A pair, so evenly matched, charge forward through thistles and thorns whether it’s back-court harem or front-court politics.
Notable Actors/Actresses
[Ep45] Ming Lan arrives at Heishan Farm. The farmers feel at ease because her small stature is anything but intimidating. She even distributes money to each member of the farmstead. This is her clever way of conducting a census. It turns out, Heishan Farm has surplus farmlands, unrecorded. The chiefs pocketed the income, embezzling everything. Ming Lan reprimands them for daring to trick her. Her aura is imposing.
All traces of silliness from Gu Ting Ye are gone the next day as he interrogates the rotten eunuchs. The farmers, who actually do the work, testify to being raped and starved. They have no firewood and barely any clothes. “If you wore the clothes, I wouldn’t be able to leave the bed. If I wore it, then you wouldn’t be able to leave the house.” They’re coughing blood and sputum. Their feet are rotting. D: But they still have to work in the fields every single day. The children at home are crying. There’s no way to escape the village. Gu Ting Ye saves them all. He burns the promissory notes, freeing the villagers of their “debt” that the eunuchs claim they owe. Gu Ting Ye will pay for them all. “I don’t want to fight for food with stinky fishes and rotten shrimps.” Don’t insult my seafood, but well said. With the villagers debt free, Gu Ting Ye fires the eunuchs stinky fishes once and for all.
The next morning, Ming Lan has another plan, but Gu Ting Ye doesn't respond. It’s because she called him 官人. He wants to be called 二郎. Lol! She clears her throat and calls him 官人 louder. Haha. Ignoring her husband’s childish request, here’s her plan: release Zhu Man Niang because she’s bound to check on Chang-ge. They just have to secretly follow her. Gu Ting Ye, whose wrath quaked the house, is now in utter joy. He lifts her and spins her around. He compliments her for being such a good daughter to her mother, and reading all sorts of war and military books. She is his best tactician (and only tactician).
[Ep51] Zhu Man Niang slanders Gu Ting Ye on the streets. This is reported to the Emperor by none other than Qi Heng. Although the Emperor appears upset, he’s on Gu Ting Ye’s side, just a tad annoyed. Then Gu Ting Ye goes to confront Qi Heng, who swears it was all business, nothing private (i.e. Ming Lan). Gu Ting Ye leaves him with anHe also reminds Qi Heng that not everyone will wait for him in the same spot, unmoving.
Grandma Sheng is listening from outside the hall. She was about to enter, but decided to leave. There’s already someone protecting Ming Lan. She doesn’t need Grandma Sheng anymore. Aw. Grandma, Ming Lan will always need you!
Notable Actors/Actresses
Zhao Li Ying: Sheng Ming Lan
Feng Shao Feng: Gu Ting Ye / Zhong Huai
Director:
Producer:
Chinese Title
知否知否應是綠肥紅瘦
知否知否應是綠肥紅瘦
Second farmstead! Guyan Farm. This one is trickier. It’s managed by imperial eunuchs. And we all know how sly and slimy eunuchs are. Good thing Gu Ting Ye arrives in time. He was worried about Ming Lan and rightly so because she’s boiling with rage at the audacity of the eunuchs, daring to threaten her, the owner, with all the fake debts that they claim they owe. As Ming Lan rants, Gu Ting Ye rubs his chin in admiration. Where to find an SO who admires you for being angry? Where!
Gu Ting Ye: You’re beautiful. I’ve never seen you filled with such indignation, baring fangs and brandish claws (= appear threatening). Now this is Sheng Ming Lan!
Gu Ting Ye will manage the farmstead instead since it is his jurisdiction. He’s not just coaxing Ming Lan, he means it that this is no longer considered “family matters” (her jurisdiction), this is country affairs (his jurisdiction). If the eunuch can threaten Ming Lan with ease, he can also disrespect the Emperor. The eunuchs need discipline and Gu Ting Ye will set an example.
Ming Lan is all cheered up at her dependable husband. Now she remembers to care about him, like his hygiene. She sets up the bathtub, but then she notices blood on his clothes. It’s actually not his blood. Ming Lan is still worried, though. He assures her that he won’t die that easily. She doesn’t like hearing death from him. “What if! What if something happens to you? Who will I rely on for the rest of my life?” Her anxiety continues to rise as Gu Ting Ye shares a scary story of how he almost died. An attention seeker. Lol. Anything for Ming Lan's love. Ming Lan is seriously worried. She asks if it was this time. He replies that it’s best she doesn’t know. D: Ming Lan turns solemn. She doesn’t want him to shower anymore. The cabin isn’t properly insulated. He might catch a cold. Gu Ting Ye grins at her concern. Gu Ting Ye shares another chilling tale about a wife who slowly and inconspicuously poisoned her husband to death. What a rascal. Gu Ting Ye permits Ming Lan to do the same if he ever cheats on her. Ming Lan is thoroughly creeped out. She doesn’t want his life. Gu Ting Ye wraps her snuggly in his arms. He wants to give her his life, though.
Gu Ting Ye: I want to leave my life in your hands. So why won’t Ming Lan trust him with all her heart yet!
The villagers drop to their knees, crying and thanking Gu Ting Ye. Ming Lan is upset though, very upset. The eunuchs had no retribution for their awful conduct. Gu Ting Ye explains that he still had to consider the reputation of the imperial family (since the eunuchs were from the palace). But! It doesn’t mean they left in one piece. Coincidentally, they were robbed and crippled.
The Empress Dowager is updated of Gu Ting Ye clearing yet again another obstacle for the Emperor. She doesn’t agree with the ways of the Emperor, which means the capable Gu Ting Ye, highly cultivated in military and academia, is an eyesore to her.
Ming Lan will be visiting the Empress for the first time. Her plan is to talk less and bow more. She’ll pretend to be dumb. She beams that she’s good at that.
Gu Ting Ye (chuckles): My little fox is pretending to be a demure lamb again.
Gu Ting Ye can tell that Ming Lan is nervous and so when she has left with Sister Shen to visit the Empress (Shen), he’s quietly following from behind. So sweet. Ming Lan looks back and notices him.
Ming Lan (to Sister Shen): He’s too nice to me. He doesn’t have to be so nice. [...] I’m afraid I won’t know how to repay him in the future. Ming Lan, Gu Ting Ye’s love needs no repayment from you.
Sister Shen is confused. A husband and wife is one mind and one body. There’s nothing to owe nor repay.
[Ep46] The palace is indeed full of landmines. The Empress Dowager has all these maids who need to marry, and ah look – what a coincidence! – there’s Gu Ting Ye’s wife here. Of course Ming Lan would adopt her royal servants, right? There goes Ming Lan’s plan for talking less and bowing more. But Ming Lan is still good at pretending to be dumb. She smiles enough that Empress Dowager thinks she’s a joke or something, but Ming Lan explains she’s truly elated. She solved her problems! Her military husband has a lot of soldiers who needs to marry too! The Empress almost laughs out loud. There goes the Empress Dowager’s plans of implanting spies in Gu Manor.
Gu Ting Ye worriedly waits outside for Ming Lan. He knew she encountered the Empress Dowager. Eunuch Qing Yun (the one who helped Ming Lan escape the palace) informed him I love how such a minor character is given a little story and that he’s promoted. Before Gu Ting Ye finishes his story, half a dozen maids align behind Ming Lan. Hahahaha.
Gu Ting Ye: What verse are we singing now? (= What’s happening?)Ming Lan (demure-lamb-look): I seemed to have brought you trouble.
Gu Ting Ye joyously thanks Ming Lan. His soldiers can be married now! And no concubine! Phew. But Ming Lan is still concerned about upsetting the Empress Dowager. What if she hates Gu Ting Ye over this matter? Gu Ting Ye asks the obvious, “Why would she hate me for something you did?”
Ming Lan: We are one body and one mind. My recklessness is enabled by you. :DGu Ting Ye (laughs cheerfully and hugs her): You finally grew up! Now you know that you are me and I am you.
Gu Ting Ye explains her highness is antagonistic towards the Emperor and Prince of Huan’s (Zhao Ce Ying) reform. Ming Lan understands the Empress Dowager’s intentions: to undermine the Emperor’s trusted aides. She wanted to insert concubines in their home to turn it upside down just like Shen Cong Xing (another trusted aide; the state general). Gu Ting Ye admires his wife for her great insight. He’s smitten and proud of her. She will always be his military advisor (says the military guy. That’s high praise).
Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan have visitors, shameless ones. His uncles are here to beg Gu Ting Ye for his help. Their sons are arrested by Qi Heng who the Empress Dowager assigned to arrest any (suspected) allies of the rebellious prince. They remind Gu Ting Ye that he is also a Gu and that it is his duty to help.
Gu Ting Ye (pointedly criticizes his uncles): A Gu descendant? That year you and Madam Qin slandered and denied me of seeing my father for the last time. Did you regard me as a Gu? When I was homeless and in desperate plight, did you regard me as a Gu? Oh, now you think I’m a Gu, huh?4/5th Uncle: We’re talking about Ting Bing and Ting Di, why must you bring up all that? Excuse me?
The following day, the aunts are bugging Ming Lan, but Ming Lan says she’s afraid of enraging her husband. Whatever, lol. Soon after, Xiao Tao reports to Ming Lan that Rong-jie is missing. It’s her cue to ditch the aunts. Ha. The husband that she’s afraid of is now massaging her shoulders xD. Gu Ting Ye congratulates Ming Lan that she can graduate with her skills in handling shrews. Ming Lan sulks. At her maiden home, she only had to pretend to be dumb. After marrying him, she even mastered being shameless. LOL.
Ming Lan: 近朱者赤(近墨者黑). “Those who handle cinnabar are tainted red; those who work with ink are stained black.” Ming Lan only says the first half of the idiom. It means you are the product of your environment. Lol. She learned to be shameless from the master, Gu Ting Ye.
Gu Ting Ye will treat that as a praise.
[Ep47] The aunts are back and their tactics against Ming Lan have intensified. They threaten Ming Lan that if she doesn’t help them, they’ll tell Gu Ting Ye of her almost-engagement with He Hong Wen (which 5th Aunt-in-law learned from Madam Shen (He Zhen, Qi Heng’s jealous wife)). Well, now they just infuriated Ming Lan. She straightens them up with the truth. There was no engagement, but there were interactions because their families were close. There’s no more discussion. Ming Lan angrily adjourns. She also ignores Gu Ting Ye who was just passing by. Gu Ting Ye is rather amused. He’s never seen her like that. He just loves seeing all her sides. He checks out the cause and finds the aunts, who quickly inform him he’s been duped by his wife who had a previous engagement. LOL. Gu Ting Ye is the one who duped Ming Lan. Hahahaha.
Gu Ting Ye: There wasn’t any engagement, but there were previous interactions. The same line from Ming Lan.Aunts: You knew about it?!Gu Ting Ye: I knew! It was me who tacitly snatched my wife from He Family. If I was too late, I fear they would have gotten married. The aunts are mystified that a couple like this exists, haha. My dear aunts, you must really dote on me. Your family is in deep trouble, but you’re at my house seeking justice for me over old negligible matters. Thank you, aunts!
Back in their room, after Ming Lan’s anger has subsided, she’s frank with Gu Ting Ye. She understands that Gu Ting Ye is seeking justice from his family, not for their begging. Anyone who was aggrieved would want the truth to come out one day. She empathizes with him. She knows the slicing pain on his heart when his grudge still hurts.
The Emperor “borrowed” the imperial seal from the Empress Dowager and never returned it. Lol. This is what Gu Ting Ye meant to “intelligently steal” in the last episode. She knows that only the rogue Gu Ting Ye could think of something so shameless. She punishes him, but when she lifts the staff to beat him, she sees his scars. There’s not a patch of good skin. She’s reminded of how he saved the palace. She can no longer hit him. This man, with flesh that’s scarred and heart that’s battered, how did he grow up to be so fine? T_T
Ming Lan worries about Gu Ting Ye for angering the Empress Dowager. Gu Ting Ye isn’t afraid. She recounts the last time she stood out, the consequences were dire (her mother’s death). She fears. He assures her that he’ll protect her. But Ming Lan clarifies she fears for him. Gu Ting Ye comforts her that everything is within his calculation. Ming Lan is slowly coming through. In Ep45, she wouldn’t openly say she fears for him without adding the part that her life relies on him. Now she directly tells him she worries for him.
The Gu Family has a meeting. Gu Ting Wei (Madam Qin’s son) is also captured. It was 4th and 5th uncles/aunts who sabotaged him. Now Madam Qin is dragged into the ordeal and joins the plea for Gu Ting Ye’s help. Gu Ting Ye has a condition. He wants Gu Family to recognize his mother who is omitted from the ancestral records. Gu Ting Ye wants justice for his mother. Gu Ting Yu flatly refuses. He knows Gu Ting Ye will give in sooner or later even without satisfying his condition. Shrewd brother.
Back in their manor, Gu Ting Ye asks Ming Lan if he was heartless. She's just worried about him. Gu Ting Ye scoffs that there’s nothing to fret. If they all attack him at once, there’s still not a match. Ming Lan counters. Just one Gu Ting Yu is enough. Ming Lan can tell Gu Ting Yu knows Gu Ting Ye won’t watch his family die. I tear up just a little thinking how wonderful it is that Ming Lan is there for this battered and scarred man. She stays at his side to comfort him.
[Ep48] Although Gu Ting Yu betted Gu Ting Ye would help, he didn’t realize he only had a few days left to live. Now his plans are different. For his own family, he’ll have to protect them. He calls up a family meeting. (Only Ming Lan greets him with a polite bow. I like how Gu Ting Yu notices. And then Ming Lan looks at Gu Ting Ye for a signal to sit.) Gu Ting Yu starts his speech and it’s directed to the family sans Gu Ting Ye. “If you want the people whom you’ve wronged to turn around and help you, then you must lower down from your high seat. Don’t even think of bluffing your way out. Explain what needs to be explained. Bow down and admit your mistakes. Repent on your sins. It’s the proper way to go.”
Gu Ting Yu gives Gu Ting Ye the letter their father wrote before he died. There’s a collective shock shared by the uncles and aunts, and Madam Qin. They’re guilty. They’ve been hiding the letter from Gu Ting Ye because they didn’t follow Father’s Gu will. It was meant to be read at the funeral that mentions Gu Ting Ye’s mother, and her dowry, and how it will be inherited by Gu Ting Ye.
Gu Ting Yu also passes the inheritance to Gu Ting Ye – all the deeds and assets. Madam Qin
The brothers speak privately at the ancestral hall. Gu Ting Yu shares that when he was young, there were people who told him that Madam Bai killed his mother and his sickly body was the consequence. Gu Ting Ye isn’t interested in hearing his sob story. Gu Ting Yu tries a different approach. He asks Gu Ting Ye if he would divorce Ming Lan for Gu Family. No way. He meant for the family that he cares about (Rong-jie, Shi Tou, Nanny Chang, and even Prince Huan, the Emperor etc.). Would he choose to divorce Ming Lan to preserve these people’s lives? Gu Ting Ye will not think of “what ifs” He will also not use a woman as a scapegoat to save everyone. He will rely on himself. Gu Ting Yu smiles. He points out that Gu Ting Ye avoided his question. And if he wants to talk about his achievements, Gu Ting Yu reminds him that the credit goes to his lineage. Huh. Gu Ting Ye retorts. He introduced himself as “Bai Ye”. Gu Ting Yu shakes his head. Just from his face, everyone knows he’s a Gu. People just didn’t tell it to his face. Gu Ting Yu wants Gu Ting Ye to understand his ties with Gu Family can never be severed. These words strike Gu Ting Ye right in the heart. Gu Ting Ye acknowledges that his brother knows him well. He cannot abandon his family.
Finally, Gu Ting Yu promises Gu Ting Ye that he will include his mother's name and biography in their ancestral book, as well as a posthumous title. Gu Ting Ye doesn’t understand this long-winded conversation if Gu Ting Yu was going to give him what he wants. Here’s the real request: Gu Ting Yu wants to entrust his wife and daughter in Gu Ting Ye's care. He is dying. Gu Ting Ye doesn’t promise anything and leaves.
Gu Ting Yu (desperately shouts): If parents love their children, they should plan their future. Ming Lan said the exact same words to him. Father planned mine. He planned yours too. I have to plan it for my daughter too.
At this moment, Gu Ting Ye sees Ming Lan waiting outside. Perhaps seeing Ming Lan made him empathize with his brother more. Gu Ting Ye accepts the request.
In Gu Ting Yu’s last breath, he tells his wife and daughter to distance themselves from Madam Qin. She’s dangerous. Only Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan are trustworthy. I think the bow that Ming Lan gave Gu Ting Yu convinced him that she’s a fair one. It’s such a small detail in the drama, but I think his first (?) impression of her was deep.
At the palace, Gu Ting Ye asks the Emperor for leniency on his cousins in front of all the ministers. Way to put the Emperor between a rock and a hard place.
Rewatch:
- In Ep64, Ming Lan said this about her family/relatives: "Look, when you’re not the one being hit, you won’t know how painful it is. As long as the one dying is not a member of your family, you can be magnanimous to someone else’s sufferings. But once it involves you, there’s no more generosity and benevolence. Isn’t it funny?” A very clear example is Gu Ting Ye’s family. Madam Qin didn’t care until her son was involved. Gu Ting Yu didn’t care until he’s on the brink of death. Only Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan are different from their family.
- Gu Ting Yu really knows Gu Ting Ye. He would divorce to save the people he cherishes.
[Ep49] The court is dismissed. Gu Ting Ye stays behind to be reproached by the Emperor. Why didn’t he ask for the pardoning in private? He explains he did it for the Emperor’s sake. He knew the Emperor would be lenient for him, but that would upset the other ministers. Now everyone knows it was Gu Ting Ye who pressured the Emperor into giving him the favour. Sly. So sly. Everything that comes out of his mouth makes sense. The Emperor is still upset. How is it good that everyone thinks they’re discordant? Gu Ting Ye has an answer for that too! As long as the Emperor knows he’s faithful, it’s all that matters. The Emperor gives up. He cannot win against Gu Ting Ye. Did Gu Ting Ye just rip this off from Ming Lan (Ep41)? xD That as long as they know they’re truehearted, it doesn’t matter what the outsiders think. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye influence each other in the best way possible. Such powerhouses.
Back at home, Gu Ting Ye assures a worried Ming Lan that the Emperor will forgive him. He saved him twice. Their relationship transcends life and death.
Gu Ting Ye: Be at ease and just follow me. I guarantee that nothing will happen to you.Ming Lan: This temperament of yours. Even if it’s the ruler of this world, you’re not afraid. How did my second brother, so cautious of a man, be friends with you?Gu Ting Ye: The ruler of this world cannot control me, but you can control me. So smooth. This guy.
Gu Ting Ye’s mother is conferred a posthumous title, and so are Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan. Here’s the official description of Ming Lan: [Sheng Ming Lan] is virtuous and gentle in temperament, graceful and beautiful in appearance. She is pure and fragrant like a dense growth of osmanthus. She has intelligence like a flowing river. Her benevolence is natural, her filiality is innate. I like how the maids and Gu Ting Ye are inwardly laughing. They know the real her. Ming Lan worked hard for this image! Haha. Ming Lan is dazed at the conferment. Gu Ting Ye has to push her from behind to remind her to bow to the royal decree. He also has to help her up, to remind her to get up, hahaha. Ming Lan doesn’t understand how she could have gotten such a prestigious title.
Gu Ting Ye (smugly): My mother was conferred a title because she gave birth to me. You were conferred a title because you married me. I like how confident he sounds, and the way he emphasizes certain words. Plus it’s true.
At night, Gu Ting Ye wants Ming Lan to call him something else other than 官人 (guan ren), which means “official” because he works in the palace. She’s dazed again. What should she call him then? Second Uncle? Gu Ting Ye tells her to shut up immediately. Hahaha! He wants her to call him 二郎 (er lang). 二 means Second, because he’s second in Gu Family. 郎 means Boy/Husband. 二郎 is more personalized and therefore(?) more affectionate than 官人. Ming Lan insists 官人 is more appropriate and respectful.
Gu Ting Ye (taunts his sweetie): Under this skin on your little face, are you really respectful towards me?
He teaches her one word at a time. Ming Lan hesitantly attempts. She looks down, smiles a little, starts timidly with the first word, “二 ... ” Okay, and now the next word. There’s only two. Gu Ting Ye is holding his breath waiting for her to spit out the last word, but it’s not coming out! He pats her back – smack! – and finally, she says it! “郎.” Immediately, the two burst out laughing. LMAO. This is so cute!! Gu Ting Ye compliments Ming Lan. Good wife. (I actually won’t like it if she calls him 二郎. I think Zhu Man Niang (and her voice, omg) abused the term for me.)
Madam Qin cahoots with Cousin Bai (Gu Ting Ye’s maternal cousin) to bring back Zhu Man Niang. It’s an attempt to have Gu Ting Ye take her as a concubine and eventually ruin him.
Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye proceed carefully because they need to know where Chang-ge is. Ming Lan is worried about Zhu Man Niang’s schemes. Marriage is easy to comply with, but what if her conditions become more daring? Gu Ting Ye halts. “Easy to comply with?!” Does Ming Lan actually think that him sleeping with another woman is easy to comply with?! Confused, Ming Lan doesn’t understand his outburst. She’s stabbing his heart with her indifference.
Later that night, Gu Ting Ye attempts to persuade Zhu Man Niang to reveal Chang-ge’s location but she attacks him by physically stabbing his heart. She hysterically screeches that their son died.
[Ep50] Ming Lan is agonized from seeing Gu Ting Ye’s wounds. It’s her fault. She should have checked Zhu Man Niang for weapons. Gu Ting Ye doesn’t blame her. He never would. What’s more important is confirming Chang-ge’s whereabouts. Ming Lan helps him analyze. Firstly, they cannot torture Zhu Man Niang, especially when Madam Qin is watching. They also cannot sue her to have her executed. Executions are documented. This will affect Rong-jie’s future. Gu Ting Ye is irritated that everything seems futile. Ming Lan, his tactician, finds another method. If Zhu Man Niang won’t answer, then they’ll find someone else to answer.
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| “I will forever lose to you I will lose my forever to you” |
First, they’ll need pictures of Zhu Man Niang to ask around. Ming Lan hand draws them one by one. Gu Ting Ye doesn’t want to exhaust her and suggests hiring painters. Ming Lan reminds him they have to keep this confidential. The less people who know the better.
Ming Lan (smiles): If your heart aches for me, then lose to me in a few rounds of arrow toss.Gu Ting Ye (with love in his eyes): I’ll lose (my) forever to you. I think there can be two interpretations here. 1) “I will always lose to you” 2) "I will give you my forever”. By the way, from Ep1, Gu Ting Ye already lost to her right from the beginning.
Gu Ting Ye discovers the collusion between Cousin Bai and Madam Qin. Their plan was to have Zhu Man Niang kill Gu Ting Ye and this would make Chang-ge the heir, which gives Gu Ting Ye hope that Chang-ge is alive. But even when Gu Ting Ye threatens his maternal cousins, they have no information on Chang-ge.
Zhu Man Niang strangles Rong-jie, who had tried to ask her mother for her brother’s whereabouts. Ming Lan runs in to protect Rong-jie. Gu Ting Ye follows closely. His body trembles with rage. Ming Lan uses all her force to stop him from beating up Zhu Man Niang. Ming Lan wants him to care for Rong-jie first and leave Zhu Man Niang to her. Only Ming Lan can calm Gu Ting Ye.
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| “One is calm, the other is rash One defends, the other advances When a husband and wife are like so What more is there to wish for?” |
Gu Ting Ye: My wife, as long as we hold hands, we can make it through thickets of thorny shrubs. I really like this line. It’s a reference to his proposal episode. “To marry her, I cut through thistles and thorns” Gu Ting Ye isn’t alone anymore. He found someone to charge through danger with him. Sniffle. Gu Ting Ye needed her!
Gu Ting Ye pulls her in for a strong embrace. I love how he hugged her. He just pulled her in. Ming Lan grunted a little xD.
Over on the other side, Madam Qin is pissed off that Gu Ting Ye hasn’t beaten or killed Zhu Man Niang yet. It seems that with Ming Lan around, Gu Ting Ye will never commit any grave mistakes ever again. I always love Madam Qin’s compliments on the couple, heh.
Madam Qin: One is impulsive, the other is calm. One advances, one defends. If we don’t break them apart, how are we going to kill them thoroughly?
Zhu Man Niang is released from the manor, but Gu Ting Ye has guards to stop her from finding a job, and a place to sleep. With nowhere to go, what will Zhu Man Niang do?
[Ep51] Zhu Man Niang slanders Gu Ting Ye on the streets. This is reported to the Emperor by none other than Qi Heng. Although the Emperor appears upset, he’s on Gu Ting Ye’s side, just a tad annoyed. Then Gu Ting Ye goes to confront Qi Heng, who swears it was all business, nothing private (i.e. Ming Lan). Gu Ting Ye leaves him with anHe also reminds Qi Heng that not everyone will wait for him in the same spot, unmoving.
Shi Tou returns with news of Zhu Man Niang’s whereabouts. She’s at Chang-ge’s grave. Ming Lan thoroughly checks the site as Gu Ting Ye angrily confronts Zhu Man Niang. Then when it’s Gu Ting Ye who's desperately digging through the grave and Zhu Man Niang won’t shut up, it's Ming Lan who runs across the field to slap her in the face. One calm, one rash. When the other is rash, the other is calm. They compliment each other in every way. Gu Ting Ye wallows at his son’s ashes. Ming Lan is there with him.
Chang Bai and Sister-in-law Hai gave birth to a son (Quan-ge). The Sheng sisters are all back to visit. Ming Lan gives a jade as a present. Madam Wang “thanks” her for a (mere) jade when Gu Ting Ye gave Ming Lan all his assets. Ru Lan directs the spite to Mo Lan. Ru Lan goads her that after her concubine’s newborn died (omg), she kindly found her husband more concubines and now Mo Lan is in charge of half a dozen of them. That's something to be proud of! I don’t know if Ru Lan deliberately helped Ming Lan by changing the topic or she just likes provoking Mo Lan, but either way Ru Lan is more mature now! She knows how to manoeuvre around the family. I’m proud of her!
During a meal, Mo Lan asks Father Sheng to hold a ritual for her mother’s death anniversary and to bring her tablet from the farmstead to the ancestral hall. Madam Wang tells her to shut up, but Mo Lan whimpers. She also asks Father Sheng to burn an item for her at the ritual. This sounds very familiar to when Ming Lan asked the same thing for her mother. Father Sheng ignores Mo Lan, but then Liang Han speaks up. Father Sheng begins to nod, and then Ming Lan puts food on his plate, reminding him that her mother is also at the ancestral hall. Liang Han eats up the chance and says the concubines can accompany each other. Ming Lan snickers that it’s best not.
Everyone is silent shock. No one dares to say anything, well, except Mo Lan who reminds everyone that Father Sheng is in charge of Sheng Manor no matter how high of a rank Ming Lan’s husband is. Father Sheng starts to give in, since it’s just a ritual, but Ming Lan places another piece of fish in his bowl. Father Sheng pointedly criticizes Ming Lan for daring to stuff his food with mouth to stop him from talking. Everyone knows how to get Father Sheng to tick. Just mention family reputation, like Mo Lan did, and Father Sheng will rise to the occasion. He doesn’t like it that Ming Lan is overpowering him, which may not have been something he would have noticed if Mo Lan didn’t point it out.
Mo Lan drops to her knees, which prompts Liang Han’s sympathy. He reprimands Ming Lan for overstepping her jurisdiction and making her sister kneel.
Ming Lan throws her chopsticks to the floor. Omo! Firstly, she didn’t tell Mo Lan to kneel; she did it by herself. Secondly, the reason Concubine Lin cannot return is defined by the law. “Since the old days, no murderer is worthy to stand before the dead.” Father Sheng is horrified at her words. Ming Lan, who’s cold and calm, is like You don’t know? Lin Qin Shuang is the murderer of my mother. (Ming Lan doesn't even properly address Concubine Lin now)
Ming Lan: Unless I’m dead, you can forget about ever bringing Lin Qin Shuang’s tablet into Yuqing Monastery.
Ming Lan has a witness and his testimony. If Father Sheng won’t believe her, they can take it to court. Father Sheng slams the table. Ming Lan keeps her head high, not stepping down.
[Ep52] Ming Lan reminds Father Sheng that she asked him to attend her mother’s ritual too, but he refused because it was a hassle. Has he ever thought of how her mother died from difficult labour? How come the doctor only visited her once? How come Lin Qin Shuang sent so many nourishments to her mother? How come the baby was too big? Father Sheng bellows at her to shut up. Is she interrogating her own father right now? Ya.
Ming Lan: You forced me to do it! Lin Qin Shuang indulged her daughter to secretly have an affair, hence the marriage came to fruition. That time you were so mad you teeth were gritted, but now, have you forgotten it all?
Mo Lan cries that there’s no such thing. (Ming Lan is crying too, but she’s standing firm, not pretending to be weak). Ru Lan finally blurts out one line: “Of course there was.”
Father Sheng is about to come down with a slap on Ming Lan’s face, but there’s someone who will save her! Is it Grandma Sheng? No it’s Gu Ting Ye! He loudly shouts to greet his father-in-law. Then softly as ever, he tells Ming Lan that he’s here to bring her home.
Gu Ting Ye (with hands around Ming Lan): But it looks like I came at a bad time. But it also looks like I came at the right time.Madam Wang: I-it’s the right time! I agree, lol.
Gu Ting Ye defends Ming Lan. He disagrees with having Concubine Lin’s tablet appear in Yuqing Monastery. In fact, she should not appear in the genealogy book at all. Nice. He explains that Ming Lan endured all her pain for the sake of her brother’s career, her sisters' reputation and her family’s honour. Since that’s the case, her family cannot be threatening her with her benevolence. Furthermore, Chang Feng cannot have a murderer as his mother. Right, Father Sheng? Right!!
In the carriage, Gu Ting Ye tries to cheer up Ming Lan with food. It’s not working.
Gu Ting Ye: You have always been very calm and steady. I’ve never seen you like this. I love it that when she’s rash, he’s the calm one and vice versa.Ming Lan (grimly jokes): You now realize you’ve fallen into a trap. Hahaha. These two are falling into each other’s traps.Gu Ting Ye (smiles): I love you when you’re gentle. I also love you when you’re domineering and looking like you’d tear everyone's faces including yours (= arguing to the point of no return, dropping all facades). Wait no. I love it more. Thinking about it now, when you were steady and calm it’s because you didn’t really care. but your love for your mother is the deepest.
Gu Ting Ye also learns Ming Lan doesn’t call her mother as “mother” anymore because Concubine Wei wouldn’t allow Ming Lan to overstep their status.
Gu Ting Ye: Move the memorial tablet of mother-in-law to the main hall of Yuqing Monastery. Such a simple and touching response. He called her mother as mother.
Ming Lan smiles brightly at him. Gu Ting Ye permits her to call her mother whenever she wants. I really like the carriage conversation where they both share stories about their mother and their regrets. It’s their tragedy, but also their special bond, a place in their heart that no one else will understand except each other.
Our Ming Lan, who’s so grateful for Gu Ting Ye, then immediately accepts a concubine (Feng Xian) from Aunt Gu. LOL. From Ming Lan’s perspective, she knows Gu Ting Ye has done a lot for her and so she wants to make it easy for him too. When the palace is so complicated, why bother him with family matters too? She has no reason to reject Aunt Gu. (Also Aunt Gu isn’t that bad of a person. She was manipulated by Madam Qin.)
As for Gu Ting Ye, in the time that he was changing his clothes, he’s now got a new concubine. He was already speed walking and still couldn’t beat Ming Lan to stop her from drinking the concubine’s tea.
At night, Gu Ting Ye is trapped in his concubine’s room. He had wanted to make Ming Lan jealous, but she just ditches him there all night. Gu Ting Ye’s anger is at full capacity. He sits upright in a chair, stewing in anger. He’s forgotten Feng Xian is there.
Dan Ju worries for Ming Lan. When she’s pregnant, she’ll have to accept another concubine. Ming Lan is solemn too, but approaches the matter rationally. If he holds another woman in his heart, there’s nothing she can do, which is why she’ll have to guard her heart tightly. I think from Ming Lan’s perspective, she’s scarred by her father that she doesn’t believe in men. She expects Gu Ting Ye to be the same (eventually).
Gu Ting Ye is angrier when Shi Tou brings news that Ming Lan’s lights are out. Like, how dare she sleep! When Shi Tou had asked Xiao Tao for more details, she only talked about food. Gu Ting Ye is fuming. “Eat, eat, eat! How do they look like the madam and the main servant of the house? They're more like sisters.” Angrily, he blows out the candle too. Feng Xian sees hope! Oh, but Gu Ting Ye, but he’s just being petty. If Ming Lan can blow out her candles, then he can too. Smarty Shi Tou spits on the bigger candle and now the room is pitch black. Gu Ting Ye glares at him. LOL. When it’s past midnight, Gu Ting Ye realizes he’s lost the fight. If he doesn’t go back on his own, Ming Lan will never come for him. He goes back. LMAO.
Rewatch: In this episode, Gu Ting Ye saw a side of Ming Lan he never knew. For her mother, someone Ming Lan truly loves, she can lose her composure. This is why in Ep70, Gu Ting Ye was so happy that Ming Lan made a scene for him, he knew her love for him is just as deep if not deeper. (Gu Ting Ye, it’s just another 18 episodes, hang in there!).
[Ep53] Gu Ting Ye grumpily returns to Ming Lan, who’s already peacefully asleep. He glares at her (pft) and then waves his (smelly) sock at her face. Haha. She’s still fast asleep. He gives up and nestles with her, and then finally she giggles in her sleep. Exposing her heart? :D I also like how quietly he grabs his pillow to not disturb her. He’s mad but so in love, haha. In the morning, she’s surprised that she’s snuggling with Gu Ting Ye*. She wants to get up, but Gu Ting Ye wants to laze in bed. He also wants her to tell him if she’s upset about Feng Xian. Ming Lan is not upset, though. She’s very rational. It’s not like before where she had no control of the house. Once things have calmed, she’ll drive Feng Xian away. Gu Ting Ye doesn’t like her explanation. She doesn’t sound like she’s jealous. Ming Lan curiously asks, “Is not being jealous not a good thing?” LOL. Exasperated, Gu Ting Ye is done sleeping. He gets up and rips the blanket from her too. Such a petty move, this guy, lol.
*I have a new understanding of Ming Lan’s reaction here. I always thought she was a little too cold when she saw Gu Ting Ye in bed with her, especially when in the last episode he melted her heart by saving her from her father and calling her mother mother. But now I think it’s precisely because he melted her heart that she’s (unconsciously) guarding her heart.
At breakfast, Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan discuss the merging of the Gu houses (since Gu Ting Yu died, his family + Madam Qin will live with Gu Ting Ye in a separate, but connected yard). A banquet needs to be held. Gu Ting Ye briefs Ming Lan that aristocrats who don’t plan to come will be visiting her in advance to let her know. Ming Lan is surprised, “That early?”
Gu Ting Ye: Even if the furnace is burning, and even if it’s in the summer of June, someone will rush here to get burned (or fan the flame).Ming Lan mutters. She’s afraid this fire will burn too wildly and the furnace will collapse.Gu Ting Ye (perks up): Indeed! This is why you must control the door to the furnace. You can’t just let anyone put in a firewood. Ahem, concubine. And he’s the furnace. LOL. He wants her to guard the door to his home and most importantly his heart. Hahaha. Anytime, anywhere, he’s instilling romance in Ming Lan’s dense brain.
Ming Lan understands. The merging of houses isn’t just family matters, but also political. She doesn’t understand!! She tells him to be careful (of the fire). Gu Ting Ye reminds her that they’re in one furnace together. Ming Lan laughs that she’ll be careful with him then. He’s talking about love and she’s talking about work.
Gu Ting Ye’s second attempt at getting Ming Lan to understand: He explains to her the difference he treats his parents. He loathes his father with passion, but is indifferent to his stepmother despite her wickedness. It’s because she’s an outsider. Gu Ting Ye’s heart doesn’t hurt as much. But for his father, his heart hurts. He was like the sky to him. He respected him and loved him. Ming Lan nods and understands. After all, she is his wife, who doesn’t have the heart of his wife.
Ming Lan (insists): I understand. I towards you is like the earth looking up at the sky and like a star looking at the moon, I respect and love you too.
Gu Ting Ye (is depressed): Let’s just eat.Ming Lan (blankly): Did I say something wrong?Gu Ting Ye (irritatedly): You still haven’t understood it! He wants her to love him as a wife, not out of duty, but from the depth of her heart and definitely not be like a daughter to a father, respecting him.
 |
| Gu Ting Ye: “You still haven’t understood it!” (A direct translation would be “Your aperture hasn’t even opened”, which then makes his action of stuffing a bun in her mouth to open it up much more literal xD) |
Gu Ting Ye wedges the bun in her mouth and leaves in a fury. Ahahaha. Shi Tou was just giving Xiao Tao fried cherries (because he promised to give them to her last night). While Gu Ting Ye is stewing in anger, Ming Lan is happily nibbling at the snacks with her maids. LOL. Cue Gu Ting Ye’s line: “Eat, eat, eat! How do they look like the madam and the main servant of the house? They're more like sisters.” (The dumb and dumber, hahaha)
The banquet.
Ming Lan meets Madam Shen (Qi Heng’s wife) and off the bat, Ming Lan can sense that Madam Shen minds her past relationship with Qi Heng. Ming Lan draws a clear line by identifying them as aunt and niece-in-law. Ming Lan softly squeezes Madam Shen's hand. “If women like us continue to make things difficult for each other [in a society that holds women’s standards ceiling high], then it really is impossible to live our days.”
Although Madam Shen seemed understanding, Ming Lan is still uneasy and meets with Qi Heng. He’s excited to see her and wants her to call him Yuan Ruo. Well, she wants him to call her Second Auntie. Ming Lan shares a story about her mother who she would do anything to bring back. Qi Heng understands. Not so fast, boy, you don’t understand. But nothing can bring her back, and therefore Ming Lan will never turn around. She will always move forward. This is the reason Gu Ting Ye knows Ming Lan won’t turn around. They both lost their mother. There’s no such thing as turning around, and fixing the past.
Elsewhere, Mo Lan slyly informs Shi Tou to inform Gu Ting Ye about Ming Lan’s location. When Gu Ting Ye hears the informant is Mo Lan, he's skeptical, but still, he heads over, and quietly listens in the corner.
Qi Heng tells Ming Lan that he lives in regret everyday. He’s relieved that she doesn’t seem to hate him. Ming Lan assures him that she never hated him. She gets it; fate messed with them. She understands him. Lol. No, she doesn’t, hahahaha. Qi Heng is flustered that she doesn’t hate him when she should. But Ming Lan really doesn’t! She sighs. She must be so annoyed because everyone wants her to be jealous or angry. Hahaha. She wants him to look forward, if not, life will be hard. Qi Heng is agitated and grabs Ming Lan’s shoulders to confront her on whether she loves Gu Ting Ye. Has she cried for Gu Ting Ye? He shakes her shoulders. Ming Lan pushes him away and walks off only to be too angry after a few steps that she turns around to lecture him. She never cried for him (Qi Heng) either. It’s her turn to ask if he actually loved her. If he does, shouldn’t he consider that angering Gu Ting Ye would make her life difficult if Gu Ting Ye was the tyrant that everyone says he is. Is angering Gu Ting Ye for her or for himself? Ming Lan reiterates that everything has ended long ago. It’s only him who is refusing to let go. She walks away, turning her back on him for good. Qi Heng cries.
Gu Ting Ye is still watching. He didn’t interfere.
Ming Lan complains to Xiao Tao that Qi Heng’s temperament is still like a baby. He does anything he wants. “I said I don’t hate him, and yet he got angrier. Could it be that he wants me to hate him?” Xiao Tao recalls that Qi Heng looked pretty sad. Omg, these two sisters. They’re the babies! They have no idea what men want from them, hahaha.
Crafty Madam Qin is foddering her gossips on Ming Lan in front of all the noble ladies. One in particular is unnerved. She is Madam Zhang (wife of Shen Cong Xing; this was the marriage alliance that Shen Cong Xing was depressed about in Ep35). Madam Zhang has family problems of her own, especially with the ostentatious Concubine Zou, who is also Shen Cong Xing’s late wife’s sister. He married his sister-in-law...
[Ep54] Concubine Zou angers Madam Zhang (the legitimate wife) and now the latter is firing insults at the banquet. As the host, Ming Lan tries to settle the quarrel, but Madam Zhang has a mouthful for Ming Lan too and lumps her with Concubine Zou. Madam Zhang has been brainwashed by Madam Qin. She insults them for their poor upbringings and calls them monkeys in robes. In her words: Concubine Zou sold herself to be a concubine to keep her family's powers while Ming Lan is an illegitimate daughter with a good enough fortune to climb the ranks and marry a marquis and yet she's here deceiving everyone and being arrogant and tyrannical, disobedient and unfilial to her mother-in-law.
Nanny Fei (of Madam Zhang) has had enough of Concubine Zou's facade and attacks her. Ming Lan is caught in the brawl. Gu Ting Ye walks in with a mission to pluck his wife from the mess. Then he redirects everyone to the play, saving the party. I love the extra shove he gave Mo Lan.
At night, Gu Ting Ye is angry at Ming Lan, but he expresses it by being reclusive. The next morning, she directly asks if he has anything to say to her. He shoots the same question at her. She knows what he's angry at: her meeting with Qi Heng. But Ming Lan has nothing to explain, she did nothing unfaithful. He knows. He saw everything. He's angry that she told Qi Heng to cherish his wife (Madam Shen), but does Ming Lan cherish her own husband? She got her husband a concubine! Confused, Ming Lan explains that she did it for him. She wanted to minimize the matter so that he’d be at peace.
Gu Ting Ye: You weren't doing it for me. You were doing it for your 官人, your marquis. Have you thought about my feelings? You never did!Ming Lan (is shocked at such an absurd accusation): But aren't you my 官人?!"Gu Ting Ye: But I'm also your 二郎 I'm also Zhoug Huai. Can you think of me a bit more?Ming Lan (eyes wide): You are 二郎 and you are Zhong Huai. So? Heh heh heh xD
Gu Ting Ye throws a fit and throws his hat. There’s nowhere and no one to vent his anger to. He’s not in the mood to go to work anymore.
Ming Lan is summoned by Empress (Shen) who explains her brother's marriage (Shen Cong Xing). Shen Cong Xing's first wife is Concubine Zou’s sister. The rebels thought she was the Empress and beheaded her. She died for the Empress. This throne she sits on was exchanged from her life. Shen family cannot forget Zou family's sacrifice which is why the Emperor allowed Shen Cong Xin to take the sister as his concubine. Shen Cong Xing is also the only one among the Emperor's trusted aides worthy of a marriage alliance with an old aristocratic family’s only daughter (Madam Zhang).
Now Ming Lan understands. Shen Cong Xing is caught in the middle, wanting to please both sides and upsetting both sides. He married Madam Zhang for the sake of the government. He married Concubine Zou to repay their family. Ming Lan volunteers to help the Empress. She will visit Madam Zhang.
However, Madam Zhang ignores Ming Lan. Concubine Zou takes pity and visits Ming Lan, but Ming Lan doesn't want to be associated with her. Ming Lan even lectures Concubine Zou’s conduct. Her arrogance and ostentation has forced Madam Zhang, the legitimate wife, from even stepping out of her own courtyard. If it hadn't been for Gu Ting Ye who personally invited Madam Zhang, she wouldn't have attended the banquet. Madam Zhang is willing to sustain peace and hide in her courtyard, but Concubine Zou propagates disharmony. Ming Lan warns her to not overstep her boundaries. Concubine Zou rolls her eyes and whines that Gu Ting Ye was here to lecture Shen Cong Xing over this matter as well. This surprises Ming Lan. She didn’t know he was here too. Husband and wife thinking alike! One mind, one soul!
Nanny Fei was listening to the conversation and invites Ming Lan to speak with Madam Zhang. She’s resting in bed, dispirited and depressed. She ignored Ming Lan, thinking she was here to laugh at her, but Nanny Fei told her about the exchange she had with Concubine Zou. Madam Zhang mulls that if she had a choice, she wouldn’t be married into this family, locked in this house to suffer in misery.
Ming Lan: Madam, you are born prestigious. Why must you be dispirited and lock yourself in this room while staring listlessly at the clouds move and flowers wither? As we’re living our life, it takes days to know if it’s a bitter or a happy life. You’ve already married into [this family]. Living it bitterly or living it happily [is your choice]. But if you choose to be sad and resent everyday then you really will be trapped in your bitterness. Why don’t you [...] strive and move forward?
Madam Zhang seems motivated and realizes all those rumours about Ming Lan were false.
In the same house, Gu Ting Ye is comforting Shen Cong Xin and telling him to wake up. Don’t fall in that Zou Family hole. They’re not like his first wife who's understanding and kind. Shen Cong Xin doesn’t care. He is willing to fall into that hole. But he also appreciates Madam Zhang’s kind temperament. He tells Gu Ting Ye to cherish Ming Lan who’s so considerate. Dude, worry about yourself. Gu Ting Ye solemnly agrees that his wife is perfect except when it comes to love. She’s like a three-year old child. He’s angry with nowhere to vent his anger.
Empress Dowager receives an update on the Shen Family fiasco. She’s upset that Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye are solving the Emperor’s dilemma.
Empress Dowager (heavy sarcasm): Looks like the two of them (Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye) are the Emperor’s helpers. Prince Huan was really right in making this friend. Buy one get one. Worth!
Polo match.
Ming Lan and Madam Zhang play on the field, bright and cheerful. Shen Cong Xing can’t help but admire Madam Zhang who's shining on the field. Gu Ting Ye joins the match and it’s two (Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye) against one. Madam Zhang is (playfully) angered at the unfairness. Ming Lan smiles like a cute fox. I call her a fox because she and Gu Ting Ye did it on purpose. Shen Cong Xing has an excuse to defend his wife and challenge Gu Ting Ye for Madam Zhang. But Ming Lan volunteers for a 2-player game.
Ming Lan: I’m the person who won him [Gu Ting Ye] twice. General, do you dare take the challenge.Shen Cong Xin: You were able to defeat Zhong Huai?Gu Ting Ye: When she was seven, she beat me in arrow toss. Then during a polo match, she beat me again. Gu Ting Ye, seriously. What to do with my love for this guy? He’s a man of his word! He said he’d lose to her forever, and he always had and always will. He let her win all those times.Sheng Cong Xin: My wife, are you interested in fighting with me?Madam Zhang (declares): Since I’m already here, why won’t I battle? Aww. These were Ming Lan’s words to motivate her. "You’ve already married [...] Why don’t you [...] strive and move forward?"
Sheng Cong Xin: I actually didn’t know that my wife could play polo so well.Madam Zhang (timidly): There’s a lot more, my general, that you don’t know about me.
Dan Ju worries about Gu Ting Ye’s cold mannerism for the past two months. He’s no longer playful. He used to be straightforward whether he’s happy or angry. She asks Ming Lan if she’s worried. Ming Lan pauses. Yes, she’s worried. She feels that the house is empty. It’s no longer lively.
Rewatch: In this episode, Ming Lan lectures Concubine Zou, "In this large world with everything happening, nothing can escape one word: ‘Reason’. In dealing with others, it's better that you don't commit a mistake or get dragged into making a mistake by someone else. It's like abandoning all the pearls and jades and you carelessly followed [...]. In the end, you'll be the one without a mouth to reason with others."
- Foretelling quote! Concubine Zou ends up not having a mouth to argue. I think she got 100 slaps in total. At least 75.
[Ep55] Chang Bai finds Gu Ting Ye who’s hunting in the forest and skipping work. Gu Ting Ye braces for Chang Bai’s scolding, but he’s just idly chatting with him, while inhaling the smell of the roasted rabbit. Gu Ting Ye opens up to his buddy and complains about his heartless sister.
Chang Bai (is listening or not listening): Planted the beans in Nanshan, although the grasses are luscious, the bean sprouts are sparse. Translated to human: Gu Ting Ye planted the seeds, but he didn’t get what he wanted. In other words, Gu Ting Ye got the wife, but not her heart.
Gu Ting Ye shares how Concubine Zou will stare daggers at him because he’s a threat to her relationship with Shen Cong Xing.
Chang Bai (is probably listening): 妾身絲蘿依托喬木* (The concubine is a newlywed relying on the trunk) ≈ the concubine is the parasitic flower, entwined to her husband, the trunk. It’s a diss to Concubine Zou and a compliment to Ming Lan for not being like that.Gu Ting Ye: Others who are 絲蘿** (siluo) are very concerned about their husbands, but your sixth sister is really something! I feel like she produces thickets of 荊棘 (thistles and thorns) instead. If she wasn't, how can she go through thick and thin with you!
*A lot to dissect here. Chang Bai made a reference to the poem《古意》by 李白 (Li Bai). The full line is 君为女蘿草，妾作菟絲花. The husband is the usnea; the wife/concubine is the dodder flower (parasitic). Usnea (女蘿草) and Dodder flowers (菟絲花) grow together, intertwined, with the flower proliferating on the trunk.
**Gu Ting Ye mentions 絲蘿 (siluo) which is condensed from 菟絲花 (F) and 女蘿草 (M). It’s a metaphor for newlyweds in their honeymoon phase. Gu Ting Ye is envious of this. He wants Ming Lan to weave around him just like Concubine Zou to Shen Cong Xing.
Gu Ting Ye grumbles that Ming Lan easily accepted Feng Xian (the concubine).
Chang Bai (is listening): If you want to govern the country, then manage your own household first. Ming Lan is managing the household for Gu Ting Ye to govern the country. Gu Ting Ye, look how understanding Chang Bai is!
Gu Ting Ye gripes that Ming Lan would ask him why he’s angry. How can she not know when she’s so perceptive? He’s certain she wants him to burn in rage.
Chang Bai: The far, far away Altair, the bright, bright Vega, separated by a river, so in love but cannot meet (and speak). (Altair and Vega are stars. There’s a folklore attached to these stars. Altair is the Cowherd, and Vega is the Weaving Maiden. They’re separated forever except on Chinese Valentine’s Day where the Milky Way will create a bridge for the Weaving Maiden to meet her Cowherd).
Gu Ting Ye is fed up with the accurate poems critiquing his relationship. Chang Bai is equally fed up with Gu Ting Ye being so moody. Lol. I’m so impressed with Chang Bai right now, lol.
Chang Bai asks the obvious, why not just tell Ming Lan why he’s upset. Y’know, it's not like they’re the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden. They can talk. Why must he beat around the bush, hiding in the left and dodging on the right? Gu Ting Ye’s eyes widen at the faultless insult, but he is convinced to be honest with Ming Lan tonight. Chang Bai remarks that that’s more like Gu Ting Ye. Gu Ting Ye answers why he’s not like himself:
Gu Ting Ye: With love comes worries – Chang Bai spits his water – With love comes fear.Gu Ting Ye explains that he doesn’t want Ming Lan to follow his orders on how to love him. That would be meaningless.Chang Bai (sighs): In reality, there is no problem, it’s just the silly ones making problems for themselves.
Chang Bai calls him sissy. Gu Ting Ye chuckles. In this entire world, only Chang Bai will call him that and then they enjoy some perfectly roasted rabbit.
An over-analysis! They’re currently roasting a rabbit (兔; tu). Notice how the character is similar to 菟 in 菟絲花, the dodder flower, the “concubine” in the relationship. Gu Ting Ye burning the rabbit and eating it means he’s done with the rabbit, done with wanting Ming Lan to be like the concubine, weaving around him. Moreover, Ming Lan was never a rabbit. She’s his fox (with thistles and thorns) :D.
After the chat with Chang Bai, Gu Ting Ye is all cheered up and speaking with Ming Lan casually. Chang Bai, my man! You da cupid! Ming Lan shares the news that Madam Zhang is pregnant. Ming Lan is so excited, she’s only focused on finding cloth to make clothes for the baby. Or maybe she’s deliberately appearing to be distracted to ignore him. Who told him to be mad at her for no reason xD
Xiao Tao (for once is romantically helpful!) reminds Ming Lan she hasn’t eaten yet. This makes Gu Ting Ye worried. Shi Tou (is smart too!) chirps in that Gu Ting Ye barely ate as well, which is why he bought some pig's trotters*. The maids quickly set up the food. Ming Lan, feeling awkward, opts for her pastries. Xiao Tao quickly lies that those are burnt and steals them from Ming Lan. Smiling, Gu Ting Ye takes Ming Lan’s hand and leads her to bed (where the food is).
*A note on pig's trotters: Gu Ting Ye brought pig's trotters to make up with Ming Lan. From Ep44, he knows she likes it. :)
Gu Ting Ye: Someone else is having a child, so why are you so happy? Once you’re pregnant, you’ll be much happier.Ming Lan (looks away but smiles): How is it your business if I have a child or not? Aw! I find it so cute how Ming Lan is actually a little angry at Gu Ting Ye and showing it. The old her wouldn’t do that. She wants him to coax her.Gu Ting Ye (sits closer and hugs her): It’s not my business? Why am I sitting here then?He smooches herMing Lan: To eat pig's trotters ya~Gu Ting Ye: Who cares about pig’s trotters.They fall back onto the bed... Yay! Our couple is back ~
Meanwhile Xiao Tao and Shi Tou are outside enjoying non-burnt pastries together.
Ming Lan’s friendship with Madam Zhang has quieted the malicious rumours about Ming Lan. Madam Qin has her toe stubbed. All her schemes have failed, and Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye are highly favoured in the capital.
Madam Qin: What’s formidable about this couple is that they are of one heart, relying and trusting on each other. No matter how much we torment them, they are strong like iron. Our greatest problem is that none of our tactics can weaken their foundation. [... ] But there’s no couple in this world who is truly of one body. Husbands think they control everything and hence they become unfaithful. They can’t blame a woman for seeking survival and undermining their husband. All couples are like that. As for them, who are they to think that they can be any different?
Madam Qin will wait until this couple falls apart. Keep waiting.
Prince Huan informs the Emperor that Shen Cong Xing is back sleeping with Madam Zhang (who’s pregnant) instead of Concubine Zou. Hurrah! Lol aren’t they all being way too intrusive in someone else’s family, hahaha. It’s all thanks to Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan. The Emperor chuckles in delight.
Emperor: I was puzzled why Gu Ting Ye was so deeply in love with an illegitimate daughter. It turns out the two of them are evenly matched. Both aren’t simple. I am loving the compliments to our couple!
The Empress compliments that it’s the Emperor’s credit since Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan are loyal to him. The Emperor snickers that it isn’t him that they’re loyal to. It’s Prince Huan. Uh oh. Prince Huan is down on his knees, asking to be forgiven. A sus eunuch is eavesdropping on the royal family.
Gu Ting Ye changes the conversation and asks Ming Lan if she was in the same situation as Madam Zhang, how would she overcome the heartbreak? Ming Lan is unhappy about the question, but answers that she’ll just endure it. The pain will eventually pass. Gu Ting Ye pesters her (for a more satisfying answer). Ming Lan grows grumpier at each question. She doesn’t know what she’ll do, but she knows she can’t commit suicide. Gu Ting Ye is like Really? Ming Lan is offended. His reaction is like he wants her to die over her heartbreak, lol. She holds her tongue and walks away, but her anger doesn’t subside. She stomps back to scold him. If he stops loving her, what can she do? Hold a knife to both their necks? Gu Ting Ye thinks she’s avoiding the question and finding herself a backup plan. Ming Lan thinks he’s drunk. He’s making no sense.
The questionably sober Gu Ting Ye asks Ming Lan if she was given a chance to choose, would she still marry him. Will she choose Qi Heng instead? Ming Lan is furious. He of all people knows she never overstepped her boundaries with Qi Heng. If her relationship with Qi Heng bothers him so much, then why marry her in the first place?
Gu Ting Ye: I know! But isn’t a man’s heart always in discontent like a snake wanting to swallow an elephant?
The (drunk) interrogation continues. For whose sake did she warn Qi Heng for? That advice she gave him at the bridge sounded more like she was worried for Qi Heng than himself (Gu Ting Ye). Ming Lan is furious. The same advice won’t work on him anyway. Even if he was careful with his speech, the Empress Dowager won’t believe it.
Gu Ting Ye: Right now, do you particularly hate me? Do you hate me for going around in such a huge circle to marry you? I really want you to hate me but I’m also very afraid of you hating me. (Lol)Ming Lan: You’re drunk!Gu Ting Ye (in a booming voice): I’m not drunk – walks a bit more – I am drunk! I was drunk a long time ago. When I saved you from drowning, I think I was already drunk. Drunk with uncontrollable love, lol. I know about your past with Qi Family. I know about your past with He Family.Ming Lan (hits him): What do you even know!Gu Ting Ye (not drunk? lol): I just want you to love me a bit. What don’t you care about me!
Gu Ting Ye is yelling his love for her and hugging her. Ming Lan is laughing, but still very mad. I hope you guys pick it up by now that this whole scene was done with minimal takes and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of adlib between the two. The servants rush forward to stop Gu Ting Ye from harassing his wife, lol. But Gu Ting Ye chases her to the carriage. Ming Lan orders the servants to pull him away. Then the grumpy Gu Ting Ye declares he’s not getting on the carriage with her. Ming Lan doesn’t care and shouts from inside, “Go back to the manor!” Gu Ting Ye spits, “Go back to the manor.” And so he walks his way home and she rides his way home.
The next day, Feng Xian reports to Madam Qin that Gu Ting Ye slept in the study room. Madam Qin is delighted at the news. But there's really nothing to be delighted about. Gu Ting Ye is very in love with Ming Lan and is anxious to hear that a physician is visiting the house. Apparently, Ming Lan is sick. The maids tell him that Ming Lan has a lack of appetite. Hmmm. What female condition will make a newlywed loose appetite??
Ming Lan is in her room. She has planned Dan Ju’s wedding with her distant cousin. Dan Ju doesn’t want to marry. She wants to stay at Ming Lan’s side forever. She changes the topic to the physician who was here. Ming Lan doesn’t let her change the conversation. Plus she doesn’t need a physician to tell her of her condition. Ming Lan promises to give Dan Ju a gracious dowry to marry her off well. She knows Dan Ju likes this distant cousin. Dan Ju cries that she’ll miss Ming Lan.
Court matters. Prime Minister Han lobbies for a conferred title to the Emperor’s parents. However this will conflict with the status of the previous Emperor. Qi Heng suggests calling the father “Royal Uncle”. Now what kind of stupid law makes the Emperor call his father an uncle? Gu Ting Ye is vocal in supporting the Emperor and PM Han. The Empress Dowager is angered and orders 20 floggings for Gu Ting Ye.
Rewatch: Is “pig's trotters' night” the night Tuan-ge was conceived? xD
[Ep56] Gu Ting Ye’s punishment isn't in vain! He’s delighted that Ming Lan is concerned for him. This guy. Anything for some love. She’s fanning his butt (back?) and he’s enjoying the love. He starts whining about the other parts of his body that’s chilly just to make her fret some more. But Ming Lan is seriously worried, and equally annoyed. She leaves to fetch ice. Gu Ting Ye jolts forward to grab her hand. The sudden movement makes him flinch in pain, but anything to make Ming Lan stay is worth it.
It’s night. After excessive groaning from Gu Ting Ye, Ming Lan feeds him his dinner the way he likes it. She’s distracted with her thoughts. This punishment doesn’t seem all that bad. Gu Ting Ye is shocked. He can’t even lie down properly. Excuse me!? Your husband is beat up like this and you think this is good? Ming Lan gives an example of her father. When they first moved to the capital, he was unhappy with his low post, Grandma Sheng thought that with the crown prince being such a hot topic, it wasn’t so bad. They could assess the situation before joining sides. Ming Lan believes the Emperor is thinking along those lines. Gu Ting Ye smirks for real this time. Deep from his heart, he’s profoundly impressed by his wife’s perceptiveness. She can be an aide of the top officials. Basically him, lol. She’s still speaking, but he’s puckering his lips for more food. Lol. Feng Shao Feng and his adlibs! She thinks their situation is like sitting among thorns on a cloudy day. Dangerous and dark with a future that’s hazy. Gu Ting Ye whispers quietly to ask if she’s afraid. I like how quiet he is in asking, as if afraid of her answer. With his messy family, and now politics, he hasn’t given her a day of peace. He shouldn’t have gone through such a big circle to trap her into marrying him. If she married into He Family, then she could live a more comfortable and happier life. (I also like how Ming Lan starts eating his porridge. There’s such an ease to their acting)
Gu Ting Ye (holds her hand): I’m very happy that you came to visit me (tonight). Oh? Isn’t he the man whose heart is like a snake, wanting to engulf an elephant?Ming Lan: I think I’ve done wrong too but I just don’t understand.Gu Ting Ye: What wrong have you done in not understanding what I’m thinking?Ming Lan: Then...then tell me what your ideal “Big Madam” is. I’m willing to follow your wishes.Gu Ting Ye (reasons with her): You’re not even jealous of me having a concubine! Even if you want to pretend, you can’t pretend that!Ming Lan (stares blankly): But...you don’t even care about Feng Xian. [...] Why must I be jealous of her?Gu Ting Ye (was disappointed but then slyly asks): So if I care about her, then you would be jealous?
Ming Lan sits down and crosses her leg. Her voice is stern. She doesn’t understand. Doesn’t it annoy the husband when the backcourt is filled with jealousy? Gu Ting Ye’s pain aggravates – the emotional kind. He props himself higher up on the table, but his elbow slips and he almost loses balance. Ming Lan quickly catches his hand, going “aiyo” with him.
Gu Ting Ye: If I’m in pain, you’re also in pain, then that’s right.Ming Lan (laughs): I am in pain (with you).Gu Ting Ye: You’re not in enough pain! Pft.
At the palace, Prime Minister Han gets a written decree from the Empress Dowager to approve of the conferred title for the Emperor’s birth parents. He submits it in court. Qi Heng is in disbelief at the Empress's approval.
Back at home, Gu Ting Ye is comfortably lying on his belly. He mumbles that ‘Royal Father’ and posthumous entitlement is all a pretext. As long as everyone retreats one step, then all will be peaceful. Ming Lan worries that Empress Dowager won’t take a step back. She asks Gu Ting Ye if anything bad will happen to him. Gu Ting Ye curiously asks, “Are you worried about me?” Of course! She couldn’t sleep well at all last night. Music to his ears! She wants him to move back into their main room.
Gu Ting Ye (probes some more): Are you worried about your marquis husband or are you worried about Gu Ting Ye. Omg, lol.
Ming Lan still doesn’t understand the difference. She really doesn’t get it.
Gu Ting Ye (agitated): You are a woman with a heart made of iron and stone!
Ming Lan meekly apologizes (clearly insincerely). Then she asks him if he’ll come back to sleep.
Gu Ting Ye: I’m not going! It’s too cold and icy sleeping by your side.
Annoyed, Ming Lan packs up to leave. “Then don’t come back!” But Gu Ting Ye tugs her dress to make her stay and listen. Shen Cong Xing and PM Han will be visiting (disguised as servants) to discuss court matters with him. It’s more convenient in the study room. Ming Lan eagerly volunteers to bring fruit and tea. Now he’s upset again and is like Do whatever you want. Lol. What isa girl to do when your husband is so moody, hahaha. Ming Lan says she will but it’s definitely not for him. It’s hospitality. Lol.
Over at the next courtyard, Madam Qin giggles that the couple still aren’t sleeping in the same room. The couple is doomed! She also enjoys how none of the Yuzhou gang is visiting him. Madam Qin is so so wrong. I love it.
Qi Heng is manipulated by Empress Dowager and entangles himself in the fiasco. He’s convinced that PM Han drugged the Empress Dowager into writing the written decree. The next day, during court, he submits the evidence against PM Han. The Empress Dowager is summoned to testify. She remains elusive, implying that PM Han did drug her. Shen Cong Xing’s forehead creases. They fell in the trap!
Rewatch:
- The grand scheme of the Emperor and Gu Ting Ye’s begins here! This is why Gu Ting complimented Ming Lan, his beautiful tigress tactician. They are laying low, and if their enemies choose to attack, then they will rise up to conquer them.
[Ep57] Qi Heng pressures the Emperor to either punish the crafty ministers (e.g. PM Han) for drugging the Empress Dowager or demote him (Qi Heng). The Emperor is forced to choose sides, and so Qi Heng and his supporters are demoted.
Late at night, Ming Lan checks on Gu Ting Ye while he’s sleeping in the study room. She softly touches his forehead to check his temperature.
The next morning, Gu Ting Ye is good enough to walk, but with an awkward gait. Instead of his usual horse, Gu Ting Ye has to take the carriage to the palace. Inside, he finds a pillow seat with a plum flower sewed on it. Gu Ting Ye yells at Shi Tou for giving him something so girly. Shi Tou says it's sewed by Xiao Tao (hence the plum). Then Gu Ting Ye pops out of the curtain and asks who ordered Xiao Tao to sew it. Shi Tou doesn’t know. Gu Ting Ye does. He cheerfully whispers to Shi Tou it’s from his wife. He giddily snatches the pillow back.
When Gu Ting Ye is back from the palace, he shares updates with Ming Lan. It’s all about Qi Heng and how powerful his family is to recover his position. Oh and there’s his virtuous wife, Madam Shen. Ming Lan tries her best to look busy dusting his robes, but she keeps dropping them, and struggling to hang them back up again. Obviously, Ming Lan is very annoyed. In a controlled tone, she adds that she’s praised too, for being honest, sincere, compassionate, and generous. Gu Ting Ye retorts that her reputation was bought by his money. Hahahaha. So pettish. Piqued, Ming Lan has had enough.
Ming Lan (scolds): Then why did you marry me? From day to night, you’ve been acting weird. You knew from the start. You didn’t have to marry me. Always having crazy fits every day. LOL.Gu Ting Ye is so happy to see his wife angry that he drags her back and compliments her.Gu Ting Ye (holding her hand): This is good! You’re not pretending. You’re not 賢慧 (xian hui)! I can’t find one word to translate xianhui. I think it’s best to understand it in the Chinese context where it is one term that encompasses the qualities of a caring wife (in those times), understanding, demure, wise, etc.Ming Lan: I’m not xianhui?! – In a tone of disbelief – I’m not xianhui?Gu Ting Ye (laughs and confirms): Not xianhui!Ming Lan: My marquis, are you muddled from drinking liquor?Gu Ting Ye: It’s you who are muddled. You have never been sober! Hahahaha. I really love you being like this. I must imprint your expression in my heart to always remember it.
The next day at the palace, Shen Cong Xing is accused of misusing his powers (because of his Zou in-laws). Things are looking grim for Shen Cong Xing but Gu Ting Ye is calm. The rest of the Yuzhou boys cheer up Shen Cong Xing by taking him to the brothels and dragging an unwilling Gu Ting Ye.
Gu Ting Ye chats with Courtesan Wei. He wants advice. He starts with his story that there is a wife who is clever and capable and she has a husband who finds her interesting in every way possible. Aww. This wife is very gentle and submissive. Towards her husband, she is docile and obedient. But that husband just isn’t happy. The courtesan replies that he must find her boring.
Gu Ting Ye (denies on instinct): She’s very interesting! [For example] when she ate half a pig's trotter all by herself [...] That moment I was even happier than celebrating the new year. She was genuinely happy. She didn’t think about it, she just did it. Everything was from her heart.Ming Lan: It seems your wife is also a person without pretences.Gu Ting Ye: No pretences? (There goes his cover) She’s always covering up. No matter what I say, she nods. No matter what I do, she supports. I really don't know if she’s helping me or helping her marquis husband (官人).
The courtesan laughs at him. Gu Ting Ye is just like his wife. No pretences. Can’t hide anything, ha. Only when it comes to love! The moment he spoke, he already blew his cover. Shen Cong Xing joins the chat and critiques him for making trouble out of nothing. Gu Ting Ye’s house is the most peaceful and his wife is the most xianhui.
Gu Ting Ye: I don’t need a xianhui wife. I need a real person!Shen Cong Xing: Are you looking for a deity-like immortal?
The boys continue to drink that night. Even drunk, Gu Ting Ye’s heart is consumed by Sheng Ming Lan. But rumours in the capital have it that Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye are sleeping separately and still fighting. A town full of rumourmongers. No one knows they made up. Madam Zhang worries for Ming Lan because the malicious rumours are rather strategic.
It’s not just Gu Ting Ye and Shen Cong Xing who are targeted. Xiao Duan (Yuzhou boys) is now accused of rape.
Other happenings: Ming Lan teaches the girls (Rong-jie and Xian-jie) house management. In their practice ledgers, Rong-jie notices servants were stealing money. Xian-jie thinks that it’s best to not be overly strict when it’s just small amounts of silver. Xian-jie also heard there was a flood in recent years so the servants may not have lied that prices for provisions have increased. This is a nested story to explain the Emperor restoring Qi Heng’s position. The Emperor knows he meant well and that he’s just led astray by the Empress Dowager. The Emperor won’t be too strict on him, especially when Qi Heng was truthful and meant well.
[Ep58] With scandals coming in waves, targeted at the Yuzhou boys (Shen Cong Xing and Xiao Duan), Prince Huan and Chang Bai are left with no one but Gu Ting Ye for the investigation on the salt taxation. Ming Lan knew he wanted to volunteer. She’s been silent as he explains all the reasons he has to go. She gets up to look for something, but he pulls her down on his lap to hug her.
Gu Ting Ye: I just can’t bear to leave you. When you’re with me, I already feel that I’m so far from you(r heart). When I’m gone, away from you, you’ll be even farther from me.Ming Lan: It’s just you imagining things. I’m right here, aren’t I?
Ming Lan gets up, but he doesn’t release her. He hugs her around her waist, calling her a heartless little woman as he clenches tighter around her waist. Ming Lan squirms in his embrace and says it’s painful. Gu Ting Ye is being childish and hugs her tighter. He says if she’s not feeling pain, she won’t remember him. He said this before: “If I’m in pain, you’re also in pain, then that’s right.” He’s in pain right now for leaving her and so he wants her in pain, hahaha. Silly man. Finally, Ming Lan blurts out that she’s pregnant. He’s exuberant. He spins her round and round in his arms in the middle of the courtyard. And then finally he really registers the pregnancy and becomes a worry-freak. He apologizes for being impulsive and aggressively whirling her around. He gently puts her back in bed, like she’s glass, and freaks out at anything that can potentially harm her, like the bed frame.
Xiao Tao: The lord is so happy, he’s become foolish.
Ah, but now Gu Ting Ye has calmed down. He’s about to leave the capital. He worries about leaving Ming Lan alone. He will leave his troop with her and have Nanny Chang return to take care of her.
Ming Lan (in a light tone): I’m assuming you won’t be mad at me again.Gu Ting Ye (sighs and smiles): When it comes to you, I’m out of methods. What do I do with you? Awww.
The next night, Gu Ting Ye leaves the capital. Ming Lan watches from afar. Her eyes are glossy. Her tears fall.
After Gu Ting Ye’s departure, Ming Lan has been frequently summoned over to Madam Qin’s courtyard to meet her Aunt Kang (Madam Wang’s elder sister = Ming Lan’s aunt). These two are always finding excuses to bring Ming Lan over to lecture her. Even when Ming Lan is puking, she’s forced to attend.
Nanny Chang is here to save Ming Lan! She visits Aunt Kang on behalf of Ming Lan.
Aunt Kang: Just because she’s (Ming Lan) got merchandise in her womb, she strikes up a pose and disrespects her elders.Nanny Chang: Pei (a spitting sound). Are you considered an elder? The sage had said “Mother be kind; Child be filial”. It means the mother needs to be kind for the child to be filial. What thing are you? We are respectful to you because you’re related to our Big Madam (Ming Lan), but here you are thinking you’re actually some sort of dish? Your Kang Family is merely a sister-in-law of the Sheng’s. To our Gu Family, you are many loops away and yet you are here claiming to be an elder? [...] Even the maiden home’s legitimate mother and grandmother don’t come to bother her. But come now, we have a dog face and dog mouth aunt from nowhere visiting every two to three days to act superior. Pei! If something happens to our Marquis’s offspring, can those bones of yours weighing only a couple of taels pay for it?
Madam Qin orders Nanny Chang to be dragged out. But hold up. No need!
Nanny Chang: I’ll walk myself out. What thing does she (Aunt Kang) think she is? Did someone in the family die? No one rushes to a funeral this diligently. And she’s a miss from Wang House, the daughter-in-law of Kang? She doesn’t look any bit like a lady of a large house. Running here every two out of three days to stir trouble.
Exasperated, Aunt Kang orders Nanny Chang to be dragged out this instant. But hold up. No need! Nanny Chang runs back to spit at her.
Nanny Chang: Pei! What thing are you? You think this is your Kang House. Open your eyes and look. This is our Gu House. [...] Ask anyone out there. Which proper house would order a pregnant woman whose pregnancy isn’t even stable yet to come back and forth? Well there is certainly someone who would take advantage of another's weakness. But there’s all sorts of shameless acts! Some pretend to be dumb and dazed. The last two sentences are directed at Madam Qin, hahahah. Awesome!
Aunt Kang is so angry, she’s short of breath. Haha. She tries to chase after Nanny Chang but trips and falls to the ground
At the palace, Consort Liu is feeding the Emperor rumours of an alliance between Prince Huan, Chang Bai, and Gu Ting Ye. (Consort Liu is team Empress Dowager).
At Ming Lan’s home, she’s tutoring Rong-jie and and Xian-jie on how to housekeep. They studied an old ledger and found that a steward who was earnest in the beginning began embezzling money. Indeed, money does make one greedy. The girls agree that it’s not entirely the steward’s fault. The family left a small crack for people to be greedy. Ming Lan is very proud of the girls’ insight. She believes they can survive anything with this knowledge. The greedy steward = Consort Liu?
The next day, Kang Zhao’er visits Ming Lan to apologize for Aunt Kang. She’s the illegitimate daughter of Kang House. Ming Lan sympathizes with her and agrees to tea time at Madam Qin’s yard where Aunt Kang is waiting to prey on Ming Lan.
[Ep59] Ming Lan joins the lunch with Madam Qin and Aunt Kang who then force Ming Lan to take Kang Zhao’er as a concubine. Buy one get one. Have lunch and get a free concubine. In front of all the Gu relatives, Ming Lan asks for justice.
Ming Lan (feeling wronged): To be honest, if not because I’m respecting mother-in-law, this aunt of mine, just looking at her, I’m disgusted. LOL.
She recounts the number of lives Aunt Kang has killed, either poisoned or beaten to death. Sheng Manor had covered up for Aunt Kang multiple times already. It can’t be helped since Madam Wang is related to Aunt Kang. But Ming Lan isn’t and so there's no way Ming Lan will bring in a concubine from Aunt Kang’s house. Ming Lan, our sheep, can’t watch her family be ruined by Aunt Kang who's like a parasite, sucking onto them. Aunt Kang leaves in fury, but she also leaves behind Kang Zhao'er
Kang Zhao’er begs Ming Lan (and calls her “cousin”) to take her in. Ming Lan is exasperated and orders her to be removed from the house. Kang Zhao’er takes a knife and stabs her own neck. If she can’t stay, then she’ll die in Gu Manor. Ming Lan panics. She also can’t let Kang Zhao’er die in her residence. Gu Ting Ye already has enough problems in the palace. She can’t add more. Ming Lan considers taking in the concubine.
Back to business! Grandma Sheng summons Kang Zhao’er who finally reveals her true motive. Kang Zhao’er is threatened by Aunt Kang (with the life of her mother and sister) to die as a concubine and make sure to leave scars on her body. Then Aunt Kang can sue Ming Lan. Gu Ting Ye won’t be able to protect her and it will damage his reputation too. Ming Lan is utterly shocked. She couldn't fathom such a sinister and elaborate scheme.
After Ming Lan recuperates from the shock, Ming Lan gives Kang Zhao'er two options: 1) be a concubine (and don’t die), or 2) accept another marriage in Youyang. Ming Lan will help her leave secretly. With Sheng Manor protecting her, no one would dare bully her. It won’t be a wealthy future, but it will be a safe one. As for her parents, once the marriage is settled, Sheng Family will speak to her father, Uncle Kang. Afterwards, Aunt Kang cannot recklessly kill her mother and sister. Kang Zhao’er immediately takes the second option. She cries that she won’t be a concubine. Her mother had told her no one is born lowly. She cries in Ming Lan’s arms.
Grandma Sheng returns home to chastise Madam Wang and Father Sheng, but neither of them truly care about Ming Lan. Madam Wang complains it’s too late at night to demand an apology from Aunt Kang. Father Sheng also complains that it’s too late to pay a visit to Uncle Kang. They have to be yelled at by Grandma Sheng to get their butts moving.
Other happenings: When Madam Qin thought Ming Lan accepted Kang Zhao’er, she was reading a book on Li Houzhu (Li Yu) who was poisoned to death by his brother, Taizong. Another nested meaning? She’s waiting for Kang Zhao’er to become a concubine, therefore, a sister to Ming Lan, and then indirectly kill Ming Lan, like what the brothers did to each other.
Rewatch:
- [Ep67 Spoiler] In this episode, Madam Qin tells Aunt Kang: “That little brat (Ming Lan) is his favourite, the innermost tip of his heart. If you harm her, that one from our house (Gu Ting Ye) will turn wild and kill you.” Confirmed!
Madam Qin recalls a Maitreya painting that Father Gu always prayed to. Everyone thought he wished for family glory, but the painting is a ‘future bodhisattva’. His wish was to meet his first wife in his next life. Gu Ting Ye took after his father. So devoted.
Madam Qin: The old marquis knew that my big sister wasn’t actually a great wife [...] but he only loved her. No matter how great or how xianhui the others are, no one can compare to her. The Old Marquis really loved my sister. After she died, he was an empty shell. These days, the relationship between Er Lang and his wife has that same passion. He’s exactly like his father. One and the same. Innately obstinate.
Madam Qin knows the way to cripple Gu Ting Ye: kill Ming Lan.
Madam Qin (who’s hysterical): The husband who longs for his deceased wife, who then has a new wife, who then can never grasp her husband’s heart. It will be impossible for this family to be harmonious! Even if her child doesn’t die, then he will be stuck with a stepmother. This will also be a great show to watch! This is her wish for Gu Ting Ye, and it is also her life with Father Gu. She’s the new wife who never grasped her husband’s heart. She’s the stepmother who’s stuck with sons who aren’t hers. She’s in a family that was never harmonious.
Uncle Kang learns Aunt Kang sold his daughter and he’s the last to know. Dude, that’s partially your incompetency. He chastises Aunt Kang, who has yet to learn that Kang Zhao’er isn’t a concubine of Gu Ting Ye’s. I like the lines he throws at her:
偷雞不成蝕把米 = You tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice used to lure it = tried to gain advantage only to end up worse off.沒吃到羊肉反惹一身羊臊 = You haven’t even tasted the lamb but ended up with a stench of lamb urine, pft.
Madam Zhang is giving birth! It’s premature because Concubine Zou “accidentally” bumped into her. Ming Lan calms Nanny Fan that they can’t lose their footing or Madam Zhang will have no one to depend on. Ming Lan is too experienced in this. It’s unfortunate that she is, but because she is, she can protect Madam Zhang. Ming Lan is no longer the naive 7-year old. Ming Lan checks if the midwives and doctors are in attendance. Nanny Fan assures her there’s two midwives and Physician Zhao is on his way.
Ming Lan sends orders to notify Shen Cong Xing, and the Duke and Duchess of Ying (Madam Zhang's parents). This is against Madam Zhang’s wishes, but Ming Lan assures Nanny Fan that if Madam Zhang is angry, she’ll take the brunt of the blame.
Then Ming Lan summons Physician Zhao, but he’s captured by Concubine Zou and her family. Ming Lan, our pregnant mother whose belly is so full, takes a sword and marches forward to Concubine Zou’s courtyard. She puts the sword to Concubine Zou’s neck while the servants free Physician Zhao. Ming Lan waits until all the servants are safely out to remove the sword. Brother Zou chases after Ming Lan who then swipes the sword at him, slashing his upper arm.
Ming Lan (admonish): I’ve seen this trick when I was still a child, but I’m not a child anymore! I love how the introductory episodes built up to this pinnacle moment. Don’t you anyone mess with Ming Lan!!
Madam Zhang is still in labour, but now Physician Zhao and Duchess of Ying are here. The storm is momentarily over, but the Duchess of Ying is showering a tirade at Shen Cong Xing (rightfully). Ming Lan sits outside and until she feels Shen Cong Xing has been reprimanded enough, she enters to save him. If Shen Cong Xing wasn’t Gu Ting Ye’s friend, I feel like Ming Lan wouldn’t even bother, lol.
The same night, the Duke of Ying makes his demand: either Shen Cong Xing expels Concubine Zou or he writes an amicable separation letter for Madam Zhang. Shen Cong Xing can’t do either. He doesn’t want to be separated from Madam Zhang but he can’t banish Concubine Zou. Useless guy. What to do with him. Even after this, he wants to forgive concubine Zou? Nanny Fan curtly reports that the carriage is ready. It’s sealed tightly so that Madam Zhang won’t suffer from the cold. The Duke and Duchess of Ying are leaving with Madam Zhang. They rather leave and risk being in the cold than deal with a man who can’t take a stance on what’s right and wrong. Madam Zhang’s body is covered from head to toe to keep her warm. She doesn’t speak to Shen Cong Xing. Not a word.
[Ep61] Empress Dowager punishes Concubine Zou with 50 face slaps. She hasn’t even endured half, and her face is red and bruised. Ming Lan had warned her that she wouldn’t have a mouth to speak with if she persisted with her ostentation. Shen Cong Xing begs the eunuch to stop slapping, but he accidentally knocks him down. Perfect. This was the Empress Dowager’s trap. Hindering the execution of the law is another demerit under Shen Cong Xing’s name. Empress Dowager is crippling the Emperor’s support.
Once Ming Lan hears that the Empress Dowager has overstepped into Concubine Zou’s discipline, Ming Lan makes a u-turn and heads to the Empress. When Ming Lan arrives, there’s already a few noble ladies in attendance discussing Shen Manor. All the ladies have their views, some take her side, some don’t. Only Ming Lan is silent. The Empress disperses everyone, but Ming Lan.
The Empress tells Ming Lan that she wanted to summon her privately, but now that she’s here, she wants her opinion. The chat starts small as they talk about Gu Ting Ye’s trip to the south. There were already two plots of assassination but thanks to Gu Ting Ye, everyone is safe. This is news to Ming Lan!! She can’t control her shock. Ming Lan stutters and takes deep breaths to calm herself. The Empress is awkward. Oops. Lol.
The conversation enters the main course. Ming Lan apologizes beforehand. Her words may offend the imperial family. Ming Lan starts with two stories. 1) The first is of Cao Cao, a general, who ordered all his soldiers to be punished if their horses stepped on the peasant’s farmland. However, when his own horse did that, the landlord dare not punish him. But Cao Cao punished himself by shaving his head. 2) The second story is about a spoiled princess causing problems for her married family. The Emperor punished the princess (his own daughter) and earned the loyalty of his in-laws. In simple words, Ming Lan’s advice is to prevent the small ripples from turning into big waves, especially in these dangerous times. Be the example and lead the nation.
Afterwards, Ming Lan visits Grandma Sheng who’s impressed with Ming Lan. Who would have thought the little Ming Lan would be here discussing politics with her. If Ming Lan was a boy, she wouldn’t be inferior to Father Sheng or Chang Bai. Ming Lan teases her grandmother that she’s actually praising herself because Grandma Sheng raised her. “I’ve never heard anyone praising themselves in such a cheesy manner like you.” Grandma Sheng is cackling. So cute. These two <3
After a sleepless night, the Empress plucks a pearl from her crown. Everyone is shocked and drops to their knees. The pearl is to be delivered to Madam Zhang’s family. It’s her apology on behalf of Shen Cong Xing for favouring Concubine Zou. The Empress is owning up to her faults. (Story #1: Cao Cao shaved his head; the Empress plucked her pearl. She’s owning up to her mistake.) Then she dons a simple white robe. With no makeup, no ornaments, and no accessories, she visits the Emperor to apologize. The Emperor joins her in visiting the Empress Dowager and they both apologize to her. With the Emperor and Empress on the floor, bowing like that, the Empress Dowager is forced to forgive them.
The Empress Dowager is grimly impressed. The Empress dropped her pride. It can’t be any lower than that. The Empress Dowager can no longer punish Shen Cong Xing. She wonders who could have been the Empress’s tactician. Ming Lan!
The punishments fall on the House of Shen (Story #2. Punish the ones in the wrong even if they are family): Shen Cong Xin with 20 floggings and a year without salary; Concubine Zou with 50 slaps, (lol, her face is still bruised) and imprisonment at a farmstead. The rest of her family is also severely punished.
The Duke and Duchess of Ying assure Madam Zhang that if she doesn’t want to return, she doesn’t have to. They can send her to the temples for a few years. Once the matter passes, they can be reunited again. But that is running away. “Why can’t I charge out, and fight my way to conquer a land for my existence?” Madam Zhang won’t hide from her problems. She returns to Shen Manor.
Sister Shen is upset that Concubine Zou is forced to leave. She takes it out on her brother, but Shen Cong Xing flings her away. Ming Lan is caught in the siblings’ confrontation and she’s forced to speak.
Ming Lan: General (Shen Cong Xing), loving someone too much to the point of indulgence will invite a deadly disaster. You committed a mistake from the start. Ming Lan sees her father in Shen Cong Xing. The way he indulged Concubine Zou, is the way Father Sheng indulged Concubine Lin, which led to the death of her mother. Madam Zhang was almost another Concubine Wei (Ming Lan’s mother).
Ming Lan reprimands Shen Cong Xing that if he wanted to repay Zou Family, he should have treated Concubine Zou as a sister, and not marry her. He should have found an appropriate suitor. This is He Family’s problem that Ming Lan avoided! If Ming Lan had married He Hong Wen, then she’d be like Madam Zhang.
One wave barely ceased, and here comes another one. Ming Lan receives news that Grandma Sheng is dying! Physician Zhao examines Grandma Sheng. He’s elusive about her condition, and Ming Lan can tell that he’s hiding something.
Rewatch:
- I just wanted to say that Gu Ting Ye didn’t tell Ming Lan about his assassinations so why can’t he understand her for not telling him about Grandma Sheng’s poisoning (in Ep65)? But I love that scene a lot so I’m not really complaining, lol.
[Ep62] Ming Lan discreetly sends everyone away to confirm with Physician Zhao whether poison is suspected. He nods. Ming Lan – whose belly is still so full!!! – breathes deeply and unevenly. A maid recounts Grandma Sheng’s food history. The culprit can only be Madam Wang! Fortunately, Grandma Sheng only took a small bite. Physician Zhao isn’t confident he can cure her especially with her age, but he will try his best.
It’s Gu Ting Ye! I love this man! Always showing up at the right time. He’s concerned about her and notes her pale complexion. And I just love how he touches her back. Figuratively, it’s the show’s way of expressing how he will always have her back and be her support.
Chang Bai is back too. Grandma Wang gloats that since the son of the house is back, Ming Lan can excuse herself. After all, she’s a married off daughter. She needn’t worry about the maiden family anymore.
Madam Wang speaks. She will turn herself in. Be it expulsion or imprisonment, she’ll take it. The last thing she needs is a mother who in order to protect another daughter, will sacrifice her life, Uncle Wang’s reputation, the dignity of the entire Wang Family, and all the children’s future.
Ming Lan looks over at her frail grandmother lying in bed. Her tears fall. Her sniffles are quiet, her cries are muffled, but in a loud whisper, she shouts, “You bastards!” Ming Lan will avenge her grandmother.
Ming Lan gives them two options: either Madam Wang confesses her sins or Ming Lan will sue them in court. Then she swipes everything off the table, sending all the porcelain crashing to the ground. Father Sheng runs forward to slap her. Ming Lan – with her belly so full!!!!! – lifts her chin, daring him to slap her again.
Aunt Kang has arrived in the house! She brought half a dozen servants with her, but kept the important ones at home. When Madam Wang confronts Aunt Kang, the latter is not afraid. Her hands are clean. The poison is from Madam Wang. Aunt Kang smirks. Madam Wang grimly tells her neither of them can escape now. Aunt Kang snickers, unable to comprehend. Ming Lan’s entrance brings clarity. Aunt Kang is now in Ming Lan’s hands.
Ming Lan summons Aunt Kang to the main hall.
Ming Lan tells everyone how Aunt Kang poisoned Grandma Sheng. She has testimonies, witnesses and proof of every step. However, Aunt Kang claims she was threatened by Madam Wang. Madam Wang shrieks at Aunt Kang for accusing her.
The next morning, Ming Lan, whose face is void of emotions, visits Father Sheng and Madam Wang. The father demands Ming Lan to explain the overnight lockdown. Unsurprisingly, Father Sheng only cares about the family’s reputation. Ming Lan curtly reminds him that Grandma Sheng is still sick, but Father Sheng reasons that he has to attend court. But ah, wasn’t he the one who said it would be alright to call in absence for a day. And don’t worry, Ming Lan has his butt covered. She already sent someone to notify the palace. Love it. Corner him!
Ming Lan informs the parents of the poisoning. The lockdown is to prevent any news from leaking in or out of the manor. Ming Lan is waiting for Madam Wang to confess but she vehemently denies it and even questions the physician's credibility. Ming Lan suggests they hire more imperial physicians. Father Sheng is appalled at the idea of spreading embarrassment. Ming Lan is equally disgusted at her father. Even now he cares more about his reputation than Grandma Sheng’s life.
Ming Lan is ready to put everything at stake. She will take it to court if she has to. Father Sheng coldly stares at her. Ming Lan holds his stare, unfazed. He slits his eyes at her and sighs. In a softer tone, he reminds her, they’re all family, everyone’s related by blood. Must they involve the courts?
Ming Lan: All blood related? Father, in this manor, everyone is related by blood, except Grandmother. You are my father related by blood. My siblings and I are related by blood. Madam Wang and Sister-in-law Hai gave birth to offspring related by blood. But Grandmother? She isn’t related to any of us by blood. Father, you are not her biological son! [...] Madam Wang has her maternal family, but what about Grandmother? Back then, for your future’s sake, grandmother wouldn’t accept her maiden family’s illegitimate daughter’s marriage to him. She was loathed and berated by her family. She did it for our Sheng Family. She cut ties with her family for you!
Ming Lan adds that the person who poisoned Grandma Sheng calculated that Father Sheng would never let such a petty manner bring havoc to the house.
Father Sheng slaps Ming Lan squarely on the face! Even then Ming Lan isn’t backing down. Father Sheng glares at her, asking if she thought of the consequences.
Ming Lan: Consequences? It’s just your reputation, isn’t it? It’s just like when my mother died. So now you want to turn this matter into a small matter, and then nothing at all?
Father Shen threatens to disown her. Ming Lan already disowned you at 7yo.
Ming Lan: I already thought about it. Even if you don’t acknowledge me, even if I offend the entire family, even if I never have a maiden home to lean on, [...] I don’t want any of that. I just want fairness! I only want justice for my Grandmother! To Ming Lan, her real family was only Grandma Sheng.
Father Sheng drops his hand. There’s no use scaring Ming Lan. Father Sheng lays his eyes on Madam Wang, who’s shrinking in her seat. He tells her that if she doesn’t confess, he might as well divorce her.
Nanny Liu quickly runs in and urges Madam Wang to speak the truth. Even the nanny can guess Ming Lan’s intentions. She already had all the evidence and the royal physician’s testimony. Ming Lan could have punished Madam Wang last night. The only reason Ming Lan waited until the morning to interrogate Madam Wang was for her to come clean. Father Sheng just realized. His reaction, lol.
Ming Lan smiles and compliments Nanny Liu for being the only other sensible person in the room. Madam Wang is busy crying. She hasn’t spoken yet. Nanny Liu offers character evidence. She has served Madam Wang from her maiden days. Although she’s impatient, she’s straightforward. There’s no way she can come up with such a sinister scheme. Nanny Liu understands Ming Lan is confused about this point too.
Madam Wang finally calms down and confesses it was Aunt Kang who taught her. Madam Wang swears she didn’t mean to kill Grandma Sheng. The poison was supposed to weaken her for a few days so that Madam Wang could take reign of the house. Aunt Kang had told her if she doesn’t take control, even her daughter-in-law can walk all over her.
Ming Lan, in a softer tone, calls Madam Wang muddleheaded. What if Quan-ge (grandson) ate the pastries? He always plays in Grandma Sheng’s room. This raises alarms for Father Sheng, ugh. But Madam Wang shakes her head, denying it’s lethal. It can’t be! Her blood sister wouldn't sabotage her!
Ming Lan elucidates Aunt Kang’s true motives for her dimwitted parents. Once Grandma Sheng dies from the poison that Madam Wang delivered, Aunt Kang will have her weakness. Madam Wang will be at her service. Things that Madam Wang can’t do, she’ll threaten Chang Bai, Hua Lan, or Ru Lan to do it. She’ll have Sheng Family hostage. Now Father Sheng gets it. I don’t blame him. I just got it too.
Ming Lan asks Father Sheng if he thought of their next step. Don’t have too much hope for this guy. Ming Lan expected none, and so she thought of it already. She instructs Nanny Liu to invite Aunt Kang to the house, lie that Grandma Sheng died, and that Madam Wang needs help.
Ming Lan knows very well that Father Sheng isn’t committed to help, and so she manipulates him with his favourite thing: Sheng Family’s Honour. She reminds him that their family is currently in favour. Must we get destroyed by the crazy Aunt Kang? Father Sheng quickly nods. LMAO. I wonder if this actor laughs after saying his lines. Ming Lan tells him it’s vital that they capture Aunt Kang and get the final say. Ming Lan assures Father Sheng that she won’t stir trouble at home. She’ll kill Aunt Kang outside of the house. Omg o__o. Don’t mess with Ming Lan.
Father Sheng: You were once so obedient and docile. How come you speak so ruthlessly like a Yaksha (a malevolent spirit).Ming Lan (voice softens): Yes. You’re right. Why is that? Because Father Sheng was incompetent. Because Father Sheng never cared about her. Because Ming Lan had to protect herself. That’s why.Father Sheng eyes her up and down, disappointment is clear in his eyes.
[Ep63] Ming Lan rounds up everyone useful to Aunt Kang so that no one can help her from the outside. Ming Lan has the men beaten and the maids tied up. If they speak before being asked, they will be slapped on the face. If they don’t speak after being asked they will be castigated. Ming Lan simply wants the truth. One particular maid remains loyal and asks for Aunt Kang. Ming Lan smirks and threatens them to worry about themselves and whether they’d return home in one piece. Ming Lan separates the male stewards from the maids. The particularly loyal maid gets ‘special’ treatment. Ming Lan is playing psychological games with them. Once they’re separated, no one will know if anyone confessed.
Then Ming Lan walks into the next room to visit Aunt Kang. Ming Lang made sure Aunt Kang heard everything. Aunt Kang’s confession also doesn’t matter to Ming Lan since they both know the truth.
Ming Lan: If I could really risk everything, I’d slice you into three and bore six holes in your body. I’d hand you upside down and let you slowly bleed, torturing you to death. Then I’ll put you into a sack, throw it into a burial site and let the dogs eat you.
 |
| Ming Lan’s maids were from the palace. They tie Aunt Kang to a pole, which is especially useful for the insensible imperial consorts from hurting themselves or running away. Urinating and defecating? She can go as she pleases in the way she is. |
Ming Lan is making me go woah. Woah. WOAAAH. It’s no wonder Sister-in-law Hai sends a letter to Chang Bai, hoping that he’d come back to resolve everything.
Aunt Kang’s maternal family, (Wang) have arrived. Ming Lan gives Father Sheng a pep talk on their walk to the front hall.
- Ming Lan shares an observation: no one from Kang Family is here except Aunt Kang’s son (Cousin Kang). Technically he’s Cousin Jin, but Kang will be easier for my memory. Then our clever Ming Lan pumps up Father Sheng’s ego (once his ego is high, he’s easier to manipulate) that he must know the reason for Uncle Kang’s absence (he doesn’t) but she says it anyways (because she knows he doesn’t). There’s two possible reasons: 1) Uncle Kang knows but he doesn’t care, 2) He doesn’t know and Wang Family doesn’t want Uncle Kang to know. #2 is the answer. Ming Lang predicts that once Father Sheng asks, Cousin Kang will give one of these two answers: 1) Uncle Kang is sick, or 2) Uncle Kang is busy.
- Ming Lan also analyzes Wang Family’s intentions. There’s three: 1) Wang Family doesn’t know of Aunt Kang’s evil deeds and is only here to ask about Grandma Sheng’s health, bull. 2) Wang Family knows and is here to discuss how to spare Aunt Kang, or 3) Someone is harbouring evil intentions of blaming everything on Madam Wang and Sheng Family.
The confrontation begins! Father Sheng opens with a question about Uncle Kang’s absence. Cue Cousin Kang’s answer: Uncle Kang is sick.
Grandma Wang (mother of Madam Wang and Aunt Kang) apologizes to Father Sheng on behalf of Madam Wang. Excuse me now? Father Sheng asks why it sounds like it’s just Madam Wang’s fault. Ming Lan saw this coming miles ahead. Grandma Wang’s fake nonexistent tears dry up.
Aunt Kang (chastises Ming Lan for speaking): A child raised by a concubine like you is so unruly.Father Sheng: I was raised by a concubine too. Pft. [...] A servant from your house dared to interrupt while my daughter at her own home can’t speak? What kind of rule is that? Father Sheng is speaking up for Ming Lan! What am I hearing?
Grandma Wang slaps Aunt Kang. Aunt Kang is hysterical. Subsequently, her nanny thinks it’s best to bring Aunt Kang home since she’s not in the right state of mind. Madam Wang’s nanny runs across the room to stop them from leaving. How dare they escape from framing Madam Wang! Nanny Liu is so loyal >_<
[Ep64] Father Sheng visibly melts at Grandma Wang’s pleas to release Aunt Kang. Ming Lan has to remind him that Aunt Kang could run away, and then he hesitantly supports Ming Lan again. Although Ming Lan’s voice comes across confident, her shoulders are rising and falling. She’s breathing with so much force. Our Ming Lan is nervous and scared too ): Cunningly, Grandma Wang makes another move. She reminds Father Sheng how much she adored him as her son-in-law. Father Sheng remembers he owes her (for permitting the marriage), which allowed him to be promoted. He’ll never forget the favour. Ming Lan watches uneasily. Father Sheng is being swindled again!
Ming Lan (cleverly interrupts): Grandma Wang, only after hearing this do I know the favour you did for our Sheng Family. It was you who raised my father to adulthood, invited a famous teacher to guide him [...], found a wife for him, etc.Father Sheng: What nonsense are you sprouting? That’s Grandma Sheng! Yeah, wake up Dad.
Father Sheng blinks a few times and is back to his senses. Grandma Wang loses her smile. She asks point blank what punishment they want. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Ming Lan wants Aunt Kang to pay with her life. Everyone is shocked. Ming Lan is calm though, and lets her father follow up.
Father Sheng lists the consequences for each family if Aunt Kang’s crimes are revealed. Ming Lan mutters that her father finally thought of this. LOL. I also love how he peeked at her. 1) Sheng Family is the victim. Madam Wang may be mocked for her stupidity but those are small matters. 2) Kang Family is the assailant but Uncle Kang could easily divorce Aunt Kang to free himself of any problems. His absence from today’s meeting is telling of his stance. He can care less about Aunt Kang. 3) Thus, the family who suffers the most is Wang Family. Both Madams are Wangs. Wang Family's career, reputation, and marriages will all be ruined. Father Sheng concludes: end Aunt Kang’s life and end all troubles.
Conniving Grandma Wang objects. The consequences for Sheng Family aren’t that light. If Madam Wang is charged, then Chang Bai and Chang Feng’s career are also over, Hua Lan’s life with her in-laws will be torturous. Madam Wang’s heart hollows at her mother’s bitter words and confirms, “So you never loved me.”
After throwing Madam Wang under the bus, Grandma Wang in her grandmotherly voice, assures Father Sheng she’ll punish Aunt Kang and educate Madam Wang (meaning there’s no consequences at all. This woman knows how to calculate). Grandma Wang also tells Ming Lan to take a rest. Our poor girl has been restless in her seat the whole time. Ming Lan snaps back that if not for her siblings, she wouldn’t even bother with Grandma Wang. Grandma Wang smiles. She knows she has their weakness. What to do!! Then someone touches Ming Lan's lower back.
Gu Ting Ye (has his arms protectively around Ming Lan): A married off daughter has nothing to do with her maiden family anymore, then why is Old Madam here then? Ahhh~ Ming Lan fought alone for so long, and now there’s finally someone to stand up for her! Go, go, go!Grandma Wang: This girl used to pretend to be gentle, submissive, and respectful. After marrying a Marquis, she dares to repeatedly contradict her elders. It must be that she’s using her status from Gu Manor, am I right?Gu Ting Ye (chuckles): Now this is weird. My wife is the gentlest. She’s like a little lamb. LMAO. This inside joke. What have you done for a person with such a good temper to contradict you?
Cousin Kang scoffs. Her? Gentle? Grandma Wang adds that Ming Lan has been threatening to kill the entire time.
Gu Ting Ye: My wife is a scaredy-cat. She can’t even bear to hear a chicken being slaughtered. She’s afraid of the thunder, faints at the sight of blood, and shies away from injuries. Such a person like her is forced by you lot to want to kill a person! It seems these days the person who’s “harsh and unreasonable” (橫; heng) is the person who speaks.
Ming Lan looks up at her husband and laughs. She finally laughs! It’s the irony of his statement. Gu Ting Ye is the one being 橫 (heng) right now. He’s the one exerting his power and spouting lies (e.g. Ming Lan, a lamb? Really? LOL). He knows it. She knows it. That’s why they have this moment where they’re in their own world. Ming Lan’s shoulders finally relax. Someone has her back. Gu Ting Ye smiles down at Ming Lan, as if forgetting they’re in the middle of something very important.
Finally, Chang Bai speaks. Grandma Wang thought she had support but he’s worse than Ming Lan!Right off the bat, he lists the lightest and gravest punishment for Madam Wang, which is execution or execution. It’s just whether it’s by the quick and easy decapitation or the brutal thousand cuts. But since the mastermind is Aunt Kang, the punishment on his mother will be lighter. Grandma Wang is shocked to the core. How could he punish his own mother? They’re related by blood! Chang Bai is confused about blood relatives. Grandma Sheng isn’t related but she sacrificed so much for the family. Aunt Kang is related but look at what she’s done. And now she’s dragging Madam Wang, her sister (his mother) to be her scapegoat.
Ming Lan is finally at ease and sits down. Gu Ting Ye has a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Grandma Wang slaps Chang Bai. Does he dare to ruin his career over this? Oh yes he does. He’s not a Father Sheng. He already drafted his resignation letter. He will submit it once the salt taxation is over. Grandma Wang, you got what you want. To protect that despicable daughter of yours, you're ruining the rest of the family. Father Sheng slumps over his seat. Motionless. Devastated. He knows Chang Bai will do it.
Grandma Wang threatens to die. Chang Bai coldly asks if dying to atone works, then why does law exist? Everyone weeps. Aunt Wang begs Grandma Wang to relent. Their entire family can’t be sacrificed for one person.
Ming Lan’s eyes are vacant at the sight of the mess. “Look, when you’re not the one being hit, you won’t know how painful it is. As long as the one dying is not a member of your family, you can be magnanimous to someone else’s sufferings. But once it involves you, there’s no more generosity and benevolence. Isn’t it funny?” No one cared about Grandma Sheng and so everyone was calm, but now that the problem falls on their own family do they know the pain. Gu Ting Ye only cares about Ming Lan, though. He asks if she ate well. Aw.
Grandma Sheng wakes up! Grandma Wang expresses her happiness. Of course. She thinks she can escape the charges now. I love the disdainful look Father Sheng gave her. Then Grandma Sheng assures Madam Wang, who’s crying, that she’s okay. Finally, Grandma Sheng tells her precious granddaughter to not cry. I love how when Ming Lan’s hand was searching for support, Gu Ting Ye instinctively held her. Grandma Sheng wants Gu Ting Ye to control Ming Lan (from crying). Gu Ting Ye bows respectfully (aw) that he can’t control Ming Lan (lol). He requests Grandma Sheng to scold her on his behalf once she’s better. The family laughs.
When it’s just Ming Lan there, Grandma Sheng tells her that she knows everything. She also knows Gu Ting Ye exhausted two horses to death to rush back (aw!!). Grandma Sheng feels at ease now. Even if she dies, there’s nothing to worry about anymore. But currently, the pressing matter is Aunt Kang’s. Gu Ting Ye (for Ming Lan) will surely want Aunt Kang’s life. Ming Lan says that’s a given. But Grandma Sheng warns Ming Lan, “You must let a losing army see hope so that they won’t be driven to desperate measures.” Grandma Sheng is so wise. But Ming Lan hates Aunt Kang. She bullied her grandmother who had no one to rely on.
Ming Lan (cries): I want to kill her with a thousand slices, then another ten thousand slices or I’ve lived my whole life in vain.
Meanwhile, Chang Bai is finishing the punishment on Aunt Kang. He wants her flogged and imprisoned. Grandma Wang demands one or the other. After all, isn’t Grandma Sheng already awake?
Gu Ting Ye: This is an erroneous thought. A person has hundreds of ways of living. Our Old Madam had a healthy body. She could have lived to 118 years old but now she can only live to 108 years old. LOL. I love his serious tone too. She could have listened to songs, admired lanterns and hiked up the mountains to pray, but now she has to survive on medication. How are you going to compensate for losses like that?Ming Lan: Mmhmm. And our Quan-ge can’t play with Grandma Sheng anymore. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye are a pair of sly foxes. The slyest out there.Gu Ting Ye: My wife is right (which means he is right, lol). We also don’t know how long Aunt Kang can live. We can’t really count the days for her to die, right? I feel that we should just do the required floggings to compensate for Grandma Sheng’s sufferings, and do the required jail time to compensate for Grandma Sheng being bed-ridden. Rest assured, we didn’t take advantage of you (Grandma Wang).Grandma Wang: You dare say such words?!Gu Ting Ye: I still haven't said harsh words yet. Hahahah!
Cousin Kang complains about Madam Wang’s presumably light punishment. Chang Bai already thought about it. Madam Wang will leave for Youyang, far away from the capital. It’s a place Madam Wang finds the most uncomfortable. She will atone for her sins, pray to the deities and abstain from meat. In a place she hates, she will reflect all the matters of this family on who was right or wrong. For how long? Ten whole years. With a punishment this harsh, Grandma Wang can’t utter a word about Aunt Kang's.
Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye rest while the floggings take place. He tells her how scared he was. Ming Lan has always been so cautious but this time, she risked everything.
Ming Lan: It must have been frightening, right?Gu Ting Ye: I read the letter your sister-in-law sent to Chang Bai. locking down the home, scolding the father, aggressively arresting people. Undaunted by dangers, regardless of your own safety. Is this the Ming Lan who I know, the one who wisely places her safety before all else, and is flawlessly perfect?Ming Lan (smiles shyly): I’m afraid I’ve added more troubles to you. Did I scare you?Gu Ting Ye (leans in to softly tell her): In my heart, I only had one thought. I must protect you.
Ming Lan giggles. She sits up to plant kisses on his face everywhere. Awww. This is the first time Ming Lan initiated. Sniffles. I also think that the moment Gu Ting Ye appeared from behind and protected her in such a “Heng” way, Ming Lan truly fell in love with her husband. This is the man she can trust with her life for the rest of life.
Ming Lan is only like 41 episodes late(r than Gu Ting Ye) :D
Madam Wang is weeping too. Nanny Liu comforts her that leaving for ten years will smoothen out their family conflicts. Once she returns, Grandma Sheng and everyone else will have forgotten and forgiven. Nanny Liu volunteers to accompany Madam Wang. I typed this part just to compliment Nanny Liu. Madam Wang has such a good friend. Unlike that blood sister and mother. And perhaps son LOL.
The next morning, Ming Lan finally remembers Gu Ting Ye is supposed to be dealing with salt taxation. Gu Ting Ye smirks that the logical Ming Lan is back. After making her worry just enough to please himself, he assures her that Prince Huan knows of his absence. The Emperor may just scold him here and there, which is nothing compared to her matters. He even wanted to grow wings and fly back to be next to her. He couldn’t care about anything else.
Ming Lan gazes at her capable husband and apologizes for disturbing him. Gu Ting Ye is disconcerted. Here we go again, lol. Making problems out of nothing, hahaha. He tells her of one thing that bothered him. How come Sister-in-law Hai knows to write a letter to Chang Bai but Ming Lan didn’t think of informing him? Ming Lan replies she didn’t have time to consider so much. He corrects her immediately. She didn’t trust him. She didn’t believe he could drop everything and risk everything to protect her. Ming Lan snaps back. “Yes, I didn’t trust you. I can risk my future, but I can’t risk yours.”
Gu Ting Ye (like a kid complaining) argues that Sister-in-law Hai must care about Chang Bai’s future too, but she still risked it. It’s because she never treated Chang Bai like an outsider.
Gu Ting Ye: Ming Lan, aren’t you being too formal with me? (Like a stranger)Ming Lan: You are different from my brother. He has been loved growing up. His life was always smooth sailing. What about you? It wasn’t easy for you to have stability in your life, establish a good career. How could I just watch you – Ming Lan can’t finish the thought of that – Isn’t it enough that you think of me and I think of you?Gu Ting Ye (sighs): Naturally, it is enough, but I am still a bit greedy (aw)Ming Lan straightens up to listenGu Ting Ye (genuinely curious): Have you ever been very annoyed by me? LOL. Like right now! Hahaha.Ming Lan stares at him cluelessly. A second ago she was just agitated.Gu Ting Ye: Have you ever hated me so much, hated me to the point that you want to bite me? Can the two of us fight? Be like Madam Wang [...] Let’s give it a try, how about it?Ming Lan (stares at him, unblinking): I don’t quite understand you. I really don’t quite understand you....Is this how Courtesan Wei treats you?
Courtesan Wei! Gu Ting Ye is caught off guard at the sudden topic. Gu Ting Ye, it’s your sacred jealousy! He laments that it must be her bastard brother who told her about the courtesan.
At the mention of Chang Bai, it reminds Ming Lan of their original conversation, which then reminds Gu Ting Ye of their problem at hand: Grandma Wang won’t sign the document to imprison Aunt Kang. The alternative is to ask Uncle Kang for his signature. Ming Lan suggests she’d go. Gu Ting Ye objects. If someone has to go, then it should be him. He'll put a knife on Uncle Kang if he has to. He’d do anything as long as it’s not Ming Lan. That would make him very nervous. Ming Lan (who’s not moved from that statement because she’s probably still angry, lol) tells him not to be nervous. She’ll speak with her father. Uh, which Father Sheng are we talking about? Gu Ting Ye is certain he wouldn’t go. Well, Ming Lan, who’s lived with him for years, knows how to manipulate him.
Despite the salt taxation and Aunt Kang’s matters, Ming Lan seems more preoccupied with thoughts of Courtesan Wei. Teehee. Is she beautiful? Ming Lan is even tempted to pay a visit at the brothels. But then Gu Ting Ye will know. She can’t do that. Because what good would it do to let him know that she’s jealous :D
Back to Aunt Kang’s imprisonment. Ming Lan asks Father Sheng to visit Uncle Kang. Father Sheng immediately rejects, as expected. He says it's impossible because signing would mean Uncle Kang cannot divorce Aunt Kang. Ming Lan starts weaving her web. She tells him about Concubine Jin who has the favour in Kang House. The concubine would want Aunt Kang incarcerated to keep the wife position forever vacant. Moreover, Concubine Jin has a deep-seated grudge on Aunt Kang. Her only daughter was sent to be Grand-father/uncle Kang’s concubine. Ew. Disgusting. Serving a grandfather in such a way. Ming Lan instructs Father Sheng that all he has to do is pretend to give in and release Aunt Kang. This would force Uncle Kang to make a choice: 1) get Aunt Kang back who would be even more arrogant since she got away with poisoning a noble lady, or 2) send Aunt Kang to jail. It’s obvious Uncle Kang would prefer the second option and with Concubine Jin at his ear, their pieces are set.
Father Sheng smiles coldly at Ming Lan. For the past few days he had wondered how his sweet and obedient daughter became like this. He now knows she didn’t “change”, she was always like this. Ding ding ding! Give this man a prize!
Ming Lan: Father, I never bore any grudge against you because of your lack of affection. I also never felt distanced from you because of your coldness. I think that as a daughter, doing this much, you should be satisfied already. It’s because of your indulgence that my birth mother was killed.
Ming Lan calmly sips her tea. She tells her father she’s a person who remembers those who were kind to her. She’d risk her life to repay them. “But Father, do you still remember my mother?” Father Sheng does not. But Ming Lan remembers everything about her mother, and about him. “I will always know you more than you know yourself.” She knows that he places utmost importance on family prosperity. She knows that he’s fickle and easily wavers. She know that only the most enticing benefit can move him.
Ming Lan (loses the sweetness in her voice): Father, our family should just continue to live our days in a muddled manner. Why ask so much?
After Ming Lan leaves, the room is silent. Father Sheng drops a white Go piece. He tries to reach for it, but it’s too far. He cries.
Ming Lan visits Grandma Sheng, but Ming Lan is still distracted by Courtesan Wei! Even after that conversation with her father, it’s Courtesan Wei on her mind, lol. Ming Lan even lets it slip in front of Grandma Sheng, but she’s clear-minded (unlike jealous Ming Lan) and reminds her muddled granddaughter that her husband and brother need to head back. Ming Lan is like Oh right! I love how distracted she is xD.
It’s time for Gu Ting Ye and Chang Bai to leave. Ming Lan wistfully stares at Gu Ting Ye disappearing on his horse.
The boys are far away now. Gu Ting Ye blames Chang Bai for telling Ming Lan about Courtesan Wei. Chang Bai is like But isn’t that what you wanted? Gu Ting Ye chastises him that if Ming Lan fights with him over this, he won’t forgive Chang Bai, haha.
Xiao Tao updates Ming Lan about Courtesan Wei that she writes and sings well. Oh, does that also mean she has pretty handwriting, unlike Ming Lan? xD. I also notice Ming Lan is writing right now. Could she be writing a letter to Yu Yan Ran to ask about Courtesan Wei? Ming Lan finally realizes Xiao Tao’s sources are from the guards. Ming Lan sulks that if the guards know then Gu Ting Ye will know. Xiao Tao doesn’t see the problem when Gu Ting Ye will eventually know. It matters!! To Ming Lan! Haha. Now Xiao Tao is the only kid in the room.
The Emperor is enraged at Gu Ting Ye’s return. The one who reported it was Eunuch Li. Then the Emperor’s gaze shifts suspiciously to the eunuch. Hmmm.
Aunt Kang is still imprisoned in Sheng Manor. In two days she will be sent to the prison palace (which means Father Sheng got Uncle Kang’s signature).
Ming Lan is back in her manor to marry off Dan Ju! By chance, Ru Lan and Hua Lan are visiting. Ru Lan asks if Ming Lan can delay Madam Wang’s eviction until she gives birth (which is in a few days). Ming Lan indirectly refuses. Ru Lan senses that Ming Lan isn’t willing to help, but Ru Lan is still sweet (and so much more mature!); she worries for Ming Lan since Gu Ting Ye isn’t home to protect her from her in-laws.
Marriage~ Dan Ju is leaving the house. Ming Lan sends her off gloriously. Both girls are teary as they bid their farewells. Ru Lan mutters that it’s such a big occasion just for a servant. Three noble madams are in attendance: Ming Lan, Ru Lan, and Hua Lan. It’s all the Sheng sisters, all but one.
Mo Lan is excluded. She’s the only one who doesn’t know anything about Grandma Sheng’s poisoning. Chang Feng doesn’t tell her either (I don’t think he knows, but whether or not he knows, he doesn’t care. He’s content with his life and his daughter). She’s also the only sister, actually, only sibling, who doesn’t have a child of her own.
Once Mo Lan hears Aunt Kang's story, she devises a way to free her (by setting a fire). She also sends Aunt Kang to Madam Qin because Mo Lan knows Aunt Kang is a sharp knife and the one who can maximize Aunt Kang’s lethality is Madam Qin. I hate this sentence; it has all three women I hate.
Ming Lan is very anxious. There was news that Prince Huan’s team encountered assassins. She’s almost due and should be resting, but she’s outside waiting for Chang Bai’s return to ask about Gu Ting Ye. Chang Bai assures her that the rumours are nonsense. There’s no such thing. Also, Gu Ting Ye has a message for her: he’ll be back in a few days; Aunt Kang’s escape is not for her to worry about; and once he’s back he’ll handle everything. Ming Lan, however, is still worried. She double checks and triple checks with Chang Bai that Gu Ting Ye is safe.
Ming Lan hears maids gossiping that Gu Ting Ye died while protecting Prince Huan. She runs to the maids to confirm, but she trips. Despite the pain, she wants to hear the story, but the fall induces Ming Lan’s labour. She’s giving birth! She stands because it’s a preterm. Aiyah. In between her screams and gasps for air, she’s constantly asking for updates on Gu Ting Ye.
A courtyard over, sinister Madam Qin grins. She’s the one who started the rumours of Gu Ting Ye’s death. But later Nanny Xiang reports that Ming Lan is safely giving birth. In front of Aunt Kang, Madam Qin hides her annoyance with her fake smile. She orders the release of sky lanterns to celebrate. Aunt Kang falls for Madam Qin’s facade and lividly marches to the next courtyard, led by Madam Qin’s maid. The knife is sharpened. That’s not all that Madam Qin has prepared... Nanny Xiang giggles at the irony of the fire lanterns. It was Mo Lan who taught them to use fire to 渾水摸魚 and now they’re using it on Ming Lan. 渾水摸魚 translates to "fishing in troubled waters” which means to take advantage of the crisis for personal gains.
Yikes. Will Ming Lan be okay? There’s a fire and sharp knife on the way!!
[Ep67] Ming Lan gives birth safely! It’s a big fat boy. She’s breathless and weary, but blissfully smiles at her baby. But Aunt Kang is here to kill Ming Lan! Ming Lan protects her baby with her life. With no energy to run, Ming Lan hovers over her baby with her body, ready to die. Gu Ting Ye saves Ming Lan! Always and forever. He drives a sword into Aunt Kang's body and then runs to check on Ming Lan.
Ming Lan is in disbelief and in happiness to see Gu Ting Ye. They all said he was injured. She thought he died.
Ming Lan (raspy): My heart shattered. Ming Lan is so in love with Gu Ting Ye right now.
She hugs him tightly. Her voice is almost gone. She remembers to show him their baby. Gu Ting Ye is giddy and almost forgets to ask if it’s a boy or girl.
Qi Heng had arrived with his pail (alright fine, and a lot of servants) to put out the fire but then he sees Gu Ting Ye’s reunion with Ming Lan. He retreats to give the family space.
Mo Lan watches the fire from her home, far away. She was in joy until she learned that everything is fine.
It takes a while for Ming Lan to recall the house was on fire, Aunt Kang’s peculiar timing, and Rong-jie’s safety. (Don’t worry, Xian-jie saved Rong-jie! Aw.) Once Ming Lan realizes everyone is safe, she snuggles up to Gu Ting Ye again. She tells him how scared she was. Gu Ting Ye assures her that her er lang is very capable. She can sleep at ease; he’ll protect her. Ming Lan thinks he’s going to leave and hugs him even tighter. Gu Ting Ye promises he isn’t going anywhere. He’s staying with them, Ming Lan and their baby boy.
Over at the other courtyard, Gu Ting Wei’s house is on fire. It’s burned down to a crisp. Madam Qin checks on her son but he’s angry at her. He hates being caught between her and Gu Ting Ye. The reason their house is on fire was because Shi Tou started it. (It’s to distract Madam Qin so that she cannot scheme anything else.) All Gu Ting Wei ever wanted was family harmony, but Madam Qin is out to destroy it.
Ming Lan wakes up from a nightmare. Gu Ting Ye comforts her that he’s here. No devil or ghost can hurt her. He’ll protect her all night. And so when Eunuch Li arrives the next morning with a decree from the Emperor, Gu Ting Ye refuses to depart to the palace in order to stay with Ming Lan.
While Ming Lan is asleep, Gu Ting Ye stays up (to guard her) and their baby.
Gu Ting Ye (to his son): As soon as you came into the world, you already met someone sinister. Very good. This will train you for this world. [Right now] although it’s warm inside the house, it’s windy and chilly outside. That’s good too. This is reality. We will be at your side. Your mother, your father, your older sister and your older brother who’s gone, we will all be by your side. Gu Ting Ye is speaking from experience. Both him and Ming Lan faced their harsh reality all on their own (Ep3). But their baby will be different. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye will be loving parents. No matter how cold it is, they have each other.
The Emperor is furious that Gu Ting Ye disobeyed. When the Empress speaks up for Gu Ting Ye, the Emperor bellows at her. Is she thinking of making him die so that her son, Prince Huan can inherit the throne? Empress drops to her knees. That’s not her intention.
Grandma Wang refuses to ally with Madam Qin. Grandma Wang knows very well that Madam Qin manipulated Aunt Kang. This, however, doesn’t stop Grandma Wang from seeking revenge for her daughter, not even her daughter-in-law’s pleas for the sake of the (living family).
Madam Qin is also refused by the rest of Gu Family to sue Gu Ting Ye for attempting to murder her son and the murder of a noble lady. Gu Uncles passively watching is as expected. Ming Lan said this before: “Look, when you’re not the one being hit, you won’t know how painful it is. As long as the one dying is not a member of your family, you can be magnanimous to someone else’s sufferings. But once it involves you, there’s no more generosity and benevolence. Isn’t it funny?” Unless their family is involved, these Gu Uncles won’t make a move.
Rewatch:
- When the Empress walks away after being yelled at by the Emperor, her shoulders drop. The first time I watched it, she looked depressed. Now, it looks like her shoulders dropping is a sign that she’s relaxed. Their scheme is working.
- Gu Ting Ye tells Madam Qin: “Your schemes, I know very clearly, but you don’t know what I’m scheming.”
- How true is that? And this reminds me of Ming Lan letting the maids fight it out. Did he learn from Ming Lan? xD And who taught our Ming Lan? Nanny Kong. All the way back in Ep10.
[Ep68] Grandma Wang cries to Empress Dowager about her daughter's death. Empress Dowager is like At least you still have two. All hers died. LOL. Okay not funny, but her sarcasm was. The Empress Dowager trims the tip of the candle fire, but she “accidentally” cuts the wick and the fire is out. Her eunuch explains that when the tail of the fire is too long, it should be trimmed, that way the candle will last longer. Empress Dowager’s actions are clear. She wants Grandma Wang to use her case to extinguish Gu Ting Ye. I think cutting the wick off completely was the imagery of removing the Emperor, and not just the blazing tail (Gu Ting Ye). Grandma Wang should have understood that.
Gu Ting Ye visits Qi Heng, who quickly explains that he helped to extinguish the fire because they’re not strangers, and even if they are, he’d still save them. Gu Ting Ye chuckles. He’s here to thank Qi Heng. With a full bow! I love how respectful this man is to the people who deserve it. Qi Heng, for the first time in a long while, finally calls him Second Uncle. Gu Ting Ye gives him a heartfelt advice to not be too stubborn in court matters (re Empress Dowager’s stamp). After Gu Ting Ye leaves, Madam Shen staggers from her hiding spot. Her shivering hands are grasping a knife ready to protect her husband. Qi Heng laughs at her.
Ming Lan has breakfast in bed. Nanny Chang thinks Gu Ting Ye would be very caring for his first legitimate child. Ming Lan quips that he is very caring, so caring that he’s still at Feng Xian’s room. Ming Lan is jealous!!!! Gu Ting Ye is infectious. I can’t believe I’d be so happy to see Ming Lan jealous xD. As for Gu Ting Ye, he is at Feng Xian’s but he barely spares her an extra glance. He just wants to fix the place that’s burned down.
Ming Lan: I wonder who it was that just to marry me, made a proposal that was like a deluge of heavenly flowers.
Gu Ting Ye is still merrily chuckling. She may be angry but he surely isn’t xD. He’s so happy that he probably won’t be able to sleep at night again. All these years, he’s been jealous of Qi Heng and now, finally, he gets to enjoy Ming Lan’s jealousy. Ming Lan is exasperated that he mentioned Qi Heng. "Is it him (Qi Heng) who’s making you keep Feng Xian?” LOL. Mentioning the person that makes each other jealous, eh. Gu Ting Ye chuckles some more. “Eat more vinegar! Eat more!” (The Chinese word for jealousy is vinegar). Ming Lan denies being jealous and then pettishly orders Xiao Tao to not help Gu Ting Ye dress.
Madam Qin’s servant, Nanny Xiang, lectures Feng Xian for being useless. Feng Xian protests that she can’t even touch the edges of Gu Ting Ye’s shadow when they had told her that he was a womanizer and that his wife was a lowly official’s concubine daughter. But she does have one piece of information to report. Whenever Gu Ting Ye learns that Ming Lan lost her temper, oddly Gu Ting Ye would be laughing and rushing over to watch the show. Very useful intel, lol.
But is it time to be giddy? There are forces ready to take down Gu Ting Ye. 1) Madam Qin enlists the help of Cousin Bai (the maternal cousin who wants Gu Ting Ye dead for the inheritance). 2) The Empress Dowager takes custody of Consort Liu’s son, a necessary step to take down the Emperor because she needs an heir under her name). In exchange, Consort Liu earns a position for her brother-in-law: a commander post of the Imperial Army. 3) Madam Qin allies with Consort Liu.
It doesn’t help that the Emperor is angry at Prince Huan and Gu Ting Ye.
Rewatch: I find the Empress Dowager cutting the wick very symbolic. One action and her intentions are clear. I also love the omnipresent theme of “fire”. From here on, you will notice how prominent fire is if you haven’t already.
- Our drama loves to use fire related idioms:
- 省油的燈 (a candle that saves wax), which is usually used in the drama in a negative sentence to describe someone who isn’t easy to deal with (a candle that wastes a lot of wax);
- 釜底抽薪 (removing the firewood from the cauldron), which means taking drastic measures to deal with a drastic situation;
- 刀山火海 (mountains of daggers and seas of flames), which means extreme danger.
- When the drama started it was about retrieving firewood for Ming Lan’s mother to keep her warm.
- When Ming Lan gave birth it was in a blazing fire [Ep67].
- When Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan reunited, it was in flames [Ep67].
- Gu Ting Ye would even compare himself to a furnace that Ming Lan needs to control to stop other women from putting in their firewood [Ep54].
Whether fire is auspicious or ominous to our couple, it depends on how it’s controlled.
[Ep69] Gu Ting Ye visits the brothel to meet Prince Huan to tell him about Aunt Kang. Prince Huan finds it very peculiar that there’s no rumours of it in the city. Gu Ting Ye suspects that ‘they’ are waiting for all the fingers pointing at him to gather into a fist that’s strong enough to punch him out in one blow. Gu Ting Ye is calm, though. It's Prince Huan who’s agitated. He leaves in a fury. Is a courtesan listening to their conversation?
Chang Bai is determined to confess and he would have if Father Sheng didn’t tug his clothes and if Gu Ting Ye didn’t interrupt. After the court adjourns, Gu Ting Ye scolds Chang Bai that if he utters another word, their friendship is over. Gu Ting Ye assures him that he has a plan, but he can’t tell him yet. But everyone knows Chang Bai is stubbornly righteous. Gu Ting Ye makes him faint and asks Father Sheng to guard him well.
Gu Ting Ye: I can’t say it! If I say it, Chang Bai’s future will be destroyed. Your future will be destroyed. The future of your sisters will all be destroyed. Your father, and your third brother’s future will be destroyed.Ming Lan (tears well up): I ruined you. I ruined you. It was me who ruined you. I...
Gu Ting Ye calms her. He reasons with her that it’s Madam Qin who wants to kill him. Aunt Kang was just her knife.
Gu Ting Ye: You didn’t impede me. It is I who impeded you. [...] It’s not about who is dragging whom down. We are in this together.Ming Lan (cries): But if there wasn’t me, without my family, you..Gu Ting Ye: Without you.. If there wasn’t you, I would be a duckweed (a tiny aquatic flowering plant that floats in large quantities in still water). Every morning when I wake up, I see you lying beside me, I feel so content. I feel so happy with what I have. I feel that everything is enough.Ming Lan hugs him tightly.Gu Ting Ye: Don’t worry. Your Er Lang is outstanding. I’ve never lost. Moreover, I still have the Emperor as my support. Who can defy him, right?Ming Lan (voice cracks): I’m afraid. I’m so afraid.
The next morning, Ming Lan sends Gu Ting Ye to the palace.
Ming Lan: I will wait for you to come back.
Gu Ting Ye kisses her and their baby and off he goes. I translated Ming Lan’s line in particular because she said this once before. In Ep35 she said it on a whim because he asked her to say something auspicious. In this episode, she truly means it. She’s very much in love with her husband right now..
Qi Heng volunteers to be Gu Ting Ye’s witness. Gu Ting Ye knows he didn’t see anything. He assures Qi Heng that the Emperor is on his side. He’s not afraid. But is the Emperor really on his side?
Ming Lan finds hemoglobin depleting herbs in her hemoglobin supplementing soup. The soup is supposed to be good for mothers who just gave birth, but with the depleting herb, it will slowly kill Ming Lan. Ming Lan orders Nanny Chang to quietly investigate. For the time being, she’ll move to Sheng Manor to allow the spy to let their guard down.
Ming Lan: If I come back to live, then naturally he must too. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he pays his fees.Grandma Sheng (laughs): I know your marquis is very obedient to you and now, you also want him to be obedient to you. This is much better than before. You used to ‘advance in fear and trepidation’ (戰戰兢兢 zhanzhan jingjing = battle, battle; fearful, fearful), stubbornly grasping with care and control. This is how a married couple should be. This is how good days should be
(Am I the only one loving the war terms when this drama talks about love?)
But are good days really arriving?
The fist is complete to punch out Gu Ting Ye. Cousin Bai submits charges on Gu Ting Ye for forging documents to steal the Bai inheritance. Zhu Man Niang accuses him of killing her brother, forcing her to bear his children, and kidnapping her children. Madam Qin adds that Father Gu’s death can be blamed on Gu Ting Ye too.
I’m liking the finger/hand/grasp theme in this episode. Now there’s exactly five fingers to form the fist: Madam Qin, Grandma Wang, Zhu Man Niang, Cousin Bai, and 4th Uncle Gu.
[Ep70] Gu Ting Ye is imprisoned in the palace! Ming Lan can barely stand after hearing the news. (In the meantime, Chang Bai tries to escape his house arrest but is brought back within a second. So hilarious. I love the comedy in such a serious arc.)
Ming Lan hastily departs to beat the Big Drums in order to speak to the Emperor. Shen Cong Xin warns her it’s futile. The Emperor is furious right now. Ming Lan cries, “What can I do then? Must I be trapped outside in the pitch dark night to wait for him (Gu Ting Ye)?” Ming Lan doesn’t even know if he’s safe or if he’s alive. Madam Zhang has an idea. Ming Lan can’t enter the palace, but Madam Zhang can.
Madam Zhang smuggles Ming Lan into the palace as a maid. Ming Lan swears to the Empress that Gu Ting Ye is wrongfully accused. Ming Lan drops to her knees and clutches the Empress’s ankles. She cries and pleads and tugs. Ming Lan is risking everything and even offending the Empress. The Empress is flustered and struggles to free herself from Ming Lan. She’s forced to give in and permits Ming Lan to see Gu Ting Ye in the palace prison on her next visit.
Prince of Huan updates Gu Ting Ye about Ming Lan’s shamelessness in front of the Empress. Prince Huan asks if he’s happy now. Everyone knows of Gu Ting Ye’s love for Ming Lan, hahaha. Gu Ting Ye is shocked and excited. He’s never seen his wife like that! He wants someone on the scene to tell him play by play. LMAO. Prince Huan’s expression is like Are you joking, buddy? Gu Ting Ye is very serious and very excited. And it seems everything is okay with Gu Ting Ye?!?!
At night, Ming Lan packs a lot of blankets for Gu Ting Ye. She assures Nanny Chang that she can save him. I just really love Ming Lan. She’s at a dead end, but she’ll always look for a way out.
Madam Wang and Hua Lan visit Ming Lan in the dark night (because Madam Wang isn’t supposed to be in the city). First, Madam Wang apologizes about Gu Ting Ye, but the priority right now is Ming Lan’s family. She asks Ming Lan to consider an amicable divorce. If Gu Ting Ye is charged, then their child will be a criminal’s son. Ming Lan understands that Madam Wang’s intentions are kind. But Ming Lan has made her decision.
Ming Lan: Since we’re married as husband and wife, then we should be of one voice and one breath, one heart and one body. [...] Big Madam, in the past he has always been him protecting me. Now, it should be my turn to defend him.
Madam Wang clutches her hand, knowing nothing can convince Ming Lan otherwise.
The next day Ming Lan visits Gu Ting Ye. The room is rather warm, which means all the blankets she brought were unnecessary. She also brought the knee pads her mother made for him, but he might not need it either. Gu Ting Ye stretches out his legs. He says he’s cold right now, motioning her to help him wear them. Ming Lan smiles. As she’s wrapping his knees, he asks about the “scene” she made the other day (撒潑打滚 = make a scene and roll about). Ming Lan laughs and asks if he’s happy now. Everyone knows his peculiar taste, LOL. He is. He absolutely is. He’s happier from that than any blanket she brought him. Ming Lan grins. This means the next time she won’t have to bring anything. She’ll just roll around the floor for him, LOL. (Methinks Feng Shao Feng also made an adlib by resting his foot on her thigh as she’s fixing the knee pad. Zhao Li Ying’s laugh was real)
The knee pads evoke their memories. Gu Ting Ye remembers the little liar who couldn’t possibly be good at arrow tosses, but she was! As for Ming Lan, she’ll never forget his expression when he was searching for a physician for her. Ming Lan was always grateful for him, but realized there were too many things she needed to be grateful for. Gu Ting Ye has someone he’s most grateful to: her mother for giving birth to her. Ming Lan smiles at him brightly. No words are necessary.
Gu Ting Ye turns quiet. He’s no longer laughing. He asks to amicably separate. Ming Lan is silent. He will leave everything to her (with a small request to matchmake Shi Tou and Xiao Tao).
Ming Lan: You want to divorce me?
Gu Ting Ye smiles grimly. It’s an amicable separation. It’s not a divorce. He promises to marry her again when he’s released.
Ming Lan: When you married me, do you remember what you said? You said that you’ll be my sky and my earth. (No. He said he can’t promise that, lol. I have proof!) Now...you want to divorce me?!
Gu Ting Ye is grim, very grim. Things aren’t looking good for him. The Emperor isn’t on his side because he doubts Prince Huan, which means he doubts Gu Ting Ye too. Ming Lan criticizes him. She told him to be careful, but he was always so arrogant. Gu Ting Ye holds her hand and apologizes. He needs to divorce her. Ming Lan shakes his hand off. “In your dreams!”
Gu Ting Ye tells Ming Lan that she has her Grandma, their children, Nanny Chang to care for. He can only depend on her. Ming Lan has it all figured out already. If she dies, Chang Bai will be the guardian. Gu Ting Ye's aching head is in his hands. He doesn’t want to hear death from her. He reminds her their child doesn’t even have a name yet (so don’t be so rash). Ming Lan smiles and says she has a name already: Tuan-ge. His name means to reunite. She will wait with Tuan-ge to reunite with him. Gu Ting Ye tears up and can only say “Good”. His voice cracks. To hold back his tears, he focuses on the food before him.
Ming Lan (leans in with tears in her eyes, but a sweetness to her voice): Are you still amicably separating (= 和離; he li) with me?Ge Ting Ye (teary): He? (= Hm?)Ming Lan (repeats): Are you still amicable separating with me?Gu Ting Ye (stutters): He! (= 和!)* (The first character in amicable divorce)Ming Lan: The days ahead are long. If we’re unable to get past this obstacle, then we’re unable to get past the obstacles in the days ahead. Our child can live happily and safely in our house (澄園**; Cheng Garden). Being able to see the real world upon being born is good too. It’s the same thing Gu Ting Ye said to their baby too. How romantic is it that they think alike?
A little interruption here to cover two things:*Gu Ting Ye said two lines: He, which is just a sound, an interjection to acknowledge her question, and 和 (he), which is the first character in ‘amicable separation’ (和離). At this point of the conversation, I think he’s already hesitating to amicably separate. The first “he”, he avoided answering her question. The second might mean that he wanted to ‘和’, which means to be “amicable” and not to separate (離; li) .**The name of Gu Manor that Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye live in is 澄園, where 澄 means clear, free of impurity, which really is the essence of this couple.
Ming Lan warns him to think twice about divorcing her. It’s the first time she calls him by name! She won’t want him back. Ming Lan never looks back. Gu Ting Ye, you should know this! Gu Ting Ye scoffs grumpily. “Don’t want me? If you don’t want me, who will you have? Yuan Ruo is already married. Not wanting me, hmph.” Ming Lan reminds him Qi Heng isn’t the only duke in the city. And there’s He Hong Wen who's still single. Gu Ting Ye finally looks at her. Ming Lan returns the stare, not backing down.
Gu Ting Ye is reminded of the day he proposed to her. He promised he wouldn’t let her suffer, but ever since she married him, she suffered more than before. Sometimes he wonders if it was wrong that he deceived her into marrying him. Maybe it would have been better if she had married Qi Heng or He Hong Wen. She’d only have to deal with backcourt drama and not the bloody mess of his family and politics.
Ming Lan: I didn’t marry any of them. I only married you. Can be interpreted as “I will only marry you.”
Gu Ting Ye slaps his knee pads (the one from Ming Lan’s mother) as a sign of resignation. He’s not divorcing her. He wipes her tears. He scoots over to sit with her and hug her.
Gu Ting Ye (booms): It is better to marry me!
Ming Lan hugs him back. Awwwwww. But shortly after, a royal decree arrives. Gu Ting Ye is to be exiled.
Qi Heng believes his Second Uncle Gu is innocent. Madam Shen believes in Qi Heng and helps him lie to Princess of Pingning so that they can visit Ming Lan. Ming Lan thanks the couple for their support. She tells them her plans are to beat the Big Drums even if that means she’ll have to anger the Emperor. Qi Heng offers to submit her demand letter for her. Ming Lan refuses. This has to be done by her or it will look insincere. Plus, she doesn’t want to implicate Qi Heng. Madam Shen, the only clearheaded one, asks Ming Lan if she has new evidence to submit. If not, it’s better not to sue. The Emperor already knows the details. Even if the Emperor has intentions to save Gu Ting Ye, he has no justified reason to do so. Ming Lan blinks back, wide-eyed. She never thought of that. Qi Heng is quite impressed with his wife. Madam Shen is surprised that Ming Lan, who always seemed so cautious, is so rash and reckless this time. Because she’s in love.
Rewatch: Gu Ting Yu had asked Gu Ting Ye whether he would divorce his wife for the greater good. Gu Ting Yu knows his brother very well.
[Ep71] After visiting Ming Lan, Qi Heng and Madam Shen go on a real night date. He helps her down the carriage. Then she stares at the hand that just touched him. Her expression: Is this a dream? Oh poor girl, were you that neglected?
The next day, Qi Heng finds Cousin Bai. He was murdered, but the scene was staged as a suicide. As for Zhu Man Niang, there’s no trace of her at all. Qi Heng, looks up and finds a spider web. He mutters: “Such an intricate web.”
Ming Lan hosts a baby shower! No one is here. The servants murmur at the embarrassment. Don’t worry! Qi Heng and Madam Shen will go. They’re just late because he misplaced their present. Madam Shen playfully nags at him. Princess of Pingning solves their problem. She has a present for Ming Lan, which is part of her dowry. She wants to maintain contact with Gu Family (Ming Lan), irregardless of Gu Ting Ye’s predicament, after all, their ancestors were family. Meanwhile Gu Ting Ye's real family is trying to sabotage him, and Ming Lan’s “family” wants to mock her....
Mo Lan is the first to arrive. She mocks at the deserted place. Madam Zhang stands up for Ming Lan and orders, “Drag her out!” The way she emphasized “drag” was so satisfying. But Ming Lan keeps Mo Lan at the party. Sister Shen is here too. I love how Sister Shen and Madam Zhang sandwich Mo Lan in the middle so that she can’t chatter with others, haha. More guests are filing in. Yu Yan Ran is here with her husband, who’s very obedient. There’s Aunt Wei and Xiao Die, Hua Lan and Ru Lan, the cousins Shu Lan and Ping Lan, and finally, there’s Dan Ju. Dan Ju gives Ming Lan a full bow. Dan Ju still calls Ming Lan as 姑娘 (gu niang; young lady), instead of Big Madam. To Dan Ju, Ming Lan will always be her 姑娘.
With the house bustling with guests, the spy makes a move to kill Tuan-ge. Shi Tou duels with the assassin, and beats her. It’s Feng Xian! She fights that well?! Oh, and there goes the last of Gu Ting Ye’s concubine.
Later in the evening, Ming Lan says goodbye to Grandma Sheng. She also leaves Rong-jie and Tuan-ge in her grandmother’s care. Aw D:. Grandma Sheng knows her intentions. She knew the moment when Sister-in-law Hai secretly took the key from her room to free Chang Bai. Wow, is Sister-in-law Hai willing to put the family at risk to follow Ming Lan and Chang Bai’s wishes? Although things look bleak for Ming Lan, Grandma Sheng trusts in Ming Lan’s resoluteness.
Ming Lan (holding back tears): Since he (Gu Ting Ye) was small, he was deceived and framed. [...] With one sword and one spear, with his blood and sweat, he thought he could exchange for days of peace yet others ripped it away from him. I feel for him, the injustice.
Ming Lan plans to don her robe from her conferred title and beat the Drums for a retrial. Grandma Sheng warns her that it’s unlawful. That title of hers was gone when Gu Ting Ye was convicted. But Ming Lan has nothing to be afraid of anymore. She’ll put everything at stake for Gu Ting Ye. Grandma Sheng nods in understanding. Ming Lan was always like this. She looks like she can tolerate everything, but when she’s pushed to a dead end, and for the man she loves and gave her life to, Ming Lan will fight to the end and perish with everyone. Grandma Sheng tells her to not be afraid. She found a witness for Ming Lan. It’s Kang Zhao’er. Oh! Grandma! You make me cry with your love and thoughtfulness T_T.
The next day Ming Lan beats the Drums. The Emperor is in a fit and ignores her. Shi Tou continues to beat while Ming Lan continues to kneel. Madam Zhang is anxious for Ming Lan and tries to help within the palace, but it’s no use. Father Sheng is anxious too, but he’s just pacing at home, not helping at all, and complaining that Ming Lan is too rash. Grandma Sheng tells him to think of a better idea. He’s silent. This father. He’s got all his reasons not to help (it’s just one reason): Family Honour! Grandma Sheng is like Go convince Chang Bai with that reason. Grandma Sheng <3
Speaking of Chang Bai, where is he? He’s free! (Sister-in-law Hai released him with the keys.) And now he’s banging on court doors, hollering that he’s a witness for Gu Ting Ye. But the doors won’t open. A night goes by and no one receives his lawsuit.
When Ming Lan wakes up, she’s in the Empress’s chamber. The Empress used a hundred-year-old ginseng to treat Ming Lan. The Empress still cares for her! Ming Lan, there’s hope. The Empress sends everyone away and privately lectures Ming Lan that Gu Ting Ye isn’t above the law. Ming Lan silently cries with her head down. The Empress holds her hand and we pan out from this scene.
Afterwards, Ming Lan wanders aimlessly on the street. Mo Lan deliberately finds the best spot to enjoy the spectacle. Then Ming Lan starts laughing hysterically in the middle of the road.
Ming Lan: The good arrow is shelved. 狡兔死走狗烹. This Chinese idiom means to boil the hound once it caught the sly rabbit. Gu Ting Ye is the hound that’s killed after the Emperor used him.
Father Sheng is horrified that Ming Lan insulted the Emperor and in public. Then Ming Lan faints.
Mo Lan returns home and gets her retribution. She finds her husband cheating with her maid. She calls the maid heartless and cruel, but really, who’s crueller? The maid only gets half the pay of what everyone else her rank makes. She’s at an age to marry, but Mo Lan forbids her to leave and keeps her as a servant. In fact, all her maids have had enough of Mo Lan. They betray her. Devastated, Mo Lan turns to Liang Han for some pity. He’s got none. He knows how she and Concubine Lin used him. He also knows she nourished his baby to death. He flings her off. Mo Lan is knocked down to the ground. Not one person helps her. She’s all alone. She cries. She doesn’t get it. She followed her mother’s every step. Where did she go wrong? The very first step.
[Ep72] Chang Bai and Father Sheng babysit Tuan-ge while Ming Lan is resting and recovering in bed. Ming Lan doesn’t want Chang Bai to submit his lawsuit anymore. It’s no use. The royal family doesn’t care. Ming Lan will rest for now and plan for later.
Chang Bai: You always planned first and then took action, but this time you lost your reasoning. It’s because you cared/loved too mu– Even Chang Bai can tell Ming Lan is in love ~
Chang Bai is interrupted when Nanny Xiang is here to summon Ming Lan to visit Madam Qin. She’s like It’s better to visit now in case Ming Lan never gets up later on. Father Sheng grabs anything that looks like a stick to chase her out. Chang Bai throws hard objects at her too. Woman, you know how despicable you are when even men start throwing things at you and one of those men is Chang Bai.
There’s a battle at the borders! The Emperor needs to send a battalion. But who should go? Prince Huan suggests Gu Ting Ye, which is immediately rejected. Then Prince Huan volunteers himself, but Emperor orders him to stay, explaining that the Empress would be afraid without him in the palace. Duke of Ying volunteers along with Shen Cong Xing, but the latter pleads with the Emperor to allow Gu Ting Ye to be his vanguard. They’re low on staff. But what about the charges on Gu Ting Ye? That’s solved. Uncle Wang temporarily resigns his lawsuit on Gu Ting Ye for the sake of the country. Well, isn’t he gracious.
Gu Ting Ye departs with the army. He’s a mere soldier. From up the hills, Ming Lan and Rong-jie try to catch a glimpse of him. Gu Ting Ye waves, motioning them to hurry home. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye are too far to say anything to each other, but there’s so much emotion!
Madam Qin is elated. Assigning Gu Ting Ye to the frontlines is good for them. It’s easier to kill him out there without the royals' protection. She also says this line “Everything will end soon.” Yes. We’re at Ep72. One more episode to go ):
Some time has passed.
Madam Zhang visits Ming Lan who’s still resting in bed. I like how Ming Lan tells Xiao Tao to feed her one more spoonful before Madam Zhang enters her room. Ming Lan, always a foodie (even if it’s medicine, lol). Madam Zhang has bad news. All the elite soldiers have perished in battle! Gu Ting Ye’s unit has vanished. Madam Zhang hasn’t received news from her father (Duke of Ying) either. Ming Lan is too shocked to breathe or eat.
Madam Qin celebrates with Gu Ting Ye’s memorial tablet. It’s all ready.
At night, a “Eunuch Huang” delivers an imperial edict from the Empress to Ming Lan, but Ming Lan doesn’t remember any eunuch by the name of Huang. She casually asks about Eunuch Han. Eunuch Huang doesn't fall for Ming Lan’s tricks, but Ming Lan didn’t trick him. There is actually a Eunuch Han who was newly appointed a year ago. Flustered, Eunuch Huang attempts to threaten Ming Lan that this is an imperial edict. Does she dare reject it? Ming Lan replies with conviction: “I’m not going!” Love her. Then her guards pin down the eunuch. Ming Lan sends commands to her soldiers to spread the message that eunuchs are abducting officials (to threaten the royal family).
Since the eunuchs are actually from the palace, this means there’s a revolt. Ming Lan prepares the manor for a fierce battle ahead. Everyone else in the capital is making big moves too. 1) Courtesan Wei buys her slave contract. She’s no longer a courtesan and escapes with her man. Kinda random, but there goes Ming Lan’s last source of jealousy, lol. 2) Sheng Manor shuts their doors. Chang Bai steps up as the man of the house. He also assures Grandma Sheng that Ming Lan will be fine. Gu Ting Ye left his soldiers to protect Ming Lan. She's more secure than they are. She’s also got more enemies than you guys! But anything to calm Grandma Sheng is good in my books. 3) Madam Zhang is the woman of the house, holding her sword and ordering her servants with clear instructions on how to protect the manor. “ If anyone dares to break through, kill them!” Girl crush!
Meanwhile, the palace is also penetrated from within. Consort Liu surrounds the Emperor’s chamber. Victory is close. They just need to wait until the eunuchs return with the officials (not happening) and the Empress Dowager’s verbal decree to justify their special operation.
As for the enemies outside, here’s why Ming Lan ordered a cauldron of oil every few meters along the walls. It’s for the guards to set fire on the enemies, attempting to climb over.
Back in the palace, Prince Huan is here! (Remember, he never left. The Emperor wanted him to stay.) He assures the Emperor that he has the palace protected. Everything is within control. Then from afar, there are two generals in full armour waiting for a signal. And there it is. The firework.
Gu Ting Ye and Shen Cong Xing charge into the city! Gloriously and fiercely, they gallop through the capital. They’re saving the Emperor (once again). The civilians are cheering. Their resounding entrance makes the rebel guards surrender.
In Gu Manor, Ming Lan safeguards Rong-jie, Tuan-ge, and Nanny Chang in a hidden chamber. Shi Tou is stationed there to protect them. He’s always the one Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan trust to protect their loved ones. So reliable. Ming Lan wanted Xiao Tao to hide too, but Xiao Tao won’t leave Ming Lan. As the girls close the door, Rong-jie calls Ming Lan “mother” for the very first time. She wants Ming Lan to stay. Ming Lan promises that she’ll (“mother”) will protect her and everyone.
Ming Lan (wails and hits him hard): Why did you come so late?!Gu Ting Ye (hugs her tighter): I’ve let you suffer.Ming Lan hits him harder, crying and yelling that he’s so late.Gu Ting Ye (joyously asks): We’ve made such a scene, larger than the sky. Was it fun? No! >.<Ming Lan is not in the mood for jokes! She spits at him. Literally! Haha.
Ming Lan: If you ever dare to lie to me again, I’ll...I’ll write you a divorce letter!Gu Ting Ye (chuckles): I dare not! I dare not! I dare not lie to you even by a word. xDMing Lan (whimpers): And you said I was the fox. You’re the fox's ancestor! The best of the best. The slyest of them all. The master.Gu Ting Ye: I am! I am indeed your ancestor!Ming Lan (cries and shouts): (I’m) your ancestor! That’s my interpretation of her line. Ming Lan ain’t giving that “ancestor” spot to him, lol.
Gu Ting Ye: Your fox ancestor can’t stay here for too long. I have to save the Emperor.Ming Lan (her eyes filled with love): I will wait for you to come back. This is Ming Lan’s I-love-you..
Ming Lan kisses him everywhere. With one more smooch from him, he’s off. Ming Lan’s eyes follow him as he leaves on his horse.
Gu Ting Ye pacifies a second rebellion with his army and comrades.
Consort Liu, her family, and Eunuch Li are arrested. The eunuch is from the former reign and is disappointed at the current monarchy for destroying the previous emperor’s foundation for peace.
The Empress Dowager denies wanting to dispose of the Emperor, which frames all the crime on Consort Liu alone. At the same time, she’s ready for her death. But the Emperor doesn’t want her life. He tells her step by step how she fell into his trap. 1) He deceived Eunuch Li that he disfavoured Prince Huan. 2) He pretended to abandon Gu Ting Ye, who looked reckless on the surface, but he’s the most meticulous of them all. 3) He faked his headaches to make her think he was weak. 4) The battles at the borders were also lies. He ramped up the act because he wasn't interested in elongating their inner court battles for another couple of years. There are more important matters. 5) Duke of Ying was part of the plan too and he actually went to the borders to make everyone believe the battle was real. 6) If the Empress Dowager didn’t walk into his trap, then his trap would have been useless. Accepting her defeat, the Empress Dowager asks for her execution.
The benevolent Emperor will not kill the Empress Dowager (to her surprise). He only asks her to live outside the palace. Prince Huan is invited inside the chamber to tell Empress Dowager of his plans to flourish the country. His enthusiasm captures her attention. His plan is to expand their land to protect their people. Empress Dowager tears up. She understands now that she’s old. It’s time for a new generation. (She will also be taking care of Consort Liu’s son. Is that appropriate? She framed the kid’s mother....)
Madam Qin’s nightmare materializes: Gu Ting Ye is alive and he’s a hero again. To make it worse, it was her son who delivered the happy news. Madam Qin falls into desperation. She breaks down. She orders men to trap her son in the well. Then she destroys the ancestral hall of Gu. She’s gone crazy.
Nanny Chang has the audacity and asks Gu Ting Ye for help to save Gu Ting Wei from the well. After Gu Ting Wei is safe, they notice the ancestral hall is on fire. When they arrive, it’s too late. The fire blazes fiercely. Madam Qin is inside, laughing hysterically. “I didn’t live like myself for a single day!” For the first and last time, she wants to live like herself. Everyone begs Madam Qin to come out (including Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye). Madam Qin smiles at the fire and runs into it. The flames have engulfed her. Madam Qin died and brought down the Ancestral House of Gu that she claims has sucked her life. Madam Qin said this in Ep60: "Either let Er Lang boil me (to death) in a simmering flame, or I choose my own way of dying".
Uncle Wang (Aunt Kang’s brother) and anyone who supported the rebels are exiled. Grandma Wang, you just destroyed your entire family for a dead person. It’s interesting how she's not there to see her son. I wonder...
Now that the enemies are done and gone, Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan visit the Emperor who is happily harvesting wheat in the palace. This is where he’s happiest.
Qi Heng and Madam Shen are happy together. He tells her he admires Gu Ting Ye, but he can’t be like him, risking everything and even putting his family on the line. He chokes a little as he remembers how Gu Ting Ye would risk everything to matchmake him and Ming Lan. Madam Shen doesn’t probe. She tells him she trusts him. He’s grateful for that. He recalls the day he put out the fire at Gu Manor and witnessed how loving Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan were. He realizes why Second Uncle Gu told him that he will have a different world. “You (Madam Shen) are that world.”
All of Sheng Family are at Gu Manor to help rebuild the ancestral hall. Father Sheng is shocked that Ming Lan knew of the scheme. She clarifies that she only knew on the day she fainted. The Empress pitied her and worried for her health (especially after childbirth). Her mania on the street was an act too. Father Sheng asks if she’s mad at Gu Ting Ye. Ming Lan doesn’t blame him too much since it’s for the country. He had also begged her to forgive him for the longest time. I wish this was actually in the drama ):
Ming Lan: Father, don’t worry. After this calamity, our whole family can be safe and sound. Once Madam Wang is back from Youyang, then our family will be united again. Ming Lan is accepting her family for real this time.
Ming Lan even invited Mo Lan to the gathering and warmly received her at the doors. No one is excluded. Grandma Sheng is also happy to see her. Mo Lan's clothes are also less flashy and more humble.
Suddenly, a man shouts. It’s Shi Tou hollering, “Wife!!” Everyone turns their head as he dashes to Xiao Tao who’s probably doing a double flip with the urgency in his voice but she’s just getting up, oh and she’s pregnant! Gu Ting Ye laughs at Shi Tou who’s leading Xiao Tao through the wrong doors. Father Sheng chuckles. Next to him is Chang Bai, who’s muttering about work and work and work. Father Sheng grimaces. Just rest a day, boy!
Ming Lan watches the family interact. As she hugs onto Gu Ting Ye’s arms, she tells him she loves days like these: quiet and peaceful. She hopes everyday is like this.
Gu Ting Ye: My wife, rest assured. Your husband, I, will always carry a sword and protect you (from harm). Even if the sky falls, I will still let you eat a quiet and safe meal.
Ming Lan lightly hits him. His lavish way of speech never changes, haha. She starts walking towards the dining room. But wait. Gu Ting Ye shouts. “My wife!!!” As if Ming Lan did a double flip. “Be careful of the step.” He’s pulling a Shi-Tou, hahaha.
Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye walk together, arm in arm, to their Cheng (Purity) Garden.
THE END!
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