Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 57

Prime Minister.

- Your Majesty. - Royal Mother, what are you doing?

I'm tired. I'm tired.

I've already placed my imperial seal. I'm not meddling with any affairs anymore.

Why must you still painstakingly force me?

Empress Dowager, you...

My life is hard.

Empress Dowager, since you personally stamped your seal,

that's enough.

Enough. Enough.

You are sick. Quickly return to the inner palace and rest.

Wait!

- Empress Dowager, may I ask— - Servants!

Quickly assist Empress Dowager back to rest.

The royal physicians must stay by her side.

Yes.

Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!

Your Majesty, why didn't you wait for us to finish asking?

Empress Dowager already said yes.

If official continue to ask her forcefully,

do you want Empress Dowager to write you a guarantee letter?

Your Majesty, if you get close to fawning and crafty subjects, you'll stay farther away from the virtuous ones.

The crafty subjects did rash actions.

They deceived Empress Dowager to release a written decree, causing her to

be in fear and panic, unable to directly tell the truth.

This shockingly frightening matter has never happened before, has never been heard in this world.

We officials of the Censorate and Remonstrance Bureau

were bounded by imperial duty to correct your mistakes.

But now, we're unable to do so.

We've disappointed the empire.

May Your Majesty, remove me from my post of being the Grand Master of the Remonstrance Bureau!

So, if it doesn't suit your liking,

you can just irresponsibly give up your work?

The ministers of the palace secretariat

are good in embellishing their words. They harbored treacherous subject intentions to bewitch you.

May Your Majesty punish the fawning subjects.

Investigate the mistake of the different ministers.

Remove from office Han Zhang, Shen Congxing, and the others

to purge the palace and outside of treacherous officials!

Whether we are evil or virtuous, Your Majesty surely knows.

The Censorate and Remonstrance Bureau earnestly ask Your Majesty to stay away from crafty subjects.

Remove from office Han Zhang, Shen Congxing, and the others.

Your Majesty, looks like the imperial censors

think they can't endure standing in the same imperial court as me anymore.

Since that's the case, if you think that I have committed a crime,

please have the imperial censors stay.

If you think that I've committed no wrong,

please use your imperial decree to punish and demote the imperial censors.

May Your Majesty decide wisely.

Grand Master Qi Heng of the Remonstrance Bureau,

demote.

I, Qi Heng, respectfully thank Your Majesty!

May Your Majesty remove us from our post too.

Demote! Demote!

Demote!

- Second Auntie. - Main Mother.

You both are done reading them?

We're done.

Who among you will talk first?

I've read the accounting books for 5 days and then spent 2 days to verify them.

There's one part that I couldn't understand.

The manor bought grains from outside for only 2 to 3 times,

but what's written on the books

is that the price each time was more expensive than the last.

If we're going to say that it's because of differing season when the purchase was made,

hence, the difference in prices. But I've compared it.

Purchases made on the same month still was higher than the previous.

There is clearly something fishy in here.

Xian'er, you're older. What do you think?

I feel that in managing a house, you mustn't be overly strict. If you make a fuss in every details,

not even ignoring just little amount of silver,

I fear that you might lose the big picture just for a small matter. And...

If there was something that I wasn't able to think about, Sister can just say it.

I compared the books to supplementary documents and saw that the prices have gone up because of waterlogs.

I also heard that a waterlog can bring damage that can last for 3 years.

Although you might say that all are just excuses,

it is still possible that it's true.

I feel that this should be considered too.

Rong'er, do you think what she said is true?

Sister and I have discussed it, and we find it to be more just an excuse.

Have you tried to verify it?

This... These accounting books are from decades ago.

How are we going to verify it?

Think about it then. How can you verify it?

Once you do, come back and answer my question.

- Yes. - Yes.

Main Mother.

Why are you back again.

What is it?

Father hasn't been talking with you a lot lately.

I...

What about you?

Before, father would always do some act to make you made.

These past days, he isn't doing that anymore.

Your father was punished in the morning court.

Of course, he's unhappy because of it.

If your maiden crafts teacher would hit your palm with a stick,

won't you also cry and sniffle?

Father cried and sniffled?

It's exactly because he's embarrassed to do so,

that's why, he's madder.

It's fine. Don't put it to heart.

He didn't lose his temper on you, right?

No. He just doesn't joke anymore.

He would be fine in a few days.

Don't worry, Rong'er. Rest early. Go now.

Big Madam, even Eldest Miss have noticed it.

You better think of a way.

Stop letting Marquis sleep in the study.

Also, Old Madam told Nanny Cui to relay a message

that if you have free time, go and visit her.

Who's the tattletale that reported this matter to my grandmother?

Grand Madam Qin next door already knows it,

so of course, Madam Kang also knows of it. With her knowing,

our Big Madam Wang would also know.

Then how could Old Madam not know?

When will I have any free time?

The approaching stormy clouds is making me too worried.

You are just there reading accounting books?

Yes.

Have you seen your Second Uncle.

Second Uncle was sitting on the side.

- Really? - Yes.

He even said that we were not meticulous in reading the books.

Second was just demanding the best from you.

But, to let a teenager read

those accounting books is such a tiring task.

Daughter-in-law, let her drink more teas that's good for her eyesight.

Don't let her tire her eyes out.

Yes.

Didn't you say that your Second Uncle weren't inside the room?

Whether he's in the room or not

is not grandmother's business,

nor is it our business.

Uncle and Auntie aren't inquiring about grandmother's matters,

so why must grandmother have me investigate theirs?

Mother, stop paying attention to those leisure words next time.

I indeed don't want to give them attention,

but not only must you read those accounting books of your Second Auntie until it's pitch dark,

you even have to be questioned for a long time.

Must this matter be done so urgently? How many people are there in the house that can read accounting books?

Why must she let a teenager like you read them?

If grandmother asks about the adjacent house again,

how would you answer?

How would I know what's happening in the adjacent courtyard?

It's just right that you answer that way.

Just say you don't know.

No matter what grandmother asks regarding Second Uncle or Second Aunt,

just nod and smile.

You mustn't tell them anything

and just let those words rot in your stomach.

Don't tell it to any person.

What... do you mean?

Mother, Second Uncle has never meddled with idle matters.

Household matters are all under the jurisdiction of Second Aunt.

She's a person who always has a definite plan in mind.

Letting me investigate the accounting books

is a way of taking care of me and Little Sister Rong.

We mustn't get involved in the conflict between grandmother and Second Uncle.

Xian'er,

how come you would think this much?

Mother, father told me

that we should live our own days.

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

[ Cheng Garden ]

Slow down. Slow down.

Don't touch that part!

Lower down the palanquin.

Slowly.

Shitou!

- What is this? -Seat pillow.

Am I blind?

I'm asking you, what is this for?

Xiaotao made it.

Look at this little plum on it. She personally embroidered that.

I was even the one who bought her the threads.

Will I be needing this?

I'm a distinguished commander and I'm going to use that in going to the imperial court?

Won't people be laughing at me?

How is it not useful? The wounds on your buttocks—

Shut up!

Take it away.

Slowly...

Okay.

Raise the palanquin!

Wait!

Shitou. Who had Xiaotao make that?

Xiaotao made it.

Bring it over here. Bring it here.

You said you won't use it.

Didn't you say that you won't use it?

It's my wife who told Xiaotao to make this.

Raise the palanquin!

Do it slower. Do it slower.

Let's go.

Salt, wine, tea, and iron are the main source of income of our dynasty.

Now, the salt taxation is very vague.

The amount being submitted actually don't add up.

We're only able to receive 30 to 40% of the actual value. It's hard to clearly investigate it.

If the government still doesn't guard against it,

it will lead to a huge disaster.

I wish Royal Father will issue an order to investigate this matter.

Clean up the very root of it so as to correct the laws and discipline in the imperial court.

The salt taxation has been a chronic problem. It has been scribbled in a dark and vague manner. Unbearably chaotic.

The state treasury has been empty for a long time.

It is indeed the right time to investigate this matter already.

My subject, who's willing to go in my behalf?

Salt taxation is a major state affair.

To have a clear and clean manner of governance has always been a difficult problem since time immemorial.

Are you all considering kinship and friendship

but none is willing to investigate the salt matter

for the sake of the government and the citizens?

May I ask Your Majesty if it is in the next few days that the Ministry of Rites and Ceremonies

would be transcribing your decree

regarding respectfully acknowledging Prince Shu as your birth father and announcing this to the whole empire?

We are currently discussing the salt affair.

If you have something to say, we can talk about it in details after the morning court.

I then have nothing else to say.

Could it be that if there's one matter that doesn't go with what you want,

you all can just stand aside from political affairs and do nothing?

You all are tightly grabbing onto the law of rites and won't let it go,

but indulging vermins to eat up our empire.

Aren't you wronging the citizens of this state?!

Your Majesty, I suggest to let Prime Minster Han go investigate this matter.

Censorate, no need to be sarcastic.

How could you have the state's prime minister go around and inspect the empire's territories?!

I dare not. It's just that... even though the salt affair indeed have a lot of flaws,

I don't think it's as severe as what Prince Huan said.

If it's really that severe, the empire

won't be this peaceful until now.

Hence, in my opinion, why not correct the law of rites first,

properly distinguish seniority, and clearly organize the ancestral bloodline.

Whether it's Royal Father or Royal Uncle,

just one word difference,

was enough for you all to discuss it for 3 to 5 months.

Some of you surely even want to jump up this Wende Hall and burn it to the ground.

The salt taxation concerns the state treasury, the lives of the citizens,

and even our borders and important fortification, but you all are not concerned about it?

Let me tell you all

that even without the Censorate, I still must do my job.

I still must make the state treasury have abundant money.

I still must let the people in this empire have food to eat. I still must reconquer our borders!

Even if I must personally inspect the salt trade, I would clarify the accounting to the last details.

Your Majesty is wise!

I ask for Royal Father's graces

to allow me to go out and train

by clearly investigating the salt affair.

I'm allowing it.

Thank you, Royal Father! I surely will not disappoint you

in cleaning up the salt affair and correcting the law and order of this government!

Weibei General Shen Congxing!

I'm here.

I order you to be the assistant of Prince Huan. Help him throughout this journey.

I will abide!

Deputy Minister Sheng Changbai of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!

- I'm here. - You are a person that easily remembers, has abundant knowledge, and has a photographic memory.

It's Prince Huan's first time to handle salt affairs, hence, it can't be helped for him to not know a lot of things.

I ask you to assist him in investigating the accounting books.

I will accept your decree!

I don't believe that

I won't be able to clearly investigate the salt affair of this empire.

Your Majesty. Liecao Deputy Minister Shen of the Department of State Affairs is waiting outside to seek an audience with you.

He said that he has a strategy to govern the salt affairs that he wants to submit to you.

Shen Guotao works for the Ministry of Personnel. What salt affair strategy can he have?

His son-in-law is the Qi Heng of the Ducal House of Qi.

He came to make up for the mistakes of that child.

Parents really won't stop worrying.

- Fine. Let him come in. - Yes.

Official, please go in.

That sly fox Duke Qi of the State

is really good in looking for an in-law.

He's able to squeeze water out of a stone without crevices.

He let his in-law see His Majesty using the pretext of salt affair.

That Princess PIngning of the second rank isn't also a personality to be belittled about.

She just does what she wants, without committing any mistake.

With his in-law protecting him like this,

the future potential of Young Lord Qi is surely boundless.

Everyone says that his wife, Lady Shen,

is gentle and virtuous,

educated and well-balanced. A good wife that will bring great fortune to his husband and children.

You just recovered from your injuries and today was your first day back to the morning court. You already now that much?

People from the imperial court indeed have piercing eyes.

Everyone in the palace

has eyes that are tempered via poisonous fire.

Their eyesight is way better than yours.

The palace actually praised me as being honest, sincere, warm, and kind.

It then means that my sight is good too.

You were praised as being honest, sincere, warm, and kind,

because I spent money for it.

Why then did you marry me?

You're always acting weird every day.

You know it from the start. Why then did you still marry me? Always having this crazy fit every day.

Hey, come! Come here!

What are you doing?

I... haven't seen you like this before.

Are you really mad? This is good. You're not pretending.

- Not virtuous. I find you so adorable! - I'm not virtuous?!

- I'm not virtuous? - Not virtuous.

- Marquis husband, did you get muddled from drinking liquor? - It's you who's muddled.

You have never been fully conscious.

I really love you being like this.

I must keep it in my heart and remember it well.

I've made full preparations.

Official Shen and I can set out by tomorrow.

I will personally send you two off tomorrow.

Thank you, Royal Father!

Informing Your Majesty, I have something to report.

- Say it. - I'm filing a complaint against Weibe General Shen Congxing

of using his power to seek personal gains, tolerating his children, siblings, and the women in his family

to forcibly occupy farmlands, seizing assets by trickery,

illegally forming political alliances.

You...

You are slandering me!

All these must just be false accusations.

It will be great if everything was indeed just false accusations.

But His Majesty has already asked Official Liu Suyang to investigate this matter.

I've heard my sister-in-law talk about that Official Liu.

He's a very incorruptible, fair, and just person.

It surely can't be hidden.

It can't be hidden.

Do you know something?

Regarding forcibly occupying farmlands and illegal political alliances, there are no such things.

It's just that the Zou Family used the name of my nephew to set up a high-interest loaning center outside.

I heard that someone couldn't afford to pay back his debt, hence, committed suicide.

Say, it's not us who begged him to lend money from us.

If he couldn't pay it back, he could have discussed it with us.

Why must he hang himself?

That's right.

Didn't you say that your nephew was personally raised by Madam Zou,

and is a very disciplined person?

It's exactly for that reason.

He has already lost his mother,

and his aunt is a concubine in their house.

She doted him so much. This...

When his uncle colluded and borrowed money from him, how could he disregard the kinship affection?

It was really not my nephew's fault, Minglan.

- I understand. I understand. - No, you don't.

It's just right and proper for a debt to be paid.

How come when somebody hanged himself, our family became the one at fault?

My older brother is a military warrior.

In the imperial court, how could he beat those scholarly officials with tongue as sharp as a sword?

Minglan...

You still have to breastfeed your child. Don't get too agitated.

Little Sister Shen, all these are matters of the morning court.

If you're crying here, isn't that just adding to the burden of Brother Shen?

Stop and just go home to wait for news.

It might not really be bad news.

Marquis Gu, you are the only educated person among them.

You mustn't watch as my older brother and my nephew go to jail.

For the emperor, everything can be handled with an imperial decree.

Raise the palanquin.

A young lady who's usually so energetic and cheerful,

has now cried to the point of her eyes to be swollen like walnuts.

Stop crying. It might affect her milk.

If this crime is escalated too much, people indeed might get executed.

But toning it down, it's just someone committing suicide because of fear of paying up his debts.

Not only will he be absolved of his crimes, he would even be paid a handsome amount of money.

In this world, it's just right that matters are handled without including personal bias.

But if someone wants to foil things, he surely will act the opposite manner and make this personal.

It's still my wife who is smart.

If that Miss Shen can just be half as wise as you,

she wouldn't be running here to cry today.

- I haven't done writing my memorial! - Stop writing!

- Why are you writing your own memorial? Why then do you still have a secretary in your house? - Indeed.

Just let them write it. Let's go!

- Go. Go. Go. - You already are married now. Why are we still going some Guanyun Brothel?

If your wife knows this, she's surely beat you up with a pole!

- Isn't this to comfort Brother Shen? - That's right.

- Even if he gets beaten up, he'll willing accept it. - Right.

- Let's go. - Say you,

you will be having marriage talks soon. Aren't you afraid that it might fail?

Brother Shen is waiting there!

- Let's go. - Old Shen is also acting rashly. - Let me tell you,

Xiao Duan can skip it,

but you can't. If you don't go,

those top girls of Guangyun Brothel

- won't come out and see old brutes like us. - Right.

- Come already, brother. Just treat it as taking me to experience the world. - Right.

Look at how delicately beautiful the women of Bianjing is.

- Okay. Okay. Let's go. - Tell the Big Madam that

- I've went out to have some drinks. - Let's go.

- I won't come back for dinner anymore! - Not coming back! Not coming back!

Look at you two... Really...

Let me ask you,

if...

... there is a wife in this world,

who is very smart and capable.

She has a husband

who finds her every speech or act

as being very interesting.

Appreciating beauties when you are young is just normal human pleasure.

Also, this wife is very gentle and submissive.

She's always docile and obedient with what her husband does.

But that husband...

... just kept feeling discontented.

Tell me, why is that?

Marquis, you stumped me with that question.

Are you talking about yourself,

or asking for others?

For cheesy matters like that, of course, I'm asking in behalf of others.

Come. Come. Let's drink.

Come.

If one person lowers down herself,

and become too docile and obedient, yet the husband still isn't happy,

I fear that he already finds her boring.

No such thing.

Still interesting. She's very interesting.

What then are the things that she does that makes you happy?

One time, she ate half a pig's trotter by herself.

She ate it with her face being full of oil.

That moment was even happier than celebrating new year. That time, she was truly happy.

There was no thinking involved.

Everything was sincere.

It seems that your wife

is also a person without pretenses.

Quite the opposite. She's always covering up.

No matter what I say, she nods her head.

No matter what I does, she speaks in support.

I really don't know if she's really helping me,

or just doing it for his marquis husband.

Marquis,

you really think that you exposed yourself just now?

The moment you start speaking,

I already knew it.

He...

He has the personality of making trouble out of nothing.

Who among the houses here in Bianjing is as peaceful as his?

Which Big Madam

is as virtuous as his wife?

I don't want a virtuous person. I want a real person.

You even want a deity-like immortal?

What deity-like immortal? You're drunk.

A flock of crows circles the tree three times, yet unable to find a branch to perch on.

Why not just have a drink?

When there are too many problems, why not just get drunk?

I seemed to haven't seen Xiao Duan for quite some time.

Where did he go?

Old Geng, have you seen Xiao Duan?

He's drunk and went to sleep.

Where did he go to sleep?

This Guanyun Brothel is such a huge place.

Can he still not find a place to sleep?

I think this is not right. I might develop a sty.

They probably are resting.

Lower down your voice.

- How is it? - Go. Go. Go.

How about it? Are you now at ease?

We are amidst a lot of problems right now. It's better to always be careful.

That time in Yuzhou, the sky is vast and ocean is wide.

But upon coming to Bianjing, everything changed.

Bianjing has its advantages.

Yuzhou's mountains are full of tigers.

Bianjing has... Sheng Minglan!

Yuzhou is good. It is better than Bianjing.

Is Guangyun Brothel not good? Is Fan House not good?!

Among all the four oceans and different states, I find no other place as better as Bianjing.

If we're able to take back our borders,

that would be greater.

Prepare to fight! Prepare to fight!

Go to my place tonight. Let's chat with our feet facing each other.

Always lamenting on how short is daytime, and how long is the nighttime.

Why not just hold a candle and seek pleasure nonstop at night?

Hold a candle and seek fun!

There is indeed a sound.

If there's none, then that will be bad.

Your abdomen is indeed getting bigger day by day.

Once i have this child, I finally will have something to put my hopes on.

No matter how chaotic the Shen family gets, I'm too lazy to care.

Don't be like that. I'm not unhappy.

It's just that... the Zou Family

can never be pulled out from the Shen Family anymore.

I must accept that. It's weird too.

Tell me, both have the same parents.

How come there was a virtuous Eldest Zou

and then people like that Little Zou and her evil little brother?

They even harmed their own nephew.

Even when the dragon bears nine children, each will be different.

None in my family was as smart as me.

If your Sister Hualan hears your words,

she surely will hit you.

Your sisters all married into good families.

If this one in my womb can become as successful

as your Second Brother, I then would be very happy.

Don't be like my Second Brother.

Don't you know that my legitimate daughter would nag about how unlucky she is everyday?

Marrying an official, who doesn't act like an official but more of a landlord.

Giving birth to a son, who doesn't act like a son, but liek a father.

Amitabha.

What's wrong? What's wrong?

It's fine. He just kicked me.

These past days, he will kick me ten or more times a day.

I almost had a little brother before, but he died.

When I see pregnant women with huge abdomen like that,

I can't help but feel nervous.

What about you?

You've already slept in different rooms with your marquis husband. Don't you plan to have one?

We had a fight a few days ago, but we're now better.

Outside, we only knew that you two had a fight and are sleeping separately,

but we didn't know that you two have reconciled.

How come this gossip was spread in such a calculated manner?

Do you know who it is?

If you do, then I'm at ease.

You and marquis husband must have lunch here first before leaving.

To avoid him having headaches from the hangover.

Zhonghuai! Zhonghuai! Quickly wake up!

Xiao Duan got in trouble!

Xiao Duan got in trouble!

General and Marquis both went to the local court to check on the matter concerning General Xiao Duan.

He ordered the Big Madam just do as you want and entertain Madam Sheng graciously.

Marquis instructed that Big Madam should quickly decide if you are going back home

or staying here to accompany Big Madam Zhang, so you won't be going back and forth.

This matter isn't serious. You two should just enjoy admiring the flowers or listening to music.

Little Sister, do you still have anything you want to ask?

Did anything happen to my Brother Changbai?

Marquis asked the people in the local court and they said that he went to attend the morning court

and is now back in the Sheng Manor. Other than that, there's nothing else.

Keep watch of marquis very well then.

If anything happened, you must tell me.

Don't listen to him, always reporting the good things only.

I understand.

[ Kaifeng Precinct ]

Sir, if you don't accept my complaint and try this case in the local court,

I will go to the imperial palace and drum the Dengwen Drum. Let's settle this case in front of the emperor!

As an honest woman,

why did you go to Guangyun Brothel at night?

Lady, don't get agitated. Speak slowly.

Official, I went there to deliver fishes.

Deliver rouges to the ladies of the brothel. Rouges and hair oils.

The rouges and foundation used by the ladies of Guangyun Brothel

are supplied by Yunxia Shop.

There's always a set amount every year. How come you have to deliver them some too?

Miss Hongbao and I have a good relationship.

She said she wants to use items that are being used by commoners.

That's why, I brought her some.

So that's the case.

Fish smell is very strong.

Can the rouges and hair oil you even be used?

I wrapped them with oil paper.

You really have thought about it very thoroughly.

Sir, I'm from a poor family.

The husband I married is just a fisherman!

Obtaining an order from Guangyun Brothel is something that we cherished a lot.

It's rare that Miss Hongbao wanted such items,

but I didn't expect...

I didn't expect that upon going up there, he would suddenly grab me

and drag me to that room!

He then...

Sir, I'm just a person without any backer.

How could I still live from now on?!

You're saying that I raped you, is that it?!

Okay. Tell me then!

What marks do I have in my body?

You evil man has a long blade scar on your back!

How did you know?

How did you know that it was a blade scar?

Sir, I killed fishes and sell meat since I was little.

Of course, I've seen scars like those.

You are lying and destroying other people's reputation!

I... I didn't! I didn't do it!

Xiao Duan!

Do you still want to hit me now?!

I won't admit to this even if I die!

- Sir... - Stop saying it. Let's go.

Sir.

Let's go.

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

T/N In the following song, "Don't You Know, Don't You Know?", Lines 5 to the end are the poem by Li Qingzhao, a famous female poet of the Song Dynasty, the poem is titled "Spring Ends".

♫ One morning, a flower opened and approached a willow tree, beautifully fragrant and mistaking him for her lord ♫

♫ Even if drinking in water in the morning, red clouds have half a day of sunshine, the wind and rain do not affect them completely ♫

♫ In the palace, you are constantly brave and growing thin, from on high, your cold tears of distress flow ♫

♫ Brocade letters delivered to me dismiss me, only suddenly to recall me,

not for many years can I see you other than stealthily♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫