Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Episode 26 (Ending) Recap
> Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Recap
Zhao Buyou, along with Zhao Li impersonating the Emperor, intended to lure Zou Mian onto their small boat. Zou Mian, being cunning and suspicious, delayed boarding. As Zhao Li scratched an intense itch on his back, a movement Zou Mian recognized as a gesture unique to the Emperor, he was struck with fear.
Believing he was in the Emperor's presence, Zou Mian begged for forgiveness and eagerly agreed to get on the boat to plead his case, allowing Zhao Buyou to capture him with ease. Upon arriving at the business center, Gu Zhen and Wan Fu saw Zou Mian bound on the stage. Wang Fuyin recognized邹勉and approached him.
Zou Mian loudly proclaimed his innocence, claiming he was transporting the rare stone for the imperial court when he was hijacked and then falsely accused of corruption. Wang Fuyin initially seemed inclined to take the matter to Kaifeng Court for trial, stating Zhao Buyou needed to provide evidence. However, the gathered crowd protested, demanding a public trial at the business center. Zhao Buyou announced he had a witness and requested to question him there, which Wang Fuyin granted.
Soon after, officers from the Imperial Guard Department arrived, intending to take Zou Mian away. Gu Zhen and Wan Fu immediately moved to block them, declaring that Kaifeng Court was in session at the business center and no unauthorized personnel were allowed entry. Zhao Buyou questioned the witness, Zheng Dun, who confessed his guilt.
Zheng Dun stated he had worked for the邹family for nearly a decade, secretly finding substitute scholars for Zou Mian's family members and ensuring their silence afterward by killing them, though he claimed Zou Mian was the one who ordered the killings, not himself. He pointed out Zou Mian on the stage. Zou Mian reacted vehemently, questioning Zheng Dun's credibility and threatening him.
Terrified, Zheng Dun suddenly recanted his testimony, claiming that "they" (implying Zhao Buyou and his group) had forced him to lie and frame the Zou family, and that Zou Mian was not involved. This sudden reversal caused a stir among the onlookers. Despite the witness's recantation, which led Wang Fuyin to consider ending the impromptu trial and taking Zou Mian to Kaifeng Court, Zhao Buyou insisted he had physical evidence.
While Gu Zhen and Wan Fu desperately fought off the encroaching Imperial Guard officers to buy time, Zhao Buyou presented a gown. He identified it as the one Zou Ziyin, Zou Mian's daughter, was wearing the last time she met her father, adding pointedly that she likely did not expect that meeting to be her last. Zou Mian vehemently denied the gown belonged to his daughter and maintained that she had died of an illness in prison.
Zhao Buyou then requested the Kaifeng Court coroner publicly announce the true cause of Zou Ziyin's death. Coroner Yao He stepped forward and revealed that Zou Ziyin and her husband Luan Hui had actually died from poisoning, and that their supposed death by illness was merely a cover-up.
Zhao Buyou then produced a small coin-like token engraved with the words "Longevity and Good Health," explaining that Zou Mian had given this token to his daughter, who wore it even as she died by his hand. Zhao Buyou accused Zou Mian of being worse than a beast, someone who didn't deserve to be a father, for killing his own child.
Zou Mian, however, defended his actions, claiming he had convinced Ziyin to commit suicide for justice, portraying it as upholding righteousness and eliminating threats for the Emperor. While the public trial continued, Wan Fu found himself surrounded and overwhelmed by the Imperial Guard officers, but Gu Zhen rushed to his aid, expressing his belief that his purpose was to protect Wan Fu, just as Wan Fu felt his purpose was to protect him.
They fought fiercely to keep the Imperial Guard at bay. Wen Yue, Zhao Ban, and Zhao Mo arrived near the stage and saw the commotion. Wen Yue worried for Zhao Buyou. Zhao Buyou, standing on the stage, declared he was acting as a litigator and explained his personal connection to the victims, mentioning Su Zhi as his wife Wen Yue's father, Dong Qian as the father of his adopted siblings, and Li Yan as his sworn brother's elder brother.
He then formally accused Zou Mian of seven specific crimes: first, covering up the truth and disregarding human life on behalf of Su Zhi's family; second, threatening officials and manipulating the righteous on behalf of Dong Qian's family; third, defying the imperial court and acting recklessly on behalf of Li Yan's family; fourth, pretending to be a ghost and monopolizing land prices on behalf of Sun Bo; fifth, cheating in the imperial examination and hiring assassins on behalf of Song Qiyu; sixth, exchanging power for sexual favors and harming women on behalf of Su and Xie Laoba; and finally, faking auspicious signs, deceiving the public, and flattering the imperial court on behalf of all the people.
Zhao Buyou demanded Zou Mian admit to these crimes. Zou Mian scoffed, calling Zhao Buyou a "lowly worm" and dismissing the victims as contemptible "ants" who deserved their fates for opposing him. He asserted that with the rare stone now delivered, the Emperor's protection was upon him. He displayed an imperial sleeve (symbolizing imperial favor) and commanded the crowd to kneel as if in the Emperor's presence, but many refused.
With Gu Zhen and Wan Fu cornered and outnumbered by the Imperial Guard, Zhao Li stepped forward from the crowd. He confronted Zou Mian, reminding him that the people are the true strength and foundation, even the Emperor fears the heavens, and the heavens are the Emperor's people. He argued that the Great Song was built by countless individual families, and the victims Zou Mian scorned were living human beings.
He questioned who would be next under Zou Mian's tyranny and how the realm could be peaceful if families were unsafe. The crowd loudly supported Zhao Li, shouting accusations at Zou Mian. Seizing the moment, Zhao Buyou addressed the crowd, formally requesting they serve as witnesses in a case he was bringing against Zou Mian in this temporary public court of Kaifeng Court, noting that Zou Mian had already effectively confessed by justifying the victims' deaths.
The people unanimously and enthusiastically agreed. Seeing the overwhelming public support, Wang Fuyin formally accepted the case. Wang Fuyin warned Zhao Buyou of the grave consequences, even a death penalty, for falsely accusing a court official. Zhao Buyou affirmed he understood the risk and accepted full responsibility for the proceedings. Wang Fuyin then ordered that Zou Mian be arrested according to the law and taken into custody at Kaifeng Court.
The crowd erupted in cheers and celebration, spreading the news excitedly while Zou Mian stood frozen in shock. Wen Yue, Zhao Ban, and Zhao Mo made their way towards Zhao Buyou. As Zhao Buyou came down from the stage, he saw Gu Zhen and Wan Fu, bloodied and injured. Wang Yunshang arrived and told Gu Zhen that everything she had done was for him. Gu Zhen reached out to Wang Yunshang, then helped a weary Wan Fu walk away.
As the Zhao family headed home, neighbors surrounded them with praise for Zhao Buyou. Zhao Buyou humbly gave credit to his father, Zhao Li, and their neighbors for their support. Mr. Li, a local scholar, expressed his intention to write about the heroic deeds of Zhao Buyou and Zhao Li in his book. Back home, Zhao Buyou and Wen Yue were visibly affectionate, holding hands even during meals, much to the teasing of Zhao Ban.
One morning, Wen Yue felt nauseous. Zhao Ban, who had learned some medical skills, examined her pulse and diagnosed pregnancy. Wen Yue confirmed she was pregnant and expressed her relief that it had happened now, after the tumultuous events had settled. A local doctor later confirmed the early stage of the pregnancy and prescribed medicine. After these events, the Emperor bestowed upon Zhao Buyou the title "Peerless Litigator."
Zhao Buyou began setting up a stall daily, eagerly recounting the tale of the Mei's Ship case and how Zou Mian was brought to justice, drawing large crowds. Meanwhile, Zhao Li was seen accompanying someone who appeared to be the Emperor in disguise, showing him around the city and sharing stories of ordinary life. Wen Yue, visibly pregnant, looked forward to the arrival of their child.
Yao He came to propose marriage to Zhao Ban, nervously fumbling his words in front of Wen Yue, who was present as an elder figure. Wen Yue encouraged him and gave her approval, contributing to the family's joyous atmosphere, which now included the anticipation of a new baby and an upcoming marriage. Zhang Zeduan, the painter, captured the lives of the Zhao family in his art.
He completed a painting that included all five family members (implicitly including the future child). Zhang Zeduan shared his artistic philosophy, focusing on the common people and the everyday life of the city. Zhao Buyou expressed his hope that Zhang Zeduan's paintings would endure for centuries, allowing future generations to see and know their family and their story.
Zhang Zeduan then asked Zhao Buyou for help in selecting from his numerous paintings to create a single long scroll that could represent the vibrant life of the East Capital. As they reviewed the paintings, they came across one depicting Gu Zhen and Wan Fu at the business center during the confrontation. They decided to make this painting the starting point, the "eye," for the scroll.
This collaborative effort led to the creation of a renowned depiction of life along the river during the Qingming Festival. After these events, a voice was heard reflecting on a failed plan. The speaker lamented their failure and stated they deserved to die, but found fortunate circumstance in Zou Mian's unexpected elimination by the Peerless Litigator. The voice then pondered who would be the next target.
