Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Episode 6 Recap
> Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Recap
A public notice is posted by the Kaifeng Court announcing the capture of the bandit leader, Xiao Yishui, and acknowledging the contribution of a "civilian from the eastern part of the city, Zhao," to the effort. This brief mention sparks curiosity among the onlookers about the civilian's identity. Meanwhile, Zhao Buyou is summoned to the Kaifeng Court by Inspector Gu Zhen via Judge Wan.
Upon arriving at the court, Zhao shows reverence for the engraved names of past prefects, particularly Bao Zheng. Gu Zhen comments on Zhao Buyou and his wife, seeing them as ordinary people who found themselves in an extraordinary situation, managed to evade capture under the authorities' noses, and even assisted in apprehending the criminal.
Gu Zhen then assigns Zhao Buyou the task of interrogating Xiao Yishui, who was captured at Luo Zhun's residence just in time before Luo Zhun could be harmed. Zhao Buyou is reluctant to interrogate Xiao Yishui, fearing for his safety and worrying that Xiao might reveal Wen Yue's past. He expresses his apprehension to Gu Zhen, who provides him with a letter found on Xiao, suggesting it might be from Di Lun to his backer and could be useful.
Zhao proceeds to the prison. Xiao Yishui immediately confronts him, enraged, accusing Zhao of betraying him to the authorities and threatening him. Zhao reveals that he knows Xiao is seeking vengeance for his father's murder and shows him a sample of handwriting. Xiao confirms it belongs to his father's killer and demands to know where Zhao obtained it. Zhao asks what Xiao would offer for his help, and Xiao pledges anything upon his release.
Zhao then tells him the killer was Di Lun, a prosecutor from the Office of Justice, but states that he has already killed Di Lun himself. Xiao is furious that after fifteen years of searching, his enemy was killed by Zhao, though he ultimately accepts it as fate. Zhao then presents a letter written by Di Lun instructing his subordinates to kill Zhao Buyou and his wife, identifying them as accomplices in the auspicious sign incident.
This letter proves to Xiao that Zhao acted in self-defense. Zhao continues the interrogation, first confirming that Xiao Yishui did not reveal Wen Yue's identity to anyone other than Gan Liang, which brings Zhao relief. Next, he asks how Xiao obtained the evidence from fifteen years ago.
Xiao explains the method for receiving anonymous orders in his profession, noting that the bundle he received unexpectedly contained his father's gold tooth, two pieces of evidence, and a letter made from cut-out words that revealed the truth of his father's murder. The letter also indicated the killer planned to stage a fake auspicious sign at the Qingming Festival, and instructed Xiao to kill the person on the boat to disrupt it.
Finally, Zhao asks how Xiao located Wen Yue in Tokyo. Xiao explains he was frequenting the Office of Justice, trying to access case records, when he saw her bringing food to Zhao. He admits he had previously thought she was dead. Xiao Yishui remarks that Wen Yue is fortunate to be alive and notes that she has been bringing Zhao food regularly for many years.
He then aggressively tells Zhao that Wen Yue is his woman and he intends to find her upon his release. Zhao Buyou is enraged by this threat. He declares that while Xiao has his revenge to pursue, Zhao has his family to protect, and warns that he will kill Xiao if he attempts to involve Wen Yue in any way. Xiao mocks Zhao, calling him a coward and daring him to kill him immediately.
Zhao lunges at Xiao but is restrained by Judge Wan, who reassures Zhao that Xiao will not be released from prison given the severity of his crimes. Later, Zhao Buyou finds Inspector Gu Zhen in the Kaifeng Court's backyard, tending to a large vegetable garden he planted. Zhao correctly surmises that Gu Zhen planted the vegetables to honor his late brother, Li Yan, who did the same during a military campaign.
Gu Zhen confirms his appreciation for practicality and instructs Zhao on how to harvest chives. Zhao asks about the person behind Di Lun, sensing Gu Zhen knows. Gu Zhen explains that when Li Yan was reassigned, he came into conflict with a powerful local figure, Zou Mian, known as "Southeast Court," who oppressed people while collecting treasures for the emperor. Li Yan's repeated impeachments created a deep animosity.
Zhao concludes that Di Lun was backed by Zou Mian as part of their plot involving the fake auspicious sign and suggests that Xiao Yishui is supported by a separate, opposing force, viewing the situation as a larger conflict between powerful entities.
Gu Zhen agrees that it appears to be a battle between powerful figures, implying ordinary people should stay out of it, but Zhao counters that being too afraid to act makes them no better than animals, a sentiment Gu Zhen appreciates. Gu Zhen expresses his firm resolve to bring Zou Mian to justice, even if it means seeking his execution, acknowledging Zou's vast influence but stating he is patient and will wait for an opportunity.
Zhao also asks if he can learn from Judge Wan about how common people earn money. Zhao returns home in a noticeably better mood. Wen Yue observes this and asks why. Zhao expresses relief that his recent troubles are over and tells Wen Yue that Xiao Yishui has been caught and will not be released, easing her fears about her past being revealed. Feeling safe, they decide to focus on building their life together.
Wen Yue mentions she accepted an urgent order from the Office of Treasury, seeing it as a positive development after their ordeal. They reaffirm their goal of buying a house, with Wen Yue determined to secure the Maijie Alley property that day, even if it requires a loan, as having their own house feels like home. Zhao also mentions his plan to apply for a litigation booth.
Zhao Mo and Zhao Ban visit Wu's Restaurant, run by Wu Xiang and his sister, Wu Qiao, known as "Bun Beauty," who uses a wheelchair. They note the restaurant's popularity and Wu Qiao's charm and her brother Wu Xiang's care for her. After enjoying their meal, Wu Xiang gives them a loyalty card, part of a promotion to get a free bun after collecting four.
While they are there, a customer accidentally bumps into Wu Ao, another sibling working there, causing buns to fall. Wu Xiang immediately confronts the customer, demanding payment and verbally abusing him. Zhao Mo recognizes the customer as Sun Bo, an errand boy who was his childhood friend. Zhao Ban tries to stop Zhao Mo from intervening. Despite Zhao Mo calling out his name, Sun Bo quickly runs away.
Zhao Ban comments on Zhao Mo's history of being considered strange and wonders if Sun Bo's family left the city due to their friendship. Zhao Ban then departs for her first day as an apprentice. Zhao Ban begins her apprenticeship at Physician Ge's clinic. However, she uses too much force while massaging a patient, causing him significant pain.
Physician Ge calms the patient and later dismisses Zhao Ban, paying her for the half-day's work but explaining that she lacks the necessary natural talent for medicine. Meanwhile, Zhao Buyou attempts to join the Litigation Guild. He waits all day at their office to meet with the head, Mr. Huang. By late afternoon, he is informed by an employee that Mr. Huang left hours ago, leaving Zhao disappointed after his lengthy wait.
Having found a desirable house, Wen Yue goes to the property agency with Zhao Mo and Zhao Ban to pay the deposit, as Zhao Buyou has not arrived as planned. Meanwhile, Zhao Buyou returns to Wen Yue's umbrella shop and spots a suspicious person lurking outside. He shouts, causing the person to flee, but fails to catch them. Returning home, he finds a package at the door marked with the character "匕" (Dagger).
Remembering Xiao Yishui's explanation of this mark indicating an anonymous order, he opens it to find a hundred liang of gold and a note. The note instructs him to kill Zhang Qiniang within five days and threatens to kill his entire family if he fails. Zhao is terrified by this threat. While Wen Yue and her siblings wait at the property agency, the renowned Zhang Qiniang arrives with a large entourage.
Known for her immense wealth and extensive property holdings, she imperiously questions the brokers about why her listed estates are not selling, dismissing rumors of a Hat Demon as nonsense. Zhao Ban grows impatient waiting to sign the contract. Zhang Qiniang's butler, Kang Qian, takes offense at her directness. Wen Yue defends her siblings, asserting their right to be served based on their early arrival.
Zhang Qiniang dismisses the concept of rules for ordinary people and learns Wen Yue is interested in a house in Maijie Alley. In a display of power, Zhang Qiniang declares she will buy all the properties in Maijie Alley. Wen Yue insists she has already paid the deposit on her chosen house. The broker confirms this and prepares to finalize the contract with Wen Yue. However, Zhang Qiniang discovers Wen Yue plans to take out a loan from a pawnshop.
Zhang Qiniang boasts that she owns the pawnshop and implies control over others, effectively blocking Wen Yue's ability to secure funding and warning her that failure to pay the balance will result in the loss of her deposit. Zhang Qiniang instructs the brokers to prepare contracts for all Maijie Alley properties and leaves, telling Wen Yue she will arrange for her deposit to be refunded. Wen Yue and her siblings leave the agency, disheartened.
Upon hearing Wen Yue's return, Zhao Buyou quickly hides the package with the gold and the threat. He is visibly shaken when Wen Yue tells him that Zhang Qiniang has taken the house they wanted. Later, while eating breakfast, Zhao Buyou tries to appear cheerful, joking about his potential future earnings, despite his unsuccessful attempt to join the Litigation Guild the previous day.
He reflects on their current small home, finding comfort in their family being together, but still expresses regret about losing the Maijie Alley house. When Wen Yue mentions Zhang Qiniang by name as the person who took the house, Zhao Buyou is startled. Just then, someone rushes in with alarming news: Wu Xiang from the bun shop is dead, reportedly killed by a creature described as a "Hat Demon."
Kaifeng Court officials arrive at Wu's restaurant to investigate the death of Wu Xiang. Judge Wan notes the presence of the suspect, Sun Bo, Wu Xiang's siblings Wu Ao and Wu Qiao, and the night watchman as witnesses. Wan asks Wu Ao and Wu Qiao to describe the previous night. Wu Ao recounts taking Wu Qiao to the clinic because she burned her hand while preparing food, and meeting the night watchman on their return.
The night watchman confirms being offered leftover buns by Wu Qiao. He describes entering the house, hearing screams of "Brother!" and "Help!" , seeing a monstrous figure resembling a hat with bloody hair leap out, and believes it was the legendary Hat Demon rumored to have appeared five years prior. At the Jixiantang Bookshop, Zhao Mo reviews the newly printed tabloid article about his involvement in solving the case with Song Qiyu.
He spots an error: "bitter soil" is incorrectly printed as "bitter ash". Despite the owner's refusal due to cost, Zhao Mo insists on a correction, offering to demonstrate an efficient method he devised for sorting movable type using a rotating disk. The owner agrees, and Zhao Mo shows how the method can significantly reduce labor and time. However, the owner still refuses to reprint the article, cuts Song Qiyu's pay for bringing Zhao Mo, and has Zhao Mo removed.
As Zhao Mo is being ejected, someone rushes into the shop announcing the death of Wu Xiang from the bun shop, attributed to the Hat Demon. Zhao Mo is stunned when he hears the suspect mentioned is an errand boy named "Bo ge."
