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I am Li Peiyi, Princess of Fuchang County.
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Pampered since childhood,
I lived in safety and peace.
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On the Lantern Festival when I was nine,
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I watched lantern lights tint
the Western Capital's night red,
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unaware that that night,
my home would be drenched in blood.
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They all said
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that my father, Prince of Duan,
a man with famed victories,
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went mad, slaughtered our family,
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then took his own life to atone.
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I alone survived, safe within the palace.
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Some pitied me,
for I was orphaned so young.
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Others called me an ill-starred jinx.
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But they did not know
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how upright and kind my father was.
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He would never commit such a crime.
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His Majesty pitied me,
took me into the palace, and raised me.
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Yet the royal palace,
however grand, is not my home.
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And imperial grace,
however great, is not a parent's love.
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Behind palace walls,
one misstep means ruin.
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So I buried love and hatred in my bones,
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hid my edge, and waited for my moment.
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I asked to join
the Palace Investigation Bureau
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and learned to investigate cases
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so that I could win justice
for those wronged
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across the realm.
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I care nothing for public scorn,
rules, proprieties,
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or even life and death.
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If my life is fated to be an offering,
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then let blood debts be paid with blood.
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{\an8}ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL
ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU
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{\an8}GRAVE OF BELOVED DAUGHTER, XIE QIAOLIAN
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Son, I've found you a bride
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whose Four Pillars of Destiny match yours.
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Oh, my poor son.
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It… It's the bride!
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{\an8}LATE BRIDE XIE QIAOLIAN
LATE SON GUO SHIDA
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You disturbed my peace and dug up my body,
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and now you want me
to serve your dead son?
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Aren't you afraid
I'll come haunt you at night?
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Since you love trafficking with the dead,
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and you can't bear to part with your son,
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why not…
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go down and keep him company?
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She has a shadow!
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She's human, not a ghost!
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You're human, not a ghost!
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I wish I were a ghost.
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Guo Ruilin, Minister of State Ceremonial,
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take a good look at me. Who am I?
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GUO RUILIN, MINISTER OF STATE CEREMONIAL
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You…
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You're the Princess of Fuchang County!
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Today, I'm Li Peiyi of the Inner Guards.
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Lately, unmarried women's bodies
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in the Western Capital have been stolen
from their graves.
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00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,200
We've caught plenty
of petty grave robbers,
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but the real monster
behind it all hides too deeply
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and is hard to catch.
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You even dared steal the body
of an official's daughter.
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How bold.
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Minister Guo, you colluded with criminals
to steal a woman's body
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and arranged a ghost marriage illegally.
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Guo Ruilin, do you plead guilty?
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I can confess.
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But to convict a person,
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you need witnesses and proof, right?
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Tell me, Your Ladyship,
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what are you using to convict me?
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You stole Xie Qiaolian's body.
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Your Ladyship, are you joking?
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Where is Xie Qiaolian's body?
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I see.
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There's no physical evidence,
and I'm the only witness.
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00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:35,360
So, Minister Guo,
you plan to make this ugly, don't you?
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You leave me with no choice.
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Get her!
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Minister Guo, you've gone senile.
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I'm not just good at solving cases.
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I can fight as well.
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Your Ladyship is young,
but you're also getting confused.
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00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:34,120
You must've forgotten
that to fake your death,
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you took a Breath-Stopping Pill.
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Exerting yourself after waking
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has badly drained your strength.
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Looks like my luck's run out today.
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00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:48,640
But Minister Guo,
maybe you should think again.
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After all, killing a county princess
is no small matter.
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I never wanted trouble like this.
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Blame your sharp mind and your arrogance.
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When I play, I play big.
That's where the fun is.
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Get her.
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00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,760
Since Your Ladyship wants to play big,
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- I'll oblige.
- Stand up.
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What's the fun in burying a dead person?
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A live burial is much more satisfying.
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Minister Guo,
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when I become a ghost,
I'll come for you all.
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How do we pin her soul down
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so she can't come back to haunt us?
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What are you doing?
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Burying you alive
will breed much resentment.
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We'll drive these peach
wood nails into your body
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to keep you from wandering after death.
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MA XIAORAN, INNER GUARD
PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU
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Her Ladyship's been
in there nearly one hour.
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Oh no, she's in danger.
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WUREN, DISCIPLINARY OFFICER
PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU
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To the outer quarters!
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Move!
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- Save her first. Catch them second.
- Understood.
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There's nothing here.
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Let's go.
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That's the Princess of Fuchang County.
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What if someone comes looking for her?
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Don't be afraid, darling.
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Having just lost our son,
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we've both been unwell
and haven't left the house.
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What could she have to do with us?
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But the Inner Guards
already went to our family graveyard.
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So what?
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They found no one there.
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And the outer quarters
have been cleaned spotless.
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As for her body,
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they'll never find it.
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If you have last words, say them.
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Since the rites are complete,
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Father,
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Mother,
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I'll be sure to repay
your "kindness" properly.
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Close the coffin. Close it!
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Hurry.
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Don't be afraid, darling.
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That short-lived wretch
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has probably crossed
the Bridge of Oblivion by now.
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Ghost! A ghost!
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Father, Mother,
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we meet again.
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Guards! Guards!
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Your manor has been surrounded
by the Palace Investigation Bureau.
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Minister Guo, there's nowhere left to run.
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You…
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Your Ladyship.
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Your Ladyship?
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Your Ladyship!
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JUSTICE AND IMPARTIALITY
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You drove four peach wood nails into me,
so I gave you four sword strikes.
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Fair, isn't it?
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You're truly hard to kill.
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Back then, everyone else
in your family was killed.
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Only you survived.
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00:13:56,560 --> 00:13:59,680
And today, buried alive in a coffin,
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you still couldn't die.
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Let's go.
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Your Ladyship? Your Ladyship!
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- Your Ladyship!
- Your Ladyship!
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Minister Guo still doesn't even know
what he's guilty of.
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00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,640
Of course I know the ghost-marriage charge
won't bring you down.
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00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,920
But now your charge
is attempted murder of a county princess.
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How do you think
His Majesty will deal with you?
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00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:15,600
You…
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You let yourself fall into my hands?
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You wanted me to bury you alive?
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Her Ladyship took
the Breath-Stopping Pill herself.
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How could she forget?
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Your Ladyship,
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if I can help with the marriage alliance
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involving the Fifteenth Princess,
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could you spare my life?
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Take him away!
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00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:52,720
Your Ladyship…
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Your Ladyship!
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Your Ladyship!
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About the Fifteenth Princess's
marriage alliance,
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I'm afraid there's really
nothing we can do.
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Look into that Uyghur prince.
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Yes.
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00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:12,760
Your Ladyship,
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to solve a case,
you got yourself hurt so badly again.
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00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:17,920
Was it really worth it?
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00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,520
I solved such a big case.
Of course it was.
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00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:52,200
A guest star appeared in the Girl mansion
at the start of Xuanxiao…
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00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:53,120
XIAO HUAIJIN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASTRONOMICAL BUREAU
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…and has lingered for over a month,
its color blue-black.
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00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:57,480
ZHU QING, SCRIBE, ASTRONOMICAL BUREAU
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Write it down.
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00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:21,920
This is a most ominous sign.
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"If it is not one's duty,
one must not meddle."
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His Majesty set that rule long ago.
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An astronomer
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must not divine or judge.
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GUEST STAR IN GIRL MANSION
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00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:38,720
LANTERN FESTIVAL, 13TH YEAR OF DALI
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00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,520
On the Lantern Festival
in the 13th year of Dali,
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00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:45,480
an Uyghur prince arrives in the Capital
to wed the Fifteenth Princess.
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00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:51,280
His Majesty and Consort Shu arrive!
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00:17:51,360 --> 00:17:53,240
HANYUAN HALL
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00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:04,560
THE EMPEROR
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00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:06,480
Long live Your Majesty!
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00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:08,200
Consort Shu, may you have eternal joy!
200
00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:11,840
You may rise.
201
00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:22,680
YAOLUOGE WUTELE, UYGHUR PRINCE
202
00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,440
WANSHUN, THE FIFTEENTH PRINCESS
203
00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:41,960
Heed His Majesty's decree!
204
00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:46,840
Since the Han dynasty,
we have upheld amity
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00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:48,680
with frontier states through marriage.
206
00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:52,160
The Uyghur admire our virtue,
and our friendship deepens by the day.
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00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,840
Our court approves this
and hereby forges a marriage alliance
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00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:59,440
in accord with historical precedent
and the established rites.
209
00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,640
Princess Li is gentle by nature
and proper in conduct,
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00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:06,640
her virtues evident and complete…
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00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:07,840
What a beautiful dagger.
212
00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:09,960
It's for you.
213
00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:12,400
Remember what I taught you?
214
00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:16,120
If that boy dares hurt you,
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00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:20,920
stab him here, here, and here.
216
00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:23,480
It'll hurt him, but he won't die.
217
00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:27,800
These leaves are all gold.
218
00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,200
If you're ever in trouble,
pry them off and trade them for money.
219
00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:32,600
Don't worry.
220
00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:37,200
When have I ever received so many rewards?
221
00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,400
And when has anyone in the palace
ever paid me much mind?
222
00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:42,800
Though I'll be sent away
for this marriage alliance,
223
00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:44,480
I've earned a title.
224
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,040
And Father will remember
he has a daughter like me.
225
00:19:48,120 --> 00:19:49,440
I'm content.
226
00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,040
These two gold bangles
make the prettiest pair.
227
00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:04,040
Let's each keep one.
228
00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:07,760
I've never taken a single step
beyond the Western Capital.
229
00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,520
This time, I get to see the world outside.
230
00:20:14,120 --> 00:20:15,080
I'm glad.
231
00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:25,280
To honor this decree
and foster harmony with our vassal,
232
00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:27,520
she shall wed according to the rites
233
00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:29,600
to strengthen amity
between the two states.
234
00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:31,920
She is hereby granted
the title of Princess Ningyuan
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00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:33,800
and wedded to the Uyghur prince,
236
00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,200
Yaoluoge Wutele.
237
00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:37,360
Accept the decree!
238
00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:46,960
Father, thank you for your grace.
239
00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,240
Your Majesty, thank you for your favor.
240
00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:12,760
Let the feast begin!
241
00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:44,160
Mr. Xiao,
242
00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:46,800
His Majesty summons you.
243
00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,560
Why are you here, drinking alone?
244
00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:07,080
You're getting old.
245
00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:08,640
Even your footsteps make noise now.
246
00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:12,800
So this is how you treat your teacher now.
247
00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:16,480
Hurry up and teach me
all the best tricks you've been hiding.
248
00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,000
In a few years, I'll be taking your post.
249
00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:21,960
If you wait till then, it'll be too late.
250
00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:23,000
DU ZHIXING
INSPECTOR, PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU
251
00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:25,720
I never said you'd take my post.
252
00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:28,080
If not me, who?
253
00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:29,600
You?
254
00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,200
Your heart's not with
the Palace Investigation Bureau.
255
00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:35,200
But no one else is better than me
at solving cases.
256
00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,480
Which only proves
257
00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,240
you're better at doing the work
than leading people.
258
00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:43,800
What's the fun in leading people?
259
00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:50,120
You've been beating around the bush
all for this, haven't you?
260
00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:53,320
Now, a dance by Princess Ningyuan!
261
00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,760
Your Majesty, what's that over there?
262
00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:23,720
A yaksha!
263
00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:25,840
Protect His Majesty!
264
00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:30,480
- Protect His Majesty!
- Hurry!
265
00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:36,960
Your Majesty, come!
266
00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:41,640
- Quickly, keep up!
- Move! Keep up!
267
00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:03,760
Are you trying to die? I'll go!
268
00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:09,160
- Don't come over!
- Peiyi!
269
00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:19,120
There's oil in the bucket.
Use sand and soil!
270
00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:20,120
Understood!
271
00:26:06,360 --> 00:26:07,480
Your Ladyship,
272
00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,680
Her Highness's body was burned too badly.
273
00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:14,040
While you were unconscious,
274
00:26:14,120 --> 00:26:16,600
the Court of Imperial Sacrifices
sealed her remains in the Lower Palace.
275
00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:21,000
She'll be buried
after the true culprit is caught.
276
00:26:28,120 --> 00:26:30,480
These two gold bangles
make the prettiest pair.
277
00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:32,600
Let's each keep one.
278
00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,320
An imperial edict!
279
00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:06,280
Heed His Majesty's decree!
280
00:27:08,120 --> 00:27:10,560
On the Lantern Festival,
before the Son of Heaven,
281
00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:14,320
someone committed an atrocity
and murdered a princess.
282
00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:16,160
The Court of Judicial Review
283
00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,200
and the Palace Investigation Bureau
shall investigate at once.
284
00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:19,440
Accept the decree!
285
00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:23,640
I will take this case.
286
00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:24,960
Your Ladyship,
287
00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,080
you were close to Princess Ningyuan.
288
00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:31,920
This case should probably
be left to someone else.
289
00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:35,880
I said I'll take it.
290
00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:42,560
EUNUCH GUO
291
00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:45,440
Then we rely on you, Your Ladyship.
292
00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,720
None of the guests or palace staff
may leave the palace.
293
00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:02,920
Release them only after
their movements around the time
294
00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:04,000
of the incident are verified.
295
00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:05,040
Understood.
296
00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:14,800
The yaksha came from the southwest.
297
00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,080
Search the three buildings across the way.
Question those who were nearby.
298
00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:19,080
Yes.
299
00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:24,200
Your Ladyship,
300
00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:26,560
this gentleman was caught
in the southwest corridor.
301
00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:28,520
He was nearby when the yaksha flew past.
302
00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:38,280
Who are you?
303
00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:43,840
Xiao Huaijin, Deputy Director
of the Astronomical Bureau.
304
00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:45,040
Greetings, Your Ladyship.
305
00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:02,760
Your Ladyship, what should we do with him?
306
00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:06,360
What incense do you use?
307
00:29:08,120 --> 00:29:10,360
My mother made it. I don't know.
308
00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:13,120
Who did you say you were?
309
00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:16,480
Deputy Director
of the Astronomical Bureau, Xiao Huaijin.
310
00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:19,640
Is your father Xiao Wenyuan,
the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor?
311
00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:23,360
- Yes.
- Why did you leave the banquet?
312
00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:26,440
I felt unwell and went to change.
313
00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:28,720
That was a long detour just to change?
314
00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:30,920
Unfamiliar with the palace, I got lost.
315
00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:34,480
Why were you in the corridor
at the time of the incident?
316
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:36,280
I just happened to pass by.
317
00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:38,120
Did you see anything?
318
00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,520
I saw the yaksha fly through the sky.
319
00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:44,760
The Imperial Guards stopped me
before I could get a clearer look.
320
00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:53,240
Shan rattan paper. Pine soot ink.
321
00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:54,840
Burned paper.
322
00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:55,760
What did you burn?
323
00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:05,320
Take him away.
324
00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:06,720
Keep him under watch.
325
00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:07,640
Yes.
326
00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:19,560
If Your Ladyship wants to solve the case,
327
00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:21,560
seek fire on stone and gold beneath wood.
328
00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:23,360
The answer lies within the hexagram.
329
00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:28,960
Enough tricks.
330
00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,200
- Take him away.
- Yes.
331
00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:38,880
Something's been found on Ruyi Pavilion.
332
00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:07,760
Just as I thought.
333
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:11,000
This was used to anchor the yaksha?
334
00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:16,000
For this stunt,
they really went to a lot of trouble.
335
00:31:16,920 --> 00:31:18,000
Candle wax.
336
00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:19,800
Silk thread.
337
00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:45,320
This is it.
338
00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:47,920
This is the device
that dragged the yaksha kite over.
339
00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:51,360
When the candle
on the opposite side burned out,
340
00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:52,960
the silk thread holding the kite snapped.
341
00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:55,560
That triggered the mechanism here at once.
342
00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:01,000
Someone planned this carefully.
They wanted Wanshun dead.
343
00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:04,680
To have the yaksha rise
during the Princess's dance,
344
00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:07,080
the killer had to know
the program of the banquet,
345
00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:08,240
the exact time she would perform,
346
00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:12,800
set the device in advance,
and light the candle at the right moment.
347
00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:15,240
They must have been able
to move freely in the palace.
348
00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:18,840
The wax up there
would burn out in about half one hour.
349
00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:21,240
When the incident happened,
350
00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:22,840
the banquet had been going for three ke.
351
00:32:23,640 --> 00:32:26,840
That means the killer had to set up
the device about one ke
352
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:29,560
before the banquet began
and light the candle.
353
00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:33,640
When the banquet began,
I saw Mr. Xiao up there.
354
00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:41,160
From the top of Ruyi Pavilion
to where you saw him,
355
00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:44,320
even someone highly skilled
would need at least two ke to make it.
356
00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:46,680
So it wasn't Mr. Xiao's doing.
357
00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:48,640
No.
358
00:32:50,120 --> 00:32:52,440
The top of Ruyi Pavilion is fire on stone,
359
00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:54,880
and there's gold beneath wood right here.
360
00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,280
His divination was spot-on.
361
00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:00,720
He must've seen something.
362
00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,000
May I have a brush and ink, please?
363
00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:37,440
The kite caught fire, dove at the stage,
and set the palace lanterns ablaze.
364
00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:38,920
No,
365
00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:42,080
the yaksha catching fire
was just for show.
366
00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,560
The fire on the stage did the killing.
367
00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:47,160
The palace lanterns
weren't lit by the kite.
368
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:56,200
It's black powder.
369
00:33:57,840 --> 00:33:59,080
Too many impurities.
370
00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:01,080
It didn't belong to the court.
371
00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:02,000
It was likely privately made.
372
00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:06,480
So the time to set the stage on fire
was calculated in advance too.
373
00:34:07,720 --> 00:34:09,639
But the lanterns ringed the stage.
374
00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:11,120
How were they lit all at once?
375
00:34:11,199 --> 00:34:12,280
Your Ladyship,
376
00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:16,040
that Mr. Xiao we took away
asked me to give you this.
377
00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:17,360
He said it could help you solve the case.
378
00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:19,800
Why would Her Ladyship
need his help to solve a case?
379
00:34:19,880 --> 00:34:21,360
Let me take a look.
380
00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:22,880
See what trick he's playing.
381
00:35:02,920 --> 00:35:05,280
The palace lanterns were lit
from beneath the stage.
382
00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:09,720
The killer linked a fuse to each lantern
around the stage,
383
00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:11,400
gathered them together,
384
00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:14,760
and lit them at a certain moment
before the kite went up.
385
00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:16,080
Then the lanterns exploded.
386
00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:19,080
Their timing was very precise.
387
00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:43,360
It's all stone paving inside.
388
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:45,920
The culprit could only have left
footprints in the soil out here.
389
00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:50,440
Your Ladyship, I messed up.
390
00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:53,240
- I'll go look for more.
- Don't bother.
391
00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:55,240
They've been searching nearby
the whole time.
392
00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:56,240
The footprints are already a mess.
393
00:35:56,320 --> 00:35:58,760
Then I'll have someone take
a rubbing of this half footprint.
394
00:36:05,880 --> 00:36:06,880
I get it now.
395
00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:10,040
This drawing shows
where the hidden door is.
396
00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:11,640
Your Ladyship, look.
397
00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,640
That Mr. Xiao is really something.
398
00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:19,760
Let's go.
399
00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:33,600
Your Ladyship finally came.
400
00:36:35,240 --> 00:36:36,360
Come with me.
401
00:36:37,840 --> 00:36:39,320
So you'll clear my name?
402
00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:41,840
I never said you did it.
403
00:36:47,720 --> 00:36:49,640
In that case, I'll take my leave.
404
00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:52,960
You can leave,
405
00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:55,160
but you're coming with me to investigate.
406
00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:58,200
I'm from the Astronomical Bureau.
How could I investigate a case?
407
00:37:01,080 --> 00:37:03,960
I know where you went
and with whom you met.
408
00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:08,080
Don't believe me?
409
00:37:10,120 --> 00:37:12,920
You went to the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.
410
00:37:15,160 --> 00:37:17,240
An astronomer visiting the palace
on the Lantern Festival.
411
00:37:17,320 --> 00:37:18,840
It had to be a secret summons.
412
00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:21,000
That's why you wouldn't say
where you went.
413
00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:25,800
In the southwest corridor,
you saw the yaksha appear.
414
00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:28,160
Though you only caught a glimpse,
415
00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:30,440
your eyes and mind are sharp.
416
00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:33,800
While sitting in jail,
you worked out the whole mechanism.
417
00:38:01,960 --> 00:38:04,880
True. I caught a glimpse
and then deduced the rest.
418
00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:08,040
But as for what else you said,
I have no comment.
419
00:38:08,120 --> 00:38:09,840
Since Your Ladyship knows I'm innocent,
420
00:38:11,160 --> 00:38:12,000
allow me to take my leave.
421
00:38:23,520 --> 00:38:26,200
Heed His Majesty's oral decree.
422
00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:32,040
With Princess Ningyuan dying unjustly
right before her wedding,
423
00:38:32,120 --> 00:38:34,520
there may have been someone
stirring trouble in the inner palace.
424
00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:37,080
Deputy Director
of the Astronomical Bureau,
425
00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:38,840
Xiao Huaijin,
426
00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:42,880
peerless in wit and keen in insight,
427
00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:46,240
is to join the Princess
of Fuchang County, Li Peiyi,
428
00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:47,720
to solve this case together.
429
00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:49,160
Accept the decree!
430
00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:55,880
Mr. Xiao,
431
00:38:55,960 --> 00:38:59,920
do you object to His Majesty's
wise decision?
432
00:39:03,800 --> 00:39:07,080
His Majesty has also
granted you a qilin badge.
433
00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:10,240
You now have free access
to Xingqing Palace.
434
00:39:11,440 --> 00:39:13,960
I thank His Majesty for this grace.
435
00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:19,480
Your Ladyship,
436
00:39:19,560 --> 00:39:22,520
the current priority
is to solve this case at once
437
00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:25,760
so that the Princess can rest in peace.
438
00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:26,680
Understood.
439
00:39:37,600 --> 00:39:39,800
GUEST STAR IN GIRL MANSION
440
00:39:47,240 --> 00:39:48,400
Was this Your Ladyship's doing too?
441
00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:51,200
It's His Majesty's decree.
How could I have been involved?
442
00:39:52,440 --> 00:39:54,000
Then how did Your Ladyship know?
443
00:39:55,200 --> 00:39:56,480
Know what?
444
00:39:57,680 --> 00:39:58,400
ON THE NIGHT OF THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
IN THE 13TH YEAR OF DALI
445
00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,760
"A guest star appeared in the Girl mansion
and has lingered for over a month,
446
00:40:01,840 --> 00:40:03,240
its color blue-black."
447
00:40:03,840 --> 00:40:04,680
What does it mean?
448
00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:08,600
An astronomer must not divine or judge.
449
00:40:09,840 --> 00:40:12,880
The color blue-black
is no auspicious sign.
450
00:40:14,120 --> 00:40:15,520
It leaves me uneasy.
451
00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:21,600
Read this.
452
00:40:25,480 --> 00:40:26,520
{\an8}A STAR HAS APPEARED IN THE GIRL MANSION
IT IS A MOST OMINOUS SIGN
453
00:40:26,600 --> 00:40:27,640
{\an8}ON THE WUWU DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH
THE STAR HAS APPEARED
454
00:40:33,280 --> 00:40:34,400
This secret report
455
00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:38,480
arrived six hours
before the Astronomical Bureau's.
456
00:40:40,040 --> 00:40:41,720
Where did it come from?
457
00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:45,360
The Girl mansion, also called Xunv,
governs marriage.
458
00:40:45,880 --> 00:40:46,960
In the palace now,
459
00:40:47,040 --> 00:40:49,520
only the wedding
to the Uyghur prince is nearing.
460
00:40:50,920 --> 00:40:53,600
The Wuwu day of the first month is today.
461
00:40:54,120 --> 00:40:56,840
I fear someone
will exploit this omen to stir chaos.
462
00:40:56,920 --> 00:40:59,840
If the marriage alliance fails,
the consequences may be endless.
463
00:41:01,040 --> 00:41:04,040
Whoever sent this report
has an ulterior motive.
464
00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:06,480
Find him for me.
465
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:08,280
I may not be capable.
466
00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:11,640
I need someone
with no ties to any faction at court.
467
00:41:12,280 --> 00:41:13,520
You are my only option.
468
00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:14,760
I will do my utmost.
469
00:41:18,080 --> 00:41:21,320
No third person can know of this.
470
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:35,720
I've long heard His Majesty
favors Your Ladyship greatly.
471
00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:37,720
But involving
an astronomer in an investigation
472
00:41:37,800 --> 00:41:39,000
is no small feat.
473
00:41:39,920 --> 00:41:41,600
How did you persuade His Majesty?
474
00:41:43,560 --> 00:41:45,440
Are you refusing the imperial order?
475
00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:48,560
With no clarity, I can't obey.
476
00:41:50,800 --> 00:41:52,760
I don't owe you an explanation.
477
00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:56,120
But since you're just as keen
on knowing the truth as I am,
478
00:41:56,640 --> 00:41:58,600
I almost feel a kinship with you.
479
00:41:59,720 --> 00:42:01,920
Astronomical officials
can't enter the palace at will,
480
00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:03,600
and His Majesty summoned you in secret.
481
00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:06,280
So there must've been
an ill omen in the heavens,
482
00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:09,560
probably about turmoil at court
or unrest in the inner palace.
483
00:42:09,640 --> 00:42:11,520
His Majesty was already uneasy.
484
00:42:12,040 --> 00:42:13,600
After Wanshun died,
485
00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:17,360
he certainly feared
it was tied to that omen.
486
00:42:18,040 --> 00:42:21,080
Having you and me investigate together
would put his mind at ease.
487
00:42:22,080 --> 00:42:23,320
What if His Majesty
hadn't issued the decree?
488
00:42:24,800 --> 00:42:27,440
You're always in your bureau.
You don't know my ways.
489
00:42:28,040 --> 00:42:29,080
Come on.
490
00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:30,720
I'm used to working alone.
491
00:42:31,560 --> 00:42:32,640
I don't enjoy company.
492
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:40,640
The black powder
that blew the palace lanterns
493
00:42:40,720 --> 00:42:42,160
was made privately.
494
00:42:42,240 --> 00:42:43,360
The leads should be outside the palace.
495
00:42:43,440 --> 00:42:45,440
Then I'll trace the source of the powder.
496
00:42:46,120 --> 00:42:47,160
Goodbye.
497
00:42:51,840 --> 00:42:53,480
Are you really letting him
handle the black powder?
498
00:42:56,280 --> 00:42:59,040
Send someone to follow him
and keep him safe.
499
00:42:59,560 --> 00:43:00,400
Yes.
500
00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:04,640
The water buckets
were smeared with tung oil.
501
00:43:04,720 --> 00:43:07,160
Who was in charge of those buckets?
Who touched them?
502
00:43:07,240 --> 00:43:09,720
Who saw anyone suspicious? Speak now.
503
00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:13,600
One of you is suspected
of murdering Princess Ningyuan.
504
00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:16,080
If anyone conceals what they know,
505
00:43:16,160 --> 00:43:17,320
they get 50 strokes.
506
00:43:21,600 --> 00:43:22,880
Do it.
507
00:43:23,400 --> 00:43:24,480
Wait…
508
00:43:25,360 --> 00:43:27,400
Hands that have touched tung oil
catch fire easily.
509
00:43:27,920 --> 00:43:30,920
Since no one will talk,
we'll test you one by one.
510
00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:32,080
No!
511
00:43:32,160 --> 00:43:33,000
No!
512
00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:34,040
I know something!
513
00:43:34,120 --> 00:43:35,120
I know something.
514
00:43:35,200 --> 00:43:36,920
I'll talk. I'll talk.
515
00:43:38,280 --> 00:43:40,880
- Was it you?
- No, not me.
516
00:43:40,960 --> 00:43:44,200
But… But my roommate,
Liu Deyi, is missing.
517
00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:45,960
Search every room here.
518
00:43:46,040 --> 00:43:47,040
- Yes.
- Yes.
519
00:45:03,240 --> 00:45:04,280
Mother?
520
00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:25,920
Your Ladyship.
521
00:45:26,600 --> 00:45:27,640
Your Ladyship?
522
00:45:29,800 --> 00:45:31,800
Your Ladyship, are you all right?
523
00:45:34,360 --> 00:45:35,840
I inhaled hallucinogenic incense.
524
00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:38,880
Your Ladyship.
525
00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:48,200
It's Liu Deyi!
526
00:45:52,120 --> 00:45:53,120
He's dead.
527
00:45:53,720 --> 00:45:55,440
Your Ladyship killed him!
528
00:45:56,240 --> 00:45:59,000
Are you here to judge cases for the Bureau
and convict Her Ladyship?
529
00:45:59,080 --> 00:46:00,640
Irrelevant personnel should leave now.
530
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:05,840
Your Ladyship, let me.
531
00:46:08,840 --> 00:46:09,760
The body's still warm.
532
00:46:11,280 --> 00:46:13,760
He was killed by one fatal strike,
the wound deep and narrow.
533
00:46:13,840 --> 00:46:14,680
The weapon was likely a dagger.
534
00:46:14,760 --> 00:46:16,560
The blood's gone dark.
535
00:46:16,640 --> 00:46:17,960
It's been here about half a ke.
536
00:46:18,840 --> 00:46:20,160
He was dead before you came in.
537
00:46:27,080 --> 00:46:28,160
Your Ladyship, look.
538
00:46:33,200 --> 00:46:36,440
When I came in, the killer had just left.
539
00:46:36,520 --> 00:46:39,680
Liu Deyi helped them
smear tung oil on the water buckets.
540
00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:42,600
When he came back,
the killer paid him as promised.
541
00:46:43,120 --> 00:46:46,000
Then Liu Deyi walked out, off guard,
542
00:46:46,520 --> 00:46:48,680
and the killer slit
his throat from behind.
543
00:46:52,320 --> 00:46:53,880
After that, I came
into the storeroom to check.
544
00:46:54,480 --> 00:46:56,080
The killer climbed out the back window,
545
00:46:58,640 --> 00:47:00,000
locked the front door,
546
00:47:01,120 --> 00:47:02,280
and set the incense.
547
00:47:03,680 --> 00:47:04,760
They were fast.
548
00:47:05,280 --> 00:47:07,840
Within two hours after the murder,
they silenced their accomplice.
549
00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:09,560
- I'll go after them.
- Don't.
550
00:47:10,160 --> 00:47:11,680
They're cautious and efficient.
551
00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:13,240
They must have planned their route.
552
00:47:13,840 --> 00:47:15,040
Half a ke is enough to get away.
553
00:47:19,040 --> 00:47:23,200
A minor eunuch in the inner palace
couldn't have gotten that much tung oil.
554
00:47:24,040 --> 00:47:25,080
I'll look into it.
555
00:47:26,640 --> 00:47:27,600
Your Ladyship!
556
00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:31,000
- Are you all right?
- I'm not dying.
557
00:47:32,040 --> 00:47:33,320
I'll go get some air.
558
00:47:33,840 --> 00:47:35,120
Take the body back to the Bureau.
559
00:47:35,200 --> 00:47:38,040
When you're done,
come find me at Wanshun's residence.
560
00:47:38,120 --> 00:47:39,400
Understood.
561
00:48:05,120 --> 00:48:06,000
PRINCE OF DUAN'S MANOR
562
00:48:07,400 --> 00:48:08,480
Prince of Duan's manor.
563
00:48:26,600 --> 00:48:28,040
Prince of Duan's manor again.
564
00:48:29,840 --> 00:48:31,120
I'm walking in circles.
565
00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:34,040
No.
566
00:48:34,120 --> 00:48:36,440
Altair, Vega, and Delta Cygni?
567
00:48:37,040 --> 00:48:40,760
How could these three be positioned
like this in winter?
568
00:48:45,400 --> 00:48:46,360
It's an illusion.
569
00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:26,200
Prosecutor of the Court
of Judicial Review, Gu Lingzhou.
570
00:49:26,280 --> 00:49:27,880
Deputy Director
of the Astronomical Bureau, Xiao Huaijin.
571
00:49:27,960 --> 00:49:29,960
I saw that man in black
follow you the whole way.
572
00:49:30,560 --> 00:49:31,760
When I caught up, he was about to leave.
573
00:49:32,520 --> 00:49:33,360
Did he hurt you?
574
00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:35,480
He put me under an illusion. But I'm fine.
575
00:49:35,560 --> 00:49:36,680
Thank you for your concern, Mr. Gu.
576
00:49:36,760 --> 00:49:38,960
Where are you headed, Mr. Xiao?
577
00:49:39,040 --> 00:49:40,440
There's no curfew tonight.
578
00:49:40,960 --> 00:49:43,640
All sorts of demons are waiting
to strike. It's dangerous.
579
00:49:43,720 --> 00:49:46,520
How could you not know
where I'm going, Mr. Gu?
580
00:50:14,920 --> 00:50:17,480
XUEJI, PALACE MAID
581
00:50:19,720 --> 00:50:20,760
Your Ladyship.
582
00:50:21,800 --> 00:50:25,080
Wanshun's body is barely cold,
yet her rewards have been taken back.
583
00:50:28,320 --> 00:50:29,760
Why have they even removed
the original furnishings?
584
00:50:43,240 --> 00:50:46,440
These are not what a princess should use.
585
00:50:46,960 --> 00:50:47,800
Why didn't you tell me?
586
00:50:49,360 --> 00:50:52,080
Ever since Your Ladyship
stood up for Her Highness
587
00:50:52,600 --> 00:50:53,880
and was confined for seven days,
588
00:50:53,960 --> 00:50:56,320
she's been guilt-ridden.
589
00:50:56,400 --> 00:50:59,360
She didn't want Your Ladyship
to anger His Majesty again because of her,
590
00:50:59,880 --> 00:51:03,080
so she forbade me to tell you.
591
00:51:12,880 --> 00:51:14,320
Why are there so many silk handkerchiefs?
592
00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:17,120
Her Highness was always frugal,
593
00:51:18,160 --> 00:51:22,400
but her monthly stipend
was still barely enough.
594
00:51:23,160 --> 00:51:26,440
So she embroidered handkerchiefs herself
595
00:51:26,960 --> 00:51:29,720
and had an old nanny who once served her
take them out of the palace to sell.
596
00:51:30,560 --> 00:51:33,640
The money went
to cover expenses in the palace
597
00:51:34,240 --> 00:51:36,480
or to trade for better thread and brocade.
598
00:51:37,320 --> 00:51:39,040
She had it so hard.
599
00:51:42,360 --> 00:51:46,320
Every year on my birthday,
Wanshun would prepare lavish gifts for me.
600
00:51:47,520 --> 00:51:49,240
So that's how she saved up
for them, little by little.
601
00:51:50,040 --> 00:51:53,880
These handkerchiefs
use only plain cloth and thread,
602
00:51:54,400 --> 00:51:56,160
but the embroidery is highly exquisite.
603
00:51:57,000 --> 00:52:00,560
Please take one, Your Ladyship,
as a keepsake.
604
00:52:08,560 --> 00:52:10,720
It was said
that Wanshun's mother, Lady Shiyanna,
605
00:52:10,800 --> 00:52:13,080
could attract dozens of birds
with a single dance.
606
00:52:13,960 --> 00:52:15,480
I only knew Wanshun danced well.
607
00:52:16,280 --> 00:52:20,040
I never knew she could embroider so well.
608
00:52:21,080 --> 00:52:23,400
Her Highness's mother was low-born
609
00:52:24,040 --> 00:52:25,480
and died young.
610
00:52:26,920 --> 00:52:30,240
Other than Your Ladyship,
she had no close friends.
611
00:52:31,040 --> 00:52:33,520
Given you were always busy with duty,
612
00:52:34,840 --> 00:52:36,800
she didn't want to trouble you.
613
00:52:37,520 --> 00:52:39,560
So she embroidered handkerchiefs
614
00:52:40,360 --> 00:52:44,080
to help with expenses and pass the time.
615
00:52:59,080 --> 00:53:02,040
Your Ladyship,
I just remembered something.
616
00:53:02,120 --> 00:53:04,040
Two years ago,
at His Majesty's birthday banquet,
617
00:53:04,120 --> 00:53:05,480
Her Highness presented a gift.
618
00:53:05,560 --> 00:53:06,600
Do you remember?
619
00:53:11,720 --> 00:53:13,720
My beloved, what do you think?
620
00:53:14,320 --> 00:53:16,440
This double-sided embroidered piece
depicting a dragon soaring across seas
621
00:53:16,520 --> 00:53:18,080
is truly exquisite.
622
00:53:18,160 --> 00:53:21,280
A work like this
must have required years of skill.
623
00:53:21,360 --> 00:53:25,880
And you can see
the gift-giver's sincerity.
624
00:53:27,360 --> 00:53:29,320
Lovely. Reward them.
625
00:53:32,240 --> 00:53:33,760
It says "Wanshun" here.
626
00:53:36,920 --> 00:53:39,280
Summon the Fifteenth Princess!
627
00:53:54,200 --> 00:53:56,760
Father. Your Highness.
628
00:54:02,960 --> 00:54:05,080
Cui Manshu and Wanshun both prepared
629
00:54:05,160 --> 00:54:07,600
a double-sided embroidered piece
depicting a dragon crossing seas?
630
00:54:07,680 --> 00:54:09,480
Ninth Lady Cui
planned it half a year ahead
631
00:54:09,560 --> 00:54:12,080
and spent a fortune
to commission that gold-thread piece.
632
00:54:12,160 --> 00:54:14,920
She never expected it
to coincide with Her Highness's gift.
633
00:54:15,600 --> 00:54:18,200
Lady Cui is proud and domineering.
She wouldn't let it slide.
634
00:54:18,280 --> 00:54:21,400
Two months after the banquet,
it was Lady Cui's birthday.
635
00:54:21,480 --> 00:54:25,800
Her Highness scraped money together
to buy a beautiful gold hairpin
636
00:54:25,880 --> 00:54:27,920
and delivered it to her in person.
637
00:54:28,440 --> 00:54:31,200
Lady Cui expressed her gratitude,
638
00:54:31,280 --> 00:54:34,160
but then handed it to a servant
right in front of her.
639
00:54:34,680 --> 00:54:36,240
Her Highness didn't mind, though.
640
00:54:36,320 --> 00:54:38,120
After all, they were never close.
641
00:54:38,720 --> 00:54:40,680
After that, they rarely spoke.
642
00:54:40,760 --> 00:54:43,680
If anyone had a grudge with Her Highness,
643
00:54:43,760 --> 00:54:45,680
Ninth Lady Cui might count.
644
00:54:46,360 --> 00:54:48,040
But to be fair,
645
00:54:48,560 --> 00:54:50,320
she was the one who slighted Her Highness.
646
00:54:52,600 --> 00:54:54,160
Are the women
of the Right Chancellor's household
647
00:54:54,240 --> 00:54:55,400
still in the palace?
648
00:54:56,120 --> 00:54:58,240
We've finished questioning the guests.
Nothing stood out.
649
00:54:58,320 --> 00:55:00,640
Now they're all leaving
the palace and returning home.
650
00:55:09,800 --> 00:55:10,840
What did you find?
651
00:55:12,280 --> 00:55:13,360
The tung oil came from
the Palace Workshop Service.
652
00:55:13,440 --> 00:55:14,400
They use it to make oilcloth garments.
653
00:55:15,040 --> 00:55:16,080
If I hadn't asked,
654
00:55:16,160 --> 00:55:17,480
they wouldn't even have noticed
a bucket was missing.
655
00:55:18,320 --> 00:55:20,960
So they don't know how or when
it went missing.
656
00:55:21,920 --> 00:55:23,000
But there's some good news.
657
00:55:23,600 --> 00:55:25,720
That half footprint matches the tread
658
00:55:25,800 --> 00:55:28,480
on waterproof oiled boots
worn by boatmen and water carriers.
659
00:55:29,640 --> 00:55:30,480
Oiled boots?
660
00:55:31,280 --> 00:55:33,240
Did anyone leave the palace
without being checked?
661
00:55:34,200 --> 00:55:35,760
The Uyghur prince.
662
00:55:35,840 --> 00:55:37,920
After the incident,
the Imperial Guards escorted him out.
663
00:55:38,000 --> 00:55:39,600
His Majesty authorized it.
664
00:55:44,880 --> 00:55:46,320
Your Ladyship? This is uncanny.
665
00:55:47,800 --> 00:55:50,400
I thank Your Ladyship
for sending Mr. Gu to protect me.
666
00:55:50,480 --> 00:55:51,840
After I left the palace,
667
00:55:51,920 --> 00:55:53,440
I searched for black powder
shops on the west side of the city.
668
00:55:53,520 --> 00:55:54,760
What did you find?
669
00:55:55,360 --> 00:55:57,480
With just a few words from a shop owner,
670
00:55:58,080 --> 00:56:00,320
Mr. Xiao deduced
the killer was about six chi tall.
671
00:56:00,400 --> 00:56:04,440
On the sixth, someone did come
to buy black powder.
672
00:56:04,520 --> 00:56:05,840
Do you remember what he looked like?
673
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:08,200
I didn't see his face at all.
674
00:56:08,280 --> 00:56:12,440
He stood outside under the eaves,
where the light couldn't reach.
675
00:56:12,520 --> 00:56:15,200
He was by that basket.
676
00:56:15,280 --> 00:56:16,760
The top of his shadow
677
00:56:17,280 --> 00:56:19,640
was right about here.
678
00:56:19,720 --> 00:56:22,520
He wore a big cloak
with its large hood pulled up.
679
00:56:22,600 --> 00:56:25,560
From a mere shadow,
I couldn't make much out.
680
00:56:25,640 --> 00:56:27,600
- Were the lamps lit that night?
- No.
681
00:56:27,680 --> 00:56:28,880
When did he come?
682
00:56:28,960 --> 00:56:30,880
Near the end of the Xu hour.
683
00:56:32,000 --> 00:56:34,400
FENG’S GROCERY
684
00:56:46,120 --> 00:56:47,600
ARRANGE TO FORM A SQUARE
THE LEG FOUR UNITS LONG
685
00:56:52,280 --> 00:56:53,560
THREE KE INTO THE CHOU HOUR
THE TOTAL AREA OF THE TWO TRIANGLES
686
00:56:53,640 --> 00:56:56,280
{\an8}SHADOW LENGTH: FOUR CHI
687
00:56:59,800 --> 00:57:03,120
SHADOW LENGTH: FOUR CHI
MAN'S HEIGHT: SIX CHI
688
00:57:03,200 --> 00:57:04,360
The man is six chi tall,
689
00:57:04,960 --> 00:57:05,960
about the same as Mr. Gu.
690
00:57:06,040 --> 00:57:07,520
How do you know?
691
00:57:08,280 --> 00:57:09,360
The moon told me.
692
00:57:09,960 --> 00:57:11,040
The moon?
693
00:57:15,200 --> 00:57:17,840
Six chi tall, skilled in martial arts,
694
00:57:17,920 --> 00:57:19,600
and able to enter
and leave the palace freely.
695
00:57:20,120 --> 00:57:21,480
Four crates of black powder aren't cheap.
696
00:57:21,560 --> 00:57:24,160
With that kind of money,
his status must be high.
697
00:57:24,760 --> 00:57:26,880
That still leaves too many people.
698
00:57:27,400 --> 00:57:29,520
Military officials, invited guests,
699
00:57:29,600 --> 00:57:31,440
Inner Guards, Imperial Guards…
700
00:57:33,200 --> 00:57:35,840
He must have a place to stay
in Yanshou Ward.
701
00:57:38,600 --> 00:57:39,800
Right.
702
00:57:39,880 --> 00:57:41,400
When he bought the black powder,
curfew was already in effect.
703
00:57:42,040 --> 00:57:44,600
Pushing a cart, he couldn't
have left Yanshou Ward.
704
00:57:46,880 --> 00:57:48,880
But why did you come here, Your Ladyship?
705
00:57:50,040 --> 00:57:52,280
We found oiled boot prints near the stage.
706
00:57:52,360 --> 00:57:53,640
He likely took the waterways.
707
00:57:53,720 --> 00:57:55,800
Yanshou Ward
708
00:57:55,880 --> 00:57:58,000
has the Qingming Canal,
Yong'an Canal, and Cao Canal
709
00:57:58,080 --> 00:57:59,280
on the east, west,
and south, respectively.
710
00:57:59,920 --> 00:58:02,240
After leaving the palace,
he likely hid here.
711
00:58:02,320 --> 00:58:04,000
Our leads point the same way.
712
00:58:04,600 --> 00:58:06,400
The man in black
who put me under an illusion
713
00:58:06,480 --> 00:58:07,840
was also about six chi tall.
714
00:58:07,920 --> 00:58:10,360
How could you tell his height, Mr. Xiao?
715
00:58:10,440 --> 00:58:11,840
You may not have noticed,
716
00:58:11,920 --> 00:58:14,960
but his forearm length
matched the width of a false window
717
00:58:15,040 --> 00:58:16,560
on the alley wall.
718
00:58:17,480 --> 00:58:18,760
In the Western Capital,
719
00:58:18,840 --> 00:58:21,560
the false windows of commoners' homes
are one chi and five fen wide.
720
00:58:21,640 --> 00:58:23,680
That means his arm
is about three chi long,
721
00:58:23,760 --> 00:58:25,280
and his height should
indeed be around six chi.
722
00:58:29,760 --> 00:58:32,480
Your Ladyship. Mr. Xiao. Mr. Gu.
723
00:58:34,600 --> 00:58:36,600
General Lin,
didn't you escort Prince Wutele
724
00:58:36,680 --> 00:58:37,760
back to the Court of State Ceremonial?
725
00:58:37,840 --> 00:58:39,680
I've escorted him there safely.
726
00:58:39,760 --> 00:58:40,840
I was supposed to return
to report for duty,
727
00:58:40,920 --> 00:58:42,560
but I received a last-minute order
728
00:58:42,640 --> 00:58:44,880
to assist Your Ladyship
in searching for the killer here.
729
00:58:46,040 --> 00:58:48,920
The killer likely
has a hideout in Yanshou Ward.
730
00:58:50,640 --> 00:58:53,160
It shouldn't be far from the canals
731
00:58:53,680 --> 00:58:55,440
and should be
a relatively secluded residence,
732
00:58:56,120 --> 00:58:57,960
so it won't draw the neighbors' suspicion.
733
00:58:59,600 --> 00:59:03,040
He's six chi tall,
skilled, and extremely cautious.
734
00:59:03,560 --> 00:59:05,720
- Everyone, stay sharp.
- Understood.
735
00:59:07,120 --> 00:59:08,360
Mr. Xiao, why don't you say a few words?
736
00:59:11,760 --> 00:59:13,240
If it's a planned hideout,
737
00:59:13,320 --> 00:59:15,480
it was likely rented, not his real home.
738
00:59:17,080 --> 00:59:19,560
Let's each take an alley
and search separately.
739
00:59:21,320 --> 00:59:22,320
Wuren and I will take this one.
740
00:59:22,920 --> 00:59:23,840
We'll meet up with you later.
741
00:59:24,920 --> 00:59:26,040
All right.
742
00:59:27,440 --> 00:59:30,880
Mr. Xiao, you're not built
for chasing a suspect.
743
00:59:30,960 --> 00:59:31,800
Why not just stay with me?
744
00:59:31,880 --> 00:59:34,320
I'm indeed frail and unfit for the task.
745
00:59:34,400 --> 00:59:36,120
I'll wait here for your good news.
746
00:59:41,520 --> 00:59:43,040
If you find anything, alert everyone.
747
00:59:43,120 --> 00:59:44,400
Don't act rashly.
748
00:59:44,480 --> 00:59:45,520
Yes.
749
00:59:48,720 --> 00:59:49,640
MAP OF YANSHOU WARD