Original subtitles

(Zhan Zhao Adventures)

(Episode 25)

Our prince was invited by his good friend Bai Yu Tang.

He'll attend the event in hopes that he can witness

a marvelous spectacle about medicine and pharmacology.

Prince Hui's presence

truly brings honor to our humble home.

It's just that we've never hosted such a distinguished guest before.

We're afraid of failing to uphold proper decorum in front of royalty.

Elder Clan Leader, there's no need to worry.

His Highness is easygoing by nature.

Your family only needs to host the gathering

as splendidly as in previous years.

- Alright. - Yes.

As long as His Highness gets to see his friend at the tournament,

his trip won't have been in vain.

Understood.

We'll take our leave now.

You've given me money and even paid for my stay at the inn.

You really just want me to tell everyone the truth?

It'll only cost you a couple days' work.

The money is compensation for that.

But you must repeat before everyone what you told us earlier.

Alright.

That's Yao Yu Shan's house, right?

There's been no word from him for days now.

He might be dead.

His poor wife is all alone now.

Officer Zhan, my master invites you to meet him at Cuixi Forest.

This is obviously a trap they set for us.

If we really go,

we'll be walking straight into it.

Just come up with some excuse.

Say there's been a major case in your jurisdiction,

or that you've fallen seriously ill.

That stuff about a prince coming in person

is obviously a bluff.

Patience. Let's wait and see.

Enter.

The plan failed.

That was within expectations.

I'll think of another way to delay the Suwen Tournament,

buying you more time to silence them.

Or perhaps we should simply stop the gathering from happening at all.

No.

The Suwen Tournament must go on.

And it must be held as scheduled.

On the surface, the board may look like a dead end,

but sometimes sacrificing a piece

is enough to reveal how many cards your opponent holds

and uncover a path to survival.

So why not?

Exactly. We should be thanking Zhan Zhao instead.

He gathered all the witnesses and evidence for us.

Since Officer Zhan wants to lure us into the trap,

then we'll step right into the game.

(Yuelai Inn)

Zhan, Bai is back.

You're here.

Madam Jiao and her son have been settled next door.

With us guarding them, nothing should go wrong.

Good.

The only key witness left now is Yao Yu Shan.

If we can find him,

our chances of winning will improve greatly.

But I've been thinking,

if Luo Wen Jie really is Si Ming,

then even with all our witnesses,

he'll still find a way to wriggle out of reopening the case.

I want to make a trip to Feihua Hollow.

- What? - There'll be heavy rain tonight.

Qingyu Grass is easy to spot then.

If I really can find the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon mentioned in the notes,

it'll prove my brother really was in the mountains that night.

But you're injured. How are you supposed to search for it?

My brother was pampered his whole life.

He couldn't carry heavy loads or do physical work.

If he could climb up there,

what's a little injury to me?

This is the only thing I can do for him.

But this trip is far too dangerous.

And even if you find the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon,

it still might not be enough to convict Si Ming.

Be careful.

If I'm not back by tomorrow morning,

go straight to Qinghui Hall.

Don't wait for me.

Bai...

He's still injured.

Let him go.

If he doesn't give it his all tonight,

he'll regret it for the rest of his life.

It's going to rain soon.

Let's eat first.

Huo, don't worry.

Before the White Rat set off,

we gave him plenty of mountain-climbing gear.

He'll be fine.

Yeah, Huo, the food's getting cold.

There's still no sign of Yao Yu Shan.

You don't think

he's fallen into Si Ming's hands, do you?

If they force him into giving false testimony...

When we passed by Yao Yu Shan's house today,

you said something.

"There's been no word from him for days now.

He might be dead."

Not that.

You said,

"His poor wife is all alone now."

Her husband's been missing for days,

yet she still has the mood to give alms to beggars.

She knows exactly where Yao Yu Shan is.

My husband really hasn't come back.

How would I know where he is?

He's in danger right now.

I truly don't know anything.

You should look somewhere else.

If someone else gets to him first,

we'll really have a problem.

It's about to rain.

It's not appropriate for a man to stay here alone with me.

You should leave now.

This rain is really coming down hard today.

Huo, is the rain in Xiangzhou always this heavy?

It's always like this in autumn.

As for tomorrow's Suwen Tournament,

who knows if our plan will actually work.

And I wonder how White Rat's doing.

He'll be fine, Huo.

His Highness once said,

"Heaven looks after good people."

No matter how heavy the storm is, it always passes.

Qingyu Grass.

It's really the Qingyu Grass!

Master!

Clan Leader!

Master, a group from the prefectural office has arrived outside.

They say the Prefect has come to attend the ceremony.

- Even the Prefect came? - The Prefect?

This year's Suwen Tournament is really something.

At last, we'll get to see what this Si Ming really looks like.

He doesn't seem all that impressive.

Look, another carriage is coming.

So grand. Wonder which important figure that is.

I heard it's Prince Hui.

Well, he is a prince. Of course he'd arrive in style.

I'm Luo Wen Jie, Prefect of Xiangzhou.

Welcome,Your Highness.

I'm Zhao Zhi Er, steward of His Highness' estate.

Greetings, Prefect Luo.

Sir, on the way here, His Highness came across some beautiful scenery

and wished to take a stroll.

Please head inside first. His Highness will arrive shortly.

This way, Prefect Luo.

You're number six.

The auspicious hour is almost here.

I'm afraid His Highness won't make it in time.

His Highness specifically instructed us

not to delay the Suwen Tournament on his account.

I'll send riders to escort His Highness here at once.

I'm Zhan Zhao of Kaifeng Prefecture, acting under Prince Hui's orders

to accompany you, Prefect Luo.

I wouldn't dare. You're an official from the capital.

How could I deserve such treatment?

The auspicious hour has arrived!

Prefect Luo,

once the Suwen Tournament begins,

all three courtyards will be closed.

No one may leave once inside.

That rule has stood for a hundred years.

We shouldn't break their traditions.

Since His Highness won't make it,

please take the seat of honor in his place.

Prefect Luo, please.

No, no. That would be far too improper.

Our prince isn't one for rigid formalities.

Please, Prefect Luo.

Please.

I won't refuse then.

Prefect Luo, this way.

If I'm not mistaken,

His Highness didn't come at all, did he?

What are you talking about? Of course he did.

Huo.

Even the prince from the Nanqing Palace came to attend today.

I wish I could go outside and see the spectacle for myself.

Yeah, this year is certainly lively.

Who struck that? It's not time yet.

What the hell. We're both right here!

It's only a few moments early anyway.

If Master finds out we hit the bell early,

we'll be punished.

Then let me strike it.

Dear friends and honored guests,

thank you all for taking the time to attend the Suwen Tournament.

Jin family is deeply grateful.

Especially today,

with Prefect Luo honoring us with his presence.

His visit brings great glory to our humble home.

Please accept my thanks.

As per the Suwen Tournament's annual tradition,

each participating disciple holds

a numbered token.

Matching numbered tokens are also placed inside this box.

When I draw a number, the chosen participant

will step forward for the examination.

No delays will be permitted.

Why isn't Bai here yet?

He's been gone all night.

Whatever herb he was looking for, he should've found it by now.

Number six.

Is number six present?

If not, the slot will be forfeited.

He clearly saw that Bai wasn't here and rigged the draw on purpose.

I'm number six.

Bai Yu Tang asked me to take the test in his place.

Substituting for someone?

I've never heard of such a thing.

How can you take the test for someone else?

Everyone, please calm down.

Bai Yu Tang and I did not come here today to compete.

With Prefect Luo present,

we wish to take this opportunity

to appeal to him regarding a wrongful conviction from years ago.

If you have a grievance, take it to the yamen.

This is not a courtroom.

No office in Xiangzhou dares to accept this case.

Because this case

was personally closed by you years ago, Prefect Luo.

So Jin family, this is why you invited me here?

You... y-you... Hand that over here!

The moment Master agreed to let Little Seventeenth compete,

I knew I had to stay on guard.

Where's Little Seventeenth?

Where's that brat?

Get out here!

You're an outsider.

What right do you have to meddle in Jin family's affairs?

This isn't just the Jin family's business.

Bai Yu Tang's brother

was Jin Xue Wen, eldest son of the fifth branch

of the Jin family's thirteenth generation.

He was accused of murdering a young woman.

Everyone here has at least heard of that case, right?

And the victim was my aunt.

So how exactly do I not have the right to seek justice here?

- You... - Everyone,

my aunt died under suspicious circumstances.

The real killer has remained free all these years,

while Jin Xue Wen carried the stigma for 15 years,

even being cast out of the family registry.

Today, I ask Prefect Luo

to retry this case before everyone present

and give them justice.

Right and wrong,

good and evil,

everyone here will bear witness.

Elder Clan Leader,

allowing her to make such a scene here,

what kind of decorum is that?

If this is the sort of behavior you permit,

perhaps the Suwen Tournament

shouldn't be held at all.

Please don't be mad, Prefect Luo.

Young lady,

if you truly have a grievance,

please wait until after the tournament.

Prefect Luo will hear your case then.

All these people came to witness the event,

not to sit through a trial.

Elder Clan Leader, judging by seniority,

you would be Jin Xue Wen's great-uncle.

A member of your family has been wrongfully convicted for over a decade.

Is that less important than a tournament?

I heard that while he was alive,

Jin Xue Wen respected you deeply.

And now, with his name still uncleared,

you can still sit here

hosting the Suwen Tournament as if nothing happened?

Well said, young lady.

A healer needs more than medical skill,

they must also possess compassion.

If the wronged person is one of our own in the medical community,

how can we ignore his injustice

and continue chasing fame and prestige here?

I believe the competition can wait.

Hearing this young lady's appeal is the most important thing right now.

Well said! Well said!

Retry the case! Retry the case!

Surely Prefect Luo wouldn't ignore the grievances of the common people?

Please, have a seat, Prefect.

Or perhaps I could help you gather a few more men

to shout "court is in session" or something.

I work for the prefectural office.

I'm constantly traveling between the various county yamen.

Do you think Prefect Luo will retry the case?

State your grievance now.

However,

it's a case from 15 years ago.

I may not remember it clearly.

Prefect Luo.

The case files and evidence from back then are all here.

If you can't remember clearly,

perhaps reviewing them will refresh it.

How did you obtain these case files?

This case was concluded by Xiangyang County back then.

Naturally, the files were retrieved from the Xiangyang County yamen.

The county deputy and registrar said

that the archives storeroom caught fire two days ago,

and all the records and files were burned to ashes.

Luckily, I transferred these files out beforehand.

If you don't believe me, you can verify it.

That won't be necessary.

According to the case file,

Jin Xue Wen was convicted as the murderer

based on three witnesses and two pieces of physical evidence.

The first witness was the steward of the Jin residence.

Xu An.

Mr. Xu, please step forward.

Xu An,

come forward and speak.

Yes, sir.

Back then, you claimed you saw Jin Xue Wen

harassing the victim before the murder,

that he was speaking frivolously and getting handsy.

Think carefully.

What exactly did he say,

and how exactly did he touch her?

What else could he say?

Whenever he saw that girl, he'd chase after her

calling her "beauty that could sink kingdoms,"

comparing her to heavenly goddesses.

He praised her like she was some celestial maiden from the moon palace.

When the girl ignored him,

he'd reach out

right there in public and touch her hair.

And after touching it, he'd hold it up to his nose and sniff it.

Is that something a decent man would do?

Yeah.

Doesn't that sound a little familiar?

Not just to me,

doesn't it sound familiar to all of you too?

Yeah. Over these past ten days,

coming and going from the Jin Residence,

I've heard the exact same story at least three times.

Of course,

each time you told it, Jin Xue Wen was harassing a different girl.

I'm sure the rest of you have heard it even more often than I have.

But Jin Xue Wen was a gifted scholar.

Even if he were to use lewd words,

wouldn't he be more creative than that?

He wouldn't say the exact same thing to every woman.

When it comes to harassing women,

the words are pretty much the same. How different can they be?

The insults you've been hurling at us these past few days,

have they all been word-for-word identical too?

Which is why I have reason to suspect

that you heard Jin Xue Wen say something like that to some girl one day,

and you just memorized it.

After that, no matter which story you were telling,

you reused the same account.

- I... - Can testimony like that really be trusted?

No!

It can't be trusted!

I'm not lying!

You're not lying?

Then repeat exactly what Jin Xue Wen said

when he harassed the victim!

Yeah! Go on! Say it!

Come on! Repeat it!

I'm old. I can't remember clearly.

Is it that you can't remember,

or that you never actually heard it?

Is it that you just saw Jin Xue Wen talking to the victim

and assumed he was harassing her?

Xu An's testimony was based on hearsay.

Even if most of it cannot be taken as fact,

Jin Xue Wen's reputation for being lecherous and frivolous

was common knowledge.

Is that not enough?

Since you put it that way,

then that means Xu An's testimony is officially invalid.

Luo Wen Jie really is an incompetent fool.

If it weren't for all your help over the years,

he'd have been dead many times over.

The second witness in the case was the current head of the Tang Sect,

Tang Ji.

In court,

Jin Xue Wen claimed that on the night of the murder,

he went to Feihua Hollow, 40 li outside Xiangyang, to gather herbs.

Before entering the mountain,

he ran into Tang Ji and a woman

at Chunxin Pavilion at the mouth of the valley,

and exchanged greetings with them.

But Tang Ji denied it outright in court.

Tang Ji isn't present today.

So how do you intend to refute his testimony?

It's true I can't refute it.

But someone else can prove Jin Xue Wen wasn't lying.

Who are you?

Sir,

my name is Cui Tian. I'm from Jiang Village.

I make a living as a hunter.

Every summer and autumn, I stay in Feihua Hollow for a few months.

20 years ago,

I often saw a man and a woman

meeting secretly at Chunxin Pavilion.

15 years ago, even when the plague was at its worst,

they still met in the mountains regularly.

I remember it clearly.

Do you recognize Tang Ji?

No.

But I've seen his portrait.

The man in it looks extremely similar to the one I saw back then.

A portrait?

And you think a portrait alone is enough to confirm that man was Tang Ji?

Officer Zhan,

you certainly weren't this lenient

when questioning Xu An just now.

Whether the hunter can identify Tang Ji isn't important.

What matters is that his testimony proves Jin Xue Wen was not the killer.

On the night of the murder, he wasn't in the city.

He was in Feihua Hollow.

That's why he saw a man and woman meeting secretly at Chunxin Pavilion.

The hunter also said just now

that this man and woman met in Feihua Hollow every year.

Maybe Jin Xue Wen saw them years before the murder.

He could've lied and claimed he saw them on the night of the crime itself.

That's also possible, isn't it?

Wouldn't that make him incredibly stupid?

He insisted he spoke to the man,

and repeatedly claimed that man was Tang Ji.

If it were a lie,

wouldn't he just be waiting for you

to find Tang Ji and expose him on the spot?

Prefect Luo,

there are also many inconsistencies in the evidence from back then.

The case file states that the tears on this bloodstained robe

were caused by my aunt scratching him.

But the wounds on Jin Xue Wen's shoulder were over an inch deep.

Could human fingernails cause that?

Then in your opinion,

how were those wounds caused?

I am Jin Xue Wen's younger brother.

Let me tell you

how my brother got those injuries.

Back then,

the coroner made this sketch based on the wounds on Jin Xue Wen's body.

The proportions,

the size,

and even the depth of the wounds

are identical to the injuries on Bai Yu Tang.

They really are identical.

Something's not right here.

Back in court,

my brother said he had gone into the mountains that night to gather herbs.

He wasn't lying.

The herb he sought grew beside a cave where hawks nested.

The wounds on his body were caused by a hawk attacking him.

When that hawk returned with food

and saw me at the cave entrance,

it thought I meant harm to its eggs,

so it attacked me viciously.

My brother must've gone through the exact same thing back then.

That's why the wounds were so similar.

And I've found the herb he went to gather.

The Dawn-Dusk Cocoon.

Surely the Jin family head and Elder Clan Leader recognize this?

Before it hatches, it's completely translucent and burns hot as fire.

Yes, this is the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon.

You actually found such a rare treasure.

In the well of the old house on Huaihua Alley,

I found the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon my brother collected back then.

15 years ago, first place should have been his.

You claim this thing is a Dawn-Dusk Cocoon?

Fine.

Even if this pile of mush really is one,

how do explain someone saw him leaving the victim's house that night?

Are you referring to Madam Jiao, Prefect Luo?

Please let us through.

I gave false testimony back then.

The person I saw that night was not Jin Xue Wen.

The man who came out of that courtyard was my husband,

Jiao Chao Gui, master of Shengyun Manor.

What did you say?

Jiao Chao Gui personally confessed to me

that he had severely wounded Lady Huo.

He also told me to lie to the authorities

and frame Jin Xue Wen.

He threatened to kill me if I disobeyed him.

I swear to heaven

that if a single word of this is false,

may the entire Jiao family be wiped out.

I can't believe that happened.

Then Jin Xue Wen was truly wronged.

You treacherous woman!

How dare you give false testimony!

You deceived me and protected the killer,

causing an innocent man to suffer injustice for 15 years

and die with a bitter grudge.

Guards!

- Seize her! - Yes, sir!

Prefect Luo, why are you suddenly acting so outraged?

Madam Jiao certainly bears blame,

but the one who closed the case back then was you, not her.

You're right.

It was precisely because she deceived me

that I convicted the wrong man.

I've failed the Imperial Court

and failed the people.

This case was riddled with inconsistencies from the start,

yet you convicted a man based solely on

a few witnesses' one-sided statements,

completely ignoring all the contradictions.

Prefect Luo,

were you truly deceived into making a wrong judgement,

or did you conspire with the real killer

to set Jin Xue Wen up as the scapegoat?

How dare you slander me in public!

The crime scene was covered in sword marks.

Who replaced the furniture to conceal them?

And why was there not a mention of those sword marks in the case files?

What sword marks? I remember nothing of the sort.

You don't remember?

Someone else does!

Prefect Luo,

do you remember him?

15 years ago, when you were still the Xiangyang magistrate,

he and Wang Xing were constables under you.

My name is Yao Yu Shan.

Greetings, Prefect Luo.

Yao Yu Shan.

How long were you planning to hide?

Officer Zhan,

how did you recognize me?

The second time I went to your house,

I noticed your wife wasn't nearly as anxious.

I should've realized then that she knew where you were.

And beggars usually beg in crowded marketplaces.

But you and the others always stayed in the back alleys,

never leaving even in the rain.

So I guessed someone must've been bringing you food every day.

Just now, I recognized you

because you weren't quite like the other beggars.