Maiden Holmes Episode 16 Recap
> Maiden Holmes 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.
