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Marry Me

Episode 22

Music Bureau

Consort Li was in the prime of her life.

Who'd have thought such a thing...

would happen right under the guards' noses.

If only...

I'd seen the signs earlier.

Then perhaps....

Lin Yue Yao wouldn't have got off Scot free.

Don't be too hard on yourself.

No one in the palace saw it coming, either.

Besides, this matter...

is the Ministry of Justice's responsibility.

You're not to be blamed.

Thankfully, Lord Yun has ordered the city to be sealed off...

after Lin Yue Yao has been exposed.

The Wujin Imperial Guards are checking on every household.

I believe we'll catch the culprit soon enough.

That's good to hear.

Ms Ju.

I was the one...

who invited you to the palace to give qin lessons.

It's only fitting that I have someone...

escort you back home.

This way.

You may come out now. She's gone.

One day, I'll repay you...

for letting me quarter here.

I'm helping you...

out of the goodness of my heart.

Why must you act so distant towards me?

When everyone thinks you're the fiend who killed Consort Li,

I alone chose to believe you.

Yet you'd rather suffer in silence...

than to tell me the truth?

You said you wanted to clear Shi Bo Yin's name.

Yet you can't even clear your own...

I was careless.

I'll keep you out of it.

You know that's not what I meant.

Is it possible that...

I'm worth so little to you?

You're right.

My heart belongs only to Shi Bo Yin.

Even if he had never loved me,

I'd still die without regrets.

You're really leaving?

Dangers abound in the capital.

It's not safe to go alone.

-I could... -Save it.

After all these years,

my love for you has never extinguished.

Why won't you accept me?

Unrequited love...

only ends in tragedy.

Why make it hard for yourself?

Why?

You should know, of all people.

You criticise me.

But aren't you just the same?

At this point,

it's not clear whether the Ministry would pry into the Music Bureau.

Anyhow, I don't think you're a murderer.

I'll escort you back to Ximin.

No.

It's my own problem.

How could I implicate the Music Bureau?

Good thing no one in the capital recognises my face.

I have my ways.

You're going to escape in your true identity?

Imbeciles!

How could all of you fail to capture a single criminal?

What's the status of the case?

Your Majesty.

Investigations revealed...

that the supernatural occurrences in the palace...

were caused by Six Art Court's incense.

It's believed...

that such incense is complicated to concoct.

At the right amount,

the incense soothes the spirit and promotes sleep.

But if the ratio of its ingredients...

is altered, it may cause hallucinations.

I conclude that...

the culprit must've used the incense...

to create the impression of an occult murder.

Preposterous.

To think the culprit would resort to such trickery.

We must apprehend him.

I'll try him and make an example of him!

Apologies, Your Majesty.

I've ascertained that...

the culprit is none other than the owner of Six Arts Court, Lin Yue Yao.

The Ministry has ordered...

every entrance and exit out of the capital sealed off.

Even if the culprit has supernatural abilities,

she would not escape alive.

Lin Yue Yao is but a mere woman.

How could she have infiltrated the palace...

to committed the murder by herself?

What's her background?

And to what end did she jump through hoops...

to kill Consort Li?

Her motive is not clear to us yet.

But I'm working on it...

so we may close the case as soon as possible.

But there was quite a fiasco at Kun Palace,

whereby one of the Empress Dowager's handmaiden...

was accused of the murder...

and wrongfully punished.

Such disregard for human life...

and criminal procedure...

is absolutely unforgivable.

Nevertheless, the Kun Palace was consecrated by you, Your Majesty.

As to how they shall be dealt with,

I leave it to your judgement.

A note from Consort Shu's messenger, Your Majesty.

Go by the book, act swiftly and decisively

As you've said, my dear advisor,

Shu Bo has violated the law. He will not go unpunished.

But the case...

has yet been solved.

I cannot pass the sentence.

Carry out my decree.

Shu Bo shall be grounded in his residence, put under surveillance...

and removed from the case.

Once the case has reached a conclusion,

he'll be dealt with.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

You've been listening.

What do you make of it?

You are wise, Your Majesty.

It was the sensible thing to do.

However...

Feel free to speak your mind, young one.

Though the pieces are starting to fall into place,

the culprit had managed to carry out the crime under our noses.

She's not to be underestimated.

I think...

Lord Yun may be too young...

and lacking in experience.

He might falter.

What do you propose?

This is an urgent case.

I think...

it should be fully handled by a mature and wise minister.

Anybody in mind?

Your Majesty.

I am willing to share the burden with you.

Lord Ding is the most suitable man for the job.

I believe...

with his extensive criminal investigation experience,

the case will be solved swiftly.

Very well.

Lord Ding shall be put in charge of Consort Li's case.

Hopefully, we'll have the culprit...

captured alive soon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Zhaoyu Palace

Chen'er sends her greetings to Aunt.

If you don't mind, I have a favour to ask of you.

May I come in and speak with you, Aunt?

Aunt,

my father has been suspended and put under watch.

Please save my father, Aunt.

Your Highness,

shall I chase her away?

Never mind.

Let her be.

Once she's tired of shouting,

she'll leave.

Wanted

Halt.

You may pass.

Next.

Long Teng, have you seen Lin Yue Yao's true appearance?

No.

Why?

Finding a faceless woman...

seems like a shot in the dark.

It was Lord Ding, the expert himself...

who devised the plan.

Lord Ding said it's a diversion.

It's the only way to lure the culprit out of hiding.

Like I've said,

Lord Ding is a dolt.

He's even worse than Yun Qing Xian.

You've always been bitter on Yun Qing Xian.

Why are you singing praises now?

Looks like Mu'er has turned you around.

I'm just being fair.

Yun Qing Xian may be slightly annoying,

but his criminal investigation skills are notable.

I feel the case should be handled by him...

instead of Lord Ding.

Boss, Ms Shu is here.

Lord Long, I have something important to tell you.

May we speak in private?

Long Yue is no stranger.

You may speak in his presence.

Lord Long,

I've come here on behalf of my father.

This might sound presumptuous,

but...

I hope you can clear my father's name.

If you're not up to it,

perhaps you could get me an audience with the Emperor?

I'll speak to him myself.

As you know,

my guards are on hostile terms with Kun Palace.

Besides,

one does not simply meet with the Emperor.

I'm afraid I cannot help you.

Lord Long,

I know it's my father's fault for maligning Ji Yan.

But until the case is solved,

my father will be trapped in his own home, without anyone's care.

As a daughter, I wish to see him.

Can't you fulfill such a simple request?

Don't worry.

I'll let you take care of your father.

And I promise...

I'll do everything in my power to uncover the truth.

Sister, what did I tell you?

Yun Qing Xian would never amount to anything like you had hoped.

If not for Father, he would've lost his office.

Lower your voice. My husband will be back any minute.

What if he's back?

It's about time he learns the truth.

You know something?

Ever since that murder in the palace,

the two of them have been seen together in a room,

talking about who-knows-what.

They said it's for the case,

but who knows what really went on?

Quiet.

How could you say such a thing?

I know full well what he's been doing these days.

Do not parrot those scandalous gossip.

If Father hears of it,

it just might cause real trouble.

I'll talk as I wish.

Yun Qing Xian is not fit to be part of our family.

My dear, you're back.

Sorry to interrupt.

Father.

Father, what brings you here?

Greetings, Father.

I didn't know you were coming.

I'll ask the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes.

It's okay.

I was at the court with Mr Ding.

He's just here to visit.

It's nothing, really.

Rumour is a disease that spreads from mouth to mouth.

Shan'er, I've said everything...

that I needed to.

Your brother-in-law is a smart man.

He knows what to do.

You've had your fun.

Let's go home.

Father.

Father, since you're here,

why don't you have a meal first?

No thanks.

My dear,

Shan'er's words were mere gossip.

Don't mind her.

Father may sound harsh,

but he has our best interests in mind.

I hope you're not offended.

After all, we are a family.

Just leave the case to Father.

It's not a disgrace at all.

Word gets around fast.

Even you've heard about it.

Still, I appreciate your understanding.

I know,

your father expects a lot from me because he loves me.

I can't thank him enough.

Why would I blame him?

You're always away because of the case.

It worries me.

From now on,

do try to come home earlier.

You want me to recommend Ding Sheng to lead the case...

instead of you.

Is this part of your plan...

to sow discord between Ding Sheng and Shu Bo?

You are wise indeed.

It's only the first step.

You flatter me.

You're the real genius here.

Even I could not see the motive behind your actions.

Could there be...

more to Consort Li's case than meets the eye?

I've come to know a secret.

Are you interested?

Speak.

Him?

Alright. We'll go along with your plan.

Since I'm free today,

why don't we eat together?

I'll ask the servants to get ready.

Ju Wine House

Have a nice day.

Father, I'm back.

Slacking off again, Father?

If you day-drink like that,

how can you serve the customers?

Father.

It's no good drinking without food.

Why don't you try some of the snacks I've bought?

Father.

I haven't seen you smile like that in a while.

How nice.

Why are you here by yourself, Lord Yun?

Where's Father?

I finally got a break from work.

But I don't know what to do with all the free time.

I was about to buy some wine...

when I bumped into Mr Ju on his errand.

He had no one to man his shop.

So I volunteered to come here and watch over his business.

Lord Yun,

I hear you're suspended because of Lin Yue Yao's case...

So what?

I'm just glad I managed to save you the other day.

Now that we know who the culprit is,

it's only a matter of time before she's arrested.

I'm glad you think that way.

Drinking loses its meaning when one overindulges.

Drink moderately. Your health matters most.

May I have the pleasure...

of drinking with you?

How are you getting along in Long Residence?

Why do you ask?

When we were together,

we had so many things to talk about,

so many songs to play.

It's only been a few short months.

Yet here I am sitting with you,

at a loss for words.

That's why I asked.

Well, I was just about to ask you something, Lord Yun.

Lin Yue Yao may be the prime suspect in Consort Li's case,

but do you have any idea what her motive might be?

The case has been handed over to Lord Ding.

Naturally, I'm uninformed.

Let's enjoy the drink...

and forget about the case.

Here.

Lord Yun, I didn't know you have the leisure...

to drink wine here.

What's the matter?

Your office is in jeopardy.

Yet, instead of improving yourself,

you've come here with flirtatious intent.

Long Yue, you misunderstand.

Lord Yun,

don't you have anyone at home to drink with?

Must you come out to drink,

and to Ju Wine House,

with my wife, no less?

How unbecoming of you.

Long Yue, you got it all wrong.

And you,

sneaking out of our house,

drinking with another man in broad daylight,

sullying our marriage.

I came uninvited.

It has nothing to do with Mrs Long.

There's no need for insults.

Besides,

the door is wide open.

Anyone could attest to our innocence.

There's nothing going on between us.

You don't have to get fired up...

and lose your cool.

One more thing.

She's your wife.

You can blame others for all I care.

But...

you mustn't hurt Mu'er's feelings.

This is between me and my wife.

It's none of your concern.

You should take care of yourself...

if you don't want to lose your job.

Mu'er and you are not on drinking terms.

Please have some respect.

Mu'er, let's go home.

Lord Yun, don't take his words to heart.

I apologise on his behalf.

Aunt Mu'er, can we eat now?

But I'm the man of the house.

What a spread we have today.

Did you prepare all these yourself, Aunt Mu'er?

These dishes...

Aunt Mu'er...

prepared them specially for me.

You're a lucky man, Uncle Yue.

My mother is good at everything...

besides cooking.

But...

you must have done something mighty awful...

to have made Aunt Mu'er so angry.

No talking while eating.

I haven't even begun to eat.

Xiao Bao, dig in.

Dear, what's the meaning of this?

I prepared these dishes for Xiao Bao.

Aren't you full with jealousy?

Do you need to eat?

Can we drop it already?

How can we?

I've been such a bad wife.

I admit,

I overreacted today.

I see how happy you two were...

and I lost it.

Besides...

Xiao Bao is watching.

Spare my pride, will you?

Here. Eat.

Here...

-Eat. -My dear.

Have some soup.

Thanks Long Yue. But chicken soup is heaty.

It might inflame my passion.

Here, Xiao Bao.

Cool yourself down with some chicken soup.

Mu'er...

I...

Let's not let Yun Qing Xian come between us, shall we?

I...

I just wanted to warn you, that he...

His motives are impure.

He has designs on you!

I think you're drunk with jealousy.

Uncle Yue, what's wrong?

She'll be the death of me!

What an unreasonable woman.

You're unreasonable.

What do you know?

I'm being concerned.

But concern leads to anxiety.

Just eat your food.

How is it?

Not bad.

Not bad?

This fish dish was made with the finest cooking wine...

for which Aunt Mu'er went to the wine house.

Why didn't you say so?

Why didn't you ask?

You're just like your father.

Eat...

At the time of Consort Li's murder,

Lin Yue Yao was playing in the palace...

the Fuxi Tune.

It must have something to do with Master.

Ji Yan has also mentioned...

that it's related to Master.

After the murder,

Ji Yan was wrongfully imprisoned.

Could these two...

be tied to Master's case?

How are they related to each other?

And why did Lin Yue Yao kill Consort Li?

What am I missing?

Dear.

Dear...

I know. You only went to the wine house to retrieve cooking wine.

It's my fault for overlooking your kindness.

I shouldn't have lashed out at you.

I was wrong.

So...

How about some fish?

Just a little bite, okay?

If this case is connected to Master's death,

I wonder what would happen if I go down the rabbit hole?

What if I drag the Long family into it?

What would become of him?

Does the fish taste funny...

because it's cold?

Long Yue,

can you promise me something?

Why do you sound so solemn?

Can you stop prying into the court's business?

Consort Li's murder has nothing to do with you.

There's no need to get involved.

If not for you,

I wouldn't have gotten my hands dirty.

But Long Teng is a court official.

If something goes awry, he'll be implicated.

Why not face it together?

By the way, my dear,

it's getting cold outside.

I've added another quilt for you.

If you feel like it,

we could get the servants to fire up the stove.

You've been through a lot.

You should take care of yourself.

There's something...

I've been thinking about.

Feel free to say it.

About our fake marriage...

Can we pretend it never happened?

Are you... regretting it now?

-Are you tired of me? -No!

I want to turn our fake marriage...

into a real one.

I...

I thought...

we're on the same page about this.

I'm just kidding.

If I really wanted to,

I'd have forced you with an Emperor's decree.

I wouldn't leave you room for refusal.

Well...

Get some rest.

I had no choice back then...

but to agree to a fake marriage with Long Yue.

Now that Master's case is starting to unravel,

how can I simply give up?

But staying here with the Long family...

would only make parting with them all the more difficult.

Long Yue.

I'm sorry.

There's no way I won't win you over with this.

Mu'er my dear, time to eat.

Is this how you repay me?

No note, no nothing?

Li Ke!

Coming, Young Master...

-How can I help? -Go to the Jus'. Tell Mrs Long...

I've made a breakthrough on the murder...

and to go to the crime scene.

Gentlemen, this way.

Morgue

Where's Hai Gui?

Sorry. Here he is.

This... is the Hai Gui you're looking for?

Hai Gui and the two guards who transported him to be exact.

What nerve!

Who cremated him without permission?

My lord,

Hai Gui and the party was caught in a landslide.

It was a most unfortunate turn of events.

They were buried in dirt and debris for days.

When unearthed,

they had already become unrecognisable corpses.

Their identities were verified by their belongings.

Quick.

Have a look.

Ministry of Justice

Shouldn't the bodies be preserved for future investigations?

Why reduce them to ashes so hastily?

How will we know if this is Hai Gui and the guards?

Apologies, my lord.

I had no choice but to do so.

The weather was hot and humid.

The bodies started to rot and decay within days of their discovery.

If not disposed of,

they might become a hotbed for plague.

Given the circumstances, we had to incinerate them.

That's right.

We're but civil officers of a small village.

We have no power.

We were only following orders.

-That's right. -Have mercy on us.

Please don't raise this to the higher-ups.

That's right, my lord.

Young Master, Mrs Long is here.

This way.

What's all this for?

Isn't it obvious?

By the way,

Li Ke said you've found some new clues.

May I know what they are?

I've booked a boat at a lake in the outskirts.

Let's go for a boat ride...

while we enjoy a nice little meal by the scenery.

You're pretty stressed out lately.

You need to unwind.

Why waste money on such things?

You tried to leave me once before.

If I cheap out,

and people get wise to our fake marriage,

wouldn't it be embarrassing?

You know,

if I hadn't brought up the case, you wouldn't even show up.

No matter.

Looks like you no longer have feelings for me.

Fine.

Since you went through the trouble,

I'll play along.

Let's go.

It's Yue Yao.

Stop right there!

How rude! Don't you know she's the envoy of Ximin?

Envoy of Ximin?

Apologies...

for my wife's boldness.

May I ask which inn the envoy is staying at?

I wish to offer my hospitality...

as a token of my apology.

You misunderstand.

She is Ya Li Li, envoy of Ximin.

She's here to see the Empress Dowager.

If you have nothing important to say,

we'll be on our way.

After all, we wouldn't want to keep Her Majesty waiting.

Madam envoy.

-Let's go. -Yes, sir.

Long Yue, I know what I heard.

She is definitely Lin Yue Yao.

I've received the gifts your emissary have sent.

But why did you wait until now to pay us a visit?

Your Majesty,

I was stricken with illness upon my arrival at the capital.

I had been getting treatment outside the palace.

I've delayed my visit...

for fear of worrying you.

Your Majesty.

During this time, the envoy had shown no signs of recovery.

So I let her recuperate at the Music Bureau.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Have you decided when to go back?

I'll return once my passport is authorised.

Passport

You're saying the Ximin envoy Ya Li Li is Lin Yue Yao in disguise?

Nope. Not that Lin Yue Yao disguised herself as the envoy,

but the envoy used a false identity to set up Six Arts Court as a diversion.

This way, once the conspiracy is out,

she can leave the capital legally using her true identity.

Ya Li Li had everything thought out.

Once Lin Yue Yao vanishes without a trace,

the culprit will never be caught.

And no one would suspect it was the envoy of Ximin all along.

It's the perfect crime.

I can withhold her passport for a few days.

But if you can't find any proof,

there's nothing I can do.

After all, she's the envoy of Ximin.

If things go south,

it could sour relations between both countries.

We mustn't alert the enemy.

Let's return the passport by the book.

Then, we wait for the snake to come out of its hole.

You have a plan?

You may give her back the passport as promised.

We have enough time to catch the culprit.

I just need to listen to the tune played during the murder one more time,

and I'll be able to tell if Lin Yue Yao and Ya Li Li are the same person.

Good idea.

We just need Lord Ding to be present.

Ding Sheng was assigned the case by the Emperor himself.

If it means catching the culprit,

he'd surely show up.

But will he cooperate with us?

Unless we take matters into our own hands,

I don't see why he won't.

After all, the credit will go to him.

I don't care who gets the credit.

What matters is catching the perp.

If Hai Gui had really died,

he'd have deserved it.

Too bad the guards that transported him...

were so unlucky.

Not even their bodies were intact.

What shall we tell their families?

Split the ashes into three portions.

Ask Long Teng to dole out condolence money.

Tell them the bodies were cremated because they were too heavy.

You and your crazy ideas.

Our trip has been fruitless so far.

We don't even know if Hai Gui is dead or alive.

Something doesn't feel right.

It's not as simple as it seems.

Waiter, one jug of wine.

Coming right up.

-Chief! -Mu!

Chief.

Chief, we finally found you!

Chief, please help us!

We're all going to die...

What's with the sobbing? What happened?

Chief, it's not a human.

I mean...

The enemy isn't human.

But a Fox Spirit.

Long Residence

Xiao Bao, what's wrong?

Why aren't you eating?

Aunt Mu'er,

Father and Mother have been gone for days.

Where have they gone?

Why aren't they back yet?

Hush, Xiao Bao.

Your parents are out on a very important mission.

They'll be back soon.

If you need anything, feel free to ask me.

You clearly don't get children.

Xiao Bao, your parents have sent us a letter.

They're fine.

Is it true?

Did Father really write back?

What did he say?

Of course it's true.

Your father told me specifically...

that he'd bring some toys back for you.

So be a good boy,

listen to your teacher and pay attention in class.

They'll be back in no time.

Uncle Yue, you think I'm still a kid?

You can't fool me with gifts.

When have I lied?

If you don't want those toys,

I'll just have to sell them.

You can't!

Father bought them for me. They're mine.

They're yours.

Shrewd kid.

When it comes to shrewdness, no one compares to you.

Can't you give me face in front of the boy?

Sure, Mr Best Merchant in the Capital.

Xiao Bao, when your father comes back with the gifts,

don't share them with Uncle Yue.

Let's dig in.

What's the fuss about?

Chief.

This used to be a prosperous settlement.

But a few days ago, the entire village went topsy-turvy.

The villagers spoke of a Fox Spirit.

There is no such thing.

Sure. As a martial artist,

I'm not one for superstition, just like you.

But then, girls started disappearing one after another.

Upon questioning,

I learned that the girls had strayed into the forest as if in trance,

never to be heard from again.

Madam, Chief, think about it.

What, if not a Fox Spirit,

could have accomplished such a feat?

Hold on...

Has anyone seen what it looks like?

I remember.

It had a green eerie glow, menacing fangs,

a coat of thick hair,

and it could walk upright.

And, it's skin was rough and bumpy.

It had a tail,

but it's face is that of a man.

A terrifying being.

Back up...

How many Fox Spirits were there?

Why is everyone's description different?

I guess we shouldn't hide it anymore, right guys?

It was dark that day and we were running for our lives.

We didn't get a clear look at it.

But that creature definitely had green, glowing eyes and a huge form.

Not even our combined powers could stand a chance against it.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

That fiend.

How dare it harm my brothers?

Very well.

Tonight, we stay here.

We'll capture the Fox Spirit and save the village.

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