Episode 20

I'm weary from handling this case.

Have a drink with me.

Here.

Do you know...

All these years as an investigator,

my biggest fear was encountering a simple case like this.

I'm not afraid of complex strategies, but I'm afraid of simple ones.

The more complex, the more clues.

A case like Xi'er's...

We've encountered

asphyxiation,

and then her body was thrown into the river.

It all happened faster than brewing a cup of tea.

This case is too hard to break.

I'm used to your having much to say.

Now your words are few.

I'm really not used it.

You're just like Xi'er,

signing off her time of death.

No relatives, no hatred and no retaliation

Even members of House Jin can't leave as they wish.

The one physically close to her was you.

Frankly speaking, you're the most suspicious.

I know.

I'm the most suspicious.

3 days.

I still have 3 days.

What 3 days?

The Magistrate has made it clear.

If within 3 days,

I still can't prove your innocence,

he will have you detained in the Ministry of Justice.

At that point, it'll be beyond me.

3 days.

I still have 3 days.

It's alright.

I'm not afraid.

You are afraid.

Even now that death is imminent,

you're still not willing to tell me

why you were packing your bags to leave.

I can't tell you.

Even if the entire world doesn't,

I believe in you.

I stand at the city gates admiring the mountains

I stand at the city gates admiring the mountains
- Sheriff Jin!

Let me in!

You can't go in! Sheriff Jin!

Sheriff Jin! You can't enter!

Step aside!

No problem. That's Young Master Jin.

All of you may leave.

Yes.

Sir, please think about it.

Don't bother.

I'm already used to it.

What do you want from me this time?

I really can't help you regarding your wife's matter.

Someone had already gotten a hold of her weakness from the start!

Your excellency,

my wife is innocent.

Please release her.

Yuan Bao, you're an investigator.

You need to provide evidence!

I have evidence...

that my wife isn't the culprit.

Open the door.

Yes.

Sir.

Why do you keep looking at me?

Nothing much.

Let's go home.

I've investigated it thoroughly.

You're innocent.

Let's go home.

Let's go.

Come.

Are you alright?

How are you?

Slowly.

I'm fine. Who am I?

I'm not that easily harmed.

Really?

Then who was it that saved you and made sure you were safe that day?

Great! I just knew that you'd be fine!

Thank you, Changfeng.

Why are you thanking me?

I didn't do anything.

It's all due to Yuanbao!

Thank you.

I had no choice!

I can't help it that I'm the heaven-sent investigator.

If you feel apologetic and would like to repay me,

you're welcome to.

You can devote your life to me.

But you're already my wife.

How about this?

I'll think of other ways

to let you repay me.

Fine.

The weather's great. I'm leaving first.

What are you laughing at? You jealous?

Madam! Young master and madam have returned!

They're just returning.

All this helter-skelter! What's next?

Mother.

Mother.

I've caused you worry in this period.

It's good enough that you're back.

After creating such confusion for this long,

House Jin's reputation is finished.

From now on, stay quietly in your room.

Don't cause a ruckus again.

The sheriff's department mishandled the issue in the first place.

They arrested me like a criminal before they even search for evidence.

I was wronged!

Even so,

you can't disregard House Jin's reputation.

After this matter,

have you any idea how much gossip there is of House Jin?

I will remember Mother's lesson.

Mother,

Xiao Xuan did not wish for this to happen either.

As for Jin's reputation,

The innocent is innocent.

As long as we find the real murderer,

all the false rumors will dissipate.

That's right, Aunt.

This time, Madam has suffered a lot.

I'll have the kitchen prepare a few dishes

to make it up to the madam.

Fine.

I'll let it go if you handle it.

Thank you, Mother.

I've troubled cousin.

Thank you, Cousin, for treating my wife so well.

However, recently, you are quite busy, right?

You should take care of yourself first.

This is part of my duty. I should help out.

Alright then, Mother.

Xiao Xuan and I will leave to take a rest.

Fine.

You've worked hard, Yuan Bao.

Return to rest.

Yes.

Why did you speak so weirdly with your cousin?

You're worried about him the moment you're home.

Don't you have anything to say to me?

Thank you.

If you had not thought of a way to save me,

I'm afraid I would still have been in prison.

We now have proof that Xi'er's death has nothing to do with you.

Why did you want to leave that day?

Can you finally explain it to me clearly?

I've nothing to explain.

Is there anything you're keeping from me?

If you want to ask me this,

I've already answered you.

I have nothing I want to say.

No matter how many times you ask,

I will still answer the same.

Fine.

Since you're still not willing to say it,

I won't continue asking.

From now on, you're not allowed to think nonsense.

Stay by my side obediently.

Is that alright?

Starting now, you're mine.

I won't allow you think of others.

Rest well.

I'm going to investigate.

Yuan Bao,

I don't deserve you treating me so well.

Thank the heavens and earth.

The young madam has finally returned.

Have you heard?

Xi'er's murderer was wearing a ring.

I've also heard it said

that Butler Liu coincidentally threw a ring away recently.

I think I've heard it too.

It seems like that ring was Butler Liu's.

Be careful. The walls have ears.

You shouldn't speak carelessly in rich mansions.

Us servants

should just take care of ourselves.

Whatever wear ring or no ring.

You know,

I reckon Xi'er knew too much.

And that's why she was...this.

What did she know?

Greetings, Butler Liu!

This afternoon,

Madam is entertaining some guest in the side living room.

Nothing can go wrong.

Also, from now on

servants, stop all your gossips,

and get all the preparations ready.

Yes.

Look at him. He is not like his normal self.

Exactly. It's really strange.

Calculate meticulously and still missed calculate.

I kept on thinking that I've missed something.

I didn't think Jin Yuan Bao would investigate this clue.

Even if he's found your ring,

it doesn't mean anything.

Before there is any doubt,

Doubt...

Get a jeweler to make one exactly like this.

Have it done quickly.

Yes.

Coming! Coming!

Body guard Agui.

Why have you come?

Ah Si. You've worked hard.

Body guard Gui, please come in.

Come. Please sit.

What wind has brought you here?

Come. Have a drink.

Ah Si, how are you doing recently?

Blessed because of you.

Oh yes.

Do you have anyone back home?

I have no one back home.

I'm alone.

It's all thanks to Butler Liu's care.

That I'm able to survive.

No one.

Alone is good.

There's no worries when you are by yourself.

Butler Liu thinks that you did a pretty good job.

And have me especially come to award you.

All thanks to Butler Liu. Ah!

The human world is filled with much suffering.

I helped you to get release from the sufferings.

This is your award.

Brother, have a good journey.

Brother Si. What's wrong? Brother Si.

Brother Si. Open the door!

Brother Si!

Brother Si!

Oh no! Some body!

Never thought Young Master would be here working so hard.

Young Madam just recently got cleared and released

how many days have you not seen each other?

I thought you would be spending time

with your family.

Cousin, just say what you want.

Cut the crap.

I've heard that Xi'er death have something to do with a ring. Is that correct?

On Xi'er's name

I noticed a male ring print.

This exonerated the possibility of Xiao Xuan's involvement.

Once I find the ring's owner,

then the puzzle will be resolved.

What's wrong?

Why are you so kind as to give me evidence?

Young Master's intuitive investigation is way beyond others.

You are definitely the best investigator.

I will get to the point.

I not seen my ring for many days.

I don't know if that is related to this case.

The last time you saw the ring...

when was that?

It should be around the time of Madam's birthday celebration.

That night I had placed my ring on the bookcase.

When I returned to put the ring on,

I noticed it was missing.

This ring is a House Liu heritage.

Something that you wear daily...

why did it take you so long to notice its absence?

Because I wore it daily,

I thought, I might have just miss placed it.

That's why I did not immediately search for it when I lost it.

Not to mention, it from Madam's birthday celebration

to Young Madam's arrest,

there was endless issues going on in the mansion.

That I really was extremely busy and have no time to take a breather.

Only when I heard the servants' gossip,

did I realize how important it was.

So what you mean to say is

someone entered your study,

stole your ring,

and then killed Xi'er.

I didn't mean that.

I just wanted to say

that the ring was placed on the bookcase.

It wouldn't have run off on its own.

Whether the ring thief is also Xi'er killer or not,

You'll have to figure it out.

That won't be easy.

Everyday, those who come in and out of your quarter

were at least several dozens if not a hundred.

According to what you've said

everyone in the Jin Mansion is a suspect.

It's because I considered that point,

that's why I have not start the investigation.

Then do you have any witness

to witness that your ring was lost?

None.

There was no one with me when I went to retrieve the ring.

Since there's no one,

then you are also a suspect.

That's right.

You are saying that only heavens know, the earth knows, and I know. But you don't know.

So, what am I to do?

This is related to Xi'er's death,

so it is very important.

All suspects or evidence

I will not let it go.

Young Master is working justly

and even arrested Young Madam,

I of course understand.

As long as you understand.

Master! Something's wrong!

Master! Something's gone wrong!

Something's come up!

What are you up to? Start from the beginning.

The horse caretaker, Chou Si, bleed from all over his face and is dead!

Take me there!

Master!

It was Ah Mu who noticed.

I came immediately after.

The room is a mess.

It means it wasn't suicide. It was caused by another.

Poison.

Why is my ring here?

That's Butler Liu's ring!

I've seen that ring before.

It is Butler Liu's ring.

Yes. I've seen it too.

How is it here with Ah Si?

This is a little strange.

You're right.

The year of Ding, the month of Ding, and the day of Yi.
(This just mean a certain year/month/day)

Chou Si borrowed 5 pieces of silver from Liu Wu.

This is the receipt.

The year of Yi Cho, the month of Jai Wo, the day of Shen

Chou Si borrowed 5 pieces of silver from Wu Tian Chen.

It seems like

this Chou Si is full of debts.

Could it be that he has so many debts

that he decided to steal your ring?

It's possible.

Seeing his situation like this.

The two of you speculating like that...

Why don't you both become investigators?

Ah Fu wouldn't dare.

Cousin,

do you think Zhao Si

could have been the one to have stolen your ring?

Isn't it so?

Otherwise, how else could my ring have appeared here?

Master, please consider

Xi'er and Zhao Si dying one after another,

and having to do with property,

wouldn't you say these 2

could have had a relationship?

Ah Fu,

go and ask around

to see if Xi'er and Chou Si communicate with each other.

Yes, Master. I'll go right now.

This Zhao Si...

such a pity.

One false move and you regretted for life.

It's too early to make such conclusion.

He only stole belongings.

Why would he kill Xi'er?

Could it be that Xi'er caught Zhao Si

stealing?

This is your speculation.

Right now there is no evidence and no witness.

Master,

there's something I didn't think about,

but thinking about it now, it could be related to this case.

Speak.

On the day of Madam's birthday celebration, I recalled

When I passed Butler Liu's study,

I saw Xi'er suspiciously hide behind the garden.

At that time, I thought it was weird.

Madam Jiang had come to visit.

How could Xi'er be here?

So I wanted to go ask her.

However, there was another noise in the front.

I could only return to the front room.

To provide security.

After that, I never saw Xi'er again.

Then that's all matching.

Xi'er saw Zhao Si go in the house to steal

so Zhao Si killed her to hide the truth.

Wouldn't you say so, Master?

Are you sure?

Young Master, this is about a person's life

Ah Gui wouldn't dare to lie.

This is such a vast and confusing issue.

If Master has a need, please instruct.

Have you found the murderer?

Why did he want Xi'er killed?

On the night of mother's celebration, Xi'er

caught Zhao Si stealing.

So he killed her to get rid of the evidence.

But this does not make sense.

Ah Gui said

when your mother came,

Xi'er went hide in the back garden.

This doesn't make sense either.

When your mother came,

shouldn't Xi'er be at the front to welcome her?

It's all because of me.

It's all my fault.

I know Xi'er's death

is a blow to you.

But this matter

has nothing to do with you.

If not for me, Xi'er wouldn't have died.

Don't be like this.

This is not within your control.

Why are you being so silly?

You even shouldered this burden.

This has nothing to do with you.

You go ahead first.

I would like to be alone for a while.

When your mother was here,

Xi'er when and hide in the back garden.

Xi'er, I've wronged you.

I've wrong you, Xi'er.

Your excellency,

According to the evidence

it's probably House Jin's servant, Zhao Si.

Because he gambles and owe debts

and couldn't repay them,

Thus, he stole Liu Wen Zhao's ring,

and was caught by the maid, Xi'er.

So to silence her, Zhao Si killed Xi'er.

And he make it look like a suicide.

However, this failed, so he committed suicide with poison.

Good. Good.

It is just as Sheriff Jin said.

The evidence is enough. Enough.

However, Your Excellency,

don't you think this logic

is too obvious?

It's reasonable.

Being this reasonable means the case is closed.

However, Your Excellency,

Zhao Si's death, the shoe next to the water

and the ring's appearance.

I felt that these are because of the real killer

intentionally set these evidences out.

Step by step, to lead us away from the truth.

Your Excellency,

I felt that there is a lot of doubting points in this case.

We can't reach a conclusion.

Additionally, a murderer

because he is afraid that he would be found out

decided to kill himself for his sin.

How would he still have the patience to take care of the flowers and the garden?

This is definitely not the actions of someone about to die.

Yuan Bao,

you've managed this case well.

This case is closed. Don't think about it anymore.

Your Excellency,

I think this case still have a some questionable points.

I hope Your Excellency will give me more time to investigate thoroughly.

Oh, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed.

You're back.

What's wrong? You're here alone in a daze.

Pour a cup of tea for me and let's talk.
- Okay.

Thank you.

Where are you going?

To go look for Xue'er. I have a few words to say to her.

I just got here and you're going off.

I'll go and be back in a bit.

Have I done anything wrong to you recently?

Or...are you avoiding me?

No.

Xiao Xuan!

I've though it through.

There must be another way to solve this.

Xi'er is already dead.

I cannot have you stay here any longer.

3 days later,

Madam Jin will go to the party at the Magistrate's home.

Take advantage of the chance to leave this place.

Leave and never return.

What about you?

I'll stay at House Jin first.

You leave here first.

Things after...we'll speak of it later.

I wouldn't leave you here alone.

Our identities have been switched.

If both of us stay here,

then the target would be bigger and it would be easier for others to find us out.

I just have to stay.

At least I'm still Madam Jin.

They wouldn't dare treat me as they wish.

Also, I know martial arts.

If there's any problem,

I can easily escape by myself.

Don't think I don't know that you're staying to face the danger alone.

My mother was right.

We are now tied together.

No one can leave the other.

Also,

If the issue of the switched bride is found out

not just you and me,

but the entire House Jin and Jiang will be implicated.

So I won't leave you here by yourself.

I plan to stay with you till death.

As long as we're alive, we can have hope.

Qi Lin,

If I leave, we both leave.

Alright. Let's leave together.

Then from today onward,

the rest of my life

depends on your life.

I'm fortunate that I still have you.

Why aren't you sleeping? What are you looking at me for?

Come. Sleep with me for a bit.

What's wrong? Can't I hold you for a while?

Why are you being so weird?

Have I done something wrong?

You weren't like this before.

Master Jin,

No everyone go around with you as their center.

Madam.

Master, what's wrong?

I don't know what's wrong.

Young Madam is being weird.

I don't even know where I've gone wrong.

Ah Fu.

Is there any way to make her happy?
(get on her good side)

There's one!

Madam.

Cousin.

Ever since what happened to Xi'er,

I haven't seen you.

If there's anything you're unhappy about,

I can help share the responsibility.

Every time I'm in trouble,

I would remember everything Cousin has told me.

Then I would feel better.

Anyway, as long as there's anything you need, come to me any time.

Ever since I married into House Jin,

Cousin has always taken care of me.

I've never thanked you.

How can I trouble you further?

No need to be polite. It's as it should be.

Thank you.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

I just need to sit down for a moment.

Rub it a little bit and it should be okay.

What firefly?

I can't even see an ant!

Stupid Ah Fu.

Not only did I not find a firefly,

If I don't skin you when I get back, I will take your surname! (meaning named after you.)

Master! Master!

Master! You're looking handsome today.

How is it? Handsome right?

Handsome!

I finally understand why you've been with me this long.

It's because I like listening to praises.

Master, have you caught the female fireflies?

You fool!

Who can distinguish the females?

You caused me so much trouble.

Then Master, how many did you catch?

I'm not telling you.

How is it? Have you prepared it all?

Master, don't worry.

All has been prepared.

Everyone that needs to be called are all here.

Have you called Liu Wen Zhao too?

Of course! I called him too.

Great! Then get over there and be prepared.

I'll be there immediately.

Yes!

Get to it.

Where is he?

Ah Fu.

Yes?
- Why have you called us here?

Don't rush.

Master has prepared a show.

He will perform immediately.

The night is already this dark.

What is there to see?

No rush. No rush.

Master will be out soon.

Just wait a while.

If we are fated to love each other,

why is it so painful?

What has covered your eyes,

that made you not value my efforts?

If love is about mutual protection,

why is it so bitter?

What has stopped me from going forward,

that left me not caring about your helplessness?

There will be hardships even if it's a predestined romance.

There is no point worrying about the rights or wrongs.

Stepping back because of love is not a sign of defeat.

I just want to pass the days and nights holding onto your hand.

Xiao Xuan,

From hereon, every word I say,

you need to pay good attention to.

This is the first time in my entire life

that I'll be speaking to you, not as the Master of House Jin,

but as a man

to represent my feelings.

Although our marriage

was not voluntary,

nevertheless,

I'm very fortunate to have met you.

Also, this has nothing to do with you as the daughter of House Jiang.

It is because of you are who you are.

I know you dislike the complicated life in House Jin.

From now on, wherever you wish to go,

I can always make your wish come true.

But you have to promise me,

that you'll only be by my side.

You can't leave me.

I personally caught all these fireflies for you.

Do you like it?

You haven't answered me yet.

You're asking if I like you, right?

I definitely don't like you.

Xiao Xuan,

you take me for being blind.

Did you think I wouldn't know how much you love me?

Jin Yuan Bao, did your ego lead you to think that I had strong feelings for you?

I've never once said that I liked you.

Even if you've never said it...

If there's anything I've done to have caused the misunderstanding,

I'll apologize to you for now.

However,

I don't like you.

I don't believe it.

Your arrogance has magnified your person.

You look down upon others.

You hurt people every time you open your mouth.

You've never once considered the feelings of others.

What reason do I have to like you?

So that's how you actually

feel about me.

Yes.

You're lying to me.

You're lying to me.

Even if you lie to me,

you can't lie to yourself.

I beg you, from now on,

don't do such meaningless things again.

It makes me embarrassed.

Is it because of him?

Master! Master!

Yuan Bao!

Yuan Bao!
- Tell me! Is this because of him?

It's not because of him,

but it's not because of you either.

You better not regret this.

Master!

Yuan Bao!

Master!

Yuan Bao!

Why are you acting like this?

Why cause this pain?

I wish to be alone.

Don't worry. I'm fine.

Madam!

Madam!

Have you seen the Master?

No.

Is there anyone who saw the Master?

No.

Mister Gu! Mister Gu!

Have you found the Master?
-No.

You go find Wang Qiang and Ma Zhong.

Have them find the Young Master, and follow him around.

Don't let him (Young Master) know about it.

Right. I'll go now.

Why was Xiao Xuan like that?

Wasn't she fine in the afternoon?

"A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean".

This phrase is exactly right.

Is it time to consummate?

I've seen a rush,

but I've never seen anyone in such a hurry as you are.

I am in a rush.

Come! Hurry!

Hurry! Consummate time!

Help me strip yourself!

Hurry up!