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Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

"Go Ahead Fearlessly" - Liu Yuning

♫ Grudges and karma, right and wrong ♫

♫ The past hides blood and tears ♫

♫ It is hard to catch up after years of separation ♫

♫ The truth cannot be fully revealed ♫

♫ Fate is full of twists and turns ♫

♫ Life and death, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand ♫

♫ Obsession is hard to get rid of, keeping the truth and getting rid of the lies, let the wind blow ♫

♫ Tossed about by the wind and rain, I will never regret it, I will accompany you for my whole life ♫

♫ At least you share my joy and sorrow ♫

♫ Unravelling fate, fearlessly, a dream returns ♫

♫ The mountains and rivers are bright and beautiful, holding hands, together we return ♫

♫ In this life, my heart returns untainted of dust and ash ♫

[Melody of Golden Age]

[Episode 16]

[Ministry of Justice]

Didn't sleep well?

I told you to come home with me, but you just wouldn’t listen.

You told me you were going to the Archives to look for clues.

It looks like you didn't find any clues and may have even gotten a cold.

You have no idea. There were too many!

There's just so much, one thing after another.

Those people sure can write a lot. They record the most trivial matters.

Don't tell me you stayed up all night.

I couldn't sleep anyway.

Why don't you go back to the Shen Mansion?

In the worst case, you can sweet-talk Great Chief Shen a bit.

On what grounds?

I'm just analyzing the situation.

I saw everything with my own eyes yesterday.

This time, you may have really misunderstood him.

What have I misunderstood?

The day you were caught, Lai Luozhi arrived very soon.

Fortunately, Great Chief arrived just in time.

You cleared your name so quickly all thanks to Great Chief Shen.

In just a few days, so many new sects have emerged, claiming

they could bring the dead back to life and offer immortality.

An investigation is underway.

But most of the sects are roaming around and spreading evil doctrines.

It's difficult to track their next move.

Huo'e Sect.

This Huo'e Sect is dominant among all the sects.

And rumor has it that the key figure of this sect is the resurrected Chen Huo'e.

Mother! Hurry, let's go!

I-I'm not done yet.

Sixth Daughter, you…

Mother, what are you doing here?

I've come to pray for you and your dad.

Don't just believe in everything. Hurry, let's go!

- No, it's about to work. - Go!

What's going on?

Listen up! Don't gather here! Disperse immediately!

- On what grounds? - We have done nothing wrong!

Those who obstruct the Huo'e Sect will suffer retribution!

Arrest them all!

All of you. Karma will get you.

You will face retribution! You will face retribution!

- Let me go! - Hurry up!

Mother, what were you doing there? It was so dangerous.

Keep it down.

I went there to pray for blessings for you and your dad

so that you can live long in peace.

- It's all a lie. Throw this away— - You can't do that!

There will be retribution.

The sacred relic of Huo'e is the incarnation of a deity.

It is not to be violated.

Those who offend the deity will be strung up in the shape of a moth

- and get burned! - Mother, where did you hear all this?

What do you mean? Even the kids on the street know.

Whoever offends the Huo'e Sect shall be consumed by a raging fire.

I can't believe they have bewitched so many people.

I must look into it.

Mother, you will be in serious trouble if you keep meddling with those sects.

Listen to me. Stay at home. Don't go anywhere anytime soon.

- I'll take this. - No, give it back to me.

You unfilial girl. Give it to me.

My goodness! Don't offend them, at least. Show some respect.

[Historical Archive]

It's so hot.

Fire! Fire at the Historical Archive.

Fire!

- Hurry! - Fetch some water!

Coming.

- Go fetch water! - Fetch some water!

- Over here. Coming. - Hurry!

- Over here! - Get more!

Sixth Miss!

Fetch more water!

Hurry up!

Sixth Miss!

Hurry!

Fetch some water!

Shen Du!

Shen Du.

♫ Who can save me from loneliness and confusion? ♫

♫ Understand my vulnerability, no words are needed ♫

♫ Who can save me from my confusion and persistence? ♫

♫ Sheltering my loneliness, never allowing me to surrender ♫

♫ I can't escape the shackles of our destiny ♫

♫ Embracing the gentleness you've given ♫

♫ Help me to see myself clearly, who I am ♫

♫ Who can help me distinguish right from wrong? ♫

♫ Through the sea of people, just hold me tight ♫

♫ Who can save me from grudges and karma? ♫

♫ Soothe my sense of loss, never to escape ♫

♫ Impurities of the past have settled, we've met several times ♫

♫ Who can break free from fate? ♫

♫ Crossing rivers and plunging into fire for you ♫

Sixth Miss.

♫ Wishing to disappear in the hustle and bustle with you ♫

You woke up?

You've inhaled a lot of smoke. Rest well these days.

I'm sorry!

And thank you for saving me.

Rest for now. Stop talking.

Sometimes, I talk without thinking.

If I've said something unpleasant, don't take it to heart.

Got it.

Do you think someone set that fire to destroy the county records and files?

Or they were targeting you.

Me?

Because I may uncover the truth?

It would be difficult to find someone as bold as you.

What are you doing?

I bumped into someone and it got stuck on me.

What exactly is it?

Perhaps only my master knows what this is.

Be careful.

What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

No.

I-I'm fine.

Now you know how dangerous it is out there.

Get some good rest.

Stop running around.

[Silent Depth Pavilion]

Master, we're just having tea.

Why do we have to come so far?

Only here can you taste the flavor you want.

Try it if you don't believe me.

Is that how you drink tea?

You just downed it in one gulp!

Master, this is the powder from the crime scene.

It once appeared near the Jinxiu Workshop.

But I can't tell what it is.

Don't sniff it!

Interesting.

Flammable. Burns without a trace.

This is not something a common cultivator would use.

I'm afraid that it's something introduced from foreign regions.

From foreign regions?

Someone in the Ghost Market might know where this thing is from.

Master, it's a pity not to use your skills to solve cases.

I've taught you most of those skills.

It seems it's time for me to let go.

I've reached this age where I only look for some peace.

Every day I'm alive is a blessing!

If I can enjoy my tea leisurely every day,

I'll be content.

It's burning!

Look at you! You can't have tea in a hurry.

It's the same for solving cases.

If you're eager for success,

you will inevitably be misguided by what you see.

Misguided by what I see.

That's right, Master.

The evidence I have in hand,

does strike me as if it was handed to me on purpose.

Investigating a case is not just about seeking the truth.

It's also a contest with an enemy in the dark

to see who can gain control one step ahead.

If the case of the Jinxiu Workshop was a scheme to ruin the relationship

between the Empress Dowager, Princess Runing, and the Xiao family,

then this time, we are still unaware of the culprit's intention.

Don't rush!

Handling a case is like tasting tea.

It requires a lot of effort.

Everything should be savored like tea.

[Silent Depth Pavilion] You got it right!

It's the same for married couples.

Master, I'm talking about the case.

And that's what I'm talking about.

Discussing heroes over wine.

Talking about love over tea.

Tea tastes better and better with every sip.

It's the same with people.

Time reveals a person's true nature.

Nice tea! Nice tea!

[Observe with Great Clarity]

Sixth Miss, wait!

Come here.

Why aren't you resting at home?

That old geezer Wu Taiming won't let you come in because you might bring "bad luck".

It's all my fault.

Was Ji Fangming implicated or scolded?

The Historical Archive was almost burned down under his watch.

Wu Taiming dare not vent his anger on you.

So, Ji Fangming took all the scoldings.

I'd better figure out how to apologize to him.

Right.

I heard that Great Chief Shen carried you home

in his arms in front of everyone.

Do you expect him to stand by and let me die?

Listen to yourself. You never say anything sweet.

So sharp-tongued!

Listen to you. There's nothing you wouldn't say.

So reckless!

Look at you.

You just returned to the mansion and you're already glowing.

Let me see.

What tricks did they play

to make your eyes so bright and spirited?

Well…

You don't say.

I fell asleep as soon as I laid down last night.

Could it be that I've gotten used to sleeping with the lights on

in the Shen Mansion?

- On the contrary, I can't sleep here. - All right.

I'm serious.

[Shen Mansion]

This is…

My savior. To repay your kindness,

I've prepared dishes that could help your eyes recover.

From now on, you have to keep a healthy diet, with no exceptions.

I will cook for you until you recover.

Why aren't you eating?

Could it be that you're picky with food?

Or you don't want to eat?

I made these out of goodwill.

Don't waste the food.

I'll leave you to eat.

♫ One look confirmed our fate ♫

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

♫ Gazing at the stars, dreaming about old times ♫

What's the rush, my wife?

♫ Lovers before the candlelight, do not ask their thoughts ♫

Since when do you need someone...

to keep you company over meals?

But you cooked for me.

I'll enjoy the food better in your presence.

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

Like I said, what's the rush, my wife?

You're a grown-up.

Do you still need someone to feed you?

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫

I can totally sense your goodwill.

Wife, please dig in.

From now on, always join me for meals.

Do you agree or not?

I depend on you for a living.

Do I even have a choice?

Good that you know.

- What's wrong? - You have no table manners.

That's not true.

It's not true!

What's going on?

What a loving couple.

Others can only be envious.

This must be what it's like to be inseparable.

I just don't know how long they can stay like this.

Every grievance has a source.

Don't come after me!

Don't come after me! It wasn't me!

Don't come after me!

It wasn't me! Don't come after me!

Don't come after me!

[Virtue Radiates Fragrance]

Great Chief, when we arrived, we found him tied up to the eaves.

We waited for you lest we destroy the crime scene.

Great Chief, Chen Shoujie survived.

The guards we sent to protect him saved him in time.

But it seems that he has been quite shocked.

He's been acting crazy this whole time.

Now he can't even speak a complete sentence.

It looks just like the Furong Garden.

Back then, Han Shiyuan and Third Sister were also tied up and hung midair

with fires burning beneath them.

But it was the cold flame of the jugglers from the Western Region.

This looks like a real attempted murder.

Who on earth would want to murder Chen Shoujie

in such a cruel way?

Let's go.

How did the Chen Mansion get burned?

How tragic!

Who is that? Why is he hiding?

Jing Lin.

What's going on?

What's going on?

Someone has been arrested.

It's you.

This is Ji Fangming, who was guarding the Historical Archive.

We need your testimony and signature regarding the fire.

I saw you guys hurrying here when I was on my way to the Shen Mansion.

- Someone was burned to death in the east of the city. - What?

- Burned to death? Who was it? - It's one of us.

Officer Sun.

It was him?

Do you know about the Huo'e Sect?

It was Chen Huo'e who gave him a punishment, you know?

A few days ago, the fire at the Ministry of Justice

was a punishment for Madam Shen.

- Madam Shen? - She almost got burned to death.

Perhaps the White Ghost has done too much evil.

Retribution fell upon his wife.

Hearing wind and rain at night,

sitting still as a bell.

Stuffed from the night snack, a few drinks are needed.

Did you figure out where the powder is from?

It's from the Western Region. It's very mysterious.

I put in some serious effort to figure it out.

Want a higher commission? No way.

You took the trouble to memorize the code and yet you came empty-handed?

In the worst case, you could have brought me some wine.

If you admit that you are the famous folksy detective Pan Chi,

I may consider buying you the best osmanthus wine in Xiang'an.

I am.

If I were the detective, would you pay me more for my work?

You wish.

It sounds pretty good.

Hurry back home. The Ghost Market is not safe these days.

Great Chief, you asked me to look into Ji Fangming.

I found that he once prescribed medicine for himself.

He's sick?

I didn't know he had studied herbs.

I followed him and found that he had health issues, something chronic.

Take this prescription to the pharmacy.

- I'd like to know what sickness he has. - Are you suspecting him?

That fire in the Historical Archive was set way too coincidentally.

The Great Chief must be busy. I just came to ask what tea he would like.

Please don't bother. Miss Yun Que, please go back.

Did you find something about the Jinxiu Workshop?

Miss, rest assured. The Great Chief will inform you when necessary.

I've got something.

This powder is from a plant unique to the Western Region.

It produces a unique scent once burned.

Those who smell it become exceptionally excited and even hallucinate.

It is said that if someone implies something

to those who smell it, it may induce an illusion based on the description.

Is it available in the Ghost Market?

Not really.

It is said that this plant may be common in the Western Region,

but it's hard to survive without a specific soil.

Therefore, for this powder to create a strong hallucination,

one can't store it for too long.

Could it be that someone has secretly planted it in Xiang'an?

Is the information true?

I learned from my friend Pan Chi in the Ghost Market.

The tips from him can't be wrong.

Did you know that Ji Fangming was ill?

You count on your connections

while neglecting the clues around you.

Back at Chen Shoujie's mansion,

the way he showed up and his reactions were strange.

Others were interested in what happened in the house.

But he was curious about our reactions to the incident.

Exactly.

And it occurred to me

that I'd once smelled a faint scent on Ji Fangming.

I didn't pay much attention to it.

Now that I think of it, it was somewhat familiar but not common.

I've only smelled it in one place.

Mingsheng Temple.

He's been there as well?

I told Chuichui to look into Ji Fangming

and inquire about his background.

He entered the Ministry of Justice with someone's recommendation.

Guess who that person was.

- Could it be… - That's right.

It was Chen Shoujie.

Apart from that, he had a clean record,

nothing suspicious.

That makes it all the more suspicious.

There must be some secrets.

Chen Shoujie had kindly recommended that he take on a job.

But that day at the crime scene, he pretended not to know him.

Chen Shoujie had made recommendations.

I've looked into them.

Their paths never crossed.

That means there is some middleman that ties them together

and we haven't found out about.

It seems...

we have to ask them in person.

Master Ji, here.

Clerk Yan, this is…

Finally, I don't have to read those random records anymore.

So you've found the murderer?

Yes, that's right. Chen Shoujie committed all those crimes.

He played dumb and deceived everyone.

In fact, those were his confessions.

- What? He confessed? - Yes.

You know my husband.

The famous White Ghost.

In less than a day, Chen Shoujie confessed to everything.

He was playing dumb?

How is that possible?

Why not?

He was the one

who hid the key evidence of the case of the Jinxiu Workshop back then.

So many innocent people died.

They bought him off with 1,000 taels of gold.

He buried those in his own courtyard.

It took us several hours to dig them all out.

That was unexpected.

He hid it so well.

That's right! If it hadn't been for my husband, we might have still been kept in the dark.

Is he detained by the Imperial Guards?

He's detained in the Ministry of Justice.

Tomorrow, there will be a secret execution.

Secret execution. Why?

That's what they decided.

Perhaps there is something behind this case.

If Princess Runing

was put away in the Mingsheng Temple due to a false accusation,

then the Jinxiu Workshop was merely used...

- by the culprits to frame her. - What?

Are you saying those deceased of the Jinxiu Workshop…

Please mind your words.

Therefore, we can't investigate more.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

Who incited you to set up those people at the Jinxiu Workshop?

Still pretending?

You shall perish today!

An imposter?

Those who offend Huo'e must suffer the punishment.

Ji Fangming. It's really you.

You told me those things just to lure me here.

You had many chances to kill Chen Shoujie. But you didn't.

So we speculated that the murderer preferred

to torture him rather than kill him.

The killer wanted him to be sober more than anyone.

Otherwise, the torture wouldn't be so satisfying.

Ji Fangming, we caught you in action.

- Do you have anything to say? - I'm not the murderer.

Nor do I know why I've come here.

Perhaps I was bewitched and came here in a state of confusion.

Great Chief Shen. Madam Shen. You have seen something like this.

I bet you understand.

I have absolutely no reason to kill Chen Shoujie.

It was for the owner of the Jinxiu Workshop, Kong Xianrong. Right?

After so many years,

hardly anyone dares to mention the convicts of that case.

I didn't expect that...

someone still remembers his name.

You set fire to the Historical Archive not to kill me.

You intended to burn the things there.

You meant to erase the clues tying you to Chen Shoujie

and Kong Xianrong, the owner of the Jinxiu Workshop.

Is that all you've got

to convict me as the culprit, Clerk Yan?

So you admit it.

I met Xianrong at a young age.

Fate brought us to meet in a tea house while taking shelter from the rain.

[Kong Xianrong]

Xianrong was articulate and talented.

We hit it off right away

and soon became close friends.

After I failed the exam, [Jinxiu Workshop]

he introduced me to Chen Shoujie who got me a job.

Who would have expected that injustice would fall upon the Jinxiu Workshop?

Kong Xianrong was executed with his entire family.

I just stood in the crowd, watching them be executed,

their blood forming a pond.

Why were you so certain that Kong Xianrong was wrongly convicted?

Over the years,

I've examined all local county records and investigated all criminal files.

My persistence was rewarded.

Finally, I discovered something.

Xianrong saw Chen Shoujie as his brother.

But Chen Shoujie betrayed that trust for his selfish desires.

So you killed his wife and tried every means to torment him.

She deserved to die! Madam Chen deserved to die!

Chen Shoujie was even worse!

Are you responsible for the death of Officer Sun?

What does it have to do with me?

So who told you to imitate Chen Huo'e as you commit crimes?

The moths fly to the flame.

Born in the morning, dead by evening.

Not entering the cycle of reincarnation.

Undying.

Put Ji Fangming in jail. Await court trial.

I'm avenging those who were wronged.

I did nothing wrong!

I did nothing wrong!

Chen Shoujie deserves to die!

[Shen Mansion]

Is the food not tasty today?

Why are you so silent?

What a reckless move to enrage Ji Fangming.

If anything happened—

Anyway, I made him confess.

Indeed. A simple and rough method works best in some cases.

Now I'm counting on you, the Great Chief of the Imperial Guards,

to proceed with the court trial.

I'm afraid it's not so simple.

Ji Fangming has been detained.

If we find evidence to convict him, then we can close the case. Right?

If Ji Fangming was the only culprit, then it's fine to close the case like this.

But something is not right.

What is it?

The Huo'e Sect is gaining momentum much faster than we imagined.

While Ji Fangming was trying to burn Chen Shoujie alive,

someone committed murder in the eastern city without any restraint.

Huo'e Sect.

Don't tell me that the person behind it is really the resurrected Chen Huo'e.

Your cooking...

hasn't improved at all.

But now that I'm used to it,

it's not so unbearable anymore.

It's fine if my cooking doesn't improve

as long as you have the appetite.

The man you arrested was avenging the innocent.

I offered you the evidence at the risk of my life.

You have to let me watch the interrogation.

[Ministry of Justice]

Ji Fangming, you killed the wife of Chen Shoujie

and got caught while attempting to murder Chen Shoujie.

What's the whole story?

Do you have any accomplices?

Confess everything.

You surely sound majestic.

I've seen too many people bluffing at the Ministry of Justice.

It doesn't work for me.

Ji Fangming!

At this point, you'd better come clean.

Stop playing tricks.

If you refuse to speak here,

I'll take you to the Imperial Guards.

I have plenty of methods to make you talk.

Are you trying to force a confession through torture?

Vice Minister Lai, you're right on time.

It's better to be timely than early.

If I didn't come, how could I observe your majestic aura?

The Empress Dowager entrusted this case to me.

I have my own judgment.

Just sit in and listen. Do not cause trouble.

Or you'll be charged with disrupting the court trial.

Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

"Only Want You" - Ding Yuxi, Deng Enxi

♫ One look confirmed our fate ♫

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

♫ Gaze at the stars, dreaming about old times ♫

♫ A pair of people have already taken root ♫

♫ Lovers before the candlelight, do not ask their thoughts ♫

♫ Affection is bound, lasting forever ♫

♫ Using the evening breeze to express deep love ♫

♫ I have someone I long for in this life ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫

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

♫ Every moment is treasured ♫

♫ From dawn to dusk ♫

♫ You and I, forever inseparable ♫

♫ Without noticing, you broke into my heart ♫

♫ Slowly immersing myself, I become undaunted by perils for love ♫

♫ I charge into battle with unmatched resilience ♫

♫ Because you are my responsibility ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫