Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 8
It hurts. Hurts.
Eldest Brother is so tenacious.
A few days ago, he wanted to bribe my maidservants to his side.
He wanted to find out where I set up my mistress.
I dismissed them.
And come today, he's got you following me.
It seems Eldest Brother's measures
are getting more and more skilled.
Second Young Master! Second Young Master. I won't dare ever again!
You won't ever dare?
Then for what happened today, do you concede to a beating or punishment?
I'll...take punishment.
Punishment? Fine.
Then you leave the Marquis Manor and find your own survival path.
Never to speak to a Gu household member again!
Well, that . . .
What's wrong?
You can't part from the good food from the Marquis Manor?
Second Master, I'll go with a beating.
Beating, you say?
Then take three punches from Shitou. Shitou!
Alright!
Look carefully.
Second Master. I'll go with the punishment.
Here, I'll leave the Marquis Manor today, right away!
No, I'll leave Bianjing City today and never return ever!
We've knocked one away and another might come soon.
We can only deal with one soldier and one flooding at a time.
Knocking one away is one less.
Once I've made my name,
Manniang can see the light of the world.
Careful of your own health.
Eldest, don't be so anxious.
Someone came to report to me
that the servant came back and started to pack up right away.
He's asked to transfer to our Gu generational fields.
I can see that Second Brother already discovered we've put a tail on him, and we've startled the snake.
If in the future,
if we want to find that woman he's keeping, it'll just get harder.
And my health is like this.
I don't know if i can subsist until the end of the year.
How can I not fret?
Second Son is usually most gentle.
He'll at most just skip class,
and drink some wine and run up the account, or small matters like gambling at the stable.
Since he's known that woman, he's completely bewitched by her...
and raising two children too!
If we don't find this woman and dismiss her soon,
I don't know how she will ruin Second Son later on.
Where's Tingwei?
He has wide connections and knows many loafing masters.
Maybe we can find out about Ye'er from them?
Don't mention him anymore.
That real son of mine is the biggest oaf who is completely immature!
A few days ago when he saw that Second Son was beaten harshly.
he started to cry along so many bouts.
I thought he would follow Second Son to lift up the brush or ink or something.
But now he has no measure and went out to some poetry society.
My health can't bear it.
If later on Second Brother is not doing his duty again,
Tingwei will be the Marquis of Ningyuan.
He can't cultivate his temper and go to school now?
Stop the nonsense.
You're just frail.
That's not a major illness.
You're not allowed to speak so ominously. Got it?
[ Duke Qi Manor ]
Stop there.
You again!
It wasn't me.
Last time, I already told you.
When you come work in our house, no one is allowed to doll up.
Today, not only are you dressed like this,
you've loosened your hair down too.
Putting up the seductress look.
I imagine your brain was eaten by a dog,
and you didn't remember my words?
No, not so.
Duchess. Big Madam!
Your Highness, forgive me this once. I will never dare again!
Last time I saw you like this,
I already spared you once.
This time, you repeat the offense knowingly.
That's adding another offense. Yes.
Go find someone
and sell this shameless wench.
No, don't! May Your Highness please forgive me!
Forgive me. I won't go.
- It's useless if you cry.- I won't go! Your Highness Princess Pingning, forgive me!
Look at how you're crying.
The Young Lord in the study over there,
has he come out to take a look at you?
No, Your Highness!
Your Highness! Princess, Your Highness...
Don't think I don't know what your schemes are.
Dressing yourself as a seductress.
Wishing for the day that the Young Lord can see you!
Take you in, and you soar to the sky with one step and become the mistress of the ducal house?
Dream on! You all listen carefully.
Send my instructions.
Especially these newly-arrived runners,
be clever.
I grew up in the palace.
I've seen all sorts of tricks.
Don't play any tricks on me.
If I find out
someone has tried to lure and ruin my son,
I will have you arrive vertically,
but leave here horizontally. (T/N leaving dead in a casket, carried out)
Yes, we shall mark your teaching.
Mother.
What are you looking at all night that you don't even turn a page?
Is there something golden?
I saw a sentence on this page
and it reminded me of a query set out by the Academy Master.
I was agonizing and puzzling over it.
A query?
What query?
Let me hear it. Let this mother help you think it through.
No need.
Don't disregard your mother.
I have had a tutor since I was young too.
My education is not lower than that of you and your father.
Which words and what query? Tell me.
Since we're on the topic of studying,
at Sheng House, I've been studying for quite some time now.
I've bothered them quite a bit.
Mother, how about this?
Tomorrow, you come with me to pay visit to the Sheng Old Madam?
Bring some light gifts as token of our thought. What do you think?
When you started to go to to the Sheng house to study,
your father already went there.
And we've sent many gifts there alerady.
By custom, we are a ducal house.
Sheng House is a fifth-rank (ministerial) house.
If we defy convention and acquaint with our inferiors,
it would seem quite flippant if we frequented the visits.
Others would find that we are seeking something intentionally.
What could we seek there?
There's the saying that you can't fault someone for being too cordial.
You're a child who never cared for social visits before?
But today, how is it you are interested?
Unless...there's a story to it?
Mother, what do you mean?
Your son's grown.
As for social connections, I should have more understanding.
It's nice for my son to have this thought.
The rest, your father and I will see to.
Once you place at the top and make a name, it's not too late to meet people then.
Mother. Just make the trip, please?
I'm not feeling well lately and my face is so haggard.
How can I meet anyone with this face?
Mother, you're already the most beautiful woman on earth.
If you are unsightly, then no woman is sightly.
You, child.
Why do you insist that I go to the Sheng house?
What do you plot?
What can I plot?
I just wanted Mother to be more involved in my learning.
I care for you most tenderly.
Look. This is all made especially for you.
During this exam period,
you should just focus on studying.
The rest, don't overthink it.
Yes.
Princess, did you find something suspicious?
He was holding a book,
but his eyes were looking elsewhere.
Reflecting on the literature and questions? I doubt it.
It seems more likely there's someone in his heart.
Princess, should we deal with this inside.
There's many people here in the hallways.
That's exactly what I want.
Have them all watch this.
My respects, Princess. For what have you requested my presence?
When Young Master was studying at the Sheng family's study,
did he talk to the daughters of the Sheng family?
Of course he did,
but he didn't say much either.
Master Scholar Zhuang keeps a tight schedule.
They are busy and don't have much time to talk.
Think carefully again before you talk.
In the event that I ever find out
that you are not telling the truth.
You know the consequences.
Everything I say is true, nothing has been falsified.
Big Madam, you may inquire as you see fit.
Today, the three daughters of the Sheng family didn't even show up.
I heard that it's because they sought a momo to teach them etiquette.
Likely they won't even be able to meet anyone in the future.
So to say, this Sheng family...is cultured and steeped in propriety?
Yes. That's right.
The Young Master treats you well.
If you want to be good to him,
you should tell me the truth.
If you go along with him, you will be harming him.
I understand. I have always looked out for his interest.
You don't need to be that scared. Leave now.
Yes.
Utter nonsense. He's up to something.
He's not telling the truth?
The Sheng family has three daughters.
I know what's on their mind.
We can replace the person who's accompanying Young Master.
Don't do it. He's used to him. Since he was little until now, he has been with him and is very loyal.
To add further, the examination is due shortly.
If nothing terrible happens, it's better not to take any actions
and not create any scenes.
I'm afraid it will affect his future prospects.
Nanny.
You are finally here.
I don't have to worry now that you are here.
I found this house for you.
Tianshui Alley. (T/N "Sweet Spring Alley" or "Sweet Water Alley")
The name is nice and the geomancy here is good too.
This house is very stylish but I can't use it.
Why not?
From now on
you are the owner.
They will listen to your instructions.
You must take good care of Nanny. You must not be disrespectful.
Yes.
Come Nanny, you have been wearied by your travels.
Sit for a bit and rest.
What do you mean rest,
I'm not fit to be a Mistress of a house.
I set out on a long journey to share your worries and burdens.
Nanny, you have been serving my mother.
You have toiled for many years in the Bai family.
You should enjoy a free and easy life now.
Even more so, I'm an adult now and I have people to serve me.
I don't need to trouble you anymore.
Young Master, don't underestimate this old woman.
I'm still sturdy and strong.
It's not a problem to work for twenty years more.
To add further, you need someone who's considerate and caring.
Alright. Nanny, say no more. I have decided.
Nanny. Frankly...
there's a reason why I don't want you to live in the manor of the Marquis.
It's for your illegitimate child and kept woman, right?
Never mind. As long as she's pure and kind,
and is genuine and sincere to you, it's good enough.
Of course.
Manniang is naturally pure, kind, warm and caring.
It's just that...
she doesn't have a good family background.
When she was destitute, she was a minstrel for a short while.
She won't be able to enter the manor of the Marquis.
What?
Young Master, you are so muddle-headed!
You...
Nanny, at the time,
when I saw her being bullied in the street, I couldn't not help her.
But I didn't expect she'd follow me all the way to Bailudong.
Her elder brother died too.
Subsequently...then
there were children.
I know you are very angry
but the mistake has already been committed.
These two kids are innocent.
Nanny, based on not having a mother when I was young,
just help me.
Fine. You are the master and I'm the servant.
You want to keep a concubine and you even have children.
How can this old woman not do anything?
Nanny, you dote on me the most.
By the way, does your father know about this?
He knows.
Not only does he know, he beat up Young Master because of this!
Did he beat you severely? Let me take a look.
It's not severe, Nanny.
I applied medicine this morning. It's not visible anymore.
What do you mean? It's bleeding.
The swelling is this huge.
No, I want to see how bad the beating is.
Luckily I brought medicine for sprains and bruises and migraines.
I'm going to get it.
= Momo, no! You...wait here.
I waited for many days. You are finally here.
Greetings, Momo Kong.
These are our two mediocre daughters.
Pampered since young and inexperienced.
If they are not prepared for what's out there, on account of their age, Momo, please slowly guide them.
You can scold or beat them. As their mother, I will not feel the pain.
Big Madam, you are overly-modest.
The two young Misses are girls from a respectable and educated family,
their bearing and poise are naturally exceptional.
I have only served in the palace for a few years.
Experienced a bit more than others,
and know something things about tea-brewing and incense appreciation.
If the Misses are willing to learn, I shall teach all without reservation.
Quickly say your thanks to Momo!
Thank you, Momo.
Everyone, please be seated.
This..!
Madam has something going on. Mistress Lin, you should go back first.
I have something important to report to Big Madam. I will leave when I'm done...
No need. Madam said that this Momo is here to teach proprieties to the two Misses.
The Fourth Miss is always so proper and courteous, gentle and virtuous.
Since she has never stepped out of line before, she doesn't need further etiquette lessons.
It's not appropriate to say this. They are all daughters of the Sheng family.
- This is favoring one and slighting the other.- Exactly!
I'm an uneducated person. I don't understand what this means.
I'm only here to relay the main Mistress' message. If you still refuse to leave...
- Someone. - You...
You...! All of you...!
Let's see if your family name is "Sheng" or "Lin" in this house!
Filthy witch. Calls herself the "main Mistress" but how is she anything like a Mistress of the house!
So afraid that my Mo'er will steal her daughter's prestige!
Mistress, don't be angry. We will have other solutions.
My poor Mo'er, to be born to me.
If I was the Mistress of the house I wouldn't have to worry for her future like this. This won't do!
I will get her into Momo Kong's class no matter what!
We will definitely find a way.
What evil sins...
Although it's wrong to support a mistress who's a singer,
he can't be so ruthless as to do this either.
New wounds against old scars...
No matter what, you are also his flesh and blood.
If something were to happen,
what is he to do?
I'm fine, Nanny. These wounds will be okay after a few days.
Since you were young until now, you have been beaten many times.
You are always beaten into this state.
Not...not every time...
Seriously.
It's too cruel. Too cruel!
It's also my fault for being a disappointment.
Wait.
Where did you get this scar from?
I don't remember you having this.
This is not a wound you get from beatings.
Young Master, stop hiding this from me. Tell me.
How did you get this?
Three years ago,
a brother from the Fifth Branch House took an interest in a maid.
The maid refused his advances, so he forced himself upon her.
The maid was fiercely virtuous, in the end she committed suicide.
They put the blame on me.
But the dead cannot bear witness.
The house of a Marquis
it's no better than a jail.
It's hell, it's purgatory!
They are purposefully going after your life,
to scheme against your wealth and assets.
Nanny, what do you mean by "going after my life" and "scheming for my wealth"?
You sound like you're telling stories.
Young Master, you are after all the child of a legal wife in the house of the Marquis.
Moreover, that Mistress Qin,
she treats you very well.
Hence, there are some things,
I wanted to keep to myself
and take them to my coffin, and go see Miss again. (T/N Long-time servant of his late mother, knew her as Miss)
If you don't wish to hear it, Young Master.
I will just not say it.
I will hear it.
You must find it strange
how was it that your mother, who was the daughter of salt merchant,
was able to marry into a Marquis house,
and become the main wife, the legitimate Madam.
For the legitimate wife, it matters that the two houses are matching in status.
But for a second marriage, it's not so strict, right?
The Gu House earned their nobility through merit. They earned their death-pardoning medallion.
If it hadn't been due to a great calamity that was upon them,
they wouldn't have married with a merchant family.
What calamity?
The Old Master, he built a business empire all on his own.
He only had a sole child, your mother, the Eldest Miss.
He knew the Bai family residing in the southern village would banish and kill even orphans and widows.
They could not be relied upon.
So he wanted to seek a good marriage for the young Miss.
It didn't matter if it was a humble family or wealthy one.
What mattered was that they would be good to the Miss.
He was willing to give a lavish dowry to accompany her in marriage.
At that time, suddenly someone from the capital paid a visit.
The visitor said a merit-earned noble house in Dongjing was seeking a marriage.
They had found out that our Miss was virtuous and gentle.
The matchmaker made it sound like a match made in heaven.
But the Old Master had already found out
the one that came to seek marriage,
was asking it for the Fourth and Fifth sons of the Marquis.
Go slowly now, Fourth Master.
Come often.
For you.
Take it.
One is hedonistic, and one is haughty and unreasonable.
Only the eldest son, Gu Yankai.
He was the only gentleman.
But when asked, it was found out that the Eldest Master
had already married a Miss from the Qin family from Dongchang.
So she would only be a concubine if she married him.
The Miss was a sole daughter and she had lost her mother in childhood.
The Old Master treasured her, so he couldn't bear for her to suffer this indignity.
So we thought the matter was finished.
But half a year later, the Old Marquis and the Madam personally came to the house.
They said that the legal wife of the eldest legitimate son of the Marquis Manor had died from illness.
They were seeking a remarriage for him and wanted to marry the Miss of our house.
Perfect match for that son.
How can it be so coincidental?
Yes. How can it be so coincidental?
The Gu House said the Qin clanswoman had always been sickly.
They had made the betrothal when they were both children, so the marriage went through only to keep a promise.
So the misfortune was actually expected.
Since the Marquis and Madam came to visit personally,
and they were wiling to welcome the Miss with full fanfare as the legitimate wife,
it was the most desirable match.
Since Father selected him, I'm sure it must be good.
I will listen to Father's arrangement.
Great.
A year of mourning was completed and the Marquis house sent the betrothal gifts.
The Old Master kept his promise.
The Miss brought with her three to five boats of dowry items and married afar to the Marquis house in Dongjing.
Miss, you are both good-looking and intelligent.
You will live such a luxurious and happy life at the Marquis house.
But who knew that once she entered the house, bowed for the marriage ceremony,
and been listed in the genealogy, it was only then she discovered things were off.
Gu Yankai, that oaf!
Because he was born in a Marquis Manor, we thought he was gentle and upright.
But that oaf!
He...he dragged that out over three months.
Only after a great scolding by the elder Marquis and Madam
did he finally consummate the marriage with my Miss.
Making my Miss the laughing-stock of the entire manor.
After the elder Marquis and Madam passed away,
he inherited the Marquis title and he only became more haughty.
He languished in his treatment of my Miss.
And the days at the Marquis Manor just became harder and harder by the day.
Marquis, what did I do wrong exactly?
Why do you treat me this way?
Not long after,
you were born, Young Master.
The Miss finally had a place to put down roots.
But precisely because she had you,
her relationship with him
became worse.
I thought, just bear through the days.
Who doesn't survive their days like that?
But who knew.
That day, it was so coincidental.
We actually went to stroll in the garden.
Tingyu, you must remember.
Your mother was forced to death by someone.
You must never forgive your enemy.
Who killed her?
That Bai clanswoman in the house now.
I don't understand. Mother Bai is good to me.
Foolish child. That's all fake.
That Bai house knew our lord racked up a deficit with the government.
So they wanted to make themselves lofty with money they had.
They forced their daughter to marry into the Marquis Manor.
Saying they can help your grandfather fill the money he needed.
Forced your father to divorce your mother.
Your father wouldn't but your mother,
she was driven to death by them.
Leaving you and your father all alone and pitiful in the world.
Nonsense. Preposterous!
Who are you? How dare you ridicule my mistress.
You!
Momo Chang!
Madam, that bunch of wenches are making up gossip.
Miss, you needn't take it to heart.
Later we will go ask the Marquis who that whore was!
Father and Mother-in-law came to our house and asked personally.
They said the Marquis' wife was already dead and they sought a remarriage for him.
That's how they married me as second wife, right?
Yes. That's what they said to the Old Master.
I heard it clearly with the Old Master!
But why does she say it like my father forced the Qin wife to die?
Who's telling the truth?
Big Madam! Big Madam!
What are you doing?
Was it only for my dowry that you married me?
Miss, go and rest first. Watch out for your belly.
The five hundred thousand taels of dowry I brought filled your family's deficit.
The deficit wasn't what I thought, of your simply running out of silver.
It was actually you merit nobles, borrowing from the Imperial court and never paying it back!
His Majesty asked you to repay the account,
and he's already put two merit nobles in jail, right?
Who told you?
Tell me if it's true!
You don't want to tell me about deficit with the court.
Then tell me, how did the Qin wife die?
Why are you asking that out of nowhere?
Didn't I tell you already? She died from an illness.
Then did she die from an illness before you sought marriage at my home,
or it was after this that she died?
In order to fill this deficit you owed,
your family needed three to five hundred thousand taels.
The Qin wife was weak and sickly,
so you divorced her to marry me.
She died from a broken heart.
Now you have got your silver
and you've escaped the calamity, so you have started to look at me and my son as problems.
Citing how great the former Qin wife was at every whim,
and laughing at my low status behind my back, even though you don't try to show care of me.
I had thought you were from a military background, so you don't know how to dote on people.
And I thought Qin wife was so gentle and I couldn't compare!
But in reality, the entire family of yours regard me as the true perpetrator of your Qin wife's death!
This is all your own wild guess. How does it even exist?
I'm making a wild guess?
All these years I've been married to you already,
when you're with me, you're either sighing or piqued.
The two sons are both your real sons.
But how many times did you hold Ye'er in total?
Do you know how many teeth he has and how tall he is now?
Your hand has long fingers and short fingers.
Yu'er's mother is gone and he's sickly.
Is it wrong that I favor him?
He doesn't have his birth mother but he still has me as his step-mother!
Was I ever an evil mother to him?
Even if Yu'er comes before you, he couldn't tell you any fault in me.
But you! In and out of the rooms. One here, and one there.
Stuffing defaming words about me into Yu'er's ears.
Today in the garden, a maidservant told Yu'er in public
that he shouldn't forget he has the grudge with me of me killing his mother!
And you keep inviting Qin family guests, and who knows what that bunch say about me behind my back!
Shut up!
The Qins are like family to us. Don't slander them.
You go and ask
our entire family, what have you all taught Yu'er all day?
Then you will know if I am slandering.
You are really so ignorant.
Stop making a scene!
I'm making a scene?
Marquis.
You've not seen a real scene then.
Today you can write me a divorce paper.
I will take Ye'er and we'll return to our old hometown of Yangzhou, clean and tidy.
- Enough! - You.
You're eight months' pregnant now. You can't go anywhere!
Madam, your anger is confusing you.
These are all old matters.
Let's rethink this. You're with child too.
They belittle us as merchant households, so just give me a divorce paper so I can go.
The dowry, I'll regard it as having been lost to your family.
I won't even ask for one coin back.
Clean and tidy. Free and clear, I'm going.
Stop making this scene!
The dowry was agreed upon by your father.
You should just focus on delivering the child safely and talk more later.
Stop being played by the wicked-minded.
Let me go. Let go of me!
You can't go!
Madam. Madam?
- What's wrong? - Get the physician. She's in labor!
- Madam!- Attendants!
Madam!
- Get the physician. Find the midwife. Madam is in labor!- Madam!
I was fooled so wretchedly by you all.
Madam...
A year after your mother passed away,
the Marquis hurriedly married the younger sister of the Qin first wife.
Don't say anymore.
Could it be a misunderstanding?
Could you have heard wrong...
or remembered wrong?
I told you everything I saw with my own eyes.
Not one bit of it wrong.
These years, these matters,
they rolled out again and again in my head.
I have remembered them very clearly.
Rest up, Nanny.
Looking at the beauty under the candlelight and looking at the flower under the moonlight.
What a sight it is.
I'm old now.
Not old.
Even if a few more decades go by, to me you're still a beauty.
Do you hold your words as truth? If you meet a younger and more beautiful one, you won't be enticed?
Beauties are plenty.
But a beauty with so much talent and understanding of me is a rarity.
Shuang'er, to me here, you're always the first.
I remember that day. I was doing needlework with the Old Madam.
You lifted up the curtain and came in, bringing with you a breeze of jasmine scent.
I will never forget that image of you then.
This lifetime, following you, I have no complaint.
Shuang'er, I shall never let you regret.
I shall never regret.
Feng'er and Mo'er are both so obedient, and I often think at night
that this all is a good life you've given me.
Just that lately Mo'er often cries
and I'm afraid she will ruin her health with the crying.
What's wrong with her suddenly?
It's all due to how she lost your face before the Countess a few days ago. (T/N reputation)
That's not her fault, and I've already looked into it to clear her.
It was Rulan and Minglan, those two girls who are troublesome.
But the court momo from the palace is here.
And she's teaching rules to Rulan and Minglan, but she won't let Mo'er attend.
Those two are senseless and they need to be taught, but Molan is most sensible.
She needn't go. She can just continue with the academy lessons.
But Molan still did go to the front hall.
Her temperament is like mine. Just too soft.
She should actually listen to the palace maid's teaching.
But since you dote on me,
Big Madam chased me out and scolded me.
Saying I'm always seducing you.
She scolded you again?
That's not urgent.
Just that my Mo'er is pitiful.
Pity that she's born noble, but she just had to be born to me.
And she doesn't even get to listen to lessons about lady rules.
I just loathe that we met too late.
You were already with a wife and I couldn't bear to leave you.
So I could only become your concubine,
and I've implicated my own children.
If my Mo'er were born to Big Madam's belly, how great would it be?
Alright.
No crying.
Look at you.
That's punishment. It's not some great honor.
Don't be sad.
Alright.
Darling Hong, I'm a lowly servant by origin.
I fear I will ruin Mo'er's match.
Mo'er is outstanding but that's still not enough.
It's all up to Big Madam.
Hong. Tell me.
Does Big Madam hate you because I'm pampered,
and that's why she won't let Mo'er go listen to the lessons?
She's not my boss yet!
It's true.
In this house, you are the boss.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
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?♫