Original subtitles

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 22

You say you were wrong?

Then how were you wrong? Let me hear it.

Second Brother has always been so good to me.

I shouldn't have manipulated him.

By doing so, I am no different than Linqi Pavilion.

I fear that my mother, upon knowing this from the underworld, she would scold me.

And you're not scared I might scold you?

Of course I fear that.

But you're right by me.

If you scold me, I would actually be happy and relieved.

Let me ask you this.

If Changbai were your brother by the same natural mother, would you have?

In that case, he would protect me.

If you were given birth to by Big Madam,

or given birth to by Mistress Lin?

Then . . . then . . .

Either Big Madam grasps the entire family authority and no one dares to incite me,

or Mistress Lin would be making cunning sharp plans for me,

and I'd have nothing to do myself!

Then how were you wrong?

I taught you for such a long time,

and you can't figure out why I'm angry at you?

Such a minor incident.

It has you rolling back and forth nightly, unable to sleep?

Look at that small face of yours. It's gone haggard.

Grandmother, you..?

Your real brother. Your real mother.

Your husband and your own children in the future.

In the end, no one will be with you forever.

Your own life.

It's how you yourself will come and go.

Your calculation was great today.

Let me ask you. In another instance, would you do it?

I would.

You must do it!

Do it, and that's how you can survive.

In two days, it will be your Second Brother's wedding banquet.

Big Madam has done a great job planning it.

On that day, there will be style and there will be honor.

After that day passes,

you'll know where you will live in the future.

Congratulations.

Uncle Sheng.

Mother.

Come, this way.

We had the servants decorate all this.

We've embarrassed ourselves.

Let's go to the main hall and sit.

In terms of diligence, our rascal tops that,

but all for foolish diligence.

Unlike your family. Not only do you have two sons,

you have all these girls too. Each so charming and pretty.

I heard the Eldest Miss who's married into Count of Zhongqin's manor is pregnant too?

Yes. So I didn't call her to come.

It's better to nurse her pregnancy in the manor.

That Count manor . . .

It's a blessing to the whole family then.

Though it's said to have more children is to have more blessings,

we are not a farmstead house, after all,

depending on the men for labor and to fight over the water supply.

As it's said, you don't need a lot of children if you have a good one.

Someone like your Young Lord, such a success!

One is plenty.

If they are not successful, having more becomes more headaches.

Old Madam, you strike the point there.

Our Heng'er is a bit foolish.

But he's a noble child and we can say he's not worried us.

If he were like that unfilial thing, the Second Son of Gu House,

insisting on pulling in some unworthy woman into the house,

I would die from fury then.

Go. Call Young Master Heng here,

to thank Old Madam for praising him.

Yes.

This is the main daughter of the Big Madam, I imagine?

She looks like you.

Look at that smile on the tip of her mouth and the sharp brows.

She surely posseses the air of a grand house.

You've praised me, Princess, and I, Rulan, feel guilty to accept it.

Greetings to Old Madam.

Peace to Mother. Peace to Big Madam.

To all of the little sisters, good health.

Have a seat.

Thank you, Old Madam.

Speaking of being well, I think having a son is no fun in that.

No one to help me pick out some rouge or perfume.

I just begrudge myself for not bearing a daughter.

Big Madam, I see you have more than one daughter.

You also have the Fourth Miss and Sixth Miss, each so lovely.

Heng'er.

Mother.

What do you wish to say?

Don't you always complain,

that others have little sisters but only you don't.

Today, how about you regard these Sheng sisters

as your own real sisters then?

Real sisters?

What do you mean, "real sisters"? (T/N you cannot marry your blood/real sister)

Your Highness, I fear you're drunk?

Our humble little girls,

how can they be the Young Lord's real sisters?

This humble girl is not so lucky and I don't think I can overreach.

Mother. I fear you're really drunk.

Let me escort you to the guest room to rest.

Yes, the guest room is ready.

I've not even had any wine.

Drunk from what? I've already brought the presents for it.

This kind of southern pearls. Heng'er loves these the most.

I thought I'd bring these here today as gifts to his sisters.

They are most befitting.

Heng'er, you go and gift then to your sisters personally then.

This Sixth Miss is the only one that I've raised.

She's the only one who doesn't have a full (blood) brother.

If she can gain the Young Lord as her older brother,

that is a true honor.

Thank you, Your Highness and Young Lord, for your pity.

I, Minglan, am so unworthy of this honor.

Elder Brother, please accept my greeting.

Eat slower, Miss, since it's scalding hot.

It's good.

Banquets are annoying.

You can't get full on it. You're hungry as soon as you're back.

But the happy thing is,

I got a string of very nice pearls.

Yes, it's so pretty on you.

But,

I'm the main daughter, so that's fine.

But how come the two concubine-born daughters get the same as I did,

especially the one from the adjacent courtyard? I get mad as soon as I see her!

The Princess was being cordial to soothe everyone's pride.

Her Highness is very aware who is the legitimate daughter and who are the concubine-born.

The Princess is so clear-minded.

She talks about making them brother and sisters as soon as she arrives,

and jams any future for the girls at one stroke.

Looking down at our house is one thing.

But her manner of saying it was kind of insulting to our girls.

Who cares about being siblings with her son?

Maybe in the future, in marriage talks,

we can say our daughter is one acknowledged by Duke Qi Manor.

That might raise the sight too.

Wake up now. Is it so easy to be relatives with her?

The Princess might have a strong temper,

but she's the most careful of all.

Guarding the ducal and royal princess titles and the fondness of the palace,

she is one and only in the capital, you can say.

But have you ever seen her family get into any muddied water?

Thankfully our Miss is most generous-minded.

She got a string of pearls and was so happy.

That's true.

I think our Fifth Miss

isn't attached to that Young Lord.

Did you see Molan's face though?

She really wanted to climb onto that high branch of Duke Qi Manor it seems?

Right now I just want to look into Linqi Pavilion's window,

and see that face of Lin Qinshuang.

Is she asleep?

She's blown out the lamp, but I don't know if she's asleep.

I won't worry whether she sleeps or not.

She'll have to suffer the heartache for a while.

You all be careful and watch her closely.

Yes.

Watch the yard tight.

Don't let them come into her room at their whim.

Don't let them see something

to gossip about.

We understand. Be assured, Old Madam. I will be sure

to watch this yard so water can't seep in and needles can't prick.

Our Sixth Miss is like a fairy.

If you ask me, she could be married even as a Princess Consort.

What nonsense is that? You're out of your mind.

The dragon serpent is born from the snake's womb.

Sixth Miss just didn't crawl out from a good belly.

What's the use of you saying all this now?

What's the use?

Alright, alright. I was wrong.

- Don't get mad. Don't. - I should've known.

Qi Heng, that foolish child. How can he persuade his mother, Princess Pingning?

I should've knocked sense into Minglan at one blow.

But I couldn't bear to.

She's so youthful.

I pity her that she takes each step with care and bears it all.

Even if the Fourth and Fifth Misses sit on her head to bully her,

she'll only concede and retreat.

I thought if by chance she and the Young Lord could be matched,

she'll have someone who dotes on her sincerely in the future.

Who'd have thought. Who'd have thought!

I see though that the Young Lord still dotes on the Sixth Miss.

It's really just that Princess and the ducal manor that are the issue.

If Qi House comes again babbling about "real sisters" or "real brother",

you get a big rod and beat them out!

Yes.

I must get a good marriage match for Minglan,

so she can live at ease and in comfort.

She'll never have to walk on eggshells!

She won't have to calculate again.

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki

Mother Xiaocui had Xiaotao come report earlier,

saying Sixth Miss has a cold and a slight fever.

Fever?

Don't fret, Old Madam. I asked Xiaotao in detail.

I think it's not a real fever.

It might be that she cried too much last night,

and this morning her body was weak and started to get warm.

Have they summoned a physician?

Not yet. They said Sixth Miss doesn't want to cause alarm and wouldn't let them yet.

They still should get a physician.

We'll say she's been exhausted from managing the house.

After the banquet ended, she finally relaxed and got sick.

Yes.

Get that son of mine and have him accompany me for breakfast.

Yes.

Changbai's marriage, I'm really very content with it.

At the old homestead in Youyang, the Eldest Son of the First House,

Changwu has sent an invitation for his wedding too.

He's about to get married too. Did you know?

I know. First House's Elder Brother Wei sent a letter to detail the matter.

That is a good family.

The children are all grown and they should all get married and establish themselves.

We're old too.

Your energy and mind are clearer than before.

I am old indeed. I can see it myself from the flower-petaled mirror.

The Old Madam of the First House is closest to me.

She's been ill for years and doing not so great lately.

She misses me in the letter.

And me? I don't have many days left either.

So I'd like to go back and for a look,

and to pray at your Sheng House shrine too.

It should be done.

Brother Wei and our family have the closest connection.

I should go visit too.

You can't. You can't leave the palace these days.

Just who will His Majesty establish? Change can happen at any time.

You've been an official for years and we can't have you go missing at the critical time.

That's putting all effort to vain then.

Mother is right.

Then let's have Changfeng accompany you.

That temperament of his?

It's ruined by his mother. He's inept and weak.

It'd be easier if I went alone in that case.

Then let's have Changbai go.

He's the Eldest Son of the Second House, so that's most proper.

You're a father and how silly you are.

Changbai got married yesterday. How can we tell him to go?

I'll ask Minglan from you then.

MInglan is great too. The Sixth Girl is level-headed.

And she's close to you, so it's easy to talk to her on the way.

Not only for that.

Sixth Granddaughter is managing the house but it's only a temporary chore.

Big Madam committed an error, and it's enough punishment up to now.

Changbai's bride just came into the house and we can't have her see her Mother-in-law as a joke.

So we'll have Six Granddaughter come with me, and the house management,

we'll return it to the Big Madam so that it's respectful of everyone.

You are so thorough in all aspects, Mother.

Alright.

Finish up, and go see the new bride.

Yes.

I, your son Changbai, greet Father and Mother.

I, your daughter-in-law, Hai Zhaoyun, greets Father and Mother.

Have a seat.

Sit, sit.

Zhaoyun, since you're married into our family

and became our daughter-in-law,

you should know all the rules.

Your daughter-in-law is aware.

When your mother-in-law is speaking, don't jump in.

Yes, please speak, Mother.

We need you to have children.

Listen to teaching in morning and at night. Serve your in-laws.

Assist your husband. You can't languish in any of those.

We are husband and wife but together in one body, each holding up their duties

in order to have a peaceful family.

I can't take my new bride's place to give birth.

So my new bride doesn't need to take up the burden of my future either.

I . . .

Your Hai family is an honest family for generations.

To have a daughter-in-law like you is our Sheng family's luck.

Right?

Your mother-in-law is right.

Everyone should do their own duty and not languish.

- Your son shall remember. - Your daughter-in-law shall remember.

Sit down, sit down!

Sit.

Miss Ru put on the pearls and made a few rounds first,

and showed herself pretty big with it at the poetry meeting too.

Later, Miss Mo wore them too.

So Miss Ru put away the pearls,

she switched it to a gold locket chain.

Fifth girl's temper is like Big Madam's,

she has no subtlety.

She has no idea what it means to be brother and sister.

She just wants to fight with the one in Linqi Pavilion.

The shady businesses in our house,

I fear they won't end.

Who says it's not so.

Big Madam and legitimate daughter said nothing yet.

But the one raised by Mistress Lin in Linqi Pavilion already threw a fit at the Master,

asking the Master to go to Qi House to talk to them more.

Master is beyond angry.

He just went out straight to Big Madam's to rest.

That son of mine. Luckily he's not always confused.

Who can blame the Linqi Pavilion though.

Young Lord's talent and family background, who isn't stirred?

But contrarily, he's fond of our Sixth Miss.

Grandmother, I'd like to discuss something with you.

Go ahead.

I took a look up on deck,

and I saw that there are other ships behind and in front of us.

I think maybe we should have Mother Fang take Father and Second Brother's badges

and pay visits to those ships?

Telling them we're returning to the hometown too and we could travel together,

so we can watch out for each other on the way.

That's a great idea.

Go ahead then.

Grandmother, take this medicine already,

so your dizziness can be better.

Are you still dizzy too?

Me?

This place has soaring skies, clear water, and wide scenery, so I'm much better.

The scenery is open and wide. How about you?

I...

If a person lives stifled, it is not a fun life.

It's a perfect chance for me to borrow this great scenery

to inspire and think, and my mind's more open now.

If you can think openly, then that's great.

When we're docked for my medicine later, you get off the boat and eat.

Get your feet on the ground and you'll feel better.

It'll be perfect then. I can get some honey for you,

since you just can't finish your medicine.

Nonsense.

Yesterday, I sucked on a plum and ate the medicine.

Is that right?

You're so thorough, Miss.

I had them get me on a small boat to give my greetings.

They are all wealthy official families with lots of servants.

They were very cordial upon seeing our name.

They said we should just follow the group of boats

and we can watch out for each other.

Sixth Girl's scope of calculation

is just getting more and more tactful.

Not so.

Mother Fang, is there an issue?

Left side. The boat on the left side.

I went up and it was actually the Young Lord of Duke Qi Manor.

I guess we're on the same route. No need to worry, Mother Fang.

That boy by the Young Lord after I got on the boat,

he asked me to bring word to you

that he wants to talk to you, Miss,

and to apologize to Old Madam.

Mother Fang, h-have them go back.

That boy also said, the Young Lord only wants one conversation,

or else they will just follow us all the way to Youyang

and greet the Sheng homestead.

What? He's acting like a rogue. Mother Fang, tell them to leave.

They've already followed all the way here and if not done talking,

how will he be willing to go?

What do we do then? We can't have them follow us all the way to Youyang.

Youthful and vigorous,

but it's a matter that can't be done.

What's the use of a thousand, ten thousand words?

When we're ashore, go see him.

Not like Old Madam of Yu House, raising Yanran as someone who can't handle anything,

a big event comes and she's shaking and fretting.

A person's life is full of ups and downs.

There will be lots more to come.

You can't hide from them.

[ Zhang's Woven Baskets ]

Stop the carriage.

Go to the medicine shop.

I hear the Young Lord has something to say to me?

I . . .

I heard you were going back to Youyang.

I figured that you won't be back for at least three to five months.

I . . .

After we parted that day, we've never met again.

In my heart . . .

I understand your difficulty.

I imagine our fate is shallow, hence you needn't let it bother you.

No, no. I am bothered by it.

I am always thinking of you.

I told you my mother would come and propose marriage.

But I . . .

I never thought things would be like that.

I shouldn't speak ill of my mother behind her back,

but no matter what, you're the only one I will marry.

So you can go to Youyang in peace. When you come back,

there will be good news for sure.

The Young Lord's devotion, I am very grateful for it...

but matters like this are too difficult to achieve.

Young Lord, don't waste your energy now.

No, no.

I've always been the most docile and more filial one in the titled manors of the capital.

Marrying you,

is the most sincere and most ardent matter I wish to achieve.

I will beg my mother. When you return,

I will have the matchmaker come and propose marriage at your home.

Her Highness has already visited my home.

I took the pearls and made my greeting.

You and I are brother and sister now.

Don't think too much anymore.

My status is low. If it gets out,

it will be hard for my sisters to keep their standing.

Young Lord, may you take good care of yourself.

Sixth Sister.

Wait.

I . . when I was waiting on the ship.

I saw this.

I thought it was so cute, so I bought it.

You... you keep it by your side, and look at it from time to time.

The other boy doll,

I already told Buwei to put it away carefully.

Why do you go to this trouble?

Young Lord, if there's nothing else,

my Miss will return now.

Young Lord, it'll be best you leave for your return to the capital for ease of everyone.

Safe travels. Safe travels, Young Lord.

Sixth Sister.

You always call me "Young Lord".

How about...

you call me "Yuanruo" once?

♫ 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♫

This wood doll looks so much like you when you smile.

Really?

Look, it's the curved eyes.

Silly girl! Who doesn't have curved eyes when they smile?

♫ 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? ♫

Is the Young Lord not following us anymore?

The Young Lord said he would only marry you. Can he do it?

He said he can.

Then we'll trust him one more time.

♫ 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 ♫

Because you have me in your heart.

You're just afraid to acknowledge it. You little liar.

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

No, I am bothered by it. I'm always thinking of you.

I . . .

♫ 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? ♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

What's wrong, Miss?

♫ Don't you know? Don't you know? ♫

You've been crying?

Miss, don't cry now. ♫ there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

How about I make fried fish for you tomorrow?

Or let me sing you a little tune?

♫ Don't you know? Don't you know? ♫

♫ I miss Jiangnan, the old sights and sounds.

♫ Sun rising from the river like a red flower.

♫ Spring turning the river water from green to blue.

♫ I miss Jiangnan. The old sights and sounds.

♫ Sun rising from the river like a red flower.

♫ Spring turning the river water from green to blue.

♫ How can I not miss Jiangnan? I miss Jiangnan.

Run!

Miss!

Tell everyone to blow out all the candles.

Don't panic and don't move around. I'll go find Grandmother.

Careful, Miss.

Old Madam. Old Madam!

Wake up, Old Madam.

Hurry and wake up!

It's alright. Grandmother.

You can't, Sixth Miss.

Before she fell asleep she drank pacifying tonic, and she'll be confused no matter how you try to wake her.

Grandmother, hurry and wake up.

Grandmother.

This waterway has always been very peaceful.

I bet it's some minor bandits.

They won't stay long.

Sixth Miss. How about we gather all the people,

and hide everyone in the cabin and close the door and windows, and maybe it will be alright?

But what if they are an organized gang who kill without blinking?

We can't just leave our fate for survival to luck!

Then..?

I need to save Grandmother. We need to find a way to leave.

- Grandmother. - But the way Old Madam is,

where can we escape to?

Grandmother.

Grandmother, we need to get up now. Grandmother.

Old Madam, wake up.

Wake up, Old Madam.

Got you!

Where you going?

We're in the Huaiyin area.

There should be a command battalion on shore.

If we can get ashore, we'll be safe.

River bandits? They just want money. If we give them the stuff,

they won't kill us.

W-We'll abandon the ship.

Abandon the ship, leave it all? - Right! Leave all the things.

- Minglan... - Abandon it!

Ming Girl.

Grandmother.

Get up. Let's dress you.

- Get on up. - Granddaughter Ming...

Shoes. Hurry.

Mother Fang, go find the boatman and get some small flat boats.

I'll dress Grandmother.

Slowly.

Take it slow.

Slowly, Old Madam.

Slowly.

Sixth Miss, this is the last one.

We only found one boat. You and Old Madam go.

- We've troubled you. We will thank you generously later. - Alright.

Miss, what about you?

You go with Grandmother first. I'll come right after.

You can't.

Don't worry. Go, go.

No.

Miss. Miss. Miss.

What about us?

Ming'er. Ming'er.

Ming'er. - It'll be alright, Old Madam.

What do we do?

You all see that there are river bandits causing a ruckus.

If you want to lure them here, go ahead with the yelling!

They just want to rob us. But if we make a big deal of it

with people going to the shore seeking help,

when the command gets here, they will run away wildly.

Everyone, hurry and return to the cabin first.

Put out the lights, and close the door and hide, and survive this.

Hurry up!

Yes.

- Search. - No!

No!

Get up.

Is there anyone up there? Search, hurry up!

This way.

No. Not here. Get up.

Hurry.

Someone's here.

Search it!

Stop right there!

What other valuables are on the boat?

If you don't tell me, I'll cut you and throw you to feed the fish!

Please spare me, my lord.

My old madam already ran away on the small boat.

I have nothing!

The girl's good looking enough.

We'll take her back and have a good time for the boys.

- Don't touch me! - Let's go!

My Miss is still on the boat!

Her beauty is like a flower, like a fairy!

She's always got pearls and jewels on her.

Don't kill me. Don't kill me!

- Let's go. - Let's go!

Xiaotao, jump in.

No.

I can't swim!

Hold your breath. Hold your breath, hurry up! Hurry!

Hold your breath.

Miss.

Hurry.

Miss. I can't leave, Miss!

Hurry up! Jump in, hurry up and go!

Hurry up!

She's in the water!

Get her!

Someone's there!

Catch her! Over there!

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? ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫