Original subtitles

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

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 1

Hour of the Rabbit, in the second half. (T/N "hours" are actually two-hour intervals, this is 6-7 am)

Snow accumulated has not melted. Be careful to wear ample clothing!

Hour of the Rabbit, in the second half. A new day switches out the old month.

Snow accumulated has not melted. Be careful to wear ample clothing!

I told you to go get some charcoal. Another meal and we're out!

If the Mistress wakes up...

What's wrong? Who bullied you?

The kitchen didn't give me the charcoal and kicked me out.

Did you tell them this was our allotment?

I did, but Miss Gan and the rest just told me to get lost.

I'm going to see them.

Go back. It's cold out here.

Don't throw me out! It's supposed to be ours to receive.

Who let you in? Get out now.

It's such a fine day. Why are you creating a scene here?

- Don't push me. - What are you doing?

Greetings to Miss Zhou. What brings you here personally?

Hurry and leave so you don't anger Miss Zhou!

You are afraid now. You weren't afraid when you embezzled the provisions.

When you embezzled the charcoal, I didn't see you being afraid.

The rule is eight jin of charcoal per day, but now we only get four jin every three to five days.

Since Sister Zhou is helping Mistress Lin to manage the house now,

let Sister Zhou be the judge of this then.

How dare you!

Mistress Wei is pregnant now.

You thieves! You even dare to embezzle her items.

When did we do this?

They received a lot for the past few days.

The kitchen staff member who did the dispensing is young and dared not say anything.

She let them take it away.

The accounts in the kitchen didn't tally yesterday. We personally made up for it.

Thinking that Miss Xiaodie will not admit to this account,

we started deducting every day from her allotment.

Miss Xiaodie, please take pity on us.

They only had a few months' worth to start out with.

Now the one managing the issuing can't patch it up anymore!

Nonsense.

Since you said there is an account, take it out and show us

if we stamped our fingerprints for the receipt.

Miss Xiaodie, do you need to be so angry?

If you had usually taken more, just take less for today.

Once the account tallies, we will distribute your allotment as per normal.

Fine. Sister Zhou can't manage this either.

I'll just have to go to Big Madam and have her see to the fairness.

We'll see just how many jin of charcoal my lady should get!

Today is the engagement ceremony.

Big Madam is up to her head with things to do and we don't have time for your brashness.

A grievance is something you can bang the drum outside the officials' door to air.

Even if I get flogged by Big Madam today and dragged out,

I must petition my lady's grievance!

You are not allowed to go. Come back here.

- What are you doing? - You are not allowed to go. - Move aside.

What are you doing? Trying to kill me so that I won't succeed?

Even if I'm not successful today, I will still report tomorrow!

It's only just a few charcoals. Do you need to do this?

- Miss Gan. - I'm here.

Since Miss Xiaodie wants charcoal, just go under the stove and get her some.

Yes. I will go and fetch her lots from the stove.

So today's banquet isn't delayed.

Why do you bother?

Miss Xiaodie, stop being angry.

There are twenty to thirty jin here. Is this enough?

Whatever belongs to me, I will take it all.

Whatever doesn't, I won't take a single coin.

That courtyard. Because they're expecting a baby, they're so arrogant like this.

They will suffer in the future.

If they try to disturb Big Madam...

Stop the marriage, stop the marriage! I don't want the betrothal gifts!

That House of Yuan plays this trick, come now?

Why bother with the betrothal boat coming ashore? He should just turn the boat around to tell his father at home!

The daughter of our Sheng house doesn't care about their noble manor!

This is such a great match.

What nonsense are you spouting?

Nonsense?

If the one getting engaged today wasn't my Hua'er,

if it's Molan who's getting this neglect,

you guess if that Mistress Lin, your beloved Lin Qinshuang would spout nonsense or not?

We're having a discussion about Hua'er marriage here, so why did you bring her up?

You don't dote on Hua'er.

This is the marriage you fetched for her?

It was agreed that the Count and the Countess would come propose the marriage here in Yangzhou.

Now they only send their eldest, Yuan Wenchun to dismiss us.

You sold it to me, making it sound as good as a flower.

Saying there's great chaos over appointment of a royal heir in the capital these days, so it's best not to mix with those involved.

Saying the loyal noble House of Yuan once experienced neglect,

so their offspring are more sensible and diligent than others.

That you saw the boy Yuan Wenshao personally, and how mature and cordial and majestic he is.

Yes, that House of Yuan is so majestic indeed!

Let me tell you. Hua'er is my first-born daughter. No one is allowed to mistreat her!

Stop pinning that on me!

Wife.

Wife.

When you say this to me,

I feel very hurt.

How could I not dote on Hua'er?

Back when I was transferred to Lingzhou, that bitter cold place.

The entire household, inside and out, were all managed by you alone.

Hua'er was born at that time.

Since she was little, she grew up in more hardship than others.

But despite that, she's the most sensible and obedient of all the children.

The one that courts the most love from others.

I selected the loyal noble House of Yuan.

It's because I saw clearly Yuan Wenshao is a good kid.

I just want Hua'er to marry a good responsible man.

Husband and wife getting along, as harmonious as music.

Then bear children in the future and she will live a smooth life. Right?

Give me that

Let me pin it for my wife.

Don't I also know that the Yuans have not fulfilled their agreement?

But the boat with the gifts has already arrived at the pier.

The betrothal gifts are already here.

The betrothal gifts have been unloaded?

Who says he can unload them? I told Brother Bai to welcome the boat.

If I don't tell him to unload them, he won't unload.

I think there's already a huge crowd by the dock.

All of the officials of Yangzhou are all in your courtyard.

Should we tell the House of Yuan to leave now?

If the Yuans bully my Hua'er..!

No matter how bad the Yuans are, they are protected under the noble title.

Even if things don't go as smooth in the future,

they at least have the noble title to lean back on.

If that boy Yuan Wenshao turns out to be a success?

There will be a luxurious life waiting for Hua'er in the future.

I don't care whether there will be wealth and nobility or not.

If he bullies my Hua'er, I will fight him with my life.

Not only you, I will be the first to look for his family too!

What are you waiting for standing there? Drape it on the Madam.

Hurry up.

I'm going out to take a look.

Go to the pier and tell Brother Bai that he can unload the betrothal gifts of the Yuan family now.

Yes.

Wait.

I haven't finished talking yet.

Tell the Yuans this,

to be extra-vigilant when they're announcing.

Yes.

Why this huge smoke when the charcoal isn't even wet?

It's charcoal from the stove.

They dare to deceive me! The stove charcoal makes so much smoke, so how can it be used for room warming?

I'll go back to them now to get gray charcoal.

Xiaodie, don't go.

If the weather's cold, just wear more clothes.

If not, seal the windows tighter.

Mistress, we can't be without even one crock of charcoal in the room.

To add further, this should be your allotment in the first place.

What do you mean by that?

If they give it to you, it's your allotment.

If they don't give it to you, it's not your allotment.

Don't mention this again in the future.

With the charcoal left, boil more hot water.

We'll fill up the foot warmers at night.

Put one in your bed too.

I'm not cold.

Just that Xiaotao and Sixth Miss are still young, so they'll be cold.

Come with me for a while.

Xiaodie.

You can't! This is your dowry.

The rest are all pawned off and this is the only one left.

But look at how cold the children are now.

This isn't the time to mind if it's a dowry item or not. Pawn it for me.

You can't! You can't pawn it. It's Granny's bracelet.

We don't have any charcoal, right? Just tell Father.

He will scold the kitchen and have them issue our allotment.

If you don't want it sold,

tomorrow, go serve by Old Madam.

No, Mother, I won't leave you!

If I leave, who will take care of you!

I'm already an adult. I don't need you to take care of me.

This is your father giving you all extra care.

If you can win Old Madam's favor and you get to be raised by her,

I hear they only use silver charcoal there and it's so warm in the room.

I'm not afraid of cold. I'm hot!

If you don't want to listen to me,

then I won't allow you to mention about the charcoal again, and give the bracelet to Xiaodie.

Give it to her.

Big Sister Xiaodie.

What's wrong?

That's my mother's only dowry left.

I don't want to sell it either,

but if we don't sell it, where will we get charcoal for her?

I don't want any charcoal. That's the only one left.

How about... how about we take the stove charcoal we have and sell it,

and switch it for some gray charcoal?

Even if it's only one jin, it can still last us a bit?

Miss, you are smart.

Let's do this then.

Minglan, hurry back to get dressed!

The boat with the betrothal gifts for First Miss will be here soon!

Yes.

Count Zhongqin of Dongjing, House of Yuan, presents a request of marriage. (T/N Capital of Northern Song)

Count Zhongqin of Dongjing, House of Yuan, presents a request of marriage!

With a pair of live wild geese from beyond the Great Wall as the main gift and countless secondary gifts.

With the aspiration that their second son, Yuan Wenshao of the legitimate wife, will be permitted to honorably wed the cherished eldest daughter of the Sheng House.

We await your approval!

Permitted.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Congratulations to Yuan House. Felicities of eternal years.

The second son of the legitimate wife, Yuan Wenshao.

Aspires to marry the eldest daughter of the main wife, Sheng Hualan.

The proposed house has given their permission. Approved!

Yuan Wenchun and wife, on behalf of our elders, present our gratitude for approval with honor to you.

Two points!

Congratulations. Not bad, your daughter married into a good family.

Magistrate, you're marrying your daughter so well!

Count Zhongqin House is such a prestigious house.

This dish.

Long time no see.

Come, come.

It's true.

All of you ladies.

- Big Madam. - We are not hosting well enough.

- Everyone, enjoy. - You're so cordial.

- Come, sit. - Alright.

Your temperament is most amiable,

and you're tough and considerate too.

I won't have to worry

about your dowry now.

It's better to have more though.

Big Madam, twenty years ago,

I was your sister's relative, the next-door neighbor on Shigu Lane back then. Do you remember me?

Come, let me give you a toast.

Come.

Big Madam, big trouble.

Third Brother is playing touhu with the guests and he's about to lose all the betrothal gifts. (T/N "pitch-pot", ancient game of the Warring States period circa 400 BCE, whose rules are listed in the Book of Rites, Lijing)

That little bastard!

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

We're in trouble, First Miss. Third Brother is gambling with your engagement gift of geese and he's about to lose.

How could this happen?

I don't know what to do.

Grandmother, what do we do now?

How many arrows did Changfeng make?

Only one.

But we can't just say to halt when others are winning in succession.

Why can't we stop them?

He agreed to play touhu and he quits while he is losing? (T/N A score of only one arrow in the pot is easily beaten)

After that, our family's prestige is all lost.

What should we do about this?

I will listen to your arrangement.

Today, you are still the First Miss of this family.

Tomorrow you will be the Second Young Mistress of Yuan House.

You don't know how often you will meet these incidents in the future.

You won't be able to listen to me again.

Starting this moment, you make the decision.

I...

This... I decide on it?

At this rate, you'll only have two arrows left.

Great!

Good. He must shoot it in.

Go see.

Where's the magistrate?

We've searched around and didn't see His Lordship.

Though it's child's play,

that goose is still a betrothal gift your Yuan family just brought over.

If the child loses it, it's not just our Sheng family that is humiliated.

Your Yuan family won't be so honored either.

It is indeed humiliating.

You should hurry and get it under control.

What?

You brought that boy here.

Shouldn't you be the one to go forward to stop it?

That Young Master Ye is a famous character in Dongjing.

He saw that Yangzhou's touhu game is different from that of Dongjing,

so he was enticed to play. Now, I can't dissuade him.

Great.

He must be with that whore, Mistress Lin Qinshuang's courtyard.

That's not so sure though. Today we have a large stage.

His Lordship must be attending to the guests.

Still... .that betrothal goose is about to be lost and he's still not here!

He must be in that ecstasy cave!

Faster.

Higher.

I told Big Brother not to go and shoot because he'll lose for sure,

but he insisted on humiliating himself.

Mother. I don't want to go to the banquet.

It's too embarrassing!

Alright.

Don't go then.

Why are you crying?

Yunzai, accompany the Miss to go and play at the garden.

Go now.

Let's go, Miss.

That loser of a child.

Great!

Look here.

We are the hosts and he's a guest, so it's not convenient.

He's someone you brought after all.

Let's have you go and whatever you say, it's more convenient.

But, Uncle, you should know.

Though the betrothal geese were hunted by my brother,

they are already in the Sheng House and displayed as Sheng family's.

Then it's your goose.

I'm an outsider. I think it's best if you yourself . . .

First Young Master. Now, your family gifted the geese to us.

Now comes the man you brought to win it away?

You are trying to humiliate our Sheng family on purpose here?

Oh, I have no such intention at all.

But talking about this,

that's all due to Changfeng wanting to bring attention to himself.

If the Yuan family were to get involved, it's not right at all.

Since that's the case,

I'm the one who's disturbed you here.

You are startling me with those words of yours.

Startled my ass!

He got drunk and can't contain himself, and got himself used as a bridge by others.

Big Madam is here.

Big . . .

Have I failed in my attentiveness that I've offended you?

May your anger dissipate.

Why are you pretending?

Your son is losing my Hualan's betrothal goose, but how nice for you!

You sit here to arrange flowers and admire the tea.

Keeping the manor's lord at your rooms!

Go call His Lordship out.

Yes.

Big Madam. Changfeng actually committed such a deed?

But the matter of betrothal geese,

aren't they all under your care?

So to say, this was my fault?

No, no.

Changfeng, Big Madam, please help them all stop.

My Feng can't do it.

Please have them stop. Please, Big Madam!

If we can't preserve that betrothal goose today, I will skin him!

His Lordship isn't here.

He really isn't.

Madam, Madam!

His Lordship went to the front yard.

- Let's go. - Big Madam!

I beg you, save Feng!

Big Madam. Big Madam. Big..!

Go tell Feng.

Hurry, acknowledge his fault to his father and say it's all his fault being young and reckless, and be harsh on himself.

I understand.

Wait! Dongrong who's by Master Sheng's side is acquainted with us.

Go and find out from him first.

The child committed wrong and as his mother, I shouldn't really shield him.

I think the best is a harsh flogging.

Get his skin open and flesh exposed, so that Big Madam has her anger vented.

Yes, Mistress.

I think,

as long as Father and Mother are on the same side,

losing the betrothal goose is not such a trouble.

The prestige that's present at the banquet is all just vanity anyway.

Sheng House may have lost the betrothal gift but Yuan House instigated someone to gamble away the gift and that's embarrassing.

We both lose our prestige and that's not such a big deal then.

However, if the Master and the Madam of the house start to argue in front of the guests,

that'd make us the laughing-stock of Yangzhou City.

The little bastard you raised!

The First Miss said as long as Master and Madam are of the same heart, losing it is nothing big.

Look.

Look at your daughter. She's obliging us in all matters.

But you owe her like this!

I'm Hua'er father.

I..I've made that clear!

Where's Changbai? Where's Changbai?

Second Young Master is looking at the border map in the study.

- Tell him to come now. - What's the use of calling him?

- He only knows how to study. - Lower your voice.

Great.

What are you doing?

I will go shoot it for him.

Be patient.

Wait for Changbai to come first. You throw ten times and may not even get one in.

You think this isn't humiliating enough as it is?

Count up the scores.

Second Master Ye, seventeen points. Third Master Sheng, eleven points. Two arrows are left.

Great.

He hit the mark. Great.

Here I was, wondering why no one was at the banquet?

I see everyone was hiding here watching the touhu game.

How is it, Feng'er?

Throw it in the kettle? Just don't be nervous.

Look clearly.

If you dare to lose, I will beat you to death.

I... I...

What now? Do you admit that you have lost?

Alright, everyone. Let's not be watching the children play. Let's go!

Yes, let's do something that counts.

Playing touhu is nothing that matters.

Let's go back and drink.

Why are you leaving?

It hit the mark.

Sixth Miss threw it!

Did you throw this?

Little girl, do you really want to compete with me?

Even if I beat a little doll like you, that's a cheap win.

Forget it. Consider it as a brief amusement. Take it that I lost.

It's either a win or a loss.

By your Yangzhou's rules, Third Sheng Master lost to me by a lot earlier.

- Do you concede? - Yes.

Fine, you have ambition. I will compete with you.

Can this child do it?

Ming'er can throw arrows?

Brother Dongrong, can we talk in private?

You hit it in the "ear", and that's four points.

Ming'er, when did you learn to toss arrows so well?

It's a draw now.

Second Master, you're about to lose to this little miss now.

You're going to shoot into both ears?

Both ears marked. Six points.

Six points.

Both ears and it's six points.

She definitely won't be able to catch up!

Can you do it? Have you got a way?

She definitely won't be able to catch up.

Ming'er, forget it. Don't play anymore.

Stop throwing. Okay?

- Okay, everyone. Let's go back and drink. - Right!

It's okay to lose.

Yes, let's go. She definitely won't be able to catch up.

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

Great.

The pole. Ten points!

The pole. Ten points!

We won! We won!

That's ten points?

The north wind is blowing!

Everyone, go into the house now.

Let's go.

Hurry up.

Quick, over there.

My dear nephew. What a timely wind.

That's right.

You are the family leader who delivered the betrothal gifts. Everyone is waiting to drink with you.

This is for you.

Is this yours?

I have never seen this drawing. Let me take a look.

You're so skilled. You need me to lend you something?

Young Master Changbai, don't be mad, just let me see it!

I will treat you to a meal tomorrow.

You are a guest from a distant place. Our family did our best to take care of you.

But you messed up our banquet.

You even have the audacity to try to borrow this drawing?

There are hundreds of bird drawings everywhere out there. Whatever bird you want.

Leave now. I'm not seeing you off.

I don't want some great goose. It was Eldest Young Master Yuan that told me to toss the arrows.

I didn't think it would disturb your family's engagement banquet like this. I'm quite sorry.

That must be the map of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. (T/N disputed region between Liao and Song near the Great Wall to the north)

What business is that of yours?

How could it be none of my business?

If we don't snatch back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, our dynasty will face a future of disasters.

So are you planning to snatch it from me by force?

If everyone in Dongjing is like you,

provoking cats and teasing dogs, all horsing around all day?

Snatching back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun is a fool's dream.

Today's incident of touhu for the goose is indeed my fault.

I am willing to swear I will never engage in gambling at touhu again.

I don't trust you even if you swear.

I swear in the name of my deceased mother that I will never engage in gambling at touhu again!

That's too big of an oath there. You needn't do that.

My nickname is Zhonghuai.

Zecheng.

I always tell you to behave with prudence. Don't try to stand out.

I didn't.

So the touhu today wasn't?

But if I don't go up, Eldest Sister's betrothal goose would be gone.

Your Eldest Sister is not like you.

Your Fourth Sister is not like you either. Did you know that?

Your Eldest Sister has a maiden home that's powerful.

She's got prestige.

Mistress Lin is the most favored, so she's got dignity.

They are from the Master's family.

It's different for me.

I was sold here because my family member was ill,

in exchange for medicine money.

You always teach me one must have sense and gratitude above all else.

When it just became cold, Eldest Sister gifted you a cloak.

Don't tell me you want to watch her lose her betrothal gifts?

Eldest Sister dotes on you, and you dote on her too. Naturally, this is good.

But some pain for her, it's just superficial pain.

But on you, it's blood and bone-piercing pain.

You bastard! Bastard! Bastard!

Mother, stop beating me.

I know that I was wrong, I was wrong!

What are you doing? Why did you bring Ru'er here?

Father, my eldest sister is still crying in her room.

You've lost our face for many li outside our door! (T/N li =.5 km = .31 US mile)

I'm here to ask Third Brother. What grudge does he have with her?

He's just a lame child who can't be successful.

Dear Little Sister, help me give some good words to Big Sister.

My brother was momentarily clueless. He was drunk.

We really owe her.

Who wants to help you to speak up for him?

Momentarily clueless?

I think there's no one lucid in the house anymore.

The concubines in the other houses raise their children with the main wife. What about you?

Master and Madam are kind to me

in that this servant has been allowed to raise Mo'er and Feng'er by her side.

I am always thinking of Master and Madam's mercy.

I only loathe that I can't repay you.

Repay? This is how you repay me?

A great happy banquet and he just has to lose my Hua'er's betrothal goose to the Yuan house!

It's all Feng'er's fault.

Pity he's young and can't measure things well.

He was forced to drink by those around him and lost poise.

Completely drunk and committed this wrong.

Big Madam is always so kind and merciful and dignified.

Who doesn't know that?

I don't dare to beg for your forgiveness.

I only beg . . .

You put on that pretense of a pitiful look,

so if I issue anything, it seems like I'm the one in the wrong.

I did not nurture the children well enough.

I will not say a second word, if you wish to beat or whip.

Alright then.

Tell me then? What's the punishment?

Beat him.

Beat him... twenty strokes of flogging.

Twenty?

If not, make it thirty then.

No more though, Big Madam, or he will be a cripple!

Fine, make it thirty then.

Mother! My brother only knows how to read books

and he's just recovered from his recent illness!

He will die from thirty strokes!

Shut up!

Only thirty strokes of flogging, and that's due to Big Madam's kind mercy.

My son committed such a shaming matter to the family and I don't dare to be reckless with it.

May Your Lordship's close attendant Dongrong carry out the punishment,

to display fairness.

I failed to be strict in teaching my son.

I owe Eldest Miss ,and I owe Big Madam even more so.

Master, please have him beat harshly.

Wife, what do you think?

Beat him.

Beat him.

Let's go, Third Brother.

You account it in your heart.

You must remember this whole life why you're being beaten!

One.

Two.

That one's always tricky.

I didn't find half a wrong with her.

She was so docile this time,

letting her precious son get beaten?

I was going to use this chance to get back the house key and tablet,

but I found no loophole to mention it either.

I don't get it either.

I fear she saw that Master was so angry,

so she elected to sacrifice the knights to save the queen?

Don't you see? The beatings,

that allowed the Master to dissipate his anger and start to cherish her again.

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? ♫