Maiden Holmes Episode 7 Recap
> Maiden Holmes 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.
