The Story of Ming Lan Episode 10 Recap, Plot

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> The Story of Ming Lan Recap

Sheng Molan cried miserably in her room, as if she hadn't understood Granny Kong's words. She felt that Sheng Hong letting Granny Kong beat her meant he no longer doted on her. In a fit of anger, she even refused to apply the medicine. Lin Qinshuang felt even more wronged, but still comforted Sheng Molan, saying that Sheng Hong had, after all, sent the medicine. No sooner had she finished speaking than Sheng Hong arrived.

As soon as he entered the room, he rushed over to ask about Sheng Molan's injuries, and seeing Sheng Molan's pitiful state made his heart ache even more. Lin Qinshuang employed her usual tactics, blaming herself for angering Wang Ruofu. Old Madam Sheng said that Sheng Hong might not be unable to see through Lin Qinshuang's tricks; in fact, he was perfectly clear in his mind.

Precisely for this reason, Granny Kong did not expose Lin Qinshuang's true colors, as one can never wake someone who pretends to be asleep. Granny Kong wanted Sheng Hong to understand that excessive doting on a concubine would only cause unrest in the household and even harm his official reputation. Sheng Minglan greatly admired Granny Kong; she was willing to follow such a person, even if it meant getting beaten every day.

Old Madam Sheng, however, hoped that Sheng Minglan would never be deceived in the future. She was a child who had suffered, which was why she understood Granny Kong's wisdom. If she were like Wang Ruofu, a child pampered from a young age, she would certainly not be able to contend with someone like Lin Qinshuang in the future. As they were talking, Aunt Wei came to inquire, and Sheng Minglan then withdrew.

Wang Ruofu watched Sheng Rulan fall asleep and again became very angry, complaining that Lin Qinshuang had used her seductive wiles to make her lose face. The maid beside her, however, saw clearly, saying that Wang Ruofu should know when to stop and should not have repeatedly called Sheng Changfeng a "concubine-born son," which was what poked Sheng Hong's sore spot.

Wang Ruofu, however, as Old Madam Sheng had said, did not understand how to tolerate and adapt, always thinking that once she had a handle on Lin Qinshuang, she should deal with her properly. Sheng Minglan was still copying books nearby. When Aunt Wei heard that Madam Zhou had come looking for her, she felt that it must not be simple, fearing that Madam Zhou was simply acting guilty.

Sheng Minglan clearly knew that Madam Zhou was definitely involved in Xiao Die's harm, so she told Aunt Wei to secretly leave the next day; those people would surely follow her and reveal their true colors. In the dead of night, before dawn, Xiao Tao saw Aunt Wei off. Madam Zhou saw this and told Lin Qinshuang, and the two then prepared to send someone back to Yangzhou to handle things.

Old Madam Sheng, Wang Ruofu, and the three Sheng sisters also saw Granny Kong off, preparing many things for her to take back. Gu Tingye settled Granny Chang and Zhu Manniang before returning home, but he was always bothered by Lady Bai's death. When he saw Gu Yankai, he asked him if he had anything on his conscience. Gu Yankai's face darkened, and he couldn't be bothered to respond to him. Sheng Minglan was embroidering behind a screen.

Sheng Hong came to discuss with Old Madam Sheng about letting the three children return to the academy for classes. Old Madam Sheng pretended to hesitate and consider for two or three days. Only after sending Sheng Hong away did she call for Sheng Minglan. She knew that Sheng Minglan surely wanted to return to class as well, but still said that studying was, after all, not something girls should do.

Sheng Minglan boldly retorted that useless studying was merely an excuse for those men to make women obedient and let them be at their mercy. Old Madam Sheng had only been probing Sheng Minglan earlier, but now she spoke the truth: if studying were useless, those wealthy families would not let their daughters suffer through schooling. Old Madam Sheng's earlier feigned indecision was merely to make Lin Qinshuang and Sheng Molan anxious for a few days.

A few days later, the three sisters returned to the academy. Scholar Zhuang assigned a topical essay question: whether to establish the legitimate heir or the virtuous one, for the students to write on. It was topical because the most discussed topic in the capital at the time was the succession struggle between Prince Yan and Prince Yong.

Gu Tingye naturally had a few things to say, stating that Prince Yong, though having no political achievements, had many wives and concubines and worked hard day and night. Before his words even fell, the male students suppressed their laughter. Sheng Changfeng quickly reminded him that there were also female family members present. Gu Tingye slightly restrained himself and said that the legitimate heir should be established.

Sheng Changfeng disagreed with him, believing that Prince Yan, though having only one son, had a reputation for virtue. Sheng Changbo also agreed with Gu Tingye. Sheng Molan and Sheng Rulan spoke up one after another, but only for their own benefit. Scholar Zhuang then called upon Qi Heng and Sheng Minglan, who had not spoken. Qi Heng, being the only son in his family, had nothing to say.

Sheng Minglan merely said that as a mere woman, she had never considered such a matter. The crowd split into two factions, pressing Sheng Minglan to speak. Qi Heng naturally wanted to extricate Sheng Minglan from the situation, but Gu Tingye saw clearly: the more Qi Heng helped her, the more her two elder sisters would press Sheng Minglan. Thus, he also let Sheng Minglan handle it herself.

Sheng Minglan had no choice but to speak, asking Qi Heng and Gu Tingye, both legitimate sons, what they would do if a virtuous concubine-born son were to contend for their rightful title. She thus threw the question back at the two of them and sat down. With just a few words, she made Scholar Zhuang laugh heartily and praise her exceptional insight. It was then that Gu Tingye and Qi Heng realized they had been outmaneuvered by Sheng Minglan.

However, Sheng Molan and Sheng Rulan were certainly displeased. Sheng Hong, hearing about Sheng Minglan's insights in class, also smiled and praised her, suddenly realizing he had previously underestimated Sheng Minglan. Just as Sheng Minglan was about to leave, she saw Bu Wei waiting on the road, and immediately took Xiao Tao back to the hall, intending to make Qi Heng retreat in the face of difficulty. Unexpectedly, Qi Heng had already circled behind her.

Sheng Minglan was greatly flustered, but Qi Heng relentlessly pursued her, asking why she didn't want those two pens and adding that he would secretly give her any good things in the future. Sheng Minglan, feeling helpless, had no choice but to explain clearly to him: for Sheng Minglan, the kinder Qi Heng was to her, the more trouble he became for her.

Sheng Minglan hurried away, while Qi Heng stared intently at her retreating figure, unwilling to avert his gaze, and secretly vowed that he would surely protect Sheng Minglan. In winter, the two young men of the Sheng family were about to enter the examination hall. Sheng Minglan, Xiao Tao, and Dan Ju worked by lamplight to make knee pads for the two of them. However, Sheng Minglan made an extra pair.

Even if she denied it, Xiao Tao and Dan Ju knew very well that Sheng Minglan had made them for Qi Heng. Wang Ruofu and Lin Qinshuang were both preparing items for the two young masters to take into the imperial examination hall. They received the knee pads sent by Sheng Minglan. Wang Ruofu accepted them and praised her for her skillful hands. Sheng Changfeng, however, seeing them, tossed them aside, saying she was stingy. Sheng Molan naturally agreed.

Qi Heng was to take a major examination tomorrow, and he sent some gifts to the Sheng family as thanks. He also sent extra items to Sheng Minglan, including a purple-bristled brush that no one else had.

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