The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 59

You couldn't even ask a person to come here! I've just wasted rice on you!

Second's wife is here.

It's still Zhao'er who's smart and lovable, for she's able to ask this Buddha to come here.

MIng'er, you're here. It's my Zhao'er indeed who can get this honor.

Quickly sit here. Come. Come. Slowly.

We're all one family. We came to congratulate you.

Come. Sit.

What's to congratulate?

You now are pregnant. Isn't that something to be celebrated about?

It is indeed a celebratory matter of adding another descendant in the family.

I can see that our house will become livelier soon.

Mother, you want cousin to come here to have a drink.

Yes. Yes.

Ming'er, have one cup to bring more joyous atmosphere to the child in your womb.

More descendants, more blessings, more happiness.

I still have morning sickness, hence, can't drink liquor.

That's right too. You should indeed be more careful. Eat more dishes.

I heard that your house would be taking in a new daughter-in-law. From which family is she?

Is it the granddaughter of that General Fu?

It's still not settled.

That lady has such prestigious reputation.

Let's not mention it for now.

I then have to congratulate you! That's one more additional member in your family!

I feel envious looking at your two families.

You have so many sons and grandchildren.

While talking here, aren't they about to give you a great grandchild soon?

But our family is still so cold and quiet.

Just have some patience. Your Second and Third are still both young.

Later, they'll bore a house full of children!

Let's not talk about the other one.

But Tingye is the pillar of our House of Gu.

It's better

that he have more descendants.

Whenever I think of this, I feel that I don't have the face to see my husband.

Stop being sad about it. The future days are long.

With our relationship, if you feel sad,

I also would get sad and unable to sleep.

You're the one who said that. Don't you take it back.

If you really care for me,

agree to my one request.

This... What request of yours can I fulfill?

Zhao'er is clever and adorable. I really love looking at her.

Why don't you just give her to our House of Gu?

I'll make the decision to marry her to Second as a erfang (the highest level of concubinage; meaning 'second wife').

As long as she's able to open up the branches and break up the leaves for our House of Gu, (bear a lot of children)

I surely will dote on her like she's my dearest.

You liking our Zhao'er

is her great fortune.

I fear that it's just us wishfully thinking for this matter to be fulfilled,

while it will only upset my niece.

How could that be?

Don't you know that our Third Paternal Aunt

even stuffed one into Second Daughter-in-law last time.

It was Minglan who decided to keep her.

Let me tell you that this Second Daughter-in-law of mine has the best temper.

She is very educated and reasonable. She doesn't do those jealous acts.

That's so true.

The He Family of Baishitang knows that.

Their Old Madam really loves this niece of mine.

She so want to marry her in to their family as her granddaughter-in-law.

Before Minglan was set to marry,

that Old Madam would frequently come to the Sheng Manor.

Come, let's eat.

Mother-in-law, this fish soup is not bad.

- Let's eat. - Slowly.

There's even a backstory like that?

Then regarding the concubine matter, there is indeed no need to talk much about it anymore.

Minglan, Zhao'er is your cousin.

We can say that we know her background very well.

I'm also not asking her to be given any unique position.

She doesn't need to be an erfang ,

even just a usual concubine, as long as she can attend to Second well

and provide our House of Gu more descendants.

I may agree with the daughters of other families,

but I will never with that of Auntie Kang's family.

What do you mean?

She's your maternal aunt from your legitimate mother.

Maternal Aunt is now the guest of mother-in-law.

But initially, you two don't know each other.

Now that I've married into this house,

this maternal aunt of mine acts as if she was raised here in our Gu Manor.

But she didn't grow in my courtyard,

and instead in mother-in-law's courtyard.

To be honest, if not because I'm giving honor to mother-in-law,

I find it dirty to even see this maternal aunt of mine.

You...

Second's wife, I think your words are a bit unpleasant.

You're already pregnant. It's better to lessen your words and dissipate your anger.

Sister-in-law, there's something you don't know.

Before, when this maternal aunt of mine goes to our Sheng Manor, she rarely visits my grandmother.

Especially since the present emperor ascended to the throne, we never saw her again.

It was your grandmother who waived my visits.

She didn't waived it.

She instructed you to stop going to our house.

Even if you come, she won't see you.

What's going on?

They all say that a family's scandal shouldn't be publicized.

But now, you've already escalated it to this level.

I also won't care about the shame anymore.

My sister-in-laws and auntie-in-laws, you be the judge.

Don't be upset. Just say it.

You all know my grandmother.

The only daughter of Marquis of Yongyi.

She indeed has a strong personality, but also very aloof.

When it's not her business,

she's even too lazy to say anything.

Why would she and maternal aunt end up in this state?

Maternal Aunt, your House of Kang poisoned one person to death five years ago.

One died after being provoking conflict and getting beaten to death two years ago.

A year ago, one corpse but two lives lost got carried out of your manor.

Maternal Aunt, how many lives have passed by your hands? Can you still remember it?

You're maliciously slandering me!

Shut up!

Maternal Aunt, every time you come to our house to look for my legitimate mother, you would always bring her trouble.

My legitimate mother is a very honest person.

Because of her attachment to you as her sister,

she would give you money or settle your problems.

How much have you embezzled from her,

do you want me to list them for you?

You're slandering an elderly relative. That's a crime.

My grandmother told me that you and my legitimate mother are biological sisters,

you are related by blood, hence, she can't do anything about it. But I'm not.

I can't just watch our House of Gu

have a person like you that's so hard to get rid of.

Big Madam Sheng, just to not accept a concubine for Second Young Master,

you have to make up such nonsense. You'll suffer retribution like this.

In my opinion, taking in a concubine or not is your family's business.

It seems to be getting late. We'll get going now.

What House of Gu?! I spit at it!

Shameless! If not because you begged me with those kind words,

saying that our Zhao'er has a body that's good for bearing children,

that she's suitable to be a concubine of your second son, you think I would agree to it?!

Now, my whole House of Kang knows

that Zhao'er is going to be given to your Marquis Gu, but his wife isn't happy about it!

You... Your House of Gu is just planning to get rid of me!

I have not face to take her back with me anymore.

Your Gu family decides if you want her dead or alive!

- You... - Let's go!

I'm the one who created this sin.

Second's wife,

the House of Kang is still an illustrious family.

How could they not be worthy to give Second an erfang ?

She's your biological cousin.

What you're doing is forcing her to her death.

Big Madam is still sleeping?

Still sleeping. Why?

What is it?

Nothing. Big Madam, just rest.

Say it.

That woman from the House of Kang is kneeling outside.

The guards don't know if they should inform you or not.

Is there no end to them?

Big Madam, don't be bothered by them. Just let her kneel.

This is a scheme to win your pity. Does she think she's in her manor? Who cares?

If this is some other people,

I won't be afraid even if she dies.

But she's from the House of Kang.

If anything bad happens,

the House of Kang will surely use her to create an issue.

It's better to still go see her.

I beg Cousin to pity me and save my life!

I still haven't sit yet.

and you're already saying that a life depends on me.

I really am not worthy for such a huge responsibility.

My life in your hands. I just ask that you consider...

...that we are blood relatives, please save me!

What blood relation do I have with you?

Cousin.

Just because you call me cousin, you think we're blood relatives already?

I'm not the daughter of Main Mother Wang.

I'm just an illegitimate daughter. My birth mother has died long time ago.

Her memorial tablet is even being offered to by my side.

How then am I blood related to you?

Right.

This morning, you came to apologize to me.

You want to ask me to go there and have some drinks, hence, you knelt to me.

You made me pity you. I remembered

my hardships when I was under Main Mother, so I thought of helping you.

I didn't want you to suffer in the hands of Maternal Aunt.

But you? How did you repay me?

I...

From now on, I surely will serve you and cousin-in-law very well

to repay your kindness.

One should say sensible things to sensible people.

But to an insensible person, saying anything is useless.

Nanny Chang, find some strong maid attendants to escort her back.

- No. No! - Yes.

Cousin, please pity me and just let me stay in your manor.

I surely will behave and not compete for any status!

If she doesn't leave, tie her up and bring her to the door step of the Kang Manor.

You...

Quickly go get a cloth and wound medicine!

Sister, if you won't let me stay, I'd rather die in the Gu Manor!

Big Madam. Don't worry.

I'm done bandaging it. Her wound isn't that grave, just scary looking.

Nanny, just say the truth. Don't make up things to make me feel at ease.

That is the truth.

Big Madam, if you don't believe it, you can personally go look.