Maiden Holmes Episode 19 Recap
> Maiden Holmes 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.
