Maiden Holmes Episode 1 Recap
> Maiden Holmes 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.
