RED BOAT TROUPES AND CANTONESE ... - University of Georgia

3. Seeing Fai Yu’s back shadow, Wai Leung utters “handsome young man.” As Ga Ci Do
returns from his hunting trip, he over-heard what Wai Leung had said; he is mad and scorns Wai
Leung. Refusing to acquiesce, Wai Leung confronts Ga a few times, which leads to her being hit
hard and killed by Ga. Ga orders followers to cut Wai Leung’s head and put it into a silk lined
box. The act is to warn others concubines for what punishment may happen.
4. Ga regrets what had happened. In seeing that the numbers of wives and concubines missing
one to become three dozen, nephew Ha Ying Zhong suggests his uncle to make the beautiful
maiden of Silk Valley Lo Ci Yung become Ga’s new concubine. Having heard that, Ga orders
his nephew to bring jewelry to Silk Valley.
Act II. The Encounter—Breaking a Plum Branch
1. Due to the power of Ga Zi Do, the dedicated 30-year troop commander veteran Lo Tong
retires early to the Silk Valley. With his daughter Lo Ci Yung, they sell wine to earn a living.
2. Walking into Silk Valley, Fai Yu sees full blooming red plum branches. Since leaving West
Lake, Fai Yu has been thinking about Wai Leung. The blooming flower reminds him of Wai
Leung. His desire to break a branch to take to his room lands him on the ground of the Lo’s
home, and it is too late to hide from Lo Ci Yung.
3. Fai Yu is delighted to see Ci Yung, for he had mistaken Ci Yung as Wai Leung. The two
ladies resemble each other in feature. Seeing the invasion of a stranger, Ci Yung is about to call
her father and have the invader brought to justice. But after observing the handsome young man,
Ci Yung is a little impressed. To ease Ci Yung and answer her inquiry, Fai Yu recounts the
encounter with his fair maiden, Wai Leung. Hearing the story, Ci Yung allows Fai Yu to break a
plum branch.
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