Original subtitles

Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚖Defenders of the Law ⚖ Team @ Viki

["Water and Flame" by Shu Linzuo]

♫ The boundless world is pitch-dark as the night ♫

♫ Your appearance is like a lightning bolt that tore through the night ♫

♫ My birth is neither impure nor pure, neither born nor destroyed ♫

♫ Perseverance is in my heart behaving atrociously, who can comprehend? ♫

♫ The sharp sword that penetrates desire is stained with blood ♫

♫ The season tainted with the hypocrisy of the world is prosperous yet withering ♫

♫ Give me some time, I can change everything ♫

♫ The courageous moth can also extinguish a sea of flames ♫

♫ Sorrow and delight are interweaving with colors ♫

♫ Layers upon layers covered by a dense fog ♫

♫ Numerous obstacles cannot stop me ♫

♫ To uncover the truth ♫

♫ A region of burning fire and deep waters ♫

♫ Calm and blazing both existing ♫

♫ Who will indulge the wicked flames ♫

♫ To boil the deep sea ♫

♫ This is the era of survival of the fittest ♫

♫ Everything will be planned by oneself ♫

♫ Even if it is a proud and aloof predestination ♫

♫ Even if completely incompatible, I’m still here ♫

[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍]

[Episode 1]

Excuse me.

Take a look at the trinkets!

Six hours?

It was marinated at 6:30 this morning.

Exactly six hours ago.

When did you put rice wine in it to marinate?

Four hours ago.

Was the meat pounded before it was marinated?

I saw with my own eyes, Butcher Zhang cut the meat [Aunt Dong, owner of Dong's Restaurant]

and pounded it with the back of his knife back and forth six times.

Thank you, Aunt Dong.

Call me, "Big sister."

Sister Aunt Dong.

This loin is taken from the back

between the fourth and fifth ribs.

It has fat, lean and tendon at the same time.

So it must be pounded before you barbecue it,

so that the meat is tender and easy for the seasoning to get in.

Then use the secret marinade written in Guangling Food Notes

to marinate it for six hours.

Eat it with plum sauce.

It will help get rid of the greasiness and leave a lingering good flavor behind.

It is truly…

a divine delicacy.

Official Tang, sorry!

My meat!

Official Tang, sorry!

My stove!

Make way! Make way!

Get out of the way!

[Tang Fan, magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture]

Excuse me!

These cases are too urgent. [Shuntian Prefecture]

- Homicide? - No.

- Someone got hurt? - No.

- Someone went missing? - No.

Then, can't you just let me enjoy my lunch first?

Come on. Although these are just some petty crimes,

these petty crimes happened at the same time.

How about... I do not hold up your mealtime. [Pan Bin, Governor of Shuntian Prefecture]

You can investigate the cases while eating.

What happened?

I left the plum sauce at Dong's Restaurant!

It's just a sauce!

I owe you a meal, all right?

You have to eat an imperfect lunch this time.

As long as you solve the cases, I'll buy you whatever you want to eat.

- Read it. - "My name is Zhang Quan and I live in Fruit Lane, south of the city—"

Stop!

What now?

It will take ages if they read the pleadings one by one.

Then, what do you want?

Read them at the same time.

"My name is Zhang Quan and I live in Fruit Lane, south of the city—"

- Did it rain yesterday? - Yes.

- Was it heavy? - I'd say so.

Where was the chicken before it started to rain yesterday?

It had been in the henhouse the whole time.

Do you have any evidence?

I spread some lime on the courtyard wall the day before yesterday.

It's a felony with a punishment of exilation to steal government horses.

I was on my way out of town.

This horse kept following me.

Before and after the rain, due to the high humidity,

the smell in the henhouse is quite bad.

So it is absolutely impossible for this chicken to stay in the henhouse all the time.

You said, your chicken was in the henhouse before it rained.

This indicates that you have never raised chickens before.

So this chicken is definitely not yours.

The lime on the wall was washed away by the rain.

You thought there would be no trace left behind.

However, the lime will give out heat when it meets water.

The layer of accumulated moss on the wall, burned by the hot lime water,

became a layer of very delicate moss paste.

There are no traces of lime on you.

But between your fingers and your cuffs, there is moss paste.

How do you explain this?

Is he carrying anything on him?

Official Tang, we found a bag from this old man.

Official, l suffer from a cold-deficiency in my stomach.

The candied fruit is a food supplement for it.

It's true that candied fruit can help cure stomach illnesses,

but it can also be used for other purposes.

Move.

You know horses like sweet food.

So you used this method to steal the horse by alluring it to follow you.

You were thoughtful and experienced.

This shows that you are not only a horse thief,

but also a habitual burglar.

You reckless burglar! Confess now!

Official, have mercy! Official, have mercy!

If you don't start talking,

you'll taste what Shuntian Prefecture has to offer!

Welcome. [Sui Zhou, Zongqi at the Northern Administrative Court]

What would you like?

A pot of rice wine and some beef.

Got it. Wait for a few moments. I'll be right back.

There's good weather for the crops this year.

It poured last night.

It also rained outside the border, right?

If the wind and rain come on time this year,

the pastures on the grassland should be enough for cattle and sheep to get through the winter.

Then the Oirats will not invade central China because of lack of food and forage. (T/N: Oirats = western Mongolian tribes)

Then our soldiers guarding the borders can be spared a war.

That means many lives will be spared.

What does this have to do with me?

You joined the army when you were 15 years old.

At 17, you became a squad leader in the battalion of crack troops.

At 20, you were transferred to Datong region with your superior, Ding Rusun,

and joined the force of the Yunzhou Iron Guard.

When you were only 22, you were promoted as a Baihu commander.

During your five years guarding the borders, you had fought in more than a hundred battles.

But on the fifth day of the first lunar month of the year when you were 27 years old,

you killed Ding Rusun, who was already a general of the garrison troops.

You changed your name and escaped outside the border.

For the past eleven years, no one knew your whereabouts.

I think you got the wrong person.

I am only twenty-five years old!

I'm not talking about you.

Jia Kui,

I have been looking for you for a long time.

Here you are: garlic sauce.

Thank you.

Can I talk to you outside?

Sui Zhou, a Zongqi at the Northern Administrative Court of Imperial Guards.

Former soldier?

I spent two years guarding the borders.

You brought seven people?

We know what you're capable of, so we want to play it safe.

Do you think you can beat me?

I don't know, but I want to give it a try.

If you want to escape, the seven of us

can't stop a martial arts master like you.

But if you want to take your wife and kid with you,

it won't be that easy.

If I go with you, can you leave them alone?

What you did is not related to them.

All right. I can give myself up and go with you.

- But… - But what?

I still want to try and see if I can escape.

Chestnut cake just out of the pan in the morning!

[Zheng Cheng, firstborn of Marquis Wu'an]

Young Master, buy some flowers?

Young Master, do you want to see the flowers?

Stop! Stop!

Would you like to see the flowers?

Young Master, take a look.

You're so pretty.

Young Master, please show some respect!

I can't help it. The flowers are so pretty.

Where are you going, lady?

I want both the girl and the flowers.

- Let's go. - Young Master, please show some respect!

Young Master! Young Master, are you okay?

- Where are you going? - Stop!

The candied hawthorn has your saliva on it.

I don't want it anymore. Here you go.

This is good stuff.

Don't waste it even if you don't want to eat it.

Who the hell do you think you are?

Do you believe I'll kill you?

Who do you think you are to threaten to kill someone

in the downtown of this country's capital?

Capital?

Do you know who I am?

Look over there.

Keep your eyes wide open and look over there. Did you see it?

[Mansion of Marquis Wu'an]

Even Your Grace Marquis Wu'an himself

wouldn't have made a scene and threatened people.

Not to mention you are just his son.

You know me?

His Grace has two sons, the firstborn of the legal wife and the second is the son of a concubine.

I heard Zheng Cheng, the eldest son,

is illiterate, lascivious and an alcoholic.

Could it be you?

How dare you?

Who gave you the right to call our young master's name?

Why did you admit it?

Young Master, I'm sorry!

You and your big mouth!

Young Master, I am sorry!

Young Master, the road ahead is blocked by some people who are having a fight.

I'll make a detour to go back home. [Han Zao, Crown Prince's study companion]

Young Master!

Why can't you shut up?

Your Majesty,

His Highness's studying companion Han Zao has gone missing.

Father Emperor, Han Zao and I are like real brothers.

We were still studying just a few hours ago.

Now he suddenly… suddenly disappeared.

Crown Prince, get up.

You may get up.

It's inappropriate that you keep kneeling.

Thank you, Father Emperor.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Where is Crown Prince's personal chief eunuch?

Liu Xiang is here to see Your Majesties and Your Highness.

You may get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What happened today?

When this afternoon's class was over,

His Highness stayed in the Prosperous Literature Palace to review the homework left by his teacher.

Xiao Zao said he wanted to go home for dinner, (T/N: "Xiao" meaning "little" is used as an endearment)

so he left the palace early.

Han Zao is at the age of being playful.

I think we should choose another companion for His Highness.

You have always been concerned about what happened at Merciful Celebration Palace.

I think you know where Han Zao is.

Empress Dowager, that's not what I meant.

Mother Empress, you misunderstood Noble Consort Wan.

Your Majesty, what do you want to do with Han Zao's missing case?

This matter involves the palace and it happened in the capital.

Let the Northern Administrative Court handle it.

For the beautiful night and beautiful music, let's have a toast.

Go.

Your Excellency, what's the matter?

Wang Zhi is here, and he wants to see me.

Wang Zhi? Which Wang Zhi?

Who else can it be?

Commander of Western Depot, Wang Zhi.

What is the purpose of his late-night visit?

I'm afraid this is not a social call.

Your Excellency, be careful around him.

How powerful can a eunuch be?

[Wang Zhi, commander of Western Depot]

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Official Yu, I am sorry that I came at this hour.

- But I had to come in the middle of the night for some serious matters. - Sure.

This is my first visit to you. I was a bit rushed,

so I only prepared this little something for you.

Thank you. You shouldn't have.

Please, take a seat.

Official Yu, have you read this?

This memo to the throne is about the matter of establishing an heir apparent to a throne.

Yes, what's wrong with that?

The matter of appointing an heir is an important matter.

As ministers, it's our job to solve problems for His Majesty.

There's nothing wrong there.

That's good.

But the second half of this memo mentioned Noble Consort Wan.

It said she rules the harem and meddles in affairs of state.

She was very upset when she heard it.

But I was only telling the truth.

Indeed you were telling the truth.

But after all, these are His Majesty's domestic affairs.

It's not for us, his subjects, to discuss and criticize.

So, not only Her Highness was unhappy,

but His Majesty was also not very happy.

If you have something to say, just say it.

When His Majesty is unhappy, we must pay more attention to investigate.

Paying more attention isn't a big deal.

However, we found out you said a lot of things that you shouldn't have.

What do you mean?

On the 12th day of the ninth lunar month in the 12th year of the Chenghua reign,

you and Official Wang, an assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites,

Official Sun of the Ministry of Revenue,

Official Chen, a censor of the Censorate,

and Official Qian in the Household Administration of the Heir Apparent had dinner together.

You proposed that officials of all ministries should join forces

to counter Noble Consort Wan's followers from disrupting state affairs.

On the 13th day of the fifth lunar month in the 13th year of the Chenghua reign,

there was a vacancy as an assistant to the Jiangxi governor.

You pulled some strings and your second son filled this vacancy.

You also forged his resume, adding an extra two years

in his working experience in the position of a prosecutor.

On the eighth day of last month,

before you and your wife went to bed,

you said His Majesty favored Noble Consort Wan and took her ill-disposed advice.

You also said Wan's followers and the Western Depot eunuch's secret service had taken over state affairs.

They formed a clique to pursue selfish interests and lied to His Majesty.

You discussed and bashed political affairs with your family.

Any one of these things can give you a penalty of death.

Combined punishment for several offenses?

The court can kill every one of your family and even the whole clan could be implicated.

Commander,

just tell me what you want.

I want His Majesty and Noble Consort Wan to be happy.

I understand.

What about my family?

You can rest assured.

They will be left out of this.

Good.

You have to forgive me for I can't see you out.

I'm leaving.

Official Yu, it's true that a eunuch like me is not powerful.

The only powerful one in this country...

is His Majesty.

The woman leaned against the door, and slowly she asked,

"When will you come again?"

The young and handsome man asked in wonder,

"Miss, why do you ask?"

The woman said, "I am delighted whenever I see you.

If you are here for a minute, I will be delighted for a minute.

If you're here for an hour,

then I will be a delighted woman for an hour."

Dong'er, can you be a bit quieter at night?

These are some snacks Madam made.

Don't sit on those books.

What's wrong with the books? It's not a big deal.

Sitting on books will make you a dumb girl.

Liar.

Madam is in a good mood today.

She is.

She received news today that Master will return to Beijing soon.

But he said a long time ago your rent was too low. [Dong'er, servant of Li Mansion]

Now your lease is about to end.

I think they will want to raise your rent.

Hey! My annual salary is just 20 taels of silver!

How could they raise it again?

Nevertheless, you're a lower 6th rank official.

But every day you do nothing except writing these novels.

Now you can't afford the rent and you're here all angry and cynical.

Who can you blame?

How dare you a little girl to tell me how to behave as an official?

Do you know anything about national affairs?

Do you?

Do you know corrupt officials take all the power?

Most of them do nothing but kiss up to their superiors.

Tyrannical officials in the South

caused disasters, chaos, and raise of bandits.

Plus, during the Song and Yuan dynasties,

a large amount of silver was drained away to other countries, leaving the state treasury empty.

So the government printed paper notes indiscriminately

which caused its value to plummet.

In recent decades we have been hard-pressed on the northern borders.

The Three Guards of Liaodong are casting a greedy eye at our borders.

But most military commanders are incompetent.

If you ask me, in terms of officials,

we should carry out reform and fight corruption.

For the treasury, we must thoroughly check the accounts, increase income, and reduce expenditure.

In the Northern borders, reorganize military affairs, reward military merits, and discipline the army.

In the South, we should promote agriculture and trading,

and give favorable policies to farmers and businessmen.

Horse markets in Liaodong should be reopened

to temporarily pacify all clans of the Oirats.

We can suppress them once we rebuild a prosperous country with a powerful army,

so that we can get rid of these potential threats.

Do you understand what I said?

No.

But it seems quite reasonable.

You are not the only one who doesn't understand.

I have to write novels.

You can only blame yourself since you love to eat so much

and you spent all your salary on food in less than two weeks.

Write, write.

Or where, else can I get the money?

Can I help you?

Is Official Tang home?

Old Zhang, what's the matter?

Official Tang, Official Pan asks you to go to Joyous Brothel right away.

Why does he need me in a brothel so late at night?

Marquis Wu'an's eldest son, Zheng Cheng, is dead!

[Office] (T/N: Yamen is government office in feudal China)

He died?

Here?

Who knows what's going on.

What is the cause of death?

From my experience as a coroner for more than 30 years,

it's hard to tell.

Do you know who this dead man is?

Zheng Cheng, the eldest son of Marquis Wu'an.

This is big news. [Pei Zhun, Genius Physician]

Such a tragedy happened to a noble family.

Old Sun doesn't want to be the one to tell.

Don't make it difficult for him.

Since he doesn't want to say, then you do it.

None of you guys from Shuntian Prefecture are willing to say.

Why should I, a temp helper, be the one to say?

I know your passion for studying medicine.

Can you really keep your mouth shut seeing such a weird way of death?

All right, all right! Stop with the nonsense.

Although all symptoms of this body fit the description of sudden stroke during sex…

Although?

Do you want me to explain it or not?

There are two doubts about the body. Come here.

There are bloodstains inside of his teeth,

between the teeth, and in his mouth.

This shows that the deceased might have vomited a lot of blood,

and died before he or others could clean up his mouth.

But look at this room.

It is unusually neat and clean without any trace of blood.

Look at this.

See?

If this was left by the victim,

then it must've been extremely painful before he died.

Poisoning?

I'm not sure. I need to go back and do an autopsy on him.

Then hurry up.

Do I work in Shuntian Prefecture?

No.

Then, why do I have to take orders from you during every scene investigation?

Do I owe you or something?

Let's not talk about who owes who for the two of us.

How many times have I paid for your bill in the restaurant? Did I ever ask you for money?

You want to bring this up?

Sure, let's settle some old accounts

to see if I owe you more or you owe me more.

Old Pei, do you have to fuss over money with me?

I am telling you that I haven't made enough fuss!

Tonight, I was in a home visiting

while your people dragged me here, you know?

I know, you are called "Genius Gynecologist."

There are many ladies who called you to visit but are not really sick.

Even if they are sick, they will get better the moment they see you.

They will survive without you.

- Watch what you say! - But...

this man is already dead here.

This is a magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture.

Tang Fan, who styles himself as "Runqing."

He is thoughtful and a great sleuth.

Rest assured that the case is in good hands.

Marquis. Second Young Master. I am sorry for the loss of your loved one.

It's you.

What's going on?

Who first found the body?

Official Tang, I did.

What happened after you guys and I parted ways?

Come back to see me.

Lady Qingzi?

Qingzi. [Feng Qingzi, a courtesan of Joyous Brothel]

I am sorry. Today I got my period, so it's not a convenient time for me.

I don't care if you have your period or not!

Young Master, you're drunk.

Please get some rest in the next room.

I won't see you off.

Hey, Qingzi!

- Young Master! - Young Master Zheng!

Later Madam Cui took us to another room to rest.

So your young master always asked Lady Qingzi to serve him when he comes?

Yes, he always slept in Lady Qingzi's room. [Zheng Zhi, secondborn of Marquis Wu'an] [Zheng Ying, Marquis Wu'an] [Zheng Fu, servant of Marquis Wu'an Mansion]

Did Lady Qingzi come later?

Later…

I don't know what happened next.

After I served the young master,

I left.

Young Master, I am leaving the fan here.

Keep the light.

Do you know the girl who hung herself in the room?

I don't.

When did you come back?

Around 11 o'clock at night.

Young Master?

Young Master.

Help! Help!

You just said you served him to take his medicine.

What medicine did he take?

Shh!

Fuyangchun.

What is it for?

It's an aphrodisiac.

Where did he get this medicine?

This medicine… Lady Qingzi gave Young Master the prescription.

I filled the prescription at Returning Spring Pharmacy in Tangxibai Street.

Yes, that's right.

I personally went there to buy all the ingredients.

Do you know the apothecary?

Tall and thin, probably in his 20s.

Here... no, here, he has a mole here.

You, go get the procuress and Lady Qingzi here for questioning.

Yes, Sir!

Was Zheng Cheng one of your regular customers?

Yes.

Then, why did you have a quarrel with him today?

Official, this is what happened.

Qingzi, let him go to the next room to rest for an hour,

and then you will go and apologize to him with me.

Did he calm down?

He has fallen asleep.

Fallen asleep?

Was Zheng Cheng alone when you entered the room?

Yes. He was sleeping soundly,

so I didn't wake him up.

What time was it?

Sometime about 7:30.

Was the candle still burning or already out?

It was still burning.

Who was the girl who hung herself in the room?

When did she go in there?

Official, I don't know who the girl was,

and she was not working in Joyous Brothel.

As for when she entered the room, I don't know, either.

Besides, it wasn't the first time

Young Master Zheng brought a girl from outside here.

You can't disturb the crime scene!

Tang Fan.

It's late now.

My father wants to take my brother's body home,

so that we can make arrangements for the funeral soon.

I wonder if you can do us this favor?

I understand you want your loved one to rest in peace soon.

But there is something unusual here.

There are still many doubts about this case.

In order for us to do a further examination,

we need to bring your brother's body back to Shuntian Prefecture.

My son was the eldest son of a marquis!

How can this case be handled by ordinary people?

His body will stay in my mansion!

Yes, Marquis.

Of course, your son's body

should be returned to your mansion.

My condolences.

Let's go.

I have grown a lot of white hair over the years.

That's impossible, Your Highness.

You are known for never growing old in appearance.

You're still so young.

You entered the palace in the third year of the Chenghua reign, right?

Your Highness has a good memory.

At that time you were six, and I was thirty-eight.

Now you are seventeen.

I am forty-nine.

Of course, I'm old.

I sent someone to Jianzhou Jurchens territory outside the border,

to find some velvet antler and bear placenta to make a tonic.

They will arrive in the capital soon.

Your Highness can try the tonic.

If you like it, I'll ask them to pay tribute with these ingredients every year.

You're always so thoughtful.

You're too kind. Taking care of you is just my job.

Did you hear about Han Zao's incident?

Yes.

I always think there's something fishy about it.

I feel like it's targeting me.

Don't worry. I'll take care of it.

I can always trust you.

Come on.

It was such a long night for both of us, wasn't it?

I'm telling you, I'm starving right now.

Let's have a bowl of noodles.

After that, go home and get some sleep.

It's delicious.

Senior.

If you don't like noodles, I can order something else for you.

There is something that's not right with this case.

Just eat the noodles.

Think about it.

This case is not so simple.

I already told you I have figured this out.

Marquis Wu'an didn't want this scandal to go public.

Plus, the youngest son also told me in private that

they hoped this case can be as low-profile as possible.

So this case is defined as,

"Zheng Cheng, son of Marquis Wu'an,

died of a sudden stroke during intercourse."

What about the girl who hung herself in the room?

She was just a prostitute in Joyous Brothel.

A prostitute suddenly saw such an important person die in front of her,

how could she stay calm?

Also, she was afraid she would be held responsible.

Out of desperation, she hung herself.

But the female corpse at the scene wasn't a prostitute in Joyous Brothel.

Other than that,

there are still many doubts about this case.

First, there was a lot of dried blood in Zheng Cheng's mouth.

He must have vomited blood before he died.

But the room was very tidy and clean.

Second, Zheng Cheng had sawdust in his nails,

and there were scratch marks on the bed base and bedstead.

These must be traces

caused by his painful struggle before his death.

Although these two points are most likely because

the room was cleaned up… Third—

Stop, Runqing.

Do you hear yourself?

You said the words "most likely."

My dear junior,

do you know why you stayed at the Hanlin Academy

underappreciated for so many years?

Why?

You can be too serious.

I'm telling you that the code of being an official is

to help others is to help yourself.

Only in this way can you sit in your position safely for a long time.

So let's end this case

and not mention it ever again, got it?

- But, Senior… - There's no but!

Senior!

Eat your noodles.

Where are you going?

Going home to sleep.

Why?

Can't you go back to sleep after eating the noodles?

Aunt Dong, no one touched the noodles. Can I take it back?

[Imperial Study]

The jade pendant is so mellow.

It's just an ornament from the previous dynasty.

A few days ago Official Yu gave it to me as a gift. [Shang Ming, commander of Eastern Depot]

It's fun to play with it.

Which Official Yu?

Official Yu of the Ministry of War, of course.

If you are interested, you can have it.

I don't have that luxury.

Also, I don't have the profound knowledge like you do.

It'll be a waste if it's in my hands.

His Majesty is here!

I, Shang Ming, am here to see Your Majesty.

I, Wang Zhi, am here to see Your Majesty.

As you were.

I just heard that Zheng Cheng, the eldest son of Marquis Wu'an,

suddenly died outside of his mansion?

Shuntian Prefecture's report said that Zheng Cheng was sick.

Have you heard of this?

I heard a little bit about it.

They came to a conclusion too soon.

Shuntian Prefecture might be perfunctory on the investigation.

I share the same opinion as Commander Shang.

Since such a tragic case happened in the capital, in a marquis' family,

whose ancestor helped the founding of our dynasty, it should be investigated thoroughly.

So who is the most appropriate person to investigate this case?

The Western Depot shall be happy to take the case, Your Majesty.

This case happened in the capital.

It is most appropriate for Eastern Depot to investigate it.

Western Depot has been responsible for most cases in the capital recently.

This case should be investigated by Western Depot.

I have heard a lot about your excellent investigation skills,

but first come, first serve.

I don't think that rule applies to His Majesty's affairs.

His Majesty has always trusted the Western Depot.

And we have never let His Majesty down.

If Your Majesty gives me this case,

Western Depot will never be perfunctory like Shuntian Prefecture

and let Your Majesty down.

Sir Shang,

there is something…

What's up?

Do you know that Official Yu died last night?

Which Official Yu?

Who else can it be?

Official Yu from the Ministry of War.

How did he die?

He drank poisoned wine, or so I was told.

Brother, it's me!

Brother!

Brother! [Xue Ling, Xiaoqi of Northern Administrative Court]

The capital sent a very urgent message asking you to go back.

[Memo]

What happened?

Han Zao, the son of Grand Preceptor Han went missing.

His Majesty ordered me to investigate this case.

Pack up, you and I will go back immediately.

Yes, Sir!

I must return to the capital immediately.

Will you run away while I am away?

Unlock his cangue.

But, official…

If he wanted to escape, with or without the cangue,

you wouldn't have been able to stop him.

Yes, Sir.

These people were on duty when Han Zao left the palace.

Young Master Han had been His Highness's studying companion for years;

of course, we all recognize him.

Did you see Young Master Han going out of the palace?

We saw it with our own eyes that

he left the palace door and got into the carriage.

Are you sure the carriage was Han Mansion's carriage?

Yes.

Look at the neck.

Normally the bruises on the neck should be very serious.

Because people who hang themselves always struggle before their last breath.

And look at the victim's neck.

Very shallow mark of rope.

Apparently this person was strangled with a rope after death.

If she wasn't hanging to death, what is the cause of death?

Poisoning.

Just the same as Zheng Cheng?

Zheng Cheng was killed by chronic poisoning.

The poison accumulated in his body for quite a long time.

And this child took a very toxic poison.

It should not be more than two hours for the poison to start doing its work.

And also,

this person died six to twelve hours before Zheng Cheng died.

In other words, this girl was dead

before Zheng Cheng came to Joyous Brothel.

Yes.

Speaking of which…

A boy?

Lanterns!

Check these lanterns!

Official.

Was there a carriage staying here yesterday?

The time was around 3:00 to 5:00.

A child was in the carriage.

Does it sound familiar?

Yes, there was.

- A child inside said he needed to go to the toilet. - I have a stomachache.

So the coachman asked me if there was a latrine nearby.

Excuse me. Is there a latrine nearby?

Over there, just around the corner.

They turned around and went that way.

Why would the carriage stop here on the street

in the middle of downtown?

Someone had a quarrel that day.

So there were a lot of onlookers who blocked the road.

So the carriage had to stop here for a while.

Do you know about this?

After investigation, the two people quarreling:

One is the son of Marquis Wu'an, his name is Zheng Cheng.

And the other is a magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture named Tang Fan.

I'm going to find these two people.

I am doomed!

I got into such big trouble!

Now, the Ministry of Punishments and the Court of Judicial Review

sent a joint letter to His Majesty to impeach us.

Accusing that we neglected our duties and didn't look into the murder case.

Even the Eastern Depot wants to impeach us.

I told you so.

You were in a hurry to close the case

without even finding out the identity of the victim.

Of course, things would go wrong.

But that's not my call!

That's what the Marquis wanted.

Runqing, you have to help me!

Let me think about it.

All right, think about it.

What are you thinking?

What do I want to eat now?

I am hungry.

Aunt Dong.

The usual.

Sure.

What are you doing?

This is not auspicious.

I accidentally took an extra one.

Runqing, do you think there is room for maneuver in this matter?

It depends on what you want to do.

I don't mind if I am impeached.

But I don't want the whole Shuntian Prefecture to go down with me.

Of course, it's better

if I can keep my office.

His Majesty will certainly not let it go easily.

Eastern Depot and Western Depot will also use it to get what they want.

Think about it. The dead guy was not any ordinary person.

He was the firstborn of Marquis Wu'an.

He was supposed to inherit the title in the future.

His Majesty will definitely intervene.

Wang Zhi, commander of Western Depot,

since the establishment of this secret service,

has investigated and brought down many court officials.

He is the most powerful official in the court right now.

But he hasn't handled any case with royal members or marquises involved.

He will definitely use this Zheng Cheng case to set an example for others.

How about the East Depot?

It was established more than a century ago

by the Emperor Taizu.

But suddenly Western Depot that was just established one year ago

has stolen the limelight.

Eastern Depot would not let that happen.

So now whatever case the Western Depot wants to handle,

Eastern Depot will try to steal the case.

Senior, if you want to get out of the trouble without getting hurt,

you have to use this as your leverage.

Leverage?

What should I do?

Write a memo to His Majesty admitting your mistake first.

And then tell him you had to do so,

and what Marquis Wu'an said to you to win over His Majesty's sympathy.

Then you will write...

"Since someone impeached Shuntian Prefecture's improper disposal on this matter,

there must be something we did wrong.

I suggest the Eastern Depot, Western Depot,

Imperial Guards, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Court of Judicial Review

to join hands in investigating the case together.

So that Marquis Wu'an and his family can get the truth they deserve."

This is a wonderful plan!

It's nice to have you by my side.

Your noodles.

Thank you.

Runqing, should we take the memo to the throne…

Aunt Dong,

did you make the noodles?

No. Our new chef made them.

New chef?

I'd like to meet him. Could you ask him to come?

Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚖Defenders of the Law ⚖ Team @ Viki

♫ Out of the mud but not tainted with the world of mortals ♫

♫ The sea drifts along while the heart is calm for a fraction ♫

♫ All alone in the world with no love nor hate ♫

♫ Being too slow-witted is also an innate intelligence ♫

♫ The cold fireworks branded the palm lines of predestination ♫

♫ New wounds cannot easily conceal old scars ♫

♫ The naked eye cannot easily break through worldly affairs, it can only hold on to one’s pure inherent quality ♫

♫ Hold his hand, don’t let him sink into degradation ♫

♫ In this mortal world together, both wandering to the end of the world ♫

♫ Brushing past each other, there’s no need to be bothered with the past ♫

♫ A fish lept over the dragon gate (after becoming successful), you eventually forgot your original identity ♫

♫ I only ask for you to always remember my expression as I gazed back ♫

♫ I only ask for you to always remember my expression as I gazed back ♫