The Wanted Detective Episode 22 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
Xiao Beiming awoke to the distressing news of Zhong Xueman’s arrest. Though Feng Qingzhuo and Tong Shuang urged him to rest and recuperate, assuring him that Zhong Xueman, as the daughter of King Zhong of Constables and a member of the Elite Constabulary Unit, would not be easily convicted or subjected to torture, Xiao Beiming insisted on returning to the abandoned house.
He was convinced that if Zhong Xueman was innocent, evidence supporting her innocence must be present at the crime scene. At the abandoned house, they noted that Zhong Xueman had been found eight feet away from Old Bug’s charred body. Despite the extensive burns, there was no trace of lamp oil, an absence that the Secret Investigation Unit attributed to Zhong Xueman cleaning the scene before her capture.
However, Xiao Beiming and Feng Qingzhuo noticed a peculiar, sickly sweet scent in the air. Feng Qingzhuo identified this as Seven-Star Powder from Poison Valley, a potent toxin capable of inducing unconsciousness within moments. This suggested that Zhong Xueman had likely been knocked out by Old Bug, making it impossible for her to have committed the murder or burned the body.
Puzzled by the murderer's choice of burning the body, Xiao Beiming further examined a piece of burnt grass near the corpse. It also emitted the same sweet aroma rather than the expected smell of charring or decay, leading him to suspect that the burned body might not be Old Bug’s after all. Since Old Bug’s corpse had been taken by the Secret Investigation Unit, Xiao Beiming devised a plan to gain access for a proper autopsy.
Later, Xiao Beiming, his internal energy gradually recovering and the poison neutralized, met with Tong Shuang. Tong Shuang provided crucial information: Old Bug’s body was stored in Room A16 of the Secret Investigation Unit, and the night duty guards were Dong Liang and Wang Lang. Despite his lingering weakness, Xiao Beiming planned to infiltrate the unit that night. However, Tong Shuang, supported by Feng Qingzhuo, adamantly insisted that Xiao Beiming stay behind.
They argued that his recovery was vital, and if their mission failed, he would be their last hope for rescue. Reluctantly, Xiao Beiming agreed, cautioning Feng Qingzhuo to be extremely careful, Tong Shuang to avoid impulsive actions, and both to meticulously follow Huo Dairong's instructions. Meanwhile, in the prison, Zhuge Kongyun interrogated Zhong Xueman. He acknowledged the lack of evidence for a third party at the crime scene and attempted to coerce her into signing a confession.
He proposed that if she admitted to accidentally killing Old Bug in self-defense during the arrest, she would receive a lighter sentence and avoid execution. Zhong Xueman, incensed by this manipulative tactic, scornfully tore up the confession. She declared that she would never admit to a falsehood nor compromise her principles for self-preservation.
She then chastised Zhuge Kongyun, recalling past discussions about his morally questionable methods of using victims as bait to lure criminals, condemning his continued unscrupulousness and disregard for the truth. Zhuge Kongyun departed, viewing her defiance as her own choice. As night fell, Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo tailed the two Secret Investigation Unit guards, Dong Liang and Wang Lang, who were grumbling about their long shifts and looking forward to Zhong Xueman’s confession.
Seizing an opportune moment, Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo subdued the guards. With Huo Dairong’s expert assistance in their disguises, they entered the Secret Investigation Unit. Tong Shuang was strictly instructed by Huo Dairong to remain silent and communicate only through sign language to avoid detection, while Huo Dairong positioned herself outside as a diversion. Inside Room A16, Feng Qingzhuo meticulously began examining Old Bug’s charred remains. Just as they were engrossed in their initial work, Zhuge Kongyun arrived.
Noticing the absence of guards at the entrance, he entered Room A16 to investigate. Concurrently, Huo Dairong, feigning extreme drunkenness, created a loud disturbance outside the main gate, demanding to see Zhong Xueman and even intentionally spilling wine on Zhuge Kongyun. Annoyed, Zhuge Kongyun ordered his own guards to escort the "drunk" Huo Dairong away, allowing Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo to remain undetected inside.
After Zhuge Kongyun’s own guards returned, claiming they had been attacked and robbed earlier, he deduced that the two "guards" inside the Secret Investigation Unit and the "drunk" woman outside were imposters. He realized he had been cunningly outsmarted by Huo Dairong. While Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo continued their examination of the corpse, Feng Qingzhuo discovered an unknown object on Old Bug’s charred remains.
He noted that its scent strikingly resembled the strange weeds found earlier at Yaksha Temple, confirming his suspicion that the corpse held unusual secrets. With only two days left before the Emperor’s deadline, Zhuge Kongyun consulted his father, Zhuge Tong, the chief of the Secret Investigation Unit.
To salvage their reputations and the unit's future, Zhuge Tong proposed framing Zhong Xueman for Old Bug’s murder, reasoning that since they had found Old Bug, his death by Zhong Xueman’s hand absolved them of blame. The following morning, a joint trial was convened between the Secret Investigation Unit and the Elite Constabulary Unit. Zhuge Tong presented what he claimed was irrefutable evidence, asserting that Zhong Xueman had indeed killed Old Bug.
Zhong Xueman vehemently denied the accusation but lacked concrete evidence to prove her innocence. Zhuge Tong argued that as a constable, Zhong Xueman had knowingly broken the law, resorted to unauthorized punishment, and cruelly murdered a key criminal, thereby deserving the death penalty. Members of the Elite Constabulary Unit, including Chief Fang, protested, arguing that the crime did not warrant such a severe sentence and that her motive was insufficient, making the conviction hasty.
Zhuge Tong countered by highlighting Zhong Xueman’s personal vendetta against Yesha, who was responsible for her father's death, implying she could have taken the law into her own hands.
He further suggested a pattern of Zhong Xueman obstructing the Yesha case, citing instances where criminals related to Yesha either escaped under her watch or died in her presence, and hinted at her past connection to Xiao Beiming, her childhood sweetheart and former husband, as a possible reason for her alleged actions. Chief Fang vehemently accused Zhuge Tong of making baseless and slanderous accusations, driven by selfish motives for a hasty conviction.
Zhuge Tong retorted, accusing Chief Fang of bias due to Zhong Xueman's affiliation with the Elite Constabulary Unit. Chief Fang proposed detaining Zhong Xueman and seeking final approval from the Emperor. However, Zhuge Tong, producing an imperial token, declared that the Emperor had granted the Secret Investigation Unit special authority for Yesha-related cases, allowing for execution after a joint trial verdict without further imperial review.
He then dramatically announced that Zhong Xueman would be beheaded in public at the third quarter past noon, causing Chief Fang to denounce the ruling as a disgrace to the Elite Constabulary Unit. The Elite Constabulary Unit members, incensed by the verdict and their unit's humiliation, sought counsel from Chief Fang.
They expressed their belief in Zhong Xueman’s innocence and their unwillingness to tolerate the Secret Investigation Unit's blatant disregard for justice, despite Zhuge Tong’s possession of an Imperial Jade Pendant. Fang Yin, a passionate member, passionately confronted Chief Fang, reminding him that they had watched Zhong Xueman grow up and imploring him not to allow her to be unjustly executed.
He argued that while they might tolerate insults and bullying normally, they could not stand by when an innocent life was at stake. As Zhong Xueman was escorted to the execution ground, the public reacted with disbelief, many openly questioning her guilt, some even arguing with those who called the Elite Constabulary Unit corrupt. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming received urgent news from his companions about Zhong Xueman’s impending public execution at noon.
By a serene lake, Xiao Beiming reflected on his solemn promise to his late master’s wife, who had entrusted Zhong Xueman to his care, imploring him to protect her from all harm. He realized that he alone possessed the means to rescue her. The execution ground swelled with onlookers, among whom Tong Shuang and his allies blended in, ready to attempt a rescue.
As the designated hour of the third quarter past noon arrived, and Zhong Xueman was brought to the block, Zhuge Tong, chief of the Secret Investigation Unit, was present, relishing his perceived victory and taunting her. Suddenly, Chief Fang, leading the Elite Constabulary Unit, arrived and loudly interjected, publicly refuting Zhuge Tong’s actions. Chief Fang branded Zhuge Tong’s conduct as despicable, unjust, unlawful, and beastly, revealing that he had already reported Zhuge Tong to the Emperor.
Zhuge Tong, unfazed, challenged Chief Fang to produce the Emperor’s reply, asserting that he would still proceed with the execution and present Zhong Xueman’s head to the Emperor himself. As the tension escalated and Chief Fang drew his sword, accusing Zhuge Tong of attempted rebellion, Xiao Beiming dramatically appeared, declaring that they had apprehended the wrong person. A surprised Zhuge Tong immediately ordered Xiao Beiming’s arrest. However, Xiao Beiming calmly stopped the guards, revealing a small vial.
He announced that he had consumed a potent poison that would kill him within thirty minutes if he did not receive an antidote. He explained that his presence was solely to save Zhong Xueman. If he were to die, Zhuge Tong would lose all clues pertaining to the Yesha case, leaving him unable to account to the Emperor. Faced with this dilemma, Zhuge Tong agreed to halt Zhong Xueman’s execution and re-examine her case if Xiao Beiming surrendered. Xiao Beiming then allowed himself to be arrested, and Zhuge Tong, proclaiming his victory, ordered him taken to the Secret Investigation Unit’s prison.
