Original subtitles

ASTRONOMICAL BUREAU

Huaijin.

Father.

What are you doing here?

Court officials can't just enter the Astronomical Bureau freely.

XIAO WENYUAN, CROWN PRINCE'S GRAND TUTOR

You've been away from home for five years.

You and I both live in the Western Capital.

And we're both officials.

But I never expected it would be so hard to meet.

You should've known this before I worked here.

I know.

Officials from the Astronomical Bureau

are forbidden to mingle with court ministers,

even if they're father and son.

But His Majesty has specifically allowed you to visit home.

You refuse to go back,

so I came to see you.

Why?

Are you going to kick me out now

or report me to the Emperor?

I guess you have something important to say.

I'll get straight to the point.

I heard His Majesty wants you

to assist the Palace Investigation Bureau, right?

You're still beating around the bush.

You're trying to mention Princess of Fuchang County, right?

She didn't recognize me.

Maybe, as everyone says,

she doesn't remember what happened that night long ago.

But when she was investigating,

she never asked for help from anyone.

So, why did she keep you by her side?

Do you mean she's faking memory loss?

She is smart, sensitive,

and calculating.

Whether she remembers it or not,

you should keep your distance from her.

Father,

are you feeling guilty?

Are you still blaming me?

I've already explained it to you.

Back then,

I had no other choice.

Now, with the Imperial decree,

I have no choice either.

Whether you want to hear it or not,

as a father,

I only care about you.

It's getting late.

Even the Astronomical Bureau allows you to come and go freely.

The curfew shouldn't stop you.

See you, Grand Tutor.

‪ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL ‪ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU

Why are you here, Mr. Xiao?

It has nothing to do with him.

I've been following him.

He didn't have time to commit the crime.

Do you recognize her?

Are you afraid of seeing blood?

She's the Right Chancellor's niece, the Ninth Lady, Cui Manshu.

I had planned to question her tomorrow,

but she's already dead.

The blood hasn't even dried. The killer hasn't gone far.

It matches the shoe prints found by the stage.

Both are from palace-issued oiled boots.

He must have gone in that direction.

You still suspect me?

I've never suspected you.

So why did you follow me here?

Shouldn't you stay out there waiting for news?

MAP OF YANSHOU WARD

This house isn't marked on the map.

Earlier, I passed by here with Prosecutor Gu.

I found it's very close to the waterway and not far from the black powder shop.

Yet it's not marked on the map.

So hidden, so the killer must have chosen it.

I've heard some people can track someone by their traces.

So you can do that too.

Looks like I picked the right person.

Are there any other clues?

The shoe prints are incomplete.

These are all we have for now.

Are you going to examine the body?

Please step back.

A knife was stabbed into the chest.

The wound is deep enough to spill this much blood.

The killer must've hated you deeply.

Who is he?

This wedding robe is beautiful.

Such a pity.

There's the scent of black powder.

Be careful.

It matches the black powder left on the stage.

This house really was the killer's hideout.

From these shoe prints, the killer must be six chi tall.

But there are only partial prints.

We can't confirm if these prints are left by the same person.

Tomorrow, let's visit the Right Chancellor's mansion.

We need to find out why this unmarried woman

appeared here in a wedding robe.

Peiyi!

- Peiyi! - Wanshun!

Peiyi!

WU SHUYUN, PRINCESS CONSORT OF DUAN

Mother.

LI JING, PRINCE OF DUAN

Father.

Father!

PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

PRINCE OF DUAN'S FAMILY MASSACRE CASE FILE

You're finally here.

Where is the real case file?

This has always been the real one.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, 15 years ago,

weakened from years

of continuous warfare

and suffering from a long-standing illness,

Prince of Duan went mad.

He slaughtered his entire household,

then took his own life to atone.

Prince of Duan's only daughter, Li Peiyi,

stayed at the palace due to illness and thus survived.

It's because I lost the memory of that day,

you've all been lying to me.

It's the truth. Why would we lie?

That day, you had a fever and stayed in the palace.

You were unconscious for three days and nights.

When you woke up,

the tragedy had already happened.

It's just normal that you don't remember it.

His Majesty never wanted to tell you about this.

But you kept asking,

and His Majesty couldn't bear to withhold it.

I've told you these things

so many times over the years.

Why don't you believe me?

Because my father wouldn't lose control,

and he would never kill my mother!

Just because you don't want to believe them

doesn't mean they didn't happen.

Peiyi, this case has already been concluded.

Instead of clinging to the past,

it's better to focus on finding the murderer of the princess.

You can keep it.

Your Ladyship.

CUI MINZHONG, RIGHT CHANCELLOR

You remind me so much of Manshu.

I lost my composure.

Sorry about that.

No need for formalities, Sir.

It's easier for me to sit here.

All right.

How is Consort Shu?

Manshu was murdered.

As Consort Shu's older brother,

I'm worried about her sorrow.

She is indeed heartbroken.

In one night,

two noble ladies lost their lives.

His Majesty is furious.

Consort Shu is distressed.

I feel heartache and unease too.

Your Ladyship and Deputy Director Xiao

are so concerned about Manshu's case.

I am deeply grateful.

It's time for lunch.

I've prepared a simple meal.

Please, take your time.

If you want to know anything,

just question my men after the meal.

ENTERING THE MANSION HOUR OF XU, NINTH LADY CUI, TWO MAIDS

Sir, please take a look.

Last night during the hour of Xu,

after leaving the palace, Lady Cui returned directly to the mansion

with no stops in between.

After returning, did she go out again?

Last night during the hour of Xu, she returned here,

but was murdered in Yanshou Ward.

Yanshou Ward is far from here.

If she didn't leave in a carriage,

she must have

been abducted and taken to Yanshou Ward.

This mansion has tight security.

It's impossible for someone to forcefully abduct a lady.

Whose carriage did Lady Cui take last night?

Tell me honestly!

Or else, 50 lashes for each person!

It was mine.

I took Lady Cui to Yanshou Ward.

When we arrived there,

she asked me to stop the carriage outside a house.

She then got out of the carriage

and told me to go straight back.

Was there anyone else in that house?

It was pitch dark.

There should have been no one.

Along the way, especially in Yanshou Ward,

did you see a solitary man about six chi tall and very sturdy?

No, I didn't.

What was Lady Cui wearing when she got on the carriage?

A yellow skirt, with a flowered cloak.

- Did she carry any bags? - No.

These girls are too clumsy to explain it clearly.

If Your Ladyship has any questions,

just ask this old servant.

Do you mean Her Ladyship can't understand them

without your help?

I dare not.

- You served Lady Cui yesterday? - Yes.

Has she had any conflicts lately or any secret relationships?

Your Ladyship, we servants should not gossip about the master's matters.

Otherwise, we'd be kicked out of the mansion!

This is an investigation, not gossip.

Your Ladyship, I really can't say it.

You can't say it?

That means you know something.

I don't know anything.

Fine. Everyone, rise up.

Bring the matron in.

Tell her the servants have spilled everything.

Understood.

Please show mercy. Please show mercy.

I truly know nothing.

I really didn't say a word.

If I'm kicked out,

I'll have no choice but to work in some drink shop.

Then I'll truly be left with no hope.

Please show mercy.

Please, Your Ladyship, be merciful.

WUXIANG DRINK SHOP

UNFILTERED SPRING BREW CARE FOR A TASTE?

I found it.

That house was originally owned

by a concubine's son from a wealthy local family.

He died young, and the house was left vacant.

No one dared live there.

Later, it was sold to a merchant from the north.

I finally found this merchant.

He said he had rented the house to a gentleman

named Guo Hua.

Then, did you find Guo Hua?

No. However,

I got the lease from the merchant.

Didn't you order any drinks?

We've been waiting for you.

You're so kind.

Lady, please bring me a bowl of drink.

Alright.

Servants from the Right Chancellor's mansion

asked me to question you.

Lady Cui is dead.

Please sit.

How did she die?

She was murdered.

Heaven is just.

She truly got what she deserved.

I'm Li Niang.

She's the reason my face looks like this.

You ruined this luxurious embroidery!

You're not worth a single thread of it!

Speak!

When…

When I was ironing, I accidentally--

Then you covered it with two yellow silk threads.

And you thought I wouldn't notice, huh?

Since you're so clumsy,

I'll teach you properly.

- Young lady! - What are you doing?

- Please, spare me! - Let go!

Don't just stand there!

- Come here and hold her down! Hurry! - Please!

Please, young lady, spare me!

- Please, young lady… - Let go!

- Spare me! - Hold her down! Hold her down!

At least a donkey can grind grain for me.

With you lot,

I doubt I'll ever get a decent robe made.

So inhuman!

I wish I were the killer.

But so many want her dead.

It's not my turn.

Heaven's justice is clear.

Her wealthy friends' days

are surely numbered too.

Life is really getting more hopeful for me.

With her kind of character, it's no surprise she made enemies.

But how did she make friends?

Like attracts like.

Who are they?

‪Shh.

ZHOU HELAN, ZHAO LUOSHUN

WANG YUHUA

Well…

they're all high-status noble ladies.

Has Lady Cui mentioned the Fifteenth Princess?

Of course, she has.

Lady Cui is arrogant and overbearing,

bullying so many people.

Only the Fifteenth Princess made her suffer.

So, when she talks about the Princess,

she grits her teeth.

What happened?

I only heard

that Lady Cui bullied others

and was punished by the Princess.

But no one dares say

exactly what happened.

All these years,

someone finally punished this evil lady.

The Princess will certainly be blessed.

She deserves every blessing.

If there's no solid evidence,

hastily interrogating these three people

in the name of the Court of Judicial Review

may be difficult.

Powerful families generally care about their reputation.

If we act rashly, it will not look good for either side.

Yunchui House makes excellent cured meat.

Wuren, book three fine rooms there.

I'll join you shortly.

Why has she suddenly taken an interest in cured meat?

She means that in her name,

she will invite the three noble ladies

to meet at Yunchui House under the pretense of casual conversation.

Keep it low-key and dignified.

That way, perhaps it will stir up less trouble.

So, where are you going?

The killer could openly bring black powder into the palace without being noticed.

They must have some skill. I'll go check it out.

YUNCHUI HOUSE

ZHAO LUOSHUN, NOBLE LADY

ZHOU HELAN, NOBLE LADY

The Minister's mansion has eyes everywhere.

Her Ladyship is worried that going there hastily

would cause unnecessary gossip about you.

WANG YUHUA, NOBLE LADY

The Right Chancellor's mansion urged me.

How could I dare stay at home any longer?

So many dishes.

This cured meat is quite good.

Did you meet with Lady Cui last night?

Her Ladyship asked me here to talk,

and now you're questioning me?

Why are you being so difficult?

It's such a simple question.

Just answer it.

Yesterday, my mother was unwell.

She insisted I stay at home with her.

With such festivities out there,

she wouldn't let any women in the house leave.

I never even caught a glimpse of the palace lanterns.

How could I have seen Manshu?

Do you know

why Lady Cui went to Yanshou Ward?

Did she ever mention it to you before?

The noble ladies on the west side of the city all say

that stepping westward from Zhuque Street

makes you lose some of your noble air.

Let alone Yanshou Ward, a place full of scoundrels.

Manshu would never go there.

Do you know

the issue between her and the Fifteenth Princess?

No, I don't. Didn't Helan come here too?

Go ask her.

She is the closest to Manshu.

There are things Manshu would never tell us,

but Helan knows all about them.

You're wearing a storax sachet.

It smells wonderful.

Daily supplies are brought

into the palace at the precise hour of Yin.

These past few days,

besides the daily supplies,

the palace also received gifts from the Uyghur prince,

as well as the New Year tribute to Consort Shu

from the Right Chancellor and the Armory Director.

TWO CARTS OF GOODS, THREE HORSES THE DRIVER: ZHOU HELAN

Lady Zhou?

Does the Armory Director send gifts to Consort Shu every festival?

Before, he'd only send a cart for her birthday.

The New Year tribute is new this year.

What's more, it was a total of three carts.

Cui Manshu's murder has nothing to do with me.

I'm going home.

Aren't you close friends?

She is the Right Chancellor's niece.

Everyone revolves around her.

I'm just a general's daughter who enjoys swinging swords.

We're nothing alike.

Your father relies on the Right Chancellor's favor.

As his daughter, it's understandable

you'd try to keep good relations with Lady Cui.

There's no shame in that.

Even Wang Yuhua says

that you and Cui Manshu are the closest.

You two share so many confidences.

I always thought you were clever and sharp.

I never expected you to be so ordinary.

No point in saying more. I'll take my leave.

Bossed around by Cui Manshu, you've let your training slip.

Consort Shu gave you storax sachets.

Wang Yuhua and Zhao Luoshun both got one,

yet you were left out.

Cui Manshu has always been arrogant,

never associating with daughters of officials below the fourth rank.

You won't admit your association with her

because she only bullies you and doesn't offer friendship.

You're right.

Cui Manshu has always been showy

- and enjoys bullying the weak. - Of course.

- I never wanted to get involved with her. - Take it.

But one day,

my father came back from the Right Chancellor's mansion,

drunk and out of his mind.

I later found out

that the Right Chancellor had heard that I was arrogant

and unwilling to associate with Lady Cui,

which caused her to cry and complain.

He asked my father

to resolve the misunderstanding at his house.

But there was no misunderstanding at all.

He just wanted my father to make a public statement

and teach me a lesson

to live in harmony as close friends.

That night, my father kept apologizing,

until he was coughing up blood.

He didn't want me to suffer.

But my mother couldn't bear it.

For the peace of our family, she begged me to play along

and be friends with Cui Manshu.

What are you doing there?

Pour us some water!

And bring the pastries over.

She doesn't need me to be her friend.

She just wants me there to humiliate me.

For my father's sake, I had no choice.

I just never thought

she'd resent me so much just because I didn't put on a smile

when she was humiliating me.

That day,

it was Cui Manshu's birthday.

My mother had custom-made a crimson fox fur cloak

as a gift to her.

My lady, crimson fox fur is quite rare.

Helan searched far and wide

to gather enough to make this cloak.

May it bring you prosperity.

Madam Zhou,

this fur collar feels so soft.

You certainly know quality!

It took quite some gathering.

The fur is taken

from under the arms of foxes barely a year old--

How dare you!

Cui Manshu, what are you doing?

On my birthday,

you skinned a fox and plucked its fur to celebrate for me?

Don't you know

Consort Shu and the Right Chancellor's maternal family's surname is Hu?

Fox reads the same as Hu. Such a deathtrap,

you deserve major punishment!

Don't start it!

My lady, I didn't mean any harm.

We can't take on this accusation.

If it weren't for my friendship with Helan,

I would have made this matter known to Consort Shu.

That's a crime punishable by death.

My lady, punish me however you wish.

Just don't let Consort Shu or the Right Chancellor find out.

You'll take whatever punishment?

- Y-Yes. - Fine.

Then kneel to my family shrine

and kowtow 100 times.

We should only kneel to heaven and earth, to our parents.

Why should we kneel to your family shrine?

So, you refuse?

- Fine. - My lady…

Fine. I'm willing to kneel.

I hope you will let it go

and don't hold it against us.

Whatever you want, come at me.

Don't make things hard for my mother!

After all, she is your elder.

I'll kneel for her, 200 times.

I'll kneel to your family,

wishing your family happiness every year

and a bright future.

Helan…

Cui Manshu often takes pleasure in humiliating others.

I heard that the Fifteenth Princess once taught her a lesson for this,

making her lose face in public.

Do you know the details?

No, I don't.

It seems not many people know about it.

Do you know why Cui Manshu went to Yanshou Ward last night?

No, I don't.

- Give me your hand. - What?

You, unlucky in relationships,

have been bullied and tormented by Cui Manshu.

Let me see

when you'll meet someone who will bring you luck.

You can read palms?

I have many talents.

TWO CARTS OF GOODS TWO HORSES, THE DRIVER: ZHOU HELAN

On the tenth day of the month,

Zhou family only sent two carts of New Year tribute?

One person records these entries,

one person checks them, and another person verifies them.

There won't be any mistakes.

This line is called the "official-ghost line."

Where fortune hides misfortune, within danger lies grace.

A life near nobility, yet bound to trouble.

So what if I know my fate beforehand?

I still have to live it out.

No need to read it.

I haven't finished yet.

Helan,

you're still holding grudges against Cui Manshu,

with secrets buried deep in your heart.

Nonsense!

I won't let you fool around.

I'm going home.

From the beginning,

you've been trying to distance yourself from Cui Manshu.

I know you've been bullied by her, ashamed to speak about it.

But the truth is, it's very easy to see through it.

The real reason you distanced yourself

is to hide something that is unfavorable to you.

I gave you a chance.

You didn't spill, so I had to read your hand.

Can a hand reveal anything?

Of course, it can.

On this lease,

the fingerprint of Guo Hua's right index finger

is an inverted shape.

Your right index finger also bears the same shape.

WANG BOWEN, GUO HUA, DOU LUHONG

The house in Yanshou Ward is rented by you.

Why didn't you admit it?

A fingerprint can't prove it's me.

Fingerprints are unique.

A fingerprint like yours is one in a million.

If you don't want to admit it, fine.

Wuren, go and find that merchant.

Let him meet this gentleman,

- Guo Hua. - Understood.

Wait.

So what if I rented it?

Cui Manshu's death has nothing to do with me.

After I returned home last night,

I practiced swordsmanship with my father until midnight.

The Zhou family can testify for me.

Even if you're not involved in Cui Manshu's death,

what about the Fifteenth Princess's death?

I checked the palace records for this month's entries.

On the tenth,

the Zhou family sent three carts of New Year tribute to Consort Shu.

But in Consort Shu's storage record that day,

only two carts were logged.

One cart of goods

disappeared between the palace gates and Consort Shu's palace.

Coincidentally, someone saw you

escorting a cart of goods to the side door.

As for whether the cart contained black powder,

the Inner Guards will find out soon.

No need.

I'm indeed involved

in the Fifteenth Princess's death.

Cui Manshu

and the Fifteenth Princess had a grudge

on the day my mother and I were humiliated.

Faster.

Don't delay my birthday banquet. It's about to begin.

Wait a moment!

Your Highness is here.

Stand up.

These green plums are freshly picked.

You treated us to some earlier.

His Majesty and Consort Shu both like it.

But His Majesty never asked what's your purpose

in serving plums, as his surname Li reads the same as plums.

Your loyalty is clear for all to see.

But since the Emperor has been so lenient,

please show mercy.

Since Her Highness pleaded for you,

I'll let you off this time.

What are you staring at?

Why aren't you starting the banquet?

You foolish thing!

Take your mother back to get cleaned up.

You're all tired today.

Go back and rest early.

The Princess saved us both

and gave Cui Manshu face.

But Cui Manshu sees her as a thorn in her side.

Cui continues to humiliate me

while plotting revenge against the Princess.

One day,

she seemed to learn some secrets about the Princess.

Every few days,

- she'd secretly discuss - Who'd thought

- with Lady Wang and Lady Zhao. - the Fifteenth Princess actually did it!

If word gets out…

Go pick some fresh flowers from the courtyard.

The flowers in this room have withered.

They never included me in those conversations.

But once,

she suddenly told me

that the Princess was going to have some great joy,

and I should go and congratulate her.

A few days later,

the news spread that the Princess

was going to marry the Uyghur prince.

So, Cui Manshu made Wanshun marry off?

Zhou Helan, since you knew about this, why didn't you tell me?

- I… - Go on.

After I learned about this,

I prayed day and night,

hoping the Princess

to marry a good man and stay away from conflict.

But at the end of last month,

Cui Manshu suddenly asked me to rent a house for her.

I learned that on the winter solstice, she met with the Princess.

Although I don't know what exactly they talked about,

it seemed

the Princess wanted to speak with the Emperor.

I was worried about being implicated,

so I followed Cui Manshu's orders,

dressing as a man,

using a fake name, and renting a secluded house

in Yanshou Ward.

On the tenth of this month,

my father and mother were particularly happy,

saying it was a rare chance to meet Consort Shu.

They asked me to present the New Year tribute to her.

My father and mother

prepared two full carts of New Year tribute.

But when I was about to enter the palace,

Cui Manshu suddenly told me to send one cart of things

to the side gate of the palace.

She wouldn't even let me check it.

I dared not check or ask.

I just had to do as she said.

But after I entered the palace, I became more and more afraid.

So, I secretly checked it.

It was black powder.

But you didn't know what that black powder was meant for.

What good could she do with it?

But it was too late.

It was recorded as my family's cart.

Though I was scared,

I didn't dare ask more questions.

Then, on the night of the Lantern Festival…

I was horrified.

That's when I realized

why she had me brought in the black powder.

I asked her if she was behind that.

She dared to kill even the Princess! She's completely crazy!

But she actually told me…

This death was a mercy to her.

So, you had the chance to stop all this,

but you did nothing. Is that so?

I didn't dare.

I've been bullied for so long.

I didn't know how to fight back.

You're putting on the face of a victim, playing along with me.

But you know full well that you were aiding evil.

You know that black powder could take someone's life.

As long as that life isn't yours or your father's or mother's,

it's of no concern to you, right?

What else could I do?

Do you want me to die for the Princess?

Do you want me to watch helplessly

as my father and mother are humiliated by others?

You've never suffered this kind of insult.

As a county princess, favored by the Emperor and Consort Shu,

naturally you'd never be humiliated by anyone.

You have no father, no mother, so you wouldn't know

what it feels like to have your parents

in someone else's hands.

That's too much!

Ungrateful!

Wanshun saved the wrong person.

Say whatever you like.

I was ungrateful, helping evil succeed.

Anyway, I wouldn't die at Cui Manshu's hands.

Now you can take me to the Ministry of Justice,

chop me up, I'll accept it!

- No need for all that trouble! - Your Ladyship, calm down!

Why did Cui Manshu show up at Yanshou Ward?

I don't know.

I only rented the house for her.

I've never been there.

The black powder you brought in alone

couldn't possibly kill the Princess at the banquet.

You must have had an accomplice.

Who is it?

Cui Manshu wouldn't let her know.

Your Ladyship…

I'm sorry for the Fifteenth Princess.

Please blame me alone.

Don't drag my parents into it.

Your Ladyship!

Lady Wang and Lady Zhao suddenly started vomiting blood!

Go to Zhao Luoshun's place. Give her the pills.

Prick Shaoshang and Zhongchong on the right hand

- and squeeze out the toxic blood. Hurry! - Understood.

It's too late.

The sauce is poisoned. It's raw aconite toxin.

Seal the shop.

Anyone who's touched this food, arrest them all.

Understood.

Your Ladyship just ate these dishes with Lady Wang.

She didn't eat the sashimi.

Her cup was very clean.

There was no sauce in it.

I didn't touch this dish.

Your Ladyship. Since Lady Wang hasn't come back,

Madam Wang's downstairs looking for her.

What a hassle.

She's been inside for so long. Why hasn't she come out yet?

What should we do now?

Let's go inside and check!

- Let her out! - Let her out!

My dear!

- Let us in! - Open it!

We can't all be stuck here.

You go investigate the poisoner.

Go through the back door. Hurry!

Understood!

You're leaving too?

What, stay and get caught up in their mess?

The three noble ladies died here. We can't ignore it.

Do you want to stay here and deal with it?

Rather than lingering here uselessly,

we should hurry and catch the killer.

My dear!

- Move. - My dear!

It's too late.

Do you remember what I said earlier?

- What? - Prick Shaoshang and Zhongchong

on the right hand and squeeze out the toxic blood.

If the blood turns from dark to bright,

I'll be saved. Otherwise…

- Your Ladyship! - Your Ladyship!

It's up to you now.

My dear? My dear?

My dear?

My dear!

My dear!

My dear daughter has been here

for just two hours.

How come she ended up like this?

Your Ladyship, can you tell me

what exactly happened?

Your daughter was poisoned.

I'm investigating who poisoned her.

Li Peiyi,

I still had some respect for you

as the county princess.

My daughter shouldn't have come here.

She came to assist you with your questioning,

but she lost her life in your hands.

If it weren't for you bringing her here,

she wouldn't have died!

How could you…

How could you show such an indifferent attitude?

Madam, Her Ladyship is just earnest in investigating.

Why don't you take Lady Wang

back to your house and let her rest in peace now?

Then Her Ladyship can continue the investigation,

consoling Lady Wang.

Continue the investigation?

Can it bring my daughter back?

Today, you must give an explanation

to the Minister's mansion and all of us!

Madam, what explanation do you want?

Bind her

and take her to the Emperor to have him judge.

Who dares?

- Your Ladyship! - Your Ladyship!

Your Ladyship!