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♫ Grudges and karma, right and wrong ♫

♫ Tears and blood in the past life ♫

♫ A parting lasting for years ♫

♫ Keeps the truth hidden ♫

♫ Fate is full of twists and turns ♫

♫ Misfortune and happiness intertwined ♫

♫ Let the wind take away obsessions and lies ♫

♫ Through storms and uncertainties, I devote myself to you ♫

♫ At least you share my joy and sorrow ♫

♫ Unraveling mystery fearlessly in this dream ♫

♫ Hand in hand with you, I wander this splendid world ♫

♫ My heart remains untainted by the mortal dust ♫

[Melody of Golden Age]

[Episode 5]

Thank you for what you've done today.

I think

you should thank someone else.

Indeed, it bears a striking resemblance to my writing.

But still, you weren't deceived.

And it's not just me, is it?

The Empress Dowager?

The statement has unyielding righteousness.

But between the lines,

a feminine style occasionally emerges.

Yan Xing was strongly recommended by Prime Minister Zhang back in the day.

But now he seems intent on helping you.

I think

this matter is quite ingenious.

Why would the Empress Dowager…

You have married a virtuous wife.

The Empress Dowager

must have taken to heart that nursery rhyme.

The task she's given you

is tough.

Be sure to be careful and cautious.

I will.

[Chengtian Gate]

It seems I have wronged my lady.

In difficult times, she's compassionate and loyal.

If she didn't write anything,

I would have spoken for myself.

Rescuing me is a pretense.

She wishes to use this opportunity

and overturn the case of Chen Baiyi,

who committed suicide.

How dare she use you?

She dares to use me.

Despicable.

Never mind. She just wants

to seek justice for Chen Baiyi.

How did she know my handwriting?

She entered your study.

No wonder the imitation was so convincing.

I didn't expect her

to have the skill to imitate handwriting.

Great Chief.

She has tampered with your memorial.

Should we…

Keep her.

Let's see what other tricks she might pull.

However, there is something

that must be handled immediately.

Prince Xian. Prince Xian.

Something's happened. Outside.

Prince Xian, Xiao Zhong, receive the decree.

I, Xiao Zhong, will receive the imperial order.

Complying with Heaven and the times,

here comes the edict.

I order Prince Xian Xiao Zhong

to the Fengxiang Prefecture to inspect and issue decrees.

Prince Xian Xiao Zhong

upholds the virtues of civil and martial grace,

embraces the capacity for governance and economy,

and cultivates benevolence and righteousness in his character.

He has the loyalty and courage to accomplish tasks,

and the virtue and talent

to bring prosperity to a region.

Nowadays, Fengxiang Prefecture is suffering from a severe drought,

which requires planning, commanding,

and governance under absolute authority.

So I order Prince Xian to make an inspection tour

to oversee the whole process,

enhance our nation's prestige,

and soothe the hearts of the people.

Let the one in charge enforce it.

I, Xiao Zhong,

receive the imperial order and express gratitude.

When shall I depart?

Prince Xian.

The Empress Dowager has decreed.

This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed for a moment.

Prince Xian, on this journey,

you will be escorted by the Imperial Guards.

The Great Chief has already made arrangements.

Prince Xian, please relocate with peace of mind.

Okay.

While I'm away,

you must take good care of these flowers.

Now the temperature difference between morning and evening is significant.

It is best to water at the hour of Si,

especially my

Imperial Yellow Peony.

Yes.

Let's go.

Prince Xian, please.

I wonder if the memorial to the throne has taken Princess of Valor.

Madam, Madam.

Madam.

News has come from the palace.

The Great Chief has left the palace.

You should be relieved now.

Good night.

Alright, I will wait a bit longer.

Okay.

Madam, this is osmanthus and lotus seed soup.

Please drink it while it's hot.

This maid looks very unfamiliar.

[East Bamboo Forest behind the Back Gate]

Prime Minister.

Yan Liuniang.

Indeed, you are exceptionally intelligent.

Shen Du was taken to the palace earlier

and has not yet returned.

If you are here about the progress of the case,

I'm afraid you will return empty-handed.

I know the whereabouts of Shen Du.

I met with you today

to understand the Yan family's position.

I do not understand.

Please be explicit, Prime Minister.

Empress Dowager was furious

after hearing the street rhymes.

She immediately issued an order

asking Prince Xian

to supervise the disaster relief efforts in Fengxiang Prefecture.

When he left, he wasn't even allowed to bring his attendants.

Even the route

of his tour was kept secret.

Prime Minister,

do you think the Empress Dowager suspects

Prince Xian is behind the rhyme incident,

and thus wants to take action against him?

But even a tiger will not eat its cubs.

The mountains are high and the roads are long.

If there really is an issue,

it will be too late.

I ask you.

The Empress Dowager controls the government,

disregarding the legitimacy of the Dacang dynasty.

What was the previous emperor's surname?

Does the Yan family

still remember that?

I am wholeheartedly investigating cases to redress grievances.

A woman like me truly does not understand the affairs of the court,

let alone take on a significant responsibility in it.

Naive.

You want to enter the royal court

while being involved in a case,

and you hope to remain uninvolved.

Not to mention you, Yan Liuniang,

even the Yan family

cannot escape involvement.

The Empress Dowager prioritizes the state above all.

Perhaps you are overthinking it.

Can a series of linked cases

and a single rhyme

really stir up such a big commotion?

Buddha absorbs the sin.

This nursery rhyme is quite malicious,

directly suggesting that the Empress Dowager's position is illegitimate.

If it spreads,

not just Prince Xian is in danger.

Prime Minister, what do you want me to do?

My men found out

that the Shen family uses carrier pigeons

to issue orders and convey messages.

During this journey of Prince Xian,

they surely use carrier pigeons to report back as well.

You should hurry

and find the route of Prince Xian.

When the time comes,

whether Shen Du

intends to assassinate Prince Xian

or to genuinely protect him,

we can all prepare in advance.

Carrier pigeons?

Honey, you are in your home.

Why sneak around

behaving like a thief?

Great Chief.

I have been eagerly

waiting for you.

When did you come back?

The Empress Dowager didn't make things difficult for you, did she?

You had me worried all night.

Yan Liuniang,

why put on an act?

Do you think this will ingratiate you with me?

You don't buy it.

Forget it then.

Are you happy now?

As a clerk in the Ministry of Justice,

you should know what crime it is

to forge a memorial.

Moreover, your mere words

caused so many issues in the court.

I was just

anxious to save my husband.

I've never written a memorial before.

How would I know what should be written

and what should not?

Save me?

I'm afraid you're using me as a pawn.

The night is deep and the dew is heavy.

Great Chief, let's hurry inside to rest.

The gifted scholar from a humble family, Chen Baiyi,

lit himself on fire at the Dacang Ming Hall.

The articles written with painstaking effort over many years

were all stolen.

If there are no fair officials in Dacang,

when will the decayed investigations cease?

Guys, we toil in reading poetry and books,

yet we can only serve as study companions to the noble classes' sons. Why?

We can only be their shadows. Why?

- We will not put up with this. - No more, no more.

Look at you, a bunch of destitute losers.

Without the noble classes,

you wouldn't even be worthy to enter the doors of the Hongwen School.

Yet you dream of making a name for yourselves.

Let me tell you,

you were born lowly.

What did you say?

You are fools who can only steal articles.

Stop fighting.

Stop.

Stop fighting.

Stop it.

What a disgrace.

What a disgrace indeed.

These are all the same

empty words.

For the Ming Hall self-immolation case,

have the Imperial Guards

made any progress?

Reporting to the Empress Dowager,

the Imperial Guards have further verified and clarified the facts.

It is indeed as previously stated,

the student Chen Baiyi

had his articles stolen by the eldest son of the Jin family.

He was driven out by the Jin family when he contested the matter

and was publicly shamed and beaten.

He harbored resentment in his heart

but he had no recourse to official justice.

Ultimately, he self-immolated to make his conviction known.

The students of the Hongwen School caused a disturbance

that has yet to abate.

News has come again from Jiangnan.

Look, take a look.

Exam papers

cannot travel the great path of humanity. Passing the exams

is hard to be righteous in the eyes of the world.

Is this how the scholars in our nation

view our talent recruitment process?

Empress Dowager, please calm down.

Mother Empress,

selecting talent is an important affair of the state.

The noble classes shouldn't have tried

to maintain their ranks with it

and caused such disputes.

In my humble opinion,

be it a humble background

or a noble class,

let them compete together.

And we can select

the wise and capable.

I disagree.

Acquiring office through family prestige is an ancestral system.

How can it be changed so easily?

I'm afraid Princess of Valor

has spent too much time composing poems and matching verses

with those students from humble backgrounds

and has lost her judgment for a moment.

The offspring of the humble homes are also citizens of Dacang.

I only spoke a little in their favor,

and why would Prime Minister Zhang react so strongly?

Could it be that you were already aware

of that Jin kid deceiving superiors

and deluding subordinates?

Empress Dowager, I beg for your discernment.

I have only the welfare of Dacang in mind.

Selecting officials can't be based only on literary talent.

Family heritage should also be considered.

Prime Minister Zhang, your words are amiss.

Stubbornly adhering to the special privileges of noble classes

has already led to

so much fraud and corruption.

It is only right to place the virtuous in their positions.

Empress Dowager.

The deceased in the Ximing Temple serial case

were all descendants of noble classes.

Perhaps some member

of a humble family was enticed

and committed the act.

Enticed?

It is appropriate to dredge, not to block.

Suppression will never be the solution.

It's such a simple truth.

Prime Minister Zhang, how could you not know?

Are you trying to make

the Empress Dowager bear a bad name

for being unjust

to all the humble homes?

My loyalty to the Empress Dowager

is as clear as the sun and the moon.

If we open up a gap in the path to officialdom,

it is absolutely impermissible.

Empress Dowager.

Okay, Prime Minister Zhang.

Please get up.

This argument of yours

is for the sake of Dacang.

Minister Shen.

Haven't you found out the truth

about the Ming Hall Self-immolation Case?

What do you think?

Among the offspring of humble families,

there are indeed talented individuals.

They indeed need an opportunity.

I believe we can choose

a fair assessment method to seek the worthy

for the Empress Dowager to review.

I think we should take

the Hongwen School as a pilot.

We can select the worthy from humble families to study there.

The Empress Dowager is wise.

You're here.

Miss, please sit over here.

Come, sit.

All thanks to you,

my unfilial grandson

has passed away in peace.

Great Chief.

Do you still want these corpses?

The essay written by Scholar Chen

was highly praised by the students.

I've fetched a copy for you.

What a pity.

I can't read.

I'll read it to you.

Xizhou Melody.

I remembered the plum as I descended Xizhou,

and I picked plums to send to the north of the river.

The garment is in apricot red…

The Madam

keeps taking on tasks for herself.

But the fairness and justice she desires

are not so easy to come by.

I didn't expect you

to have such foresight.

What's wrong?

The Empress Dowager decrees

to take the Hongwen School as a pilot

to select the worthy from humble families to study there.

Really?

I mean

I would never dare take credit for this matter.

This is all thanks to your mediation, Great Chief.

You are sure to gain a reputation for acute observation

among the students

from humble backgrounds.

How wonderful. I'm so happy for you.

Do I care about these?

Before taking any further action,

let me know in advance.

Otherwise, I will not let it go easily.

Indeed.

You are called White Ghost.

What reputation do you still want?

What are you doing again

in the middle of the night?

I'm going to get some exercise, go for a run.

How can I sleep beside White Ghost if I don't wear myself out running?

Madam.

Does she go for a run every night?

The Madam says it helps with her sleep.

It is indeed bright.

But the light

is still the same as before.

Do you also think it's bright?

Everyone in the house is used to it.

I recall that in Xichen, there is a type of fabric

that can block out light

Go make a canopy.

- Yes. - Also,

don't light the lamps over there anymore.

Save where you can.

Yes.

Great Chief.

You have already barged in.

Come in.

Come down now.

The identities of the twelve bodies at Ximing Temple

have been verified.

Most of these paired corpses

knew each other well in life.

They were often seen together.

However, there are two pairs,

for whom no entanglements have been found prior to their deaths.

I thought the Imperial Guard handled matters efficiently.

What's taking so long?

The male corpses are all from noble classes.

Based on their appearance and clothing,

they can be quickly identified.

But those female corpses

had their looks destroyed and lacked household registration records.

It indeed took some time.

And their disappearance time

does not match

with the time of death.

No match?

Even for the male victims?

Yes.

At least a difference of two to three months,

and at most one or two years.

The perpetrator held

the victims captive for such a long time.

Indeed, this would increase the risk.

Do the female victims match the missing courtesans' list

which the inspector investigated?

Yes, they are the courtesans who went missing from various places.

You're saying they were all courtesans?

Yes.

- That's not right. - What's not right?

The jewelry found on these female corpses

is not right.

Come, take a look at this.

It's really exquisite.

The quality is evidently good.

It is quite beautiful

I found it strange that day.

These pieces of jewelry,

compared to other ornaments,

seemed too exquisite.

They don't seem to be from a regular goldsmith.

These things

should not be easily obtainable

by normal courtesans.

I am not very familiar with these.

But Chuichui has mentioned

that well-known craftsmen

tend to leave a signature mark

on their work.

The goldsmiths of Bijiang Gold Workshop

were once creating jewelry

for nobles in the royal treasury.

After opening for just over ten years,

the workshop has surpassed many centuries-old workshops,

becoming the best in the city.

Please take care.

Esteemed guests have arrived, may I know what you wish to select?

Hairpins.

Bring us the best ones you have here.

Yes.

Madam, do you find anything satisfactory?

This one…

Madam has a good eye indeed.

- This is… - How much is it?

Fifty taels.

I told you average courtesans couldn't afford it, right?

Honey.

I want the good-looking ones.

When the shopkeeper comes,

can we have him present the treasure of the store?

Zisun Tea is the current imperial tribute,

and the Zisun tea from Yangxian

is considered the finest.

Previously, I was fortunate enough

to be rewarded with some.

I kept it at home, never willing to drink it.

But you are so generous.

This is our master's private collection,

offered only when esteemed guests arrive.

Has the manager not arrived yet?

The Great Chief

and his wife are here.

I wonder to what do I

owe the pleasure?

If I'm not mistaken,

you are Manager Yang

working for Princess of Valor.

[Manager Yang]

The Great Chief has good eyesight.

You even remember me, a lowly servant.

I am flattered and surprised.

These gold ornaments,

do you recognize them?

Some of them

did come from Bijiang Gold Workshop.

Good.

I want the list of people who bought these gold ornaments.

Great Chief.

This would really stump your servant.

We open the doors to welcome guests.

With so many customers coming and going,

the jewelry sold over the years

is countless

How could one remember them all?

A hairpin that costs fifty taels each.

Even if an ordinary person spends their entire fortune on it,

they couldn't buy it many times, right?

If you can't provide the account book,

you might as well tell me

who can.

But…

The Imperial Guards is working on a case.

If you hide anything,

can you bear

the consequences?

Please wait a moment, Great Chief.

I will go and fetch it right away.

This one is good.

Let's go with this one.

It's simple.

It suits you.

Are you giving it to me?

Don't tell me that I

have to pay for it myself.

The gold jewelry worn by the female victims

truly was quite expensive.

The courtesans were not on the list

of those who bought these designs.

But there are a few familiar names.

The male victims?

That's right.

They spared no expense

for a smile from a beauty.

This seems like a muddled accountbook.

Many shipments were only recorded as for banquets

without quantities

nor specific destinations.

The gold workshops often hold banquets

inviting the noblewomen of the town.

They must have been given away.

Such a lavish gesture.

That Manager Yang

is really formidable.

The formidable one

is someone else.

Manager Yang

is close to Princess of Valor,

whose rank and status are beyond that of an ordinary palace person.

But just now, in front of you,

she repeatedly claimed to be your servant

and obediently handed over

this register.

She seems to be afraid

of offending you.

She was playing dumb but actually a tiger.

So she didn't want you

to continue investigating the gold workshop.

Behind her,

it is very likely to be Princess of Valor.

Could it be that they wish to use the banquets

to win over the ladies of various officials' households

and then through their intimates,

to understand the thoughts and movements of each mansion?

No wonder Prime Minister Zhang is so wary of her.

Are you familiar with Princess of Valor?

Princess of Valor

is deeply favored.

On the surface, she appears to enjoy himself all day,

but in reality, she's very astute and deep-plotted.

But you needn't worry.

I estimate she will come looking for you soon.

What does that mean?

- Great Chief. - Come in.

Princess of Valor sent an invitation…

Princess of Valor sent an invitation

to invite Madam to attend the Floral Banquet.

[Princess Yong'an's Mansion] Isn't this the Grand Chief's wife?

Doesn't she have someone to comb her hair?

I just saw Mrs. Wu, and she did not look well.

I heard that her husband had a courtesan outside.

Who made her so thoughtless back then

insisting on marrying that minor official in the Ministry of Justice.

Men.

Whether they have power or not,

whether they are rich or not,

they are all the same.

Exactly.

I also heard that

Mrs. Tang

once fancied a poor young man,

and they were so in love.

But in the end, that man eloped with a courtesan.

How come I haven't heard about this?

Do you know why Mrs. Tang

is so close

with Princess of Valor?

Why?

Because

they both like poor young men, you see.

I know, right?

Exactly.

Here they come.

Madam, spare my life.

It's okay. It was my own carelessness.

Thank you, Madam.

Look. The wife of the Great Chief

is so magnanimous.

Isn't this the illegitimate daughter of the Yan family?

She transformed

and looks like a lady of a noble house.

It's Mrs. Shen's first time

attending such a banquet.

She may not be quite used to it.

Actually, it's not like this on normal days.

[Mrs. Tang, Meng Ceran]

It's just that, Mrs. Liu

had her husband taken

by the Imperial Guards for questioning.

It's okay.

This is just what they say

about the husband offending people

and the wife apologizing.

Mrs. Shen, you need not take it to heart.

They are merely indulging in gossip.

I see your dress

is also wet.

You might as well come with me

and change your clothes.

Let's go.

This place is called the Medicinal Spring Pool.

Soaking here

can maintain health and heal injuries.

You were exposed to coldness.

Why not go up and enjoy it?

This is too precious.

I should better…

I am testing a new formula for the medicinal spring.

You can help me try it out

and see how effective this new formula is.

Mrs. Tang, you are skilled in medicine.

I only have a superficial understanding.

This is the scent of White Champaca.

That day outside the Ximing Temple,

she was the one spying.

This is a fire moth.

I've heard a legend

that someone saw a fire moth

and followed it up a mountain.

Afterward, they obtained eternal life.

Mrs. Tang,

given your honest character,

do you also aspire to immortality?

Life is but a few decades short.

If

there are things you want to do,

do not hesitate.

Once youth has passed,

even if you try to pursue your dreams,

I'm afraid by then,

you won't have the power.

That's exactly right.

Come.

You're intelligent

and share a deep affection with the Great Chief.

It's reassuring

that the serial killer case

is within your hands.

Speaking of which,

the Liang family has really had its share of ups and downs.

I often see the first madam

of the Liang family.

It's a pity that such a beauty

can't even get a glance from her husband.

And now she has lost her son.

So the couple of the Liang family's first branch is not harmonious?

Look at me, running my mouth.

The private affairs of officials should not be divulged.

Mrs. Shen, please do not take it to heart.

Please tell Mrs. Liang

that the murderer will soon be caught.

No matter how deeply they hide.

Mrs. Shen.

Princess of Valor invites you to discuss matters after your bath.

I see.

I have been waiting for two hours now.

How has she not arrived yet?

Princess of Valor.

The flowers outside were blooming just right.

I actually forgot about Mrs. Shen

Mrs. Shen, you don't need to be nervous.

I called you here

just for a casual chat.

However,

investigating the case is one thing.

For other matters,

you'd better leave them alone.

Mrs. Shen is so astute.

You should understand what I mean.

A good bird chooses a proper tree to perch on.

Hasn't your husband taught you that?

Your Highness.

The Great Chief has come to escort Mrs. Shen back to the mansion.

It's only been half a day,

but the Great Chief

is so concerned about Mrs. Shen.

It seems that the rumors in the alley

are not unfounded after all.

The affection between the two of you

truly makes others envious.

Let him in.

Yes.

The Floral Banquet has ended,

but my wife has not returned for quite some time.

Presumably, the palace is too big, and she lost her way.

I got anxious,

so I came to pick her up.

After all, at home,

there are many trivial matters for her to handle.

Since the Great Chief has come,

if I continue to bother Mrs. Shen,

it would be insensitive.

However, I do have one thing

to tell the Great Chief.

Investigating the murder case is the most important.

Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness.

Are you injured?

I'm actually bleeding.

Did Princess of Valor pressure you into taking anything?

Is there a possibility of poisoning?

You have worked hard, Great Chief.

Others can't see you

within this carriage.

Did you anticipate long ago

that my trip to the palace this time would be dangerous?

A person who has just learned to walk

won't know how painful it is

without a tumble.

Moreover, you have revealed one of Princess of Valor's cards.

A reprimand is not uncalled for, is it?

It was clearly both of us who exposed her bottom line.

Yet only I am being reprimanded.

However,

since you came……

No need for thanks.

You previously wrote a memorial to save me.

I am merely returning the favor.

When the Imperial Guards conducted the investigation,

did you find out that the Liang family's first branch couple was at odds?

Why investigate the affairs of the inner quarters?

The first branch indeed has been persistently troubling

the second branch's uncles,

crying and wailing all day long.

Fortunately, Liang Jiren does have a sense of the bigger picture

and has never made things difficult for the second branch.

Liang Chenzhong is an only child.

The first branch's bloodline

has been cut off by the murderer.

There are many who hate him.

Even if not heart-gouged,

he wouldn't have lived much longer.

The person who used Dripping Water Guanyin also harbors a murderous intent.

It's just that they're not as quick as that serial killer.

♫ One glance affirms the fate between us ♫

♫ Upon meeting again, I know you're the one for me ♫

♫ Gaze at the stars, dreaming about the old times ♫

♫ We are forever bound ♫

♫ Before the candlelight, do not ask my thoughts ♫

♫ Affection binds us, forever and ever ♫

♫ The evening breeze tells of my deep love ♫

♫ From now on, I have someone to cherish ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ You are the one for me ♫

♫ Embracing each other, how serious we are about our love ♫

♫ Every moment is treasured ♫

♫ From dawn to dusk ♫

♫ You and I, forever inseparable ♫

♫ You've stormed into my world ♫

♫ Growing immersed, I become reckless for love ♫

♫ I break through obstacles with unmatched resilience ♫

♫ Because you are my responsibility ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ You are the one for me ♫

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