The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 53

You're awake.

Why are you sleeping here?

Based on your words, as if you don't want me to sleep here in your room.

No, you should wake up now.

It isn't daybreak yet.

Let's sleep a little while more.

Regarding I...

...taking in a concubine, if you feel upset about it,

just tell me.

It's nothing, really.

When I just entered your house, I didn't know your difficulties yet,

and I still didn't fully know the situation of your house.

I was afraid that if there are too many people, it wouldn't be easy to control them.

Now,

I already know the situation of this house.

Your paternal aunt directly told it to me, and the eyes of the one from the adjacent house is watching.

I can't make a mistake.

In anyway, I know that you love me dearly.

You also had me manage the house, hence, I must keep watch of that Fengxian.

Once the situation is better, I'll just drive her away.

How come I don't feel you being jealous at all?

I'm not jealous.

Is not being jealous bad?

It's not good. I'm waking up.

The supervisor of the garden told me

that in 10 to 15 days, the work in the garden will be over.

After counting it,

the work has been dragged for 2 months.

If it gets dragged on further, I fear that outsiders will start to talk.

I'm thinking...

Once the work in the garden is done,

let's open the manor and set up a banquet.

And that will solve it.

You are the Big Madam of this house. You have the final say.

That would be a major banquet. All our close friends and the nobility will be coming.

Husband, you must make some time to stay here and entertain the guests.

Once you give out the news, people will already come to visit our house.

- Visit our house? - Yes.

Those who are unable to come during the merging of the houses,

don't want to come, or afraid that coming will invite too much attention

would visit you days before the banquet.

That early?

If it's a hot furnace, even if it's the sixth month of the year,

someone would still rush here to get burned.

You are indeed wise. I fear that...

I fear that the fire might get too strong,

and cause the furnace to collapse.

Indeed. Hence, you must guard this furnace well.

You can't just let anyone put in a fire wood.

War is an extension of the government. A banquet about merging of houses is also an extension of the government.

You must be more careful.

Now, we are in one furnace.

Let's both be careful.

You decide about the merging banquet.

You must be careful with those people from the adjacent manor.

I know.

My parents were not benevolent when I was little.

You know this.

Although my father was harsh on me,

when he loved or hated me,

all were real.

Unlike that stepmother of mine who was just putting on a mask.

But how come I'm not as fierce to my stepmother compared to how I treated my father?

Do you know why?

Because stepmother is an outsider.

Indeed.

My father remarried and had my stepmother.

When she gave birth, I became an eyesore to her.

I'm affecting their future, hence, she wishes that I die soon.

She's so hateful, but since I know that she's an outsider,

I didn't feel that much pain.

But the old marquis is your biological father.

Since I was little, my father was my sky.

He was like a sky deity. I respected and loved him.

No matter how he treated me, I'd always bear some hope towards him.

I felt that one day, he would understand me.

But until the end, when my hope completely shattered,

I felt so much pain,

because I feel that he naturally should love me.

I understand.

You don't.

You are my wife.

I understand. Although I treat you like the earth looking up into the sky,

a star looking at that moon, I respect and love you.

Let's just eat.

Did I say something wrong?

You still don't get it!

- Shitou! - Marquis! You're going to the morning court this early?!

What early? Is it still too early?!

What's wrong with Marquis? He seems unhappy?

He has been weird since yesterday.

Maybe, there are so many things to worry in the imperial court.

Shitou brought you some food again?

Fried cherries from Nanbei Shop. Big Madam, have a taste.

- This is from Nanbei Shop? - Yes.

Not bad. The ones from Nanbei Shop are delicious.

That's right!

The work in the garden would be over soon.

We would be setting up a banquet to entertain some guests. This fruit dish is not bad.

Tell the Fried Sweets Section to buy some and set it up during that day.

Okay! Okay!

That flaky crab apple flower last time was good too. Add that too.

That's right! That's right!

- Yancao! Yancao! Quickly come here. - There are a lot of people today!

- Serve these dishes in front. - Danju!

Put them according to kind.

Sister-in-law, slowly. Come. Come.

Good rascal.

Merging these two mansions really made it so huge.

What's the use of being huge? Good thing, we just renovated the garden.

Sister-in-law, take a good look at it.

Crude men like us don't really know refined things.

Sister-in-law, look and tell me if there are anything you don't like.

The mason hasn't left yet.

Marquis, you're being too courteous. Was it your wife who handled all the renovations?

She did them all. What do I know?

Come. Come.

Make way! Please look at where you're going!

A carriage from your manor.

Husband, greetings!

This one must be the Marquis Gu that older sister frequently mentioned when she was still alive. Am I right?

Greetings, Marquis. Congratulations on the merging of your houses!

This is the Third Little Sister of my deceased wife. She got taken in as my concubine a few days ago.

Since General already has a concubine attending to you,

forgive me for going home to rest then.

Sister-in-law, you mustn't.

Sister, just be at ease and go back.

I surely will attend to husband well.

You really want me to go back,

but why must I leave? I'm not the one who's embarrassing myself here.

Sister, you mustn't blame husband for this.

- It was me who insisted on coming after seeing the invitation. - Wife!

What's going on here? You're slapping the face of the Zhang family here.

In an official banquet, you've brought a concubine?

This is against etiquette.

Fifth was afraid that her pregnancy might get unstable, hence, she especially asked me to apologize to you

for she can't come anymore.

And Changbai went to attend to his duties in Hanlin Academy.

He said that your husband knows that he doesn't like events like this,

hence, he especially didn't send him any invitation. Really so considerate.

- When they get together, they would have endless talks. - Yes.

- Congratulations. Congratulations. - You're welcome.

How come you invited her too?

There were originally two invitations. One is for Countess Wu.

The one is for Fourth Brother-in-law.

But when my messenger arrived in their manor, they said that Fourth Brother-in-law

accompanied Countess Wu to Luzhou to buy paintings.

The invitations then didn't reach them.

I'm sure you calculated the days well before sending the invitations.

A few days ago, my marquis husband especially told Fourth Brother-in-law

that the painting that Countess Wu wants is in Luzhou.

You husband and wife did it deliberately.

But the next day, my mother-in-law sent an invitation

to that Fourth Sister of mine.

Your mother-in-law is quite famous.

She's quite powerful among the wives of nobility.

I remember that when Count Yan's house did a separation of assets, she was even especially invited to be a judge.

Good thing, she's only a stepmother. Or else, your days

would be harder than mine.

Yes. If not, their family wouldn't have any decision

- on this asset separation matter. - No such thing.

I'm not that resolute.

Since the Kang Family entered the capital, I had to return home every 3 to 5 days,

and I would always see auntie being a guest in our house.

Big Madam and her sister have a close relationship. It's not surprising.

Have you forgotten how she criticized you?

Or else, what must I do?

They just gave me undeserved doting and asked me to be their witness.

It was quite a harmonious event. They discussed things and settled the matter quickly.

I was just...

...a freeloader for 2 days.

Steward Ge said that the kitchen is ready. Just give the instructions and the meals can be served.

It's just that Grand Madam's servants have tried to peek numerous times, but they were stopped every time.

I fear that they might cause problems.

Tell our different house sections and departments to inform the stewards of the different section and departments of the other manor

that today is just an act.

After we're done with it, everyone would be having a good rest.

We surely will return to them the management of this manor.

Yes.

Little Sister, I'll get going now. You just stay busy.

- Mother. - I'll just leave for a while.

What's wrong?

Mother, you too.

How could you stay with them and talk so intimately?

Congratulations Auntie in the merging of your manors!

With the event being this huge, I fear that you'll get exhausted.

Don't be so courteous.

Forgive me for having a poor sight. You are...

This is Madam Shen.

She's the wife of the young lord of the ducal house of Duke Qi of the State.

Before, I've seen you from afar during the funeral of Marquis Yu.

I fear that you were handling so much things then, hence, you didn't see me.

So, you're from the House of Princess of the Second Rank.

Although our two houses are relatives, it's already beyond the 5th degree.

No need to call me auntie. Addressing me that

is really embarrassing me.

Please come in and sit.

I heard that you love to joke around since you were little.