Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District｜Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom

Description

Cai Zi Zhao Ruzhou from Shandong and famous courtesan Xie Suqiu from Bianjing were spiritually connected for three years, exchanging poems but never meeting in person. Qiaoqu County Magistrate Qian Jizhi acted as a matchmaker for them. However, heaven seemed to have a playful plan, preventing them from meeting.

Wang Chengxiang, the prime minister, conspired with the enemy and offered 120 beauties to the Jin Kingdom, including Xie Suqiu, who was the head of the courtesan troupe. Liu Gongdao, a guest advisor to the prime minister, devised a plan to rescue Suqiu. Deeply aggrieved, Ruzhou chased after Suqiu's carriage, hoping to see her. He saw a dead beauty in the carriage and assumed it was Suqiu, leaving him heartbroken. Both Zhao Ruzhou and Xie Suqiu later sought refuge with Qian Jizhi. Fearing that Suqiu might hinder Ruzhou's future prospects, Qian Jizhi forbade them from meeting. Even if they happened to encounter each other, he would introduce her as Wang Taishou's daughter, Wang Honglian. One night, as Ruzhou chased a butterfly across the garden, he met Suqiu. Though she dared not reveal her identity, she was touched by his sincerity and gave him a red pear blossom as a token.

The next day, Liu Gongdao disguised himself as the Flower King and told Ruzhou that Wang Honglian was a ghost, startling Ruzhou. He decided to leave for the capital to seek fame, despite the heartache. Later, Suqiu was betrayed by her sister, Shen Yongxin, and Wang Chengxiang had everyone arrested and brought back to the mansion.

Ruzhou passed the imperial examination with the highest score, becoming an imperial censor. He was tasked with investigating Wang Chengxiang's conspiracy with the enemy. When he arrived at the mansion, he saw red pear blossoms everywhere. With Qian Jizhi's explanation, Ruzhou finally learned the truth. Wang Chengxiang admitted his guilt, and Xie Suqiu gracefully surrendered to him. Thus, he achieved both justice and personal happiness.