The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 29

You're finally here.

We heard you were coming and our entire family's been in such a glee.

The old madam ate an extra half a bowl of rice yesterday!

That means she really missed me!

Let me tell you, if it hadn't been Hong'er's mother's illness dragging over a month to recover,

I would have came a long time ago!

Old Madam's been waiting for us for half the day already. Let's go.

Hurry now. Hurry and let me take a look at her.

Try this cup of tea now.

Great tea.

Say, we've been busy for half the day already.

Why don't we see your little granddaughter?

Is she not home?

Sick.

What's the illness?

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

So I can go take a look.

Nothing too serious. Just some headache and light fever.

Your Hong can deal with it.

You old sly!

Miss, the sister from Old Madam's room sends words.

Saying He House young master is waiting for you at Shouan Hall and he won't leave.

Didn't I tell you to tell them?

Say I'm sick and asleep.

I already did and he left.

But not long after, he came back again.

He said he instructed the kitchen to make fish stew for you to try.

What an interesting man! What scene are we in now already?

The fish market must have closed long ago. What fish for stew?

He said he brought the fish from Youyang. Your favorite, Miss.

This really is fresh fish from Youyang river? How is it available in Bianjing?

I saw back in Youyang that you love to drink fish soup.

When I found out I would accompany grandmother to the capital to visit you, I went to Youyang to fish a few.

And I put them in a big crock to put in the carriage and I would add some fresh water everyday.

When we arrived, two were still alive. I heard you were sick.

So I hurried and made fish soup to bring to you, so you can warm your stomach.

Why such trouble?

Humans eat all sorts of crops so how can we not get sick?

A temporary chill or fever needn't cause worry.

You've over-wearied and harmed your psychic constitution.

You need a good restoring. After you're well,

the flowers will be blooming everywhere and you can leave the house to pray to Gods.

Ride on the great scenery, upon the openness, and your heart and soul will naturally be nourished.

You need to drink this soup while it's hot. I went through such trouble to fish them.

It was so cold by the river at night.

If you don't drink it all, you owe to my suffer of chill.

Actually I didn't suffer any chill.

These fish, actually I bought them from the fishermen by the river.

I didn't go through much trouble.

There you go. Smile a bit.

Clear your mind and you will release toxins, for a long life.

How are you making tea right now?

What's going on? You need to let me know so I can be at ease.

Aunt does not need to be at ease. I need to be at ease.

You need to be at ease. You need to be at ease.

Then you can just go to your home to make tea.

You come to my place to make tea for who?

I can't be at ease at home.

I can only be at ease making tea by you.

One cup spilled to the ground, to honor my mother.

Second cup, may Auntie enjoy.

Third cup, I enjoy.

We're done praying to God. Time to go home.

Go home?

Then? Your mother's matter?

You said you tested your father and we can't tell him but I should be at ease.

Now you come drink tea and leave. How can I be at ease?

Can't be that you made this trip just to make tea and drink, and then go home?

Yes. I came to the monastery and now I go home.

Why do you bother walking, Big Madam?

We can have the cart driver bring the carriage in all the way to the mountain gate and you would be spared much travel.

What do you know?

Using your own feet, climbing up step by step.

That shows more earnest.

Sheng House Sixth Miss.

Greetings, Countess.

Great, we are so fated!

I always run into you. I think Gods and Spirits watch over.

What a joy.

How is your health lately, Big Madam?

Great.

Look. The weather's getting warmer.

By Jinming Pond, the grass is green and the flowers have bloomed.

And you play such great polo so you must come and help!

Minglan's health isn't well lately. I fear I can't play polo.

I don't want to ruin your great record, so I won't go.

What's wrong? Not feeling well?

I have great wild ginseng and when I turn around, I'll have it delivered to your room so you can restore your vitality.

No need for the trouble.

It's just a cold. Thank you, Madam.

Cold will be gone in few days.

I'll wait till you're recovered and hold the polo match. We're not in a rush over a few days.

You're hiding words you're not telling me.

This isn't the conduct of our great child.

I went once in previous year because I played polo for Sister Yanran.

Afterwards, I caused quite a stir out of it and I've reflected upon it quietly.

I think the troubles were sourced from me showing off.

So now I've cultivated my temperament to be more calm.

I shouldn't play polo anymore. Just stay at home and write.

Those idle talks and gossips?

You should treat them like cat pee and dog fart in the wind.

Why are you holding them to your bosom to smell them instead?

Sister Rulan and Molan.

They are not that interested in polo so I'm not convenienced to go either.

It might stir some talks that you regard me too high, Countess.

I do regard you high!

So? Let whoever wants to talk idle talk!

Big Madam, I think we should forget it.

I understand. You're all alone in the courtyard and it's not easy. Fine then.

I wanted you to play polo with me but I will not put you to difficulty.

I'll send invitation to your home tomorrow to invite all the sisters.

Weirui Balcony

I wonder if that countess is fond of our daughter.

Why is she sending invitation here each time there's an event?

A polo match and such a formal invitation.

It does look to be.

Lately, Countess comes to the manor often and we didn't see her so diligent in making this trip.

I say,

she came a few days ago and it seemed like casual talks,

but in reality she wanted to reveal to us about Qi House and Prince of Yong matter.

A huge ruckus and in the end, she's scolding me.

Telling me not to put my hopes up in Qi House.

The best option is to be in-laws with her instead.

The invitation says to have all three misses come.

I just don't know which miss she's fond of.

Who else? Of course its' my Rulan.

Allow me to say a word without courting your anger.

From what I see these days.

Countess seems closer to Sixth Miss.

Close is just being close.

Ming girl is just decent at polo and that pleases her.

But when it comes to marriage talk, that's another layer.

It's like you raise a cat or dog.

You are so pleased with it but it's not like you're going to marry that cat or dog to your own son.

Mother. I don't want to go attend that polo match.

So much dust at the place and it's suffocating.

Each time I go, I'm covered with mud all over.

I'm definitely not going.

Silly child. What did Mother tell you?

Sixth Liang is interested in you and that's a God-given chance.

But Big Madam is there.

She won't approve of me and Sixh Liang Young Master being close.

As long as you're more daring and do things more furtively.

Last time at Gu House, you and Liang young master made poetry too.

Liang boy thinks I look like a heavenly fairy.

Just that Madam Wu . . .

If you keep stewing over those things, you can't stand out.

Back then your mother, me, made up my mind firmly too.

I saw clearly that your father is gentle-hearted and easily manipulated.

That's how I fought what we have today.

And you were born as the daughter of an official house.

So you ought to step on the door of a Sheng and walk high.

The countess doesn't want a concubine-born daughter, but the young master of the count manor doesn't want a concubine daughter too?

You are right, Mother. I will go.

Now you're enlightened! The rest,

you don't need Mother to tell you in detail, right?

Come.

Miss. Miss.

Miss.

Miss, are you alright?

I'm fine. I'm fine.

Careful.

Try it. Try it.

Hurry and come rest. How are you muddy all over?

I tripped.

I don't think it'll be easy today.

No worry. Sometimes people miss a hand and horses miss their step. It's common occurrence.

Don't be down by it.

Come, come.

We've got fruits from Lingnan today.

Minglan is shallow in talent. I am not worthy of your kindness.

Whoever plays polo as good as you is who I will be kind to.

I think you're the only one!

Playing polo well sure gets you benefits.

Today we get to eat such great cherries, thanks to you, Sixth Sister.

No, no. It's all thanks to you, Fifth Sister.

Big Madam allowed us to leave the manor all thanks to you.

You are the sensible one. Not like some others.

Sixth Miss. You play polo well.

Your discernment is good too. Help me look.

Can my foolish little six win this match?

Sixth Young Master is an outstanding talent. He plays heroically.

Winning or not isn't what's urgent anymore.

I knew he'd lose this match.

But when you say it,

it's sure turned to such a sweet note.

Big Madam is right. Our sixth sister,

she's prudent all her life. Not like someone else.

She doesn't know her actual weight and she wants to overreach.

She doesn't know a principle.

A light-boned person, even if she climbs up,

a breeze of wind and it will blow her down and she'll be covered in mud.

At that time, I don't know if she would be facing people with a purple nose and green eyes,

or if she will just lie in mud forever.

This girl.

That is a good polo match.

Fifth Sister is right.

There are just some funny people in the world.