A League of Nobleman Episode 3 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Her Majesty presides over the interrogation, with only Lan Jue and Wang Yan permitted to remain inside while other officials wait outside. Stating that Zhang Ping has solved the case, Her Majesty directs him to conduct the detailed questioning of the suspect, Han Yan. Zhang Ping asks Han Yan if she is responsible for killing Xie Hao and burning the body using Fire Bead and turpentine. Han Yan confesses.
She explains that Xie Hao had poisoned her water, causing her to miscarry her unborn child, despite only taking a small sip and quickly realizing something was wrong. Han Yan claims Xie Hao poisoned her because Han Yan had overheard her conspiring with Lan Jue.
She alleges that Lan Jue had incriminating evidence in someone else's possession and had instructed Xie Hao to seduce that person to retrieve it, and that she realized she was to be killed because she had discovered this plot. Regarding the blood written message found at the scene, Han Yan says it was intended to expose their "treasonous collaboration" to the public. She insists she heard clearly that the evidence of Lan Jue's treason is hidden within a Rhino-Horn Bead.
She states she had found a bead under a candle backstage, confirming it was the Rhino-Horn Bead she mentioned, and that it is currently located under the bed in her room. Her Majesty orders her attendants to retrieve the bead, which is quickly found. Inside is a secret letter with content pointing to alleged plotting with the Nandong Kingdom. Lan Jue is asked for his response to Han Yan's severe accusations.
He denies them, calling it a massive lie intended to frame him. He recounts how he is the son of the traitor Lan Lin but was granted amnesty ten years ago and became an official through examination, swearing he would never be so ungrateful. He vows loyalty to the Yong Kingdom, declaring Lan Lin is no longer his father. Given that the letter involves state secrets, Her Majesty asks Zhang Ping to leave the room.
Stating that Lan Jue has disappointed her, Her Majesty orders him taken to the Judicial Prison for strict interrogation. Lan Jue requests to examine the letter before being taken away. After reviewing it, he declares it is forged and someone is deliberately framing him. He points out that the character 'qi' is written with full strokes in the letter, which he avoids when writing memorials to respect the Emperor's name taboo by omitting a stroke.
He also observes that the writing indicates it was done with a left hand, something he cannot do. Minister Gong confirms the handwriting is not Lan Jue's and recalls Lan Jue's habit of omitting the stroke in the character 'qi'. Wang Yan immediately suggests looking for officials who write left-handed, specifically naming Vice Minister Guo Yun, whom he recalls writing left-handed calligraphy.
Wang Yan argues that while others may write left-handed, only Guo Yun has the motive, as he is competing with Lan Jue for the position of Minister of Rites, a position that will soon be vacant as Minister Gong is retiring. Her Majesty summons Vice Minister Guo Yun. Guo Yun vehemently denies forging the letter, admitting he can write left-handed but insisting he did not write this one. He demands evidence for Wang Yan's accusation that he framed Lan Jue.
Wang Yan then reveals a secret discovered during the investigation into Han Yan's miscarriage: that Guo Yun is the father of her child. Guo Yun heatedly denies any relationship with Han Yan, insulting her status as a "lowly prostitute musician" and contrasting her with his virtuous wife. Hurt by his public rejection, Han Yan tearfully confesses that her earlier testimony against Lan Jue was entirely false.
She states that Guo Yun instructed her to frame Lan Jue for treason because Guo Yun knew he was inferior in talent and knowledge for the position they both sought and resented Lan Jue. Guo Yun continues to protest his innocence, even accusing Lan Jue. Her Majesty, angered that her movements seem to have been known and exploited, declares she is tired and transfers the remaining investigation to the Ministry of Justice.
As Guo Yun is led away, he continues to shout accusations. Lan Jue thanks Her Majesty for clearing his name and reaffirms his commitment to his oath as an official. Separately, Lan Jue has a subordinate intercept a beggar delivering a second blood letter. The letter includes a note indicating the crime would be exposed at midnight.
Observing that this second letter was sent an hour before midnight without mentioning the fake letter found in the bead, Lan Jue deduces that a third action to implicate him was planned for the precise hour of midnight. He orders the second blood letter burned immediately. Reflecting on the case, Zhang Ping realizes something is amiss.
He recalls that the hair oil found near the Fire Bead at the scene was still wet hours after the incident, contrasting with the fact that such oil usually dries quickly. This suggests it was applied recently, too late for Han Yan to have left it. He concludes Han Yan is not the true murderer. He returns to Banyue Pavilion to find the case already declared solved, with blame assigned to Guo Yun and Han Yan.
Wondering if Lan Jue has deceived him again, Zhang Ping encounters Zhi Xia, a dancer who became frenzied after witnessing Xie Hao's death. He notices her hair oil smells identical to Xie Hao's. Using a technique called "Water Illusion" with a water instrument, Zhang Ping helps Zhi Xia confront her trauma and recall the events.
Under the guidance of the Water Illusion, Zhi Xia describes seeing someone tamper with a lamp to ignite Xie Hao's hair using a Fire Bead to focus light. As she recovers, she answers Zhang Ping's questions. She remembers she forgot her own hair oil that morning and used Xie Hao's instead. She also recalls getting a scratch on her ear from a dancer's sleeve during the final scene.
She identifies the scratch came from a bell tassel, which was part of a previous costume and should have been removed during the quick change. She realizes the dancer must have layered costumes to save time, possibly using that time to kill Xie Hao. She identifies the dancer in that position as Li Niang, recognizing her by her four ear piercings, a custom from her hometown.
Zhi Xia initially believes Li Niang is the killer, but then remembers Li Niang pushed her away as Xie Hao caught fire, saving her from the same fate as Zhi Xia was also wearing the flammable hair oil. She realizes only the murderer would have known the hair oil was dangerous, confirming Li Niang was the one who tampered with it and is the true murderer.
Zhang Ping inquires about Li Niang's whereabouts and is told she was frightened by the accident and Wang Yan arranged for her to see a doctor. Zhang Ping instructs his subordinate, Chen Chou, to pack away the Water Bowl and wait for him. Meanwhile, Zhi Xia is shown being escorted away in a carriage by Lan Jue and Wang Yan. Inside the carriage, Zhi Xia, despite being bound, discreetly attempts to free herself.
