Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 43

Wife, I've taken off my outer clothes.

Look at this big long leg of mine.

Stop reading.

You won't finish it today. Just continue tomorrow.

This house has so many spies from the Marquis Manor. How can I not be anxious?

Danju said that a new maidservant today

wanted to enter your inner study to attend to you, but got scolded away by her.

And this Nanny Lai isn't that easy to deal with.

When she was not doing anything, she would go around the garden and enter any door she sees,

grab anyone she sees and ask around.

I can't really stuff her mouth to shut her up, right? It's better to drive her away as soon as possible.

How come you can't just stuff her mouth and make her leave?

I'll tell Shitou to lock that old woman up tomorrow.

Aren't you oppressing the old and weak?

If that gets out, do you still want your reputation or not?

How about when I go to court tomorrow, I'll leave some guards here.

In the places that you think are very important,

I'll leave two people holding blades to guard there.

Let's see who still dares to randomly touch things.

Looks like that Big Madam Qin is attacking me from two angles at the same time.

Sending me some old crafty servants to add to my trouble on one hand,

and then simultaneously sending some beautiful ones to seduce you. She really gave a lot of thought to this.

Beautiful?

How beautiful?

Naturally, they are indeed quite pretty.

How about... tomorrow...

I'll let them attend to us when we eat, and you'll be able to see them.

I'm just joking with you, but look at you.

You got serious about it.

Either way, you're going to take in a concubine in the future, and I'm not jealous.

I'm just worried that those people are inappropriate.

Why are you not jealous?

Even that stepmother of mine who can really pretend and endure things

would still argue with my father about such things.

Why are you not jealous?

That jealousy of hers must be pretentious too!

In my house, there was this Mistress Lin. When she got jealous, it was really so colorful.

Isn't it all just to make their husband think that in their heart,

he is so precious and important?

You little fox! Can't you even pretend?

If you dare take in a concubine,

I'll hit you with a huge pole and drive you out!

I'll never allow you to enter my room.

Okay! Okay!

That's how my good wife should be! Being jealous is good!

Come. Come. Let me read that for you. I'll help you read it.

I... let me help you! Let me help you! Come...

Thank you, Sister.

- So heavy? - With such a small box,

this is really heavy.

Is this filled with gold and silver?

Not only that. There are a lot of precious gems too.

Outside, there are carts and carts of fabrics.

We have to transport each one of them to the stockroom of the inner house.

I will surely be busy this whole day.

With so many good objects, where did they come from?

Is it Big Madam's dowry?

- Still not done moving them? - You must be joking.

How is that possible? These are all gifts given by other people to the General.

Not only that, there are still a lot of people outside, falling into line and waiting.

They've been placed in a corner. So many things waiting for us.

Big Madam just accepted all of them?

Maybe so. With so many good items being delivered right in front of her,

would she still refuse them? Is she stupid?

Sister, hurry up!

Coming! Coming!

Have you settled down the people sent by the Marquis Manor?

More or less. I've given them unimportant tasks.

For the important areas, I've placed people that I can trust.

Later, I'll tell Eldest Sister to find me some new ones.

New servants have no foundation.

They will naturally follow my every order.

They won't work for the Marquis Manor.

Based on my temper, I'll just drive them all back to the Marquis Manor.

Just blame it on me that I hate all those old servants.

My husband, you're just temporarily dealing with the problem to avert a crisis,

and not completely solving it.

To send them back to the Marquis Manor

without allowing your aunties and stepmother to voice any criticisms,

you can't use force.

Some people in the Imperial court might report you as not cultivating private morality,

and being disrespectful to your elders.

Aren't you satisfied yet with how you got taken advantage of before?

My wife...

You've become a military adviser that schemes while inside the comfort of your tent!

Stop being talkative.

Okay.

It's okay now.

Okay already. Quickly go.

Take this!

Do you still need me to guard you?

No need. Quickly go.

I'm going.

A carriage from the Marquis Manor?

Big Madam Qin has come?

She most likely is bearing evil intentions.

You few, come over here.

Go to the drill area and inform Generals Geng and Duan

that I have some matters in my house and will be delayed. I'll arrive an hour later.

Yes!

- Young Master. - Later, I'll be waiting in the outer courtyard study.

Don't be loud about it, and just keep watch in the inner courtyard.

Once Big Madam is unable to handle it, immediately tell me and I'll help her out of the situation.

Okay, Young Master. Let's go.

Greetings, Mother-in-law. I should be the one going to the Marquis Manor to greet you.

I was too busy moving and cleaning up these past days.

Mother-in-law, hope you won't mind.

I knew that you were busy moving, so I didn't come for the past few days.

Are the young and old servants that I've sent you useful?

You are considerate of me, so of course, you chose the most able people.

I thank you for it, Mother-in-law.

If they are honest and capable,

how come you're still not giving tasks to Nanny Lai and Nanny Diao?

Could it be because they are old,

so you think they aren't nimble in doing their tasks?

No such thing.

Nanny Diao has a sickly body. I was afraid that she'd tire herself out.

Nanny Lai is a well-experienced servant.

I'm thinking that I should give her an important and honorable job, right?

So I keep weighing things and am still unable to decide.

Since you seem to know what to do, I'm at ease.

Or else, if others find out, they might think that I'm a miser.

That what I gave you are old, weak, and disabled servants.

Mother-in-law, you've always had a virtuous reputation.

Who in Bianjing City doesn't know that you have a Bodhisattva-like heart?

Even if anyone will say such words, no one will believe them.

The reputation of a widow isn't really that important.

What's important is the reputation of our Gu Family.

If you lack anything, just send people to get it from me.

Why must you privately accept gifts and hide it from your husband?

What are you saying? There's no such thing.

You still want to hide it from me, is that it?

Since Son Ye got promoted, people haven't stopped sending him gifts.

You didn't inquire about them and just accepted them all.

If His Majesty asks about this,

won't it be your husband and our Gu Family bearing the brunt?

Although the imposing bearing of our Marquis Manor

isn't as great as before,

our reputation has always been clean.

Must it get destroyed

at your hands?

I... really didn't accept any gifts.

The General said that the current Imperial court situation isn't that stable.

If I don't accept all of them, that's being enemies with everyone.

If I nitpick and accept only a few, that's forming alliances or factions.

It's better to just accept them all,

but not open them. He'll just inform His Majesty about it.

The items will be placed in the stockroom of the courtyard

and submitted to His Majesty... as is.

This Son Ye has really grown up.

He actually is this scheming and shrewd.

If I didn't know, I would have thought that

he was just pretending in the past.

Mother-in-law, you mustn't praise him.

If he's really shrewd, he wouldn't have wandered outside for so many years,

unable to pass the civil examination. He had to rely on himself to achieve merit through his sword and spear.

It was really hard for my husband to achieve what he has now.

Although as his wife I'm indeed a bit ignorant,

I do understand the principle of husband and wife being united, of sharing blessings and going through hardships together.

I just speak one sentence,

and you have ten waiting for me.

Young Master!

- How are things? - Don't worry. She has left.

- She has left? - She has left.

- She didn't cause any trouble? - She didn't.

It's very quiet in the inner courtyard. I especially hid behind a tree to watch them.

That lady from the Marquis Manor had a face that was this long when she left. It was almost touching the ground!

My stepmother has finally met her match.

My previous act of directly punching my fist into them is really not as good as employing a soft nail tactic.

- Let's go to the drill field. - Let's go.

What are you laughing about?

Young Master, your face earlier

really looked like a hen protecting her chicks.

Get lost!

Don't let me use a small cup. Quickly change it to a huge bowl.

Miss, Big Madam, that is too inappropriate.

I'll just pour you more.

What's wrong with Big Madam?

That old... thing, Nanny Lai,

keeps leisurely touring our manor and asking around, and then she'll report it to the Marquis Manor.

Otherwise, how could she have come this fast?

What can we do?

I can't really tie her up, right? Moreover,

without her, there are still other young and old maidservants.

All those sent by the Marquis Manor are their spies.

I can't really kick all of them out, right?

That Nanny Lai even likes to pretend to be a good person.

Always taking a group of old maidservants for drinks and gambling.

In just a few days, they are already so close with each other.

Everyone is saying that she's very generous and straightforward.

They all follow her in everything.

She has worked in the Marquis Manor for decades.

For her to be like that

means she does have skills.

That mother-in-law of mine is also not stupid. How could she send over a useless person?

Since she's here, then she's a thorny porcupine. You can't hit, scold, or drive her away.

Never thought that despite moving out of the Marquis Manor, it will still be this stuff.

So annoying.

Xiaotao is getting agitated.

Be careful of choking. Big Madam, there is still a lot of pear soup.

Oh, right. There's still a pile of books over there. Big Madam, please take a look at them too.

Cuiwei,

I really feel that it's better to just be a miss at Shouan Hall.

My good Miss, good Big Madam,

you now hold great power. All of Bianjing is envious of you.

Let's go. Let's go. Quickly go read them.

This manor is so huge.

Just the garden, you won't be able to completely stroll it

in half a day. Asking just a few of us to clean it,

is really asking for our lives!

Big Madam said

that she's going to pick some reliable ones. But it's already been half a day

and there are still no one coming.

Could it be that the manor has not enough money for expenses,

hence, she couldn't buy any servants anymore?

She can only talk.

Say, among the people here in this manor,

who doesn't have siblings or nephews and nieces

at home?

Call all those who are not doing anything

to come here for work.

Pick some smart and nimble ones to hire.

Won't that be more reliable than

- those bought from outside? Am I right? - Right...

It's really better to work in the Marquis Manor.

Big Madam is a goddess, a Bodhisattva.

She also doesn't have so many weird rules.

Those that work in the garden are not allowed to enter the front courtyard,

not allowed to casually move around.

Prisoners sentenced to die might be having a more relaxed life than we do.

You had better lower your voice.

That Big Madam of ours can really hold grudges.

I just refuted her a few times when we met her a few days ago.

She immediately punished my daughter.

She had all those first-level female servants attending to Young Master planting trees!

Not placing any people in the room of the Master

isn't the doing of a wife of a great aristocratic family.

She probably is afraid that if Master sees how beautiful your daughter is,

- he might realize how she pales in comparison to your daughter. - Indeed.

I can't be sure about that.

But, at the bottom of it all,

she did come from a family of officials.

Although she's an illegitimate daughter,

she shouldn't be this jealous, right?

What are you all saying?

Are you people even worthy to be seen by our Master? Are you even worthy to gossip about Big Madam?

Dirty shrews! If you got put together, expelled out, and thrown in the snow, even beggars wouldn't take a second look at you!

What did I say?

Miss Xiaotao, don't you falsely accuse me.

So, you're the master of this house now? You can just hire anyone that you like

or let anyone you want to serve in front of the Master? If you're that capable, why still order your daughter?

Why don't you go out, walk around, and in passing, find yourself a man to marry?

Say, miss, why are you so rude and unreasonable?

At the very least, I'm old enough to be your ancestor.

I just made a few jokes

while tending the ground.

How did that offend you, Miss?

Exactly. Miss, you might have heard it wrong.

We didn't say anything.

Don't use this trick to fool me.

If I hear it again, I on't need to inform Big Madam

and will just get a pole to drive you all out!

She wouldn't be going to Big Madam to tell on us, right?

So what? Can that Big Madam

hit us with thorny planks?

Won't she have become being harsh on old servants and disrespectful to her elders?

As a servant, we shouldn't lower ourselves

and just let our master deal with us in whatever way she wants, right?

Won't we have become like pigs or dogs then?

If we don't want to get bullied, we must stick together and be like a rope, stay united and work together.

Only then can we make a footing in this manor.

That's right. From now on, we'll listen to you then.

We'll listen to you from now on.

Yesterday, it was the birthday of Duke Ying of the State. Rulan and I accompanied mother to greet him.

You were the most talked about topic there.

They say that you don't give any importance to your elders and is unfilial to your legitimate mother.

Big Madam Qin has a hard life for being a widow, yet was able to maintain such a good temper.

They said that you were late in greeting them on the first day after your wedding.

That there is clearly a legitimate mother yet, but you have to move out and set up your own manor.

They are all saying that you're heartless.

What else?

There's still a lot. They even said that you two are being harsh on your servants.

Just willfully hitting and scolding old servants.

Not putting any importance on the people that your elders have arranged for you.

That is equivalent to being supercilious and unfilil to elders.

There are still a lot of bad ones. I don't want to say them anymore.

When mother and Rulan heard them, they were really mad, but they couldn't really openly argue.

They were so angry that they left without eating.

It's all my fault?

Doesn't that Big Madam Qin not have any fault at all?

Of course!

How come everything you said were about me?

Is my husband a perfect person?

Must you two get criticized together

before you will stop?

It's all him who dragged me into this muddled water.

It shouldn't only be me who gets talked on, right?

The criticisms about your husband are still those same words.

Things like being disobedient since he was a child, a frequenter of brothels,

the god of death in front of a mountain of corpses.

Those are nothing. Aren't there anything else?

This Yunhui General of yours saved the past emperor and the current emperor.

Two imperial decrees have said that he is loyal to the emperor, considerate to the empire,

virtuous, filial, lofty, and unsullied. Who still dares to say more?

He indeed got himself a protective armor.

This is already great for him. Or else, don't know what else those people could have said.

I was never invited in those banquets.

I've never been this coldly treated even when I was just a Miss in our house.

The ways of your mother-in-law is way better than those in our house.

No wonder grandmother initially wouldn't agree to marry you to here.

It was clearly her who spread the news.

She then had to put out a being bullied facade.

My husband and I can't really go explain that to each and every person, right?

Even if we do, no one will believe us.

Sixth, this can't do.

Since I've walked this path,

there's no use no matter how I hated it. I can't really stop walking it, right?

Even if I don't want to walk, someone would be pushing me to walk.

Since that's the case, why not just walk smilingly?

Either way, I'll be walking it forever.

The task of purchasing for the kitchen is not a job that one can be sloppy at.

Nanny Lai, you are a well-experienced servant.

You also are doing this back in the marquis manor.

I'll entrust you this task then.

I surely will do my best!

Nanny Diao, you are sickly, so I won't give you any more task.

Nanny Hua and Nanny Tian used to be in-charge of clothes washing and cleaning of the manor back in the marquis manor.

We'll do the same here. Since you are well-experienced in these tasks, I'm at ease to hand them to you.

Yes. Yes.

I've already written what job everyone else will be having.

Cuiwei will be reading them to you later.

And then, everyone, just follow the task you were given

to get your badge and keys.

I'm young, so my arrangements may not be that adequate.

Let's just test it for a year.

If you really can't do it or if there are any improper assignments, just go exchange work

or come tell me about it.

Yes.

I've woken early today and feel a bit tired.

I'll go back and rest now.

You all just go busy with your work.

Okay. Okay.

Let's go. Go.

See that? She's still indeed young.

After being imposing for three days, she still couldn't continue with it.

So ingenuous.

She only know to eat and sleep.

Easy to deal with.

Aren't you quite happy?

Go. Go. Let's go get our keys.

Go now.

[ Jiaxi Lodge ]

This rain is falling as if the sky is falling.

Good thing you instructed people to take the clothes inside this afternoon.

You indeed can predict things well.

I feel that what you said is very right.

Wrong. You should say that I've lectured you well.

It's all thanks to Big Madam for teaching me well.

It's all because you have incredible foresight.

Correct.

I feel that what you said is very right.

Did you predict then that your husband will get drenched in the rain?

Quickly enter the room.

I've predicted that it would rain

and instructed someone to deliver you an umbrella. How come...

I rode a horse to attend the imperial court meeting.

It would be better if you have just given me a veiled hat.

Why don't you... just ride a carriage

to the palace next time?

Next time, I'll ride a carriage to fetch you.

I surely won't let you get wet.

Am I angry about that?!

What then?

Forget it.

I'll just patiently wait.

Wait for what?

Wait until you know how to treat your husband during a rainy day.

A horse carriage still won't do?

Is it because you recently heard the public discussions about us

that's why, you're a bit upset?

During the birthday of the wife of Duke Ying of the State,

she invited all illustrious families in the capital, except us.

She not only didn't invite us,

other than his son-in-law State Uncle Shen,

Little Duan, Old Geng, and all the others from Yuzhou were not invited too.

You're just going to watch?

He's an old official that has served three emperors.

Duke Ying of the state and his wife have very strong personalities, are very strict in managing their household, and give too much importance to etiquette.

I had a very bad reputation before,

and is now just a newly favored officer.

An old man like that will never give men any importance.

I'm just afraid that three people can turn a gossip into a tiger. That the more people doing it can destroy a bone.

No matter how heroic and valiant you are,

if the whole world say that you are a scoundrel,

as days go by, the whole world will start to believe it.

Didn't you exactly suffer because of such trick before?

I'm a scoundrel.

Wife is seeking justice for me?

As a married couple, we are of one body. Either one getting glory or destruction will affect both.

Of course, I must think for your sake.

No need.

I've survived a mountain of blades and a sea of fire.

Would I still mind these these things?

Are you mad again?

Anyway, you can't run away.

The days are long.

It's broad daylight!

Let's eat together later for dinner.

Dinner later!

He's such a ruffian.

So moody.

One moment, so happy.

One moment, getting mad for no reason at all.

Even Buddha isn't this hard to attend to.

Have you ironed the clothes?

Who do you think you are?!

I've eaten more salt than the rice you've eaten!

Is it your turn to meddle in this matter?

You are using your age to take advantage of us, assigning good tasks to your relatives

and earning kickbacks from it.

And you won't even let people talk? Don't think that we don't know about it!

Since that's the case, go report me then.

Go! The courtyard of Big Madam is just that way, as if you don't know the direction.

Go and report on me! Go!

Isn't it because you know that Big Madam has a good temper,

- So what? - and that you're from the marquis manor,

so no one can touch you, right? But don't bully people so intolerably!

These two maidservants are young and inexperienced.

When things have gone missing, you just blame it on them.

You're already this old, yet you still bully a child!

Do you have an conscience?!

These two little kids

clearly have dirty hands.

You are still defending them?

You must be their accomplice.

If I've taken any money improperly from this manor,

I would then have a tragic death.

There's no use for you to make oaths here.

Let me tell you that the kitchen purchasing is under my jurisdiction.

I'm also in-charge of the items there.

I can investigate whoever I want. It's none of your business.

- You... - What?

You stinky woman!

- You bitch! - You say is to beautifully! - What?!

Each of you are...

That Nanny Lai was still pretentious before in being so just.

Seeing how everyone can't dare turn hostile against her,

she started to be imposing.

My guess was right.

No matter how sly a fox is, it will show its tail sooner or later.

The one fighting with her earlier is the wife of Wang Wu, right?

In the whole Cheng Garden now, only she

can dare to argue with Nanny Lai.

She's also a very straightforward person.

Big Madam, you have to intervene.

If you still don't, that straightforward person

will soon get pushed aside to having no way out.

I'm intervening, but the right time hasn't come yet.

After lunch, tell that Wang Wu...

- Tell that Wang Wu's wife to come to me. - Yes.

[ Jiaxi Lodge ]

What task do you do?

Replying to Big Madam, just some manual labor. Once I'm not doing anything anymore,

I'll go help the gardeners water the flowers and plow the soil.

I can see the plants in the garden growing quite well.

It was also very clean. You are really capable.

I'm a crude person and is very straightforward. I only know to do tasks that requires manual strength.

I dare not be described as being capable.

The eastern side of the garden is quite barren, hence, not pleasing to the eyes.

I feel that we are lacking people who can plant.

I can see that you are knowledgeable in this and is quite an honest person.

I'll leave this matter to you then.

Big Madam, are you serious?

Of course, I am.

What? You're not willing?

No. No.

It's just that planting will require a lot of expenses.

I... only know to do the manual labor

and has never did such an important task.

I..fear that I might not do it well.

You haven't done it, so how do you know that you can't do it well?

I fear that I don't know the market.

If I buy too expensive ones, that's additional expenses.

If I buy poor quality ones, I will cause our manor to lose face.

As long as you set your thoughts in an upright manner, it's fine even if you aren't able to do this task well.

Whoever dares to criticize you and not listen to your orders

will not be lightly spared by me.

Since Big Madam is willing to trust me,

I'll surely give it my best

to fulfill this task beautifully!

As long as you remember two things. First,

do this task well and don't let anyone find any flaws.

Second, Nanny Lai is a well-experienced servant of the marquis manor.

She has such good temper and is very amicable.

You must respect her.

Of course, Nanny Lai must be respected.

I understand. I understand everything.

Okay. You go now.

Yes.

Miss, did you deliberately let everyone outside hear that?

This early morning, that Wang Wu's wife and Nanny Lai had a fight.

This afternoon, I immediately granted her a fat task.

Everyone can surely guess where the wind is blowing, right?

Hope she did understand what you mean.

Big Madam, father said

that it's fine if you can't write well. You just need to practice more.

Who said that my words are bad?

I just wrote the wrong stroke earlier.

Your stroke isn't wrong. I saw it.

Good child, let's just continue writing tomorrow.

Let's just read some books for a while.

This... I've already finished reading that book.

I can recite all of it.

You... at such a young age,

how come you know so many words? You also know to read poems?

When I used to live on the boat,

my father would have me memorize a poem every day.

Later on, I went to Second Aunt-in-law's home academy too.

Who is Second Aunt-in-law?

Sheng House's second aunt-in-law. Aunt Hai.

You don't even know that?

My brother and sister-in-law left me with no gap.

They've taught you everything and I've got nothing left to teach you.

Big Madam, I want to play polo.

I can teach you that!

But, but not yet since you're still too young.

You can't ride the horse.

Let's wait a couple more years and I'll surely to teach you.

We can learn to fish first.

We can still ride a small horse first.

Look at your look!

Looks like you've made up your mind already.

Fine. I'll have your father buy you a small horse then.

We learn to fish first though. You can learn that, right?

Yes, I will hook a carp and make chopped fish.

- Take it slow, Nanny Chang. - Big Madam.

Big Madam.

The miss and you are so fated.

Our Miss Rong still lacks skills about lady's crafts.

We have to coax her three days to embroider once.

She holds a needle and says she's sleepy just at one incense burn.

She's not as steady as Miss Xian next door.

It's alright.

When she's older, she'll be more steady.

When I was little, I was much more playful than her.

Just that my house wasn't too peaceful,

so I forced myself to be more rule-bound. But look how great now.

This whole room is full of our own and she can fuss if she wants.

She keeps playing with Sister Xian and she'll pick up naturally.

My sister-in-law Shao next door is so amiable too.

Our grown up matters aren't the kids' issues.

Actually, Miss Rong is lucky.

My young master is always worried about Chang.

Big Madam, may you not be offended. That's his only heartache.

Why would I find offense?

This is how a father should behave.

If I could have had a father like him when I was young,

many sufferings would have been spared.

You are so understanding, Big Madam.

My young master is so lucky that he married you.

I also hope everyday that he can find Chang sooner.

And our courtyard will be that much more bustling.

Who said I stole?

I thought these were just useless branches.

So I was cleaning them up to throw them away outside.

You are always bluffing about how you're a seasoned elder from the marquis manor.

That you've managed everything before and you know it all.

But you can't even recognize tree roots?

You are seriously! You're trying to fool us as if we're idiots?

This is a noble specie transported in from Jiangnan.

Each stem costs a strand of money.

You're trying to take it to sell it outside!

Which one of your eyes saw me steal?

Let me tell you. Even if you report to the big madam, I won't acknowledge it.

You think you are worth something before Big Madam?

She's a lady of a noble house and she doesn't stoop to your level.

But you turn around and think you're so mighty!

Mother Lai, there's God three inches on top of your head.

Stop committing so many evil deeds or karma will hit you.

You! You!

Stop hitting. - Don't stop me.

I must teach this whore.

Stop pulling me. - You'll all get reprimanded.

What are you!

I'm at least from the marquis house.

You? What can you all do to me?

You're from the marquis house.

And you instigated your second daughter to go and seduce our lord.

Who can't see that through? If our lady finds out,

you'll be the first to be sent out.

I'll kill you.

We're onto you.

You still think you're so mighty?

Stop pulling me.

Forget it.

They're fighting! They're fighting!

Then you don't go out so you don't get hurt.

I won't. They won't dare to hurt me.

That.

That child. She's like her father. Just as bold.

Forgive me, Big Madam.

It's not that I want to be meddlesome.

But nowadays, in this marquis manor,

it's always someone fighting here or there.

It's ridiculously chaotic.

Allow me to speak an usurping word.

Back then, in the inner courtyard of the Bai House in Yangzhou,

even they were more rule-bound then this lot.

The Bai House lord must have set a strict code.

Of course.

Such a large manor can't be without rules.

Back then when Ye's maternal grandmother was alive,

the servants didn't even dare to talk in a loud voice.

Later, unfortunately she passed away,

and my miss took over things.

She set up iron rules herself.

If someone commits a grave wrong,

they are severely punished without ever any mercy.

It's true.

In order to punish those petty troublemakers severely,

I must wait till they commit a grave wrong first.

Big Madam, I don't understand.

If it's our own servants,

we can handle however we want if they error.

But these are all sent over by the elders from the marquis manor.

Small and big fights.

A couple rebukes today and two slashes tomorrow.

Each and every, and they'll know it's not such a big deal.

Now, Mother Lei isn't winning any trusts from anyone.

But without Mother Lei, we still have Mother Hua and Mother Tian.

When will it all end?

It's better to hit them dead with one cane for them to never resurrect again.

Big Madam. If there's anything,

I can perhaps help with . . .

There is a matter that I really do need your help with.

Great.

I hear that illegitimate daughter of Sheng House,

as soon as she married over, she drove Gu Second to move out.

She even scolds an elderly nanny who's been there over a decade.

That Gu Second is a rogue as well.

He's always running around outside.

Fetching all sorts of novelties for her to eat.

A great general and being dispatched like a junior servant.

No propriety whatsoever.

Old Marquis's corpse is still not cold yet.

And that Gu Second already left the capital to pursue freedom.

I don't know what luck he's got though.

Somehow he's baked himself into a new noble.

He's made it and turns around to give the cold shoulder.

And mock the Gu elders like this.

I think he and that one from Sheng House

are perfect match.

I don't know what curse Yuanruo was under.

To be smitten by her kind.

Thanks to Heaven's providence that she didn't marry here.

Or else, our Qi House.

Who knows what plight we'd be under now.

How are you up?

You've been ill for so long and you're just recovering.

Don't get chill again.

Sixth Sister only loves to eat a bit.

I imagine Gu Second doting on her isn't a major issue.

What's there to speak of?

Her temperament is most prudent and diligent.

She's not someone to ever go wild over gaining of power.

People are just too talkative and I imagine it's false.

We don't mention her then.

I came to report to Father and Mother.

My body is fine now.

I was ill before and it delayed my reporting to duty.

Starting tomorrow, I will head on over.

I'm glad you've thought it through.

We all need to look to ahead to live life.

Yuanruo, Yuanruo, about the, if you want to again . . .

Don't mention it again.

Then we never mention it?

We'll mention it in a couple of years.

Father. Do you wish to find a marital prospect for me?

Look here, since you're not that young anymore.

And you've passed the exam and that Shen House . . .

You're still young so there's no rush.

We'll talk in a couple of years. Just focus on your official career.

If Father and Mother deem it necessary, please proceed with it.

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? ♫