Legend of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan Chapter 9

The Legend of the Concubine's Daughter Minglan Chapter 9 Part 1
DECEMBER 12, 2016
ALPENGLOWPALED
“Caihuan, quickly go hurry Big Young Miss. Do not waste time any more, Master is already waiting.” w.a.n.g shi stood in front of a full length bra.s.s dressing mirror, turning aside to allow two maids to tidy her up. She wore a red b.u.t.toned jacket with gold and silver threading, her hair bound up by a bee dangled hairpin1.

“Mother, do not rush. I am here.” A laughter followed and Hualan lifted the curtains. The same ruby embed Eurasian magpie on a plum hairpin inserted on her parting, the same one on her mother's. She wore a red rose thick silk coat with rat fur on the edges, reflecting the beautiful and rosy face of the young girl. “Mother, I saw the mamas by Ming yatou's side rushing into the house just now, could it be that you also want to bring Ming yatou along? It is better to avoid it, her body is not good. After dinner, she has to rest and it is possible that she is dozing off this moment.”

“Rest what rest, she must go today.” w.a.n.g shi coldly said.

Hualan looked at w.a.n.g shi, bowing her head and muttered. Softly sending away that two maids, and stepped forward to w.a.n.g shi's side, trying to sound out “Mother, it cannot be because of the matter of the Old Madame wanting to raise a girl?”

As expected, w.a.n.g shi coldly humphed. “Your old man has a good plan and presume that I do not know what idea he is playing! Just suppressed that vixen for not more than a few days, this moment still thinking of how to promote her! Originally I did not want to say anything, thinking that Old Madame did not like her for so many years and thinking that she will not want her daughter, who knows……Humph! It is dragon born of a dragon, phoenix born of a phoenix! That good Fourth Sister of yours is really serving by the Old Madame's side these few days. Carrying and serving tea, quiet and meek with small intentions, coaxing others to be happy. Currently everyone from Shou'an Hall is praising her to the skies, saying that she is filial and sensible and is the first filial granddaughter of the Old Madame. I guess that tonight your Father wants to urge the Old Madame to make a decision already.”

Hualan's expression became serious. “Therefore Mother is planning to recommend letting the Old Madame raise Minglan?”

“Advantages can be given to whoever but also cannot be given to that vixen!” w.a.n.g shi spat.

Hualan thought deeply and raised her voice. “Caipei, come in!”

A maid wearing a jem coloured with blue clouds patterned ap.r.o.n2 entered and bowed in salutation. “What orders does Young Lady have?”

“Go, tell Mama Liu to tidy up Young Lady Rulan. In a while we will go together to visit the sick Old Madame.” Hualan said and w.a.n.g shi's complexion tightened. Caipei answered and left.

w.a.n.g shi quickly reproached. “For what purpose it is to allow Rulan to go?”

“Mother knows what I want to do?” Hulan still calm.

w.a.n.g shi looked at her daughter for a while and lightly sighed. “I know that Minglan is of no use but, but how can I bear to let Rulan go. Her temper has already been pampered till bad and also never been properly instructed, how to go with Old Madame and suffer.”

Hualan inwardly bit her lips, move closer to w.a.n.g shi's ear and softly said “Do not tell me you want to see that woman have her way.”

w.a.n.g shi clenched her teeth, Hualan saw that her mother has been persuaded “Even if Mother recommend Minglan, with just a few words of elimination from Father, it will be obstructed. 'Allow the Old Madame to raise a girl is just to ease loneliness, sending a sickly person will tire the Old Madame badly.' At that time, how would Madame respond? It will only work if Rulan goes. Firstly, Madame sent her biological daughter to be raised by Madame, it is good in front of Father and you can obtain a virtuous and filial name. Secondly, Rulan's temper is arrogant and wilful, she can restrain her temper following Old Madame. Thirdly, if the one the Old Madame raises is Molan, it is possible that after a few years she will get closer with Concubine Lin. If she raises Rulan, how can not be close with Madame. This is winning three in a stroke.”

w.a.n.g shi's expression moved, appearing to be hesitant. Hualan said another sentence again. “Shou'an Hall is just in the household, if Madame misses Rulan, certainly can see her constantly. If you are not at ease then instruct some capable mamas and maids. Can it be that Rulan will still suffer?”

w.a.n.g shi's heart paced a few times, harden her heart and when she left the door, she brought along Rulan and Minglan. Sheng Hong was just waiting outside the room and saw some big and small ones coming out and felt a little shocked. w.a.n.g shi smiled “I heard the physician said that the Old Madame has recovered today. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I have brought along several of the young ones and show their filial heart before Old Madame. Little Boy Dong is too young so he is left behind.”

Sheng Hong nodded.

A group of people left the legitimate building, maids gathered front and back and in the middle, two mamas carried Rulan and Minglan. They walked to Shou'an Hall, seeing that Mama Fang is waiting at the door, Sheng Hong and w.a.n.g shi immediately went up to exchange greetings and was led to the room right away.

In the middle of the room a hard metal Buddha heater sat there, cloud and mist scattered inside the heater, it was extremely warm. Before the window, there was a heated bed, a rock green woolen blanket was pulled over the bed. Old Madame Sheng was lying askew on the bed, supported by an auspicious double-flowered pillow and by her side is luxurious ginger coloured mattress. A few black lacquered conch ornament was displayed on the bed. Cups, bowls, plates and utensils on the table, some refreshments and medicine.

Once Sheng Hong and w.a.n.g shi entered, they give salutation to Old Madame Sheng. After that it was several of the young ones, Old Madame Sheng received the greetings and have the maids bring out two thick cushioned chairs with back and several warm padded stools. Everyone sat in order, Sheng Hong smiled “Looking at Old Madame's recovery and sufficient vigour today, thus brought along several young ones to visit Old Madame, just afraid to have disturbed your rest.”

“How am I that pampered, merely just some cold. This few days I ate more medicine than I did the last ten years!” Old Madame Sheng wore a dark headband with the word double happiness printed on it. Her complexion still pale and her voice also weak, however her mood seems to be not bad.

“It is said that illness comes like an avalanche but goes like a reeling silk. Old Madame has always been healthy, it is because of this time where you have been tired out from moving house. Might as well take this chance to properly rest and eat more nourishing medicine to build up your body.” w.a.n.g shi smiled.

“I am actually well, just causing you two to busy up and down and also did not have a single day of good rest these few days. I see that you guys have slimmed down a lot. This is my fault.” Old Madame Sheng faintly said.

w.a.n.g shi stood up right away “This daughter-in-law really does not deserve these words of Mother. Caring for the parents and serving medicine is originally the duty of a daughter-in-law. The last line made this daughter-in-law terrified.” Sheng Hong saw that w.a.n.g shi was this respectful, he felt extremely gratified.

Old Madame Sheng slightly smiled and waved her hands, her eyes turned towards the window frame. “These two days indeed feel very good, still opened the windows for a while today and saw the white snow outside.”

Hualan laughed “Old Madame's courtyards is also too simple, if you were to plant some red plums, the white snow reflecting the red plums, would it not be very beautiful! When I was still young, Old Madame still taught me to draw red plums, currently the ones displayed in my courtyards are all arranged according to what Old Madame has taught me then.”

Old Madame Sheng's eyes plastered with some warm “People have aged, do not feel like moving; you young ladies' homes must be decorated and looked after, how to compare with me this old woman.”

1. 步瑶 (Bu Yao): It is a hairpin that has dangles and moves about, like a ta.s.sel.
2. 比甲 (Bi Jia): It is like a long ap.r.o.n from the neck down, over the usual top and skirt.

The Legend of the Concubine's Daughter Minglan Chapter 9 Part 2
DECEMBER 15, 2016
ALPENGLOWPALED
Right when they were chattering, the door curtains was flipped. A maid carrying a tray entered in and by her side followed a small small shadow. w.a.n.g shi took a quick look, it was actually Molan. The smile on her face immediately turned half-stiff.

Only saw that Molan smiled sweetly as she timely came forward. Taking a cloud patterned with a white base lotus bowl from the tray in the maid's hands and smiled “Old Grandmother, this is the freshly stewed porridge with jujube, warm and sweet as well as soft. Moreover it will not cause indigestion, it is good to moisten your lungs before you sleep.” Saying that and she carried it to Old Madame Sheng's side, Mama Fang received it.

Seeing this conduct of hers, w.a.n.g shi felt that the root of her teeth is starting to itch. However Sheng Hong felt that his eyes is somewhat warm. Hualan tilted her head in disdain. Rulan and Minglan in a drowsy state.

Old Madame Sheng ate a mouthful of stewed jujube, slightly smiled and said “Look at this child, I have already said she need not come and she insists on coming. The weather is rather cold, just afraid it will freeze her. Have pity on her filial heart.”

Mama Fang is delivering the jujube with each scoop, at the side also smilingly said “It is not me being boastful, Fourth Young Lady is really considerate and filial. When Old Madame coughs, she will pat her back. When Old Madame frowns, she will then hand the teacup over. I have served Old Madame for half my lifetime already, actually have not seen this satisfactory attentiveness.”

Sheng Hong felt accomplished “Being able to serve the Old Madame is Molan's fortune. In the end it is her own granddaughter, what is being a little tired. Molan, must serve the Old Madame properly.”

Molan charmingly answered yes, smiling very amicably. w.a.n.g shi also smiled “That is right, after all Concubine Lin was at Old Madame's side for many years. Mo'er being influenced, more or less knows the Old Madame's habits. Naturally can served the Old Madame properly.”

Once these words came out, several people are all stunned. The atmosphere in the room became somewhat chilly, Molan lowered her and head and did not speak, the rims of her eye turning red.

Sheng Hong ignored w.a.n.g shi, turning his body to face forward, directly speaking “I have spoken to Old Madame before. You have aged and desolate at the knees,1 why not raise a child close by, do not know what Old Madame thinks?”

Old Madame Sheng shook her head “I am accustomed to peace, do not want to bore the child. Do not need.”

“With Mother saying such things, this son even more cannot be a.s.sured,” Sheng Hong continued “This time Mother fell sick, several famous Deng Prefecture physicians all said that for the most part, your illness is caused by pent-up frustrations. You live alone all year round, usually there is not a person to talk to, liver and spleen suffocated, cannot spread out melancholy. It is not good for an elderly person to be too lonely, cannot always shut the doors of the courtyards. Thus Old Father Bai from Bao'he Hall then said to let you raise an obedient child to be happy at the knees. Firstly it can divert the loneliness, secondly it will not tire this elderly. Besides you intensively read the scriptures, it is the good luck of the child to be able to receive your advice.”

Old Madame Sheng seeing that she cannot evade, then took a deep breath. Looking at this house filled with people again and seemingly helpless. “Which child do you think is good to come my place?”

Sheng Hong greatly rejoiced “Naturally this is chosen by Old Madame yourself, finding a clever and suitable one, according to your heart also good to let you pa.s.s your days with some flavour.”

w.a.n.g shi slightly smiled and continued “Yes, this house have many girls, there is definitely one to your liking. Hua'er can have today's knowledge, it is thanks to staying by Old Madame's side. This moment, Ru'er is naughty and mischievous and Ming'er ignorant. If Old Madame can give advice, that is really their good luck.”

Old Madame Sheng looked at the different expression of the married couple, stretched her body and slightly sitting straight on the bed. “Should still ask the child.” Having said, looking towards Molan first, asking “Little Girl Mo, I ask you, are you willing to stay here with me?”

Molan face turned red, softly answered “I am a thousand times willing. Besides the fact that Old Madame is Grandmother and that this granddaughter ought to be filial. Moreover, Old Madame has experience and knowledge and also compa.s.sionate and kindhearted, greatest grace towards Mo'er. Mo'er is willing to stay with Old Madame to receive some instructions. Right now, apart from Big Sister, I am considered to be the oldest among the sisters. If I do not exert myself, it will cause younger sisters to suffer weariness.”

w.a.n.g shi smiled “Little Girl Mo really made progress, thinking of this many reasons with little effort.”

Old Madame Sheng nodded her head and turned over to look at Rulan “Ru yatou, you say, are you willing to stay here with grandmother?”

Young Lady Rulan is just dozing off, abruptly called upon, standing up in a fl.u.s.ter, looking all around with a puzzled face. Cold sweat emitted from w.a.n.g shi's forehead, regretting that she did not properly teach her daughter excuses when they left the door just now. Really did not expect the Old Madame will publicly raise the question, this time can only watch her daughter express freely already.

Old Madame Sheng saw the confused look of Rulan, smiled and asked again. Rulan turning her head to look at w.a.n.g shi while stuttering “……Why must move over?……Madame will also move over? My room…can it all be moved over?”

Although Sheng Hong has already decided on the person but still cannot watch this behaviour of Rulan and chided her “Old Ancestor wants to you to come over to promote you, how can you have no decorum?!”

Getting scolded by father, immediately Rulan's eye rims produced several teardrops. Her small face swell red, soon to be crying out. w.a.n.g shi's heart ached yet dare not publicly coax. Hualan softly walked over and led her younger sister back, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her face.

Old Madame Sheng smiled and waved her hands, turning her head to look at the last one “Ming'er, you come out, right, stand out. Do not be afraid of Grandmother asking you, are you willing to stay here, stay here with Grandmother?”

The impostor Little Cla.s.smate Minglan is actually dozing off but already awake this moment. Different from Rulan's difficult situation, she possess the long-term skill of napping. Everyone who studied law knows that politics do not separate the family and that endless battle of political studies, she has left saliva traces as her fight everywhere. Practicing till the second semester, basic power complete. Even though sleeping, she is accomplished to the point where she can clearly answer the questions when being called.

This is called more skills does not suppress the body, she never expected that the skill of napping she can use in this lifetime. After being called, Minglan calmly moved forward and answered “Willing.”

Just like how others asked if she wants the back leg of a pig or the front leg? She answered very calmly, wants the pig head.

Old Madame Sheng appeared to have not antic.i.p.ate this and was stunned. Looking at everyone, the expression on Sheng Hong couple and several young miss are the same. Evident that the foolish image of Sixth Young Lady has deeply entered into the hearts. Andy Lau from an idol transformed into a warlord and still came out with a few advertis.e.m.e.nts. Why did this Sixth Young Lady not first film a movie trailer?

Old Madame was silent for a while, cleared her throat “Ming'er say something, why are you willing to come to my place?”

w.a.n.g shi felt somewhat nervous, Old Madame and this foolish girl have not spoken much before, no matter how Minglan explained, in any case, she cannot say that the both of them are of the same mind thus love is more solid than gold.

Minglan is very reluctant to a.s.sume the role of an innocent person, that is too fake. But humanity's greatest merit is to come to terms with reality, no matter if she is a martian, this moment there is a need to do as the Romans do in Rome.

Therefore, Minglan endured her inner self abasing cries of distress. Her sticky voice and stammering “Father said that Old Madame fell sick is because there is no one to accompany. With someone to accompany, Old Madame will not fall sick anymore. Falling sick is very hard to bear, must eat bitter medicine. Old Madame do not fall sick already.”

This answer is very perfect, combining arts with practical character. The room silent, Old Madame Sheng felt somewhat warm inside. Sheng Hong was once again satisfied, w.a.n.g shi relaxed. Hualan silent admire, Molan felt that is a concealed talent within the sisters. Rulan started to doze off again and Minglan was felt her teeth ached.

She wholeheartedly worship those forty years old mothers who still insist on acting like those energetic eighteen years-old young actress. Their vigour and gums surely must be different from the strength of others.

1. This is in reference to children.