The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 15 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
Upon receiving the news of Lord He's assassination, authorities swiftly sealed the city gates of Qinhe, declaring that no one was permitted to leave, with violators to be treated as rebels. Magistrate Li, Magistrate Jing, and Yuan Qinhe immediately rushed to the Prince of He's residence. They discovered Lord He lying dead, his own Mo Knife embedded in his chest.
Yuan Qinhe observed that he was still dressed, his clothes tied, and his hair tidy, indicating he was likely murdered before he retired for the night. The skin and flesh around the stab wound were tightened with blood, confirming he was alive when struck. There were no other visible injuries on his neck or face. Notably, his right little finger had been removed. Magistrate Li questioned if this case, like other recent incidents, was the work of a single culprit.
Magistrate Jing mused on the identity of the person audacious enough to kill Lord He, a known martial master despite his age. Mu Beiyan, meanwhile, woke up disoriented and still somewhat drunk, unable to recall leaving the Yufu Hotel the previous night. Magistrate Jing questioned Jin Dade, the housekeeper, who reported being the last person to see Lord He alive, along with four maids.
Jin Dade recounted that at dusk, Lord He was infuriated by Mu Beiyan's actions and had even scolded Zuo Yanxi before dismissing him. Lord He skipped dinner, so Jin Dade later brought a meal to his room. When Lord He learned Mu Beiyan still hadn't returned, he erupted in anger again, calling everyone "useless crap" and ordering them all out of the courtyard.
About an hour later, Jin Dade returned with maids to clear the dishes, finding Lord He perfectly fine. He expressed disbelief and regret that the murderer managed to infiltrate the mansion. During a closer examination of the body, Yuan Qinhe uncovered tiny blood spots under Lord He's eyelids, identifying the cause as "Shenhun grass," a poisonous herb. She explained that this herb, while medicinal, becomes a deadly poison if consumed alone, leading to disorientation and death within three hours.
She concluded that Lord He had been poisoned before he was stabbed, and would not have survived until morning even without the knife wound. Magistrate Li questioned why the killer would deliver a fatal stab if the victim was already doomed. Yuan Qinhe theorized that Lord He's Mo Knife, weighing 29 kilograms, was too heavy for an incapacitated person to wield or even lift.
She surmised that the killer first used the Shenhun grass to immobilize Lord He, then, for an unknown reason, delivered the fatal blow with his own knife to ensure immediate death. She further deduced that the killer was likely a highly skilled man intimately familiar with the mansion's layout, as he managed to enter and exit unnoticed. Yuan Qinhe then investigated the source of the poison, noting that the tea cup was full and untouched, ruling out the tea.
Her suspicion fell on the dinner. She posited that the tasteless and odorless Shenhun grass was mixed into Lord He's food, taking effect later and causing him to become dizzy and weak. Jin Dade, however, vehemently disagreed, explaining that all dishes served to Lord He were first tasted by servants, none of whom had fallen ill. He added that Lord He had recently expressed concerns about his safety and instructed extra caution.
Jin Dade then remembered that Zuo Yanxi had given Lord He a bottle of pellets for "sleep aid and nerve-soothing" the previous day. Although he initially dismissed the idea of Zuo Yanxi killing his father over a scolding, the discovery of the Shenhun grass led him to recall that Shuxin Clinic, Zuo Yanxi's medical hall, was known to stock the expensive and rare herb. Magistrate Li dispatched officers to summon Zuo Yanxi.
Zuo Yanxi, upon hearing the news, rushed to the Prince of He's residence, where he broke down in tears beside Lord He's body. Simultaneously, a servant at Shuxin Clinic informed Mu Beiyan that his father had been murdered and Zuo Yanxi was looking for him. Still affected by alcohol, Mu Beiyan dismissed it as a cruel lie concocted by Zuo Yanxi and stormed off to confront him.
Yuan Qinhe examined the pellet bottle given by Zuo Yanxi, noting no discernible scent. She questioned Zuo Yanxi about the pellet's effects, to which he affirmed it was for sleep and entirely harmless. When pressed about his whereabouts last night, he refused to answer. Mu Beiyan arrived, shouting at Zuo Yanxi for fabricating such a lie. Yuan Qinhe intervened, slapping Mu Beiyan.
She sternly rebuked him for his irresponsible behavior, pointing out that his aged father had been murdered while he was out drinking all night, ignoring his father's advice. Finally confronted with the grim reality, Mu Beiyan rushed into the room and collapsed, crying out for his father. He angrily demanded to know who was responsible, questioning how his father could have been killed in his own room with no one noticing, calling the guards "dead men."
Yuan Qinhe explained that Lord He had dismissed all the guards from the courtyard in a fit of rage after Mu Beiyan had run away the previous night. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, Mu Beiyan wept, regretting his actions and acknowledging his unfilial conduct. Yuan Qinhe pressed Zuo Yanxi again about his activities the previous night and the presence of Shenhun grass at his clinic. Zuo Yanxi repeatedly claimed ignorance.
With all evidence pointing to Zuo Yanxi and his refusal to cooperate, Magistrate Li ordered his arrest and transfer to the government office for interrogation. Magistrate Li suggested completing the body examination and promptly placing Lord He in his coffin, while awaiting imperial envoys from the capital who would arrive in a few days. Yuan Qinhe objected, arguing that such haste would allow the murderer to destroy evidence or escape.
Magistrate Jing proposed that Magistrate Li return to the office to prepare for the envoys, while he and Yuan Qinhe remained to search for more clues. Magistrate Li agreed, cautioning them to be meticulous. In the kitchen, Jin Dade confirmed that all of Lord He's specialized eating utensils had been washed, as was the routine.
He listed the dishes served: pancake, amaranth roll, salty water shield, sweet crab with knotweed juice, and Lord He's beloved fish slices, reiterating that all had been tasted by servants without ill effect. Elsewhere, a mysterious master was pleased that Lord He's death had weakened Prince Bo, strengthening their own position. He praised his subordinate for the successful operation. However, he harshly questioned Jiang Tan regarding her absence from her assigned lookout post the previous night.
Jiang Tan claimed she had gone to investigate rumors of an attempted cover-up regarding the Qinhe fire but found nothing. The master accused her of lying and threatened her father's life, prompting Jiang Tan to kneel and reaffirm her unwavering loyalty. Yuan Qinhe later found Mu Beiyan at the makeshift mourning hall, burning offerings for his father.
She offered condolences and urged him to compose himself, reminding him that the responsibility of the Prince of He's residence now rested on his shoulders. Mu Beiyan, still distraught, blamed himself, believing his angering his father had led to the guards' dismissal and given the murderer an opportunity. Yuan Qinhe tried to comfort him, suggesting that if it was a calculated plot, the murder would have happened regardless.
Mu Beiyan, comparing himself unfavorably to Zuo Yanxi's filial devotion, defended his adoptive brother, insisting Zuo Yanxi was not the murderer and urging Yuan Qinhe and Magistrate Jing to seek other leads. Yuan Qinhe, acknowledging Mu Beiyan's trust despite their previously contentious relationship—a relationship shaped by Zuo Yanxi's decision to abandon martial arts for medicine to spare Mu Beiyan from their father's scoldings—promised a thorough investigation and assured him that Zuo Yanxi would not be wrongly accused.
She then emphasized the importance of finding the true culprit and living well as a tribute to his father's arduous life and sacrifices. Jing Ci visited Zuo Yanxi in prison. Zuo Yanxi revealed he had met his sister, Jiang Tan, in the countryside the previous night. She had brought him their master's medical books after reading his secret letter detailing Jing Ci's condition.
Zuo Yanxi acknowledged that this private meeting could not serve as an alibi, but explained that his sister had personal reasons preventing her from openly appearing. He then asked Jing Ci if he would still believe him without a witness, to which Jing Ci replied that he trusted him. In the capital, Emperor Yong was enraged by the news of Lord He's assassination and ordered Zhao Yan to go to Qinhe to oversee the investigation.
Princess Changle arrived and, learning of her father's plan, respectfully voiced her concern that Zhao Yan's relatively lower status might not command sufficient respect, potentially hindering the investigation. Emperor Yong explained his choice was due to Zhao Yan's close friendship with Lord He's son, hoping to reassure the family. Princess Changle then proposed that she and Zhao Yan serve as co-imperial envoys, believing her presence would unmistakably convey the Emperor's profound concern for the case.
Emperor Yong agreed, finding her suggestion reasonable. Prince of Bo, Lord He's former pupil, was shocked by his mentor's death and immediately prepared to travel to the Prince of He's residence. His subordinates cautioned him against it, highlighting the inherent dangers in Qinhe, the impending arrival of imperial envoys, and the planned return of Lord He's coffin to the capital. They advised him to instead return to the capital and request the honor of arranging Lord He's funeral.
Prince of Bo, after initial hesitation born of his deep gratitude, acknowledged the wisdom of their counsel, recognizing that this course of action would both honor his filial piety and ensure his mentor's posthumous dignity. He then issued orders to close the city gates and interrogate any suspicious individuals. Back at the government office, Yuan Qinhe was found decocting herbs.
Jing Ci inquired about her health, but Yuan Qinhe clarified she was preparing a "clear heat and remove fire" medicine for Magistrate Li, who was suffering from mouth blisters due to stress over the case. Jing Ci then stopped her, eager to discuss Lord He's murder. Yuan Qinhe, complimenting his serious demeanor, reiterated her disbelief that Zuo Yanxi, despite his imprisonment, could be the killer.
She reasoned that Lord He had subjected Mu Beiyan to far worse treatment than Zuo Yanxi's scolding, and an intelligent person like Zuo Yanxi would not commit a crime with so many obvious flaws. She then hinted at Jing Ci's own potential suspicions.
