Original subtitles

Is this the Empress Dowager's phoenix head?

Look at what you asked.

Of course.

I mean, is this the phoenix head made of pure gold

by the Empress Dowager's order with rubies from Lingnan District as the eyes?

Of course.

There's something wrong with it.

Everyone knows the Empress Dowager's phoenix head is made of pure gold,

but it reveals the cooper color here.

Clearly, there is a layer of gold paint on top of copper.

And these two rubies are clearly spliced together.

The marks are obvious.

It's different from the earlier one.

The phoenix head is a fake.

Sir! Sir!

Sir.

There is someone slandering the Empress Dowager.

He said the phoenix head is a fake.

A League of Nobleman

Episode 12

Director Wang. He claimed to be a helper at the Court, [Director Wang, Ministry of Works]

but he pretended to be a craftsman and went to the top of the Immortal Instrument

and spread rumors that the phoenix head is fake.

Trespassing on the site of the Immortal Instrument is a felony.

Spreading rumors made you doubly guilty.

What are you up to?

Sir, I have no ulterior motive.

I heard from Mr. Ma who is a cleaner here

that he saw the phoenix shed tears of blood in the middle of the night,

so I came there to find out the truth.

During my investigation, I found that the phoenix head is a fake.

As for the strange phenomenon of the phoenix shedding tears of blood that night,

I think it was because the spliced ruby fell off and was seen by Mr. Ma.

You're talking nonsense!

Falling pieces? The phoenix shedding tears of blood?

I think you're here to stir up trouble.

But that ruby is obviously a patchwork.

Enough! Someone. Put him in the woodshed.

We need an explanation from the Court of Judicial Review.

Sir, this is of great importance. It must be investigated.

Take him away.

- Mr. Chen. - Yes.

Tell the craftsmen not to discuss the phoenix head,

or they will be heavily punished.

Yes.

The Director of Palace Construction is sensible.

He didn't put the blame on the Court of Judicial Review.

You are just a little helper.

If you dare to talk nonsense again, no one will save you.

But the phoenix head is obviously a fake. Why would they lie?

Don't talk nonsense!

Have you not suffered enough?

I can send you back to the woodshed.

- Sir, why do you... - Say no more.

Come with me.

Look at this.

The phoenix head is an emblem of the Empress Dowager's prestige.

Who dares to say anything bad about it?

You are just a little helper at the Court of Judicial Review.

From now on, don't overstep your bounds.

All right.

You don't need to come in the next few days.

Go home and reflect on yourself.

Mr. Zhang. Our master wants to see you.

Please.

Mr. Qi?

[Royal Hunting Ground]

You're just in time.

The lamb is almost ready. You can taste my cooking today.

Your Majesty.

All right. Just say whatever you want like the first time we met.

However,

when did you realize who I am?

Right after you left.

The name of our Emperor is Jing Qizhu,

and you called yourself Qi Zhu after it.

You deserve to be called Detective Noodle.

Let's go.

Sit down.

Make yourself comfortable.

Those are my men who hunt and play polo with me.

Sit.

Since you told me a lot about a bowl of noodles that day,

I'm gonna tell you something about this sheep.

I'm all ears.

This sheep has been marinated in pepper, and cumin for one day.

Then it was stuffed with more than ten kinds of spice and sewn on before being grilled.

After being cut open,

it was spread with sea salt and fine well salt three times.

Of course, the final step is to add

my secret sauce.

Here.

Just like you said, food should be enjoyed with respect.

Your bowl of noodles didn't come easy.

The same goes for this sheep.

It's a Yantan sheep from Longyou.

A Longyou Yantan sheep?

I haven't seen it for many years.

At the beginning of our dynasty,

Taizu set up the Directorate of Animals in Longyou.

There were more than 600,000 sheep in Longyou's pasture.

The staple food was mutton at that time.

There were one million people in the capital.

One person ate one sheep every month, which required one million sheep a month.

Not to mention the hundreds of officials

who should be given ten sheep each person as the monthly salary.

Here.

After I left you that day, I took my men to the hinterland of Longyou.

But the military governors staged armed rebellions over the last few years.

They took control of all the lush pastures.

Without these pastures, there are fewer and fewer sheep for us to eat.

Luckily, we brought back a few Yantan sheep

so that I can share my cooking skills with you.

There is even no sheep for you to eat.

I'm afraid there will be no sheep to eat in the whole country.

How can we sleep in peace

without putting down the rebellions?

We can't gallop with pleasure in the hinterland of our Longyou.

We can only swagger around in the hunting ground.

It's no fun.

One day, I will take back all the land in Longyou.

I've tasted your cooking skills.

You seem to have something on your mind today.

I'm just having a little trouble

with the case.

Do you know why I got mad at you that day?

Because you called me a fop.

That word hit me right on my head.

You should know

not everyone in this world can act according to their own will.

That's why

I envy you.

I envy that you can live your life to the fullest and do what you want to do.

You care about a bowl of noodles in Dafu City

and a sheep in Longyou.

You're doing what you want.

It's getting late.

I should get back to investigate.

Go ahead.

Zhang Ping. I want you to make the best noodles in the capital

and achieve the highest score in the imperial examination.

When you're investigating, I want you to be fearless and find out the truth!

I will!

I will.

[Hanhui Pavilion, Ning'an]

Zhang. Are you still thinking about that case?

The dough is over-kneaded by you.

Forget it. Your mind is not here.

Here.

Okay.

By the way, have you heard that the Empress Dowager's head is gone?

Shh.

Don't talk nonsense. Do you want to die?

It was the phoenix head that was lost.

Isn't the phoenix head equal to the Empress Dowager's head?

Everyone in the capital says that the Empress Dowager stole the power of the Emperor.

What she did is unjustified.

Even God can't stand it anymore, so God took away the phoenix head.

Really?

The current phoenix head is a fake to deceive the public.

Don't talk nonsense.

I'm not talking nonsense.

Little detective. It's said that you said it.

Tell them if I'm talking nonsense.

Yeah. Tell us.

Who did you hear it from?

They said you said it.

Immortal Instrument or Mortal.

The Phoenix was lost overnight.

[Detective Noodle] The Empress Dowager lost her head.

You can't say that!

Who did you hear it from? Don't talk nonsense!

The Empress Dowager lost her head.

Get out of the way.

Zhang Ping. It's audacious of you to spread rumors about the Empress Dowager.

Take him away.

I didn't spread rumors.

No, it wasn't me.

Go!

Zhang!

Oh, no. What to do now?

Mr. Lan.

Song. Watch the stall for me.

Okay.

Mr. Ma?

How dare you use lynching?

Let go of me!

How dare you use lynching?

Zhang Ping. There is only one way for you to stay alive,

which is to clear up the rumors in person.

You spread rumors and spout nonsense in the capital to get attention.

I didn't spread any rumors. What should I clear up?

The phoenix head is a fake. That's the truth.

A fake?

Which one of your eyes saw that the phoenix head is a fake?

I went up there. They all saw it.

Did they?

Did you see it?

No.

Who else saw it?

Is it Ma, the cleaner?

Do you think he can talk now?

You...

Are you going to clear things up or not?

I'm not lying. What should I clear up?

Fine.

You're a tough guy.

You won't cry until you see your coffin. Put him in.

Let me go!

I'll give you one last chance.

Is the phoenix head real or not?

A fake is a fake.

Will you correct yourself or not?

This is the truth. What should I correct?

Fine. Take away another brick.

If you don't correct yourself, you'll never have the chance to speak again.

Director Wang. As an official of the court, it's bold of you to use lynching.

How should you be punished according to the law?

Mr. Lan?

Mr. Lan. Zhang Ping.

Are you not gonna show some respect to me?

He spread rumors and slandered the Empress Dowager.

If you dare to cover up for him, the Empress Dowager will make you suffer!

Spread rumors.

Do you dare to take the phoenix head to the Empress Dowager and see if it's real or not?

I... Here comes Her Majesty!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

I didn't know Your Majesty would be here.

Sorry for not waiting for you at the door. I deserve to die.

You do deserve to die.

Everyone in the capital city is talking about the loss of the phoenix head.

Director Wang.

Do you think I'm deaf?

Your Majesty, forgive me! Yes, I failed to guard it well.

I wanted to find the phoenix head quietly.

Who would know... It's all because of Zhang Ping.

It's him who spread rumors and made it known to everyone.

It's him who disrespected you!

It's the little scholar again.

You're investigating me now?

Your Majesty.

The rumors started because of Zhang Ping.

If he is not punished, I'm afraid the storm can't be calmed.

Mr. Lan.

Do you think

I should reward him or behead him?

Now you're here to save him.

What should I do with you?

Your Majesty entrusted me with the task of holding a completion ceremony of the Immortal Instrument.

After I heard the phoenix head was lost, I've been worried about it day and night.

I'm here today not only to save Zhang Ping, but also to share Your Majesty's worries.

To share my worries?

Yes. I have something to say.

You may leave.

Yes.

I dare not deceive Your Majesty.

Zhang Ping is a student of mine. I know his character.

The rumors out there started because of him,

but he would never say anything that is not confirmed.

I'm afraid someone wants to take this chance to deliberately spread rumors.

If you kill him, the rumors will be confirmed.

Mr. Lan. Are you here to reason with me?

I dare not. I'm a man of sin.

If you allow me, I'd like to help you with your worries

and relieve your boredom.

How are you gonna relieve my boredom?

There is a good game right now.

A good game right now.

A detective game.

Zhang Ping and I will make the effort. You'll give us time.

If we win, we'll reclaim the phoenix head for you,

catch the criminal, and dispel the rumors.

During this time, you only need to think of it as a play.

Mr. Lan.

Since it's a game, there must be rules.

Do you know the rules of the game?

I think the truth and rumors aren't important.

The most important thing is who got the nerve

to replace the real with the fake and fuel the rumors.

Mr. Lan. You are smart indeed.

I think you'll be able to find the mastermind behind it.

This case is complicated.

I don't have a clue yet

who the mastermind is.

Mr. Lan.

Among these officials,

who is the one that doesn't want to erect the golden phoenix the most?

Who is desperate to see

the Empress Dowager lose face and end up in a disgraceful position?

I don't think you have no idea.

It's against the rites system to place a golden phoenix instead of a golden dragon

since Emperor is the supreme ruler.

May Your Majesty strictly observe the rites system.

Mr. Lan.

I don't play games with uncertain outcomes.

Do you know what the consequences will be

if you fail to achieve your mission?

You must be

able to afford to lose.

Here is the Empress Dowager's message.

Vice Minister Lan and Zhang Ping

will be given two days to find the phoenix head

and the mastermind behind it.

If the mission is accomplished, your lives will be spared.

As for Director Wang,

if you want to stay alive,

just cooperate with them.

Thanks to Her Majesty for her kindness.

If I find the phoenix head,

will everyone be spared?

Including Mr. Ma?

Of course.

The Empress Dowager has promised you.

Thanks to Her Majesty for her kindness.

Sir.

This gilt satin has been finished by Mr. Xu.

It can be presented to the Empress Dowager.

Leave it here.

It's too late.

Yes.

Thank you for saving me, Mr. Lan.

If it wasn't for Chen Chou's message, you would have died today.

I didn't spread rumors.

- I'm telling the truth. - I know.

But you should learn from what happened today.

In this world, sometimes you don't need to tell the truth.

The Ministry of Works, the Immortal Instrument, the Court of Judicial Review,

even the whole capital, and the Yong Kingdom

won't change a little bit because of the truth.

This case has nothing to do with you.

Is it worth it?

I just want to find out the truth. I never thought about that.

Even if you will die for it? Aren't you afraid?

- I'm afraid. - Then why won't you give up?

If everyone cares about the truth, there will be no place for darkness.

Weren't you also touched by that?

That's the world in the story.

The real world is not that simple and beautiful.

Then why did you recommend me to work in the Court of Judicial Review?

You know it?

The registrar said I have a powerful background.

I can't think of anyone else but you.

I know you're bent on getting into the Court of Judicial Review.

I was worried that you would get into trouble,

so I discussed it with Mr. Tao and put you in the case archive.

Mr. Lan.

I can't repay your kindness.

I even brought you into trouble.

But there is a clear distinction between white and black,

right and wrong.

That's the way it should be no matter where we are.

Unfortunately, I only got you two days.

I'll find the phoenix head and the thief in two days.

Now, we're in the same boat.

Sorry if I offended you before.

I hope you two can forgive me.

Don't worry, Mr. Wang.

Let's work on the case first.

I hope you can tell us everything.

Okay.

Please.

Another layer can be added to fill the foundation.

The logs in the middle are overloaded.

Yes, the soil layer here.

Well, you're free to ask them.

How did the phoenix head get lost?

It was a night ten days ago.

I made my usual rounds and didn't find anything abnormal.

The workers put the rainproof cover on it and fastened it as usual when they got off work.

There was a guard every ten steps away in front of Zhaode Hall

and a patrol every half of a burning joss stick.

It was heavily guarded.

But at midnight,

Supervisor Lin who was going on a patrol

found the phoenix head missing.

Is it possible that a craftsman hid in the Immortal Instrument

and stole the head when no one was around?

We do a head count every day before we go to work and get off work.

It's impossible for anyone to hide in the Immortal Instrument.

It was like the phoenix head grew wings and flew away.

It's too strange.

I'll check the Immortal Instrument again.

You were the first one who came here after the head was stolen?

Yes, I know best the situation then.

Can you tell us everything about it?

Yes. When I came up, I found that the phoenix head,

the cover, the scaffolding, and everything on it

[Supervisor Lin, Ministry of Works] were all gone.

What you're looking at now was put here later.

The scaffolding and everything on it were taken away.

Wasn't it more noticeable?

Yeah.

How is the head of the phoenix connected to the body?

It was a mortise and tenon joint.

You need to turn the phoenix head in a semicircle to remove it.

I remember it.

When I came here that morning,

I did see some dead bugs,

but Director Wang asked us to clean them up.

I guess we missed some when we did it.

The bug was burned to death.

The thief probably used fire.

But there is no mark of soot.

If there was a fire, the Imperial Guards on night patrol couldn't have missed it.

Open fires are strictly prohibited here.

The entry and exit of fuel will be strictly controlled.

Can you pull out the stock records of the construction site?

I can, but there are too many things going in and out every day.

I don't think you can read them all in a short time.

I'll check the records.

You go and find out how the thief did it.

Thank you, sir.

You only have one day left.

If you don't find out the truth,

we'll lose our heads.

Zhang.

Tell me what I can do for you this time.

The cloth cover

was probably used to wrap the phoenix head

to hide it.

But why would the thief

steal the scaffolding?

Like you said,

if no one can sneak in from the outside,

then no one can hide in it,

which means there was no one at all.

Could the phoenix head

fly away?

No.

The phoenix head must have been stolen,

and it has something to do with fire.

The fire was bright at night.

The thief wouldn't risk doing it

if he didn't have to.

[Stock Records]

I can't believe you still have the mood for tea.

I only went on a business trip.

As I got back, I heard

you promised the Empress Dowager

that you'll find the phoenix head with Zhang Ping.

Mowen.

How was your business trip?

Don't change the subject.

Zhang Ping is not sensible. What about you?

[Stock Records] He wants to find out the truth.

Why do you have to get involved in this mess?

Have you thought about

what the consequences will be if you fail?

What about the efforts you made over the last ten years?

What about

your father's grievance?

The Empress Dowager came all of a sudden.

It was a coincidence.

You're still pretending to be calm.

If you're not worried,

why is there no froth in the tea today?

I can't hide it from you.

Tell me.

What does the Empress Dowager want?

The Empress Dowager wants

the person behind the theft of the phoenix head

to be Mr. Liu.

She wants the thief to be Mr. Liu.

She's not asking you to investigate the case.

If I'm right,

Zhang Ping doesn't know about it, right?

If that's the case,

what do you expect Zhang Ping to find out?

We haven't found anything yet.

How can we accuse Mr. Liu of stealing it?

It'd be much easier if it was him.

What if it wasn't him?

Are you gonna lose your head with Zhang Ping?

I thought about it all night, but I still can't figure out

how the thief stole the phoenix head

with not being there,

how he lighted the fire,

and where he got the fuel.

Zhang.

Why don't we take flight

before meeting the deadline?

I put too much water in it.

The heat threw the lid off.

Don't move!

Chen Chou.

You've been a great help.

I finally know why they needed the fire.

It was the heat.

They needed the heat.

Look.

The cloth cover and scaffolding

weren't made into any tools.

They were there all the time.

The heat went up, and it flew away.

Flew away?

You should have told me that.

It's just a Kongming Lantern.

The thief made a huge lantern

out of the cloth over and the scaffolding,

which flew away

with the phoenix head in the dark.

The cloth cover was in a dark color,

that's why no one at the construction site noticed it.

But can they do it without being there?

I haven't figured it out yet.

The fuel is also a problem.

I need to check it with Mr. Lan.

Go ahead.

Zhang Ping!

Mr. Lan found it.

Everything that went in and out matches up.

There are only four barrels of raw tung oil paint missing.

That's right.

Xu Dong.

Tell Mr. Lan to bring more men

and go to Yunxiao Mountain.

Okay.

A League of Nobleman