Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Episode 13 Recap
> Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Recap
After Wen Yue left, claiming it was to motivate Zhao Buyou, his sister Zhao Ban noticed his sadness. She visited Wen Yue at the umbrella shop, expressing concern that their family felt incomplete without her. Wen Yue maintained that her departure was to spur Zhao Buyou to ambition, citing his lack of promotion at the Office of Justice and unreliable attempts at a litigation booth.
Ban offered to help support the family, mentioning that Zhao Mo was getting carpentry work and she had found her own path. When Wen Yue asked what she meant, Ban revealed her intention to become a coroner, explaining that her strength made her unsuited for being a physician but well-suited for working with bodies.
Despite acknowledging the unconventional nature and potential criticism for a woman, Ban stated her determination, emphasizing how difficult it is to find something one loves and is good at. Wen Yue fully supported her decision, promising to stand up for her against any criticism, although she warned it might make marriage difficult. Ban declared she wouldn't marry if her choice of profession was an issue, preferring to stay with Wen Yue forever, which Wen Yue gently dismissed.
Ban then promised to monitor Zhao Buyou's progress as requested by Wen Yue before she left. Meanwhile, Gu Zhen reviewed the details of Xiao Yishui's murder, noting the fatal wound was a thin, deep cut from an unknown weapon. He suspected the attacker was the orderer who had arranged to meet Xiao Yishui. Aware of informants within the Kaifeng Court, Gu Zhen decided to have Zhao Buyou investigate the case secretly, requesting updates on his progress.
Zhao Buyou readily accepted, hoping to help Wen Yue and prove his capabilities. He explained that he hadn't involved the Kaifeng Court earlier because he distrusted the power structures at play, comparing the situation to "deities fighting" and civilians being better off staying out of it, a lesson his father had once taught him after he was beaten for watching such a play. However, Buyou concluded that even a "petty man" should dare to look up and investigate.
Gu Zhen acknowledged Buyou's courage and trust, agreeing to his secret investigation plan. Song Qiyu, having recommended Zhao Mo for carpentry work, received a delivery of wood from Mo at the Taoyuan Welfare Center. Zhao Mo thanked him for the opportunity. Song Qiyu mentioned needing to prepare for the upcoming imperial exam, explaining his aspiration to become an official who could truly help the common people.
Inspired, Zhao Mo expressed his own desire to join the officialdom, specifically the Office of Justice, to advocate for people like Sun Bo. To help Zhao Mo in his pursuit, Song Qiyu brought him to the Nanshan Tea House, where the esteemed Seven Scholars of Dongshui were holding a lecture. As they arrived, they passed Kong Er, an examinee, though the interaction's rudeness wasn't explicitly detailed. Song Qiyu introduced Zhao Mo to the mentors.
Zhang Mei, one of the scholars, recognized Zhao Mo's name from his role in figuring out the trick in the Mei's Boat case and offered to introduce him to the Kaifeng Judge, praising the judge's character. Zhao Mo politely declined, stating his interest was in joining the Office of Justice to handle cases for the public. Zhang Mei then suggested he study law at the Academy, offering it as an alternative path if his foundational studies were lacking.
Zheng Min, another scholar, warmly welcomed Zhao Mo to attend their lectures. Zhao Mo invited Song Qiyu to dinner at his home that evening, and Song Qiyu happily accepted, surprised and pleased to have made a friend. Later, Zhao Ban and Yao He encountered Mrs. Xie, whose eyes were swollen, suggesting she had been crying, though she claimed she hadn't slept well. Ban tried to comfort her, but Mrs. Xie quickly left.
That evening, Song Qiyu joined the Zhao family and others for dinner. Zhao Mo seized the opportunity to announce his intention to participate in the imperial exam and join the Office of Justice, believing that stricter laws and more diligent officials were needed to prevent tragedies and help victims. Song Qiyu supported his ambition, suggesting he would excel at case review and envisioning them working together as influential officials. While others celebrated, Zhao Buyou appeared less enthusiastic.
Having worked at the Office of Justice for over a decade, he knew its complexities and worried that Zhao Mo's straightforward personality was ill-suited for such a place. Perplexed by the unique wound on Xiao Yishui, Zhao Buyou sought information from butchers. He questioned Uncle Zhu, and the butcher's daughter, Xi, told him about the exceptionally sharp knives used at the Jixiantang Bookshop for cutting tabloids, mentioning their thin and sharp nature. Zhao Buyou immediately decided to investigate the bookshop.
Coincidentally, a neighbor showed Wen Yue a tabloid from the same bookshop. Upon smelling it, Wen Yue recognized the scent as identical to the note from the orderer and rushed to the Jixiantang Bookshop. Wen Yue and Zhao Buyou arrived at the bookshop simultaneously and were surprised to see each other. While examining the shop and its special ink fragrance, Wen Yue spotted a suspicious figure whom she recognized as the killer. She immediately gave chase.
The person fled, climbing over a wall, with Wen Yue in close pursuit and Zhao Buyou following. The chase led them to a shop of mules and horses, where the killer disappeared. Wen Yue caught sight of Song Qiyu in the distance. Zhao Buyou then arrived, and after confirming the killer got away, Wen Yue, feeling she had hindered the pursuit, left with Zhao Buyou. Later, Zhao Mo visited Song Qiyu at the Taoyuan Welfare Center.
He saw a poetry collection and learned that Song Qiyu's pen name was "The Unsilenceable," inspired by a quote about speaking up for justice rather than remaining silent. Song Qiyu explained he hoped to publish his work but lacked funds, which he hoped to gain after passing the exam. Zhao Mo offered his help. Song Qiyu then shared that he was moving to Mrs. Xie's house, conveniently located near Zhao Mo's, to focus on exam preparation.
Neighbors, including Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Lan, helped him move. Mrs. Lan cautioned Song Qiyu about the legend of the "ghost examiner" who supposedly targets wicked scholars before exams. Other neighbors added dramatic details about the ghost's appearance. Song Qiyu dismissed the stories as baseless rumors, stating that even if such a ghost existed, he would not be a target as he was upright, though he humorously added he would run if necessary.
Wen Yue visited Song Qiyu to ask about his presence at the shop of mules and horses, but Song Qiyu denied being there, claiming he was home preparing for his move. Zhao Buyou arrived shortly after. Wen Yue did not press Song Qiyu further and left with Buyou. On the day of the imperial exam, Zhao Mo brought Song Qiyu a "Top-Scholar Cake" for good luck, finding Jian Zhuang and Zhang Mei already present.
The mentors expressed their concern for Song Qiyu, who appeared stressed and quiet, asking Zhao Mo to comfort him. Jian Zhuang mentioned hiring a donkey cart for Song Qiyu's journey to the exam site and reminded him of his teachings. Zhao Mo gave Song Qiyu a piece of the cake to take with him, offering encouragement. That evening, as Wen Yue was closing her umbrella shop, Zhao Buyou arrived with dinner.
Wen Yue suddenly saw the killer hiding on the rooftop. Before Zhao Buyou could fully react, the attacker leaped down and lunged at Wen Yue with a knife. Wen Yue dodged, but the attacker slashed her arm. Seeing patrolling Kaifeng Court officers nearby, Zhao Buyou quickly called for help, causing the assailant to flee. Zhao Buyou bandaged Wen Yue's wound.
Knowing the attacker would likely return and not wanting to endanger Zhao Buyou further, Wen Yue deliberately spoke harshly, calling him useless and annoying, to drive him away. Zhao Buyou, understanding her true intent to protect him, acknowledged her victory in hurting his feelings and left. The next morning, Zhao Buyou returned to the umbrella shop before it opened, quietly leaving a box of food outside the door. He then hid and waited until Wen Yue opened the shop and retrieved the food before silently departing.
