Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 12
Sit.
These few days with Brother Bai and Feng taking imperial exams,
with only two gone, the whole house is suddenly,
so quiet now.
Replying to Grandmother, my mother says these few days, she's going to fast from baths, and shut her doors to devote to prayer.
Others are not allowed to make ruckus.
I hear Big Madam is praying to Confucius, Buddhist and Taoist, all three at once.
I don't know which is the divine spirit?
Your mother isn't devoted to Gods or Buddha.
But I hear everyone in Linqi Pavilion is holding a copy of Book of Changes lately.
Even those who are illiterate, holding a compass making calculations.
But who knows. Maybe a person's life is already fated at birth.
Noble is noble and lowly is lowly.
No matter how you calculate, it's all useless.
Fifth Sister, who are you talking about here?
I didn't say anyone.
Sister, we are just chatting idly gathered by Grandmother.
Why do you get all upset for?
I . . .
Grandmother, actually, no matter what my mother prays for,
it's all for the sake of the whole family.
During the time of your brother's testing time, we must have the family in harmony.
You sisterhood must help your mother watch over the house.
Yes.
Miss, the sun's about to go down.
Didn't I tell you? You're not allowed to mention 'down' these days.
Do you have a memory?
A petty air is just petty.
Even he can pass the exam by abstaining some words,
then all the monks in the temple would be top scorers.
Even if Brother passes with high marks, the concubine-born sister?
She still can't social climb her way to the ducal house.
You . . .
How can you say such shameless words?
Father already said, no one is allowed to fight over legitimate or concubine line anymore at home.
The way you speak, you're disregarding Father.
That act again.
Nothing new?
Just cry then. After you're done crying, go tattle.
I'm not scared.
You . . .
Fourth Sister, don't cry anymore.
Everyone's worried about the exam now.
Later, if Father hears you, he might blame you.
[ Tribute Courtyard ]
Miss, it's very cold. Don't catch a chill.
Xiaotao, add a cloak for Miss.
What are you looking at, Miss?
Fan Hall has lights on.
I hear it was ordered by the Qi duke and duchess to hang them for luck.
Miss.
They all say Young Lord is loved by a million.
Other than parents, he has others thinking of him.
Brilliantly white like snow on mountain.
Shining bright as moon between clouds.
[ Tribute Courtyard ]
Don't worry, Mother. Second Brother is no issue.
Why isn't he coming out?
The door's not open yet.
I know. I'm just anxious.
They're coming out.
Brother Bai is coming out.
You have to make an exception and go drink at Fan Hall with me.
Father. Mother.
Was it cold in the tribute courtyard?
Your family's waiting scratching their ears.
What's he saying there? Hurry and come now.
- Second Brother. -Feng'er.
Father. Mother.
Bai'er. How did the exam go?
Young Master. Over here.
Young Master.
Let me. How did it go, Second Brother?
I'm sure he can place top.
You must be so exhausted.
I'll help you recuperate.
- Let's go. - Did the scholar guess it right?
You've only tested for three days and you've thinned out three rounds.
Were the exam topics very different from what you studied for?
You needn't worry so much.
I'm talking to you.
Mother. Let me catch my breath first.
I was holed up in the shell of a room for three days. I need to get fresh air.
Alright, then. Get some air. Let's go.
Get in the carriage.
♫One morning, a flower opened and approached a willow tree, beautifully fragrant and mistaking him for her lord♫
What did you see? You're so happy.
I didn't get to see Mother for three days and I've missed you.
Now I'm heading home.
I don't know why but I just feel happy.
That mouth of yours is growing sweeter.
♫Brocade letters delivered to me dismiss me, only suddenly to recall me, not for many years can I see you other than stealthily♫
Xueniang's man Chiwu was dismissed for Yangzhou by Small Madam Lin today.
Saying it's to procure some items.
Such timing she picks.
The entire family is waiting for exam results and there's no room to think about anything else.
So no one will notice her.
Do we go see your aunt today?
Not today. It's not. You go to the inn right away.
Tel my faunt the snake's already shown.
As long as she follows that Chiwu, she won't need to worry that she won't find some clues.
Miss, you wanted me to pretend like I was sending your aunt back to Yangzhou late at night.
And installing your aunt at the inn.
At the time, I didn't know what you were trying to do.
Now you know then?
Fishing requires a hook and a bait.
Now, we just wait for news.
This morning's incense is burning so beautifully.
Great like lotus flower.
That's a great auspicious sign from above.
I bet our Bai'er must have placed top.
Yes, yes, top placement.
Why isn't Ru'er still not out yet?
We've finally made it through results posting and she's still so lazy?
Hurry and rush Fifth Sister.
Winning or losing is at one stroke.
Bai'er must win for me. Best if my son places top,
and that little rabbit's name falls to the bottom. Then I'll see.
Big Madam.
You put too much power in that stroke. It's off scale.
You have something on your mind to break through.
If you can't write well, rest a bit.
I can write well.
You're worried about Young Lord's result.
How can you write well?
No. I. I didn't.
I've lived to this age.
At least I can tell about these things.
The night before the big exam, Young Lord carried the Qi banner to come present gifts here.
But in reality he was just trying to send gift to you.
That's putting a louse on top of a bald head. So obvious.
You're the flesh on my heart.
Of course I want you to have the best match in the world.
Qi Yuanruo is a great person and his family is great too.
Just that the family is too great and the parents are strict.
If you go over there, first, you may not rise to be the main wife,
and secondly, even if you rise to be the main wife,
your days will still just be sufferings.
On this, you'll have to be clear minded.
Princess Pingning is so proud and arrogant.
His prospects are far-reaching and too rich to be a good match.
Your granddaughter understands all that.
It's just a bit hard to take.
Big Madam rushed out and wasn't careful so she slipped and sprained her foot.
She's fussing about calling a physician here.
The results are posted.
Whether you go see it or not, the rankings don't change.
Old Madam is right.
Master said to have Fifth Miss go and look.
But Big Madam just insists on going personally.
She's fussing about it now.
Ming'er. You accompany your fifth sister for the trip.
The minister is not convenienced to leave.
He needs to send a messenger and you're my messenger.
Go take a look on the grandson's result on behalf of the grandmother. That's reasonable and proper.
Thank you, Grandmother.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Since the old days, Bianjing has had the custom of picking out son-in-laws before the posts.
Those people are waiting eagerly for the day the results are posted.
Watching outside the tribute courtyard, seeing who passed, and they snatch him to their own carriage.
Forcing him to marry their own daughter.
We must be careful so our second son isn't snatched away.
Those people are mostly town peddlers, merchants of the land.
Don't mention merchants again.
Merchant is one thing.
But Second Son's temper.
You know. If he's bent on being stubborn,
I don't know who he would pick.
And it will affect his future officialdom.
He's keeping a singer outside.
Did he think about his officialdom career then?
If we can get our second son to chase that woman away, that would be great.
But at his temperament?
He surely wouldn't be willing.
He dares?
Whether he passes this exam or not, he must separate from that woman regardless.
If he refuses, I will break his legs.
Don't fret, My Lord.
He's gotten more mature lately.
And also, no one passes the exam on first try.
If he didn't pass today, don't you scold him.
[ Grace and honor to the ones who made it to roster. ]
Second One.
Your entire family has mobilized.
They're so scared if you made to the top of the roster, their brother would be snatched away.
Even the younger sisters are here as your guards.
Here, here.
That man seems quite good.
Handsome in appearance and a great air about him.
He's got that unique air about him.
If he passes, Brother Wang,
you must not try to fight me on him.
Landlord Yuan, you take him all you want.
Why?
He's none other than Gu Tingye. I will not fight you for him.
That's actually him?
That charming vanguard. Beguiled conqueror of the peony.
My daughter? I'd rather to keep her with me forever.
Than to have him ruin her.
That's true.
Did you hear that?
No one wants to find one like me for their son-in-law.
Let's go.
What is it? What ranking?
I . . .
I didn't see Young Master's name.
How can that be?
We all looked at all corners.
We really didn't.
I'll go personally.
Mother. Don't go.
The four of the had their eyes opened wide and looked through for so long and didn't find it so it means I didn't pass.
What if they are blind and missed it?
Mother.
That's her temper.
After she looks, she'll give up.
He made it. He made it. Second Brother, there!
Second Brother passed!
Second Brother. You passed.
Passed. You're in the top. You placed thirteenth.
[ Thirteenth: Sheng Changbai ]
- Go back home to tell them this good news. - Congrats, Second Brother.
Thanks to Heaven and Earth.
That aura. Handsome and talented. A great pillar of the nation.
Let me marry my daughter to you.
What are you doing? What are you doing?
Did you pass?
If I have good news, I'll come and tell you.
Alright.
Not here.
Brother, where are you?
I'm looking!
I've disappointed.
Passing at first try is as rare as phoenix feather and unicorn horn.
Not many since our nation was established.
If you don't pass this time, all you have to do is take it again.
[ Imperial Exam Roster of Top Candidates ]
Litlte Six.
Greetings, Second Uncle.
Can't be.
How can there not be?
What are you all doing dazed up? Hurry and look.
It's impossible that I'm not there. I wrote it and I know I made it.
Young Master, this must be your first try at the exam.
You're so young and you'll have lots of opportunities in the future.
If you don't pass this time, just come again next time.
What did you say? What did you say?
- Young Master. - How can I not pass? What are you saying, you scum!
You didn't pass and that means you didn't. Hurry and go back now instead of embarrassing ourselves.
Let's go.
[ Exam Roster ]
Go back.
Go back to the manor.
Stop the carriage.
What for?
I think Sheng Changbai made it to the top roster.
We were classmates for so much so propriety calls for me to congratulate him.
Yes, yes. That's the proper etiquette.
You go. I can't afford that embarrassment.
Brother Changbai.
Actually, Brother Yuanruo's family is so mighty.
He doesn't need the imperial exam to have a prospect.
It's not an issue of prospects.
Young Lord has cultivated himself for years for this exam.
He didn't pass and he must be very sad.
What's there to be sad about?
In time, he can just submit a plea and ask for an official position based on his family merit.
Like me, didn't pass.
Congratulations to you two sisters.
Brother Yuanruo, you needn't be sad.
Not many pass with top scores on first try.
Many are still taking the exam at age 70 or 80.
I'm fine.
Sixth Sister. We've not seen each other in so long.
Are you well?
I am fine. Very well.
I haven't seen you in so long too, Brother Yuanruo.
Why don't you ask me if I'm well?
Your face is shiny with rosy hues and your voice is sonorant.
You can see clearly you are well and there's no need to ask.
Young Lord, the imperial exam is extremely difficult and that's well known to everyone.
Take the next exam and you'll surely pass.
You are really willing to believe I can still pass?
I believe in you.
Young Lord, your talent is outstanding.
Fifth Sister is most aware of it.
We all know. Yes, yes.
Don't despair.
These words of yours, I shall mark to heart.
Next imperial exam, I must pass it.
Then let me bid farewell first.
Did you see that?
Earlier, Heng'er looked like he was struck by frost.
But a few words exchanged with the Sheng girls,
and he's elated with all weary gone.
Those chits from little households.
They are not easy.
Sheng family's girls are pretty.
I mean, if Heng'er likes one of them, we should look into it.
If the girl is promised to another.
Are you senile?
Does their house have a nobility title?
[ Exam rosters ]
He passed.
Second Brother. Actually, not passing isn't such a big deal.
I'll accompany you and study a few more years.
Then, we should return.
I don't want to go anywhere.
Actually, there aren't many like that Su House.
Most don't pass.
Even the Qi Ducal Manor one. Theirs didn't pass either.
I finally know.
Why my maternal grandfather, back then,
insisted on marrying my mother into the marquis manor.
Those merchant families snatching for top scorers are like my Bai House.
All for the daughters' next half of their lives.
I had thought I had higher resolve than others.
I didn't imagine,
that I failed to roster.
And it turns I am no different than them.
Second Brother, you are the legitimate heir of the marquis house.
You are no different than them.
I am not much different than them.
You are different than them indeed.
You only came out of your resolve.
And this resolve has dissipated.
You don't make it on the first try and there's a next time.
Don't be so hopeless.
[ Tribute Courtyard ]
Hurry. Second Brother.
- Second Brother. - Hey, slower.
- Son. - Mother.
My son. You don't disappoint me.
You make it worth it that I birthed and raised you.
My son.
Changbai. You've added honor to the Sheng House.
I have not put to shame Father's hope in me.
Don't you say that. You're just the best.
Hurry. Hurry and ease my son with some food and drinks.
Let's hold a celebration banquet. A banquet to thank the teacher.
Set off ten miles* of firecrackers. Bestow porridge and scatter coins. [ Chinese mile; li ]
Set firecrackers?
Of course. It's such a happy event.
Don't we need to set off the firecrackers to congratulate?
Ten miles* of firecrackers. [ Chinese miles, about 500 meters times 10 ]
Great then.
Big Madam will just be more haughty now.
That Rulan is going to step on my head now.
What's the dazing around for? Hurry and go in.
Don't show yourself.
- Second Brother passed. - Mother.
Congratulations to Mother.
Bai'er doesn't disappoint us and made it to the top roster.
Great. I already found out.
Everyone come sit.
Let me ask you. What's the loud bustling outside about?
I am telling them to set off firecrackers.
Bai'er scored top marks.
Today at our family banquet, we'll all chime in to celebrate.
You're raising a ruckus,
so the entire capital knows that the Sheng son passed?
They all studied at the private academy in our house.
Young Lord Qi didn't pass.
Second Son of Gu House didn't pass either.
Our family celebrates with such fanfare.
Is that to give Duke and Duchess Qi,
and Marquis Hu's a slap in the face?
Hurry and go and tell those who went out procure to return.
Have them come back.
We close our doors and windows. That firecrackers and porridge donation.
We won't hold it and we won't set it.
Living in the capital is so stifling.
Princes and dukes, noble clans, all squeezed together.
And we have to be sensitive to how others feel. This is worse than Yangzhou.
You.
Big Madam, don't feel deflated.
We can close the doors and celebrate and that's still the same.
I've already prepared a congratulatory gift for Second Brother.
I've been waiting for him to place on the top roster to gift it to him.
You're the sensible one, Ming girl. Better than your older sisters.
Fifth Sister also prepared a gift.
It's much more precious than mine.
When did I prepare a gift?
Old rules. I prepared yours.
You're the sensible one.
We need to make a marriage match for him or else he's going to be over the age at this rate we're dragging out.
This matter can't be rushed.
Why did I not marry early?
Think.
There's no hope for me to enter the central cabinet in this life.
At most, I muddle myself into a silver-green colored grand advisor title.
If I can retire honorable at the court ranking of three would be considered very respectful.
If Bai'er didn't have his wife's family's assistance, how far can he go really?
If he's just a talented scholar,
then which house would be willing to come assist him?
Big Madam, you must not blame him for not setting a marriage prospect for Bai'er.
This is what I did to him back then too.
At the time, he passed and rostered,
and that's how I could afford the shame to propose marriage to you at your Wang House.
Mother is right.
My Wang House is quite accomplished.
Mother. Yesterday, my sister came to visit.
She brought her niece on her husband's side, Yun'er.
I saw that Yun'er has both great appearance and temperament.
I've seen Yun'er when she was little. She's pretty good indeed.
When she has someone she's fond of later on and about to marry,
let me know, so I can send a nice gift.
Yes.
Bai'er rostered at a young age.
His talent is rare. What marriage?
Let us discuss this out slowly. We can't rush.
Yes, you are very right in that conclusion.
How many times did I tell you?
Don't go roam around wildly before the exam and you wouldn't listen.
If you put that effort you have for wine and entertainment
into studying for the exam,
then today, you might have rostered on the top too.
We wouldn't need them to wield their might at us.
You've caused me to be scolded by your father too.
Saying I am too lax with you.
These last couple days, Father's been staying at Weirui Balcony.
He doesn't even come take a look at us.
Brother's the only one that didn't roster and it's implicated me and Small Madam Lin to suffer too.
And that chit Rulan. Her tail is about to point up to the sky.
Can't even walk straight.
One incompetent man makes three suffer.
Passing on first try at the exam is as rare as phoenix feather and unicorn horn.
It's more common to not pass after 17 or 18 years still.
Then how did Second Brother pass?
Didn't you say your essays are better than his?
I don't blame you then I'm supposed to blame me instead?
If I were a man and I can go out to take the exam,
who'd put hopes in you?
Second Brother's sister is always burning incense and praying to Buddha for him.
Praying for him and doing needlework for him.
How great is my sister though? Even the knee guards for the exam yard were gifts from Minglan.
You're just thinking about reciting and writing poetry all day.
And marrying into a marquis house. Or else, fighting Rulan for limelight.
Hopes in me?
You want me to do needlework for you?
You're always surrounded tight by those witches in your room.
Why do you ask for me?
You all shut up.
What's the arguing for?
This isn't some great act. Some honorable deed.
If others hear you, you will have no honor either.
And you. You said you ran out of stamina for test.
But you come back home and you've got energy to argue with your sister?
Let me tell you. Your sister's talent is higher than Xie Daoyun.
What's wrong with her wanting to marry high?
It's you instead.
If you can't pass the civil exam and can't get an official duty,
then you might have to depend on your sister's husband for support.
Who? Who wants other's support?
Among my good buddies, so many are sons of aristocrats and nobility.
Which one couldn't help me? Who needs my sister.
And you, Molan. Stop saying I didn't pass.
Next time I take the exam, I'm sure I'l lpass.
Mother, look how he's scolding me.
You. - Alright.
Let me tell you, your father's gleeful lately and your look now.
If it annoys him he just won't come even more so.
And I've got Yangzhou matters I'm busy with.
Wine, wine.
You said it great.
Yes.
There's a matter,
that I don't understand no matter what.
Your essays? I know them.
How can they not pass?
Where was the loss?
It must be me.
I regarded myself too high. Actually my essays aren't so great.
I hear, Duke and Duchess Qi.
The second day after the roster was posted, they went to pay visit at the main proctor's home.
Asking the reason why he didn't pass.
Did Marquis Gu not go and ask then?
Princess Pingning of Qi Ducal Manor.
She loves her son more than life.
The elderly in my home?
He would rather that I bury myself in a hole and never come out to embarrass him.
How would he possibly go and ask for me?
Come, now. Drink wine.
My father's only a fifth ranking minor official in court.
He regards himself noble and virtuous. Never acquaints or entertains.
He only knows to press me to study till death and I'm a concubine-birth at that!
Those princes and nobles are born lucky.
What's wrong with being a concubine born?
Are all legitimate heir a guarantee for success?
Your elder brother at home. I've never seen him smile ever.
A man like him, even if he rosters high,
af the government post, he will only be faced with struggles.
I think Brother Youguang is right.
You have to look at the situation clearly.
His Majesty doesn't have a son. All the high ministers,
are all dying to kneel inside the hall daily.
Begging the emperor to adopt from the imperial clan. Prince Yong is vulgar.
Prince Yan is capable. The world knows.
You mean Prince Yan, he's going to be . . .
Just know it to yourself. No need to say it aloud.
Yes, yes. I understand.
Prince Yan is a noble birth.
His mother's clan are third-generation of high ministers. Glory and honor never ending.
All the men that work for him are all capable and fierce.
I can't think of anyone else besides him in the royal court.
It's nice to be an imperial clansman. You don't need the exam.
You don't need to toil and study by the cold window.
[ Fan Hall ]
[ Sheng Manor ]
Slowly.
Where did you go?
I've been waiting here all night without sleeping.
I was going to send someone to look for you but I was afraid your father would know and Weirui Balcony would have one against us.
Where did you go?
Before I left yesterday, didn't I tell you?
Third Young Master Qiu wanted to invite good friends and wanted me to accompany him.
I've always been like this so why this startle now?
You're usually not coming home at night?
Then did you go and sleep on some whore's bed last night?
Mother, must you speak so ugly? Not a whore.
Flower-adorned beauty is what she is.
You loser.
You fail to roster and you go to the brothel and drink wine?
If your father finds out, what will happen? Have you thought it?
So what if he finds out.
Who is that Master Qiu?
His father. His older uncle.
They are officials serving Prince Yan. The current monarch has no sons.
When Prince Yan ascends, he becomes the new emperor.
I have my reason to acquaint these friends.
Didn't you say if I didn't pass the exam,
I will need my sister's husband's support?
I just won't!
Slower.
Prince Yan?
Hurry and make some sober tonic for Third Young Master.
Yes, don't worry, Small Madam.
Marquis, you've come this early.
Is it over the matter of your second son failing to roster?
My humble son lacks talent and I knew he wouldn't pass.
But if he wants to retake the exam, I must ask clearly.
Where did he lack? So he doesn't repeat again.
I really don't know how
- I can even begin on this. - Why?
Yesterday, Duke and Duchess Qi came to ask too.
Their Young Lord Qi,
he's innately talented and smart.
His essays are beautifully written but they lack a backbone.
If he can grind on it more it's hopeful if he retakes later on.
Yes, yes. But what about my humble son's essay?
This is where I sigh.
Your son's essays. I've seen it with the two other proctors.
That's considered excellent text and imposing in vigor.
His writing reminds me of Duke Wenzheng's.
That's an over-praise.
So by rules, he should be rostered.
But then, why did he not roster?
Find two men and go fetch that scum.
Second Young Master is already back. He's drunk and asleep.
He's got enough shame to drink wine? Beat him to wake him.
I don't dare.
That scum.
You can still sleep?
Do you know what wreckage you caused?
Do you?
Not passing the test is considering making wreckage?
Does the law of Gu Family allow one to live?
Who's that Yang Wuduan?
You return to the capital to take the exam, but yo indulge in the entertainment outlets.
It's one thing if you just make some lousy poetry. But you get yourself and drunk and say what?
Passing the test isn't as good as attaching yourself to brothels?
The emperor made it absolute to disallow him to retake the test.
But for a thing like that,
you roll yoru tongue wildly?
Scholar Wuduan is a rare talent.
Can't be that you're coming to beat me over his matter too?
I can't beat you little scum?
You go and speak wildly outside lamenting the injustice on Yang Wuduan.
Those words went to the emperor's ears.
He had you scratched out from the top three ranking.
And he said you can only retake at age 50 like that Yang Wuduan.
If you were good and stayed home.
And not have gone to those brothels and to your rogue friends.
Then how would you have fallen to this plight?
And you say I don't give you a way to survive?
I know it. I know it.
What are you doing?
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?♫