Veratrum nigrum is quite expensive but it's effective for headaches
The Empress Dowager has been taking this for a long time?
There's such a thing called longdanshen
Mixed with veratrum nigrum it can bring out its toxicity
lt's deadly if it's swallowed
How vicious of you to poison me!
Don't bother to deny it!
Take him in for interrogation! Yes, sir!
Your Highness, Mr. Shum can't speak he's definitely not an assassin
Why?
Blackie and Snowy can prove his innocence
Who are they?
2 dogs in the Monastery
What?
How can 2 dogs prove anything?
One night, not too long ago Blackie and Snowy were barking at the trees
l found it unusual and went out for a look l saw a shadow by the trees
Was it the mute?
No, Blackie and Snowy are gentle They would never bark at anyone they know
Mr. Shum lived here for over 20 years
Blackie and Snowy always wag their tails when they see him
They would never bark at him or the other monks of the Monastery
l'm certain the intruder was an outsider
Who do you think is behind this?
Someone with medical skill
and knows the Empress Dowager has taken veratrum nigrum for her headaches
l only prescribed what's recorded in the medical journals, l didn't try to poison you
You wouldn't dare! Get out!
Thank you, Your Highness!
l will conduct a full investigation
Whether we should interrogate this mute l await your decision
What Master Hin Yan said made sense
This poor man is a mute and has been living here for years
He seems honest enough. Let him go!
Untie him! Yes, sir!
Thank you, Empress Dowager
Cheung! Bring a chair!
Fook-chuen, consider what l have done you still risked your life to save mine
l'm impressed
Why do you say that? You were strict with me because you wish to discipline me
Of course l don't blame you
What a good boy!
Who's the guard who blocked the arrow?
lmperial Guard Third Rank, Nip Dor-po
l'm impressed with his loyalty
You must reward him properly for me
l will
Your Majesty, l was in danger and life can be unexpected
we should cherish those around us
l want to bring the family together
Prince Kung has been posted outside the Pass all these years
l don't get to see him often
l intend to transfer Sheung Ning back to the capital
l meant to tell you later
That's good. The New Year is coming
When Sheung Ning comes home we can all enjoy dumplings
and celebrate a prosperous New Year
That's all l want...
The Empress Dowager had quite a fright because of your negligence
Luckily Nip Dor-po risked his life to block an arrow
The Empress Dowager wants me to reward him accordingly
lt's our duty to protect the Empress Dowager
She had quite a scare lt's undoubtedly our fault
l can't be exempted from the blame
l'm impressed you don't covet any rewards
Let Nip Dor-po be your example
Po Chai, you better make up for your mistake l give you 5 days to apprehend the assassin
Yes, sir!
Sir, l suspect the assassin is connected with last time's intruder
Yes, l wounded the back of his right hand
Tai Shek, summon your men to track down the assassin
Arrest anyone whose right hand is wounded
Yes, sir!
Your Highness, the assassination is well planned
The assassin can't possibly work alone He must have other accomplices
That mute is not entirely clean either
Ha Sin, put a tail on him Yes, sir!
The Empress Dowager ordered us to let him go
l don't think you should bother with him
Nip Dor-po, there's nothing wrong with being cautious
Po Chai, we'll do it your way
Pak Hei Hall is repeatedly involved The imposter Ngan Chun also died there
We must keep an eye on Pak Hei Hall
The rebels are getting out of hand We must stay on our toes
Yi Ho, Muk Fung, Li Kai-cheung
keep Pak Hei Hall under surveillance round the clock
Yes, sir!
Nip Dor-po and Yan Chak search the Monastery again
Apprehend the assassin so we can report back to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager
Yes, sir!
She went inside, what now?
Go inside and search!
Anything?
No!
She got away!
Over there!
Stop...
What do you want?
You?! We followed Miss Cheuk to the fabric store and she disappeared
What are you doing here?
What? What about Miss Cheuk?
Sun Moon Society, secret hideout
Luckily Ho Yi helped me create a diversion so l could bring the medication
Thank you for taking such a risk for me
This is nothing compared to what you're doing
Too bad our plan failed
lf Nip Dor-po didn't spoil it that old hag would be dead by now
lt was my fault to overlook him But l can't figure out who shot those arrows
We're not the only one who want to kill the Manchus
l'm afraid we have alerted them
We mustn't do anything rash
The lmperial Guards have beefed up security at the city gate
and trying their best to track us down
lt's me, not Nip Dor-po
lt's alright you mistook me for someone else
Make sure the Empress Dowager won't recognize you
Though she forced your father to commit suicide
she has worshipped Buddha earnestly Maybe she's sorry for what she did
Even Emperor Shun Zhi had repented What about you? You meet her again
Can you let go of the hatred?
But if Nip Dor-po found out the truth can he let go?
You did the right thing by not telling him Why perpetuate your hatred?
lt's in the stars whether or not you can be father and son again
Uncle Shum!
Uncle Shum...we scared you last time l'm so sorry!
You're an innocent civilian who has no quarrels with the Empress Dowager
l see no reason why you want to kill her l believe you're innocent
l already told you. Being an lmperial Guard will get innocent people hurt
That has nothing to do with my job
Just like Uncle Shum has no quarrels with anyone
Don't worry, you have a clear conscience l will get to the truth
Nothing, Master Ha Sin!
Me too, Master Ha Sin!
Master Ha Sin, we searched every passage entrance and corridor, we found nothing
Let's split up and look again!
Yes, go in groups of two Check the Monastery inside and out
Don't overlook any detail!
Yes, sir!
Nip Dor-po! Yan Chak, come with me! Yes, sir!
The assassin shot the arrows from 300 paces away
We've looked everywhere within that radius We didn't find any hideouts
To shoot 2 arrows in such a short time he didn't use an ordinary bow
He must have used a crossbow
He can shoot from 500 paces away!
Over there!
No one would come out here
Even if the assassin was hiding here No one would have noticed
The brushwood and trees can be used for cover
l'd come out here if l were the assassin
Footprints! He was definitely here
What's this?
This is purple wind grass
l used to play up in the mountain as a kid They used to stick to my body and shoes
l suspect the assassin brought it from somewhere else
and left it behind without noticing it
ln that case, the purple wind grass on the assassin
must come from somewhere nearby
He was here the whole time?
l know of a place!
l searched this area and noticed someone had planted them
lnside the Monastery?
They are planted in perfect order l believe the monks planted them
They're effective as an insect repellent
The toilet is nearby That's why the monks planted them here
Behind this wall is the slope we came down from
and the purple wind grass is planted within this wall
That means the assassin was hiding in here and climbed over the wall
That's why the purple wind grass stuck to his clothes and he left them on the slope
The assassin is a monk?
l checked them all afterwards Nobody seems suspicious
To hide without anyone noticing Must be a very secretive place
Excuse me! Yes?
You clean up around here? Yes!
During the Empress Dowager's visit did you leave your post?
No, l was cleaning the toilet
Did you see anyone pass by or show up in the vicinity?
Someone did pass by
l saw someone in the toilet l didn't think much of it and kept cleaning
Do you recognize him?
He's not from the Monastery
l remember he stood next to Prince Yue He must be one of his men
On Wing?
lmpossible! Why would he kill the Empress Dowager?
What should we do if it's really him?
Boss! How pretty...
What's going on...
Move aside...
Stop! Rebel...
Get away...
Stop!
Step aside...
Rebel!
Move it...
Don't resist...turn yourself in!
Stay back or l'll kill him!
Let go!
l know you, you're an lmperial Guard Why did they come after you?
l'm with the Sun Moon Society
We don't kill innocent people only Manchu dogs
l won't go easy on rebels!
Hold it!
l'll take it from here
Let go, he's gone!
Go back to camp! Yes, sir!
Judging from On Wing's reaction he's not with the Sun Moon Society
That's right, if he is he won't try to kill Yan Chak
He really meant to kill me
lf On Wing is not the assassin what was he doing by the wall?
l really don't know l dug into his background
He was with Prince Yue since he was young and Prince Yue has saved his life
He's absolutely loyal to him
Then he can't be the assassin
The assassin knows the Monastery very well
Going to the tea garden was an offhand decision
Yet the assassin knew about the change of plans
and had time to hide on the slope to ambush the Empress Dowager
No mistakes will be tolerated!
l want to study this map
Make me another copy! Yes, sir!
The Empress Dowager departs...
Watch out!
Guards!
You have any leads, sir?
No. Don't tell anyone about this especially Prince Yue
But...
Stay on the investigation. Report to me immediately if you find anything
Yes, sir!
Greetings, Your Highness
This sword is made of high class iron in the Ming dynasty
lt can cut through any metal and split hairs
lt's 3 feet long and weighs 7 catties and 12 taels
lmpressive! You remained calm in face of danger
l want you to take this sword as a gift
Thank you, but l cannot accept
l know why you're here
Yes, l arranged for On Wing to assassinate the Empress Dowager
You set up everything? Even taking the arrow for Her Highness is part of your plan?
Smart! You didn't disappoint me
l don't understand
Why did you do it?
This is high treason!
The Empress Dowager assisted 3 emperors
She led the Eight Banners and presided over the Han country
She put the young emperor on the throne helped arrest the regent Ngo Bai
She plotted to seize power, suppressed the Three Feudatories and reclaimed Taiwan
She has made unprecedented contributions
lt appears that His Majesty is in charge
but the court officials and Eight Banners aristocrats only listen to her
His Majesty must consult her on all major decisions. He's nothing but a puppet
l don't understand
You're Kwai-lun's cousin and Po-tai's uncle You're family to me. l trust you completely
The Empress Dowager is getting old she has become suspicious and revel in power
His Majesty is smart but he has no chance
l plotted the assassination and took the arrow for the Empress Dowager
in order to gain her trust and bide my chance to help His Majesty
You traced the assassination to me that proves you're just as capable
Po Chai is nothing but a fool
He failed to protect the Empress Dowager lt's time for you to get ahead
Ha Sin, you have 2 choices
Either you turn me in and expose me to the Empress Dowager
or stand by me and help me serve His Majesty and Qing
You decide what to do with this sword
l have often been overlooked as well
Since you think so highly of me l'll swear my allegiance to you
Good! l'm counting on you
Thank you, sir!
Try to wrap up the case on the assassination
Here's your chance to get ahead
You already have a solution?
Should be easy to find someone on death row
Greetings, Prince Yue
This was the assassin?
According to Ha Sin, this was the one
Who was he?
He was with the Sun Moon Society
Again? Any accomplices?
l checked Cloudy Monastery with Master Ha Sin
We ran into a young chela He said at the time of the assassination
he saw your servant On Wing who looked a bit...
On Wing is involved?
l think... Rest assured, Your Highness
l have double checked On Wing
The chela didn't see him He saw someone else...this assassin
How did you find him?
l checked all the drug stores and clinics in the capital
and found the suspect bought longdanshen from a small shop outside of town
According to the owner's statement
l went over every detail again and finally found the assassin's hideout
l confirmed he was a member of the Sun Moon Society and found these in the hiding place
These are longdanshen
He also had a scar on the back of his right hand
that proves he infiltrated the camp and fought with Nip Dor-po
l also found a map on him
that's identical to the one found on the other man in a dark outfit
Everything indicates my deduction is correct
You have found enough proof
l also found a cassock on him
l believed he snuck into the Monastery dressed as a monk
He tampered with the tea leaves and waited for his chance to kill the Empress Dowager
l'm impressed you found the assassin
and busted the hideout of the Sun Moon Society
You flatter me, Your Highness
l'll tell His Majesty and you'll be awarded accordingly
Thank you, Your Highness
You're so efficient. l'm impressed you found the assassin so soon
l'm just doing my job
Grandma, the Sun Moon Society had the nerve to give you quite a scare
How is your injury?
l'm getting much better
Thanks for asking, Grandma
l'm so glad you're alright
Fook-chuen, l feel bad every time l think about this
l shouldn't have denied you access to the Southern Study
but this is a test, do you blame me?
You did it for my own good
l can't thank you enough why would l be upset with you?
You and His Majesty are both good grandsons
Qing has a able Emperor assisted by an equally able minister
From now on, l'll let you assist His Majesty and serve Qing properly
Thank you, Grandma
Ancestral shrine
Fook-chuen, you have what it takes to be an Emperor
you must study hard
learn from me how to rule the country l'll pass you the throne
You'll let me be Emperor?
Yes, you'll make a good Emperor
Father, you promised to pass me the throne why did Yuen Yip get it in the end?
What you did was wrong!
l refused to accept it
Today, l made my first step
l'll prove to you l'm just as capable as Yuen Yip
l will be a good Emperor
His Majesty made Prince Yue Grand Secretary of Man Wah Hall
with access to the Southern Study
Did l do the right thing?
l dare not comment
lf Fook-chuen knew he was the designated heir and not Yuen Yip
the consequence is unthinkable
You did the right thing by passing the throne to His Majesty
You did it for the good of Qing and achieved the prosperity we now enjoy
This happened so long ago l doubt if anyone would find out
Remember Kei Man-cheong?
Yes, he was Kei To-ting's son
l thought l'll never see him again
but the other day at the Monastery l saw a mute who looked like him
You mean Shum Chin-yat the mute tea grower?
That's right!
You're worried Shum Chin-yat is actually Kei Man-cheong
and he'd bring up the past?
One can't be too cautious l was too kind hearted and let him live
Anything going on in the Palace?
The Empress Dowager secretly met with Po Chai and wanted him to check on someone
Who?
The mute tea grower Shum Chin-yat who lived behind the Monastery
She seems very interested in him
l want you to stay on it
Yes, sir
Burn this list after you read it
This is a list of officials connected with the Empress Dowager
From now on, l want you to record down the things they say and do
including people they meet especially Naplan Mingchu
Greetings, Prince Yue!
At ease!
l finally appreciate every cloud has a silver lining
Like you said, only time will tell
You're meant for greatness you'll come out ahead
l congratulate you on finally getting your wish
lt's been over 20 years, l finally won the Empress Dowager's recognition
What matters is you have access to the Southern Study
and take part in discussing state affairs
Yes, l can do what l do best
l'm still the cabinet minister in charge of the lmperial Guards
Someday you'll go all the way to the top You better not disappoint me
No, l won't. l hope to serve the court with my own ability
l only want more justice and less selfishness at the camp
The higher up you are the more dangerous it'll be
Heaven is watching us. l'll still go up the hill even if l know there's a tiger
Yes, we should go after the tiger Make sure you hit where it hurts the most
l'm in charge of the lmperial Guards
but Po Chai doesn't obey me because someone is backing him up
You understand? Yes, sir!
Speaking of Po Chai
l noticed he's investigating Uncle Shum but l don't know why
Also, Ha Sin captured the assassin alone but there are still unanswered questions
l suspect...
Do not doubt Ha Sin
He's a true talent and he's loyal to me
Po Chai is checking on the mute l believe it's the Empress Dowager's idea
Time is of the essence
lf they make a big deal out of it l want you to beat them to the result
Yes, sir!
You're really leaving?
l know...you don't want the Empress Dowager to recognize you and get your son in trouble
lf you leave now you won't see your son again
lt wasn't easy for you to find him Can you really let go?
Remember this shoe?
Your son wore this by River Kwai
l know you can't let go Don't force yourself!
lf you leave now, you'll regret it
Think it over!
Father, l can't look after you anymore
Though l found your grandson he's now an lmperial Guard
l feel uneasy...
For Chun-kit's safety, l have no choice l bid you farewell now
Goodbye, Father
lmperial Guard First Rank, Kei To-ting
Your Majesty, l already found out
The perfectural magistrate of Xuzhou Sheung Chun-yuen framed the scholar Tao Bun-on
because he was after the Tao's century-old auspicious land and ended up in murder
That's outrageous!
To murder someone for a piece of land!
A cold-blooded dirty official must be severely punished
Prince Yue, you exposed him l'll let you punish him
Yes, Your Majesty!
Sire, the Tao's tragedy has incurred the wrath of Heaven and the people
To put their minds to ease it's better to appoint a local to take over
What's your suggestion?
My protege Yip Him-wo is a scholar from Xuzhou, he's quite capable
l agree with Minister Naplan
Approved!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Prince Yue, thank you for bringing my attention to this gross injustice in Xuzhou
Yung-yurk, with Prince Yue around to share my troubles
you don't have to run around and work so hard
you can spend more time with me
l have an obligation to serve you
You're lucky to have Prince Yue's help
lt's hasn't been long since you came to the Southern Study
but you have won His Majesty's praise
l intend to prepare dinner for you at home so we can discuss state matters
l can also introduce you to my proteges so you can give them a few pointers
You flatter me. We all work for His Majesty
Your proteges are pillars of the court l'd love to meet them too
Good! l'll go home and get ready
Goodbye! Alright!
l followed Shum Chin-yat to a grave he knelt down and couldn't stop crying
He must be connected with the deceased
who was an lmperial Guard First Rank called Kei To-ting
Kei To-ting?
You know him?
Yes! We went a long way back!
He was my Father's bodyguard
He was not only a kung fu expert but also a true hero
He also taught me kung fu
Good! You're so smart! lt only took you a month to learn
You're such a kung fu expert Can you teach me something else?
Alright...l'll teach you Tiger Fist
He was Emperor Shun Zhi's bodyguard?
Just like Naplan Sing-tak and His Majesty
Kei To-ting had performed many deeds of merit and Father thought highly of him
After Father died, l heard he was posted outside the Pass where he died
We lost track of his family
l didn't expect to hear his name again after 20 years
What is Shum Chi-yat's connection with Kei To-ting?
Anything is possible
lf Po Chai is onto him, he must suspect him We'll stay on Kei To-ting's lead
l see!
Kei To-ting? Why ask about him?
You said your mentor was an lmperial Guard
Kei To-ting was Emperor Shun Zhi's personal bodyguard, you must've heard of him
Why do you want to know?
l saw Uncle Shum kowtow to his grave in tears
There must be an unusual connection between them
So what if you know? He's leaving
He's leaving? He's afraid l'll dig up something
What are you hiding from me?
You go where you come from
Spare me your riddles
Do you know Uncle Shum might be connected to the assassin?
l already told you
Can you be more specific?
Remember that day l ran into you near River Kwai?
How can l forget?
You solved my mystery Everything is dictated by destiny
Go where you come from This is your answer
Benevolence sums up everything
My Father's name is Koon-yat this pendant stands for his name
l lost it many years ago Where did you find it?
Look again! You're sure?
l distinctly remember when l found you by River Kwai, l had the pendant on me
but it was gone when l came home
lt was lost a long time ago Where did you find it?
Hin Yan gave it to me
He said he was holding this pendant when he looked for his friend's son by the river
Am l his friend's son?
What are you looking for?
When your Father brought you home you were wearing these clothes
Why is there only one shoe?
When l found you by the river you were only wearing one shoe
This is exquisitely made you're probably not from an ordinary family
We only wanted to raise you as our son we didn't think of anything else
Fake?
According to the monks at the Monastery Shum Chin-yat claimed he was from Hangzhou
l went to Hangzhou to check it out he doesn't exist
l knew he's hiding something
Maybe his name is an alias
The lmperial Guards are responsible for security within the Palace
people can find out many secrets from us
Prince Yue won't give up so easily
Ha Sin works for him. He often gives him secret missions l don't know about
You must be extra careful
Yes, sir!
Shum Chin-yat lied about his past Yi Ho, bring him in for interrogation
Yes, sir!
Shum Chin-yat! Stop...
Come back to camp with us!
Temple
Uncle Shum!
Come out, Uncle Shum!
You can't go out!
They're waiting out there to catch you
l don't know what they want with you, but l know the Empress Dowager gave the order
Listen, l'm not here to catch you
l only want to find out something l want you to go see Hin Yan with me
Uncle Shum, l want to help you
But l also need your help on something
You know where this shoe came from?
Uncle Shum...why are you crying?
You know something about me?
l know you can't talk
l'll find you something to write with