The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 39

Are you not afraid that I'll endure Cao Jinxiu and agree to that marriage?

I'm not a person who is alright with having no fish or shrimp.

So do you.

Although you look obedient and can adapt easily, you are actually very stubborn.

Hence, I used this Cao family move

because I'm far away in the borders and can't empty my hand to handle our matter.

It's enough to just delay you for a while.

Moreover, even if your family agrees to accept such a situation, I still have my ways.

Stop being boastful.

If not because of Wen Yanjing, would you have succeeded?

I'm determined to have you.

The heaven pitied me and sent Wen Yanjing to me.

That is the heaven being afraid of evil people.

You can put it in whatever way you like.

Also, when I knew that your older sister was meeting Wen Yanjing secretly,

I was so happy that I wasn't able to sleep again all night.

It's true.

I feel that I've never exerted so much thought in fighting compared to this.

This is called feigning on the east to attack the west.

Just to marry a wife, I've even used my knowledge in military tactics.

You are talking about this matter too lightly.

That was the reputation of my Fifth Sister,

and the dignity of my whole Sheng Family.

What if something bad happened, it will all be over.

Hence, I've sent men to investigate the family background and character of Wen Yanjing.

If he has a bad reputation,

since he could be your future brother-in-law and my lianjin (husbands of sisters),

I'll then look for people to drive him out of the capital,

so that he won't mess up your Sheng family and destroy your reputation.

You...

You threw such a huge net.

Not only that. Your father, your Big Madam,

and your Sister Rulan's temper and personalities

have already been clearly understood by me thanks to your Brother Changbai.

Your father loves his clean reputation more than his wife and children.

Your Big Madam is muddled and short-sighted.

Your Sister Rulan is simple, infatuated, open, and candid.

Also, I was sure that your Brother Changbai won't turn hostile against me even if he learns about this matter,

hence, I was bold to implement it.

Everything, even if the people, place, and people are all in the right place, won't work without some luck.

I'm not done talking!

What do you treat me as?!

A wild pig in a trap or a herring in a fish net?

Gu Tingye, you're a ruffian, a scoundrel!

Young Master, what did you tell Sixth Miss that she got so shocked like that.

Nothing. I just expressed my sincerity.

But looking at it, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Didn't you usually say that you will be very kind towards her? How come that didn't work today?

How is it that it didn't work? It worked so perfectly!

Isn't the result of the civil examination coming out today?

Right.

Stock up on energy. We might need to see another people today.

Gu Tingye...

How is this possible?

It's true. That Old Madam Sheng also said the same thing.

Impossible!

Even if the Sheng Family will be marrying off a daughter, it will be Rulan.

That Big Madam Wang won't allow an illegitimate daughter to marry off into an marquis house.

That Rulan has already been set to marry a passer of the imperial examination. He's a scholar being promoted by the Sheng Family.

Gu Tingye was a step late in proposing marriage, so he settled with Minglan.

Son, this is fate.

He's a step late, so did you.

Stop putting too much fuss on it.

Forget Minglan.

No.

This is not right.

This is totally not right.

Yuanruo! Yuanruo!

Don't go to the Sheng Manor and cause a ruckus!

Yuanruo.

Second Uncle, you came so late.

You really are a very busy important person.

Young Lord has passed the civil examination. This is something worth celebrating.

Congratulations. Congratulations.

This...why are you unhappy? Who angered you?

You clearly know I love Minglan.

Why did you still promise the Sheng Family that you're going to marry her? What is your intention?

You're still thinking about her?

I don't know that.

I only know that after you lost your wife, you shut yourself up and focused on your studies.

You didn't inquire about the matters happening outside.

I thought that you've moved on.

You can't blame me for those freak combination of factors, right?

I heard of it.

The one you're supposed to marry is the legitimate daughter of the Sheng Family.

But she was already set to marry someone else, so you chose Minglan instead.

In your eyes, she was just a substitute.

Let her go.

You were the first one to give her up.

I've urged you back then

to not fear the power of Prince Yong.

If you have agreed,

I would have risked my life to fulfill you two to be together.

But what did you do?

You were being such a coward and didn't dare to take the risk.

You gave her up, so why are you blaming me now?

I didn't give her up.

I must pass the imperial examination first at a high rank

so I could have the face to propose marriage to the Sheng Family.

However, I was a step late.

You want face? Does she not need one too?

Your matter with Minglan back then was abuzz throughout the capital.

Everyone here in the capital knows about it.

You can indeed not marry her and marry a princess of the second rank.

No one would talk against you.

But what will happen to her who is just an illegitimate daughter of a lower ranking official?

Don't you know?

Moreover, if you really want to marry Minglan,

if you've proposed marriage to the Sheng Family immediately after your wife's death,

you could have a chance. But you didn't go.

You said that you have to wait to pass the civil examination.

If you didn't pass this year,

you're going to make her wait for three more years? Six more years?

Forever wait like that, wait for you to already have prestige before you go to her?

I didn't do it just to have prestige.

Last time, when our situation hasn't been finalized yet, I've rushed to make her a promise.

In the end, I just broke my oath and hurt her heart.

Hence, this time, I must be sure first

before I go to her house to propose marriage.

I...am also not blaming you.

I'm just saying that if you had your predicament, hence, unable to marry her,

don't blame a late comer like me of surpassing you.

It's not like you have to marry her or no one else.

How sure are you that I'm not?

So you have liked her early on.

Yuanruo, since our discussion has reached this point,

I'll be honest with you.

In the past, I saw you two having mutual affection and loathing to part from each other.

I really wanted to support you two.

But afterwards, I saw you being unable to keep your relationship going and disappointed her,

I then made a decision

that once I return gloriously, I surely will marry Minglan.

How sure are you that she's willing to marry you?

Just to marry her,

I cut my way through thistles and thorns, charged into the front line, bled blood and risked my life,

before I was able to obtain this current fruit of my labor.

If you couldn't accept it, you can go ask her,

and you can also ask the Old Madam in their house.

Okay.

Young Master, how could you let Young Lord Qi go ask Sixth Miss?

She and Young Lord has more past affection than with you.

The will of that Sheng miss is very firm and clear.

Before, I was indeed very afraid that she'll choose He Hongwen.

But I know, that no matter what, she won't choose Young Lord Qi again.

Old Madam said that she's not feeling well. May you just go back.

Then, I will come again next time.

Don't bother.

Why?

Old Madam said that you came today surely to ask her to convince Sixth Miss.

Sixth Miss listens to Old Madam the most.

She surely will not disobey her grandmother.

Old Madam really knows everything.

Hence, Old Madam said that you shouldn't waste your effort.

She still can remember what you've done before.

Although the Sheng Family isn't an aristocratic family and Sixth Miss is just an illegitimate daughter,

we have some backbone.

We won't be rushing to someone at their beck and call.

Won't we get laughed at if this gets out?

It's you who said that you want her, but it's also you who said that you don't want her anymore.

Although the gates of the Sheng Manor is small, we still put importance to dignity.

Miss Xiaotao,

I beg you to let me in. I will personally explain things to Old Madam.

Young Lord, if you still don't go, I will call for people to drive you out.

Currently, I'm still giving you some respect.

If you still don't leave, then there will be none anymore.

I had no choice back then!

No choice?

Miss repeatedly refused you, but you didn't give up.

You clearly knew that you couldn't decide for your wedding, but you just have to tease her, and now you're saying that you had no choice?

No matter where she went, there were people laughing at Sixth Miss for having wishful thinking, do you know that?

Forget it. Miss will be married off soon. Quickly just leave.

She...

Is she really willing to marry Gu Tingye?

I...

I just want her to live a good life in the future.

It's none of your business if she'll live a good life or not. You broke your promise.

And you still had the nerve to ask if she's living well?

If you still don't leave...

Actually, Young Lord was quite pitiful, Miss.

Anyway, Old Madam still hasn't agreed with the proposal of the Gu Family.

How about...

Danju, never look back.

Second, you're getting married?

It's a miss from the Sheng family.

This is a granted marriage by His Majesty.

Big Madam stop secretly discussing my marriage with other families already.

This matter is already finalized. No one can break it away.

How could I?

With it being a grand imperial grace,

of course, I'm so happy.

When do you plan to do it,

so I can start preparing.

We have few people in our manor. It can't be helped to hire outsiders

to help us with the chores.

No need to trouble you for that.

My marriage will be organized by people from the palace.

Prince Huan is a close friend of mine. He surely will send some people to help out too.

By then, Big Madam and Eldest Brother