Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 51
Marquis Gu is forcing me to go while I leave my son to him!
It's maternal instinct...
Get lost! You get lost!
Marquis Gu is forcing me to go while I leave my son to him!
What about my maternal instinct?!
He stole my daughter!
Now, he's even coveting for my son!
My god!
We are right under the feet of the emperor! This is the capital city of Bian!
A newly favored official is so devoid of conscience!
Devoid of conscience... You get lost!
With such a good script, you should be a storyteller in the tiled marketplace!
That's right! Be a storyteller!
In the past, the marquis drove my older brother away,
and then forcefully kept me in the marquis manor.
He waited for me to deliver him children,
but refused to let me enter his family!
It's fine if he wants to kick me out, I'm accepting my fate.
But, he stole my children away. Those are my life!
Rong'er! Rong'er!
- Stop saying it! Leave! Leave! - Get lost!
- He's a bully He's a bully! - Let her finish! Lte her finish!
- All of you, disperse! - This is too tragic.
Let me tell you, it's even a woman of the marquis.
He could have easy settled this with spending a few money.
He's using his power to bully other intolerably. He's so devoid of conscience!
- Rong'er! - Stop saying it! Leave!
While inside that marquis manor, don't know
how that marquis wife is tormenting you right now!
Salt, tea, liquor, and iron were once the highest sources of income of our government.
But now, the salt taxation is so vague.
The taxes collected are actually under reported and hard to clearly investigate.
If the government still doesn't put any heart to guard against it,
I fear that our income from it will greatly decrease and a huge problem will arise.
Got it.
I've already accepted your memorial.
Once I've finished verifying and inquiring about it, I'll make a decision.
Í want to file a complaint against Deputy Commander of the Dianqian,
Marquis of Ningyuan Gu Tingye
for having unclean private morals which is bringing shame to being a government official,
and tainting the reputation of the new government.
Those messed up internal matters of your own family
has now been known by everyone in the streets of Bianjing!
It's even more interesting than the stories beign told in tiled markets!
Do still want any dignity of a government official?
Do you still even care about my dignity?
Your Majesty, others don't know about my matter, but don't you?
The reason for our first meeting
was exactly because I was swindled by that evil woman.
She took away my son.
Didn't you even help me to search for them for a while?
Since I married my wife from the Sheng Family,
I stopped my womanizing ways.
Who knew that after seeing her beauty,
your past affection reignited and got swindled again?!
This is not anymore my pre-emperor territory.
There are so many things I have to handle.
You... And you!
You two are not even sharing my burden.
Always acting like some idle young men of the capital.
Always coming up with a pile of problem to present before me! So preposterous!
Royal Father, it's not Zhong Huai's fault.
That woman has even stabbed him.
But considering that they had children,
he didn't had her tied up and sent to Kaifeng Precinct Office.
Indeed.
With such a thing happening, why didn't you drag her to the local court?!
Your Majesty, she mustn't be dragged to the local court.
If I send her there, she then would be interrogated and tried.
This will just escalate the problem.
Not only is this an old debt that's so hard to clearly sort out,
since it's a matter about the harem,
Empress Dowager who is the head of the inner palace would surely send people to hear the trial.
If that happens, then it will just bring trouble to Your Majesty.
You say it as if you've made a huge contribution for my sake.
Thank you Your Majesty for appreciating it.
Isn't it just the same now?!
This matter got brought up in the imperial morning court and caused such huge embarrassment!
This messed up problem
is clearly a malicious intent to frame people by that evil woman.
Those scholarly officials initially won't listen to any explanations.
When I went to the marquis manor to investigate this matter,
Zhonghuai just exposed his chest to everyone,
and they stopped meddling.
Right now, all are just the claims of Lord Xiao Qi.
In my opinion, just drive that woman out of the capital, and then let Zhonghuai
be to be spared by that relative of his. This matter
will then just naturally pass.
I've already sent men to expel that evil woman out of the capital.
As for the matters that will arise after, don't be bothered by it anymore.
Now that Empress Dowager is plotting.
We mustn't let her grab hold of any of our flaws.
How could I not meddle?
I let that evil woman go so she could go look for Chang'er.
I then can follow the vine to the fruit and find my son.
Have you ever thought that this evil woman
is full of lies and sinister schemes. She just spouts them out when she opens her mouth.
Such malicious heart.
Always scheming against people with every step. And she's even ruthless and heartless.
Even if you find Chang'er, with him being with her for 3 to 5 years,
can you really be at ease to raise him in your house?
Even if his birth mother is an evil woman,
I'm the one who took her in as my woman and impregnated her to bore me children.
If there's someone at fault, it's me and not the child.
While we are alive,
we must admit our mistakes, try to mend our ways,
and make up for them.
Chang'er is still my flesh and blood.
He surely won't totally be like that evil woman.
If she has really disciplined him in a bad manner,
I also won't tolerate his acts in the future.
But as long as there is a glimmer of home,
I must save my son.
Don't forget to go to the Qi Manor and say some soft words.
Your two families are relatives after all.
No need to escalate it to such an ugly state.
The wordings of the complaint of Young Lord Qi were actually very intense.
But His Majesty didn't say anything at all.
I think that woman also got expelled out of the capital.
Grand Madam,
I fear that this move is now useless.
Us and those people from Yangzhou has just worked in vain.
You're old.
Your information isn't that accurate anymore.
Grand Madam, you knew something?
His Majesty indeed didn't say anything while in the morning court.
But after the court meeting, he had him stay
and scolded him inside his private chamber.
Really?
What's precious isn't this news,
but the person who spread the news.
Guess who it is.
How could I know such things?
It must be a trusted aide of yours.
You're the only trusted aide I have now.
Don't be jealous of such things.
The person who spread the news is Third.
Third?
Third went for drinks and bumped into Palace Steward Eunuch Zhu.
A news from Palace Steward Eunuch Zhu...
After hearing it, Third immediately went to the adjacent manor
and had some drinks with his Second Brother.
Palace Steward Eunuch Zhu who works by the side of Empress Dowager?
Do you now know why this information is valuable?
Her Highness especially spread the news out.
If you're able to get the help of Empress Dowager,
this matter will then succeed with less efforts.
Gu Tingye is His Majesty's favored official.
The more he's favored, the more he becomes an eyesore for the empress dowager.
Just like this tea.
The more you want its foam to merge with the surface of the cup,
the more you must have the patience to mix it.
You mustn't rush, nor be too slow.
Not only must the tea bread be good,
this tea brush must also help.
Then Young Lord Qi would keep bringing trouble to Second Young Master from now on.
[ Duke of Qi State Manor ]
Zhonghuai's spear is forging ahead with the vigor and vitality of the tiger.
It's because your spear is good.
Duke, I've already drunk a round of tea, and put off two lanterns.
It's daybreak soon.
Young Lord is still not done with his official documents?
You really love to joke around.
It's now the third part of the hai hour (~11 pm) and people are just settling down.
Recently, he's getting more appreciation from the palace,
hence, is being given a higher amount of documents to read.
Appreciation by the emperor?
Any official work given by the imperial family mustn't be neglected.
But His Majesty's appreciation for Yuanruo's skills isn't just a one-day affair.
He might get more documents to read by tomorrow.
This...
How about I'll go help out Yuanruo?
Don't! Don't!
There are a lot of official documents in the study. I fear that it's not convenient for you to go in.
Indeed.
Seeing how it's already late, if I still don't go home, my family might worry.
How about I'll just come back tomorrow?
Sure! I'll go walk you out then. Okay, Duke, no need to walk me out.
Please.
Hey, Yuanruo!
Hurry! Hurry! Stop him!
This... is really a bad karma from the past generation!
Young Lord is indeed reading official documents here.
I still remember you looked when you were a child.
In a blink of an eye,
you're already attending the morning court as a scholarly official.
Didn't we study together before
so as to join the government?
That's right. Too bad, we're now standing as rivals, having contradictory discourse.
I just want to expose any misdeeds in the government.
Of course, I must overlook some private relationship because of it.
Private relationship?
Which relationship are you talking about?
Which does Marquis Gu think am I referring to?
You're now calling me Marquis Gu?
You came here for official matters and not a private one.
Calling you Second Uncle makes me sound like trying to climb a higher social branch.
Your house is a ducal house while mine is a marquis house.
How is calling me Second Uncle climbing up a branch?
You are clearly of higher status than me.
I'm unable to understand you now.
Before, slanderous words against you are all over the empire.
I instead felt that you were an honest and straightforward person.
You would never try to embellish your actions or be pretentious.
Now, the marquis manor has a good reputation spreading in the whole empire.
I also can't understand anymore.
- Which part? - Everything.
When we were studying together,
I never thought that we will be like this today.
Yuanruo,
no matter how much you hate me,
even if you complain about me until I lose my nobility title and official position,
Sheng's Sixth Miss has already married me.
She will eventually get buried to my family's tomb.
With you doing this,
aren't you just making things difficult for her?
Marquis Gu, why must you mention your wife?
I filed a complaint against you for official reasons.
If your actions are upright and aboveboard, what complaints can I come up with?
The whole Bianjing know about my character.
Have you seen anyone filing a complaint against me because of Manniang's matter?
None. Yuanruo, you're a very smart man.
Could it be you can't understand the reason behind that?
To say that you don't have a selfish reason for it, I don't believe you.
This is your private family matter.
As an outsider, I don't need to know them.
I just know that the streets and tiled markets of the whole capital now,
from the old women to the young children,
are all taking about how you abandoned a woman after dallying with her.
His Majesty also knows very well my matter with Manniang.
That Manniang is an evil woman that feigns to be pitiful.
- If you believe me— - His Majesty really knows about it very well
or he trusts you very much?
You are his subordinate before he became an emperor.
You escorted him until today.
Rather than trusting you, you think he would trust a wild woman instead?
Looks like, you will never believe me anymore.
Second Uncle,
I grew up with you.
I've called you Second Uncle.
I've also told you my feelings,
entrusted you items to deliver.
But now,
what was my ending?
If the emperor trusts you,
what ending would he have?!
Yuanruo. If I'm you and I like some girl,
I'll immediately seek marriage the next day.
When you were still studying in the Sheng Family, you should have sought her hand in marriage.
But you didn't.
Dragging it out until it was several years after.
You dragged it until that princess of the third rank developed a liking for you.
You then say that were left with no choice and you fear that your family will die in the hands of others.
I told you that if you really want Sixth Miss Sheng and wants to marry her,
I'll help you save your father and survive that ordeal.
But you didn't agree!
In this world, not everyone will stand in the same place to wait for you.
Are you just going to blame everything unto others?!
They've all been blinded by you, but I won't!
I filed a complaint against you this time, not for private reasons.
It's all for the government!
It's all for the government...
Marquis!
Our people in Shiliang Village sent a letter.
They said that they've followed Manniang to a tomb.
What?
Impossible.
She must be lying.
She's best in lying.
Husband, drink some tea.
Prince Huan...
Prince Huan expelled her out of the capital.
She must have known that it was my idea.
She must be lying to me and just seeking vengeance.
This is qibaolei tea that I personally made.
Drink it and you'll feel warmer.
She's a liar.
What evil scheming and plotting have I not seen?
She actually fooled me for 7 to 8 years.
She must be lying to me. What burning paper money? What tomb?
All are just lies!
Then, why don't we go take a look?
Okay. I'll go. I'll go by tomorrow.
Don't wait for tomorrow. We'll go now.
Now?
If we ride our horse fast, we can arrive there by tonight.
It's alright. I'll go with you.
You...
...are destined to be unable to enjoy bliss.
Look at your father.
He's now a very high official.
Your sister has become the precious daughter of the marquis manor. While you?
You developed an illness.
Just a matter that can be resolved by taking medicines.
But others didn't die, only you did.
So useless.
The second half of my life just ended in your hands.
That older sister of yours
is a natural born bitch.
She's enjoying wealth and splendor in that mansion,
while you just have to call her before you die. Why must you call her?
If you're that capable, try calling her to come here!
You are also a conscienceless cheap thing.
Leave! Leave! Leave!
Chang'er isn't dead yet! You dare burn paper money to curse him?!
So, this is your plan.
Letting me go so as to let me guide you to where my son is.
Can you see that? That's him.
You still dare to lie to me?!
When I was lying to you, you totally believed me.
Now that I'm telling the truth, you just won't believe it.
Gu Tingye o Gu Tingye,
so what if you've become a marquis?
So what if you've inherited a nobility title?
In my eyes, you're just a fool.
Shut up!
It's old soil.
Dig.
Dig it out for me.
Young Master, this...
Dig!
Yes! Dig!
Even if you dig it open—
If you still dare say one word, I'll slap you again!
Shut your mouth, you hear me?!
You...
Never ever see Rong'er again.
If I see you in Bianjing again,
you won't be able to see the sun!
Shitou!
Here!
Personally escort her.
Look for a remote village
to settle her in.
If she dares walk out of the village by a step,
tell the head of the communal defense system to handle it.
Yes.
Take her away.
You're devoid of conscience!
You dare to put me in house arrest?!
Gu Tingye! Gu Tingye!
Let go of me!
Gu Tingye! Let go of me!
Darling Second! I was wrong!
Darling Second! Darling Second!
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Look at auntie.
Okay? Give me a smile.
Let me put this on you.
This...
Come, let me hug you, my little obedient child.
Hurry. Hurry.
Put him on me. Let me hug that little naughty child.
With Sixth Little Sister giving such a huge gift. This child might be so happy.
This is my first nephew. I'm so happy.
Talking about being a main madam,
it's still our Sixth Miss that's most capable.
That matter about that lowly woman spreading slander on the streets has really caused a huge ruckus.
But upon turning one's head,
Sixth Son-in-law just entrusted his whole asset on her.
Although this jade ring is good,
it's no big deal for her.
No one has such an ability among us, right?
Fourth daughter, am I right?
Mother, you must have not known yet.
That Concubine Chun in Fourth Sister's harem
wasn't able to preserve her child.
But Fourth Sister is the most virtuous woman in this world.
How could she watch Fourth Brother-in-law,
a distinguished sixth young lord of a count family
have an empty room and being neglected?
Hence, she successively got Fourth Brother-in-law 4 to 5 concubines altogether.
Now, in this harem of Fourth Sister,
other than Fourth Brother-in-law and those concubines,
she gets to have the final stay.
As a new wife, Fourth Sister
actually is showing off a mightier impression than Sixth Sister.
Fifth Brother-in-law is also a man brimming with emotional expressions.
Too bad,
Fifth Little Sister usually couldn't even recite a few lines of a poem.
Don't know what you two would talk about behind closed doors.
I heard that Eldest Sister's health is still quite weak lately.
I've brought some gaming meat from Xiaolu Mountains,
mixed it with some ginseng, and made it into a soup to give to eldest sister.
It's very nourishing.
The hot springs over there is also not bad.
If we have time, let's all go there to bath.
It's good for the health.
Sixth Little Sister, I won't go anymore.
Currently, I...now have a child.
I fear that it's inconvenient.
It's not yet stabilized, so it's not good to talk about it.
I know that you're a good child.
We also don't have much relatives here in the capital.
Even if you're now married, you should still socialize more,
so that you'll have someone to rely on in the future.
You also should invite your Auntie Kang to live in your villa for a few days.
She and your mother-in-law Grand Madam Qin have always been good friends.
Although Auntie Kang is a good friend of Grand Madam,
I fear that she might not like Xiaolu Mountains.
You still should woo your elder to join you, right?
Fourth, you've been sitting here for a long time.
Don't you want to see your father?
Yes. Grandmother is right.
I'll take my leave now.
Fifth Little Sister and Sixth Little Sister, why don't we all go together?
Ming. A small banquet is bieng prepared in front.
We all will be going there to eat.
Go look on how the preparations are going.
Okay.
That girl...
Just because she obtained a few blessings, she had to come back here and brag about it.
That Gu Tingye is also so wild and arrogant.
He would die in the hands of the emperor sooner or later.
Madam, lower down your voice. Other people might hear you.
What? You think I'll be scared of him?
Master is currently in the front courtyard touring the garden with your husband.
If they hear your words, your husband might feel awkward.
He might vent his anger on you.
Sixth indeed have climbed a high branch now.
Let's see when she'll fall down.
Grandmother, Mother, I'll also go help out.
That older sister Kang of yours,
I never allowed her to come greet me here.
If you can listen to my advice,
stop seeing her too.
She's still my biological daughter.
How could I stop seeing her?
What has she been doing to you,
you should know it very well now.
What mother is saying is so unreasonable.
Even if my sister did anything wrong, she's still my biological sister.
We are a family.
That Gu Family is a pile of mess.
How old is Ming?
She's only a child who just got married.
She also doesn't have a caring elder by her side guarding her.
She doesn't know everyone's background.
She has to be on guard every day to live her days.
Fearing that one day, she might commit a mistake.
She couldn't even take care of herself anymore.
She hasn't stabilized her footing yet.
Yet this person only knows to play the card of a relative and bask on other people's glory.
Is a relative like that even worthy to be called one?
Sixth Sister's house is so peaceful.
Auntie Kang should come to my house instead.
That mother-in-law of mine would foil my day every 3 to 5 days.
It's good to have an elder to scare her.
Ru'er, you've become more sensible. I'm comforted.
But you're still just a new wife.
Even if that mother-in-law of yours is wrong,
one, you must always remember
that she grew up in a poor environment.
Second, your husband and the scholarly elders are on your side.
Grandmother is right.
But Grandmother, you didn't see my mother-in-law's face.
Everyday, before it's even daylight, she has me stand for rules.
Now I'm with child and I still have to wait under the eaves when it's rainy.
I have to wait until my husband pleads for me before she lets me go.
If we committed any errors on propriety and rules,
even if we are with full reason, we have to reduce by three.
But with Ru'er. Even if we've kept full propriety and courtesy,
and her in-law's still find fault,
then our Sheng house won't be afraid either.
Yes, we'll all do as you say.
Hualan at least married high up.
But she suffers at her mother-in-law's.
And I struggle to bear the heartache.
But Ru'er's marrying low and if still has to suffer,
then our Sheng house is a laughing stock.
When it comes to marrying,
naturally, an even match with equal ranked families is best.
We've not committed any fraud or deception in this marriage.
No one has to swallow the anger and keep quiet.
I will remember this. If anything should go amiss,
I will consider it thoroughly.
What I tell you today,
you really must remember.
I have remembered them. I have.
Old Madam. Big Madam. Sixth Miss sends words.
She says the banquet is set and food can be served now.
I won't make my old bones struggle.
You guys go.
Yes.
Rest well, Grandmother.
I toast to you, Father-in-law.
Drink.
Father-in-law. I heard a few days ago,
His Majesty went to pay tribute to Prince Shu again.
Prince Shu is His Majesty's father.
Now that His Majesty is the sovereign master,
he still remembers his origin and indeed he's filial.
This is just among us family members.
So you needn't be so mindful, Father-in-law.
I fear His Majesty is once again thinking of Prince Shu's status.
Emperor and subject, father and son.
These are not something one talk can finish.
Eat up.
My husband's words,
have reminded me of a weary of mine.
You should punish yourself with a drink.
Alright. I will drink.
How have I irked your weary?
In a few days, it's my deceased mother's birthday.
There's a saying that a day as parents is a hundred days of grace.
May father, on the account of the past affection,
hold a grand ritual for my mother.
And bring her tablet from the farmstead.
To hold it at Yuqing Monastery so we can burn some incense.
So she's not left homeless.
Shut up.
How dare you mention that again.
Yes. I shouldn't.
Just that lately,
I keep seeing my mother crying to me in my dream.
So I feel so uneasy.
I don't know if in the underworld,
she's too cold or she's suffered.
May Big Madam take pity on me.
Let me hold a ritual.
Big Madam, don't worry. I definitely won't use public fund.
We'll pay for it ourselves and it's our offer of devotion.
May Father can come to the ritual,
and help me burn an old item to my mother.
Count it as contributing a merit.
Eat up.
What merit talk?
Just mentioning it is enough to dirty up our Sheng gate.
What do you mean, Mother-in-law?
It's just random matters of the house.
Eat up. You eat.
I think next month's eighth day is an auspicious date.
How about you make a trip to Yuqing Monastery that day?
A minor thing like putting up a tablet.
It won't take much of your time anyway.
I'm giving a day off that day actually.
Father. My mother's also at Yuqing Monastery.
Everyone's family. That's perfect.
She can keep sister-in-law's mother company.
It's better not to accompany her.
This. We're here for a joyful reunion so why bother talking these?
Let's all just eat first.
Sixth Sister is high ranked and powerful now.
But family matters are still up to Father.
Just a pity that my mother's all alone in the farmstead.
So lonesome.
As her daughter. I . . .
Alright. Alright.
Mo'er just wants to hold a ritual.
To help her transcend.
Father. - To spare her.
Try this fish. I made it myself.
You've been conferred a title and things are going your way.
But you don't need to stuff my mouth.
Sixth Sister. She's married in a lofty house.
But you can't just ignore me, your older sister.
Can't be that, you're waiting for me to kneel and beg you?
Fine. I can kneel.
Get on up.
Sit.
What older sister kneels to the younger sister?
Sixth sister-in-law, this is my wife's private matter.
And it's up to Father-in-law to make the decision.
It's no bother to you so why do you interfere?
She wanted to kneel herself. I didn't tell her to kneel.
What was that?
A family is eating together and you throw things and act tyranny?
You're still not the boss of this house.
Since the old days,
no murderer, is worthy to stand before the dead.
What?
You still don't know?
Lin Qinshuang is the murderer of my mother.
What nonsense is this?
Nonsense!
It's not nonsense.
Fourth Sister, unless I'm dead,
you can forget about ever bringing Lin Qinshuang's tablet to place at Yuqing Monastery.
Such nonsense!
Qinshuang was such a tender soul.
How could she have caused your mother to die?
Everyone in the family knows your mother died from child labor.
How is this possible?
You dare to slander my mother?
I have witness and testimony.
If you don't believe me, we can go to Keifeng Precinct.
Are you trying to ruin our family's reputation?
All the servants go out.
And you two.
It's fine.
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? ♫