Checkmate Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Checkmate Synopsis
A young lawyer in Beiping, Situ Yan, was dismissed from his job for sticking to the law and came to Harbin to become a detective.
In a series of cases, he befriended his straightforward friend Luo Shaochuan and got to know Zhou Mowan, who dares to love and hate. Together they revealed the conspiracy.
Checkmate Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Councilor Xu and his assistant arrived at Zhengyang Gate station. His assistant confidently told him that nine councilors in Harbin now supported them, ensuring their victory in the upcoming election. Councilor Xu, however, advised caution, asking him to save his breath in such a public place. Moments later, a man in a black hat shot Councilor Xu in the back, killing him instantly. Amidst the chaos and shouts of "Murder!"
, Luo Shaochuan pursued and apprehended the assassin, later identified as Ma Shiying. In court, Situ Yan presented compelling forensic evidence. He explained that the bullet's trajectory, combined with the distance between the shooter and the victim, indicated the assailant was approximately 1. 8 meters tall with an arm span of 0. 75 meters, a description that matched only the defendant, Ma Shiying. When Ma Shiying arrogantly dismissed the evidence, Situ Yan was ready to conclude his case.
However, Ma Shiying's defense lawyer interjected with new evidence, revealing that Ma Shiying had acquired Russian nationality. The judge, citing numerous questionable points and diplomatic constraints, declared the court adjourned and scheduled a retrial. Situ Yan was outraged, arguing that Ma Shiying was caught in the act on Chinese soil, with abundant evidence, including witness testimonies, the recovered 0. 38-inch Colt revolver, and matching firing pin marks and fingerprints.
Despite this, the judge deemed his evidence procedurally invalid and ordered bailiffs to remove him from the courtroom for disrupting order. Situ Yan defiantly questioned the judge's integrity, asking if he was worthy of being Chinese for refusing to convict a foreign national who murdered a Chinese official. The aftermath of the trial was severe. Division Chief Wang showed Situ Yan a newspaper editorial titled "Which course should justice follow?"
, informing him that everyone in Beijing now blamed him for allowing Ma Shiying to escape. Situ Yan tore up the newspaper. Division Chief Wang urged him to apologize to the court to save his reputation and career, emphasizing that public opinion was against him despite his pursuit of justice.
Situ Yan vehemently refused, stating he preferred to lose such a prospect and declaring that if darkness attempted to conceal the truth, he would be the mantis willing to challenge it. Division Chief Wang, hinting at powerful forces at play, warned him against being self-important. Later, Situ Yan received a letter from his mentor, Shen Jianxian. The letter passionately discussed China's eroded sovereignty due to foreign extraterritoriality and the urgent need to establish an independent legal system.
Shen Jianxian announced the formation of a lawyer association in Harbin with like-minded individuals to reclaim legal independence and invited Situ Yan to join them for important discussions. Moved by the letter, Situ Yan decided to go to Harbin. Division Chief Wang was surprised that his strong-willed friend was so easily swayed but conceded that Shen Jianxian's words had truly resonated with Situ Yan's core principles.
Division Chief Wang accompanied Situ Yan, asking him to convey his regards to Shen Jianxian. They stopped at a street stall for breakfast, where Luo Shaochuan and his subordinates were also dining. Overhearing Luo Shaochuan's men criticizing him for letting Ma Shiying go, Situ Yan nearly confronted them but was pulled away by Division Chief Wang. At the train station, Luo Shaochuan was angrily accusing his subordinate of stealing his Colt revolver, threatening him under military law.
Situ Yan intervened, asking Luo Shaochuan if he intended to commit murder in public. The subordinate explained that after breakfast, Luo Shaochuan's pistol disappeared, replaced by a button from his uniform in Luo Shaochuan's pocket. Situ Yan, after examining and sniffing the button, immediately ran back towards the street stall, with Luo Shaochuan and his men in pursuit. They discovered the stall owner in possession of the stolen pistol.
The owner, wielding the gun, confessed that he intended to avenge his daughter, who committed suicide after being raped by a local ruffian named Wang San. Situ Yan calmly urged him to put down the weapon, promising justice and explaining that while his grievances were profound, stealing a military pistol and committing murder were unlawful. Division Chief Wang arrived and assured the owner that the Ministry of Justice would handle the case.
Situ Yan, however, reiterated that no matter the reason, breaking the law was unacceptable. Luo Shaochuan later admitted he was impressed by Situ Yan's deduction. Situ Yan explained that the oil on the button, combined with the fact that only the stall owner, Division Chief Wang, and himself had oily hands from breakfast, indicated the stall owner was the thief. He reasoned that Luo Shaochuan's men hadn't eaten fried rings, so their hands wouldn't be oily.
The owner must have taken the pistol and planted the button in the subordinate's pocket. Situ Yan further deduced the owner's murderous intent, dismissing Luo Shaochuan's suggestion that the gun might be for protection. Luo Shaochuan, now grateful, introduced himself and offered future assistance, also commending Situ Yan's sharp mind. Division Chief Wang clarified that the stall owner would face minimal consequences due to lack of direct evidence, allowing him to take care of the family in the interim.
As a gesture of gratitude and to return a favor, Luo Shaochuan insisted Situ Yan travel in the first-class carriage, a luxurious section known as the Orient Express. Despite Situ Yan's initial reluctance and the conductor's claim that all compartments were full, Luo Shaochuan found an unclaimed compartment and assigned it to Situ Yan. During the journey, Qi Hong, a woman who previously had Situ Yan carry her luggage, tried to flirt and engage him in conversation.
Situ Yan's reserved demeanor and germophobia, however, led her to believe he was "crazy," and she left. At lunch, he briefly encountered a coughing middle-aged woman, who showed him photos of her daughter and grandson. Later, in the dining car, Situ Yan spotted Ma Shiying, who was loudly proclaiming his immunity from legal consequences. A group of reporters, including Jin Qiming, swarmed Ma Shiying, pressing him on his early departure from Beijing and whether he was fleeing the country.
Ma Shiying reacted aggressively, until Luo Shaochuan intervened to maintain order. Situ Yan observed Luo Shaochuan warning Ma Shiying to behave, to which Ma Shiying retorted that Luo Shaochuan couldn't do anything to him. Situ Yan informed Luo Shaochuan that Ma Shiying possessed a gun, but Luo Shaochuan dismissed the threat in such a public setting. Upon returning to his compartment, Situ Yan found himself in the room adjacent to Ma Shiying. That night, Situ Yan was awakened by commotion.
He opened his door to find the train conductor, Old Liu, who had been drinking, dismissing Qi Hong's panicked report of a man in her room with a lewd comment about her. Situ Yan then asked Old Liu for hot water. He also saw Qi Hong, in a red qipao, walk by at some point. The next morning, Old Liu frantically reported a murder in the first-class carriage. It was Ma Shiying.
Luo Shaochuan rushed to the scene, initially confronting Situ Yan and accusing him of the murder, even offering money and an escape plan. Situ Yan, confused, vehemently denied his involvement. During the investigation, Old Liu explained that he and Ma Shiying's secretary, Wan Jixiang, discovered the body after Ma Shiying missed his breakfast. The door to Ma Shiying's compartment was locked from the inside, but through a crack, Old Liu saw Ma Shiying was dead.
He recounted last seeing Ma Shiying alive around 1 AM, when Ma Shiying rang his bell and spoke Russian before dismissing him. A subordinate informed them that the train had been stopped since around 0:30 AM due to railway damage ahead and had not moved. A doctor's examination confirmed Ma Shiying's death occurred between midnight and 2 AM, with his shattered watch stopping at 1:15 AM.
He had sustained nine stab wounds of varying depths, some from the right hand and deeper ones from the left, including two fatal blows to the heart and lung. Given that the train had been stationary and no one had left the first-class carriage, Situ Yan concluded the murderer was still on board, likely within their carriage. Immediately, Zong Yan pointed to Situ Yan as the most likely suspect, given their public altercation the previous day.
Situ Yan countered that he sought justice through the law, not private vengeance. Wan Jixiang, Ma Shiying's secretary, quickly provided an alibi, stating he was drinking with Zong Yan last night, which Zong Yan confirmed, though he specified he was only drinking tea. Panicked, Qi Hong claimed she had seen the killer, fearing for her life, and asserted he had hidden in her room last night, potentially seeing her.
She could only describe him as a man and pleaded for his capture. Another passenger scoffed, suggesting Qi Hong was only worried about losing a client and implying she might be the killer, seeking revenge for Councilor Xu. Luo Shaochuan quickly ended the arguments, ordering everyone back to their compartments and forbidding unauthorized movement.
Jin Qiming, a reporter, was found writing an article suggesting Situ Yan was the murderer, claiming Ma Shiying was killed while fleeing abroad on the Orient Express. Luo Shaochuan accused Jin Qiming of fabricating the story and even suggested Jin Qiming himself might be the killer, hiding in the dining car. Jin Qiming defended himself, explaining he was let in by Old Liu and hadn't moved. Situ Yan advised Jin Qiming to stop speculating and avoid raising suspicion on himself.
Episode 2 Recap
Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan revisited the crime scene, where Ma Shiying had been fatally stabbed multiple times, indicating intense anger from the murderer. Situ Yan observed that the communicating door was locked from the other side, while the window was wide open. Luo Shaochuan initially thought the killer had escaped through the window, but Situ Yan insisted that the murderer was still on the train.
They checked outside and found no footprints, confirming that no one had left from there. Situ Yan concluded that opening the window was merely a diversion, and the unexpected overnight stop of the train was fortunate, allowing them to confirm the killer's presence. He vowed to find the culprit. Inside Ma Shiying's room, Situ Yan discovered a water glass that had contained sleeping pills, a loaded handgun, a pipe cleaner, and a pearl.
Meanwhile, Qi Hong, distressed, rushed to Situ Yan, claiming she found a button in her room that wasn't hers. She was convinced the killer had entered her room and pleaded for Situ Yan's help, trembling with fear. Luo Shaochuan sternly warned her to calm down, threatening that she could be the next victim if she continued to panic. Situ Yan separately questioned Qi Hong about the communicating door.
Qi Hong explained that Liao Yun, the woman with the persistent cough whom Situ Yan had encountered earlier, had been asked to check the door. Annoyed by Liao Yun's coughing, Qi Hong had invited her to her room for cough medicine and asked her to check if the communicating door was locked. However, Liao Yun clumsily opened the door, stumbled into Ma Shiying's room, then quickly retreated. Qi Hong assumed Liao Yun had forgotten to re-lock the door.
She concluded that the murderer must have killed Ma Shiying and then escaped into her room through the communicating door. Situ Yan remarked that this suggested the killer intended to create the impression of a locked-room mystery to mislead investigators into thinking they had jumped off the train. Situ Yan then showed Qi Hong the pearl, asking if it was hers.
Qi Hong scoffed, stating she would not be working in her profession if she could afford such an expensive item. Situ Yan also asked if she owned a red cheongsam, which she denied. Luo Shaochuan then outlined the passenger manifest. From Room One to Seven, the occupants were Situ Yan, Ma Shiying, Qi Hong, Princess Rong Xiang, Zong Yan, Bai Lu, and Liao Yun, respectively. Rooms Eight and Nine were connected and occupied by George Brel.
Wan Jixiang was in Room Eleven, and Shi Chunshan in Room Twelve. Situ Yan theorized that the pearl likely belonged to a female passenger, while the pipe cleaner belonged to a male smoker. Situ Yan dismissed Jin Qiming, who was engrossed in writing, but asked him to leave his camera for photographic evidence, promising to return it. Liu Zijie, the conductor, then recounted the previous night's events in detail.
He said the train's last stop was Jinzhou at 11:58 PM for about ten minutes. It then traveled for over 20 minutes before stopping indefinitely due to damaged tracks ahead. Shortly after the indefinite stop, Ma Shiying rang his bell, only to brusquely dismiss Liu Zijie. Immediately after, Princess Rong Xiang rang for her maid, Shi Chunshan, due to a flare-up of rheumatism. Liu Zijie informed Shi Chunshan.
He then returned to his duty and later drank with Wan Jixiang and Zong Yan. He mentioned that around 1 AM, he responded to Situ Yan and Qi Hong's calls. Qi Hong reported a man in her room, and Liu Zijie found the communicating door to Ma Shiying's room unlocked. He suspected Qi Hong might have left it open for Ma Shiying, but he locked it for her. After delivering water to Situ Yan, he remained in the duty room.
He confirmed that the button found by Qi Hong was not his, as all his uniform buttons were accounted for. He also stated that, by regulation, he was the sole conductor for the first-class carriage, though he sometimes socialized with others. Liu Zijie vaguely recalled seeing a woman in a red cheongsam or skirt going to the toilet but couldn't identify her face due to his inebriation. Next, Situ Yan questioned Wan Jixiang.
Wan Jixiang, Ma Shiying's secretary, expressed his primary concern was getting his last week's salary and vehemently denied any involvement in the murder, explaining his duties were limited to translation and document handling. He reminded Situ Yan that he had tried to help him when Ma Shiying threatened him. Situ Yan referenced Ma Shiying's earlier comment about "scholar's tricks."
Wan Jixiang revealed that Ma Shiying had received two threatening letters recently and believed Situ Yan was behind them, planning to switch carriages after seeing him, but was killed before he could. Wan Jixiang confirmed he did not know about Ma Shiying's sleeping pill habit. After leaving Ma Shiying's room, Wan Jixiang said he drank with Zong Yan. They smoked a cigarette outside the carriage door when the train stopped, but quickly returned inside due to the cold.
He confirmed Liu Zijie briefly joined them for a drink before leaving to answer a bell. Wan Jixiang also remembered seeing a very young woman in a red cheongsam walking by, and suggested asking Zong Yan, who was sober, for more accurate details. Zong Yan, when questioned, asserted that he never drank, citing the need for constant alertness from his military background, contrasting himself with Luo Shaochuan's less disciplined approach.
Luo Shaochuan challenged Zong Yan's combat prowess, but Situ Yan intervened, asking for cooperation. Zong Yan confirmed that after he and Wan Jixiang returned from smoking, he saw a conductor pass by, but it was not Liu Zijie. He described the person as noticeably thinner than Liu Zijie and heading towards the dining car, not returning. Zong Yan was adamant about this identification, emphasizing a soldier's sensitivity to body shapes.
He stated they talked about "women, fighting wars, just chitchat" until 1:30 AM or later, after which he put a drunken Wan Jixiang to bed. He only learned of the murder in the morning from the commotion. He dismissed any personal stake in Ma Shiying's death. Situ Yan then presented the pipe cleaner, asking if it was his, noting he was the only pipe smoker in the carriage. Zong Yan nonchalantly stated it looked generic and he had several more.
Situ Yan probed why Zong Yan was traveling to Fengtian for an "urgent matter" despite leaving his luggage behind, if not for an urgent reason. Zong Yan simply replied he disliked altering his predetermined schedule.
Luo Shaochuan became convinced that Zong Yan was the murderer, theorizing he had bribed Wan Jixiang for Ma Shiying's itinerary, boarded the train, established an alibi with Wan Jixiang, killed Ma Shiying, and intended to be off the train by morning before the body was discovered. Situ Yan, however, felt there were too many conflicting elements: the pipe cleaner, the pearl, the woman in the red cheongsam, and the unknown conductor.
He likened each piece of evidence and testimony to a part of a jigsaw puzzle, believing the truth would emerge once all pieces were assembled. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan then interviewed Princess Rong Xiang and Shi Chunshan. Princess Rong Xiang recounted that her rheumatism had flared up around 1 AM, and she had the conductor call Shi Chunshan for a massage. Shi Chunshan stayed for about half an hour (30 minutes).
When Shi Chunshan left to retrieve a quilt for her, around 1:15 AM, she saw a conductor pass by. Shi Chunshan clarified it was not Liu Zijie, but a shorter person she had never seen before. Princess Rong Xiang reiterated that due to her physical condition, she could not have possibly killed Ma Shiying. Situ Yan instructed Luo Shaochuan to search everyone's luggage, suspecting the conductor's uniform would be found in a woman's suitcase.
Situ Yan showed the pearl to Liao Yun again, who firmly denied it belonged to her. Liao Yun mentioned that Bai Lu, the student from the adjacent room, had been caring for her coughing until around midnight, after which Liao Yun asked her to rest. Liao Yun noted that Bai Lu's door made a distinctive noise, but it remained silent after she returned, implying she did not leave her room again.
Liao Yun also denied owning a red cheongsam, stating she disliked the color. Situ Yan gently probed about her earlier accidental entry into Ma Shiying's room, and Liao Yun, embarrassed, stated she was unwell and had mistakenly opened the wrong door, not wishing to recall the incident. Luo Shaochuan also questioned Bai Lu about the red cheongsam and pearl, which she denied possessing.
Bai Lu corroborated seeing a woman in a red cheongsam walk past her room and complained about her faulty door which the conductor had promised to fix. Luo Shaochuan warned Bai Lu and all passengers that if the killer wasn't found before the train reached Fengtian, they would all be taken to the police station for questioning.
Luo Shaochuan then proposed a consolidated theory: a thin, unknown conductor boarded the train at Jinzhou, used a master key to enter Ma Shiying's room, killed him, staged the locked room, and escaped through Qi Hong's room. However, he was still perplexed about how the killer disappeared from the train. Situ Yan simply reiterated his puzzle analogy, emphasizing that every piece of information would eventually reveal the truth.
Situ Yan discovered a document referencing "Xu Huaichang," learning about the "Xu family tragedy" that occurred twelve years prior in Harbin. Xu Huaichang's wife, Yuqin, and their daughter were murdered during a robbery. Mrs. Xu had tirelessly sought justice, and it was noted that Ma Shiying had been in Harbin around the time of the tragedy. This raised the possibility of Ma Shiying being the true culprit of the Xu family tragedy.
Luo Shaochuan's subordinate then reported a significant discovery: a conductor's uniform had been found in Shi Chunshan's luggage. It was also revealed that Princess Rong Xiang was Mrs. Xu's godmother. Shi Chunshan frantically denied ownership of the uniform, claiming she was being framed. Situ Yan, remembering Shi Chunshan's alibi, pointed out that she had been with Princess Rong Xiang all night, making it impossible for her to be the murderer.
He suggested that the killer, after leaving Room Three in the conductor's uniform, changed into a red cheongsam in Room Twelve (Shi Chunshan's room) and left the uniform there. Shi Chunshan again denied owning a red cheongsam or the pearl. Luo Shaochuan, overwhelmed by the mounting suspects, felt that everyone now seemed to have a motive.
Princess Rong Xiang, overhearing the conversation, declared that Ma Shiying "deserved it" and that she would have killed him herself if she had known he was the perpetrator of the Xu family tragedy. She lamented "harming" Yuqin, whom she watched grow up, recalling Yuqin's support for "foreign things" and subsequent flight to Fengtian after being wanted in Nanjing. Princess Rong Xiang expressed deep regret for not keeping Yuqin at home, believing it would have prevented her tragic fate.
She also noted her inability to commit the murder due to her severe rheumatism, and mused that her presence on this train might be destiny. She also conveyed her wish to inform Mrs. Xu's ailing mother of Ma Shiying's death, hoping the news might offer some comfort. Situ Yan then theorized that there was still another woman on the train, noting George Brel had ordered two portions of food.
Luo Shaochuan dismissed this, reminding him that Brel was an American diplomat. At that moment, a subordinate burst in with startling news: a red cheongsam had been found in Situ Yan's luggage. Luo Shaochuan immediately accused Situ Yan of hypocrisy, exclaiming he was "a thief crying 'Stop thief'." Situ Yan, looking at the red cheongsam, pondered whether this development was a challenge or a warning.
Episode 3 Recap
A red qipao was discovered in Situ Yan's luggage, immediately drawing the attention of other passengers who began to murmur, with some suggesting that Situ Yan himself was the culprit, trying to divert suspicion. Zong Yan vocally accused Situ Yan, pointing out that the phrase "go away" in Russian was heard from the victim's room, a language Situ Yan could speak, making him a prime suspect.
Since Wan Jixiang and the conductor, Liu Zijie, were talking and working respectively, they had alibis, leaving Situ Yan without one. Another passenger, however, interjected that Liu Zijie had first responded to a call from Room Three (Ma Shiying’s room) before Room One (Situ Yan’s room), which would have given Situ Yan enough time to commit the crime and return. Situ Yan recognized the qipao as a deliberate provocation or warning.
Luo Shaochuan ordered everyone to stay calm and remain in their places. Situ Yan, connecting a previous observation about George Blair ordering two meals, suspected there was another person in George Blair's room. He went to George Blair’s door and knocked. George Blair, a diplomat, opened the door but immediately refused to cooperate, claiming diplomatic immunity and stating he had been asleep and not left his room all night.
Luo Shaochuan interjected, asserting his right to investigate a murder on his train, regardless of George Blair’s diplomatic status, and questioning George Blair's stance on rights given the uncertain ownership of the railway between China and Russia. As George Blair attempted to close the door, Situ Yan noticed he was left-handed, a crucial detail, as Ma Shiying's fatal wound was inflicted by a left-handed assailant. Situ Yan then insisted on knowing if there was a woman in the room.
Despite George Blair's initial resistance, a woman’s voice from inside agreed to cooperate. Inside, George Blair introduced the woman as his wife, Fang Ting, who politely excused her husband's concern for her fragile health. Situ Yan requested their passports. While George Blair's passport was in order, Fang Ting’s passport lacked a Chinese name, prompting Situ Yan to ask for it, to which she replied, "Fang Ting."
Situ Yan subtly noted "Xu Fangting" on her luggage, immediately suspecting a connection to the long-past Xu family tragedy. When asked, Fang Ting denied any knowledge of the Xu family tragedy, claiming she was a young child and not in Harbin when it occurred. Situ Yan then asked to examine her jewelry box, where he found pearls identical to one discovered at the crime scene.
Fang Ting explained she had accidentally broken her necklace while packing and hastily put the loose pearls into the box. She reiterated that she had not left the room since boarding and had gone to bed early, knowing nothing about Ma Shiying's death. Situ Yan confronted her with the inconsistency, asking how a pearl from her necklace could be found at the crime scene if she had not left her room. Suddenly, a scream erupted from Qi Hong's room.
Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan rushed over and found the murder weapon, a dagger, on Qi Hong’s table, hidden beneath her purse. Qi Hong was hysterical, terrified that the killer had planted the weapon as a warning and would return for her. Luo Shaochuan tried to reassure her, stating they were close to identifying the murderer. Situ Yan pressed Qi Hong for more details, particularly about the connecting door to Ma Shiying's room.
Qi Hong recalled hanging her wash bag on the door handle, which obstructed her view of the lock, so she was unsure if the door had been properly secured. Situ Yan probed about her supposed positive relationship with Ma Shiying, and her need to check the lock.
Qi Hong tearfully clarified that she was no longer a prostitute but a singer who sought to merely "make people happy," and she had checked the door out of fear of Ma Shiying's potential unwanted advances. Bai Lu, who was present, urged Situ Yan to stop distressing Qi Hong, and Luo Shaochuan encouraged Qi Hong to trust Situ Yan and arranged for her to stay with Bai Lu for safety.
Situ Yan later reflected on Qi Hong's statement, realizing that a wash bag would not block the door lock, which was positioned below the handle. He also observed that Qi Hong's fingers bore calluses from writing, not playing the pipa, leading him to deduce that she had abandoned her past as a courtesan and had become a writer, implicitly using her craft to honor Mrs. Xu's memory by writing under the name "Huai Chang" and to live a respectable life.
Princess Rong Xiang then requested a meeting with Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan. She claimed the pearl Situ Yan found was hers and showed them her broken hairpin, explaining that its silver pin had snapped, causing the pearl to fall. She asked Situ Yan to inspect the pearl for dark stains from the tarnished silver, which he confirmed.
The Princess admitted she didn’t know when or where she lost it, as she had worn the hairpin the previous day and put it back without noticing its absence. Situ Yan shared his mounting suspicions with Luo Shaochuan, noting that while most passengers had alibis, he, Qi Hong, George Blair, and Fang Ting did not. He then strategically re-approached George Blair, feigning an apology but pointedly addressing his "wife" as Xu Fangting.
Confronted, Xu Fangting confirmed her true identity, admitting she had hidden it due to fear of being implicated in Ma Shiying’s murder. George Blair vehemently defended his wife, asserting that whoever killed Ma Shiying was a "good person." Situ Yan countered, stating that regardless of motive, a killer remains a killer. Xu Fangting then confessed that she was the sister-in-law of Ma Shiying's victim, Mrs. Xu (Yuqin), and a witness to the Xu family tragedy twelve years prior.
As a twelve-year-old, she watched in horror as Ma Shiying, unable to find money during a robbery, raped her sister-in-law, Yuqin. Her young niece rushed to protect her mother and was brutally murdered. Xu Fangting agonized over her inability to hold her niece or cover her eyes, blaming herself for her niece’s tragic death. George Blair tried to console her, insisting it wasn't her fault.
Xu Fangting confessed her desire for revenge but admitted she lacked the courage to kill Ma Shiying herself, especially after witnessing his unjust acquittal in court despite overwhelming evidence. She recalled that a student named Han Shuang had reported the crime. Situ Yan immediately connected Han Shuang to Bai Lu.
Bai Lu confirmed her identity as Han Shuang, revealing that she was nine years old at the time of the Xu family tragedy and had studied English with Mrs. Xu, who had treated her like her own child. Days before the crime, she had seen a suspicious coachman loitering near the Xu residence, who insinuated that Mrs. Xu was involved in "unseemly things." After the tragedy, the coachman vanished.
Bai Lu reported him, and his description matched the perpetrator Xu Fangting had seen. Situ Yan understood that Bai Lu's hurried use of the name "Bai Lu" during registration was a panicked attempt to conceal her identity, drawing a poetic connection to the phrase "Clear dews become frost thence." Luo Shaochuan realized that every passenger on the train, in some way, was connected to the Xu family.
Princess Rong Xiang revealed that her current servant, Shi Chunshan, was previously the Xu family's cook and had accompanied Yuqin when she married. After the Xu family tragedy, Shi Chunshan had been interrogated and left without a home until Princess Rong Xiang took her in. Shi Chunshan, overcome with guilt, confessed that she had forgotten to lock the back door on the night of the tragedy, blaming herself for allowing the "evil man" to enter and kill Mrs. Xu.
She tearfully denied killing Ma Shiying. Situ Yan then subtly pressed Liao Yun about a framed photograph, revealing her earlier lie. He deduced that the photo was not of her daughter and grandson, but of Liao Yun and her daughter (Mrs. Xu), implying her daughter was no longer alive, and her trip to Harbin to see her was likely the most painful experience of her life.
Situ Yan then confronted Wan Jixiang, revealing that his earlier suggestion about Ma Shiying taking sleeping pills on the train was a fabrication. He deduced that the threatening letter Ma Shiying genuinely feared was not the ones Wan Jixiang had produced, but one Wan Jixiang had burned. Enraged, Wan Jixiang lashed out at Ma Shiying, calling him a "bastard" who should not have killed Mrs. Xu.
He recounted how Mrs. Xu had saved him as a young, thieving street orphan from being beaten to death. He also admitted that he had seen the murderer (Ma Shiying) before the crime, having followed him to Mrs. Xu’s house after a failed attempt to steal from him, though he had not entered the premises. Zong Yan then confessed that he had been Xu Huai Chang's comrade and was tasked with escorting his sister-in-law, Mrs. Xu, to safety.
However, he had gotten drunk on the night of the tragedy, failing to ensure her protection. Liu Zijie, the conductor, also confirmed his long-standing connection to the Xu family, explicitly stating that Mrs. Xu's daughter, "Ying," was his own daughter, and tearfully blamed himself for his daughter's suicide, which stemmed from his distrust in her.
Finally, Qi Hong admitted that she had known Mrs. Xu in Nanjing, where Mrs. Xu, a fervent advocate for reform, constantly urged her to leave her life as a courtesan. This ongoing pressure had eventually led Qi Hong to reveal intimate details about Mrs. Xu's relationship with Xu Huai Chang. Qi Hong confessed her current fear was not of being caught, but that the killer was seeking revenge for Mrs. Xu, and she was implicated.
Situ Yan declared that, with the exception of himself, every passenger on the train was connected to the Xu family. He concluded that this was no mere coincidence but a meticulously planned setup designed to involve him in the unfolding drama.
He then meticulously dismantled the collective narrative they had presented, which described a "fictitious killer" who had boarded the train at Jinzhou, donned a conductor's uniform, used a master key to enter Ma Shiying's room, committed the murder, created a locked-room scenario, escaped through Qi Hong's room, discarded the uniform in Shi Chunshan's room, and then vanished while wearing a red qipao.
Situ Yan highlighted the fatal flaw in this perfect alibi: the train had been stopped all night, making it impossible for such a killer to have simply "disappeared." He then revealed that Ma Shiying's broken watch, which indicated a time of 1:15 AM, was a deliberate misdirection. Ma Shiying, a man obsessed with his watches, would never have worn one to bed. This meant the time of death was fabricated.
Situ Yan theorized that the actual time of death occurred "after" 1:15 AM, which would render all of their carefully constructed alibis invalid. He then pointed to the nine stab wounds on Ma Shiying's body, noting their varying depths, from superficial to a fatal blow through the lung.
Situ Yan concluded that all nine individuals on the train had collectively subjected Ma Shiying to a "trial," each delivering a stab, an act of vengeance, though he firmly stated that their judgment was utterly unlawful.
Episode 4 Recap
Situ Yan informed the group that their makeshift trial of Ma Shiying was not a proper legal proceeding, arguing that deliberately twisting the truth would undermine the very foundation of law, leaving vulnerable individuals without protection. He meticulously reconstructed the crime, noting the "nine stabs" inflicted on Ma Shiying, which corresponded to the nine individuals on the train.
He explained that their initial plan was for the first-class compartment to be empty and the train to arrive in Fengtian without stopping, allowing some of them to disembark while others provided a fabricated testimony about a uniformed killer. However, when circumstances changed and the train stopped, they resorted to throwing items like pipe cleaners and pearls, and one person even paraded in a red cheongsam, all to further muddy the waters and obscure the truth.
Just then, Jin Qiming rushed in to announce that an express road notice had been received: Fengtian police had already blockaded the station and were preparing to arrest the culprit upon the train's arrival. Bai Lu confronted Situ Yan, asserting that justice did not apply to Ma Shiying. She revealed that there were no coincidences; she had meticulously orchestrated everything, purchasing all the tickets and inviting everyone connected to the Xu family tragedy onto the train.
Her aim was for all to witness Ma Shiying's demise and to avenge Mrs. Xu, as she believed the courts had failed to prosecute him.
She confessed to her elaborate scheme: she intentionally used Ma Shiying's lecherous nature to arrange a meeting in his room, meticulously crafted an alibi by tending to Liao Yun, deliberately damaged her own compartment door to prevent noise, then changed into a train conductor’s uniform, administered sleeping pills to Ma Shiying, and created a disturbance to draw attention from Situ Yan and Qi Hong.
After locking the door and exiting through a connecting passage, she changed into a cheongsam and walked the corridor, even bumping into Situ Yan’s door, all to confuse the investigation. Acknowledging Situ Yan's view that the law is fair and murder a capital crime, Bai Lu attempted to jump from the window, but was stopped by the others. Distraught, she wept, blaming her own ignorance for Mrs. Xu's murder, having told a carter there were no men in the house.
She claimed the murder weapon and blood-stained clothes in her room confirmed her guilt, though everyone else vehemently denied her confession. As the train pulled into Fengtian station, police officers were waiting. When asked about the murderer, Situ Yan calmly stated that the killer had already disembarked.
He skillfully wove a narrative, claiming the killer, dressed in a conductor’s uniform, boarded at Jinzhou Station, used a master key to enter Ma Shiying's compartment, killed him while he was sedated by sleeping pills, then escaped through a connecting door into Qi Hong's room before getting off the train as it restarted. He offered to assist with a portrait of this fictitious culprit. The other passengers, relieved, corroborated his story and offered to serve as witnesses.
The police, unable to proceed further, took the witnesses away for statements. One by one, the passengers disembarked at Fengtian, expressing their gratitude to Situ Yan. He accepted their thanks but pondered whether his actions were truly just, hoping that they could all now be free from their past burdens. The train journey continued to Harbin, with Situ Yan sharing a meal with Jin Qiming, who expressed his gratitude and offered assistance in Harbin.
Upon arriving, Situ Yan went to his mentor Shen Jianxian's home, only to find the door locked. He soon encountered Mrs. Shen and Xie Hua, the Deputy Director of the Harbin Police Station, and received the devastating news that Shen Jianxian had died from a sudden heart attack. Director Xie explained that Shen Jianxian had spoken highly of Situ Yan and that his death had been swift.
Situ Yan promised to care for Mrs. Shen, who was overcome with grief, expressing her loneliness after losing both her son, Shen Siqi, and now her husband. At Shen Jianxian's memorial, Situ Yan was introduced to Luo Wensheng, the esteemed Chairman of the Harbin Chamber of Commerce, and Zou Jingxuan.
Luo Wensheng mentioned he had heard about the Ma Shiying case on the train and commended Situ Yan’s handling of it, noting that his own son, Luo Shaochuan, was a police officer connected to the matter. Zou Jingxuan then asked Situ Yan if he knew Luo Shaochuan and when he might return. Later, Luo Wensheng informed Wei Minxi, his fiancée, that a tailor from Petersburg would arrive the next morning for her wedding dress fittings.
Wei Minxi, still affected by Shen Jianxian's death, declined a ride and insisted on running errands alone. That night, she was tragically murdered in her home, her jewelry stolen by an intruder. The following morning, Director Xie arrived at the crime scene with Luo Wensheng. They found no signs of forced entry, leading Director Xie to suspect Wei Minxi either unknowingly let the killer in or was followed. Luo Wensheng demanded a swift resolution to the case.
Later, Mrs. Shen advised Situ Yan that she would be busy hosting relatives the next day and suggested he dine at home. Situ Yan, however, found himself walking through the streets, drawn by the unique menu of the Jasmine Restaurant, which featured fusion dishes like Sweet-Bean Sauce Steak and Meat Sauce Spaghetti. He entered and ordered the spaghetti, sharing a table with Zhou Mowan.
A slight misunderstanding occurred when Zhou Mowan mistakenly ate from his dish, leading to a brief, polite exchange about payment, which Situ Yan gracefully refused. Soon after, Zhou Mowan began reading a newspaper, prompting Situ Yan to abruptly leave. Outside, Situ Yan was intercepted by Luo Shaochuan, who, looking desperate, confessed, "I killed someone." Situ Yan sensed Luo Shaochuan was unsure of his own guilt.
Luo Shaochuan explained he had a heated argument with his father the previous night, drank heavily, and awoke to find himself accused of Luo Wensheng’s murder, with no memory of the event. He dismissed tabloid reports accusing him of first killing his stepmother and then his father, stating he was in Fengtian when Wei Minxi died.
Luo Shaochuan implored Situ Yan to investigate, asking him to seek information from his fiancée, Zou Jingxuan, whom he considered like a sister, despite their arranged marriage. As police approached, Luo Shaochuan quickly retreated to hide upstairs. Moments later, police officer Lao Bao arrived, demanding Luo family documents, specifically Luo Wensheng's will. Situ Yan informed them that a will could only be read by a lawyer in the presence of all family members.
Identifying himself as Shen Jianxian’s student and a lawyer known to Mr. Luo and Director Xie, Situ Yan retrieved the will. He then read it aloud, revealing that due to Wei Minxi’s unexpected death, all of Luo Wensheng's assets were to be inherited by Luo Shaochuan. This announcement sparked an angry outburst from other family members, including Zou Jingxuan's mother, who questioned the fairness of the will and challenged Luo Shaochuan’s right to inherit if he was indeed the murderer.
Zou Jingxuan intervened, urging them to await the police’s official findings and affirming Luo Shaochuan’s presumed innocence. She then privately asked Situ Yan for his help, expressing her belief that Luo Shaochuan was innocent and her fear that Director Xie might be pressured to conclude the case by implicating him, especially since Luo Wensheng was no longer alive to protect his son.
She stressed that while she believed in his innocence, if he were proven guilty, he should face legal consequences. Director Xie, while agreeing to Situ Yan's involvement, cautioned him to participate only as an advisor and not to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, threatening to remove him otherwise. He noted that Luo Wensheng’s accounts had always been managed by Shen Jianxian and asked Situ Yan to review the ledgers, which Situ Yan had already brought with him.
Suspecting Luo Shaochuan might be hiding at Mrs. Shen’s house, Director Xie instructed Lao Bao to find a pretext to search the premises. Director Xie then briefed Situ Yan on the police's findings regarding Wei Minxi's murder. Initially suspecting a transient robber, they had set up a dragnet in pawnshops. Surprisingly, they discovered that Wei Minxi herself had previously pawned a valuable piece of jewelry given to her by Luo Wensheng as a birthday gift, despite initially cherishing it.
Her bank accounts were also found to be empty. Luo Wensheng had believed Wei Minxi's death was connected to a mysterious "matter" she insisted on resolving before publicly announcing their engagement. Situ Yan inferred that Wei Minxi had been subjected to blackmail. Director Xie questioned what secrets she might have been hiding.
Zou Jingxuan's mother, overhearing, interjected with a disparaging assessment of Wei Minxi, implying she was a gold-digger who only returned to Luo Wensheng after he became wealthy, and whose previous husband conveniently died shortly after their reunion, hinting at her involvement in his death.
Episode 5 Recap
Bai Shanshan expressed her disdain for Wei Minxi, believing she agreed to marry Luo Wensheng solely for his wealth. She highlighted Wei Minxi's past, noting that despite being childhood sweethearts with Luo Wensheng, Wei Minxi married a man who was an alcoholic and abusive, only for her ex-husband to die two years ago, coincidentally after the Luo family became rich and Luo Wensheng became the richest man in Harbin.
Bai Shanshan, who was Luo Wensheng's sister-in-law, openly accused Wei Minxi of murder, even though the police had closed the case, suggesting that the police investigation at the time, which led to Director Xie's promotion, might have involved some irregularities. She further implied that a missing cheque from Luo Wensheng's assets was evidence of others, including Wei Minxi, coveting the family's fortune.
Director Xie confirmed that Bai Shanshan was indeed the first to spread rumors about Wei Minxi killing her husband. He explained that Bai Shanshan's husband, Luo Wensheng's second brother, had drowned while out on an errand, leaving her a widow. While she contributed to the Luo family during their hard times, she became relentless in demanding a division of the family property once they prospered.
Luo Wensheng, hoping to stabilize his son, Luo Shaochuan, intended for him to marry Zou Jingxuan, whom he considered kind-hearted. Director Xie admitted that he initially disbelieved Bai Shanshan's accusations against Wei Minxi, but a letter sent by Wei Minxi herself to Luo Wensheng confessed to the murder and revealed she was being blackmailed. However, the letter mysteriously disappeared after Luo Wensheng's death, prompting Director Xie to speculate it was either burned by Luo Wensheng or taken by the murderer.
He recalled the letter's contents: Wei Minxi was deeply regretful and lived in constant fear, anxious about her secret being exposed and Luo Wensheng viewing her as a murderer. She wished to reveal the blackmailer's identity but was terrified of harming Luo Wensheng. She never named the individual. Director Xie concluded that the blackmailer must have been someone Luo Wensheng deeply cherished, which prevented Wei Minxi from exposing them.
He considered the possibility that Wei Minxi’s death led to Luo Wensheng’s distressed state, escalating conflicts with his son, Luo Shaochuan, and perhaps leading to Luo Shaochuan's impulsive act. On the night of Luo Wensheng's murder, Director Xie recounted that around 8:50 PM, after leaving Luo Wensheng's study where they had discussed Wei Minxi's letter, he encountered Fang Hong, a servant, in the living room.
Shortly after leaving the house, around 9:00 PM, he was bumped by an unknown young man. Worried about Luo Shaochuan’s state given the letter’s vague content, Director Xie went to a bar to find him. The bartender informed him that Luo Shaochuan, heavily intoxicated, had left around 9:00 PM, mentioning he was going home.
Rushing back to the Luo residence, Director Xie met Fang Hong again and together they discovered Luo Wensheng dead in his study, stabbed from the back with a dagger from the family's collection, usually kept on the silver table in the living room. There were no signs of a struggle, suggesting the killer was an insider. Initial fingerprint analysis on the weapon excluded all household members except Luo Shaochuan.
Situ Yan, however, suggested they compare the fingerprints against Luo Wensheng's own, believing the murderer intended to frame Luo Shaochuan. Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan was hiding at Mrs. Shen's house, starving. While he was in the kitchen looking for food, Mrs. Shen and Officer Bao arrived, with Officer Bao stating he was there to collect documents for Situ Yan. Mrs. Shen quickly spotted Luo Shaochuan and prevented Officer Bao from entering the kitchen, fabricating a reason to dismiss him.
Officer Bao mentioned that Luo Shaochuan was now wanted for patricide, assaulting an officer, and escaping custody. Mrs. Shen then cooked a meal for Luo Shaochuan, who expressed his deep appreciation, comparing it to his mother's cooking, and wished that the entire tragedy was just a nightmare and his father was still alive. He affectionately suggested that he and Situ Yan would treat Mrs. Shen as their own mother from then on.
Situ Yan later went to Mrs. Shen's house to question Luo Shaochuan, only to find Zou Jingxuan had followed him. She confronted Luo Shaochuan, urging him to surrender to Director Xie and clear his name, as she believed he was innocent. Mrs. Shen intervened, explaining that unlike Situ Yan, Director Xie's actions as deputy director represented the official police stance, which could lead to a harsh interrogation and an unfair trial, especially since the police already presumed Luo Shaochuan guilty.
Therefore, she advised against his public appearance until more facts emerged. Luo Shaochuan, who claimed to have no memory of the murder night due to heavy drinking, asserted he had no reason to oppose Wei Minxi marrying his father. He revealed that Wei Minxi had even helped him join the army, preventing his father from disowning him.
He dismissed Bai Shanshan’s rumors about Wei Minxi, further explaining his own financial independence from his mother's inheritance and other investments, denying any motive for blackmail. He also pointed out that Bai Shanshan frequently argued with his father over the family's assets. Luo Shaochuan suggested that the murderer's true motive was financial gain and advised Situ Yan to have Director Xie stake out the bank for anyone attempting to cash the missing cheque.
Luo Shaochuan then commented on his family members, noting that Zou Jingxuan was timid and therefore unlikely to be the murderer. He highlighted Bai Shanshan's constant demands for money and her contentious relationship with his father over the family's assets. He also discussed Wen Yi, the housekeeper, as possibly harboring a love-hate motive, as many once expected her to marry his father, and she had strong influence over the other servants.
He concluded that virtually everyone in his house seemed to have a hidden agenda against his father. Officer Bao informed Situ Yan that the new fingerprint comparison confirmed the prints on the murder weapon belonged to Luo Wensheng. This strengthened Situ Yan's theory that the killer intended to frame Luo Shaochuan.
Situ Yan explained that Luo Shaochuan’s alibi—being dropped off at his hotel around 10:00 PM, with a 20-minute walk to the Luo mansion—meant he couldn't have committed the murder within the initially reported timeframe, providing everyone in the house with an alibi. This led Situ Yan to suspect a conspiracy involving an inside accomplice. Situ Yan and Director Xie returned to the Luo residence for a re-interrogation.
When asked about the study, Zou Jingxuan struggled to recall if the curtains were open or closed, but Fang Hong confidently stated they were closed when he first entered. Fang Hong then described the crime scene, noting that the chair was initially slanted when he first saw Luo Wensheng's body, but was later found straightened when the police arrived.
Zou Jingxuan then remembered that the chair was indeed straight when she had last seen it but slanted when she returned, realizing someone else must have been in the room. Bai Shanshan, growing agitated, argued that the missing cheque was rightfully hers due to her contributions to the family's wealth, accusing Luo Wensheng of being stingy. She then verbally attacked Wen Yi, calling her sneaky and suggesting she manipulated the servants.
Bai Shanshan also revealed she saw Fang Hong leaving a gold shop, hinting at suspicious wealth, and implied Wen Yi might be tampering with the ledgers. Director Xie became increasingly frustrated with Bai Shanshan's outbursts. Situ Yan managed to convince Zou Jingxuan to speak the truth. She tearfully confessed that she had lied about saying good night to Luo Wensheng.
In reality, she had stolen his cheque book and had gone to his study intending to return it and apologize, but lost her nerve and couldn't bring herself to enter. It was then that she encountered Fang Hong, and to avoid suspicion about her presence and the stolen cheque book, she fabricated the story about wishing Luo Wensheng good night and telling Fang Hong not to disturb him. She vehemently denied being the murderer or framing Luo Shaochuan.
Following this, Fang Hong revealed that around 9:30 PM on the night of the murder, he had heard Luo Wensheng talking to a male visitor in the study, who had not entered through the main door. Fang Hong clarified that he hadn't mentioned this earlier because he had been told to remain silent. Wen Yi confirmed that Luo Wensheng had indeed lent money to Fang Hong for his ailing mother.
Zou Jingxuan also recalled hearing Luo Wensheng say, "Someone has been asking for money more and more often recently," around 9:30 PM, which she believed could not have referred to Luo Shaochuan as he had not requested money in two years. This new information placed Luo Wensheng's time of death between 9:30 PM and 9:45 PM, further exonerating Luo Shaochuan from the initial timeline and pointing towards a complex conspiracy.
Episode 6 Recap
The investigation into Luo Wensheng's death kept circling back to its starting point. Situ Yan, however, had identified the stranger who had sent a drunken Luo Shaochuan home the night of the murder. Luo Shaochuan found it perplexing that all evidence pointed to him, yet a stranger had helped him. Situ Yan reassured him, stating that when all clues converge on one person, the truth lying in the opposite direction is often close to being revealed.
Situ Yan met with Jin Qiming, a reporter, to gather information on the Luo family. Jin Qiming revealed that Wei Minxi, Luo Wensheng's fiancée, made substantial monthly payments. Her first husband, a wealthy but abusive businessman who frequently drank, had died suddenly of alcohol abuse two years after they arrived in Harbin. Although police had ruled it a robbery-homicide due to signs of struggle, no one dared to question the cause of death due to the Luo family's influence.
Jin Qiming suspected Wei Minxi was being blackmailed, possibly over her husband's death. Jin Qiming was surprised to find Luo Shaochuan at Situ Yan's residence. Situ Yan mentioned that Wei Minxi had withdrawn a total of 20,000 silver dollars from the bank, a figure that far exceeded the few hundred silver dollars found in Fang Hong's possession. Luo Shaochuan pointed out that Fang Hong, a mere servant, earned very little.
Jin Qiming's investigation into Fang Hong revealed a pattern: after leaving previous jobs, Fang Hong would squander money at expensive entertainment spots like Huifangli on 16th Street, where even the wealthy Mr. Li from Li's restaurant had a secret lover. Jin Qiming suspected Fang Hong had a history of blackmailing his former employers. Luo Shaochuan speculated that Wei Minxi hesitated to expose the blackmailer because Fang Hong was Luo Wensheng's personal attendant, and she feared he might harm his father.
Situ Yan wondered why Wen Yi, the housekeeper, would protect Fang Hong. Situ Yan visited the Luo family mansion and noticed strange opium paste on the ground near the main gate. He confronted Fang Hong, who was cleaning the yard. Fang Hong initially claimed he had received an advance due to his sick family, but Situ Yan pressed him about his expensive habits at Huifangli.
Fang Hong implied that many, including Luo Shaochuan and Xie Bozhou, frequented such places, and even Wen Yi had indirectly led him to his job at the Luo residence. Fang Hong then accused Wen Yi of being the murderer, claiming she was an "evil person" who was trying to blame him. He revealed that he had overheard Wen Yi and Luo Wensheng arguing, with Luo Wensheng angrily telling her to "get out."
Fang Hong stated he had blackmailed Wen Yi because she had been "cooking the books," causing financial losses to the family. He claimed he was merely trying to recover some of the family's assets and suggested that anyone facing decades in prison for such an offense would be driven to kill.
Later, Situ Yan visited a pawn shop, learning that a missing ring belonging to Luo Shaochuan had been shown around by Old Zhang, the owner of the adjacent opium den. When they went to the opium den, a mysterious young man, whom Situ Yan identified as the person who had driven Luo Shaochuan home, fled but was quickly apprehended by Sergeant Bao and his men, along with Luo Shaochuan.
Bao mistakenly believed Luo Shaochuan was an accomplice, but Situ Yan intervened, promising to prove Luo Shaochuan's alibi. At the police station, Wen Yi was interrogated by Situ Yan and Director Xie. Initially reluctant, she broke down upon learning her son had been caught. She confessed that the mysterious man was indeed her son, born out of wedlock, which led to her being disowned. She had met Luo Wensheng in Harbin and deeply admired him.
She had witnessed Wei Minxi's suspicious behavior three years prior: Wei Minxi, a non-drinker, had inquired about wine at a tavern and later poured a bottle of purchased wine into a tree. Wen Yi consulted Dr. Xie, who explained that arsenic poisoning could mimic the symptoms of alcohol-related death, and an autopsy could confirm it. Wen Yi had warned Luo Wensheng about Wei Minxi, but he dismissed her concerns.
Fearing a murderer entering the Luo family, Wen Yi spread the rumor to Bai Shanshan, hoping to prevent the marriage. Situ Yan then asked why she had cooked the books. Wen Yi revealed that her son had developed an opium addiction, and she had been secretly funding his treatment with the help of Dr. Xie. She made the false accounts to acquire money for his treatment, fearing he would resort to stealing or robbery otherwise.
Director Xie clarified that Dr. Xie was his son, Xie Bozhou, who was currently away in Guangzhou for a meeting. Situ Yan concluded that Wen Yi was not the blackmailer of Wei Minxi, as her financial irregularities were for her son, not for personal gain. Director Xie, dismissive of Situ Yan's "trivial" and "inefficient" investigation, stopped him from looking further into Wei Minxi's case and authorized Luo Shaochuan's release.
Bai Shanshan apologized to Luo Shaochuan for orchestrating the theft of the check, urging him not to blame Zou Jingxuan. Luo Shaochuan thanked Situ Yan but implored him to find his father's true killer. Situ Yan and Jin Qiming reviewed the case, confirming that no one from the Luo household was the killer. Situ Yan realized they had overlooked a crucial detail: the phonograph.
He recalled a "recording paper" among Wei Minxi's belongings, which Jin Qiming confirmed was meant to accompany her will. Situ Yan instructed Jin Qiming to find a phonograph, which Fang Hong recognized as a device Luo Wensheng had in his room. Situ Yan gathered everyone at the Luo mansion and revealed that they had all been misled. Luo Wensheng's actual time of death was before 9 p. m. , not 9:30 or 9:45 as previously believed.
He played a recording of Luo Wensheng's voice, in which he spoke of a secret, being blackmailed, and wishing to end the control before his marriage. Situ Yan explained that a phonograph, cunningly hidden by a chair in the study, had played the recording at 9:30, creating the illusion that Luo Wensheng was still alive. Fang Hong's faint hearing and Wen Yi's misinterpretation of the sounds contributed to this deception.
The phonograph had vanished after the murder, indicating the killer had returned to remove the evidence. Situ Yan meticulously reconstructed the crime, pointing to Director Xie as Luo Wensheng's murderer.
He highlighted Director Xie's specific knowledge of the phonograph and his carefully planned actions: bringing an unusually large case (to conceal the phonograph), deliberately taking extra time while leaving the house (to plant fake military boot prints to frame Luo Shaochuan), informing Luo Shaochuan that his father was ill to lure him home, and then returning to the scene.
Situ Yan also exposed Director Xie's "good luck" with Luo Shaochuan's drunkenness and Zou Jingxuan's inadvertently misleading testimony, which provided him a perfect alibi. Crucially, the phonograph paper was discovered at Director Xie's home and contained a recording of Wei Minxi's confession to Luo Wensheng, detailing her long-standing blackmail. Cornered, Director Xie confessed to blackmailing Wei Minxi over her husband's death, a crime he had covered up.
He stated that Wei Minxi's decision to confess to Luo Wensheng had driven him to kill Luo Wensheng out of fear of exposure. He admitted to burning a version of the letter that named him as the blackmailer, but Wei Minxi had also written a second letter that omitted his name, a miscalculation on his part.
Director Xie, driven by ambition and a fear of being perceived as a "loser" who relied on Luo family connections, openly confessed to the blackmail and to killing Luo Wensheng. However, Situ Yan clarified that Director Xie was not the one who had killed Wei Minxi.
Episode 7 Recap
Situ Yan confronts Director Xie, who initially claims responsibility for everything, including the murders of Luo Wensheng and Wei Minxi, and the extortion. However, Situ Yan challenges this, asserting that while Director Xie murdered Luo Wensheng, he couldn't have extorted or killed Wei Minxi. Situ Yan reveals that Xie Bozhou, Director Xie's son and a doctor, was the true extortionist. He clarifies that Xie Bozhou’s accumulated debts perfectly matched the amount Wei Minxi was blackmailed for.
Situ Yan further explains that Xie Bozhou learned about Wei Minxi's husband's death—poisoned to look like a drinking-induced demise—from Wen Yi. When Wei Minxi planned to kill Xie Bozhou as a last resort, she was accidentally killed by him instead. Director Xie, fearing that Luo Wensheng would not spare his son if the truth came out, orchestrated Luo Wensheng's murder to protect Xie Bozhou.
Director Xie, realizing he was cornered, continues to deny his son's involvement, insisting he acted alone, and then shoots himself, claiming to pay for his crimes with his life. Despite Situ Yan’s compelling evidence, Sergeant Bao advocates for closing the case, asserting that the evidence for Luo Wensheng’s murder is now overwhelming and praising Situ Yan for solving two cases swiftly.
Situ Yan tries to insist on investigating Wei Minxi’s murder further, highlighting that Xie Bozhou’s debt records perfectly match the extortion amount. However, Sergeant Bao dismisses this, arguing that they cannot solely blame Xie Bozhou, especially since he is not currently in Harbin. He concludes that ending the investigation now provides the most perfect resolution. Luo Shaochuan reluctantly agrees to let the case conclude, but Situ Yan warns that he believes Xie Bozhou will eventually return.
Reflecting on the case, Luo Shaochuan confesses to Situ Yan that he always envied Xie Bozhou for having a father who loved him and listened, despite Xie Bozhou's criminal actions. He then criticizes his own father, Luo Wensheng, for never showing him affection or support, even trying to prevent him from joining the army. Situ Yan responds that unprincipled love cannot truly be called love.
Later, while organizing Luo Wensheng’s will, Situ Yan discovers a recording originally intended for Wei Minxi. Since Wei Minxi is deceased, the recording passes to Luo Shaochuan. In the recording, Luo Wensheng apologizes to Wei Minxi for her husband's death, taking responsibility for her suffering, and entreats her to continue to care for Luo Shaochuan, to indulge and spoil him, and to ensure he avoids the pitfalls Luo Wensheng experienced in his own youth.
Wen Yi approaches Luo Shaochuan, returning the account books and money Luo Wensheng had entrusted to her. She apologizes for her son's actions, acknowledging that he "stole things." Luo Shaochuan accepts the books, expressing his trust in Wen Yi, as his father’s decision to give them to her demonstrated his own faith.
Wen Yi then tearfully confesses her regrets about being an inadequate mother, admitting she failed to provide her son with the care and affection he needed and even denied him. She reveals her plan to move back to the countryside with her son, where she hopes to help him overcome his opium addiction and rebuild their lives.
Luo Shaochuan accepts her decision, thanking her for years of dedicated service to him and his father, and assures her that the Luo family’s door will always be open to her if she ever needs to return. Bai Shanshan abruptly confronts Luo Shaochuan, demanding the family’s account books and questioning the terms of Luo Wensheng's will, which grants her only monthly living expenses. She also demands an apology from Situ Yan for accusing her of murder.
Luo Shaochuan promptly hands over the books, explaining he was on his way to give them to her. He then declares his intention to entrust the entire Luo family to her, making her the new head of the household. Overjoyed, Bai Shanshan immediately fires Fang Hong for his poor performance, warning other staff to work hard or face dismissal, noting this would “save money.”
Later, Luo Shaochuan tells Situ Yan that he handed over the entire family business to Bai Shanshan, believing her to be truly dedicated to the Luo family's welfare after seeing her, a prominent Harbin socialite, frugally bargaining with a soy sauce vendor. He admits his disinterest in business, preferring to receive dividends while she manages everything, ensuring the family’s finances are "well-organized and profitable."
Luo Shaochuan visits Zou Jingxuan to break off their engagement, explaining that since he is now head of the Luo family, he considers their arrangement unfair, as it was merely a tool for his late father to control him. Though Zou Jingxuan claims not to mind, Luo Shaochuan insists on ending it, stating he has always viewed her as a sister and wishes her to find true happiness. Zou Jingxuan leaves heartbroken.
Bai Shanshan confronts Luo Shaochuan, chastising him for being heartless and ungrateful for Zou Jingxuan's crucial help in his case. Luo Shaochuan defends his decision as being for Zou Jingxuan's own good, prompting Bai Shanshan to call him a "little bastard" who deserves to remain single. Later, Bai Shanshan sends Zou Jingxuan a dress and purifying mud, urging her to attend an upcoming event looking beautiful.
Despite Zou Jingxuan’s reluctance and feeling like a "laughingstock," Bai Shanshan persuades her that Luo Shaochuan is simply immature and secretly loves her, as demonstrated by seeking her help during his arrest. She encourages Zou Jingxuan to attend the event to assert her position as the future mistress of the Luo family. Situ Yan questions whether Luo Shaochuan's affections still lie with Bai Lu, the female student from the Orient Express case.
Luo Shaochuan, surprised by Situ Yan's ignorance, reveals that Bai Lu was officially designated as the murderer for the Orient Express case because "you have to hand over a murderer." He explains that Bai Lu, who was not entirely innocent, committed suicide by poison shortly after surrendering to prove her resolve, shocking Situ Yan.
Luo Shaochuan justifies this outcome by stating that further hesitation would have implicated everyone on the train, and influential figures like diplomat George Blair, who stabbed for his wife, would have evaded justice. Luo Shaochuan then advises Situ Yan to quit being a lawyer, arguing that his efforts are not worth the sacrifice. Situ Yan, unsure of his next career path, is told by Luo Shaochuan to rest and read until their meeting on Monday.
Luo Shaochuan surprises Situ Yan with the grand opening of the "Situ Detective Agency." He explains that a fortune-teller confirmed Situ Yan’s destiny to attract and solve murder cases, making the investment a "good deal for huge profits." Luo Shaochuan highlights Situ Yan's unparalleled success in solving complex cases, like the Orient Express murder and his family's affairs, which had stumped the police. Situ Yan jokingly calls himself a "terror" who brings trouble everywhere.
The opening is attended by various figures. Sergeant Bao arrives to congratulate, introducing Dr. Fang Jianqi as the police's collaborating physician, suggesting Situ Yan seek his help if needed. Jin Qiming also supports the venture, suggesting that while lawyers might struggle to deliver justice, detectives can uncover the truth. He also subtly reminds Situ Yan that Mrs. Shen still needs care in Harbin.
Luo Shaochuan, now dressed in a police uniform, declares his intention to team up with Situ Yan: he will "accept cases," and Situ Yan will "solve cases," together dominating Harbin and making criminals fear their names. Situ Yan jests that Luo Shaochuan looks more like a "gang boss" in his uniform. Mrs. Shen arrives, commending Situ Yan's sharp mind and truth-finding abilities, believing the detective agency is his ideal path.
Luo Shaochuan light-heartedly tells Situ Yan to "work hard" to ensure the business is profitable. Jin Qiming then interviews Situ Yan, who explains his transition from law, citing the legal system's "limited" power and "fragility" against privilege. He laments cases like Ma Shiying's, where clear murderers and masterminds evade justice, leaving him feeling powerless as a lawyer to deliver true fairness. He admits considering forming a bar association like his teacher but believes deep-seated systemic issues are beyond individual efforts.
He concludes that "seeking the truth will not be swayed by people," asserting that while trials can be manipulated, "the truth will not." Jin Qiming, regretting that previous high-profile cases couldn't be fully showcased, promises that if Situ Yan allows him to report on a future case, the agency will quickly become immensely popular. At the Harbin Women's Normal University, Shen Huatang plays the piano poorly, making numerous mistakes.
She confides in her teacher, Zhou Mowan, that she finds Ms. Lin’s teaching pace too fast and expresses a fear of Ms. Lin, asking Zhou Mowan to substitute for her. Zhou Mowan reassures her about Ms. Lin’s good nature. Suddenly, a maid delivers a letter to Shen Huatang, claiming it's from a kidnapper. The letter demands a ransom of 500 yuan by tomorrow afternoon, threatening to kill her daughter if the demand is not met.
Shen Huatang becomes frantic, desperately seeking help. At the Harbin Women's Normal University, Fang Jianqi examines a gunshot victim in the music room, determining the perpetrator fired from four feet away with a small pistol, and the bullet pierced the heart. He deduces that the victim, who was playing the piano and turned towards the killer, died between midnight and early morning.
Vice Principal Luo Jinyan clarifies that the body was discovered at 2 AM, but police were not called until morning due to the nature of the girls' school (all female staff and students) to avoid further accidents. She introduces herself, Principal Fan Lihua (who first found the body), and her secretary Xia Ru'an, pledging full cooperation. Luo Shaochuan learns the victim is Lin Jie, a new and unpopular music teacher.
Luo Jinyan asserts that the school’s high, smooth walls and strict entry/exit protocols make it impossible for an outsider to enter, implying an inside job. However, she quickly dismisses students as suspects, stating they are "daughters of local officials and noblemen." Luo Shaochuan then demands to interview all teachers, despite Luo Jinyan’s protests about their professional standing.
He challenges her, asking if Lin Jie committed suicide or if the principals are suspects, prompting Luo Jinyan to angrily instruct Xia Ru'an to summon the teachers. Luo Shaochuan then asks for a tour of the school. During the detective agency's opening, Zhou Mowan, a teacher from Harbin Women's Normal University, seeks out Mrs. Shen for help with Shen Huatang’s kidnapped daughter.
Mrs. Shen, regretting her diminished influence, introduces Zhou Mowan to Situ Yan, suggesting his investigative skills could be invaluable. Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan playfully tease each other about their respective professions. Zhou Mowan urgently describes Shen Huatang’s distress over the ransom note and her fear of the kidnappers' threat to kill her daughter if the police are involved. Situ Yan initially expresses reluctance to take the case, which Zhou Mowan criticizes as callous in a life-or-death situation.
Just then, Luo Shaochuan arrives, and after playfully introducing Zhou Mowan to Zou Jingxuan, he learns Zhou Mowan is a teacher from Harbin Women's Normal University, and informs her that their colleague, Lin Jie, has been murdered, shocking Zhou Mowan. Luo Shaochuan then mentions the kidnapping of Shen Huatang's daughter, noting his surprise that Yu Daren, Chairman of Zhongji Bank, has a granddaughter, as he was previously unaware.
Both Zhou Mowan and Luo Shaochuan now vie for Situ Yan's investigative expertise. Zhou Mowan offers to pay him and settle a past favor related to a newspaper article. Situ Yan states that the article had already been paid for and benefited Luo Shaochuan the most. Luo Shaochuan, asserting his desire to make a name for himself as a police officer, proudly declares his aim for Situ Yan to handle the high-profile murder case.
Situ Yan proposes they each present their case for fifteen minutes. Luo Shaochuan recounts his initial findings at the girls' school, including encountering a painter named Zhao Qiansun and hearing a student describe a local legend of a red-dressed woman found hanging from a light in the music room.
Luo Shaochuan candidly admits that he established the detective agency for Situ Yan, while becoming a police detective himself, all for "prestige"—to be the last to appear but the first to solve a case, emphasizing that "prestige is the right to speak." Jin Qiming concurs, suggesting that for Situ Yan to be taken seriously by the police, he needs Luo Shaochuan's backing. He advises Situ Yan to wait until the police exhaust their options, then step in as a "superhero."
Episode 8 Recap
Jin Qiming observed that while Situ Yan possessed great capability, making others believe in that ability was a separate challenge. He suggested that Situ Yan should wait until the police were completely stumped by the murderer before appearing like a "superhero," at which point they would have no choice but to follow his command. Luo Shaochuan agreed with this layered perspective, stating it was precisely the goal he wanted to achieve.
Luo Shaochuan then detailed the strange events surrounding Lin Jie's murder at the women's school, claiming that there was "no groundless rumor." He highlighted that the previous female student who had committed suicide years ago, dressed in red and wearing red heels, had done so directly above the spot where Lin Jie later died. On the night of her murder, Lin Jie, who "didn't believe in the supernatural," kept her students practicing piano late.
When a student complained of feeling unwell and requested leave, Lin Jie harshly refused, admonishing her not to "pretend to be sick like a weak princess" and calling the students "beautiful and stupid." Suddenly, a chandelier fell, and a mysterious figure appeared, causing one student to faint in terror. Lin Jie took the students back to the dormitories, where she argued with Auntie Lan, the dorm supervisor.
Auntie Lan criticized Lin Jie for bringing students back at midnight, especially with one unconscious, but Lin Jie dismissed her, telling her to "mind her own business" and that the student would be "fine after a sleep." Auntie Lan then sought Principal Fan Lihua's intervention, but Fan Lihua stated she couldn't control Lin Jie as she was hired by Vice Principal Luo Jinyan.
Later, Fan Lihua noticed a light on in the music classroom and, accompanied by Auntie Lan, found Lin Jie dead by the piano, prompting them to scream. Luo Shaochuan questioned the school staff. Vice Principal Luo Jinyan was uncooperative, expressing disbelief that she, a principal, would kill her own teacher. She dismissed the school's "haunting" rumors as student pranks "just for fun."
Li Pei, a Mandarin teacher of seven years, said she was preparing lessons at 2 AM, and while she heard Lin Jie and Auntie Lan arguing, it was a common occurrence. She acknowledged the haunting rumors but described them as "groundless," becoming more intense this semester due to student dislike for Lin Jie. Zhao Qiansun claimed an alibi at Huifangli.
Another female teacher, visibly agitated, insisted a "female ghost" killed Lin Jie, claiming it was "looking for someone to pay with her life" and would stand behind anyone in the music classroom after midnight. Secretary Xia Ru’an stated she was asleep early. Luo Shaochuan concluded that, excluding Principal Fan Lihua and Auntie Lan, all other teachers had an opportunity to commit the crime. Situ Yan decided to prioritize the kidnapping case, emphasizing that human life was more important.
He viewed the "female ghost" as mere "bluffing" and a "cover-up" or "tricks" that could be easily resolved. Luo Shaochuan, however, accused Situ Yan of prioritizing a "girl over his friend" and vowed to "dig out the ground" to find the female ghost himself, even planning to involve his subordinates after work. Zhou Mowan provided details about the kidnapping of Shen Huatang's five-year-old daughter.
The previous morning, while Shen Huatang was at Matsuura Firm in Daoli, her servant took the daughter to a park. The child vanished when the servant was distracted by a passerby. A ransom note demanded 500 yuan, consisting of fifty 10-yuan bills, to be sent by unregistered letter to a "Mr. Sato" at Songjiang Hotel. Zhou Mowan noted that 500 yuan was a substantial amount, suggesting the kidnapper aimed for a quiet resolution, likely by Yu Daren.
She clarified that Yu Daren, the Zhongji Bank owner, was Shen Huatang's stepfather and treated her as his own daughter. With Yu Daren out of town, Shen Huatang was desperate and offered the ransom as a reward. The ransom note was a collage from newspaper clippings, delivered directly to Shen Huatang's mailbox.
Zhou Mowan initially suspected an inside job but learned that Shen Huatang's visit to Matsuura Firm was spontaneous, as she had initially planned to go to Qiu Lin Firm, making pre-planning difficult. Zhou Mowan had checked Songjiang Hotel but found no suspicious "Mr. Sato" among the three existing residents (none of whom spoke good Chinese), and noted the hotel's discreet mail shelf, suggesting the kidnapper's familiarity with the hotel and Shen Huatang's movements.
Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan visited Jasmine Restaurant. The chef served them a new fermented mung bean drink (douzhi'er). Situ Yan commented on its "weird taste," attributing it to the use of "smooth mung beans" instead of traditional "hairy mung beans," which he explained were better for douzhi'er, while smooth mung beans were for "making bean sprouts."
The chef, impressed by Situ Yan's insight, felt he had found a "kindred spirit" and noted his supplier, "Old He," who lived at No. 48, South 6th Street and was also his neighbor, was unreliable for beans, though reliable for pickled cabbage. Situ Yan remarked that Old He would be even more troublesome in spring. Situ Yan asked for two portions of food to be packed for him.
At the school, Principal Fan Lihua expressed worry to Vice Principal Luo Jinyan that the police investigation could expose a seven-year-old student suicide. Vice Principal Luo Jinyan dismissed her concerns, saying Lin Jie wasn't at the school back then, and if the police linked the current murder to a "ghost," it would only show their incompetence.
She chastised Fan Lihua for being "scared" and "weak," even asking if she had forced the student to die, advising her to focus on parents rather than "useless police." Vice Principal Luo Jinyan then sealed the music classroom, forbidding entry "not even the police." Luo Shaochuan arrived with men to perform an "exorcism ritual." Vice Principal Luo Jinyan was furious, confronting him and calling him and his men "useless police" for using a "rattle drum" to "solve a case."
She ordered them to "get lost," but Luo Shaochuan defiantly told his men to "keep dancing." Vice Principal Luo Jinyan physically forced them out, yelling "Get out of school!" Chief Bao arrived, immediately apologizing to Vice Principal Luo Jinyan and Principal Fan Lihua, and ordering Luo Shaochuan to retreat.
Chief Bao later scolded Luo Shaochuan, reminding him that many "officers' wives" were school alumni and Vice Principal Luo Jinyan was a "powerful" figure, warning that arresting her would cost him his job. Luo Shaochuan, frustrated by the political interference, declared he would prove he could solve cases "without Situ Yan." Zhou Mowan, having seen Luo Shaochuan's frustration, confronted Situ Yan, mistakenly accusing him of being "greedy."
Situ Yan clarified that he would handle the kidnapping case without charge if Zhou Mowan helped him with the female ghost case. When Zhou Mowan hesitated, claiming she didn't know how to solve cases, Situ Yan assured her it wasn't necessary. He explained his approach to solving cases was like a "jigsaw puzzle," where each person held a piece, and there was only "one way to put them together."
Mrs. Shen, Situ Yan's "Madam," offered a clue while they were discussing the case. She recounted how Mrs. Sun of Jingyang Restaurant recently had her Pekingese dog, "Beibei," stolen from the Daoli park while her servant, Amy, was walking it during Mrs. Sun's weekly visit to Saint Sophia Cathedral. The dog's leash was cut, and Mrs. Sun later recounted that she paid 200 yuan to get it back after receiving a blackmail letter threatening to "cook Beibei."
Amy apologized, offering to pay from her salary, but Mrs. Sun declined, sympathetic to Amy's "poor" family with a "sister with a bad leg." Mrs. Sun kept the cut leash as a reminder. Amy, a Chinese woman, had received her "fashionable" name while working for a Russian consul before coming to Mrs. Sun's employ. She usually had Wednesdays off to visit her sister. The next morning, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan visited Mrs. Sun at Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Situ Yan asked how Mrs. Sun paid the ransom. She mailed 200 yuan to Star Hotel. The kidnappers were "trustworthy," returning Beibei that night. However, when Mrs. Sun later checked the hotel, she found the envelope on the shelf but the money had been replaced with "waste paper." Situ Yan correctly guessed this detail, explaining the kidnappers did it to conceal that the money had been taken. Both Zhou Mowan and Situ Yan noted Amy's "nervous" and "unnatural" demeanor when discussing the lost dog. Situ Yan then located Star Hotel near the North Market on the map.
Episode 9 Recap
Parents caused a commotion at the school gate, demanding to take their children home. Xia Ru’an struggled to manage the situation, but Luo Shaochuan stepped in to help. Fan Lihua apologized on behalf of the school, but the parents were still upset about the murder and the unsolved case.
Luo Jinyan then firmly stated that the police were handling the investigation and Inspector Luo (Luo Shaochuan) was present, assuring them that no "female ghost" was involved and that the police would not conclude a "female ghost" was responsible. She offered the parents an application form to withdraw their children but warned that once the case was closed, those students would not be readmitted. This decisive stance silenced the parents, who then became hesitant.
Luo Jinyan reiterated her decision and instructed Zhao Qiansun to assist any parents who chose to fill out the form. Later, Xia Ru’an explained to Luo Shaochuan that many parents sent their children to the school for its prestigious background, viewing them as political opportunists. She lamented the unfulfilled educational aspirations of Principal Fan, contrasting them with Vice Principal Luo Jinyan's pragmatic philosophy, which prioritizes skills that empower female students to have a "right to speak" after graduation.
Xia Ru’an mentioned that a student's suicide had occurred not long after Luo Jinyan joined the school. Luo Shaochuan offered Xia Ru’an a less stressful, better-paying job, wanting her to share any insider information, and promising to protect her. However, Xia Ru’an declined, stating she was new and only Li Pei, who had been there for six years, could offer any long-term insights.
Luo Shaochuan then asked about teachers from seven or eight years ago, realizing the deeper issues, and left for the newspaper office. Meanwhile, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan were investigating a different case. Situ Yan had learned from Zhou Mowan that Shen Huatang's servant, Li Ying, a short-term worker, had been hired from the North Market. Upon visiting the North Market, they asked about short-term workers.
The boss there mentioned that Li Ying knew a girl named Amy, who was already employed at Jing Yang Restaurant, owned by Mrs. Sun. Other market workers also discussed how the police were actively searching for a dog in the Eighth Street area, noting the peculiar modern trend of people doting on dogs. Earlier, Situ Yan had asked Jin Qiming about Consul Boult of the Russian Consulate and his Pekingese.
Jin Qiming confirmed the dog was given to the consul by his newspaper president. Situ Yan then asked Jin Qiming to help him locate a specific individual: a woman with difficulty walking, who takes on handicraft work, lives in a cheap, stair-less rental house, has a sister who visits weekly, and owns a Pekingese. After Situ Yan left, Luo Shaochuan questioned Jin Qiming about their conversation.
Annoyed that Situ Yan was focusing on a dog instead of the school murder, Luo Shaochuan offered to use his police force to help Jin Qiming find the woman. In return, Luo Shaochuan demanded Jin Qiming help him investigate the "female ghost"—the student who had hanged herself in the music classroom seven years prior. Jin Qiming confirmed to Luo Shaochuan that Situ Yan believed the school case was almost solved.
Jin Qiming later conveyed to Luo Shaochuan that the girls' school case was actually a "revenge case," suggesting Lin Jie was killed to avenge a bullied student from seven or eight years ago. Luo Shaochuan subsequently ordered his subordinate, Liu, to discreetly search for the woman with the dog.
Situ Yan, seeing Luo Shaochuan's men searching the area conspicuously, warned Liu that pursuing a kidnapper so openly could lead to the victim's harm, especially as the kidnapper was a crippled woman with a child and a dog. Situ Yan quickly consulted a map, rushing to a nearby well to prevent any tragedy. Zhou Mowan found Amy's crippled sister about to throw the Pekingese into a well.
Amy confessed that the dog kidnapping was her idea; she had cut the dog's leash and sent a ransom note out of desperation. She explained that she had no other means of survival and urged them to take her away. Situ Yan revealed he had deduced the "main character" of the incident was the Pekingese named Aiya, noting the similarity in name to Mrs. Sun's dog, Beibei.
He explained how Amy, using her position as a servant, had swapped the dogs in the park and, after cutting the leash during a feigned conversation, claimed the dog was stolen after Aiya, a trained dog, ran back to her. Amy admitted Situ Yan was entirely correct. Her sister confessed it was her fault for involving Amy, who was simply trying to secure their future, especially given her sister's disability.
Amy explained that she and other uneducated, unskilled, and often disabled short-term workers had collectively devised the scheme, knowing that the ransom money was insignificant to the wealthy women, who would likely keep the matter quiet. Amy insisted she acted alone, having succeeded five or six times, and explained that Mrs. Sun's husband's suspicions about her being a thief had pushed her to commit the acts.
When Luo Shaochuan's officers arrived, Situ Yan intervened, declaring it a misunderstanding and sending them away. Zhou Mowan informed the sisters that returning the dog to Shen Huatang would settle the matter, for which the sisters expressed their gratitude. Zhou Mowan returned the Pekingese to Shen Huatang, who joyfully embraced it as her "baby daughter," affirming its status despite Zhou Mowan's attempt to distinguish between dogs and humans.
Shen Huatang mentioned hearing about Lin Jie's death, expressing a mix of pity and relief at not having to attend her classes anymore. Zhou Mowan then sternly warned Li Ying not to repeat her actions. Jin Qiming reported to Luo Shaochuan that the student who committed suicide seven years ago was a princess, forced into marriage by her prince father. Luo Jinyan had tried to persuade the princess but failed, leading to the princess's death.
Luo Jinyan's influence was evident, as the prince, who initially threatened her, fled to Fengtian after his daughter's demise. Jin Qiming confirmed that Lin Jie was also from Fengtian. Luo Shaochuan hypothesized that the princess's lover would seek revenge, and Lin Jie, being from Fengtian, must be connected to the prince. Jin Qiming then revealed that the prince himself was dead. Luo Shaochuan concluded that the murderer must have also killed the prince as part of a revenge plot.
He excitedly instructed his subordinate, Bao, to request all murder case files from Fengtian to identify other victims in this "cross-city revenge case," confident the case would be solved once the files arrived. He also considered the possibility that the perpetrator might be the princess's female friend or "bestie," given that all teachers were female.
Situ Yan encountered Jin Qiming, expressing anger at Luo Shaochuan's reckless dispatch of police to openly search for a kidnapper, which could have led to the victim's death. Luo Shaochuan, offended by Situ Yan's criticism, angrily left, accusing Situ Yan of being unproductive. Jin Qiming conveyed to Situ Yan that Luo Shaochuan believed the girls' school case was a revenge killing.
Situ Yan dismissed this, arguing that a true revenge killing would involve a more "ritualistic" method, ensuring Lin Jie's death mirrored the previous student's hanging, not by gunshot. He questioned the music room as the location and suggested to Jin Qiming that Luo Shaochuan should investigate the new teachers, believing the killer was among them.
Zhou Mowan observed to Situ Yan about the hidden struggles of many people who, in their "darkness," resort to illegal means just to survive, acknowledging their wrongdoing but also their desperation. She also criticized Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan for "speaking beautiful words but doing nothing beautiful." Situ Yan expressed admiration for Zhou Mowan, a "noble music teacher" who understood the hardships of the common people. He shared his past as a lawyer, having witnessed pervasive injustice and darkness.
Failing to "subvert" the darkness, he chose to become a detective in pursuit of truth, believing that one day, darkness would pass, and "the widowed, the lonely, and the disabled would all be provided for." Zhou Mowan realized Situ Yan had suspected Shen Huatang's "daughter" was a dog from the very beginning. Situ Yan explained his strict logic: he couldn't disregard any possibility, no matter how small, until it was definitively proven.
He further elaborated on his reasoning: the low ransom for a banker's granddaughter was illogical; kidnapping a person in public was too reckless for the meticulous criminals; and an illegitimate child of Shen Huatang would likely be a known rumor. Situ Yan then asked Zhou Mowan for her help with the "female ghost murder case," and, impressed by her logic, she agreed.
Luo Shaochuan, still determined to prove his "revenge killing" theory, summoned Jin Qiming and insisted that Situ Yan was wrong, demanding Jin Qiming convey his conviction that the case was a revenge killing, vowing to solve it quickly and make Situ Yan apologize. Luo Shaochuan invited Xia Ru’an to dinner, presenting it as a way for her to relax after recent stress. Xia Ru’an, despite claiming unfamiliarity with Western food, skillfully cut her steak.
Luo Shaochuan asked about the new teachers, to which Xia Ru’an confirmed Lin Jie, Tao Zhiling, and Zhao Qiansun. Luo Shaochuan noted that Tao Zhiling was "insane" and Zhao Qiansun "crazy," implying the new staff was peculiar, though Xia Ru’an defended Tao Zhiling. He learned that Xia Ru’an was a proofreader and typesetter at a magazine in Fengtian before moving a year ago to care for her mother, who suffered from severe rheumatism and whose condition worsened last winter.
Luo Shaochuan offered to find a good nursing home for her mother and cover the costs, but Xia Ru’an politely declined his financial assistance, stating she could not accept his money, and left. Zhou Mowan brought Situ Yan to the music room, where students stored their instruments, as the girls attending the school were rich and wouldn't steal from each other.
Situ Yan theorized that the killer was searching for an instrument when Lin Jie discovered them while playing the piano, leading to her being shot. He concluded that the instrument was likely no longer there. Zhou Mowan then recalled a student, Zhenzhen, asking her to tune a dull-sounding violin. Zhenzhen later experienced something strange: an unknown teacher at school called her name, gave her a "new" violin, claiming it was from her aunt and taking the old one for servicing.
Zhenzhen was too excited to realize it wasn't her original violin. Later, her aunt gave her another new violin at home, confirming the school incident was not from her aunt, leaving Zhenzhen confused and terrified, suspecting a ghost. Zhenzhen couldn't identify the teacher but remembered feeling a sense of familiarity.
Episode 10 Recap
Ye Zhenzhen, distressed and believing she was haunted, told Zhou Mowan that her violin had been behaving strangely ever since she returned from Fengtian after the vacation. It couldn't be tuned properly, and she questioned if a female ghost was responsible. She recalled that when they were in the music classroom a few days prior, a light fixture had shaken and fallen. She also expressed fear of both the female ghost and Ms. Lin.
Zhou Mowan deduced that the murderer might be looking for this specific violin. Situ Yan wanted to examine it immediately. As Zhou Mowan was taking the violin out of the school, she encountered Li Pei. Li Pei mentioned that Zhou Mowan was looking for a skilled master to tune her violin, and Zhou Mowan advised her to be careful because it wasn't safe lately. The next day, another murder occurred at the school.
Luo Jinyan was found dead in the music classroom, near Zhou Mowan's locker, having been struck in the back of the head with a blunt object, possibly a stone or brick. Fan Lihua was the first to discover the body and was deeply shaken by the horrific sight. Luo Shaochuan reviewed the crime scene, noting Luo Jinyan's position near Zhou Mowan's locker. Meanwhile, Situ Yan proceeded to disassemble the violin.
Zhou Mowan, concerned, quipped that he would have to pay the girl if he broke it. Inside, Situ Yan discovered a large bag filled with expensive gems. Luo Shaochuan later learned about the discovery of the gems in the violin. With no progress in finding the murderer, Sergeant Bao put pressure on Luo Shaochuan, urging him to enlist Situ Yan's help immediately.
Sergeant Bao suggested that the culprits must be either Tao Zhiling or Li Pei, and even proposed arresting both for interrogation, which Luo Shaochuan dismissed as potentially letting the real murderer continue their crimes. Sergeant Bao then angrily reminded Luo Shaochuan that he had been in charge of the case from the start and had promised a quick resolution. He gave Luo Shaochuan two options: either get Situ Yan's help or catch the murderer himself.
Luo Shaochuan, vowing to provide an answer, ordered his subordinates to keep a close watch on Tao Zhiling and Li Pei, reporting anything suspicious they did or said. He then found himself replaying the interrogations of various individuals in his mind, finding everyone suspicious. He recalled the self-introductions of Luo Jinyan, Fan Lihua, Li Pei, Xia Ru’an, and Zhao Qiansun.
Bai Shanshan played a trick on Luo Shaochuan, telling him that Zou Jingxuan was angry and wanted to go to Beijing for a business trip, hoping he would stop her to foster their relationship. To her surprise, Luo Shaochuan reacted with enthusiasm, even offering to drive Zou Jingxuan to the station, which left Zou Jingxuan bewildered. He encouraged her new-found independence to learn business and help manage the Luo family.
Before leaving for the station, Luo Shaochuan insisted they pay their respects to Mrs. Shen, prompting Zou Jingxuan to hurriedly leave when she mistakenly thought Luo Shaochuan believed she liked Situ Yan. An old man from next door, observing the interaction, sagely offered Luo Shaochuan advice on understanding women, noting that a woman's words often contradict her true feelings. Situ Yan informed Luo Shaochuan that the girls' school had another incident.
Luo Shaochuan, finding Zhou Mowan at Situ Yan's home, warned him to stay away from her, suspecting her involvement in the case. Luo Shaochuan reiterated his belief that the previous dog-kidnapping case was a diversion orchestrated to prevent Situ Yan from investigating the girls' school murders. Situ Yan dismissed this as overly imaginative, clarifying that Zhou Mowan was simply fooled by Shen Huatang, a wealthy banker's daughter, and questioned why Luo Shaochuan seemed to side with the wealthy.
Situ Yan then informed Luo Shaochuan about the gems found in Ye Zhenzhen's violin, concluding it was a murder motivated by money. He believed Zhou Mowan was in the most danger since she possessed the violin that the murderer was seeking. Situ Yan then asked about Ye Zhenzhen's trip to Fengtian. Luo Shaochuan recalled Ye Zhenzhen mentioning she visited her uncle, who worked for a printing house owner in Fengtian.
The owner was killed shortly after Ye Zhenzhen's arrival, and her uncle urged her to return home quickly due to unrest caused by a warlord in the city. Situ Yan confirmed that Ye Zhenzhen and her mother were safe as they lived in the city, far from the printing house in the commercial port. Luo Shaochuan continued his investigation, and Situ Yan inquired if Ye Zhenzhen encountered anything strange in Fengtian.
Luo Shaochuan recounted that Ye Zhenzhen's luggage was searched on the train on her way back, leading Situ Yan to believe that the jewelry was likely placed in the violin at that time. Jin Qiming reported that the assassinated owner of the Fengtian Printing House was also the chairman of the Fengtian Chamber of Commerce.
While the reason for his death was unknown, there was speculation that he was killed by the Revolutionary Party for uniting merchants to resist their troop stationing. Situ Yan clarified that the motive was financial, not revenge, and noted the printing house owner's assistant was still missing. He suspected two groups were now searching for the money, suggesting a "dog-eat-dog" scenario where one party killed the owner, blamed revolutionaries, took the money, and hid it in the violin.
The assistant, he believed, was likely dead, and the murder of teachers in the music classroom was a consequence of someone trying to retrieve the violin. Zhao Qiansun, the school painter, attempted to pry for case details and offered suggestions about conjuring ghosts, but Luo Shaochuan dismissively told him to leave. Situ Yan, observing Luo Shaochuan's extensive investigation into the teachers' backgrounds, teased him about "flirting with girls" like Xia Ru’an.
Luo Shaochuan insisted his efforts were purely professional, aimed at narrowing down suspects. He pointed out that Xia Ru’an had an alibi for the second murder, while Li Pei and the newly arrived Tao Zhiling did not, making them prime suspects. He had already assigned men to watch Tao Zhiling. Fan Lihua was deeply affected by the murders, suffering from fatigue and headaches, her hair turning noticeably white.
Situ Yan decided to interview Fan Lihua first, given that she had discovered Luo Jinyan's body. Fan Lihua recounted that she saw a flickering light in the music classroom late at night and, despite Luo Jinyan's earlier prohibition against approaching the room, went to investigate with a wooden stick for self-defense. She found Luo Jinyan sitting beneath a locker after turning on all the lights.
Luo Jinyan had previously believed Zhou Mowan was connected to Lin Jie's death and had been investigating Zhou Mowan's locker. Luo Shaochuan confirmed that Luo Jinyan was indeed searching the locker when she was killed by a blunt weapon to the back of her head. He speculated that the murderer knew about the jewelry and, fearing Luo Jinyan would find it first, killed her, unaware that Zhou Mowan had moved the violin to the dorm.
Fan Lihua, feeling too weak to continue cooperating, stated that Xia Ru’an and Li Pei would assist the investigation. Situ Yan then went to examine the crime scene and, noticing human traces, concluded that the "haunting" rumors were intentionally fabricated by the killer to deter others from entering the music classroom while they searched for something.
He inferred that the killer, knowing Luo Jinyan was inside, still entered the room, likely out of fear that she would find what they were looking for first, and had probably already searched all the boxes. Luo Shaochuan admitted he had been misled, initially believing the case was a revenge plot tied to a "Princess's suicide" in Fengtian, but he still asserted that the current teachers must be connected to Fengtian.
Situ Yan, acknowledging Luo Shaochuan's imagination, refocused on Zhao Qiansun, finding it suspicious that a painter was allergic to paint. Luo Shaochuan promised to re-investigate Zhao Qiansun. Meanwhile, Xia Ru’an was busy arranging for students to leave school as parents, agitated by the continuous murders, took their children home. Situ Yan questioned Xia Ru’an about Zhao Qiansun, learning that he was a new hire this semester and his file was missing from the archives.
Situ Yan also discovered from the existing archives that Li Pei had taken a year-long leave, but the reason was unknown. Luo Shaochuan vouched for Xia Ru’an, confirming she was a new hire from Fengtian, a former proofreader who returned to care for her mother, and had an alibi for the murder. Situ Yan subtly hinted at Luo Shaochuan's apparent interest in Xia Ru'an, but she humbly declined any offers for a job in the Luo family.
Situ Yan requested photos of all the teachers, explaining it was difficult for him to remember everyone. He also asked to interview Li Pei and Tao Zhiling, but Xia Ru’an explained that Li Pei was busy with student departures and Tao Zhiling was unavailable at the moment. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan interviewed Zhao Qiansun. When confronted about his missing file, Zhao Qiansun defensively stated that Luo Jinyan hired him, suggesting they could "summon spirits" to ask her.
Situ Yan then directly asked if he was interested in "Mr. Li's money." Zhao Qiansun, realizing they knew, admitted he was sent to monitor Ye Zhenzhen and find a breakthrough on her, confirming he was hired to recover money. He stated he worked for a powerful organization that had ties to the government, and the missing money was their operational funds from the printing house owner who was assassinated for political reasons.
He confessed that his organization had "widened their range of search" after the money disappeared, and suspected the printing house owner's assistant of stealing the money and hiding it in Ye Zhenzhen's violin. Zhao Qiansun advised Situ Yan to hand over the money to avoid trouble.
When Situ Yan accused him of murder, Zhao Qiansun denied it, claiming he was just a painter, but suggested they investigate Tao Zhiling, recalling a time when Lin Jie had scolded Tao Zhiling for lurking suspiciously near the music classroom. He also mentioned Luo Jinyan had asked him for a square wooden stick, not to fix her desk. Situ Yan later interviewed Li Pei, asking about her year-long leave.
Li Pei explained she was tired and wanted to rest, traveling to southern cities like Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan, but denied ever visiting Fengtian. Separately, Li Pei also informed Situ Yan that Zhou Mowan was fine and had only been helping her learn about the school. Luo Shaochuan then reported that Tao Zhiling had gone missing after his men had followed her to a tea garden in Huifangli. Sensing urgency, Situ Yan immediately suggested they check the dorm.
Luo Shaochuan offered to get the keys from Auntie Lan, but Situ Yan, anticipating the situation, knew it wouldn't be necessary. They found Tao Zhiling dead on a desk in the dorm, shot in the head, her skull pierced. An officer confirmed that the bullet trajectory and weapon matched those used to kill Lin Jie, indicating the same murderer. The time of death was approximately two hours prior, and bruises on Tao Zhiling's body suggested she had struggled with her assailant before dying.
Episode 11 Recap
During the investigation of Tao Zhiling's death, forensic examination reveals she was shot in the head, with the bullet trajectory and weapon matching Lin Jie's murder. Bruises on Tao Zhiling's body indicate she struggled before she died. Luo Shaochuan initially suspects Li Pei, but her alibi from two hours prior, checking out students at the school entrance, clears her. Upon inspecting Tao Zhiling's room, Luo Shaochuan notes her surprisingly lavish spending despite her modest monthly salary.
Luo Shaochuan discovers a check in her bag, leading Situ Yan to conclude that Tao Zhiling had witnessed the killer in action and attempted to extort them, which ultimately led to her own murder. Situ Yan returns to the scene of Luo Jinyan’s murder, where he finds a blood-stained brick among a pile of loose bricks, confirming it as the murder weapon. Confronted with this evidence, Fan Lihua breaks down and confesses.
Situ Yan then explains to Luo Shaochuan the inconsistencies in Fan Lihua’s earlier statement: she had claimed to grab a wooden stick for self-defense after seeing a light in the music classroom, but the stick was actually a table leg Luo Jinyan had requested and was found in the music classroom, not in Luo Jinyan’s dormitory, which was inconsistent with her statement.
Fan Lihua tearfully explains that she founded the school with traditional values, aspiring to cultivate virtuous, educated "fair ladies." However, Luo Jinyan, as vice principal, introduced modern and "improper" teachings, which Fan Lihua believed were corrupting the students and undermining her authority. Luo Jinyan was arrogant, frequently criticized Fan Lihua publicly, and never showed her respect, pushing Fan Lihua to her breaking point. In a fit of madness, she repeatedly struck Luo Jinyan with the brick.
She admits that she had not slept well since the murder and seeks to be imprisoned. Xia Ru’an confronts Fan Lihua, arguing that education must evolve with the times and that women should pursue careers and independence, not just traditional roles. She condemns Fan Lihua for clinging to outdated beliefs and harming students, calling her a "devil" who couldn’t accept being left behind by society. Fan Lihua, however, defiantly defends her traditional pedagogy, blaming "everyone" for ruining her school.
Police Chief Bao arrives to arrest Fan Lihua, showering Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan with praise before quickly departing to claim credit. Luo Shaochuan expresses his frustration with Chief Bao’s opportunism, but Situ Yan advises patience for the new officer. Xia Ru’an observes that individuals who become so fixated on an idea are hard to reason with.
Luo Shaochuan suggests Xia Ru’an consider a new job offer, but she declines, citing her own plans and her responsibility to the school board. Later, Luo Shaochuan realizes that Fan Lihua’s motive was purely related to her educational philosophy and had no connection to the missing jewel. Situ Yan clarifies that Luo Jinyan’s murder and Lin Jie’s murder are two distinct cases that occurred in the same location, and the jewel thief is still at large.
Situ Yan, still searching for the person who gave Zhenzhen the violin, asks Zhou Mowan to find a portrait artist. He provides photos of the teachers, requesting sketches with short hair, hats, and glasses to match Zhenzhen’s description. Zhenzhen examines the portraits and, while unable to identify an exact match, notes that one resembling Li Pei also seemed familiar from Fengtian. Li Pei, however, denies ever visiting Fengtian.
Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan informs Situ Yan that Li Pei has disappeared, as his subordinates ceased surveillance after Fan Lihua’s arrest. Situ Yan visits Jin Qiming, who confirms that Fengtian Press, relevant to Lin Jie's murder, funded a newspaper where Xia Ru’an once worked. Jin Qiming's investigation into Xia Ru’an reveals a pattern: she frequently changed jobs, always claiming to care for a sick mother who had, in fact, died penniless years ago.
An old widower who helped with her mother’s burial later died after allegedly forcing himself on Xia Ru’an, who was seen leaving his room shortly before his death. Her former workplaces consistently reported thefts or disappearances of key personnel after her departure, and she was reportedly disgraced and run out of Fengtian. With strong suspicions, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan set a trap.
Zhou Mowan returns to the school and deliberately places Zhenzhen’s violin in her dormitory, ostensibly to have it repaired, before leaving for lunch. As anticipated, Xia Ru’an secretly enters the room, pries open the violin, and discovers the jewels inside have been replaced with stones. Zhou Mowan emerges to confront Xia Ru’an, exposing her as the killer responsible for the murders connected to the jewels, including the printing press owner, Zhenzhen’s uncle, Lin Jie, and Tao Zhiling.
As Xia Ru'an prepares to shoot Zhou Mowan, Luo Shaochuan intervenes and stops her. Luo Shaochuan expresses his dismay, asking Xia Ru’an why she resorted to such violence when he could have provided her with far more money. Xia Ru’an scoffs at his privileged perspective, claiming the substantial sum was her rightful earning and denouncing Luo Shaochuan as an incompetent police officer dependent on his father’s wealth.
Situ Yan defends Luo Shaochuan, highlighting his integrity and sense of responsibility, contrasting it with Xia Ru’an’s manipulative nature. Luo Shaochuan expresses guilt for failing to suspect Xia Ru’an earlier, believing his oversight led to Tao Zhiling’s death. Xia Ru’an, however, blames Tao Zhiling for her own fate, stating Tao Zhiling witnessed Lin Jie’s murder and attempted to blackmail her, dying due to her own greed.
She then confesses to masterminding the jewel theft from Fengtian Press and arranging its transport via Zhenzhen’s uncle and the violin. She claims that Liang Kun, the press owner’s assistant, killed his boss but then became greedy, attempting to keep all the jewels, which forced her to kill him as well. Feigning remorse, Xia Ru’an kneels and pleads for a second chance, offering to surrender.
As Luo Shaochuan approaches to lead her away, she swiftly grabs his gun and points it at Zhou Mowan. Situ Yan immediately shields Zhou Mowan, but Luo Shaochuan reveals he had anticipated the move and had already removed all the bullets from the gun. Situ Yan clarifies that Li Pei is not a suspect. She did travel to Fengtian, but for deeply personal and sensitive reasons.
Li Pei later confides in Situ Yan about her unhappy and loveless marriage, and an affair with a married man who made her feel alive and appreciated. She had journeyed to Fengtian to find him, only to discover his wife had given birth to another child, prompting her to leave discreetly.
Situ Yan advises her that "only you are the light in your life," and promises to keep her secret, revealing he had asked Jin Qiming to help Li Pei hide for her safety. Zhou Mowan playfully teases Luo Shaochuan, remarking on his "talent" for falling in love with the suspects. As the case appears closed, Zhao Qiansun approaches the group, subtly demanding money for the jewels.
Later, a new case emerges at the Moly restaurant, where the owner, Moly, is found dead. Preliminary police reports suggest suicide, citing a gunshot wound to the head and gunpowder residue on his hand. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan arrive at the scene, where Situ Yan meticulously inspects the kitchen, questioning if anything had been disturbed, unconvinced by the initial suicide ruling.
Episode 12 Recap
At Jasmine Restaurant, Situ Yan carefully inspected the kitchen and asked if anyone had heard a gunshot. He Wannian, Moly's partner, expressed annoyance at the repeated questions, stating that the loud draught fan in the kitchen would have muffled any sounds from outside, and Moly's death was only discovered when food orders were delayed.
He Wannian attributed Moly's death to suicide, explaining that Moly had been deeply in love with the former waitress, Zhao Xiaoling, and had dreamed of marrying her. However, Zhao Xiaoling had a fiancé in Manzhouli who became successful and took her away, leaving Moly heartbroken. According to He Wannian, Moly became withdrawn and irritable, scolding even the new waiter, Zhang Xiaoxi, which led other staff to quit.
He Wannian provided Situ Yan with a list of guests present on the day of Moly's death: Situ Yan and his friend, Cheng Xiangjun (a medicine seller new to Harbin), Yu Daren (a bank executive), a new guest named Li Chengyan who ordered Meat Sauce Spaghetti (recommended by Cheng Xiangjun), and Mr. He, Situ Yan's neighbor. It was noted that Cheng Xiangjun and Li Chengyan did not know each other, even though Cheng Xiangjun recommended the dish to Li Chengyan.
He Wannian insisted Moly's suicide was due to emotional distress, noting the restaurant's declining sales after Zhao Xiaoling's departure. Eager to reopen his restaurant due to rent concerns, He Wannian claimed his own cooking skills surpassed Moly's and that Moly had relegated him to front desk duties because of his drinking. Luo Shaochuan felt his answers were satisfactory and promised to address his rent if he cooperated, but Situ Yan remained unconvinced that Moly committed suicide.
Zhang Xiaoxi then discreetly informed Situ Yan that Cheng Xiangjun often bypassed the front door, appearing to be on familiar terms with He Wannian as she regularly exited through the back. He Wannian, questioned again, disclosed that Cheng Xiangjun, a Beijing medicine seller, was staying at a small hotel near a hospital. Situ Yan visited the hotel alone, as Luo Shaochuan left to reflect on a previous conversation with Xia Ru'an about integrity.
The hotel owner described Cheng Xiangjun as affluent, stylish, and fond of foreign operas, often staying out late or making brief returns to her room. Situ Yan consolidated information on key individuals but still believed Moly's death was not a suicide. Soon after, Zhou Mowan arrived, echoing Situ Yan's intuition. She asserted that Moly, a passionate culinary innovator, would prioritize his cooking over romantic affairs, dismissing the idea of suicide over Zhao Xiaoling.
While acknowledging Zhao Xiaoling’s affection for Moly, Zhou Mowan maintained that Moly's true passion was cooking. Situ Yan, however, pointed to the restaurant’s declining revenue post-Zhao Xiaoling's departure as evidence of her significance to Moly and suggested Moly would have worried about her marrying an unreliable man. Zhou Mowan further revealed long-standing conflicts between Moly and He Wannian, particularly after Moly reported He Wannian for embezzling restaurant funds for opium, leading to He Wannian’s arrest.
She also identified Yu Daren as Shen Huatang’s stepfather. Mrs. Shen attempted to foster a romantic connection between Zhou Mowan and Situ Yan, but Situ Yan playfully introduced Zhou Mowan as his newly hired assistant. Luo Shaochuan, having gained new insight, returned to share the police's conclusion: Moly committed suicide after accidentally poisoning Li Chengyan.
Li Chengyan, the new guest from yesterday, had ordered Meat Sauce Spaghetti and kvass, fell ill, returned home, and was later found dead from arsenic poisoning. Police found a note in Li Chengyan’s notebook with Jasmine Restaurant’s address and a special mention of its Meat Sauce Spaghetti. Subsequent investigation revealed arsenic in the spaghetti and ground rat poison in the kitchen's salt shaker.
The official theory was that Moly had mistakenly used the poison, causing Li Chengyan’s death, and then committed suicide out of guilt. Situ Yan vehemently rejected this. He argued that Meat Sauce Spaghetti doesn’t require salt, and Moly, known for his extreme meticulousness even with kitchen rags, would never make such a fundamental error. Situ Yan concluded that the person who placed the rat poison in the salt shaker was the true murderer, deeming it an unequivocal murder case.
Luo Shaochuan agreed to secure more time from Chief Bao for Situ Yan's investigation. Situ Yan then asked Jin Qiming to look into Li Chengyan and Cheng Xiangjun. Situ Yan again confronted He Wannian, who feigned ignorance about the new developments but grew agitated. He Wannian dismissed arguments with Moly as mere friction, stating that Moly had saved his life in the past, making betrayal impossible.
He recounted Moly’s attempts to warn Zhao Xiaoling about her unreliable fiancé, which had angered her. He Wannian expressed concern for Zhao Xiaoling, describing her as naive and her fiancé as jobless, noting that she insisted on going to Manzhouli despite their advice.
Next, Situ Yan questioned Zhang Xiaoxi, the new waiter, who provided a detailed timeline of guests: An unknown young man arrived at 11:00 AM, ordered only water, and left between 12:20 PM and 12:30 PM, likely via the back door—a route Moly usually prohibited. Situ Yan and his friend departed shortly after 12:00 PM.
Cheng Xiangjun, for whom He Wannian packed food, left through the back door around 12:10 PM, apparently familiar with He Wannian and citing its proximity to her residence. Yu Daren, a frequent customer, arrived after 12:10 PM with a pre-ordered meal and left around 12:25 PM. Li Chengyan arrived around 12:15 PM, ordered Meat Sauce Spaghetti and kvass, but complained about the taste. Feeling unwell, he left around 12:40 PM in a rickshaw to his hotel.
Mr. He arrived around 12:30 PM, but his order was never served. Situ Yan then asked Luo Shaochuan to identify his suspect, ultimately suggesting they arrest the young man who had arrived first and ordered nothing. Jin Qiming reported that Li Chengyan was a Beijing liquor dealer who owned a bar but had a three-year prison record for fraud. His struggling business had brought him to Harbin to secure a beer dealership.
He was known for his arrogance, frequent brawls, and associations with hooligans, implying numerous enemies. Luo Shaochuan dismissed the idea that Li Chengyan's murder was a grand scheme, arguing that a calculated plot would target someone more influential, like Yu Daren, who had become the chairman of the Harbin Chamber of Commerce after Luo Shaochuan's father's death. Luo Shaochuan disparaged Yu Daren as someone "servile to foreign things."
Situ Yan then had a sudden revelation: both Yu Daren and Li Chengyan had ordered Meat Sauce Spaghetti. He noted that Yu Daren's pre-ordered meal would have been prepared early. Considering everyone's orders, Situ Yan suspected Yu Daren was the actual target of the murder, making it a critical development. Luo Shaochuan, realizing that a failed first attempt likely meant a second, decided to alert Chief Bao to protect Yu Daren.
Jin Qiming still had no information on Cheng Xiangjun, who had not visited any hospitals or pharmacies. A crowd converged outside Situ Yan's detective agency, clamoring for his help due to a recent newspaper article about his success in solving the girls' school case. Situ Yan, Jin Qiming, and Luo Shaochuan exited through the back, where they encountered their neighbor, Mr. He. Mr. He, recognizing Situ Yan as a detective, expressed admiration.
He confirmed his presence at Jasmine Restaurant during Moly's death but stated his food, first a preferred shredded beef dish and then a substitute of roasted vegetables and bread, was never served. Situ Yan revisited Cheng Xiangjun's hotel, where the now-recognizing owner expressed concern about Cheng Xiangjun's continued absence since leaving yesterday morning. Cheng Xiangjun had checked into the hotel on the 12th of the month.
Situ Yan instructed Jin Qiming to search for Cheng Xiangjun in other hotels, prioritizing those near large hospitals. Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan tried to convince Chief Bao to provide protection for Yu Daren, warning that if Yu Daren were harmed, the police’s inaction would be exposed in all Harbin newspapers, stressing that this warning came directly from Situ Yan.
Episode 13 Recap
Luo Shaochuan sternly warned Sergeant Bao that if Yu Daren were harmed in the coming days, the newspapers across Harbin would expose the police bureau's inaction. Luo Shaochuan suspected an assassination attempt on Yu Daren and asked Bao to issue a wanted notice for a suspect, promising to reveal the individual's identity later.
Though initially furious at Luo Shaochuan's veiled threats and lack of respect, Sergeant Bao agreed to send officers to protect Yu Daren, with instructions to arrest anyone suspicious. He also gave Luo Shaochuan a few more days to investigate the Jasmine Restaurant case but insisted it must be closed by the end of the month. Upon returning to the detective agency, Situ Yan found the crowds dispersed. Zhou Mowan, acting as his assistant, had diligently recorded all the minor cases.
She explained that she couldn't simply turn away those who trusted Situ Yan, emphasizing that she had collected contact information for him to follow up on cases he might be interested in. Mrs. Shen had left food for them, which Zhou Mowan reheated. However, Luo Shaochuan found the sauerkraut and vermicelli unappetizing and insisted they go out for hot pot, with Zhou Mowan accompanying them. At the restaurant, their conversation inevitably turned to the Jasmine Restaurant murder case.
Situ Yan expressed a desire to speak with Yu Daren, but Zhou Mowan believed it would be difficult, recounting her own recent attempt. She shared that Shen Huatang had invited her over for piano lessons. During her visit, Yu Daren arrived home. Zhou Mowan took the opportunity to ask him about the restaurant incident. Yu Daren curtly stated that the police had already questioned him and he had nothing new to add, requesting that they not disturb his family.
Zhou Mowan found him arrogant, feeling he mistakenly thought she was trying to curry favor. Later, when Cheng Xiangjun's name came up, Shen Huatang mentioned having seen her speaking to Yu Daren at the bank, assuming they were acquainted. Yu Daren immediately denied knowing Cheng Xiangjun, dismissing her as one of many who fabricated connections for personal gain.
Zhou Mowan found Shen Huatang's behavior perplexing; she seemed reluctant to discuss the case with Yu Daren but also keenly interested in the details. When Zhou Mowan mentioned a panicked young man seen at the restaurant, Shen Huatang grew visibly anxious, suggesting she might know him. This led Zhou Mowan to suspect Shen Huatang might have hired someone to murder her stepfather, Yu Daren. Luo Shaochuan, however, found Shen Huatang's involvement unlikely.
He recalled hearing from Bai Shanshan, who frequently played Mahjong with wealthy ladies, that Yu Daren had remained unmarried for three years since his wife, Shen Baifeng, died. He had faithfully cared for Shen Baifeng's two children, Shen Huatang and her brother, treating them well. Gossip from the mahjong tables suggested Shen Baifeng died from consuming strychnine-laced beauty medicine, a lethal dose attributed to her obsession with maintaining her looks.
The police had even suspected Yu Daren at the time, as he was seen purchasing strychnine, leading to a temporary estrangement with Shen Baifeng's children. Despite the initial discord, Yu Daren's continued care had mended their relationship. Luo Shaochuan suggested that "marrying well" was more important than "doing well," jokingly proposing that if he were to marry Shen Huatang, their families would control all the wealth in Harbin.
Observing Zhou Mowan's artistic talent, Situ Yan asked her to draw portraits of Cheng Xiangjun and the young man, hoping to use them for police wanted posters to quickly uncover the truth behind Moly's death. Zhou Mowan agreed but stipulated that Situ Yan must fulfill a condition of her choosing at a later time. The next day, Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan visited Zhongji Bank to meet Yu Daren.
The bank manager initially refused them entry due to a lack of appointment, even after seeing Luo Shaochuan's police badge. Only when Luo Shaochuan declared his intention to deposit all the Luo family's immense wealth into Zhongji Bank did the manager hastily arrange a meeting. Yu Daren met them, expressing annoyance at being continuously bothered about the "cook's case," emphasizing his busy schedule and the value of his time.
Situ Yan informed him that their investigation showed his ordered meal matched that of the victim, Li Chengyan, strongly suggesting Yu Daren was the intended target. He sought Yu Daren's cooperation in recalling details, especially regarding Cheng Xiangjun. Yu Daren again denied knowing Cheng Xiangjun. Situ Yan calmly responded to Yu Daren's arrogance, stating that in the face of legal procedures, Yu Daren's time was no more precious than anyone else's.
Suddenly, Shen Huatang arrived, visibly upset by the wanted posters for the young man. She vehemently argued that arresting the wrong person would only give the real killer another chance to harm Yu Daren. Afterwards, Luo Shaochuan, recalling Shen Huatang's specific concern that the "real murderer" might target Yu Daren (a detail not publicly released), suspected she was involved. He spent the entire day following her, but she only went shopping, leading him to find no suspicious activity.
Situ Yan clarified that he never suspected Shen Huatang of committing murder, but only thought she might meet the young man. Meanwhile, Jin Qiming reported that Cheng Xiangjun, a former nurse who loved opera and maintained an elegant lifestyle, had turned to selling rat poison in Harbin to make quick money due to financial difficulties. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan then visited the hotel where Cheng Xiangjun had reportedly stayed.
The front desk clerk described Cheng Xiangjun as generous and meticulous, always keeping her room impeccably tidy and refusing cleaning services. This starkly contrasted Situ Yan's earlier recollection of a messy room attributed to Cheng Xiangjun at another lodging, making him suspect that the person who stayed in the first hotel might not have been the real Cheng Xiangjun. Luo Shaochuan went to the train station to welcome Zou Jingxuan, who was returning from Beijing.
She teased him about seeing him with another woman, but he dismissed her query. Just then, a subordinate rushed to inform Luo Shaochuan that Sergeant Bao had located Cheng Xiangjun, but she was dead in Plain Lane. Luo Shaochuan, accompanied by Zou Jingxuan, immediately headed to the scene. At the crime scene in Plain Lane, Sergeant Bao was frustrated.
He explained that a tipster, who recognized Cheng Xiangjun from a newspaper portrait, had led them to a house where Cheng Xiangjun's body was discovered crammed into a suitcase, her face too disfigured for clear identification. An officer at the scene, based on physical evidence and the victim's attire, initially identified the body as Cheng Xiangjun. Bao initially intended to close Moly's case as a suicide, but Cheng Xiangjun's death complicated matters.
He reluctantly agreed to reopen Moly's case if Situ Yan could definitively prove a connection between the two murders. Inside the house, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan observed the chaotic scene. Forensic doctor Fang Jianqi reported that the victim had died over half a month ago from massive bleeding due to a comminuted skull fracture, caused by multiple strikes from a heavy blunt object.
He noted this suggested a killer of significant strength, likely a man or a woman accustomed to physical labor. However, Zhou Mowan, examining the victim's clothing, noted the expensive fabrics used in plain, seemingly handmade garments, suggesting the deceased was wealthy and deliberately trying to appear low-key, perhaps to conceal another identity. Situ Yan then pointed out crucial discrepancies: the victim's shoes were old and worn, not new like the ones Cheng Xiangjun wore at Jasmine Restaurant.
More importantly, the victim had no burn marks on her wrist, directly contradicting He Wannian's account of Cheng Xiangjun being scalded there. Situ Yan declared with certainty that the deceased was not Cheng Xiangjun. Luo Shaochuan then suggested that Bai Shanshan use her Mahjong connections to gather information. Bai Shanshan and Zou Jingxuan played Mahjong with local socialites. The conversation among the Mahjong players quickly turned to the homeowner, Mrs. Feng Chengchu, described as beautiful.
Neighbors gossiped that her husband, Feng Chengchu, was rarely seen during the day, only returning late at night, leading to rumors that he was a spy and potentially killed his wife, who might have been having an affair. Bai Shanshan, confident in her ability to extract information, deduced that the deceased was indeed Mrs. Feng.
During this time, Situ Yan, deeming the lead on Cheng Xiangjun a dead end, instructed Zhou Mowan to send a telegram to Director Wang of the Beijing Ministry of Justice, his former classmate, to use his official authority to uncover further information. Sergeant Bao, eager to close the case, initially theorized that Cheng Xiangjun might be a spy-killer responsible for both Li Chengyan and Mrs. Feng's deaths.
However, after hearing Bai Shanshan's findings about Mrs. Feng's infidelity, he quickly formulated a new theory: Cheng Xiangjun was a professional killer hired by Mrs. Feng to eliminate Li Chengyan (who knew about the affair). Subsequently, Cheng Xiangjun allegedly killed Mrs. Feng for non-payment. Bao swiftly decided to issue a wanted notice for Cheng Xiangjun and declare the case closed.
Situ Yan, dissatisfied, challenged Bao's hasty conclusion, pointing out that a professional killer like Cheng Xiangjun wouldn't have killed Moly in addition to Li Chengyan. He insisted on more time, but Bao was determined to write his report and advised Situ Yan to continue his separate investigation. Back at the office, Situ Yan discussed the case with Jin Qiming, who was apprehensive about investigating a rumored "spy."
Situ Yan dismissed the spy theory, arguing that a real spy would never allow his wife to openly spread such information. He reiterated his belief that the killer of the woman found in the suitcase, likely Mrs. Feng, was her own husband. Just then, Mr. He arrived to deliver more sauerkraut. Before Situ Yan could inquire further, a subordinate burst in with urgent news: Shen Huatang had been kidnapped. The informant, deemed suspicious, had already been taken to the interrogation room.
Episode 14 Recap
Li Ying was interrogated by Situ Yan about the disappearance of Shen Huatang. She recounted how Shen Huatang had ordered a facial cleanser from Unifon. On the day of pickup, Shen Huatang waited at a nearby cafe while Li Ying went into the store. Shen Huatang was then forcibly taken away by a young man whom Li Ying could not clearly identify, only noting his youth.
Situ Yan suggested it was a premeditated act, given that the assailant seemed to know Shen Huatang's schedule. However, later, the Li family's butler arrived at the police station to withdraw the report, claiming Shen Huatang had returned home unharmed. He dismissed the incident as merely being stopped by a beggar, who left after receiving some money, and attributed Li Ying's report to excessive worry. Later, during a dinner, Zhou Mowan suggested arresting Shen Huatang to extract a confession.
Situ Yan cautioned against it, concerned about potential repercussions from Yu Daren. Luo Shaochuan then explained that true agents conceal their identities. Situ Yan elaborated, pointing out that both "Zhao Qiansun" and "Feng Chengchu" were common names from "The Book of Family Names," suggesting they were aliases. He found it suspicious that Mrs. Feng publicly proclaimed her husband's name as Feng Chengchu while simultaneously trying to hide her own identity.
Luo Shaochuan agreed, and Situ Yan tasked Sergeant Bao with investigating. Zhou Mowan then remarked on Luo Shaochuan's slowness, revealing that Situ Yan had already assigned Jin Qiming to handle the matter. Sergeant Bao received a report that Yu Daren had been assassinated. To his relief, Yu Daren had only sustained minor injuries and had returned home after receiving medical attention.
Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan discussed the fragmented clues, noting that the killer had framed Moly for Li Chengyan's murder and then disguised Mrs. Feng's murder. They wondered about the killer's motives and remarked that Butler Li looked familiar. The police apprehended the assailant, identified as Chen Qingshan, a student known for participating in revolutionary party protests.
Recognizing Chen Qingshan as the young man from the Moly restaurant wanted poster, Sergeant Bao concluded that he was a southern operative aiming to kill Yu Daren and decided to interrogate him personally. During the interrogation, Chen Qingshan remained silent despite threats of torture. Situ Yan, through a note, prompted Sergeant Bao to ask if Shen Huatang had instigated the attack. Upon hearing Shen Huatang's name, Chen Qingshan reacted with great agitation, vehemently denying her involvement in the matter.
Following this, Situ Yan dispatched Zhou Mowan and another officer to visit Shen Huatang and observe her reaction to Chen Qingshan's arrest. Before meeting Shen Huatang, Zhou Mowan discreetly instructed Li Ying to pass a hidden note to the police waiting outside if Zhou Mowan coughed. During her conversation with Shen Huatang, Zhou Mowan informed her that Yu Daren had been shot and that Chen Qingshan had been arrested and confessed everything.
Shen Huatang was shocked and initially denied knowing Chen Qingshan, though her reaction indicated otherwise. When Zhou Mowan implied Chen Qingshan had confessed that Shen Huatang ordered him to kill Yu Daren, Shen Huatang became furious, accusing Zhou Mowan of deception and calling Chen Qingshan ungrateful. She vehemently denied any such instruction. Although Shen Huatang expressed her anger at being tricked, she did not explicitly continue to deny knowing Chen Qingshan.
Back at the police station, Situ Yan pressed Chen Qingshan, emphasizing that his silence would lead to Shen Huatang being implicated in other murders and branded as someone who desired to kill her father. He urged Chen Qingshan to reveal the truth to protect Shen Huatang's reputation. Chen Qingshan confessed that he did intend to kill Yu Daren but missed his shot.
He denied any involvement in the deaths of Li Chengyan, Moly, or Mrs. Feng, stating he didn't even know them. He clarified that he went to Jasmine Restaurant to persuade Yu Daren, who disapproved of his marriage to Shen Huatang due to his humble background. He believed Shen Huatang loved him and had accepted his proposal. Shen Huatang, however, presented a different version of events.
She called Chen Qingshan a "hooligan" who harassed her after she helped him following a police beating during a protest. She found his persistent romantic overtures and marriage proposal ridiculous. She explained that she had told him her father disapproved of their marriage due to his poor family, hoping he would understand.
She denied explicitly telling him to meet Yu Daren, but admitted she had told him Yu Daren would be at the Jasmine Restaurant, hoping they might resolve their differences or that Yu Daren would "educate" Chen Qingshan. She expressed fear that if Chen Qingshan was caught, Yu Daren would believe she wanted to kill him. She admitted to buying him a train ticket to Russia and advising him to flee for his safety.
She also asserted that she did not love him and viewed him as the source of her fears. She said her rejection was subtle, telling him he had "a bright future" and did not need to "stop for her," which she believed was a clear enough refusal. Chen Qingshan confirmed that Shen Huatang informed him of Yu Daren's dining plans at Jasmine Restaurant. He arrived at 11 AM and waited until 12:20 PM.
He observed Yu Daren order Meat Sauce Spaghetti and then go to the restroom around 12:15 PM, just before the meal was served. Feeling intimidated and unable to approach Yu Daren, Chen Qingshan left through the back door at 12:20 PM. He noted that the kitchen was empty when he left, though a bowl of noodles was on the pick-up table.
Situ Yan found this detail significant, questioning who made the Meat Sauce Spaghetti that was served at 12:30 PM if the kitchen was deserted at 12:20 PM. Zhang Xiaoxi, a waiter, later recalled that Moly usually rang a bell at the pick-up counter after completing an order, but on that specific day, he did not hear the bell and only collected the dish after being prompted by his superior.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mowan reported that Mrs. Feng's shoes were British imports, size 5, but the pair she was wearing was size 4. Situ Yan inquired about stocking sizes and asked Zhou Mowan to try on the victim's size 8 stockings, which were too small for her. Zou Jingxuan, however, could fit them, confirming she usually wore size 4 shoes but would sometimes wear a size 5 for comfort in non-heeled footwear.
Situ Yan then revealed that the victim found in Plain Lane was indeed Cheng Xiangjun, but not the same Cheng Xiangjun they had initially investigated. He explained that the shoe size discrepancy and the burn mark on the body's wrist, among other details, proved the victim was not the "original" Cheng Xiangjun, suggesting they had been misled by the killer.
He also recalled Zhou Mowan having previously encountered a woman named Cheng Xiangjun at the bank, whom Yu Daren denied knowing, reinforcing the idea of two different individuals named Cheng Xiangjun. Luo Shaochuan informed Situ Yan that Chen Qingshan was scheduled for execution the day after tomorrow, with the murders of Moly, Li Chengyan, and Mrs. Feng being consolidated under his name.
He explained that high-ranking officials were keen to close the case because Feng Chengchu was discovered to be an agent of the Beiyang Government, making the matter politically sensitive and preventing further investigation. Chen Qingshan was merely a convenient scapegoat. Luo Shaochuan further revealed that Zhao Qiansun had been killed by a professional assassin, with no traces left behind and valuable gems stolen. Only a select few high-ranking officials were aware of this.
Situ Yan stressed the unique nature of gems, advising them to monitor potential sales channels for clues. Shen Huatang arrived at the detective agency. Situ Yan informed her that strychnine does not cause chronic poisoning, implying her mother, Shen Baifeng, was murdered, not accidentally poisoned. He highlighted that her brother, Shen Huarong, a medical student, was the one who pushed to close the case, which was suspicious given his medical knowledge.
Shen Huatang angrily accused Situ Yan of suggesting her brother was the killer and attempting to extort money. Zhou Mowan intervened, vouching for Situ Yan's integrity. Shen Huatang then agreed to recount the entire story of her mother's death, provided her family, including her brother and sister-in-law, were not harassed. Shen Huatang began by describing the old Harbin case from three years prior, when her mother was found dead in bed.
Yu Daren was initially the prime suspect because a doctor reported him buying strychnine, and Shen Baifeng's will left most of her assets to him. However, Yu Daren vehemently denied the murder, questioning why he would personally buy the poison and citing his alibi of checking bank accounts all night, a claim supported by his busy employees. The doctor who identified Yu Daren at the pharmacy was uncertain, noting Yu Daren was wearing a hat and appeared thinner than remembered.
The case was eventually closed after Shen Huarong presented his mother's beauty medicine, which contained strychnine, as the cause of death, and subsequent tests confirmed the poison. Shen Huatang admitted her initial prejudice against Yu Daren due to their age difference and his perceived lack of wealth, but three years later, seeing his dedication to the bank and his care for her and her brother, she believed they might have wronged him.
She recalled that the day before her mother's death was her birthday, and they returned home late due to a power outage. The next morning, her mother and sister-in-law had a loud argument. The sister-in-law accused Shen Baifeng of covering up Shen Huarong's infidelity, claiming he had other women and was about to bring his "childhood crush" into their home.
Shen Baifeng defended herself, stating she treated her daughter-in-law as her own child and reminding her that the Shen family's current status was due to her father's influence, warning that a divorce would incur her father's wrath. Shen Baifeng was trying to conceal a love letter from Shen Huarong to his mistress, hoping to manage the situation herself. Shen Huatang had rudely interrupted the argument, asserting that given their family's wealth, her brother was entitled to have "ten or eight wives."
Episode 15 Recap
Shen Huatang recounted the night her mother, Shen Baifeng, died. She initially believed her mother had discovered a love letter from her brother, Shen Huarong, to his lover and tried to conceal it from Shen Huarong’s wife. However, her sister-in-law stumbled upon the letter and confronted Shen Baifeng. Though her mother refused to show the letter, her sister-in-law later referenced its contents during her divorce from Shen Huarong, whose previous affair Shen Baifeng had intervened to end.
The night before Shen Baifeng’s death, her sister-in-law offered tea as an apology, which Shen Huatang also drank. She then fell into an unusually deep sleep and heard nothing from her mother's room. The next morning, Shen Baifeng was found poisoned. Shen Huatang’s suspicions were heightened when her sister-in-law hastily collected all the teacups before the police arrived.
Situ Yan, investigating, deduced that the sister-in-law likely put sleeping pills in the tea to sedate them both, allowing her to search Shen Baifeng’s room for the incriminating love letter. Situ Yan requested to visit Shen Huatang's home for further investigation. He had already dispatched Luo Shaochuan to pick up Zhao Xiaoling, explaining that her intimate knowledge of the Jasmine Restaurant would be crucial to the Moly murder case.
At the Shen residence, Situ Yan learned more about Shen Baifeng's death. Shen Huatang revealed that her mother had previously discussed divorce and her brother's infidelity with Li Yantong, the housekeeper, and intended to consult a lawyer to amend her will. Her sister-in-law overheard this, leading to a heated argument that prevented the lawyer's visit.
Li Yantong, who had worked for the Shen family for about ten years and was highly trusted by Shen Baifeng, began taking frequent leaves, especially at night, after Shen Baifeng’s death—a stark contrast to her previous schedule of only Wednesdays off. On the night of Shen Baifeng's death, both Li Yantong and Yu Daren were absent. Li Yantong returned the next morning, discovered Shen Baifeng dead in her locked room, and called the police.
Li Yantong then vehemently accused Yu Daren of the murder, claiming he had an affair and killed Shen Baifeng to prevent exposure. However, Shen Huatang did not believe this, citing Yu Daren's solid alibi of working all night at the bank. She did recall witnessing a public argument between Li Yantong and Yu Daren days before the murder, where Li Yantong warned Yu Daren to "stay away from her" and "remember his place."
Situ Yan also noted that Shen Baifeng’s former bedroom, now occupied by Yu Daren, had its connecting door covered by a dressing table. He observed that a lethal dose of strychnine, present in Shen Baifeng's regular medicine, would require consuming an entire course at once, far exceeding her daily intake. Shen Huatang, appreciative of Situ Yan’s renewed interest in the three-year-old cold case, agreed to convey his request for a meeting with Yu Daren that evening.
Situ Yan's investigation continued to uncover connections. A telegram from Wang Mingzheng confirmed that Li Yantong and Cheng Xiangjun were indeed classmates. Situ Yan also obtained Shen Baifeng's prescription, and after consulting a pharmacist, confirmed his suspicions regarding the medication dosage. Jin Qiming reported on a house in Plain Lane, purchased eight years prior by a "Mr. and Mrs. Feng."
Neighbors had only ever seen Mrs. Feng, described as tall and elegant, primarily on Wednesdays, while Mr. Feng was never seen, reportedly arriving late at night and leaving before dawn. Situ Yan also discovered a missing water bill from the Jasmine Restaurant belonging to Cheng Xiangjun, who had ordered takeout.
Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan picked up Zhao Xiaoling, who revealed she had gone to Manzhouli because her fiancé, Yunfeng, had secured a high-paying job at the "Yuxin Food Factory" that required a married couple. Luo Shaochuan recognized the factory, recalling Bai Shanshan mentioning it as an enterprise in Manzhouli managed by a distant relative of Yu Daren. These details solidified Situ Yan's deductions. Situ Yan gathered everyone at the Jasmine Restaurant to expose the truth about the Moly murder.
He presented Yu Daren as the shooter, who, under the pretense of using the restroom, entered the back kitchen and fatally shot Moly. The real target was Li Chengyan, with Moly being a convenient scapegoat. Chen Qingshan, currently imprisoned and facing execution, had witnessed Yu Daren in the kitchen. When Chief Bao questioned how Li Chengyan's noodles were made after Moly's death, Yu Daren, appearing agitated, attempted to leave but was stopped by Luo Shaochuan.
Situ Yan then revealed that the "Cheng Xiangjun" who ordered takeout that day and served the poisoned noodles was, in fact, Li Yantong, the housekeeper, in disguise. She had entered the kitchen after Yu Daren, hidden Moly's body, staged it as a suicide, cleaned the scene, and then served the poisoned noodles to Li Chengyan.
Situ Yan then dramatically unveiled that the body found in the box in Plain Lane was the real Cheng Xiangjun, not Mrs. Feng as initially believed. He pointed out the killer deliberately used size four shoes on the body to mislead investigators, knowing her own size five feet wouldn't match. Situ Yan further connected Li Chengyan and the real Cheng Xiangjun, who had met on a train and developed a close relationship.
Cheng Xiangjun, mistakenly believing Li Yantong was Yu Daren's wife and a medical school classmate, offered to introduce Li Chengyan to Yu Daren for business connections. However, when they met, Yu Daren pretended not to know Cheng Xiangjun to conceal his secret relationship with Li Yantong. Situ Yan then exposed Yu Daren and Li Yantong as the "Mr. and Mrs. Feng" who had never truly separated.
The house in Plain Lane served as their clandestine rendezvous spot—Li Yantong visiting on her Wednesdays off, and Yu Daren secretly at night. Situ Yan then linked these events to Shen Baifeng's death. He explained that Shen Baifeng's argument with Li Yantong, overheard by Shen Huatang, was not about Shen Huarong's affair, but because Shen Baifeng had discovered a love letter from Li Yantong to Yu Daren.
Distraught, Shen Baifeng instructed Li Yantong to find a lawyer to amend her will, a task Li Yantong deliberately sabotaged. Situ Yan explained that Shen Baifeng's death was a calculated murder. Knowing Shen Baifeng's beauty tonic contained strychnine, Li Yantong had gradually added bromide to it.
The bromide reacted with the strychnine to form a lethal precipitate, ensuring that on the planned night—a Wednesday (Li Yantong's day off) when Yu Daren was also absent (reconciling bank accounts)—Shen Baifeng would unknowingly consume a fatal dose with her last medicine from the bottle. To further facilitate the crime, the electricity at the Shen residence was intentionally cut, ensuring Shen Baifeng drank the concentrated poison in the dark.
Shen Baifeng actually survived one day longer than planned because she forgot to take her medicine after attending her daughter's birthday party. The motive for Cheng Xiangjun's murder was also revealed. Li Chengyan, a notorious fraudster, had accidentally overheard Cheng Xiangjun discussing Li Yantong's past engagement to Yu Daren.
Recognizing Yu Daren's wealth stemmed from Shen Baifeng's mysterious death by poison and Li Yantong's position as her housekeeper, Li Chengyan suspected foul play and attempted to extort Yu Daren and Li Yantong. Fearing exposure, Yu Daren ordered Li Yantong to eliminate Cheng Xiangjun permanently. Li Yantong, viewing Cheng Xiangjun as a threat, agreed, orchestrating the elaborate plot at the Jasmine Restaurant to frame Moly and Chen Qingshan, thereby eliminating Li Chengyan and tying up loose ends.
Episode 16 Recap
Butler Li (Li Yantong), under interrogation, confessed the full extent of her and Yu Daren’s scheme. Situ Yan explained how Li Yantong lured Cheng Xiangjun to Mrs. Feng's house on Plain Lane, where Yu Daren murdered her. To cover their tracks and set up a new murder, Li Yantong donned Cheng Xiangjun's clothes and shoes, then publicly appeared as Cheng Xiangjun, starting with Jasmine Restaurant.
She checked into a nearby hotel and sent a letter to Li Chengyan, posing as Cheng Xiangjun, inviting him to Jasmine Restaurant to collect money from Yu Daren, specifically recommending zha jiang spaghetti. Situ Yan highlighted that Li Chengyan, having not seen Cheng Xiangjun in years, was unaware of her newfound wealth and generosity, leading to conflicting descriptions of "Cheng Xiangjun" from witnesses – one generous, the other stingy.
The plan was to frame Moly for Li Chengyan's death, then have Li Yantong (as Cheng Xiangjun) reappear to frame Cheng Xiangjun for the murder of Mrs. Feng. Situ Yan confirmed Li Yantong's identity by identifying a burn mark on her left wrist, which she used to distinguish herself from the real Cheng Xiangjun. Situ Yan pressed Yu Daren on how he ensured Li Chengyan would order spaghetti.
Yu Daren chillingly admitted he had bought out all the steak in the market that day, leaving spaghetti as the only option, and had even sent Zhao Xiaoling away. Shen Huatang angrily confronted Yu Daren, questioning his betrayal of her mother, Shen Baifeng, who she believed treated him well. Yu Daren, his long-suppressed resentment boiling over, revealed his true feelings: he considered himself "a dog, or even less than a dog" in Shen Baifeng's eyes.
He claimed Shen Baifeng used her will to control him, beating and scolding him, and even forcing him to bark on the ground for her amusement. He believed Zhongji Bank’s prosperity was his doing and rightfully his. When Situ Yan asked about Moly, Yu Daren coldly stated that as a mere cook, it was Moly's "honor to die for a banker."
Situ Yan vehemently condemned Yu Daren's twisted morality, stating that there is no hierarchy in life and that Yu Daren's "filthy heart" was truly inferior. With the confessions complete, police arrested Yu Daren and Li Yantong. Grandpa He (He Nitang), a friend of Moly, praised Situ Yan for solving the case when asked his full name. Shen Huatang thanked Situ Yan, expressing that his efforts brought peace to her mother and resolved her brother and sister-in-law's conflict.
She then extended an offer of friendship, stating she liked dealing with clever people. Situ Yan, wary of her intelligence, politely declined, stating he preferred not to associate with overly clever people, and left. Luo Shaochuan believed the case was closed and celebrated the likely increase in their case-solving fees from Jin Qiming’s articles. However, Situ Yan maintained his unease, feeling that an underlying conspiracy still existed. Luo Shaochuan urged him to relax, suggesting he was too stressed.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mowan announced she was leaving to return to school, explaining that her time as Situ Yan's assistant was on a leave of absence for Moly's case. Situ Yan offered to pay her, but she refused, emphasizing that Moly was their mutual friend and that she would make up for any lost salary by teaching more tutoring classes, subtly referencing the wealthy students like Shen Huatang.
Mrs. Shen tried to persuade Zhou Mowan to stay, suggesting she continue living there and attend the upcoming reopening of Jasmine Restaurant. She even offered to have Situ Yan accompany Zhou Mowan to visit her parents, but Zhou Mowan evasively declined, also avoiding questions about her hometown. The next day, news arrived that Yu Daren had died in prison from ricin poisoning, an extremely potent and incurable toxin.
Luo Shaochuan was shocked, as he had thoroughly searched Yu Daren for contraband before his imprisonment. Old Bao, however, dismissed Luo Shaochuan's concerns, attributing the death to a planned suicide and reminding him that Yu Daren was facing a death sentence anyway. Situ Yan was not convinced and felt his suspicions of a larger conspiracy were confirmed.
He pointed out that Bai Lu had also died from ricin poisoning, suggesting a connection between seemingly unrelated cases involving individuals from diverse backgrounds—from a teacher to a banker. Luo Shaochuan, now sharing Situ Yan's concern, agreed to review all major unsolved cases from the past two years for any patterns. Jasmine Restaurant held its grand reopening, and He Wannian, having quit drinking, proudly cooked for the guests.
Zhou Mowan playfully teased Luo Shaochuan about Zou Jingxuan, who was in Beijing on business, and admired He Wannian’s culinary return. Jin Qiming stated his popular serial on Moly's case would conclude with the restaurant's reopening, believing it would bring closure. During the celebration, Luo Shaochuan first tried to persuade He Wannian to break his sobriety and drink, but He Wannian declined. Then Luo Shaochuan tried to persuade Jin Qiming to drink, suggesting a finger-guessing game.
Jin Qiming politely refused, but Luo Shaochuan persisted, growing aggressive. Jin Qiming, rather than drink, offered for Luo Shaochuan to smash his camera. Situ Yan intervened, reprimanding Luo Shaochuan for bullying an "honest person" and offering to drink in Jin Qiming's place. Jin Qiming, moved by the gesture, confessed that his father's alcoholism and gambling had ruined their family when he was young, leading him to swear off alcohol and gambling.
Luo Shaochuan, realizing his error, apologized sincerely, drank as a self-imposed punishment, and pledged to treat Jin Qiming as a brother, offering unwavering support. Situ Yan echoed the sentiment. Meanwhile, Bai Shanshan complained to Luo Shaochuan about Shen Huatang's growing popularity, feeling that Shen Huatang was "stepping on her" and the Luo family. She insisted that Luo Shaochuan send a telegram to Zou Jingxuan, urging her to return from Beijing to attend social events and outshine Shen Huatang.
Luo Shaochuan tried to dismiss her, but Bai Shanshan, recalling his previous declarations about Zou Jingxuan being the future Luo family matriarch, persisted. Luo Shaochuan reluctantly agreed to send the telegram, under Bai Shanshan's threat of withholding his allowance. Later, Luo Shaochuan's subordinate, Old Six, uncovered an unsolved murder case in Fengtian involving Zhou Mowan's name while reviewing old dossiers. Luo Shaochuan, visibly alarmed, rushed to tell Situ Yan, but found Zhou Mowan still present.
He struggled to have a private conversation with Situ Yan, as Zhou Mowan kept interrupting and teasing them. Once they were alone, Luo Shaochuan revealed that Zhou Mowan's family was involved in a murder case in Fengtian: her mother, Fang Huaijin, was sentenced to death for killing her father, Zhou Ze, a famous painter. Fang Huaijin maintained her innocence until her death.
Situ Yan recalled Zhou Mowan's evasiveness about her origins and her talent for drawing despite her apparent aversion to it. The dossier explicitly stated "Fang Huaijin is convicted of murder and sentenced to death," yet Fang Huaijin's lawyer, Li Yuanpu (who was also Situ Yan's senior and a man of integrity), had tried to persuade her to accept a lighter sentence by admitting guilt, which she refused, continuously crying "I didn't kill anyone."
Situ Yan found the situation perplexing, knowing Li Yuanpu's upright character and legal expertise. He concluded that if Li Yuanpu, a student highly esteemed by their teacher, had pursued a "not guilty" plea despite "irrefutable evidence," there had to be a hidden truth. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan promptly traveled to Fengtian to meet Li Yuanpu. Upon their reunion, Situ Yan explained his purpose for inquiring about Fang Huaijin's case.
Li Yuanpu confirmed that Fang Huaijin, his good friend, had insisted on a "not guilty" plea, claiming Zhou Ze committed suicide. However, Li Yuanpu found this hard to believe, describing Zhou Ze as a man full of life, passionate, especially about women.
Li Yuanpu, having been close to the couple and recovering from appendicitis at the time, recounted the events: Zhou Ze, feeling stifled in his marriage to Fang Huaijin (whom he saw as a "Hera" rather than an artistic muse), sought inspiration outside. He met a foreign woman named Ge Ai at a bar, became infatuated, and eventually brought her home.
The day before the murder, Ge Ai confronted Fang Huaijin, mocking her taste and announcing her intention to marry Zhou Ze and move into the ancestral home. When Fang Huaijin confronted Zhou Ze, he confirmed his intent to divorce her and marry Ge Ai. Li Yuanpu revealed that Fang Huaijin, typically meticulous, then secretly stole morphine from his brother's laboratory. The police later found the morphine in her coat. She allegedly poisoned Zhou Ze by adding it to his wine the following day, after another argument during lunch.
Episode 17 Recap
Attorney Li Yuanpu described Fang Huaijin as a meticulous individual, noting that no one expected her to steal morphine from his brother’s laboratory to kill Zhou Ze, despite her appearing calm. The police later found the morphine in Fang Huaijin’s wardrobe, confirming she used the opportunity of serving Zhou Ze a drink the following day to administer the poison.
Li Yuanpu explained that on the day before the murder, Fang Huaijin’s sister, An Qiuzi, had instigated Zhou Mowan to play a prank on Zhou Ze. In retaliation, Zhou Ze threatened to send An Qiuzi back to her hometown, causing a significant argument between him and Fang Huaijin. During their heated exchange, Zhou Ze insisted on sending An Qiuzi away, while Fang Huaijin questioned how he could treat her like that, accusing him of wanting to hurt more people.
Zhou Ze, annoyed, declared he needed a glass of wine. Ge Ai offered to get him beer, but Zhou Ze demanded pure vodka, and Ge Ai asked for some herself. Li Yuanpu recounted that before meeting Ge Ai, Zhou Ze's favorite drink was cold beer prepared by Fang Huaijin, but this changed after Ge Ai's arrival, leading him to prefer stronger vodka. Li Yuanpu believed this shift was what prompted Fang Huaijin’s decision.
He also revealed that he, his brother Li Yuanshun, Fang Huaijin, and Zhou Ze grew up together. Li Yuanshun had always admired Fang Huaijin, but she loved Zhou Ze, though she never explicitly rejected Li Yuanshun. Despite Zhou Ze’s philandering nature, he showed some restraint in front of Fang Huaijin, which led to their marriage.
Li Yuanpu characterized Fang Huaijin as not as innocent as she seemed, especially during her trial, where she used silence to appear pitiful and garner sympathy. Based on this, it was concluded that she had murdered Zhou Ze. During the trial, when asked if she had anything to add, Fang Huaijin repeatedly insisted, "I didn't kill anyone" and "He committed suicide," despite her lawyer, Li Yuanpu, urging her to cooperate for a lighter sentence.
The judge questioned how a passionate artist like Zhou Ze, who was working on a creation until his last moments, could commit suicide. Li Yuanpu dismissed the idea of an injustice, stating that as a lawyer and an eyewitness, he was certain of Fang Huaijin’s guilt, attributing her claims to desperation to deflect blame. He suggested that if she hadn’t been his friend, she might have said more.
Luo Shaochuan noticed Situ Yan’s troubled expression and immediately recognized that there was something suspicious about the case, a notion Situ Yan readily confirmed, expressing his intent to re-investigate. Meanwhile, Mrs. Shen, worried because Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan had been out all night, went to Zhou Mowan at the Women’s Normal University.
Zhou Mowan then went to the police station, where a police officer accidentally revealed that Luo Shaochuan and Situ Yan had gone to Fengtian overnight to return case files. Upon returning Fang Huaijin’s case file, Situ Yan inquired about the officer who handled it, identified as Officer Zhang. They learned he was an old, soon-to-retire officer known for gambling. Finding Officer Zhang at a casino, he initially claimed no recollection of Fang Huaijin.
After being reminded of the case—painter Zhou Ze’s morphine overdose, his wife Fang Huaijin as the suspect for poisoning his vodka—Zhang dismissively stated that the verdict was the judge’s responsibility, not his. He cynically remarked that "all crows are black" and judges prioritize closing cases over sufficient evidence. Situ Yan challenged him, contrasting a police officer's honorable duty with being the daughter of a murderer, highlighting the lifelong stigma.
Zhang argued that women who cannot tolerate a philandering husband should not marry him, or else they might resort to murder. He insisted that Fang Huaijin poured the poisoned wine, and although her fingerprints were on the glass, they were not on the bottle, which he believed meant she had wiped them off to conceal her guilt. Situ Yan questioned the logic of wiping fingerprints from the bottle when everyone knew she served the drink.
Zhang, claiming superior understanding of criminals, attributed it to a murderer's urge to cleanse themselves. Situ Yan, firm in his conviction, declared he would reopen Fang Huaijin’s case. Situ Yan outlined his plan to re-examine the case, noting that besides Fang Huaijin, six other individuals were present at the scene: Li Yuanpu, Li Yuanshun, Ge Ai, Xi Wanzhi (the long-term laborer), An Qiuzi (Fang Huaijin’s sister), and Zhou Mowan.
He reasoned that Zhou Mowan, who was playing piano in her room, likely knew nothing, making the remaining five crucial. Luo Shaochuan theorized that Li Yuanshun, a doctor specializing in drugs and Fang Huaijin’s admirer, might have framed Zhou Ze out of unrequited love. They discovered that Xi Wanzhi was still working as a laborer in Fengtian, Ge Ai had returned to Russia, and An Qiuzi had moved to Shanghai to study. They decided to prioritize interviewing Li Yuanshun.
Later, Officer Zhang brought Fang Huaijin’s suicide note, intended for her daughter. In the letter, Fang Huaijin asserted her innocence and urged Zhou Mowan to live well. Zhang explained that Zhou Mowan had gone missing after the incident, and he couldn't reach her, asking Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan to deliver the letter if they found her.
He admitted he had also questioned the verdict but was swayed by the seemingly solid evidence, suggesting Fang Huaijin's claims were merely to comfort her daughter. Situ Yan, however, was determined to uncover the real truth. Luo Shaochuan then lightheartedly suggested that Fang Huaijin was a master manipulator, teasing Situ Yan about potentially competing with his "future mother-in-law," to which Situ Yan humorously responded, "Go away."
Zhou Mowan confronted Situ Yan at the hotel, angered by his secretive investigation into her family. She accused him of using his intelligence to expose her private pain. Situ Yan clarified that Luo Shaochuan had discovered the files by chance while working on a school case in Fengtian. He apologized, explaining he valued their friendship and didn't want to offer false hope before confirming the facts.
Zhou Mowan, however, tearfully condemned his aggressive approach to uncovering truths, comparing his words to a "murderer's knife." Situ Yan then handed her Fang Huaijin’s letter. In the letter, Fang Huaijin expressed deep sorrow over her daughter facing ridicule for having a murderer mother, but she steadfastly declared her innocence, stating, "Mom didn't kill anyone, let alone your dad who loved you like I did."
She confessed to an impulsive thought of suicide due to disappointment in Zhou Ze but had abandoned the idea. She implored Zhou Mowan to grow up healthy and happy, promising that she and Zhou Ze would watch over her from another world. The letter brought Zhou Mowan a sense of closure, convincing her of her mother’s innocence. Luo Shaochuan, arriving with apology gifts, found Zhou Mowan gone from the hotel, leaving the letter behind.
They then went to Li Yuanpu’s office, but he had not seen her and reiterated that reversing the case was impossible. Situ Yan pressed Li Yuanpu for more details. Li Yuanpu recalled that the day before the murder, Ge Ai had confronted Fang Huaijin, revealing Zhou Ze’s intention to divorce and marry her. Li Yuanshun interrupted this confrontation, inviting everyone to his laboratory to ease tensions.
In the lab, Fang Huaijin asked about morphine's addictive and lethal properties, specifically inquiring, "How much of it can take a person's life?" Li Yuanshun stated "250 mg for the pure type." Li Yuanpu noted that this was when Fang Huaijin first showed interest in morphine. The next morning, Zhou Ze and Fang Huaijin had a major argument about their impending divorce.
Zhou Ze defiantly challenged Fang Huaijin to divorce, complaining that she was constantly surrounded by women and their troubles. He became agitated, calling love "shackles, imprisonment, torture, and kidnapping." He decided to retreat to the backyard, where a servant offered him water. Li Yuanpu observed that Fang Huaijin then tended to the children, while Zhou Ze painted Ge Ai in the backyard.
The peace was short-lived, as another argument erupted at lunchtime when Li Yuanshun arrived, prompting Zhou Ze to threaten sending An Qiuzi away. Li Yuanpu then revealed that An Qiuzi, aware of Zhou Ze's plan to divorce Fang Huaijin, had instigated Zhou Mowan to add excessive salt to the Russian dinner Ge Ai prepared, hoping to prevent their father from abandoning their mother.
Zhou Ze, already in a foul mood, was enraged and threatened to send An Qiuzi "back to where she came from." Fang Huaijin intervened, which led Zhou Ze to demand a drink, prompting Fang Huaijin to retrieve the wine, with Ge Ai also requesting a drink. Li Yuanpu concluded that these successive provocations drove Fang Huaijin to poison the wine. Situ Yan suggested visiting the Zhou Mansion.
There, they found Zhou Mowan, who was reflecting on her childhood, gazing at old drawings on the walls and remembering happy times with her loving parents. She thanked Situ Yan for enabling her to read her mother’s letter, expressing her determination to clear her mother’s name. Li Yuanpu promised to take her to see her parents’ graves.
Situ Yan explained his "pairwise elimination method" for cold cases, where consistent accounts from multiple witnesses are deemed factual, while discrepancies highlight potential lies or memory biases. He noted that alibis are ineffective in poisoning cases due to the delayed nature of the poison. Situ Yan reminded Zhou Mowan of the prank and Zhou Ze's threat. Zhou Mowan recalled An Qiuzi, who was only a few years older, telling her their father was abandoning them.
She explained that An Qiuzi, being an orphan from an early age whose stepmother treated her poorly after her biological mother passed, lived with them due to Fang Huaijin taking her in. Consequently, An Qiuzi was constantly afraid of abandonment, especially when Zhou Ze threatened to send her away. Zhou Mowan remembered An Qiuzi’s "better idea" the next morning, but their mother caught them and sent Zhou Mowan to practice piano until summoned for dinner.
Zhou Mowan and Situ Yan went to see Xi Wanzhi, who immediately recognized Zhou Mowan and asked about her long absence. Zhou Mowan shared her belief in her mother’s innocence and sought Xi Wanzhi’s recollections. Initially hesitant, Xi Wanzhi eventually stated, "It was Madam that killed Master," admitting she didn’t fully disclose the truth to the police, hoping to save Fang Huaijin, but she was certain of her guilt.
She described finding Zhou Ze unresponsive and Fang Huaijin urgently telling her to summon a doctor. Situ Yan, however, remained skeptical about Fang Huaijin being the killer. He theorized that if Fang Huaijin were the murderer, she would know the poison was in the glass, not the bottle, making the act of wiping fingerprints from the bottle illogical.
He speculated that Fang Huaijin might have been attempting to protect the real culprit, wiping the bottle indiscriminately because she didn't know where the crucial fingerprints were, thereby overlooking the glass. Xi Wanzhi then recounted the morning of the murder. The previous day, Li Yuanshun had invited Fang Huaijin to visit his lab, and as a reciprocal gesture, Fang Huaijin was hosting a luncheon the next day. Xi Wanzhi was busy in the kitchen.
Mid-morning, Fang Huaijin, fearing An Qiuzi would provoke Zhou Ze again, asked Xi Wanzhi to find her. Xi Wanzhi found An Qiuzi hiding behind a pile of wood in the yard, observing Zhou Ze and Ge Ai in an intimate moment, and evidently planning another prank. Xi Wanzhi further added that An Qiuzi frequently played pranks on Zhou Ze, who, when angered, would threaten to send her away.
Episode 18 Recap
Xi Wanzhi clarified that An Qiuzi, who grew up without a mother and lacked discipline, often played pranks on Zhou Ze and only recognized Fang Huaijin as her sister. Zhou Ze would often threaten to send An Qiuzi away when he was in a bad mood, a threat he repeated every other day, but no one took it seriously. However, An Qiuzi frequently found ways to make Zhou Ze suffer for these words.
Xi Wanzhi recounted that on the day of the incident, An Qiuzi was rummaging through the liquor cabinet for wine. When Fang Huaijin entered to get some wine, she took the bottle An Qiuzi was holding. Fang Huaijin told An Qiuzi to return to her room before her brother-in-law saw her and got angry. This led Situ Yan to deduce that the fingerprints Fang Huaijin had wiped off the bottle were An Qiuzi’s, not her own.
Xi Wanzhi remembered that after the incident, Fang Huaijin instructed her to sell all her valuable jewelry and send both Zhou Mowan and An Qiuzi away overnight. Xi Wanzhi and Li Yuanpu had arranged for a countryman to take them to her hometown in the country, but tragically, Zhou Mowan was lost during the journey. Xi Wanzhi expressed deep remorse, but Zhou Mowan reassured her that it was in the past.
Situ Yan also pointed out that An Qiuzi was not present when Li Yuanshun explained morphine the day before, suggesting she might not have had access to it, and her involvement could be a misunderstanding. On their way back, Zhou Mowan and Situ Yan encountered Li Yuanshun. He immediately recognized Zhou Mowan, noting her strong resemblance to her mother.
Li Yuanshun, who still lived next door to the Zhou family residence, expressed his relief that they were investigating Fang Huaijin's case, as he firmly believed she was incapable of murder. He invited them to his home, mentioning he had lived there all these years, hoping for their return.
Zhou Mowan, upon hearing that An Qiuzi was doing very well in Shanghai, had attended a popular girls' school and college, married into a good family, and was planning to move to France, felt a pang of resentment, wondering how An Qiuzi could live so carefree. Inside Li Yuanshun's room, which served as a laboratory, numerous delicate bottles and cans were meticulously arranged.
He cautioned them against touching anything, explaining that even a very small part of the motion could affect the overall situation. Li Yuanshun recalled showing his lab to guests the day before the murder, but An Qiuzi and Zhou Mowan were absent. When Situ Yan attempted to open a window, Li Yuanshun quickly stopped him, explaining that the chemicals were sensitive and could cause an explosion if disturbed.
He remembered finding that same window open the day after the murder, with powder spilled, a thought that still terrified him. Situ Yan asked if someone could have climbed through the window. Li Yuanshun confirmed that while adults couldn't fit, a small child could. Zhou Mowan, convinced that An Qiuzi was the culprit, argued that she had stolen the morphine from Li Yuanshun and poisoned Zhou Ze, leading to Fang Huaijin's unjust death.
She believed An Qiuzi harbored a deep hatred for their family because Fang Huaijin had injured her eye. Li Yuanshun revealed that Fang Huaijin had, in fact, injured An Qiuzi's eye when they were children. Fang Huaijin, fearing her mother would no longer love her after An Qiuzi's birth, had lashed out. She lived with profound regret afterward, and An Qiuzi served as "a sword of Damocles" over her head, constantly reminding her to be cautious.
An Qiuzi herself clarified that her pranks on Zhou Ze were never out of hate but rather playful mischief. An Qiuzi recounted the evening before the murder: she instigated Zhou Mowan to prank Ge Ai and then added a copious amount of salt to Zhou Ze’s meal. This led to a heated argument, with Zhou Ze threatening to send her back to the countryside. An Qiuzi was locked in her room, plotting a "nasty move" for the next day.
On the morning of the murder, she went to Li Yuanshun's house to return a book, but he wasn't there. She then climbed back over the backyard wall and was caught by Xi Wanzhi. Her sister subsequently locked her in her room until lunchtime. An Qiuzi couldn't recall if she took anything from the laboratory. She remembered that Zhou Ze did not come for lunch that day.
Later, Fang Huaijin and Xi Wanzhi went to take food to Zhou Ze and discovered his deceased body. Following this, Li Yuanpu managed all affairs, including the plan with Xi Wanzhi to send her and Zhou Mowan to the countryside for safety, which ultimately led to Zhou Mowan's disappearance. An Qiuzi noted that both Li Yuanshun and Li Yuanpu had been searching for Zhou Mowan for years.
An Qiuzi explained that while Li Yuanshun was like an old urchin whom she and Zhou Mowan joked with informally, Li Yuanpu's care for them was largely because he loved her sister. She then revealed that the night before the murder, she witnessed Li Yuanpu confessing his feelings to Fang Huaijin, urging her to leave Zhou Ze and offering his unwavering support.
Fang Huaijin reacted with anger, calling him unbelievable, and reminded him of his friendship with Zhou Ze, slamming the door. Luo Shaochuan brought An Qiuzi to meet them. An Qiuzi was overwhelmed with joy upon seeing Zhou Mowan, embracing her and remarking on her striking resemblance to Fang Huaijin. She expressed immense relief that Zhou Mowan was alive and apologized for her past suffering. However, Zhou Mowan remained distant, stating she no longer needed care.
An Qiuzi explained that she had planned to go to France but returned immediately after hearing Zhou Mowan was back. An Qiuzi presented a letter from Fang Huaijin that read, "Whoever owes a debt shall pay it. Zhou Ze is my love, and I will follow him," which An Qiuzi interpreted as Fang Huaijin admitting guilt for Zhou Ze's death out of a possessive love. Zhou Mowan, in turn, showed An Qiuzi Fang Huaijin's letter proclaiming her innocence.
An Qiuzi was stunned by the conflicting messages, but ultimately declared that if her sister said she didn't kill anyone, then she didn't. She also revealed her injured eye, explaining how her sister's childhood fear of being replaced caused it, and how Fang Huaijin regretted it every day since. Situ Yan tried to mediate, arguing that An Qiuzi's affection for Fang Huaijin and Zhou Mowan seemed genuine, and accusing her without concrete evidence could irrevocably damage their relationship.
Zhou Mowan, who had spent years as an orphan, fiercely rejected the idea of needing family, feeling superfluous. Yet, Situ Yan gently persisted, convincing her that An Qiuzi's love was real. Zhou Mowan, while agreeing to trust him, warned that she hoped it wouldn't be the last time. The next morning, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan confronted Li Yuanpu. He confessed that both he and Li Yuanshun had loved Fang Huaijin, but she ultimately chose Zhou Ze.
He described her as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, especially when she drank tea in the sun, which he considered a beautiful oil painting. He admitted that his declaration of love the night before the murder was an impulsive act, driven by a desire to rescue her from the miserable marriage. He also remembered seeing a "death wish" in Fang Huaijin’s eyes when she asked about morphine in the lab.
He had tried to speak to Zhou Ze about it, but Zhou Ze dismissed his concerns, calling women annoying for not knowing "when to stop." Zhou Ze also stated that lies are what women want most, explaining that he just lied to women. Luo Shaochuan also brought Ge Ai. Ge Ai expressed that her heart had died with Zhou Ze, whom she truly loved.
She recalled Zhou Ze painting her in the backyard, describing it as a beautiful experience where the sunlight poured down on her, making her feel welcomed. It was a time just for the two of them. Situ Yan, continuing his investigation, expressed a desire to examine An Qiuzi's room next.
Episode 19 Recap
Situ Yan opened Fang Huaijin's wardrobe, realizing the morphine was in a pocket of clothes within it. He then requested to see An Qiuzi's room, which was dusty and contained a book with a folded page. Next, he visited Zhou Ze’s studio with Zhou Mowan, where she identified a painting as "the foreign woman he painted." Situ Yan stated that Zhou Ze never intended to abandon Zhou Mowan and "actually loved you very much."
Zhou Mowan agreed, but emphasized that her father "loved his child, but not her mother," and wanted to abandon his entire family, calling him a "scumbag." Situ Yan clarified that Zhou Ze's greatest fault was "selfishness, not betrayal." Luo Shaochuan arrived at the Zhou Mansion with Ge Ai. Ge Ai expressed bitterness towards Fang Huaijin, believing that woman "has ruined my life" and she would never forget her. She came to witness the misfortune of Fang Huaijin's descendants.
Feeling at home in the mansion, Ge Ai asserted that she, not Fang Huaijin, should have been the lady of the house. When questioned by Situ Yan about the day of the murder, Ge Ai claimed Zhou Ze had proposed divorce, but Fang Huaijin made excuses, mentioning their child and An Qiuzi. Ge Ai recalled Fang Huaijin interrupting her painting session with Zhou Ze. Zhou Ze, seeking "more intense, more creative, and hotter" inspiration, was embraced by Ge Ai.
Fang Huaijin then insisted on a private conversation with Zhou Ze, prompting Ge Ai to leave and retrieve a shawl, claiming she felt cold. Upon her return, the argument was over, and Zhou Ze asked Fang Huaijin for drinks, which he then mocked her about. Zhou Ze's later comment, "How come everything I drank is sour?"
was recalled by Ge Ai, who speculated that Fang Huaijin had intended to kill her but accidentally poisoned Zhou Ze, allowing them to become a "ghost couple." Situ Yan countered, asserting that Zhou Ze never intended to divorce Fang Huaijin and had only humored and engaged with her to complete his painting. Ge Ai vehemently denied this, insisting on Zhou Ze's love for her, before being escorted to a makeshift laboratory with the others.
In the lab, Situ Yan began the reconstruction, aiming to find the "real murderer." Ge Ai and Li Yuanpu maintained that Fang Huaijin was undeniably the killer. Situ Yan then unveiled his theory: Zhou Ze did not wish to divorce Fang Huaijin, and their argument was instead Fang Huaijin defending Ge Ai. Zhou Ze's plan, according to Situ Yan, was to send Ge Ai away once he had completed that painting.
Situ Yan refuted Ge Ai's earlier statements about the divorce, explaining that the emotional context of their argument didn't fit. He clarified that Fang Huaijin knew Zhou Ze's threats to send An Qiuzi away were idle words, and therefore, her repeated arguments with Zhou Ze were about sending Ge Ai away. He further suggested that Fang Huaijin offering Ge Ai a drink was an act of "sympathy," not hatred, as Zhou Ze "didn't love you at all."
Situ Yan then exposed Ge Ai's lie about going to get a shawl, noting it was not cold that day and the time taken was too long. He accused Ge Ai of going to Fang Huaijin's master bedroom to steal morphine from her clothes, a fact Ge Ai knew after seeing Fang Huaijin with it while speaking to Li Yuanshun. Ge Ai's motive, Situ Yan explained, was to kill Zhou Ze, get back at him, and then frame Fang Huaijin.
Situ Yan demonstrated how Ge Ai, after Zhou Ze asked for pure vodka, seized the opportunity to pour the morphine into his glass. Zhou Ze's subsequent remark, "How come everything I drank is sour?" was proof that she put morphine in the drink, as morphine is purified with acetic acid and tastes like vinegar. Ge Ai then confessed, stating Zhou Ze "ruined me and my feelings."
She revealed her anger at having given her true feelings while Zhou Ze only cared about his painting and never intended to divorce. She wanted his love to remain "a specimen in my memory" and boasted that she was still alive while the deceased couple was not. However, a critical discrepancy emerged when the morphine in Situ Yan’s experimental setup failed to dissolve properly in alcohol.
Situ Yan’s brother, Li Yuanshun, clarified that "morphine acetate is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol." This revelation led Situ Yan to question what else Zhou Ze might have consumed, prompting him to recall that Li Yuanpu had given Zhou Ze a glass of water. Situ Yan identified Li Yuanpu as also meeting the three conditions for the murderer: knowing about the morphine, having the opportunity to steal it, and providing Zhou Ze with poisoned water.
Li Yuanpu dismissed this, but Situ Yan detailed how Li Yuanpu had moved positions during a lab visit, observed Fang Huaijin with the morphine, and, after confessing his love to Fang Huaijin and being rejected, was left alone in her room with access to the substance.
Situ Yan further challenged Li Yuanpu's professed love for Fang Huaijin, pointing out that as her lawyer, he chose a "defense of innocence," knowing it would anger the judge and likely lead to a death sentence, rather than seeking "abatement from penalty" to save her. This suggested Li Yuanpu intended to frame Fang Huaijin and ensure her execution.
Situ Yan then revealed Li Yuanpu’s true affection: he had described seeing Fang Huaijin "drinking tea in the sun" as the "most beautiful painting in his heart," yet Fang Huaijin was "allergic to UV rays" and never sunbathed, preferring "lighter colors" in her clothing.
Situ Yan observed that Ge Ai, in fact, fit this description more accurately, concluding that Li Yuanpu had unconsciously "replaced the image in your head with hers" when describing his love for Fang Huaijin, meaning "the person you love was not Fang Huaijin, but Ge Ai." Li Yuanpu admitted his self-deception, having fooled himself for years. His true motive for murder was jealousy: Zhou Ze "easily played with" Ge Ai, whom Li Yuanpu treasured.
Zhou Ze's derogatory remarks about Ge Ai, calling her a "slug" he wanted to get rid of after finishing his painting, fueled Li Yuanpu's murderous intent. Li Yuanpu had killed Zhou Ze with "poisonous water" and then framed Fang Huaijin. The changes in color and light in Zhou Ze's final painting were not artistic breakthroughs, but effects of the morphine. Li Yuanpu's attempts to deny the accusations were futile, and he was arrested by the authorities.
Following the resolution of the murder case, Situ Yan told Ge Ai that while Li Yuanpu was the murderer, her actions were also criminal, but she had "already been punished" by her ruined life. Zhou Mowan then offered Ge Ai Zhou Ze's painting. After Ge Ai initially expressed a desire to purchase it, Zhou Mowan insisted that it rightfully belonged to Ge Ai, who then accepted it. Ge Ai expressed envy for Zhou Mowan, who "won't repeat your mother's mistakes."
An Qiuzi, still puzzled by Fang Huaijin wiping fingerprints from the bottle, mistakenly believed Fang Huaijin thought An Qiuzi was the murderer. Situ Yan clarified that An Qiuzi had not poisoned Zhou Ze; she had only intended to put "magnesium sulfate into your brother-in-law's glass to make him diarrhea" as a "prank." This revelation led to an emotional reconciliation between Zhou Mowan and An Qiuzi. Zhou Mowan placed a "For Sale" sign on the Zhou Mansion.
She thanked Situ Yan, expressing that with her mother's name cleared and her father's complexities understood, she no longer needed to escape her memories. She reiterated her belief that any truth Situ Yan uncovered "must be the fact." Luo Shaochuan jokingly took credit for bringing Situ Yan, while Situ Yan asserted that when he set out to investigate something, "no one can stop him."
As they prepared to leave, General Lu's soldiers intercepted them, kidnapping the trio and strapping a "timer bomb" onto Luo Shaochuan. General Lu demanded Situ Yan find Consul Kondokawa of the Japanese Consulate in Fengtian, who had disappeared in Harbin, to prevent a "military confrontation." Situ Yan agreed to help, prioritizing Luo Shaochuan's life.
General Lu explained that Kondokawa had been ambushed on his way to the train station in Fengtian, escaped to Harbin, but was then kidnapped by individuals disguised as Lu's men. Kondokawa's interpreter, Wang Chaowei, was found "under anesthesia and in a state of confusion," unable to communicate. General Lu emphasized that Kondokawa's driver, Jin Yanping, had "suddenly drove off the set route," leading to Kondokawa being discovered later, wounded.
Episode 20 Recap
General Lu held Situ Yan, Luo Shaochuan, and Zhou Mowan hostage, threatening them with a bomb unless they found the Japanese Consul Kondo, whose staged assassination and subsequent disappearance threatened to ignite a conflict between nations. He warned that a conflict between nations could erupt if Kondo was not found. As Luo Shaochuan attempted to secretly free Zhou Mowan, they were discovered. Situ Yan then intervened, declaring he could locate Kondo.
Despite Zhou Mowan and Luo Shaochuan's apprehension about his involvement, Situ Yan expressed his resolve not to let China be drawn into war. He believed the incident was a carefully orchestrated kidnapping designed to provoke conflict, and as a conscientious Chinese citizen, he could not stand by while the corrupt Beiyang government stumbled towards disaster, stressing the need for a new system.
Investigating the reported incident, Situ Yan learned that Kondo was supposedly assassinated on his way to the train station when his driver, Jin Yanping, suddenly turned the car into Sitiao Road from Langsu Road, near Chunri Park. General Lu suspected Jin Yanping, who disappeared after the incident, but deemed Wang Chaowei, Kondo's personal translator who had worked for the Japanese Consulate for a long time, unlikely to be disloyal.
Kondo's injuries were reported as minor, just glass cuts from a shotgun, and he had insisted on being taken to the train station with his face bandaged. Situ Yan quickly deduced that the bandaged person General Lu escorted was not the real Consul Kondo and that Wang Chaowei was the actual suspect.
He explained that a shotgun attack on the consul's face would necessitate bandages, making it easy to replace him without detection, especially since General Lu was unfamiliar with Kondo. He noted that there were no hospital records for Kondo's treatment. Situ Yan believed that the real Kondo was in grave danger and was likely being held at Wang Chaowei's aunt's house near Chunri Elementary School. General Lu, realizing Wang Chaowei had lied, dispatched his men to the location.
They successfully rescued Consul Kondo. The kidnappers, who were not Chinese, committed suicide by taking castor bean poison. Kondo, now recovered from his minor injuries, handed a resignation letter to Situ Yan, stating he did not wish to be a catalyst for war between their nations and would leave Fengtian as soon as possible. General Lu then revealed that Wang Chaowei's aunt was, in fact, Japanese, confirming that the entire incident was "a big play by them."
Officer Zhang, having learned of the overturning of the Zhou family case, expressed remorse for his past actions and injustice towards Fang Huaijin. Situ Yan encouraged him to be more careful in future investigations. Later, Situ Yan spoke with Officer Zhang, asking about a Japanese spy organization known for using castor beans to eliminate dissidents. Officer Zhang mentioned he had heard the word "Oracle" in connection to such groups.
Luo Shaochuan informed Situ Yan that Li Yuanpu had committed suicide in prison. Situ Yan speculated that perhaps Li Yuanpu was not entirely malicious, which led him to take his own life. On the train back to Harbin, Situ Yan, Luo Shaochuan, and Zhou Mowan discussed the meaning of "Oracle." Situ Yan wondered if it was connected to Shen Jianxian's death and Yu Daren's castor bean suicide, starting to suspect that Shen Jianxian had not died of a heart attack.
Zhou Mowan expressed concern about the terrifying potential of such an organization. Upon their arrival in Harbin, Jin Qiming met them at the station, offering to treat them to hotpot. Situ Yan, accompanied by Zhou Mowan, decided to visit Mrs. Shen first. Situ Yan cautiously asked Mrs. Shen if she ever suspected any foul play in Shen Jianxian's death. Distraught, Mrs. Shen took responsibility for her husband's passing, initially refusing to reopen the painful wound.
Zhou Mowan, however, shared her personal experience, explaining how discovering the truth about her own family's case, though initially painful, brought her clarity and peace, and brought justice to her mother. She urged Mrs. Shen not to let Shen Jianxian's memory remain unresolved. Moved by Zhou Mowan's words, Mrs. Shen finally agreed to the investigation. Shen Jianxian's body was exhumed, and a medical examiner confirmed he died of nicotine poisoning, not castor beans.
Back home, Situ Yan cooked tomato egg noodles for Zhou Mowan and gifted her a spinel necklace as a token of appreciation for her assistance. Zhou Mowan was touched and asked him to put it on for her. Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan visited Fang Jianqi to inquire about Shen Jianxian's autopsy. He found Bai Shanshan and Zou Jingxuan already there, attending a gathering. Jin Mantang, Fang Jianqi's servant, informed Luo Shaochuan about a banquet happening at the house.
During the gathering, Bai Shanshan casually revealed that Zou Jingxuan was not Fang Jianqi's biological daughter. Zou Jingxuan's mother, Bai Shanshan's cousin, had passed away shortly after birth, and Bai Shanshan herself had adopted and raised Zou Jingxuan. Suddenly, after drinking, Fang Jianqi collapsed and died. Luo Shaochuan immediately sealed off the premises, preventing Jin Mantang from calling the police and instead sending Jin Qiming to alert Officer Bao and Situ Yan.
Situ Yan arrived and realized Fang Jianqi's death mirrored Shen Jianxian's. He and Zhou Mowan met Mr. Du, a mutual friend of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi. Mr. Du confirmed that he had long harbored suspicions about Shen Jianxian's death and had privately investigated the guests with Zou Jingxuan, though without success.
He provided details about the attendees at the previous banquet: Dong Cixin, a sharp writer critical of the Beiyang Government; Dai Liming, a noble whose family fortunes declined, married to Zheng Bai, whose family supported the Southern government; Bai Shanshan, a prominent socialite who became the legitimate mistress of the Luo family after the elder Mr. Luo's death; Zou Jingxuan; and Ding Meng, a long-term servant of the Fang family.
Mr. Du also mentioned that he often met with Zou Jingxuan in Beijing, where he conducted business. The autopsy results for Fang Jianqi confirmed nicotine poisoning, just like Shen Jianxian, yet no nicotine was found in the wine at the scene.
When Dong Cixin attempted to leave, citing potential business losses, Luo Shaochuan reiterated the lockdown, stating that everyone present was a suspect in the murders of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi, and no one would be permitted to leave until the murderer was found, with him taking full responsibility for any repercussions.
Episode 21 Recap
Earlier, after solving the attempted assassination of Kondo Kawa, Situ Yan learned of a sinister organization using castor bean poison, known as "Oracle." He, along with Zhou Mowan and Luo Shaochuan, returned to Harbin to investigate the death of Situ Yan's teacher, Shen Jianxian, which was initially deemed a heart attack. Despite Mrs. Shen's initial reluctance, Situ Yan convinced her to allow a re-examination, which revealed Shen Jianxian had died from nicotine poisoning.
Soon after, Dr. Fang Jianqi, a friend of Shen Jianxian, also died after drinking at a party, under similar suspicious circumstances. Du Heng, also a friend of both deceased, revealed he had privately investigated Shen Jianxian's death with Zou Jingxuan due to his own suspicions. At the scene of Fang Jianqi's death, Dong Cixin expressed her impatience, asking when everyone could leave.
She argued that detaining respectable citizens from Harbin would incur financial losses, and distrusting the police, she stated she was prepared to investigate the case herself. Luo Shaochuan, a man of considerable means, then stepped forward, offering to take responsibility for any such losses. Du Heng then affirmed the police's right to investigate, reminding everyone that as friends of both Lawyer Shen and Dr. Fang, cooperating with the police investigation was understandable.
Situ Yan then asked Du Heng to recount the events of Shen Jianxian's death, which Du Heng proceeded to do. Many people attended that banquet, and after drinking, Shen Jianxian suddenly collapsed. Fang Jianqi suspected murder, but no autopsy was performed as it was widely believed to be a heart attack. Initial tests of the food and drinks showed no irregularities.
Situ Yan hypothesized that since both Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi died after drinking, nicotine was likely the cause, hidden in their beverages. Zou Jingxuan recalled seeing Dai Liming moving around the drinks table when both Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi were drinking. Dai Liming vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating it was normal for him to search for drinks like vodka at such parties, especially since only red wine and champagne were available.
Luo Shaochuan then suggested that the killer might have had a reasonable excuse to wash the glasses, implicitly pointing to Ding Meng. Ding Meng, however, shifted suspicion to Jin Mantang, who had prepared the drinks. Situ Yan and Dong Cixin proceeded to Jin Mantang's room. They found evidence suggesting he was newly literate, practicing calligraphy by copying the "Thousand Character Classic," and appeared to be in need of money.
Situ Yan noted that the evidence against Jin Mantang seemed too obvious, and he found no direct clues related to nicotine. Upon learning that Jin Mantang had fled, Zhou Mowan drew a portrait of him based on Luo Shaochuan's description, intending to circulate it throughout the city. Situ Yan meticulously searched Jin Mantang's room, discovering fresh ink marks on the floor and a dropped pen. He speculated that Jin Mantang might have been writing something just before his disappearance.
Du Heng suggested Jin Mantang might have been burning something. Investigating further, Situ Yan discovered something hidden behind the fireplace, and with Dong Cixin's smaller hand, they extracted crumpled pieces of paper. These notes explicitly stated, "I know how Dr. Fang died. I want to meet someone and talk before I see the police. I saw everything tonight and don't want any unpleasantness to happen." Du Heng believed Jin Mantang was not an upright person and was attempting extortion.
Dong Cixin further suggested that Jin Mantang, initially a suspect, had transformed into a witness who attempted to extort the murderer and was now likely a victim. Situ Yan, upon reading the notes, concluded that the killer was still among them, making Zhou Mowan's portrait, intended to find Jin Mantang, now useless. Luo Shaochuan, concerned about the killer striking again, wanted to take everyone to the police station for interrogation.
Situ Yan interrupted him, arguing that a killer cunning enough to plan such elaborate murders would not easily reveal themselves and posed no immediate threat to the group. Du Heng proposed that Fang Jianqi might have been killed because he discovered Shen Jianxian's murderer, once again suggesting Dai Liming. Dai Liming again denied it, reiterating that his presence at the drinks table was normal as he was merely looking for drinks.
Ding Meng then disclosed that she had overheard Zheng Bai asking Fang Jianqi for poison. Zheng Bai clarified that she had approached Fang Jianqi not to murder Dai Liming, but to request a painless poison for her own suicide, driven by years of severe domestic abuse from Dai Liming. Fang Jianqi, a compassionate doctor, refused to provide the poison but pledged his unwavering support for her.
Dai Liming, however, accused Zheng Bai of having an affair with Fang Jianqi and being the actual killer. He theorized that Zheng Bai initially intended to poison him, but accidentally killed Shen Jianxian, and then later targeted and killed Fang Jianqi. Situ Yan then deduced that Dai Liming was planning a divorce to seize control of Zheng Bai's company, which she had tirelessly built, leaving her with nothing. Dai Liming did not deny this.
Luo Shaochuan speculated that Fang Jianqi was the intended victim, and Shen Jianxian had accidentally consumed the poisoned drink. Situ Yan noted that Fang Jianqi had a cold in the days leading up to his death, which would have diminished his sense of smell, making him less likely to detect the pungent odor of nicotine if it were in his wine. Situ Yan then examined Fang Jianqi's wine glass, a cherished birthday gift from Du Heng two years prior.
It was part of a pair, and the other glass was missing. Ding Meng claimed Fang Jianqi might have broken it, but Luo Shaochuan interjected that Fang Jianqi treasured these glasses and only used them when Du Heng was present, making it unlikely he would break one. Situ Yan also observed Ding Meng's delicate bracelet, noting it seemed incongruous with her status as a servant. Dong Cixin, Fang Jianqi, and Du Heng had been friends for two decades.
Dong Cixin recalled her admiration for Du Heng, a talented opera performer who had even helped her revise her debut novel, "No One Lives," which brought her fame. On the day of the novel's finale, she confessed her love to him, but he rejected her, citing his strong bond of brotherhood with Fang Jianqi.
Luo Shaochuan then revealed that Fang Jianqi also harbored feelings for Dong Cixin, and he believed Du Heng, who also loved her, had stepped aside due to his loyalty to Fang Jianqi's brotherhood. Luo Shaochuan surmised that Du Heng remained fixated on Dong Cixin, explaining his unmarried status. Zhou Mowan corrected Luo Shaochuan, revealing that Du Heng had a deceased wife.
She explained that Fang Jianqi, knowing Du Heng had a heart's desire (his late wife) and wishing to spare Dong Cixin pain, had kept Du Heng's marital status a secret from her. This secret became a burden on Fang Jianqi. Zhou Mowan suggested that Fang Jianqi's support for Zheng Bai was rooted in their shared emotional struggles, as they confided in each other, with Fang Jianqi serving as Zheng Bai's emotional refuge.
She also added that Du Heng's assistance with Dong Cixin's novel was merely an act of friendship, influenced by his late wife's fondness for the story. Du Heng announced his impending long-term departure for Moscow and presented Zou Jingxuan with a necklace. Luo Shaochuan, clearly jealous, crudely dismissed the necklace as "worthless" and "old," implying Du Heng was trying to deceive her.
He urged Zou Jingxuan not to trust Du Heng and to reconsider any potential relationship with him, stating she could marry anyone but Du Heng. Zou Jingxuan, however, accepted the gift, acknowledging Du Heng's past kindness to her in Beijing. Dong Cixin then put forth an alternative theory: the nicotine might have been in the food, with the subsequent consumption of alcohol merely accelerating its effects, making it appear as a death by poisoned drink.
She specifically implicated Mrs. Shen, arguing that as the victim's wife, she could easily administer poison without suspicion. Luo Shaochuan dismissed Dong Cixin's theory, telling her to stop talking nonsense. Zhou Mowan retorted that Dong Cixin, as a crime novelist, might herself possess the motive to commit murder for research. Bai Shanshan sided with Dong Cixin, recalling Mrs. Shen's deep resentment towards Shen Jianxian for sending their son, Siqi, to war, which resulted in his death.
Overhearing this, Mrs. Shen broke down, blaming herself for Shen Jianxian's death. She confessed her deep resentment and hatred towards him for sending their son, Siqi, to war, which resulted in his death, stating that blaming him was the only way she could cope. She then expressed guilt, realizing he too grieved deeply but silently. Zhou Mowan, deeply moved by Mrs. Shen's emotional confession and having found comfort in her, vehemently defended Mrs. Shen against Dong Cixin's accusations.
Zou Jingxuan attempted to calm the escalating argument, specifically telling Bai Shanshan not to get involved. Dai Liming and Ding Meng, seeking to shift blame, then accused Luo Shaochuan. In an attempt to prove his innocence, Luo Shaochuan produced his train ticket, but inadvertently dropped a newspaper clipping detailing nicotine toxicology research. Jin Qiming intervened, confirming that the newspaper clipping was a week old and from Harbin, while Luo Shaochuan had been in Fengtian a week prior.
Luo Shaochuan then argued that if he only learned about nicotine's toxicity a week ago, it would have been impossible for him to have poisoned Shen Jianxian months earlier while still on a train far away, thus making him an unlikely suspect for Shen Jianxian's death. Having absorbed all the arguments, Situ Yan decided to recreate the crime scene. With Jin Mantang absent, Du Heng volunteered to play his role.
During the reenactment, Fang Jianqi received a telegram from an "Old Zhao" regarding his admission to a sanatorium, referring to it as "good news." Chief Bao suspected that "Old Zhao" might possess crucial information about Shen Jianxian's death and could now be in danger, and he dispatched officers to the sanatorium to check on him. As the reenactment concluded, Luo Shaochuan confided in Situ Yan, reiterating his strong suspicion of Dong Cixin.
He theorized that the killer was Dong Cixin because she had the opportunity to plant the nicotine clipping in his pocket. Additionally, he believed her motive was rooted in her resentment towards Fang Jianqi for preventing her relationship with Du Heng, and her jealousy over Du Heng's apparent affection for Zou Jingxuan, leading her to commit the murders.
Episode 22 Recap
Luo Shaochuan expressed his belief that Dong Cixin was the murderer, arguing she had a strong motive. He speculated that Dong Cixin, feeling Du Heng had been kept from her by Fang Jianqi and seeing Du Heng now taking an interest in Zou Jingxuan, acted out of resentment. Situ Yan, however, pointed out that this motive didn't explain the death of his teacher, Shen Jianxian, but assured Luo Shaochuan that the truth was close.
Situ Yan then went to the kitchen to speak with Ding Meng. He questioned her about a missing Bordeaux wine glass, suspecting she might have stolen it to sell, and noticed a bracelet on her wrist. Situ Yan deduced it was actually a man's cufflink, part of a pair; she confessed it was a gift from Zheng Bai to Fang Jianqi and she had merely taken it for herself after Fang Jianqi's death.
Ding Meng, initially defensive, denied stealing the glass but admitted she had considered it. Fearing Luo Shaochuan's interrogation, she told Situ Yan not to tell the police about the cufflink and mentioned seeing Fang Jianqi show the wine glasses to Jin Mantang two days prior. Situ Yan, not pursuing the theft further, instructed her to participate seriously in the re-enactment.
Observing Ding Meng's actions, Zhou Mowan criticized her for greedily appropriating others' belongings so soon after a death, questioning the value people place on material possessions. Situ Yan then praised Zhou Mowan for her integrity, noting how rare such principles were. The re-enactment of the banquet commenced, with Du Heng playing the role of Jin Mantang and serving wine clockwise. As Du Heng offered wine to Dong Cixin, she instinctively looked at his wrist. Suddenly, Du Heng collapsed, startling everyone.
Zou Jingxuan was visibly distressed, repeatedly calling out Du Heng's name. Jin Qiming quickly photographed everyone's reactions. Du Heng then rose, revealing it was all an act orchestrated by Situ Yan to capture genuine responses. Jin Qiming then developed the photos in a darkroom. Meanwhile, Zhou Mowan highlighted Luo Shaochuan's evident jealousy over Zou Jingxuan's concern for Du Heng.
Zheng Bai then mentioned designing wedding dresses in the future, which Luo Shaochuan overheard and mistakenly interpreted as Zou Jingxuan getting engaged. This immediately agitated him. He declared to Zheng Bai that Zou Jingxuan was "a member of our Luo family" and that he was already engaged to her.
He then pulled Zou Jingxuan aside, telling her she was the "future mistress of the Luo family" and cautioned her against people who approached her seeking personal gain or offering small favors. Struggling to remove a ruby necklace Du Heng had given her, Luo Shaochuan later handed it back to Situ Yan, asserting that "Jingxuan doesn't like old stuff." Both Zhou Mowan and Zheng Bai watched with satisfaction as Luo Shaochuan finally expressed his true feelings.
Moments later, Zheng Bai noted Situ Yan's gaze toward Zhou Mowan, subtly acknowledging his feelings. Situ Yan swiftly redirected the conversation, offering his legal assistance to Zheng Bai should she ever need it. Sergeant Bao then reported that an old patient named Zhao Qiansun at the sanatorium had died after consuming whisky heart chocolates sent from the Harbin Post Office. Ding Meng overheard this, mistakenly believing the murderer was still at large and that they were being held unfairly.
She relayed this to a furious Dai Liming, who, enraged, smashed a wine bottle and accused the police of trapping them as scapegoats. Luo Shaochuan drew his gun, pointing it at Dai Liming to restore order. Situ Yan then gathered everyone, announcing he had identified the murderer. He explained that the initial poisoning of Shen Jianxian was merely a "rehearsal" for a more significant target: Fang Jianqi.
The purpose of this rehearsal was to perfect the method of switching a poisoned wine glass unnoticed amidst chaos, a feat Situ Yan proved possible by successfully doing so during Du Heng's fake collapse without anyone present realizing it. Examining Jin Qiming's photographs, Situ Yan noted Dong Cixin's expression was one of surprise, not fear, when Du Heng collapsed.
He confronted her privately, revealing that Du Heng had been married long ago and never loved her; he had only helped with her novel because his late wife admired the story. This revelation devastated Dong Cixin, who then confessed that she had identified Du Heng as Jin Mantang by two distinctive black moles on his wrist when he served wine at both the original banquet and the re-enactment.
Situ Yan further linked Du Heng to the third murder, the Harbin whisky heart chocolates, and revealed that Du Heng had, in fact, orchestrated the entire banquet, creating the persona of Jin Mantang to deceive everyone, including Fang Jianqi. The subsequent discovery of nicotine in Du Heng's apartment provided undeniable proof, leading Du Heng to confess publicly. Du Heng requested a private conversation with Situ Yan.
Situ Yan revealed his deduction that Zou Jingxuan was Du Heng's daughter, having surmised this from the ruby necklace Du Heng gave her, which he realized was an old, cherished item belonging to Jingxuan's mother. Du Heng confirmed his affiliation with the Oracle organization and admitted his motive: to eliminate everyone who knew his true identity to protect Jingxuan and escape the Oracle's control.
He confessed to killing Fang Jianqi and Zhao Qiansun, adding that Shen Jianxian and other targets, including Luo Wensheng and Xie Hua, "had to die sooner or later." He recounted his past: a secret marriage to a woman from a prestigious family, his departure to Japan for a better future, his wife's subsequent death after giving birth to Jingxuan, and his discovery of his daughter through Fang Jianqi two years prior.
Du Heng clarified that his superior in the Oracle, an unknown "Mr. X," was responsible for Luo Wensheng's death, as Luo Wensheng had cared for Jingxuan for years. He exposed Mr. X's plan for a Japanese invasion of China, focusing on undermining the region through public opinion, culture, education, and business, and targeting "hard-line reformers." Du Heng admitted attempting to quit the Oracle and keeping money from Zhao Qiansun's case, which Mr. X discovered, implying Mr. X was close by.
Du Heng revealed his deal with X: he lured Situ Yan's group to the manor for X's "last game," which would involve three more murders and put Situ Yan's life at stake if he failed to stop the third murder. Du Heng, unable to identify X directly, confirmed X would not personally commit the murders. He pleaded with Situ Yan to protect Jingxuan, keep their father-daughter relationship a secret, and to pass on the ruby necklace to her.
Situ Yan criticized Du Heng for drawing Jingxuan into this dangerous situation. After Du Heng's confession, confusion lingered among the other guests regarding his motives. Jin Qiming pondered why Situ Yan hadn't fully explained the motive, suggesting it might have been to spare Zou Jingxuan's feelings, as Du Heng had confessed quickly to make a good impression on her. Zou Jingxuan herself, still in disbelief, reiterated that Du Heng had a wife and that they were simply friends.
Sergeant Bao interrupted with news that the drawbridge was down due to heavy snow, trapping everyone. Separately, Situ Yan expressed his disappointment in Du Heng's actions, calling him an unworthy father for sacrificing family and friends for the Oracle, bringing up how he allowed Chairman Luo, who raised Jingxuan, to die, and put Jingxuan in danger.
Du Heng responded with poignant regret, stating that although he didn't deserve a daughter like Jingxuan, the brief time they had spent together was enough to soothe two decades of hardship. He recalled instances of showing fatherly care to Jingxuan, such as helping her with a business deal and sharing simple pleasures like hotpot and candied hawthorns. Unaware of Du Heng's true identity and sacrifices, Zou Jingxuan wistfully reflected on her lifelong desire to know her own father, "no matter what kind of person he is."
Episode 23 Recap
Situ Yan continued his intense interrogation of Du Heng in the study, sternly accusing him of not deserving a daughter like Zou Jingxuan, especially after abandoning his family, murdering friends for the "Oracle," and bringing trouble upon her, including the death of Chairman Luo who raised her. Du Heng, showing remorse, conceded that he indeed did not deserve her.
He then clarified his role within the "Oracle" organization: while he was involved in assassination preparations in Beijing, his primary objective was to identify and recruit suitable individuals, such as Yu Daren and Chief Xie, who could be manipulated to serve the Emperor. Du Heng explained that Chairman Luo Wensheng's unwavering support for the Southern Government and his strong influence in Harbin made him a direct threat to the Japanese, leading to a plot to replace him with Yu Daren.
Situ Yan listed a series of past deaths and incidents, including Chairman Luo's murder, Zhao Qiansun's death, Yu Daren's suicide, and the kidnapping of Consul Kondo, questioning if all these were solely X's doing. Du Heng confirmed that X orchestrated many of these events, but noted some were coincidental, emphasizing the immense, almost imperially backed power of the Oracle, which infiltrated various sectors, with assassination being merely one of its many tactics.
He further divulged that X was behind Ma Shiying's assassination of Xu Shiren and Ma Shiying’s subsequent elimination. Du Heng stated that if Bai Lu hadn't committed suicide, the Xu family case would have remained entirely without suspicion. When Situ Yan suggested Bai Lu’s death was a result of Du Heng’s actions, Du Heng explained that every failed operation within the Oracle demanded a "sacrifice" to take responsibility. These sacrifices, though highly respected and loyal, were ultimately distrusted by X.
He also clarified that Xie Hua was not an Oracle member, but X had tried to ensnare him through murder. Situ Yan’s intervention, however, exposed Xie Hua’s scheme, compelling him to commit suicide to protect his son. Du Heng admitted he lacked the specific details of Luo Wensheng's murder, as X was far more meticulous than he. He noted that if X had not been so particular, Zhao Qiansun would not have died so simply.
Du Heng also stated that the sacrifices had no choice in their fate and elaborated on Bai Lu’s death from poison shortly after leaving a train, having turned herself in to the Fengtian Police to prevent greater harm. Situ Yan expressed his disbelief at her actions, but Du Heng simply stated that she had done it anyway. Du Heng concluded by revealing that Situ Yan was actually X’s top choice, but their differing values posed an insurmountable obstacle.
He warned that as Situ Yan's influence grew, he would become a thorn in X’s side, and if X couldn't recruit him, he would eliminate him. Situ Yan probed for more information, but Du Heng insisted he had shared everything he knew. Meanwhile, Zou Jingxuan wandered into the main hall and picked up the book "No One Lives."
A folded page within it contained a story about a character named Bai Zhi who, years later, realized her father had protected her by instructing her to call him "Old Lei" instead of "uncle." This narrative strongly resonated with Jingxuan, who recalled Du Heng's persistent requests for her to call him "Old Du" rather than "uncle." The story made her realize with a shock that Du Heng was her biological father.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Bai Shanshan and others were idly playing Mahjong. Zhou Mowan arrived with unsettling news: the suspension bridge, their only way out, had collapsed under the heavy snow, trapping everyone inside. Concerned about dwindling provisions, Zhou Mowan instructed Ding Meng to inventory the remaining food, water, and firewood, and then told everyone to consolidate into a single area to conserve fuel.
She urged the group to remain calm and suggested they all head to the kitchen to take stock. Noticing Jingxuan’s unwell appearance, Zhou Mowan offered her rest, but Jingxuan declined, insisting she was fine. Luo Shaochuan then informed Situ Yan about their predicament, confirming they were isolated and low on supplies. Situ Yan immediately recognized this as a deliberate move by X.
He instructed Luo Shaochuan to keep everyone away from his study and then revealed the presence of Oracle members among them, connecting it to a past warning from Zhou Mowan about the Japanese Consulate case. Luo Shaochuan, concerned for Situ Yan’s safety, vowed to protect him and eliminate the Oracle members, even suggesting Situ Yan hide once they escaped.
Luo Shaochuan then inferred that Du Heng, as an Oracle member, must have been behind the eliminations of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi. Situ Yan then disclosed that Du Heng had delivered a message from X: three more individuals were to die in the mansion. This revelation deeply shocked Luo Shaochuan. Situ Yan expressed his determination to stop X but admitted X knew him intimately, while X's true identity remained unknown.
He dismissed Liu as a suspect due to his simple nature and Officer Bao due to his clear motivation for personal gain. Situ Yan considered hiding Zou Jingxuan and his aunt, but Luo Shaochuan urged him to remain calm. Despite Luo Shaochuan’s suspicious glances, Situ Yan affirmed his trust in him. Suddenly, a fire broke out in the basement kitchen, sending everyone into a panicked frenzy to extinguish it.
After the flames were put out, the cause was identified as water left boiling on a water gas stove until it completely evaporated. Situ Yan immediately suspected Ding Meng, questioning who else would have been boiling water. During the chaos, Luo Shaochuan noticed Zou Jingxuan's absence and learned she had gone to rest, causing Situ Yan considerable worry. Situ Yan soon discovered Du Heng had escaped the study, leaving his ropes behind. He realized this was a diversion.
Luo Shaochuan mused that perhaps Du Heng, speaking of three more deaths, intended himself to be the first. Situ Yan's priority was the safety of the others. He instructed Luo Shaochuan to gather everyone and ensure no one wandered off alone.
While Luo Shaochuan attempted to calm the increasingly frightened group, assuring them they would be safe if they stayed together until the police arrived, Dai Liming, searching the kitchen cabinets for alcohol, found a bottle labeled "Nicotine" among several bottles of wine. He grabbed a bottle of wine and left. Later that night, Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan tracked Du Heng through the heavy snowfall and found him frozen to death.
Luo Shaochuan observed that Du Heng had stripped, concluding he had succumbed to hypothermia, exacerbated by alcohol, which can create a false sensation of warmth. Situ Yan revealed Du Heng’s dying wish: that Zou Jingxuan never learn he was her father, and that their relationship remain a secret. Situ Yan promised to honor this wish and instructed Luo Shaochuan to report that Du Heng was still missing, rather than dead, to avoid further panic and to protect Jingxuan.
They then buried Du Heng in the snow. Upon returning, Situ Yan located the copy of "No One Lives" and, recognizing the folded page that exposed Du Heng's identity, realized Zou Jingxuan now knew the truth. The others then confronted Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan, demanding answers about Du Heng and the prophecy of "three more deaths." Situ Yan confirmed Du Heng's affiliation with the Oracle and the organization's existence.
He announced X's challenge of three additional deaths in the mansion, clarifying that Du Heng was the first. Situ Yan stressed the urgency of finding and stopping X, who he knew was among them and understood him deeply, though X's identity remained unknown. He reiterated that Du Heng's death must remain a secret to prevent widespread panic. Subsequently, Zhou Mowan, reflecting on the kitchen fire, pointed out Zou Jingxuan's absence from the scene.
Luo Shaochuan, misinterpreting Zhou Mowan's comment as an accusation, angrily defended Jingxuan, vehemently denying any connection between her and Du Heng or the Oracle, and rejecting the notion that she would wish harm upon Situ Yan. Overwhelmed by the accusations, Zou Jingxuan interrupted, tearfully confessing that she had released Du Heng because he was her father.
She explained that she realized this from "No One Lives," a book Du Heng had helped Dong Cixin write, which contained a story mirroring her own situation. She recounted giving Du Heng wine (having heard Bai Shanshan mention it could ward off cold), confronting him, and his initial denial of their relationship, claiming he was merely a murderer. However, seeing his tears, she had set him free.
Zou Jingxuan offered herself for arrest, but Zhou Mowan comforted her, assuring her that no one blamed her, as anyone in her position would have done the same. Situ Yan then returned a necklace to her, revealing it to be a love token between Du Heng and her mother. Meanwhile, Dai Liming, seemingly awakened to the gravity of their situation, approached Zheng Bai, profusely apologizing and begging for reconciliation. He offered her wine and then coffee, as she disliked alcohol.
Zheng Bai, however, remained resolute in her decision for a divorce, offering him half of her property, which he refused, pleading only for her forgiveness. Bai Shanshan made cynical remarks about Dai Liming's sudden change of heart, prompting Dong Cixin to accuse Zou Jingxuan of releasing a murderer. Bai Shanshan and Luo Shaochuan defended Zou Jingxuan, with Luo Shaochuan even guaranteeing Du Heng's reformed character and offering his own life if he were to kill again.
Dong Cixin sarcastically implied a familial connection between Luo Shaochuan and Du Heng. The argument escalated further, with Dong Cixin suggesting Zou Jingxuan deliberately set the kitchen fire as a diversion to free her father, noting her absence from the scene and alluding to the "blood is thicker than water" bond. Bai Shanshan and Luo Shaochuan retorted, criticizing Dong Cixin's "imagination."
The verbal spat turned into a physical scuffle when Luo Shaochuan attempted to attack Dong Cixin but was restrained, causing the table holding a wine glass to be knocked. In the ensuing chaos, Dai Liming suddenly collapsed and died after drinking the wine from the jostled glass. Zou Jingxuan was horrified, believing Du Heng had committed the murder despite his promise. Situ Yan inspected the scene and found traces of nicotine.
Luo Shaochuan, enraged by the new death and Situ Yan's inaction, angrily confronted Situ Yan, blaming him for not defending Zou Jingxuan earlier and for failing to prevent this murder. He declared an end to their partnership and stormed off, taking Liu with him. In the secret basement room, Luo Shaochuan explained to Bai Shanshan and Zou Jingxuan that Liu had discovered the naturally warm space.
He then barricaded them inside, instructing them not to open the door for anyone, including Situ Yan or Officer Bao, and to trust no one but him. He vehemently claimed that the "Oracle" was a mere fabrication, and the entire series of events was a calculated scheme by Situ Yan.
Luo Shaochuan accused Situ Yan of orchestrating all the murders, including Xie Hua's killing of his father, Luo Wensheng, and Du Heng's elimination of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi, claiming these were all aimed at destroying the Luo family. He even alleged that Situ Yan had manipulated Zou Jingxuan into freeing Du Heng and was now attempting to frame him.
He presented a train ticket and a nicotine toxicology research paper, claiming Situ Yan had planted them on him as evidence. Zou Jingxuan, though initially skeptical about Situ Yan's involvement in her uncle's case, questioned Luo Shaochuan's claims. Luo Shaochuan countered that destroying the Luo family would be Situ Yan's ultimate gain. He reiterated that no one could leave until three more people died, promising to protect both women.
Distraught, Zou Jingxuan offered her own life, believing her death might end the bloodshed, but Bai Shanshan dismissed this, fearing she would be the next victim. While trying to comfort Zou Jingxuan, Luo Shaochuan inadvertently revealed Du Heng's death. A shocked Zou Jingxuan demanded to know the cause, and Luo Shaochuan falsely claimed it was Situ Yan's plan, asserting that Situ Yan had used Zou Jingxuan's act of giving wine to her father to cause his death by freezing.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Zou Jingxuan broke down, convinced she had caused her father's death, and begged Luo Shaochuan to kill her. Zheng Bai, who was also present, comforted her, reminding her she was her mother. Meanwhile, Situ Yan, in the wine cellar, discovered nicotine among the foreign wines, recalling that Dr. Fang received many bottles of foreign wine from a friend, which he disliked and stored in the kitchen cabinets for cooking.
He concluded that X was a master manipulator who did not commit murders directly but instead provided the "knife," turning others into killers. Situ Yan admitted that despite his own skill at understanding human nature, X was far superior. He then asked Zhou Mowan who had moved the book "No One Lives" from the study to the living room. Zhou Mowan remembered it was Jin Qiming.
Situ Yan pondered why Zou Jingxuan, a non-drinker, would have offered wine to Du Heng, realizing that without that bottle, Du Heng might have survived longer in the cold. Zhou Mowan then recalled Bai Shanshan's earlier casual remark that drinking alcohol could help ward off the cold. Situ Yan pieced together that Bai Shanshan's comment likely influenced Zou Jingxuan to give the wine to Du Heng, indirectly leading to his death.
He also noted that Luo Shaochuan had handed the poisoned wine to Dai Liming. When Zhou Mowan suggested Bai Shanshan was the primary instigator, Situ Yan shook his head, stating he truly did not know who the culprit was.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Zhou Mowan offered Situ Yan a glass of water, but then quickly told him not to drink it, concerned that Mr. X was planning to kill another person and they needed to be vigilant. She asked Situ Yan who he thought the next victim would be. Situ Yan replied that it would either be himself or Luo Shaochuan, as the killer had deliberately lured everyone to the manor.
He elaborated that to set up this trap, the killer needed three conditions: a snowstorm, the destruction of the suspension bridge to trap everyone, and both Situ Yan and the killer present in the manor. Zhou Mowan then recalled that the suspension bridge was damaged by Luo Shaochuan's car, and he was the one who had invited Situ Yan to the manor, leading her to suspect Luo Shaochuan.
However, Situ Yan disagreed, pointing out that Du Heng had no reason to place the nicotine clipping in Luo Shaochuan's pocket if Luo Shaochuan were the murderer. Situ Yan believed this was the killer's tactic to make Zhou Mowan suspect Luo Shaochuan. Luo Shaochuan instructed Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan not to leave, promising they could open the door only after the police arrived if he didn't return.
He then told Xiao Liu to guard them carefully, warning him of punishment if any harm came to them. Bai Shanshan, concerned for Luo Shaochuan's safety and fearing he was walking into danger, tried to knock him out with a wine glass, but Xiao Liu intervened, misinterpreting her intentions.
Luo Shaochuan then found Jin Qiming and forcibly took a stack of photos from him, asserting that Situ Yan was the true Mr. X and had fabricated the entire situation, including the existence of Mr. X, to solve his own designed murders and elevate his reputation. Jin Qiming, taken aback, struggled to believe that Situ Yan, who had solved so many complex cases, could be the murderer.
Luo Shaochuan continued to sow doubt, listing a series of deaths and misfortunes that occurred shortly after Situ Yan's arrival or involvement, from Shen Jianxian to his own father, and the deaths of Fan Lihua, Luo Jinyan, and Du Heng, implying Situ Yan's suspicious influence. Soon after, Luo Shaochuan, with Jin Qiming, confronted Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan in the main hall. Luo Shaochuan impatiently demanded to know who had killed Dai Liming, stating that an hour had passed.
Situ Yan admitted he didn't know, which only fueled Luo Shaochuan's frustration. Luo Shaochuan declared that Situ Yan couldn't be trusted and cryptically warned the others if they stayed, they would become the third victim. Zhou Mowan pulled Situ Yan aside, expressing her suspicion of Luo Shaochuan, particularly his sudden closeness to Jin Qiming, and how he seemed to be deliberately driving a wedge between Situ Yan and everyone else. Situ Yan then revealed he knew who Mr. X was.
He explained that Luo Shaochuan had left with both Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan, but returned alone. Situ Yan deduced that Mr. X likely manipulated the situation to isolate the women. Situ Yan theorized that the only safe place to hide them outside the manor was the wine cellar, which he knew about.
He instructed Zhou Mowan to go to the wine cellar, find Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan, and escort them to the study to be protected by Sergeant Bao, while he planned to return to the hall to distract the killer. Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan told Jin Qiming that he believed Situ Yan was Mr. X and intended to kill him next.
He asked Jin Qiming to help move Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan from the wine cellar to Jin Qiming's darkroom, anticipating Situ Yan would try to use them as leverage. Luo Shaochuan handed Jin Qiming his pistol, urging him to take it for protection, stating he could always get another from Sergeant Bao.
Jin Qiming initially protested that he didn't know how to use a gun, but Luo Shaochuan brushed off his concerns, explaining it was simple: "Load, aim and shoot." Jin Qiming went to the wine cellar but found neither Zou Jingxuan nor Bai Shanshan. Zhou Mowan returned to Situ Yan to report that the women were not in the wine cellar, although it looked like they had been there, perhaps having argued with Luo Shaochuan.
She also revealed that Jin Qiming had entered the cellar while she was there, prompting her to hide from him. Situ Yan, realizing the gravity of the situation, urged Zhou Mowan to continue searching for them, stressing the importance of preventing them from falling into Mr. X's hands. He then began to voice a deeper sentiment, "If we can both get out alive this time. . ." , but stopped himself, concluding, "Never mind. Let's survive first."
Zhou Mowan, understanding his unspoken words, replied, "Sure. Anything you want." Luo Shaochuan then tried to coerce Sergeant Bao into arresting Situ Yan, leveraging his family's influence. Bao, however, refused, citing Situ Yan's popularity and the lack of evidence, fearing it would cost him his job. Just then, Jin Qiming informed them that the women were missing from the wine cellar, where he had found a broken wine bottle.
Luo Shaochuan, enraged, grabbed Bao's gun despite his protests and rushed into the main hall, pointing it directly at Situ Yan. He furiously accused Situ Yan of kidnapping Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan, calling him a "son of a bitch" and demanding their release. Zhou Mowan interjected that when Situ Yan asked her to look for the women, they were already gone.
Situ Yan tried to calm Luo Shaochuan, insisting he was not involved in their disappearance and that Luo Shaochuan was falling into Mr. X's trap. Luo Shaochuan retorted that Situ Yan himself was Mr. X. Situ Yan warned him that if he shot, he would become the third victim Mr. X wanted. Luo Shaochuan then forced Situ Yan out of the manor at gunpoint, threatening him with the same fate if he resisted.
Outside, Situ Yan tried to explain that Mr. X’s ultimate desire was to see Luo Shaochuan fall into his trap, creating a spectacle for entertainment, but Luo Shaochuan, consumed by rage, refused to listen and shot Situ Yan, who collapsed to the ground, bleeding. Jin Qiming then rushed to the scene, admonishing Luo Shaochuan for his rashness and revealing that Situ Yan was not Mr. X.
He then explained that Dai Liming had actually died because he, fearing being the next victim after hearing about the three planned murders, attempted to poison Zheng Bai to frame Mr. X. However, during a struggle between Luo Shaochuan and Dong Cixin, the table was bumped, causing Dai Liming to accidentally drink the poisoned wine meant for Zheng Bai. Jin Qiming claimed Situ Yan had kept this truth hidden to protect Luo Shaochuan.
Luo Shaochuan, overcome with shock and remorse, was urged by Jin Qiming to surrender. Luo Shaochuan, however, burst into laughter, pointing out Jin Qiming's impatience and telling him to first confirm if Situ Yan was truly dead. Situ Yan then rose, unharmed. He turned to Jin Qiming, questioning how he knew so much about Dai Liming's death if Situ Yan hadn't told him.
Situ Yan then accused Jin Qiming of deliberately placing the nicotine in the wine cabinet and unequivocally declared, "You're the X." Situ Yan proceeded to expose Jin Qiming's elaborate plot, explaining that Mr. X, who was intimately familiar with Situ Yan's past cases in Harbin, had set three challenges to provoke discord between Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan.
He noted that after the incident, while he, Luo Shaochuan, and Sergeant Bao were interrogating Du Heng in the study, only Zhou Mowan, Bai Shanshan, Zou Jingxuan, and Jin Qiming had the opportunity to access the nicotine. More crucially, only Jin Qiming could have placed the book "No One Lives" in the living room for Zou Jingxuan to find, with a specific page folded.
Situ Yan explained that Mr. X’s ultimate goal was to make it seem as though Situ Yan was orchestrating the murders, leading to his isolation. To counter this, Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan had devised a counter-plan, faking Situ Yan's death to draw out Mr. X, with Xiao Liu having safely hidden Zou Jingxuan and Bai Shanshan. Jin Qiming, with a changed expression, demanded evidence.
Situ Yan further confronted him, asking why he, a Chinese, would aid a foreign power in subverting their country. He revealed that Jin Qiming was also responsible for Chief Xie's death, having created a fake letter that made Chief Xie believe his son Xie Hua was involved, manipulating him. Jin Qiming then confessed, revealing he was an orphan adopted and raised by a Japanese man named Mr. Zhang, who taught him everything.
He felt indebted to his Japanese "second parents" and admitted to returning two years prior to meticulously plan and execute all the preceding cases, using clues to guide Situ Yan into his carefully constructed trap. Situ Yan commented that Jin Qiming lost because he was too eager to win. Jin Qiming, defiant, declared that he certainly knew how to shoot, then raised the gun Luo Shaochuan had given him and fired at Situ Yan.
Just then, Zhou Mowan bravely intervened, pushing Situ Yan out of the way and taking the hit herself. Wounded, she tearfully chastised Situ Yan for using himself as bait, asking what she would do if he died.
Situ Yan, in turn, questioned her sudden concern, suggesting she had always viewed him with suspicion and had hidden her true feelings so that his death wouldn't cause her too much pain, implying that Luo Shaochuan would tell her he was Mr. X and she would forget him.
As Luo Shaochuan engaged Jin Qiming in a struggle, declaring his defeat, Jin Qiming, refusing to admit he lost, pulled out a pen and fatally stabbed himself in the neck, fulfilling his twisted plan of a third death in the manor, with his own death marking the third victim. After the dramatic events, Luo Shaochuan and Zou Jingxuan prepared for their engagement ceremony, but Zhou Mowan mysteriously vanished.
Meanwhile, Situ Yan received a letter from Beijing revealing that Li Yuanpu had been strangled in prison, the victim of a hired killer described as a gentle man over 20 wearing black-rimmed glasses. Situ Yan immediately realized the killer was Jin Qiming, connecting it to Mr. X's earlier challenge of three more murders. This revelation made Situ Yan suddenly understand that Zhou Mowan was also affiliated with the Oracle organization.
Situ Yan rushed to Luo Shaochuan's engagement party, asking for Zhou Mowan. Upon learning that Zhou Mowan was part of the Oracle, Luo Shaochuan, despite Zou Jingxuan's distress, left the party with Situ Yan to search for her, promising Zou Jingxuan they would get married. Elsewhere, Zhou Mowan was confronted by Mr. Zhang, who questioned why she had allowed Situ Yan to live, suspecting she had become emotionally involved.
Zhou Mowan asserted it was due to orders from her superiors, who believed Situ Yan would be useful in the future, though her pensive look at a necklace Situ Yan had given her hinted at deeper feelings. Her next assignment was in Beijing. Sometime later, Situ Yan was seen departing Harbin on the Orient Express for Beijing, sent off by Luo Shaochuan and Zou Jingxuan. He mentioned that a Mr. Wang had called him back for some matter.
Luo Shaochuan surmised that Situ Yan might be going to Beijing to find Zhou Mowan, believing members of the Oracle would likely relocate there. As they bid farewell, both men shared a sense that their paths, and perhaps Zhou Mowan's, might cross again in Beijing.
