The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 26 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Xue Ling, addressing Commander Wan Tong, presented evidence that Sui Zhou's home had been burglarized the previous month, suggesting that the thieves likely stole his identity badge and then used it to impersonate him in a recent extortion case. He emphasized that Sui Zhou had only returned to the capital yesterday, providing him an alibi. Wan Tong, however, dismissed Xue Ling's explanation, accusing him of interfering with the investigation and implying he might be Sui Zhou's accomplice.
Distraught and worried, Dong rushed to Wang Zhi for help. She informed him that Sui Zhou had been arrested by the Imperial Guards on their way back from buying ice and taken to the Northern Administrative Court, his fate unknown. She also explained that Tang Fan had scratched his hand with a poisoned arrow to aid in Dora's treatment, exacerbating his condition.
Wang Zhi, listening intently, offered to cook her rice noodles, revealing that he often did so when homesick for his native Guangxi. He then inquired about her future plans. Dong expressed her immediate goal to rescue Sui Zhou, after which they would focus on detoxifying Tang Fan. Wang Zhi, however, posed a grim hypothetical, asking what she would do if both Sui Zhou and Tang Fan were no longer alive.
Unable to fathom such a scenario, Dong threw down her chopsticks and fled. Wang Zhi then calmly stated that the door to the Western Depot was always open for her. Meanwhile, Li Fei and Li You continued their charade, extracting money and valuables from a victim's servant with threats of further punishment for the imprisoned master. However, their actions had alerted the Imperial Guards.
Patrols were actively displaying their portraits to vendors, warning citizens to report any sightings or face charges for concealing information. Realizing the increasing danger, the brothers fled to avoid capture. In the dungeon, Commander Wan Tong relentlessly interrogated Sui Zhou, threatening him with acupuncture torture and promising relief only if he revealed Li Zilong's whereabouts or information about Wang Zhi. Sui Zhou maintained his silence, only stating that he had just returned to the capital yesterday as an alibi.
Just as Wan Tong was preparing to intensify the torture, Xue Ling arrived to report a fresh case of Imperial Guard impersonation at a Ministry of Revenue official's residence. This new development forced Wan Tong to order Sui Zhou's release. However, he cunningly instructed his subordinates to hold Sui Zhou for an additional hour, using this time to widely disseminate rumors that Sui Zhou was no longer with the Imperial Guards, especially among those he had previously arrested.
Despite their prior exposure, Li Fei and Li You decided to attempt one more large-scale scam before leaving the capital, adopting the "Darkness Under the Light" strategy, reasoning that no one would expect them to act again so soon after their identities were revealed. Instead of targeting officials, they approached a tavern with a gambling den. Impersonating Imperial Guards, they threatened the owner with legal penalties for running a private casino and demanded monthly protection money.
The tavern owner, unfazed, explained that his establishment was already registered with the Northern Administrative Court and regularly paid its dues to Commander Wan Tong. Recognizing the brothers as imposters, he called their bluff and ordered his men to apprehend them, leading to a scuffle. Upon leaving the Northern Administrative Court, Sui Zhou immediately noticed a group of men tracking him, sent by Wan Tong. As they relentlessly pursued him, he was forced into a street fight.
During the commotion, he unexpectedly encountered Li Fei and Li You, who were themselves being chased by the tavern owner's men. Overwhelmed and unable to defend himself alone, Sui Zhou had no choice but to join the brothers in their escape. After evading their pursuers, Sui Zhou conversed with Li Fei and Li You. He quickly discerned that both brothers were also military veterans, having served as border guards, just like himself.
Li Fei admitted they were unemployed and struggling to make a living. Recognizing their shared background and predicament, a bond formed between them. Li Fei then invited Sui Zhou to join them in future endeavors, suggesting they meet at Tianning Temple outside Guangning Gate if he was interested in making money. Later, Sui Zhou recounted this encounter to Dong. She questioned why he hadn't apprehended the imposters, especially given how they had nearly implicated him.
Sui Zhou explained he was outnumbered and couldn't protect himself, and that the brothers had actually helped him escape. He expressed empathy for their plight, noting that as former soldiers, they must have severe hardships to resort to fraud, and he intended to persuade them to surrender, which would lead to a lighter sentence of exile rather than a more severe punishment if caught. Tang Fan endured extreme side effects from testing various antidotes.
Pei Huai observed that some decoctions caused a sensation of burning, others felt like worms gnawing at bones, and the latest one made him feel intensely cold, as if trapped in an ice cave. Pei Huai stated that Tang Fan had no choice but to endure the torment to succeed.
Tang Fan's body was visibly suffering, and Pei Huai even had to tie him down to prevent him from self-harming due to the overwhelming pain after previous medications had no effect. Despite this, Tang Fan, still determined, insisted on being untied and demanding more medicine to continue the arduous process. Tang Fan's body was reaching its limit from the extensive antidote testing.
Pei Huai explained to Tang Yu that while he could administer Huanxu Tonic to prolong Tang Fan's life, it would inevitably cause his body temperature to spike. He warned that without immediate cooling, Tang Fan faced death from hyperthermia or permanent brain damage, potentially leaving him mentally impaired. The critical issue was that they only possessed enough ice for one person.
Hearing this, Sui Zhou, visibly concerned for Tang Fan, urged Pei Huai to give Tang Fan the Huanxu Tonic, assuring them he would personally take charge of acquiring more ice. With their portraits plastered across the capital by the Northern Administrative Court, Li Fei and Li You realized their time in the city was running out.
Li Fei proposed one final, high-stakes scam before their departure, reasoning that the promise of significant profit would attract willing accomplices, despite the grave risks involved. Jia Kui, having successfully located Li Zilong, brought him to a meeting with Wang Zhi at Huanyi Brothel. Li Zilong arrived late, humorously blaming traffic and then proposing a satirical solution for capital congestion, showcasing his keen intellect.
Wang Zhi, acknowledging Li Zilong’s vast network and influence over officials, admitted he was unnerved by someone so capable whose ultimate motives remained unknown. He proposed that Li Zilong serve the court, promising him immense fame and fortune. However, Li Zilong candidly stated that what he truly desired was beyond the Emperor's ability to grant. Wang Zhi then warned him that those who cannot be used by the Emperor would not be tolerated.
Sensing Wang Zhi's intention to eliminate him, Li Zilong presented a mysterious box, claiming its contents guaranteed his safe departure. Realizing he was outmaneuvered, Wang Zhi allowed Li Zilong to leave the brothel with him. As Wang Zhi turned away, Li Zilong vanished into the bustling crowd of patrons being escorted out by the brothel's staff. Holding the box, Wang Zhi then instructed Ding Rong to dismantle it.
