Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
The Story of Minglan
Episode 15
Big Madam's older sister is Madam Kangwang.
The children call her Aunt.
Every time she comes, she urges your wife to do something
She should come less often.
Small Madam Lin selling farmland secretly.
That's also a conduct ruining the family.
Currently we really have no one in the inner quarters who can handle the big task of managing the house.
I don't have any solutions.
That's why I'm here to seek your guidance.
Are you thinking of letting me manage this?
It'd be great naturally if you could.
But I fear it will only toil you.
Perhaps, you want me to be an evil person
and choose one between Big Madam and Madam Lin.
And I carry the blame?
If you say this, I'm ashamed to show my face.
I was just speaking in jest.
Sit down.
If you really want me to decide
and pick someone out to help your wife manage the house.
I have someone in mind.
Ru An, bring the album here.
Minglan? This can only be her writing.
Mother, are you joking?
Minglan is only barely reached a marriage age (age 15). And she's an unmarried maiden.
She...how can she manage this grand house?
Watch carefully.
This is Minglan's daily records
of each house and their expenditures and ledgers.
I asked her why she's recording this.
She said, one is for practicing writing and the other , it's learn to manage the finance of the family.
Since that's also a duty for a woman in boudoir.
Rulan is with Big Madam.
Molan is with Small Madam Lin. They can both be blind and deaf.
But she has to rely on careful observations every day to learn.
Even if she can't pick up everything, she can pick up a few points or two.
She's a good child and is more matured than her two older sisters.
Look at how she has recorded everything clearly.
Some accounts are not very clear.
She could even find out where the deficit is. She has talent.
She is surely a good pair of hands to manage the house.
Another point. Minglan's few words reminded you.
And helped you get out of your bind in the royal palace.
With this kind of sensibility,
she can be unbiased.
Let Minglan manage the house then.
The manager of the house has to have the look of a manager.
Minglan should be self-reliant too.
Tell the staff to tidy up the courtyard next to Shou An Hall and let her live there alone.
As a steward, she should have the air of one too.
Why aren't you saying anything?
You don't want to be a steward?
It's not that, Grandmother.
I prefer to stay with you.
You are already an adult. You should leave your parents.
When you marry, you will leave your family.
If it's hard or sweet now, be done with it.
You will bear them alone.
If I just dote on you. Well, I'd love to just dote on you forever.
But I have to be tough.
How could I not understand what you said.
Since Father and you have faith in me,
I will be brave and give it a try.
Be brave and give it a try?
You delivered words to Weirui Balcony for me yesterday.
You had measure and you had authority
I can see that you are capable.
Stop pretending to be stupid in front of me.
I am always a kid in front of you. I will never grow up.
Don't worry. If you run into any problems, I will help you.
Tomorrow, I will send over my capable maid
to be at your disposal.
If you are unhappy about anything,
tell me as soon as possible.
Grandmother, I don't need the maid.
Since I'm going to manage the house and finance,
I can't make you worry about anything.
If I can't handle it,
then I'll come beg help from you.
Small Madam Lin's man came to my home secretly to inquire.
And he's shown his face in Dong Alley.
According to Xiaodie's memory, there used to be a physician by the name of Zhang who's treated your family.
I thought that must be where the clue is.
We rushed there and the neighbors said he did live there before.
But his whereabouts are unknown now.
Your uncle in law has already gone to search out information but he's not sent news yet.
We are doing our best - Miss.
May you not fret. - Second Young Master sent a Guan Kiln as congratulatory gift.
Where should I place this?
Miss. - Just place it there.
What did Linqi Pavilion send?
It seems like Miss Molan sent a painting. I'm going to get it for you.
Miss, look.
Forth Sister actually sent me a painting of cow licking calf? [ painting showing affection to one's children ]
Let's put this great intention of Fourth Sister's.
Next to my mother's one, Lady Li guarding Niangzi Pass.
Alright.
Yes, hang it together.
Let me see them every day
and not forget.
Miss, what are you burning?
I did a bad job in writing.
These days, don't always worry about writing.
We've just moved here and you have to watch carefully so the servants don't a mess.
But I've got you watching over.
I'm not apt to watch over
Old Madam wanted to choose some capable servants to come here.
Why did you refuse?
This is a new courtyard.
Including me and Xiaotao, there are only a few of us.
If anything goes awry and we can't handle it, what are we to do?
Don't be anxious. Someone will send over people.
Who will do that?
It will be within the next couple of days.
Look at that air Old Lady puts on.
I had that courtyard cleaned up a couple times already.
And she keeps saying it's not good.
She insists on having the minister hire cobbler and woodsmith.
I don't know,
if she actually thinks that sixth girl will manage forever.
Don't get upset over a girl.
Old Madam doesn't want to manage the house.
She threw the sixth girl out and that's for your sake too.
So that the management rights don't fall into Lin's.
That slut, Lin Qinshuang,
such a great chance and we couldn't get her killed.
She caused me to lose the rights to manage the house.
What blue smoke is her ancestor spewing out? [ She's being protected by her ancestor for prosperity ]
The matter you told me about yesterday. I've thought it through.
Let's just have Jiu'er and Yinxing go work in Sixth Miss's room.
Jiu'er is your biological child.
Can you bear to let her go?
It's because she's my biological child,
that we don't have to worry she'd be mistreated by Sixth Miss.
When Jiu 'er is of marriageable age,
I will give her a good dowry.
Thank you, Madam.
Greetings, Older Sisters. I'm late.
Sixth Sister, you've set up your own courtyard.
It's your first time going back to Shouan Hall to visit.
Grandmother naturally can't bear to let her leave.
Unlike like us,
we only said a few words and we were dismissed.
What's wrong? I didn't say the right thing?
Grandmother likes Sixth. She doesn't like you.
You can't even begin to be jealous.
That's so true. Now that Sixth Sister is flesh on Grandmother's heart.
She is also a steward.
Even if she greets Big Madam late, it's no big deal.
Would she still punish you?
Fourth Sister, your words are strange.
If Big Madam punishes me, she's blaming Grandmother.
If Big Madam doesn't punish me, it seems like she's afraid of Grandmother.
Your word hits me but also Grandmother.
And also unforgiving towards Big Madam.
Killing three bird with one stone? What's the reason?
You're alive today?
You are slandering me. You are blaming other people's thoughts and intentions.
You said that I slandered you. Older sister, this is not what you mean then?
Thus, Big Madam doesn't need to punish me then.
You!
Do you still think that as the steward of the Sheng family, you can make the decisions?
Big Madam is already sitting down. Please go and greet her.
Be careful of the steps, Fourth Sister.
Sit.
I'm late. I caused you to wait.
Hurry and bring a bowl of ginseng soup for Ming girl to try.
Thank you, Big Madam.
Sit.
Mother, Sixth Sister is living on her own now.
You must dote on her more
or someone will bully her.
Ming girl was always weak-bodied.
When she traveled by boat from Yangzhou, she was sick on the boat.
Fortunately, Old Madam took care of her and nursed her back to health.
You are now living alone in your own courtyard.
I feel consoled.
It's just that the staff with you are young and old. They can't serve you.
Mother Liu.
Yes.
Sixth Miss, these two maids are Big Madam's attendants.
They are apt hands and most attentive.
Today, Big Madam is letting you have these maids
to prevent Sixth Miss from being too tired and ruining your health from living alone and managing the house.
Yinxing, Jiu'er, greet Sixth Miss.
Greetings to Sixth Miss. May you prosper.
You are giving your best hands to me?
There won't be anyone by your side then.
My rights to manage the house has gone to you.
I don't need them anymore.
Look at how you speak.
Just don't complain that they are stupid and clumsy.
Yes. I have most high esteem of your maids.
Try this.
Sixth Sister is now the steward.
And now you speak with sharp prickly words.
She's great.
Aren't you the one who speaks with sharp prickly words?
What's wrong? Just because you are late, I can't say anything?
A person needs face and a tree needs bark.
If on my first day, I allow your mockery
to beat a mess.
It's a small matter if I lose face
but if Grandmother loses face, it's a major matter.
For Grandmother's sake, even if I offended you,
I have no choice but to hold my stance.
You are a messenger of Grandmother at first,
and even a steward now.
Just a few days and your mouth has gotten so clever.
Why do you bother fighting pride with me?
The three of us sisters, by looks, by talent,
and by one's place in Father's heart, you are top in all.
You don't need to flatter me to make me happy.
You have Small Madam Lin above you.
And Third Brother under you. You're beautiful and talented.
So many mainline daughters out there don't have your bearing.
I'm just an orphan
without my birth mother. I don't have any brothers too.
And Grandmother is only just pitying me a bit on the account that my mother is deceased.
You want to knock me down in spirit and forces me to fight back.
What will you gain in honor or benefit?
You're young and you're in charge of the house.
Who can be more loftier than you?
You're so smart and you can't tell?
This managing of the house. It's only temporary.
Just to make do and gloss over.
Some day...
Some day?
Grandmother is insipid and detests conventional affairs.
I've been taught by her and I live with my head lowered.
Will I really be the steward of the Sheng family for life?
Once the crisis is over,
they will definitely find another steward.
Who?
Of course, it's someone who would think on behalf of the Sheng family.
You are I both lack the luck of being born to the main wife.
We are kindred souls.
There's a benefit in talking with someone smart.
It's that once you've spoken.
All things are understood.
She really said that?
Could be it false?
I heard this from Yunzai.
Who would think on behalf of the Sheng family in this house?
Big Madam spread out high interest private loans and she gave assets to Wang House.
You are the only one who would think on behalf of the Sheng family.
I fear that Old Madam is harsh towards me.
If she really wants me to manage the house,
she could've just put in a few nice words for me.
Wouldn't your father comply?
Why did she have to bring out the sixth girl for pretense?
Mother, you are too fretful.
Third Brother and the matter of you selling shops. That's only a few days ago.
Even if Grandmother wants to give it to you, it won't be that fast.
She has to bring out sixth girl . . .
Did Sixth Daughter mention her biological mother with you recently?
Mother, what are you doing?
Be good. Tell me if she mentioned this to you.
I recall that she didn't mention this to me.
It was a long time ago.
I fear she can't remember her mother anymore.
I can't even remember anything when I was eight years old.
Eight years old?
I fear eight years is too big already.
Mother.
I think we can't fully believe what Sixth Sister said.
Didn't Big Madam shove two maids into her room?
We should pick out a couple to shove in too.
You can think like this and it shows you're considerate.
Your brother. He's been wore down by the warblers and swallows in his room.
Pick out two of the most foxy ones and send them over.
But...what if she doesn't want them?
We must send them there, or else your brother won't pass the test.
Even more so when he committed a big mistake.
he must show ardent prudence before your father reconsiders him.
Mother, it's not only older brother.
And the matter of you selling shops.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
I think you must be angry still.
Shuang'er also doesn't dare to come here.
But I have a matter for Hong to decide on.
So I brought my thick skin to come beg you.
You can make decisions without consulting others now.
What's there for me to decide on?
I know that you have never believed what Big Madam
said about me. Those dirty things.
She just loathes me that I went out to sell land and shop.
Are you not here to brew tea today?
At that time, I was still young.
Just when I was supposed to have marriage prospects, my family suddenly became ruined.
I brought my sick mother
wandered everywhere with no one to lean on.
Begging in the cold.
Mother left that day too.
I could only use a mat to bury her.
Sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night
I see you.
I would then think that
I could be saved.
I don't need to live this kind of life again.
Hong, you are Shuang'er parent now.
It's already in the past.
I'm someone who's traumatized from fright.
That day, when I heard you were late in coming back,
I thought about the day my family was raided.
I told Big Madam, what if something happens,
it's still best to have some cash in hand.
Big Madam said that I spouted nonsense and unlucky words.
I was just afraid if something goes awry at home,
and that's why I went out.
I'm someone who hasn't seen much of the world.
I'm also someone who can't make decisions.
Not like Big Madam from a house of officials with resolute.
I'm just afraid, what if something happens to you,
and I had some unregistered money in hand, I could go bribe the connections,
but I didn't expect you to be so capable
and came back safe and sound.
Big Madam knows to gauge life.
I am really lacking compared to her and just a laughing stock.
What do you want to ask me?
It's about Feng'er, that fool, of course.
Feng'er told me that Sixth Miss is living on her own and she doesn't has enough staff.
He wants to send her two maids to serve her.
I just fear it's in accordance of the rules for a brother to send staff to a sister.
So he had me come and get your approval.
May you give me your approval so I can tell Feng'er.
That's a great show of sibling affection.
I guess giving him a beating has benefited him
Study well and he will has his day.
If you are done with work,
come and watch Feng'er study tonight.
Since he has been studying, he hasn't been going out.
That's good. I will go and check.
If he causes more trouble, I will break his legs.
Before you come, I will personally break his legs.
Third Master thought, he can't have his sixth sister lack help.
And it's not right only he has so many help.
These two women, one is Ke'er and the other is Mei'er.
They are clumsy.
I hope you won't dislike them.
Please thank Third Brother for me.
Look at what you said, Miss.
If they can be of use, that's their luck.
You've worked hard. Xiaotao.
Escort Mother Zhou out.
No need to be so formal.
I...Would I still be able to see Third Master?
If she can't bear to leave her old master,
it's best that she goes back to him.
Sixth Miss, she doesn't know anything. Please show her more guidance in the future.
They are all from Madam Lin and Third Brother's prestige.
Naturally, I will hold to high esteem.
Nanny Zhou, please don't worry.
Nanny Zhou, you are here.
You even sent two maids here.
What a coincidence. Old Madam is also
sending a clever one to Sixth Miss.
Cuiwei, greet Nanny Zhou.
Greetings, Nanny Zhou.
Greetings, Sixth Miss.
I, Cuiwei,
used to be Old Madam's first ranking maidservant.
I will serve you in the future.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
Shouan Hall to sixth girl is only a couple steps away.
You make a shout in the front and Old Madam can come
So it's understandable that you ran into Nanny Fang.
That old madam is intentional.
How calculating
That sixth girl deliberately didn't take any staff from Shou An Hall.
The position was empty.
Empty?
She deliberately left it empty?
That's right.
We can't have the old madam send one Then Big Madam sends one over.
And it becomes a thunder show between mother and daughter in law.
So, she deliberately left it empty.
After we all install ours, Old Madam can send a higher ranked maid there.
So, Old Madam sent her maid over
just to keep our people down?
Isn't that so?
Cuiwei goes there and she fills the supervising position.
Our Mucang Pagoda is a new courtyard.
Since you serve a new master now, you need to follow the new master's rules.
Each and every move needs to be chartered.
Yes.
First, do not forget who you work for.
Second, you have to keep faith to your duty and not leave unauthorized.
Third, you are not to fight and cause issues.
Fourth, do not enter the main suit unauthorized.
Fifth, you cannot push off your own duty onto another.
I don't understand. If someone gives me trouble, can I tell?
What exactly is not allowed to fight and cause issues?
Miss Jiu'er, what you're doing is fighting and causing issue now.
Sister Cuiwei has such a grand position.
Sister Cuiwei, don't scare us.
We are most respecting.
That's right.
If Miss Jiu'er talks again, I fear I will have to quarrel with you.
But if we really quarrel, we will be breaking the third clause.
Jiu'er and I are to receive five strikes each.
Danju, you carry out the punishment.
Miss, if they don't obey Sister Cuiwei, what should we do?
There's benefit to listen and there's benefit to not listening
That's a Buddhist verse you're chanting.
Cover.
Miss Ju'er, what else do you want to say?
Everyone, let's do our best and take good care of Sixth Miss.
This is a fate that binds us.
I'm older and more senior than you.
And thanks to Old Madam, my scope is wider too.
But may you sisters not dislike me.
Just give me a bottle of Cuoren Water (wine).
Having cold wine again?
Drinking cold wine on a cold day is quite a unique experience.
You're so full of tricks.
Is Sixth Miss really that smart?
How can you be so stupid?
This kind of chain maneuver. How can she think of it as her young age?
It must be Old Madam plotting it all out.
It's a warning to us
that no one can mess with her precious sixth girl.
Before, Old Madam was so serene
The room was like a temple.
Since she raised this sixth girl.
She's forsaken vegetarianism.
And her coloring is better.
She's garnered stamina to climb Mount Ziyun too.
Looking at her, she seems to want to live forever.
Marry that girl off and lay a path for her to reach high.
She's got her legs half buried on the ground* and still thinking so much. [ T/N *half dead ]
Small Madam, just bear it for the time
Don't clash with Old Madam.
The house management
will need Old Madam's approval no matter what.
One day when I've made it . .
What's wrong with Grandmother?
Old Madam is waiting for you.
How come she got ill so suddenly?
What does the physician say?
Watch the courtyard tight
Yes.
My grand daughter is most filial.
When she heard that I'm sick,
she rushed here.
You're so chatty.
Quick, have your filial granddaughter look at the fabric I brought.
Pick one you like
and use it to make some robes.
Grandmother, didn't you say you were sick?
I was afraid you couldn't leave with so many chores from your mother-in-law so I fibbed.
Come. This is whom I often talked about.
Grandmother of He House.
Now she's moved to the capital to stay.
I invited her here for a gathering.
This is the grandson of Grandmother He. His name is He Hongwen.
Greetings, Grandmother.
Greetings Brother He.
Greetings, Miss Sheng.
You came from afar. Why don't you stay for a few days more?
It would be just nice to have fun with Grandmother.
This child is really smart.
Grandmother just told you she brought fabric as gifts.
Go take a look now.
Mother.
It's alright.
Big Madam is a straight-talker and I don't want to put on airs.
The items are in the room.
Go take a look now.
Let's go.
Sixth Sister, come with me.
She has already chosen. Go now.
Let's go and take a look.
Take a seat.
Come.
Take a seat too.
Please sit.
Xiaotao, serve tea to our guest immediately.
Yes.
Why haven't they finished viewing the materials?
It could be that there are too many.
No matter how many there are, they should have completed viewing them.
It could be that the materials are too good.
It's really quite hard to be a physician.
I came to make a treatment and I have to bring fabric as a big pretense.
It's not easy being a woman either.
In order to receive a treatment, she needs to say her maiden grandmother is ill in bed.
That's right.
There's always been a tradition of hiding one's sickness to avoid criticism.
And that's hardest on women of inner quarters.
An ailment is a double-edged sword for them. Your sister is in a difficult position.
Do you really regard that way?
It's always been hard for womanhood since old times.
There are not many paths for them and each is narrow and steep.
At my grandmother's talent. If she were a man,
she would be a renowned physician of our time, her name glorified.
With your thinking, your grandmother must find such solace.
I sigh that my grandmother is full of all kinds of talent.
But she can only stay in the boudoir managing house.
At best to teach this unworthy grandson of hers.
How could you not be good?
I heard from Grandmother that you've already established your own clinic.
Since it's a medical center
Then I won't wish you for a flourishing business.
You ought not.
Since you've praised me, I will say another.
Don't take any cold wine. Especially before sleeping.
I didn't.
I...I haven't...
Are you a physician or a kitchen god?
How did you know?
Who said that I'm good?
With He House, their lustrous words.
Vouching that you can have another child soon.
I'm put to much more ease.
You must listen to her.
And manage your health well.
As for managing the house, don't toil over it.
You can cry or beg too.
Pretend to be sick or act like you're incapable.
Find some pretext to throw it out.
All these years, Hua'er has worked very fast
and she finally got herself the reputation of being a good steward.
How can she just let that go?
You're confused. Count of Zhongqin Manor.
It will all be inherited by the eldest son, Yuan Wenchun.
Hua'er's husband won't have the day.
It's just that the mother-in-law is so biased towards the eldest,
that she's tormenting Huar'er on purpose.
The saying says, once you manage the house for three years, even the dog and cat hates you.
Hua'er with a daughter. No matter how hard she works,
she's just adding to another's asset.
You are right, Grandmother. Count of Zhongqin's house expenditures are careless.
I have added my own dowry money into it to balance it.
What is all the trouble for?
That Yuan House. They are a mighty count.
They are so shameless they use the daughter-in-law's dowry?
Someone!
Get my carriage and I need to argue this out with Yuan House.
- Mother. - Come back here.
Cool down.
Come back here.
If you can argue for a win for the matters of the world,
then all would be in harmony.
Those Yanyun sixteen prefectures would all be reclaimed.
I have never seen this kind of
noble house with shame to use daughter-in-law's dowry.
Which house doesn't have a rotten account?
A minor issue that some minor money can fill isn't worth mentioning.
Your daughter is weak-boned and she can't toil.
Let her shove away the steward job and recuperate.
Take the medicine prescribed by He House.
Bear a child is the more urgent matter.
Don't be angry, Grandmother. Mother and Ru'er have the same temperament.
You know about this too.
When I used to come and cry,
she would say she would go to Yuan House and flip them upside down.
In the future, if you are bullied or ill, come and tell us.
Don't adhere to such old ideas.
You have to be happy yourself.
Grandmother, I came back this time and allow me to dote on my siblings a bit.
I hear in a couple of days, out by Xinzheng Gate by Jinming Pond, there will be a polo match.
It's put together by Countess of Yongchang.
And she's using all sorts of precious accessories as prizes.
All the noble ladies near Jingrong Gate and Changhe Gate have gone by.
So let's have my siblings go and have fun too.
Madam Wu's polo match is such a grand event.
How many official's wives will be there.
They are all to watch the eligible men and women there.
Such a great event and couldn't you just tell me secretly?
You had to say it in front of the old lady.
Now it's great.
The three Lan girls will be there too.
Forget it if they take Minglan along.
Why must they insist on taking along that slut's daughter too?
If she tries to reach high,
I will be coughing up blood.
Mother, just treat it as plotting Little Six's future.
Grandmother had Little Six look at He's son.
If Sixth Sister can find a good husband,
Grandmother will be very happy too.
Since I've had my daughter, I have not been pregnant for years.
Grandmother put aside her pride and found Old Madam He.
And plotted for me to have Little Six come out and manage house.
So the house key was spared from falling into Lin's hands.
This is all due to Grandmother treating us well.
So if we plot for Little Six more.
It's also considered as repaying Grandmother.
You are always sensible. Get ready to go then.
Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect.
The bustling lives in one's heart. If the heart is wasted, no amount of bustling is alive.
♫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?♫