The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 37

Sixth Miss, whenever I see Molan,

I feel like...grinding my teeth (extreme anger).

I would think, "Why does she have such good fate of being able to be married to Brother Jing?"

Afterwards, something happened to her.

I was quite happy.

But then, I also became afraid.

I was afraid that Brother Jing will look down on the daughters of the Sheng Family.

Fifth Sister, have you ever thought

that he might just want to make connections to a higher branch?

After seeing how his marriage with Fourth Sister ended in vain, he then thought of marrying you.

I know want you mean.

You want to say that I've always been not clever.

I just know to rely on the fact that I'm a legitimate daughter, that I have a good family background.

What Brother Jing gave importance to is the Sheng Family, and not because he likes me.

- No. No. - Since we were little, I never had the graceful bearing of Eldest Sister,

nor the fawning skills of Molan.

The more, I'm not like you, who is so adorable.

Not only father, but even mother doesn't like me.

Nonsense! Fifth Sister, you are Big Madam's favorite.

Since little, you've always been able to do what you want. Do things wantonly, to your heart's content, so carefree.

In our house, everyone developed eighteen crystal-clear and cold heart (very cautious and cold), nineteen twisted intestines (very scheming).

Only you was able to live in a straightforward and unrestrained manner.

This is the heaven doting on you.

No need for you to amuse me to make me happy.

I'm not.

You don't know how much I admire you.

Only you do.

Wrong, now, there's also Brother Jing.

Fifth Sister, have you ever thought that even if Brother Wen passed the palace civil examination too,

Big Madam will still not agree to this?

He's still after all a choice rejected by Fourth Sister, yet you still picked him and treated him like a treasure.

Won't Big Madam get crazily mad?

So what? If she forces me, I'll just hit my head to die.

Don't!

Sixth Sister, you don't know

that when someone is in your heart, you're able to do anything.

And, you won't think of the consequences.

You're my little sister, so you must stand by my side.

Of course, I'm with you in this.

But, how can I help you?

If I bring up this marriage, won't Big Madam beat me up to death?

No need. No need. Just keep my secret.

If you leak it out,

I won't admit it even if I get beaten to death, and then frame it on you.

You dare to? I'll then just marry Brother Wen.

Anyway, the person who father and Second Brother choose will surely be a good person.

You dare to?!

You dare?!

I dare to.

Wait.

What's that?

Choose.

You can take whatever you like.

I like them all.

Then, take them all away.

Silly sister, using money to keep someone from talking will never work.

I promise you that I won't say it to anyone.

I just feel that this path won't be easy. I'm worried about you.

No need to worry. I've thought about it.

Even if it's an abyss in front, I still will jump in.

You too. If you meet such a situation in the future,

don't let go. There are things that's worthy to be fought.

I'm currently not in the mood to fight.

What do you mean by that?

Let me tell you

that there's no room for my Ming'er suffering any grievances.

I'm just thinking about the condition of Hong'er's mother.

Her illness has dragged on and caused her to just be half-alive.

Since the Cao family returned, she got better.

Now, she can already sit up.

Say, at this moment,

if I let her sever ties with her maiden family,

won't that kill her?

Her illness didn't happen just now.

If I'm the one to decide,

of course, I want to throw that troublesome Cao girl out.

It's just that Hong'er couldn't bear to fight with his mother.

He was afraid that something bad might happen to her.

I'm unable to meddle in your family's affair.

But I made an oath.

I will never allow Ming to suffer the difficulties I did.

Don't worry. Their family's days with us won't be long.

Informing Old Madams, Big Madam has been informed that Miss Sheng is here.

She said that she's sick and is bed-ridden, hence, it's not convenient for her to see any guests.

May Old Madam Sheng understand.

So what? We'll go visit her.

Big Madam also said that there's no need to trouble Old Madam Sheng.

She just misses Miss Sheng a lot and wants to have some chat with her.

You go then.

Minglan.

Good child.

You...

You...

Good lady. My Jin'er really doesn't have any survival path to go.

We just hoped that Hong'er can provide her a place to settle into for the sake that we're relatives.

Even poor families

take in dogs or cats.

That day, I babbled some nonsense.

Sister Jinxiu, please don't put it to heart.

When I went back, my grandmother lectured me.

That was just some jokes that elders would usually talk about. There's really no big deal.

It's not my thing to meddle on who Brother Hong wants to take in as his concubine.

That's right too.

It has always been the mother-in-law who decides on marriage.

It's just usual for men to have wives and concubines.

My little sister is too generous, hence, other people became too unappreciative of her good intentions.

Once you marry him, are you going to let Hong'er have just one wife?

Then when Sister Cao is taken into Hong's family, may I ask if

you'll be the birth mother of a concubine

or an elderly relative of the Cao family?

We mustn't get these positions wrong.

Of course, we're relatives.

- Of course, I'm an elder. - That's right.

If it's an elder, I have to respect and serve you.

If you're the birth mother of a concubine, then you're of a servant rank.

If I'm in a good mood, I will casually just give you some silver.

If I'm not, I might cane you and expel you out of the house.

If it's not clear if it's a concubine or a relative,

how would the mother-in-law and wife, husband and wife, even the legitimate and illegitimate children

interact with each other?

It's a big mess.

You brat! Just because you have a good family background...

- You bitch, you think you— - Auntie!

May Auntie act appropriately.

I, and the whole He Family,

has already did what we can for the Cao Family. We don't feel any guilt.

We never complained in helping you with money or efforts.

Just one thing, we won't allow anyone to blackmail us.

My pitiful daughter!

We, your parents, have delayed your future.

I initially thought that upon returning to the capital,

your cousin will take care of you.

Never thought that the world has changed.

He has now made a high connection.

Daughter, it's better that

you just die with me!

Who told you to have such an ungrateful auntie

and cousin?!

Little sister,

I...

I do want to take my niece into our family.

With me around, don't be afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Big Madam Cao, there are guests here.

Don't move! Don't move! Lie down and rest.

Lie down.

Why are you still here?

Earlier, Madam Cao said that she wants to have

Sister Jinxiu become Brother Hong's concubine.

Although this has nothing to do with me, I did hear a mouthful about it.

Look at my granddaughter, totally not regarding herself as an outsider.

If this gets out, won't people be laughing?

Old Sister, Ming'er is your granddaughter,

so she's also mine.

She's like a real little sister to Hong'er.

It's just fine for her to listen to our family matters.

Grandmother, what are you saying?

Shut up.

In here, we can treat this as normal talk.

If this gets out, don't know what outsiders would think.

I heard that exiled officials and their families,

even if they are pardoned,

must return to their home province.

Returning to the capital without permission is a major crime.

But from the looks of it, if not because His Majesty made a decree

and amended the law, giving out graces,

letting the Cao family not only able to return to the capital,

they get to be taken care of by their relatives too.

It's getting late.

Ming'er, we should go back now.

No!

Grandmother, how come earlier...

How come you said something about being brother and sister?

Didn't we agree before

to bring mother here from the province, then propose marriage and give betrothal gifts to the Sheng family on the 15th of the next month?

Then, by the start of summer next year, we will hold our wedding?

Forget it.

You're still daydreaming.

Old Madam Sheng said

has already said that her granddaughter is an outsider.

This marriage...

...can be said to be over.

But I've already decided to not marry cousin.

Doesn't Old Madam Sheng know?

I'll go explain things clearly to her now.

Come back.

It's all my fault.

I considered that your mother only have this little sister of hers as a relative left.

Even if I don't like the Cao Family,

I didn't say anything.

You also are to be blamed!

You clearly know that your mother

is a person who can't discern right from wrong, who doesn't have foresight.

You didn't even correct her before.

In this current matter, it was handled so wrongly.

I have no way to save it anymore.

In their Sheng Family, it's always been that Old Sister of mine making the decisions.

Minglan is her most doted granddaughter.