Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 52
Old Madam, eat more.
Not anymore.
Old Madam, you're still worrying about Miss Ming?
She's just a little child.
I initially planned to peacefully and steadily marry her off to a middle-class family,
so she'll have a carefree and sweet-tempered life.
But she has to end up with the Gu Family, a place filled with problems.
Really...
Old Madam, Sixth Miss and Master are quarreling in the front receiving hall.
What?! Fourth Miss insists to have the memorial tablet of Concubine Lin be placed in Yuqing Monastery.
Sixth Miss is persistently refusing, hence, got scolded by Master.
Let's go take a look.
- Quickly go. Quickly go. - Old Madam, please relax.
Miss is composed and tolerant. She's able to be very patient and would think about things thoroughly.
She would never contradict Master just for these trifle matters.
You don't know her. This girl is good in anything.
She doesn't like causing problems, nor is afraid to face them.
But when Lin Qinshuang is mentioned, she'll eat you up. Let's move quickly.
Fourth Sister, if you just kept to your lot and lived your days,
not using that concubine's name to act delicate and aggrieved in front of my father,
the two of us can have a harmonious relationship.
But you just have to rip this gauze apart and stuff it in my mouth to disgust me.
Then, don't blame me for embarrassing you.
Preposterous!
Don't think that because you're now the wife of a highly favored official, you can act unreasonably and make a scene in front of me!
Father, when I organized a prayer ritual for my Little Mother,
I only begged you to stop by and observe the ritual for a while.
But you said that you were busy and weren't willing to go.
How did my Little Mother die because of difficult labor from a huge infant?
How come the doctor who checked on her didn't return after examining her once?
What is the intention of Lin Qinshuang sending her so many nourishing food that time like a flowing river, have you thought about that?!
Shut up!
What are you doing?
Why must you bring up these past things?!
Are you interrogating me?
You forced me to do it!
Lin Qinshuang indulged her daughter to secretly have an affair,
hence, this marriage came to fruition.
That time, you were so mad that you were grinding your teeth.
Now, it happened just not long ago, but have you forgotten all about it?
What nonsense are you saying?
No such thing happened!
How is there none?
Sixth Miss, you must be cautious with your words.
You think that because you now have a husband, as a father,
I can't dare to discipline you anymore, is that it?
- Let me discipline you today then! - Father-in-law!
Wife, I came to fetch you to go home.
But looks like, I came in a bad time.
But it also seems to be the right time.
It is the right time.
Sixth Son-in-law, have you eaten?
How about sitting down first and have your meal?
Husband, I'm unable to eat this meal anymore.
Let's go home now.
Fourth Sister-in-law's mother is suspected to have killed someone.
I think that it's not right for her to appear in Yuqing Monastery,
nor appear in the genealogy book of the Sheng Clan.
What nonsense are you spouting?!
How can that be?
She has after all provided our Sheng family a son.
- How could she be removed— - Father-in-law,
just for the reputation of the Sheng Family,
the scholarly honor of his older brother, the good name of her older sister, my wife has been enduring everything until now.
In being a person. if you dotes on others, others will also dote on you.
Since that's the case, you all instead is using his benevolent heart to threaten her?!
That doesn't seem suitable.
Moreover, Brother Changfeng will be taking the imperial exam too.
If he has a murderer mother,
I fear that it won't be good if that gets out.
You husband and wife, you think you can have the final say here?!
Just shut up already!
Let's go.
- We're not going in anymore? - Someone's defending her now.
Why would I still go in?
Once I've handled the matter here in the Sheng family well,
she'll naturally be well.
Here, taste this.
This is the cheese cake by Qiu Hall. It's a novel recipe by them.
Xiaotao and Danju love to eat this. Let's just leave it for them.
You...
You have always been very calm and steady.
I've never seen you like this.
You now realized that you've fallen into a trap.
I love you when you're gentle.
I also love it when you're so domineering and wanting to tear other people's face.
Wrong. I like it more.
Thinking about it now, you're able to be calm before,
because you don't really care.
But your love for your mother is the deepest.
Hearing the words you said for your mother,
seeing the things you've done for your mother,
I would then reflect
on how I'm unable to do anything for my mother anymore.
You have done for her the thing that she would have loved to do the most.
I've earned her a conferred title.
No. You being able to peacefully and safely grow up
is the thing that she would have wanted to do the most.
You said it right.
Actually, what my maternal grandfather wanted
was just my mother's safety.
And what my mother wanted
was me growing up safely and soundly.
Before my Little Mother died,
she forced me to go to my grandmother.
She also had the same wish.
For so many years, I lived a honest live and was cautious with my words.
It was also to fulfill her wish.
I remember that day when you were running in the streets of Yangzhou
and you told me that your mother is dying.
I saw your hands and face full of blood.
I then remembered that my mother also died when she was in labor.
That time, I can see myself
when I look at you.
That's why, you brought me to a clinic to look for a doctor.
You even blocked off LIn Qinshuang for me.
I feel grateful to you for that.
You used to call her mother before.
How come you call her Little Mother now?
She wouldn't let me call her mother.
She said that's overstepping her status.
But in my heart, she's my mother.
Before she died, she forced me to change my address to her.
She said that only by doing that
can I continue to survive in the Sheng Family.
Move the memorial table of mother-in-law to the main hall of Yuqing Monastery.
You called her mother-in-law?
She's your respected and precious mother.
Of course, I must call her mother-in-law.
From now on, don't be afraid of anything.
You can call her mother all you want.
Now that Sixth Sister was able to marry a Marquis Gu and obtain a conferred title,
she has become so overbearing and arrogant.
I repeatedly begged her but she just won't agree.
My pitiful Little Mother... She can't even have a memorial tablet...
Eat.
It was quite a pity that you were unable to eat much earlier.
Eat more then.
Husband, don't be mad too.
That Marquis Gu is now a highly favored official.
Of course, he's used to being domineering and arrogant.
Presently, we can only swallow this anger.
You're be an official sooner or later.
You just need to work harder and rank in the imperial examination.
A scholarly official is like a clear stream (pure and upright reputation). It is way better than that of Gu Tingye's.
We'll just seek vengeance for these grudges by then.
Shut up!
Let me ask you,
is our meeting in Yuqing Monastery
really just a chance encounter as you claimed, or you schemed for it?
This was arranged by the heaven, a marriage fate from our past life.
Tell me the answer after thinking about it clearly.
It's really just a chance encounter.
Since I saw you in Jinming Pond, my heart...
I...
If you don't want to tell the truth,
I'll then personally ask your Sixth Little Sister.
She has long been envious of my talent.
And now, she has obtained a high status. Of course, she wants to sow dissension between us.
Why won't you believe me and insist on believing her?!
I also don't trust her.
I will confront her in front of your parents.
We'll drum the drums and gongs face to face.
One will eventually tell the truth.
There are so many stories of how harem members compete for their husband's favor especially among wealthy families.
But at most, they would only get driven out of the house.
It's still my first time hearing someone getting killed for it.
How vicious are you and your mother?
I indeed deliberately went to Yuqing Monastery so I can see you,
but that was also because I love you and just yearning to see you.
Since little, as an illegitimate daughter in the Sheng family,
I lacked food and clothing, and lived an unbearably hard life. I can only read some poetry books to have something to express my talent and emotions on.
I thought that after meeting you,
meeting a good man, I can escape and fly to the sky.
Never thought...
You actually would believe the crazy words of those people and slander me and my mother.
If I've known...
If I've known, I would have chosen to rot and die inside the Sheng Manor.
I wouldn't need to be this hurt right now.
Husband, think about it!
If my mother is that sinister,
how could she have died alone from sickness in such pitiful manner, and not even have a memorial tablet of her own?
Really?
Not true. You just believe whoever you want.
Marquis, Big Madam, your grandaunt is here.
She's currently enjoying tea in the side receiving hall.
I'm wearing an official uniform, so it's not right to meet my elder.
I'll go once I've changed my clothes.
Then I'll go there now.
Okay.
There's still a lady by her side.
She doesn't look like a female attendant, nor a relative of hers.
Then...is she trying to give her to us to be a concubine of the marquis?
Xiaotao.
Did Grandaunt come alone or there are two of them?
After leaving Xuanning Hall, she came here by herself.
That Grand Madam Qin wants to disturb the peace of our house without even entering it.
Big Madam, don't worry. Regardless of what matter it is,
Marquis will defend you.
That's right. Marquis treats me so well.
Always thinking for my sake.
The more I must lessen his troubles.
As they say, a man marrying, a woman getting married off, giving birth to sons and raising daughters,
are the greatest order of human relationship.
Based on your background and status,
for you to be able to enter the marquis family is already great fortune.
But you've already been married for a year.
How come there's still no news about your womb?
I'm guessing that it's still not my fate to have one.
Before, Second still had a son from his outside mistress.
Now, he's also gone. He's now just a name placed in the genealogy book.
Seeing how our main house only have a few male descendants, it's really upsetting.
Since you are so busy and inconvenient, I found you a person to place into your house.
Fengxian! Come up and meet the madam.
Greetings, Madam.
- This is... - She's a daughter of a farmer in our farmstead.
She knows best to sew clothes and cook, and can make a great soup.
Place her inside your house and she can cook soup for Second to nourish his health.
Young Lord,
a maidservant told me
that she saw your grandaunt bringing a young lady with her.
That woman seems new here, for she hasn't seen her before.
What does the lady look like?
She looks quite pretty.
Go wash the official clothes of marquis.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Greetings, Marquis.
This is...
This is a lady gifted by grandaunt. Her surname is Qian, name Fengxian.
Earlier, Mistress Qian has already served Big Madam tea.
She agreed?!
Madam Grandaunt openly told Big Madam that she couldn't bear any child.
And she even said that Big Madam has sent all the people by your side away.
If she doesn't accept this now, that's being a jealous wife.
Did she agree right away,
or agreed after Grandaunt was talking midway?
Since Madam Grandaunt already said it, Big Madam can only agree.
She agreed to it quite rapidly.
After hearing about it, I rushed here, but still didn't catch her tea time.
Big Madam is only thinking for your sake.
My house doesn't lack this tea.
Marquis, please don't be mad.
Since Big Madam has agreed, arrange her to stay in Shuixian Pavilion!
If it was others, I won't be this persistent.
But this Fengxian has a body very suitable for childbirth.
I spent a lot of effort to find her.
If she can bear Second a son or a daughter,
I then did not disappoint my older brother, did not disappoint that iron book in the ancestral hall.
This is all an honor for Grandaunt.
No matter if this Miss Fengxian bears a son or a daughter,
Marquis and I will treat her very generously.
I'm almost leaving. Second, you're finally back.
On my way here, I bumped into Cuiwei.
You have then seen Miss Fengxian already.
You already are calling her Fengxian? So intimate.
I've already settled her in Shuixian Pavilion.
Shuixian Pavilion?
That's a good courtyard.
It's very near the main room and study.
If marquis needs someone to attend to him, it would be very convenient and faster.
Your mother-in-law was right.
This wife of yours is indeed an able mistress.
Grandaunt, did you come here to give me a gift?
Of course.
My deceased father had my older brother just after ten years of marriage.
My older brother was married for 15 years before he had Xian'er.
Grandaunt didn't give them gifts, but instead give me, a newlywed, a gift?
Your older brother was sickly.
Your father in the past was so busy for the sake of the Gu Family,
hence, unable to care about these matters.
When you got married off,
as the eldest daughter-in-law, your days in your in-law's house wasn't good.
If your maiden house was a capable one, it would have been better.
- But that time, the Gu Family had a huge fund deficit, and almost got imprisoned. - Enough.
Why must you mention those past matters?
Out of urgency,
the family had to look for a salt merchant, a family that's not at all compatible with them in terms of status, and developed a marriage alliance with them.
People then laughed so hard.
I fear that grandaunt's days in your in-laws must have gotten worse.
I fear that during those days, when the meals at your house becomes a bit bland,
they had to ask you to return to your maiden family to get some salt, right?
How come you know all about these?
When you see so much of these internal house matters,
you're able to guess the rest.
Grandaunt, you vented all your grudges and hatred
unto my mother.
When my mother died, you then vented them on me.
Don't you think that I've forgotten about all these.
Since you've said things to this point,
I will then be frank with you.
From the start, I deemed your mother incompatible to be a wife of our Gu family.
Now, you are now successful in your career.
I indeed was harsh on you before.
Currently, I also don't want to bask in your glory.
But you're now the master of the Gu Clan. You should bear this burden.
The Fourth and Fifth Houses faced trouble.
Bing'er also got exiled. You should quickly merge the houses
and provide for your widowed mother and auntie-in-laws.
That madam. It takes her a month to select a mason.
Dragging on day by day like this and how will it do?
I fear you heard my stepmother talk.
And you came charging with full anger to shove a concubine to disgust Minglan.
Without your inciting, one born by a concubine, how will she dare?
The houses haven't joined yet, and she already sent someone to stick a knife in me.
If we combined the houses, will I still have a life left?
You can't blame Minglan over this, Aunt.
You must want to condemn her.
She's the big Qin Madam.
What would she gain by killing you?
Of course it's the great benefit of having her son inherit the nobility title.
Aunt, you are upright.
You trust her without any doubts.
But have you really never suspected she might harm me?
She harms you? How's that possible?
Aunt.
Since I was little, have I really been that mischievous?
Every time I caused trouble, she would always protect me and speak to my benefit.
But my father would only beat me more harshly.
How can that be?
Second. I know you are proud and fierce.
Your stepmother did indeed go overboard in her conduct.
But all these years, it's not been easy for her to manage the whole house.
On the account of your own father, raise up your hand to her.
If she stops playing more tricks and ends here,
of course I won't fight with her till the end.
Aunt. You help me persuade her too.
Have her let go. Don't grab onto the grievances anymore.
Or else once our manors are joined,
we won't have any good days and she won't be much better.
She and your bride's maiden aunt are getting along so well now.
I fear she won't listen to my words.
The young couple kept the person?
They took her in.
I followed the aunt and saw her stand outside for a long time.
Fengxian wasn't with her.
Then they really kept her.
Big Madam, you needn't worry about that.
At any rate, it's a good thing.
I had thought they wouldn't take her.
We just wanted to see the aunt and second young master fight and drive apart from each other.
That way you can be closer to the aunt.
Now it seems they've kept that concubine.
And we now have an extra pair of eyes in Cheng Garden.
The benefits don't stop there.
Second took in the person.
And that Sheng miss isn't a mistress that is willing to share her bed with others.
The two newly weds can fight.
As long as they fight,
they are not made of steel.
If it's not made of steel,
you can keep poking and poke them open.
And puncture them to pieces.
Count Manor
What are you looking at so intently?
Is someone outside?
No. Just a letter from my home.
Your family wants you home because they got someone for you.
And they want you to beg my understanding?
So ignorant.
Being a maidservant in this count manor is better than being a miss at an affluent manor outside by three.
But my age isn't young anymore.
Back at Sheng house, Small Madam Lin said she'd release me in half a year to go marry at home.
But I've followed you to the count manor for almost two years now.
I really can't afford to wait more.
You're my maid accompanying my wedding and we came from Sheng manor together.
Without my approval, who dares to let you go?
You . . .
If you're docile and agreeable to me,
I will find a scholar family to marry and
that's a hundred times better than going now to marry at home.
Find my husband to come see me. Tell him I'm sick.
My head's aching severely.
Young Master. Fourth Miss is suffering from severe headache.
She can't get out of bed. She needs a doctor.
If she wants to doctor have her summon one.
Perhaps you can take a look.
She's having a severe headache.
Young Master, what are you doing?
You don't need to get scared. I have something to ask you.
I remember my wife, back at Sheng's house,
she had two close maidservants.
One's called Luzong. The other's called Yunzai.
They grew up together with her.
But when she married, why didn't she bring those two?
And brought you and Furong instead?
I don't know either. It's all arranged by the big madam at home.
If you tell me, I will dote on you from now on.
If you don't tell me, you won't have any great fruits to eat.
My wife won't release you.
So what great ending will you get by going now?
Be with me instead.
Not just the wealth. At least for stability.
Tell me. Where did those two go?
I heard,
I heard they were beaten to death.
Why?
They said they colluded with Small Madam Lin.
And let Fourth Miss sneak out to meet you.
And they even made raw rice into cooked rice by spreading the words out.
Cheng Garden
Where's my wife?
Marquis, she went to Shuixian Pavilion to settle Mistress Qian.
She's not resting so late at night. What's there to settle?
Marquis is unaware that Mistress Qian only has one maidservant and one bag.
My mistress has to go and arrange for every other need.
She's so ardent.
Marquis.
Marquis is mad.
Mad?
Why is he mad?
Do I lay out the bedding for the marquis then?
Silly miss. Have you ever seen him not sleeping here?
Shitou.
That marquis is so temperamental.
Shuixian Pavilion
Add another maidservant. Add three for miscellaneous and kitchen.
I wondered where everyone went and here's everyone.
Greetings, Marquis.
You're here, Marquis. Do you find anything lacking in here?
I will have Cuiwei write it down and get it tomorrow.
How will we know what's lacking so quickly?
She'll need to stay here tonight.
Use a lot and see a lot before I can report to you.
If everything's arranged, we can go back without worrying.
The major things are done and whatever lacks are just minor.
Marquis, you stay and help her look around.
Tonight can be considered you and Mistress Qian's wedding night.
Shuixian Pavilion
Marquis, it's almost the third watch (23:00-01:00). Rest up.
Shitou.
It's already the third watch.
Why didn't I hear anyone make the watch strike?
No word from the main house yet.
Who asked you that?
Then, I didn't hear the watch strike either.
And no words from the main house either.
Big Madam, I hear at home, the third young master's room,
has another person added.
What does third brother's matters have anything to do with me?
I heard it was the third young mistress that put her in.
Saying she herself isn't available.
Last time, I saw her and she looked healthy still.
She's gotten ill already?
I'm not done soaking.
She's not ill.
She's pregnant?
Danju. Is there something you wanted to tell me?
Miss. I just find that third young mistress doing so,
is because she had no choice either.
But you don't have news yet,
so why are you arranging someone for the marquis already?
There's three types of concubines.
Recruited from outside. Gifted by someone. Or raised at home.
My father-in-law's sister shoved her to me to my face.
If I were to reject her and take on the reputation of easily jealous,
then it becomes a fight between the marquis and the aunt.
Marquis is always going along with me.
And now he has to shoulder so much stress from the royal court, so why bother him with these matters?
That's true.
But . . . if you were to become pregnant for real later on,
then you'll have to take in another again.
I know you're not delighted.
But if that time comes,
instead of finding some whose roots we don't know,
you should let our own go instead.
I saw all this time, those in our courtyard are all good.
Xiaotao is steady and Sister Cuiwei manages the whole yard.
She's also steady.
If the servants have that intention, of willing to serve the marquis,
I think it's good.
Or else, I'd be using them as commodities and I can't do that.
Perhaps, I lack tolerance.
But I really can't put myself to
really treat a concubine as my own sister.
What do you mean, Miss?
No one treats a concubine as their own sister.
But . . . if you were to get pregnant for real,
who will you have to go serve the marquis?
I can't force where the marquis places his heart.
If he holds another in his heart,
without my arranging, he can't see to it?
Then what if the time comes and the marquis really wants someone?
Then we will need to guard our own hearts tightly.
Marquis, I will fetch water for you to wash and rest up.
Why are you still here?
I've been here all along.
It's my fault. It's dark and I shall leave now.
May Marquis enjoy a beautiful night, with lots of children and blessings to come.
Shitou.
It's the third watch?
It's half past third watch. I went to go take a look.
The main house already blew out the light.
What?
Then? Then, did they say anything?
I don't know.
How don't you know? Have that dummy, Xiaotao go find out.
She's not a dummy. - Then did you find out?
They've already blew out their light.
It's not convenient for me to go. - Go!
Right away.
Marquis still hasn't gone to bed?
There's no word from inside the room though. My lady is very well.
She and I had honey cakes together before she went to bed.
Is it good? - So good!
The in-house chefs make them much better than outside.
But the fried cherries. Ours isn't as good as the one from Nanbei Shop.
Tomorrow I'll go to the streets, to Nanbei Shop.
And I'll fetch some for you to eat.
Eat, eat, eat. How do those two even look like mistress and servant?
They are like sisters!
Other than eating all day, what else do they know?
What are you wanting to do, Marquis?
She can blow out the candle to sleep and so can I!
Blow out the light.
Marquis. Are we going back?
The Ox Hour (1-3 am) is over? - The clapper just went off.
Looks like if I don't go back,
she won't come and ask about me.
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.♫
♫Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers?♫