Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 36

[ Duke Qi of the State Manor ]

Mother! Mother!

- Mother! - Lower your voice!

- Father. - Don't you know that

your mother doesn't want people shouting?

What is it that's making you so happy?

Upon ascension to the throne, the new Emperor granted graces regarding the civil examination.

You can already take it again at the start of spring and not wait for one more year.

Okay. Okay.

Mother, if I'm able to pass the coming civil examination,

hope Mother can be merciful and go...

request marriage to the Sheng Family.

You can have what you want.

I will do whatever you want.

Mother still hasn't recovered.

Don't force her anymore.

That day in the Imperial palace, your mother relied on pretending to be crazy

to escape that disaster.

Afterwards, the men of Prince Yan

tossed her onto the main street of Bianjing.

So many people were watching.

She's a competitive person. With such huge shame,

we should already be thankful to the gods that she didn't really go crazy.

Then Father, my marriage matters...

You can have it your way.

If we just followed your will long ago and proposed marriage to the Sheng Family,

all these things after wouldn't have happened.

[ Marquis Ningyuan Manor ]

Open the door!

- Who is it? - Open the doors!

Who is it!

Shitou...

Marquis!

Young Master, please enter.

[ Memorial Tablets of Gu Ancestors ]

Dear Second Son...

Dear Second!

I have disappointed you, Young Big Madam (Qin). (T/N the widow of his father, the third official wife)

I've returned well, better than before.

Because you ran away, you'd scared all of us.

We don't know what sufferings you've encountered outside,

how many hardships you had to endure. Look at how thin you are.

Big Madam, stop being pretentious here.

Even I feel ashamed just by seeing it.

Eldest Brother!

Eldest Brother is here.

Long time no see. Don't you want

to say a few words to me?

From Prince Yan forcing the Emperor to abdicate, to the rebel army getting pacified,

up to the new Emperor ascending to the throne,

half a month has already passed.

You never leaked any news

to let us know that not only are you back,

you even are promoted to the head of the Jinwei, (T/N Imperial army specifically in charge of capital defense)

only to come here today by surprise

and brag in front of us?

Enough.

It was clearly you people who shut your gates and cowered,

didn't want to hear what's happening outside, and didn't want to join any power struggle,

yet you are saying that I schemed and did a despicable thing.

Looks like the ability of Eldest Brother to frame me, your younger brother, not only didn't regress,

it has improved to a whole new level!

Dear Second! Stop joking!

It's not easy to be back.

Then... don't go away again.

We'll set up a welcoming banquet for you tonight.

Hurry up! Servant! Quickly get your Third Young Master for me!

Also, call the Fourth and Fifth Houses for a reunion meal!

Yes.

No need for such trouble.

You won't be able to find Third Brother.

Don't you know? Last night,

there was a group of rich young lads in Qianchun Brothel that got arrested last night.

It's a period of state mourning. (T/N many prohibitions, music, entertainers, red clothes/marriage... )

Big Madam, Old Third is among them. (T/N familiar way of saying Third Brother)

Didn't you know that Third Brother crept out last night to have drinks in a brothel?

Drinking during the state mourning period...

That's a grave crime!

Can you rescue Old Third from this?

Disobeying the system of rites during state mourning...

You tell me.

Why then did you come here to tell us this?

To deliberately laugh at us? Laugh at the House of Gu?

Are you that without guilt?

Then back when Father had just died,

weren't you all so guilt-free too when you

became so pretentious and started spouting those lies!

But... Third Brother... Third Little Brother

was always loyal to you.

Mother, what about you?

You saw me grow up.

Spoiled and doted on me.

That was intending for me to fail by giving me praises!

You just wanted to get me driven out of the House of Gu.

You made your calculations so accurately.

You wanted Third Brother to succeed the Marquis position. You could have just told me!

If you said that, I would have yielded!

But you didn't.

You want a united and harmonious family,

so that he succeeds to the noble title in a pleasant manner.

However, I insist on not letting you have it.

I came specifically today to tell you

that I also want to inherit our family's noble title!

Then are you... disobeying the proper rites?

Are you treating me, your Eldest Brother, as if dead!

Eldest Brother,

I respected and loved you before...

or else I wouldn't have recited to you the poems of Master Wuduan.

But you instead harmed me!

You didn't even let me see Father's last moments!

You had the whole Gu family berate me.

You still want me to acknowledge you as my eldest brother?

Dream on.

You came today just to insult us!

If you haven''t finished, why don't you continue in the main receiving hall?

Don't taint the ears of our ancestors here and disturb their peace.

Eldest Brother, you said it right.

Let's not disturb our ancestors' peace here.

I'm just going to take an item and will immediately leave.

What item?

That was bestowed by the Emperor.

- How can you be allowed to take it away? - That was bestowed to me by the Emperor!

Why can't I take it away?

What if I don't give it to you?

Husband...

You dare to use violence inside our ancestral hall?

On the battlefield, within that bloodbath,

what ghosts have I not seen? What people have I not killed?

Okay.

- Husband! - Dear Eldest!

- Shitou. - Dear Second!

You...

If you want it, just take it.

Mother!

Dear Eldest, this...

We can't allow violence here inside the ancestral hall.

But...

When I wanted to take it before, you wouldn't allow it.

You drove me out like some thief.

I told you

that one day, I surely will make you offer it to me with two hands.

Today, I'm going to fulfill those words.

Will it be Mother handing it to me with both hands,

or Eldest Brother?

- You... - Eldest!

Mother is an elder.

I feel that I should trouble dear old Eldest Brother instead.

Dear Eldest!

Eldest...

Dear Eldest Son!

You are the pillar of the house,

and a descendant of the Marquis House.

It's better to just let me.

Mother...

Let me do it.

Dear Second,

take it.

With your acting being this good,

it's really such a shame that you don't go around singing southern operas!

How about we just do as you wish?

I'll stay behind and have a reunion meal!

Let's go!

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

This... This mansion of yours...

It's really not bad.

This is near the Marquis Manor, just one street's difference.

At least someone will be able to take care of you in the future.

Take care?

The heart of His Majesty is like a clear mirror.

He wants me to reconcile with the House of Gu.

You know that, yet you still made that ruckus in the Marquis Manor?

As soon as you had come out of the Marquis Manor,

the whole capital

- already knew about it. - Just let them know about it then.

That Big Madam in our house

so wants to beat on the drums and let everyone know!

You now are famous.

You should be a good model to the younger generations.

The whole capital is watching.

You must be cautious.

I've long been an infamous person

here in the capital.

You won't be able to change that.

Good thing that a few days ago, a memorial came from the southern borders.

It seems that trouble has occurred down there. His Majesty asked me to lead an army

to join General Gan in fighting the war over there.

Once I leave, the talk will stop.

Be careful.

Okay.

I was still thinking

to ask you to try the spring examination once more.

With me being like this now, why still take the test?

I'm not taking it again.

You are full of talent. I feel sorry for you.

Zecheng, you have it wrong.

Now, when the flames of war are ignited,

the ones who suffer the most are the citizens.

They are left with no means of living.

Corpses are piled up like mountains.

Everyone selling off their children.

Even an asshole like me has nightmares at night.

Seeing as how I'm capable to lead an army and fight wars,

it's better to just serve the country.

You have the world in your heart.

I... am inferior to you.

You're making me blush.

Young Master!

- Young Master, careful. - Why are you in a rush?

Look. Earlier, there was a group of people outside again

handling me so many invitations. All of them want to come here and visit you, Commander.

I couldn't even drive them away.

Lord Sheng.

It's the state mourning period and yet they all are coming?

All of them want to marry their daughters to me.

It's still the state mourning period.

State mourning.

These people don't care about that.

A few days ago

on the doorstep of Fan House, they even blocked my path!

They insisted they had a marriage alliance with me when I was little!

They even grabbed Rong'er and said that they don't mind!

That really scared me! I hurriedly carried Rong'er off and left,

I said that I was going to the lavatory.

What? You didn't like any of them?

Say, why doesn't your Sheng Family

recommend a daughter to be my wife?

Dream on!

My mother

has long set her eyes on the son of my uncle to be my Fifth Little Sister's husband.

For Sixth Little Sister, it's of course Grandmother's call.

She seems to have set her eyes on the youngest son of the House of He from Baishitan.

- The House of He who are doctors by profession? - Yes.

Have they given any betrothal gifts? How come I never heard of it?

It's state mourning. How can they give any betrothal gifts during this period.

But it seems to be more or less settled.

I've also seen him.

That lad from the House of He is gentle and honest.

Sixth Little Sister has a good character and taste.

If she gets married off to that family, she surely will have a fortunate life.

Being fortunate or not

is really hard to say.

Some people may appear to be having a hard life, but they are actually very blessed.

Some people feel that he is very fortunate,

but deep inside, he has a predicament that he can't talk about.

Can't that mouth of yours say anything good?

Let's just focus on looking around your house.

[ Bianjing ]

[ Song - Gu ]

Zhonghuai, the battlefield is a dangerous place.

You must always be careful.

I know.

The only thing that worries me is that Chang'er has still not been found.

I've already informed my brothers in the Canal Gang to search for him in Jiangnan.

Anyway, if there is any news, they will send it to the capital.

Help me look out for it.

Your son is my nephew. I surely will be mindful about it.

Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Sheng.

Young Master Ye, regarding the child,

we'll handle it. But what about your marriage?

In going to war this time, don't know when you'll be back again.

In such a big manor,

there must at least be a main madam!

Take this matter to heart, you hear me?

I know! I don't like any of those families!

Your Master! Young Master!

Could it be that you already like someone?

Go back! All of you, just go back!

[ Song - Gu ]

- Shitou. - Yes.

I want to ask you to do something for me.

The battlefield is so dangerous. How can I leave your side?

I'm only at ease if you're the one who handles this matter for me.

Miss, the osmanthus flower harvest this year is really great.

After air-drying, there is still so much left. They're cleaner than the ones being sold outside!

Really?

Salt-preserve and then fry them. Xiaotao loves eating that the most.

Miss, it's as if you're not eating them too.

We feel as if the days are passing by so quickly,

but Miss instead might be feeling as if the days are years.

So wanting the state mourning to be over so the He Family can come and propose marriage.

You girl, you're becoming more and more unruly. What nonsense are you saying?

If anyone hears it, our Miss will just get laughed at.

This marriage is already a sure thing.

Only the betrothal gifts are left to seal it.

Miss, don't be shy.

Indeed. Look at those mandarin ducks playing in the water, and hundred of butterflies over the flowers.

Her embroidery is all about a harmonious married couple's life.

If I don't embroider that, what should I embroider?

Do you want me to embroider steamed herring and rose flaky pastry instead?

You might be happy, but I'll get beaten out of here!

Greetings, Sixth Miss.

Young Lord He is here. He's with Old Madam and waiting for the meal to be served.

Old Madam said that she is tired.

She asked that you go there, and chat with him a little.

Okay, I got it.

And we were just talking about him.

I don't want to defy the mandate of heaven!

I was delivering medicinal ingredients outside recently,

and it happened to coincide with the return of my Uncle Cao from the borders after being given a pardon.

I had to settle them down and handle some matters.

Hence, I wasn't able to come here for a few days. Hope Old Madam didn't mind?

Having a good business is a more important matter.

It's also proper to help your relatives out.

Hong, you don't need to blame yourself.

It's not also self-blaming. I'm just eager to visit you, Old Madam.

Look at how sweet this child talks.

Indeed.

The weather is slowly getting colder. Little Sister has to greet Old Madam in the morning and at night.

You must wear more clothing. Regarding food, don't be greedy for cold dishes.

You must be extra careful.

Why don't you just directly say that I shouldn't be a glutton.

Being able to eat is a blessed thing. This way, our body can be healthy.

When Mother returned from our hometown this time, she brought so many delicious foods.

I've brought you... brought Old Madam some of them.

Your mother is sickly.

She must be worn-out in travelling to the capital by carriage.

It's really hard on her.

Grandmother said that in a few days, there will be a rite that would require the main madam of the house to attend,

so Mother has to come.

Mother's health hasn't gone bad to the point that she can't move around anymore.

Last month, when the whole family of Auntie Cao returned,

Mother was so happy that her health has become better than earlier this year.

Your mother has poor health. I'm also a sickly person.

As they say, if you're chronically ill, you tend to become a good doctor. Plus the fact that I have such a gluttonous granddaughter,

we've come up with a medicinal dish recipe.

We want to gift it to your mother to nourish her health.

Your family has been doctors for generations.

We are just displaying our slight skills before an expert.

You and your grandmother

mustn't laugh at us, okay?

I am only be grateful to Old Madam

and Sixth Miss. I dare not think too highly of myself.

Sit. Sit down!

This recipe book of medicinal dishes of Sixth Miss surely will have both medicinal efficacy and good taste.

I surely must read this carefully when I go back.

A ruler and his subjects assist each other, intellectual knowledge and fighting skills can help each other out.

She might want to leave her name in the medicinal books.

You're praising our Miss so much.

Can she have better medical skills than you?

She is very talented.

If she can learn more, she surely can surpass me.

Young Master, you've walked past your carriage!

Young Master, take care. Old Madam will be waiting for your next visit.

You two just chat about the efficacy of that recipe book then.

Sure. I surely will come earlier.

Please go back now.

Seeing how Young Master He is so good with our Miss,

I'm at ease. Our Miss will surely have a blessed life in the future.

Whoever marries our Miss is the one who is fortunate.

Cousin!

Cousin Hongwen! Cousin!

Who is that?

I thought that I wouldn't ever see you again!

Cousin!

Okay. Okay. Don't cry. Don't cry.

If there's something, let's talk about it at home.

There are so many people going about here.

- Get in the carriage first. - I have so many words that shouldn't be heard by others.

If others hear them, I can only kill myself!

Get in the carriage first.

Xiaotao!

I heard that you're getting married, is that right?

Yes.

I heard that Sixth Miss Sheng is good in every way.

She's docile, friendly, and has a good family background.

She's even as beautiful as a fairy.

She's indeed a very good lady.

You can say that I've climbed to a higher branch.

Cousin, my mother said

to ask you to take me in as a concubine.

What did Auntie say?

I-I understand.

I'm not worthy to be a concubine.

I'll just be a female servant guarding the gates in your house.

Cousin, if you grant me food to eat and clothes to wear, I'm already very grateful.

I just fear that Sixth Miss Sheng might be domineering and won't accommodate me.

No, no, Sixth Miss isn't that kind of person.

She's very gracious.

Yes, yes, I said it wrong.

I didn't mean it like that.

Even if she treats me like a cat, dog, or some little plaything,

she surely would still be very amiable to me.

I-I still have to inform Grandmother

and Old Madam Sheng about this.

Yes, you should, you should...

I'm even willing to be your ox or horse, Cousin. (T/N slave - similar to "dogsbody")

Cousin, if you don't take me in,

I can only go die!

No, Cousin, get up first. Let's talk it over properly.

We have to discuss this matter slowly.

- Get up. - You must promise me, Cousin.

Let's go home first, okay?

Little Sister Ming.

Why have you come?

Miss Sheng! Don't blame Cousin!

It is I who was ignorant of proper etiquette and followed him.

Cousin only thinks of you. You're the only one in his heart.

As an unmarried lady,

you must be cautious with your words. Don't be tactless,

so as not to bring trouble to the people around you.

Get up first to talk.

If other people see this, they will think that I'm bullying you.

Get up first.

Miss Sheng, look at me.

I'm inferior than you in every way.

Just pity me, okay?

A swallow in a snow-covered field, a fish in a drying pond, (T/N desperate, a starving bird or gasping fish)

give me a path to survive. I won't compete with you for anything.

I already look like this.

I won't be able to compete with you about anything.

You... what happened to you?

Cousin, don't you know that

prisoners who get exiled must be tattooed.

With this,

my whole life is over.

It's fine. I'll research a medicine for you when we go back.

I surely will remove it.

Miss Sheng, you've enjoyed a blessed life with adequate food and clothes.

I'm just a pitiful person.

What is Brother Hong's opinion about this?

In the outer courtyard, let's make her a steward's maidservant.

No.

Since we've discussed this matter to this point, let me be clear.

Miss Cao, you're not a slave that was bought.

You are Brother Hongwen's cousin who he grew up with.

In his heart, you will always have a place.

If the man I marry doesn't place me as the priority in his heart,

I'd rather not marry forever. I also won't take in this half-cooked rice.

In my heart, you are the most important person.

Really?

But to take care of her, she can only be taken in as a concubine.

Go look for a good family to marry her into.

Prepare her a good dowry,

so she can have the support of her in-laws. Wouldn't all that work too?

Brother Hongwen, it's not that I'm forcing you.

These past years, Old Madam He

has helped my family a lot. You also treated me well.

If you really have feelings for your cousin,

I won't hold any grudge against you.

But to ask me to share a husband with Miss Cao,

I won't agree to it.

With me around, then she can't have a place.

I won't allow her to be your concubine, a chamber maid, a maidservant, or a servant doing manual labor.

Okay.

Okay. I surely will find her a good husband.

Cousin! Are you asking me to die?

With a face like this, who can accommodate me for a lifetime?

Who will be willing to marry me or take me in as a concubine?

No... I... even if I go become someone else's servant,

I will only be disliked by my master.

I'm not even qualified to cook in the kitchen.

Cousin,

I... can only die.

How could you be so bold?

It can't be that you're afraid you can't marry and you went to reason with her!

What's your status and what's Cao House's status?

What about Cao Jingxiu! Not even good enough to be a fire and water maid.

That Miss Cao is indeed a pitiful person.

Pitiful person?

She's snatching your future husband!

If she doesn't marry into the He House, I should do my all to help her.

I've already done my best.

It's people who propose but God who disposes, so the rest we will leave to God.

Since you've made up your mind, it's actually good.

That He House is so ungrateful

to let this happen.

These past years over my marriage prospects,

you've searched so many houses.

After all the picking here and there, in the end, you thought Brother Hongwen was still the best.

Because you also know that he's an upright gentleman.

When you get acquainted with someone, the most important is still the other's weakness.

Weakness?

Yes. The weakest point of one's character.

Sister Shulan married a provincial scholar, and his weakest point is that he's shameless.

Brother Hongwen's weakness

is at worst that he's too soft-hearted.

When you live with someone for decades,

in the end, you have to see if the other person's weakness is something you can tolerate.

You've really grown up indeed.

And what's next? Just sit and wait?

Your granddaughter spoke such harsh words today.

If that He House has the intention,

we will wait a few days.

We will wait ten days then.

After ten days, if I still don't receive any news,

Grandmother, you find another family for me.

In this world, indeed they are not the only house with a son.

Today, we can't blame Old Madam getting anxious and mad.

You're the daughter of a grand house and you should've waited,

and He House would've given their response.

You too. You're usually very prudent.

How is it that you were fretting to rush the Miss out this time.

I was just angry and anxious.

Miss, I made a mistake.

Mistake about what? We just wait and wait until when?

It can't be that we wait until Grandmother goes and asks herself?

Then when will that Miss Cao come into the family? After I'm married over?

And then Cao House sheds tears mixed with snot and forces me to allow accept their Miss Cao?

Then it's better to act up now.

Then, if He House agrees,

and they regret later, then what?

There will be a way somehow.

Your miss is not some dough that everyone gets to knead around.

I have a merciful and doting grandmother.

I have a father and a brother who are officials.

And an older sister who's married into a noble home.

I've got such tough mountains behind me and I won't be bullied.

Miss, but don't forget about Mistress Lin.

She was just like this back then, pitiful and saying she had nowhere else to go.

That's how she entered our home.

That Mistress Lin? She's just a

devilish wolf who's draped a sheepskin over herself.

Her tactics. If you understand them more,

it can all be easily fathomed.

But that Miss Cao, she has no hope.

I think the way she looks at He Brother.

It's like a ghost in hell admiring the human world.

I think it's real.

Then... you've softened up?

Softened up or not depends on how Brother He chooses.

I think that Young Master He is a sensible person.

He won't abandon our miss to choose that Cao Jingxiu.

Doesn't matter who he chooses,

I won't resent it no matter what.

If he really chooses Miss Cao,

I might actually respect him.

In this world, not many will dump their new prospect over an old one.

Miss, I don't understand again.

Miss is tired. Let her rest early. Don't bother her anymore.

To live for myself once. I don't dare to think of it.

Brother Jing, I also have my difficulties.

Stop there.

Stop! Stop right there!

- Fifth Sister. - What are you doing here?

I ate too much and feel bloated,

so I came to digest.

Is that right?

- Then you . . . - Fifth Sister, what are you doing here?

I ate too much too and came to digest.

Good.

- Then I'm going back to my room. - Don't go.

Teach me some needlework. Come to my room.

Fifth Sister. I-It's so late.

We can't see well, so let's do it tomorrow.

- I'll burn a roomful of candles for you! - Let's go!

Come! Talk to me for a while.

- I need to go back. - Needlework! - Fifth Sister.

- Hurry and come in. - I really didn't see anything, Sister.

- You. - Sit, sit, sit.

You're acting dumb on purpose.

Let me tell you this.

You can't tell anyone, no matter who. Got it?

Fifth Sister, why this fretting?

It's no big deal anyway.

Father wanted to find a son-in-law among the scholars for the spring exam anyway.

So what if he finds out?

What do you mean it's no matter?

He . . .

He isn't.

Isn't what?

He's not from an official's house.

Father always devotes himself as an honest man.

A son from a poor family might delight him more.

He's Wen Yanjing.

Who?

Wen Yanjing.

That. That's Fourth Sister's.

He's shameless.

He lost the match with Fourth Sister and he comes to bother you!

What are you saying?

Brother Jing is a complete gentleman,

and he saw me first.

At the time, Father wanted to pick a son-in-law for Fourth Sister.

And he selected him and had him come and have tea at home.

Yes, so Second Brother came back and also said that Scholar Wen is a loyal and upright man.

And his studies are good and hopeful for officialdom in the future.

It was the time that I lost my handkerchief in the yard.

Brother Wen passed by, and thought I was a junior maidservant.

He picked up the handkerchief for me.

Then later, he came a few more times.

Each time, I waited in the garden so I could talk to him.

He said, I was pretty.

That I'm spirited and clever.

That I make people feel bright-hearted.

He said that sincerely, or to flatter you?

What do you know?

Later, he found out I was Sheng House's legitimate daughter.

And he also knew that Father wanted him to marry the concubine-born daughter, so he wrote me a letter.

He said, Father and Elder Brother treated him kindly in acknowledging him and he can't defy their grace.

So he won't ever see me again.

Really?

Of course it's true. I still have the letter now.

At the time, I already had him in my heart.

Whatever he says, I will go along.

If he were crooked-minded, he could've just clung onto me.

But he didn't.

He's an upright man then.

Where's the letter? Hurry and burn it.

I can't bear to.

I want to keep it forever.

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? ♫