Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 54
Sister-in-law, she's young and insensible.
At an event like this, it's so embarrassing to be fighting. I'll just take her away.
She's young and insensible. But you all who are older than her don't seem to be that much different.
How come you talk like that?
- Who are you calling a vixen earlier?! - You!
Who's the vixen? You dare say it again!
Stop crying. Let's go. Let's go.
The banquet in the front courtyard has been opened. May everyone go there now.
Let's go, Sister-in-law.
I'm sure that it's our fault for not entertaining everyone well.
My servants weren't able to serve you properly.
Madam Zhang, please be more forgiving.
Stop being a hypocrite.
Sister, it's right that you scold me.
Why must you lecture Madam Sheng too?
Now, you're crying and weeping. Who are you trying to impress with this pitiful act of yours?
Madam Zhang, the banquet is about to start.
How about let's just go to the front courtyard and listen to some southern opera?
Let's just eat some fruits, drink some tea, while we listen to it.
There's one southern opera called "Suqin Returning Home in Glory". Have you heard of it?
Not returning to your homeland after obtaining glory is like walking at night with luxurious clothing. (no one can see/appreciate your glory)
This event you've organized is exactly an act of returning home in a glorious manner.
But if you want to show your might above my head, dream on!
What might? All are just flattering words. You're the most gracious person.
Stop giving me that fake smile. I know exactly what you're thinking.
Look, look at all these people.
Coming from the mountains and wilderness of the countryside. Just monkeys wearing a crown. (worthless people in imposing attire)
Just to preserve the status of the Zhou Family, she'd rather be a concubine just to be married into the Shen Family.
While you, an illegitimate daughter,
has such a good fortune, hence, was able to climb a high branch and become the wife of a marquis.
Yet you're here deceiving everyone, being arrogant and tyrannical, disobedient and unfilial, bullying your own mother-in-law.
You think that whole world is blind or something?!
Sister-in-law, you must be drunk already.
She's the wife of Marquis Gu, the best friend of my older brother.
Let me assist you to rest first.
Cuiwei, assist Madam Zhang to rest.
Yes.
You dare touch me?!
You group of people, a lair of snakes and rats (evil people colluding with each other).
Others might be afraid of your family's power and dare not talk in behalf of Grand Madam Qin,
but I'm not!
Okay already, Sister-in-law. Don't be mad.
What rotten rumors have you heard?
Big Madam, Madam Sheng didn't offend you in any way!
Why must you keep targeting her?!
- Danju. - Yes. - Assist Madam Zhou to rest first.
Okay. Let's go. Let's go.
Madam, please don't be mad.
It's all my fault. I'll just leave.
- What are you doing?! Let go! - Let go!
You dare to rebel?!
If there's anything, let's settle this amicably!
Sister-in-law! She's young and insensible! Just let it go!
Let go of her hand. Let go.
Stop fighting!
She's young and insensible!
- Even you are defending her! - Stop! Stop!
- Quickly let go! - Stop! Stop!
Husband...
The southern opera in front is singing the "Mandarin Ducks Story". You love that.
It's fine if others will watch it or not, but don't you want to see it?
Go. Go. Everyone, let's go. Everyone, please go!
- Right. Right. Let's go. - The banquet has started.
Everyone, please quickly enter the banquet.
Let's go.
The sky has really turned upside down.
A concubine can also attend a major banquet!
This daughter-in-law of mine who is illegitimate by status, has even become a wife of a marquis now.
What concubine? I've already come to accept these things.
Please don't worry. You still will have the final say here in the marquis manor.
Stop saying it. It has now become a joke.
Little Sister Kang. Although we only met recently,
we can really get along very well.
It's all thanks to you that these pent up frustrations of mine
are comforted.
I'm not that eloquent in speaking.
But Fourth Miss Sheng is quite educated and well-balanced. You should see her more often.
Stop mentioning those illegitimate daughters already.
I'm already afraid of them.
Every blink of theirs, there are already a lot of scheming going on in their mind.
Just one Sixth Miss Sheng here in our house has already brought me so much trouble.
If another one comes, I might go see the God of Death sooner.
You're right.
We all are legitimate daughters and we know how respectable and precious it is to be one.
But when we get swindled and framed by lowly bitches like those, we are only left to endure all the grievances.
When you look for people to grumble, they'll say that you're not gracious enough.
If you just swallow it down, they really can eat you up.
I heard that the illegitimate daughters in your Kang Family is quite obedient.
I'm the steward in our house. If they aren't obedient,
won't I have lived in vain?
Our family has very few male descendants.
Unlike yours, you have so many children.
So lively.
How about this? In a few days, I'll bring over an obedient and sensible one,
so your house can be lively too.
That will be great.
Good thing, you came.
Xiao Tao! Xiao Tao! Marquis knew that Big Madam had a private meeting with Young Lord Qi.
What? This...Big Madam didn't really do anything.
How come Marquis isn't letting her explain first? What should I do?
I surely help you and put on good words for Big Madam. Don't get agitated!
That Madam Zhang left grinding his teeth.
That Concubine Zou left crying and shouting.
I heard that the faces of all the people during the banquet were really bad.
That Marquis Gu is really very willful.
There are so many legitimate noble daughters in Bianjing, but he has to choose an illegitimate one.
Pitiful for that lady from a lower status family. How could she have seen such a huge event before?
Although the matter isn't big, just a fight between the harem,
the ones being embarrassed here are the people of Yuzhou.
I fear that His Majesty...
His Majesty is the emperor of the empire, and not just by Yuzhou.
His Majesty knows this very well.
General Shen is after all a State Uncle,
the biological younger brother of the Empress.
Let's not make it too hard on him.
Tomorrow, when you greet for the morning,
go comfort the Empress.
Comfort the Empress?
I didn't manage the banquet today very well. I fear that I might have brought you shame.
Chicken and bamboo shoots stew! Father, this is your favorite!
Father, eat more!
You love this the most!
Eat properly. Stop jumping around.
Does Marquis plan to keep being angry?
I'll assist you to get ready for bed.
Just mind yourself.
Do you have something to say?
What should I be saying?
Go to morning court then.
Do you have anything you want to say?
There's nothing to say.
I know what you're mad about!
But since you saw it, you should know
that I just asked Young Lord to put down his hatred and grudges.
I didn't act beyond the rules.
I personally saw that you didn't break any rules.
Why then are you mad?
But you told Yuanruo to cherish the person by his side,
yet have you cherished me?
What do you mean by getting me a concubine?
I was thinking for your sake, that's why, I accepted her.
For my sake,
you got me a concubine?
The adjacent courtyard is eyeing us covetously.
Your auntie got bewitched by her and deliberately came to stifle me.
First, I sent away those chamber servant of yours.
Next, a Zhu Manniang came.
It even caused a ruckus that reached the imperial court.
If I refuse your auntie again,
then the two of them will stop at nothing.
By then, won't you still be the one to suppress it?!
I...am also just thinking for your peace of mind.
You weren't thinking for my sake.
You're thinking for the sake of your husband, of the marquis!
Have you thought about my feelings?! You never did!
You... But...
But aren't you my husband?
But I'm also your Darling Second.
I'm also Zhonghuai.
Can you think for my sake?
You are Darling Second. You are Zhonghuai.
So?
This... Shitou!
Marquis! Are we going to the morning court now?
What morning court?!
I'm not in the mood to attend it!
Big Madam, Marquis didn't return and the palace is calling you. Don't know what's going on.
Since we're here, take it easy.
That Shitou too. So useless when you need him.
Don't even know to urge Marquis not to loiter around outside.
Silly Xiaotao, Shitou works under Marquis.
Of course, he listens to his command.
Marquis, Marquis, always just Marquis.
Don't even know to lessen my worries. I won't eat his fried cherries next time.
[ Kunning Palace Hall ] Those assassins...
...thought that she was me.
They killed her...
...and even cut off her head to take credit for the merit.
Hence, I was able to escape that disaster.
Hence, I got the chance to sit on this throne.
This throne of mine...
...was obtained in exchange for her life.
Sister-in-law died because of me.
She also died for my little brother.
Now, our Shen family is enjoying wealth and glory.
But she...
...won't be able to enjoy it anymore.
Hence...
Hence, you and His Majesty allowed General Shen
to take in the biological little sister of Sister-in-law Shen as a concubine.
Our Shen family...
...owes the Zou Family one life.
But now, my little brother has a revered status.
If we are to make a marriage alliance with the old aristocratic families,
only his State Uncle status is worthy to be the husband of the only daughter of Duke Ying of the State.
I can now understand your predicament.
Little Zou is a nobility concubine,
the more she is a royal concubine. Miss Zhang suffered grievances.
With the two of them fighting like that in your banquet,
it caused you and Marquis Gu embarrassment.
For my sake, please don't put this matter to heart, okay?
Your Highness, I can't bear such words from you.
We came from a small place like Yuzhou.
Sitting on this throne
feels like sitting on top of a basin of charcoal fire.
There's not one moment of peace.
In the morning court, outside the morning court, inside the palace, outside the palace,
all are counting on us.
The Shen family are mostly people from Yuzhou.
For Madam Zhang to live among them,
her power indeed is too weak and too thin.
Because of accumulating too much grudges, it instead...
Of course, I know that.
I just fear that this good marriage alliance between an old and new court subjects
would instead lead to bitter rivals.
That will destabilize the foundation of this empire.
It will waver the government.
If you will allow me, I'm willing to visit Madam Zhang.
Madam Sheng, you have solved my major problem.
[ Shen Manor ]
Madam, I heard that the wife of the Marquis is still waiting in the front receiving hall.
It should have been an hour already.
She is really patient.
An illegitimate daughter has been neglected a lot. She must have gotten used to it.
Fine. Marquis Gu did come from Yuzhou too.
I'll go over there and give his wife some steps to go down to. (make it less embarrassing)
Isn't she trying to drive the guest away? How could an illustrious family like ours drive our guests away?
Yes.
My Miss can't even peacefully rest at home.
She just have to attend to people like this who's here to laugh at her.
Indeed.
How about this? I'll go talk to her then.
Okay.
Madam, greetings. I received words from the inner courtyard
that Big Madam is still not up from her afternoon nap.
I fear that you might need to sit here for a little more while.
If you have anything else to do, why don't you go do it first?
It must be tiring for your Big Madam to manage the house.
She indeed should rest.
I also have nothing else to do. I really loved this tea of yours.
I'll just enjoy a few cups more.
The kitchen has prepared some snacks to accompany your tea. If it's okay with you,
why don't you have a taste?
I'll try them then.
I come here to greet Sister!
Oh, Madam Sheng, you're here.
How come no one informed me?
Concubine Zou, how many times have I told you that
you should come less often to the courtyard of Big Madam.
I also don't know what I've done wrong
that Big Madam hates me this much.
As a concubine, isn't it just right that I greet Sister?
Bur really great. You're embarrassing me in front of the Marquis' Wife.
Concubine Zou, you came at a bad time. I was just about to leave.
My Sister has so much to do, hence, is exhausted. Just let her rest first.
Why don't you come to my place and sit for a while instead?
I initially just came here in passing. I still have to attend to some matters at home.
Let me walk you out then!
My marquis husband have met the older Madam Zou.
When he mentions it, he would usually have praises about her.
Every time he talks about her dying at such a young age for the sake of the empress,
he would also uncontrollably shed a few tears.
If my older sister is around,
why would my family be enduring humiliation like this?
For the older Madam Zou,
I must become a bit unpleasant and lecture you a few things.
Madam Sheng, you're the wife of Marquis.
You count as one of us already.
Your words are as pleasant as the call of a skylark. How could I dislike it?
Duke Ying of the State is an important subject of the empire.
Madam Zhang is his only daughter. For a legitimate wife like her,
she doesn't even walk around her own courtyard a lot.
If not because my marquis husband personally invited her,
she most likely won't go to our manor.
Didn't she still go?
And in front of everyone, she made the situation unbearable.
Now, all the wives of officials are discussing
how she completely embarrassed you.
As a concubine, not only are you more ostentatious then me,
you even went to an official banquet.
Not only am I completely embarrassed, I might even get filed a complaint in the imperial court.
Marquis Madam, what do you mean by that?
Madam Zhang married into here for the government's sake.
You were taken in as a concubine for the sake of repaying an act of kindness.
Both have deities as backers.
Now, the Zhang Family is willing to keep the peace.
She just chose to hide in her courtyard and not go out. But what about you?
You talk and meddle in the household affairs.
Although one of lowly rank subduing someone higher than her is against proper logic,
as long as everyone is alright, it's also a mark of a harmonious family with good progress.
If the fighting won't stop and eventually led to too much confusion—
Her Zhang Family is a prominent family,
but they are still subjects after all.
General is a State Uncle.
His sister is the main wife of the emperor.
With Empress and Prince Huan supporting me, you think I'll be afraid of her?
Everything in this world must revolve around reason.
In dealing with others, it's better that you don't commit a mistake.
And just because others commit a mistake, don't get dragged into making one too.
Just like giving up on precious gems just to settle with a woven weed sign.
In the end, you'll end up being the one without a mouth to talk about others.
Marquis Madam are you saying that
you're siding with the Zhang family then?
That's right too. The Duke Ying of the State is powerful. Who doesn't fear them?
But I'm also not a lowly concubine
that can just be tormented by others. I have a conferred title.
You're the only concubine with a conferred title
in this empire. What great prestige.
But if you really get into trouble, who'll suffer the brunt of the punishment?
Will it be Madam Zhang?
Of course, it will also not be State Uncle Shen.
You and your husband are really of one heart.
Marquis has just finished convincing General earlier.
Now, you're here to convince me.
My marquis husband was here?
Those who doesn't know would think that you've been eating rice from the Zhang Family.
Marquis is really so considerate.
So, this is where he went.
Big Madam!
Big Madam, please come to our courtyard and have some tea.
Big Madam, please sit down.
My head aches and was too lazy to get up from bed.
I thought that you came here to laugh at me,
hence, I didn't want to see you.
The nanny that serves me said that you can understand me.
What's the use even if you do?
Big Madam, health is more important.
Your Marquis Gu started his career in Yuzhou.
You also know the details in between, right?
I don't know it that well.
But no matter what, all are just material objects.
If your health is bad, no matter how rich you are,
it's still no fun.
No need for you to urge me.
Tell the palace and those outside of it to be at ease.
As long as that Third Miss Zou can steady herself,
I will also not trouble anyone!
No need to flog them each 50 times.
I know how you people outside are thinking.
The Shen Family married me from the Zhang Family, and took in a Zhou woman as a concubine.
Initially not caring about how his past wife shared hardships with him,
but then later cared for others to say that they know to repay an act of kindness.
He wants the left one, but also want to be good with the one on the right.
Of course, he ended up being in a dilemma.
If you find this matter hard,
the one benefiting are generally the men,
and the one suffering are the women.
Look at that plum.
It's so stubborn. I watered and gave it fertilizers
but it just won't blossom. The gardener got annoyed since a year ago,
and stop caring for them.
But in winter, it blossomed on its own.
Living in a natural manner, I might be able to continue living.
Since it's able to blossom, then it can keep blossoming.
Blossom and bear fruit. Luscious leaves and branches.
If it can choose, it surely won't choose to stay inside this room.
If I can choose,
I also don't want to be like an item
and be married off into this family.
By my grandmother side in my maiden house,
there's a close attendant with a surname Fang.
Since I was little, she told me that
whether you're a man or a woman, if you want to live well,
it's only fate, luck, and abilities.
As long as you're able to get two out of three,
your life will surely go smoothly.
Big Madam, you were born in the Ducal House of Ying,
a highly prominent family.
You can be said to have the best kind of reincarnation.
Nanny Fang, on the other hand, didn't get reincarnated to a good family.
She initially was so poor and barely surviving.
From seven years old onward, she was unable to eat a full meal.
She wasn't able to wear a complete clothing.
She can only be sold,
so the house can have some rice and salt.
A hardship like that is unimaginable for people like us.
In the end, she got sold to your house.
Right. Since she started working by my grandmother's side,
she learned to embroider, comb hair, read accounting books, and manage matters.
She learned them one by one, did them one by one.
Slowly walking towards by grandmother's side until she became a top level female attendant.
Afterwards, my grandmother released her slave contract.
She got married and even had two sons.
This nanny of yours has such great luck.
It must be good people gets good karma.
Her life can be said to have ended quite perfectly.
She wasn't reincarnated into a good family, but was able to strive into obtaining a good scene like that.
Big Madam, you're a precious daughter with noble status.
Why must you be dispirited and lock yourself in this room, just watching the clouds move and the flowers wither?
In living our days, only after you've lived it for a long time
can you know if it's bitter or a happy one.
You've already married into here.
Being bitter or being happy will be for a lifetime.
If you will just be in distressed and resent your life daily,
you then would really get trapped in this distress.
Why don't you become like Nanny Fang, and strive to move forward?
Strive to move forward.
Little Sister, you look younger than me by a few years,
but you're more sensible than me. Those words that they say about you outside
are all lies.
You can try to control the sky or the earth, but can never control the mouth of people.
As they say, you can see a person's true heart as days go by.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Old Shen...
How come I can't remarry a lady from the Zou family?!
So what if I'm willing to give this power
and splendor to the Zou family?!
Old Shen, wake up!
You think you're still in Yuzhou?
You think you're still that normal soldier, with only a few money in your pocket, and just a hundred men under you?
It's not like that anymore.
You are now the distinguished State Uncle.
The vanguard who saved the emperor and pacified the rebels. Conferred the title Weibei (Mighty Northern) Great General.
This is already the capital city.
It's not Yuzhuo.
It's not anymore Yuzhou.
If that Third Miss Zou
is just like the deceased Sister-in-law Zou,
why do I still need to talk to you?
Why are you still drinking here and smashing items?
It's exactly because she's bossy and domineering,
a concubine riding over the main wife, a servant offending her superior,
hence, your harem is a complete mess and your home is in conflict.
If you still don't wake up, this matter will surely incite future trouble.
Stop following my footsteps.
Stop jumping into that pit.
I'm willing to fall into the pit of the Zou Family.
I'm willing to die in that pit.
Zhonghuai, I don't want to come to Bianjing.
I have nothing. I have nothing anymore!
You and deceased Sister-in-law Zou were so much in love.
You're better than me.
Your wife is way outstanding than her.
I clearly understand that she's trying to patch the relationship between me and Miss Zhang. Thank her for me.
Miss Zhang is a very straightforward person. She doesn't like to put people in a difficult spot.
It's just that...
That main wife of yours is so smart and unclouded.
You must treat her well.
Don't be like me.
I can't turn back anymore.
My wife can understand everything thoroughly,
except when it comes to love,
she's like a three-year old child.
I'm also just deceiving myself.
How can we solve our problem? Only through Du Kang. (legendary inventor of wine)
Come.
You've smashed the cups already.
What will you use to drink the wine?
Come.
Even for the matters of the Shen Family,
they sought the help of the Gu husband and wife?
Marquis Madam almost didn't get in
the doors of Madam Zhang. She was already being walked out of the manor,
but then got called back again to have some tea.
- How long was the tea? - It wasn't that long.
But after Marquis Madam Gu left, Madam Zhang immediately called people
to bring all her polo outfits out.
In sending out the palace maids last time, I've already seen the skill of that Marquis Madam Gu.
Looks like, the two of them are the emperor's helpers.
Prince Huan was really right in making this friend. Buy one, take one. So worth it.
Don't be afraid.
Horses are the most docile animal.
Let's go.
You can't call him like that.
Quickly look. This horse kept deliberately making me fall.
Can you see it or not?
Shitou!
Madam, catch the club!
Sheng Sixth, you're a rascal!
- It's just a game. Don't be mad. - You're still laughing?
The competition hasn't started and the price hasn't been set yet.
You couple are teaming to bully my wife.
You think there's no more person in my house?
While in Yuzhou, you already couldn't beat me in polo.
Whether there is a price or not, I will be the victor.
What's the use of officially starting the game or not?
Gu Second, you're so arrogant.
You think I still can't beat you after so many years have passed?
If you can beat me, I'll give you that spear of mine.
You can bear to?
You really think you can beat me?
- Where's the spear? - Shitou!
Hang that price over there. Let me battle you today
and steal that spear of yours away!
Not only the Marquis Gu. Marquis Madam Gu too.
You two are battling together?
I've won over him twice. You dare to fight me?
You were able to defeat Zhonghuai?
When she was seven, she already beat me in touhu.
During a polo match, she won over me once more.
If you don't believe it, you can go ask these ladies, I'm sure they still remember.
I still remember. The price that time was a golden hairpin.
Wife, are you interested to fight with me?
Since I'm already here, why won't I battle?
Okay!
I must get that precious red spear of yours today!
Start of a new game! The price for this round
is a Black Gold Tiger Head Long Spear!
Release the ball!
Good! Good! General Shen!
General Shen! You were great!
Good! Good!
General, this is a good spear.
I didn't know that you can play such good polo.
You don't know a lot about me yet.
Looks like today, the cooking of the breakfast chef today is really not bad.
Marquis Husband is still eating until now and hasn't left for the court yet.
A few days ago, Madam Zhang came to visit me.
She said that State Uncle is now frequently talking to her about military strategy books.
The two are really getting along very well.
It looks like the Shen Manor will be more peaceful now.
It's good if it will be.
Did Fengxian provide you with any trouble?
I've already told her not to move around too much.
She surely will not disturb you.
You decide.
Marquis.
I've mended the damaged part.
No need.
You're not going to the morning court again?
Big Madam, Marquis kept saying strange words
these past 2 months. I really can't understand it anymore.
Why don't we go ask Old Madam?
I just answered back to my father at our house a few months ago.
If I go nag about this to Grandmother now, won't that only make her mad.
What do we do then?
But Marquis is also not really going anywhere else.
He doesn't enter even the courtyard of Concubine Qian.
Anyway, Marquis is still by my side.
Let's just make do and let it pass.
But Miss, Marquis used to be a straightforward person who likes to laugh or get mad.
Now, he has been cold for too long.
Aren't you worried?
I feel that...this house is so empty.
That's right. When Marquis comes home,
he doesn't joke with us or bring us good food anymore.
It's not as lively as before here inside the room.
That's right. It's not lively anymore.
Madam, Madam Zhang is here.
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?♫