The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 15 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Imperial Guard Commander Wan Tong arrived at Duke Zhu's mansion with his team, seemingly due to a report of a criminal, but primarily to manage the fallout of Sui Zhou and Xue Ling's unauthorized intrusion. He apologized to Duke Zhu for the disturbance, who denied any criminal presence and expressed concern for his terrified family members. Wan Tong then turned to Sui Zhou and Xue Ling, scolding them for their reckless actions in offending a nobleman.
He also discreetly inquired about a lame carter in the Duke's household, which Duke Zhu denied. Sui Zhou, however, remained indifferent to the reprimand, his sole focus being Tang Fan's precarious situation. He worried that every passing moment further endangered Tang Fan’s life. Meanwhile, Sui Zhou, knowing the implications of a royal family member being involved, sought help from Wang Zhi, hoping he would employ extraordinary measures to arrest Zhu Jianmou and rescue Tang Fan.
Wang Zhi remained noncommittal, deeply aware that any involvement with a Prince would reflect on the Emperor's dignity. Held captive in a secret chamber within the Duke’s mansion, Tang Fan confronted Zhu Jianmou, who shed his facade as the benevolent "Well-doer Zhu." Tang Fan, astonished, realized the renowned philanthropist was the true serial killer. He had meticulously analyzed the victim profiles—women with light-colored eyes, pale hair, and distinct speaking patterns—and initially suspected the lame carter, Tuo San.
However, Tang Fan now understood that Tuo San was merely an unwitting accomplice, a loyal servant whose movements had coincidentally mirrored the killer’s. Tang Fan pressed Zhu Jianmou, demanding to know what had driven him to commit such atrocities. Zhu Jianmou, with a chilling calmness, asked Tang Fan if he truly wished to know the reason. Zhu Jianmou then revealed that the most terrifying thing in the world was not monsters, but loneliness.
His life changed when he met a woman named Chunhua. However, his father discovered their relationship and relentlessly tried to separate them, even attempting to sell Chunhua. Zhu Jianmou decided to elope, but at their rendezvous, only his father’s retainers appeared, revealing Chunhua's betrayal. Years later, he encountered Chunhua again, and her complete lack of remorse caused him immense heartache.
He explained that he began killing to feel his own heart beat, a sensation that became increasingly fleeting, compelling him to commit murders more frequently to sustain it. He admitted that he paused his killings seven years prior when the Eastern Depot mistakenly identified another culprit, believing he had found a permanent scapegoat, but eventually, he could no longer resist his dark impulses.
Zhu Jianmou then administered a concentrated "Lycoris radiata juice" to the unconscious Duo Er La, explaining to Tang Fan that this would ensure her heart continued to beat even after being removed, thus truly capturing her soul. Tang Fan shrieked in desperation, but Zhu Jianmou raised his knife over Duo Er La. At that critical moment, Jia Kui suddenly appeared, informing Zhu Jianmou that someone outside wished to see him. Recognizing Jia Kui’s formidable presence, Zhu Jianmou reluctantly followed.
The visitor was Wang Zhi, who stated his purpose was to uphold the Emperor's dignity and the honor of the royal family. Wang Zhi openly expressed his disdain for Zhu Jianmou, declaring him insignificant, and even slapped him, insisting on taking Tang Fan and Duo Er La away, despite Zhu Jianmou’s furious protests. Although rescued, Duo Er La remained in a deep coma, her recovery uncertain due to the large amount of "Lycoris radiata juice" she ingested.
Meanwhile, investigators discovered sixty-two crocks, each containing a human heart, in Zhu Jianmou's secret chamber. Tang Fan was then informed that Tuo San was the officially named culprit in the heart-carving cases. Distraught by this false verdict, Tang Fan confronted Wang Zhi, demanding Zhu Jianmou's arrest.
Wang Zhi, however, advised Tang Fan to cease his pursuit, explaining that while the Emperor acknowledged the horrific nature of Zhu Jianmou's crimes, the royal family's reputation must be considered, and Zhu Jianmou’s punishment would be handled within the royal sphere. Subsequently, an imperial decree was issued, formally praising Zhu Jianmou for his "good deeds" and ordering his entire family's relocation to Hulumuwei in North Xinjiang, portraying it as an act of imperial benevolence.
On the day of Tuo San's trial at Shuntian Prefecture, Zhu Jianmou also unexpectedly appeared in court, drawing public sympathy. Tang Fan, presiding over the trial, meticulously detailed Tuo San’s true identity as Shen Chen. He revealed that Shen Chen, a native of Hangzhou, had served as a guard captain in the Duke's mansion before being severely beaten and left for dead by Zhu Jianmou’s father, Zhu Qixing, for an alleged offense against the Duchess.
Shen Chen, disfigured and adopting the new identity of the lame and hunchbacked carter Tuo San, returned to the mansion years later, driven by a desire for revenge. However, he never acted on it. Tang Fan then summoned Dr. Zhong Yishi, a physician from Guangshuntang Pharmacy, who testified that his family had been the Duke’s doctors for three generations and that the late Duke Zhu Qixing had a chronic illness that rendered him infertile.
Tang Fan then revealed that upon seeing a one-year-old child in the Duke's mansion, Shen Chen immediately realized the child was his biological son, Zhu Jianmou, thus abandoning his plans for vengeance. Though appearing calm, Zhu Jianmou was visibly shaken by the shocking truth of his paternity. Tuo San, still in the courtroom, reasserted his guilt, vehemently claiming responsibility for all the murders to protect Zhu Jianmou.
Tang Fan, however, pressed Zhu Jianmou further, accusing him of callous indifference to his biological father’s immense sacrifice. Unable to bear the weight of the truth and unwilling to burden his son, Tuo San suddenly charged forward and fatally struck his head against a wall. Witnessing his father's ultimate act of devotion, Zhu Jianmou, consumed by despair and remorse, seized a moment when Sui Zhou was distracted by the chaos and tragically took his own life by slitting his throat.
The Emperor, already frustrated by the public scandal surrounding Zhu Jianmou's original exile, was incensed by the trial’s outcome and Tang Fan's perceived disregard for royal prestige. Advisers from the Eastern Depot proposed a solution: demote Pan Bin, the Prefect of Shuntian, for his office's supposed poor handling of public sentiment, and temporarily banish Tang Fan to Tongzhou. They suggested that Tang Fan's ultimate fate could be reconsidered once public outrage subsided.
Meanwhile, Duo Er La's pulse and breathing had stabilized, suggesting a path to recovery, though the time of her awakening remained uncertain. Tang Fan, informed of his banishment to Tongzhou, expressed no regret for his actions, affirming his belief in the principle of equality before the law. He viewed the exile as an opportunity to visit his sister in Tongzhou, and Sui Zhou offered to prepare medicines for him to deliver.
Later, a woman named Miss Yu unexpectedly stormed into Sui Zhou's residence, mistaking Tang Fan for Sui Zhou. She immediately challenged him to a fight, disparaging his combat skills and declaring him unworthy of marriage. Just then, Duo Er La, having woken up, rushed to Tang Fan's defense. Miss Yu, witnessing "Sui Zhou's" perceived weakness, loudly declared her intention to break off the engagement.
As she left, she encountered the real Sui Zhou at the doorway and was instantly smitten by him. Upon Sui Zhou’s entry, Tang Fan immediately voiced his strong disapproval of any potential marriage between Sui Zhou and the "crazy woman."
Wang Zhi then sought out Tang Fan and Sui Zhou, having learned that Sui Zhou had followed Tang Fan's gamble in parking Zhu Jianmou’s carriage at the Shuntian Prefecture, betting that Zhu Jianmou would enter to see his biological father one last time.
Tang Fan confirmed the gamble was based on old royal medical records indicating the late Duke Zhu Qixing’s infertility, and his inference that Tuo San was Zhu Jianmou’s true father, the only person who had consistently supported him. Wang Zhi sternly admonished Tang Fan for his recklessness, reminding him that his life was spared only by the Emperor’s benevolence.
He advised them both to abandon their self-righteousness and impulsive actions, emphasizing that the world was not simply black and white, and such unbridled actions created unnecessary complications for the imperial court. Frustrated, Tang Fan retorted that he would simply resign from his post and not even bother going to Tongzhou. As Wang Zhi attempted to leave, he again encountered Yu Zhengpeng, who aggressively reignited their animosity.
Yu Zhengpeng accused Wang Zhi of his father’s death and vowed eternal revenge, even daring Wang Zhi to exterminate his entire family. Yu Zhengpeng had previously declared that whoever managed to kill Wang Zhi could marry Miss Yu. Driven by this, Zhang Degui, a chef who had served the Yu family for over a decade, appeared at Huanyi Brothel. Under the guise of preparing a special, fresh dish, Zhang Degui attempted to assassinate Wang Zhi with a knife.
However, he was swiftly disarmed and apprehended by Jia Kui. Wang Zhi, unperturbed, revealed his prior knowledge of the chef’s identity and mockingly commented on Yu Zhengpeng’s desperate and unscrupulous methods.
