1
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,960
ASTRONOMICAL BUREAU

2
00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:22,560
Huaijin.

3
00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:26,560
Father.

4
00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:29,080
What are you doing here?

5
00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,000
Court officials can't just enter
the Astronomical Bureau freely.

6
00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:34,000
XIAO WENYUAN, CROWN PRINCE'S GRAND TUTOR

7
00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:35,800
You've been away from home for five years.

8
00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,800
You and I both live
in the Western Capital.

9
00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:41,680
And we're both officials.

10
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:46,320
But I never expected
it would be so hard to meet.

11
00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,360
You should've known this
before I worked here.

12
00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:52,360
I know.

13
00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:54,640
Officials from the Astronomical Bureau

14
00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:56,320
are forbidden to mingle
with court ministers,

15
00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:58,240
even if they're father and son.

16
00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:02,160
But His Majesty has specifically
allowed you to visit home.

17
00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:04,200
You refuse to go back,

18
00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:06,040
so I came to see you.

19
00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:08,040
Why?

20
00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:10,040
Are you going to kick me out now

21
00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:12,440
or report me to the Emperor?

22
00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,200
I guess you have
something important to say.

23
00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:19,560
I'll get straight to the point.

24
00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:22,640
I heard His Majesty wants you

25
00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:24,480
to assist
the Palace Investigation Bureau, right?

26
00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,680
You're still beating around the bush.

27
00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,120
You're trying to mention
Princess of Fuchang County, right?

28
00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:35,960
She didn't recognize me.

29
00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,360
Maybe, as everyone says,

30
00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,080
she doesn't remember
what happened that night long ago.

31
00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,880
But when she was investigating,

32
00:01:42,960 --> 00:01:44,440
she never asked for help from anyone.

33
00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,840
So, why did she keep you by her side?

34
00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,280
Do you mean she's faking memory loss?

35
00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:56,400
She is smart, sensitive,

36
00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:57,520
and calculating.

37
00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:00,000
Whether she remembers it or not,

38
00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,120
you should keep your distance from her.

39
00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:04,960
Father,

40
00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:08,280
are you feeling guilty?

41
00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:13,160
Are you still blaming me?

42
00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:16,080
I've already explained it to you.

43
00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:17,920
Back then,

44
00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:19,960
I had no other choice.

45
00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:22,080
Now, with the Imperial decree,

46
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,120
I have no choice either.

47
00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,120
Whether you want to hear it or not,

48
00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:31,920
as a father,

49
00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,440
I only care about you.

50
00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:39,080
It's getting late.

51
00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,840
Even the Astronomical Bureau
allows you to come and go freely.

52
00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:43,360
The curfew shouldn't stop you.

53
00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:45,760
See you, Grand Tutor.

54
00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:46,480
{\an8}‪ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL
‪ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU

55
00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,680
Why are you here, Mr. Xiao?

56
00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:03,160
It has nothing to do with him.

57
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:08,800
I've been following him.

58
00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:09,720
He didn't have time to commit the crime.

59
00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:26,600
Do you recognize her?

60
00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:30,680
Are you afraid of seeing blood?

61
00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,040
She's the Right Chancellor's niece,
the Ninth Lady, Cui Manshu.

62
00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:39,840
I had planned to question her tomorrow,

63
00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:41,600
but she's already dead.

64
00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,000
The blood hasn't even dried.
The killer hasn't gone far.

65
00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,200
It matches the shoe prints
found by the stage.

66
00:05:56,280 --> 00:05:57,600
Both are from palace-issued oiled boots.

67
00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:11,600
He must have gone in that direction.

68
00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,280
You still suspect me?

69
00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:32,520
I've never suspected you.

70
00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:34,320
So why did you follow me here?

71
00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:38,480
Shouldn't you stay out there
waiting for news?

72
00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:46,280
MAP OF YANSHOU WARD

73
00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:48,760
This house isn't marked on the map.

74
00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,640
Earlier, I passed by here
with Prosecutor Gu.

75
00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,040
I found it's very close to the waterway
and not far from the black powder shop.

76
00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:56,960
Yet it's not marked on the map.

77
00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,920
So hidden, so the killer
must have chosen it.

78
00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,240
I've heard some people can track
someone by their traces.

79
00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:05,800
So you can do that too.

80
00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:07,400
Looks like I picked the right person.

81
00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:10,320
Are there any other clues?

82
00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:12,120
The shoe prints are incomplete.

83
00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:13,160
These are all we have for now.

84
00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:25,400
Are you going to examine the body?

85
00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:29,040
Please step back.

86
00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:04,960
<i>A knife was stabbed into the chest.</i>

87
00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:07,920
<i>The wound is deep enough</i>
<i>to spill this much blood.</i>

88
00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,280
<i>The killer must've hated you deeply.</i>

89
00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:25,120
<i>Who is he?</i>

90
00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,039
This wedding robe is beautiful.

91
00:08:42,039 --> 00:08:43,080
Such a pity.

92
00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:16,560
There's the scent of black powder.

93
00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:17,560
Be careful.

94
00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:41,280
It matches the black powder
left on the stage.

95
00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,880
This house
really was the killer's hideout.

96
00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,360
From these shoe prints,
the killer must be six chi tall.

97
00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:48,600
But there are only partial prints.

98
00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:50,680
We can't confirm if these prints
are left by the same person.

99
00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:02,080
Tomorrow, let's visit
the Right Chancellor's mansion.

100
00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:04,760
We need to find out
why this unmarried woman

101
00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:06,560
appeared here in a wedding robe.

102
00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:22,640
Peiyi!

103
00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:28,480
- Peiyi!
- Wanshun!

104
00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:29,480
Peiyi!

105
00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:32,400
WU SHUYUN, PRINCESS CONSORT OF DUAN

106
00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:35,040
Mother.

107
00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,200
LI JING, PRINCE OF DUAN

108
00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:39,040
Father.

109
00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:42,400
Father!

110
00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,800
PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

111
00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:20,880
PRINCE OF DUAN'S FAMILY MASSACRE CASE FILE

112
00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,360
You're finally here.

113
00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:28,640
Where is the real case file?

114
00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,600
This has always been the real one.

115
00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:36,000
On the night of the Lantern Festival,
15 years ago,

116
00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:39,240
weakened from years

117
00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:40,600
of continuous warfare

118
00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:42,960
and suffering
from a long-standing illness,

119
00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,520
Prince of Duan went mad.

120
00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:47,320
He slaughtered his entire household,

121
00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:49,320
then took his own life to atone.

122
00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:53,320
Prince of Duan's only daughter, Li Peiyi,

123
00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:56,520
stayed at the palace due to illness
and thus survived.

124
00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:03,200
It's because I lost the memory
of that day,

125
00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,120
you've all been lying to me.

126
00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,000
It's the truth. Why would we lie?

127
00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,400
That day, you had a fever
and stayed in the palace.

128
00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:15,000
You were unconscious
for three days and nights.

129
00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:16,200
When you woke up,

130
00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,560
the tragedy had already happened.

131
00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:20,880
It's just normal
that you don't remember it.

132
00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,920
His Majesty never wanted
to tell you about this.

133
00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,680
But you kept asking,

134
00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:29,760
and His Majesty
couldn't bear to withhold it.

135
00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:32,320
I've told you these things

136
00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,520
so many times over the years.

137
00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:36,280
Why don't you believe me?

138
00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:38,440
Because my father wouldn't lose control,

139
00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:39,920
and he would never kill my mother!

140
00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:43,120
Just because
you don't want to believe them

141
00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:44,920
doesn't mean they didn't happen.

142
00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,800
Peiyi, this case
has already been concluded.

143
00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:50,760
Instead of clinging to the past,

144
00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:55,120
it's better to focus
on finding the murderer of the princess.

145
00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:04,560
You can keep it.

146
00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:20,840
Your Ladyship.

147
00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:22,200
CUI MINZHONG, RIGHT CHANCELLOR

148
00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:23,680
You remind me so much of Manshu.

149
00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,120
I lost my composure.

150
00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:31,680
Sorry about that.

151
00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,200
No need for formalities, Sir.

152
00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:38,960
It's easier for me to sit here.

153
00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:41,160
All right.

154
00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:44,360
How is Consort Shu?

155
00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:45,920
Manshu was murdered.

156
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,440
As Consort Shu's older brother,

157
00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:50,840
I'm worried about her sorrow.

158
00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:53,600
She is indeed heartbroken.

159
00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:56,120
In one night,

160
00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,360
two noble ladies lost their lives.

161
00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:00,200
His Majesty is furious.

162
00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:01,840
Consort Shu is distressed.

163
00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:05,280
I feel heartache and unease too.

164
00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:10,320
Your Ladyship and Deputy Director Xiao

165
00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:12,920
are so concerned about Manshu's case.

166
00:14:14,680 --> 00:14:16,840
I am deeply grateful.

167
00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:22,080
It's time for lunch.

168
00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:24,080
I've prepared a simple meal.

169
00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:25,560
Please, take your time.

170
00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:27,920
If you want to know anything,

171
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,560
just question my men after the meal.

172
00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:07,800
ENTERING THE MANSION
HOUR OF XU, NINTH LADY CUI, TWO MAIDS

173
00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:08,960
Sir, please take a look.

174
00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:10,120
Last night during the hour of Xu,

175
00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,440
after leaving the palace,
Lady Cui returned directly to the mansion

176
00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:13,920
with no stops in between.

177
00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,040
After returning, did she go out again?

178
00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,600
Last night during the hour of Xu,
she returned here,

179
00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,120
but was murdered in Yanshou Ward.

180
00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,320
Yanshou Ward is far from here.

181
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,080
If she didn't leave in a carriage,

182
00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:31,720
she must have

183
00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,960
been abducted and taken to Yanshou Ward.

184
00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:37,680
This mansion has tight security.

185
00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,640
It's impossible for someone
to forcefully abduct a lady.

186
00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:44,640
Whose carriage
did Lady Cui take last night?

187
00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:46,120
Tell me honestly!

188
00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,480
Or else, 50 lashes for each person!

189
00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:50,600
It was mine.

190
00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:52,520
I took Lady Cui to Yanshou Ward.

191
00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:54,080
When we arrived there,

192
00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:56,640
she asked me to stop the carriage
outside a house.

193
00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:57,600
She then got out of the carriage

194
00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,400
and told me to go straight back.

195
00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,120
Was there anyone else in that house?

196
00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:05,920
It was pitch dark.

197
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:06,960
There should have been no one.

198
00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,760
Along the way, especially in Yanshou Ward,

199
00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:15,200
did you see a solitary man
about six chi tall and very sturdy?

200
00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:17,960
No, I didn't.

201
00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,640
What was Lady Cui wearing
when she got on the carriage?

202
00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:27,480
A yellow skirt, with a flowered cloak.

203
00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:31,720
- Did she carry any bags?
- No.

204
00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,400
These girls are too clumsy
to explain it clearly.

205
00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:39,760
If Your Ladyship has any questions,

206
00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:41,000
just ask this old servant.

207
00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,960
Do you mean Her Ladyship
can't understand them

208
00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:45,320
without your help?

209
00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:47,920
I dare not.

210
00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,880
- You served Lady Cui yesterday?
- Yes.

211
00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:09,480
Has she had any conflicts lately
or any secret relationships?

212
00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:16,000
Your Ladyship, we servants should
not gossip about the master's matters.

213
00:17:16,079 --> 00:17:17,720
Otherwise, we'd be
kicked out of the mansion!

214
00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,599
This is an investigation, not gossip.

215
00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,400
Your Ladyship, I really can't say it.

216
00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:30,600
You can't say it?

217
00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:33,000
That means you know something.

218
00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:35,880
I don't know anything.

219
00:17:40,120 --> 00:17:43,000
Fine. Everyone, rise up.

220
00:17:46,360 --> 00:17:48,120
Bring the matron in.

221
00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:51,160
Tell her the servants
have spilled everything.

222
00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:52,200
Understood.

223
00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,440
Please show mercy. Please show mercy.

224
00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:58,880
I truly know nothing.

225
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:00,200
I really didn't say a word.

226
00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,000
If I'm kicked out,

227
00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,160
I'll have no choice but to work
in some drink shop.

228
00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,600
Then I'll truly be left with no hope.

229
00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:09,480
Please show mercy.

230
00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,440
Please, Your Ladyship, be merciful.

231
00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:24,000
WUXIANG DRINK SHOP

232
00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,120
UNFILTERED SPRING BREW
CARE FOR A TASTE?

233
00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:29,040
I found it.

234
00:18:29,120 --> 00:18:30,160
That house was originally owned

235
00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,360
by a concubine's son
from a wealthy local family.

236
00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:34,600
He died young,
and the house was left vacant.

237
00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:35,680
No one dared live there.

238
00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:37,880
Later, it was sold
to a merchant from the north.

239
00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:39,640
I finally found this merchant.

240
00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:43,440
He said he had rented the house
to a gentleman

241
00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:45,920
named Guo Hua.

242
00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:47,320
Then, did you find Guo Hua?

243
00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,080
No. However,

244
00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,640
I got the lease from the merchant.

245
00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:01,240
Didn't you order any drinks?

246
00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:04,800
We've been waiting for you.

247
00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:06,560
You're so kind.

248
00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,240
Lady, please bring me a bowl of drink.

249
00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:10,680
Alright.

250
00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,320
Servants
from the Right Chancellor's mansion

251
00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:15,600
asked me to question you.

252
00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:20,320
Lady Cui is dead.

253
00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:25,000
Please sit.

254
00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:31,080
How did she die?

255
00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:32,440
She was murdered.

256
00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,360
Heaven is just.

257
00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:38,000
She truly got what she deserved.

258
00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:45,120
I'm Li Niang.

259
00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:49,200
She's the reason my face looks like this.

260
00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:00,600
You ruined this luxurious embroidery!

261
00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,800
You're not worth a single thread of it!

262
00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:06,440
Speak!

263
00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:08,360
When…

264
00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:11,160
When I was ironing, I accidentally--

265
00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:16,240
Then you covered it
with two yellow silk threads.

266
00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,640
And you thought I wouldn't notice, huh?

267
00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:22,720
Since you're so clumsy,

268
00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,680
I'll teach you properly.

269
00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:26,960
- Young lady!
- What are you doing?

270
00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:28,000
- Please, spare me!
- Let go!

271
00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:29,040
Don't just stand there!

272
00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:31,360
- Come here and hold her down! Hurry!
- Please!

273
00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:32,920
Please, young lady, spare me!

274
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:34,240
- Please, young lady…
- Let go!

275
00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:36,400
- Spare me!
- Hold her down! Hold her down!

276
00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:38,800
At least a donkey can grind grain for me.

277
00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:40,360
With you lot,

278
00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,360
I doubt I'll ever get a decent robe made.

279
00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:46,680
So inhuman!

280
00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,640
I wish I were the killer.

281
00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,640
But so many want her dead.

282
00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:56,560
It's not my turn.

283
00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:58,720
Heaven's justice is clear.

284
00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,240
Her wealthy friends' days

285
00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,320
are surely numbered too.

286
00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:06,640
Life is really getting
more hopeful for me.

287
00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,000
With her kind of character,
it's no surprise she made enemies.

288
00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:11,440
But how did she make friends?

289
00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,200
Like attracts like.

290
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:14,840
Who are they?

291
00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:17,680
‪Shh.

292
00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,800
ZHOU HELAN, ZHAO LUOSHUN

293
00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,000
WANG YUHUA

294
00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:41,760
Well…

295
00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:45,200
they're all high-status noble ladies.

296
00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:49,480
Has Lady Cui
mentioned the Fifteenth Princess?

297
00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:52,240
Of course, she has.

298
00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:54,640
Lady Cui is arrogant and overbearing,

299
00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:55,920
bullying so many people.

300
00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,880
Only the Fifteenth Princess
made her suffer.

301
00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:01,640
So, when she talks about the Princess,

302
00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:02,800
she grits her teeth.

303
00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:04,080
What happened?

304
00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:07,360
I only heard

305
00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,000
that Lady Cui bullied others

306
00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,240
and was punished by the Princess.

307
00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:15,000
But no one dares say

308
00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:17,680
exactly what happened.

309
00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:19,600
All these years,

310
00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:23,440
someone finally punished this evil lady.

311
00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,320
The Princess will certainly be blessed.

312
00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:30,720
She deserves every blessing.

313
00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:33,600
If there's no solid evidence,

314
00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:34,600
hastily interrogating these three people

315
00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:35,840
in the name
of the Court of Judicial Review

316
00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:37,120
may be difficult.

317
00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:39,680
Powerful families
generally care about their reputation.

318
00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,120
If we act rashly,
it will not look good for either side.

319
00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:46,040
Yunchui House makes excellent cured meat.

320
00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:48,560
Wuren, book three fine rooms there.

321
00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:49,920
I'll join you shortly.

322
00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,760
Why has she suddenly taken
an interest in cured meat?

323
00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:56,680
She means that in her name,

324
00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:57,960
she will invite the three noble ladies

325
00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,480
to meet at Yunchui House
under the pretense of casual conversation.

326
00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:02,080
Keep it low-key and dignified.

327
00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:03,440
That way, perhaps
it will stir up less trouble.

328
00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:07,560
So, where are you going?

329
00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:11,640
The killer could openly bring black powder
into the palace without being noticed.

330
00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:13,480
They must have some skill.
I'll go check it out.

331
00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:18,200
YUNCHUI HOUSE

332
00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,640
ZHAO LUOSHUN, NOBLE LADY

333
00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:46,280
ZHOU HELAN, NOBLE LADY

334
00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:50,600
The Minister's mansion
has eyes everywhere.

335
00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:52,160
Her Ladyship is worried
that going there hastily

336
00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:53,520
would cause unnecessary gossip about you.

337
00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:54,960
WANG YUHUA, NOBLE LADY

338
00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:56,600
The Right Chancellor's mansion urged me.

339
00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:58,280
How could I dare stay at home any longer?

340
00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:06,880
So many dishes.

341
00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:13,080
This cured meat is quite good.

342
00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,520
Did you meet with Lady Cui last night?

343
00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,640
Her Ladyship asked me here to talk,

344
00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:21,400
and now you're questioning me?

345
00:24:22,120 --> 00:24:23,960
Why are you being so difficult?

346
00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:25,240
It's such a simple question.

347
00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:26,640
Just answer it.

348
00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:29,440
Yesterday, my mother was unwell.

349
00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,360
She insisted I stay at home with her.

350
00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:32,520
With such festivities out there,

351
00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:34,320
she wouldn't let
any women in the house leave.

352
00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:36,880
I never even caught a glimpse
of the palace lanterns.

353
00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:38,480
How could I have seen Manshu?

354
00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:42,840
Do you know

355
00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:44,840
why Lady Cui went to Yanshou Ward?

356
00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:46,880
Did she ever mention it to you before?

357
00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:50,160
The noble ladies
on the west side of the city all say

358
00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,600
that stepping westward from Zhuque Street

359
00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:54,520
makes you lose some of your noble air.

360
00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:57,760
Let alone Yanshou Ward,
a place full of scoundrels.

361
00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:59,080
Manshu would never go there.

362
00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:01,160
Do you know

363
00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:03,440
the issue between her
and the Fifteenth Princess?

364
00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:07,120
No, I don't. Didn't Helan come here too?

365
00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:09,080
Go ask her.

366
00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:10,360
She is the closest to Manshu.

367
00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:13,440
There are things
Manshu would never tell us,

368
00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:14,520
but Helan knows all about them.

369
00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:31,400
You're wearing a storax sachet.

370
00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:33,640
It smells wonderful.

371
00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,160
Daily supplies are brought

372
00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:48,000
into the palace
at the precise hour of Yin.

373
00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,840
These past few days,

374
00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:52,000
besides the daily supplies,

375
00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:55,520
the palace also received gifts
from the Uyghur prince,

376
00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,920
as well as the New Year tribute
to Consort Shu

377
00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,000
from the Right Chancellor
and the Armory Director.

378
00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:03,920
TWO CARTS OF GOODS, THREE HORSES
THE DRIVER: ZHOU HELAN

379
00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:04,840
Lady Zhou?

380
00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:08,000
Does the Armory Director send gifts
to Consort Shu every festival?

381
00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:11,640
Before, he'd only send a cart
for her birthday.

382
00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:14,160
The New Year tribute is new this year.

383
00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,760
What's more,
it was a total of three carts.

384
00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:24,120
Cui Manshu's murder has nothing
to do with me.

385
00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:25,040
I'm going home.

386
00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:28,600
Aren't you close friends?

387
00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:32,640
She is the Right Chancellor's niece.

388
00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:33,720
Everyone revolves around her.

389
00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,680
I'm just a general's daughter
who enjoys swinging swords.

390
00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:37,600
We're nothing alike.

391
00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,400
Your father relies
on the Right Chancellor's favor.

392
00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:42,400
As his daughter, it's understandable

393
00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:45,200
you'd try to keep good relations
with Lady Cui.

394
00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:46,320
There's no shame in that.

395
00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:48,880
Even Wang Yuhua says

396
00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:50,560
that you and Cui Manshu are the closest.

397
00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:52,920
You two share so many confidences.

398
00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:56,000
I always thought
you were clever and sharp.

399
00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,600
I never expected you to be so ordinary.

400
00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:01,440
No point in saying more.
I'll take my leave.

401
00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:11,280
Bossed around by Cui Manshu,
you've let your training slip.

402
00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:22,640
Consort Shu gave you storax sachets.

403
00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:25,320
Wang Yuhua and Zhao Luoshun both got one,

404
00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:26,680
yet you were left out.

405
00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:28,960
Cui Manshu has always been arrogant,

406
00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,200
never associating with daughters
of officials below the fourth rank.

407
00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:33,640
You won't admit your association with her

408
00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:37,240
because she only bullies you
and doesn't offer friendship.

409
00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:40,800
You're right.

410
00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:42,920
Cui Manshu has always been showy

411
00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,160
<i>- and enjoys bullying the weak.</i>
- Of course.

412
00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:46,760
- <i>I never wanted to get involved with her.</i>
- Take it.

413
00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:48,800
<i>But one day,</i>

414
00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:50,720
<i>my father came back</i>
<i>from the Right Chancellor's mansion,</i>

415
00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:53,120
<i>drunk and out of his mind.</i>

416
00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:55,520
<i>I later found out</i>

417
00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,000
<i>that the Right Chancellor</i>
<i>had heard that I was arrogant</i>

418
00:27:58,080 --> 00:27:59,360
<i>and unwilling to associate with Lady Cui,</i>

419
00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,520
which caused her to cry and complain.

420
00:28:02,360 --> 00:28:04,000
He asked my father

421
00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:06,160
to resolve
the misunderstanding at his house.

422
00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:07,960
But there was no misunderstanding at all.

423
00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:10,280
He just wanted my father
to make a public statement

424
00:28:10,360 --> 00:28:11,560
and teach me a lesson

425
00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,760
to live in harmony as close friends.

426
00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:18,040
That night, my father kept apologizing,

427
00:28:18,120 --> 00:28:19,240
until he was coughing up blood.

428
00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:21,240
He didn't want me to suffer.

429
00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:23,480
But my mother couldn't bear it.

430
00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:27,440
For the peace of our family,
she begged me to play along

431
00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:29,120
<i>and be friends with Cui Manshu.</i>

432
00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:32,760
What are you doing there?

433
00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:34,280
Pour us some water!

434
00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:36,440
And bring the pastries over.

435
00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:38,600
<i>She doesn't need me to be her friend.</i>

436
00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:42,680
<i>She just wants me there to humiliate me.</i>

437
00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:45,800
<i>For my father's sake, I had no choice.</i>

438
00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:48,960
<i>I just never thought</i>

439
00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,520
<i>she'd resent me so much</i>
<i>just because I didn't put on a smile</i>

440
00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:54,680
when she was humiliating me.

441
00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:56,640
That day,

442
00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:58,960
it was Cui Manshu's birthday.

443
00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:03,200
<i>My mother had custom-made</i>
<i>a crimson fox fur cloak</i>

444
00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:04,680
<i>as a gift to her.</i>

445
00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,520
My lady, crimson fox fur is quite rare.

446
00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:08,640
Helan searched far and wide

447
00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:10,200
to gather enough to make this cloak.

448
00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:13,080
May it bring you prosperity.

449
00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:17,480
Madam Zhou,

450
00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:20,680
this fur collar feels so soft.

451
00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:23,560
You certainly know quality!

452
00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:25,320
It took quite some gathering.

453
00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,000
The fur is taken

454
00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:28,960
from under the arms of foxes
barely a year old--

455
00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:29,960
How dare you!

456
00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:32,120
Cui Manshu, what are you doing?

457
00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:35,600
On my birthday,

458
00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:38,120
you skinned a fox and plucked its fur
to celebrate for me?

459
00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:40,600
Don't you know

460
00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:44,800
Consort Shu and the Right Chancellor's
maternal family's surname is <i>Hu</i>?

461
00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:46,920
Fox reads the same as <i>Hu</i>.
Such a deathtrap,

462
00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:48,520
you deserve major punishment!

463
00:29:48,600 --> 00:29:50,440
Don't start it!

464
00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:53,880
My lady, I didn't mean any harm.

465
00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:56,520
We can't take on this accusation.

466
00:29:57,280 --> 00:29:59,160
If it weren't
for my friendship with Helan,

467
00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:01,680
I would have made
this matter known to Consort Shu.

468
00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:03,800
That's a crime punishable by death.

469
00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:06,560
My lady, punish me however you wish.

470
00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:10,520
Just don't let Consort Shu
or the Right Chancellor find out.

471
00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:12,920
You'll take whatever punishment?

472
00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:15,400
- Y-Yes.
- Fine.

473
00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:21,000
Then kneel to my family shrine

474
00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:22,080
and kowtow 100 times.

475
00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:25,600
We should only kneel to heaven and earth,
to our parents.

476
00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:27,400
Why should we kneel to your family shrine?

477
00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:29,880
So, you refuse?

478
00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:32,920
- Fine.
- My lady…

479
00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:36,440
Fine. I'm willing to kneel.

480
00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:38,880
I hope you will let it go

481
00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:40,720
and don't hold it against us.

482
00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:46,680
Whatever you want, come at me.

483
00:30:46,760 --> 00:30:47,760
Don't make things hard for my mother!

484
00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:49,920
After all, she is your elder.

485
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:52,760
I'll kneel for her, 200 times.

486
00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:53,800
I'll kneel to your family,

487
00:30:53,880 --> 00:30:56,360
wishing your family happiness every year

488
00:30:57,080 --> 00:30:57,920
and a bright future.

489
00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:02,160
Helan…

490
00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,720
Cui Manshu often takes pleasure
in humiliating others.

491
00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:24,280
I heard that the Fifteenth Princess
once taught her a lesson for this,

492
00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:26,440
making her lose face in public.

493
00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:28,280
Do you know the details?

494
00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:29,960
No, I don't.

495
00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,200
It seems not many people know about it.

496
00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:38,160
Do you know why Cui Manshu
went to Yanshou Ward last night?

497
00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:39,560
No, I don't.

498
00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:45,920
- Give me your hand.
- What?

499
00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:48,880
You, unlucky in relationships,

500
00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:50,800
have been bullied
and tormented by Cui Manshu.

501
00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:52,760
Let me see

502
00:31:52,840 --> 00:31:55,320
when you'll meet someone
who will bring you luck.

503
00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:57,200
You can read palms?

504
00:31:58,520 --> 00:31:59,440
I have many talents.

505
00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:00,920
TWO CARTS OF GOODS
TWO HORSES, THE DRIVER: ZHOU HELAN

506
00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:03,560
On the tenth day of the month,

507
00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:05,680
Zhou family only sent two carts
of New Year tribute?

508
00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,080
One person records these entries,

509
00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:11,600
one person checks them,
and another person verifies them.

510
00:32:11,680 --> 00:32:12,960
There won't be any mistakes.

511
00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:16,480
This line is called
the "official-ghost line."

512
00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:19,200
Where fortune hides misfortune,
within danger lies grace.

513
00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:21,840
A life near nobility,
yet bound to trouble.

514
00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:25,280
So what if I know my fate beforehand?

515
00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:26,880
I still have to live it out.

516
00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:27,800
No need to read it.

517
00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:29,320
I haven't finished yet.

518
00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:32,680
Helan,

519
00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:35,960
you're still holding grudges
against Cui Manshu,

520
00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:38,440
with secrets buried deep in your heart.

521
00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:39,960
Nonsense!

522
00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:41,800
I won't let you fool around.

523
00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:43,560
I'm going home.

524
00:32:47,520 --> 00:32:48,440
From the beginning,

525
00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:50,920
you've been trying
to distance yourself from Cui Manshu.

526
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:54,160
I know you've been bullied by her,
ashamed to speak about it.

527
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:57,040
But the truth is,
it's very easy to see through it.

528
00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:00,240
The real reason you distanced yourself

529
00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:03,000
is to hide something
that is unfavorable to you.

530
00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:05,440
I gave you a chance.

531
00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:07,840
You didn't spill,
so I had to read your hand.

532
00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:09,920
Can a hand reveal anything?

533
00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:11,440
Of course, it can.

534
00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:15,880
On this lease,

535
00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:18,480
the fingerprint
of Guo Hua's right index finger

536
00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:19,640
is an inverted shape.

537
00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:21,560
Your right index finger
also bears the same shape.

538
00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:24,200
WANG BOWEN, GUO HUA, DOU LUHONG

539
00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:26,280
The house in Yanshou Ward
is rented by you.

540
00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:27,200
Why didn't you admit it?

541
00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:31,000
A fingerprint can't prove it's me.

542
00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:33,160
Fingerprints are unique.

543
00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:35,560
A fingerprint like yours
is one in a million.

544
00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:38,760
If you don't want to admit it, fine.

545
00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:42,000
Wuren, go and find that merchant.

546
00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:44,200
Let him meet this gentleman,

547
00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:45,800
- Guo Hua.
- Understood.

548
00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:47,240
Wait.

549
00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:49,440
So what if I rented it?

550
00:33:51,400 --> 00:33:53,440
Cui Manshu's death
has nothing to do with me.

551
00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:55,360
After I returned home last night,

552
00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:57,320
I practiced swordsmanship
with my father until midnight.

553
00:33:57,400 --> 00:33:59,200
The Zhou family can testify for me.

554
00:34:00,880 --> 00:34:03,360
Even if you're not involved
in Cui Manshu's death,

555
00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:05,320
what about the Fifteenth Princess's death?

556
00:34:06,800 --> 00:34:08,719
I checked the palace records
for this month's entries.

557
00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:09,880
On the tenth,

558
00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:12,239
the Zhou family sent three carts
of New Year tribute to Consort Shu.

559
00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:14,120
But in Consort Shu's
storage record that day,

560
00:34:14,199 --> 00:34:15,040
only two carts were logged.

561
00:34:15,639 --> 00:34:16,679
One cart of goods

562
00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:19,560
disappeared between the palace gates
and Consort Shu's palace.

563
00:34:19,639 --> 00:34:22,080
Coincidentally, someone saw you

564
00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:24,040
escorting a cart of goods
to the side door.

565
00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:27,159
As for whether the cart contained
black powder,

566
00:34:27,239 --> 00:34:29,239
the Inner Guards will find out soon.

567
00:34:32,120 --> 00:34:32,960
No need.

568
00:34:34,600 --> 00:34:35,840
I'm indeed involved

569
00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:38,679
in the Fifteenth Princess's death.

570
00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:49,040
Cui Manshu

571
00:34:49,719 --> 00:34:51,840
and the Fifteenth Princess had a grudge

572
00:34:53,159 --> 00:34:55,639
on the day my mother and I
were humiliated.

573
00:34:55,719 --> 00:34:57,280
Faster.

574
00:34:57,360 --> 00:34:59,920
Don't delay my birthday banquet.
It's about to begin.

575
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:04,200
Wait a moment!

576
00:35:07,960 --> 00:35:09,280
Your Highness is here.

577
00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:10,440
Stand up.

578
00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:23,920
These green plums are freshly picked.

579
00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:26,400
You treated us to some earlier.

580
00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:28,920
His Majesty and Consort Shu both like it.

581
00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:31,320
But His Majesty never asked
what's your purpose

582
00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:33,480
in serving plums, as his surname <i>Li</i>
reads the same as plums.

583
00:35:36,720 --> 00:35:39,640
Your loyalty is clear for all to see.

584
00:35:40,400 --> 00:35:42,240
But since the Emperor has been so lenient,

585
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:44,280
please show mercy.

586
00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:48,840
Since Her Highness pleaded for you,

587
00:35:49,800 --> 00:35:51,440
I'll let you off this time.

588
00:35:57,640 --> 00:35:58,720
What are you staring at?

589
00:35:58,800 --> 00:35:59,840
Why aren't you starting the banquet?

590
00:36:01,680 --> 00:36:03,200
You foolish thing!

591
00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:11,440
Take your mother back to get cleaned up.

592
00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:13,040
You're all tired today.

593
00:36:13,120 --> 00:36:14,680
Go back and rest early.

594
00:36:16,240 --> 00:36:18,400
The Princess saved us both

595
00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:20,040
and gave Cui Manshu face.

596
00:36:20,120 --> 00:36:23,120
But Cui Manshu
sees her as a thorn in her side.

597
00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:25,920
Cui continues to humiliate me

598
00:36:26,480 --> 00:36:29,200
while plotting revenge
against the Princess.

599
00:36:30,280 --> 00:36:31,360
<i>One day,</i>

600
00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:34,200
<i>she seemed to learn</i>
<i>some secrets about the Princess.</i>

601
00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:35,960
<i>Every few days,</i>

602
00:36:36,040 --> 00:36:37,480
- <i>she'd secretly discuss</i>
- Who'd thought

603
00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:40,160
- <i>with Lady Wang and Lady Zhao.</i>
- the Fifteenth Princess actually did it!

604
00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:42,960
If word gets out…

605
00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,520
Go pick some fresh flowers
from the courtyard.

606
00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:57,040
The flowers in this room have withered.

607
00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:02,080
<i>They never included me</i>
<i>in those conversations.</i>

608
00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:04,640
But once,

609
00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:06,280
she suddenly told me

610
00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:08,720
that the Princess was going
to have some great joy,

611
00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:10,400
and I should go and congratulate her.

612
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:12,080
A few days later,

613
00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:14,240
the news spread that the Princess

614
00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:17,240
was going to marry the Uyghur prince.

615
00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:20,000
So, Cui Manshu made Wanshun marry off?

616
00:37:20,880 --> 00:37:23,840
Zhou Helan, since you knew about this,
why didn't you tell me?

617
00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:26,000
- I…
- Go on.

618
00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:35,680
After I learned about this,

619
00:37:36,760 --> 00:37:37,960
I prayed day and night,

620
00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:40,040
hoping the Princess

621
00:37:40,120 --> 00:37:42,480
to marry a good man
and stay away from conflict.

622
00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:43,680
But at the end of last month,

623
00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:47,280
Cui Manshu suddenly asked me
to rent a house for her.

624
00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:52,360
I learned that on the winter solstice,
she met with the Princess.

625
00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:55,160
Although I don't know
what exactly they talked about,

626
00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:56,880
it seemed

627
00:37:58,200 --> 00:37:59,640
the Princess wanted
to speak with the Emperor.

628
00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:15,600
I was worried about being implicated,

629
00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:18,960
so I followed Cui Manshu's orders,

630
00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:20,960
dressing as a man,

631
00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:23,720
using a fake name,
and renting a secluded house

632
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:25,520
in Yanshou Ward.

633
00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:27,520
On the tenth of this month,

634
00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:29,400
my father and mother
were particularly happy,

635
00:38:30,240 --> 00:38:32,960
saying it was a rare chance
to meet Consort Shu.

636
00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:36,160
They asked me to present
the New Year tribute to her.

637
00:38:36,240 --> 00:38:37,840
My father and mother

638
00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:39,840
prepared two full carts
of New Year tribute.

639
00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:42,640
But when I was about to enter the palace,

640
00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:46,040
Cui Manshu suddenly told me
to send one cart of things

641
00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:47,160
to the side gate of the palace.

642
00:38:47,240 --> 00:38:48,800
She wouldn't even let me check it.

643
00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:51,560
I dared not check or ask.

644
00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:53,600
I just had to do as she said.

645
00:38:54,720 --> 00:38:57,800
But after I entered the palace,
I became more and more afraid.

646
00:38:57,880 --> 00:38:59,040
So, I secretly checked it.

647
00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:02,440
It was black powder.

648
00:39:04,600 --> 00:39:06,320
But you didn't know
what that black powder was meant for.

649
00:39:08,320 --> 00:39:09,760
What good could she do with it?

650
00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:13,240
But it was too late.

651
00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:17,560
It was recorded as my family's cart.

652
00:39:18,720 --> 00:39:20,160
Though I was scared,

653
00:39:21,320 --> 00:39:22,800
I didn't dare ask more questions.

654
00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:27,400
Then, on the night
of the Lantern Festival…

655
00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:39,360
I was horrified.

656
00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:41,440
That's when I realized

657
00:39:41,520 --> 00:39:43,760
why she had me brought in
the black powder.

658
00:39:43,840 --> 00:39:46,840
I asked her if she was behind that.

659
00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:49,560
She dared to kill even the Princess!
She's completely crazy!

660
00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:51,760
But she actually told me…

661
00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:55,760
This death was a mercy to her.

662
00:39:57,640 --> 00:40:00,240
So, you had the chance to stop all this,

663
00:40:00,960 --> 00:40:04,160
but you did nothing. Is that so?

664
00:40:05,360 --> 00:40:06,480
I didn't dare.

665
00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:09,000
I've been bullied for so long.

666
00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,240
I didn't know how to fight back.

667
00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:16,280
You're putting on the face of a victim,
playing along with me.

668
00:40:16,960 --> 00:40:19,520
But you know full well
that you were aiding evil.

669
00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:23,000
You know that black powder
could take someone's life.

670
00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:25,720
As long as that life isn't yours
or your father's or mother's,

671
00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:27,600
it's of no concern to you, right?

672
00:40:27,680 --> 00:40:28,720
What else could I do?

673
00:40:29,440 --> 00:40:31,480
Do you want me to die for the Princess?

674
00:40:31,560 --> 00:40:33,640
Do you want me to watch helplessly

675
00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,880
as my father and mother
are humiliated by others?

676
00:40:35,960 --> 00:40:38,360
You've never suffered this kind of insult.

677
00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:41,880
As a county princess, favored
by the Emperor and Consort Shu,

678
00:40:41,960 --> 00:40:43,360
naturally you'd never
be humiliated by anyone.

679
00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:45,280
You have no father, no mother,
so you wouldn't know

680
00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:48,520
what it feels like to have your parents

681
00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:51,440
in someone else's hands.

682
00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:52,960
That's too much!

683
00:40:56,760 --> 00:40:58,160
Ungrateful!

684
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:01,240
Wanshun saved the wrong person.

685
00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:02,720
Say whatever you like.

686
00:41:04,240 --> 00:41:06,880
I was ungrateful, helping evil succeed.

687
00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:09,440
Anyway, I wouldn't die
at Cui Manshu's hands.

688
00:41:09,520 --> 00:41:12,760
Now you can take me
to the Ministry of Justice,

689
00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:14,280
chop me up, I'll accept it!

690
00:41:14,360 --> 00:41:16,080
- No need for all that trouble!
- Your Ladyship, calm down!

691
00:41:21,840 --> 00:41:23,320
Why did Cui Manshu
show up at Yanshou Ward?

692
00:41:24,880 --> 00:41:26,080
I don't know.

693
00:41:26,760 --> 00:41:29,360
I only rented the house for her.

694
00:41:29,440 --> 00:41:30,680
I've never been there.

695
00:41:30,760 --> 00:41:32,840
The black powder you brought in alone

696
00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:35,120
couldn't possibly kill the Princess
at the banquet.

697
00:41:36,920 --> 00:41:38,520
You must have had an accomplice.

698
00:41:39,120 --> 00:41:39,960
Who is it?

699
00:41:43,560 --> 00:41:45,440
Cui Manshu wouldn't let her know.

700
00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:25,280
Your Ladyship…

701
00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:28,360
I'm sorry for the Fifteenth Princess.

702
00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:32,080
Please blame me alone.

703
00:42:33,040 --> 00:42:34,800
Don't drag my parents into it.

704
00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:54,080
Your Ladyship!

705
00:42:54,160 --> 00:42:55,600
Lady Wang and Lady Zhao
suddenly started vomiting blood!

706
00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:00,760
Go to Zhao Luoshun's place.
Give her the pills.

707
00:43:00,840 --> 00:43:02,200
Prick Shaoshang and Zhongchong
on the right hand

708
00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:03,720
- and squeeze out the toxic blood. Hurry!
- Understood.

709
00:43:23,360 --> 00:43:24,440
It's too late.

710
00:43:32,960 --> 00:43:35,320
The sauce is poisoned.
It's raw aconite toxin.

711
00:43:35,920 --> 00:43:36,760
Seal the shop.

712
00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:38,520
Anyone who's touched this food,
arrest them all.

713
00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:39,640
Understood.

714
00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:44,440
Your Ladyship just ate these dishes
with Lady Wang.

715
00:43:44,520 --> 00:43:46,000
She didn't eat the sashimi.

716
00:43:46,080 --> 00:43:47,320
Her cup was very clean.

717
00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,080
There was no sauce in it.

718
00:43:49,160 --> 00:43:50,240
I didn't touch this dish.

719
00:43:52,200 --> 00:43:54,720
Your Ladyship.
Since Lady Wang hasn't come back,

720
00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:55,640
Madam Wang's downstairs looking for her.

721
00:43:57,640 --> 00:43:58,480
What a hassle.

722
00:44:01,040 --> 00:44:02,920
She's been inside for so long.
Why hasn't she come out yet?

723
00:44:03,000 --> 00:44:04,400
What should we do now?

724
00:44:04,480 --> 00:44:06,400
Let's go inside and check!

725
00:44:06,480 --> 00:44:07,880
- Let her out!
- Let her out!

726
00:44:07,960 --> 00:44:08,800
My dear!

727
00:44:08,880 --> 00:44:10,480
- Let us in!
- Open it!

728
00:44:11,120 --> 00:44:12,400
We can't all be stuck here.

729
00:44:12,480 --> 00:44:14,160
You go investigate the poisoner.

730
00:44:14,240 --> 00:44:15,240
Go through the back door. Hurry!

731
00:44:15,320 --> 00:44:16,440
Understood!

732
00:44:19,360 --> 00:44:20,120
You're leaving too?

733
00:44:20,200 --> 00:44:22,200
What, stay and get caught up
in their mess?

734
00:44:22,280 --> 00:44:24,320
The three noble ladies died here.
We can't ignore it.

735
00:44:24,920 --> 00:44:26,080
Do you want to stay here and deal with it?

736
00:44:26,760 --> 00:44:28,000
Rather than lingering here uselessly,

737
00:44:28,080 --> 00:44:29,520
we should hurry and catch the killer.

738
00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:31,080
My dear!

739
00:44:32,760 --> 00:44:34,160
- Move.
- My dear!

740
00:44:34,240 --> 00:44:35,080
It's too late.

741
00:44:36,480 --> 00:44:38,160
Do you remember what I said earlier?

742
00:44:38,240 --> 00:44:40,400
- What?
- Prick Shaoshang and Zhongchong

743
00:44:40,480 --> 00:44:42,160
on the right hand
and squeeze out the toxic blood.

744
00:44:42,240 --> 00:44:43,880
If the blood turns from dark to bright,

745
00:44:43,960 --> 00:44:45,920
I'll be saved. Otherwise…

746
00:44:49,240 --> 00:44:50,880
- Your Ladyship!
- Your Ladyship!

747
00:44:55,680 --> 00:44:56,800
It's up to you now.

748
00:44:58,560 --> 00:45:00,760
My dear? My dear?

749
00:45:02,760 --> 00:45:04,000
My dear?

750
00:45:07,360 --> 00:45:08,280
My dear!

751
00:45:09,520 --> 00:45:10,560
My dear!

752
00:45:10,640 --> 00:45:14,120
My dear daughter has been here

753
00:45:14,200 --> 00:45:16,600
for just two hours.

754
00:45:16,680 --> 00:45:19,280
How come she ended up like this?

755
00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:24,440
Your Ladyship, can you tell me

756
00:45:24,520 --> 00:45:26,880
what exactly happened?

757
00:45:26,960 --> 00:45:28,920
Your daughter was poisoned.

758
00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:30,600
I'm investigating who poisoned her.

759
00:45:30,680 --> 00:45:32,040
Li Peiyi,

760
00:45:32,760 --> 00:45:34,280
I still had some respect for you

761
00:45:34,360 --> 00:45:36,760
as the county princess.

762
00:45:36,840 --> 00:45:39,000
My daughter shouldn't have come here.

763
00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:42,600
She came to assist you
with your questioning,

764
00:45:42,680 --> 00:45:45,200
but she lost her life in your hands.

765
00:45:45,280 --> 00:45:47,080
If it weren't for you bringing her here,

766
00:45:47,760 --> 00:45:49,920
she wouldn't have died!

767
00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:51,440
How could you…

768
00:45:51,520 --> 00:45:54,920
How could you show
such an indifferent attitude?

769
00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:58,080
Madam, Her Ladyship is just
earnest in investigating.

770
00:45:58,160 --> 00:45:59,680
Why don't you take Lady Wang

771
00:45:59,760 --> 00:46:01,120
back to your house
and let her rest in peace now?

772
00:46:01,200 --> 00:46:03,080
Then Her Ladyship
can continue the investigation,

773
00:46:03,160 --> 00:46:04,160
consoling Lady Wang.

774
00:46:04,240 --> 00:46:06,560
Continue the investigation?

775
00:46:07,600 --> 00:46:10,880
Can it bring my daughter back?

776
00:46:10,960 --> 00:46:13,080
Today, you must give an explanation

777
00:46:13,160 --> 00:46:16,240
to the Minister's mansion and all of us!

778
00:46:18,560 --> 00:46:19,880
Madam, what explanation do you want?

779
00:46:21,080 --> 00:46:22,680
Bind her

780
00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:25,600
and take her to the Emperor
to have him judge.

781
00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:26,520
Who dares?

782
00:46:29,320 --> 00:46:31,040
- Your Ladyship!
- Your Ladyship!

783
00:46:31,120 --> 00:46:32,400
Your Ladyship!


