Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 34

Come, drink.

Second Brother Bai, you should just stay at our Yuzhou longer.

That General Xie of yours depends on you now, and he won't rush you back.

That's true. Hang out with us more.

What's so great about that army camp there?

If it's up to me, we'd have the militia write a letter and ask for you.

Old Geng, you're drunk.

My father can't keep him.

If we had known how big this riot was they were throwing in the south,

we should've gone with them together to knock the rebels,

instead of staying here in this small, stifling Yuzhou!

You saw that I set a merit and got a title promotion, so you're jealous.

I'd love to have you come too actually, but your madam won't agree.

Lingnan is full of high hills and dangerous waters, and lots of poison and malaria.

If your madam finds out, she'll eat me.

You men have the grief of having tiger mothers at home.

Watching the house so tight, so where do you even want to go?

I think my madam is the virtuous one.

- I'll come with you. - Come, come.

Here, let me pour for you.

Don't leave after we eat yet. I need to talk to you.

Come now. Eat the food!

Do you have news of Chang'er?

If that were the case, why would I evade the others?

I would've drummed to celebrate already.

I asked my Canal Gang buddies on my trip to the south too.

But there's no news still.

Don't rush. The future has a long way to go. After some time,

I'll find someone to look into the west side.

Your Manniang is Chang's real mother after all.

She won't mistreat him.

I hope so.

For now, I have an important matter to discuss with you.

A few days ago, you got a promotion command.

But I? I got a secret Imperial edict!

"Secret Imperial edict"? Saying what?

His Majesty first praised us,

saying we are diligent and loyal.

Sage and merit-bound.

Then he mentioned how his health is just getting worse by the day, and in the future when a new emperor ascends,

he wants us, father and son, both to assist with all our might,

and we will have a great future ahead.

So the Crown Prince has been selected?

His Majesty is making entrusts everywhere

to pave the way for the new emperor in the future.

My father and I are of the bloodline of Emperor Taizong, so we have been a cold house for years.

Even if we have a friend like you with us, we can only recommend you out

so we don't court the suspicion of others. (T/N members of the ruling bloodline of Taizong do not want attention)

Now he's sent us this edict especially.

My father hasn't slept in many nights.

You are from the Dongjing precinct, so do you know anything?

I think you needn't worry too much.

Even if His Majesty is trying to restrain the Imperial clans,

the first ones to clean up are the few in Bianjing.

Those are the big trees who have the power to fight for the throne.

Yuzhou is no pivotal army command nor some affluent area.

Even if the intention were here, I'm afraid that the capacity is not.

That's what I said too.

But my father, you know how he is even if I don't say it, so I'll say something a son shouldn't say.

If it's raining big outside, he's afraid to go out. (T/N a cautious man)

He's afraid the rain will crack his head.

Now a secret Imperial edict comes,

and my father is truly not at ease.

Let's do this.

It's not too busy at Old Xie's command right now, so I'll stay.

I'll be your father's little servant to guard and help him watch the house. How's that?

The hell with that! You're a newly-promoted officer and you'll work as a servant?

My father and I have a bit of hereditary nobility,

but we can't afford you.

Then seal the house, and hire a few extra guards to watch.

Tell your father to sleep with ease. I've got everything.

If the summons from the capital hasn't come,

then nothing's the matter.

When the summons comes, we'll make our plans then.

Where can I find some new guards to watch this manor?

If we don't know their background thoroughly, it's just planting trouble.

But I saw so many unfamiliar faces when I arrived earlier?

I thought they were your servants. They are not new?

Come here! - Brother Bai?

Did you see a few new faces, dressed as household servants about my height?

I did see some new faces and they are from the pub, delivering food.

They said they're leaving right away, so I didn't ask much.

Which direction did they go? - To the east. The militia went with them too.

The militia said they're going to check the farmstead.

Crap.

What's wrong?

Hurry and get the horses!

The most beautiful thing on earth isn't the high summit or the beautiful water.

It's these grain fields.

With this,

Yuzhou will be secure.

Sir. - Zhonghuai, you're finally here!

Watch out.

Move!

Speak! Who sent you?

Father. Father.

Father, are you alright. Hurry and get up.

Zhonghuai, he's going to commit suicide!

Men! Take him to interrogate him!

Let's go.

You won't talk, and you'll have to suffer some skin and flesh pain.

I know you're all suicide fighters.

Even if the knife is cutting into your neck, you won't blink.

However,

what I want today isn't your life.

It's your guts.

You won't talk,

and I'll use these tools and try each one on you.

If you're not dead yet by then,

I'll use this knife

and cut off your flesh, one piece at a time.

I've got life-preserving ginseng soup too to keep you alive.

A butcher lived across from my home.

Since I was little, I watched him butcher lives.

Sometimes, in order to keep the meat a day fresher,

he'd keep the animal alive.

These tricks, I know them all.

If you don't believe me,

you can try it.

The meat on the chest is the thickest.

Even when you cut it a hundred times, you only get half a bowl of blood.

So we'll start from here then.

It's Prince Yan!

Yes.

It's, it's His Highness Prince Yan!

He sent us.

You should've told me sooner so I wouldn't have to exhaust all this energy.

This.

Prince Yan and I have no grudges so why is after my life?

We only just received the secret Imperial edict...

and he sends the assassins.

- I fear it's about installing the royal heir. - How does installing the royal heir have anything to do with me?

Even though I'm an Imperial clansman,

I was not born into the high nobility and I have no vast connections.

With what would I fight with Prince Yan, and why is he after me?

I'm afraid it must be because Prince Yan thought,

that Imperial edict to be on standby for assistance was actually a Crown Prince installation edict.

Now the matter of naming the royal successor is causing huge chaos in Bianjing.

Prince Yan already has his own army ready.

Any slight movement, and he will think it's real.

I seal my house and sit at home, but the calamity falls from sky.

Maybe,

I should go hide in the farmstead outside the city for a few days.

You can tell them I went to live in the Buddhist monastery outside the city.

If more assassins come,

we can at least have some countermeasure.

Father.

We ourselves are of the bloodline of the great ancestors, descendants of the Imperial family.

To be this scared... isn't this a joke to others?

What do you people know?

Preserving your life is what matters.

Sir. Since Prince Yan is already thinking it's real,

he would rather kill mistakenly than to not kill.

If he wants to kill you, you can't hide anywhere.

I think we don't quit until we've tried.

We go to Bianjing and see His Majesty.

Tattle on him!

- Tattle? - Since we can't protect ourselves,

why not attack as our defense?

Instead of sitting here waiting to die, it's better to make a move with an army.

We go to Bianjing furtively and meet His Majesty.

Make public the evil deeds of Prince Yan.

Even if we can't report his mistakes,

at least we can let the world know his evil intention.

At the time, Prince Yan will actually be motivated to try to keep you alive.

This . . .

Will it work?

Father. Since the founding our dynasty, Imperial heirs haven't killed other Imperial heirs.

The more we concede, the more we allow others to kill us off!

We must go to the extreme only and kill off Prince Yan's thought altogether!

That is the long-term solution.

Sir, if you're worried about the travel,

we can disguise ourselves as merchants and as long as we are cautious,

we can arrive at the capital smoothly.

Father. Zhonghuai can't be matched by others in skills.

If we add those few brothers from Duan House who can fight and kill,

where would your worry be then?

I think I had better just go and live in the farmstead a few days first.

His Majesty won't leave the crown prince's seat vacant forever.

As long as the Crown Prince is set for sure and Prince Yan knows it's nothing to do with me...

then he will give up.

Zhonghuai.

Prince Yan is coming out so fiercely, I don't think he will only send one group of assassins.

My father's worry isn't out of reason either.

We have always been a worry to the royal court.

It's all because of my father's prudence and carefulness that we've lasted until today.

If he had my foul temper,

I think we wouldn't be alive long ago.

If this delays us and the royal court political climate is set,

then it's useless for us to go to the capital then.

I knew you're trying to push us to the capital,

not only to escape trouble.

Think about it. This Prince Yan. He's so boldly and openly making attempts to assassinate an Imperial heir.

It's possible the capital might already be in revolt.

I don't even know if His Majesty is still there.

I fear a round of bloodbaths is imminent.

In danger lies our chance.

You and I agree on that point.

My father and I have lived in Yuzhou for so long and for more than a decade, no one has asked about us.

Our lives are less than that of a fifth-ranked minister in the capital.

Yet we are descendants of the Zhao Imperial clan.

Instead of just dragging along our lives in Yuzhou training a mediocre militia,

why not ride on this chance,

and aim for a revolution in our lives?

Your Lordship has this great ambition and I shall follow with my life.

Let's go. Go.

Zhonghuai, we are closest to Old Geng's house here.

But we're going around by Shen House.

Isn't this adding extra danger?

The Madam at Geng House is a Hedong Lioness. (T/N a shrewish wife, roars like a lion or tiger)

If we just show up without any prior notice,

I fear that Old Geng is going to be scolded until he bleeds.

The Madam at Shen House is amiable and she won't dislike us.

You give each person a different treatment then.

You're not scared of Madam Geng?

Just thinking of that makes me scared.

Hurry and go to the capital. We're going to the capital immediately!

[ Dongjing ]

Great!

Such sighs and gloominess. What's wrong?

This morning, someone from the palace came.

They invited the wives of the Fourth and Fifth Houses into the palace,

saying it's an invitation by Her Highness the Imperial Consort Rong.

Duke Ying and Duke Yue's madams are there too,

they just overlooked us, the First House.

My adopted son Yu's wife didn't go either? (T/N for clarification, Eldest Young Master, Gu Tingyu)

No.

Not just the palace.

The entire city of Bianjing is full of power plays!

They see that the new Marquis is sick,

with no official duty or power, and useless... .

so they just throw us aside.

When the old Marquis was alive,

our manor was so bustling.

You've worked for me for so many years already.

You should be more sensible in the Marquis Manor.

Why are so you still so short-sighted?

Imperial Consort Rong summons them,

and what's it for?

It's to form private party alliances.

In the long term, it will be trouble.

Those two fools in Fourth and Fifth Gu Houses,

are still trying so hard to add to the mix.

They'll end up crying soon.

You are right, Big Madam.

Close to this one and aloof to another then.

Not far or near, and it appears forgotten.

But if I can balance in the middle well,

that's enough to get him into a hundred exam yards.

And also, though Yu inherited the Marquis title,

it's only temporary.

Those bones of his won't last long.

Once he dies,

my Tingwei is the next Marquis of Ningyuan.

As long as the Marquis title continues to be in our grasp,

it will be endless glory and wealth.

We don't need to social climb with some Consort Rong.

Remember. These are just grass insects after the autumn.

Once this season is over, they are done.

That's true, but there's still the other one before Third Young Master.

That scoundrel?

Who knows if he's already died as a drunkard somewhere.

Even if he hasn't died,

Gu clan's elders

won't let that unfilial one

who infuriated his father to cause his death to inherit the noble title.

But before the old Marquis died..?

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

Father-in-law has been gone many days.

I don't know if they are sufficient in food and sleep at the palace.

Sister-in-law, you're not worried about Father.

You're worried about Second Brother, right?

I'm not saying him necessarily.

It's just that installing a crown prince is an internal palace matter.

My husband works in the RItes Bureau so it's not a surprise that he was summoned.

But Father-in-law isn't from Rites Bureau, so why was he summoned?

He said His Majesty was rushing them,

and they had to be fast and thorough too, so that's why the busy fretting.

They said they needed more hands to help out.

The Crown Prince is the future Emperor, so this matter can't be reckless.

First, the Astrology Bureau needs to select an auspicious date.

Then the Rites Bureau needs to check the ancient books of records

to draft the procedure and write the edict,

and then promulgate it to each province and city.

And they need to dispatch envoys to pray to the spirits in all directions.

Produce all the ceremonial robes and crowns.

The high ministers also have to be added to roster of congratulatory greeters.

This repeats exhaustingly.

And not to mention, the grand conferment ceremony.

They need to pray and make offerings to the gods, and seek and answer inquiries.

Just more difficult work!

Your turn.

I went, Grandmother. There.

My husband and father-in-law won't be back until next month.

They are not main officials in it.

They are just doing literary and letter chores.

I think they should be done soon.

Go, go. Hurry.

Sister-in-law, don't worry.

You don't need to ache for Second Brother's labor.

This girl Ming is more mischievous as she grows.

You know your sister-in-law is shy, and you're teasing her!

I already told Second Brother last month

that I would send fish soup to him. I'd make it personally too.

This is great then.

The fish has been sent from Youyang homestead

and he's confined to the Imperial palace instead.

He's so unlucky with food.

Maybe, if the officials are detained in the palace to work,

they should be living in the front courtyard.

As long as they are not there as hostage,

they are allowed visits from family,

to deliver some food or items.

Really? We can enter the Imperial palace too?

Why not? Just as long as you don't run wild.

Then . . .

Perfect to deliver some fish soup,

and Changbai will have some luck with food then.

Then Sister-in-law, let's go together to visit Second Brother.

And your father.

Before my husband left, he said to watch over the house.

And he told me not to worry about him too much and don't go around much.

So I won't go. You deliver it for me, Sister.

You are . . .

Sixth Miss, how did you make this dried fish?

It's divine.

It's very simple. You slice the fish,

and you let it pickle in salt water and cold wine.

You add chopped green onions to warm oil,

and then you pan-fry back and front.

Everyone's busy and doing exhausting work.

You may not have an appetite, but this dish is spicy and salty.

Sour and sweet too. It's great for courting an appetite.

It will make the rice go down easily.

It does indeed.

If it's good, eat more.

Thank you.

Ming'er, we're not home lately, how's everything at home?

It's all well.

Big Madam and Sister-in-law miss you so much.

They are waiting for you two to return soon.

Nonsense. How can you say that so recklessly?

You'll make others laugh.

Gong-gong. (T/N Respectful address for a eunuch of the palace.)

I will have to trouble you to toil again soon,

to escort my daughter out of the palace.

I think it's time she should go too.

I don't know why, I discovered no one is guarding the palace gate.

I yelled many times, and no one came to open the gate.

The palace gate is closed at midday?

That's never happened before.

Yes. Why is the gate closed in the middle of the day?

It's true.

I also have a bad fate. Despite getting pregnant a few times, I was unable to keep them until childbirth.

I fear that being a vegan and praying to Buddha every day is all for naught.

Your Highness, don't talk like that!

How come the people that came today are all wives of military officials?

Those who are usually very close with the House of Rong didn't come.

You noticed it too?

No matter how favored an Imperial consort without any descendants is,

it's still just like a sun that's about to set, a locust after autumn.

She doesn't even know to curb her arrogance, so as not to offend too many people.

- What if those people come after her after her prime? - Lower down your voice.

There's an auntie in our house

who gave birth to her fifth child.

Your Highness! Your—

Your Highness! Bad news!

What's happening?

What's going on?

What's going on?

Why are you panicking? Look at how disheveled you look. So improper!

Your Highness, don't know who opened the Xihua Gates earlier and some people have entered!

Youcai Qian went to check it,

but didn't return for a long time. I then boldly went after him.

I discovered... that he's already dead

above the railing beside the Xihua Gates.

Someone's dead...

Go.

Close the main gates. No one is allowed to move around.

Your Highness, you are admirable for staying so calm when Mt. Tai is about to collapse. (T/N disaster coming)

Drag him out... and execute him.

Your Highness! Have mercy, Your Highness!

Your Highness!

It's you who colluded with those outside and let them in?

That's right.

I had you all come today without any intention of letting you go back.

Your Highness! We didn't do anything wrong!

All the wives are in my hands. If inside or outside Bianjing,

any general or army troop dares to make any false moves,

I will make his house... a broken home.

We don't have any grudge with you. Why must you harm us like this?

No grudge?

May I ask which of you didn't mock at my family background?

My little sister Feiyan suffered a heinous crime.

You all also just gossiped and ridiculed her,

forcing her to die!

Now, thinking about how His Majesty

doesn't have many days left,

my glory will also be gone soon.

You all are just waiting to laugh at me, right?

No... not at all!

Especially you, Princess Pingning of the Second Rank?

If not because of your precious son,

my little sister wouldn't have died.

We also were left with no choice.

What a good "left with no choice"!

Being left with no choice, but in the end, it is my family that's crying, and your family that's laughing.

My little sister's decaying corpse buried under the earth, while your son enjoys his wedding night!

Today, I don't really need to deceive you and detain you here.

But I really can't endure this anger.

Now, the sky will be changing. (T/N those above you will change)

I'm going to let you personally see

your ending.

Take her away!

No!

Let go of me! Let go of me!

Your Highness!

There's no more mountains in front, just flat plains and rivers.

We have to travel slower. The closer we get to Bianjing,

the more there will be the spies of Prince Yan.

We must move forward carefully.

You're very familiar with this area. We will listen to you.

We will then divide into two groups

and have some people wear the clothes of your father's and yours.

One group will travel on the official road, while one will take the short cut.

No matter how many Prince Yan's people are, we can delay them for a day with it.

Okay, we'll do it like that.

Move!

Let go of me.

What are you planning to do?

Let go!

You... So you two have colluded?

When you and your wife harmed my little sister,

did you ever think that this day would come?

How dare you!

His Majesty is still in power. I'm still an Imperial consort.

Just for a son-in-law,

you harmed my biological sister,

destroyed her reputation, and had our family have nowhere to file our complaint!

If in the future, I allowed you to ascend to the throne,

would you still give me any importance?

You bitch! A woman from the marketplace!

Rebels...

Rebels!

Let's go.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! The rebel army has surrounded Funing Palace Hall and currently ramming at its doors!

I fear that they won't be able to hold on any longer.

Are there still paths out of the palace?

The whole Imperial city is full of rebels!

They've guarded all palace gates so tightly that even water can't seep out!

Something must have happened. What sound is that?

They are killing people. Killing people! There are corpses everywhere outside.

You're saying that there are killings inside the palace?

- This... - Who are the killers?

They are all wearing soldier uniforms.

You can't really discern from which army they are from. They just kill anyone they see.

- They even... even... - Even what?

They even drag palace servants into corridors and do indecent acts!

My god! How could such a thing happen inside the palace?

How far away are those killers from here?

They are about to reach our gates.

- Quickly block the gates. - No, we can't.

This is an abandoned palace hall in the first place and just temporarily allocated to the Ministry of Rites for use.

The doors are made of very old wood.

Even a rat can't be blocked.

How are we going to hide inside this palace hall then?

What do we do?

Official, I remember that you told me that in this Imperial palace city

there are dog holes in several courtyards.

Right. We also have one here.

It's just that the grasses there are already very high since no one has been tending to this palace.

Those who doesn't know it won't even notice there is one.

- Let's leave through there then! - Let's leave through the dog hole.

No. No. Although that dog hole is big,

it can only allow for a person as small as she is to pass.

I fear that you all can't fit through.

Child, one person being able to escape is still one person.

- Eunuch, please. - Father!

You... take her out.

Father, I... how could I leave you all behind!

- Be obedient. - We are all men here.

If the rebels enter here, we'll just die!

- Quickly leave. - I brought some clothes too. Go and change into them.

- I... Brother! Brother! - Leave!

Leave! Quickly go!

Brother!

Gonggong, Gonggong, we will have to trouble you.

Brother!

- Go! - Please.

What should we do?

Guard the ancient texts well!

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? ♫