Maiden Holmes Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Maiden Holmes Synopsis
When the Fanyannan Kingdom invaded the country, the nineteen-year-old Lord Qi, Xiao Yanzhi was ordered to defend the country.
He struggled in blood to turn the tide of battle, but was ambushed in the final battle of Honggu and lost his entire army.
When he returned from death to the court, he was blamed by Lord Yun. His military power was removed.
Faced with the fact that Lord Yun had supported the young emperor to ascend to the throne, secretly seizing the imperial power, Lord Qi and the young emperor reached a tacit agreement and chose to keep silent temporarily.
Since then, Lord Qi stopped interfering in the affairs of the court and pretended to be Pei Zhao, playing in the world. In fact, he was investigating secretly, vowing to find out the truth about the military defeat.
As a result of investigating the case of the lost disaster relief fund, Pei Zhao encountered Su Ci in Qing Shui. He was interested in her cool personality and her ability to solve cases.
On the way, Pei Zhao and Su Ci befriended Xie Beiming, the young master of Feiyun Villa, and Dong Rushuang, the daughter of the Poison King. They formed an investigation team.
As the cases were solved one by one, the danger was gradually approaching.
Su Ci’s true identity was uncovered, and the truth of the war gradually emerged.
The investigation team was involved in the power struggle of the court, the truth, love, friendship, and family love were tested one after another.
Maiden Holmes Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In a storytelling house, patrons were engrossed as a storyteller vividly recounted the tales of Prince Qi, their dynasty's esteemed "God of War." He described Prince Qi's fierce battle against the enemy general Tuo Mu, where he effortlessly deflected poison arrows with his Green Dragon Sword, striking fear into the hearts of the enemy. Meanwhile, in a luxurious private room, the very same Prince Qi was blindfolded, surrounded by women and engaging in playful banter.
Su Ci, disguised as a man, arrived with a Mingjing Office plaque to announce an investigation. The Madam, alarmed and worried about her expensive furnishings, hastily followed as Su Ci meticulously searched the private rooms. Upon pushing open one door, Su Ci was playfully pulled into an embrace by the still-blindfolded Prince Qi. After Su Ci removed the blindfold, she quickly assessed him, noting his dominant right hand, and cleared him of suspicion.
However, noises from behind a nearby screen caught her attention. Su Ci decisively kicked open the screen, revealing a man with two courtesans. Calmly, Su Ci identified one of the women as the Thousand-faced Man, a notorious rapist who had used a disguise to conceal his male identity. Su Ci's analytical skills left everyone convinced. She explained that the local dancing girls treasured their ankles, often adorning them with bells, which kept the skin smooth.
Yet, the suspect's ankles were rough. Furthermore, she observed his habitual use of his left hand and the lingering drug powder on his fingertips, deducing that the woman he had replaced was likely drugged and hidden nearby. Realizing he was exposed, the Thousand-faced Man attempted to escape and fought with Su Ci. During the skirmish, Prince Qi subtly lent a hand to help her.
Upon learning the truth, Prince Qi, recalling he had playfully kissed the disguised man earlier, reacted with disgust. The Thousand-faced Man was then apprehended. Back at his manor, Prince Qi feigned drunkenness to dismiss his trackers, later confiding in his subordinate that maintaining the facade of a dandy was more exhausting than leading an army.
Due to a visual impairment that made it difficult to see at night or read from a distance, Prince Qi had to bring a letter close to his eyes. The letter detailed a plot to seize imperial disaster relief silver. Suspecting the local rumors of the Dragon King swallowing the funds were a cover for a man-made scheme, Prince Qi decided to investigate personally.
Recognizing Su Ci's exceptional observational skills, he instructed his subordinate to arrange for her assistance under the pretense of a pleasure trip. At the Mingjing Office, Young Officer Luo expressed his frustration to the Lead Officer, feeling unjustly overlooked. He argued that the Thousand-faced Man case was handed to Su Ci for the final arrest, and now the "Robbery by Dragon King" case was also assigned to her.
The Lead Officer countered that Su Ci, with his extraordinary memory and keen observation skills, was more efficient, which was crucial to prevent more innocent girls from being harmed. He then tasked a reluctant Luo with the urgent investigation of the headless female corpse cases, noting it was already the fifth such incident. As Su Ci prepared to leave, the Lead Officer gave her a treasured copy of "The Legend of Prince Qi: Victory at Kunshan," which she gratefully accepted.
He also urged her to take extra provisions, warning her about the famine in Qingshui County. In her quarters, Su Ci quietly prepared for her journey. Opening a cabinet, she faced the memorial tablets of her parents. A painful memory surfaced: her mother, covered in blood, lying unresponsive to her desperate childhood cries. After lighting incense, she quietly informed her parents she would be away for a few days on a case.
Su Ci then picked up a dagger, recalling a childhood memory of being rescued from pursuers by a kind young boy who gave her the dagger and told her to always live strongly, no matter the hardship. Prince Qi also prepared for his journey. To his dismay, his eager subordinate, Fei Yuan, began loading their carriage with an excessive amount of supplies, from pots and pans to a pillow, believing they were embarking on a carefree pleasure trip.
Exasperated, the already-mounted Prince Qi quickened his pace, jokingly telling Fei Yuan he had to choose between him and the carriage, prompting Fei Yuan to hastily plead to be brought along. Elsewhere, in a dense forest, Xie Beiming, the young master of Feiyun Manor, showcased his impressive agility, forcing several hidden followers out with a few thrown stones. He declared his intention to wander the jianghu and uphold justice, instructing them not to follow.
Despite his orders, his worried subordinates caught up, offering him money, wound medicine, and a "Girl-chasing Guide." Xie Beiming rejected the guide, asserting his purpose was chivalry, and dismissed them. Upon arriving in Qingshui County, Su Ci encountered many beggars outside Fuding Tea House and generously offered them aid, while the tea house owner callously ordered them cleared away. Inside, Prince Qi and Fei Yuan watched a grand procession for the "Dragon King's Marriage."
Locals whispered that the ceremony involved a human sacrifice to appease the Dragon King, who, they claimed, had swallowed the disaster relief silver after a sudden thunderstorm sank the transport ship, turning its contents to stone. As Su Ci sought directions to the county court, Prince Qi intercepted her, irritated at being ignored after their previous encounter.
Disdainful of Prince Qi's dandyism, Su Ci retorted that his past help was the only thing keeping him from being arrested for obstructing justice. Their argument escalated into a scuffle, and Su Ci produced handcuffs. In the chaos, they ended up shackled together. Su Ci's money pouch, containing the handcuff key, fell and was swiftly pilfered by beggars.
With no spare key and the sacrifice imminent, Su Ci grew anxious, but Prince Qi restrained her, insisting they first formulate a detailed rescue plan. At the riverside altar, shamans chanted as Dong Rushuang was presented as a bound offering. The populace knelt, pleading for the Dragon King to end the famine and pestilence. Just as she was to be sacrificed, Su Ci and Prince Qi intervened.
A struggle ensued with the villagers, and during the fight, Su Ci fell into the river, pulling Prince Qi with her. Underwater, Prince Qi gave her air with a kiss. As Dong Rushuang was about to be swept away, Xie Beiming swooped in and rescued her. However, upon regaining consciousness, Dong Rushuang incapacitated Xie Beiming with a powder, angrily stating that he had ruined her plans. As night fell, Su Ci and Prince Qi fled from their pursuers, still handcuffed.
Prince Qi used a glowing pearl to navigate due to his poor night vision. During their escape, they tumbled into a hidden hole. As they tried to find a way out, Prince Qi inadvertently dislodged Su Ci's hairpin. Her long hair cascaded down, revealing her true identity and leaving Prince Qi utterly stunned.
Episode 2 Recap
Pei Zhao attempted to open the handcuffs with a hairpin, while Su Ci provided light with a night-glowing pearl. Their close proximity allowed Pei Zhao to notice a unique fragrance from Su Ci's hair. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Su Ci urged him to concentrate on the lock. After the handcuffs were successfully opened, Pei Zhao forcefully pushed Su Ci out of the deep hole.
Once she was safe, Su Ci worriedly called out, fearing he might abandon her after she had saved his life by giving him air when they were in the water. Pei Zhao then climbed out to join her. Meanwhile, Fei Yuan worried as Xie Beiming remained unconscious. Dong Rushuang took charge, spitting a mouthful of water onto Xie Beiming's face, which immediately revived him.
Disoriented, Xie Beiming confronted her, asking why she poisoned him and awkwardly explaining that he had only removed his clothes earlier because she said she was cold. Dong Rushuang dismissed his rambling, declaring them even since he had knocked her out. As she wiped her face, her glance left Xie Beiming momentarily captivated. Pei Zhao and Su Ci returned to the hut, covered in mud. Inside, Xie Beiming was introduced.
Pei Zhao, using the alias "Pei Zhao," acknowledged Xie Beiming's reputation as the Young Master of Feiyun Manor. Xie Beiming immediately recognized Pei Zhao's true identity as Prince Qi but was subtly stopped by Pei Zhao, who wished to keep his identity hidden from Su Ci. Su Ci then introduced herself as Detective Su Ci from the Mingjing Office, impressing Dong Rushuang, who had heard of the brilliant young detective.
Dong Rushuang clarified that she was not the real bride intended for sacrifice; she had given the actual bride money to escape and had planned to impersonate her to teach the superstitious villagers a lesson by poisoning them, though she hadn't considered an escape plan for herself. Pei Zhao suggested they all stay the night and make plans in the morning. Later, Xie Beiming spoke privately to Pei Zhao, revealing he knew he was Prince Qi and expressing his admiration.
He asked to help solve the case to become a hero like him, and Pei Zhao agreed. While everyone else rested, Su Ci remained awake by the fire, engrossed in a comic book about Prince Qi. Pei Zhao emerged and offered her a roasted pigeon, which she declined. Through keen observation, Su Ci deduced that Pei Zhao's eye injury was sustained on the battlefield, evidenced by the calluses on his fingers from archery.
She correctly inferred his eyes were injured by poisoned arrows during the Fan Yan Na war. Pei Zhao confirmed he was once a captain in Prince Qi's western army. Su Ci, an admirer of Prince Qi, became excited but then criticized Pei Zhao for wasting his potential as a general by acting like an unruly vagabond. This sparked a memory for Pei Zhao of the war's aftermath.
In a flashback, court officials pressured the young Emperor to strip Prince Qi of his command, fearing his military power. Despite some defending him, Prince Qi willingly surrendered his Tiger Tally to quell the dispute. Back in the present, Pei Zhao tested Su Ci by suggesting the stories about Prince Qi might not be true. The next morning, Su Ci announced her intention to investigate alone, but Pei Zhao, Xie Beiming, and Dong Rushuang insisted on joining her.
Xie Beiming later explained to Fei Yuan that while they could investigate independently, following Su Ci, an officer from the Mingjing Office, was more convenient, and they must protect her. Xie Beiming then used his breath-holding technique to dive into the murky water, retrieving several items. Among them, a unique ship plank caught Su Ci's attention. She identified it as a waterproof partition from a ship's bottom.
She explained that while locals claimed the ship was sunk by lightning, a strike would typically hit the mast, not the bottom. The plank also showed burn marks. Pei Zhao detected the scent of gunpowder on it, leading Su Ci to conclude that the "Dragon King Robbery" was a man-made plot. Dong Rushuang was full of admiration for Su Ci's analysis, while a jealous Xie Beiming interjected to remind them his efforts produced the crucial evidence.
The group stopped at an inn for a meal, where Xie Beiming complained about the bland vegetarian dishes. Su Ci reminded him of the dire famine in Qingshui County, where any food was a luxury. Seeing the suffering caused by the missing relief fund, human sacrifices, and price-gouging merchants, Pei Zhao suggested they confront Magistrate Kong, asking Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang to find food for the villagers.
Su Ci and Pei Zhao met Magistrate Kong, who feigned confidence when Su Ci presented the plank as evidence that the shipwreck was deliberate. She demanded to inspect the salvaged silver boxes. Kong smugly explained he had opened the rock-filled boxes in front of the entire county, claiming only the Dragon King could have taken the silver. However, Su Ci pointed out a fatal flaw: the "Ji" character engraved on the locks used the wrong calligraphy.
The real locks used the Emperor's unique handwriting, proving the boxes were swapped. When Pei Zhao chastised him for neglecting his duties, Magistrate Kong became defiant, dismissing Su Ci's authority and sarcastically telling her to ask the Dragon King for the silver. After the frustrating encounter, Su Ci realized Kong's comment that the silver was "already gone" implied a premeditated swap. Meanwhile, Xie Beiming's plan to use his Feiyun Manor token to summon grain failed, as it would take months.
Dong Rushuang suggested a quicker solution: "borrowing" food from the Hu Mansion, the wealthiest family in town. When the butler refused them, Xie Beiming kicked the door in, leading to a scuffle. During the fight, Dong Rushuang's poison powder accidentally landed on Xie Beiming's lips. Confused, he asked when he would faint, only for his lips to swell grotesquely. The terrified butler, witnessing this, quickly agreed to provide the grain.
Dong Rushuang left an IOU for Feiyun Manor and added a large sum of money as "medical fees" for the guards, cementing her and Xie Beiming's new partnership to "rob the rich and help the poor." Su Ci deduced that the dredging boat, which had direct contact with the salvaged boxes, must hold clues. She and Pei Zhao investigated it, where Su Ci spotted two distinct waterlines on the hull.
She realized the boat must have returned to shore carrying a load double the weight of the silver—meaning it held both the boxes of rocks and the real silver. This created the first deep waterline. After the rocks were publicly unloaded, the silver was secretly left on board overnight, creating a second, slightly higher waterline. This discovery proved that Magistrate Kong had used the dredging operation to not only retrieve the fake cargo but also to transport the stolen silver.
Convinced, Su Ci wanted to confront Magistrate Kong immediately, but Pei Zhao cautioned her that they needed irrefutable proof first. On their way back, they were ambushed by skilled assailants. The glare from the blades affected Pei Zhao's vision, and Su Ci was injured shielding him, twisting her ankle. Pei Zhao carried her back to the inn, and with his impaired vision and her sprained ankle, she acted as his eyes, guiding him.
Back at the inn, Fei Yuan was torn on who to treat first before tending to both. After his eyes were treated, Pei Zhao took medicine for Su Ci's ankle to her room. As he approached, he heard loud noises from inside and rushed in.
Episode 3 Recap
After a bath, Su Ci, whose ankle was sprained, nearly slipped and made a loud noise. Hearing the commotion, Pei Yanzhi rushed in. Su Ci, concealed by a screen, quickly threw a white garment at him, urging him to leave while she dressed, worried about her identity as a woman being discovered. Surprised by her panicked reaction, Pei Yanzhi pointed out they were both men and left, puzzled by the white garment she had thrown.
He left medicine for her sprain at the door. Later, Pei Yanzhi recalled the unusual scent of Su Ci's hair when he had given her air underwater, which deepened his suspicions about her. His thoughts were interrupted by Fei Yuan, who brought him a bowl of noodles. Pei Yanzhi then quietly instructed Fei Yuan to summon the army. Everyone rejoiced as Xie Beiming successfully gathered a large amount of food, enough to feed the disaster victims for days.
Xie Beiming credited Dong Rushuang for her significant contribution, praising her for making the task possible. Just as they were celebrating, Magistrate Kong arrived at the inn with his soldiers. Acting on a report from Lord Hu's steward, he accused Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang of trespassing, injuring servants, and looting property, completely denying the existence of a promissory note or any payment from Xie Beiming.
Magistrate Kong, showing blatant disregard for the Mingjing Office, ordered his soldiers to arrest Su Ci and her companions, threatening to execute anyone who resisted. As the soldiers advanced, Pei Yanzhi flicked a stone that struck Magistrate Kong on the forehead. Moments later, Fei Yuan arrived with the army, surrounding Kong and his men. Inside, Su Ci presented two boat workers to testify against Magistrate Kong, but he arrogantly dismissed their statements.
Pei Yanzhi then had Fei Yuan bring in several yamen runners. One of them stepped forward, confessing that Magistrate Kong had taken their families hostage to force them to swap the disaster relief silver with boxes of stones, a scheme Su Ci had already deduced. Despite Kong's vehement denials, he was arrested based on the overwhelming evidence. Later, Su Ci expressed her admiration for Pei Yanzhi’s meticulous planning.
Dong Rushuang, in turn, praised Su Ci's brilliant ability to solve the Dragon King Robbery, which visibly irked a jealous Xie Beiming. The group discussed women serving as officials, citing the story of Hua Mulan. When asked for her opinion, Su Ci feigned a traditionalist view, stating that girls should focus on domestic arts like playing the zither and embroidery, leaving rough work to men.
Dong Rushuang, already charmed by Su Ci’s refined demeanor, playfully asked what type of girl Su Ci preferred, further irritating Xie Beiming. Meanwhile, Xie Beiming wrote a letter to his adoptive father, assuring him of his well-being. He excitedly wrote about saving a beautiful girl, Dong Rushuang, from being sacrificed and their budding friendship, despite her having poisoned him briefly.
He also shared his admiration for Prince Qi, a chivalrous hero he was now working with to solve cases and help the poor. Separately, Prince Yun's subordinate reported his failure to prevent Prince Qi's involvement in the case. Unconcerned, Prince Yun saw Magistrate Kong's downfall as a valuable opportunity to expose Prince Qi's true intentions, which he believed had been hidden for years. Subsequently, Prince Yun's men silenced Magistrate Kong, staging his death to look like a suicide by hanging.
Troubled by the still-missing relief silver, Su Ci asked Pei Yanzhi if he was still secretly working for Prince Qi. She deduced that only someone with Prince Qi’s token could have mobilized the state army as quickly as Fei Yuan had. Pei Yanzhi subtly confirmed her guess and asked why she admired Prince Qi so much. Su Ci spoke with reverence, describing Prince Qi as an exceptionally pure individual.
She recounted how he had saved the nation from the brink of collapse in his youth, yet despite having the power to rule, he chose to withdraw without any desire for power, embodying the spirit of a true chivalrous man. She expressed her deep aspiration to become like him: brave, strong, and living freely. Pei Yanzhi was profoundly moved by her words. Later, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi examined Magistrate Kong's body in the morgue.
Su Ci explained the difference in ligature marks between suicide and homicide. While demonstrating with a rope, she became so focused that she accidentally tightened it around Pei Yanzhi’s neck, leaving a red mark. Embarrassed, Su Ci offered her silk scarf to cover the mark and awkwardly turned away, reciting legal codes to hide her fluster.
That night, a nightmare caused Pei Yanzhi to realize the faint, familiar scent on Magistrate Kong's body was Hu Man Grass, a potent poisonous weed from Fan Yan Na. He knew it caused hallucinations and excruciating pain, often driving victims to suicide. Given her expertise in poisons, Dong Rushuang offered to accompany Su Ci to re-examine the body.
Xie Beiming tried to dissuade Dong Rushuang from visiting the morgue, but she playfully retorted that she would simply look at Su Ci instead. New leads revealed that Kong frequently visited the Worry-free Bar to drink with a wealthy Fan Yan Na merchant named Sha Du, who always rented the exclusive Tianzi Hall.
Simultaneously, a secret investigation traced Que Shi powder, a special additive used in casting the official silver, to a dancer at the bar who received it as a gift from a Fan Yan Na merchant. Pei Yanzhi and Xie Beiming went to the Worry-free Bar to investigate. Xie Beiming, clearly uncomfortable in such a place, was coerced into staying by Pei Yanzhi. Soon after, Su Ci and Dong Rushuang arrived but were denied entry without a reservation.
Dong Rushuang created a diversion by loudly accusing a fictitious lover of cheating on her. While the guards were distracted, Su Ci slipped inside, found a dancer, and asked for directions to Tianzi Hall. Dong Rushuang continued her act by confronting Xie Beiming, berating him for his supposed infidelity and blaming Pei Yanzhi for leading him astray. The commotion resulted in the guards escorting both a protesting Xie Beiming and a triumphant Dong Rushuang out of the bar.
Episode 4 Recap
At the Worry-free Bar, Pei encountered Sha Du, a man from the Western Region. Pretending to be from a prominent business family, Pei initiated a conversation and confirmed Sha Du was the man Su Ci was looking for. Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang burst in, causing a scene and dragging Xie Beiming away. Fearing a misunderstanding, Xie hastily explained he had not gone to the bar willingly, worrying that Dong was giving up on him, much to her confusion.
Impressed by Pei's refined demeanor, Sha Du invited him to his private room, Tianzi Hall, the next day to watch a selection of dancing girls. To further her investigation, Su Ci disguised herself as a stunning Western dancing girl for the selection. Veiled, she entered Tianzi Hall with Hong Ye, the bar's owner, and was surprised to find Pei was also a guest.
Sha Du was captivated by Su Ci's Zhezhi Dance, and as she performed, Su Ci discreetly added a substance to his wine jug. Unable to contain himself, Sha Du tried to embrace her, but Pei intervened and pulled her away. Just as Sha Du’s excitement peaked, the drug took effect, causing him to collapse. Pei, feigning unconsciousness as well, waited until Su Ci found a hidden ledger in a secret compartment. He then sprang up and snatched it from her.
They struggled briefly, with Pei nearly tearing off her veil, just as people rushed in to find Sha Du dead. As Pei was the one drinking with him, he immediately became the prime suspect. Resuming her male attire, Su Ci revealed her Mingjing Office token to officially investigate the death. She found no signs of poisoning or wounds but discovered a golden leaf in Sha Du’s mouth, which could be fatal in large quantities.
Su Ci declared it a murder committed with an ice needle and asserted the killer was still present. During the investigation, Pei noticed the red mole behind Su Ci's ear, confirming his suspicion that she was a woman. When witnesses recalled that Hong Ye had toasted Sha Du right before he died and that her tobacco pouch was suspiciously wet, Su Ci confronted her.
Hong Ye tried to attack Su Ci but was restrained by Xie Beiming, after which she bit her tongue and committed suicide. Her death left her motives, and any connection to Magistrate Kong's death, a mystery. Su Ci and Pei returned to Tianzi Hall for a more detailed search. Su Ci found rosin powder on both Sha Du's and Hong Ye's clothes, and fresh soil mixed with rosin on Sha Du's shoes.
A dancer then provided a key clue: Hong Ye had a mysterious lover who bore a distinct, rectangular burn mark. Meanwhile, Pei analyzed the ledger he had obtained. He discovered that Sha Du’s recent black market transactions matched the amount of the missing disaster relief silver. He also noted an arrow found earlier was of a type used by assassins from the Beirong region.
Suspecting a larger conspiracy, Pei dispatched his subordinate, Fei Yuan, to deliver a letter and the arrow to the Marquis and to investigate Su Ci's background. That night, determined to retrieve the ledger, Su Ci snuck into Pei's room. She accidentally woke him, and he playfully accused her of having ulterior motives. To cover her tracks, Su Ci claimed she came to discuss the case, which led to her confessing that she was the dancer.
She explained she had to use the disguise as Sha Du was only approachable by women and was a key figure in Magistrate Kong's case. She also shared her findings about the rosin powder, suggesting Sha Du and Hong Ye had recently visited a storage location. Based on the rosin powder clue, Su Ci and Pei deduced the silver must be hidden in a cool, dry place, likely at the foot of the mountains in the northeast.
The group traveled to the location and, after a brief search, found a hidden building. Xie Beiming skillfully broke the difficult lock, and inside, they discovered the missing boxes of disaster relief silver. To celebrate, Fei Yuan prepared a lavish feast. Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang toasted Su Ci for solving the case. Unable to drink alcohol, Su Ci accepted with tea, while Pei offered to drink on her behalf.
Su Ci then toasted everyone in turn, thanking Fei Yuan for the meal, Xie for his selfless help, Dong for her straightforwardness—which she admitted to liking—and Pei for sharing the story of Prince Qi. Later, after tasting a dish of drunken chicken, the unexpected alcohol flavor made her instinctively grab the nearest cup—which happened to be Pei's—and drink it down.
Episode 5 Recap
After Fei Yuan's culinary skills were praised, Su Ci felt unwell after eating a dish of drunken chicken. Undeterred, Xie Beiming insisted on drinking with her, constantly refilling her cup. Su Ci quickly became intoxicated, slurring her words and feeling detached from her own body. A frightened Fei Yuan excused himself, leaving Su Ci in the care of Pei Yan Zhi.
As Pei Yan Zhi attempted to lead Su Ci to her room, the inebriated Su Ci resisted, convinced that Pei Yan Zhi's room was her own, and eventually stumbled onto his bed. She rambled drunkenly, asking "Which one is you?" before pushing Pei Yan Zhi down, touching his face, and confessing a secret to him—that she thought he was "a good man." She then drifted off to sleep, leaving Pei Yan Zhi pinned beside her for the night.
The next morning, Su Ci woke up, horrified to find herself in Pei Yan Zhi's bed and recalling her embarrassing behavior. Imagining he must think her a rogue, she decided to flee the awkward situation. Citing her duty to report the successful closure of the "Robbery by Dragon King" case, she packed her bags and departed for the capital without a word.
Dong Rushuang was dismayed by Su Ci's unchivalrous departure and insisted on going after her, with Xie Beiming reluctantly following. Meanwhile, Pei Yan Zhi instructed Fei Yuan to pack their belongings as they too would return to the capital. Their journey back led them to an inn, which had only one room available.
Seeing their predicament, Pei Yan Zhi offered the innkeeper extra money to vacate his own room, securing two rooms in total: one for Dong Rushuang, and the other for himself, Fei Yuan, and Xie Beiming. Later, Su Ci, having walked a long distance, arrived at the same inn. Dong Rushuang excitedly greeted her, calling their reunion "fate." Su Ci apologized for her abrupt departure, explaining her duty in the capital.
Faced with no other options and reluctant to reveal her female identity, Su Ci agreed to share the room with the men, making it a tight squeeze for the four of them. That night, Pei Yan Zhi warned Fei Yuan to stay on his side of the small bed and advised Xie Beiming to sleep fully clothed to avoid catching a cold, hinting that Dong Rushuang would be upset if he fell ill.
Later that night, Pei Yan Zhi awoke to find Su Ci gone. He found her in the carriage, burning with a fever. Dong Rushuang grew concerned, fearing the fever might be a symptom of a plague that often followed disasters. Observing Dong Rushuang's worry for Su Ci, Xie Beiming feigned illness to get similar attention, but she rebuffed him, reminding him he was not "Brother Su."
When Dong Rushuang suggested using wine to wipe down Su Ci's body to lower her temperature, Pei Yan Zhi intervened, realizing this would expose Su Ci's identity. He insisted on handling her care himself and sent the others out of the room. Alone with the unconscious Su Ci, he reassured her that her secret was safe.
While Su Ci recovered, Xie Beiming received a pigeon post from his adoptive father and wrote a reply, informing him of a slight delay due to a friend's illness. Once Su Ci was well, Fei Yuan brought her soup, telling her how worried everyone had been, especially Pei Yan Zhi, who had been too anxious to eat.
Xie Beiming questioned why Pei Yan Zhi had suddenly started calling Su Ci "Little Su," but Pei Yan Zhi deflected, saying she needed rest. The group then split into two parties for the remainder of the journey to the capital. Upon returning, Pei Yan Zhi went directly to the palace. The Emperor, no longer a child, discussed the disaster relief fund case with him.
The conversation then shifted to Pei Yan Zhi's marriage, as the Emperor revealed that the Empress Dowager had instructed the Ministry of Rites to begin the selection of a royal consort, hoping Pei Yan Zhi would find someone he truly loved. Meanwhile, Su Ci and Xie Beiming accompanied a captivated Dong Rushuang through the bustling capital. Citing her duties, Su Ci suggested Xie Beiming show Dong Rushuang the city's best eateries, an offer he eagerly accepted.
As they walked, they witnessed an attempt to abduct a woman. Su Ci immediately revealed her Mingjing Office token and intervened. In the ensuing fight, she protected Dong Rushuang from harm. Touched by her bravery, Dong Rushuang was effusive in her gratitude, repeatedly calling her "Brother Su." Xie Beiming, who ultimately defeated the abductors, grumbled in frustration as Dong Rushuang seemed to notice only Su Ci's efforts and not his own.
Back at her home, Su Ci lit incense for her parents and recounted her adventures and the friends she made: Dong Rushuang's kindness, Xie Beiming's martial arts prowess, and Fei Yuan's cooking. When she thought of Pei Yan Zhi, she paused, her heart fluttering as she described him simply as "a good man."
At the same time, when the Emperor asked if he had someone he liked, Pei Yan Zhi reflected on Su Ci's courage and free spirit, silently acknowledging to himself that he had finally found someone who had captured his heart.
Episode 6 Recap
A subordinate provides Prince Qi with information about Su Ci, stating that her mother died during childbirth and her father passed away from illness two years prior, leaving her an orphan renting a house in West Yongfu Lane. Beyond this, there is no other significant information about her background.
At a Feiyun Manor inn, Xie Beiming seeks a room, but the boss explains that the inn is full due to the Empress Dowager's selection of a princess consort for Prince Qi. When Xie Beiming insists on the exclusive Tianzi No. 1 room, the boss initially objects, but quickly recognizes his status as the "Young Master" of Feiyun Manor and agrees to prepare it.
At the Mingjing Office, colleagues criticize Su Ci's handling of the disaster relief fund case, noting that while the silver was retrieved, crucial witnesses were eliminated. Young Officer Luo advises Su Ci on her investigation into a square totem mark, explaining it is likely from a Jianghu organization, not a historical criminal tattoo. Later, servants from Marquis Yong'an's Mansion ambush a preoccupied Su Ci, drugging and abducting her.
Prince Qi and Fei Yuan are on their way to invite Su Ci to dinner when they witness a reckless carriage from Marquis Yong'an's Mansion speeding through the streets. Prince Qi thinks he hears a cry for help, but Fei Yuan dismisses it. However, when Prince Qi spots Su Ci's silk handkerchief on the ground, he recognizes it and realizes she is in danger, prompting them to give chase.
Su Ci is taken to a private mansion where Xiao Junhao, the Son of Marquis Yong'an, confronts her. He soon discovers she is a woman and finds her cross-dressing "interesting." Su Ci defiantly warns him that she has left clues for the Mingjing Office. Xiao Junhao dismisses her threats and attempts to force himself on her. Su Ci insults him, calling him an ugly and pathetic person who relies on his ancestors' name.
Infuriated, Xiao Junhao forces a potent drug down her throat, promising to make her "ecstatic." Prince Qi searches for Su Ci late into the night. At the mansion, as Xiao Junhao is about to assault the drugged Su Ci, Prince Qi arrives and furiously attacks him. Overcome with anger and regret, he ignores Xiao Junhao's attempts to talk his way out and tells Su Ci, "I came late." Vowing to take her home, he battles his way through the guards.
Despite his poor night vision, Prince Qi blindfolds himself to fight off the remaining servants, fueled by pure rage. After defeating them, he instructs a newly arrived subordinate to "deal with the aftermath." Inside the carriage, Su Ci suffers from the effects of the drug. When she realizes she is safe with Prince Qi, her defenses lower. In her drugged state, she confesses that she thinks she has fallen for him and impulsively kisses him.
Although moved, Prince Qi stops her from going further as her condition worsens by pressing an acupuncture point that causes her to pass out. He is privately overjoyed by her confession and quietly admits to the unconscious Su Ci that he likes her too, then takes her home to watch over her all night. Upon waking in women's clothing, Su Ci confronts Prince Qi, demanding to know when he discovered her true identity.
Enraged, she holds a dagger to his throat, accusing him of pretending ignorance and treating her life as a spectacle. Prince Qi explains he couldn't bear to expose her, understanding the hardship she must endure, as being an official while female is a crime of deceiving the emperor. He assures her he will keep her secret and confesses the most important reason he kept quiet was because he likes her.
Su Ci clarifies that her actions the previous night, including her confession, were due to the drug and that she does not like him. Insisting they can only be friends, but feeling indebted, she promises to grant him three conditions. Prince Qi immediately uses his first condition: that Su Ci move in with him, citing his concern for her safety. Reluctantly, Su Ci agrees.
Back at the Mingjing Office, Su Ci is relieved to find her identity is not the subject of gossip. Instead, her colleagues are discussing the downfall of Xiao Junhao, who was stripped of his title and banished to the North after Prince Qi reported his many misdeeds to the Emperor. Dong Rushuang and Xie Beiming arrive, expressing their relief that she is safe.
Xie Beiming declares that he has ordered his Feiyun Manor to "teach Xiao Junhao a lesson" whenever he passes their properties. Dong Rushuang, carrying baggage, insists on moving in with Su Ci to protect her, but Xie Beiming objects, pointing out the impropriety of her living with a "man." Marquis Yong'an visits Prince Yun, requesting help for his banished son. Prince Yun learns that Prince Qi personally intervened after Xiao Junhao assaulted an official from the Mingjing Office.
Intrigued by Prince Qi's decisive action and motives, Prince Yun orders his men to question Xiao Junhao. Afterward, Prince Yun returns to his pet parrot, attempting to coax the silent bird into saying, "Long live the Majesty." Prince Qi receives a report that Xiao Junhao has remained silent under interrogation, and he ensures the man will not be able to speak of the incident. Soon after, Commander Fu arrives with an invitation to his wedding with a childhood friend.
They discuss their friend Zizhuo, who has been feeling down recently. The two decide to visit Mr. Qu to collect a painting. At his residence, Mr. Qu mentions he will soon be painting portraits for the princess consort candidates. They inquire about his famous "portrait of a beauty," which he shows them. The work is nearly complete but notably lacks eyes, as he explains he has yet to find the right inspiration for the soul of the portrait.
Dong Rushuang waits outside the Mingjing Office for Su Ci. To get some time alone with her, she sends a smitten Xie Beiming on an errand to buy bean curd from the city gate. When Su Ci emerges, she discovers Dong Rushuang has been following her to find out where she lives. Dong Rushuang reiterates her desire to move in or at least cook a thank-you meal at her house. To put her off, Su Ci tells her she is moving soon.
Episode 7 Recap
Following Pei Zhao’s arrangement for them to live together, his aide, Fei Yuan, guided him through his new residence, showing him the study and bedroom. Pei Zhao, however, was more interested in the guest rooms. Fei Yuan proudly showed him that the largest master suite had been converted into an exquisite guest room, as ordered. He also presented a collection of storybooks about Prince Qi that he had prepared for Su Ci, knowing her fondness for them.
When Fei Yuan questioned why Pei Zhao didn't simply tell Su Ci that he was Prince Qi, Pei Zhao replied that the time was not yet right. Su Ci arrived and was impressed by the mansion's understated elegance. She astutely noted its prime location in a bustling downtown area, which meant its land value and rent would be among the highest in the capital.
While not as overtly opulent as the gold-inlaid residences Xie Beiming preferred, the mansion boasted a charming and unique design with exquisite furnishings. Observing over twenty servants, she estimated the monthly wages alone would be a significant expense, solidifying her belief that Pei Zhao's identity was far from simple. Pei Zhao explained that it was an ancestral villa, requiring no rent, and that he was supported by his family's businesses, as his own salary could not cover such a lifestyle.
Xie Beiming joined them, eager to move in. He initially offered to fund lavish renovations but quickly changed his tune when Pei Zhao teased that no room had been arranged for him, suggesting the house's simple elegance might not suit Xie's taste for grandeur. Xie Beiming insisted he appreciated the simple style and that the room's size was no issue, as he preferred the liveliness of having everyone together.
Pei Zhao then gifted Su Ci a high-quality brush, which she recognized as something one might see in the palace. He explained it was a reward from Prince Qi that he had no use for and wanted her to have. Su Ci happily accepted, her delight growing when she discovered the extensive collection of Prince Qi storybooks Pei Zhao had specially prepared for her.
Insisting she could not accept his generosity without paying her way, Su Ci presented Pei Zhao with a lease agreement she had drafted. She argued that if he didn't charge rent, she wouldn't be able to stay long. Relenting, Pei Zhao proposed a rent of five taels of silver per month. Su Ci agreed, noting that while it left her little money for new storybooks, the price was fair.
She also added several clauses establishing strict rules of propriety for their living arrangement, prohibiting any improper physical contact or verbal offense, with a fine of one tael per violation. Pei Zhao wryly remarked that the contract seemed designed solely to restrain him, but he signed it after Su Ci offered to assist him with matters like case investigations in return.
Later, Fei Yuan expressed his shock that Pei Zhao would charge a friend rent and revealed that Su Ci's monthly salary was only seven taels. Surprised, Pei Zhao resolved to find a way to increase the salaries at the Mingjing Office. The next morning, Su Ci, busy with work, declined breakfast with Pei Zhao. When he playfully reached for her, she cited their contract's "no physical contact" clause, jokingly reminding him of the one-tael fine.
Meanwhile, at Commander Fu's mansion, preparations were underway for his eldest son Ziyou's wedding. Pei Zhao arrived and was greeted warmly by Commander Fu, who mentioned Ziyou had already left to pick up the bride. He was unsure of his second son, Zizhuo's, whereabouts but presumed he had gone along. Suddenly, a servant rushed in with terrible news about the bride.
At the Mingjing Office, Officer Shen announced a sudden salary increase from the Ministry of Personnel, to everyone's delight and confusion. Shortly after, Su Ci was summoned for a new case: Du Lan, the bride-to-be of Fu Ziyou, had been found dead at the base of the city wall that morning. As the case involved a court official's family, it was transferred to the Mingjing Office, with Su Ci leading the investigation.
At the scene, Dong Rushuang had already arrived with her autopsy tools. She confirmed for Su Ci that Du Lan's injuries—dislocated joints, a fractured scapula, and a fatal neck fracture—were consistent with a fall from a great height. Dong Rushuang offered to assist further, but Su Ci politely declined, explaining that an outsider's involvement in a case concerning a courtier's daughter would attract unwanted scrutiny. Dong Rushuang reluctantly departed. The investigation began with questioning Du Lan's personal maid, Xiao Qing.
She revealed that Du Lan had always been closer to Fu Zizhuo, the groom's younger brother, and that the two had planned to elope. However, after meeting Zizhuo the previous night, Du Lan had returned and announced she had changed her mind, deciding to marry Fu Ziyou for the sake of both families' reputations.
Xiao Qing also recounted Du Lan's bizarre behavior that night: she had inexplicably claimed to hear raindrops and asked Xiao Qing to listen with her, even though the sky was clear. Fu Zizhuo was apprehended, found heavily intoxicated and distraught upon hearing of Du Lan's death. Pei Zhao arrived, offering to assist Su Ci due to his friendship with the Fu brothers.
After Pei Zhao gently persuaded Zizhuo to cooperate, describing Su Ci as fair and intelligent, Zizhuo recounted the previous night's events. He confirmed that he and Du Lan had met to elope but that she had a change of heart, stating she could not be disloyal to his brother and unfilial to her parents, nor could she bear their families becoming a laughingstock.
After escorting her back, Zizhuo left the city to drink himself into a stupor, only returning at dawn. He admitted he had no alibi for the time he was outside the city walls. Su Ci took his clothes as evidence, hoping to find traces that could prove his alibi, while Pei Zhao vouched for his character, certain Zizhuo was not a murderer. Before re-tracing Zizhuo's steps, Pei Zhao visited a grieving Fu Ziyou.
Ziyou confessed he had known about the elopement after finding a letter from Zizhuo but chose not to intervene out of love for both his brother and Du Lan. He would have let her go if she chose Zizhuo, but if she had chosen to stay, he would have devoted his life to her happiness. Now, he desperately wanted the truth, vowing to bring the killer to justice if it was murder.
Reflecting on his friend’s selfless love, Pei Zhao thought of his own feelings for Su Ci, silently promising to always protect her, no matter her choice. Later, Su Ci and Pei Zhao set out to verify Zizhuo's story. Su Ci deduced he had likely headed west from the city, as his clothes bore faint traces of dye from the workshops in that area.
Examining the clothes further, she noted green grass stains and wrinkles on the back from dew-soaked grass, as well as a smear of bird droppings, suggesting he had been lying on his back under a tree. Following these clues, they located a discarded wine jar that Zizhuo later confirmed was his, substantiating his account.
Pei Zhao lamented that not all love stories have happy endings and expressed his hope that they could uncover the truth to bring justice for Du Lan and ease Zizhuo's profound grief. Su Ci affirmed her commitment to finding the truth with him.
Episode 8 Recap
Following the trail from the previous night, Su Ci examines a stain on Zizhuo's discarded clothing and identifies it as coal, wondering how it could have gotten there in the wilderness. Seeing her troubled, Prince Qi gently blows on a scrape on her hand to soothe it, telling her he prefers to see her without a worried frown.
To distract her from the pain, he teaches her how to navigate using the stars, pointing out the Big Dipper and explaining how its handle indicates the seasons. He then shows her the stars Altair and Vega, separated by the Milky Way, recounting their tragic story of being lovers who can never be together. Upon returning to the capital, they question an old coal vendor at the city gate.
He confirms seeing a drunken young man—Zizhuo—and recalls accidentally bumping him with his coal cart. When guards find a corresponding bruise on Zizhuo's waist, it provides him a solid alibi, proving he was outside the city gates during the entire time of the crime. Elsewhere, Dong Rushuang laments to Xie Beiming her desire to solve cases with Su Ci.
She explains that while being with him is relaxing, it eventually feels empty, whereas making progress on a case with Su Ci gives her a profound sense of accomplishment. Understanding her need to feel purposeful, as it mirrors his own reasons for being a traveling hero, Xie Beiming pledges his full support. Meanwhile, Fei Yuan presents Prince Qi with a new selection of portraits of potential concubines, but the prince dismisses them, uninterested.
Instead, he secretly sketches a portrait of Su Ci. As the investigation into Miss Du’s death remains stalled, news arrives of another victim: a Miss Lin has been found drowned in the river, also wearing a wedding dress. Su Ci examines the body and finds no signs of a struggle or external injuries, leading officials to quickly rule it a suicide.
Determined, Dong Rushuang finds Su Ci and passionately explains that her desire to help is not about clinging to him, but about finding her own purpose. Having studied poisons since childhood, she felt her skills were aimless until she realized that using them to help solve mysteries made her feel truly worthy. Moved by her sincerity, Su Ci agrees to officially register her at the Mingjing Office as a non-official aide for unusual cases.
At his residence, Prince Qi receives a visit from Marquis Zhenyuan, who has just reported to the Emperor. The Marquis reveals two critical findings: the poisoned arrow from the ambush during the Dragon King case has been definitively traced to Beirong, and a large portion of the embezzled disaster relief funds have surfaced in major transactions there.
They deduce that a hidden faction is using the stolen funds to buy weapons, collude with foreign enemies, and secretly raise a private army. The Marquis warns Prince Qi to be extremely cautious. He also mentions the Empress Dowager’s efforts to select a concubine for the prince, and upon seeing Prince Qi's disinterest, slyly notes that his own high-spirited daughter, Xu Zhi, who has accompanied him to the capital, would be delighted to hear it.
The investigation takes a turn when Miss Lin's grieving mother seeks out Su Ci, insisting her happy, beloved daughter would never have taken her own life. She recounts that in the days before her death, her daughter began acting strangely, sometimes appearing dazed and once claiming it was raining on a perfectly sunny day. She also mentions the family had recently visited Puhua Temple to pray for blessings.
Prince Qi immediately reports to the Emperor, confirming the link between the Beirong-made arrows and the embezzled funds. He speculates the money was used to purchase weapons from dealers like the recently murdered Shadu, and that the ambushers in Qingshui County were a secretly trained private army, connecting the conspiracy to events from seven years prior. Back at the Mingjing Office, a thrilled Dong Rushuang officially joins the team.
Su Ci notes the weak motive for Miss Lin's "suicide" and the circulating rumors of a vengeful "ghost bride." Prince Qi points out that if these deaths were ruled suicides, many families might not have reported them, making official records incomplete. Xie Beiming confidently volunteers to use his network to gather information from the public. Later, Dong Rushuang mischievously tricks him into testing her new itching powder on his arm. Troubled by the impending concubine selection, Prince Qi drinks alone.
Xie Beiming joins him and correctly guesses his reluctance stems from having a love interest. Prince Qi confides that he is in love with someone whose "current identity is not suitable" and that he feels more like himself as Pei Zhao than as Prince Qi. Misunderstanding completely, Xie Beiming concludes that Prince Qi is in love with Su Ci, a man, and earnestly assures his friend of his open-mindedness and unwavering support.
At the same time, Prince Yun coerces the Junior Mentor of the Imperial Astronomer into disqualifying strategically important candidates from the concubine list, fabricating astrological incompatibilities to weaken Prince Qi's potential alliances. Xie Beiming's inquiries soon lead the team to the Lixiang Restaurant, where a courtesan named Jing Niang had hanged herself two years prior. Her close friend, Wen Wen, reveals that the normally cheerful Jing Niang had become withdrawn and dazed just before her death.
Wen Wen also confirms two key details: Jing Niang had visited Puhua Temple with her fiancé, and on the morning she died, she hushed Wen Wen, claiming she was "listening to the rain" on a bright, sunny day. Connecting the evidence, Prince Qi and Su Ci identify a clear pattern across all three victims: all were beautiful young women who died by apparent suicide while wearing wedding dresses, and all experienced disorientation and claimed to hear rain on sunny days. Concluding this is the work of a single murderer, Su Ci decides their next stop must be Puhua Temple—the one location connected to all three victims.
Episode 9 Recap
Following her maid Ying Ying's tip, Xu Zhi informed her father, Marquis Zhenyuan, that she was aware of the suspicious candidate list for Prince Qi's Princess Consort, from which prominent families had been excluded. Despite her father's concern about a hidden agenda, Xu Zhi insisted on pursuing the marriage, stating her desire for a husband as loyal and brave as her father, a description she felt perfectly matched Prince Qi.
Seeing her determination, the Marquis reluctantly agreed to help her get included in the selection. Su Ci, Dong Rushuang, Xie Beiming, and Fei Yuan arrived at the bustling Puhua Temple. Xie Beiming explained that the temple was renowned for granting marriage wishes via its sacred marriage tree. Dong Rushuang excitedly asked Su Ci to accompany her to pray for a good match, which agitated the jealous Xie Beiming.
Inside the main hall, Su Ci stood in quiet contemplation, burdened by memories of his family's demise. Prince Qi watched him, privately resolving to help Su Ci reclaim her true identity so he could openly marry her. Elsewhere, Dong Rushuang, who affectionately called Su Ci "Brother Su," tried her luck at the wishing pond. After she successfully landed a coin inside a lotus flower while wishing to be with Su Ci, Fei Yuan congratulated her.
However, a jealous Xie Beiming, seeing this, secretly flicked a stone to knock her coin out. Unaware of the sabotage, a thrilled Dong Rushuang went with Fei Yuan to the marriage tree. As Prince Qi and Su Ci spoke, a fortune teller approached, claiming their fates were linked.
He described them as a "Solitary Star" and a "Widow Lodge"—both orphaned—but asserted that if they paired up, their lone stars would complement each other, activating a propitious star for a blissful, lifelong union. Su Ci dismissed this as nonsense, pointing out they were both men. The fortune teller cryptically replied that some things are known only to them and the heavens.
When he tried to sell them a "love lock," Prince Qi internally recalled that he and Su Ci were indeed connected by a lock, but Su Ci brushed the sales pitch off as a common trick. Despite Su Ci's skepticism, Prince Qi was visibly pleased by the prophecy. At the marriage tree, Dong Rushuang wrote her name and Su Ci's on a marriage tablet and struggled to hang it high up.
After she left, Xie Beiming secretly took her tablet down, crossed out Su Ci’s name, wrote his own, and hung it back on the tree. As the group prepared to leave, Xu Zhi appeared and warmly greeted Prince Qi by his personal name, "Yan Zhi." The sight unsettled Su Ci, who clutched his chest and claimed to have a stomach ache. Later, Fei Yuan found a portrait Prince Qi had painted of Su Ci in her female disguise.
Mistaking the subject for a woman, he was shocked to realize the resemblance to Detective Su, leading him to wonder if Prince Qi was interested in men. Meanwhile, Xu Zhi celebrated her official inclusion on the candidate list, a feat her father, Marquis Zhenyuan, had worked hard to achieve against the opposition of the Imperial Astronomer. Before departing on a trip, he warned her to be extremely careful in the palace.
Prince Yun was furious to learn that Xu Zhi, whose father controlled the northern army, was on the list. He berated his subordinate from the Imperial Astronomer for the failure and, seeing an opportunity in the Marquis's absence, plotted to move against Xu Zhi. After settling into her chambers in the palace, Xu Zhi had her portrait painted by an artist named Qu Linjiang. Concurrently, Xie Beiming's men found more cases of women dying in wedding dresses.
Reviewing the files, Su Ci concluded it was a serial murder case, noting the killer targeted specific victims in specific locations, though the exact pattern remained unclear. Fei Yuan prepared a large dinner and, when asked about Prince Qi's whereabouts, lied that he had gone to a matchmaking session with six carefully selected, suitable ladies. He added that given his age, the Prince would surely choose a bride this time.
Upon hearing this, Su Ci, who had barely eaten, abruptly declared he was full and left the table. Later, he tried to read but couldn't stop thinking about Prince Qi's potential marriage. Dong Rushuang brought Su Ci sweet soup and confessed her feelings, reminding him that he was also of marriageable age.
Su Ci gently rejected her, explaining that he had vowed not to consider romance until he fulfilled his mission for justice and did not wish to burden a lady with his modest life. Just then, Prince Qi arrived. As he was leaving, Su Ci asked him directly if he would marry someone he disliked. Prince Qi firmly replied, "No," which seemed to reassure Su Ci.
The next morning, Xu Zhi's maid, Xiao Yun, entered her room and found her hanging lifelessly, dressed in a red wedding gown. At the crime scene, Su Ci discovered traces of rouge powder, drag marks, and a mismatch between Xu Zhi's shoes and the footprints on the stool, all indicating murder. He reported that Xu Zhi's only significant contact in the palace, besides her maid and other candidates, was the painter, Qu Linjiang.
The investigation was ordered to begin with the maid. Upon his return, a grief-stricken Marquis Zhenyuan went to the morgue. Overcome with guilt for letting his daughter enter the palace, he confronted Lead Officer Liu Xuan, insisting her death was a conspiracy and demanding that the full truth be brought to light.
Episode 10 Recap
Su Ci questioned Xu Zhi's maid, who recounted finding Ms. Xu dead that morning after receiving no response from her room. She had last seen Xu Zhi the previous night. The maid mentioned that Xu Zhi would often stare out the window, occasionally smiling, which she assumed was due to her impending marriage to Prince Qi. She also frequently commented on how pleasant the sound of rain was.
When asked, the maid confirmed it was raining on the days Xu Zhi listened to the rain, a detail Su Ci found peculiar. Soon after, Prince Yun approached the Emperor to discuss the aftermath of Xu Zhi's death. Arguing that the Imperial Guards were culpable since Xu Zhi was killed within the palace, he strongly suggested demoting Commander Fu Ziyou to demonstrate the court's seriousness.
He warned that if Marquis Zhenyuan, who commanded a massive military force, were to harbor resentment, it could lead to disaster. Swayed, the Emperor reluctantly agreed to demote Fu Ziyou temporarily. Later, when Prince Qi met with the Emperor, the Emperor expressed concern that the grieving Marquis might direct his anger towards him. Prince Qi stoically accepted any blame, believing he deserved it.
He speculated the killer's vicious method was meant to intimidate anyone of a lower social standing from pursuing a marriage alliance with his family. Meanwhile, Su Ci met Pei Yanzhi, who had accompanied Prince Qi. She invited him to join her and Dong Rushuang for the autopsy. During the examination, they found a ligature mark on Xu Zhi's neck and broken fingernails, indicating she struggled before succumbing to asphyxiation. Her shoe print also matched one on the stool.
They noted her wedding gown was tied from the outside and carried an unfamiliar scent of rouge. Dong Rushuang was tasked with analyzing the substance. Recalling that an artist, Mr. Qu, had painted Xu Zhi's portrait, Su Ci, accompanied by Pei Yanzhi, went to question him. Mr. Qu expressed sorrow over Xu Zhi's death and confirmed he had only met her once.
He claimed he was in his studio all night working on his "beauty portrait," offering his servant as a witness. At Pei Yanzhi's suggestion, Su Ci examined the beautiful painting, which strangely lacked eyes. Mr. Qu explained his long search for the perfect, lifelike eyes for his masterpiece and cryptically stated that he had finally found them. Dong Rushuang visited a cosmetics store to inquire about the rouge.
She overheard customers spreading rumors about Xu Zhi being taken by a ghost bride, calling the incident "spooky." The shop owner identified the sample as a unique lip rouge from Northern Xinjiang, favored by nobles for its long-lasting color that was particularly difficult to remove. Dong Rushuang later reported to Su Ci that the consistent, fear-mongering rumors suggested a deliberate effort to obscure the truth, solidifying their belief that Xu Zhi had not committed suicide.
Pei Yanzhi visited Marquis Zhenyuan to offer his condolences. The distraught and angry Marquis accused Pei Yanzhi of becoming entangled in court machinations, acting pretentiously for self-preservation. He expressed deep disappointment that Pei Yanzhi had failed to recognize that the consort selection was a trap, content to be a player in the game rather than striving to be the one to break it. Pei Yanzhi silently accepted the harsh words, understanding the grieving father's pain.
Before this, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi had discussed the case. Su Ci observed that Xu Zhi's murder was distinct from previous cases. The crime scene had an abundance of clues, and the killer's method appeared uncharacteristically messy, yet the hanging was meticulously executed, similar to Lady Jing’s death.
She deduced the killer was a perfectionist who wouldn't tolerate disruptions to their "ritual" and that the true motive was to deter other noble families from marrying Prince Qi, using the "ghost bride" rumors as a smokescreen. The difficulty of committing murder in the heavily guarded palace led her to believe the killer was an insider, possibly a jealous candidate. Overwhelmed, Pei Yanzhi began drinking alone.
Su Ci found him and reminded him of his own advice not to shoulder burdens alone. She acknowledged the pressure he and Prince Qi were under and reassured him she would solve the case quickly. As they talked, a small "love lock" he had purchased from Puhua Temple fell from his robe. Embarrassed, Su Ci made an excuse and departed. Having reconstructed the crime, Su Ci summoned Xu Zhi's maid, Xiaoyun.
Su Ci pointed out the hard-to-remove lip rouge on Xiaoyun's finger, which the maid claimed was Xu Zhi's. Su Ci then presented her evidence: the same unique rouge was on Xiaoyun's clothes, and the begonia pattern on her dress was identical to the custom design on Xu Zhi's wedding gown. Cornered, Xiaoyun confessed, crying that she had bet all her savings on the consort selection and couldn't afford to lose.
The Marquis, who had arrived, refused to believe this was the true motive and demanded she name the mastermind, promising her immunity. Instead, Xiaoyun bit her tongue and committed suicide. Haunted by the Marquis's words, Pei Yanzhi resolved to "go against the trend." He returned to the Marquis, thanking him for his advice.
Pei Yanzhi explained his own realization: the true orchestrators intended to destroy his marriage alliance and create a rift between the Marquis and the imperial family, cutting off crucial northern military support. He then invoked the Marquis's own teaching, "Those within the game are controlled by others, but a game-breaker is the one who gains control," and swore to bring Xu Zhi's true killer to justice.
The Marquis later visited the Emperor, stating his suspicion that his daughter was murdered as part of a plot to rig the consort selection. He implored the Emperor to ensure justice was served. The Emperor reassured him that the Mingjing Office was investigating fully. Meanwhile, news that Su Ci had solved the murder reached Prince Yun. Surprised, he ordered a thorough investigation into her background.
Learning of her close association with Prince Qi, he concluded Su Ci was the Prince's secret operative and instructed his men to find any compromising information and eliminate her if necessary.
Episode 11 Recap
After the direct culprit in Xu Zhi's death was apprehended, rumors about the case still ran wild among the common folk. Su Ci, however, expressed her unease, stating that the death of Xu Zhi—the maid who bit her tongue to commit suicide in the palace—was not as simple as it seemed. Dong Rushuang advised Su Ci to focus solely on apprehending culprits, as the intricate court politics were beyond her control.
With the Xu Zhi case closed, Su Ci's concern shifted back to the long-unsolved wedding dress suicide case, which had spanned many years with no clues left by the killer. Dong Rushuang encouraged Su Ci to relax, suggesting it might help unravel the mysteries. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, Fei Yuan planned a grand meal. During a shopping trip, Xiao Yanzhi spotted Su Ci emerging from Yijin Pavilion carrying women's clothing, which piqued his curiosity.
Later, during a meal, Xie Beiming proposed that the group celebrate the festival at Sanyuan Restaurant to see unique items from all over. Su Ci declined, citing official duties at the Mingjing Office. Though Dong Rushuang was disappointed, Xie Beiming promised to bring Su Ci a gift from the festival. Alone, Su Ci gazed at the women's clothing, recalling her mother explaining the "Seventh Year Anniversary," a tribal custom.
On the seventh Mid-Autumn Festival after a loved one's passing, family members must hand-embroider the deceased's name onto their clothing and pray to the moon by the water to guide the soul home and ensure the family's prosperity. Her mother had urged a young Su Ci to be diligent in her embroidery lessons. Distressed by the memory, Su Ci broke down in tears.
Later, Xiao Yanzhi brought Su Ci preserved fruits and noticed a map on her wall with "Moon Lake" marked on it. He subtly offered his help, but Su Ci declined, stating she needed to review case files. Under the cover of night, Su Ci, dressed in women's clothing and with her face veiled, went to Moon Lake to perform the ritual for her deceased family, finding the streets unusually quiet.
At the lake, Su Ci placed flowers in the water and performed a family dance, lost in memories. Xiao Yanzhi appeared, remarking that this was the second time he had seen her beautiful dance. Su Ci realized he had cleared the area of people. Xiao Yanzhi explained he had shamelessly begged Prince Qi, claiming his "shy" favorite girl wanted to enjoy the moon in peace. Though reprimanded, the Prince granted his request.
Xiao Yanzhi urged Su Ci to inform him before undertaking such risks again, fearing he might not be able to protect her otherwise. Touched, Su Ci removed her veil and thanked him. As Xiao Yanzhi leaned in to kiss her, fireworks suddenly erupted. Xiao Yanzhi provided men's clothing for Su Ci, and they joined Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang for the festivities. They encountered a street performer with a "mind-reading" ancient bell.
Skeptical, Xie Beiming exposed the trick, revealing that the bell contained a hypnotic drug used for rudimentary hypnotism. This sparked a crucial insight for Su Ci: the wedding dress suicides might have been orchestrated through advanced hypnotism, compelling the victims to kill themselves. Dong Rushuang identified the drug's components as Mandragora and henbane, noting their numbing effect on consciousness. Su Ci tasked her with creating a formula to mitigate the drug's effects.
Meanwhile, Su Ci visited Fu Ziyou to inquire about the late Miss Du, known as Little Lan, suspecting she was hypnotized. Fu Ziyou, still grieving, said Little Lan rarely went out and suggested Su Ci speak with her maid, Zizhuo. He showed Su Ci a piece of embroidery Little Lan made, mentioning her famously beautiful hands and how she rarely engaged in such crafts.
While undergoing a risky eye treatment to expedite his recovery, Xiao Yanzhi heard thunder and anxiously asked Fei Yuan if Su Ci had returned. Fei Yuan confirmed Su Ci had come by earlier. Realizing she must have had something urgent to discuss, Xiao Yanzhi insisted on going to her room immediately, overriding Fei Yuan's protests about his fragile condition. In her room, after receiving the mitigating medicine from Dong Rushuang, Su Ci analyzed the wedding dress cases.
She noted the victims all heard "rain" on clear days, suggesting a water-related hypnotic trigger. She also connected the victims' most beautiful features—lips, hands, hair, and neck. This led her to recall the painter, Qu Linjiang, and his magnum opus, the "Portrait of Beauty," which combined the finest features of many women. Su Ci realized the victims were "materials" for his painting and that he was the killer.
Su Ci awoke bound to a chair, dressed in a red wedding gown. Qu Linjiang confessed that he had captured her for her clever and beautiful eyes, the final piece he sought for his "Portrait of Beauty." He revealed he had known she was a woman from their first meeting. As the hypnotic "rain sound" filled the room, Su Ci schemed to reach the medicine Dong Rushuang gave her.
Qu Linjiang confirmed the other victims committed suicide under his hypnotic influence, calling it their "luck." To preserve the vitality of her eyes for his painting, Su Ci bargained with him: she would cooperate if he refrained from using hypnotism, as a hypnotized person's eyes would be lifeless. Qu Linjiang agreed, remarking that she was unique and that he knew Xiao Yanzhi was willingly playing along with her disguise.
He then explained his twisted motive: he targeted young women at Puhua Temple, a popular spot for marriage prayers, to "freeze" their beauty in his painting before it could fade with age, immortalizing them at their most beautiful moment. He coldly informed Su Ci that she was merely his ninth victim and would soon share their fate.
Episode 12 Recap
Pei Yan Zhi, with his eyes covered for a medical treatment that risked blindness if interrupted, heard that Su Ci had looked for him. He insisted on going to her room despite the potential harm to his sight. Inside, Fei Yuan noted that the door and windows were open and case files were scattered on the floor. Realizing this was uncharacteristic of Su Ci, Pei Yan Zhi disregarded Fei Yuan's warnings and removed his eye coverings.
He quickly examined the files and found notes listing body parts like "hair," "lips," and "hands," linked to the death methods of several women: Ms. An, who swallowed gold; Ms. Lin, who drowned herself; and Ms. Du, who jumped from a rampart. Pei Yan Zhi connected these details to the painter, Mr. Qu, and his quest to find perfect features for his "masterpiece."
Realizing Mr. Qu had finally found the perfect eyes in Su Ci, and that her life was in danger, Pei Yan Zhi rushed out into the rain to find her. Mr. Qu, having completed his portrait, confronted a bound Su Ci. He demanded she acknowledge his "great work," but then declared her unworthy of viewing it and handed her a dagger to end her own life.
Under a hypnotic trance, Su Ci struggled internally, recalling her mother's plea to live on. As she hesitated, Mr. Qu intensified his hypnotic gaze, commanding her to obey. At that critical moment, Pei Yan Zhi burst in, saving Su Ci. Enraged that his work was disturbed, Mr. Qu attacked but was subdued. Distraught, Pei Yan Zhi apologized to Su Ci for his delay and gave her an antidote.
He summoned Dong Rushuang, who confirmed that despite the antidote, Su Ci's vital signs were unstable due to prolonged exposure to the drug and hypnosis. Blaming himself, Pei Yan Zhi feared Su Ci might still commit suicide days later, like the other victims, but Dong Rushuang needed to run more checks and asked him to leave. As Su Ci lay unconscious, having nightmares and calling out for her mother, Dong Rushuang administered calming pills.
In the process, she discovered Su Ci's true female identity but resolved to wait for Su Ci to explain herself. Pei Yan Zhi, whose eyesight was now fluctuating between clear and blurry from the interrupted treatment, stayed by Su Ci's side all night. In the morning, despite his impaired vision, he instructed Fei Yuan to take his badge to the Mingjing Office, report Qu Linjiang as the serial killer, and order a city-wide manhunt, while also notifying Jiang Xiwen.
Later, Fei Yuan gravely approached Pei Yan Zhi, intending to "remonstrate." He declared his staunch opposition to what he believed was a forbidden relationship between Pei Yan Zhi and a man, Detective Su. To prove his sincerity, Fei Yuan theatrically threatened to harm himself, forcing Pei Yan Zhi to cut his own hand to shock him out of it. Still not understanding, Fei Yuan pressed on, questioning why Pei Yan Zhi would so recklessly risk his eyesight for Su Ci.
Unable to convince him with words, Pei Yan Zhi led him to see a portrait he had painted. Fei Yuan was shocked to see it was of Su Ci in a woman's wedding dress, finally understanding she was a woman. Pei Yan Zhi confirmed the truth, admitting his love for her and swearing Fei Yuan to secrecy.
To protect Su Ci, Pei Yan Zhi had already sent men to Qu Linjiang's residence to find and burn the page in his sketchbook that documented Su Ci's eyes and noted she was a detective with no family. Meanwhile, Su Ci awoke to a cold reception from Dong Rushuang, who was upset about being deceived. Despite her frustration, the secretly compassionate Dong Rushuang took Su Ci's wedding dress to dispose of it, safeguarding her secret.
With Qu Linjiang apprehended, Su Ci learned that both Fei Yuan and Dong Rushuang knew her identity. She despaired, revealing how carefully she had lived, feeling as if she were walking on thin ice, only to have her secret so easily discovered. Pained by her distress, Pei Yan Zhi blamed himself for not arriving sooner. He took her hand and gently wiped away her tears. Su Ci noticed his injured hand and expressed concern, feeling she could never repay him.
Pei Yan Zhi told her that all he wanted was for her to stay by his side. He then kissed her, and Su Ci, overwhelmed, broke down and embraced him tightly. Soon after, Pei Yan Zhi's vision blurred again. He gently placed Su Ci back on the bed, reminding her not to walk barefoot, before claiming he had to leave on official business. As he departed, his world went completely dark.
Though Su Ci longed for him to stay, she felt her complicated past would only be a burden to him. Outside, Imperial Physician Zhang informed a distraught Fei Yuan that the interrupted treatment meant the toxins were not fully removed, putting Pei Yan Zhi at high risk of permanent blindness. He could only prescribe a new remedy, but warned that a crucial ingredient was exceedingly rare, and even if found, there was no guarantee of a full recovery.
The Lead Officer visited Qu Linjiang in prison, finding him in a deranged state, obsessively muttering about his "masterpiece." A subordinate presented a booklet found at Qu's home, detailing his victims over the past four years, all matching the known cases. The Lead Officer noted that the final page of the booklet was missing, with the last recorded victim being Ms. Lin. With this, the case was officially closed, and Su Ci's identity remained safely off the record.
Episode 13 Recap
Following the partial treatment for his eyes, Pei Yanzhi's vision worsens, and the imperial physician, Zhang Taiyi, states that his recovery now depends on his own fortitude. When Su Ci attempts to visit, Fei Yuan blocks her path, furious that Pei Yanzhi's condition deteriorated because he removed his blindfold to save her. Fei Yuan declares he will never allow her to endanger Pei Yanzhi again.
Overhearing the argument, Pei Yanzhi lets Su Ci in, reassuring her not to blame herself as saving her was his own choice. Seeing his impaired vision, Su Ci is consumed by guilt and sorrow. She resolves to meticulously care for him, vowing to share any outcome with him. Pei Yanzhi, however, playfully suggests that if her dedication were to cease once his sight returned, he would prefer to remain blind.
Xie Beiming, upon learning of Pei Yanzhi’s eye problem, anxiously bursts into his room, criticizing the imperial physician's perceived incompetence and vowing to find a better physician from Feiyun Manor. Dong Rushuang identifies the cause of the injury as Hu Man Grass poison from the Battle of Honggu and dedicates herself to concocting an antidote. Pei Yanzhi instructs Fei Yuan to hide any belongings that might reveal his true identity to Su Ci.
Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang is visibly distraught over Su Ci’s deception. Noticing her unhappiness, Xie Beiming tries to cheer her up by making snacks. Despite his culinary disaster, he offers surprisingly insightful comfort, suggesting that for Su Ci to deceive a good friend, she must be carrying a very heavy burden. His words help Dong Rushuang see the situation from a new perspective. Lacking culinary experience, Su Ci attempts to prepare Pig's Liver and White Fungus Soup for Pei Yanzhi.
She makes several mistakes, but upon learning it was Su Ci's own creation, Pei Yanzhi drinks the entire unpalatable concoction. The addition of a thousand-year-old ginseng, provided by Xie Beiming, proves too potent, causing Pei Yanzhi to suffer a nosebleed. Pei Yanzhi later speaks with Dong Rushuang, explaining that Su Ci’s concealment of her identity likely stems from deep personal difficulties and emphasizing that her affection for Dong Rushuang is genuine. This brings clarity to Dong Rushuang.
As she researches a cure, she laments her own inadequacies, but Xie Beiming encourages her, expressing unwavering faith in her abilities. He stays by her side, and while he sleeps, Dong Rushuang works through the night. By morning, she finally completes the antidote, and an overjoyed Xie Beiming sweeps her into a celebratory embrace. Just as everyone rejoices, Zhang Taiyi arrives.
Seeing the proposed treatment, he harshly criticizes Dong Rushuang for recklessly using a "fight poison with poison" approach without considering the severe consequences. Dong Rushuang dismisses him as an inflexible old man. In a fit of anger, Zhang Taiyi blurts out Pei Yanzhi's true identity as Prince Qi to stress the gravity of the situation. Su Ci, arriving with soup, overhears the revelation and drops the bowl in shock.
Dong Rushuang comforts Su Ci, using the same reasoning Pei Yanzhi had used on her. Su Ci confronts her feelings and then discusses the high-risk treatment with the group. Xie Beiming supports the dangerous method, but Fei Yuan vehemently opposes it, fearing for Pei Yanzhi's life. Unable to make the decision for him, Su Ci pledges to remain by his side regardless of his choice. Ultimately, Pei Yanzhi agrees to undergo the perilous treatment.
Dong Rushuang skillfully concentrates all the toxins within Pei Yanzhi's body into his eyes. During the two-hour waiting period for the medicines to react, Su Ci remains steadfastly by his side. They openly share their deepest feelings, deepening their bond. Su Ci confesses that Prince Qi had always been a distant hero who served as her guiding light, and she struggles to reconcile that image with Pei Zhao, the man so close to her.
Pei Yanzhi reassures her that "Prince Qi" is just a title; he is still the same person with whom she has faced life and death, and their shared journey will continue unchanged.
Episode 14 Recap
During his treatment, Pei Yanzhi was plagued by nightmares, reliving harrowing scenes from the battlefield and crying out to protect his comrades. He even coughed up blood, but Dong Rushuang confirmed this was a sign the poison was being successfully expelled from his body. Although still weak, he was no longer in mortal danger. Upon removing the bandages from his eyes, Pei Yanzhi's vision returned, and he joyfully recognized everyone present.
Overjoyed, he embraced Su Ci, relieved that the perilous "fighting poison with poison" method had succeeded. To celebrate, the group gathered at a lakeside pavilion. Su Ci, who usually disguised herself as a man, revealed her true female identity and wore beautiful women's attire. This came as a complete shock to Xie Beiming, who had been kept in the dark and failed to recognize her at first.
He confessed his past misunderstanding, admitting he had believed Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci were in a homosexual relationship and expressed immense relief upon learning the truth. Fei Yuan playfully teased Xie Beiming for his slow realization, calling him a blockhead for not seeing through Su Ci's disguise. Not to be outdone, Xie Beiming retorted, leading to a lighthearted spar.
Su Ci then humbly apologized to everyone for her deception and toasted them, also promising Dong Rushuang her unwavering support, solidifying their bond as "good sisters." As night fell, Dong Rushuang tactfully excused herself and Fei Yuan, leaving Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi alone. Pei Yanzhi presented Su Ci with a small wooden box containing a beautiful hairpin.
He revealed that he had ground down his personal luminous pearl and embedded it into the hairpin, explaining it could be a constant source of light, just as Su Ci once described Prince Qi. He then asked if she would allow this "light" to accompany her always, a heartfelt proposal for them to be together.
Touched but anxious, Su Ci admitted she was accustomed to a solitary life and worried about her "weird temper," lack of social grace, and poor domestic skills. Pei Yanzhi gently reassured her, reminding her that she was no longer alone and playfully added that as Prince Qi, he wouldn't expect her to do embroidery or cooking. He then carefully placed the hairpin in her hair, and they both pledged to guide each other.
Under the moonlight, Pei Yanzhi leaned in and passionately kissed Su Ci. From a distance, Xie Beiming witnessed the kiss and, misinterpreting the situation, believed that drunkenness was the key to romance. He eagerly sought out Dong Rushuang to drink with her, hoping for a similar outcome. However, Dong Rushuang proved to have an impressive alcohol tolerance, and Xie Beiming quickly passed out after just a few drinks, his plan a comical failure.
Concerned for Su Ci's future, Pei Yanzhi tasked his subordinate, Xiwen, with investigating historical records of women who disguised themselves as men to attend school or join the army, as well as how such cases were handled. He later instructed Xiwen to commission the best storytellers in the capital to write and perform folk tales celebrating women who joined the military, aiming to shift public perception and pave the way for women to hold official positions.
Meanwhile, in the Mingjing Office, the Lead Officer announced that there was only one promotion slot available in the upcoming examination. Su Ci was determined to win it, knowing it was her only way to access confidential files from the late emperor's reign, which she believed held clues to clearing her Bai Liang clan's name. While she excelled in the civil portion of the exam, her martial arts skills were no match for her main competitor, Young Officer Luo.
Driven by her goal, Su Ci began training tirelessly, pushing herself to the point of spraining her foot. Upon learning of her injury, a concerned Pei Yanzhi personally applied medicine to her foot. Xie Beiming volunteered to be her sparring partner to build her strength, while Pei Yanzhi provided her with books and a specially crafted "Xin Ci Rod," personally demonstrating its hidden mechanisms. Under their combined tutelage, Su Ci's fighting abilities showed marked improvement.
During archery practice, Su Ci struggled with her shots until Prince Qi publicly stepped forward to offer close, hands-on guidance. This intimate instruction fueled widespread gossip among their colleagues and throughout the city, with rumors spreading that Prince Qi was homosexual and favored the "pretty-faced young man" from the Mingjing Office. Disturbed by the talk, Su Ci suggested to Pei Yanzhi that they maintain a distance.
However, he dismissed the rumors, reminding her that as a royal, he was destined to face public scrutiny. He emphasized that what mattered was their feelings for each other and urged her to cherish their time together, affirming that when they were alone, he was simply Pei Zhao. On the day of the examination, Su Ci's friends offered their heartfelt good wishes. During the civil test, Su Ci was the first to submit her paper.
In the martial arts portion, Young Officer Luo displayed impressive archery, but Su Ci, not to be outdone, also shot a remarkable arrow. As the next stage of the competition was about to begin, a subordinate asked Prince Qi if he would attend, reminding him of the ongoing rumors. Prince Qi dismissed the concern, declaring he would ignore the gossip and watch the examination.
Episode 15 Recap
At the Mingjing Office training ground, everyone awaited the results of the promotion examination. The presence of an unusual number of imperial guards sparked discussions among the attendees, who speculated that Prince Qi would arrive due to his rumored connection with Su Ci. The chief examiner explained that the final martial arts test, accounting for one-fifth of the total score, would be a series of one-on-one combats determined by a lottery draw.
In a thrilling final match against Luo Xin, Su Ci employed a surprisingly cunning strategy, catching her opponent off guard and ultimately winning the competition. Prince Qi observed the match from a distance. Later, at a restaurant, a storyteller captivated the audience with the tale of Lu Zhaonan, who, like Hua Mulan, disguised herself as a man to serve in the army.
The story detailed her successful concealment of her gender, her wisdom, bravery, and numerous military victories, culminating in her being conferred the title "General of the Flying Cavalry" by the Emperor. The narrative recounted how her true gender was revealed during an assassination attempt, leading to her being charged with deceiving the Emperor. However, due to widespread public petition, the Emperor pardoned her and named her "The First Female General of the Country." The audience applauded, praising Lu Zhaonan's merit.
Fei Yuan subtly informed Su Ci that Prince Qi had orchestrated these storytelling sessions to align with public sentiment, making Su Ci feel deeply grateful. Back in her room, Su Ci, while engaged in needlework and contemplating Prince Qi's support, accidentally pricked her finger but remained joyful. Meanwhile, two guards in the prison discussed the paintings of a prisoner, Mr. Qu.
They noted that despite Mr. Qu's eccentric behavior, his artwork fetched high prices, allowing them to earn extra money by selling his pieces. Unbeknownst to them, the paintings Mr. Qu was obsessively creating were portraits of Su Ci in women's attire. Prince Qi, accompanied by Officer Jiang, visited the Imperial College to discuss women's education with Mr. Xu and other scholars.
Mr. Xu found the idea of local schools admitting female students absurd, asserting that women's studies should be limited to "women's precepts." He and the other scholars vehemently opposed co-education, arguing it would compromise women's morals and propriety, as a woman's purpose was to marry and have children. They believed extensive literacy could lead to "evil intentions," suggesting it was better for women to remain ignorant.
Though frustrated by their pedantic views, Prince Qi knew he had to persuade them to break with tradition and had already devised a plan. The Beirong delegation arrived in the capital, and the Emperor instructed Prince Qi to host a banquet for them. At the Capital Suburb Inn, Fu Ziyou, assigned to protect Princess Yunchuan, insisted on inspecting her luggage for safety. Princess Yunchuan adamantly refused to allow anyone to touch her boxes.
Her brother, Prince Shuomu, intervened, gently chiding his sister for her childishness and urging her to comply with Liang's rules, leading her to grudgingly allow the inspection. Fueled by the widespread storytellers promoting female generals and Prince Qi's visit to the Imperial College, discussions about Su Ci's true gender began to circulate.
After seeing Mr. Qu's paintings of a female Su Ci, Prince Yun confirmed she was a woman and resolved to use this revelation to eliminate her and suppress Prince Qi. Meanwhile, Officer Jiang discovered that Mr. Xu's own daughter was studying at the Imperial College and provided Prince Qi with the evidence.
Prince Qi had Officer Jiang present this to Mr. Xu, subtly reminding him of the Confucian saying, "In education, there are no class distinctions," which should apply regardless of gender. Convinced, Mr. Xu announced that the Imperial College would permit women's enrollment and urged other schools to follow suit. That night, Su Ci visited Prince Qi and presented him with a handkerchief she had personally embroidered with red beans.
Prince Qi playfully teased her, guessing the embroidery depicted eggplants, red dates, and then peanuts. Annoyed, Su Ci tried to take the handkerchief back, thinking her needlework was poor. Prince Qi embraced her, assuring her that he understood her intentions, regardless of the image, and humorously suggested she meant for them to "have a baby soon." Su Ci clarified they were "love peas," a symbol of longing.
Prince Qi affirmed his understanding and promised to keep it safe, and Su Ci leaned happily into his embrace. The Beirong delegation had an audience with the Emperor to sign a peace treaty and discuss a marriage alliance. Prince Shuomu expressed sincere interest in a lasting alliance, which Princess Yunchuan solidified by stating her desire for a marriage to strengthen ties. The Emperor agreed to select a suitable consort for the princess.
Prince Shuomu then requested the privilege of choosing a husband for his sister himself, revealing his preference for Prince Qi, whom he admired. Prince Yun immediately objected, disparaging Prince Qi as a "delicate scholar" and questioning his fighting ability due to an old eye injury, a sentiment Princess Yunchuan echoed. Prince Qi feigned humility, stating he was living an idle life and was no longer a formidable warrior. Despite this, Prince Shuomu insisted on Prince Qi.
Furious, Prince Yun silently vowed to prevent the marriage. Equally unwilling, Prince Qi instructed Officer Jiang to devise a plan to reject the proposal and ordered him to ensure Princess Yunchuan's protection, suspecting court factions might endanger her to sabotage the alliance. Later, Fu Ziyou discovered that Princess Yunchuan had knocked out her maid and escaped from the inn, disguised and heading to a brothel.
Rushing there, Fu Ziyou confronted her, explaining that her actions were inappropriate for a princess during sensitive alliance talks. He forcefully removed her, and during the struggle, his sword tassel was lost. Princess Yunchuan scoffed at his distress over the "useless" object. Afterwards, she questioned a maid about Fu Ziyou's strong reaction. The maid revealed his tragic past: his fiancée committed suicide the night before their wedding, and he was later demoted over a court scandal.
Princess Yunchuan then realized the tassel was likely a cherished memento from his late fiancée. Back at court, Prince Yun, now certain of Su Ci's identity, plotted to use it against Prince Qi. The Emperor reviewed and approved the Ministry of Personnel's report on the nine individuals who passed the promotion exam. Prince Yun seized the opportunity to propose a grand "Roll Call Ceremony" in the main hall, evoking the memory of a celebrated event from the late emperor's reign.
He argued it would be a solemn and grand occasion for the newly promoted officials to express their gratitude, thus reflecting the Emperor's virtue. Swayed, the Emperor decreed that the nine officials, including Su Ci, would attend the morning court the next day to be honored.
Episode 16 Recap
At the imperial morning court, the Emperor announced various promotions, including Liu Yuanhong from the Ministry of Works and Xu Shaoqing from the Ministry of Personnel. Among them, Su Ci from the Mingjing Office was promoted to a fifth-rank official, a rank she silently hoped would allow her to clear the name of the Bai Liang Clan.
However, just as the ceremony concluded, Officer Lei stepped forward, accusing a member of the Mingjing Office of being a woman disguised as a man, thereby deceiving the sovereign. He presented a painting of a woman, claiming it was undeniable proof. Officer Lei elaborated that the painting was from the serial killer Mr. Qu, whose victims were all women.
He explained that the last page of the victim booklet, which depicted Su Ci, had been torn off but was later redrawn by Mr. Qu in prison. Su Ci calmly argued that a painting alone was insufficient evidence, as resemblances are common and Mr. Qu had been mentally unstable since his imprisonment. Officer Lei then called upon Xiao Junhao as a witness, who falsely testified that he discovered Su Ci’s identity while she was drunk.
He further claimed that Prince Qi had violently intervened and had him exiled to cover up the truth. Prince Qi vehemently denied these accusations, stating he had merely rescued a court official from being kidnapped by the notoriously misbehaved Xiao Junhao. Prompted by Officer Lei and Prince Yun, officials demanded an immediate physical inspection of Su Ci.
Prince Qi strongly opposed this, arguing it would be a grave humiliation for a Mingjing Office official and would undermine the law by setting a precedent for forcing self-proof based on fabricated testimony. As Prince Yun accused Prince Qi of being involved, Su Ci, seeing the trap was meant for Prince Qi, stepped forward and confessed to being a woman. She returned her official document but firmly stated that Prince Qi was unaware of her true identity.
She was immediately taken to prison. After Su Ci's confession, Prince Yun was frustrated that her swift admission prevented the direct implication of Prince Qi. His subordinate suggested using Su Ci as bait to set a trap, an idea Prince Yun embraced, seeing it as a way to test the depth of Prince Qi's feelings for her. Meanwhile, determined to save Su Ci through legitimate means, Prince Qi initiated a plan to push for a female official system.
He instructed his aide, Xiwen, to gather petitions from the public and to incite debate at the Imperial College, creating widespread public support for allowing women to be educated and serve in office. Elsewhere, a worried Xie Beiming, resolved to take matters into his own hands, began planning a prison break to rescue Su Ci. In prison, Officer Lei relentlessly interrogated Su Ci, demanding she confess that Prince Qi was behind her disguise and infiltration of the Mingjing Office.
Su Ci endured brutal torture in silence, knowing their true goal was to bring down Prince Qi. Officer Lei even dictated a fabricated confession for her to sign, accusing Prince Qi of forging her identity and using her as a pawn in a rebellion plot.
Despite her injuries, Su Ci defiantly mocked Officer Lei, seeing through their desperate plan to frame Prince Qi and noting his anxiety was a sign of the immense pressure he was under from his hidden master. Back in the imperial court, Prince Qi powerfully advocated for women's right to serve as officials. He cited examples of their invaluable contributions, such as Su Ci recovering disaster relief funds and women protecting a city during riots in Northern Xinjiang.
He argued that women serve the nation with the same loyalty as men and should not be denied opportunities based on gender. He then presented a petition signed by countless citizens and scholars, requesting the Emperor to allow women to study and become officials. As the Emperor seemed swayed, Prince Yun intervened, suggesting Prince Qi's advocacy was merely a ploy to save Su Ci. Officer Lei then presented Su Ci's forced confession.
Prince Qi countered by questioning its legitimacy, stating it was likely obtained under torture, and pointed out the absurdity of the alleged plot. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence against Prince Qi, the Emperor, acknowledging Su Ci's deception, decreed her execution after the Beirong delegation departed and ordered Prince Qi to be confined to his residence to ponder his mistakes. Later, Prince Qi’s attempt to visit Su Ci in prison was blocked by Officer Lei's guards.
Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang insisted on joining Xie Beiming in his daring prison break, eventually convincing him to agree despite the grave danger. As they entered the prison, a disguised Prince Qi also arrived. He was heartbroken to see Su Ci severely injured. Su Ci immediately warned them that it was a trap, explaining that the guards were martial artists, part of a ploy by Officer Lei's backers to lure Prince Qi into danger.
She urged him to be cautious and leave. Prince Qi, realizing a simple escape would make her a fugitive for life, decided against the rescue. He promised to find a way to clear her name and secure her honorable release. Following this, Prince Qi, advised by his aide Xiwen, made a drastic decision.
He sought an audience with the Emperor and offered to marry Princess Yunchuan of Beirong, with one condition: that the Emperor grant a general amnesty on his wedding day. The Emperor, aware of Prince Qi's deep affection for Su Ci, expressed his sorrow and helplessness in the face of political realities. Prince Qi explained that this sacrifice was the only way to both protect the Emperor from complications and ensure Su Ci's survival.
Though the Emperor, as his brother, wished for his happiness, Prince Qi’s resolve was firm, stating that all that mattered was keeping Su Ci alive, and he urged the Emperor to issue the decree.
Episode 17 Recap
Princess Yunchuan practiced the guqin, but her playing was terrible, prompting her maid, Little Yue, to cover her ears. Prince Shuomu arrived and expressed his disappointment, reminding the princess that she needed to perform at an upcoming banquet. Li Yu, the guqin master, explained that Princess Yunchuan had only been practicing for a short time. He offered to bring a new guqin he had crafted, believing it would be more suitable for her.
That night, the new instrument attracted a swarm of termites. Later, Dong Rushuang and Xie Beiming confronted Pei Yanzhi at Prince Qi’s mansion. Dong Rushuang accused him of being a heartless man for agreeing to marry Princess Yunchuan while Su Ci was still imprisoned. As she drew her sword, Pei Yanzhi's guard, Fei Yuan, intervened and revealed that Pei Yanzhi was only marrying the princess in a bid to save Su Ci.
Pei Yanzhi confirmed this, stating he had no other choice and that his own fate was unimportant compared to rescuing Su Ci, leaving Dong Rushuang and Xie Beiming with no alternative. Meanwhile, Princess Yunchuan remained indifferent to her impending engagement. Little Yue tried to describe the feeling of love, like a racing heartbeat, which led Princess Yunchuan to gaze at Fu Ziyou, who was standing outside.
Princess Yunchuan later visited Prince Qi’s mansion, where Pei Yanzhi had prepared many North Beirong delicacies, including cheese, candied fruits, and kumis. Delighted by the familiar taste of her homeland, the princess declared her intention to demonstrate her talents immediately. However, her guqin performance was painfully off-key. After finishing her disastrous tune, she drank a cup of wine, then suddenly vomited blood and collapsed into Fu Ziyou’s arms, unconscious.
Doctor Huyan examined Princess Yunchuan and reported that while he had temporarily sealed her meridians, she would likely not survive beyond five days without an antidote, lamenting the peculiar and unknown nature of the poison. Furious, Prince Shuomu demanded that the Emperor find a cure and the culprit, threatening that Beirong would declare war on Great Liang if his sister died. Prince Yun seized the opportunity to accuse Prince Qi, suggesting his complicity since the poisoning occurred in his mansion.
Under pressure, the Emperor ordered Prince Qi to remain under house arrest until the truth was uncovered. Disguised, Pei Yanzhi secretly met the Emperor, pleading for Su Ci to be allowed to investigate the poisoning. He vouched for Su Ci’s investigative abilities and guaranteed her loyalty. He argued that if she solved the case, it would allow the Emperor to implement the female official system, resolve Prince Qi’s own predicament, and ease tensions with Beirong—a perfect solution. The Emperor agreed.
In court, Prince Yun vehemently opposed Su Ci investigating, citing her past deception, current imprisonment, and close ties to Prince Qi as making her a suspect. However, the Lead Officer of the Mingjing Office defended Su Ci, highlighting her keen observation skills and assuring the court she could solve the case. The Emperor, asserting that his decree could not be revoked, officially appointed Su Ci to investigate the poisoning as a way to atone for her past crimes.
He also commanded Dong Rushuang to assist in finding an antidote. Prince Shuomu stated that Princess Yunchuan could not have been poisoned at the inn, where all her food and drink were tested, while the Mingjing Office had found no poison at Prince Qi's mansion either. Dong Rushuang determined that the princess was suffering from a chronic poison administered over several days. Su Ci deduced that the culprit must be someone close to the princess.
Prince Shuomu, however, insisted that Little Yue, who was from his mother's clan and had been with the princess since childhood, could not be the culprit. Su Ci theorized that the culprit, having failed to kill the princess, would likely strike again. To lure the culprit out, Su Ci proposed a plan: publicly announce that Princess Yunchuan had been cured and would marry Prince Qi in a few days.
She then offered to impersonate the princess herself, arguing that maintaining diplomatic relations was Prince Qi’s duty, while solving the case was her own. Fu Ziyou was tasked with spreading the news. Pei Yanzhi, despite his injuries, insisted on joining the investigation, explaining that since the princess was poisoned at his mansion, he was responsible for finding the truth. Prince Shuomu reluctantly agreed. At the inn, Pei Yanzhi noticed a pine guqin, recalling that such instruments attract termites.
The guqin master confirmed he had made it for the princess. A worker then revealed that to combat termites, about half a bucket of insect-resistant coating had been applied to all the wooden items in the room. Dong Rushuang confirmed the coating contained a poison, Huanghuo, but clarified it was only harmful if ingested. Suddenly, Little Yue collapsed, having been poisoned, though her symptoms were not identical to the princess's. Pei Yanzhi detected a peculiar smell, recognizing the princess’s favorite Baili Incense mixed with another, unknown scent.
Episode 18 Recap
Following her collapse, Princess Yunchuan’s maid, Little Yue, was found to have been poisoned, though her symptoms were not identical to the princess’s. Meanwhile, Su Ci, having confirmed the time was right, prompted Prince Shuomu to act. Prince Shuomu publicly announced that Princess Yunchuan had largely recovered thanks to Dong Rushuang’s excellent medical skills. He added that in two days, after the marriage with Prince Qi was settled, the delegation would depart for Beirong.
When Che Yan inquired about the culprit, Prince Shuomu stated his intention to avoid further complications, believing a scapegoat would suffice to resolve the matter and allow them to focus on their mission, with other issues to be addressed upon their return. To lure out the true culprit, Su Ci posed as the princess in her chambers, with the real Princess Yunchuan having been moved to a secure location for treatment.
Pei Yanzhi stayed with Su Ci to protect her, urging her to drink a tonic prepared by Dong Rushuang. When Su Ci noticed a figure outside, she began to play the guqin. The sound drew the observer away, as the real princess was known to be unmusical. Later that night, a masked assailant infiltrated the room. As the attacker moved to strike, Pei Yanzhi intervened, unmasking the man and revealing him to be Che Yan.
While Xie Beiming assisted her, Dong Rushuang continued to analyze Princess Yunchuan's blood sample. After two days of sedimentation, she successfully separated the toxins for a more precise analysis, but discovered a concerning anomaly and rushed out. Elsewhere, Prince Shuomu confronted Che Yan, whom he considered a brother, about his betrayal. Che Yan confessed that he was coerced by Nuo Hu, the pro-war leader in their court, who threatened his family.
Che Yan claimed he had not personally administered the poison but merely followed the orders of a man from Great Liang whose voice he recognized but whose face he had never seen. During this tense revelation, Su Ci, realizing their actions might have alerted the true mastermind, suddenly collapsed. Dong Rushuang immediately attended to Su Ci, confirming that she too had been poisoned, though less severely than the princess.
The toxins, however, had rapidly spread to Su Ci’s Fengchi acupuncture point. Pei Yanzhi urged Su Ci not to push herself, but she insisted they focus on the princess, stating that the chronic poison would not be immediately fatal. Dong Rushuang explained that she had identified two ingredients from the princess’s blood: Huanghuo and Mindu, found in insect-resistant coating and Baili Incense.
She suspected it was the long-lost Four-Drug Soul Reaper, a potent toxin formed only when four interacting substances combine within the body. Exposure to just one ingredient is harmless. Su Ci then remembered handling the princess’s pillow, which contained Bixiang Herb, and feeling dizzy upon smelling it. Su Ci questioned Little Yue about the pillow and a pine guqin in the princess’s room.
Little Yue explained that the princess had adopted the new pillow on the advice of her guqin master, Li Yu, who claimed the Bixiang Herb within it promoted sleep. Little Yue also revealed that Li Yu had personally crafted the new pine guqin for the princess and had volunteered for the position of guqin master just before their departure for Great Liang.
Realizing Li Yu was the prime suspect, Su Ci, Pei Yanzhi, and Prince Shuomu left Dong Rushuang to care for the princess and headed to Li Yu's room. They found it empty, but discovered a delegation reception document bearing the Ministry of Rites seal. Upon learning that Pei Yanzhi had left his confinement, Prince Yun saw an opportunity to accuse him of defying the Emperor.
He immediately went to the palace and invited the Emperor to Prince Qi’s mansion under the pretext of a visit. At the mansion, an attendant stalled by stating Pei Yanzhi was changing, allowing the Emperor to sample various teas, much to Prince Yun’s impatience. Prince Yun accused Pei Yanzhi of defying imperial orders just as he emerged. Su Ci then arrived, identifying herself as a "sinned official" and presenting the document found in Li Yu’s room.
She explained that its unique seal meant few in court would possess such a paper. Prince Yun, suggesting it was a fabrication, proposed scrambling the collected documents, which the Emperor permitted. With her extraordinary eyesight, Su Ci examined the scattered documents. She identified Prince Qi’s by the faint trace of sword polishing grease and Minister Shen’s by traces of ink paste and gold paint.
When she came to Minister Lei Zheng’s document, she noted the ink was not dry and the paper was Kaihua Paper, while all other legitimate documents used Kaihua Bill Paper. Lei Zheng denied it, but Su Ci explained that Kaihua Paper was waterproof. A water test confirmed her claim, revealing Lei Zheng’s document as a forgery. Furious, the Emperor confronted Lei Zheng, who drew his sword and lunged at Su Ci.
Prince Yun swiftly stabbed Lei Zheng from behind, claiming to be protecting the Emperor. Afterward, Prince Yun's subordinate noted that at least Li Yu had escaped capture, preventing a greater loss to their plans. Prince Yun then urgently ordered his subordinate to find a certain person hidden within the court.
Episode 19 Recap
Following the events of Lei Zheng's death and Li Yu's escape, Fu Ziyou vigilantly guarded Princess Yunchuan's quarters day and night, asserting it was his duty to prevent any further harm. Meanwhile, Su Ci explained to Pei Yanzhi how she deduced the document came from Lei Zheng: his habitual tobacco use left faint, tell-tale tobacco tar marks on the paper. However, she knew this observation alone was not enough, as Lei Zheng could easily deny it.
Proving he had forged the official document was the only way to definitively establish his guilt. Pei Yanzhi relayed that the Emperor was impressed with Su Ci and had promised to personally appoint her as a female official once the Beirong crisis was resolved. Su Ci remained focused on finding the antidote, as Pei Yanzhi confirmed the marriage alliance was merely a temporary measure he intended to dissolve once the Princess recovered.
Struggling to identify the final ingredient for the antidote, Su Ci was struck by an idea after overhearing a conversation about an upcoming banquet. She connected Li Yu's possession of a delegation reception document with the fact that the poisoning was delayed until the banquet at Prince Qi's residence. This led her to a chilling conclusion: the entire affair, starting with Prince Shuomu's marriage proposal, was an elaborate trap designed to frame Pei Yanzhi for the Princess's murder.
The earlier poisonings were mere preludes, and the final, activating poison had to be administered at the banquet. Su Ci deduced it would be hidden in the traditional Beirong foods served to honor the guests: cheese, kumis, and cold noodles. Dong Rushuang, with Xie Beiming assisting, immediately began testing the foods. As she worked, Xie Beiming confessed his heart was racing.
Completely misinterpreting his own budding feelings, he panicked, believing they had been accidentally poisoned by the powders in the lab. Amused and exasperated, Dong Rushuang called him a fool before triumphantly announcing she had successfully created the antidote. Dong Rushuang woke Xie Beiming to share her success. Princess Yunchuan, upon hearing the antidote would restore her hair to its original color, drank the bitter medicine without hesitation.
Her maid, Little Yue, told her that Fu Ziyou had kept a constant vigil outside her door, growing thin from the worry. Unwilling to be indebted, the Princess summoned Fu Ziyou to thank him, but he simply reiterated that protecting her was his duty before trying to leave. Subsequently, the Emperor issued an edict officially establishing the female official system.
The public, inspired by tales of Su Ci's heroism in the princess's case, widely supported the new policy, with many families eager to send their daughters to the Imperial College. At the Mingjing Office, Su Ci’s colleagues, finally aware of her true gender, playfully chided her for the deception while praising her skill. The Lead Officer affirmed that the office judged on merit, not gender, and promoted Su Ci by granting her a key to the confidential archives.
Inside, Su Ci examined her family's case file, the Bai Liang Clan, and found a "Letter of Collaboration." Though the handwriting was similar to her father's, she knew it was a forgery. To her shock, she discovered that Lei Zheng had been the official who handled the case. Just then, a colleague delivered the files on Lei Zheng's case, noting that a distinct marking, similar to one Su Ci had been searching for, was found on Lei Zheng's body.
Later, Princess Yunchuan confessed her feelings to Fu Ziyou, asking him to break off her engagement to Prince Qi. Fu Ziyou dismissed her words as a joke, reminding her of her betrothal. When she insisted she was serious, he stated flatly that he had loved once and would not love again, telling her not to waste her time on him. He maintained that his vigil during her illness was merely his duty. Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhi met with Prince Shuomu.
When the prince asked why Lei Zheng had poisoned his sister, Pei Yanzhi strategically claimed that he was the true target. He spun a tale of being a seemingly idle prince who was constantly fending off assassination attempts, suggesting that marrying Princess Yunchuan and gaining Beirong's support was his only path to safety. The manipulation worked, making Prince Shuomu fear for his sister's well-being if she married into such a dangerous situation.
At the same time, Princess Yunchuan was also pleading with her brother to annul the engagement, declaring she had her heart set on someone else. The next day in court, Prince Shuomu formally requested the Emperor to annul the engagement, claiming his sister's volatile temperament made her an unsuitable match who could jeopardize the alliance. Pei Yanzhi played along, lamenting his misfortune. Seeing through the coordinated effort, the Emperor readily agreed.
Princess Yunchuan then successfully petitioned the Emperor to reinstate Fu Ziyou's official position as a reward for his service. As the Beirong delegation prepared to depart, the princess gave Fu Ziyou a sword tassel she had made herself, declaring her debt to him repaid. Acknowledging his unwavering love for his late wife, she assured him she wouldn't force her feelings on him, stating that her love was her own affair.
Upon learning the engagement was officially broken, Pei Yanzhi rushed to Lei Mansion, where Su Ci was investigating. Inside Lei Zheng's study, Su Ci found a hidden mechanism on a bookshelf that revealed a secret room. As she searched a box inside, Pei Yanzhi's voice suddenly startled her from behind. She stumbled, and as he caught her, they accidentally triggered another mechanism, causing the door to slam shut and trapping them.
Outside, Chen Captor, finding the room empty, assumed Su Ci had left and ordered the mansion locked for the night. Trapped inside, Pei Yanzhi fell on top of Su Ci. When she worried about gossip, he dismissed it, declaring his intention to marry her. Su Ci reminded him of his engagement, but Pei Yanzhi joyfully revealed it had been annulled.
Overwhelmed with relief that she was safe, he pulled her into a tender embrace, and Su Ci, grateful for his constant presence, leaned in and kissed him. Elsewhere, Dong Rushuang reflected on her time with Xie Beiming, sighing in frustration as she wondered why the "fool" had yet to confess his feelings for her.
Episode 20 Recap
Following the recent resolution of Princess Yunchuan's case, Xie Beiming prepares a ginseng soup for Dong Rushuang, claiming it will help her recover from her taxing efforts. Fearing it might taste awful, she watches as he bravely takes the first sip, only for him to immediately suffer a nosebleed. When Dong Rushuang learns he used an entire thousand-year-old ginseng root, she is exasperated by his foolishness. Flustered, Xie Beiming apologizes for his clumsiness.
Moved by his earnest yet bumbling nature, Dong Rushuang asks why he took so long to confess his feelings. He then declares his love for her, admitting he fell for her back in Qingshui County. He humbly acknowledges that he may not be as clever as Su Ci or as steady as Pei Yanzhi, but promises to love and care for her for the rest of his life.
Both tearful and joyous, Dong Rushuang embraces him, affectionately calling him a "silly man." Meanwhile, after escaping through a secret passage, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi find themselves trapped in a locked room. Pei Yanzhi suggests they must spend the night and attempts to build a barrier of books between them. Su Ci removes the barrier, confidently stating she knows he would never take advantage of her.
In response, Pei Yanzhi playfully pushes her to the ground and leans in close, challenging her assumption. When she insists he isn't that kind of person, he relents, admitting he was only joking before they settle down to sleep. The next morning, Su Ci is already deep in her investigation. She tells Pei Yanzhi she is certain that Lei Zheng's framing of him was orchestrated by a mastermind and vows to find them.
She presents a letter from the former Minister of War, Liang Feng, to Lei Zheng. The letter states that if Lei Zheng ensures Liang Cheng's promotion, Liang Feng will remain silent about a past event that is critical to the stability of the government. They realize this likely connects Liang Feng's involvement in the Battle of Honggu relief efforts with the Bai Liang case that Lei Zheng handled, and decide to seek out Liang Feng immediately.
At Prince Qi's mansion, Xie Beiming joyfully distributes red packets to the staff, celebrating his new relationship with Dong Rushuang. As Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi discuss their findings, they announce their departure for the Capital Suburb. Elsewhere, Prince Yun learns of their trip and dismisses the excuse that they are resting. Aware of Pei Yanzhi's history of conducting serious business under the guise of leisure, he orders his men to follow them closely.
Suspicious of Su Ci's origins and her close ties to the prince, he also demands a thorough investigation into her background. Upon arriving at the Liang Mansion in the Capital Suburb, the group discovers they have walked into a funeral. They had intended to visit Liang Feng, but his daughter-in-law, Madam Zhang, informs them that he died after accidentally slipping and hitting his head on the corner of his desk.
As a detective from the Mingjing Office, Su Ci asks to examine the scene. She observes inconsistencies in the bloodstains, particularly spotting blood on a Pixiu statue away from the desk. Madam Zhang cannot provide precise details about the fall, only that the butler was the first to discover the body at dawn. Liang Feng’s son, Liang Cheng, arrives from the capital, overcome with grief.
When Su Ci requests to perform an autopsy, he vehemently refuses, accusing her of disrespecting his father's memory and using Prince Qi's influence to disrupt their family's mourning. He insists the death was an accident. Su Ci counters that she believes it was murder and that the Pixiu was the weapon. To de-escalate the situation, Pei Yanzhi apologizes for the intrusion and asks to take the Pixiu statue as a keepsake, a request Liang Cheng reluctantly grants.
As they leave, Su Ci discreetly observes turmeric stains on the legs of Liang Cheng's horse. Later, Su Ci demonstrates her theory using water-filled goat intestines to simulate blood spatter. She shows how a fall against the desk would create a fan-shaped pattern, which is different from the scene, and how being struck with the Pixiu would match the evidence. She enlists Pei Yanzhi to help with the demonstration, accidentally soaking him and causing him to leave in annoyance.
Urged by the others, Su Ci goes to his room to apologize and finds him changing. After chiding her for using him as a prop, he asks for her help. As she wipes his back, she sees the many old scars from past battles, and her heart fills with concern for him. Recalling the turmeric stains on Liang Cheng's horse, Su Ci grows more convinced of his involvement.
Knowing he will continue to obstruct an official autopsy, she decides to infiltrate the Liang Mansion that night. There, she unexpectedly runs into a disguised Pei Yanzhi, who is also searching for clues related to the Honggu battle. While examining Liang Feng’s collection of calligraphy, Pei Yanzhi identifies them as forgeries, noting that the genuine works are kept in the imperial palace. Su Ci then discovers a list among the items that mentions "Jinxi Town." Their investigation is cut short when they hear Liang Cheng's voice approaching the room.
Episode 21 Recap
Liang Cheng ordered his father, Liang Feng, to be buried immediately, dismissing the Butler's concerns about custom. He then went to Liang Feng's study, searching frantically for something hidden, but found nothing, suspecting the item might still be on his father's person. Observing from nearby, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi noted Liang Cheng's unusual haste, which contradicted his earlier resistance to them opening the coffin.
Su Ci speculated that Liang Cheng might be the murderer, fearing an autopsy would reveal evidence. Pei Yanzhi, however, pointed out Liang Cheng's alibi, as he had supposedly only returned after Liang Feng's death. Su Ci then revealed a crucial clue: Liang Cheng's horse had traces of turmeric on its hooves. Since it had been raining heavily, herb growers would have already collected their wares, implying Liang Cheng returned earlier than he admitted.
Su Ci devised a plan to exploit Liang Cheng's desperation, intending to make him open Liang Feng's coffin himself. To set the trap, Xie Beiming provided Su Ci with an unbreakable dark steel box that could only be opened with its key. Dong Rushuang then coerced the butler into helping them. She instructed him to present the box to Liang Cheng, claiming it was found among Liang Feng's possessions.
When the butler refused to betray his master, even for a bribe, Dong Rushuang fed him what she claimed was a deadly poison, threatening him with death if he didn’t comply. Terrified, the butler agreed, only to learn later it was just a candy pill—a clever ploy that saved both the cost of a bribe and an expensive poison. Later, Su Ci, Dong Rushuang, and Pei Yanzhi visited the tomb of General Zhang Yuhua.
Pei Yanzhi recounted the general's heroism, particularly how he tragically perished in the Battle of Honggu when reinforcements failed to arrive. At the tomb, they met Madam Zhang, the general's widow, and her maid. Madam Zhang thanked Prince Qi for his support but lamented that her husband's noble sacrifice had allowed others to prosper. Her maid applied a special medicinal powder to an itchy rash on her hand.
Meanwhile, back at the Liang mansion, Liang Cheng’s desperation led him to open his father's coffin in search of the key. Su Ci and the others arrived at that exact moment. Su Ci examined the body, and Dong Rushuang noted three distinct impact marks on Liang Feng's forehead, including a crescent-shaped scar, likely caused by an accessory worn by the killer. Based on the evidence, Su Ci declared Liang Cheng a suspect.
He vehemently denied killing his father, but Su Ci dismantled his alibi with the turmeric found on his horse's hooves. Liang Cheng admitted to returning a day earlier for business but maintained his innocence. Su Ci then pointed out that the fatal wound's location indicated a left-handed perpetrator. She revealed the distinct skin discoloration on Liang Cheng's left thumb, caused by years of wearing a thumb ring.
Producing the blood-stained ring, she showed how it perfectly matched the crescent-shaped scar on Liang Feng's forehead. Cornered, Liang Cheng confessed it was an accident and was taken into custody. Afterwards, Su Ci re-examined Liang Feng's burial clothes and noticed the bloodstains were an unusually vivid red, along with a medicinal scent. Dong Rushuang identified the presence of cinnabar and angelica. Just then, a distraught Madam Zhang arrived, refusing to believe her brother was a murderer.
Pei Yanzhi discreetly observed the same medicinal powder on her hand. In the county jail, Liang Cheng recounted that he had argued with his father and pushed him, causing him to fall and hit his head on a table corner. He then confessed to striking him once more. Still skeptical, Pei Yanzhi presented him with a letter from Liang Feng to a minister named Lei Zheng, which hinted at a dark secret.
Liang Cheng denied any knowledge of it, so Pei Yanzhi decided to have him transferred to the imperial city for further interrogation. Upon learning of this, Prince Yun grew enraged. He feared Pei Yanzhi was re-investigating the Battle of Honggu, which threatened to expose his own conspiracy. He dispatched an assassin to "root out the problem" and prevent Pei Yanzhi from finding any more clues.
Su Ci remained puzzled by an inconsistency: Liang Cheng confessed to striking his father only once after the initial fall, yet the body had three distinct wounds. This led her to suspect a second murderer. Dong Rushuang confirmed the powder on the clothes and Madam Zhang’s hands contained angelica, cocklebur, and cinnabar—common anti-itch ingredients. They confronted Madam Zhang and asked to see her perfume satchel, which contained the same herbs.
Su Ci then presented her findings: the powder on Liang Feng’s clothes matched her satchel, and the blood's vivid red color was from contact with cinnabar. Su Ci deduced that Madam Zhang had entered the room after Liang Cheng left, found her father still alive, and delivered a second, fatal blow with a pixiu statue. Madam Zhang broke down and confessed.
She revealed her husband had been betrayed, a truth she discovered from a blood-written letter hidden inside an amulet he wore. The letter stated that his reinforcements, led by her brother Liang Cheng, never arrived, suggesting collusion with the enemy. Her suspicions were confirmed when she recently overheard her father and brother arguing.
Liang Cheng was demanding a promotion, and Liang Feng refused, fearing it would expose how they had conspired with Minister Lei Zheng and sacrificed General Zhang for their own gain. Horrified by her family’s betrayal, Madam Zhang sought her own justice. After pleading with Prince Qi to hold the conspirators accountable, she took her own life. Later, Pei Yanzhi arrived at the county office to find all the prisoners, including Liang Cheng, had been murdered.
He was consumed by self-reproach, believing that if he had uncovered the conspiracy sooner, he could have saved Madam Zhang. Su Ci comforted him, stating that he had simply fulfilled his duty to find the truth and that everyone is responsible for their own actions. Aware of the growing danger, she affirmed she was not afraid and wanted to protect him, just as he had always protected her.
Episode 22 Recap
With the investigation into the murders of Liang Feng and Liang Cheng reaching a dead end after key witnesses were eliminated, the capital city became rife with undercurrents, threatening to draw Su Ci into grave danger. Pei Yanzhi expressed his concern, but Su Ci, unwavering, declared she was not afraid and wished to protect him for a change.
Pei Yanzhi affirmed his resolve to uncover the mastermind, revealing his long-held suspicion that the disastrous Battle of Honggu was a conspiracy, a theory now all but confirmed. He was frustrated, however, that the last link, Liang Cheng, had been silenced. At this, Su Ci confessed her own secret investigation into the Bai Liang case, revealing that the letter of treason attributed to the clan leader was a forgery.
She apologized for not disclosing this sooner, acknowledging that everyone has a painful past, like the Battle of Honggu was for him. Pei Yanzhi, in turn, admitted he also should not have kept secrets, revealing that his true purpose for the trip was also to investigate the Bai Liang case, having suspected a connection when he saw the letters collected by Liang Feng.
Su Ci, confirming her certainty about the forged letter, reminded him of the fake calligraphy and the list of names they had found. Pei Yanzhi deduced that Liang Feng might be the forger. An attendant confirmed Liang Feng had been collecting imitation works by unknown scholars seven years ago, coinciding with the Bai Liang Clan's extermination, meaning the list contained the scholars' names.
Though Pei Yanzhi was eager to leave immediately, Su Ci persuaded him to rest, arguing that after seven years, one more day wouldn't matter. She then hesitantly asked if he truly believed in her and the innocence of the Bai Liang Clan. Pei Yanzhi, suspecting the findings were linked to the Bai Liang case and that the late emperor's sudden death was not simple, instructed Xiwen to have his guards investigate who executed the extermination order.
As Xiwen recounted the massacre, stating no survivors were found but that the clan leader's only daughter was missing from the body count, Su Ci overheard from outside. A vivid flashback of soldiers confirming "no survivors" and her own determination to remember her parents' killer's voice flooded her mind. She then recalled a past order from Pei Yanzhi to find the clan leader's daughter, misinterpreting it as an order to hunt her down.
Believing Pei Yanzhi was the true murderer of her clan, Su Ci, consumed by rage, burst in and seized a sword to attack him. Xiwen intervened to protect the stunned Pei Yanzhi. Failing to land a blow, Su Ci slapped Pei Yanzhi, declaring that they were now even, before storming out. Bewildered by Su Ci’s violent outburst, Pei Yanzhi agonized over why she would try to kill him.
Recalling her certainty about the forged letter and her consistent sadness whenever the massacre was mentioned, he had a sudden realization: Su Ci was the clan leader's daughter who had escaped. After searching for days, Pei Yanzhi and his companions located a distraught Su Ci in Qifu Town. As she tried to flee, Pei Yanzhi gently but firmly carried her to a room, demanding a chance to explain.
Su Ci retorted that their shared past was now a joke, as she was a Bai Liang and he, she believed, was her clan's murderer. She admitted her only purpose now was to prove her clan's innocence. Pei Yanzhi vehemently denied the accusation, explaining he had sent Xiwen to "save" her clan, but they had arrived too late.
Su Ci, however, clung to the memory of a voice from that day, convinced it belonged to Xiwen, the man who stood between her and her parents’ killer. Despite Pei Yanzhi's earnest explanations, Su Ci remained unconvinced, calling him a cunning and brutal man. Pained by the accusation, Pei Yanzhi challenged her logic, arguing that if he were truly the murderer, he would simply kill her to ensure the Bai Liang case remained buried forever.
Seeing her waver, he proposed a condition: that she allow him to join her investigation, stating it was the only way for him to clear his name. Su Ci reluctantly agreed. Later, at an inn, Su Ci presented a list of seven scholars Liang Feng had hired to create fake calligraphy, likely for Lei Zheng. Xie Beiming was shocked, as the Bai Liang case was considered long closed.
When Dong Rushuang questioned how Su Ci was so certain the letter was forged, Xie Beiming reminded them of Su Ci’s ability to discern document authenticity by subtle differences in paper. Su Ci confirmed this, adding that she had kept her identity and investigation a secret to protect them. They immediately reassured her of their loyalty. Meanwhile, Prince Yun learned that Su Ci's group had discovered Liang Feng's secrets.
Fearing they would expose the conspiracy, he ordered his subordinates to stop them at all costs, authorizing their elimination if necessary. Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang's search for the scholars on the list proved grim; most were either dead or had disappeared, leaving only one name: Li Mu. The group split into two teams: Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci would check official records, while Dong Rushuang and Xie Beiming would investigate Li Mu's contacts.
At the county office, Pei Yanzhi found Li Mu’s autopsy report, which stated he had died a month after the Bai Liang case in a house fire, with signs of long-term medication use suggesting he was too weak to escape. Simultaneously, Dong Rushuang and Fei Yuan, posing as street calligraphers, learned from villagers that Li Mu was a kind and helpful young man who often did strenuous labor—a stark contradiction to the official report.
They also learned his family's ancestral graveyard was built along a river, a location with poor fengshui. Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci returned to Li Mu’s ruined home, where Su Ci noticed the soil beneath a large, overturned rice jar showed no burn marks, suggesting it was upright during the fire. Beneath it, she found a hidden cellar. Su Ci descended into the cellar, followed by Pei Yanzhi. Overcome by the foul air, Pei Yanzhi collapsed.
Dong Rushuang, arriving with Fei Yuan, recognized the danger and urged Su Ci to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save his life. Su Ci immediately complied. After Pei Yanzhi recovered, they speculated someone had hidden in the cellar to escape the fire. Pei Yanzhi noted that since the body was charred, its identity was never truly confirmed. This led them to believe that Li Mu, or another family member, might still be alive.
Recalling the villagers' comments about the graves on riverside wasteland, Pei Yanzhi devised a plan: they would issue an official announcement to develop the wasteland for a water channel, requiring all graves to be relocated within seven days, hoping to force any survivor to reveal themselves. As they set their trap, Prince Yun’s subordinates grew anxious, noting that with Pei Yanzhi's guidance and Su Ci's skills, they were getting dangerously close to the truth.
Episode 23 Recap
Still grappling with her feelings for Pei Yan Zhi, Su Ci reconsidered her mistrust, recalling how he had risked his life for her and his dedication to the Bai Liang case. Early the next morning, she saw him preparing for a watch at the Li family graves and insisted on joining him. As they lay in wait, Pei Yan Zhi asked if she was worried about him. He then explained that they were in the middle of an elaborate trap.
The plan involved announcing a new water channel project that would require relocating the real Li family cemetery, which they hoped would compel the supposedly deceased Li Mu to appear if he was still alive. Meanwhile, this second, fake gravesite where they were hiding served as a lure for the mastermind's followers. He emphasized the need to see the deception through, as their actions had likely alerted their true enemy.
Just then, Prince Yun's men, who had been tailing them, appeared and realized they had fallen into an ambush. Pei Yan Zhi's forces emerged, eliminating most of the attackers, though one managed to escape and was pursued. Simultaneously, at the real Li family cemetery, Xie Beiming captured a group of workers who admitted they were paid to relocate the graves. One man confessed that a masked individual had offered him a tael of silver to arrange the job.
Su Ci, observing the scene, noticed rosin powder spread around the graves. She deduced that since strangers were hired, spreading rosin powder—a custom reserved for family members to guide ancestral spirits—was highly suspicious. This detail confirmed that the man they sought, Li Mu, was hiding among the workers. As they cornered Li Mu, assassins sent by Prince Yun arrived and fatally struck him with a hidden weapon.
Before dying, Li Mu recognized Su Ci as a member of the Bai Liang Clan and urged her to find the answers she sought "between the two graves." Pei Yan Zhi, in pursuit of Prince Yun's last subordinate, was severely injured when he shielded Su Ci from a powerful blow, causing him to cough up blood. Jiang Xiwen arrived just in time to dispatch the final attacker.
A worried Su Ci helped the injured Pei Yan Zhi to a nearby cave. Inside, as he removed his upper garment to tend to the wound, Su Ci saw a distinct bite mark on his arm. He recounted that he had received it while saving a little girl during a past military campaign. Recognizing the mark and the story, Su Ci was overwhelmed with guilt, realizing that Pei Yan Zhi was the one who had saved her as a child.
She apologized profusely for misjudging him and even contemplating revenge. While she gathered medicinal herbs, he reassured her, saying he only desired her complete trust and promised to stay by her side regardless of the outcome. He showed her other battle scars to prove his current injury was minor in comparison. Deeply moved, Su Ci tore a strip of her own clothing to bandage his wound and then kissed him, vowing never to leave him again.
Later, Su Ci reflected on her parents, whom she barely remembered—her father, tall and strict, and her mother, gentle with a beautiful smile. Pei Yan Zhi expressed his sorrow for all she had endured. Su Ci shared that after her clan’s destruction, she had wandered, enduring hardship until a senior nun adopted her. The nun taught her to survive by abandoning her feminine identity and trained her in investigation, eventually sending her to the Mingjing Office.
She sadly added that the nun had since passed away, leaving her with no living relatives, to which Pei Yan Zhi lovingly reminded her that she now had him. Soon after, Xie Beiming, Fei Yuan, and the others, who had been searching all night, finally found them. Relieved that Pei Yan Zhi was recovering, Fei Yuan rushed off to prepare a nourishing meal.
Su Ci then asked Xie Beiming to thoroughly investigate Li Mu's grave, certain they were on the right path. Both she and Pei Yan Zhi suspected their movements were being leaked, but couldn't identify a spy among their small group. Xie Beiming's search of the grave uncovered a hidden box containing Li Mu's confession. The letter revealed that Li Mu had a frail younger brother, Li Lin, whose ominous birth chart meant he had to live in seclusion.
To pay for his brother's treatment, Li Mu had agreed to forge a letter implicating the Bai Liang Clan. The letter detailed how Li Lin, knowing assassins were coming for his brother, had locked Li Mu in their secret room and sacrificed himself, allowing the attackers to kill and burn him in Li Mu's place.
Xie Beiming also found a second letter, this one in Lei Zheng's handwriting, which confirmed that Lei Zheng had instructed Li Mu to forge the treason letter by mimicking the handwriting of Bai Sheng, the Bai Liang Clan's leader. As Xie Beiming recounted how Lei Zheng had used Liang Feng to find Li Mu, and how Liang Feng later blackmailed Lei Zheng for his son's promotion, Su Ci grew visibly pale and distressed.
Xie Beiming was confused by her somber mood now that they had found such crucial evidence. Pei Yan Zhi held Su Ci's hand tightly as she revealed her true identity: she was Bai Sheng's daughter and the sole survivor of the Bai Liang Clan. She explained that while she had intended to keep it a secret until the case was solved, she had to tell them now, as their involvement had put them all in increasing peril.
Her friends expressed deep concern, understanding the dire consequences if the court discovered the identity of a "Bai Liang fugitive." Pei Yan Zhi quickly proposed a solution: Su Ci could hide at Feiyun Manor's remote inn in the vast, sparsely populated desert. Fei Yuan then wryly remarked that for a man used to an idle life, "chasing his wife across a thousand miles" seemed like a worthwhile endeavor for Pei Yan Zhi.
Episode 24 Recap
After Su Ci revealed that she was Bai Sheng's daughter and the sole survivor of the slaughtered Bai Liang Clan, she expressed concern that her dangerous identity would implicate her companions. Xie Beiming immediately suggested hiding her at Feiyun Manor’s inn in the desert, far from the capital. Dong Rushuang assured Su Ci that she regarded her as a sister and was not afraid of being implicated.
While grateful, Su Ci's identity remained sensitive, so Xiao Yanzhi emphasized the need for everyone to keep it a secret. Su Ci confirmed her purpose for joining the Mingjing Office was to investigate the Bai Liang case, and she had found the first piece of evidence to clear her clan's name.
However, Xiao Yanzhi explained that overturning the verdict was not yet possible because key witnesses like Lei Zheng, Liang Feng, and Li Mu were all dead, making the authenticity of the forged letter of treason vulnerable to doubt. Su Ci decided to examine the assassin's body for more clues. Upon inspection, Su Ci discovered a distinct burn mark on the assassin's body, a detail she had anticipated. Dong Rushuang recalled that Lei Zheng had the same mark.
With Xiwen having confirmed no one in Beirong bore such a mark, Xiao Yanzhi concluded it was a unique identifier for the mastermind. He connected it to incidents from Qingshui County to Princess Yunchuan's poisoning, realizing that individuals with this mark had consistently trailed them. Xiao Yanzhi deduced that only Prince Yun possessed the capability to train numerous suicide squads and command such loyalty. Hearing this, Xie Beiming feigned discomfort around the corpse and left, visibly distressed.
A flashback revealed his childhood memories of his adoptive father, Prince Yun, and the very assassin who was now dead, leading to the chilling realization that Prince Yun was his adoptive father. Later, Xiao Yanzhi discussed the suspicious leaks in their travel plans, suggesting an internal spy. He noted that only Fei Yuan, Dong Rushuang, and Xie Beiming knew their recent itinerary, and his suspicion fell on Xie Beiming's habit of sending detailed letters to his adoptive father via pigeon.
Meanwhile, a deeply troubled Xie Beiming confronted Prince Yun, demanding an explanation. Prince Yun dismissed the accusation of being unrighteous, claiming self-preservation in the ruthless imperial court. He falsely stated he had concealed his identity to protect Xie Beiming, a lie Xie Beiming refuted by mentioning Peng Yi, whom Prince Yun had sent to kill him. Prince Yun showed no remorse, stating Peng Yi failed to return alive due to his own incompetence.
When pressed, Prince Yun insisted Xie Beiming was different as his adopted son and was not being used. He then manipulated Xie Beiming by reminding him of his upbringing and mentioning Dong Rushuang, pressuring him to return to Xiao Yanzhi’s side and act as an informant. Deeply conflicted, Xie Beiming sought solace in alcohol, torn between his adoptive father's past kindness and the threat Prince Yun now posed to Dong Rushuang.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzhi retrieved the Bai Liang brocade from the palace—the garment believed to have poisoned the late emperor—and gave it to Dong Rushuang to investigate. He then took Su Ci to the Laundry Bureau, believing it was the most likely place where the garment was tampered with. There, they met Eunuch Liu, who had served the late emperor and believed there was more to his sudden death.
Eunuch Liu recounted that just before the emperor's poisoning, the head laundress, an expert at mending fabrics, died suddenly. Her body was later exhumed and burned, suggesting a deliberate destruction of evidence. Eunuch Liu also recalled that several palace maids were allegedly sent away for illness around the same time, but their departures were never officially recorded. Su Ci hypothesized they were poisoned, not ill. Dong Rushuang was confident she could determine the truth if they found the maids.
When a dejected, hungover Xie Beiming returned, Su Ci enlisted his help in the search. While he and Dong Rushuang set out, Xiao Yanzhi took Su Ci, disguised as a eunuch, to Hongwen Hall to consult the emperor's daily log for more clues. Dong Rushuang found Xie Beiming and insisted on helping him search, suggesting they check Jintai Temple, where some Buddhist nuns, possibly the former maids, had arrived years ago.
Inside Hongwen Hall, Su Ci found a log entry about a nine-year-old Xiao Yanzhi biting a eunuch after losing an archery contest. Xiao Yanzhi explained he had acted out of a deep longing for his mother—who died shortly after his birth—while watching the empress dote on the Crown Prince. He confessed his envy and loneliness, especially during New Year's. Su Ci empathized, sharing her own pain of missing her mother, who had saved her by hiding her in a well.
Moved, Xiao Yanzhi vowed to help her vindicate the Bai Liang Clan so they could build a future and a large family together, making up for all they had lost. With renewed hope, they embraced.
Episode 25 Recap
Following up on their lead, Dong Rushuang and Xie Beiming located the old palace maids at a temple. After examining their pulses, Dong Rushuang confirmed they were expelled not for illness, but because their palms had suddenly become red and swollen. Seven years later, many of their hands were severely deformed. Dong Rushuang deduced that while the maids' condition was chronic, the late emperor's sudden death suggested a catalytic agent must have accelerated the poison's effect.
Meanwhile, Xie Beiming was laughing uncontrollably, baffling Fei Yuan and Su Ci. Dong Rushuang revealed she had given him laughing medicine to cheer him up from his gloomy mood. His stomach aching from laughter, Xie Beiming begged for the antidote. Dong Rushuang agreed to provide it if he promised to remain cheerful, directing him to a white bottle on her desk.
Later, Dong Rushuang expressed her concern to Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi, noting that Xie Beiming had been avoiding her and seemed to have a secret. Pei Yanzhi advised her to give him space, and she resolved to patiently support him until he was ready to confide. Dong Rushuang concluded that the maids' poison resembled a rare chronic poison called Fei Yue, which is catalyzed by Bletilla, an herb used in blood-invigorating tonics.
However, when Pei Yanzhi provided the late emperor's prescriptions, Bletilla was not listed. Determined, Dong Rushuang went to a pharmacy, where she overheard a customer asking for "Magnolia Ginseng" and learned from the shopkeeper that it was an old name for Bletilla. Realizing this was the missing link, Su Ci questioned who had given the late emperor the tonic.
Pei Yanzhi informed her it was the Empress Dowager but, knowing of her deep affection for the late emperor, speculated that someone had exploited her to administer the poison. He offered to subtly question her. Pei Yanzhi approached the Empress Dowager, claiming to need a tonic for old battle injuries and asking about the one the late emperor took, which he recalled being very effective.
The Empress Dowager casually mentioned that Princess Consort Yun had put considerable effort into finding that tonic. Upon hearing this, an agitated Su Ci wanted to immediately report Prince Yun to the emperor, accusing him of ordering the fabric to be poisoned and using his consort to present the tonic, thereby killing the late emperor and framing the Bai Liang Clan. Pei Yanzhi cautioned her, explaining that Prince Yun wielded immense power.
He emphasized that inferences were not enough; they needed irrefutable evidence to expose the conspiracy and prevent him from preparing a counter-attack. Su Ci grieved for the late emperor, her parents, her clan, and the soldiers who died in vain, yearning for justice. Xie Beiming later bought Dong Rushuang numerous fabrics for her experiments, intending to use the leftovers to make her new clothes.
Su Ci immediately recognized one piece as Bai Liang brocade, a weave whose technique was never taught outside her clan. At the silk shop, the owner confirmed the fabric was sourced from the Xu family in Nanxun. Traveling to Nanxun, the group rested at a tea house and overheard locals discussing a plague, which they blamed on the Xu family for angering the Silkworm Empress.
They spoke of a recent celebration where the deity's statue mysteriously caught fire, followed by the discovery of a Xu family worker, He Da, dead in the silkworm house, his head wrapped in white cloth like a cocoon. The locals also recalled that the Xu family had prospered seven years prior after the first Lady Xu mastered a complex weaving technique, suggesting her subsequent death was divine "backlash."
Continuing their journey, Xie Beiming spotted a woman jumping into the river and rescued her. She was Xu Qingmei, the eldest daughter of the Xu family. She recounted that after the statue caught fire at the celebration her family hosted, a man named Sun Bo incited the townspeople to blame her father, Xu Mengchang, for the disaster and the plague. Sun Bo then offered to resolve the conflict if Xu Mengchang agreed to marry Xu Qingmei to him.
Disliking Xu Qingmei as she was his late wife's daughter, Xu Mengchang agreed. Feeling betrayed, Xu Qingmei had attempted suicide. Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi proceeded to the morgue to examine He Da's body. The coroner, believing in divine punishment, noted the head was wrapped like a cocoon with no other wounds. He confirmed the body was reported by Xu Mengchang and his wife. Observing the victim's purplish-blue face, Su Ci concluded the cause of death was suffocation.
Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang stayed behind to investigate the plague's source. Before visiting the Xu family, Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci went to a jade shop, where the owner mentioned the Xu family had cash flow problems and hadn't paid for an expensive Hetian jade pendant they ordered. Pei Yanzhi purchased the jade, telling Su Ci it was for the case. They then bought luxurious clothes, disguising themselves as wealthy merchants.
At the Xu mansion, they expressed interest in buying Xu Mengchang's properties. Eager to sell, he showed them his finest brocade. Su Ci confirmed it used the Bai Liang Clan's weaving technique. When Pei Yanzhi remarked on its similarity to Bai Liang brocade, Xu Mengchang grew nervous and denied it. Su Ci feigned an apology, her suspicions confirmed. Xu Mengchang explained that his deceased wife had mysteriously mastered the technique after half a month in seclusion, claiming not to know how.
Episode 26 Recap
Following the lead on the unique Bai Liang brocade, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi visit Xu Mengchang, the master of the Xu family. Su Ci questions him about the origin of his late wife's weaving technique. Xu Mengchang claims ignorance, stating only that his wife inexplicably acquired the skill after a half-month of seclusion, during which she met no one new. When Su Ci brings up the family's declining business, Xu Mengchang dismisses it as a minor issue.
Seeing an opportunity for a large business deal, he eagerly agrees to show them his silkworm house. Inside, Xu Mengchang boasts about their unique sericulture techniques. Su Ci examines a sericulture diary and asks about He Da, their most skilled worker, only to be told he has died. Su Ci feigns shock, lamenting the loss of an experienced artisan.
Xu Mengchang reassures them that his late wife trained other workers to produce high-quality silk, strong enough to hold eight copper coins. Realizing their lead has gone cold with the death of the technique's sole master, Pei Yanzhi suggests they leave. Su Ci confirms the brocade uses the Bai Liang technique.
With the clan wiped out, she believes the only remaining link is a palace maid from the Laundry Bureau who faked her death seven years ago, and they resolve to follow this new lead. Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang confronts Xie Beiming, who has been avoiding her. During an herb-gathering trip, she accuses him of having a change of heart and demands honesty. Fearing she is overthinking, Xie Beiming quickly denies her accusations and offers to carry her heavy basket.
Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi decide to investigate the Sun family, the Xu family's rival. At the Sun's silk shop, a worker boasts their silk is the best in town, able to hold five copper coins.
When Su Ci mentions the Xu family's silk has a better sheen, the worker scoffs, claiming their business is failing and that the ability to produce "eight-coin silk" died with the late Lady Xu and their skilled worker, He Da, who could only manage six. As the worker showcases their unique turquoise-dyed silk, an elderly woman arrives, frantically accusing Sun Bo of abducting her "lady." The worker dismisses her as a madwoman.
Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi follow the woman and learn she is looking for Xu Qingmei, assuring her that Xu Qingmei is safe with them. Later, returning to the Sun family's dyeing workshop, they find a panicked worker who announces that Sun Bo has been murdered, attributing it to the "curse of the Silkworm Empress." At the crime scene, Su Ci finds water stains on a table and eight scattered copper coins, a clear message referencing the legendary eight-coin silk.
She determines Sun Bo died of suffocation, though he appeared to have drowned, and his body was moved from the table to the floor. The worker can't recall any suspicious visitors besides the elderly woman and notes that Sun Bo's only real enemy was the Xu family. Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci visit the Xu family again and subtly reveal Sun Bo's death, describing how his head was wrapped like a silkworm cocoon with eight copper coins found nearby.
Xu Mengchang and his second wife, Xu Xiaoying, turn pale. Xu Xiaoying mutters fearfully that it must be retribution or a "ghost," as they had planned to marry Xu Qingmei to Sun Bo. An enraged Xu Mengchang throws them out. While Pei Yanzhi suspects Xu Mengchang's anger is a sign of guilt, Su Ci finds Xu Xiaoying's mention of a "ghost" more intriguing, as everyone else blames the curse.
They question Xu Qingmei's elderly caretaker, who reveals a dark secret: Xu Mengchang and Xu Xiaoying murdered Xu Qingmei's mother. The caretaker, taken in by the late Lady Xu ten years prior, explains that Xu Xiaoying was a maid rescued by her mistress but quickly became Xu Mengchang's concubine and poisoned the kind Lady Xu to become the main wife.
To expose the truth, Su Ci and Pei Yanzhi plan to exploit the couple's superstitious fears by having someone impersonate the late Lady Xu's ghost, whose portrait Su Ci has seen. Xie Beiming volunteers for the role and, with some makeup from Su Ci, looks surprisingly convincing. However, that night, before they can execute their plan, an unknown assailant attacks Xu Mengchang, wrapping his head in silk in the same manner as Sun Bo.
The terrifying event causes Xu Xiaoying to faint. Upon waking, she breaks down, begging the "ghost" of the first wife for forgiveness and confessing to her role in the poisoning. A terrified Xu Mengchang also confesses, admitting he resented his late wife's control and was convinced by Xu Xiaoying to murder her. It is also revealed that Xu Xiaoying took the copper coins from He Da's body to obscure any connection to the late Lady Xu.
Later, Su Ci learns that local silkworms are "four-moulters," but a "five-moulter" could produce the legendary eight-coin silk, a feat no one in Nanxun has achieved. Meanwhile, Xu Qingmei expresses her gratitude to her caretaker, who has looked after her for seven years—the same period since her mother supposedly received the "blessing from the Silkworm Empress" and the family's business boomed. The caretaker becomes distraught upon learning Xu Mengchang's will leaves everything to Xu Xiaoying's daughter.
Overcome with rage and guilt, she tries to tear up the will, but is told another copy exists at the government office. Xu Qingmei tries to console her, insisting that the caretaker's well-being is more important than any inheritance, but the elderly woman remains heartbroken, lamenting that she has failed her former mistress. As her grief crescendos, someone shouts, "Stop!"
Episode 27 Recap
Su Ci meticulously revealed the full extent of the Madam's deceptions, confronting her with a forged document. The Madam confessed to her deceit, admitting she intended to kill Xu Bingjie to ensure the family property returned to Qingmei's hands. Su Ci then exposed the Madam's involvement in Sun Bo's death, detailing how she had drugged Sun Bo before arriving at his shop.
Unable to struggle, he was suffocated by a white cloth that tightened around his face as water continuously dripped from drying fabrics above him, eventually causing him to fall into a pool and drown, which explained the drag marks on the table. The Madam justified Sun Bo's death, claiming he coveted Qingmei. Su Ci further accused the Madam of murdering Xu Mengchang and He Da.
The Madam admitted to killing Xu Mengchang, labelling him ungrateful for squandering Lady Xu's hard-earned wealth and treating her coldly. She explained that placing eight copper coins by Sun Bo's body was a warning to Xu Mengchang and his wife. As for He Da, the Madam revealed that his death occurred a day earlier than believed, on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, not the tenth.
She had replaced the silkworms in the Xu house with five-sleep-cycle silkworms, causing the third sleep cycle, which He Da recorded, to occur a day earlier, creating a false alibi for herself. She also sealed the room and used charcoal to raise the temperature, obscuring the time of death. The Madam then confessed to tampering with the Silkworm Empress statue, wrapping white phosphorus in wax pellets and placing them beneath it.
The summer heat caused the wax to melt, igniting the phosphorus and burning the statue, leading people to believe it was a curse. She explained she killed He Da because he was ungrateful, planning to take the silk-making skills Lady Xu taught him to the Sun family. Su Ci pressed the Madam about her arrival date, noting that she claimed it was ten years ago, but everyone remembered Lady Xu producing a rare brocade seven years ago.
Cornered, the Madam confessed her true identity: she was the palace maid from the Laundry Bureau who poisoned the Bai Liang brocade seven years prior, faking her death to escape. Lady Xu had saved her from being hunted, and she had hidden in the Xu family ever since. She revealed that He Da had discovered her secret, necessitating his death.
Overhearing Su Ci and others discussing the Laundry Bureau maid, the Madam chose to proactively eliminate problems for Qingmei, both to repay Lady Xu's kindness and to protect her own identity. Finally, the Madam admitted that Prince Yun had ordered her to put poison in the laundry water. Overwhelmed with guilt, she consumed poison and died, imploring Su Ci to take care of Qingmei.
Despite the confession, Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci acknowledged the lack of a living witness to directly implicate Prince Yun. Su Ci vowed to stand by Pei Yanzhi to bring justice to the Bai Liang clan and all innocent victims. Meanwhile, Fei Yuan noticed Xie Beiming's recent coldness towards Dong Rushuang and offered him unusual advice from a folk book: the best way to make a woman dislike you is to openly show affection for another woman.
Following this, Xie Beiming went to Vermilion Bird Street and deliberately got drunk at a brothel. Dong Rushuang, concerned, found him and took him back, only to discover traces of lipstick and rouge on his clothes, infuriating her. She immediately dragged Su Ci to a rouge shop. There, they witnessed Xiwen, also known as Brother Jiang, violently assaulting a man named Tian Yong, who had been harassing Xiwen's sister-in-law, Song Yao.
Pei Yanzhi arrived, defusing the situation and praising Song Yao for her self-sufficiency, while also gently scolding Xiwen for his impulsiveness. While at the shop, Dong Rushuang questioned Song Yao about who had recently bought "cherry red" lipstick. Song Yao confirmed Xie Beiming had bought that specific color for his "sweetheart," even explicitly mentioning his name. Overhearing this, Dong Rushuang stormed out in a rage.
Later, Xie Beiming appeared, holding a woman named Wenwen's hand, and cruelly broke up with Dong Rushuang in front of Su Ci. He asserted that he and Wenwen were in love and that he would soon buy her freedom and marry her. He disparaged Dong Rushuang, claiming Wenwen was prettier, gentler, and more talented, questioning what Dong Rushuang knew besides medicinal herbs.
He further declared that his family's Feiyun Manor could not accept a "village tomboy" and his adoptive father would never agree. Dong Rushuang retorted by calling Wenwen a prostitute, but Xie Beiming defended Wenwen, saying she was pure and lived by her artistic skills. Heartbroken, Dong Rushuang poured out her pain to Su Ci.
Su Ci urged her to think logically, suggesting that a man who loved her at first sight and was willing to die for her would not suddenly fall for someone else. She pointed out the strangeness of him telling the shopkeeper his name and bringing his new love to confront his old one, speculating that he was pretending and encouraging Dong Rushuang to seek the truth herself.
Pei Yanzhi, aware of the turmoil, believed Xie Beiming was hiding a deep difficulty. He found a perpetually drunk Xie Beiming and offered his help, but Xie remained tight-lipped. Pei then revealed he knew Xie Beiming was Prince Yun's adopted son. Shocked, Xie admitted the truth, expressing regret that his negligence had inadvertently led to their whereabouts being exposed. Pei reassured him that he was merely used and not to blame.
Xie grappled with his loyalty to Prince Yun, who had given him everything, versus his understanding of right and wrong. Pei countered that continued loyalty to someone who disregarded lives for selfish reasons was a distortion of truth, questioning why Xie would be drowning his sorrows if Prince Yun truly cared for him.
Episode 28 Recap
Deeply conflicted by the fact that Prince Yun, his adoptive father, was seemingly involved in wrongful acts, Xie Beiming found himself in a dilemma. He expressed his loyalty, but Pei Yanzhi challenged him, questioning whether Prince Yun's actions were truly righteous. Pei Yanzhi argued that if Prince Yun persecuted the loyal for his own selfish desires, then Xie Beiming's continued loyalty would be a distortion of truth.
He pressed Xie Beiming, asking if he truly wished to see his adoptive father fall into an abyss, suggesting that it would be far better if Xie Beiming could find a way to stop him and guide him back to the right path. Pei Yanzhi also assured him that by doing so, Xie Beiming would no longer need to push Dong Rushuang away in an attempt to protect her. Convinced, Xie Beiming sought Pei Yanzhi's guidance on how to proceed.
Meanwhile, Dong Rushuang, disguised as a man, confronted Wen Wen. She showed Wen Wen a bottle of powder, threatening to ruin her face if she didn't reveal the truth. Wen Wen, terrified, confessed that Xie Beiming had paid her to pretend to be romantically involved with him, hoping that Dong Rushuang would leave him. She also mentioned that Xie Beiming had promised to redeem her from her current situation once their act was complete.
Dong Rushuang then warned Wen Wen that from that day forward, she was forbidden from having any contact with Xie Beiming, though she assured her that Xie Beiming would still be made to pay the promised money for her redemption. As she left, Dong Rushuang revealed the "poison" was merely a harmless, skin-beautifying powder, tossing it to Wen Wen as a gift. Xie Beiming later sought out Prince Yun to deliver a report.
He informed his adoptive father that Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci had traveled to Nanxun Town. There, they had discovered the individual responsible for poisoning the Bai Liang brocade, which uncovered Prince Yun himself as the mastermind behind the poisoning of the late emperor. Enraged by this news, Prince Yun declared that Pei Yanzhi, by trying to bring him down, had forced his hand.
He vowed to take decisive action against Pei Yanzhi and ordered Xie Beiming to return and report any suspicious movements made by Pei Yanzhi. Li Yu then suggested killing the witness, but Prince Yun dismissed the idea, stating that Pei Yanzhi simply wanted to reopen the old poisoning case.
Prince Yun asserted that it was time to reclaim what rightfully belonged to him, confidently adding that Pei Yanzhi was too naive to realize that Prince Yun possessed a "crucial weapon"—an influential individual within the court whom he had protected for years, and who now owed him a favor. Pei Yanzhi tried to persuade Xie Beiming that Dong Rushuang was more resilient than he perceived, using Su Ci's strength and past as an example.
However, Xie Beiming insisted Dong Rushuang was different. Pei Yanzhi countered that Dong Rushuang, as a young woman navigating the jianghu alone, must have faced many dangers yet remained candid and independent, advising Xie Beiming not to make decisions for her. Later, Dong Rushuang intercepted Xie Beiming, who tried to avoid her. She demanded to know why he broke up with her. Xie Beiming falsely claimed he had fallen for someone else and was even close to marrying Wen Wen.
Dong Rushuang, undeterred, boldly applied lip rouge to her lips and then kissed Xie Beiming, declaring that she had "stamped" him as hers. She warned him that the lip rouge contained a "poison" that would prevent the color from fading without her antidote, daring him to go flirt with other women if he wasn't embarrassed, as she would always get rid of them. The Emperor summoned Pei Yanzhi to the palace, as the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching.
Prince Yun proposed that Pei Yanzhi take charge of organizing the grand birthday banquet. Pei Yanzhi attempted to decline, citing his preference for a relaxed lifestyle, but Prince Yun insisted, reminding him that the Empress Dowager regarded him as her own son and wouldn't find fault with him. The Emperor also urged Pei Yanzhi to accept, leading him to respectfully agree.
Upon returning to his mansion, Pei Yanzhi prepared for the coming conflict by taking out his sword and changing into combat attire. He then informed Jiang Xiwen that Prince Yun had begun to make his move, and they would use the banquet as an opportunity to turn the tables on him. Sometime later, Xie Beiming, with a veil covering his mouth, pleaded with Dong Rushuang for the antidote to her "poisonous" lip rouge.
She playfully told him to remove the veil, saying he looked good with the rouge. He insisted that men don't wear lip rouge and again asked for the antidote. Dong Rushuang then applied more lip rouge to her lips and offered her lips to him, claiming they held the antidote and that he needed to kiss her. After his initial hesitation, Xie Beiming said he wanted it, and they leaned in for a kiss.
She then reaffirmed that he was only allowed to like her, and no one else. Nervously, Xie Beiming abruptly got up, put his veil back on, and quickly left. Su Ci paid a visit to Song Yao at her store. During their conversation, Su Ci noticed a mark on Song Yao's neck. Song Yao dismissed it as a minor allergy from scratching.
Su Ci then informed her that the Mingjing Office had received a report of a body discovered in the capital suburb, identifying the victim as Tian Yong. Meanwhile, Prince Yun oversaw the preparations for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, including checking on the production of elaborate fireworks like "Peony Beauty" and "Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness." He then assigned Jiang Xiwen and Commander Fu Ziyou to oversee the security arrangements for the banquet.
Jiang Xiwen seemed to have something to say but hesitated, only stating that Prince Yun seemed to be shouldering too many burdens. Prince Yun noticed his unspoken thoughts. Later, as Jiang Xiwen returned from the Prince's mansion, Luo Xin from the Mingjing Office intercepted him. Luo Xin stated that Jiang Xiwen was linked to Tian Yong's murder in the suburb, presenting Jiang Xiwen's jade pendant found on the victim as evidence. Jiang Xiwen vehemently denied killing anyone.
Despite the public attention and whispers about Prince Qi's man being arrested, Jiang Xiwen agreed to accompany Luo Xin to the Mingjing Office for investigation, trusting that the truth would be uncovered. Upon learning of Jiang Xiwen's arrest, Pei Yanzhi rushed to the Mingjing Office, demanding to see him. Officer Liu, however, explained that strict regulations prohibited anyone from seeing a suspect before their conviction.
Furthermore, Officer Liu clarified that if Pei Yanzhi were to intervene at this stage, it would only make Jiang Xiwen appear guilty, as it would be perceived as Prince Qi using his influence to protect a subordinate. Reluctantly, Pei Yanzhi had to accept, asking Officer Liu to look after Jiang Xiwen during his detention before leaving. In prison, Li Yu appeared before Jiang Xiwen.
She implied knowledge of his deceased younger brother and tried to persuade him to betray Prince Qi, referring to him as a "big fish" they had unexpectedly caught. Jiang Xiwen questioned her meaning and any connection to Tian Yong's death. Li Yu offered him allegiance to her Lord, promising he would not regret it.
When Jiang Xiwen refused, Li Yu gave him one night to reconsider, threatening to send both him and Song Yao to reunite with his dead brother if he declined. Jiang Xiwen, in alarm, pleaded with her not to harm Song Yao. He realized Li Yu's easy access to the prison indicated an insider within the Mingjing Office. Recognizing that the situation was dire for Prince Qi, he resolved not to become a pawn in their scheme to harm his Prince.
He then reflected on Pei Yanzhi's encouraging words from the Honggu battle. Pei Yanzhi confided in Su Ci, expressing his worry and guilt over Jiang Xiwen's case, as he felt helpless despite knowing Jiang Xiwen's innocence. Su Ci decided to visit Jiang Xiwen herself. She then approached Officer Liu, the Lead Officer, requesting to investigate Jiang Xiwen's case, citing ambiguities in the suspect's testimony and questionable motives.
Luo Xin, who was present, immediately accused Su Ci of favoring Prince Qi's confidant to gain favor with Prince Qi. Su Ci defended herself, stating they were simply trying to solve the case. Luo Xin then presented the complete case file, including the confession, challenging Su Ci to find any procedural irregularities, and warning her against intervention if she found none.
Officer Liu advised Su Ci that Luo Xin was ambitious and confronting him directly would cause problems, adding that Su Ci should also avoid suspicion due to her closeness with Prince Qi. He suggested she carefully review the file, and if any issues were found, he would instruct Luo Xin to reinvestigate. Su Ci agreed and requested permission to visit Jiang Xiwen in prison to question him personally, which Officer Liu granted. She then proceeded to the prison to meet Jiang Xiwen.
Episode 29 Recap
Fei Yuan was distraught upon discovering Jiang Xiwen dead in his prison cell, having cut his wrist with a broken porcelain piece. He tearfully reported this to Prince Yun, expressing anger towards Officer Liu, the lead officer, who maintained that Jiang Xiwen, having assassinated Tian Yong, committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Prince Yun, infuriated by Jiang Xiwen's death in the Mingjing Office, questioned Officer Liu extensively about the Tian Yong case.
Officer Liu claimed there was ample evidence, citing Tian Yong's previous harassment of Song Yao as the motive, leading Jiang Xiwen to kill him accidentally on impulse. However, Officer Liu could not produce the murder weapon and admitted that while Jiang Xiwen's jade pendant was found on Tian Yong, its presence there had not been investigated.
Prince Yun condemned the Mingjing Office for its incompetence, declaring that his subordinates would only die honorably on the battlefield, not inexplicably in a prison cell. He vowed to investigate the case thoroughly and punish any misfeasance. Pei Yanzhi was overcome with grief upon seeing Jiang Xiwen's military uniform. He recalled Jiang Xiwen as his brother-in-arms, who had protected him during the Battle of Honggu when they were surrounded by enemies, fighting together through life and death.
He lamented that despite surviving the war, Jiang Xiwen met such an end. Su Ci, seeing Pei Yanzhi's sorrow, was also heartbroken and felt regret for not discovering the truth sooner. She swore to investigate the case thoroughly, ensuring Jiang Xiwen's death would not be in vain. Su Ci then suggested to Pei Yanzhi that Jiang Xiwen might have confessed to protect Song Yao.
Song Yao, whom Su Ci suspected Jiang Xiwen was protecting, came before Prince Yun, pleading for justice for Jiang Xiwen. She tearfully admitted that Jiang Xiwen's predicament was her fault because he was protecting her. She recounted an incident where Tian Yong had harassed her in her shop. Jiang Xiwen intervened, severely beating Tian Yong. Song Yao tried to stop him, fearing he would kill Tian Yong, and expressed concern that Jiang Xiwen would ruin his future for her.
Jiang Xiwen, however, insisted on beating Tian Yong to death and revealed his desire to marry Song Yao openly, believing Prince Yun would understand their relationship despite societal views. Song Yao concluded that Jiang Xiwen must have confessed to protect her reputation. However, the truth was that Tian Yong had run away after taking Jiang Xiwen's jade pendant, and Jiang Xiwen had not killed him; Prince Yun and Li Yu were manipulating events behind the scenes.
Prince Yun ordered Liu Yu to escort Song Yao away to rest. Pei Yanzhi, finding Jiang Xiwen holding his military medallion, understood it as a cryptic message: recalling a conversation with a captured spy, he realized Jiang Xiwen was trying to alert him that someone intended to harm him. This solidified Pei Yanzhi's resolve to find the truth and bring justice for Jiang Xiwen.
Su Ci and Dong Rushuang re-examined Tian Yong's body, noting a mixture of pink and gold powder on his face and in his fingernails. They identified it as a unique type of rouge made by Song Yao, which contained fine gold powder and was exclusive to the capital. They concluded that the killer's martial arts skills must be formidable, given the clean single strike that killed Tian Yong.
They also determined that the initial location mentioned in the case file was not the true crime scene. Questioning Tian Yong's wife, they learned that he had recently been in financial straits and had repeatedly spoken of valuable items hidden in a warehouse he had repaired in the eastern suburb, specifically under Qing Shan. The group, including Su Ci, Pei Yanzhi, Dong Rushuang, and Xie Beiming, visited the warehouse in the eastern suburb.
Inside, they found a pot of flour, which Su Ci realized matched the powder found on Tian Yong, confirming his presence there before his death. They found it peculiar that such a heavily renovated warehouse, for which Tian Yong was paid handsomely, would only contain flour. They observed marks on the floor indicating two storage jars had been recently moved.
Dong Rushuang discovered a large number of dead bugs and collected them, theorizing they died from contact with something in the removed jars. Pei Yanzhi pointed out the warehouse's unusual construction: two layers of lime with a layer of dry sand in between on the walls, and another layer of lime under the floor, indicating exceptional damp-proofing, and the door was sturdier than a normal one.
This suggested the warehouse was no ordinary storage facility, explaining Tian Yong's belief it contained valuables. Pei Yanzhi decided to investigate the owner of the warehouse. Dong Rushuang, tirelessly researching the bugs, confirmed they contained a potent and lethal poison, fatal in even small amounts.
The Mingjing Office delivered copies of granary deeds, revealing the warehouse belonged to Sha Du, a notorious figure in illegal businesses who had been killed due to the relief fund scandal, though the true mastermind remained at large. It became clear that the warehouse was used for storing large quantities of poison for black market dealings, indicating a massive conspiracy. Xie Beiming immediately alerted everyone in Feiyun Manor to search for any clues regarding the poison's whereabouts.
During her research, Dong Rushuang, perhaps inadvertently, tasted some of the poison, confirming its toxicity. She identified one of its components as "Red Widow," a rare and poisonous scorpion from the Western Regions. The poison, she explained, was a rare and deadly concoction called Udumbara, derived from a poisonous Western Regions flower, enhanced with Red Widow scorpion tails and gallstones from a male goat.
She noted that initial symptoms resembled a cough, with a distinct red line appearing on the wrist after five days. Despite no recorded antidote, Dong Rushuang vowed to dedicate herself to developing one. Prince Yun furiously confronted Xie Beiming, angered by his ignorance regarding Su Ci's identity as a Bai Liang Clan remnant, and accused him of conspiring with Pei Yanzhi. Xie Beiming denied the accusation, vowing loyalty to Prince Yun, his foster father.
Prince Yun, emphasizing Xie Beiming's importance as his godson, warned him against betrayal and tasked him with a significant undertaking at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet in three days, promising a grand surprise for Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci. Su Ci received an invitation to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, a long-cherished dream. She yearned to attend, hoping to expose Prince Yun's true nature before the Emperor and all officials and unveil the truth of past events.
Pei Yanzhi, concerned about unforeseen dangers, was hesitant for her to go but ultimately promised to stand by her, no matter her decision. Su Ci expressed sadness that Tian Yong's killer remained at large and Jiang Xiwen's name unclarified, but Pei Yanzhi reassured her that justice would soon prevail.
When Su Ci asked what Pei Yanzhi would want to do once all these tribulations were over, he declared he would always be by her side, following her wherever she went and supporting her in whatever she did. Su Ci playfully replied that she would do nothing, to which Pei Yanzhi revealed his own important plan: to ask the Emperor to grant them a marriage.
Episode 30 Recap
As the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet drew near, Prince Qi arrived at the palace to oversee the arrangements. He inspected the "Auspicious" fireworks, a creation of over a dozen craftsmen who had tirelessly worked for nearly two months, causing some of them to fall ill. Prince Qi expressed his concern for their exhaustion and promised handsome rewards after the banquet, entrusting Zhang with their care.
Prince Qi also inquired about the banquet's food preparations, and Fei Yuan assured him that the food and utensils had been thoroughly checked. Prince Qi then asked Fei Yuan to reconfirm everything with the Imperial Household Bureau, and Fei Yuan pledged to protect Prince Qi, just as Brother Jiang would have. Meanwhile, Su Ci reported to the Lead officer about a dangerous poison.
She explained that the poison was highly lethal, even in small amounts, and its current whereabouts were unknown, raising anxieties with the impending banquet. The Lead officer instructed Su Ci to investigate immediately but warned her to keep the matter confidential to prevent public panic, as the situation was still unconfirmed. Su Ci noticed a sulfur scent on the Lead officer and expressed concern for his health, but he dismissed it as medicine for scabies due to recent fatigue.
During a review of the banquet program, the Empress Dowager expressed concern about the duration of the fireworks display, particularly the final "Auspicious" firework, which comprised 600 shots and was specially crafted for her. The Emperor, however, insisted on proceeding with the full display for the national celebration. The Empress Dowager then emphasized the importance of stringent security, given the large number of officials, their families, and craftsmen who would be entering and exiting the palace.
Prince Qi assured her that he and Commander Fu had meticulously organized security measures, including strict inspections throughout the palace and the entire city, guaranteeing absolute safety. Meanwhile, the Lead officer summoned Su Ci early in the morning, revealing that villagers in Zhushui Village, located outside the capital, had been poisoned by their drinking water, suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties since the previous night.
The Lead officer considered the possibility that this poisoning was connected to the previously stolen lethal poison and Tian Yong's murder, suggesting a potential plot to cause chaos on the day of the Empress Dowager's banquet. He pointed out that the river in Zhushui Village flowed directly into the capital, making it the primary water source for its residents.
Although it was too early to confirm a link to the stolen poison, the Lead officer dispatched Su Ci to investigate the village with only a few men, dressed in plain clothes, to avoid disturbing the banquet. He also warned her to prioritize her safety and, given the precarious situation in the capital, to trust no one easily. Su Ci, in turn, advised the Lead officer to take care of his own health, given his demanding work.
Su Ci, Xie Beiming, and Dong Rushuang journeyed towards Zhushui Village. During a brief rest stop halfway through their journey, Xie Beiming sensed they were being followed from the forest. Upon reaching the village, they collected river water samples, which Dong Rushuang quickly analyzed, confirming the presence of thunder duke vine, not Udumbara poison. The village chief then approached them, expressing surprise at their swift arrival, as he had only just reported the poisoning that morning.
Su Ci found this unusual, given how quickly they had appeared after the chief's report. Their investigation took a critical turn when a coughing craftsman was brought forward. Dong Rushuang's examination revealed that he was poisoned with Udumbara, an affliction traceable to at least five days prior, indicated by a red line on his pulse. This was perplexing, as Udumbara had been missing from the capital.
The craftsman, a member of the Directorate for the Palace Buildings, confessed he had been working on the Empress Dowager's "Auspicious" fireworks, and his condition had worsened recently while finishing the grand firework. Su Ci immediately realized they had fallen into a trap, deliberately lured away from the capital.
She surmised that the missing poison might be mixed with the fireworks, an idea that horrified Dong Rushuang, who confirmed that such a mixture would be devastating and lethal to anyone in the palace. The craftsman chillingly stated that his "father" had prepared a huge surprise for those in the palace, revealing his complicity. With the city gate closing in half an hour, Su Ci understood the urgency of returning to the capital to avert disaster.
On their frantic journey back to the capital, Prince Yun's men ambushed Su Ci's group. Xie Beiming bravely confronted them, urging Su Ci to go ahead while he and Dong Rushuang created a diversion. Su Ci raced against time, arriving at the city gate just as darkness fell, only to find the fireworks display had already begun. She managed to gain entry with Prince Qi's invitation, hoping to halt the "Auspicious" firework before it was launched.
Inside the palace, amidst the beauty of the "Gorgeous Peony" fireworks, Prince Yun fabricated an urgent family matter, claiming his wife's health had worsened, and requested to leave early. The Emperor granted his departure, escorted by Officer Liu, while Prince Qi looked on with suspicion. Meanwhile, Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang managed to reach the capital.
Fearing for his life, Xie Beiming bid a heartfelt farewell to Dong Rushuang, instructing her to return home and stay safe, as he might not survive the night. Despite his pleas, Dong Rushuang secretly followed him, unwilling to abandon him. Su Ci quickly found Fei Yuan, who was making final checks on the fireworks. Su Ci urgently revealed that the fireworks contained poison, prompting Fei Yuan to rush off to inform Prince Qi.
As Prince Qi, having already decided to personally re-check security due to the nearing end of the show, arrived at the fireworks launch site, Su Ci had already confronted the disguised craftsmen—who were revealed to be Prince Yun's suicide squads. In a desperate attempt to prevent the "Auspicious" firework from igniting, Su Ci bravely intervened but was struck on the head by an iron canister and fell unconscious.
Meanwhile, Prince Yun, observing from a distance, grew impatient when the fireworks unexpectedly ceased. He confided in his subordinate, Li Yu, that the "Auspicious" was merely one component of his grand scheme, and his true objective was to seize the throne that very night. He then instructed Li Yu to ensure that any captured suicide squads from the banquet were silenced if they fell into Prince Qi's hands.
Subsequently, Prince Yun approached Xie Beiming, falsely claiming Prince Qi was plotting rebellion, and commanded Xie Beiming to join him in a coup to arrest the Emperor. Xie Beiming, feigning compliance, agreed. Back in the palace, Commander Fu quickly reported the presence of assassins at the fireworks display to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, advising everyone to immediately move to the main hall for safety.
The news caused a stir among the attendees, including the Lead officer, who appeared visibly uneasy. Prince Qi, with Fei Yuan's help, quickly moved the unconscious Su Ci to a safe room, entrusting her care to others before returning to report the poisoned fireworks to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager immediately rebuked Prince Qi for his oversight.
It was at this moment that Prince Yun, having prematurely departed, dramatically re-entered the main hall, expressing his concern about the assassins. Learning about the poison, he seized the opportunity to accuse Prince Qi, suggesting that since Prince Qi had managed the banquet, he should be recused from the investigation. Prince Yun then formally requested the Empress Dowager to hand the case over to the Mingjing Office, led by Officer Liu Xuan, implying Prince Qi might cover up the truth.
The Empress Dowager agreed, ordering Prince Qi to remain confined within the palace until the truth was uncovered. Prince Qi, accepting his confinement, agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation. The Lead officer, Liu Xuan, then escorted Prince Qi away for questioning. Shortly after, a report came in that the captured craftsmen, who were supposed to be questioned, had been found dead in their prison cells, poisoned—an apparent attempt to silence them.
Back in her room, Su Ci regained consciousness and was immediately informed by Fei Yuan that while the fireworks were stopped and everyone was safe, Prince Qi was now implicated and confined within the palace.
Episode 31 Recap
Su Ci, though physically weak, insisted on going to the main hall to help Prince Qi, who was being accused of conspiracy by Prince Yun. Her companions tried to stop her, but she was determined not to stand by while he was being framed. Inside the hall, Officer Liu, the Lead Officer of Mingjing Office, presented his findings to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
He described how the fireworks for the banquet contained a highly potent poison called Udumbara, capable of harming the lungs and causing widespread death if released. He then attempted to link Prince Qi to the poison by recalling that Prince Qi's confidant, Jiang Xiwen, was suspected of killing a craftsman named Tian Yong, who had been repairing a warehouse storing this very Udumbara poison. Officer Liu suggested that Jiang Xiwen's subsequent suicide was a desperate attempt to silence him.
He further implicated Prince Qi by stating that the warehouse's owner, Sha Du, was also murdered, and Prince Qi was present at the crime scene. Officer Liu concluded that Prince Qi was the mastermind behind the fireworks incident. The Empress Dowager expressed outrage, deeming it an act of rebellion. Just then, Su Ci arrived, boldly declaring that Prince Qi was not the mastermind. She identified herself as Su Ci from the Mingjing Office and accused Officer Liu instead.
She explained that she had found several craftsmen from the Production Bureau who had also been poisoned by Udumbara while making the final firework. Su Ci suspected someone intentionally orchestrated a major conspiracy and that Officer Liu had deliberately sent her away to Zhushui Village on a fabricated water pollution incident.
She revealed that the poisoning in Zhushui Village was actually caused by the non-fatal thunder duke vine, not Udumbara, proving Officer Liu had known the truth before officially reporting it. She then asked Officer Liu to show his right wrist, explaining that Udumbara poisoning leaves a distinctive red line there after five days.
Officer Liu initially feigned an ailment, attributing a sulfur smell on him to medicine for scabies, but Su Ci countered that the smell was likely from him mixing the poisonous powder in the Production Bureau. A eunuch then confirmed the presence of the red line on Officer Liu's wrist. Cornered, Officer Liu, whose real name was Bai Jing, confessed to being the culprit.
He admitted to being a member of the Bai Liang Clan, fostered since childhood, which allowed him to escape the annihilation of his entire clan. He expressed his deep hatred for the current regime, whom he believed treated human lives as mere trifles and had unjustly exterminated his clan based on a flimsy accusation of rebellion and the murder of the late emperor.
In a sudden move, he drew his sword, feigning to take Su Ci hostage while actually attempting to strike the Emperor. He whispered to Su Ci, addressing her as "Yian," to "beware of Prince Yun." Prince Yun then seized the opportunity, exposing Su Ci as Bai Yian, the long-lost daughter of the Bai Liang clan leader, and accusing Prince Qi of harboring her and helping her become an official.
He claimed they had meticulously planned the fireworks rebellion together and demanded their immediate execution. Prince Qi, however, requested to prove his innocence. He revealed that the "dead" craftsmen from the prison were actually fakes, and the real ones had been secretly held by the Emperor as part of a joint plan to lure out the true mastermind.
The Emperor confirmed this, explaining they had discovered the missing poison beforehand, taken precautions with the fireworks' ignition, and secretly positioned guards to catch the culprit. As the situation unraveled, Prince Yun panicked and tried to shift the blame back to Prince Qi. He claimed Prince Qi had kidnapped his maid. However, Prince Qi brought forward three craftsmen who identified Prince Yun's maid as the one who had attempted to poison them in prison.
Su Ci then took the stand, confirming her identity as Bai Yian and reiterating her personal mission to uncover the truth behind the Bai Liang clan's destruction and the late emperor's death. She revealed that Prince Yun had sent a "suicide squad" to put poison into the washing water used for the Bai Liang brocades in the Laundry Bureau. Dong Rushuang presented a confession letter from a surviving member of that squad, detailing Prince Yun's actions.
Su Ci further exposed that the original "conspiracy letter" that condemned the Bai Liang clan was fake, forged by Lei Zheng, Prince Yun's subordinate, who had employed a skilled student named Li Mu to imitate the handwriting. Su Ci then revealed the true cause of the late emperor's death. The poison placed on the Bai Liang brocades was chronic, causing gradual weakening.
However, Prince Yun, aware that the Empress Dowager was seeking tonic for the late emperor, mixed a powerful "catalyst" into the tonic she provided. When the late emperor consumed this fortified tonic, the catalyst triggered the poison's full effect, leading to his sudden demise. The Empress Dowager was devastated, blaming herself for inadvertently contributing to the late emperor's death. Prince Yun, still defiant, continued to accuse Prince Qi and Su Ci of framing him.
Prince Qi then brought forth evidence of Prince Yun's greater treachery: his collusion with foreign enemies during the Battle of Honggu. Prince Qi revealed that Prince Yun had commanded the former Minister of War, Liang Feng, to cut down vital bridges, preventing reinforcements and leading to the tragic deaths of General Zhang Yuhua and thousands of Liang Dynasty soldiers who were trapped in Honggu.
Prince Qi produced a blood letter from General Zhang as proof, vowing to seek justice for the fallen. Suddenly, shouts and chaos erupted from outside the main hall. Prince Yun, unable to contain his ambition, brazenly declared that his army had surrounded the palace. He then publicly strangled a dissenting minister, ordering everyone to submit to him as he proclaimed his intent to seize the throne and rewrite history.
He confessed to assassinating the late emperor seven years prior but admitted that he had always feared Prince Qi because the late emperor had entrusted him with military authority. He further accused the current Emperor of being disobedient and admitted to using disaster relief funds to build his private army because he believed he, not the Emperor, was the true future of the Liang Dynasty. Just then, Xie Beiming unexpectedly arrived with his troops, much to Dong Rushuang's surprise.
Episode 32 (Ending) Recap
Prince Yun arrived in the main hall, expecting Xie Beiming to assist him in his grand scheme. However, Prince Qi, also known as Pei Yanzhi, along with Fu Ziyou, revealed that they had been waiting for this moment, for Prince Yun to bring the evidence of his rebellion directly to them. This was all part of their carefully laid trap to "catch a turtle in a jar."
Prince Yun's rebel army had indeed reached the West Gate, but upon rushing into the palace, they were quickly captured by Fu Ziyou's forces. Pei Yanzhi then gave the command to retreat to the Xuanmen Gate, close it, and fire, fully securing the trap. Prince Yun, astonished, demanded to know how his plan had been discovered. Pei Yanzhi explained that he had suspected Prince Yun's intentions the moment he was assigned to manage the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
They had played along with Prince Yun's plan, waiting for him to become complacent, believing his victory was certain, for that was their moment to strike. Xie Beiming, addressing Prince Yun as "Adoptive Father," urged him to surrender, revealing that Prince Qi had promised to spare his life. Furious at this betrayal from the child he trusted most, Prince Yun refused. He recklessly drew his sword, fiercely targeting the Emperor.
Fu Ziyou blocked Prince Yun, and just as he was about to kill Prince Yun, Xie Beiming suddenly rushed forward, intercepting Fu Ziyou's sword to protect his adoptive father, fulfilling his filial duty, and falling gravely wounded. Prince Yun was stunned and put down his sword, still obsessing over his imperial throne. Dong Rushuang, beside herself with grief, pleaded with Xie Beiming not to die, reminding him of his promise to stay by her side forever.
Later, in the imperial court, the Emperor, addressing Pei Yanzhi, acknowledged the recent events and his concern about the Bai Liang Clan case, feeling it had been handled too hastily. He expressed his wish to clear their name to face his late father. Pei Yanzhi seconded this, urging the Emperor to make a public announcement.
The Emperor playfully suggested that Pei Yanzhi's concern was primarily for Su Ci, and proposed promoting her to the vacant position of Lead Officer of the Mingjing Office. Pei Yanzhi, however, argued that Su Ci was too young and inexperienced to command respect, and instead recommended Luo Xin, praising his strong case-solving abilities and upright character. The Emperor teased Pei Yanzhi, questioning if he was being fair or acting out of private motives.
Pei Yanzhi humorously admitted that after being alone for so long, it was time for him to consider his own marriage. Recognizing the immense contributions of both Pei Yanzhi and Su Ci in saving the country, the Emperor, ever fair in his rewards, decreed their marriage. At Pei Mansion, Dong Rushuang diligently cared for the comatose Xie Beiming, even making him porridge. She pressed Pei Yanzhi for answers about Xie Beiming's involvement with the rebellious Prince Yun.
Pei Yanzhi revealed that Prince Yun was Xie Beiming's adoptive father, and Xie Beiming, unaware of Prince Yun's true nature, had unknowingly relayed their whereabouts via carrier pigeons. Dong Rushuang recalled Xie Beiming's cryptic words about doing something wrong, realizing he had a pure heart and didn't comprehend the full truth until they were hunted by assassins during the Li Mu case investigation in Qifu Town.
She remembered his evasiveness and strange questions about forgiveness if he were to betray her. She chastised him for bearing such a heavy burden alone without confiding in her. Pei Yanzhi further explained that after Xie Beiming discovered Prince Yun's manipulation, he confronted his adoptive father, who then threatened Dong Rushuang's life. To protect her, Xie Beiming chose to endure the pain in silence.
Pei Yanzhi admitted that he and Xie Beiming had a long talk after returning from Nanxun Town, where they secretly planned to turn Prince Yun's scheme against him, leading him to believe the fireworks display was his best chance for rebellion. Pei Yanzhi conceded that without Xie Beiming's help, the outcome of the battle would have been uncertain.
Though he never regretted meeting Xie Beiming or blamed him, he was surprised by Xie Beiming's difficult choice between loyalty and filial piety. Dong Rushuang tearfully told Xie Beiming that they all forgave him and urged him to wake up, playfully threatening to sprinkle poison on him if he didn't.
Meanwhile, Luo Xin reported the thorough findings of the Bai Liang Clan case to Pei Yanzhi, who confirmed the truth aligned with his own understanding and instructed Luo Xin to report everything to the Emperor. Soon after, the Emperor issued a decree in the main hall, publicly declaring that the Bai Liang Clan had been framed by Prince Yun for the murder of the late emperor, thus clearing their name.
Su Ci, standing before the spirit tablets of her parents, felt a profound sense of relief. She was no longer the descendant of a criminal clan but could proudly proclaim her Bai Liang heritage, having finally cleared their name. Dong Rushuang continued her tireless efforts to revive Xie Beiming, consulting medical books and trying various methods like acupuncture, massage, and medicinal fumigation. In a humorous attempt, she even tried applying makeup, resulting in a comical, clown-like face.
It was then that Xie Beiming finally stirred and awoke. Upon seeing Dong Rushuang's painted face, he playfully teased her, reminding her that he had once saved a "clown-faced" girl. Dong Rushuang, surprised by his awakening, tried to explain her appearance. Later, everyone gathered for a joyous celebration, their first proper reunion since the fireworks case.
Fei Yuan proposed a toast, excitedly celebrating Xie Beiming's safe recovery, though he mistakenly called it a "revival from death" before Su Ci corrected him to "narrow escape from death." He then highlighted Su Ci's growing fame in the capital, noting that her case-solving exploits were now being spun into stories by local storytellers. Su Ci, confirming her awareness, even recited a passage about Prince Qi being slandered and a clear voice proclaiming his innocence.
Pei Yanzhi acknowledged her rising popularity, remarking that she was a young heroine who deserved such praise. The friends drank merrily, pledging not to stop until they were drunk. Later that evening, by the lake, Su Ci was mesmerized by the beautiful night scenery. Pei Yanzhi approached her, presenting a gift box containing a pair of handcuffs. He reflected on how these handcuffs had brought them together, and they shared a knowing smile.
He then prepared another surprise, asking Su Ci to close her eyes as he counted to three. Fei Yuan, having received Pei Yanzhi's signal, lit up custom-made fireworks that resembled red beans. Su Ci opened her eyes to the breathtaking display, learning they were named "Longing for You" (Xiangsi), a repayment for her earlier gift of a handkerchief.
Pei Yanzhi then gently took Su Ci's hand, reminding her of the three conditions she had promised to fulfill for him, with only one remaining. Su Ci, recalling her vow, asked what he desired. Pei Yanzhi revealed his final wish: for her to become his wife, Princess Consort Qi of the Great Liang dynasty. When Su Ci hesitantly called him "Brother Pei," he playfully insisted she address him as "husband."
Overcome with emotion, Su Ci confessed that seven years ago, he had saved her, becoming her sole source of faith in difficult times and giving her the courage to live. She never imagined they would meet again, let alone stand side by side. Now, for the first time, she felt a true reliance in the world, and that person was him.
Addressing him by his given name, Yan Zhi, she affirmed her willingness to be his wife and spend eternity with him. Pei Yanzhi then leaned in and kissed her, remarking that some things require a man to take the initiative. Fei Yuan, witnessing the intimate moment, comically commented on the grown-ups' lack of shyness. Simultaneously, Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang shared a tender kiss.
One year later, Pei Yanzhi was seen teaching a class on forensic tools, demonstrating the use of a magnifier to observe intricate details of wounds left by different daggers or hands. In the middle of his lesson, he playfully lifted Su Ci, who protested that she was still teaching. He declared his possessiveness, asserting that she was his, and carried her out amidst the amusement of the students.
Upon arriving home, Fei Yuan greeted them as "Young Master" and "Sister Su," but Pei Yanzhi immediately corrected him, insisting on "Your Highness" and "Princess Consort." As they enjoyed a lavish meal prepared by Fei Yuan, a letter from Xie Beiming detailed a strange occurrence in Beishui Town where Dong Rushuang had treated an old lady's ears.
Afterward, the old lady and even Xie Beiming and Dong Rushuang themselves heard mysterious sounds of knocking walls, despite no one living next door. Suspecting foul play, Fei Yuan eagerly suggested they investigate the new case together, just like old times. Pei Yanzhi agreed, instructing Fei Yuan to pack their luggage, signaling their readiness for another adventure.
