The Story of Ming Lan Episode 20 Recap
> The Story of Ming Lan Recap
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Seeing that Gu Tingye's expression was off, Zhu Manniang claimed that she had pawned the golden lock and sold off her jewelry for banknotes because she was afraid the upcoming days would be too hard, wanting to start a small business. She also said she had intended to tell him later when things were less tense. Gu Tingye remained silent, but Zhu Manniang cried and begged him to kill her.
Gu Tingye pretended to forgive her and asked her what else she was hiding from him. Facing her answer, Gu Tingye recited the properties he hadn't told her about one by one, then asked her again. Zhu Manniang pouted, about to cry, complaining that he had hidden his family's assets so deeply, forcing her to shamelessly go out and pawn things to survive. Gu Tingye actually burned the land deed.
Zhu Manniang quickly snatched it from his hand and read the words on it; it was a pawn shop in Suzhou, and just one such property would be enough for her and her children to live comfortably for several lifetimes. Gu Tingye discovered a flaw; Zhu Manniang had always claimed she was illiterate, so how could she read the land deed now? Gu Tingye questioned Zhu Manniang again, but she denied it.
Gu Tingye then directly ordered Shitou to bring her brother in. In the past, Zhu Manniang claimed her brother had cheated her out of her family property and died halfway, so she came to seek refuge with Gu Tingye. He gave her money and even bought a burial plot, personally watching the coffin being interred. No matter how Zhu Manniang tried to explain, it was useless. Gu Tingye told her to take her brother and get out tomorrow.
Zhu Manniang, weeping as if covered in pear blossoms and rain, begged Gu Tingye to let her stay for the sake of their two children, for children couldn't be without their birth mother! But Gu Tingye had already become disheartened with Zhu Manniang. He had gone to the Yu family to propose marriage precisely for Zhu Manniang and the children, so why had both engagements fallen through?
Zhu Manniang still refused to admit it, but she didn't realize that Gu Tingye had long seen through her schemes. It was she who had angered the Old Madam Yu to the point of fainting, and then had Xiaocui trick the children into ruining the engagement, and now that she saw him as worthless, she wanted to pack up and leave.
Gu Tingye had been fooled by Zhu Manniang for so many years; how could he not feel heartbroken upon learning the truth? Zhu Manniang cried in the room until midnight, then suddenly stopped her tears, as if she had an idea. . . The next day, Nanny Chang began searching for people. It turned out that Zhu Manniang and her brother were gone, and even Chang Ge'er was missing.
Gu Tingye searched the entire city for a whole day but couldn't find his son. On the day of Gu Yankai's funeral, Gu Tingye donned his mourning attire and waited with Rong-jie'er by the roadside where the funeral procession would pass, then bowed his head to Gu Yankai's coffin. Gu Tingye planned to personally search for Zhu Manniang. This woman was truly cunning, likely having changed her appearance, so posting wanted notices wouldn't find her.
Sheng Changbo was reluctant to see him leave and advised him to stay for a few more days, but Gu Tingye feared that staying in the capital would ruin the good marriage he had already settled. Sheng Changbo had never thought of it that way, but since Gu Tingye's mind was made up, he could only get up and see him off.
The Gu family and the Duke's Residence had ancestral ties, and the Princess's birthday celebration couldn't go on today. Just as they were about to eat, Qi Heng went to invite the head chef from Fanlou to prepare a splendid meal for the Princess. Although the Princess's birthday was not suitable for ostentation, it also shouldn't be treated lightly. The Princess and Duke Qi were very pleased.
To their surprise, Qi Heng also personally drew lanterns, making the Princess laugh and cry with joy. Duke Qi and the Princess did not forget to instruct Qi Heng to study diligently, so that once he passed the imperial examination, they would arrange a perfect marriage for him. Qi Heng then took the opportunity to speak, saying that he had someone in his heart.
Although her family's official rank was lower than theirs, it was still a scholarly family, and he hoped his parents would propose marriage for him. Before Qi Heng even mentioned a name, the Princess knew he had fallen for Sheng Minglan; his battle against Gu Tingye for Sheng Minglan at the polo field had spread throughout the capital, who didn't know about it?
The Princess had thought Qi Heng was truly filial, but now it seemed she had been deceived by him. Qi Heng quickly knelt down, explaining that his birthday celebration for his mother was sincere, but he had always done whatever the Princess told him since he was a child, and this time he hoped his mother could concede to him once. Duke Qi found it difficult.
Qi Heng and Sheng Minglan were not of equal standing, so he hoped to take Sheng Minglan back as a concubine of high status. Qi Heng quickly retorted that it was impossible for Sheng Minglan to be his concubine. The Princess finally gave in, saying that she had received invitations from Sheng Changbo and Madam Hai, and that the whole family would go to offer congratulations then. Seeing the Princess agree, Qi Heng repeatedly kowtowed, overjoyed.
Xiaotao went to fetch Aunt Wei's letter and met Buwei on the way. After returning to the residence, Xiaotao waited until no one was around, then closed the door of the room and whispered to Sheng Minglan that Qi Heng had asked Buwei to tell her that during Sheng Changbo's wedding banquet in a few days, the Duke Qi's Residence would come to propose marriage to Sheng Minglan. Sheng Minglan was stunned upon hearing this.
After lingering outside the Old Madam's room for a while, she still went in. Old Madam Sheng, upon hearing it, quickly instructed Danju to take good care of the courtyard and told Xiaotao to keep these words a secret. After all, Sheng Hong's family status was far below that of Duke Qi. Even if Qi Heng could protect Sheng Minglan, he was still a man of the front hall; the back courtyard was controlled by the Princess.
If Sheng Minglan really married into that family, she would certainly not fare well. Sheng Minglan had, of course, considered these things, but seeing that Qi Heng had spoken to the Princess for her sake, she was still very happy in her heart; Qi Heng truly cared for her. Zhao Ceying and Zhao Zongquan, father and son, were being pursued when Gu Tingye happened to encounter them.
He shot down their pursuers one by one, saving the lives of the Zhao father and son. Seeing Gu Tingye's extraordinary skills, they asked for his name. After much thought, Gu Tingye said his name was Bai Ye. Madam Hai sent a gift list, which Nanny Liu, who was by Wang Ruofu's side, brought for Sheng Minglan to see, along with some flowers Madam Hai had given to the younger generation.
The maids around Sheng Minglan all took the flowers to look at them. Yinxing, upon seeing them, became so angry she cried. Jiu'er argued with her for a few sentences, and then the maids in the room started hitting each other directly. The maids all knelt before Sheng Minglan. Nanny Liu seemed to be angry on Sheng Minglan's behalf and wanted to discipline them quickly.
However, Sheng Minglan was soft-hearted and only said she would fine them half a month's wages. She also stated that Ke'er and Yinxing occasionally spoke with Sheng Changfeng and Sheng Changbo; it was because they cherished their former masters, and if she punished them like that, wouldn't it be an insult to her two brothers?
