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{\an8}ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL
ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU
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Hurry.
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Bring him back, now!
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- Understood.
- Bring him back?
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Lu Zhenglian was sent back
to his hometown before dawn today.
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Who authorized this?
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The order came from the palace.
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I'll go after Lu Zhenglian.
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Go to the Palace Investigation Bureau.
Find Inspector Du.
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What is the rush?
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Li Peiyi found out
that the escaped palace maid
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was killed by Lu Zhenglian.
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Lu Zhenglian was demoted
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and sent back
to his hometown this morning.
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She will go after him or something?
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Well…
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- She did go after him?
- That's right.
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Given her temperament,
things will be tricky.
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If Lu Zhenglian ends up
testifying against us,
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then don't give him the chance to speak.
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It might be too late to take action.
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We might be implicated. If we get exposed…
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Your turn.
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You're still in the mood for Go?
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So impatient.
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Then I will win.
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Relax.
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This game seems
to have reached a dead end,
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but there is still
a chance for a turnaround.
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It seems there is no way out
at the center point.
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How to break the deadlock?
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Marvelous.
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All paths have led to an impasse.
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But there is always a way out.
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If a head-on clash cannot bring victory,
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then besiege Wei to rescue Zhao.
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See, we found a way to break the deadlock.
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Your Highness.
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{\an8}CHUNMING GATE
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CHUNMING GATE
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Mr. Lu.
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- What happened?
- Something darted past
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and spooked the horse.
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What do we do now?
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Both the carriage
and the horse are done for.
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I'm afraid we can't travel further today.
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I can never count on you.
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Mr. Lu.
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Don't leave me here.
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Both jailers are dead.
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Y-You're escaping from custody.
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You expect me to wait here
and die with you?
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His Highness planned this for me.
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How can I let you loser hold me back?
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Mr. Lu.
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Mr. Lu.
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Mr. Lu, are you alright?
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Li Peiyi.
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How dare you attack
a fourth-rank official!
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Still daydreaming?
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Recognize this?
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I've confessed
that I went to the Xiuhong House.
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You disguised yourself
as one of the girls there to tease me.
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That was an accident.
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I'll ask you one more time.
Do you remember Hanxiao?
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Who is this Hanxiao?
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I don't know her. I've never heard of her.
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Half a month ago,
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the Flower on the Wall case
shook the inner palace.
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A woman was buried within the palace wall,
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her body covered in scars.
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She died from long-term abuse
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and had been imprisoned
in the Xiuhong House.
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She had a red mole on each ankle.
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Her name was Hanxiao.
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She…
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She's dead?
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You took a person's life,
yet you don't even remember her name.
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I didn't kill her.
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The Xiuhong House has so many patrons.
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Why do you pin it on me?
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Because the scars on Hanxiao's body
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are the same as the one on my arm.
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This time, no one can save you.
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You wouldn't dare.
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You've schemed so much with such care
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because you want to live so badly.
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You don't just want to live,
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you want to live gloriously
and comfortably.
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You cherish your own life
while treating others' lives as worthless.
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I don't mind
sending you to the afterworld.
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No, no. No, no.
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I know everything about the Xiuhong House.
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Spare my life. I'll tell you everything.
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Everything.
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Murder!
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Your Ladyship. You…
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How dare you!
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Wu Yuekun.
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What do you want?
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Inspector Du.
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Is it about what I want?
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Her Ladyship killed someone.
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Many people saw it.
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What can we do?
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What happened?
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I rushed here
only to find the overturned carriage
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and Lu Zhenglian ready to escape.
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He wanted to confess to save his life.
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So the driver pushed him onto my sword
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and then slit his own throat.
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How credible does it sound to you?
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No, no. Don't kill me.
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I know everything about the Xiuhong House.
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Spare my life. I'll tell you everything.
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Everything.
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Murder!
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With an eyewitness, I'd say 80%.
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But there is none.
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Then it's only 10%.
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- Take me to the Court of Judicial Review.
- But…
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No.
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The Inner Guards found out about it.
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You should go
to the Palace Investigation Bureau.
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Enough.
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This is a serious case.
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Report it to His Majesty.
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Inspector Du.
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Take the suspect,
Li Peiyi, to see His Majesty.
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Please calm your anger
for your health, Your Majesty.
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Wasn't the case closed?
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Why did she go after Lu Zhenglian?
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It's said that she had found
other evidence
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connecting Lu Zhenglian
to the Flower on the Wall case.
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She's after the Xiuhong House?
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That's right.
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So she wouldn't kill Lu Zhenglian.
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I also find it strange.
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But the Inner Guards and a dozen people
from the Court of Judicial Review
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claim to have seen Her Ladyship
kill Lu Zhenglian with their own eyes.
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It seems that Peiyi
has hit their sore spot.
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They probably want
to leave themselves a way out.
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And they were afraid
that you would dig deeper.
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However, with this development,
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things will be even trickier
for Her Ladyship.
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Look into it.
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I'd like to see
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if they can wrongfully condemn
my County Princess to death.
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PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU
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Congratulations, Inspector Lu.
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What did His Majesty say?
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His Majesty?
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Such trivial matters
need not trouble His Majesty.
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Your retirement request has been approved.
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You may retire and return
to your hometown tomorrow
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to enjoy a life of leisure.
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What did you say?
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We haven't received
any response for months.
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But now, you're driving him away
with Her Ladyship wrongfully imprisoned.
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You scoundrels.
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This was decided
by the Ministry of Personnel.
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They rushed me here,
fearing that Inspector Lu
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had been exhausted from hard work.
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I made this trip out of goodwill.
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Why am I being scolded?
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I failed to discipline my people.
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My sincere apologies.
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Seriously.
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Do me a favor. Don't stoop to her level.
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I will take my leave.
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What is her problem?
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What do we do now?
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The Court of Judicial Review
will be busy tonight.
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Your Ladyship. Eat something.
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Why the long face?
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Don't worry.
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I'm fine.
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It's different this time.
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How?
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Your Ladyship.
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In the past, no matter
how outrageous you were
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and what trouble you caused,
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His Majesty would only summon you
to scold you or ground you.
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How come he actually put you
in prison this time?
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Maybe I messed up way too badly this time.
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Your Ladyship.
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Stop investigating, alright?
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Go and tell His Majesty
that the case can be closed.
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Then maybe they'll let you go?
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What's wrong with you?
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I'm scared.
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They put you in prison,
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forced Inspector Lu to retire,
and dismissed Prosecutor Gu.
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They've killed so many people,
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but we don't even know who they are.
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What if…
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What if they want you dead
out of desperation?
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What would I do then?
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Don't be afraid.
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If they want me dead,
they won't spare your life.
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Your Majesty.
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Lu Zhenglian's case
has wide-reaching implications.
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Her Ladyship is involved.
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So is the Palace Investigation Bureau.
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We should entrust this to someone reliable
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to bring it to a conclusion.
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00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:08,560
Who do you recommend for this task?
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00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:11,800
The Palace Investigation Bureau
should be in charge.
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00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:14,280
But Inspector Du has just retired.
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Her Ladyship may hold
no substantive position,
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but her status is esteemed.
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It's inappropriate to have subordinates
investigate their superior.
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00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,280
Meanwhile,
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the Court of Judicial Review
isn't fit for this job.
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The officials
cannot freely enter the palace.
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It's really tricky.
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So, according to you,
no one can take on this case?
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I am dull-witted.
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I truly cannot think
of a suitable candidate.
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Does anyone want to volunteer?
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I volunteer to investigate the case.
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I, Xiao Huaijin,
Deputy Director of Astronomy,
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bore the qilin badge
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00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,839
to help Her Ladyship investigate
the Flower on the Wall case.
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Lu Zhenglian is closely related
to Hanxiao, the deceased.
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It is within the purview of my duties.
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I beg for your permission.
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I was right about you.
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I'll leave it to you.
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Thank you, Your Majesty.
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Congratulations, Grand Tutor,
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on having such a capable son.
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I sent you to the Astronomical Bureau
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precisely to keep you away
from court disputes.
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00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,360
Why won't you listen?
236
00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,480
How is the investigation
related to court disputes?
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00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:05,920
Stop playing dumb.
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00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,520
They put Her Ladyship
in prison for murder.
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How can you contend with them?
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Since you know who they are,
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00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,880
why not just tell me
so I can solve the case sooner
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and spare you the anxiety?
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00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:23,720
You…
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I have no interest in court affairs.
I'm an inspector.
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00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:32,160
The case you're investigating
is all about a court affair.
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If you fail to find evidence
to free Her Ladyship,
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you will be implicated.
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And if you actually solve the case,
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you'll be telling His Majesty
that these people are ganging up.
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- What?
- Father.
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Don't tell me…
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Nonsense.
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How could I visit such a filthy place?
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Then I am relieved.
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Here comes my savior.
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We don't have much time.
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Someone in the Xiuhong House
must know who the patrons are.
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00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:22,200
We need that list as soon as possible.
259
00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:26,120
Aren't you assigned
to Lu Zhenglian's murder?
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00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:27,440
What about the Xiuhong House?
261
00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:28,760
They framed you
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00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,640
to stop your investigation
into the Xiuhong House.
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00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:33,080
Because something
about that case terrifies them.
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As long as we obtain it,
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they will tell the truth out of fear.
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I knew I was right about you.
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00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:42,320
Who should we consult?
268
00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:46,200
Ruyi.
269
00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,520
I know you are with
the Astronomical Bureau.
270
00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:52,280
I also like the stars.
271
00:19:52,360 --> 00:19:55,400
But the stars are too far away from me.
272
00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,240
When I was little, my mother taught me
273
00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:04,720
to hold my hand like this.
274
00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:08,240
Look through this small hole
275
00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:10,760
and you can see the stars.
276
00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:15,120
I got over all those nights
277
00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,320
at the Xiuhong House
278
00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,800
by looking at the stars
and thinking of my mother.
279
00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:24,880
I was right about you too.
280
00:20:26,360 --> 00:20:27,560
Wait for me.
281
00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:42,160
You can't see the sky from here.
282
00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:44,240
Ruyi couldn't have seen the stars.
283
00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:46,320
She lied to us.
284
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,080
She left us a clue.
285
00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:06,160
Found it.
286
00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:10,720
This is…
287
00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:11,960
Elephant Ear.
288
00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:13,560
This plant drips water at night.
289
00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:15,520
This is the "star" Ruyi spoke of.
290
00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:22,200
Don't open it.
291
00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,920
Only His Majesty can read the list.
292
00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:32,480
ZICHEN HALL
293
00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,440
I have presented the chest to His Majesty.
294
00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:48,680
Mr. Xiao.
295
00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:51,680
The night is chilly.
Go home and get some rest.
296
00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:55,480
His Majesty will surely
summon you tomorrow morning.
297
00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:00,480
Thank you, Eunuch Guo.
298
00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:09,320
Hurry. Hurry.
299
00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:11,320
- What happened?
- There's a fire.
300
00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:16,000
Put out the fire.
301
00:22:17,320 --> 00:22:19,440
Careful. Be careful.
302
00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:21,320
Mr. Xiao.
303
00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:22,920
Is His Majesty alright?
304
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,640
His Majesty is alright.
305
00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:27,720
It's just that Consort Shu's cat
knocked over a candlestick.
306
00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:30,720
Some memorials got burned.
Everything else is fine.
307
00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:32,560
What about the chest?
308
00:22:33,360 --> 00:22:34,360
Mr. Xiao.
309
00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:38,400
His Majesty is well aware
of your great merit.
310
00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:53,360
PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU
311
00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:02,960
When did she come back?
312
00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:05,600
Early this morning.
313
00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,800
One of the jailers
escorting Lu Zhenglian survived
314
00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:09,600
and witnessed the entire incident.
315
00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:11,520
He finally regained consciousness
316
00:23:12,120 --> 00:23:13,480
and testified for Her Ladyship.
317
00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:15,160
How convenient.
318
00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:17,720
Wasn't last night's fire convenient?
319
00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:22,760
How long will she keep venting?
320
00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:25,720
Probably…
321
00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,360
Probably, another hour will be enough.
322
00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:43,160
If you don't want to drink,
323
00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:45,360
you don't have to sit here.
324
00:23:47,120 --> 00:23:48,680
If I'm not mistaken,
325
00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,280
that list contains the names
of many high-ranking officials.
326
00:23:51,360 --> 00:23:53,160
Dealing with them
327
00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:56,440
might disturb the court
and the entire nation.
328
00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:58,800
Besides, the flood
in the south is ongoing.
329
00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,520
The court is in dire need of talent.
330
00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,040
His Majesty did this
for the bigger picture.
331
00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:07,280
Indeed.
332
00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:09,920
Thankfully, the cat was smart
333
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,040
and maintained world peace.
334
00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,800
His Majesty did this also to protect you.
335
00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:26,600
But the ones who need protection
are not me.
336
00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,440
It's those former palace maids
who were finally freed
337
00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:32,360
from years of servitude,
only to be deceived, toyed with,
338
00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:33,600
and abused.
339
00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:35,840
The nation needs peace.
340
00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:38,040
The court needs pillars.
341
00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,160
But now, those pillars are rotten.
342
00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:43,840
How can the nation ever attain peace?
343
00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:50,720
Boss. Lou Chuo is dead.
344
00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:10,600
XIA, 13TH YEAR OF DALI
345
00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:26,840
Come on.
346
00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,000
To Your Highness.
347
00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:30,960
To you, Mr. Yu.
348
00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,440
Thanks to your mediation,
349
00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:36,880
we're able to keep drinking
and having fun here.
350
00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:41,280
PRINCE OF HENG, LI DUO
351
00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:52,840
Li Peiyi ruined my plans.
352
00:25:53,360 --> 00:25:56,720
She's lucky that Father kept her safe.
353
00:25:57,240 --> 00:26:00,240
Otherwise, I would have killed her.
354
00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:03,320
His Majesty has always favored her.
355
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,120
Please don't let her bother you.
356
00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:11,040
But what is His Majesty
doing with Xiao Huaijin?
357
00:26:11,120 --> 00:26:13,920
He sent Xiao Wenyuan's son
to investigate us.
358
00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:15,640
What's his intention?
359
00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:19,960
No matter His Majesty's intention,
360
00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:23,280
anyone who stops me from making money
361
00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:26,520
or enjoying myself will pay the price.
362
00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,560
Yuchun House has some new girls.
363
00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,720
If you're both interested,
I can summon them.
364
00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:38,280
Forget it.
365
00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:40,160
We have plenty of girls.
366
00:27:09,120 --> 00:27:11,040
Let's call it a day. I'm off.
367
00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:12,960
Your Highness, wait.
368
00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:14,600
We're waiting for someone.
369
00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,600
Who dares to make me wait?
370
00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,600
- I'm done.
- Your Highness, please stay.
371
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:28,680
What brings you here?
372
00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:31,400
I know you've been missing me.
373
00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:33,440
So I came as soon as I could.
374
00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:34,920
Yuck!
375
00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:36,440
I didn't even think of you.
376
00:27:40,120 --> 00:27:41,480
You came empty-handed?
377
00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,880
I've prepared some exceptional flowers
for Your Highness.
378
00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:46,320
What flowers?
379
00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:11,920
Lotus blossoms in clear water.
380
00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:15,000
Fabulous.
381
00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:16,320
Fabulous.
382
00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:27,960
Your Ladyship.
383
00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:32,080
How much did you drink?
384
00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:34,240
Your Ladyship.
385
00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:37,440
What?
386
00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:38,360
There's a case.
387
00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:40,920
- I'm on leave.
- A major case.
388
00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:42,880
Prince of Heng died
at Mr. Yang's residence.
389
00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:44,480
A dozen dancing girls
and the Vice Minister
390
00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:45,760
of Personnel also died there.
391
00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:50,000
Still, none of my business.
392
00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:51,040
Find the Chief Justice.
393
00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:54,800
People who've been to the scene say
that Prince of Heng had a huge scar.
394
00:29:56,520 --> 00:29:58,840
Hanxiao didn't know who he was,
395
00:29:59,960 --> 00:30:01,360
but during the struggle,
396
00:30:02,160 --> 00:30:06,280
she saw a huge scar
on the inside of his wrist.
397
00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:08,400
Let's go.
398
00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:13,880
What did you do to Mr. Xiao?
399
00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:20,960
Your Ladyship.
400
00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:23,880
I'm fine. Go to rest.
401
00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:26,080
Mr. Xiao is here.
402
00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:36,840
Come in.
403
00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:39,200
I'll leave soon so as not to disturb you.
404
00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:42,840
You've been on leave
since the fire at the Imperial Study.
405
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:46,800
I don't think you need me
for anything else.
406
00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:49,160
So I'm returning the qilin badge.
407
00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,000
And I came to inform you.
408
00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:03,920
Have a drink.
409
00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:12,840
I saw Birou at the west market yesterday.
410
00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:15,040
She's back?
411
00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:16,600
That's right.
412
00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:18,480
But she seemed weird.
413
00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:20,680
She wanted to avoid you?
414
00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:22,560
That's right.
415
00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:26,000
She always felt she wronged you.
416
00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:29,440
She has a conscience.
417
00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:33,200
People with a conscience
live very hard lives.
418
00:31:34,480 --> 00:31:35,320
What about you?
419
00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:43,880
You seem rather tired.
420
00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,400
You've done your best
about the Xiuhong House case.
421
00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:56,960
His Majesty did his best too.
422
00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:05,080
Fifteen years ago,
423
00:32:05,160 --> 00:32:07,160
on a night with a full moon,
424
00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:11,840
I was ill and stayed in the palace.
My family was massacred that night.
425
00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:14,760
Over 100 people
in the household were all killed.
426
00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:19,080
The Court of Judicial Review
"did their best".
427
00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:21,000
The Palace Investigation Bureau
"did their best".
428
00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:23,800
Consort Shu said
His Majesty "did his best".
429
00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:26,720
But what counts as doing one's best?
430
00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:32,720
Please don't pity me.
431
00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:37,280
I just want to say
that I didn't do my best.
432
00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:44,360
You came to bid me farewell.
433
00:32:44,440 --> 00:32:45,320
At least, it's a closure.
434
00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:49,440
Thank you for your help
in the past few months.
435
00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:51,320
It's late.
436
00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:53,120
See yourself out.
437
00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:21,800
Your Ladyship.
438
00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:25,320
You can say that His Majesty
was shielding those people.
439
00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:28,480
But he did save you
by suppressing the truth.
440
00:33:28,560 --> 00:33:30,200
Perhaps to His Majesty,
441
00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:33,640
there are paths to justice
that lie beyond the one you perceive.
442
00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:36,720
Why are you making me sound unreasonable?
443
00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:37,920
Inspector Du,
444
00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:39,680
Wuren, Prosecutor Gu,
445
00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:41,720
and me.
446
00:33:42,800 --> 00:33:45,200
We are with you.
447
00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:48,680
Being with me only brings you trouble.
448
00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,000
You have to return
the qilin badge, anyway.
449
00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:53,160
You still don't trust me.
450
00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:57,440
All feasts must come to an end.
451
00:33:58,680 --> 00:34:00,360
Deputy Director Xiao. I toast to you.
452
00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:08,000
Now, can you trust me?
453
00:34:11,199 --> 00:34:12,960
I have no qilin badge to return.
454
00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:17,920
I wish to stand by your side.
455
00:34:33,639 --> 00:34:34,800
The person you are
456
00:34:35,320 --> 00:34:37,600
has little to do with the face
you show the world
457
00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:42,040
or the lady the world believes you to be.
458
00:34:45,920 --> 00:34:48,159
I dare not claim to know you,
459
00:34:48,239 --> 00:34:50,040
but I know your character.
460
00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:53,719
Thank you, Deputy Director Xiao.
461
00:34:58,320 --> 00:35:01,600
The way you address me
shows that you still don't trust me.
462
00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:05,880
Mr. Xiao.
463
00:35:30,320 --> 00:35:31,440
You're not heartless.
464
00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:34,000
You just hate to hide your thoughts.
465
00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:37,480
Who doesn't have
disgraceful thoughts and stories?
466
00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:38,920
Your Ladyship.
467
00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:42,960
You don't hide your thoughts,
nor do you flaunt your kindness.
468
00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:44,800
For this, I respect you.
469
00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:04,920
Cheers.
470
00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:19,080
Mr. Xiao. Are you drunk?
471
00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:25,040
I have indeed drunk too much.
472
00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:26,960
I'll take my leave now.
473
00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:53,200
He actually used
the "heart-to-heart" tactic.
474
00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:55,600
Poor Deputy Director Xiao.
475
00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:57,840
He must have poured his heart out to you.
476
00:37:57,920 --> 00:37:59,640
I poured my heart out too.
477
00:37:59,720 --> 00:38:01,080
You…
478
00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:03,200
are heartless.
479
00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:10,120
Look what you did to Deputy Director Xiao.
480
00:38:11,360 --> 00:38:13,680
He is highly perceptive.
How can I fool him?
481
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:20,520
Deputy Director Xiao…
482
00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:22,040
No. Mr. Xiao.
483
00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:25,080
There's a murder case
at Vice Minister Yang's residence.
484
00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:26,280
We have to go.
485
00:38:27,160 --> 00:38:29,520
Come find us when you're ready.
486
00:38:55,240 --> 00:38:56,400
Your Ladyship.
487
00:38:57,920 --> 00:39:00,960
Last night, Mr. Yang secretly invited
Prince of Heng and Vice Minister Yu over
488
00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:02,520
to discuss "important matters".
489
00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:04,480
They forbade servants
from the back courtyard
490
00:39:04,560 --> 00:39:06,400
and kept only the dancing girls.
491
00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:08,600
Which establishment are they from?
492
00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:09,840
They are in-house dancers.
493
00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,400
In-house?
494
00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:13,440
Can we identify them?
495
00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:15,760
Their faces are swollen
beyond recognition.
496
00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:17,000
What about their master?
497
00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:20,440
Someone brought these girls over
with a code phrase.
498
00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:23,560
The servants didn't know
who he was and dared not ask.
499
00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:26,600
The deceased
have bluish lips and fingernails.
500
00:39:26,680 --> 00:39:28,680
Their bodies are stiff.
It should be poisoning.
501
00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:31,040
But the wine, food,
502
00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:33,720
incense, and candles
have all been inspected.
503
00:39:34,240 --> 00:39:36,200
- Non-toxic?
- That's right.
504
00:39:38,360 --> 00:39:40,000
What about the pool water?
505
00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:41,360
We checked it.
506
00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:42,960
But it's strange.
507
00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:45,560
The water contains toxins
in trace amounts.
508
00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:47,280
To poison all these people,
509
00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:49,040
they'd have to drink the entire pool dry.
510
00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:51,520
Or perhaps after they were poisoned,
511
00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:53,320
the murderer poured the residual
into the pool.
512
00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:55,800
Their times of death are similar.
513
00:39:55,880 --> 00:39:57,160
They were poisoned almost simultaneously.
514
00:39:57,240 --> 00:39:58,720
But their throats aren't blackened.
515
00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:00,760
So the poison wasn't ingested orally.
516
00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:03,520
Did they actually die from the bath?
517
00:40:06,920 --> 00:40:08,240
What's this fancy thing?
518
00:40:08,320 --> 00:40:10,640
It's the steam bath
introduced from the Western Regions.
519
00:40:10,720 --> 00:40:13,240
Light a fire under the stone stove
to heat the stones,
520
00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:17,040
then pour water over them
to produce steam.
521
00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:18,320
People sit in the steam.
522
00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:20,320
It's said to improve blood circulation.
523
00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:25,360
It's quite fashionable lately.
524
00:40:27,720 --> 00:40:29,200
That's impressive.
525
00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:30,560
You've solved the case.
526
00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:32,840
Huh?
527
00:40:32,920 --> 00:40:34,520
I have? How?
528
00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:37,720
They inhaled the poison.
529
00:40:39,480 --> 00:40:40,960
Have you identified the poison?
530
00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:42,720
Judging by their symptoms,
531
00:40:42,800 --> 00:40:44,640
it should be a blend of several poisons.
532
00:40:44,720 --> 00:40:47,760
But the poison in the pool
is heavily diluted
533
00:40:47,840 --> 00:40:48,880
and hard to detect.
534
00:40:49,560 --> 00:40:51,840
Take the water to Inspector Du.
He'll figure it out.
535
00:40:52,560 --> 00:40:54,640
Inspector Du has retired.
536
00:40:55,320 --> 00:40:56,480
So he has time now.
537
00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:00,840
Mr. Xiao.
538
00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:03,440
Your Ladyship.
539
00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:06,000
This bathhouse seems strange to me.
540
00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:07,040
But I can't tell why.
541
00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:27,520
Come on.
542
00:41:30,040 --> 00:41:31,440
Great wine.
543
00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:32,560
Cheers.
544
00:41:40,720 --> 00:41:41,760
There.
545
00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:43,760
One person is missing.
546
00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:56,520
The gatekeeper said that a man came
with those dancers at first,
547
00:41:56,600 --> 00:41:57,960
but left early.
548
00:41:58,040 --> 00:42:00,480
He thought he was just a servant
escorting the girls.
549
00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:01,800
That was the murderer?
550
00:42:02,840 --> 00:42:03,960
We don't know.
551
00:42:04,040 --> 00:42:05,480
But that man must be poisoned too.
552
00:42:06,080 --> 00:42:07,600
The murderer dispersed the poison
553
00:42:08,320 --> 00:42:10,080
into the air with the steam.
554
00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:12,800
Prince of Heng, the two vice ministers,
and six dancers
555
00:42:12,880 --> 00:42:14,520
who were in the room from the beginning
556
00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:15,880
were most heavily poisoned.
557
00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:16,840
The man we are looking for
558
00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:19,200
was the last to arrive
and was only lightly poisoned.
559
00:42:19,920 --> 00:42:21,880
But while running out,
the poison kicked in.
560
00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:23,880
The lamps in the corridor
were knocked over.
561
00:42:23,960 --> 00:42:26,360
I bet he knocked them over
while stumbling out.
562
00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:28,600
Find the officials who took leave today.
563
00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:30,200
Sick leave or personal leave.
564
00:42:30,280 --> 00:42:31,600
See them in person.
565
00:42:31,680 --> 00:42:34,320
Those who don't show up
will receive a visit from us.
566
00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:35,240
Understood.
567
00:42:35,320 --> 00:42:37,360
That man sat between
the two vice ministers
568
00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:38,360
in the seat of honor.
569
00:42:39,240 --> 00:42:40,520
Then it's even simpler.
570
00:42:40,600 --> 00:42:42,400
Check officials
of the fourth rank and above.
571
00:42:45,120 --> 00:42:46,080
Thought of something?
572
00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:48,920
No. Nothing.
573
00:43:03,960 --> 00:43:05,000
Prosecutor Gu?
574
00:43:09,640 --> 00:43:10,640
Lady Wuren.
575
00:43:11,360 --> 00:43:13,120
Why are you moving corpses here?
576
00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:16,640
I was dismissed and made a commoner.
577
00:43:17,240 --> 00:43:20,160
But I heard that someone
spoke up for me to Chief Minister Wu.
578
00:43:20,240 --> 00:43:22,440
So I'm allowed to stay.
579
00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:24,880
Now, I'm just a petty clerk.
580
00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:27,000
This is part of my job.
581
00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:31,720
Your Ladyship. Deputy Director Xiao.
582
00:43:32,800 --> 00:43:34,000
Your Ladyship.
583
00:43:34,520 --> 00:43:36,160
How can we help Mr. Gu?
584
00:43:36,240 --> 00:43:38,280
I was at fault. I deserve it.
585
00:43:38,360 --> 00:43:40,880
I believe that I'm allowed to stay
586
00:43:40,960 --> 00:43:43,280
and work here thanks to you two.
587
00:43:44,560 --> 00:43:46,360
You may have injured someone,
588
00:43:46,960 --> 00:43:48,280
but you had your reason.
589
00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:51,720
How did our internal dispute
disrupt the Ministry of Personnel?