Original subtitles

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

Go Ahead Fearlessly - Liu Yuning

♫ Grudges and karma, right and wrong ♫

♫ Tears and blood in the past life ♫

♫ A parting lasting for years ♫

♫ Keeps the truth hidden ♫

♫ Fate is full of twists and turns ♫

♫ Misfortune and happiness intertwined ♫

♫ Let the wind take away obsessions and lies ♫

♫ Through storms and uncertainties, I devote myself to you ♫

♫ At least you share my joy and sorrow ♫

♫ Unraveling mystery fearlessly in this dream ♫

♫ Hand in hand with you, I wander this splendid world ♫

♫ My heart remains untainted by the mortal dust ♫

[Melody of Golden Age]

[Episode 22]

[A Land of Natural Beauty and Talented People]

Liuniang is married.

And Sanniang is about to get married soon.

Siniang, you refuse to go home with your husband so resolutely.

What are you going to do here at your maiden home?

My husband asks me to go home simply because he wants me

to live my desolate life that appears splendid for the reputation of the two families.

How is it any different from before?

Why can't I be like Liuniang and focus on studying to pursue a career path?

Even if I'm only an embroideress, I'll be making a living on my own.

But a divorced woman will inevitably be judged.

The reputation of our Yan family will be tarnished.

Even your sisters will be looked down upon by their husbands because of you.

Father. I grew up listening to you emphasizing the reputation of our family.

Our reputation is indeed important.

But the price is too high if we have to sacrifice Yijiao's happiness.

Our family has gone through so much these days.

It wasn't our reputation that got us over these troubles.

Honey, please take a seat.

Father. Mr. Han surely won't look down on me because Siniang gets divorced.

Nor would the Great Chief look down on Liuniang for this.

As long as we don't belittle Siniang, who would look down on her?

Caiwei is right.

My lord. We've finally settled down

and managed to live a peaceful life in Xiang'an.

Why should we make the children suffer just for our reputation?

Our daughter has grown up.

I'll leave you

to decide what to do.

Thank you, Father.

- Welcome, Jinzang. - Mr. Yan.

Come on in.

Here's a small gift.

- Mr. Yan. Congratulations. - Please come in.

- Please come in. - Come on in.

- Liuniang. Your uncle. - Uncle.

Mr. Zhang.

Please come in.

- Please take the seat of honor. - That's wrong.

Shiyuan.

- I'm here just to… - You should sit on the groom's side.

Yeah, the groom's side.

- Yeah. - Of course.

Why isn't the wedding starting?

Liuniang. Did your father really agree to Siniang's divorce?

This time, he actually values his child over his reputation.

That's good.

When it's your turn to get divorced, your father will be used to it.

Me?

Your three-month deal with the White Ghost is almost due.

Why are you reluctant to get ready?

The White Ghost won't make things hard for you, right?

Where hasn't he come yet?

Vice Minister Lai. Please come inside.

The wedding is starting without the guests?

How can we start without you?

What's wrong? I serve in the court together with Mr. Yan and you.

You are welcome here, but I'm not?

Besides, when Yan Sanniang was dying from the poison of Chen Huo'e,

I provided her with the antidote.

I basically saved her life.

Why can't I come to her wedding

for a cup of wine?

You want a cup of wine?

Naturally, we will serve you.

Great Chief Shen, Vice Minister Lai.

What an honor.

Today is

my younger brother's wedding.

I am truly grateful to have both of you here.

Why don't we get seated first and catch up later? What do you think?

That's enough.

I brought the wedding gift and won't disturb you any further.

Great Chief Shen, I take my leave.

Thank you for coming to my daughter's wedding today.

What an honor!

That's right.

- Please be seated. - Take your seats.

Please.

The auspicious moment is upon us.

Good.

Prime Minister Zhang didn't bother my father with the civil officer appointment.

Was it because you helped?

No.

Really?

Thank you.

Urgent report from Gannandao.

Urgent report from Gannandao.

Empress Dowager. Urgent report from Gannandao.

Gannandao?

Yingzhou Governor Mo Qianzhi submitted a memorial,

stating that there have been cases of cannibalism committed by a "Half-faced Demon".

What?

They say the Half-faced Demon acts when the victim is unconscious

and eats only one part of the human body at a time.

The victims wake up, finding themselves missing some limbs.

This is absurd.

How can we tolerate this under broad daylight?

At first glance, it's truly terrifying.

But if we think about it, it shares some striking resemblance

with the Chen Huo'e case.

It's a fraud revolving around supernatural powers.

Your Majesty, please look into it.

Rumors abound only when the truth is not clear.

I believe the top priority is to send someone capable to Gannandao as soon as possible

to assist Mo Qianzhi unravel the truth and quell the rumors.

Wan.

Who do you think

is the most suitable for this job?

I bet Your Majesty already has someone in mind.

Clever girl.

Empress Dowager. They have arrived.

- I, Shen Du, pay my respect, Your Majesty. - I, Yan Xing, pay my respect, Your Majesty.

Great Chief Shen.

[The Half-faced Demon devours people. Please find the true culprit.]

Minister Shen. You see?

Someone is trying to induce chaos in Gannandao

with this case.

I remember that you once had some connections

with the Yinzhou Governor Mo Qianzhi.

Thus, I am sending you and your wife

to Gannandao to look into this case

of the cannibal Half-faced Demon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Senior Clerk Yan, please wait.

Bring Senior Clerk Yan the satin clothes.

Bring them up.

You just got married but you're already heading to Gannandao to solve a case.

So the Empress Dowager told me to prepare some satin clothes for you to choose from.

This is…

A secret decree from the Empress Dowager. Open it.

[Mo Qianzhi is disloyal. Find his accomplices.]

Senior Clerk Yan, I remember I once asked you

what reward you would like.

Empress Dowager, from now on,

please address me as Clerk Yan instead of Mrs. Shen.

You don't wish to bear the title of Mrs. Shen

and aspire to be a female officer of the Ministry of Justice.

The task I entrust to you today

is for you to fulfill the duties of a female officer

to work for the Ministry of Justice and me.

Senior Clerk Yan, do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty.

At your service.

Many supernatural cases have occurred in Gannandao.

I fear that the Yingzhou Governor Mo Qianzhi is plotting treason.

I hereby order you to look into him via secret investigation

and confirm whether he has accomplices in the court.

The gray messenger pigeon will convey your messages.

Did the Empress Dowager issue this secret decree because she suspected

no one but Shen Du?

Did she assign this job solely to me because she knew that our marriage is a sham

or was she trying to test me?

Why are you smiling?

The brocade tribute from Shazhou features exquisite embroidery.

I am laughing at you because you spent hours there and ended up picking this.

The Empress Dowager must be disappointed.

Such embroidery patterns can be seen everywhere in Xiang'an.

The Empress Dowager awarded it to me. What matters is that I like it.

I actually find this embroidery delicate and graceful.

Only the complicated ones are tacky and gaudy.

Forget it. As long as you like it since it's a reward to you.

If Mo Qianzhi indeed harbors ulterior motives,

what do I do about Shen Du?

[Guangyue Restaurant]

I knew my disciple wouldn't

invite me for tea without a reason.

It turns out that you want to ask me about Yingzhou Governor Mo Qianzhi.

You should ask your husband about him.

It's quite a reach to ask me when the answer's close at hand.

Why?

Mo Qianzhi used to be the top student

of Shen Du's father, Shen Bingzhu.

No wonder.

So they're old acquaintances.

Not just acquaintances.

Mo Qianzhi was a talent of great potential and a promising career path.

But the Shen family committed a grave crime,

and he risked his life to argue for his mentor's innocence

and send Shen Du to the detention center instead of getting executed.

He himself was exiled to the borders

with no hope of promotion from then on.

What a pity. What a pity.

I'm afraid you came to me today

because Mo Qianzhi is involved in some cases, right?

You should remember that I may have retired,

but my ability to see through people remains unchanged.

You're worried that if you look into him,

it will implicate another person who's close to you.

Am I right?

Master. I still have a lot to learn.

Whoever wants to be a proper investigator has to go through what you are undergoing.

No matter how trivial the detail, or how close the suspect is to you,

do not be afraid to doubt them.

Be brave and seek verification.

Trust could also be a drive for investigation.

Alright. I've told you everything.

Brew me another pot of good tea, will you?

Alright, Master.

That's more like it.

Alright then.

Shen Du is going to Gannandao?

- Those things in Yingzhou… - Rest assured, my lord.

Everything has been taken care of.

If Shen Du is going, let him go.

But he could be lifting a stone to hit his foot.

My lord. The letter from Lintai disappeared.

What? The letter is gone?

I have looked into it. The letter is nowhere to be found.

Besides, the letter disappeared during the Hongwen School examination

after Shen Du was appointed the Guard of the Capital.

Well well, Shen Du.

Are you really going to overturn the ruling on the old case

concerning your family?

Hurry up. Speed up.

I have prepared everything you asked for.

There were a few items I couldn't find.

But I managed to find them at my father's pawnshop.

Would Uncle Lu let me have them?

Of course, I am his beloved daughter. He would certainly agree.

Right, Marshal Xu said he had a mission and couldn't see you off.

He told me to remind you to keep the token he gave you.

If you ever run into trouble, seek help from the local inspectors.

Right, I almost forgot.

Your pen pal Chi's letter came to the Ministry of Justice.

Take a look.

Chi says that she's on her way to Yingzhou.

Then I can bring her all the gifts this time.

Master, all the rare items you wanted are here.

Am I not impressive?

Well, let's hit the road then.

- Travel safe. - Master. Take care, Master.

What are these rare treasures for?

It's for a friend.

All this trouble for a friend?

We have only one cart.

The load capacity is limited.

We're traveling light.

Leave behind

the unnecessary items.

Great Chief, don't worry about the load.

I just asked for two carts.

Madam can carry as much luggage as she pleases.

This is a business trip,

not a tourist one.

Necessities only.

These are all necessities.

Liuniang.

Great Chief.

Liuniang, I brought you something.

This is medicine for sprains. Cured meat. Salted fish.

- And Caiwei and your father-- - Mother…

We only have one cart and the load is limited.

Necessities only.

You don't have carts?

Your father has one. They can bring it over now.

No need.

- Jing Lin. - Yes.

Where is the second cart?

I-It should be arriving soon. I'll go check.

Let's go.

I thought only one cart was allowed.

Just do as the Great Chief says.

I told you this is not an easy job.

Hurry up.

Liuniang. It's your first trip away from home and it's freezing at the border.

Be very careful.

If you run into trouble, don't act tough. What matters is to stay alive.

Mother. I am going to solve a case. It's not like going to war.

Take good care of yourself.

Also, tell Father to try to avoid the strife at court.

No matter what, wait for us to return.

Write me letters if anything happens.

I got it.

Don't worry about anything at home.

On the other hand, we can't help you if anything happens to you.

You must help each other out.

Mother-in-law, rest assured.

I will take good care of my wife.

Good to know.

[Chang'an City]

You woke up.

I thought you were going to sleep all the way to Yingzhou.

I-I didn't sleep well last night.

I'm not usually like this.

The scenery outside of Xiang'an is indeed different.

Madam, what's wrong?

Nothing, I'm just looking at the scenery.

May I read it?

Stop the carriage.

Stand guard around and turn around.

Understood.

Tell me whenever you feel unwell.

Thank you.

I just don't want you to throw up in my carriage.

I'll be careful.

But your people are so poor at driving,

going left and right all along.

We've been followed ever since we left the city.

How do we shake off the tails if we don't change lanes swiftly?

Scouts.

North and west of the forest.

Change lanes now.

Understood.

I didn't expect that we'd be followed by so many people.

This trip to Yingzhou may not be an easy one.

Lead the caravan. Take the original route.

Make sure you shake off all tails and join us in Shanyang City.

[Shanyang City Inn]

Remember what I said. No one should disturb them.

Rest assured.

Great Chief, Madam. The room is ready.

You can rest in your room after food.

Jing Lin.

Hasn't the luggage arrived?

Madam.

The luggage cart will arrive in about an hour.

Great Chief, Madam has packed her luggage with the ingredients for your diet.

Are you saying that those big boxes she brought were filled with herbs?

That's right. Those are ingredients Madam collected from various places.

I bet Madam didn't tell you because you would be reluctant to bring them with you.

Who's there?

Come here.

Master, help.

Help, Master.

Qi Yeyun.

Thankfully, you came out.

Otherwise, he would have strangled me.

Let me see.

Shen Du, why are you so harsh on a kid?

What kind of kid sneaks around outside someone's room in the dead of night?

He's definitely up to something.

Weren't you also pacing back and forth outside someone's room in the dead of night?

The sound of your footsteps kept me awake.

Were you also up to something?

I ate too much at night and was trying to digest.

Jing Lin.

You shook off the tails?

Even the kid followed us here.

My apologies.

I didn't follow you all the way.

I just followed you to the outskirts of the city

and sneaked into the carriage while no one was in it.

I hid in the carved cabinet under the seat and ended up here.

Master, am I qualified to be your disciple?

I want to learn from you and become an investigator like you.

Master, please take me in.

Stop.

Don't call me "Master". Call me sister instead.

We need to discuss it properly.

Since you've followed us here, you might as well stay

and come back with us to Xiang'an.

Thank you, sister.

Jing Lin, are there any spare rooms left?

Yes, I'll arrange for it.

Mr. Jing. Who permitted you to do that?

You're right.

We were both commissioned to work on the case by the Empress Dowager.

Can't I even get a room for a staff member?

Brother-in-law, I don't need a room.

As long as you take me in, I can even sleep in the woodshed.

What…

did you just call me?

Brother-in-law.

Sister wouldn't let me call her master.

I should call her "sister".

Since I'm calling her that, I should call you brother-in-law.

Isn't that right?

If you don't like that,

I can call you Great Chief Shen or Master Shen.

I don't like any of them.

This is a business trip.

Irrelevant people can't tag along.

You're too frail to handle any heavy work.

- Jing Lin. - Yes.

I shall drive him out right away.

Who told you to drive him out?

From now on, he will stay with you.

he will stay with you.

- What-- - Train him a bit to make him useful.

- Huh? - What do you mean by "huh"?

Is it so difficult to look after a kid?

Yes, Great Chief.

After you, kid.

Brother-in-law, no.

I don't want to train.

[Yingzhou]

How come there's no one in the prefectural office during the day?

The Great Chief has arrived.

Don't you have anyone on duty here?

I am Commandant Bi Qiu. greets Great Chief Shen and Senior Clerk Yan.

[Commandant Bi Qiu] Apologies for not welcoming you properly.

It's fine. Where is Governor Mo?

He's out for work. I've sent someone for him.

He will be here soon.

Governor Mo has arrived.

[Yingzhou Governor Mo Qianzhi]

I am Mo Qianzhi.

Apologies for not welcoming you properly.

Governor Mo. Were you examining a corpse just now?

How do you know?

People who deal with corpses inevitably get the scent of death.

I bet you are that famous Senior Clerk Yan from Xiang'an.

You are such a keen observer.

I truly admire you.

Xiang'an is quite far from Yingzhou.

And you're a young lady.

You must have endured much hardship on the way.

Thank you for your concern, Governor Mo.

It was a smooth journey without much hardship.

Senior, how have you been lately?

Great Chief Shen, you flatter me.

Apologies for my negligence.

Cases have been piling up these days.

I haven't had time to prepare a welcome banquet for you.

For the sake of the people, why don't we work on the case first

to solve it fast for the people to be at ease?

What do you think?

That's inappropriate.

The Great Chief came all the way here.

Even if there's no feast, you should prepare some tea to welcome him.

But you prepared nothing.

Aren't you disrespectful to the Great Chief?

It's fine.

I came here to work on a case, not to sightsee.

We can return early if we solve the case fast.

Jing Lin.

Take Yun for a quick meal.

I'll work on the case with Senior Clerk Yan.

Understood.

Mr. Jing. Please follow me.

[Mortuary]

Great Chief, here is the case file.

This is a headless corpse. Don't get scared.

She's quite bold.

Don't underestimate my wife.

The deceased is Li Kaixiang.

The suspect is his younger brother, Li Kairui.

They started arguing after a few drinks.

The younger brother passed out drunk

and woke up only to find his elder brother decapitated and the head still hasn't been found.

Any clues?

Judging from the coagulated blood,

the victim should have been alive when he was decapitated.

He was decapitated alive?

It seems like there are only two possibilities.

One is that the victim was unconscious and it was a quick death.

The other is that the murderer is an expert

who fought the victim and cut off his head during the fight.

But I examined the body and found no bruises whatsoever.

The coroner found no internal injuries either.

So the second possibility is ruled out.

What a brilliant analysis.

Great minds think alike.

No wonder you're the top investigator of the Ministry of Justice.

Pan?

What are you doing here?

Senior Clerk Yan. Long time no see.

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

SONG CREDIT

♫ One glance affirms the fate between us ♫

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

♫ Gaze at the stars, dreaming about the old times ♫

♫ We are forever bound ♫

♫ Before the candlelight, do not ask my thoughts ♫

♫ Affection binds us, forever and ever ♫

♫ The evening breeze tells of my deep love ♫

♫ From now on, I have someone to cherish ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ You are the 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 ♫

♫ You've stormed into my world ♫

♫ Growing immersed, I become reckless for love ♫

♫ I break through obstacles with unmatched resilience ♫

♫ Because you are my responsibility ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ With deep affection, you are the one for me ♫

♫ I share the autumn moon and spring breeze only with you ♫

♫ Your palm lines ♫

♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is deepening ♫

♫ You are the one for me ♫