Ming Lan the Steward

Spoilers Ahead

This episode is interesting because it really stands out as an episode in which Ming Learns how to do things on her own, in this case managing a house hold. Most of my points are analysis of conversations hence it may not be very helpful because I lack the patience to transcribe the script.

1) Ming Lan is made steward of the house (an extremely unconventional thing when there are two adult mothers in the house) in response to both Big Madame and Concubine Lin unable to do it (Concubine Lin was shown incapable in the past and Big Madame has made illegal loans). Although the task is difficult, it will give Ming Lan an opportunity to learn how to manage a house hold within the protection of a family and she is a neutral choice.

2)While setting up, gifts are delivered from the other pavilions, a standard form of etiquette, and Mo'er chooses to send a maternal painting. As this is the second time I am watching this, the initial meaning flew past me because it is a small moment, but Ming Lan insists that the painting be hung up beside the one her mother gifted her so she 'never forgets'. I am presuming that Mo'er's gift is meant to be a challenge/insult because not only does Ming Lan not have a living mother but the Lin pavilion is responsible for her death. I could be reading to much into it.

3)While waiting to greet grandmother, Ming Lan's claws come out more, and she chooses to respond to the direct insults of Mo'er in a manner that leaves Mo'er unable to respond. Later, she successfully puts the 'fire' out by pandering to Mo'er in a way that makes her believe that Ming Lan is treating her genuinely--in a way she is because her words ring with honesty and by being direct she does not insult Mo'er's intelligence, however Mo'er does not seem to realize that Ming Lan has pacified her anger/jealousy. It is an interesting scene.

4)Following point 3 (above) Mo'er discusses the promotion of Ming Lan with her mother. Mo'er pacifies her mother's anger by explaining that this is merely a response to the incidents involving her and Big Madame and is temporary. She also reports that she is confident that Ming Lan has moved past the incident of her birth mother

.5)The battle to regain the affections of Master Sheng begins for Concubine Lin. Watching these two together, with him appearing untouched by her tearful words, it is clearly the silent treatment, however Concubine Lin clearly uses the same tactics to attempt to melt his heart. For these two, it is a game of whoever can hold out longer, and in the case of Master Sheng, he will always lose because he never addresses the issue head on--silent treatment is an evasive maneuver for those who are more passive. Compare her tactics to Big Madame, and the truth is in the pudding, you earn more with honey than you do vinegar. Concubine Lin is able to get what she wants in the span of brewing tea: she is able to have some servants sent to Ming Lan to help her out AND she makes it look like it is Second Brother's idea.

6)Ming Lan will graciously receive these servants first from Concubine Lin, er, I mean brother Feng, and Big Madame. These are spies of course. But in accepting them, she will be able to figure out on her own how to get rid of unwanted servants/spies in the house in a way that doesn't offend others. It's a delicate matter.

7)Ciui, the servant sent with Ming Lan by Big Madame, establishes hard line rules in the beginning and is both firm and fair as she communicates how to behave--she also treats everyone equally. She lays out expectations. Currently Concubine Lin is unaware of how involved--and smart--Ming Lan is in organizing the current tactics she believes it is Old Madame, which is great for Ming Lan. one of the best tactics is being underestimated by your enemy, right?

8)Later, Hua'er stops in for a visit and Ming Lan meets Brother He, a doctor and provincial cousin VERY distantly connected through the clan. He is both nice and attentive, and the two seem to get along well after some initial awkwardness (it is also unusual for people to leave an unmarried daughter alone with a man but they only step into the next room).....this is a good example of small talk and developing a connection after overcoming awkwardness

9)What sparks dialogue between the two is the topic of his clinic, and Ming Lan realizes he is a very good doctor because he can tell just by looking at her that she drinks cold wine at night. Could he be a prospective marriage partner.....

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