The Story of Ming Lan Episode 12 Recap, Plot

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Qi Heng's parents had already visited the chief examiner to ask about the reason for failing the exam. Gu Tingye thought Gu Yankai wouldn't care about him anymore, but unexpectedly, Gu Yankai still went. The chief examiner said that Qi Heng's essay was flowery but lacked substance; if he dedicated himself to honing his skills, he would surely pass in the imperial examination in the future. Gu Tingye's essay was magnificent and, by rights, he should not have failed.

After hearing the chief examiner explain the reason, Gu Yankai went home and beat Gu Tingye, who was drunk and sound asleep. It turned out that in his essay, Gu Tingye had defended Yang Wuduan, who was addicted to brothels, and this reached the Emperor's ears. Not only was he removed from the top three ranks, but he was also told that, like Yang Wuduan, he could only take the imperial examination fifty years later!

Gu Tingye suddenly realized after hearing this and turned to go to Gu Tingyu's room. Gu Tingye had indeed spoken harshly about Yang Wuduan to the officials, but that was when he was twelve years old, while practicing calligraphy with Gu Tingyu. He then concluded that Gu Tingyu had overheard it and reported him. Gu Tingyu, who was ill, was lifted up by Gu Tingye and became very alarmed. Gu Tingyu argued that he had not done it.

Even Gu Yankai thought Gu Tingye was a dissolute scoundrel who always blamed his cousin whenever he caused trouble. Gu Tingye was utterly disheartened by this and left the Gu household in a fit of rage. Gu Tingye drowned his sorrows in alcohol at Nanny Chang's place, feeling deeply apologetic to his mother and maternal grandfather, and disheartened by everyone in the Gu household.

Drunk, Gu Tingye spoke his true feelings, saying that he wanted his family of five to return to the countryside in Yangzhou and live a peaceful life. Zhu Manniang was very agitated in her room. Now that Gu Tingye couldn't become an official, and Gu Yankai disliked him as a son, she was deeply afraid that she would suffer grievances if she stayed with Gu Tingye. So, she took off the lock that Rongjie'er was wearing, deciding to gamble.

Early the next morning, Gu Tingye was going back to the Marquis's residence to retrieve his mother's belongings and find a southbound ship to return to Yangzhou. He also instructed Zhu Manniang repeatedly not to show her face publicly. Zhu Manniang, pretending, expressed her willingness to share joys and sorrows with Gu Tingye. After Gu Tingye left, Zhu Manniang was about to go out.

Nanny Chang was very displeased and told her to go back and pack her clothes, while grumbling about her hypocrisy. Seeing that she couldn't go out, Zhu Manniang walked over to Rongjie'er, who was clamoring for candy, and opened the door a small crack. Only after Nanny Chang's voice, looking for Rongjie'er, rang out, did Zhu Manniang come out of the room and hurriedly went out to look for her daughter.

Nanny Chang was very anxious and quickly followed after her. Zhu Manniang found Rongjie'er, hastily picked her up, and walked towards the Marquis's residence. In front of the imposing mansion gate, she spoke of "grandfather" and "grandmother." The nanny beside Xiao Qinshi quickly went to tell Xiao Qinshi. After Zhu Manniang left, she had someone retrieve the lock that Zhu Manniang had deliberately dropped.

As expected, Zhu Manniang and Rongjie'er were greeted by the Marquis's residence guards on their way home. When Gu Tingye returned and heard Nanny Chang say that Zhu Manniang and Rongjie'er were missing, he immediately realized they had been caught. Zhu Manniang and Rongjie'er were currently being interrogated by Gu Yankai. She feigned weakness, only begging to be a concubine beside Gu Tingye.

However, Gu Yankai found her to be a stain on the Marquis's residence and was about to have her tied up and thrown out. Rongjie'er clamored for her mother. The hall was in chaos, and Gu Tingye hurried to rescue the mother and daughter. Gu Yankai, furious, ordered someone to beat Gu Tingye again. However, Gu Tingye broke the stick and questioned him about Bai Shi's cause of death.

Gu Yankai vehemently denied it but still did not stop Gu Tingye from leaving. Gu Tingyu watched from the shadows, delighted and feeling greatly relieved, believing that he had avenged his mother. Sheng Hong was kept in the palace by the Emperor after court. While waiting for the Emperor to grant him an audience, Sheng Hong looked around, appearing like someone who had never seen the world.

Wang Ruofu was extremely anxious in the residence, seeing that Sheng Hong had not yet returned. Sheng Hong waited and waited in the palace, still not seeing any sign of the Emperor. Wang Ruofu's side was already in a mess. Sheng Minglan, after hearing about it, also felt surprised. For now, she could only send someone to inquire about the reason. Sheng Changbo went to Gu Tingye for advice.

Unfortunately, he had no chance to have an audience with the Emperor. Although Gu Tingyu's mother was a relative of the Empress, it was estimated that she would not sincerely help Sheng Changbo. Gu Tingye thought carefully and told Sheng Changbo to find Princess Pingning, who grew up in the palace. Sheng Changbo slapped his forehead and rushed to the Duke Qi's residence, accidentally falling once on the way.

When Qi Heng heard that Sheng Hong had gotten into trouble, he told Buwei to wait for Danju on the road so they could send a message to Sheng Minglan. Sheng Minglan had just gone to see Old Madam Sheng after hearing this when Wang Ruofu came clamoring, begging Old Madam Sheng for help, saying that the Emperor had lost his temper and locked up several high-ranking officials in the palace. Old Madam Sheng, however, was very calm.

She reprimanded Wang Ruofu, saying that she should be guarding the household now, and that merely crying and worrying was useless. Wang Ruofu, having been lectured, became enraged. She just kept saying, indirectly, that Old Madam Sheng was not Sheng Hong's birth mother. Suddenly, she realized that since Sheng Hong was not in the residence, it was a good time to deal with Lin Qinshuang, and she became excited again.

Sheng Minglan, being somewhat young after all, was a bit scared. But Old Madam Sheng saw clearly: since Qi Heng could send a message to Sheng Minglan, it meant that Sheng Hong's mistake wasn't too serious, and the official's fit of temper would pass. What she feared was trouble breaking out in the inner quarters. Originally, Lin Qinshuang's family had their property confiscated.

She was afraid that this incident would happen again, so she had people pawn off shops and land. Unexpectedly, Steward Xu insisted on seeing Lin Qinshuang herself before he would sign and seal. The next day, Lin Qinshuang dressed simply and went out. Unexpectedly, Steward Xu was greedy. As the two were arguing, they were captured by Wang Ruofu's people and brought back to the Sheng residence.

Lin Qinshuang had originally come to secretly sell family property, but unexpectedly she was apprehended by Wang Ruofu under the charge of 'stealing a man'. When Old Madam Sheng heard that Lin Qinshuang had gone out to "steal a man", she collapsed straight down. Lin Qinshuang's mouth was gagged. Wang Ruofu forged a testimony and ordered someone to press Lin Qinshuang's fingerprint. She was about to have her sold off.

If Sheng Molan hadn't arrived, Lin Qinshuang would have had no room for defense. The three were making a disorderly racket. Sheng Minglan arrived at this moment, saying that Old Madam Sheng had fainted in bed and that this matter was to be fully handled by Wang Ruofu. Old Madam Sheng's personal nanny and Wang Ruofu worked in concert, and thus Lin Qinshuang was dragged out. Sheng Minglan, being an unmarried maiden, quickly excused herself.

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