The Story of Ming Lan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 27

Don't worry, Small Madam. My man has been watching on standby in Yangzhou for many days.

That Physician Zhang who examined Small Madam Wei back then hasn't made any moves.

Without any evidence, what turbulence can she cause?

Though that's the saying,

Minglan is no longer someone with no one to lean on like before.

If something unfavorable shows up,

that old lady in the house will rise for sure,

and back her up.

You needn't worry.

Master dotes on you, doesn't he?

Furthermore this has the Sheng honor involved.

Master will naturally not allow anyone to flip an old bill.

Or that will languish Master's resolute.

When our miss marries into a lofty house,

who would dare then to speak ill of you?

In terms of marriage prospect,

when the old marquis passed away, various houses set up canopy to pay tribute.

That head madam now says she will hold a banquet as gratitude and invited many noble acquaintances.

Qi Ducal House and our house are among the invitees.

Princess Pingning even sent someone to deliver words to us, asking us to come too.

That young lord of hers.

He looks clever.

But he is actually blind.

Yes. Sixth Miss at the polo match incident.

That's caused quite a wild stir.

We should watch how the princess handles it.

The young lord is blind but the other houses aren't blind.

This big banquet of the Gu House.

They've invited many high officials and their families.

This is a great opportunity for our Mo'er to show her talent.

At the time, I want everyone to know that in our Sheng House, we have such a beautiful

and interesting girl.

Princess Pingning won't look at us.

But in Bianjing, there are lots of wealthy houses.

Our Mo'er won't die hanging on one tree.

Indeed.

How did you get the thought to pray to the ancestors suddenly?

No need to get up.

I saw Grandfather in my dream the day before yesterday.

He said us granddaughters don't come and burn incense to him, so I came.

Among these kids of mine,

you are the most sensible and obedient one.

I am very consoled.

Father, do you still remember what my mother looked like?

How wretchedly did she die!

When I think about it now, I feel so sad.

Father, tell me. You have so many children.

How is it that only my mother suffered difficult labor?

Two lives gone at once.

Is it because of ill fate.

Or is it due to some other reason?

A woman in labor is always a trip to hell.

Your mother just wasn't lucky.

And this is a tragedy.

So don't think about it too much anymore.

Father, when I was attacked by water bandits and sank into the waters during my recent trip,

I thought my life was done. But vaguely,

I think I saw my mother, reaching her hand out,

pulling me. She wanted to say something it seemed.

What did she say?

I just don't know what she said and that's why I am panicking.

Maybe you are possessed by some demon to talk this nonsense.

In Youyang, I saw the big grandmother take her last breath.

She died. Died . . .

without peace. I was so scared.

Enough. You are too young to know the gravity of things.

You are not allowed to mention these again.

Or it may cause disharmony in the family.

There's another matter I'd like to seek your approval.

Speak.

I heard from someone that when you see the deceased soul of your family member, it's because

the deceased are not in peace in the ground under and we need to perform a ritual to help them transcend.

That's proper. Since your big madam is in charge now,

whatever amount of money you need for it, get it from her.

My mother is buried all alone in the Yangzhou countryside.

She is easily bullied by wild spirits and wandering souls.

You are a palace graduate of the imperial court exam. You possess great Yang energy.

I would like to request that you give me a few drops of blood.

Drop them into cinnabar, so I can inscribe my mother's tablet one more time with it.

To calm those small ghosts.

Please regard it as a grace to me and my mother.

Confucius said this. Respect ghosts and spirits but keep them at a distance.

We are an honest family of scholars.

You can't speak of these strange spirit and ghost logic anymore.

And you really should not ask your father to damage his body.

Father, you are right.

I was improper.

Then, when I carry out the ritual, may you attend.

And light the three incense personally.

Light up my mother's soul.

It's a great chaotic time of turmoil and war. You should be home, actually,

and cultivate yourself but you must carry out this haplessness?

Where's your propriety?

Father. My mother was your pillow mate.

Enough. I see you were startled. I will go rest now.

Miss. Since Master won't drop blood,

do you think we should go find someone with strong birth pillars,

and inscribe your mother's tablet?

No need. I made that up anyway.

Xiaotao.

If your birth pillars were strong,

would you be willing to drop blood for my mother?

I am willing, of course. She treated me so nice.

If there were cakes, she would save some for me to eat.

Even you're willing.

But my mother's pillow mate. He isn't willing.

You are a dependable person.

He is just not a dependable person.

Then, what do we do?

The dead person below can't sleep soundly.

So how could the living person above sleep soundly?

Mother, did you see? That's Qi Ducal House's carriage.

This means Brother Yuanruo must be here too.

And there! That's Ying Ducal Manor's carriage.

Isn't that house usually uninterested in attending these events?

Why are they here?

- Look, that's the couple indeed. No one else. - Let's go.

- Greetings, Madam. - Hello to you.

Daughter of Prince Yong's house is here too.

Stop the fuss.

Yelling and babbling. Do you see other ladies doing this?

That Duchess of Ying.

Everyone. The old marquis's funeral procession,

you all installed tribute stations along the way.

I am beyond grateful.

Because we are still amid the mourning period, we've done away with all red-colored decorations.

As for tunes and operas, we will only perform the yearning ones.

May you be forgiving of our lacking as host.

Madam Qin, since Old Marquis passed away,

you have had to manage this grand marquis manor.

It is such a toil and burden.

Putting together this small banquet to enjoy and share some laughter,

it's only a very natural conduct.

Yes.

Princess Consort is completely right.

Princess usually speaks so haughtily.

Her nostrils are usually pointing to the sky when she talks.

But before the Princess Consort of Yong, she's acting like a rat hiding from the cat.

Do you know why?

Third Miss, may you be well.

Stop that act with me.

Do you still think you got to play polo with the young lord,

and he's going to lift you up and let you become a concubine in the ducal manor?

Let me tell you. Princess has already picked out Prince Yong's daughter as her daughter-in-law.

This Prince Yong is someone who will enter the palace as Eastern Palace (crown prince).

So naturally, princess is speaking with her voice and head lowered to her.

Look.

The one in purple clothing.

That's Prince Yong's daughter, Princess Jiacheng.

Princess Pingning grew up in the palace.

She gets to go as she pleases in the entire palace.

I imagine she must have caught some wind.

To select someone who is inferior to you by looks and figure.

Sister. Your plans went to vain.

The young princess is lucky.

I hear, this Imperial Consort Rong's house was smitten with the young lord too.

Just a pity though. Rong Feiyan is unlucky with a short life.

She can't afford such a nice match.

With her death, Princess Pingning and Prince Yong's houses are starting to make acquaintances.

Qi Ducal House is so smart.

When you cut into a tofu, both sides are shiny.

But then again,

among my ancestors, we've had an imperial tutor.

So we're different than your family.

As it's commonly said,

You can seal a jar, but not a human mouth.

Your petty mindset of your petty family.

I think it's best you let that shove back into your mother's belly.

Which official house's daughter is the one at the end of the table?

I've never seen her.

She was brought here by the big madam of Sheng House.

Didn't your Heng study at Sheng House before?

The two houses are well acquainted.

So they are naturally acquainted with us too.

When the old marquis passed away,

Sheng House set up a path tribute too.

- So that's the one from Sheng House. - She's the one.

Then summon her and let me see her closer.

By the way,

I just remembered something amusing.

A few days ago, we had a joke at home.

Over some petty matters, the maidservants started to quibble.

A kitchen maid assigned to boil water,

dared to scold my own handmaid.

It had me wanting to cry and laugh at the same time.

So how did you handle it, Princess?

Handle what? Just a water maid.

Her whole life, she's never entered the master's room.

A thing that can't be presented.

Did you see that? Those two are pointing to the mulberry tree but cursing at the locust tree.

Who are they talking about? You should know that.

My ears don't work well so I didn't hear it.

I couldn't hear as clearly as you could, Sister Yanhong.

Now, these fools who don't know their place are so many!

Each and every one of them, thinking they got a drop of dew from the ducal or marquis house,

and the have some status too.

When I hear of such things, I find it funny.

I'm even too lazy to get angry.