Maiden Holmes Episode 28 Recap
> Maiden Holmes 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.
