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My lord.

The victim is Reverend Miaozhen

from Cixin Nunnery.

She was murdered.

She was stabbed in the back,

all the way through to the front.

I've taken the sword

out of the body.

We've confirmed,

it's Constable Yuan's sword,

the Ashbringer.

Constable Yuan,

what do you have to say?

My lord,

I held no grudge against Miaozhen.

I had no reason to murder her.

Please investigate this thoroughly.

Mr. Li,

may I say something?

Abbess,

please go ahead.

The priority now

is to report to the king

about this matter.

Well...

Abbess,

this is just a small case in Qinhe County,

why must we alert His Majesty?

My lord, you don't know,

Reverend Miaozhen was actually

His Majesty's elder sister,

Princess Shengning.

She was devoted to Buddha,

so she left her family and practiced here.

My lord!

My lord!

News from the capital.

His Majesty already knows?

No. A document came from the capital,

assigning us a new county magistrate.

Li Fei is such a fool.

He's labeled you as a suspect!

Enough, stop blabbering.

We can't blame him for that.

I'm clearly

the most suspicious.

What should he do?

Worship me instead?

Still, he shouldn't lock you up like this!

Besides,

none of them

is capable of cracking the case,

and clearing your name.

Mr. Li, you've come.

It's you. Why are you here?

I wasn't able to catch up with you.

And I'm really in jail now.

Yuan,

This is Mr. Jing, the new magistrate.

He just came from the capital.

He's new here.

You shouldn't know each other.

Ma... magistrate?

I'm Jing Zhiwan.

Sir. Nice to meet you.

Yuan, listen.

Mr. Jing will be in charge of

hunting down criminals

and managing prisoners.

Mr. Jing has just arrived

and immediately asked to see you.

It's about the case of Princess Shengning.

Who would foresee this coming?

Please find the culprit soon

and clear my name.

I've heard from Mr. Li about the case.

The reason you are the top suspect

is because you and Princess Shengning

were the only ones at the scene.

And

she died by your sword.

That's why I'm having a hard time

proving my innocence.

Every time I went to find the princess,

I'd leave my sword

on the table outside the Zen room.

This time

I also left my sword

on the table outside the Zen room.

Reverend Mingxin?

Reverend Mingxin?

She's not here?

Whatever. I'll get the water first.

After getting water, I was about to leave.

Then she invited me out to chat.

The tea here tastes

especially refreshing and pleasant.

Reverend...

Reverend!

When I woke up,

I was sitting in the same place,

like I'd never moved.

But Reverend Miaozhen opposite me

had been stabbed with my sword.

Now you're investigating this case,

maybe you can start with

why the murderer used my sword.

I'm more interested in

why you suddenly passed out.

Yeah, I was drinking tea

made by Reverend Miaozhen.

Mr. Li,

did you check if there was

any problem with the tea?

Back then, we were focused on

identifying the cause of the death

and finding the murderer.

We didn't examine the tea.

When the princess was murdered,

are you sure you were the only one

at the scene?

While I was talking to Reverend Miaozhen,

I didn't notice anyone else there.

This seems unlikely.

The back area belongs to

Cixin Nunnery.

Outsiders are not normally allowed in.

"Unlikely" doesn't mean it's impossible.

At least,

after the princess died,

there was a third person there.

The coroner wrote

in the autopsy report

that her right pinkie was cut off.

But there wasn't much blood.

Therefore,

her right pinkie was cut off

after she died,

when her blood stopped circulating.

Did you find that pinkie at the scene?

We certainly... didn't.

Did the murderer return?

Or did someone else take it?

I'm slow.

I can't figure out

why the murderer

killed the princess

and cut off her pinkie.

You certainly don't look smart.

Jing Zhiwan!

Don't let your natural good looks

go to your head.

You think you're the smartest one?

I merely think I'm smarter than you.

Problem?

You!

My lord, let me out!

Let me out!

I'll investigate this case myself!

I'll find a way to prove my innocence!

My lord!

It's been three days since the murder.

The weather is hot.

The corpse is decomposing quickly.

And the princess's family is pushing us

to return the body so they can bury her

in the capital.

If it was Constable Yuan who did it,

then how do we explain

the missing pinkie?

That is indeed very strange.

Well...

That's the tea set

they were using that day.

It was sealed up afterwards.

We had it tested.

It's true that the tea was drugged.

And do you know

who prepared the tea?

Yes. It was prepared by Mingxin.

She has an eye condition.

She can't see clearly.

If she were to kill someone,

it wouldn't be easy.

Maybe Constable Yuan

drugged the tea herself

when no one was looking.

Mr. Li,

Constable Yuan knows kung fu,

and she's quite good.

If she wanted to kill the princess

when they were alone,

she wouldn't need to use drugs.

Such an extra step would

make her more suspicious.

It's unnecessary.

Right. Right.

But my lord,

within two days,

the king will send someone for the case.

If we don't close the case soon,

His Majesty will be angry,

and I'll be held responsible!

Don't worry.

If you can't take the responsibility,

then I will.

I...

My lord,

If you can't take the responsibility,

what makes him think he can?

What do you know?

His letter of appointment

came from the king's personal bodyguard.

People would think

he was holding

an important imperial edict.

Based on my work experience,

Jing Zhiwan is not an ordinary man.

Not ordinary at all.

Maybe he can

help us solve the princess's murder.

Knowing that he's on the case

is a real relief.

Father,

I wonder why you called me here today.

What can I do for you?

Deming,

go back and get ready.

You'll leave the capital in ten days.

Father,

You suddenly ask me to leave.

Is it because of

that outsider, Marquis Duan?

Did he tell you something about me?

Is that why you're now

driving me out of the capital?

Who told you

I'm driving you out of the capital?

And why does it involve Marquis Duan?

I was very curious about Marquis Duan,

I was reckless.

I broke in and met him.

My lord, you're quite young.

I'd say we are about the same age.

People are saying

you're quite close to the king.

Is it true?

Total nonsense.

Then I don't understand

why His Majesty

made you a marquis all of a sudden?

His Majesty is thoughtful.

He must have his reasons.

But how could we know?

Are you from Zhaozhou?

My family was prominent in Zhenzhou,

on good terms with King Zhao.

Prominent family in Zhenzhou?

How come I didn't know?

My family has declined as time passed.

We're not what we once were,

we are nobodies now.

Answer my question!

Do you want to keep being evasive,

and talking vague?

I thought

Father was angry because of this.

You were just curious about him,

and you didn't hold any ill intentions.

Why would I blame you because of him?

You're leaving the capital this time

because Qinhe has been hit by floods.

The people have suffered for years.

You

are the most dependable

and sharp-minded

among the princes.

Therefore,

I'm sending you to deal with the floods.

But from what it appears,

you oppose this.

I dare not.

I will do

whatever Father asks me to.

Don't worry, Father.

I will do everything I can

to serve you.

Then go back and get ready.

This is an emergency that can't wait.

Father.

Any news from Jing Ci?

Your Majesty,

I heard of another assassination attempt,

but Marquis Duan was prepared.

Just like at the mansion before,

it was close.

Now he's in Qinhe County

and is protected by Fu Xiaohan.

I think he should be safe there.

Jing Ci just returned to Yong.

Who... wants him dead?

Maybe His Lordship

offended someone before?

Jing Ci had it tough.

He didn't grow up by my side.

I don't know

how much he suffered

while in Zhaozhou.

Cheers.

My lord.

Your Highness, Beiyan,

something just came up.

I have to leave now.

What's the rush?

Since Qingli disappeared,

we have rarely seen each other.

We just started drinking,

and you're leaving?

Here's the thing.

Princess Shengning is a pious Buddhist.

She'd been practicing at Cixin Nunnery.

But she was murdered a while ago.

His Majesty is concerned about this.

I'm ordered to go to Qinhe immediately

to investigate.

My family have a mansion there.

I was planning

to take a holiday there.

Since you're going there,

why don't I come too?

I... I'm going for business.

You handle your business,

and I'll just relax.

What do you say?

Listen to you two.

You left me at the hunting grounds before.

This time you want to leave me here.

I'm telling you, I don't agree.

Alright.

Then we will all go together.

I heard that

there's a great brothel there,

called Floral House.

We can check it out.

-Sounds good. -Yeah.

Here.

We'll go together then.

Cheers, Zhao Yan.

I'm not going. You have fun.

Where is Prince of Bo going?

Heard he's handling

water conservancy projects.

People are suffering from the wars.

Canals aren't being maintained.

It's not good for the state.

Prince of Bo followed His Majesty

to battles.

He does good work.

But his merits

were built on excessive killing.

If he can prevent floods,

and help those near the rivers,

it will be a good thing.

I'm telling you.

Don't badmouth my brother behind his back.

If it weren't for his contributions,

how could we enjoy

all the leisure time we get?

Am I right?

Does that Floral House in Qinhe

offer any local delicacies?

Not sure about the food,

but they certainly have special ladies.

That works! Let's go.

This way.

This way? Okay, let's go.

Come have a drink with me.

This way.

Isn't it that way?

It's this way.

-This way? -Come on. Come on.

Yun Duo.

See if you can find out

where they're going.

Yes, my lady.

My lord.

What is it?

My lord,

these days,

I've been looking for the assassin

who tried to kill you the other day.

I found

that he appeared in Qinhe again.

Where in Qinhe?

Downtown.

Near Yufu, Qinhe's largest restaurant.

He's very cautious.

Maybe he knew I was following.

Then he disappeared into a crowd.

So he's also in Qinhe.

Could it be

he is with the two men who attacked me

in the mansion last time?

If they followed us to Qinhe

or just have a place to stay here...

If you remain here,

they will have plenty of chances

to come for you again.

We are trying to find them.

It's good if they strike again.

This is a government office.

I don't think they dare come for you here.

I believe they will stay put for now.

Alright, I see.

You may leave.

My lord, please.

I'm here to ask a few questions.

Constable Yuan is upset about the case,

and he's pretty worn down.

I think he's fallen asleep.

It's fine. You may leave now.

Yes.

Just like no matter what I do,

you won't hate me either.

Am I right?

Wrong.

If you treat me badly,

I will hate you.

I will have my revenge.

Will you really

seek revenge against me?

Magistrate Jing? Why are you here?

Is there an update about the case?

You found the culprit?

We haven't.

Who brought this blanket?

Was it Xiaolu?

Can't be.

If it were Xiaolu,

I would already know.

She'd make sure I knew.

Could it be...

Was it you who

bring me this blanket?

I knew you were soft inside.

You can't bear to see me suffer.

That's very kind of...

Don't be silly.

It was Mr. Li.

He asked the guard to bring a blanket.

I'm just passing it through.

And that's all.

So it was Mr. Li?

I thought...

Have we even met?

Are we friends?

Have you done anything for me?

Why would I help you?

I wanted to please you.

I ran to the inn.

I walked alongside you.

I thought

you'd come back to the office with me.

You did come,

but only to see me in jail.

Who taught you these tricks?

What tricks?

Get some sleep.

But stop dreaming.

What he wants to see

is a charming beauty.

But me?

I'm a dirty and smelly man.

I thought I could wink at him

and win him over.

That's unrealistic.

I wonder if he's capable enough

to help prove my innocence.

His name is Jing Zhiwan.

Jing Zhiwan...

This name...

it's lovely.

She hasn't barely done anything

and I'm here in this

small government office of Qinhe.

She's no longer

the Feng Mianwan she was.

But,

that isn't such a bad thing.

At least she's not hated and bullied.

She's in less pain.

Princess, you pitied me,

and even tolerated my eye condition.

Now,

you were murdered.

But I'm useless.

I can't do anything for you.

All I can do is burn some paper money

to mourn you.

Who's there?

Who's in there?

Who's in here?

Ghost! A ghost! A ghost!

Reverend Mingxin.

You mean,

while you burned paper money,

someone was in the room?

Yeah, yes.

It must have been a ghost!

I heard that you have bad eyes.

You can't even see people,

how can you see ghosts?

Sir, although

her vision is weak,

she never lies.

She said there was someone.

Then it must be true.

I believe her.

She has an eye condition,

she's more reliant on hearing and feeling.

It's possible that she hears

sounds that others wouldn't,

and feels movements that others wouldn't.

Perhaps....

perhaps it was not a ghost,

but a man.

I felt like he was in front of me,

but I couldn't catch him.

What kind of person

can move so fast?

Please come in, sirs.

Bring some good tea.

Yes, sir.

We should reach Qinhe

in about an hour.

This girl is here for you, right?

Of course.

In terms of skills and looks,

no one in the capital can match Qingli.

But in terms of

romance and charm,

no one can match me.

Everyone cherishes a beauty,

and when one seeks me out,

I shouldn't refuse, right?

Well! The world is going to the dogs.

Oh no. She's not here for you.

She prefers

a nerd like Zhao Yan.

Going to the dogs.

Going to the dogs!

Miss, I'm sorry.

It's improper of me.

Because we touched?

I was in your lap.

I fear my reputation could be ruined.

I'm really sorry.

Please accept my sincere apology.

I don't need your apology.

I'd prefer you came to my home

and asked for my hand

in marriage.

This way,

we don't need to worry about any gossip.

What?

This nerd gets a girl out of nowhere.

Mu Beiyan,

how dare you?

I'm a princess!

Highness, why are you here?

When the princess was murdered,

Zhi Ge and I were

digging up bamboo here.

Yes.

We were cooking bamboo shoots.

You can still see the ashes here.

Mingxin, here, have some.

The princess likes bamboo too,

let's cook some to bring to her.

Sure.

The princess

should be with Constable Yuan now.

Yeah.

It's good that they get along so well.

Let them talk more.

Mingxin.

Come.

The princess is nice to Constable Yuan.

That's what happened.

It was dusk when we got back.

But the princess hadn't returned.

So we went back searching for her.

The pavilion there

is where the princess was murdered.

Yeah, but it's too far away.

If it were closer,

we might have heard something

when she was murdered.

On your way came and left here,

did you see anyone?

Or anything unusual?

No matter how innocuous,

just tell me.

Oh right,

I remember I heard a sound that day.

It was very unusual.

What kind of sound?

Unusual how?

It was a very brief sound.

It sounded like that bird just now

flapping its wings.

I didn't think too much of it then.

So...

I forgot about it.

I see.

Thank you, Reverend.

Changle, why are you here?

Zhao Yan,

let me ask you.

Why did you just

leave for Qinhe with them?

Highness, it's not what you think.

I'm going to Qinhe for business.

These two men,

one can only eat,

the other can only play.

What business could they have?

Hey, show some respect to your brother!

Here, Highness.

Have some tea.

Zhao Yan really is on business.

Prince of Ye and I

are just going for fun.

But I promise

we will never

lead your Zhao Yan astray.

And we definitely

won't take him

to any place bad.

Stop talking nonsense.

When did I become hers?

You!

It's a blessing that she likes you.

And your backgrounds match.

Even His Majesty will be happy.

You'll pair up sooner or later.

Mu Beiyan.

Can I believe what you're saying?

I swear on my reputation.

We won't lead Zhao Yan astray.

Your reputation?

You're impulsive

and you love your prostitutes.

Everyone knows that.

What reputation are you talking about?

I know I have no reputation.

That's why I can swear on it.

You!

Highness!

Highness!

She...

Did you do this?

Problem?

You'd rather she go with us?

Zhao Yan,

you still want to work on the case?

And you, my lord,

you still want to visit the brothel?

But...

But what about the princess?

Now you're asking us what to do?

You are her personal maid.

How could you let her leave the capital,

and make it this far?

What will His Majesty think

when he finds out?

But...

the princess insisted on coming.

Moreover,

His Lordship and Mr. Zhao

will both be there.

Yun Duo.

Even if

we are there,

we can't ensure her safety.

Do you know what we're going

to Qinhe for?

Princess Shengning... was killed.

Princess Shengning was killed?

The murderer is still at large.

You'd let Princess Changle

go to such a dangerous place?

Aren't you afraid

the murderer will go after her?

I'll get her back to the palace now.

Off you go.

I'll get you two escorts,

in case anything happens.

Whenever that nerd sees the princess,

he's always trying to avoid her.

I never thought he cared about her.

Right.

Although Zhao Yan is good to everyone,

but I'm Changle's brother,

and he looked more anxious than me...

-It will work! -It will work!

My lady!

My lady.

Ding Cao and the rest are out

investigating.

There's no one on guard duty.

Let's get out of here!

Come.

Get out?

I'm a suspect now.

I shouldn't run.

Why can't you run?

I heard that

His Majesty has sent an envoy

to investigate this case.

Li Fei is in big trouble now.

If he doesn't make you the scapegoat,

you'll be lucky.

The old man won't prove your innocence.

Besides,

we didn't come to Qinhe

to die alongside Li Fei.

But if we run away,

we'll be fugitives.

We are already wanted by Yong.

Are you afraid of another charge?

Miss,

this can't wait.

You can't afford hesitation!

How does that saying go?

Never mind, just listen to me.

Let's run first.

Alright.

"Sever what's broken".

Yes, that's the saying. Let's go.

What did you do to them?

Don't worry.

I spiked their wine with sedatives.

They'll be fine tomorrow.

They were drugged by you?

What a couple of idiots!

It's not that they're idiots.

I've been getting smarter these days.

I learned this from a drama.

Drugging people's wine like this

has been around for centuries.

It's an incredibly old tactic.

You'd have to be a fool

to do that.

So,

I thought up a new tactic.

I soaked this in the medicine.

Then,

I wiped down the bowls they use.

As a result,

they're sound asleep.

I'm good, aren't I?

Indeed, you are.

Let's go.

Mr. Zuo.

You just came back from Qinhe,

how is Jing Ci doing?

I'm here for His Lordship.

Jing Ci is busy investigating the case?

I thought he would wear out his feet.

You went out a lot these days,

in search of a cure for His Lordship?

His condition is quite bad.

I've read so many medical books,

but still can't find

any way to cure him.

A few days ago,

I went to Master's former residence

to read the books he left behind,

trying to find some clues.

Your master, Ji Bo,

is a renowned doctor.

If we can get his help,

His Lordship can surely be cured.

Master used to live in Zhaozhou.

The king summoned him often.

He became fed up and went to sea

saying he'd search for medicine.

I don't know when he'll be back.

He didn't take his medical books.

However,

I noticed some have disappeared.

Perhaps my fellow disciple took them.

Your fellow disciple?

Like Jing Ci,

she was born with a condition.

When it gets serious,

her life will be in danger.

She could die any day.

Although Jing Ci is wayward,

at least I know where he is.

But my fellow disciple...

I don't even know where she could be.

Hurry, hurry.

Pursuers ahead,

blocked from behind...

What should we do?

It's "pursued from behind,

and blocked up ahead".

This is no time to nitpick.

Miss, what do we do?

Hey! There.

Come on.

This way.

Hurry. Hurry.

What is this place?

Whatever it is,

it's our best option.

Miss.

It sounds like they're gone.

Get out, and make sure.

Me? Why should I?

What if I get captured?

I'm the one they're pursuing,

not you. What are you afraid of?

Go go go!

Right. I forgot.

It's you they want.

Miss.

You stay put here.

I'll be right back.