Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 23

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

Xiaotao, jump in.

No. - Jump in.

I can't swim!

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

Hold your breath.

Miss.

Hurry.

Miss. I can't go, 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!

Brothers, get her!

Get her!

She's fled!

Hurry!

Chase her!

Chase her!

Hurry!

Little girl, where is this place?

Did you change my clothes for me?

These are Auntie's.

Auntie brushed my hair too?

Yes.

Drink ginger soup to warm up.

Did your family's master save me?

My father saved you. You are cold. Drink the ginger soup.

- Rong'er. You're awake? - Father!

Was it you, Hero, who saved me?

Just a handy gesture. No need to thank me.

I wonder what is the Hero's name.

I'm a daughter from Bianjing's Sheng House.

I don't have anything on me right now, but once I return home, I will reward you graciously with gratitude.

I'm a man. I rescued you from the water.

You shouldn't tell me your clan name.

That can tarnish your reputation in the future.

You, Hero, went into the water in the dark of night to save me.

It shows you are righteous and what reputation to harm?

I never thought in this life that the Sixth Miss of Sheng House would call me righteous.

What a rarity.

How did you know?

Second Uncle?

Second Uncle Gu?

You! You... How are you here?

I'll give you something nice.

Very warm.

Where's my grandmother?

Did you save my grandmother? Did you see her?

Rong'er, go out and find Brother Shitou to play.

Don't worry. Your grandmother is fine now.

I've already sent people to send her to the command battalion to get settled.

Your Sheng family boat is fine too, with no damage and your maid!

Xiaotao?

Yes, they were all rescued.

But both the river and shore paths

are getting cleaned up from the tragedy and people can't pass through yet.

After they're done, I'll find a small boat,

and take you back to your Sheng House ship.

Later, when you see your Second Brother,

tell him I'm well in all ways,

so he needn't worry about me at all.

Second Uncle. Why are you here?

You were right.

That Manniang has a black heart.

She took away my son.

I couldn't find her all over the Bianjing capital.

At first, I had some leads.

But after entering Guilin County, there were no trails anymore.

Guilin County to here is really quite far.

Since I lost leads in Guilin County, I suddenly remembered

Shitou's brother and sister-in-law are already the chiefs of the Canal Gang.

This Canal Gang makes their living by the river.

Manniang has to find a way either through by river or shore.

So if I'm here, I can get more news.

I didn't know Shitou's family and that gang that attacked your boat had some clash,

and I made a plan for them.

I ended up saving you coincidentally. That's fate too.

What about the Canal Gang?

The Canal Gang is a group of men and women that make a living carrying and loading things around the docks.

By the way, they played a part in saving you too.

Fine. We've got enough firewood, right?

You're awake?

Sixth Miss is awake!

She's awake, Sister-in-law.

Shitou.

You're awake!

Look at you. You're still so pretty wearing my coarse clothing.

- Let's get by the fire there to warm up. - Thank you, Auntie.

So pretty. Sit here

- You must be cold. - Come, sit, sit.

I'm not cold.

Sit, sit.

I missed.

Second Uncle said you guys saved me.

Thank you.

What's there to thank? It's a given.

Those fish! They just kill blindly.

If they continue,

we won't be able to make our living.

Everyone will starve to death!

Thankfully my brother Shitou brought the Young Master here.

He led us to handle those bandits a few times.

We saw they were going to rob the ships and we went on a stakeout.

Young Master said that this is called "striking on half water... "

Sister-in-law, what are you saying?

It's called, "striking the enemy midway".

When your sister-in-law is talking, you just listen. Why are you cutting in?

Anyway, what Young Master meant was to make them rob a ship first.

Once they are less vigilant,

we'll attack them and defeat them!

But while we were staking out,

when Young Master saw the fire burning,

he said that he knew the owner of the ship.

He doesn't care about them robbing and attacking them midway anymore!

He just fiercely jumped into water and saved people!

Never thought that the one he saved was a pretty girl.

You totally look like a princess.

Thank you, everyone. Thank you.

The wind here outside is strong. Just stay in your room.

- Brother! Brother! - Brother, we won't fool around anymore.

Second Uncle...

I have something to tell you.

Second Uncle, when I asked about how you've been doing after leaving the capital, I wasn't gossiping.

I just want to bring my Second Brother some good news.

When my Second Brother mentions you,

he is always worried.

If you want to convince me to go back, don't do it anymore.

I want to repay you for saving my life.

Last time, you told me that you're repaying me for seeking a doctor for you.

Then you told me that Manniang was harboring evil intentions.

Now you want to repay me again?

I'm scared of you now.

The one that's bad is the news and not the person relaying the news.

What bad news are you going to tell me this time?

Are you going to say that Rongjie is also harboring evil intentions?

No. No.

While in the room, I saw

how Rongjie kept being so afraid that I was cold,

that she would tuck my blanket

and feed me ginger soup.

In my heart,

I sincerely hope that she'll live well.

And?

And she's your daughter.

Whatever kind of person you are, that's how she will be.

If you are the Young Master of the Marquis House, then she's the noble daughter of the Marquis House.

Now, you are... wandering jianghu.

She'll then become a daughter of a water pirate or bandit.

With the same sky and earth, that's like a cloud compared to the mud.

Aren't you just changing means to convince me to go back on behalf of your Second Brother?

Chang'er has been taken away.

Rongjie then must stay by my side. I will never return to the House of Gu.

I'm not telling you to leave Rongjie and go back to the House of Gu. It's the opposite.

I hope that you don't foil the rest of her life

just because of a moment of ardent emotions.

At a tender age and still unmarried,

how would you know about the lives of one's children?

Although I don't have a daughter,

I'm still someone's daughter. Don't I know the days of being a daughter?

Second Uncle, do you know?

Look at how happy Rongjie is.

She's happier here than in the capital.

Happier than when she was in Tianshui Alley.

She most probably will be happier here too than in the Marquis Manor.

But you mustn't decide on the rest of her life just based on what you see now.

When I was little, my mother told be about "Strategies of the Warring States". (T/N Zhan Guo Ce, 3rd to 5th century BCE anecdotes of political manipulation and warfare)

Chu Long convincing Empress Dowager Zhao? (T/N "Dragon" of Chu - the Emperor)

Yes. Yes. That part.

In there, it was written that if parents love their child, they should think about their future.

How could you just consider the present?

At age three, you should be thinking about her situation at age ten.

At age ten, you should be thinking about how she should be at age sixteen.

If you don't have foresight, you surely will have future worries.

Your mother even read the "Strategies of the Warring States"?

Second Uncle Gu, you don't know that the happenings inside a home

would not pale in comparison with the battlefield.

How would I not know?

That stepmother of mine

doted on and spoiled me when I was little.

She treated me better than all my brothers.

I lost a mother when I was little.

It's just natural that I treated her like my real mother.

But never thought that one day, she would suddenly turn against me.

She is really the demon.

Before attacking the city, attack its heart first.

Superb. Don't even talk about the "Strategies of the Warring States".

Even if I have read all the military strategy books in this world,

I fear that I will still end up in my present state.

Is it not so for me as well?

I watched how my Little Mother died from hemorrhage.

My own unborn little brother suffocated inside her womb.

I went around crying and begging,

but only you, a stranger, were willing to get me a doctor.

Afterward, no one wanted to admit their mistake.

Everyone crying so realistically.

Afterwards, they all are still one harmonious family, enjoying the happiness of being complete.

I can only put my safety before the matter of principles.

Every day, pretending to be well-behaved and quiet.

It's also thanks to my grandmother's pity and meticulously raising me.

Or else, I don't know how many times I would have been dead by now.

Second Uncle, the words I told you today

are unfilial.

If not because you are my savior,

I wouldn't ever speak these words to you.

Second Uncle Gu, it's not easy for women to live in this world.

It's better that you think about Rong's future more.

You are very similar to your mother. You have great foresight.

I dare not say so.

I just have stayed under dangerous eaves for a long time.

It can't be helped for me to learn how to be observant and to overthink.

Try to pave myself some paths of retreat.

With you having such good foresight,

how come you're unable to figure out your own matter?

My matter? What matter?

Marriage.

Stop with your nonsense.

With you being this smart, no need for me to say more.

Anyway, think about it more.

Save yourself a path of retreat for the future.

Have a safe trip!

Farewell! Farewell!

Have a safe trip! Be careful!

Safe travels!

- Farewell! - Farewell!

Take care!

Be careful on your journey, Miss!

Take care!

Take care!

Farewell!

Let's go to Yuzhou and look for theTuanlian Zhao. (T/N militia formed to fight rebels from civilians)

Ask for a recommendation.

- We'll join the army. - Huh?

♫ 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 ♫

Be careful. Be careful.

You had a difficult journey...

Good. Good.

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

You're home at last.

That's right.

♫ Don't you know, don't you know ♫

Slow down. Slow down.

♫ there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

Sister-in-law!

I missed you!

First House Old Madam, hello.

Hello.

It's all my fault. Always pestering you to come.

Never thought that the travel isn't that safe.

Causing you to almost get harmed.

Good thing, you didn't catch a cold and get sick.

Don't say it anymore, Sister-in-law.

I've long wanted to come see you.

Moreover, so what if I get sick?

Isn't Sister He here

to attend our family's wedding?

Look at your mouth.

- Thinking about me again. - Of course.

On our way here, it's all thanks to my granddaughter.

So smart, capable, and filial.

She protected me to escape that dangerous situation,

hence, I was able to come here.

Quickly come over to let me see. Come.

Really good. Did you get traumatized?

I'm fine.

That experience will just become a happy joke between my sisters and I.

That's great. Quickly sit down.

Look at that.

She's really a child raised by the only daughter of Marquis of Yongyi.

Talking about sisters,

I have two granddaughters.

The eldest is called Shulan. She's been married off a few years ago.

She'll be back after two months during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The younger one is called Pinlan. She's almost the same age as you.

A very naive and naughty monkey.

She can be your companion and playmate.

Grandmother, what do you want me to play ?

The naughty monkey is here.

Grandmother, wishing you good health. Second House Grandmother, wishing you benevolent health.

Sister Pinlan, hello.

Sister Minglan, I wish you good health!

Mother, wishing you virtuous health.

Why are you meeting the guests dressed like that?

My daughter loves to practice calligraphy.

Look at you. I know you're afraid that the ink might dirty your clothes.

But when you were called, you should have fixed your clothes before coming out.

Mother, what practicing calligraphy? Grandmother said

I can play some chuiwan in the afternoon.

You...

I'm unable to stop her.

Quickly put down your sleeves. You might catch a cold!

Sister-in-law, don't blame me. I dote on granddaughters more.

I'm thinking,

Youyang is in the countryside.

The rules here aren't as strict as those in the capital.

She'll just be staying here in our house for a few years.

Once she's out of our house and is married off, she won't be able to be like a lady anymore.

Right. Ming'er is also very restricted at home.

Hence, I brought her this time so she can relax.

That's good.

This is called, "a single string can't make a thread,

a single tree can't form a forest".

You have found a companion.

Don't be a bad influence to Ming.

How could I?

Oh, right, when you are going out,

if Changwu isn't doing anything, bring my eldest son too.

Call some male servants to accompany you.

It's not that safe outside right now.

I heard that there are bandits wreaking havoc.

You mustn't come back late.

Grandmother, don't worry.

Miss!

Miss, it's time to wake up.

Wake up, Miss.

Miss, wake up.

Hurry. Hurry.

Sister!

Still sleeping?

It's time to wake up, Sister!

The sun is already shining on your buttocks.

It's shining on your big butt.

Get up.

Are you getting up or not?

Give that to me!

- Sister! Sister! - Slow down.

Wash your face and I'll give it to you.

Give it to me. I'll wash my face.

- Okay. Okay. - I'm washing.

I've dug out a lair full of rabbits. It's so much fun!

Quickly wash your face and I'll take you to see it.

Wash.

[ Song ]

Okay. Go to the Huang Squad.

What is that?

Heaven, earth, black, yellow, universe, time, flood, drought. It's the last squad.

Our Young Master—

We'll follow the rules.

Okay. Go now.

General, he was recommended by Commander Zhao.

I think it's not good to send him to the Drought Squad.

Commander Zhao Zongquan of the Yuzhou Zhao Tuanlian. (T/N private militia)

How prestigious is he?

There are Imperial family members who have lost favor all over the empire.

He really thinks he's some noble royal relative?

A man claiming to hold a command token when he's only holding a chicken feather.

Letting him go to the Drought Squad

is already giving that official respect!

[ Sheng Manor ]

Hurry. Can you see it?

Look at me.

Hurry. Hurry.

Brother Changwu is so great!

I've never gone hunting. I can't even shoot an arrow.

It's fine. Just hold that rabbit that Brother Changwu hit.

Thank you, Sister PInlan.

Brother Changwu! Hunt more rabbits!

Or else, I won't allow you to consummate your marriage with your new wife in a few months!

You stinky brat, always talking rubbish. No shame at all!

Have you seen He Hongwen?

Didn't he say that he'll protect us with Brother Changwu earlier?

Now, really good, can't even see his shadow.

Later,he might even get captured by a tiger!

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

Brother Hongwen.

It's all my fault. I'm supposed to protect you on this trip.

But when I passed by this place, I discovered "white dragon's bark"

and was carried away. I've embarrassed myself.

People go out to hunt for wild rabbits or chickens.

You instead go out to dig some herbs.

Then when you go back and people ask what prey you captured,

how do you explain it?

I'll tell them that I can't endure hurting animals and was too benevolent.

Medical practitioners really have a heart like a Bodhisattva.

Can you see that?! Another chicken!

Let's go. Let's go.

Is there a peasant household up ahead?

We can go over there to drink some water and rest for a while.

Don't. Let's...

Let's go to Second Sister Zhang's house to play some jiju. They might have not finished the game yet.

You're not tired?

I'm not.

Let's go drink some water first. Everyone is tired.

I notice that you keep defending Sixth Sister.

- I'm not. - Stay down.

Stay down. Stay down.

What's going on?

Those are bandits.

Stay down.

What's going on?

These past few months, there's this huge rebel in the south.

First he wanted to establish his own empire. Afterwards, he decided to surrender to our empire.

Then I don't know why, but he revolted again.

Thus these bandits started appearing. Those water pirates that you've encountered last time

must be colluding with them.

Then... they've now attacked this area?

Only seven or eight of them. They probably didn't attack.

They probably escaped here after getting defeated.

A few days ago, I've even seen an announcement in the city.

Let's quickly go back.

Let's go back and tell the local magistrate and ask them to intensify their patrol.

Why are you being afraid? There are so many of us. Let's just directly capture them.

Rubbish. They are used to killing people and fighting battles.

Our servants only know to do house chores. How will we be able to fight them?

Quickly go. Quickly go.

How come I feel like we can beat them?

Seriously, let's just go!

Go and check the corpses.

Go and search other places.

Look.

What a rotten general. Asking me to dig a pit to bury people.

Look.

Scholars said

when the heavens wants to bestow a great duty unto you,

they will first tire your heart and make your muscles suffer.

Right. Right.

General, you quoted it in error.

It's make your heart suffer and tire your muscles.

I said it wrong.

Young Master, we came with a recommendation.

That Xie Pingde is just a fifth-rank Mobile Cavalry General.

He actually is asking us to dig a pit here to bury people?

I now feel that asking Brother Zhao for a recommendation might have been the wrong move.

Why?

They are the descendants of Taizong. (T/N Song Dynasty split in House of Zhao between lines of first two rulers)

Maybe they are not well-liked. (T/N Song Taizong is said to have murdered his brother in order to gain the throne)

Tu'er! Give me back the hair pin!

You're seeking vengeance for a private grudge using your official position.

Enough. Enough. Stop fighting.

This is Li San's hairpin.

His child lost a father!

I'm taking it back as a remembrance for his family.

Official. Official.

Okay.

Lower the carriage.

[ Sheng Manor ]

Hope the Moon Goddess can bless us

with a face like Chang Eh, (T/N literary female figure from a love story set during the Mid-Autumn Festival)

that's round like the bright moon.

Miss, Big Madam asked you to meet guests in the side hall after you're done bowing to the moon.

Let's go. Let's go.

Let's bring a rabbit lantern.

- Sure. - Treat it as comforting ourselves.

This is for you.

Is it pretty?

Mid-Autumn is really a good festival. I love playing with lanterns.

But there's some relatives that I don't like seeing.

They are the in-laws of my sister Shulan. But to see Eldest Sister, I have to see them.

I've been here for a few days.

How come I have never saw her visit?

That in-law's son is a xiucai! How could she put any importance to our family? (T/N "distinguished talent" - he passed the county level civil exam)

You can't say that. If they look down on our family, why would they marry someone from us?

They were very poor before.

It's also not good for me to speak ill about them behind their backs.

Anyway, just go there later.

You'll know once you see them. I'm not falsely accusing them of anything.

My son is a xiucai!

Xiucai! Do you know what that is?

That's the start of a Counselor-in-Chief.

- Once he becomes the Counselor-in-Chief... - What did I say?

- She won't stop. - Aren't my nephew and your Ming

exactly the perfect combination,

very compatible?

Mother-in-law, drink some tea first.

Is this Ming,

the one from Bianjing?

You're indeed pretty.

She was nourished well. In-law! In-law!

You also have seen my nephew, right?

He's indeed handsome and talented, right?

Is Changwu also getting married soon?

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

It's also festive to pray to the Moon Goddess.

Why don't we add the joyous occasion?

Let's settle the marriage about my nephew and Ming...

Settle...

Let's settle the marriage about my nephew and Ming.

In-law is drunk.

Shulan, quickly assist your mother-in-law to rest.

What do you mean, rest?

Although I've drunk a little wine, I'm not drunk.

Sister-in-law... Old Madam, you seem unwilling?

But this isn't your granddaughter.

We had better just ask her real grandmother. (T/N Old Madam Sheng from the capital)

My granddaughter is still young.

I'm going to make her stay by my side first. Let's just wait for a few more years.

I just like how good the complexion is of this lady,

so well-nourished.

Although she's just an illegitimate daughter and thus a little incompatible,

if it's I who say it,

that nephew of mine won't dare refuse it.

If my in-law really thinks that

your granddaughter is still too young, it's fine too.

Let's first make the marriage agreement.

I'll put in some chamber attendants with my nephew first so he'll be more knowledgeable. (T/N about women... )

Once your granddaughter is older, we can do the wedding then.

That nephew of yours is already twenty-plus years old!

A nameless person without any farmland, and he dares to come here to seek marriage?

Are the ladies of our Sheng family born to fill in the pits of your Sun family?

You unruly girl! Why do you talk to your elder like that?

My son became a xiucai at the age of twelve!

The fortune teller already said

that he has a fate of being a Counselor-in-Chief!

By then, he surely will be able to promote his cousin.

For you being this snobbish,

you might not even be able to make any connections with us.

A xiucai at age twelve. But after a decade, he's still a xiucai?

My little sister's legitimate older brother has already passed the top civil examination.

He's now an official in the Hanlin Academy.

You think your family is still compatible to theirs?

Spit!

Pinlan.

It's all the fault of this seductress from your family!

Since she married into our family, my son lost focus on studying and will just fool around!

No. It's not me.

As your mother-in-law, I've been talking here for half a day now.

My mouth is dry.

You don't even know to serve me any tea.

What's the use of having you?

Why! Why!

My sister dotes on me so much.

And she's such a nice person. How come . . .

How come she has to be met with this?

She's only twenty-something and she still has to live in that filthy, brutish family for decades!

Tell me, what should she do from now on?

Young Master, I went to take a look.

They were there yesterday but not today, and the stuff is still there.

It's not right.

This place is supposed to have lots of owls and wild wolves. (T/N it's too quiet.)

This should be their hunting time, but how come there's no movement at all?

Yes, it's very quiet.

They are going to mount a sneak attack!

General. General? General!

General, someone below says there's big military intelligence,

- and he must meet you to report. - The renegade is coming?

It's that Bai Ye recommended by Militia Commander Zhao. He says it's a very big matter.

Let me tell you. Come here.

Listen carefully here.

As long as it's not the renegades attacking outside of our camp,

and the sky hasn't collapsed, then don't come disturb my sleep.

Yes.

General. General, tonight the enemy force will launch a sneak-attack on our main camp!

Hour of Ox (1-3 am) is when people are sleeping most soundly.

We're already past the Hour of Rat (11pm-1am), so the enemies will be attacking very soon!

You know it's the most sound asleep time and you came disturb me?

Go, go on!

- General. - Men! Shove him out!

General, may your anger dissipate.

No, General.

- Go. - General, we're on a plain!

If they attack,

we will not survive it!

General, may your anger dissipate. - General!

General! General! General!

Enough. They might not raid tonight. Maybe you heard wrong.

Then what are we supposed to do? Send some cavalry and scout around?

If you would like that, you lead it!

Young Master. Young Master. How did it go?

You go and tell everyone to wake up every friend and fellow villager they know.

Tell them the enemy force is coming to raid imminently.

Tell them to put their weapons by their hand.

Hurry and go. The more they tell the better.

Young Master, it's the middle of the night and no one wants to get up.

And if they ask other soldiers, wouldn't they know we're lying?

Tell them it's the General's idea.

That the General wants to take this chance,

to annihilate the enemy force at once here.

Yes. - Sending false military orders results in beheading.

You'll know if I'm sending a false command once the enemies come and kill.

Hurry up and go.

Hurry.

Young Master, I'll go too.

Shitou.

Young Master.

Tell me. My father back then. Did he live this kind of life too?

Why would the old Marquis live this kind of life?

The old Marquis inherited the title.

That's true.

Alright. You hurry and tell everyone to be careful.

Yes, I'll go.

Come back.

Go.

I'm going, Young Master.

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? ♫