Luoyang Episode 5 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Baili Hongyi, certain that Gao Bingzhu would seek him out, sent away his household staff under the pretext of wishing to mourn his father, Baili Yan, in solitude. Soon after, Gao Bingzhu arrived, intending to perform an autopsy on Baili Yan. Baili Hongyi, wanting to personally verify the cause of death, agreed to the procedure. As Gao Bingzhu meticulously dissected the body, the putrid smell of the ruined organs overwhelmed Baili Hongyi, who was forced to step away, nauseated.
Gao Bingzhu concluded that Baili Yan had been poisoned with Shachi Venom, a fast-acting toxin that leaves no external marks but completely destroys internal organs. Gao Bingzhu stressed that the poisoner, not him, was the true killer. Meanwhile, Wu Siyue returned to the Interior Guard Services and found a guard, Chen Wu, along with others, examining the archives left by Baili Yan.
When Wu Siyue reached for a scroll, Xu Yuan, another guard, promptly intervened, stating that no one was permitted to review the archives without Wu Youjue’s explicit permission. Xu Yuan also accused Wu Siyue of incompetence, claiming her poor leadership led to the deaths of Lu Zhi and two other guards. Wu Siyue argued vehemently against the accusation until Wu Youjue arrived and intervened, advising his sister to go home and rest, as she had been working too strenuously.
Later, Gao Bingzhu intercepted Wu Siyue, eager to examine Baili Yan's archives. He revealed the truth about Chen Que killing the three Interior Guards, though Wu Siyue was hesitant to believe him without proof. Gao Bingzhu then implicated the Four Season Clan as the true masterminds behind the recent incidents, including the assassination in the capital's south, the Interior Guard Services killings, and Baili Yan’s death.
He posited that Baili Yan’s death, uniquely caused by Shachi Venom rather than physical injuries, suggested he had stumbled upon a secret of the Four Season Clan, leading them to eliminate him. Gao Bingzhu asserted that the Four Season Clan was preparing a larger operation and urged Wu Siyue to help him investigate.
Despite her initial skepticism about the defunct clan, Wu Siyue agreed to bring him into the Interior Guard Services the following day at noon, meeting at Changxia Gate. The next morning, Liu Xiang arrived at the Baili mansion looking for Baili Hongyi, who was still asleep. Liu Ran, now Baili Hongyi's wife, offered tea and acknowledged Baili Hongyi as her husband, a title Liu Xiang reluctantly conceded due to his previous disapproval of their marriage.
Liu Xiang expressed his family's willingness to support the Baili family during their current difficulties, but he doubted Baili Hongyi's reciprocal loyalty. Later, Wu Siyue brought Gao Bingzhu, disguised as a guard, into the Interior Guard Services. They were immediately confronted by Li Beiqi, who recognized Gao Bingzhu as the killer of their comrades. Wu Siyue quickly assured Li Beiqi that she would explain later and urged him to trust her, allowing them to proceed to the Archive.
Once inside, Gao Bingzhu began meticulously reviewing Baili Yan's case files while Wu Siyue stood guard at the door. Back at the Baili mansion, Baili Hongyi finally emerged, ignoring Liu Xiang's presence and solely focused on arranging Baili Yan's burial for the next day, despite the short mourning period. Liu Xiang, exasperated by Baili Hongyi's cold demeanor, concluded that Liu Ran had chosen poorly in marrying such a heartless man.
Liu Ran, however, remained hopeful that she could change Baili Hongyi's mind over time. Meanwhile, Wu Youjue arrived at the Archive to review documents. Wu Siyue attempted to stall him, but Wu Youjue quickly noticed that the archives had been disturbed and immediately suspected his sister. He harshly rebuked her for interfering, questioning her competence and reminding her that internal investigations were not her place.
Wu Siyue passionately defended her actions, explaining that she aimed to protect the Wu family’s standing and his reputation by solving the case quickly, especially with the empress’s scrutiny and rising crime rates. Angered, Wu Youjue ordered her removal. Wu Siyue, in defiance, brandished the Empress' Behest, a token of imperial favor. However, Wu Youjue, asserting his authority as her elder brother, confiscated the token and had her forcibly escorted out. Gao Bingzhu, hidden nearby, witnessed the entire exchange.
Once the area was clear, he resumed his search, discovering a crucial page in the archives that lacked an official seal. He quickly tore it out and concealed it. Baili Hongyi spent a day and a night tirelessly searching his home, eventually discovering that Shachi Venom was a rare and valuable tribute from Western Province, known for its ability to prolong life in the dying, though it was instantly fatal otherwise.
He also learned that some noble families, favored by the empress, might possess this poison, leading him to suspect guests who attended his father's wedding. Meanwhile, Gao Bingzhu approached Wu Siyue's residence and overheard a heated argument between her and Wu Youjue. Wu Youjue was pressuring Wu Siyue to focus on finding a husband and conforming to societal expectations, rather than pursuing cases and fighting. Li Beiqi, spotting Gao Bingzhu, quickly ushered him away, concerned about being discovered.
Once Gao Bingzhu was outside, Li Beiqi fiercely warned him to stay away from Wu Siyue, threatening him with death if he saw him again. Wu Siyue defiantly agreed to meet several suitors Wu Youjue suggested. After she agreed, Wu Youjue softened, returning her Empress' Behest, stating he did not wish her to be mistreated. Later, Wu Siyue received a note, presumably from Gao Bingzhu, indicating "copper" as a vital clue in Baili Yan's case.
Baili Hongyi, now convinced that the poisoner was among the wedding attendees, meticulously cross-referenced the guest list with the sent invitations. He discovered that three guests—Huang An, a supervisor from the Ministry of Works; Wu Cheng, a staff officer from the Ministry of War; and Gu Jia, an official from the Ministry of Rites—had received invitations but did not attend, nor had they sent prior notification of their absence.
He immediately instructed Shen Fei to arrange meetings with these three individuals. Elsewhere, Bai Lang, a bootlegger, was caught selling diluted wine. He attempted a chaotic escape through the streets but was apprehended by Gao Bingzhu. Recognizing Gao Bingzhu as "Officer Gao," who had once shown him leniency, Bai Lang reluctantly cooperated.
Gao Bingzhu revealed he knew Bai Lang's ancestors were experts in the capital's waterway distribution, asking for a waterway map as he suspected foul play with the copper for the Heaven project, which was transported from Mount Lian to the capital via these waterways.
Bai Lang, possessing such a map from the prestigious carpenter Yuwen Kai, who mapped the capital's three rivers and seventeen streams, identified the Dragon Gate section of the Yihe River as the most suitable location for an ambush. Following Gao Bingzhu's instructions, Bai Lang disguised himself as an artisan and infiltrated the Heaven project construction site, where he impersonated a foreman and questioned the head of the smelting workshop about the copper supplies.
He learned that the quality of copper from Mount Lian had noticeably decreased over the past month, impacting production, and that the Chuiliu Corporation, a Baili family enterprise, was responsible for its transport. Crucially, the next batch of copper was due to arrive at Dragon Gate at midnight that very night. Bai Lang rushed back to report his findings to Gao Bingzhu, who resolved to go to the site for firsthand investigation.
To get out of the city, Bai Lang hid Gao Bingzhu inside a wine barrel on his cart, claiming to be transporting wine to officials for a hunting party outside the capital. At the city gate, the guards, after a brief inspection, allowed the cart to pass. Once outside, Gao Bingzhu and Bai Lang abandoned the cart and continued their journey on horseback towards Dragon Gate.
Bai Lang, terrified of the severe consequences of robbing government copper, repeatedly expressed his fears and reminded Gao Bingzhu that his wanted posters were still active. Gao Bingzhu, however, remained undeterred. Upon reaching Dragon Gate, Bai Lang observed newly constructed wooden houses and the presence of sentries, indicating unusual activity.
