always remind me

of this place.

And I'll never forget...

- What happened.

- And me?

After it happened...

I smuggled you out of here...

but I stayed behind,

with no thought for myself.

Ten years

and you never once wrote.

I nearly went mad!

Who could I turn to?

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