A young man's obsession with his cousin, the daughter of a wealthy, decaying family, provides the basis for this period drama that opens on the eve of the 1911 Revolution when Imperial China became a Republic. Ruyi (Gong Li) is the scion of the wealthy Pang clan, and Zhongliang (Leslie Cheung) is her cousin. As a teenager, Zhongliang flees to Beijing and later to Shanghai where he becomes a smooth-talking gigolo. At his boss' urging. Zhongliang returns to his cousin's home to seduce Ruyi out of her inheritance.

"A ravishing tale of decadence!"

- David Ansen, NEWSWEEK

"A tempestuous tale of danger, adventure and steamy passion."

- Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES

A brilliant criminal specializing in blackmail is about to seduce China’s most powerful woman.