Resumo do episódio 8 de Faithful
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Seven years later, Shen Mu, now a formidable officer from the Imperial Guard Bureau in the capital, leads a covert operation. He and his vice-head, Kong Xin, await the full loading of smuggled goods onto a cargo ship before launching their attack. Wu Lian, the Supervisor of the Yanyu Tower, and Zhao Yin, the Supervisor of the Minzhou Foreign Trade Bureau, are caught red-handed smuggling royal tribute.
Wu Lian, initially unaware of Shen Mu's identity, demands to know who dares to rob his ship. Shen Mu announces the charges and that both are to be sent to the capital for investigation, then reveals himself when challenged. Confused and surprised by this unexpected ambush, Wu Lian and Zhao Yin attempt to flee.
As Wu Lian tries to escape, Shen Mu corners him with a blade at his throat, ordering him to return to the capital and confess his crimes. At this moment, Liu Xin appears and recognizes Shen Mu from their past. He tries to persuade Shen Mu to spare Wu Lian's life, but Shen Mu, misunderstanding Liu Xin's intentions, believes he has become an accomplice of Wu Lian and turns the blade on him.
Liu Xin insists he is not Wu Lian's "lackey" and harbors a deep hatred for him. Wu Lian, in a desperate attempt to create a diversion, offers Liu Sanniang to their captors. Liu Xin, once more urging Shen Mu not to harm Wu Lian, jumps into the water, advising him not to act rashly. Shen Mu then knocks Wu Lian unconscious. Meanwhile, Zhao Yin is also apprehended by Shen Mu's men.
After some time, Liu Xin returns to the ship, struggling with his last bit of strength, bringing Meng Wan. She boards and directly confronts Shen Mu, reminding him of his past vow to abandon politics for the military, noting his current position in officialdom. Meng Wan acknowledges her role as an "intercessor" for Wu Lian, clarifying that Liu Xin was acting under her instructions to ensure Wu Lian’s safety, despite Shen Mu's initial misunderstanding.
She impresses Shen Mu by deducing his affiliation with the Imperial Guard Bureau through subtle clues, specifically the characteristics of his sword and his history with the Tiger Head Army. Meng Wan reveals her own investigation into Wu Lian's illicit activities, having learned from maritime merchants about royal tribute appearing on overseas markets. She concludes that Wu Lian has sustained his extravagant lifestyle through smuggling and profiteering, detailing his conspiracy with Zhao Yin.
Meng Wan questions Shen Mu's true motivation for pursuing Wu Lian so relentlessly for seven years, asking if it's merely for disloyalty to the state or also for justice for Rulan and other women Wu Lian had wronged. Shen Mu confirms his strong dedication to seeking justice for them.
With their shared goal established—to see Wu Lian punished not just for smuggling, but for the women he harmed—Meng Wan asks Shen Mu to anchor the ship for three days, promising that if her plan fails, Wu Lian will be his to deal with as he pleases. When Shen Mu raises concerns about neglecting his duty, Meng Wan assures him that since he boarded secretly and hasn't revealed his identity, no one else knows.
She then suggests that if he has time, he could "chat" with Zhao Yin. Meanwhile, Zhao Yin, in a state of panic, attempts to bribe Shen Mu, offering him an official position and proposing they form a partnership to make vast fortunes together. Wu Lian calmly advises Zhao Yin to prioritize their lives over pride and to find a way to escape.
Wu Lian then instructs Zhao Yin to bite through his ropes with his teeth and then untie Wu Lian. As they succeed in freeing themselves, Shen Mu catches them. He sternly warns Wu Lian that any further escape attempts will result in his fingers being cut off, preventing him from ever holding an embroidery needle again. Shen Mu then confronts Zhao Yin, hinting at "disgraceful secrets" beyond smuggling.
He falsely informs Zhao Yin that Wu Lian has confessed everything, claiming he merely sold embroidery to Zhao Yin without knowing its illicit destination, thus pinning all blame on Zhao Yin. Zhao Yin is outraged, recalling Wu Lian's earlier declarations of innocence, and vehemently denies Wu Lian's supposed accusation that he "defiled many young women" from the Yanyu Tower. Shen Mu, observing the discord he has sown, tells Zhao Yin they can clarify the truth in the capital.
News of Wu Lian's capture quickly reaches Prefect Chen Zhien. A servant reports that Wu Lian was ambushed by villains at the wharf and is now trapped on a cargo ship with Zhao Yin, a high-ranking official's son from the capital. Chen Zhien immediately informs Mrs. Ning, who is furious that Wu Lian dared to engage in smuggling under her watch. She orders Chen Zhien to keep the matter quiet and prioritize rescuing them.
The next day, Chen Zhien leads his men to the wharf, attempting to intimidate the unidentified "bandits" on the ship with threats of capital punishment, offering leniency if they surrender. When his words are met with silence, his subordinate suggests negotiations, which also prove fruitless. They then consider using bamboo poles to reach the ship, but realize it would take too long. Chen Zhien, frustrated and facing continuous pressure from Mrs. Ning, decides on a theatrical "ruse of self-injury."
He orders his archers to fire, knowing the distance is too great for the arrows to reach the ship, a spectacle Shen Mu and Kong Xin observe with amusement, likening it to "exercising." With arrows running out, Chen Zhien dramatically stabs himself with an arrow, claiming he was shot by the "bandits," and quickly retreats to the Yamen, instructing his men to report to Mrs. Ning that he is gravely injured.
At Ning Mansion, Mrs. Ning is restless, anxious about the situation. She is informed that her maid, Wenyue, who was supposedly visiting family, has not returned, and her home is found empty. Mrs. Ning also tries to summon Meng Wan for advice, but she is also unavailable, having left her residence earlier. Later, while complaining about a headache and ordering a maid to stop lighting incense, Mrs. Ning's suspicion is aroused.
She discovers the peculiar incense in Wenyue's room, linking it to her recent feelings of confusion, and begins to suspect Wenyue of being behind her troubles. Meanwhile, Meng Wan is seen hanging lanterns. She explains that the lanterns, soft on the outside but strong on the inside, symbolize women, and it is observed that she is, in fact, "weaving a net" for Wu Lian.
Soon, news of Wu Lian's arrest by capital officers spreads through the city, though the local Yamen remains silent. Meng Wan reflects that solving a case requires courage, wisdom, and power, qualities previously lacking but now "arriving today." She watches an approaching carriage and identifies the passenger as the person she alluded to – an "old acquaintance" who has come to return a favor, referring to Shen Mu.
