1
00:00:11,380 --> 00:00:15,580
♪ The human heart hatches schemes, stuck fast in the mire ♪

2
00:00:15,660 --> 00:00:20,060
♪ In the Judge's ledger, the accounts are settled ♪

3
00:00:20,140 --> 00:00:24,420
♪ Reckon the human face and the beastly deed. Count the debts of injustice ♪

4
00:00:24,500 --> 00:00:28,780
♪ Walking the dark path, pleading for moonlight ♪

5
00:00:28,860 --> 00:00:33,180
♪ The pitiful suffer, while the privileged command respect ♪

6
00:00:33,260 --> 00:00:37,500
♪ Pluck one hair, and the stench of sin runs through the skin ♪

7
00:00:37,580 --> 00:00:41,860
♪ Scoundrels have a form, while ghostly lies are intangible ♪

8
00:00:41,900 --> 00:00:46,220
♪ Looking inward brings no answer. Ask Heaven for mercy ♪

9
00:00:46,260 --> 00:00:48,316
♪ The book of sins is presented, proof of guilt recorded chapter after chapter ♪

10
00:00:48,340 --> 00:00:50,460
♪ Grant mercy, and ruin follows ♪

11
00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:52,596
♪ An inescapable net is cast. Look up in all four directions ♪

12
00:00:52,620 --> 00:00:54,860
♪ Retribution will follow ♪

13
00:00:54,940 --> 00:00:56,956
♪ Tigers, leopards, and wolves. Darkness laid bare ♪

14
00:00:56,980 --> 00:00:59,220
♪ Your mercy only serves to share the loot ♪

15
00:00:59,300 --> 00:01:01,396
♪ In the ledger of good and evil, words unfurl without end ♪

16
00:01:01,420 --> 00:01:03,780
♪ Heaven's way tolerates no wrongful judgment ♪

17
00:01:07,980 --> 00:01:09,996
♪ The book of sins is presented, proof of guilt recorded chapter after chapter ♪

18
00:01:10,020 --> 00:01:12,180
♪ Grant mercy, and ruin follows ♪

19
00:01:12,220 --> 00:01:14,276
♪ An inescapable net is cast. Look up in all four directions ♪

20
00:01:14,300 --> 00:01:16,580
♪ Retribution will follow ♪

21
00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:18,636
♪ Tigers, leopards, and wolves. Darkness laid bare ♪

22
00:01:18,660 --> 00:01:20,940
♪ Your mercy only serves to share the loot ♪

23
00:01:21,020 --> 00:01:23,116
♪ In the ledger of good and evil, words unfurl without end ♪

24
00:01:23,140 --> 00:01:24,316
♪ Heaven's way tolerates no wrongful judgment ♪

25
00:01:24,340 --> 00:01:25,996
[Adapted from a Shuqi.com novel]

26
00:01:26,020 --> 00:01:27,496
[Original Author: Senlin Lu]

27
00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,980
[Unveil: Jadewind]

28
00:01:30,300 --> 00:01:32,980
[Episode 4]

29
00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:43,920
Of course,

30
00:01:45,430 --> 00:01:46,430
and you, too.

31
00:02:15,940 --> 00:02:16,940
Peiyi.

32
00:02:19,810 --> 00:02:21,180
How do you think Father

33
00:02:22,220 --> 00:02:23,220
will treat me?

34
00:02:25,450 --> 00:02:26,990
Like he's gotten me back,

35
00:02:28,010 --> 00:02:28,906
or will he hate

36
00:02:28,930 --> 00:02:29,887
having a rude,

37
00:02:29,911 --> 00:02:31,310
unfilial daughter like me?

38
00:02:34,940 --> 00:02:36,420
His Majesty is gracious and merciful.

39
00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:38,100
No matter what,

40
00:02:38,730 --> 00:02:39,770
you're still his daughter.

41
00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:59,600
[Palace Investigation Bureau]

42
00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:03,590
Your Ladyship.

43
00:03:03,980 --> 00:03:05,350
Inspector Du wants to see you.

44
00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:07,190
I'm not in the mood.

45
00:03:07,420 --> 00:03:08,590
Your Ladyship, you should go.

46
00:03:09,210 --> 00:03:10,276
I haven't seen him

47
00:03:10,300 --> 00:03:11,590
that scary in ages.

48
00:03:25,890 --> 00:03:27,240
Why are you kneeling?

49
00:03:28,050 --> 00:03:29,090
Master, you called for me.

50
00:03:29,610 --> 00:03:30,870
It must be because I messed up.

51
00:03:31,930 --> 00:03:32,930
What did you do wrong?

52
00:03:34,420 --> 00:03:35,420
I was too aggressive.

53
00:03:36,100 --> 00:03:37,100
I had no sense of limits.

54
00:03:37,770 --> 00:03:38,850
I overstepped my authority.

55
00:03:39,140 --> 00:03:40,140
Enough.

56
00:03:40,580 --> 00:03:41,580
All these years,

57
00:03:42,260 --> 00:03:44,280
I've spoiled you too much.

58
00:03:45,210 --> 00:03:46,350
From today on,

59
00:03:46,450 --> 00:03:47,590
stop taking cases.

60
00:03:48,650 --> 00:03:50,400
That Palace Investigation Bureau badge,

61
00:03:50,580 --> 00:03:51,580
hand it over.

62
00:03:53,330 --> 00:03:54,330
Why should I?

63
00:03:54,700 --> 00:03:56,520
Because as an Inner Guard,

64
00:03:56,860 --> 00:03:58,076
after you found the killer,

65
00:03:58,100 --> 00:04:00,750
you didn't bring her to justice at once.

66
00:04:01,050 --> 00:04:02,840
It looks like you were covering for her!

67
00:04:04,860 --> 00:04:07,470
At best, you neglected your duty.

68
00:04:07,980 --> 00:04:08,980
At worst,

69
00:04:09,210 --> 00:04:10,870
you bent the law for personal ties!

70
00:04:11,540 --> 00:04:12,540
Hand it over!

71
00:04:19,170 --> 00:04:20,196
But I didn't take Wanshun

72
00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:21,300
out of the Western Capital.

73
00:04:22,420 --> 00:04:24,610
You didn't take the last wrong step

74
00:04:24,980 --> 00:04:27,470
because Her Highness knew the bigger picture.

75
00:04:27,930 --> 00:04:28,790
If Her Highness

76
00:04:28,930 --> 00:04:30,590
had insisted on leaving,

77
00:04:31,100 --> 00:04:31,790
right now,

78
00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:33,366
would you already be

79
00:04:33,390 --> 00:04:35,080
on a boat heading south?

80
00:04:36,900 --> 00:04:37,900
If every enforcer

81
00:04:37,980 --> 00:04:39,440
were like you,

82
00:04:40,010 --> 00:04:41,990
how could the law work?

83
00:04:42,690 --> 00:04:44,586
Today someone covers for you,

84
00:04:44,610 --> 00:04:46,350
tomorrow you cover for them,

85
00:04:46,740 --> 00:04:48,910
and the law becomes meaningless!

86
00:04:50,740 --> 00:04:52,500
If I've done wrong, I'll take my punishment.

87
00:04:54,170 --> 00:04:55,170
But she's Wanshun.

88
00:04:55,410 --> 00:04:57,270
She must face justice too!

89
00:04:58,870 --> 00:05:00,000
People aren't made of wood.

90
00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:01,800
Who can be without feelings?

91
00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:05,930
But you're the one enforcing the law.

92
00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,610
To rule and punish, you can't shield your kin.

93
00:05:10,030 --> 00:05:11,270
Your duty

94
00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:13,126
is to find the truth,

95
00:05:13,150 --> 00:05:15,040
not judge right and wrong.

96
00:05:15,230 --> 00:05:16,450
If you can't even

97
00:05:16,910 --> 00:05:18,450
understand that,

98
00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:20,326
[Palace Investigation Bureau] you can't shoulder

99
00:05:20,350 --> 00:05:21,940
this badge anymore!

100
00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,010
I know you reported everything truthfully.

101
00:05:28,710 --> 00:05:29,710
From here on,

102
00:05:29,850 --> 00:05:32,036
let His Majesty decide.

103
00:05:32,060 --> 00:05:38,220
[Zichen Hall]

104
00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:44,120
Heed His Majesty's decree!

105
00:05:49,270 --> 00:05:51,466
Left General of the Imperial Guards, Lin Ning,

106
00:05:51,490 --> 00:05:53,980
lusted after Princess Ningyuan's beauty

107
00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,540
and secretly bought black powder to stage an accident.

108
00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,840
He took advantage of the chaos to kidnap Her Highness,

109
00:05:59,030 --> 00:06:01,216
but Cui Manshu, niece of the Right Chancellor,

110
00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,116
and several others stumbled upon it by chance.

111
00:06:05,140 --> 00:06:07,436
Lin Ning saw his plot exposed

112
00:06:07,460 --> 00:06:09,020
and brutally killed them.

113
00:06:09,150 --> 00:06:10,730
He fled in fear of punishment.

114
00:06:11,150 --> 00:06:13,160
Princess of Fuchang County, Li Peiyi,

115
00:06:13,270 --> 00:06:16,536
and Deputy Director of Astronomy, Xiao Huaijin, saw it all clearly,

116
00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,620
and killed him as he fled.

117
00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,606
You two acted without hesitation,

118
00:06:21,630 --> 00:06:23,050
brave and smart.

119
00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:25,536
Princess Ningyuan was quick-witted,

120
00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:26,776
and escaped safely.

121
00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:28,596
All shall be rewarded.

122
00:06:28,620 --> 00:06:29,766
Accept the decree!

123
00:06:29,790 --> 00:06:31,510
Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.

124
00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:37,810
Her Highness is still recovering.

125
00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:38,980
In three days,

126
00:06:39,150 --> 00:06:40,896
His Majesty will host a banquet at Penglai Terrace

127
00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,170
in Her Highness's honor.

128
00:06:42,630 --> 00:06:44,540
You two may come as well.

129
00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:46,200
Understood.

130
00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:03,660
Stop!

131
00:07:10,830 --> 00:07:11,830
Come.

132
00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:13,100
Come to my side.

133
00:07:23,020 --> 00:07:25,140
[Penglai Terrace]

134
00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,340
Please, Your Highness.

135
00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,050
I'm sorry to worry you, Father.

136
00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,000
Come.

137
00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:53,320
Wanshun.

138
00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:55,480
I know you were wronged.

139
00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:57,460
I know it all.

140
00:08:01,510 --> 00:08:02,510
Father...

141
00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:06,490
You're so generous and kind,

142
00:08:07,630 --> 00:08:09,250
yet for my own selfish gain,

143
00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:11,810
I stirred up such chaos.

144
00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:15,730
My child, you've suffered.

145
00:08:17,070 --> 00:08:19,486
I won't let any child of mine

146
00:08:19,510 --> 00:08:20,510
be wronged.

147
00:08:21,390 --> 00:08:23,660
I'll prepare another

148
00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:24,760
generous dowry for you,

149
00:08:25,110 --> 00:08:26,380
so you'll marry

150
00:08:26,830 --> 00:08:27,830
in peace,

151
00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:29,160
with no worries.

152
00:08:33,740 --> 00:08:36,090
Congratulations, Princess Ningyuan!

153
00:08:36,730 --> 00:08:37,446
Your Majesty,

154
00:08:37,470 --> 00:08:40,330
what boundless favor!

155
00:08:40,590 --> 00:08:43,380
In Uyghur,

156
00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:45,150
Her Highness will be

157
00:08:45,190 --> 00:08:47,380
the most honored, noblest queen.

158
00:08:51,870 --> 00:08:53,140
Thank you, Father.

159
00:08:57,590 --> 00:08:58,590
Don't be rash.

160
00:09:02,190 --> 00:09:03,830
Please withdraw your order, Your Majesty.

161
00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:08,660
Wanshun is a daughter of my Li family,

162
00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:10,450
a princess of Great Tang.

163
00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:12,210
If your father and mother

164
00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:13,280
were still alive,

165
00:09:13,710 --> 00:09:14,846
they'd surely explain

166
00:09:14,870 --> 00:09:15,970
the sense of it all.

167
00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,380
But since they're gone,

168
00:09:19,070 --> 00:09:20,690
I don't have to understand it.

169
00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:24,800
Peiyi.

170
00:09:25,130 --> 00:09:26,200
Your Majesty,

171
00:09:26,390 --> 00:09:29,046
Her Highness was blessed by your grace

172
00:09:29,070 --> 00:09:30,416
and turned disaster into luck.

173
00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,536
Her match with Prince Wutele

174
00:09:32,560 --> 00:09:34,790
is fated to be.

175
00:09:35,110 --> 00:09:36,110
Peiyi...

176
00:09:37,950 --> 00:09:38,690
Let me speak

177
00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:39,760
to His Majesty myself.

178
00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:45,000
Your Majesty, if you're still in the mood,

179
00:09:45,950 --> 00:09:47,380
may I offer a dance,

180
00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:49,930
the Zhezhi Dance.

181
00:09:49,990 --> 00:09:51,190
Mother once performed for you,

182
00:09:52,190 --> 00:09:53,190
to thank your grace?

183
00:10:05,940 --> 00:10:08,340
[Penglai Terrace]

184
00:11:30,010 --> 00:11:31,140
For eighteen years,

185
00:11:31,970 --> 00:11:33,466
I never had the chance

186
00:11:33,490 --> 00:11:34,710
to speak with you.

187
00:11:35,490 --> 00:11:36,610
Today is a rare opportunity.

188
00:11:37,090 --> 00:11:39,460
I want to say what's in my heart.

189
00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:41,400
Or later,

190
00:11:43,010 --> 00:11:44,670
I may never get the chance.

191
00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:48,660
I'm lucky

192
00:11:49,730 --> 00:11:51,710
to be your daughter.

193
00:11:52,490 --> 00:11:53,990
But my luck is also limited.

194
00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:56,230
In eighteen years,

195
00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,020
you only saw me three times.

196
00:12:02,450 --> 00:12:03,450
The first time,

197
00:12:04,730 --> 00:12:05,950
I was still little.

198
00:12:07,330 --> 00:12:08,016
You were checking

199
00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:09,540
the princes' and princesses' lessons.

200
00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:11,860
You praised me for my talent,

201
00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,380
so I studied hard.

202
00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:21,860
From then on,

203
00:12:24,130 --> 00:12:25,186
I never had another chance

204
00:12:25,210 --> 00:12:27,110
to show you my work.

205
00:12:35,130 --> 00:12:36,130
The second time,

206
00:12:37,560 --> 00:12:38,830
at your birthday banquet,

207
00:12:40,210 --> 00:12:41,310
I embroidered for you.

208
00:12:41,450 --> 00:12:42,710
"Dragon Soars Across the Seas."

209
00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:45,310
You praised it greatly,

210
00:12:46,490 --> 00:12:47,590
and finally remembered

211
00:12:48,130 --> 00:12:48,736
you had a daughter

212
00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,310
born of a desert dancer.

213
00:12:52,560 --> 00:12:54,180
So I kept improving my embroidery.

214
00:12:58,880 --> 00:12:59,880
Your Highness, please.

215
00:13:06,370 --> 00:13:08,110
Your embroidery has gotten even better.

216
00:13:08,490 --> 00:13:10,330
Give it to His Majesty before the spring hunt.

217
00:13:10,560 --> 00:13:11,780
He will surely be pleased.

218
00:13:13,250 --> 00:13:14,540
But my patterns

219
00:13:16,610 --> 00:13:17,856
never had another chance

220
00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:19,620
to be shown to you.

221
00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:24,520
The third time

222
00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:28,230
was this betrothal.

223
00:13:30,730 --> 00:13:31,730
This might be

224
00:13:33,090 --> 00:13:35,110
the best fate for me

225
00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:39,170
as your daughter.

226
00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:12,490
But it's not so bad.

227
00:14:13,970 --> 00:14:14,970
Father,

228
00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,140
you won't forget me again.

229
00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:27,140
Wanshun!

230
00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:28,400
Your Highness!

231
00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:42,960
Wanshun?

232
00:14:48,820 --> 00:14:49,820
Wanshun...

233
00:14:53,370 --> 00:14:54,370
Peiyi...

234
00:14:55,540 --> 00:14:56,580
You're so stupid.

235
00:14:58,450 --> 00:14:59,540
Why would you do this?

236
00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:00,800
Because

237
00:15:02,010 --> 00:15:03,070
this way

238
00:15:04,210 --> 00:15:05,990
no one can force me again

239
00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,110
to do what I don't want.

240
00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:49,780
Stop acting.

241
00:15:49,850 --> 00:15:50,586
Who keeps

242
00:15:50,610 --> 00:15:52,190
staring at a flower all day?

243
00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:54,190
His Majesty didn't see you.

244
00:15:54,370 --> 00:15:55,226
Those palace maids

245
00:15:55,250 --> 00:15:56,310
didn't see you either.

246
00:15:56,450 --> 00:15:57,710
You just tripped.

247
00:15:58,090 --> 00:15:59,090
Don't mind it.

248
00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:02,540
But it's fine.

249
00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:04,830
I saw it all, every bit.

250
00:16:15,250 --> 00:16:16,770
His Majesty asked me to give you this.

251
00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,200
Since you already finished that horseback piece,

252
00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:25,120
why didn't you tell me sooner?

253
00:16:26,210 --> 00:16:27,016
Then I could help you

254
00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:28,776
get it to His Majesty before the spring hunt.

255
00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:30,080
He would surely want to see you.

256
00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:31,760
It wasn't well done.

257
00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:33,400
Next time.

258
00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,760
These gold bangles are the prettiest.

259
00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:43,190
One for you, one for me.

260
00:16:45,850 --> 00:16:47,250
I hope someday

261
00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:49,650
we'll meet again.

262
00:17:04,750 --> 00:17:10,620
♪ The night's not all that fades ♪

263
00:17:10,790 --> 00:17:16,630
♪ A cawing crow deepens the gloom... ♪

264
00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:24,470
The ones who killed Wanshun,

265
00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:29,190
Lin Ning is one.

266
00:17:30,890 --> 00:17:32,540
Cui Manshu is one.

267
00:17:34,930 --> 00:17:36,100
I'm one.

268
00:17:40,450 --> 00:17:41,450
And...

269
00:17:42,170 --> 00:17:43,340
Who else?

270
00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:47,560
Your Majesty,

271
00:17:47,930 --> 00:17:49,626
the county princess has been tirelessly working.

272
00:17:49,650 --> 00:17:50,946
And she lost her closest friend today,

273
00:17:50,970 --> 00:17:51,670
overcome with grief.

274
00:17:51,970 --> 00:17:52,970
Please allow her

275
00:17:53,210 --> 00:17:54,390
to rest for a few days.

276
00:18:12,490 --> 00:18:13,570
His Majesty is considerate.

277
00:18:13,730 --> 00:18:15,150
Your Ladyship, rest well.

278
00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:17,420
Stay away from the hall,

279
00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:19,056
or seeing things there

280
00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:20,080
will stir old feelings

281
00:18:20,450 --> 00:18:21,470
and make you upset again.

282
00:18:35,670 --> 00:18:39,046
[Zichen Hall]

283
00:18:39,070 --> 00:18:41,390
[Virtue Shining, Ever-Progressing]

284
00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:44,736
Your Majesty, the matter you ordered

285
00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:45,760
has a lead.

286
00:18:53,690 --> 00:18:54,690
Speak closer.

287
00:18:56,070 --> 00:18:58,046
[A star has appeared in the Girl mansion. It is a most ominous sign.]

288
00:18:58,070 --> 00:19:00,470
[On the Wuwu day of the first month, the star has appeared.]

289
00:19:01,490 --> 00:19:02,490
This paper

290
00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:03,366
was found

291
00:19:03,390 --> 00:19:04,710
in Princess Ningyuan's residence.

292
00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:13,946
Wanshun must have been misled

293
00:19:13,970 --> 00:19:15,386
by that traitor Lin Ning

294
00:19:15,410 --> 00:19:16,850
to come up with such a foolish move.

295
00:19:18,650 --> 00:19:19,910
Lin Ning could move freely

296
00:19:20,450 --> 00:19:21,450
in the palace.

297
00:19:22,730 --> 00:19:24,370
Getting a secret memorial into the palace

298
00:19:24,930 --> 00:19:26,020
was not difficult task.

299
00:19:39,360 --> 00:19:40,710
Now that Wanshun has passed,

300
00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:42,870
has the omen come true?

301
00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:45,600
I dare not presume Heaven's will.

302
00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:46,986
But it seems this matter

303
00:19:47,010 --> 00:19:48,296
doesn't involve the former dynasty.

304
00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:49,500
Your Majesty needn't worry.

305
00:20:16,740 --> 00:20:18,870
[Princess Zhaoyuan]

306
00:20:37,850 --> 00:20:38,747
Wanshun paid with her life

307
00:20:38,771 --> 00:20:40,230
to escape that road.

308
00:20:41,190 --> 00:20:42,830
In the end, someone still has to walk it.

309
00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:48,760
There's something

310
00:20:49,120 --> 00:20:50,400
I must confess to Your Ladyship.

311
00:20:52,250 --> 00:20:53,370
Before the banquet that day,

312
00:20:53,970 --> 00:20:55,130
I met the Fifteenth Princess.

313
00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:58,560
Greetings, Your Highness.

314
00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:05,320
Deputy Director Xiao,

315
00:21:06,010 --> 00:21:07,260
I have a question.

316
00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:09,280
I wouldn't dare.

317
00:21:09,970 --> 00:21:11,060
Do you think

318
00:21:11,930 --> 00:21:12,930
the stars above

319
00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:15,870
can truly foretell human affairs?

320
00:21:18,970 --> 00:21:19,970
I only know

321
00:21:20,010 --> 00:21:21,430
the stars don't cause conflicts.

322
00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:22,260
But people

323
00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:24,020
use star omens to stir up trouble.

324
00:21:25,170 --> 00:21:26,500
Then in your view,

325
00:21:27,450 --> 00:21:28,930
was the chaos of the Lantern Festival

326
00:21:30,010 --> 00:21:31,340
caused by an omen,

327
00:21:31,930 --> 00:21:33,150
or by people fabricating one?

328
00:21:35,890 --> 00:21:36,970
Every matter has its reason

329
00:21:37,410 --> 00:21:38,530
and a whole story behind it.

330
00:21:38,890 --> 00:21:39,890
Your Highness being safe

331
00:21:40,010 --> 00:21:41,020
is what matters most.

332
00:21:43,010 --> 00:21:44,020
So you already knew.

333
00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:45,600
Looks like

334
00:21:45,970 --> 00:21:47,010
you don't believe in fate.

335
00:21:47,410 --> 00:21:48,410
I do.

336
00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:51,390
But we mortals

337
00:21:51,890 --> 00:21:53,150
can see what fate looks like

338
00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:54,910
only at the end of life.

339
00:22:00,450 --> 00:22:01,450
Thank you.

340
00:22:05,690 --> 00:22:07,430
You saw that secret memorial?

341
00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:11,670
You must've guessed

342
00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:13,820
it was me and the Princess together.

343
00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:15,450
At the Princess's residence,

344
00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:16,226
I found clues

345
00:22:16,250 --> 00:22:17,410
tied to that secret memorial.

346
00:22:18,890 --> 00:22:19,910
But the Princess alone

347
00:22:20,450 --> 00:22:21,810
couldn't have gotten that memorial

348
00:22:21,890 --> 00:22:23,060
into His Majesty's study.

349
00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:25,816
It's a pity that even after seeing

350
00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:26,840
such a dire omen,

351
00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:29,560
His Majesty still wouldn't change his mind.

352
00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:35,680
Congratulations, Deputy Director Xiao.

353
00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:36,800
Why congratulate me?

354
00:22:37,140 --> 00:22:37,977
Back then you agreed

355
00:22:38,001 --> 00:22:39,060
to help me with the case

356
00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:40,870
because you wanted the chance

357
00:22:41,170 --> 00:22:41,950
to help His Majesty find

358
00:22:42,010 --> 00:22:43,370
who delivered the secret memorial.

359
00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,300
Now the Princess's case is solved.

360
00:22:45,690 --> 00:22:46,906
The matter you wanted to check

361
00:22:46,930 --> 00:22:47,930
is clear as day.

362
00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:49,240
Isn't that worth celebrating?

363
00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:51,020
His Majesty believes

364
00:22:51,120 --> 00:22:53,480
this was all Lin Ning talking the Princess into it.

365
00:22:58,230 --> 00:22:59,230
Mr. Xiao,

366
00:23:01,120 --> 00:23:02,300
law and loyalty,

367
00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:04,080
how can you have both?

368
00:23:04,730 --> 00:23:05,230
The law

369
00:23:05,730 --> 00:23:06,730
is where rule begins.

370
00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:08,320
A gentleman

371
00:23:08,490 --> 00:23:09,490
is where rule is rooted.

372
00:23:12,490 --> 00:23:13,740
I'm odd and unruly.

373
00:23:14,410 --> 00:23:15,410
I'm no gentleman.

374
00:23:15,970 --> 00:23:17,300
But I'm no villain either.

375
00:23:17,890 --> 00:23:19,190
I don't really know you.

376
00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:20,600
So I can't judge.

377
00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:21,840
And I won't accuse you.

378
00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,296
Farmers have their hardships.

379
00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:28,470
People in the deep palace have theirs.

380
00:23:29,010 --> 00:23:30,710
I just had a bit of luck,

381
00:23:31,450 --> 00:23:32,670
played a few clever tricks,

382
00:23:33,250 --> 00:23:34,016
won a little favor,

383
00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:35,190
and only then stood back up.

384
00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:39,300
Wanshun was another me.

385
00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:43,300
A me who never stood back up.

386
00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:49,190
His Majesty has ordered

387
00:23:49,250 --> 00:23:50,906
a lavish burial for the Fifteenth Princess.

388
00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:52,390
Posthumous title: Zhaosi.

389
00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:54,256
His Majesty still cherished

390
00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:55,280
the Fifteenth Princess.

391
00:23:55,730 --> 00:23:56,730
You and I both know

392
00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:58,600
what "cherish" means.

393
00:24:02,170 --> 00:24:03,740
"Soaring past clouds,

394
00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:06,190
the soul ascends."

395
00:24:06,930 --> 00:24:07,930
Good thing

396
00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:09,016
she's already gone

397
00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:10,100
to the place she wanted.

398
00:24:16,450 --> 00:24:17,450
You're not

399
00:24:17,490 --> 00:24:18,500
a cold, rigid man of law.

400
00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:21,920
I know that when you came back from the temple

401
00:24:23,010 --> 00:24:24,330
you didn't go to see His Majesty.

402
00:24:38,830 --> 00:24:42,470
[Palace Investigation Bureau]

403
00:24:52,150 --> 00:24:54,910
[Xiao]

404
00:25:15,990 --> 00:25:18,910
[Xiao's Mansion]

405
00:25:20,210 --> 00:25:21,260
Huaijin is usually on duty

406
00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:23,190
at the Astronomical Bureau

407
00:25:23,970 --> 00:25:24,980
and rarely comes home.

408
00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,020
[Wang Yuxiu, Madam Xiao] Looks like you came for nothing.

409
00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:31,520
It's fine.

410
00:25:31,890 --> 00:25:33,230
The cakes you made

411
00:25:33,410 --> 00:25:34,736
are even better than the palace ones.

412
00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:35,800
I didn't come for nothing.

413
00:25:36,250 --> 00:25:37,250
Your Ladyship,

414
00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:38,990
so you like touhua cakes?

415
00:25:40,970 --> 00:25:42,670
When I was little, I'd throw a fit.

416
00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:44,740
Only touhua cakes could cheer me up.

417
00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:46,600
They're soft, sweet.

418
00:25:46,650 --> 00:25:47,706
One bite and I'd feel right.

419
00:25:47,730 --> 00:25:48,990
Then I'd calm right down.

420
00:25:51,690 --> 00:25:53,110
Madam, your scent

421
00:25:53,410 --> 00:25:55,150
is different from Mr. Xiao's sachet.

422
00:25:56,970 --> 00:25:57,970
That kind of sachet

423
00:25:58,450 --> 00:25:59,260
was made

424
00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:00,630
just for him and his father.

425
00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:02,390
My own incense

426
00:26:02,890 --> 00:26:04,340
is mostly floral.

427
00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:07,910
You make your own incense?

428
00:26:09,460 --> 00:26:10,850
Bring me my incense.

429
00:26:33,730 --> 00:26:36,230
None of these are what Mr. Xiao uses.

430
00:26:36,490 --> 00:26:37,630
They've used theirs up,

431
00:26:38,010 --> 00:26:39,130
and I haven't made more yet.

432
00:26:39,650 --> 00:26:40,710
These scents

433
00:26:41,210 --> 00:26:42,670
don't include the one you like?

434
00:26:43,120 --> 00:26:44,430
In Mr. Xiao's sachet,

435
00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:45,870
there are sandalwood and myrrh.

436
00:26:46,170 --> 00:26:47,170
I really like it.

437
00:26:47,690 --> 00:26:48,690
Princess Consort of Duan

438
00:26:49,210 --> 00:26:51,190
also likes men's incense.

439
00:26:53,450 --> 00:26:55,630
Your Ladyship is so dashing.

440
00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:57,260
You really do look

441
00:26:57,560 --> 00:26:58,910
like her in her youth.

442
00:27:01,450 --> 00:27:02,470
I misspoke.

443
00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:04,280
I've offended you.

444
00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,150
Please forgive me.

445
00:27:08,410 --> 00:27:09,430
The case at my home

446
00:27:09,650 --> 00:27:11,150
fifteen years ago was too tragic.

447
00:27:12,010 --> 00:27:13,060
It's no secret.

448
00:27:13,970 --> 00:27:15,020
But these fifteen years,

449
00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:17,390
everyone's been afraid to offend me.

450
00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:19,430
So about my parents,

451
00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:20,640
they all keep it hush-hush.

452
00:27:21,010 --> 00:27:22,626
I thought no one remembered Prince of Duan

453
00:27:22,650 --> 00:27:23,650
or his consort anymore.

454
00:27:25,170 --> 00:27:26,950
Hearing you praise my mother just now,

455
00:27:27,450 --> 00:27:28,450
I'm truly comforted.

456
00:27:31,270 --> 00:27:32,740
Madam, don't be so stiff.

457
00:27:33,410 --> 00:27:34,506
I'd actually like to hear more

458
00:27:34,530 --> 00:27:35,820
about my father and my mother.

459
00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:40,230
When I was young,

460
00:27:40,930 --> 00:27:42,500
I met Princess Consort of Duan once

461
00:27:43,170 --> 00:27:45,300
at the Shangsi Festival.

462
00:27:45,890 --> 00:27:46,890
Her Highness

463
00:27:47,490 --> 00:27:48,630
was stunning,

464
00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:50,470
bright and bold.

465
00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:51,960
Unforgettable at first sight.

466
00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:53,560
Prince of Duan

467
00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:55,260
was brave in battle,

468
00:27:55,730 --> 00:27:56,950
his name known far and wide.

469
00:27:58,040 --> 00:27:59,040
Heaven

470
00:28:00,490 --> 00:28:02,020
is always so unfair.

471
00:28:04,650 --> 00:28:05,650
Yes.

472
00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:07,910
From that Lantern Festival on,

473
00:28:08,650 --> 00:28:09,426
I could never reunite

474
00:28:09,450 --> 00:28:10,470
with my parents again.

475
00:28:12,840 --> 00:28:14,580
That Lantern Festival,

476
00:28:15,690 --> 00:28:16,690
Huaijin

477
00:28:17,250 --> 00:28:20,300
was on night duty at the Astronomical Bureau

478
00:28:21,250 --> 00:28:22,250
and didn't come home.

479
00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:24,020
My husband and I

480
00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,190
kept Old Madam Xiao company.

481
00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:28,950
She was used to keeping vigil and chanting sutras

482
00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:30,820
during the Lantern Festival.

483
00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:33,430
She only slept after midnight.

484
00:28:34,970 --> 00:28:37,740
That night my husband had official business,

485
00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:39,670
but to honor his filial duty,

486
00:28:40,410 --> 00:28:41,870
he stayed with Old Madam

487
00:28:42,170 --> 00:28:43,470
through the Zi hour,

488
00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:45,100
then hurried out.

489
00:28:48,320 --> 00:28:49,320
The Zi hour?

490
00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:52,950
Early the next morning,

491
00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:54,670
my husband came home.

492
00:28:55,170 --> 00:28:56,260
Only then did I learn

493
00:28:56,930 --> 00:28:58,210
something terrible had happened.

494
00:29:04,410 --> 00:29:06,060
I was too young back then.

495
00:29:06,930 --> 00:29:08,330
I don't remember that night at all.

496
00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:10,080
For some things,

497
00:29:11,210 --> 00:29:12,210
to forget

498
00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:14,630
is a blessing in itself.

499
00:29:29,970 --> 00:29:30,970
Move.

500
00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:36,630
So you finally visited the Xiao's mansion.

501
00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:39,840
How else would I find the killer?

502
00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:41,990
If you can

503
00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:42,950
find the killer here,

504
00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:44,300
I'll call you Master.

505
00:29:45,650 --> 00:29:46,650
Why can't I?

506
00:29:47,490 --> 00:29:49,210
So you really are hiding something from me!

507
00:29:50,210 --> 00:29:50,540
Yes.

508
00:29:51,170 --> 00:29:52,170
I hid it from you.

509
00:29:52,210 --> 00:29:53,870
I drank great wine at Zuixian House.

510
00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:55,776
And I ate a plate

511
00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:57,940
of top-notch braised lamb.

512
00:30:01,730 --> 00:30:02,730
So what did you find?

513
00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:08,190
Looks like you found nothing.

514
00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:09,870
My guess is,

515
00:30:10,010 --> 00:30:11,836
on the Lantern Festival night fifteen years ago,

516
00:30:11,860 --> 00:30:12,940
they haven't

517
00:30:13,040 --> 00:30:15,680
sent anyone to visit your family.

518
00:30:17,690 --> 00:30:18,690
Clearing suspicion

519
00:30:18,970 --> 00:30:20,020
is still a gain.

520
00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:22,360
Peiyi,

521
00:30:23,010 --> 00:30:24,340
let it go.

522
00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,260
Clinging too hard makes you see enemies everywhere,

523
00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:28,470
and clouds your mind.

524
00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:30,470
What was clear and simple

525
00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:32,470
will turn hard to grasp.

526
00:30:34,410 --> 00:30:35,300
But if I can't even

527
00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:36,360
trust myself,

528
00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:40,710
who can I trust?

529
00:30:54,250 --> 00:30:55,250
Don't worry.

530
00:30:56,690 --> 00:30:58,190
Whatever I said back then,

531
00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:00,560
today

532
00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:02,190
I'll say the same.

533
00:31:04,250 --> 00:31:05,250
Do you think

534
00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:08,430
she truly forgot?

535
00:31:10,650 --> 00:31:12,430
She is sharp and quick.

536
00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:14,780
She came today

537
00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:16,736
for more than just liking

538
00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:17,870
that incense.

539
00:31:19,010 --> 00:31:20,020
If she remembers,

540
00:31:20,970 --> 00:31:22,260
we must find a way to handle it.

541
00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:24,430
If she doesn't...

542
00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:26,470
We must stop her from remembering.

543
00:31:29,010 --> 00:31:29,710
If she doesn't get

544
00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:30,990
the answers she wants here,

545
00:31:31,690 --> 00:31:32,810
she likely won't come again.

546
00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:36,760
Thank you, Mother.

547
00:31:37,170 --> 00:31:38,850
I'm going back to the Astronomical Bureau.

548
00:31:39,250 --> 00:31:41,060
Your father will be back soon.

549
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:43,386
See him before you go.

550
00:31:43,410 --> 00:31:44,410
No need.

551
00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:46,120
And today's matter

552
00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:47,630
needn't be told to Father.

553
00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:51,800
I'll be going now.

554
00:32:00,150 --> 00:32:03,910
[Spring of the 13th year of Dali; Xingqing Palace]

555
00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:13,870
So there really are

556
00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:16,230
such special flowers in this world.

557
00:32:16,970 --> 00:32:18,630
I thought it was an exaggeration.

558
00:32:26,250 --> 00:32:27,250
Your Majesty, look.

559
00:32:28,210 --> 00:32:29,260
When the breeze blows,

560
00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:30,950
they glimmer with light.

561
00:32:31,690 --> 00:32:32,990
Like droplets of water.

562
00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:36,426
They aren't like the peony,

563
00:32:36,450 --> 00:32:37,470
so grand and noble,

564
00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:38,540
so bold and open.

565
00:32:38,890 --> 00:32:40,470
But they're delicate and enchanting.

566
00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:43,910
And their scent

567
00:32:44,410 --> 00:32:45,740
is faint, yet there.

568
00:32:46,210 --> 00:32:47,710
It makes you want to lean in.

569
00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:50,040
No wonder they're called "Hundred Charms."

570
00:33:06,930 --> 00:33:07,930
Your Majesty,

571
00:33:08,280 --> 00:33:10,100
this lady truly is so beautiful

572
00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:12,870
that it shames the moon and flowers.

573
00:33:14,490 --> 00:33:15,490
These flowers

574
00:33:15,930 --> 00:33:17,050
should be given to a beauty.

575
00:33:17,650 --> 00:33:20,470
This servant will pick them for you at once!

576
00:33:37,970 --> 00:33:38,470
The wall!

577
00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:40,200
There's something inside the wall!

578
00:33:43,690 --> 00:33:44,690
Your Majesty!

579
00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:56,950
- Your Majesty! - Hurry!

580
00:33:57,120 --> 00:33:58,386
Get Consort Shu back to her palace, now!

581
00:33:58,410 --> 00:33:59,656
Get Consort Shu back to her palace!

582
00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:00,910
I deserve death!

583
00:34:01,010 --> 00:34:02,700
I deserve death!

584
00:34:07,370 --> 00:34:08,500
In Xingqing Palace,

585
00:34:08,890 --> 00:34:10,270
such cruelty happened!

586
00:34:10,770 --> 00:34:12,136
Summon the Palace Investigation Bureau

587
00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:13,320
to thoroughly investigate it!

588
00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:15,620
This servant obeys!

589
00:34:26,520 --> 00:34:28,500
Thanks for covering for me, Deputy Director Xiao.

590
00:34:29,010 --> 00:34:30,010
That robe

591
00:34:30,290 --> 00:34:31,870
let me burn it for you.

592
00:34:32,810 --> 00:34:33,810
Much obliged.

593
00:34:35,460 --> 00:34:36,460
Hurry!

594
00:34:58,350 --> 00:35:01,190
[Flower on the Wall]

595
00:35:10,930 --> 00:35:11,930
Your Ladyship,

596
00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:13,660
you just got your post back.

597
00:35:13,720 --> 00:35:14,720
Don't do anything rash.

598
00:35:14,810 --> 00:35:15,580
By the order of His Majesty,

599
00:35:15,770 --> 00:35:16,946
you are forbidden to examine the body.

600
00:35:16,970 --> 00:35:18,140
Keep your voice down.

601
00:35:18,410 --> 00:35:19,430
Then no one will know.

602
00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:22,950
"Hundred Charms"?

603
00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:24,750
More like "demon charms."

604
00:35:26,010 --> 00:35:27,650
What did the Assistant Director here say?

605
00:35:27,930 --> 00:35:29,790
Tried to be clever, scared stiff,

606
00:35:29,930 --> 00:35:30,990
he couldn't say a word.

607
00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:32,270
Take him back.

608
00:35:32,450 --> 00:35:33,100
We'll question him tomorrow.

609
00:35:33,450 --> 00:35:34,530
- Understood! - Understood!

610
00:35:43,980 --> 00:35:44,750
Your Ladyship,

611
00:35:44,890 --> 00:35:45,990
I heard

612
00:35:46,030 --> 00:35:47,616
there's a man-eating flower in the South Sea.

613
00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:49,020
Its seeds are tiny as sand,

614
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:49,950
light as dust,

615
00:35:50,010 --> 00:35:51,010
hard to notice.

616
00:35:51,720 --> 00:35:52,746
If it lands on someone,

617
00:35:52,770 --> 00:35:53,770
it takes root right away,

618
00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:56,830
feeding on flesh as soil, marrow as fertilizer.

619
00:35:57,120 --> 00:35:57,986
By the time you notice,

620
00:35:58,010 --> 00:35:59,010
it's already too late.

621
00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:01,620
You can only be drained alive,

622
00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:03,700
and die in agony.

623
00:36:28,260 --> 00:36:29,260
Xiang embroidery...

624
00:36:29,850 --> 00:36:31,050
It must be from the palace.

625
00:36:32,030 --> 00:36:33,910
The seeds in the sachet sprouted,

626
00:36:34,850 --> 00:36:35,790
using the soil inside the wall

627
00:36:35,850 --> 00:36:36,906
and the spring rain,

628
00:36:36,930 --> 00:36:37,950
and bloomed into flowers.

629
00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:41,986
Director of Embroidery, take a look.

630
00:36:42,010 --> 00:36:43,620
Is this stitching Xiang embroidery?

631
00:36:44,010 --> 00:36:44,770
Your Ladyship,

632
00:36:45,010 --> 00:36:46,010
it is Xiang embroidery.

633
00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:47,430
And workmanship like this

634
00:36:47,600 --> 00:36:48,700
can only be Birou's.

635
00:36:49,010 --> 00:36:50,010
Get her out here.

636
00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:51,746
Birou isn't with the Palace Workshop Service.

637
00:36:51,770 --> 00:36:53,190
She serves Talent Wang.

638
00:36:53,530 --> 00:36:54,530
Please wait.

639
00:36:58,890 --> 00:37:00,170
Your Ladyship, are you saying

640
00:37:01,930 --> 00:37:03,076
the owner of this sachet.

641
00:37:03,100 --> 00:37:03,787
[Birou, Palace Maid]

642
00:37:03,811 --> 00:37:04,910
Is already dead?

643
00:37:11,770 --> 00:37:12,770
Your Ladyship,

644
00:37:13,890 --> 00:37:14,890
I gave this sachet

645
00:37:15,370 --> 00:37:16,660
to Hanxiao.

646
00:37:18,240 --> 00:37:20,620
Hanxiao from Consort Shu's palace?

647
00:37:22,810 --> 00:37:23,810
Did Hanxiao

648
00:37:24,010 --> 00:37:25,090
have any identifying marks?

649
00:37:25,410 --> 00:37:27,140
On the inside of both ankles,

650
00:37:27,330 --> 00:37:28,540
she had cinnabar moles,

651
00:37:28,930 --> 00:37:29,930
perfectly symmetrical,

652
00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:31,220
very distinctive.

653
00:37:35,970 --> 00:37:36,970
Your Ladyship,

654
00:37:38,370 --> 00:37:39,660
did that body have them?

655
00:37:43,870 --> 00:37:45,986
[Palace Investigation Bureau]

656
00:37:46,010 --> 00:37:47,136
I found Hanxiao's exit record in the Bureau of Palace Ladies,

657
00:37:47,160 --> 00:37:48,660
dated half a year ago.

658
00:37:49,120 --> 00:37:50,386
His Majesty cares for the palace maids.

659
00:37:50,410 --> 00:37:51,367
Every maid released

660
00:37:51,391 --> 00:37:52,620
gets a resettlement payment,

661
00:37:52,850 --> 00:37:54,176
so they can marry

662
00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:55,200
and make a living.

663
00:37:55,290 --> 00:37:56,580
She already collected the money.

664
00:37:56,890 --> 00:37:58,056
Her exit date and household register

665
00:37:58,080 --> 00:37:59,080
are all here.

666
00:38:03,240 --> 00:38:04,240
Chang'an County...

667
00:38:08,630 --> 00:38:10,130
Is this the Cai household?

668
00:38:10,520 --> 00:38:11,520
Yes.

669
00:38:14,450 --> 00:38:17,050
[Zhenzhen, Hanxiao's younger sister] Miss, you're from the palace?

670
00:38:17,770 --> 00:38:19,210
Do you know my elder sister Hanxiao?

671
00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:20,800
So, you're Hanxiao's younger sister?

672
00:38:21,330 --> 00:38:22,330
Yeah. My name's Zhenzhen.

673
00:38:22,970 --> 00:38:23,500
Miss,

674
00:38:23,770 --> 00:38:25,130
do you have any news of my sister?

675
00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:26,600
Who is it?

676
00:38:28,240 --> 00:38:28,750
Mother!

677
00:38:28,970 --> 00:38:30,180
They're from the palace!

678
00:38:32,600 --> 00:38:33,180
So,

679
00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:34,910
do you have any news of Hanxiao?

680
00:38:36,810 --> 00:38:37,810
Hanxiao

681
00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:40,100
was my best friend in the palace.

682
00:38:41,290 --> 00:38:42,350
After she left the palace,

683
00:38:42,450 --> 00:38:43,450
we lost touch.

684
00:38:43,810 --> 00:38:45,620
I came to Chang'an County on business today,

685
00:38:45,720 --> 00:38:46,920
so I thought I'd check on her.

686
00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:48,700
How could she go missing?

687
00:38:50,930 --> 00:38:52,346
Outside the palace,

688
00:38:52,370 --> 00:38:53,580
did she have anyone close?

689
00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:55,056
She never

690
00:38:55,080 --> 00:38:56,140
talked to us about that.

691
00:38:56,770 --> 00:38:58,270
So I don't know.

692
00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:06,120
Miss,

693
00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:07,600
I heard

694
00:39:07,850 --> 00:39:08,850
the court gives

695
00:39:08,970 --> 00:39:10,060
those leaving the palace

696
00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:12,020
a resettlement payment.

697
00:39:12,680 --> 00:39:13,680
Is that true?

698
00:39:14,490 --> 00:39:15,490
Of course.

699
00:39:15,720 --> 00:39:16,990
It's a lot of money.

700
00:39:17,240 --> 00:39:18,270
Then

701
00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:20,470
can we... claim it?

702
00:39:23,560 --> 00:39:24,560
Why?

703
00:39:24,600 --> 00:39:26,180
Is your family short on money?

704
00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:30,350
My husband has been sickly.

705
00:39:30,520 --> 00:39:32,060
He can only mind a shop for others,

706
00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:33,430
and earns next to nothing.

707
00:39:34,010 --> 00:39:35,950
But everything costs money at home.

708
00:39:36,240 --> 00:39:37,990
Thankfully, we had Hanxiao.

709
00:39:38,490 --> 00:39:39,890
She landed a position in the palace

710
00:39:40,010 --> 00:39:41,060
and supported us all.

711
00:39:41,290 --> 00:39:42,580
She was our backbone.

712
00:39:43,120 --> 00:39:44,640
If you rely on Hanxiao to support you,

713
00:39:44,970 --> 00:39:46,140
shouldn't you find her first?

714
00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:49,240
We...

715
00:39:49,680 --> 00:39:51,220
We will!

716
00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:53,270
But our whole family

717
00:39:53,520 --> 00:39:54,830
has to live, too.

718
00:39:57,010 --> 00:39:58,310
Madam, it's been so hard on you.

719
00:40:01,160 --> 00:40:02,830
This is all the money I have.

720
00:40:03,450 --> 00:40:03,830
Here.

721
00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:05,280
Oh...

722
00:40:07,680 --> 00:40:08,680
Well

723
00:40:08,770 --> 00:40:09,770
I just don't know

724
00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:11,830
where else to get news of Hanxiao.

725
00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:16,750
We have letters she sent before.

726
00:40:17,850 --> 00:40:18,500
Go get them, now!

727
00:40:18,770 --> 00:40:19,770
Hurry!

728
00:40:22,330 --> 00:40:23,990
The really old ones are gone.

729
00:40:24,720 --> 00:40:26,350
These are from the past two years,

730
00:40:26,490 --> 00:40:27,216
up until.

731
00:40:27,240 --> 00:40:28,800
[To Mother and Father] she went missing.

732
00:40:29,160 --> 00:40:30,220
I kept them all carefully.

733
00:40:31,290 --> 00:40:32,290
Miss, take a look.

734
00:40:32,450 --> 00:40:33,450
Maybe they'll help.

735
00:40:37,410 --> 00:40:38,530
I'll come again another day.

736
00:40:39,560 --> 00:40:40,346
If you remember

737
00:40:40,370 --> 00:40:41,370
anything else,

738
00:40:41,490 --> 00:40:42,490
tell me right away.

739
00:40:42,930 --> 00:40:44,020
Yes!

740
00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:47,750
Hanxiao was blessed

741
00:40:47,810 --> 00:40:48,517
to have friends

742
00:40:48,541 --> 00:40:49,950
like you two.

743
00:40:50,240 --> 00:40:51,310
Truly blessed!

744
00:41:05,370 --> 00:41:06,370
Miss!

745
00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:09,200
Miss!

746
00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:11,176
If you find my sister,

747
00:41:11,200 --> 00:41:12,200
please tell her

748
00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:13,560
I'm grown up now.

749
00:41:13,970 --> 00:41:14,746
I can fold 500 paper ingots

750
00:41:14,770 --> 00:41:15,790
and earn one wen.

751
00:41:16,290 --> 00:41:17,390
I can help the household.

752
00:41:18,640 --> 00:41:19,960
She doesn't have to work so hard.

753
00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:23,680
And

754
00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:26,140
if she really doesn't want to come back,

755
00:41:27,560 --> 00:41:28,560
then let her go.

756
00:41:30,010 --> 00:41:31,050
I won't beg her to return.

757
00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:33,220
I just want her safe.

758
00:41:48,850 --> 00:41:49,540
Hide it well.

759
00:41:49,850 --> 00:41:50,870
Don't let anyone find it.

760
00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:53,136
If your parents try to send you into the palace

761
00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:54,160
or force you to marry,

762
00:41:54,520 --> 00:41:55,620
take this jade token

763
00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:57,536
to the Palace Investigation Bureau in Xingqing Palace.

764
00:41:57,560 --> 00:41:58,560
Remember?

765
00:41:59,200 --> 00:42:00,200
Promise me,

766
00:42:00,600 --> 00:42:02,000
and I'll help you find your sister.

767
00:42:04,950 --> 00:42:07,590
[Zuixian House]

768
00:42:10,240 --> 00:42:11,540
Money for her father's medicine,

769
00:42:11,770 --> 00:42:13,016
money for her brother's schooling,

770
00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:14,390
money to fix the stove,

771
00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:16,040
money for coal and winter clothes...

772
00:42:16,560 --> 00:42:17,270
These letters are basically

773
00:42:17,520 --> 00:42:18,826
about the family asking for money,

774
00:42:18,850 --> 00:42:19,890
and Hanxiao sending money.

775
00:42:20,490 --> 00:42:21,656
That family is playing poor,

776
00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:22,826
squeezing their daughter dry.

777
00:42:22,850 --> 00:42:24,250
You paid so much for these letters.

778
00:42:24,290 --> 00:42:25,216
You're encouraging

779
00:42:25,240 --> 00:42:26,390
their habit of extortion.

780
00:42:27,770 --> 00:42:28,500
Look again.

781
00:42:28,720 --> 00:42:30,220
Do they say anything else?

782
00:42:30,890 --> 00:42:32,386
Where she'd go after leaving the palace,

783
00:42:32,410 --> 00:42:34,136
whether she needed her parents to meet her, anything.

784
00:42:34,160 --> 00:42:35,540
There are lots still unopened.

785
00:42:35,890 --> 00:42:36,930
I'll read them one by one.

786
00:42:37,160 --> 00:42:39,100
Even if there is, it's not worth that much.

787
00:42:40,850 --> 00:42:41,850
This lamb is so tender.

788
00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:43,160
Try some.

789
00:42:51,520 --> 00:42:52,950
What I gave Hanxiao's family

790
00:42:53,160 --> 00:42:54,500
was tribute silver.

791
00:42:55,330 --> 00:42:56,576
The moment it hits the market,

792
00:42:56,600 --> 00:42:57,600
someone will report it.

793
00:42:57,970 --> 00:42:59,170
The money will come back fast.

794
00:42:59,770 --> 00:43:00,770
So these letters

795
00:43:01,200 --> 00:43:02,200
didn't cost anything.

796
00:43:06,680 --> 00:43:07,306
I checked both the Capital Prefecture

797
00:43:07,330 --> 00:43:08,500
and Chang'an County offices.

798
00:43:08,810 --> 00:43:09,386
In the past half year,

799
00:43:09,410 --> 00:43:11,050
there's no record of Hanxiao registering.

800
00:43:12,640 --> 00:43:13,640
She left the palace,

801
00:43:14,120 --> 00:43:15,480
yet her body ended up back inside.

802
00:43:16,010 --> 00:43:16,790
Looks like the killer

803
00:43:16,850 --> 00:43:18,430
can move freely in the palace,

804
00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:19,950
go anywhere without suspicion,

805
00:43:20,450 --> 00:43:21,930
and even come and go from the palace.

806
00:43:22,120 --> 00:43:23,830
What kind of status would that be?

807
00:43:24,290 --> 00:43:25,910
And they can hide a body in the harem.

808
00:43:27,560 --> 00:43:28,720
Mr. Xiao has the qilin badge.

809
00:43:28,890 --> 00:43:29,890
He could do it.

810
00:43:32,290 --> 00:43:33,730
Or maybe it's not someone important,

811
00:43:33,890 --> 00:43:35,020
but someone low enough

812
00:43:35,080 --> 00:43:36,390
that no one notices them.

813
00:43:38,290 --> 00:43:39,810
Did you spread the word I told you to?

814
00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:40,470
I did.

815
00:43:40,970 --> 00:43:42,170
Hanxiao got along with people.

816
00:43:42,450 --> 00:43:43,750
Hearing she died so horribly,

817
00:43:43,970 --> 00:43:44,746
some palace maid

818
00:43:44,770 --> 00:43:45,470
will surely come with clues.

819
00:43:45,770 --> 00:43:46,770
Didn't His Majesty

820
00:43:47,010 --> 00:43:48,310
order a quiet investigation

821
00:43:48,600 --> 00:43:49,790
to avoid panic?

822
00:43:50,970 --> 00:43:52,016
His Majesty also ordered

823
00:43:52,040 --> 00:43:53,100
we solve it fast.

824
00:43:56,640 --> 00:43:57,640
I'm done eating.

825
00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:00,000
Let's go back to the Palace Investigation Bureau and wait.

826
00:44:00,810 --> 00:44:02,050
We already have a lead so soon.

827
00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:05,540
Your Ladyship, blessings.

828
00:44:06,520 --> 00:44:08,790
I'm Qingquan from Consort Shu's palace.

829
00:44:09,290 --> 00:44:10,290
I

830
00:44:12,010 --> 00:44:14,020
I know who killed Hanxiao!

831
00:44:35,910 --> 00:44:42,230
♪ Gazing at the moon from a distant terrace ♪

832
00:44:42,750 --> 00:44:49,390
♪ The dreams are weighed down by suspicions ♪

833
00:44:49,910 --> 00:44:56,910
♪ The injustice in the world remains unrighted ♪

834
00:44:57,390 --> 00:45:03,670
♪ Yet all I do is kick up a cloud of dust ♪

835
00:45:05,430 --> 00:45:09,070
♪ The verdict sounds like thunder in my ears ♪

836
00:45:09,390 --> 00:45:12,990
♪ I see the truth, sharp as a blade ♪

837
00:45:13,070 --> 00:45:17,030
♪ I read the books of sin stained with blood ♪

838
00:45:17,310 --> 00:45:20,790
♪ What wise words do you offer? ♪

839
00:45:22,430 --> 00:45:26,070
♪ This journey will take me to uncover buried truth ♪

840
00:45:26,350 --> 00:45:29,470
♪ And dive into deep waters for the reflection of the moon ♪

841
00:45:29,750 --> 00:45:33,270
♪ I swear to bring back a peaceful world ♪

842
00:45:33,590 --> 00:45:36,790
♪ And eliminate all evil ♪

843
00:45:36,910 --> 00:45:40,550
♪ I will leave no hiding place for darkness ♪

844
00:45:40,790 --> 00:45:43,950
♪ And illuminate this glorious age ♪

845
00:45:44,430 --> 00:45:47,750
♪ Justice is my sword, piercing through the fog of mystery ♪

846
00:45:47,910 --> 00:45:52,310
♪ Let stars and moon shine through the dark night ♪

847
00:45:52,790 --> 00:45:56,350
♪ The verdict sounds like thunder in my ears ♪

848
00:45:56,710 --> 00:46:00,270
♪ I see the truth, sharp as a blade ♪

849
00:46:00,390 --> 00:46:04,830
♪ I read the books of sin stained with blood ♪

850
00:46:05,110 --> 00:46:08,630
♪ What wise words do you offer? ♪

851
00:46:09,830 --> 00:46:13,590
♪ I will leave no hiding place for darkness ♪

852
00:46:13,870 --> 00:46:16,950
♪ And illuminate this glorious age ♪

853
00:46:17,430 --> 00:46:20,790
♪ Justice is my sword, piercing through the fog of mystery ♪

854
00:46:21,070 --> 00:46:24,310
♪ Let stars and moon shine through the dark night ♪

855
00:46:24,390 --> 00:46:27,750
♪ One day, the sky will turn clear ♪

856
00:46:28,070 --> 00:46:31,510
♪ One day, the sky will turn clear ♪

857
00:46:31,750 --> 00:46:39,750
♪ One day, the sky will turn clear ♪
