Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 42
Mother-in-law.
Fourth son-in-law, my Molan didn't cause you trouble, right?
- She didn't. - That's good then.
Minglan, General.
Big Madam, hello.
General, my Minglan didn't give you trouble, right?
Minglan is very respectful and sensible. Everyone in my Gu Family loves her.
That's good then.
Seeing how you all are now married.
As a mother, I feel relieved.
You all haven't seen my biological older sister, right?
You all should call her Auntie Kang.
This is the Auntie Kang that I've told you about.
Auntie, greetings.
I heard that Fourth son-in-law has a new daughter.
Congratulations! Before you go back later,
I have a red envelope for my new niece to hand to you.
Thank you, mother-in-law.
- Okay already. You all go out to have some tea and fruits, while waiting for the main meal. - Okay.
- Let's go. Let's go. - Molan.
- Sit. - Please. - Come.
Don't be mad.
Didn't Fourth Sister have a miscarriage? Why...
Of course, it's not hers. It was Chunke, whom Fourth brother-in-law has been keeping in his house way before.
I heard that it was a difficult delivery. The son was too big and almost didn't get born.
What?!
Sixth Little Sister, is it because you're having a good life now that your ears aren't working well anymore?
I...just found this matter too strange. I thought I heard it wrong.
You didn't hear wrong. That was really what happened.
Fifth Sister, when will you be giving birth to a chubby child?
Look at that Sixth Miss of yours. After marrying into the high marquis manor,
she's already showing some air upon returning here to her maiden house.
She didn't. Aren't both very respectful?
Look at how they were mumbling earlier.
They were totally not giving you any importance.
Who told her to be a wife in the marquis manor now?
That Sixth son-in-law is currently a highly favored person in the imperial court.
His hands and eyes can encompass the whole sky, and his power is at its peak. We can't offend him.
And you're just going to let her rebel? No matter how high the status that she married into,
isn't she still a lady that grew up under you?
You should at least show her some fierceness.
Forget it.
The future of Rulan's husband might even need the care of Sixth son-in-law.
If you're afraid of her, I'm not. I surely would teach her a lesson.
Informing Big Madam, the food has been served in the adjacent hall.
The males have their table outside, while the women have theirs inside.
Older sister, let's eat.
Come, everyone, let's eat!
Molan.
Wait a minute! Mother hasn't come out yet.
Didn't you say that after socializing with them a little, we'll be returning to Shouan Hall?
Your grandmother is still waiting for you to chat and dine with.
If it was usual days, that will be fine. But today, my Big Madam's older sister is here.
This person isn't easy to deal with. She might incite some trouble.
I'm fine. When grandmother sees that I didn't go, she surely will send people to save me.
This is a habitual trick that the two of us employ.
For the first drink, I'll give a toast to Big Madam first.
When I was little, I was sickly. If not because of the meticulous care of Big Madam,
I fear that I won't be able to be standing here. I thank you, Big Madam.
Look at you.
Why the need for thank you's among family members? Quickly sit down.
Since you were little, you've been obedient and sensible.
You've given me less trouble than these older ones. How could I not dote on you?
Little Sister, among these daughters of yours,
Miss Ming is the most successful one.
I fear that you might be needed by the family a lot from now on.
You must remember the good that your mother showed you and not forget your roots.
Auntie is right to lecture me that. I will remember.
Now, you had the best in-law background and your husband is the most capable one.
Don't forget to help those two brother-in-laws of yours more.
- How is it her business to meddle with the daughter of the Sheng family? - Auntie, what are you saying?
My husband of my Fourth Sister is a son of a count. He has a promising future ahead.
Fifth brother-in-law is a new passer of the imperial civil examination. He's a pure scholarly official.
Each one is way better than that military husband of mine.
In the future, he still has to rely on my two brother-in-laws for guidance.
Sixth Little Sister, you're being too naive and didn't get it.
What Auntie Kang is saying that you should promote her son-in-law more in the future.
Shut up. Don't incite trouble in front of your elders.
Quickly eat.
To say to promote, I think that's way too far.
I've been taught by my parents since I was little.
I know that the most important thing in life is to know how to repay kindness.
Those who are good to me, I surely will repay them.
Even if Auntie don't mention it, I have a list where I've recorded them all.
Sixth Miss, Old Madam is asking if you're done eating.
If you're done, please go to Shouan Hall to listen to her teaching.
Go.
Grandmother! You saved me at the right time!
Or else, I won't be able to get out of the labyrinth set up by Auntie Kang and Big Madam.
Quickly come...
I've been waiting for you, that I'm starving already.
Quickly. Quickly. Sit down. Let's eat.
Eat. What do you want to eat?
Old Madam, it's been so long since you're this happy.
That's right. It was just two days, yet...
Not seeing for a day and it's like three autumns have passed.
How many autumns would that have been now? You must be missing me so much that you've developed lovesickness.
Can't do anything about it. Who told me to be so adorable.
My god, this is too much!
You're also like this in the Gu Manor?
If you're like this in front of your in-laws, people will say that our Sheng Family lacks discipline.
Grandmother, don't worry. Your grandson-in-law has been taking good care of me.
Who in his family would dare bully me?
He's defending you?
Let me ask then.
Who is the chief steward in your manor right now?
I haven't asked yet.
Are the houses and the garden shed,
are they all doing well? I heard that place was once
the house of an important subject of the former emperor.
It was abandoned for almost a decade. Shouldn't it be renovated?
He only took me around his manor once. Regarding renovating...
I don't know.
How much is the fixed asset of your manor right now?
You also don't know?
Really good. Look at you.
I've taught you to be a rich daughter will all kinds of skills.
After getting married,
you got kept by your man inside your room and didn't allow to handle anything.
Isn't that embarrassing?
You don't know,
how big that garden mansion of them is.
Just the servants, there are 50 plus or more.
Every time I think about handling these matters, I felt sleepy.
Your husband is an unbridled person.
He hates being controlled the most.
With a man like that,
you mustn't be forceful.
But even if you do, you also can't beat him.
His personality isn't only too strong,
he even likes to lecture his elders.
Although he's defending you,
you shouldn't rely on him excessively.
Women like us
must still be able to prop ourselves up.
One, you must have money.
Second, you must have a trusted aide.
Only then can your days be carefree.
From the things he has done,
he's a man that won't allow any flaws.
In doing anything, you must always tell him first.
Don't you try to hide them and pretend to be virtuous.
That way, the two of you will develop a barrier between each other.
Understand?
He now holds great power and has such unstable mood.
When he's nice, he's too nice, as if he's another person.
Once he gets mad,
he also is too fierce, so scary.
I also dare not say one more word.
What if I say something wrong and offend him?
Won't our days together be a hard one from now on?
Miss, we're leaving now?
Let's stay here a bit more.
Grandmother is taking her afternoon nap. If we don't leave now,
even if Big Madam won't say anything,
that Auntie Kang would be nitpicking again.
There are still a lot of chances to come back.
Father, you're home! Greetings, father.
What is this air you're letting out upon returning to your maiden house?
Stop!
Danju, Xiaotao, you two come down.
I have some words to tell my wife.
Aren't you riding your horse?
You've been sad since we left the Sheng Manor.
I noticed it. Did anyone bully you?
No. I'm just too full.
I'll just get off the carriage, walk with it, and I'll be fine.
What walk?
Did father-in-law see you?
If you have any problem
and you're hiding it from me,
if I find it out,
I'll put on your make up and draw your eyebrows everyday before letting you out of the house.
It's nothing.
Father lectured me today.
He said that in returning to my maiden house today, we made it too grand.
It's too showy.
Not only did I not urge you otherwise, I was even immensely pleased with myself.
I thought it's some major problem.
This...how is this showy?
If anyone's showing off, it's me. How is that your business?
I'm an illegitimate daughter to begin with. Being able to marry you is already fine.
It's not right to be such a show off.
Won't all the good things already been gotten by me?
When there's inequality, there would be grudges and dislikes.
Dislike? Who dares to dislike you?
Whoever dislikes you, I will dislike him.
Let's see who would still dare to bully you.
It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
As they say, to put out a harmonious light that is similar with the secular world.
We are a family.
It's better if everyone can live more or less the same life.
I mustn't look too different.
This is one reason.
Second, I was too dignified when in front of you.
If next time, they all come to me so I could beg you to do things for them,
like getting promoted, examinations, exiles, all those messy things.
Tell me, should I help them or not?
I think you sound reasonable.
Then from now on, I won't be defending you too much
when in front of your maiden family.
It's better if you'll act more ferocious.
- Like that? If I'm ferocious, what about your dignity? - You scared me!
The inner part is present, who cares about the appearance.
When people see how hard it is for me to live under you,
maybe, they will...
...they will treat me better.
Okay.
I'll then tear off a white and soft lamb skin
and put it over a little fox like you.
That will get things done once and for all.
I've once helped you when we were still in Yangzhou.
You gifted me a pair of knee pads.
Until now, I've still kept them inside my chest.
I saw it at home.
I've always been grateful to you.
Can you return the favor
and help me with one thing? Answer a question of mine.
Okay.
It must be a truthful answer.
That day when they were pushing to give me a concubine,
are you truly indifferent about it
or because you just got married to me,
you wanted to pretend to be very virtuous?
You'd rather neglect His Majesty's intention of our family to be united,
and move out to another manor. You even sent Hongxiao away,
so I could be saved from too much awkwardness.
With you defending me like this and treating me so well,
I understand them all.
- All are just trifle matters. - They're not.
My grandmother once said that Brother He was a very good man.
But when the Cao family was pressuring me,
he clearly knew that I didn't like it, but he still allowed me to face them by myself.
In facing that Miss Cao, no matter what I say will be wrong.
But you're different. Even if there will be a mountain of blades or a sea of fire in front, as long as you're around,
I would always have fairness.
Actually, I only wanted fairness.
You all be meticulous. Lightly transport them.
Right.
Second and his wife are really not afraid of the gossips of outsiders.
They are just moving away like that.
With such a capable wife,
moving out is nothing.
I really have looked down on that illegitimate daughter.
She can really act.
She is literate and do accounting well.
No wonder Second was determined to marry her.
Miss, you must be careful. Your mother-in-law
might be coming up with bad ideas.
I chose this path myself.
I'll just block off whatever comes my way.
Big Madam, you said it right. We'll be your guards.
What about the people I told you to find?
I'm just waiting for your orders.
All are old servants of ours.
They are very loyal to you.
I'm guessing that Fourth and Fifth Houses would be making some moves too in these next few days.
By then, with one wall between us,
let's just wait to watch a show.
Wife, you're exhausted?
Fighting wars aren't as tiring as this.
Nonsense. Fighting wars are ten times more tiring than this.
Okay. Okay. This is tiring.
Everyone is asking me
where to put this, where to put that.
I told them to ask Danju and Cuiwei.
However, those two instead came back to ask me about it.
It's all my fault for being too busy with military affairs.
I've caused you to suffer.
It's easy to just say it.
Wife, let me give you a massage!
But...
Look at the bright side. You won't need to greet that person tomorrow morning anymore.
You can sleep as long as you want. Sleep until it's noontime. Rest more.
Wife.
I'm hungry. I haven't had dinner.
How about we change to another place today?
Let's eat the all-fish banquet of Qianchun Brothel, how about it?
I...won't eat anymore.
I'm really too sleepy.
How can that be? No! No!
You can't sleep! I still have words to tell you.
Can you just say it tomorrow?
I'm really too sleepy that I can't open my eyes anymore.
Okay. Okay. Wife, I'll just say a few words.
I'll just say a few words. Be good.
Wait a minute.
Come, look.
How come there's another accounting book to read?
I can't anymore. My head aches.
Okay. Okay. You can read this accounting book tomorrow,
but I have to tell this matter today.
I've always been out and has just set up my own manor not long ago.
These people in this manor are mostly granted by His Majesty.
These people are either punished subjects
or those that have signed slave contracts.
Most don't have much foundation.
Look at them and just use those that can be used. For those that can't, we'll sell them.
But...
The main, fourth, and fifth houses have sent some people.
You must be careful.
Who?!
When did they send them?
When I left the marquis manor, no one informed me.
Inform you?
If they informed you, wouldn't that giving you a reason to reject them?
By then, you'll go kneeling in the ancestral hall again.
How would that Big Madam deal with it then?
Hence, I think they want to do a 'first decapitate then present your trophy' move.
The people are here now. You have to take them in
whether you like it or not.
I...
If I can't offend them, I surely can just avoid them.
Wife.
These account books
are the bills and particulars of this manor.
Look at them tomorrow. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask my private assistant.
More importantly, immediately expel out those people sent by the three houses.
Don't leave any future trouble.
It won't be that easy, my General Gu.
Even the emperor has to fear the gossiping mouth of his citizens.
Expelling them is easy, but it won't be good if this news gets out.
How about...just assign them to do manual labor outside?
Don't let them enter the inner courtyard.
A few male servants can stay outside.
But for maidservants, you can't really disallow them to enter the inner courtyard.
Never ending battles...
Hence, Wife, we must go eat an all-fish banquet
and refill our energy, so we can battle it out with them.
You...go eat by yourself.
I...I'm not going. I must sleep.
Let me sleep.
Okay. Okay. We're not eating dinner anymore.
Sleep.
The two of us...
should sleep more.
I...am not sleeping anymore!
I'm going to eat fish. Go. Go. Let's go eat fish.
How come you all didn't rush me to wake up again?
I got scolded by Nanny Cui again.
It was your husband who told us not to wake you up.
They even told us to inform Nanny Cui that from now on,
Miss doesn't need to be woken up so early.
You must change to addressing me as Big Madam. This isn't the Sheng Manor.
I'll remember. Calling you Big Madam gives a more imposing manner.
It's not that I want to be imposing.
But if I don't get addressed in a more imposing manner,
how could I scare those other servants?
My ancestor, you're still not done with your make-up?
The Big Madam of the Gu Fifth House is here.
She said that when you moved out a few days ago, each houses sent some servants to us.
She was afraid that we're not familiar who they are, so she especially came to let you meet them.
Nanny, don't call her Miss. Call her Big Madam.
Stop being particular about that.
That Fifth Big Madam doesn't seem to have any good intentions.
Her daughter-in-law also came with her.
They had those servants sent by the marquis manor stand in formation,
each one holding their head high, as if preparing for a cock fight.
They doesn't seem to be here to visit you, but to denounce you from some crime.
Miss.
Big Madam, you must be careful against them.
That day in the marquis manor,
this Fifth Big Madam was so calm and collected.
I think she's a shrewd and deep person.
We must carefully weigh the pros and cons first before taking any step.
Never thought that she'll be here this fast.
Okay. I'll go meet them then.
Nanny Cui, go back and inform them this.
May she go to Zhaohui Hall, the main receiving hall, to sit for a while. I'll be there in a minute.
Yes.
I'm so anxious.
Fifth Auntie, hello.
Let me make the introductions.
Nanny Diao and Nanny Lai
are from your mother-in-law.
Nanny Tian is from the Fourth House.
Nanny Hua is from our house.
The remaining younger maidservants
were all meticulously chosen by your mother-in-law.
Greetings, Big Madam!
Before leaving, our Big Madam especially instructed
that since you've just established your own manor not long ago, there are a lot of affairs to handle. We must attend to you well.
I can be considered the head steward among these people.
From now on, if any of them will do tricks to evade work or didn't do her task reliably,
Big Madam, just give the instructions. I will take care of them.
Okay then. Let's start distributing the work.
No need to rush.
Currently, the background of the people here in the manor are too complicated.
I was too busy moving these past days, and didn't find time to carefully check them one by one.
Today, really good. Let's do it along with the people that Big Madam has granted us.
Interview them carefully first and then have them register their information.
We'll meticulously investigate their background later on.
Big Madam, no need to be so troublesome.
I know very clearly what these people from the marquis manor has done before.
Just let me tell them to you and in passing, categorize them.
- Right? - Right. - I have my reasons for saying that.
Just do what I said.
Brush, ink, and paper.
Let's start with you!
Greetings, Big Madam. I'm Mingyue.
This name won't do. It sounds too similar with Big Madam.
Go back and ask your parents to change it.
No need to trouble her parents.
Let's just call you Chunyue then.
Yes.
- How old are you this year? - 18.
Were you born in the manor or bought outside?
I, Mingyue, is...
I, Chunyue, was born in the manor. My mother is Nanny Lai.
She was once an accompanying maid of Big Madam of the marquis manor.
- My father is the marquis manor's— - Don't say it anymore.
We'll know once we ask Nanny Lai later.
Have you worked before?
I did.
I was initially chosen to serve Third Young Master.
- Third Young Master even frequently praised me— - Do you know how to read?
- I know a little. - How much? Be specific.
Have you read 'The Book of Family Names'? How much of 'Poems of a Thousand Poets' have you read?
I haven't.
I haven't. I have only read a bit of 'The Book of Family Names'.
Have you been rewarded,
like money, jewelries, or clothes?
Big Madam of the marquis manor have rewarded me with a lot of new clothes.
She told me to come here and serve you well.
- She even praised me— - Have you been punished,
scolded, or flogged? What were the reasons?
Never.
You must think about it clearly. You would be putting your thumbprint on this.
It's fine if you've committed any minor mistakes before.
Anyway, you've moved into a new house now.
If in the future, I found out that you lied,
you'll immediately get expelled and never re-hired.
I only just got scolded a few times by the steward maid in Third Young Master's courtyard,
because I broke a few items of hers. Other than that, there's nothing anymore.
Okay then. Just go put your thumbprint. Go back and wait for instructions.
Yes.
If I want to use people, I have to know your abilities,
what you've done before,
and how your performance was. As long as you don't lie or exaggerate,
you then will be able to work for a long time here,
work in an honorable manner.
What Big Madam said is very reasonable.
People who came from outside must indeed be interrogated well.
But the few of us here are old servants of the Gu Manor already.
Big Madam, if you have any questions,
just ask me.
Nanny Lai, this is the second time that you refuted me today.
I dare not. It's just that
I find your method a bit rejecting what is near and seeking what is far.
I fear that you'll get tired.
I thought that my elders sent you all here
to be my helper and not to become my ancestor.
Fifth Auntie and sister-in-law aren't even saying anything.
yet you keep interrupting without permission.
Are you trying to slap my face or theirs?
I...didn't have such intention.
Who's the most respected here in the Cheng Garden?
It's Second Young Master. Does he handle the household affairs?
Masters only handle external affairs.
Who manages the household?
It's you, the main madam of this manor.
You said it so well!
Those who can't remember this point, I'm unable to hire you.
Ye's wife,
you are really so clever and eloquent.
At such small age, you can already try a case like you're in a local court.
Fifth Aunt, you've overpraised me.
I heard that when His Majesty ascended to the throne,
he asked for the examination performance of government officials for the past 10 years from the Ministry of Official Personnel.
To follow the ways of the emperor will surely be right.
You said it right. You said it right.
I'm doing this not to be harsh on you.
I just want you all to execute my orders without fail.
When you do a task well, you surely will be rewarded.
But if there are people who say rubbish and are disobedient,
I will also not spare you easily.
Nanny Lai, I scolded you twice today.
Do you have any discontent?
I dare not. I was muddled.
Because I'm older,
I offended you, who is my superior.
Tell me then, did I do anything wrong?
Of course, you can't be wrong.
Wrong. I'm also human.
I will also commit mistakes.
But no matter how wrong I am, you shouldn't have refuted me publicly.
You clearly know that I just got married into this family.
My current prestige isn't enough yet. Couldn't you have temporarily delayed it
and just advice me privately?
Must you slap my face so openly?
I dare not.
Also, if the matter is under your jurisdiction, you should speak without reserve.
If it's none of your business, you better keep your mouth tightly shut.
Our general's blade has no eyes.
He hates people who show off their glibness through speech and people who stir up enmity the most.
If anyone breaks this rule, please forgive me for I can't save you too.
Understand?
Yes.
Big Madam, take your time on leaving.
Take our time? I think your Big Madam is hoping more that we can leave quickly.
Big Madam is the elder of our Big Madam. She even wants to ask you to stay for a meal.
I won't eat anymore. I'm already full from anger.
How can I still curl up my intestines and sit inside?
Big Madam, take care.
That girl is something.
How could an illegitimate daughter of a lowly government official
have such knowledge and eloquence?
We're just leaving like this?
Shouldn't we watch how she'll assign our people?
Didn't you understand the meaning of her words?
What things that one should and shouldn't meddle in.
You think that she was saying it for Nanny Lai to hear?
She clearly was saying it to me.
We are not her direct mother-in-law or sister-in-law,
yet we came here to order her around and meddle with her business.
If I still don't leave, I would have really become so shameless.
Let me say something that I shouldn't say. We shouldn't have come in the first place.
On the first day after her wedding,
she already caused those two from the main and fourth house difficulty in backing down with good grace.
She's indeed a fierce character.
What do you know?
I came just to know her skills.
Now that we know how good she is,
we also know how we should act from now on.
Since I entered the marquis manor,
I'm in charge of kitchen purchasing, make-up purchasing,
looking after the inner courtyard, and the scheduling of night shifts.
Also, I'm in-charge of teaching the new maidservants.
I'm able to do all those.
Didn't you then get demoted from a nice job to a worse one?
This...Big Madam, you're joking.
If you were good in purchasing,
you wouldn't have been asked to guard the courtyard. If you have been good in guarding the courtyard,
they wouldn't have made you in-charge of the new maidservants.
How come you can't stay long in one place?
I've recorded it.
This...
Initially, it was because I was sickly.
Big Madam was understanding and didn't let me do heavy work.
So that's the case. Good thing, I've asked.
If not, if I assign you to do some tiring task,
won't I worsen your illness?
These past years, I've already fully recuperated.
You are indeed loyal.
But my husband has a reputation outside of loving his soldiers like they are his sons.
It's not good if in his house,
he's making the sickly and weak do tiring work.
This will also affect his reputation.
How about you go home first and rest?
I've also recorded that.
- No, no, Big Madam, listen to me. - Next one!
Informing Big Madam, we're done interviewing all the people sent by the marquis manor.
Okay. You've all worked hard.
Once Big Madam finish reading all your resume,
she'll distribute your work in a few days.
Yes.
Who's there?
It's me.
You scared me.
The study is a restricted place. Why are you here?
I...
I'm used to doing something everyday.
After being idle, I feel so uncomfortable.
I then self-assertively found things to do.
I remember that Master has given orders that his study is off-limits to unauthorized people.
Good thing, he's not here now. If he is,
he'll just cane you and expel you out.
How about I go to Big Madam's room instead?
I can go there to serve her. I'm able to do cleaning
or clothes washing chores.
We've already said that you all just wait on your work distribution. Why are you rushing?
Did you not hear it clearly this morning while at Zhaohui Hall?
Upon coming here, stop using your past work situation in the marquis manor to explain your way out.
Just do whatever Big Madam instruct.
If you still don't understand this principle, you better just go back now.
I got it.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
T/N In the following song, "Don't You Know, Don't You Know?", Lines 5 to the end are the poem by Li Qingzhao, a famous female poet of the Song Dynasty, the poem is titled "Spring Ends".
♫One morning, a flower opened and approached a willow tree, beautifully fragrant and mistaking him for her lord♫
♫Even if drinking in water in the morning, red clouds have half a day of sunshine, the wind and rain do not affect them completely♫
♫In the palace, you are constantly brave and growing thin, from on high, your cold tears of distress flow♫
♫Brocade letters delivered to me dismiss me, only suddenly to recall me, not for many years can I see you other than stealthily♫
♫Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect♫
♫When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before.♫
♫Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers?♫
♫Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect♫
♫When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before.♫