Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
The Story of Ming Lan
Episode 62
- How is she? - Sister-in-law.
Father and I agreed that I would accompany Grandmother at night.
You have two kids, so you should go and rest.
Father-in-law isn't coming?
Mother isn't coming either.
You're with child, so you can't get too tired.
It's true.
Big Madam, be assured.
Shuoan Hall has many hands.
We can't really have Miss watch all night.
We won't wear her out. It's just to put Old Madam to ease.
Yes.
Since that's the case, I won't be too cordial.
If something happens, no matter how late, come get me.
I thank you deeply, Sister-in-law.
We'll trouble you.
Mother Fang.
Miss.
Mother Fang, close all of Shuoan Hall in and out.
Do not let anyone pass through easily or ask for news.
We need to limit access.
Yes.
Sir.
You are most trusted by General Shen.
Last time with the delivery, it was all dependent on you.
That kept Sister Zhang alive.
I imagine you must be skilled as well as kind.
I won't go in circles with you. I only ask you for the truth.
Please tell me. How did my grandmother fall ill?
Old Madam's illness is indeed peculiar.
She had severe stomachache in the afternoon.
Vomit and diarrhea. Her body is in a continuous twitch.
It doesn't look like an illness, is that right?
You're sage. It doesn't look like an illness. It looks like poison.
What did Grandmother eat today?
What did she drink and what was she wearing?
Old Madam only ate breakfast and lunch today.
She didn't eat much and all that was left was poured into the slop bucket.
It's all still there but the smell.
Just the stuff made by our kitchen?
Miss, you know it.
Our Old Madam has been devout for decades and she's never been a food-glutton. Every bite is remembered.
And the kitchen helps are all seasoned for decades and their lives are in our yard.
Then . . .
Was there anything else?
Something unexpected.
Old Madam is elderly now.
She suddenly likes to eat sweet.
Jufang Pagoda has an aging chef.
He makes the best lotus seed cakes in the capital.
But this chef is elderly too.
So he only makes them personally twice in a month.
Old Madam would always have someone go and wait to buy.
Speak. Keep going.
Miss, you know.
Young Master Quan is most obedient to Old Madam, his grandmother.
Old Madam said Master Quan is old enough to know the customs.
So she's having him go and greet Big Madam daily.
Big Madam is very grateful so she sent someone to wait at Jufang Pagoda when it's still dark.
To buy steaming hot cakes for Old Madam as show of devotion.
So . . . this was sent by Big Madam too?
But it's been going on for months and we've never had an issue.
Miss. Here. Look.
I don't think it would be Big Madam.
What's wrong, Sir?
Sir?
What a scary scheme.
Ginkgo sprout.
What?
Ginkgo is edible.
But ginkgo sprout is not edible.
Technically it is not considered poison and it's not detectable by the silver needle.
But if you take the ginkgo sprout,
and squeeze out the juice. Lots of it.
Make a concentrate out of it and it is fatal to human.
Then . . . is there a way to save her?
Thank goodness Old Madam didn't eat too much.
If she had eaten more,
even the Great God can't save.
Now, I'll prescribe medicine to promote vomit.
And I'll use acupuncture to rejuvenate and protect the qi.
Then we can use medicine soup to dissipate the poison after.
It means there's still hope.
Old Madam is elderly.
Her body and bones aren't as strong as a youth.
It's not for sure. Not for sure.
Miss. Please watch your own health.
Old Madam's hope hangs on you.
Don't be too startled, Madam. I will do my utmost.
For safety measure,
I will go see what Old Madam's leftover from morning and noon.
I'll have someone go with you.
My courtesy to you.
Alright.
Xiaotao.
How many doors are in Sheng Manor? Do you know?
I know. Front gate, back gate, side gate by front gate,
side gate on the west side for carriage and horse.
And a small gate in the backyard by the garden and pond.
There are two dog holes in the east garden too.
Take my badge.
Go to our manor and find Sir Second Tu and his group.
Have them come to this yard,
and shut it from inside. Not one person can leave.
Yes.
Those bastards!
Sixth Miss. Sixth Miss.
Sixth Miss, what does this mean? Disallowed in and out.
And beating? His Lordship has to go to royal court session.
Mother Liu from Big Madam's room.
Take this.
I know. But where's Sixth Miss?
Sixth Miss.
Last night, a bunch of scary hooligans came to our yard.
They've put a seize around our hall.
Earlier you said my father has to go to court?
Yes!
Then it means my father rested at Big Madam's.
- Lately the master is always at my big madam's. - I'll come over with you.
You! What the hell is this you're doing?
You had people circle tight our manor to disallow access?
And whoever is slightly unwilling is beaten?
If this gets out,
how can our Sheng House place our footing outside?
My own daughter has the house surrounded. What a bizarre happening!
You still care about your face right now?
I have to go to royal court.
Didn't you say yesterday it's alright to call in for one day of absence?
Father, do not worry. I've already sent someone to bid your absence.
Saying your elderly mother is ill at home and you are too weary-stricken thus staying home to serve her.
Father is always so diligent and you've never been absent.
If this gets out,
people will only say you are so filial and devoted to your mother and such a pure and kind spirit.
For your reputation as an official, it's quite beneficial.
That's actually pretty good too.
But you've got the entire house surrounded. What are you trying to do exactly?
To prevent anyone from leaking in and out news here.
What do you mean leaking news?
Poison.
What?
That . . . what nonsense are you spewing?
You mean Old Madam?
How can that be? This family?
We're all just family so how is that possible?
There's poison in here?
Arsenic?
Not arsenic .
- That's what I said. It's clearly . . .- Clearly what?
Clearly she's ill. She's ill.
The sprout of the white nut is poisonous.
Press the juice of the sprout to an extract and add to the cake.
But Heaven has eyes. This cake is so sweet so Grandmother only ate half of it.
Imperial Physician said if she had consumed all these,
Grandmother would be in Yama Palace now.
Yama Palace (Hell)?
The most amusing part is that yesterday at noon, Big Madam's servants
went to Shuoan Hall to ask for the leftovers.
Saying Big Nephew wanted to eat it .
All thanks to Mother Fang who thought Grandmother ate too little of it.
And she was afraid she might want to eat it again later so she lied and said it was all gone.
Hence we have these saved.
What a good scheme and calculation.
You . . . why are you looking at me like that?
Why are you looking at me like that too?
So many people praised you.
Saying you had someone go before daylight to go and buy cakes for Old Madam.
What are you trying to push off now?
Speak!
It's . . . just a few cakes.
And you want to nail my crime?
Not so easy!
Who knows if it's because Old Madam's close servants harbor some bad intention.
To scheme Old Madam.
You idiot! Shuoan Hall's people have served her for decades.
Why would they poison her?
Who knows if it's because Old Madam might seem sweet but a bitter heart in reality.
And she's secretly very harsh to the servants and they harbor grudge?
Or that imperial physician.
He can't figure out the illness so he's fibbing nonsense.
That's fine then. We live in the capital.
We make our living in the imperial city.
We can hire more imperial physicians to come look.
To see if Grandmother is poisoned or sick.
Can't do. This is an ugly matter.
Yesterday you had that imperial physician come and now that I think about it, that was reckless.
If it gets out, what face will our Sheng House have?
You can't let more people know now.
Father, be assured. This imperial physician has managed all sorts of events.
His lips are tight.
It wasn't my idea to hire other physicians actually.
It was because Big Madam doesn't trust this physician.
You still won't acknowledge your wrong?
She is just elderly.
She craved it and ate sprouted white nut and she's ill.
You just take a few cakes here and accuse me?
You want me to acknowledge it? Over my death!
Sheng Hong, you two father and daughter think my maiden home is all dead?
Big Madam, you needn't seek death here.
If you think my father and I are speaking unfairly,
we can go to public court and have the magistrate judge.
Won't that do then?
You deadbeat daughter! You don't care about reputation but Sheng House still does!
Let me tell you. If you want to pierce this matter out, I will beat you to death.
If you really don't want this matter to get big,
then may you please persuade Big Madam.- You . . .
Or else, my accusation letter is going all the way to the government office.
Or else, Father, you can hide both Grandmother and evidence.
So I have nothing I can accuse of.
You dare? You dare?
Good child, I know you want to vent for your grandmother.
I understand your intention but we are all one blood kin.
Why should we blow this so stiff?
We'll shut the door and discuss slowly, alright?
Once we find the truth, I will not indulge!
All blood kin?
Father. In this manor, everyone's a kin or a family.
Except only Grandmother!
Father. You and I are father and daughter by blood.
My siblings and I are blood relations.
Big Madam and Sister-in-law birthed Sheng blood offsprings.
But Grandmother?
She has no blood relative.
You are not her biological son.
Big Sister and Big Brother and the rest of us. None are her blood.
Big Madam has her maiden home as her backer. But what about Grandmother?
Back then, for your future's sake,
Grandmother wouldn't let the maiden home marry their illegitimate daughter over.
She was loathed and berated by her maiden home.
She cut off ties with the marquis manor for you!
The one who use poison. They already counted on that.
So you would think, Father.
"Yes, our Sheng House is so prominent now."
"How can we let such a petty matter."
"Bring havoc?"
How can you slap the marchioness?
You unfiliial rebel!I will slap you when I want!
Last night, I had this yard completely shut.
What did you think I did that for?
You do whatever you want. Have you thought of the consequence?
What consequence? It's just your reputation, isn't it?
For this reputation of yours. Same as when my mother died.
What? So now, you want to take this matter,
brush it off as smaller than it is, then brush the small into nothing?
This daughter I've raised is so skilled!
Slandering your own father! Let me tell you,
from now on, I don't have a daughter like you!
I already thought it to the clear!
From now on, even if you don't acknowledge me,
even if I offend the whole family completely,
even if I never have a maiden home to lean back on.
What glory and prestige? What confer of title and nobility?
I don't want any of that! I just want fairness.
I only beg for justice for Grandmother!
She's crazy. Crazy.
There is two paths now. Either Big Madam
you hurry and explain this clearly.
Or I will go strike the drum and cry my grievance at Keifeng Precinct.
You guys figure it out!
Husband.
We're in this plot now.
We don't have another route.
If you still won't fess the truth,
I can only hand you the divorce papers.
Worst case I offend the Wang House and I never acquaint them again.
You! You're crazy.
Crazy! Wild!
You dare to accuse and slander your elder?
Go and tell His Majesty.
Tell him I'm rebellious to my elder.
If you can walk out of here.
Go get paper and ink. I'll write the repudiating letter now.
Husband.
Husband, my Wang House has always been good to you.
Husband, you can't treat me this way.
Let me tell you!
Imperial Physician already has the diagnose.
That cake has poison and you bought them!
Just those three alone.
The brat has your life in her palm.
What's Wang House?
You scheme and harm your mother-in-law. Even if you're the princess,
I will still divorce you!
I... my father's suited for the imperial shrine!
You dare to divorce me?!
Big Madam!
Stop being stubborn!
Big Madam!
If you still don't say the truth, Young Master Bai and the other two misses will get dragged into this.
If you care,
this will make the two misses unable to make any footing in their husband's family.
Young Master Bai is currently having a great political career!
I almost forgot about you, Nanny Liu.
You are the trusted aide of Big Madam.
For such an important matter, how could you not be involved?
When Old Madam instructed not to let Madam Kang come to our house again,
as a servant, I also felt that it was very right.
I initially came from the House of Wang,
but I must say something today.
This eldest sister of Big Madam is getting worse.
I also frequently urge Big Madam to stop having any interaction with her.
But Big Madam, in consideration of their sibling relationship,
just won't listen. Every time she talked with her,
she would send me out.
It then means that you don't know anything.
While listening outside the window earlier,
I could guess it more or less.
Don't Miss just have some suspicion, that's why you insist on asking Big Madam
to admit it?
Or else, just with what the royal physician said,
and this plate of snacks, you would have a fit since last night
and would be discussing on her punishment today,
not just forcing her to confess.
In this whole house, you're the only sensible person.
I'm quite impressed.
The House of Wang really gave it a lot of thought to send you over here.
Sixth Miss,
I've attended to Big Madam since she was young.
I know her personality the most.
Although she's a bit impatient,
she's a very straightforward person.
How could she have thought of some gingko or juice,
such sinister methods of scheming?!
Miss, isn't it also because you are doubtful of this
that's why you kept asking Big Madam
to tell the truth?
What she said is true too.
This main wife of mine would always do things in an open manner.
Even if she knows that this gingko sprout is poisonous,
how could she know that the juice of its sprout can be refined into a thick juice?
Only a very meticulous person
Miss! Miss!
I've followed you for decades, since I was little!
When have I not whole-heartedly helped and covered for you?!
Say it!
She's trying to frame you to death here! Just say it!
Not for anyone else, just for our young master and misses!
It's that...legitimate eldest sister of mine,
Madam Kang.
She...told me that I'm being controlled
by Old Madam so tightly.
Getting scolded or punished by her at the slightest pretext.
Now, I even lost the right to manage my house.
Even my daughter-in-law can step on my face.
That I've really lived a good-for-nothing life.
But Old Madam has such healthy body.
Don't know for how long I still must bear everything.
Hence...
- Hence, you and your older sister colluded to poison Old Madam to death?!- No! No!
I won't! I dare not! I really won't dare!
I... She said...
As long as Old Madam's health would weaken a little,
getting sick every so often,
have no energy to care about this or that,
I can then be the master of this household.
Muddle. You're really muddle!
You're so stupid!
My older sister said that fruit is safe.
Didn't the royal physician also said last night that her condition has been stabilized?
How would I know?
Main Mother, you're so muddled.
Have you thought about Brother Changbai's son? Your own grandson?
He would frequently go to grandmother's place to play.
If grandmother dotes him and really shared a bite for him to eat,
could Quan'er still be alive now?
She's my biological sister.
She won't do that...
That is your own grandson and not hers!
Why would she care?!
Even if something bad did happen to Young Master Quan,
can you confront her?
Only she gets to manipulate you!
She's just waiting for grandmother to die and you to grab hold of the power to run this household.
With she knowing your secret of killing your mother-in-law, how could you refuse whatever she asks,
refuse whatever she wants you to do? If you can't do it, she'll force you to ask Brother Changbai to do it.
For things you can't give her, she'll ask you to ask it from Sister Hualan.
By then, won't you and our House of Sheng just casually get manipulated by her like that?
Shameless!
- Who are you?- Help! Help!
Get lost!
Sir Second Tu?
This woman wants to escape through the dog hole.
What are you doing?! Let go of me!
Drag her in for Miss to see.
[ Weiruixuan ]
Why are you going out?
You... You are working for my sister?!
I'm innocent, Big Madam. It's because I have an urgent matter at home, that's why, I wanted to leave.
What urgent matter?
I... My mother is sick, Master. You're currently agitated because Old Madam is sick.
I also am anxious that my mother is sick!
Bullshit!
Your mother has died 2 years ago.
I even asked Nanny Liu to give you 5 taels of silver as burial money.
It's...godmother! A godmother is still a mother, Big Madam!
You're still not telling the truth?!
If you still don't say the truth, I'll look for someone to drag you out and cane you to death!
What look for someone? This can't get out.
I don't have that much idle time.
Grandmother must have her second bowl of medicine now.
Since father is afraid of alarming other people,
- Sir Second Tu.- Here!
She doesn't want to tell the truth. May Sir Second Tu think of a way.
You...
I'll say it! I'll say it! It's Madam Kang.
It's her. She gave me some more silver
so I will tell her what's happening in this manor.
A few days ago, she came here to see her little sister and chatted for a while.
Before going back, she gave me a few more,
asking me to immediately report back to her if there are any happenings here!
Ungrateful bitch!
Sir Second Tu, guard her well.
Don't let anyone approach her and don't lose her.
Yes.
Big Madam! Big Madam!
[ Sheng Manor ]
Father, do you now know why I sealed the manor?
If we did this right on the scene yesterday,
then it's a spy in our house colluding with an evil outsider.
But since this matter was the doing of that Kang woman,
stop blaming your legitimate mother already, okay?
Yes, I really thought that Old Madam would only be sick for a few days.
Father, have you thought about what to do next?
Next?
Of course, it's to trouble the royal physician to exert more effort
in nursing Old Madam.
Since father hasn't thought about what should happen next, I will decide for you.
Nanny Liu, thank you for your help this time.
Good thing, Caihuai was apprehended and she didn't foil the situation.
May I trouble you to go to the Kang Manor and invite maternal aunt here.
That troublemaker Kang, why must we still invite her here?!
Just pretend to be frightened and panicking.
Tell her that grandmother struggled for a night
and is now gasping her last breath.
Big Madam is so scared.
She's especially asking maternal aunt to come over and help her in coming up with ideas,
- to extend some helping hand.- This...
She caused all this trouble.
How could she be willing to come?
Why wouldn't she?
It wasn't easy for her to finally do this pleasurable thing. How can she endure it?
Just quickly go. Or else, this line won't be of any use soon.
Yes.
- You can't go out right now.- You can't go out.
Why still deceive her? We can just directly go to their Kang Manor and argue with them.
If this matter is true, will that House of Kang,
wrong, the House of Wang, be willing to hand her over?
I'm sure father won't dare escalate this to the local officials
and ask for an open and fair punishment.
By then, we can't really drag our witness and charge into their house, right?
Father, it wasn't easy for our family to reach our status now.
It's all thanks to the blessings of our ancestors.
Father has been promoted to a fourth-rank official.
My sisters have all been married off to good families too.
Second Brother Changbai has such bright political future ahead.
Since Third Brother mended his ways and became focused, he surely will pass the civil examination soon.
With our Sheng Family having such good future potential,
must we get destroyed in the hands of that crazy Maternal Aunt Kang?
What you said is right.
It took great pains for our family to finally manage having such achievement and status. It mustn't just go down the drain.
Hence, we must make her come here.
Have her be under our control.
No matter how she should be dealt with, we get to have the final say.
What?
How else do you want to deal with her?
Are you planning to have her life?
Father, don't worry. I won't cause you trouble.
I'll bring her out before killing her.
What?
You... You were once so obedient and docile. How come your speech is full of fighting and killing now?
You're like Yaksha (a malevolent spirit).
That's right. Why is that?
My god.
Can we really get justice for Old Madam?
In this world, between people,
it's always a test of who's more willing to sacrifice it all.
Father. Main Mother.
House of Kang. House of Wang.
None of them is willing to give it their all.
But I dare to.
Earlier, Old Madam vomited again. It was really such a heartache to watch.
But after vomiting, she was able to lie down more comfortably and her breathing became more normal.
- Has she woken up yet?- Not yet.
Once the royal physician returns, attend to him well.
Miss, don't worry. We all know what to do.
Sixth Miss, Madam Kang went to Big Madam's room alone.
What did you tell her?
I told her that Big Madam wants to confide and discuss things with her.
That even I mustn't enter the room.
Nanny Liu, thank you.
You sincerely care for her.
I dare not receive your praises. I'm just doing my job to my utmost.
The people of Madam Kang has already been detained and being watched by the older servants of the main house.
There must be quite a number of them.
You can really predict things. There are four older servants that came with her this time.
By the gates, there are still 6 male servants. Among these four older servants,
two are close maid attendants from the House of Wang that were part of her dowry.
And the other two are her trusted steward maids.
- What's wrong?- I just noticed that
Nanny Qi didn't come.
Is she important?
Although Nanny Qi is old,
she's the most trusted maidservant of Madam Kang.
Which means that the most important person didn't come,
while all other who's not are here.
This is interesting then.
Nanny Liu, do one more thing for me.
Today, no people can be seen in front and at the back of the house. It shows that you've really put your heart into this.
We've guarded this place so tightly. Only Madam Kang was able to enter the courtyard of Big Madam earlier.
We were instructed not to follow.
You both are quick-witted.
The two madams indeed have things to talk about.
But don't imitate those discontent servants,
who would try to listen for a bit and in the end, harm themselves.
- Yes.- Yes.
[ Weiruixuan ]
Is your heart black?!
That is one life!
It was you who kept crying to me every day
how your mother-in-law is oppressing you to the point that you can't breathe anymore.
She even had you kneel by her door.
Now, you're pretending to be filial?
I...only want...for her to be sick for a few days.
You want to kill my mother-in-law and even frame me.
You're so heartless!
What are you talking about?
Let me tell you. You're the one who placed the poison.
My hands are very clearn.
Now...no one can escape.
What nonsense are you saying?
She's saying that since you've fallen into my hands,
don't think of clearing yourself from this.
Why are you here?
Quickly get out. Your legitimate mother and I have things to discuss.
Maternal Aunt, you are so capable.
How did you know about the juice of ginkgo?
What nonsense is this child spouting?
You are confusing me.
It's okay. Once I'm done interrogating,
you won't be confused anymore.
Interrogate?
You even dare to interrogate me?
Look at this illegitimate daughter of yours.
She even wants to interrogate me.
You really think you can get out of this room today?
You dare?!
Bring her in!
Sixth Miss, it's her. It's her.
She told me that Big Madam will only favor
Nanny Liu, hence, I can never get promoted.
That's why, she gave me some money to be her spy.
She had me tell her everything about our manor.
Big Madam...
I just couldn't accept how I'm unable to be better than Nanny Liu.
My heart got blinded by pig's oil for me to have agreed to her.
Big Madam, in consideration of how I've taken care of you,
please forgive me!
You bitch!
Other than Nanny Liu who came with me as my dowry, among all the servants in this courtyard,
I treated you the best!
You are so ungrateful! You dare destroy me?!
This lowly servant is spouting nonsense!
She's slandering me.
- Have everything been prepared?- Yes.
Take this madam out first.
Keep watch of her and search her body.
Don't let her hurt herself.
What are you doing? Let go of me!
I'm your legitimate eldest sister after all.
You dare let that bitch treat me like this?
You were even denying it earlier and saying that everything was my doing. Now, you've thought about how we are siblings?
You...
I'm a wife of an official. Let's see who among you would dare touch me.
These two senior servants were from the manor of the rebel prince.
They've seen people of your status a lot.
Why won't they dare touch you?
- You bitch! You...- Move!
My husband and maternal family are both... Let go of me!
I'm an official's wife.
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki
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?♫