Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 27

Don't worry, Mistress. My man has been watching on standby in Yangzhou for many days.

That Physician Zhang who examined Mistress Wei back then hasn't made any moves.

Without any evidence, what turbulence can she cause?

Though that's the saying,

Minglan is no longer someone with no one to lean on like before.

If something unfavorable shows up,

that old lady in the house will rise for sure,

and back her up.

Mistress, you needn't worry.

Master dotes on you, doesn't he?

Furthermore, this has the Sheng House honor involved.

The Master will naturally not allow anyone to flip an old bill, (T/N to bring up an old debt or matter)

or else how can he not be guilty of neglect?

When our Miss marries into a lofty house,

who will dare then to speak ill of you?

In terms of marriage prospects,

when the old Marquis passed away, various houses set up canopies to pay tribute.

That head madam now says she will hold a banquet in gratitude and invited many noble acquaintances.

The Duke Qi House and our house are among the invitees.

Princess Pingning even sent someone to deliver words to us, asking us to come too.

That Young Lord of hers.

He looks clever...

but he is actually blind.

Yes. Sixth Miss at the jiju match incident,

that's caused quite a wild stir.

We should watch how the Princess handles it.

The Young Lord is blind, but the other houses aren't blind.

This big banquet of the Gu House.

They've invited many high officials and their families.

This is a great opportunity for our Mo'er to show her talent.

At the time, I want everyone to know that in our Sheng House, we have such a beautiful

and interesting girl.

Princess Pingning won't look at us.

But in Bianjing, there are lots of wealthy houses.

Our Mo'er won't die hanging on one tree.

Indeed.

How did you get the thought to pray to the ancestors suddenly?

No need to get up.

I saw Grandfather in my dream the day before yesterday.

He said we granddaughters don't come and burn incense to him, so I came.

Among these children of mine,

you are the most sensible and obedient one.

I am very consoled.

Father, do you still remember what Little Mother Wei looked like?

How wretchedly did she die!

When I think about it now, I feel so sad.

Father, tell me. You have so many children.

How is it that only my Little Mother suffered such difficult labor?

Two lives gone at once.

Is it because of ill fate,

or was it due to some other reason?

A woman in labor is always on a trip to hell.

Your Little Mother just wasn't lucky...

and this was a tragedy,

so don't think about it too much anymore.

Father, when I was attacked by water bandits and sank into the river during my recent trip,

I thought my life was done. But vaguely,

I thought I saw my Little Mother reaching her hand out,

pulling me up! She wanted to say something it seemed.

What did she say?

I just don't know what she said, and that's why I am panicking.

Maybe you are possessed by some demon to talk this nonsense.

In Youyang, I saw the Eldest House Grandmother take her last breath.

She died. Died...

without peace. I was so scared.

That's enough. You are too young to know the gravity of things.

You are not allowed to mention these matters again,

or it may cause disharmony in the family.

There's another matter I'd like to seek your approval about.

Speak.

I heard from someone that when you see the deceased soul of your family member, it's because

the deceased are not in peace in the underworld, and we need to perform a ritual to help them transcend.

That's proper. Since your Big Madam is in charge now,

whatever amount of money you need for it, get it from her.

My Little Mother is buried all alone in the Yangzhou countryside.

She is easily bullied by wild spirits and wandering souls.

Father, you are a palace graduate of the Imperial court exam. You possess great yang energy.

I would like to request that you give me a few drops of blood.

Drop them into cinnabar, so I can inscribe my mother's tablet one more time with it...

to calm those small ghosts!

Please regard it as a grace to me and my Little Mother Wei.

Confucius said this, "Respect ghosts and spirits, but keep them at a distance." (T/N Analects 6:20)

We are an honest family of scholars.

You can't speak of this strange "spirit and ghost" reasoning anymore.

And you really should not ask your father to damage his body. (T/N unfilial act)

Father, you are right.

I was improper.

Then when I carry out the ritual, may you attend

and light the three incense sticks personally?

Light up my Little Mother's soul?

It's a great chaotic time of turmoil and war. You should be home actually

and cultivating yourself, but you must carry out this hapless act?

Where's your propriety?

Father. My Little Mother was your pillow mate.

Enough. I see you were startled. I will go rest now.

Miss. Since the Master won't give drops of blood,

do you think we should go find someone with strong birth pillars, (T/N ba zi - 8 pieces of information about your exact moment of birth that construct your "Four Pillars of Destiny", used for marriage, burial, all important matters)

and inscribe your Little Mother's tablet?

No need. I made that up anyway.

Xiaotao.

If your own ba zi was strong,

would you be willing to give drops of blood for my mother?

I am willing, of course. She treated me so well!

If there were cakes, she would save some for me to eat.

Even you're willing... .

but my mother's pillow mate, he isn't willing?

You are a dependable person.

He is just not a dependable person.

Then, what do we do?

The dead person below can't sleep soundly,

so how can the living person above sleep soundly?

[ Marquis Manor (Gu House) ]

Mother, did you see? That's the Duke Qi House's carriage.

This means Brother Yuanruo must be here too.

And there! That's Duke Ying Manor's carriage.

Isn't that house usually uninterested in attending these events?

Why are they here?

- Look, that's the couple indeed. No one else. - Let's go.

- Greetings, Madam. - Hello to you.

The daughter of Prince Yong's house is here too!

Stop making a fuss.

Yelling and babbling, do you see other ladies doing this?

That Duchess of Ying.

Everyone. The old Marquis' funeral procession,

you all installed tribute stations along the way.

I am beyond grateful.

Because we are still amid the mourning period, we've done away with all red-colored decorations.

As for tunes and operas, we will only perform the yearning ones.

May you be forgiving of our lacking as host.

Madam Qin, since Old Marquis passed away,

you have had to manage this grand marquis manor.

It is such a toil and burden.

Putting together this small banquet to enjoy and share some laughter,

it's only a very natural conduct.

Yes.

Princess Consort is completely right.

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

The Princess usually speaks so haughtily.

Her nostrils are usually pointing to the sky when she talks.

But before the Princess Consort Yong, she's acting like a rat hiding from the cat.

Do you know why?

Third Miss, may you be well.

Stop that act with me.

Do you still think you got to play jiju with the Young Lord,

and he's going to lift you up and let you become a concubine in the ducal manor?

Let me tell you. The Princess has already picked out Prince Yong's daughter as her daughter-in-law.

This Prince Yong is someone who will enter the palace by way of the Eastern Palace (T/N She suggests Prince Yong will be Crown Prince - though one is not yet named. Eastern Palace is the residence of the Crown Prince exclusively)

so naturally, even the Princess is speaking with her voice and head lowered to Princess Consort Yong.

Look.

The one in purple clothing,

that's Prince Yong's daughter, Princess Jiacheng. (T/N Sixth Grand Prince Yong's daughter is niece to the Emperor)

Princess Pingning grew up in the palace.

She gets to go as she pleases in the entire palace.

I imagine she must have caught wind of something

to select someone who is inferior to you in looks and figure?

Sister, your plans were in vain.

The young princess is lucky.

I heard this Imperial Consort Rong's house was smitten with the Young Lord too.

It's just a pity though that Rong Feiyan is unlucky with a short life.

She can't afford such a nice match.

With her death, Princess Pingning and Prince Yong's houses are starting to make acquaintances.

The Duke of Qi House is so smart.

When you cut into tofu, both sides are shiny.

But then again,

among my ancestors, we've had an Imperial tutor,

so we're different than your family.

As it's commonly said,

"you can seal a jar, but not a human mouth."

Your petty mindset of your petty family,

I think it's best you let that shove back into your mother's belly.

Which official house's daughter is the one at the end of the table?

I've never seen her.

She was brought here by the Big Madam of Sheng House.

Didn't your Heng'er study at Sheng House before?

The two houses are well-acquainted,

so they are naturally acquainted with us too.

When the old Marquis passed away,

Sheng House set up a path tribute too.

- So that's the one from Sheng House. - She's the one.

Then summon her, and let me look at her more closely.

By the way,

I just remembered something amusing.

A few days ago, we had a joke at home.

Over some petty matters, the maidservants started to quibble.

A kitchen maid assigned to boil water

dared to scold my own handmaid.

It had me wanting to cry and laugh at the same time.

So how did you handle it, Princess?

Handle what? Just a water maid.

In her whole life, she's never entered the Master's room.

A thing that can't be prevented.

Did you see that? Those two are pointing to the mulberry tree but cursing at the locust tree.

Who are they talking about? You should know that.

My ears don't work well so I didn't hear it.

I couldn't hear as clearly as you could, Sister Yanhong.

Now these fools who don't know their place are so many!

Each and every one of them, thinking they have got a drop of dew from a ducal or marquis house,

and they have some status now too.

When I hear of such things, I find it funny.

I'm even too lazy to get angry.

- Come. - They can't tell when something's good.

Sixth Miss. Sixth Miss!

You came out for a convenience too, Madam?

What convenience?

I just can't stand watching those fakers making oblique-scolding remarks,

so I came out to get some fresh air.

Good child, don't take it to heart.

They love to gossip, and let them!

My ears don't work too well and it was so far away, so I couldn't hear them.

That's right. There you go! We won't listen to them.

In a few days, I've invited some close friends to come and play jiju, and you're good at playing jiju.

Why don't you come and have a battle with me? That'll be refreshing indeed!

I... I fear my father and the Big Madam won't approve.

When the time comes, I will send an invitation to your house.

Your Main Mother will have to approve out of respect for me.

Miss!

When you're outside your home, as long as I am around, no one had better try to bully you!

Since I first met you, I loved that temperament of yours, not putting on artificial pretense. To me--

Big Madam. The Sixth Young Master of your manor is looking for you in the front courtyard.

Looking for me? For what?

I only saw it, and I don't know why he's looking for you.

It must be urgent. I won't stop you then.

Alright then, but you must come to the jiju match.

Let me go first then.

It must be that little whore whining about dying at home again.

I will dispose her sooner or later!

Sixth Miss.

Sixth Miss, the Young Lord is here.

♫ 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 ♫

A chef from Yangzhou joined my house recently.

He makes the best thousand-layer cake. I hid a piece to bring to you.

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

Come. ♫When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees as before♫

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

You try it.

See if the flavor is right.

♫ 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? ♫

I know. You are not usually fond of gold and silver accessories.

Powder and rouge, those sorts of things.

But you are always most fond of eating.

So when there's food, I just think of bringing it to you.

It's a bit cold, isn't it?

It's a bit cold indeed.

This thousand-layer cake.

It's better to eat it when it's hot.

Don't worry about me so much.

Look at how you've grown thin and pale.

I . . .

If I don't think of you,

how can I bear through it?

I know.

On the outside, everyone's talking

about how I am going to marry this princess or that one.

But don't worry.

No matter if she's a state princess or a city princess, (T/N two of the ranks of princesses, depending on their father)

I will never marry anyone else as my wife.

The wife that I, Qi Heng, will marry,

is only you, Sheng Minglan.

Even if you never marry me,

I will remember your look today.

Don't worry.

If my mother won't consent,

I will fight her with my life.

I am the sole son of Qi House. I don't believe...

I don't believe she will watch me die.

Stop that.

You . . . no matter when,

you can never go to your death.

If only for my sake...

I . . .

I would rather never see you again than to see you harm yourself.

Alright.

Alright.

I-I will not mistreat my own body again.

I . . .

I've figured it out.

In a few days,

hereditary noble houses like mine

will all enter the palace to attend the Spring Banquet.

At that time, I will beg His Majesty right there and then,

beg him to appoint our marriage.

No matter how fierce my mother is,

she won't dare to defy the Imperial edict.

This...

That . . . is it . . .

will that work?

Yes, it will work.

It must work.

His Majesty, he is benevolent and kind.

He rejoices in granting wishes.

If I make my plea earnestly, there will be a result.

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

Minglan?

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees as before. ♫

Don't worry. ♫ Don't you know, don't you know, ♫

You must take good care of yourself. ♫ there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

You wait for me.

I will not turn my back on you. ♫ Don't you know, don't you know, ♫

♫ there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

If the Young Lord doesn't succeed . . .

It never was something that could succeed.

You should talk to the Princess too.

If she sees how intelligent you are,

and much better than that city princess, she will consent.

No use.

How is it so hard?

I just fear the Young Lord can't overcome the Princess' obstacles.

If he gives up, I give up.

If he proceeds forward, I will proceed forward.

Your maidservant is right.

Your Young Lord? I'm afraid he's going to collapse.

Second Uncle Gu, how are you here?

I came home to pick up something that belongs to me.

You--how long have you been here?

I just finished hearing the play, "The Palace of Eternal Life". (T/N One of the four great stories - the play itself is anachronistic to Qing Dynasty. The story is from the Tang Dynasty)

Then you heard it all?

Don't worry. I won't talk to others about it.

Then you're still trying to incite me with Emperor Ming and Noble Consort Yang? (T/N Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and Yang Yuhuan, his extravagant consort, blamed for and killed as the scapegoat for the An-Shi Rebellion)

What I said though was that a different story bears the same logic.

Back then, Emperor Ming and Consort Yang

swore their love to each other and were so full of passion.

But in the end, Emperor Ming still abandoned Noble Consort Yang,

in order to preserve his own life and his nation.

He's not Emperor Ming, so what nation does he need to preserve?

He's got no nation of his own.

But he shoulders the honor and shame of the entire Qi family.

Young Lord himself,

he's brimming over with talent indeed, and friendly and amiable. He's a good person.

However, he can't carry

such a grand task.

I fear that at the time, you'll be in a lot of pain from the fall.

I see then that you claim you don't care, Second Uncle.

But in your mind, you've always carried a grudge against me,

begrudging me for messing up you and Sister Yanran's marriage match?

Second Uncle Gu, you're a good person,

but you can't help but to speak with thorns.

Second Young Master.

They are here to capture me, so you should hurry and run.

You . . !

They are here to capture you? Then are you alright?

This is my home, so what's not alright about it?

I . . . maybe I can help by holding that spear for you?

No need, I think. I won't trouble you, Sixth Miss, with my business.

Hurry and go now.

Let's go.

Second Young Master, don't make it hard for us.

Second Young Master.

What? We haven't seen each other for just a short time, and you already are treating me as a criminal?

Let me tell you all that even if I've left the House of Gu,

my name is still in the genealogy book!

The Gu Clan doesn't have a descendant like you!

You still have the nerve to come back?

I'm taking this spear placed in the ancestral temple.

You're already not a person of the House of Gu.

Don't even think of taking the items inside the ancestral temple.

When I was eight years old, I went into the palace to meet the Emperor with Father.

At that time, I did a spear dance in front of the Emperor.

His Majesty was so happy

that he bestowed this spear to the House of Gu.

Without me, there wouldn't be this spear. Why can't I take it with me?

Also, I don't have anything that I want with the House of Gu anymore.

I earned this spear myself, hence, I'm taking it away.

Since it was placed inside the ancestral temple,

then it's the possession of the House of Gu!

Don't even think of taking anything from the House of Gu!

You... You..!

Just with the few of you...

You think you can stop me?

If you aren't afraid to be branded too as the killer of your older brother,

just walk over my dead body and you can have this!

You!

You...

Fine. I won't hit you today,

so you won't get the chance to put another act in front of everyone.

I'll give you this spear.

You can put it in the main receiving hall

or in the ancestral temple. But remember this.

One day, I'm coming back.

You'll be forced to open the main middle gates for me and sweep the courtyard for me. (T/N with highest honor)

You will be inviting me inside the ancestral temple and handing me this spear with both hands!

Dream on!

Was it you who was being the bridge between your Young Master

and that illegitimate Sheng daughter, and thus they were able to meet?

No. No.

You still dare to deny it!

If you don't admit it, I'll beat you up until you die!

I really didn't. May Big Madam investigate it wisely.

Fine, if you won't say it.

It's not important if it's you or not.

Either way, today I'm going to cane you to death!

Hit him!

Your Highness! Your Highness! Please spare my life!

Young Lord! Young Lord!

Young Lord! Young Lord!

Mother. Mother. What are you doing?

What did Buwei do wrong?

He refused to admit that he devised means for you and that Sheng girl to privately meet behind my back.

If he won't admit it, I'll beat him to death!

Mother, he didn't. I didn't have any private meetings with anyone.

Buwei didn't help me have a private date with anyone!

Mother, I beg you, please spare Buwei.

Mother, I beg you! Mother!

Are you all treating me as if I am dead or blind?

Doing tricks right under the eyes of the House of Prince Yong!

If Princess Consort Yong learns of this, do you know what great trouble will that be?

If I don't kill him today,

the servants in this house will imitate him

and help you rebel against your parents!

Won't this house get turned upside down then?

Beat him to death!

Mother, I beg you.

I beg you to spare Buwei. Mother.

Mother!

Informing Big Madam, Buwei is dead.

Buwei...

Buwei. Buwei!

Buwei... Buwei...

Buwei!

You're already this ill. Where else do you want to go?

I can't stay here in this house anymore.

I'm going to die of suffocation.

You don't want your parents anymore?

Buwei...

was my most trusted aide.

He respected me.

He loved me.

He cared about me.

He pitied me. You killed him.

That's also killing... my heart.

No. I... I can't just sit here and wait for death.

If you all won't let me be with Minglan, I insist on being with her!

Right now, I'll go to the Sheng Manor to propose marriage.

Yuanruo.

Yuanruo!

If you go, you're going to kill me and your father!

Yuanruo...

Why do you think Rong Feiyan died?

It was all because of you.

The Rong Family was the first one with intentions to be connected with us through marriage.

Imperial Consort Rong had already called me into the palace twice.

She also told me about it openly and covertly.

The ancestors of the House of Rong were just masons.

Their family isn't really that prestigious.

I wasn't willing, but I couldn't rashly reject them.

I could only delay it.

Afterwards, during the jiju match outside Jinming Reservoir,

Princess Jiacheng, the daughter of Prince Yong,

fell in love with you at first sight. She begged her parents to marry you upon returning home.

Although Prince Yong has a lot of sons,

he only has this one daughter.

Since she was little, he treated her as a precious pearl and gave her everything she asked for.

A few days ago,

Princess Consort Yong came to test the waters.

I was put in a difficult place for I can't offend both families.

I could only tell her the truth. Never thought...

that Princess Consort Yong didn't say anything in front of me,

but during the Spring Lantern Festival,

that incident with...

Rong Feiyan happened.

It was...

done by the Royal House of Prince Yong?

Imperial Consort Rong doted on her little sister the most.

With Imperial Consort Rong being so highly-favored,

His Majesty even sent out the Yulin Imperial Army, (T/N The Emperor's personal army, his direct command)

but they were unable to find even the shadow of the criminals.

Other than Prince Yong,

who else can do it without leaving any traces behind?

They are acting without regard for the law and of natural morality.

Then is His Majesty just going to sit by and do nothing?

Because of the Crown Prince matter, His Majesty has already become ill from depression.

He didn't attend the morning court for more than a month.

To prevent him from being more anxious, the whole inner palace

does dare not tell him about this.

Prince Yong is of the highest noble background.

He has so many descendants and is the eldest among the royal relatives.

The most popular among them. If he becomes the Crown Prince,

he will become more powerful. We can't offend him.

He's still not the Crown Prince now.

No matter if he is,

he's a person that's above us.

Moreover, because of the incident with Rong Feiyan,

the family of Imperial Consort Rong also developed hatred towards us.

Our Qi Clan doesn't have abundant descendants.

Our relatives aren't that successful in their careers. We're the only ones supporting the clan.

Even though your father used to be in charge of the salt trade,

he doesn't have that post now.

His is just has an empty post, and isn't highly-favored by His Majesty.

These past years, it's all because I

grew up beside His Majesty and Empress, hence, they showed us some graces

and preserved the flourishing of the ducal manor these past ten years.

If you don't agree with this marriage,

and one day His Majesty is gone

and the new Emperor ascends to the throne,

at that time, the world will turn upside down

and we'll have lost a backer!

When that time comes,

we... will really become meat on the chopping board,

with which Prince Yong can do anything to as he wishes.

Such a joke.

People would talk about...

Baosi and Daji (T/N bewitching beauties who brought down rulers - King You of Zhou, King Zhou of Shang)

Now, I'm just a crude lad

but was able to induce this huge catastrophe.

Mother,

if I die,

Prince Yong will spare our family, right?

Are you crazy?

- What silly words are you saying? - I'm not crazy.

This is the only way to save the Qi Family.

Mother, go and give a reply to Princess Consort Yong now.

If she wants me, sure,

as long as the Princess is willing to marry a corpse.

No! You are the only descendant of our Qi family.

You're are our only son. You can't die!

If you don't want to go, Mother...

I'll personally write the letter and send it to them.

Princess! The Duke's carriage is back!

So he has come back then, why are you be panicking?

The carriage is back, but the person isn't!

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? ♫