CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER follows the disintegration of a Chinese emperor's family during the 10th century. The beautiful Empress Phoenix (Gong Li) is depressed by her isolation and her husband's obvious disdain for her. She spends her time planning the Chrysanthemum Festival, which is always a grand celebration -- but this year, no one feels like celebrating. Her depression is partly caused by the fact that Emperor Ping (Chow Yun-Fat) has been poisoning her soup. He may or may not be aware that she's been having an affair with Crown Prince Wan (Liu Ye), his son by his long-gone first wife. Then, the empress learns that her stepson/lover has fallen for Chan (Li Man), the daughter of the Imperial doctor (Ni Dahongand), whose own wife (Chen Jin) has a grudge against the emperor. The entanglements eventually come to a head, affecting the royal couple's two younger boys -- Prince Jai (Jay Chou) and Prince Yu (Qin Junjie) -- who are trying to prove themselves to their father while also looking after their mother (at least at first). As the various betrayals are discovered, the plots turn increasingly dire, with entire armies of assassins arrayed against each another.