Resumo do episódio 2 de The Four
> Resumos de The Four
The capital was in turmoil following the brutal murders of several high-ranking officials. Members of the Shenhou Mansion investigated the crime scenes, noting the lack of external wounds on the victims and piecing together that the attacks occurred simultaneously with the Four Famous Constables' confrontations against the Four Murderers. The Four Murderers—Yan Zhao, Tu Wan, Tang Chou, and Zhao Hao—were notorious criminals whom the Shenhou Mansion's chief had apprehended two decades prior, imprisoning them in the Tianshan dungeon.
The consensus was that someone of extraordinary ability must have released them to create a diversion, allowing the true mastermind to commit the murders. The Shenhou Mansion agents, including female detective Ji Yaohua, were frustrated by the lack of clues and the sophisticated methods of the culprit. As the Shenhou Mansion continued its investigation, its agents, led by Ji Yaohua, arrived at the Six Doors headquarters, intending to interrogate the Four Murderers.
However, they were met with resistance from Six Doors constables and their commander, Han Long. Han Long arrogantly refused their entry, forcing Ji Yaohua to present an imperial token, a direct order from the Emperor to grant Shenhou Mansion full authority in investigating the assassinations. Han Long, though disgruntled, had no choice but to comply. Despite the Shenhou Mansion's efforts, the Four Murderers were gone.
That night, a mysterious red smoke filled their cells in the Six Doors dungeon, causing the guards to perish. Ji Yaohua discovered the empty cells, realizing that the Four Murderers had escaped. It was later revealed that Yu Chun Tong, a constable from Six Doors, had orchestrated their escape. He brought the Four Murderers to the true mastermind, a prince named An Shigeng, who had a grand plan to seize the Ming Dynasty.
An Shigeng tested their loyalty by offering a dagger for them to fight to the death, but the siblings chose to die together. Impressed by their camaraderie, An Shigeng spared them but then revealed that their tea was laced with a "Corpse Soul Pill," ensuring their obedience as only he possessed the antidote.
He then tasked Yu Chun Tong with a new mission: to find a "Wolf Clan Prince" who was believed to still be alive and residing in the capital. Back at Shenhou Mansion, the Four Famous Constables discussed the escalating chaos in the capital and the elusive mastermind. Just as they were about to pursue new leads in the Shangshu murder case, Eunuch Zhang arrived with an urgent imperial decree.
To their dismay, the Emperor ordered them to abandon their current investigation and immediately track down a group of showgirls who had escaped from Huzhou, fearing severe punishment if they failed. Among the escaped showgirls was Chu Yingxue, who did not wish to become a royal concubine. Her father had tricked her into drinking drugged tea, causing her to faint so he could hand her over to imperial officers. She later escaped with another girl, He Xiaoyu.
Fleeing through the night, Chu Yingxue eventually sought refuge at her cousin's house, a poor scholar. While there, she mysteriously discovered she could hear his thoughts, realizing his initial kindness was a facade. He was planning to betray her to the authorities for a fifty-tael reward to escape his poverty and shame. Heartbroken by his betrayal, Chu Yingxue fled his house. Despondent, Chu Yingxue wandered to a cliff, contemplating suicide.
She soon decided against it, vowing to live, but was startled by the sudden appearance of Leng Xue, one of the Four Famous Constables. Startled, she accidentally fell into a deep pit. Leng Xue held onto her, interrogating her about her identity. After confirming she was the runaway showgirl Chu Yingxue, he reluctantly pulled her out, reminding her that he was merely fulfilling his duty. She tried to appeal to his humanity, even resorting to insults, but he remained unyielding.
Later, as they continued their journey, Chu Yingxue pretended to have lost a jade pendant—which she falsely claimed was an imperial token—in another animal trap. Leng Xue, believing her, jumped into the pit to retrieve it. Seizing the opportunity, Chu Yingxue attempted to activate the trap to ensnare him, but Leng Xue's three companions—Zhui Ming, Wu Qing, and Tie Shou—arrived in time to subdue her. Chu Yingxue was then bound and forced to follow Leng Xue's horse toward the capital.
Her captors, seeing her suffering, persuaded Leng Xue to purchase a pig cart to transport her more humanely. Upon reaching the capital, they lodged at an inn. Chu Yingxue, still defiant, threw a tantrum and threatened to hang herself in her room. The other constables, moved by her desperation, rushed in and saved her. They debated her fate, with Zhui Ming, Wu Qing, and Tie Shou arguing for compassion and initially suggesting sending her to a brothel.
Chu Yingxue refused to become a courtesan, and after further discussion, Leng Xue, initially steadfast in his duty, eventually relented. The Four Famous Constables decided to arrange for her to live safely in the Shenhou Mansion as a maid, keeping her identity a secret and allowing her to avoid execution. Recognizing her plight, he allowed her to shed her past identity. In that moment, Chu Yingxue, remembering her mother's words, chose a new name for herself: Chu Limo. Leng Xue sternly warned her to remain discreet and live under her new name.
