Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 31

Miss, you should stop doing this.

You should go look at the storage.

The Countess sent a bunch of stuff again and it's almost out of space in the storage!

Don't worry. Soon the Countess will not be coming to our home again.

Maybe you'd like to reconsider, Miss?

Big Madam Wu is a straight-shooter and she gets along with you.

That's very hard to come by.

The Countess is great, but her son isn't one to marry.

Grandmother already told me in detail about the tough story behind it,

so I can't disrespect the elder's good intentions for me.

I think He House is better than Liang House.

You're so young, so what do you know?

Danju, all the items sent by Liang House?

Count each one and store each in a box, and place them in the guest room.

I will need to return them all to Liang House in the future. Not one can be missing.

What a pity about so many nice items.

But what about the bracelet you gifted to Fifth Miss?

It can't be

that you are going to pull it off of her wrist?

And also the leather goods you gifted Fourth Sister?

I bought them all with my private money.

They weren't gifts from Liang House!

Private money?

Private money?

Miss! Y-Your monthly allowance is already not much.

Though Old Madam helps you, there's a limit too.

That's just great now! You spent it on raising others.

We won't have anything to eat or wear!

You didn't see it, Miss. The one in Linqi Pavilion heard Big Madam Wu came to visit Minglan again.

And she's so angry, smoke was coming out of all her holes. If she didn't brush her hair and pin it with a flower,

the roots would be standing on end from fury!

You know, in the future if something great like this happens,

you must remember to tell me instead of hogging the fun alone.

Yes, I will remember it.

By the way, I hear the Master has started to look into a prospect for the one in Linqi Pavilion.

He's brought in a few people in a row the last few days,

but all are just scholars.

He claims it's to accompany your Second or Third Brother for scholarly discussion.

But in actuality, it's for them to have a look at each other.

Scholars? Must be some poor family's candidate for the Iimperial exam.

Father dotes on her usually.

But in the end, he's still just going to find a family that's lower-ranked than ours.

Father just doesn't know though. Her eyes?

They've climbed up to the top of her head already. (T/N to see above her rank... )

She's still hoping to marry into a lofty house.

She's dreaming.

Xique, look.

Look how pretty those blossoms are. Pluck them for me.

Yes.

Careful. - Yes.

- Miss, what's wrong? - Nothing, nothing.

My handkerchief!

That's mine.

Miss. Fifth Miss?

Darling Hong, you've toiled lately.

You should move back in instead of staying out.

We'll see in a few days.

After Mo'er's matter is done, it's not too late to move back then.

Countess Yongchang came.

I fear, it's for marriage talk with Sixth Girl.

The Ming girl's marriage.

It'll only count after asking Old Madam's opinion,

so you needn't overthink it.

Yes, yes, yes. The glory of a count's manor,

I don't dare to overthink it.

Just that seeing how the Sixth Girl's marriage prospect is nearly set,

in the past, you spoke about the literature student to me.

I think that's not quite suitable.

You women who live inside your courtyards.

You don't know about how to see a scholar.

Yes, darling Hong's discernment in seeing a student is tops, of course.

It's just that for a woman to select a husband,

it's not really to seek name with merit,

it's only to seek a good person who is kind,

who can afford to feed and clothe us.

It's just that,

this literature student is so poor.

If our Mo'er marries over there,

I fear she will have to suffer twenty years of bitterness first.

His family's really not that dire in poverty.

It's only that the family's bottom line isn't big, but that child is an outstanding talent.

Darling Hong, even if he's an outstanding talent

such that he might be conferred as a marquis or high minister, I still don't feel stirred.

I only want Mo'er to have a mouthful of warm food to eat.

Darling Hong, please dote on Mo'er.

It seems... you are not satisfied with this son-in-law I found.

In that case, why do you go around in such a big circle? Just tell me straight up instead,

and you'll spare me from wasting my words!

Hong--

I'm going to the study.

Darling Hong!

Darling Hong, you misunderstood me.

I didn't misunderstand!

Mo'er.

Mo'er, be good. Don't cry.

Mo'er!

Don't worry. Your father won't plan for you?

I will plan for you!

Aunt, these days you've been in the capital,

I imagine you've exhausted all the money you had on you.

Please just take these for now and tell me if you run out.

I don't need any silver.

I am used to bitter days.

I only hope this matter can quickly

be done to clear it up and I can return to my Yangzhou swiftly.

Hence, I've looked into the details of Count Yongchang Manor's visit to fill the oil and burn the incense.

What is it?

On the fifteenth of this month, Madam Wu will bring along the Sixth Son of Liang House to come together.

They will hold a big ritual.

They are having people clean the area up everywhere.

I understand.

Then, will you come on that day?

I will not go. - You're not?

Then why did you ask me to find out about it?

If you're not a fish, even ten hooks won't find you.

But if you're a fish, then even if I don't have a hook,

you will still jump on the shore and eat up all the worms on the shore.

Aunt, walk me to here only so others don't see.

Go back first. - Alright.

Then you have to be careful going back.

Go.

What's wrong?

The wind's strong and the rain's strong too.

This. You're about to get rained on.

It's better to come on the fifteenth of the first month. More people and more bustling.

I imagine the wish might come true sooner.

The value of making a wish is in the heart, not on the date.

What you said seems to make sense too.

This time, it's to wish for a child especially.

Mother said we must come out of the carriage and walk.

That way, the divine one can see my sincerity.

They all say Yuqing Monastery is most effective in pleading for children.

Someone held a ritual here before,

and they got twin boys when they went home.

Miss, they left.

Miss, don't be sad.

I am not sad.

I've been to Yuqing Monastery so many times and I never noticed it before,

but standing here behind the tree, I just discovered what an elegant scenery this is.

Such a delightful floral scent. What a great scenery this is.

What are you praying for?

Nation's prosperity and people's security to be everlasting.

And?

Homeward peace and parental health.

And?

Praying for the gods not to be too greedy.

Why didn't you beg for a child?

If it's destined for us, we will have one. Why force it?

Then . . . you don't want a child with me?

That's not it.

Then why didn't you pray for one?

May the Sanxinggrant me offspring. (T/N Three pure star deities)

I shall then renovate this hall and make a new gold statue.

That's better.

May the Sanxing watch over Sheng Minglan.

Health and peace. All things to her will.

Find a . . .

Find a good husband.

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

Give it to me.

Good, good.

These days you're frequenting Yuqing Monastery.

Lately, I keep seeing my mother in my dreams.

I feel uneasy, so I went a few times extra.

Now, the fragrant oil's been filled,

and we've celebrated her underworld birthday too.

My Little Mother isn't coming to my dreams anymore.

I imagine she's already reincarnated with ease,

so I won't need to go again anymore.

That He House boy, lately...

he's come to our home more diligently.

Then, next time he comes again,

I should thank him for the medicine from Brother He.

He's treated my face so that there's no scar at all.

It's true.

No matter how heavy the wound,

in the end, the festered flesh needs to be dug out,

and apply medicine on the wound, and treat it so there's no scar left at all.

Yes.

Grandmother, don't worry. Your granddaughter understands it.

Sixth Miss's stable man said she's going to Yuqing Monastery on the fifteenth.

I checked at Yuqing Monastery,

and Count Yongchang Manor also reserved that date.

Indeed the rumor I heard wasn't false.

This Sixth Girl doesn't display anything usually,

but she's such a brash one!

She's not even married over yet, and she's brown-nosing the mother-in-law already.

What do we do? Is there no chance for me then?

In moments like this, you must be that much more calm and think of a good countermeasure instead.

What countermeasure can I come up with?

I'm holed up in this room. I can't even leave the doorway!

What do you expect me to do? Huh?

There's nothing to expect.

Then, just go out the door.

Father won't allow me to leave, so how can I?

Come now, we need to play a risky move for an all-in.

If it's up to me,

you will have to bear with the compromise and abandon shame.

If you don't go, then just sit here and be docile.

Wait for your father to bring you an exam candidate and just dismiss you haphazardly!

I . . . I don't want to marry some exam candidate. If I did,

the one next door to us will laugh until her teeth fall out!

My good daughter.

Everyone has to go through hardships.

If I had been wishy-washy back then,

we wouldn't have this luxurious life of being served by servants.

I hurried and got myself pregnant with your Third Brother,

or else,

or else I would have been kicked out by Sheng House long ago and desolate on the streets!

Mother is right.

If I can marry into the count's manor,

any compromise, any shame,

that's not important.

Miss Luzhong. Miss Luzhong!

Miss Luzhong. You're going out?

Fourth Miss's rouge and hair oil are out. She says the one procured by the house isn't good.

So she ordered me and Yunzai to buy the ones she likes.

Miss Yunzai? Sister Yunzai's here too? Yunzai ...

What's wrong?

Not just powder, but two jade belts she reserved.

Yunzai's figure is similar to Fourth Miss, so she's coming with me to give them an idea.

If I see a good cicada cage on the way, I will get a couple for you.

Great.

Then, you go and get busy with your chores.

Hurry now. Go back. If I see anything good, I'll buy them all for you.

- Hurry and go. Go, go. - Travel slowly. I'm going now.

Quickly go to Yuqing Monastery.

Okay.

[ Sanxing Hall (T/N Hall of the Three Star Deities (Orion's Belt), representing Luck, Longevity, Status) ]

Let's go.

It's still too early.

I heard there is a very beautiful spring on the western side of the monastery

and the scenery there is good too. Let's go look.

Mother, I can't take it anymore. I want to go home and rest.

You only have walked a few steps and you're already complaining of being tired?

Mother, you come here every three to five days.

Isn't it because you want to bump into that lady from the Sheng family?

I know that you're unwilling.

You still think about that bitch in your room.

If you really miss her, then quickly agree to marry the Sheng lady.

I'll allow you to do what you want after.

When there is still no main wife, which noble family would allow a concubine to enter first?

I'm not in a rush.

I fear that your little bitch Chunke's womb can't wait!

While in front of the Daoist spiritual master, think about it well.

Let's go.

Young Master, are we returning to the manor?

What return?

Mother is going to the Luqing Spring in the west.

Let's go walk around the eastern courtyard.

Did we arrive late?

Have the people from the House of Liang already left?

Their carriage is still outside. They surely are still here.

Miss, how about we go there to take a look?

Little misses, don't go forward anymore.

We heard that the flowers in the back garden of Yuqing Monastery are blossoming beautifully.

We are about to look at them.

What flowers?

A young lad also said that he's going to appreciate the flowers.

The garden is full of men.

If you two go in, I fear that your reputation might get tainted.

We'll be leaving now.

Heaven is really helping me.

Miss, have you decided? Are you really going in?

If you go, your whole family will lose face.

My mother said it right.

Only our own pride

is what's important. It's much more important than the dignity of that House of Sheng.

You told me that flowers are blooming majestically in here.

Tell me, where are the flowers!

Young Master, I...

Are you going to let me—

Miss. Are you alright?

Where are you hurt?

My god...

Your leg...

Miss, are you alright?

Am I dreaming?

Young Master, you are holding my hand. How can it be fake?

Get up.

Why are you here?

I heard the Young Master calling for me in my dream,

so I came.

Molan!

Fourth Sister, hello.

Little Sister, you're such a talent.

We've long become hostile to each other and you're still pretending to be nice.

I'm not bearing any grudge against Sister wounding my face.

What?

Is Sister hating Father for punishing you to kneel?

Don't think that because you've won once, you've completely defeated me.

A man's lifetime lasts for decades.

The road is still long.

Until that day that you're put inside a coffin, everything else is not yet final.

Right. Your days are still long, Sister.

You won't be put inside a coffin yet.

Sit down.

The weather is really too hot.

From now on, don't bother coming to greet me in the morning and attending to me at night.

You can just come over every first and fifteenth day of the month.

Grandmother, we are not that delicate.

It's just a few steps. It isn't that hot.

Grandmother is caring for us. Why don't you just appreciate it?

Among us sisters, only Mucang Pavilion is nearest here.

Saying that it's only a few steps,

it's because you're talking while standing, and thus your back doesn't hurt. (T/N just all talk)

Just finish your cold yogurt.

Just like that, you three are fighting?

You've becoming more like a child as you grow up.

Grandmother, you said it right.

Fourth Sister is more like a child now.

When she wants something, she couldn't even wait for a moment and had to immediately send out Yunzai and the others to buy them.

If Yunzai gets delayed for a second in going out, Fourth Sister will get mad.

That's right. A few days ago, I saw Yunzai going out.

After calling her for a long time, she didn't even mind me.

She's becoming more and more unruly.

Fourth Sister, if you don't know how to teach your servants proper rules,

you can give her to me and Sixth Sister.

We'll teach her the rules on your behalf.

I've been locked up for several days.

I can't even send someone out to buy things for me to relieve my boredom?

That Yunzai also just has a one-track mind.

After instructing her to go out and handle some business, she's unable to care about other things.

Punishing her just because she didn't hear Fifth Sister calling her,

isn't that a bit too harsh?

Maybe Fifth Sister, you saw the wrong one?

Here in our house, there are a few girls who have the same height

and build as Yunzai.

What you said is also reasonable.

Yunzai and Fourth Sister are similar too.

If they both turn their back on me, I indeed won't recognize who is who.

Fifth Sister,

the in-law of Eldest Sister will be holding a banquet.

Shi'er is also six months old now and can come out to see the guests.

Did you prepare any gifts?

I've already prepared a gift for my little nephew.

Since Fourth Sister is grounded, she might not be able to go.

Who wouldn't value this?

I've contracted a cold lately and am coughing a bit.

I fear that I might transfer my illness to the child, so I dare not go.

I've made a few baby undergarments. Please give them on my behalf.

And as is the usual practice, I've prepared a set for you.

Okay. I'll give them on your behalf.

This is so surprising. How come you're raising these lilies here?

Shouldn't these urns be placed in the garden to be more impressive?

Putting them here

would only make this place crowded and moist. So inconvenient.

I'm not doing it to grow flowers. It's just that two months ago,

I burned some incense in Yuqing Monastery.

The Daoist priest there made a prediction that a disaster might happen to me this year.

I need water to extinguish the fire.

So I looked for three urns, filled them with water, and placed them inside my room.

It might look like appreciating the flowers, but they are actually here to balance my fortune.

This way, my marriage fate would be smooth sailing.

A few days ago, that Big Madam Wu from the House of Count Yongchang came here daily.

I saw you two getting along very well. But these past days, you keep getting sick,

always locking yourself inside the house? How can it still go smoothly?

Don't eventually end up with a bingsheng and live the rest of your life like that! (T/N top xiucai)

I know how lowly my status is.

Even if I enter the Count's house in the future, I surely will just suffer.

Why bring trouble to myself?

Good thing you have self-awareness. Those people outside are saying

that you hooked up with Brother Yuanruo first, and now hooking up the House of Liang!

I think they are just jealous of you

for winning the jiju prize!

- Fifth Sister, that's what you think? - Of course.

Those gossipers are just saying those things because they are envious of you.

Don't know how many times they've played jiju with some Fourth Young Master Zhang or Fourth Young Master Liu,

played how many sets of chuiwan?

Or perhaps they are looking down at how low the official position of our family is?

Good thing my Second Brother is an achiever.

Once he gets promoted to the leader of a bureau or ministry,

our family will surely be more powerful than their houses.

This many?

Right. Fifth Sister, you defended me.

I can't just think about Eldest Sister, right?

You can choose whatever you like among these handkerchiefs.

I'm not really defending you.

Weren't you able to suppress that little bitch Molan?

I've never seen her suffering so much.

The two of us can be considered to be of the same house.

This handkerchief is so pretty.

So pretty. Mother, look.

That Minglan is weak and sickly girl, always locking herself inside her room.

She was also unable to entertain Big Madam Wu,

completely foiling this marriage.

She seemed to be having some new obsessions,

and started believing in that Maoshan Daoist priest. (T/N Mount Mao Daoists, possibly Shangqing School)

She had several huge urns transferred into her room.

She said that it can give her good luck and a smooth-sailing marriage.

She indeed is younger than I am,

and not as clever.

She's more quick-witted than you are.

She knows to be worried about her marriage matters,

while you're still being silly here and not giving it any thought.

I'm a legitimate daughter of the Sheng family,

and I'm doted on by you. Why must I worry?

You can say so, but your ba zi still has to be paired. (T/N must match auspiciously with someone's birth date)

Now that your Eldest Sister already have a son,

only your matter is left to be handled. We have to hurry a little.

I've never heard that girl Ming talk about believing in ghosts or deities,

but she praised that Daoist priest. He then must be really good!

I'll choose a good date and go there to ask for some predictions too.

Isn't that Luzhong and Yunzai of Linqi Pavilion?

Let's go look. They might be doing some crooked means to curse me.

Big Madam, please stay. I'll go on your behalf.

Assist Big Madam to pray to the Sanxing. I'll follow in a while.

[ Sanxing Hall ]

I'm tired. Let's have some tea before chatting.

It was actually Molan having a rendezvous?

- Why did you catch them on the spot! - Big Madam, please wait!

Big Madam, have you not suffered enough from their courtyard?

If we rashly go there, isn't that alarming the enemy prematurely?

In front of Master, you know very clearly their ability to dissuade him.

Each one acting to be so pitiful. We are not their competition.

They can turn black into white, flat into round.

Maybe they will even pass the blame to you, and we'll be the ones to suffer in the end!

This matter is so clear. How can they still deny it?

We have to be sure.

Since we've caught their weakness, then hold their neck tightly and not let go.

Don't let them have any chance to take in a breath! (T/N metaphor is a choke hold, don't let them escape)

I'm now very confused.

Tell me, what should we do?

Seeing how they were acting, I'm sure that this isn't their first time meeting up.

Since they've tasted sweetness, they surely won't easily stop. There will be a next time. (T/N are lovers)

Why don't we go home and report this to the Master?

Let's ask him to personally come here and catch them red-handed.

This way,

the crime of her privately meeting with a male outsider and doing illicit acts

will be proven true as if a nail hammered onto a board.

Say that once again!

Lower your voice. Do you find this matter honorable?

That's impossible. You must have seen it wrong.

Nanny Liu personally followed them.

She personally saw that Molan having a rendezvous with Liang Han,

then they entered a room. A man and a woman inside a secret room. How could she see it wrongly?

I waited for them to leave.

When I entered the room,

there was a huge bed.

Nonsense. How could you make up things to set people up?

You are completely slandering.

You suspect me of framing them? Fine.

Seeing is better than hearing.

Minister, why don't you personally catch them and the truth will be out.

Catching an affair is such an obscene act. How could I—

How could you let a father catch his own daughter...

Wait.

I think it's better that I call Concubine Lin and Molan here.

You two...

You two confront each other.

If I'm telling any lies,

let Rulan never get married,

and Hualan never be able to raise her head high in front of her in-laws!

My god...

Miss Luzhong!

Miss Luzhong, are you going to buy hair oils and rouge for Fourth Miss again?

I'm buying thread.

You must be going out with Miss Yunzai again, right?

Just keep your mouth shut. After getting the money, why don't you hurry and act like a corpse over there?

A lowly guard like you privately talking about matters of the Fourth Miss,

be careful of getting your spine hit.

I'm going now!

Big Madam! Big Madam!

Big Madam, she has left. She has gone out again. Fourth Miss disguised as Yunzai

and went out with Luzhong again.

Hurry.

Inform the Minister and prepare the carriage. Go to Yuqing Monastery.

Yes.

Tell the Minister to bring servants who have signed a death contract (T/N loyal to their deaths)

to tightly surround that courtyard.

Okay, I know. We must not let them escape.

No! It's to guard that this matter doesn't get leaked out!

Because if it does,

the Misses of our house won't be able to live anymore and can only jump into the river! (T/N dishonored with Fourth)

Big Madam, you've thought about it thoroughly.

Let's go!

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? ♫