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♫ 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 4]

Morning, Great Chief.

It's not morning anymore.

It seems that

the Ministry of Justice is not very strict in rules.

Thanks to you.

I slept so well last night.

You said the second branch of the Liang family is not the murderer.

How certain are you?

Almost certain.

Go on then.

Now your head

is still on your neck

If I keep staying up all night like this,

even with a head,

I would still have to go to underworld.

My lord.

My lord, Madam.

Time for breakfast.

I have no appetite.

Wow.

What a mess.

Yan Xing.

Liuniang.

Chuichui.

Seriously?

Doesn't the Shen Mansion provide you meals?

- If I eat with him, - She's still alive.

- I'm afraid I'll choke. - Looks like she's fine. Let's go.

Choke?

No way.

I heard that you and White Ghost

are very much in love.

A good Jack

makes a good Jill.

I've heard all about you two riding a horse together.

Tell me the truth.

Indeed, good news stays within,

but bad news spreads far and wide.

Bad news?

You're now famous among the circle of noblewomen

in the Imperial City.

Back then, there was a woman who feigned fainting

and fell into Shen Du's arms.

And she got arrested by the Imperial Guards

and sentenced for

the crime of offending the Great Chief.

It really is his style.

Since then,

once the women in Xiang'an City

see White Ghost,

they'd avoid him.

I can't believe he would show affection with you in the street

and had close contact.

It's better to have less contact.

This is…

On the night of your wedding,

Ming Hall was on fire.

The Empress Dowager was furious.

Several people from the Imperial Guards were held accountable.

Even your husband was fined his salary.

I didn't know that.

I heard about that poor scholar named Chen Baiyi.

He set himself on fire in the Ming Hall

because he sought fame but failed.

He is dead.

His family should have been implicated.

But…

only this nearly sixty-year-old,

blind and deaf old lady

is left in his family.

The Empress Dowager showed mercy

and wanted to pardon her.

But this old lady

went to the Ministry of Justice

to stage a sit-in,

insisting on seeking justice.

She's been sitting for a day and a night.

Just think, who would

dare to take it on?

Do you want to die?

I have to die sooner or later.

Anyway, I can only die once.

Old lady, please stand up first.

If there is really an injustice,

we will certainly give you an explanation.

Thank you.

Who had the nerve

to take that old lady's case?

Come on, step forward.

I'm in a good mood today. I promise I won't beat you to death.

Who took her case?

That old lady at the gate?

I've already sent her home.

Dismissed.

Go, dismissed.

[Feng Gui]

Why is it you again?

Actually, that old lady

should be properly consoled.

Otherwise, she'll keep sitting at the gate

of the Ministry of Justice.

Regarding the case of Chen Baiyi, I have already taken it very seriously…

The follow-up of this case is handed over to…

Feng Gui.

Keep an eye on that old lady, don't let her come again.

I'll pass.

Director Wu, I think…

Come here.

The murder case of Liang Chenzhong from the Liang Mansion

has been taken over by the Imperial Guards.

Everyone,

stay out of it.

The Imperial Guards

is not something you can interfere at will.

If anyone doesn't obey,

I will punish him severely.

Yes.

Go get busy.

Director Wu, I…

Yan Xing.

Chuichui.

Don't you two still have case files

to organize?

Go for it.

I…

Liuniang.

I suddenly remembered

that Great Chief Shen invited you to lunch.

It's late now.

Well, it's not urgent.

You can go have lunch.

Go have lunch.

Let's go.

[Tongming Hall]

Don't care about your small business.

- Follow me. - Okay.

Then I'll follow you.

Sorry, you can't get in.

[Ministry of Justice]

Tongming Hall has rules

that only male guests are accepted.

No female guests are allowed.

We are not guests.

We are here to investigate on a case.

Well,

send a male official here to investigate.

I am a clerk,

but she is a dignified ninth-rank recording official

recorded by the Ministry of Justice.

If you block us,

maybe

you are objecting to the government's system

of selecting officials.

Please don't make it difficult for me.

If today we allow you two

to get in,

I'm afraid

I would be fired.

Well,

take another careful look

if we are male guests

or female guests.

Male guests. Please come in.

[Owner of Tongming Hall, Rong Zhui] How could Zhanxin be so miserable?

I thought that

she can be a wife to Liang Chenzhong

and form a happy family.

Who would be that cruel

to kill her?

Please calm down.

Do you remember it?

Before Kuang Zhanxin went missing,

did anything unusual happened?

Or,

did she ever have a dispute with someone?

Zhanxin has always been gentle,

getting along well

with everyone.

Until the officials came to inform last night,

didn't you know that Kuang Zhanxin was missing?

She left on the seventeenth of last month

to go on an outing with Liang Chenzhong.

Liang Chenzhong

would take her out for fun before.

I thought this time,

she just went for a bit longer.

If we need further information,

we'd come and ask again.

Please calm down.

I heard that Chen Baiyi set himself on fire

and also set the Ming Hall on fire.

Fortunately, you drove him out early.

Dacang values much on background.

He's from a poor family,

and still wanted to become a noble.

It's ridiculous.

He's lucky to polish my essays

for me.

Yet he was still not content.

This bunch of poor scholars

just don't know what is gratefulness.

How dare he

to try to get the first place in the Hongwen School literary competition!

- Come on, drink. - Come on.

Liuniang.

Let's go.

- Liuniang. - Marshal Xu.

Miss Lu.

Marshal Xu, you're here at Tongming Hall for a case?

It's the case

obtained by your husband.

I guess I shouldn't call you Liuniang anymore.

I should call you Mrs. Shen.

Marshal Xu, as always,

call me Liuniang.

Fine. Then from now on,

don't call me Marshal Xu anymore.

Call me Mr. Xu.

Okay, Mr. Xu.

After the matter of Kuang Zhanxin got out,

the owners of the shops

near the Pingkang Alley

act as if they are obsessed,

feeling like the ladies from their own shops

who have been out for a long time and not returned

are missing.

There are a dozen cases already.

More people are missing?

No.

Among seventeen girls who were reported missing,

fifteen have already been found.

And the two remaining,

are probably fine.

But there is one thing

I haven't decided whether to report it yet.

And then I met you here.

This records

[Missing Persons Case Files] the cases of missing performers over the years.

Weird.

These performers

are not the most popular,

but all are well-versed in music and rhythm,

specializing in instrumental music

and skilled at playing the pipa.

Exactly.

It's just too coincidental.

That's why it feels suspicious.

These are the portraits of the missing women.

These women

all have the same flying fairy hairstyle.

Anything else?

Look.

The faces of these women

are different,

yet they all have something in common.

Especially in demeanor,

they are extremely similar.

Yes.

At first glance,

they really look similar.

I thought to hand these files over to the Ministry of Justice,

but I don't think it's okay to bypass the Imperial Guards.

Now it seems

it's best that you get it.

White Ghost surely wouldn't draw his sword and kill his wife over this, right?

Then I shall take my leave first.

You swore oaths at dawn

and left.

I wonder what you were investigating.

So you are chatting here.

I am discussing the case

with Marshal Xu, who commands all the inspectors

of the Imperial City.

Command all the inspectors?

This is impressive.

Back in the day, Marshal Xu

was a grand criminal wanted by the imperial court

with a bounty of 100,000 taels.

So, Marshal Xu

is the one from the legends who infiltrated the palace

and stole the Empress Dowager's jade pillow.

If he's that amazing,

he wouldn't be caught.

Although he's caught, the Empress Dowager appreciated his talent.

Not only did she not punish him,

but she also got rid of him as a slave.

It's true that he's caught.

That means he was outsmarted and his skills were inferior.

I…

With someone like him,

what information can you get?

I can get the information.

As for my bet on the Liang family,

I'm about to win.

Every evidence now

indicates

that this is a years-long series of serial murders.

Once I find the murderer,

the second branch of the Liang family could

completely clear their name.

Great Chief, the one watching the Liang family has reported back

that the second branch was splashed with chicken blood by those from the main branch.

The second madam had become even more insane.

Liang Sanlang went to the Ministry of Justice to turn himself in.

And Princess of Valor wants to see you.

[Guangyue Restaurant]

Princess of Valor only invites the Great Chief alone.

Princess of Valor.

Liang Chenyu was imprisoned.

This is not what the Empress Dowager wanted.

If I remember it correctly,

the Empress Dowager

did not request you

to thoroughly investigate this case,

instead, to protect the second branch of the Liang family.

We don't have enough evidence yet,

so there is no conclusion.

Great Chief, you have always been meticulous.

But this time,

you have been slow to follow the rules in handling affairs.

Don't be like your father,

who makes significant moves silently.

I dare not.

Princess of Valor must be making things difficult for the Great Chief.

The Empress Dowager had given instructions regarding this case of the Liang Mansion

to protect the second branch of the Liang family.

Yet, you insist on investigating to the very end.

And now, Liang Sanlang has been put into the prison.

Now, how can the Great Chief explain this?

I will take responsibility for this case,

and surely give an explanation to those above.

The Empress Dowager trusts you,

so naturally, I also trust you.

But I hope you

don't let us down.

I heard Mrs. Shen

is very interesting.

Empress Dowager bestowed me the marriage,

I am so grateful.

Great Chief.

Five pairs of bodies were dug up at Ximing Temple,

who died the same way the other two did.

In that case,

this matter indeed has nothing to do with the second branch of the Liang family.

The two before from Liang Chenzhong's case,

there are six pairs of men and women,

twelve bodies in total.

The murderer killed them in the same way.

The men had their hearts carved out,

and the women were disfigured.

This is not the soil of Ximing Temple.

These bodies

have been moved recently,

reburied anew.

Their face turned purple,

and flesh turned inside out.

But I can still tell

this is a young woman.

Can you estimate the time of death?

These two people

must have been killed the month before.

Around the bodies,

there are many layers of charcoal and plant ash.

They must have been used to cover the smell.

What exactly is this fragrance?

Anything weird?

If my master were here,

he could definitely tell what's in it.

In my opinion,

you have already learned what your master taught you.

And you are no less skilled than Pan Chi, the top detective.

Not really.

After my master retired,

he's traveled far and wide,

probably has almost forgotten about me.

This is the first pair of bodies ever dug up.

Their decomposition is the most severe.

It's hard

to tell the time of death.

It should be

within four to six years.

If the murderer is the same person,

that would be insane.

He can disembowel and heart excise,

must be a strong man.

Perhaps a butcher.

In my opinion,

the murderer is very likely a woman.

Why?

The position, length

and depth of the wounds

on each face of the female body

are almost identical.

And the strength used in the stabbing

doesn't seem to be from a man.

If the murderer is a woman,

she would have to have killed twelve people over these years.

These male victims

were not the elderly or week.

They were all in their prime when they died.

Why could they possibly not resist?

Mr. Xu.

If you think it is impossible

because you have not seen it,

then many strange cases in this world

cannot be solved.

Let's go.

You…

What do you want to do?

Princess of Valor has already instructed

that the case of Ximing Temple and the case of the Liang Mansion

would be merged and handled together

and placed under the management of the Imperial Guards.

People from the Ministry of Justice

must not interfere any more.

Whatever.

I'm going to take you to a place.

Where to?

You…

The scent of White Champaca lingers in her sleeves.

A silk robe with a ruyi pattern brocade.

A jade velvet flower hairpin.

A peony-decorated white silk fan.

If you have time to be in daze,

might as well think carefully

about how to keep your life.

Where exactly are we going?

The Ministry of Justice.

Put me down now.

We're not far from the Ministry of Justice,

I can walk there myself.

The murderer has not yet been found,

and Liang Sanlang is still in prison.

If he dies,

you'd die with him.

Great Chief Shen.

The bet I placed

has never been lost.

Great Chief, what

brings you here?

Can't I come here?

Great Chief, not at all.

Welcome!

I've come to ask you for a person

to assist at the Imperial Guards.

Great Chief, you want to transfer someone.

Easy.

Who do you want? I'll make the arrangements immediately.

Her.

The case of the ten corpses at Ximing Temple

has been entirely entrusted to the Imperial Guards.

The Ministry of Justice should stay out of it.

Yes.

Great Chief, I have many case files unorganized.

I'm afraid I can't be transferred to the Imperial Guards.

Clerk Yan, what are you talking about?

You have many case files unorganized.

Hand it over to Miss Lu.

Hurry up and go with the Great Chief.

If you don't come,

then this case is concluded.

Director Wu.

Drag those bodies outside the city

and bury them in some place.

No way.

- I'll go now. - Liuniang.

We got it from Chen Baiyi's house.

I've read all the essays he has written.

Each piece is brilliantly written.

During these days,

you have worked a lot.

It's fine.

Let's watch a play in the Furong Garden.

Approved.

Be careful.

Great Chief.

The coroner has already completed the preliminary tests.

Jing Lin.

If people from the Ministry of Justice are found to be investigating this case privately,

shall be dealt with as acting for personal gain.

Yes.

Then I must thank you

for your support and favor,

allowing me to get the right to investigate this case.

I will surely do my best

to solve the case as soon as possible.

Glad that you know it.

Since I've been transferred to the Imperial Guards,

then I'd be a member of the Imperial Guards.

So, I have to follow the rules of the Imperial Guards.

I am just a clerk.

How can I ride with you

on the same horse?

I am not skilled at riding.

I believe Mr. Jing is compassionate to his subordinates.

You certainly won't leave me behind, right?

Me?

Then today,

I have to ride a horse

with you.

If you wish to ride a horse,

would naturally be with the Great Chief.

As for me…

I will lead the horse for you.

It's not appropriate.

Let's ride a horse together.

When handling cases, there's no distinction between men and women.

You can just treat me

as a regular colleague.

Madam, take your seat.

How much longer do you have to chitchat?

If you keep doing so,

you'll be fined six months' salary.

I…

Great Chief.

These were taken from the bodies

of the first victims.

Supervised by

the first year of the Shengli Era.

It was worn by the body of the man who was first killed.

The murderer's first crime

should be six years ago.

Why?

The murderer killed in the same way

every time.

There must be a pattern

to the timing.

A very small mistake

makes a great difference.

If we are wrong,

then it won't be easy

to find the murderer.

Double Fish Pattern.

Jinxiu Workshop.

This Double Fish Pattern

was a specially made pattern by Jinxiu Workshop back then.

It's so popular.

Jinxiu Workshop was

the largest silk square in the Imperial City,

presenting tribute silks to the palace on the first day of every month.

However, in June of the third year of the Shengli Era,

Jinxiu Workshop was charged with the crime of insubordination

for delaying presenting Princess Runing with summer clothes.

Henceforth,

no one in the Imperial City

dared to wear clothes from Jinxiu Workshop out in public.

This man must have died

before the insubordination case of Jinxiu Workshop.

The gold medal was made in the first year of the Shengli Era.

Then he might die in the first year

of the Shengli Era.

Impossible.

Double Fish Pattern

was the style of spring clothes

made by Jinxiu Workshop in the third year of the Shengli Era.

It was only available from February to April back then.

You remember it so clearly?

The case file of Jinxiu Workshop is in the Archive.

There is a volume of illustrated catalogs,

recording the patterns of Jinxiu Workshop over ten years.

Jing Lin, go and confirm by comparison.

Make no mistake.

Yes.

[Chang'an City]

Madam, the Archive

is full of treasures and books.

Do not wander around

or touch anything.

Understood. We should split up to search.

- You go over there. - Don't touch anything.

Collection of essays from the Hongwen School.

[Test Paper Four]

Hurry up.

Hurry up. Don't drop it.

What on earth is going on?

Wait.

Wait, why are you here?

Weren't you transferred to the Imperial Guards?

I want to see Director Wu.

There's progress in the case of Chen Baiyi's self-immolation.

He has already instructed

that no one can mention

the Ming Hall case again.

If anyone mentions it again, he should submit the resignation.

There really is an inside story.

I want to see Director Wu.

Wait.

Didn't you see

the entire Ministry of Justice

got into trouble

with a nursery rhyme?

No one has time

to investigate the self-immolation case.

Nursery rhyme?

Don't you know it?

Mind your head.

It's spread to every household in the Imperial City.

I wonder this time

which place will suffer.

Be careful. Mind the steps.

Ruthless people,

merciless Buddha,

under the sovereign, the order is in chaos.

Merciless Buddha hides the sin.

Black Fiend is coming.

Kid.

Do you realize what you just said

is truly outrageous?

Well,

how should I punish you?

Try this new invention.

Later,

we'll put the pot on the fire.

And you'll have even more fun.

Guards.

No, please no.

No, please no.

No, please no. He is just a kid.

Please spare him.

If one can spread such

outrageous words,

then the Imperial City

will become a place without rules.

- No, my lord. - Please spare us.

If you do not properly educate your kid,

then I'll do it for you.

No, my lord.

Make way for the Princess of Valor's carriage.

Princess of Valor.

He looks somewhat familiar.

What is going on here?

Your Highness, please save my child.

Please save my child, Your Highness.

I've come to patrol the streets today,

suddenly heard a child

saying outrageous words,

so I caught him.

Sorry to disturb you.

I see.

Your Highness, please show mercy.

I'm sorry that my child speaks nonsense.

I will certainly

educate him well.

Yes, Your Highness.

Parents are to blame for children's misbehavior.

You should be blamed.

Vice Minister Lai.

Everyone would make mistakes.

Moreover,

he is just a kid.

Vice Minister Lai, you've always been kind.

So why would you

ruin your own good reputation over a child?

Even so…

Since I have witnessed it today,

it means

this child is destined to meet me.

Vice Minister Lai.

Could you perhaps spare this child

for me?

Since you said so,

I naturally have to spare him.

Release him.

- Thank you. - As long as the child is fine.

- Thank you. - You may leave.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Princess of Valor is truly kind and nice.

Princess of Valor is truly generous

and merciful.

See you.

Get twenty strokes of the cane for punishment.

Yes.

Who exactly is that woman?

[Imperial Guards]

What's wrong?

Lai Luozhi accused

the Great Chief was ineffective in investigating the case.

So the Empress Dowager issued an order to take the Great Chief away.

You two guard the door.

Tell me about anything of the Great Chief promptly.

Yes.

No entry.

The Great Chief has instructed that without permission,

no one is allowed to approach the office.

If you…

If you want to break in, step over me.

Don't flip through.

If you flip through, I'll show no mercy.

Stop flipping through.

If you keep flipping through, I will take my own life.

If you want your Great Chief to die,

then do it.

Grind the ink.

Grind the ink.

I hope it's not too late.

[Great General]

[Imperial Guards]

Her handwriting is surprisingly similar to that of the Great Chief.

Are you confident that this can really save the Great Chief?

I can't guarantee it,

but we should at least give it a try.

Perhaps it can avoid him from severe punishment.

What are you waiting for? Hurry up!

I am waiting here.

Stop flipping through.

Empress Dowager.

The Imperial Guards has taken over the case for several days,

yet they haven't solved it.

Now there are rumors

saying the imperial court is inept at selecting officials.

Even worse, some speculate about the emperor's intentions,

saying we intend to shield the Liang family.

It's a disgrace to your reputation.

Empress Dowager, please

allow the Imperial Inspectorate to take over this case.

What you said

is exactly what I am concerned about.

Shen Du from the Imperial Guards has arrived.

Shen Du, the Great Chief of the Imperial Guards.

Greetings to you, Empress Dowager.

May you live for long.

Minister Shen.

The case of the Liang family

has yet to be solved.

Maybe you should give me an explanation.

Empress Dowager,

the murder case of the Liang family is not an isolated incident.

But it's related to multiple bodies dug up

in succession at Ximing Temple

and committed by the same murderer.

Based on the evidence, the Imperial Guards

has speeded up solving the cases.

The case of the Liang Mansion involves important court officials.

And Ximing Temple is even a place for devout Buddhist practice and worship.

Now with the case unresolved,

an offensive nursery rhyme

has become popular in the city.

Tell me about it.

Then I will

recite this nursery rhyme

to you.

Ruthless people,

merciless Buddha,

under the sovereign, the order is in chaos.

Merciless Buddha hides the sin.

Ridiculous!

Empress Dowager, please calm down.

I believe that the spread of this nursery rhyme

is all because the murder case at Ximing Temple

remains unresolved.

If the Imperial Guards cannot find the murderer,

then we might as well

have an exorcism.

Empress Dowager, you are admired by all. Don't mind

these reckless words.

Great Chief Shen.

You forgot this.

The Imperial Guards suddenly arrived to arrest me,

and I was in the process of sorting out the case,

wanting to present it to you.

In the peaceful world, only the Buddha's heart prevails.

Evil thoughts through countless calamities shall never survive.

Unraveling the threads to cleanse the grievances.

With keen insight, the world is at peace.

Very well.

Now that you've got clues

about the Liang family

and Ximing Temple.

Then let's proceed.

Understood.

Minister Shen.

You also mentioned in your memorial

there is an inside story on the Ming Hall self-immolation case.

The self-immolator did not do it to vent dissatisfaction,

but rather used death to express his determination

to me.

Is that true?

I am reviewing it

and will report as soon as possible.

Empress Dowager.

Alright.

You two

are both my right-hand men.

Each with your own merits.

Enough for today, you may all leave now.

Minister Shen.

Please stay.

I have another matter

for you to attend to immediately.

Understood.

Great Chief Shen.

Today, in front of the Empress Dowager,

you remained composed

and eloquent.

Truly amazing.

Vice Minister Lai, you flatter me.

I was merely stating the facts.

People say

the Imperial Guards

is the Empress Dowager's eyes.

But don't look

in the wrong direction.

All we do

are within our duties,

unlike the Imperial Inspectorate,

with fangs bared, tearing about everywhere.

If it were someone else,

they would probably be at their wits' end.

Then I hope you to solve the case soon.

There are many people

watching you.

♫ 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 ♫

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