Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 44

- Please. - Thank you, Momo.

Thank you, Momo.

Good wine.

Mom, you're being too courteous.

You are decreasing our blessings. You are the nanny of Master,

and even a Momo with high position,

yet you're still treating us to some drinks. I really feel so embarrassed.

Isn't that right?

What position?

Young Master Ye and I have never put any importance to those seniority rules.

You can say so, but we're still working for the inner courtyard.

No matter how good Master is, he can't really care about us. Above us is Big Madam.

Big Madam isn't as resolute as Master.

Look at how chaotic that kitchen has become.

- She doesn't even ask about it. - Indeed.

Today, Rong'er insisted on eating the back meat of a swamp eel.

I then went to the kitchen to ask if there's any.

I haven't entered and I've already heard Nanny Lai inside talking.

Her words were really unbearable.

Even my mother in the province would feel embarrassed if she heard it.

And this person even came from the attending the Big Madam of the marquis house.

She claims that she's a person who has attended to Big Madam of the marquis house, but I don't think so.

Those dowry servants that Big Madam brought with her from Qin Manor

were mostly gone or dead.

Only Nanny Xiang is left by her side.

I really am puzzled. What could be the background

of this Nanny Lai?

So barbaric.

I heard that...

... she entered with Nanny Xiang's help.

Because she has served longer than us, hence, she was able to look so decent.

She kept showing off that she's a trusted aide of Big Madam.

What's there to be proud about that?

In my opinion, you two are not worse than her.

Why must you two get stepped by her?

We work for the fourth and fifth house, who are not as prestigious as the Big Madam of the main house.

Talking about that, do you know that before going to his western expedition,

do you know how Young Master was able to become a general overnight?

Wasn't it because he was meritorious for saving the emperor?

The current emperor was still a submerged dragon then.

Afterwards, there was a palace siege to usurp the throne.

It was Young Master who risked his life to escort His Majesty,

and fought all out against the rebels,

hence, he has his current prestige.

If that time, Young Master was afraid of dying

and just hid in Yuzhou to preserve his life,

can he have achieved success? Can he have this enormous wealth and high status now?

Then what Momo means is...

Every time a new emperor ascends, the subjects are changed.

If you two can unite to pull down that Nanny Lai,

remove the eye sore of Big Madam,

will she treat you two unfairly?

You two are quite cowardly. Whether you do it or not, I'm still the nanny of our master.

Who in this house can have a position higher than me?

You won't listen to the good words I say.

When bandits join a group, they first must show their loyalty and devotion.

Fine. You two are indeed just suitable to drink wine in this garden,

and unable to enter the main house.

Momo said it right.

Yes, Momo, we will remember your words.

Come, Momo, let me give you a toast.

I caught something!

I've caught it! I've caught it!

Let me do it.

After catching so many, we'll have something to eat with wines tonight.

Since I came here to the capital with Older Sister and Brother-in-law,

this is my happiest day.

No need to restrain my face and consider the opinion of those elders.

I also don't need to keep myself from moving my head when walking, or showing my teeth when laughing, as if I'm some demure lady.

Come here often then.

You're the only one left that doesn't mind me being wild. In this Bianjing City,

which rich daughter isn't being courteous with me upfront,

but mocking me as a country bumpkin behind my back?

Don't even talk about fishing,

just talking a bit louder and they will already laugh at me.

Sometimes, I didn't even know that they were laughing at me.

I even laughed with them.

You're also laughing at me?

The two of us can get along well. You and a cousin of mine in our home province

are of similar age and personality.

She is also wild when she plays and runs.

She can climb trees to get bird's eggs or dive into the river to catch toads. She can do all those.

In our home province, she's the person that I'm able to get along with the most.

Once she comes to visit me, I'll tell her to play with you.

This capital is almost killing me from suffocation.

Don't know if I can still live until your cousin arrives.

It's indeed a good thing that brother-in-law of mine became the emperor.

But it feels like shackles have been placed on me.

If I make any mistake,

I would be bringing trouble to my whole family.

Aristocratic families are indeed like that.

They are deeply entangled. One committing a mistake will affect everyone else.

Good thing, you were married into the Zheng Family.

Your in-laws are all from reputable families. As days pass by,

everyone will know that you have a pure and kind temperament. They will eventually accept you.

Xiaotao, take these fishes to the kitchen.

Let's stop fishing and just go around.

We haven't been to a huge half of this garden yet.

Sure!

In this kitchen, I'm the one in-charge after all.

I'm just getting a few of these rotten leafy vegetables.

Must you comment so much?

Rotten leafy vegetables?

All these were each raised and cared for by idle people like us in the garden.

They are for the Miss Rong's soup.

Just for saying that it's a rotten leafy vegetable, you want to take it away?

Are you more precious than our Miss?

I... Isn't it just a few wild vegetable?

If I ate yours, I'll just get you some to make it up.

Must you make a big issue out of it?

Say, just for a few leafy vegetables, just let this matter go.

- Stop fighting. - Make it up?!

If Big Madam asks, how would I explain it?

You know very clearly that this is not about just a few wild vegetables.

Since you got in-charge of the kitchen, how many items have been converted to silver

and entered your pocket. Can you explain those clearly?!

You... stop using Big Madam to oppress me!

I didn't eat yours or spent your money, so why are you being hurt?

I think that you're just jealous because other are getting kickbacks

while you're not.

- Getting agitated about it. - You've already gotten advantage and you still pretend to be nice?!

- I'll hit you until you die! Do you believe that?! - What are you doing?!

You people want to beat me up?! Hit her until she dies! Get out! Leave!

Stinky brat! Get lost!

You are really so bold! You!

Stop! Stop!

- I'm indeed hitting you! - Stop!

- Stop pulling me! - Let go of me!

Did a thief enter your house?

No. It must be the senior kitchen maids fighting again.

Forget it. Let's look for a more peaceful place to talk.

No, they are breaking things now.

Sister, you're not intervening?

I'll kill you!

You stinky brat!

I'll kill you!

Young Master! Young Master! We have trouble!

The people inside the inner courtyard kitchen are fighting.

What has happened?

I heard that it's about some wild vegetables.

Nanny Lai, Nanny Hua, Nanny Tian, and a few more maidservants

are all fighting in there!

Why are you telling me these?

Must I still meddle with those trifle matters in the kitchen?

Where's Big Madam? Tell her to go over there and take a look.

Big Madam doesn't dare to meddle.

She said that those are nannies sent by the elders of the marquis house.

Then... just forget it.

Is everything still okay?

It's fine, General.

You better just go over and take a look.

What's there to look at?

A few elderly women fighting and I still have to meddle? Just let them fight.

At most, let them trash the kitchen and destroy its roof.

I'll just look for people to rebuild it.

Come, come, let's drink. Hey!

You few quickly sound the drum!

Okay! Okay!

Right. Just watching isn't fun.

Sounding a few drums makes it more exciting.

One more time!

State Uncle Shen and his little sister left happily.

Aren't you afraid that Shen lady will gossip

how we are not strict in managing our house? That the maidservants here fight every day?

Making this place more lively than the southern operas.

I just fear that she

might go defend me and argue with others because we got along so well.

That's harder to handle.

Why?

She and I are both from low background.

It's only because of accidental fate that we're able to climb up a higher social status.

Those people from illustrious aristocratic families will surely not believe her words.

They will think that she's being biased with her same kind.

Don't worry. One day, I will let those people not dare look down on you.

Since they have come, we should make them comfortable.

Outside, you've already given me enough splendor and dignity.

For this small matter inside the house,

just let me deal with with it alone.

To resist foreign aggression, pacify internal conflicts first. Once the house is clean,

our reputation outside once our house is clean.

The days are long. No need to rush.

On a more serious note,

shouldn't you disperse the maidservants outside now?

Danju,

go out and spread my word.

Big Madam instructed

that all people involved in the fight can't be allowed to stay in the manor anymore.

Considering that you all are old servants of the marquis manor,

it's also not convenient for us to just expel you all out.

Tomorrow, all are being transferred to the farmstead outside the city.

Miss Cuiwei, we were seeking justice for Big Madam

- that's why we turned hostile against that Lai woman! - That's right!

We were seeking justice!

Even if you are, you could have reasoned out properly.

Why must you become violent?

You all say that you were seeking justice for Big Madam.

So this matter has become the mistake of Big Madam then?

Tomorrow, if you kill a person,

will you be claiming that you're seeking justice for general then?

What should we do?

Nanny, how's your injuries? Do they still hurt?

With my old skin and face, I'm fine.

I'm just afraid that Big Madam has gotten so mad about this.

Nanny, don't worry. Big Madam has already punished the people who have hurt you.

She had them get transferred to the farmstead outside the city to do manual labor.

Those evil whores,

they really dared to cruelly hit me.

Big Madam is right to handle them that way.

But, with so many people leaving, the manor will surely lack people.

Tomorrow, I must take care

getting some new people in.

Big Madam said that since you're hurt,

don't worry about the household matters anymore.

Tonight, you'll be transferred to the farmstead outside the city.

You just need to be at ease and recuperate. No need for you to worry about other things.

No! No! My injuries aren't serious.

When Big Madam gave the instructions, Master was also there.

He then sent out his two servants to escort you.

Nanny, stop being courteous.

Whether you leave now or later, you're still leaving.

You people are all loyal ones.

With Nanny Lai and the others leaving,

the positions emptied is also making me be at my wits' end.

Everyone, please do your best to do them.

Madam, don't worry. We always give it our best in doing our tasks.

What marquis manor? We don't acknowledge it at all.

In our eyes, there's only Big Madam.

We'll only listen to your orders.

I have to rely on everyone then.

You... If you want to do a good hairstyle on your daughter,

you should at least follow the norms.

Why did you make her look like some lion?

Look. Put on some hair oil,

then turn it like this. Isn't it done?

So pretty.

Wife's fingers are like softstem bulrush,

so fine and long.

My fingers are like ginseng. How could I beat you in doing a hairstyle?

Not true.

There's an old maidservant in our house

whose 10 fingers are so coarse and short like carrots.

But it's her who can do hairstyles the best.

She's able to do the best and latest hairstyles.

Hence, this has nothing to do with the coarseness of one's fingers.

If you want to do a great hairstyle, you should practice more.

Don't blame the fingers.

So pretty.

Okay. Okay. I'll practice more.

I'm preparing to practice on my wife's hair.

Don't! Don't! Stop it!

You're not even saving me and still laughing?!

- Don't save her! - Save me!

- Get lost. - Miss.

Stop it already!

That... I'm teaching your Big Madam some defense moves.

Then... I'll just come back later.

Wait! Wait!

- What is it? - Big Madam from the marquis manor is here.

She's here to denounce me for my crimes.

Serve her tea first. I'll be right there.

Yes.

You go first. I'll then hide

and listen to what you two are saying.

If they bully you,

I'll come out and give you support.

You better just think about how to fix her hair.

You decide on where to put those.

Hurry up!

This... how do you do this?

Nanny Lai is old and gravely injured,

I was afraid that she can't stand staying idle here in our house and refuse to focus on recuperating.

Hence, I made the decision to transfer her to the farmstead outside the city.

They are really so bold to disobey!

Nannies Lai, Diao, Hua, and Tian are all behaved people

when they were still in the marquis manor.

How come upon coming here to your house,

they ended up this way?

Quickly sit down, my good child.

Maybe because in the marquis manor, you're there personally attending to the household affairs,

they dare not do any mischief.

Upon coming here, seeing how I am young

and have such small might, I'm unable to control my servants.

They instead went mad.

It's all their fault. How can it be mother-in-law's fault?

From now on, I still must learn more principles of managing the household from you.

Good thing, among the people I've sent you,

there were still a few that's useful.

I've already asked around when I've arrived.

That..one named Mingyue

and another one named Ruyue

didn't join the fight.

Especially that Mingyue, when she learned that mother did that, she tried to stop her.

But saying didn't work.

This child, in terms of looks and needlework,

she's really good. She's also a very prudent person.

I think that she would be helpful to you.

Mother-in-law is right. This maidservant is indeed not bad

and I know her background very well. She surely will be a good help.

I'm at ease for you saying that.

If these maidservants do anything inappropriate,

just have people tell me.

You are too shy. You aren't bold enough to be hostile with them.

I'll deal with them for you.

With mother-in-law's words, I feel so at ease.

- Have caused you to worry, mother-in-law. - No such thing.

- You've just moved in here. There are still a lot of things that you must handle in this house. You just go back now. - Okay.

- Go back. - Mother-in-law, take care.

Quickly go back.

Let's go.

That illegitimate daughter is really formidable.

Ten plus people entered,

and now, only two are left.

It's good too that there were two left.

Although Mingyue and Ruyue are not that pretty,

that Second grew up in the alleys of brothels.

He likes having someone new.

Even if he can endure it now, can he still do in the future?

Too bad, Nanny Lai and those others

who were trusted aides of ours that we trained for decades

would actually end up in failure.

The future days are long.

This game of chess has just reached the middle.

Daddy, I want to write by my own, by my own.

Okay. Okay. Rong'er can write it by herself.

What are you laughing at?

You can't kick out those two remaining maidservants?

Yes. That person already left her words.

Even if those two make any mistakes, I must first inform her.

If I kick them out, that's turning one's back to my elder.

Turning your back to your elder?

She still has the nerve to call herself your elder?

Anyway, I've turned my back against her not just this once. I'll go talk to her!

No need to trouble you.

Wife still has some countermeasures?

As the main madam of this house, you think it will be hard for me to drive people out?

The only hard part is not to let others catch any flaws. I must make it reasonable.

Don't you people who fight wars

also pay attention to winning without fighting?

These next few days, the weather will be colder.

I'll then tell those two ladies

to go to Heishui (Blackwater) Farmstead and visit Nanny Lai.

In handling the household, wife is even using the art of war.

Did I just marry a Zifang (courtesy name of Zhang Liang, a great strategist) ?

[ Sunset along the long river... ]

It's really too cold here.

There aren't even things that can warm your hands and feet.

I really can't stay here anymore.

Didn't the marquis house ask you to relay me a message?

They don't mind me that much now.

They would only sometimes tell me to do my work well.

Whether I'll be able to get a concubine position will depend on my ability.

No matter how fierce master is, I must think of a way to make him like me.

Looks like Big Madam has completely forgotten about me.

Mother. In the Cheng Garden now, only me and Ruyue were left

in the group that came from the marquis house.

We are outnumbered. Those people who were nice to us before

are afraid of getting implicated and don't usually socialize with us.

People like us who lacks foundation

can't even get near in front of the Master.

Child, do you want to take a step higher

and become the concubine of master?

I initially liked to,

but that was in the courtyard of Young Master Wei.

Young Master Wei is easygoing and easy to amuse.

But the current master...

Master is too fierce. I'm afraid.

Looks like the two of us are not people who can do great undertakings.

That Big Madam saw that I'm now useless,

so she just threw me on the side and didn't even show any care.

I've worked hard for her. It's fine if they were honorable tasks,

but they were shameful deeds.

She will never care about our lives.

Mother, what should we do then?

That one in marquis manor is a person who keeps her words.

If I don't follow her instructions to seduce master,

she'll never let me off.

Child, go and beg the current main madam.

I beg Big Madam to give me a path to live.

Don't be afraid. I won't eat you.

If my husband really likes you, I can't really stop it.

No! No! I don't have such intentions.

It's just that Big Madam Qin... she forced me to do so!

I don't want to,

but I'm afraid. I'm afraid...

Afraid of what?

I'm afraid that she'll kick me out.

What do you want me to do then?

I want to leave this place.

I want to take my mother, Nanny Lai,

and little sister Ruyue

to leave Bianjing together, and just go back to our home province Qizhou to live our days.

I beg Big Madam to get my slave contract.

You have really thought about it very clearly.

If there's a survival path, who would dare charge into the gates of death?

I beg Big Madam to be merciful.

You people are so broad-minded.

How sure are you that I can get your slave contract back for you?

Big Madam, the three of us were old servants of the adjacent house.

If the three of us leave,

the remaining ones will also just be a loose pile of sand. (lose a leader)

Whether Big Madam kicks them out

or be considerate and makes them stay,

they will never be able to create any trouble anymore.

This is good for our family,

and also to your family.

If you're this clever from the start, how could there still be so much problems afterwards?

Sometimes, if you don't try it first,

you will never know which gate is for survival and which will lead you to death.

Big Madam.

There are three of us in my family. Our lives are in someone else's hands.

I was forced to do it.

I'm begging Big Madam to be kind.

Enough. You all can leave.

Thank you, Big Madam.

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

This meat is delicious too.

Try it now.

Now that the three of them have left, it clean and peaceful now.

I finally have time to spare in supervising the house and the farmsteads.

And that farmstead that was granted to you by the emperor.

After dealing with several crafty old maids and expelling out two beautiful ones,

in this round, you obtained a resounding victory.

Just do the inspection of the farmsteads once you're happy to do it.

If you didn't support me from the back,

I wouldn't have been able to borrow the courage to do this.

This merit goes to you.

You are a slick person.

You are humoring me to make me feel good

and let me be the evil guy

to help you with the slave contract.

Then... I will go instead.

I was only joking with you.

How could you regard it as real?

I will go. I will go after I'm done eating.

No need to force yourself.

Wait for a few more days.

If they still don't get someone to deliver it

it's still not too late to go.

No. I'm going later. I will go.

I want to see my stepmother fuming and can't withstand me.

I... I can't wait for it.

Alright, you go then.

Wife.

I married you so that you can enjoy happiness.

If you think managing the household is too much, you can throw it to me.

I want to see you having the freedom to eat the meat like just now.

No matter what you want to do, I will agree.

I'm a military man.

I can't totally guess what's on your mind.

You must tell me.

Why are you suddenly saying this?

I'm a man of my word. I surely will fulfill my promise.

Do you believe me?

I do.

Really?

It's true.

Master, people from Shitou's family is here.

They said they had something urgent to report.

I bumped into them when we were docked on land.

The more I looked at her, the more I find her similar to the illustration you gave me.

I thought of asking them to settle down there first, then asked my husband to come back here and report it to you.

But didn't know how, she saw through my plan.

When the boat docked, she immediately took the child and escaped.

My husband immediately went down the boat to chase after them, but he lost them when they turned a corner.

If there will be news about them next time, be sure to be more careful.

Even if you have to look for 7 to 8 big men to surround and tie her up.

Yes. Brother Bai, we didn't handle your matter well this time.

Really so sorry.

Not really. This woman is too cunning.

She's even more cruel than a formidable man. Even I lost to her.

You all were also just being cautious, fearing that she might hurt the child.

I brought problems onto you.

After removing the sand blocking my eyes,

these accounting books look more clearly too.

I will be able to sleep soundly tonight.

In the past, everyone thinks that it's dangerous for you to marry into the Gu family.

Looking at how the Lord protects you, I'm relieved.

Old Madam is extremely relieved too.

No one in this kingdom is reliable.

He is a good man and takes care of me.

This is great

but it's best not to place too much hopes on him.

Everyone has their predicaments.

Even if you are to put your hopes, don't make it too much and too deep.

The more hopes you have, the more disappointed you will be.

Once there are too much disappointments, you'll develop grudges.

Once you bear these grudges all your life, you'll develop hatred and your days will become unbearable to live.

Big Madam, you don't seem to be referring to your husband.

It's more like you're talking of Master Sheng.

I indeed have to treat my husband like he's him. I have to be cautious and conscientious.

Now, we're just newlywed. Of course, he still find me interesting,

but it's not only for just a few months.

There are still many years to come. In any case, placing hopes on him,

he might find the burden too heavy one day.

What's up?

My brothers in Canal Gang found traces of Chang and his mother.

However, they eventually lost them.

It's fine. Since there were traces,

with the broad connections of the Canal Gang, they surely will be able to find them.

If there's news again,

I might leave everything here and personally go there to look.

You should. By then, I'll pack up your luggage.

And then go to Yuqing Monastery

to burn you some incense and pray to the gods.

You talked about inspecting the farmstead earlier.

Actually, those farmsteads don't really earn us a lot of money every year.

You don't need to put too much attention to it. Don't tire yourself.

How could I not? Grandmother instructed me

that the assets of the family must be supervised regularly,

to prevent those in-charge in deceiving us with their reports and oppressing the people under them.

If someone dies because of it, this is no child's play.

That urgent?

Why don't I take time off and go with you?

No need. Just be at ease and stay in the military camp to train your soldiers.

Just leave a few capable soldiers for me. It will be fine.

Those people in-charge of the farmsteads are not really killing and looting bandits.

They are sufficient.

If I leave everything behind here and go look for Chang alone,

Will you be unhappy?

In the past, Nanny Zhang asked me too.

I don't know why I should be unhappy.

I think that, in the next life,

I will want to be your child too.

Marrying you is really good karma

that I've accumulated from saving humankind in the my previous several reincarnations.

You already told me this. I know.

Alright, take a bath now. Don't let the water get cold.

I'm going to get you a set of clothes to change into.

What should I do

to make you trust me?

Why are you just here now? Old Commander Bo has been waiting for you all day.

What has happened? Did my army fight with other people again?

No. His Majesty made a decree yesterday

that he will inspect the training of the army these next few days.

The two old generals went to inform all the different military camps

to organize and prepare.

Inspection? With such a major thing, how come there were no news from Prince Huan?

Who knows.

I wanted to take a few days off to settle some personal matters in my family.

I urge you not to bring that up anymore. This is serious matter. It can't be handled sloppily.

Can't you see that even State Uncle is here?

I, Ba Fu, greets Big Madam.

Big Madam, you must be tired from your travel.

The house inside has been prepared.

Manager Guan, you have worked hard.

It's getting dark soon and I still made you wait here.

Big Madam is a noble person.

Having some time to spare in coming here to visit us is our good fortune.

We so wanted you to come.

Thank you, Manager Ba.

Everyone, you all are tired too. Quickly go home and rest now.

- I'll just examine the books tomorrow morning. - This...

Go now. I'm tired.

Thank you for understanding, Big Madam.

This Heishan (Black Mountain) Farmstead and the Guyan (Ancient Stone) Farmstead behind

can't compare to the Xiaoyu (Little Rain) Farmstead I brought as my dowry.

This is a penal farm set up by the government. We're also not familiar with the people here.

Sister Cuiwei, I'm a bit scared.

Silly girl.

Have you prepared all the items that Big Madam asked you to prepare?

She indeed was from a scholarly family. Such bearing.

No matter how imposing her bearing is, she's still just a young wife.

What can she know?

Tomorrow, just report everything

according to what we discussed.

It's just some newlywed wife wanting to come out

to visit her fields and show off her might.

Just let her show off. This will be over after some coaxing.

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? ♫