Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 63
I'm an official's wife. Let's see who among you would dare to touch me?
These two senior maidservants are both from the manor of the rebel prince.
They've seen a lot of people with your status. Why would they not dare to touch you?
Why would they not dare to touch you?
- You bitch! You— - Move!
My husband and maternal family are both... Let go of me!
I'm an official's wife! I'm an official's wife! Let go of me!
Has father returned?
He came back once and was so mad.
Then, he went to his study.
In a little while more, I'll ask the guards blocking all our exits to leave.
Why?
I've already captured the people that should be captured.
Only a few more are left, but that's fine.
If our house keep shutting its doors,
no one coming in or out, having a situation that's very different from before,
our neighbors would suspect something.
Father is still bothered by reputation the most.
You decide.
Main Mother, if our gates open,
the news of grandmother getting sick
and that Maternal Aunt Kang is inside our manor will all get out.
If Maternal Aunt Kang didn't get pointed out,
and the House of Wang comes to ask for her, this matter might in the end
just end up on you alone.
In just a few more while, I'll be able to find out the truth.
You also can be partly cleared from your involvement.
I...understand. I understand.
If the House of Kang comes to ask, we'll say...
...we'll say that the manor got robbed. That it was a collusion between the outside and inside.
Not only did we lose valuable items, it even traumatized Old Madam to sickness.
Hence, we asked eldest sister to come help us investigate and look for the missing items.
This might take up 1 to 2 days of eldest sister's time, but...
But, who's the internal spy? We must give an explanation about that.
Of course, it's Caihuai.
Not only did she steal valuable things, she even sowed discord to wreak havoc inside the household. She then would be punished for everything.
Minglan!
That bitch Caihuai indeed should be beaten and killed.
But she came to my side since she was a child,
and has attended to me for almost 2 decades.
She has already been caned.
Why not just spare her life and expel her out?
Main Mother, what do you intend to do?
Caihuai followed me for decades.
I saw her and Nanny Liu
more than I've seen your father.
She just wanted curry favor, wanted me to dote on her more. She doesn't know anything.
If you really want to punish her, just let her do hard labor.
Main Madam, you've raised my older brother and sisters very well.
I don't believe that they grew up so well out of nowhere.
It must be because you meticulously taught them.
When I was little, I once asked grandmother
why she would choose you as a daughter-in-law when you have this kind of personality.
She said that even though you have so many faults,
you have one good trait of being soft hearted.
Even if you're given a knife, you will never think about killing anyone.
But it's also exactly because of this, that's why, you're easily manipulated.
With an evil person like your eldest sister by your side,
grandmother has always been worried.
If in the future, you can understand everything,
if you can stay away from that sinister woman,
grandmother will still be at ease to hand you the right to manage the house.
She'll also let you show off your mother-in-law status.
The whole family living a comfortable life.
Move! Move! Hurry up! Move!
Behave!
Hurry.
- Sit! - Let's go!
All of you better behave.
Nanny Qi, my Big Madam isn't good in dealing with these and has already fainted.
It's all thanks to your Big Madam for keeping everything in order. She asked me to come here to relay a message of asking a few more of her trusted aides to go there.
She specifically asked for Stewards Qi.
My sons?
Why didn't my Big Madam ask the people who went with her to call me?
Nanny Qi, it's already a big mess in our house.
Those few capable ones are so busy right now. How can they come here?
I especially came here after settling my Big Madam down.
There's not much time. Quickly call some more trusted aides and let's go!
Once our Old Madam's funeral is over, our House of Sheng
will surely come over and thank everyone.
Look at how many work still must be done here in our own courtyard.
These few maidservants are also capable. Why don't you just take them with you?
Your Big Madam said that she only wants the two Steward Qi.
No need for anyone else.
Must it really be my sons?
Fine. Go.
Go and call the two Steward Qi over here.
They even said that this Sheng Family is an illustrious scholarly family, but a woman
must crowd with us two men in one carriage.
Isn't that right? And she kept watching us.
So unruly.
Quickly! They've been waiting for you.
- Let go of me! What are you doing?! - Let go of me!
Nanny Qi is old after all. Her energy isn't that good anymore.
She surely can't handle the matters outside of your house better than her sons.
Hence, our head here said that rather than arresting her,
it's better to capture you two. Take them away!
Let go of me!
We are from the House of Kang.
Even if your Sheng Family has any conflict with our Big Madam,
you mustn't vent your anger at us!
You can only speak when you're spoken to.
My grandmother is sick.
She was poisoned by your Big Madam.
I asked you all to come to talk about this.
My Bodhisattva, you must have gotten it wrong.
For such a grave matter, how could our Big Madam—
Is there anyone disciplining you people in your manor?
How come you can't understand human language? I already said that you can only speak when we allow you to.
The Sheng Family will be confronting your Big Madam soon.
Hence, I must trouble all of you.
Anyone related to this matter,
whether it's just a needle or a thread,
may you all please say it.
I will heavily reward you.
You're now being asked to speak. Have you all become mute?!
I came with Big Madam from the House of Wang as part of her dowry.
I owed the House of Wang great kindness. I won't be able to repay them even if I sacrifice my life.
If you want to use silver
to make me slander Big Madam, no way!
Look. Loyal servants.
We still don't know if your loyalty is worthy or not.
Even a bandit who has killed so many people
would have one or two loyal servants in his house. Take her in!
This is the internal spy who was colluding with your Big Madam.
I now have complete material evidence and witness.
I just want you people to say some righteous words,
but none dared to.
Let me be honest with you all.
Don't your Big Madam even think of going back anymore.
What do you plan to do with Big Madam?
You still have the time to think about her? You better think about yourselves first.
Think about if you can still go back in one piece.
Madam, Nanny Liu has already brought the people that you asked for.
Come in.
Despicable!
Despicable! You lowly people!
Shut up, you bastard!
- Sheng Family, you are murderers! - Shut up!
You can only talk when asked to.
Do you know them?
Eldest Steward Qi, Second Steward Qi.
They are trusted aides of your Big Madam.
Even if you all are strong and won't talk,
the two of them just do external household duties.
They surely can't be as tight-lipped, right?
Sir Second Tu, have to trouble you then.
Separate these two. One in each room.
I want to see who doesn't want to go back in one piece.
Yes.
Is one day enough?
For people like them, taking half a day is already tainting my reputation.
That one is a loyal and unyielding servant.
I'm thinking that since she's loyal and tight-lipped,
she surely knows a lot too.
Have to trouble Sir Second Tu to personally take care of her then.
Yes.
Let go of me!
- You've heard the conversations on the other room, right? - Let go of me! Let go of me!
You little bitch, I've belittled you!
Never knew that your Sheng Family would come up with a person like you!
You counted the time. If no one noticed it,
my grandmother would have died in pain from her illness.
If there is anyone who noticed, my main mother will be the first suspect.
If you get dragged into this, there are still a long line of excuses that can be used.
It will take at least 3 to 5 days before we really get to your Kang Manor.
You ruthless and heartless thing.
You will get your retribution sooner or later!
You think that by capturing a few lowly servants,
you're already great? No one would believe people who confesses after being tortured. You want me to confess?!
Dream on!
If you are that capable, torture me then. Let's see how you're going to explain this to the Kang and Wang families.
Who wants you to confess?
What's the point of you confessing or not?
What do you mean then?
Whether you did it or not, we both know it very well.
I only hate myself for considering too many things.
I considered the affection I got from the Sheng Family.
If I could really go for broke, I so want to slice you and bore holes in you,
hang you upside down by the underbeam, and let you slowly die from hemorrhaging.
And then put inside a sack, throw into a mass burial site, and let the dogs finish you off.
You want to kill me? You...
You want to kill me to clear your legitimate mother from this crime?
I don't intend to exonerate her.
Really good.
You silly little sister!
She thinks that after ratting me out, she'll be fine.
Never thought that she raised a wolf!
Do it.
What are you doing? What are you doing?! Let go of me!
- Move. - Let go of me! What are you trying to do?!
Servant! There's fire!
Servant! There's a fire!
Let go of me! Let go of me!
Sheng Minglan, you little bitch!
Stuff her mouth.
Don't wait for me to get out! I'll kill you!
Let go of me!
Thank you, nannies. The methods of the prince manor is really outstanding.
To avoid a person from hurting herself, this is the best way.
This initially was a trick from the palace.
It's especially used to deal with those insensible imperial harem.
Feed her some soup every 2 to 4 hours. No need for any other food.
Just let her pee or defecate all she wants.
Madam, don't worry. We'll surely act very cautiously.
Sheng Minglan!
Deliver that to the southern gate.
- Okay. - Deliver this to the western gate. Come back afterwards.
Okay.
You all leave first.
- How did it go? - The letter has been sent out. - Use those few Huangfeng colts I brought from my maiden house.
Yes, those precious horses. Madam, don't worry. Each person gets to ride two alternately. It will surely be fast.
- Okay. I got it. You can go now. - Yes.
May the gods bless us. The house is currently undergoing a huge change. May my husband receive the letter soon and give a decision.
Miss, people from the House of Wang are here.
What about the House of Kang?
Only a Young Master Jin came from the House of Kang, while there are a lot of people from the House of Wang.
Okay. Wake Xiaotao up.
Tell her that the stage has been set.
They are waiting for us to watch the performance.
Let's go.
Father, don't you find it strange?
Maternal Aunt Kang didn't go home all night. The House of Kang isn't anxious, but it's the House of Wang that got so agitated.
In my opinion, it's all because grandmother got poisoned.
But father, you're wise in observations.
You surely can understand the reasons even if I don't talk about it.
Yesterday, you even want to eat me.
Now, you're starting to praise and worship me?
You can really change your face quicker than turning a page.
I think you have qualities that's good for the political arena.
In my dumb opinion, the reason why Maternal Uncle-in-law Kang didn't come
is either because of two things. One is he knows about this matter
and doesn't really care. He's unwilling to defend Maternal Aunt Kang.
Another is he doesn't really know about this matter.
The House of Wang also doesn't want him to know.
Father, am I right?
Since you're not speaking, I'll treat it as getting the right answer.
Once we see the House of Wang later,
you can ask them
why Maternal Uncle-in-law didn't come.
But, I'm guessing that Cousin Jin of mine will only say two kinds of reasons.
Either Maternal Uncle-in-law Kang is sick,
hence, unable to come here; Or,
that there is something that needs to be handled in the Kang Manor and Maternal Uncle-in-law can't extricate himself from it.
But regarding the House of Wang coming here,
I'm thinking that it can only be three kinds of situation.
First, is that the House of Wang doesn't really know about the evil deeds of Maternal Aunt Kang.
They came today just out of concern regarding grandmother's condition. Second,
they know about what happened. They came today
to discuss with you how Maternal Aunt Kang can be spared.
What about the third?
Someone is harboring evil intentions of blaming everything on Main Mother,
blame it all to the Sheng Family.
The people from the House of Wang are all in the receiving hall now.
I've already sent people to drive away all the servants around the area.
If they are not called, even if the house goes on fire, they mustn't come.
If father wants to know the purpose of the Wang Family, just go and look.
I decided on my own
and already filed for a leave of absence from the morning court in your behalf.
The people in the imperial court now is praising you for having such devoted filial piety.
Mother.
Virtuous son-in-law, you're finally here.
Greetings, mother-in-law.
Greetings, Brother-in-law.
Where's your father?
My father is not feeling well today.
Our House of Wang raised such an unfilial daughter.
I really don't have the face to see you.
Mother-in-law, please sit down.
Mother.
I know my mistake now.
Before you marry, what did I teach you?
But you, really great. You did an act like this that's worse than a beast!
You have embarrassed the Wang family.
Mother, I'm absolutely wrong.
I have embarrassed you.
Mother, I beg you.
You can scold or beat me. Please let me stay.
Foolish child.
You...how could you be so muddle headed?
It's easy for me to forgive and tolerate you,
but how are we going to explain it to your husband's family?
My good son-in-law,
she harmed her mother-in-law. It's indeed a major sin.
How do you plan to handle this?
Basing on mother-in-law's words,
this matter is just my wife's mistake?
If not, then?
So to say, Old Madam, you still don't know the truth?
What truth?
Wait.
How come...
...you're here?
How come you're in the main hall listening to the arguments of your elders?
Mother, it really wasn't me.
Yes...yes...
- Yes...I... - Bring her here.
Release me.
Mother.
Mother! Mother!
This...you are here.
I have been harmed badly by them.
Their Sheng Family is bullying people intolerably!
I might as well die.
Pitiful Miss. Since young till now,
you have never suffered like this.
My mother is currently struggling in her death bed.
I haven't cried yet. Why are you crying first?
May I know what mistake my daughter did?
As a maternal sister, how come she was detained
in her brother-in-law's house for no reason at all?
This matter is indeed unheard of.
Madam, this is Nanny Qi.
She's the top maidservant of Madam Wang.
So what?
Looks like,
not only are you capable, even your two sons
were given important tasks by Maternal Aunt.
The elder is speaking. What business is that of yours?
Just casually butting in, a child raised by a concubine like you is so unruly!
I was also raised by a concubine.
If not because my legitimate mother is gracious
and saved me in the brink of death,
I wouldn't even have the fortune of being in-laws with your House of Wang.
A servant from you house dared to interrupt our talk here,
while my daughter can't even talk in her own home?!
What kind of rule is this?
Looks like those useless sons of mine are in your house.
Really good. You tricked them into coming here and then detained them.
If this gets out, it would be so unbelievable that a scholarly house like yours would do such a thing!
Nanny Qi, you're so eloquent.
In just a few words, you've turned everything into being our house's mistake.
I indeed used some extreme methods.
Your Wang and Kang families may hate me today,
but you surely would be thanking me in the future.
Thank you?
Why would we thank you?
Uncle Wang, you probably are still unaware.
Let me tell you then.
About two months ago,
the Second Steward Qi of the Kang Manor, through the guidance of a broker named You Da,
met an old Daoist priest in a remote Daoist temple.
What that old priest is usually best at
is making several kinds of harmful medicines.
They are usually being sent to some unpresentable locations.
These are the signed testimonies
of Second Steward Qi and the broker You Da.
This...is all just my useless son's doing.
Men like him likes to scheme.
Shut up!
Does your Kang Manor not have any rules anymore?!
The Master is talking. Who gives you the right to interrupt?!
Second Steward Qi asked that old priest to make a kind of poison,
which can't be tested by the silver needle
and must induce death in a very rapid manner.
That old priest then mentioned an ancient method.
One can make a very concentrated juice obtained from fifty kilograms
of newly sprouted ginkgo.
If one eats this, he will die in an hour.
Mother, is this true?
Shut up. What do you know?
Oh my God.
It's not finished yet.
Second Steward Qi obtained the formula,
while Eldest Steward Qi paid 200 liang silver as deposit.
That old priest then started to purchase the ingredients.
Because he requires a huge amount, private farmers were unable to supply him.
That old priest then found four remote shops.
He bought all their old stocks.
These were all copied from the delivery books of those four shops
and the testimony of the shop managers. In just 7 to 8 days,
that old Daoist priest bought 60 kilograms of newly sprouted ginkgo.
That old priest worked day and night, and finally able to refine three bottles of poison.
Eldest Steward Qi then gave him 800 liang silver more.
But that old priest
only gave him two bottles of poison and left one bottle for himself.
Lord, this is the bottle.
Ginkgo!
Just to show her filial piety, our house's Big Madam
kept sending grandmother some of her favorite food lately.
But she didn't go that day.
It was instead a male servant from the Kang Manor,
called Jin Liu, who delivered it.
After two hours,
Eldest Steward Qi personally delivered the food
to our Sheng Manor and handed it to Big Madam.
That is the signed testimony of Eldest Steward Qi.
I...
I... I really didn't know this was poison.
I only thought that she will be weak for 1 to 2 days.
I really, really didn't know.
Where is my son?
You are really ruthless and evil.
What are you trying to do?
I'm ruthless and evil?
Yes, I'm ruthless and evil.
Sir Second Tu!
Let's go.
Hurry up.
Son!
Mother! Mother!
What's wrong with you?
Mother, save me.
- Why are you beaten till this state? - I really can't endure it anymore!
I can't endure it anymore!
- I don't know if older brother is dead or alive. - My god!
- Get up. - Mother, save me!
Son.
- Mother, save me! - Don't!
- Save me! - Son!
You... What really do you want?!
You've read the testimonies and the people are all here.
If you still have any questions, you can personally ask these people.
Older brother! Older brother! You must save me!
Older brother...
It was all third little sister who forced me to do all these!
It was all her!
Older brother...
When did I force you?
If not because you told me
that your mother-in-law is oppressing you to the point that you can't breathe,
that it will be great if she's dead,
will I do all these for you?!
Indeed! I have always been with Big Madam. I heard them all.
It's because she pitied her little sister, hence, she risked danger—
You all are slandering me!
You...! You...!
What? You all want to blame all of these
to our house, is that it?
Really so sorry, brother-in-law.
The ones involved here should have just been the Kang and Sheng families.
I understand your anger.
But, don't vent it on our Wang Family.
Our Wang Family has treated you very well.
Those words are very right.
Before, my official status was just measly, and I'm an illegitimate child.
I also got sent outside of the capital, to a remote and desolated place.
It's all thanks to father-in-law and mother-in-law for not disliking me for that.
They still treated me fairly and even married off their legitimate daughter to me.
I've always felt grateful about it.
But today...
Virtuous son-in-law, good child,
I never cared about you being a legitimate or illegitimate child.
I just liked you for having a gentle and benevolent
personality.
Father,
if you want to truly thank the Wang Family, then we must clearly resolve this matter.
Save the House of Wang from troubles.
What do you mean?
Just to clear your legitimate mother from this, what nonsense can you not come up with?
Shut up!
Maternal Aunt has been in the capital for many years and kept instigating gossips about our family.
It's fine if it's only 300 to 500 taels.
Since the House of Wang was rumored to be moving back to the capital,
those two Steward Qi
started contacting people who can create poisons.
Old Madam, when you and auntie-in-law returned to the capital,
that day when my whole family went to visit you,
Steward Qi paid that Daoist priest the deposit.
During the first family banquet of Maternal Uncle back in the capital,
Maternal Aunt started to incite our Big Madam
to buy food from Jufang Store.
You...are determined to use the House of Wang to clear you from your crimes.
Are you planning to drag all hundred of people from our clan to pay for your crime?!
Very good.
Your House of Wang is a prestigious aristocratic family.
Our House of Sheng is a nameless poor family.
My mother has been plotted against, and I still have to fear your family,
that I wouldn't dare to publicize or investigate this matter anymore.
Brother-in-law, what fear?
We are one family. We are just considering each other's dignity,
afraid of ruining this amicable relationship.
Everyone saw it earlier.
People from our manor were bloodily tormented so horribly.
They surely just made them confess out of torture!
That's right, older brother.
Their Sheng Family just want to completely clear little sister out of this.
Completely clear their family out of this.
Hence, they kept falsely accusing me.
You all saw it earlier!
They've captured my trusted aides.
They all got heavily tortured. Who weren't covered with blood?
How could they not get any confession?
I've guessed Maternal Aunt will say such a thing.
But, you are also right.
What if those lowly servants
were just falsely accusing you to get out of their crimes?
Sixth Miss, are you a bit dizzy for being too angry?
What do you mean?!
Those lowly servants were indeed falsely accusing me.
The critical point in this problem
is still in the fact that
one brush can't write two 'Wang'.
Was it really my house's Big Madam who harmed my grandmother,
or was it the Kang's Big Madam.
How come...
Is Sixth Miss the one in-charge of this house now?
It's not important who's the one in-charge of this house.
What's important is to clarify this matter.
That's what going to give us a good omen.
Nothing knows one's daughter more than the mother.
May Old Madam make the decision.
My grandmother is still in critical condition.
This matter should be explained, right?
Father, what do you say?
Trying to kill an elderly relative is a crime unacceptable to heavenly principles.
Coming to our Sheng Manor and doing such sinister act on my mother,
that's bullying others intolerably! We must clarify this matter no matter what.
Mother-in-law, you must make a judgment.
Mother! Mother!
Save me!
How many sufferings have I gone through these past years? You know it very well.
No one can understand the pain I have in my heart.
Mother, mother, you must save me!
Save me, mother!
Mother! Mother!
It was older sister who said that
this medicine will only make a person sick.
I didn't know that it was a lethal poison.
If I knew, even I have the guts,
I will never come up with an idea to harm others like that!
- Mother! - Get lost!
Mother... Mother, nothing bad will happen to her.
Her son is outstanding. Her daughter married into a family with high status.
The Sheng Family will not make things difficult for her.
Mother, but I can't.
I can't. I really can't.
That Kang husband of mine has no conscience.
He has long disdained me. Our house is full of vixens.
He so want me to die.
If I committed a mistake,
I surely will get divorced. Mother!
Mother!
Mother, what about my children?! Mother!
This marriage was decided upon by you and father.
You can't ignore me and just let others determine my fate. Mother!
Maternal Grandmother, save my mother!
It was clearly you!
You're the one who poisoned her! You're so shameless!
Mother, you must save me...
Mother!
You were raised in a doting manner.
Your older brother and sister-in-law,
your little sister and her husband, and our other relatives,
if they would not go with your way by just a bit,
you would then bear grudges.
Just because your father and I favored you so much,
you became extremely audacious
to have committed a beastly act like this that's not
tolerable by heavenly principles!
I...
I can't defend you anymore.
Mother...
Are you abandoning me?
Are you abandoning me?!
It was you and father who decided on this marriage.
These past years, I've lived like hell!
Now, you are just flinging your arms and not caring?
How can there be a heartless parent in this world?
You can't do this! If father is alive—
Don't mention your father!
He has served as an official for decades and died in the line of duty.
Just a thousand people umbrella, he has received 7 to 8 of them. ( an umbrella gifted by the public to an official they deemed as having served in an upright manner)
Look at you. In everything that you did,
can you really face the soul of your father in heaven?!
This time, I can't cover for you anymore.
Or else,
how could I be able to face the good affection of my in-law?
I thank mother-in-law for giving us justice.
So, it's because of the in-law.
Yes.
I didn't marry to a family as good as little sister.
Her son and son-in-laws are all successful people.
Your son-in-law is also having a splendid career.
I've now sunken into a lowly state.
My husband is also incapable.
I can't blame you for looking down on me.
Now, even my own blood relatives are stepping on me.
It's better that I just die!
- Mother! - Let me die!
- Miss! - Don't stop me! Let me die!
My Big Madam is just out of her mind
for a moment. Why not just let me,
just let me take her back home to rest for a while, before bringing her back here?
- I'm not going. - Big Madam, let's go back first
Nanny Qi, you can't go! Nanny Qi!
- We are each serving different masters! - Mother!
Your Big Madam framed my Big Madam!
You just want to leave like this?! You're not allowed to leave!
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?♫