Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 21
[ Funeral Procession for Marquis of Ningyuan ]
[ The wind and rain come in their time ]
Why don't you just stay in the capital and wait? There are missing posters posted everywhere.
If anyone finds them, you'll get informed,
won't that be better?
No use.
I've searched the inside and outside of the capital several times.
This woman is very cunning.
Posting missing posters wasn't able to capture her. She probably has changed her appearance.
I'll personally look for her. Maybe, I'll be able to recognize her better.
Chang is a good kid. I don't want him to be dragged down by family matters
and live days of having no father.
Even in the ends of the earth, I'll find him.
But with a vast sea of people, where will you look for them?
Shitou was originally from the Cao Gang. (An organization whose main business is water transport logistics)
His brother-in-law is now a head in the Cao Gang.
They might have faster and more abundant news than the government.
Moreover, my reputation in the capital is already so bad.
Going out to see another land is good too.
In two months, I'm going to get married.
Why don't you you attend my wedding first before leaving?
I won't go anymore.
I won't attend your wedding anymore.
I might just transfer my misfortunes to you.
When that day comes, what if I affect your wedding? It will be a great sin.
You know that I never had such thoughts!
Changbai,
you're closer to me than my real brothers.
I don't want to take risks with your matter.
Okay. Let's stop talking about these.
The roads of jianghu is far. Always be careful. Come back soon.
Looks like I won't be able to celebrate my birthday today.
With such a huge even happening in the House of Gu,
they are related with our ancestors after all.
It's better to not make any disturbance.
That's right.
Good thing, it's not a major birthday. (Major birthdays are those ending in 0)
Once it's your major birthday, I surely will organize a grand celebration.
We'll light fireworks and hang colorful lamps.
I kept feeling that this painting doesn't look like mother.
Come over and look. Can you identify it as mother?
Look at that lotus flower crown. Other than Her Highness, who else has such a lotus flower crown?
Okay then. Quickly deliver this painting then.
What's going on?
Isn't it time for dinner?
The kitchen indeed said that you can have your meal.
I'll tell the servant to rush them.
No need!
Father, mother.
Buwei, tell them that we're complete.
- Tell Chef Shen to move his wok and serve the dishes! - Yes.
Mother, today is your birthday. Please sit down.
Father.
What mischief have you setup for us now?
I'm thinking that mother's birthday this year can't be celebrated in a big manner.
But it also can't be allowed to pass just like that.
I especially went to Fan Restaurant and invited their main chef
to cook a set of meal for mother. Let's eat some new dishes.
It's enough that you're this filial.
No need to invite the chef from Fan Restaurant.
- Our Cook Song can also make a good soup. - Indeed.
Mother, you don't know.
The person I hired is Head Chef Shen.
Their restaurant today tried out a new cooking style.
It's not boiling nor frying.
It's in between the two and they called it stir-fry.
It's best to eat them right after cooking.
How does it taste?
I've also heard about it, but I've never tasted it.
It's really fresh. You really are full of ideas.
Thanks to you, I enjoyed this fortune.
I still have a lot of ideas.
As they say, burning of incense and drinking tea, hang paintings and arrange flowers.
These four idle crafts won't tire you easily.
I personally made a painting.
If you want to praise me, think of the words now.
Later, slowly praise me with them.
Buwei!
Hang the lanterns!
Wife, look.
Wife, this is you.
Today, I feel like raising you was not in vain.
In the past, I always saw you as a child.
Today, seeing how you already know to dote me and your father,
you have now grown up.
You must study well.
Get in the rankings. Let everyone in the capital see
that the child of our ducal house is a real passer of the civil examination.
I got it, mother.
Yes. After passing the civil examination,
and then, getting married,
we then can enjoy our blessings at ease.
People would say to marry and start a career,
but would also say to govern the country, one must first learn to govern oneself then govern one's family.
Based on those, one should first have family,
before joining the imperial court.
What do you mean?
I...
I have someone I like.
I want to ask father and mother to seek her hand in marriage.
You...how could you have someone?
What someone?
Did you...do something wrong?
No! Of course, not!
I respect and love her. I haven't even touched her hair.
Since it's to propose marriage, then she surely isn't from our house.
But everyday, you're either just in school or at home.
Who could you have liked?
Mother, don't worry.
She surely is a good lady. A woman from a house of scholars.
Although her family's status is a bit far from ours,
they are still officials for generations.
Mother, just agree with my request first.
You like the sixth lady of the House of Sheng.
Just for her,
you fought against that prodigal son of the House of Gu during a polo game.
This news has spread all over the capital.
I initially thought that since you were focused in studying before,
having a moment of being competitive and showing off for a man
is just normal. I didn't say anything.
You pretended to be well-behaved for two days,
even cooked and hanged lanterns.
So, you're not really being filial.
I even cried a few tears.
You really have fooled me.
I was sincere in giving you a birthday feast.
Mother, I'm just begging you to propose marriage.
If I'm able to marry her, I surely will enter the ranks in the next civil examination.
You're willing to marry
an illegitimate daughter of a five-rank official as your main wife.
But your father and I still can't afford to lose this face.
Mother, since I was little,
I would do everything that you said. This time,
I beg you to follow what I want.
In the next spring exam, I surely will enter the top ranks.
I'll strive to obtain a splendid honor
for mother and the House of Duke Qi of the State.
When you were little, you never made us worry.
Comparing it to that rebellious son of the adjacent House of Gu, we were already contented.
But now, the house statuses are not compatible.
How about this? Since you really like her,
let's take her in and make her a high-ranking concubine.
No. No way!
Your father has already smilingly yielded a huge step.
You still dared to refuse him?
Mother, she...
How could she be a concubine?
The concubine of the legitimate son of Duke Qi of the State.
Does that Sheng Lady of yours
have eyes on her forehead?
She still look down on it?
Mother, their Sheng family is also made up of officials for generations. Her grandfather was a Tanhualang (3rd placer in the civil exam).
His father is like a clean stream in the imperial court. He has a lofty reputation.
Don't even talk about their eldest legitimate son. He ranked in the civil exam on first try.
Even though she's an illegitimate daughter,
she was raised by her grandmother.
Her grandmother is the only daughter of Marquis of Yongyi.
Our families can be said to be compatible.
Mother, I beg you.
I only want her.
Yuanruo, are you silly?
Father, help me convince mother.
If I'm able to marry her, I won't take in another one.
I surely will be diligent in studying, only focus in my career and bringing honor to our house.
A few days ago, I've received an invitation.
It's about the marriage between the eldest son of the House of Sheng with the Hai Family.
Yes. It's the Hai Family.
The House of Hai had five hanlins (imperial secretaries).
They agreed to have a marriage alliance with the Sheng family
because they could see the infinite future prospect of the Sheng family.
That time, we'll go to the wedding together
and give them our congratulations and blessings.
Mother, then...you're agreeing?
Thank you, mother. Thank you, mother.
Miss Xiaotao, getting some mail?
It's been so long since we saw each other. What a coincidence to bump into you.
What coincidence? I especially waited for you.
Quickly go back and tell your Sixth Miss that there will be a great celebratory event soon.
Great celebratory event?
[Mucang Pagoda]
Miss.
Miss. Letter from your Auntie Wei.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Miss, when I went to the Urgent Delivery Shop earlier to claim your auntie's letter,
I saw Buwei, the attendant serving Young Duke.
Young Duke asked him to relay a message that he has discussed things with his family.
In a few days, it will be the wedding of Young Lord Changbai.
Princess and Duke will be coming over to attend it.
That time, they would propose marriage to your family and ask your hand for marriage.
Miss! Why are you not entering when you're here already?
Nanny Fang, I'm alright.
Nanny Fang! I want to chat with grandmother.
Nanny Cui! Danju!
These next few days, you must guard Mucang Pagoda well.
The words that should be said must be said.
The people that mustn't go out mustn't be allowed to leave.
Yes.
- Xiaotao! - Here!
Were there any people around when you were talking with your Miss today?
I know the importance of this matter.
Only once there were no one else in the room,
and the doors were closed, did I go in front of Miss and said it in a very low voice.
Good child. Keep all those words in your stomach.
You mustn't say one more word about it forever.
I understand.
You are a servant by your Miss' side. You grew up with her and is one of her most capable servant.
If you ever leak any word and destroy the reputation of your Miss,
I will cane you to death.
I would never say a word even if I die.
Go now.
How are things in the house?
Everything's quite good.
A few days ago, some problems came up in the House of Marquis of Ningyuan.
I think Big Madam is more anxious about the marriage of Brother Changbai.
I'm guessing that she won't be able to take it and would come here in a few days.
You're able to handle all these matters very well,
but how come when it's your matter—
I've already rejected him in front of my Little Mother's memorial tablet.
You rejected him?
Was it because you are annoyed at him
or some other reasons?
In doing anything,
you must know very well first what you want.
As a woman, the more we should think about it well.
Don't get fooled by those books written by pedantic scholars.
Don't also get deceived by a moment of passion.
Since I've already rejected him, I didn't think of any consequences.
But who knew...that he'll tell it to Her Highness Princess?
Then...it means that he indeed love me.
Our family is not of high status as theirs.
Although men would usually marry someone lower, while women would get married off to someone higher,
the difference between your father and Duke Qi of the State is really too huge.
Young Duke maybe able to protect you, but he's still a man in the front courtyard.
He has to go out of the house and attend the court meetings. Welcome guests in his house when he returns.
How long can he take care of you?
In the inner courtyard, it's Princess who has the final say.
The whole capital knows about her temper.
I've thought about all those.
Have you thought about the ending?
I'm just happy, but I don't know what the ending would be.
Revolting against the government is a crime punishable by extermination of the whole family!
For attempting to assassinate a royal prince, your whole clan should be annihilated!
Kill!
Hurry!
Hurry! Hurry! After them!
After him!
After them!
Hurry! Hurry and chase them!
Hurry!
You... Quickly put down your weapons!
We'll then confer your wives and sons meritorious titles!
Bringing the heads of your Zhao family back to Emperor Zhaode
- and our wives and children would also get conferred with titles! - How dare you?!
Kill!
He's over there.
Warrior, you saved the lives of me and my father.
I, Zhao Ceying, is extremely grateful.
I really don't know how can I repay you for saving our lives.
No need to be so courteous.
At such a young age, you are already this highly skilled in martial arts. May I ask for your name?
My name is Bai Ye.
This is the list of dowry that that the Hai Family sent earlier.
Miss, please take a look.
This is private list of Second Sister-in-law.
It should be mother looking at it.
I won't look at it anymore.
Big Madam especially asked me to deliver it to you so you can look at it.
She said that you're now the steward of the house.
Even if it's private valuables, you have to see them.
Mother is praising me too much. I'm not that important.
Okay.
Let's treat it as I've read it.
Once Second Sister-in-law enters our house,
as her little sister-in-law, I can't exceed my boundary anymore.
This was separately delivered by the Hai Family. They said it's called Lifelike Flower Imitation.
It's not worth that much. Each lady in the house gets one.
Just something novel to have. You can use it or reward it.
Just a small token from the House of Hai.
So pretty. It looks so real.
Second Sister-in-law hasn't been married into our house yet and she's already doting on us younger siblings.
Nanny Liu, you're not busy, right?
Have some tea before leaving.
I just received some xiaolongtuan yesterday.
This is a Lifelike Imitation Flower sent by the eldest lady of the House of Hai.
We saved you the best one.
Sister Yinxi, let me put it on you.
Why are you crying? You're totally bringing embarrassment to Big Madam.
In such a joyous occasion, you're bringing bad luck.
My crying is none of your business. I'm not really provoking you.
We're serving in the courtyard of Sixth Miss and talking about the marriage of Second Young Master.
You instead are bringing bad luck to the family of Master.
If you want to cry, go cry in the garden. Don't wail like you're in a funeral here.
You have your mother, Nanny Liu, covering for you. You are so bossy wherever you go.
Ask the people here whoever gives you any importance.
If they don't give me any importance, do they give you any?
Whenever Second Brother comes, you have to approach him and talk.
Do you have the right to do so?
What nonsense are you saying?!
You are trying to seduce Second Young Master or even Third Young Master.
Why don't you look at yourself first?
What does this got to do with our Third Young Master?
If you want to scold this cheap bitch, just scold her. Don't involve our Third Young Master.
Even if she's lowly, she's still doing her task as a maidservant in an earnest manner.
Unlike you two, losing your chastity but not getting taken in as a concubine.
Anxiously getting sent to this courtyard and even talks back to Miss.
Bitch, what did you say?! See if I don't tear your mouth today!
Stop fighting! Stop fighting!
Stop fighting!
This is so preposterous!
Miss, you should hurry and handle them.
Right, they must be punished.
I think...
Just punish them for half a month's salary.
Sixth Miss, you're too kind.
But we heard in our courtyard
that Ke'er woman
has her hands all over Third Young Master while they were walking out in the streets.
A steward doesn't only manage money and grains.
What's most important is the house's atmosphere and reputation.
Nanny Liu, look at what you're saying.
Ke'er was originally from Third Older Brother's house.
Older brother bore to separate from his love and gave her to me.
Now that she's here, I should dote on her.
If I punish her just because of a measly matter,
if Third Older Brother finds out,
he would blame me and I would like an ingrate.
This...how is this a measly matter?
They were already brawling inside your courtyard.
Moreover, not only Ke'er,
but when Second Older Brother comes, that Yinxing would also frequently talk with him.
They were just missing their old master. It's just normal.
After hearing those words from Sixth Miss,
I knew immediately that she's a weakling who wouldn't dare to fight.
First, I went to hit my Jiu'er and then started scolding Yinxing.
I told her to behave
and stop having wild imaginations about our Second Young Master.
Who knew...that servant would tell me,
"Nanny, stop worrying too much.
I'm currently working under Sixth Miss.
When Miss hasn't said anything, why are you meddling?"
Big Madam, Lady Hai would be married into our house soon.
The House of Gu was turned upside down just because of a woman.
If the same act happens to our Sheng family too, it will not be—
Nobody should dare hinder my Changbai's path.
Handle them all.
All?
We mustn't leave our people there,
the more we must cut off the spies of that bitch in the adjacent house.
You all have acted inappropriately.
You even showed it to a guest like Nanny Liu.
Today, I have no choice but to punish you all.
Those that got involved in the fight
would have no salary for half a month.
M-mother. Mother, you've come.
Since you're so kind and lenient, I'll be the bad person.
Mother, don't worry.
I've already punished them earlier.
From now on, they all will surely work hard.
You...are still too young.
Although you're now handling the whole house,
and there are indeed books to show the ins and outs of silver,
you are clueless in the art of governing your subordinates.
It's also my fault for not clearly teaching you.
Today, I'll help you handle this matter. Stay in the side and watch.
Take it as a lesson from me.
Mother.
Mother if you're like this...there are also servants here that's from the courtyard of Third Older Brother.
You think I'm afraid of him?
Jiu'er, serve tea.
Yes.
I heard that you've been quite bossy around here.
Sixth Miss didn't punish you because she's benevolent.
But you, really great. You gotten haughtier and a show off.
Big Madam, please forgive me.
I was earnestly thinking of Miss' sake, hence, was a big of a nag.
Since you love to nag, return to my courtyard to nag at me then.
I...
Quickly leave.
Which one is Ke'er?
I'm here.
You indeed are delicately pretty and pitiable.
I heard that you recite and make poems everyday, arrange flowers and make teas.
You act like you're not here to attend to someone, but to be a mistress yourself.
I also fulfilled my task.
I only do those things when I'm leisurely free.
Lowly slave! You dare answer back to Big Madam?!
Where did you learn the rules?
If you dare say one more word, I'll hit your mouth until it rots!
It's fine if you want to recite and make poems.
Let's treat it as you trying to pose as a culture lover.
But you just have to flatter and touch the young master of this house.
If you miss your original master, why did you bother coming here?
Servant! Push her down and cane her!
Big Madam, it was Third Young Master who usually pulls me for chats.
It's not my fault, Big Madam!
Big Madam, it was Third Young Master who usually pulls me for chats.
It's not my fault, Big Madam!
Don't move.
Just try moving!
Yinxing.
Why are you kneeling that far away?
Come here to my front.
Were you and Ke'er close?
Not really.
I think you two must be treating each other like real sisters.
Or else, how come your actions are so similar?
No! No such thing!
Really?
Then go kneel over there and look at her.
Go and count the canes she's getting.
Go!
Hit!
One. Two. Three.
Four. Five. Six.
Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.
She has fainted...
Big Madam, she has fainted.
Okay then. Look for a doctor.
Send her back to Linqi Pavilion and hand her to Third.
Yes.
Yinxing.
Big Madam, I heard that you still miss people in my courtyard.
Since that's the case, come back with me then.
Big Madam, please spare my life!
Sixth Miss, save me!
- Mother, why not— - You were unable to manage this matter well
and caused your courtyard to be so messed up.
I'm helping you handle it,
so stop being a good person and destroy my approach.
I heard that you've broken four to five tea cups.
You've also broken items from our hometown in Youyang.
You are so bold!
In the whole capital, who can bear to support such a maid like you?
Nanny Liu, take her contract and find a slave dealer to dispose of her.
Yes.
Grandmother, let me choose a fragrance for you.
Put it down.
Hence, everything was deliberate.
You deliberately tolerated those servants they sent.
Indulge them to have exaggerated opinion about their capabilities.
One by one, either they disturb Changbai,
or seduce Changfeng. Or,
they would boss around your house, keep breaking your dishes and bowls.
Yes.
You clearly know that person in Linqi Pavilion doesn't like Ke'er.
That's why, she placed her in your house.
I know. That Ke'er has a gentle and weak temperament.
She only knows to rely on Third Brother.
Hence, whenever Third Brother comes, I would let Ke'er wait for me in the path that he surely would take.
How did you come up with this idea?
I'm thinking that if Big Madam
learns that she can have a chance to put her back with her old master and disgust Little Mother Lin,
she surely won't let the chance go.
You calculated this move very precisely.
It was also you who indulged those few others?
Yes. You don't know,
but that Mei'er kept scanning through my things.
Whatever she finds, she would report it to Little Mother Lin.
Big Madam has long wanted that item that Teacher Da Yuchuan
from Youyang sent me.
I know that once it breaks, Jiu'er will immediately go back to tell it to her.
That Jiu'er is actually not much of a problem.
It's that Yinxing that's a bit hard to handle.
She's after all a spy from Big Madam.
But good thing, she has special feelings for Second Brother.
Nanny Liu actually scolded her about this matter before.
I even stopped Nanny Liu from doing it.
Who knew that Yinxing would become so unruly because of my tolerance.
She kept chasing after Second Brother to personally attend to him.
Second Brother is Big Madam's favorite child.
I...
You said that you're wrong?
How are you wrong? Tell 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?♫