The Legend of Concubine's Daughter Minglan

Chapter 50

The mother and daughter talked for nearly an hour and Minglan eavesdropped all their conversation, be it something she should know or not. When the old madam finally got tired and was helped to the bed for a rest by Sheng Yun, Minglan struggled her way out of the dog hole with her heavy and numb legs, which tingled so much that Minglan stooped cautiously out like an old grandma. Fearing to be caught by others, she couldn't help admiring herself for not forgetting pushing the water tank to its original place and concealing the dog hole with some weeds.

With her messy clothes stained with mud all over, Minglan dared not go back to her own room. So she sneaked her way into Pinlan's room, only to see her dear comrade sitting anxiously waiting, who immediately fawned on her with a big smile and new clothes for Minglan to wash up.

Minglan greeted her dear sister with a good round of rubbing on face and only when she vented her anger out did she started to tidy herself up. As Minglan took off her clothes, the two girls were quite taken aback by the swelling on Minglan's elbows and knees, which looked quite daunting with the dense marks of the bricks stamped on the fair skin. Pinlan massaged for Minglan with an unguent for quite a while and prepared Minglan a bowl of ginger tea to stave off chill. Even so, the bruises still turned purple and blue just like the separating bricks in the toilet. Minglan was quite annoyed and pulled Pinlan's face really hard, making Pinlan cry with pain. However, Pinlan took it all and apologized sincerely like a dog wagging its tail.

By the time the bruises on Minglan's kneels faded, First Old Madam Sheng convened the elders of both Sun Family and Sheng Family, some conversant elders of the county, and last Madam Sun and his son, trying to solve the problem once and for all. For a matter important as this, Pinlan would never stand by so she pleaded her mother for half a day to be present. Li shi was not a bit persuaded for she had no intention to let her daughter witness the elders quarrel and argue. It was First Old Madam who made the call, "She's not a kid. It's time to expose her to the difficulties of life or she might be too fragile to stand any storm."

First Old Madam Sheng held a different outlook on life, believing that weeds were tougher than orchid for ornamental purposes. Li shi couldn't defy her mother-in-daughter so she let it go after shooting Pinlan an approving glance. Pinlan immediately went to Minglan and urged, "Let's go together."

Minglan was itching to go too but she still first asked for her grandmother's permission. Old Madam Sheng, to her surprise, didn't even try to stop her. So the two girls sneaked excitedly to the side room of the main hall.

"Teach him a good lesion!" Pinlan was thrilled.

When they arrived at the side room, they found Shulan already sitting there, looking utterly pale like a grass widow.

"Old Madam told our lady to come here," explained gently the servant girl standing next to Shulan. Pinlan and Minglan exchanged a glance, realizing that First Old Madam planned to prescribe a harsh elixir to end Shulan's impractical illusion on her husband.

The Sun mother and son thought that Sheng Family yielded when they saw their servants come to fetch them respectfully. Upon arriving, they were surprised to see that there sat nearly half room of the highly respected in the local as well as the elders of both families. Looking around, they even found the Tongpan present with two clerks. Sun Zhigao was a bit nervous while his mother noticed nothing, taking the seat in the front with an air of arrogance.

When all greeted each other, Uncle Hu and Changsong led Tongpan and the two clerks out for tea. Pinlan peeked carefully through the crack of the door and turned her head, whispering, "Thank god that third uncle's family are not present, or they'll laugh at us."

After a cup of tea, Sheng Wei looked around the room and cupped his hands, "We're here today to discuss about the matter between my daughter and my son-in-law, Sun Zhigao. Do forgive us for bothering you with family affairs."