How did a street urchin from the film crew end up in a Northern Song Dynasty drama called "The

Time flies, and soon it was Sheng Changwu's wedding day. Sheng Wei also rushed back from his travels. The wedding was a lively affair, with guests filling the hall. Sun's mother acted like the hostess, swaggering around, much to the dismay of the Sheng family, who, out of politeness, ignored her. Unexpectedly, Sun Zhigao got completely drunk and, fueled by alcohol, started acting out, shouting and yelling that Sheng Changwu didn't respect him. Instead of stopping him, Sun's mother added fuel to the fire, grabbing Sheng Shulan's arm and asking fiercely, "Did you upset your husband?" Old Mrs. Sheng couldn't stand it any longer and stood up abruptly, shouting, "I've never seen such an unreasonable scholar, and you, you wicked woman! This is too much!" Only then did Sun's mother reluctantly release her grip, sitting down sullenly, and finally attending the wedding in an orderly fashion.

After the wedding, the Sheng family was thrown into chaos by several groups of people. There were members of the Sun clan who came to plead for the woman's life, as well as female relatives from the third branch of the family who came to watch the spectacle. There were also respected elders in the village who came to mediate. However, no matter what they said, their main opinion was the same: they asked Shulan to be magnanimous and let the woman into the family. Even if she gave birth to a son, he would be registered under Shulan's name.

Sun Zhigao had been having an affair with a dancer before his marriage, and the dancer was now pregnant. On their wedding night, Sun Zhigao forced Sheng Shulan to bring the prostitute home. How could Sheng Shulan agree? The Sheng family had a strict rule: never to live under the same roof as a prostitute. When Shulan refused, Sun Zhigao beat her on their wedding night. For her son's sake, his mother began to torment Shulan, making her serve in the room, which is why the two have never consummated their marriage. Sun's mother even berated Shulan in front of others for not being able to produce an heir, forcing her to take several concubines for Sun Zhigao. Sheng Shulan, always virtuous and kind, didn't want these scandalous affairs to disturb her family and silently endured it all. But now, the matriarch couldn't stand it anymore. Every time Sun Zhigao caused trouble, Sheng Wei and Li would send him two shops, just to appease him, which only emboldened Sun Zhigao further.

The eldest matriarch of the Sheng family remained firm in her stance, and rumors began to circulate outside, accusing the Sheng family's daughter of being jealous and intolerant. Sun Zhigao even brought the dancer into the house and fawned over her like a legitimate wife. Li Shi gradually couldn't bear it any longer, but the eldest matriarch remained steadfast and silent as a rock, keeping quiet no matter who spoke to her.

A few days later, the old lady suddenly spoke up, saying she wanted to see the dancer. Sun's mother thought the Sheng family couldn't hold on any longer, so the next day she happily brought the dancer to their door. But the old lady didn't say a word, just looked the dancer up and down for a long time, asked a few questions, and then turned and went into the house. Before Sun's mother could even react, she was seen out the door.

Pinlan excitedly found Minglan: "After Granny Sun came that day, Grandmother locked herself in the Buddhist hall. She only spoke a few words to your grandmother and wouldn't even see my mother. I've been having people guard her. Today, Grandmother suddenly asked my mother to see her. If I'm not mistaken, they want to discuss my sister's matter."

Minglan nodded repeatedly, thinking that her cousin was quite intelligent, and asked, "So what?"

Pinlan shrieked and grabbed Minglan's sleeve fiercely: "My sister's life or death is at stake, and you actually say 'so what?'? Believe me or not, I'll beat you up! Now I'm going to listen to them talk, are you coming or not?"

Minglan said anxiously, "This, this isn't right, is it? How can you eavesdrop!" Seeing Pinlan's displeasure, she quickly added, "Besides, how are you eavesdropping? Would your grandmother open the window and shout it out loud?"

Pinlan waved her arm and said, "Don't worry, there's a dog hole over there. When I was a child, I used to sneak out when I was punished and confined in the Buddhist hall. It's very well hidden. Luckily, Grandmother was speaking in the Buddhist hall this time, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to do anything. I consider you my own sister. Good sisters share happiness and hardship. You were always punished with me the last few times. You're very loyal, so I don't forget you when something good happens!" Minglan was stunned and had a black line on her forehead.

Behind the Buddhist hall, Minglan gradually became flustered, feeling that she had been really abrupt today. She reached out and pinched Pinlan. They lay down and waited for a while. Suddenly, they heard the sound of the curtain being lifted, followed by the sound of Li Shi dismissing those around her. It seemed that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were sitting far away from the Buddhist shrine.

Then Li said softly, "Grandma, you, you... called your daughter-in-law here, could it be...?"

The old lady said, "I have thought about it for several days and I have made up my mind. I will ask Shulan to get a divorce."

Minglan was startled. In the darkness, she felt that Pinlan's breathing had become heavier. She heard Li Shi say softly, "Grandma, please think about it again. Shulan is still young. How will she live the rest of her life?"

After a long while, the old lady's voice was dry and flat: "How could I be willing? I've thought about it back and forth for several days and nights, but I really have no choice. It's best to settle things while she's still young, so that she might have a better life in the future."

Li sobbed softly. The old lady said, "A woman's life depends on three men: her father, her husband, and her son. You saw the character of that Sun family mother and son. With a mother-in-law like that and a man like that, how can Shulan survive her life? If she had a son, it would be fine; she could at least get by with her son. But now she has no one to rely on. When you, me, and her father pass away, her brother and sister-in-law will always be a barrier. How do you think she will live her life after that?!"

Li couldn't help but burst into tears: "My poor Shu'er, it's all my fault. I was blinded by greed and fell for that murderous Sun! I thought that since his family was poor, he would treat Shu'er well because of how well we had treated him and his mother. Who knew... who knew... that he was worse than a pig or a dog!"

The old lady sighed, "I couldn't bear it either. I wanted to wait and see what that little beast would do. But you've seen it yourself. Shu'er has been back at her parents' home for so many days, and he hasn't even come to visit her once! I'm disheartened. Now that his wife's elders are all alive, he dares to treat Shu'er like this. If he really manages to get an official position in the future, what will become of him? Forget it, you should be more discerning and stop hoping for him."

Outside, Pinlan tightly gripped Minglan's wrist. Minglan winced in pain, understanding Pinlan's feelings, but she twisted her wrist back without hesitation.

Li said sadly, "It's not that I can't bear to part with that little beast, but I'm afraid it will ruin the family's reputation. If things fall apart, what if his family refuses to settle things amicably and insists on divorcing me?"

The old lady sneered a few times and said in a deep voice, "That Sun fellow has been flattered for years and has long forgotten his place. He thinks that others flatter him because of his reputation. Hmph, he doesn't even know his place. He's only seven parts money and three parts hype. Do you think our family is afraid of him? If we want to settle privately, we have manpower. If we want to settle publicly, we have money. Even if we have to go to court, do you think our family doesn't have connections in the government?! If he's willing to part amicably with Shulan, we'll leave half of the dowry to his family. Otherwise, hmph, we'll show them what they're like!"

After hearing this, Madam Li remained silent for a while, seemingly still hesitant. The old lady continued, "I was thinking that no matter which of the younger ones gave birth to a son or daughter, it would be fine if Shu'er lived under my name. But you've met that slut herself. She's alluring, quick-witted, and adept at flattery and scheming. Do you think she's easy to deal with? If she gives birth to a son in the future, won't she devour Shu'er whole, skin and bones!"

Li fell silent, but her sobs gradually subsided. Minglan sensed that she was wavering. The old lady sighed deeply and said sadly, "Daughter-in-law, you didn't know what it was like for me. The whole family was controlled by that wretch. We were truly helpless. My eldest daughter, who could have been saved from a simple cold with a dose of medicine, was worn down to death! That's why I hardened my heart and took your husband and Yun'er to hide in the countryside. Fortunately, your second aunt helped us and stopped your father-in-law from writing a letter of divorce. The three of us, mother and children, endured all kinds of hardships in the countryside, and finally, we managed to get through it all..."

As she spoke, she seemed to choke up. Minglan felt a pang of sadness, thinking of the old lady's withered face, wrinkles far beyond her years, each line concealing countless sorrows and bitterness. Beside her, Pinlan seemed to be gently biting her teeth.

Madam Li said softly, "I understand what you're saying, Grandmother. Shu'er is my own flesh and blood. Seeing her suffer is like a knife to my heart. But...but...I'm just afraid that it will ruin Pin'er's life. She's all grown up now. What if someone doesn't want her because of this?"

Minglan suddenly felt a gust of wind beside her. Pinlan could no longer hold back. She gently pushed Minglan to the inner corner, scrambled out from the side room, flung open the thick curtain, and shouted, "I'm not afraid! Make my sister divorce me! Even if I never marry, I won't let my sister suffer in the Sun family!"