Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 66
If Concubine Lin is still alive,
Fourth Miss will surely be able to return to her maiden house in a splendid manner.
How can it be like this now?
It's already noon, but no one is coming out to welcome her.
For an illegitimate daughter like her,
not working on the stove to serve tea or water is already great graces from her Main Mother.
What? You still want to open the middle gates and set up a long altar with incenses?
You don't know that when Concubine Lin was still alive,
the whole house listens to her.
That little sister of yours can only hide inside Weiruoxuan to account the books.
That little sister of mine is an idiot.
A concubine was able to pinch her like an ant.
She actually was able to control her for so many years.
If that Concubine Lin of yours end up in my hands,
she would have died a thousand times. You think you will have the chance to still say anything about here?
You are also someone's prisoner now, and can only eat sugar to swallow your food.
You are worse than a commode disposing person like me.
In a few days, you'll even get sent to the palace prison. What are you being arrogant about?
Even if I'm eating sugar just to swallow in these food, I'm still an official's wife.
My status in my clan genealogy is still an official's wife. Who do you think you are?
Let me tell you that their Sheng Family doesn't have the guts to send me to the palace prison. Let's just wait and see.
The clearance notice from the palace prison has arrived. Go look at it too.
If your Fourth Miss Molan
is really living a splendid life as you claim, she should be showering you a bit.
Isn't she still a miss that grew under you?
Is she now enjoying the good life as a Big Madam in the count manor by herself?
Let me do it.
Father, I heard from the servants that there was a robbery which was an inside job.
May I ask who the internal spy is? How did the collusion happen?
Just some miscellaneous matters. It's been taken care of. No need to worry.
I also heard that the people of Sixth Miss interrogated and tortured people in our house.
This...I fear isn't something that scholarly families like us should do.
I am very worried.
I fear that with Sixth Little Sister
going against the usual, your reputation might be tarnished.
Although interrogating with torture is indeed not an amicable act, just to catch the criminal
and to make Old Madam, your grandmother, be at ease,
I can't really care about that much anymore.
Father, it's just catching a house thief.
Why must the guards of the marquis manor still get dispatched here?
Our family already has a lot of servants.
This act of Sixth Little Sister is really frightful to the ear.
Moreover, Maternal Aunt Kang
just...
What do you want to ask?
What do you really want to know?
I only wanted to come back to my maiden house and visit everyone.
Never thought that everyone is treating me like an outsider.
There clearly is a hidden story in this matter.
If outsider can't know it, can't I, as your daughter, know it?
Now, everyone in the family knows, except me.
When I asked, not one wants to answer me.
What? Is my surname not Sheng anymore?
I'm not your flesh and blood anymore?
Why must everyone guard against me and hide things from me?
Of course, you're still my flesh and blood.
I know that my marriage before angered you a lot.
But no matter what, that Liang Family is a count family.
If this gets out, you still earn some honor.
Second, we are connected by blood.
Now that something happened in our house,
I have been worried all day long, unable to eat or drink.
My siblings can all know,
but how come I can't?
Am I that unbearable?
Look at what you're saying.
Describing yourself like that.
- Inside this matter - The more people knowing about this,
the more danger there will be.
Even if Hualan and Rulan know,
just for mother's reputation...
Sixth Mother will never say a word for grandmother's sake.
Changfeng and his wife got deceived by us.
No need to worry. But for outsiders, it's hard to say anymore.
Father, the two of us are now imperial court officials.
We must always be careful in everything that we do.
There isn't any hidden story in this matter. You're just overthinking.
You're already married off.
Just worry more about the family of your husband.
Everything is fine in my husband's house.
Moreover, I'm still a member of the Sheng Family.
It's just right for me to care about you.
These past days, I haven't seen Big Madam—
Your in-law's family is doing well?
I have two sons and four daughters.
Each one now have bloomed and bear fruit.
Whether it's your older brother and his wife, or those other brother-in-laws of yours,
can be said to have a harmonious marital relationship, except you.
Every two to three days, there would be trouble in your house.
Since you got married, you still haven't bore any children. Your husband's harem is such a chaos.
Even a man like me know about it.
You instead say that you're living well in your in-law's house?
No...
Father, why are you suddenly talking about my situation?
You can talk about others, but I can't talk about you?
You and your siblings are all my blood.
Why don't you compete with your siblings for other skills?
Always asking around for gossips. What kind of right etiquette is that?
Your own family is already so messed up.
You still have the time to care about your maiden family?
Running after less important things, clueless of what's important.
Father, you know that I'm not that kind of person.
When you and your Little Mother did such a shameless thing, I didn't go after you.
You instead came here to inquire about my matter?
Quickly go out. You're tainting my calligraphy.
Fourth Miss! Fourth Miss!
Fourth Miss, I'm Nanny Xue.
How come you've become like that?
Miss, it's good to see you.
I beg you to tell Master to let me follow you to the count manor.
Miss, I really can't endure my life here anymore.
Why are you following me?
Miss, your count manor surely has a lot of hidden shoals and dangerous reefs.
I saw you grow up. I really am worried to leave you battling alone there.
Miss, let me go with you.
You can treat me as a stepping stone. I don't mind.
No need. Everyone there listens to me.
Miss, if you are disgusted with me now,
I also won't force you.
But just to let you marry into a good family, my leg got broken.
I ask you to give mes some silver as my protection.
Nanny Zhou, when you followed my Little Mother before,
I'm sure you got a lot of money from her.
I'm sure that they are enough to buy you mountains or lands.
Why cry as being poor here?
I...
I indeed has some money back then.
But just to let you marry into the Liang Family, how much have I spent?
After the matter was exposed, I got caned 20 times and my leg was crippled.
From a steward, I was demoted to a stove attendant.
My little savings were also confiscated and drained dry.
Since you are this inconsiderate of old affection,
unwilling to give even a little money just to help me survive,
don't blame me for tattling some rumors.
If you dare say one word out,
be careful of losing that other leg of yours.
Leave!
A few days ago, a huge matter happened here in the Sheng Manor.
You surely don't know what it was, right?
Miss, why don't you spare me some change?
I'll take you to meet a person, who's being closely kept in here.
By then, just don't shout from being shocked.
Why are you here?
You...are actually here?
Why did you come here?
No wonder! They all said that you went to the farmstead to recuperate.
No wonder, all the people around you disappeared.
Wang Ruofu also disappeared.
You two have committed a grave crime?
Laugh! Just laugh hard!
If you are that capable, make that louder so everyone can hear you!
The Fourth Miss of the Sheng Family,
the Sixth Madam of a count manor,
disguising as a manure disposing personnel to come to this room.
You've watched enough of my embarrassment. If you still don't go out,
I'm shouting already!
Maternal Aunt, my good maternal aunt,
even if you speak and everyone knows, so what?
Why don't you tell me the details instead?
What really has happened?
Where's Wang Ruofu?
Why did she place you here, and where did she go?
That bitch Wang Ruofu...
Just for self-preservation, will she still care about me?
Maternal aunt, why don't you tell me more?
The more things that you tell me, the more I might be able to give you some convenience.
Tell you? I'm a main wife. What are you?
I find it dirty to even talk a bit more to a lowly being like you. Quickly leave.
Yes, I'm an illegitimate daughter.
But I'm also the main wife of a legitimate son of a count.
You are now a prisoner. Do you still have any useful person by your side now?
Maternal Aunt, you hate that bitch Wang Ruofu, so do I.
Aren't we people on the same boat, ants on the same rope?
You even said that there's a huge matter that you would tell me. You fooled me to come here and asked me to disguise as such.
Yet, you don't really know anything. This trip was just in vain.
Say, Big Madam, you won't be able to go out anyway.
Why don't you just tell it to our Miss? Treat it as venting your anger.
I indeed can't go out anymore.
But on what basis must I tell it to your Miss?
You think I'm some storyteller in the covered market?
It's not that hard if you want to go out.
It's just a matter of spending some silver.
It will now depend if the information you're going to tell me
is worthy of those money or not.
Money? What time is it already? You still are telling me if it's worthy of money or not?
I fear that if I say it, you might be unable to pay the price.
You mean is...
There's a snack rubbed with concentrated juice of ginkgo sprout.
Hence, that devout old woman of Shou'an Hall ate it and got sick?
And then?
You still want to know more?
You then have to wait once I feel more comfortable,
when my surrounding is cleaner, when I'm able to get out in the open before I will say it.
Are you saying it or not? If not, this dirty water will be where your feet will be soaked.
It's good if my legs become crippled.
You think I'll be afraid of your dirty water?
Okay. I'll make you openly say it then.
Let's go.
I'm going to get out soon.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
Fire! Fire!
- Don't fan it! Don't fan it! - Fire! Fire!
Fire!
Fire! Fire!
Fire!
Help!
Help! Hurry!
Help! Fire! Fire!
Fire! Fire! Hurry!
Fire! Fire! Hurry! Right! There's a fire!
- Where? Where's the fire? - The kitchen is on fire!
Go get the items. I'll go call people..
Fire! Fire!
- Fire! Hurry! - What's going on?
Fire!
Fire! Fire!
Help! We need help here!
- Fire! - Where's the fire?
- Quickly send help! The kitchen is on fire! - The kitchen?!
The kitchen! Fire! Fire!
Fire! Fire!
Quickly help!
Fire! Fire!
Help!
Here. Here.
Hurry up!
Fire! Fire!
Quickly, some help here!
Put out the fire!
Where are the items?
Take this for your spending.
Where's the thing that you promised to tell me?
So, she has escaped?
Yes. But she must have connived with someone inside.
Because of the fire, everyone wasn't in their post. It's hard to investigate.
That evil woman won't leave the capital.
You must meticulously investigate, especially the members of the House of Wang.
You must send people to monitor each one of them.
She probably won't go back to the Kang Manor.
But she has a son who's a bit filial. Send someone to follow him too.
Yes. I'll go handle it now.
I was too negligent.
I should have sent Sir Second Tu to guard her in our house.
I shouldn't have let people there to guard her.
Even if you want to let Sir Second Tu be involved,
the Sheng Family won't agree to it.
This is troublesome then.
The official document has been released.
If the day has come and she's still not found, it will be hard to explain things to the palace prison.
The matter about the palace prison is actually easy to deal with.
But releasing an evil woman like that outside
is like releasing a poisonous snake into the underbrush.
There's only a forever thief, no forever guarding against a thief.
I fear that our future days won't be a comfortable one.
Let's just be careful in our every step.
Maybe, in a few days, Sir Second Tu will be able to capture her.
[ Liang Manor ]
Big Madam.
- Have you sent the items out? - I did.
Did she go to Big Madam Qin's house?
I personally saw her enter the Gu Manor.
At the start, no one recognized her, hence, didn't mind her.
She then took some gold from the bag we gave her and stuffed them with it.
Guess what?
A person immediately informed the people inside.
In half an hour, someone came out to especially welcome her and even
brought a fan to cover her face.
Did she tell you everything?
She did.
Let me guess.
Someone must have poisoned that devout old woman in Shou'an Hall.
However, she didn't die from it and this evil scheme instead got found out by Minglan.
It must be that Kang woman's doing,
hence, she got locked up.
Did she tell you that it was Wang Ruofu who did it?
Big Madam, it's as if you personally heard it.
She indeed said it that way.
She even claimed that it was Big Madam Wang of our manor that poisoned the Old Madam
and then framed her. That's why, she suffered this unexpected misfortune.
That Wang Ruofu from our house
may look good on the outside, but is actually useless inside.
If she dares to do these unremittingly evil things,
my mother and I would have died long ago. Will things even progressed to this state?
That Kang woman...
She did it, yet she had to frame it on someone else.
She thinks I'm stupid?
Big Madam, since you've guessed it correctly from the start,
why then must you waste so much money to get her out?
I did that not for her, but for me.
I just want her to feel that she has my weakness in her hands,
that she was able to control me.
But if that woman is that useful,
why didn't we just take her into our own hands
and had to send her to that stepmother of Marquis Gu?
Isn't that freely giving her a weapon?
You are really an idiot.
You think that a person like that will peacefully be a guest strategist in your manor?
That woman is harboring grudges and evil intentions. She surely will incite a bloody storm.
Regardless, she surely will attack Sheng Minglan.
Why must I leave a weapon in my hands and let others see it?
Of course, we should be handing this knife to a more powerful fighter,
so its use can be maximized.
Husband is back. Leave.
Yes.
[ Liang Manor ]
Master.
People from House of Wang is here.
Why did they come?
I haven't went to look for them, and they instead came to see me?
Go tell them to all leave!
Yes.
Wait!
How come it got burned down like this?
What's the condition of my little sister? Where did you transfer her?
Brother-in-law,
I've always admired you.
I really didn't expect
that the Wang Family now will act in this manner.
No, you...
If your family wants to save her, why didn't you just discuss it with us?
Must you use such a despicable method
- and burn my house? - This...
Good thing, my ancestors blessed us. Even though there were some people injured,
no one died. Or else, this would have been some life debt.
Brother-in-law, you've learned so many Confucian principles.
Did you just place them all inside your house of misdeeds?
Are you dizzy from the extreme heat?
I heard that your house was on fire.
I was ordered by my mother to come here and offer comforting words.
I'm here to visit my little sister.
You're here to look for your little sister?
Look at how it got burned down.
Isn't she now alive and well, staying in your Wang Manor?
You even came here to look for her? So funny.
You're saying that our Wang Family came here to start this fire
just to save a person?
Wait. Wait.
What you mean is my little sister isn't inside your manor anymore?
You are so muddled.
If it was really my Wang Family who set this fire to save her,
why would I come here today to make a fuss about this?
At this time, I should be at home thinking about how to settle my sister down.
Do you believe him?
Second encountered another assassination attempt in the south.
The ceramic jar shatters while not yet far from the well.
It can't be helped for a general
to die in the front line.
Big Madam Wang is here.
Big Madam Wang, I heard that
the House of Wang has already visited the Sheng Manor.
Should I also send people to inform Old Madam Wang
that you're here?
Good sister, do you dislike me
and don't want me to stay here anymore?
Little Sister, look at what you're saying.
I so want for you to stay here forever.
This way, I won't be lonely anymore.
Okay. With those words, I'm at ease.
No need for to worry about my family matters.
Once I've handled everything well,
I then can go home in an open and grand manner, not inviting any dislike.
I surely will listen to you when it comes to your family matters.
You should just tell me again
how a fire broke out in the Sheng Manor
and how you were able to escape.
You really have not left your house and traveled far all your life.
You're so interested in listening to trifle things like that.
Urgent news from 400 miles!
Prince Huan and his company encountered an assassination attempt!
I was especially ordered to report it to the palace!
Hurry! Hurry and open the city gates!
Open the city gates!
Don't panic. Be careful of your child.
Second Brother!
You... Why are you here?
Especially you.
You should be careful at all times now.
Why did you come to the city outskirt to welcome me?
Sixth Little Sister is missing Marquis Gu.
By seeing you earlier, she can ask about the return of Marquis Gu earlier.
We have official matters to finish and are duty-bound.
There surely will be a set return date.
Let's talk at home. Go home.
Let's go home, sit down first,
and talk about this slowly.
Hurry.
While pregnant, you still went in the city outskirt to welcome me.
Did you hear something?
I went to the palace to greet the empress and heard those palace maids talking.
They said that he...
That he got hurt.
Nonsense!
Really?
Of course, I'm saying the truth.
It's just that the salt affairs are too complicated.
Their House of Bai also won't stop in contradicting us.
Zhonghuai...
Leave. Leave.
Zhonghuai is also there for military reasons.
He has to set up and handle military camps and bailiffs.
He still have a lot of things to handle
regarding the local constabulary and salt merchants, hence, he didn't return with me.
It's not for other matters.
Even a difficult task like that,
we were able to do it.
Everything is fine.
Zhonghuai also asked me to bring you a message.
He would be back in a few days.
He said that you should not get involved with
the matter of your Maternal Aunt Kang's escape.
Just guard your manor well and nurse your health.
Just wait for his return before handling anything.
Go.
Older Brother, you still have to go to the morning court tomorrow to report your work.
Then I...won't disturb you anymore.
Is he really not injured?
You don't believe in my words too?
Go back.
I also don't know why but I kept having nightmares lately.
Just go home now.
The adjacent courtyard is now in a big mess.
Nanny Huang couldn't even spare any free time.
I also heard of it.
Should we tell this to Miss Cuiwei?
It's better to not to meddle in such a huge matter.
Don't know if it's true or not.
It most likely is real. If not, why would the adjacent courtyard be in such a mess?
If marquis really died for blocking an arrow to save Prince Huan,
with such a huge manor like us, with so many people,
we will really be floating and withering amidst the storm.
What are you two saying?!
Slow down. Slow down.
What were you two talking about?
- Slow down. - What... When did marquis get assassinated?
Who said that?!
Slow down.
Come over and help!
Say it. Say it.
I...also didn't hear it properly. Maybe, it's just false rumors.
I...didn't say anything.
- I didn't say anything. - Quickly tell it to me!
Tell me what happened to my marquis husband.
- I didn't say anything. - I can take it. Quickly say it. - I didn't say anything.
Are you alright?
Big Madam, she's giving birth.
The woman from that house is giving birth.
She indeed went into preterm labor.
Yes.
I even thought those gossips won't reach her.
Even the heaven is on your side.
That Sheng Minglan will be passing through the preterm labor pass.
Let's go send her off along the way.
Push hard. Push hard. Big Madam, push hard.
Big Madam, drink some water.
Slowly.
The house must be grounded. Don't panic. Don't leak any news.
- Okay. - Push more. Push more.
How is my marquis husband?
Don't worry. I've asked and marquis is fine.
Big Madam, stop thinking about those. Stabilize your breathing.
Push hard! Push hard!
Rest for a while. Sit down. Rest for a while.
Big Madam, endure it. Don't use up all your energy.
Rest for a while.
Rest for a while more.
Big Madam!
It's fine. It's fine. Madam Sheng is currently safely in labor.
Amitabha...
Really never thought that
after slipping and going into preterm labor, she's still able to successfully give birth.
Quickly go and light the prayer lanterns
- we've prepared. - Yes.
She's really fine? You might have heard it wrong.
This is a great joyous news that is blessed by Bodhisattva and by our ancestors.
How could I have heard it wrong? I'm sure of it.
You even are sending out sky lanterns to pray for blessings for them?
No matter how kind you are to curry their favor,
they will still not give you any importance.
Big Madam, we're all women.
We know that giving birth is like taking a trip to the gates of hell.
Isn't releasing sky lanterns and praying for blessings just something that a mother-in-law like me should do?
If a legitimate son comes out, what good days can you have?
Legitimate son?
He then would be the glorious pride of our whole Gu Manor.
It will also make Second happy.
As long as Second is happy,
he then can forgive your sins.
What a joke. The House of Wang is my maiden house, the House of Kang is my husband's house.
All those defended me.
Only that little bitch Sheng Minglan wanted me to die.
If she's dead
and your Second marries another one, I will naturally be alright.
Won't your days also be better?
You're just being too agitated and is getting hysterical.
Okay. Just be your good person!
She really was able to peacefully and smoothly deliver her child?
Yes. I'm unable to get any news from the main room, Jiaxi House.
But looking at how the kitchen and carriage are all calm and in order,
it must be a safe delivery.
But, I've already sent the sky lanterns out.
What are you laughing about?
Setting a fire to create a confusion
was initially an idea of Sheng Fourth Miss.
Now, we've used it on Sixth Miss.
Isn't this some ironic misfortune?
Isn't it quite funny?
This fire tonight
is really so relaxing.
Your Big Madam is really too soft.
Other people are already riding above her and she's still releasing sky lanterns to pray for blessings?
Don't she knows that everyone in this world bullies the kind and fears the evil, afraid of might and never the gracious ones?
What can our Big Madam do?
The other person is in labor. She can't really go there and gossip, right?
I even went to deliver her some fragrance pouch.
- You've went there? - I've been there numerous times.
I know how to go there even in the dark.
Big Madam, push down hard.
It won't come out...
Hold your breath. Push hard.
Exert more effort.
Fire! Fire!
What happened?!
What's going on?!
The courtyard outside is on fire!
- Where did it start? - I don't know.
Nanny, can the Big Madam be moved right now?
She can't! The child is coming out. She's in labor.
How long will it take?
I can't be sure. Who can be sure about that?!
- Do your best to put out the fire! - Yes!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Hurry! Be careful of your safety, everyone!
This...
Big Madam, drink some water.
Madam, get up.
Put on more effort.
What's going on outside?
It's nothing. It's too dark outside.
I told them to add more lanterns.
It's fine, Big Madam.
Come, let's continue.
Hold your breath. Push hard! Push hard!
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?♫