This is the the card that was released by the Emperor
From now on,
this case is completely under Embroidered Uniform Guard's control
Yes, sir!
I'll do it right now
Please, sir.
Zhou Xianyi,
28 years old, from Wuxing, Zhejiang
was a Doctor of Philosophy in the 12th Jia Jing year,
acceded to the position of household procurator in the 23rd Jia Jing year
In the 37th Jia Jing year,
became an official doctor in the Ministry of Works,
spent 100 thousands ounces of silver to repair the rivers' dikes over a month ago
as complied with the order of repairing the dikes in Yangzhou.
After coming to Yangzhou,
was discovered to have extracted the public money.
With evidential proof,
immediately incarcerate him.
Mr. Zhou
do you have any objections?
I am wondering whether you remember
3 years ago,
we met once.
At that time, you was a secondary procurator in the faculty of household.
A nine-grade official.
In spite of being an imperial censor,
you was really taciturn,
without any special characteristics.
However,
you has given me a deep impression.
Lu excellency, what do you think about this?
this is...
hello Li excellency
Lu excellency
today I will definitely report this to his majesty.
Wang excellency, please take a seat.
It's so cold.
Be careful, today it is freezing
True.
What made me remember you
was a pair of shoes.
In a frosty December,
after the first snow,
the shoes mandarins wore were either deer-leather shoes
or goat-leather shoes
or at least a pair of cotton shoes.
But your pair of shoes
was a pair of old and ruptured leather shoes.
I guess
a considerable amount of water had spilled into the shoes.
A civil mandarin is poor,
everybody knows that.
But most of the mandarins
have their own ways to gain more perquisite.
Ones that were poor like you
were really uncommon.
You are...
Lu Yi, Lu Registrar.
Do you remember me?
According to orders from the Majesty,
I have full powers to investigate the case of peculation of national budget on repairing the estuary.
If you think you are a victim of injustice,
feel free to raise your voice.
You really trust me?
I only believe in my eyes.
What you see is not surely the truth.
I...
I did touch that sum of money,
Did you just admit?
Where is the money now?
If I say,
I only took 10 thousands ounces
and returned all the rest.
About the whereabouts of the lost money,
I totally have no idea.
Do you trust me?
On that day, I intentionally ordered my inferior to go away
to sneak into the exchequer.
But after that,
due to some reasons, I hadn't spent that 10 thousands ounces of silver.
I went back to the exchequer
to return all the money I took.
At that time, all the money was still there.
I was certain that
all the money remained intact.
I didn't know that
when the county chief made an inventory,
all the money had gone.
What did you steal 10 thousands ounces for?
That was a really important affair.
I...
was so reluctant to do so.
I hope you can understand.
If you know it is important,
you really should tell us what happened
then we can prove that you are innocent.
The evidences and witnesses now are all here.
Only with your one-sided words,
we hardly can come to a conclusion.
Everyone says Embroidered Uniform Guard's actions are the most malicious.
The punishments in the quod are even much more diverse.
Lu Registrar, you was willing to listen to me,
and you didn't use any kinds of torture.
I am
extremely thankful for that.
That is just a rumour.
We, Embroidered Uniform Guard, are not brainless.
When to let go,
when to punish,
we all know how to determine.
Probably the thing you feel hard to say,
is the key we are looking for to put an end to this case.
Master.
Do you believe in what he said?
Do you?
There are so many people who can lie unblushingly.
that I only believe in the evidence.
Yuan officer is also a sensible person.
The Yangzhou exchequer is not so far from here
Let's go and see.
Sir
The footprints are very complicated
There were many people in and out, but all of them are mandarins' shoes.
If all people coming here were mandarins,
maybe,
Zhou Xianyi told the truth?
Just think about it, that 100 thousands ounces,
if Zhou Xianyi embezzled that amount of money,
it would require a great amount of time and effort to transport the money.
He admitted that he stole 10 thousands amount of money,
which shows that
he could secretly transport them.
To figure out whether his words are true or not,
we must find out
the reason why he took that 10 thousand ounces.
Let's go.
Where are we going now?
I'm hungry. Go have something to eat.
Wait for me!
Master, wait...
Master
Do you really have so spare meals like this every day?
Meals are just to fill the stomach.
Any problems?
No.
I am just thinking that
dignitaries like you must be very picky on this.
Are you used to eating those street foods?
Being eye-catching does not always mean being delicious.
conversely, being delicious does not always coincide with being good-looking.
Here you go.
The authentic Yangzhou dumpling noodles.
Enjoy the meal!
The smaller a vendor is, the more true-born its foods taste.
Just try, it is local delicacy.
Boss, one more bowl please!
OK.
I have been eating a little bit fast since I was a child,
please don't mind me, enjoy your meal.
I am just afraid there would would be more ingredients in your bowl.
Hurry up, boss.
Coming, coming.
Master
Master, there is still a bowl of noodle.
Here you go, your noodle.
Your noodle is here.
I'm almost done, just two more bites, please.
It'll be a big waste not to eat.
Wait for me.
Sir.
I have found out.
After getting 10 thousands ounces of silver,
Zhou Xianyi had given it to Wu An Bang to transport it.
Therefore, when sending the money back to the exchequer,
Shang Guan Xi and Xie Xiao were both there.
Wu An Bang?
But there weren't any clear shoes' prints.
However,
the budget on repairing the estuary being handed to an underworld group to transfer
is a little inappropriate.
It seems that Zhou Xianyi was afraid that sum of money,
before being sent to Yangzhou,
would have been drained off and the remaining would be just a small amount.
For that reason, he asked the Wu An Bang to transfer them.
There are plenty of groups in Yangzhou,
Zhou Xianyi only chose the Wu An Bang
so their relationship must be very sophisticated.
Your excellency came without notice,
I cannot welcome you from afar.
Shang Guan Master, you don't have to be ceremonious.
Are you here for the case of Zhou Xianyi?
If you are straightforward like that,
I won't beat around the bush.
That's right.
I come here because of that case.
It was your group transferring the repairing budget
to the exchequer of Yangzhou province, wasn't it?
True.
We were in charge of that.
But the money was handed over to the provincial officials and was inventoried by them, too.
None of us stepped inside.
After that, we left right away.
Master Lu,
are you doubting our group?
This case has not been clarified,
anyone who touched the money is in our list.
We returned to the exchequer every single penny.
Is it possible to blame us
for that lost amount of money in the exchequer now?
Please keep calm.
We are just following the orders,
we are going to investigate each and every person involved.
The night Zhou Xianyi was arrested, where were two of you?
Is there anyone to prove that?
At the night when Zhou Master was arrested,
Xie Xiao and I were at the port of our group to inventory the goods.
All members in the group can prove that.
Alright.
If you Shang Guan Master can prove your innocence,
we will leave now.
Farewell.
Please.
Goodbye.
I told you not to transfer that money.
You see, now we are in troubles.
Did you recognize anything from Shang Guan Master?
I found that her aromatic bag
is very similar to Zhou Xianyi's.
Even the scent of them is identical.
Are you sure?
Only with those bags, can we infer anything?
So is there any outstanding feature of that aromatic bag?
Those 2 bags were sewed very carefully.
They are the combination of ordinary, color embroidery and carving,
in which carving is the most difficult.
That is a special point, too.
The one who embroidered those bags must be very proficient in needlework.
Moreover, those bags are alike in both needlework and style.
I am doubting they are made by the same person.
Go check on their origin.
Yes, sir.
Is it too tight?
That's fine.
Master,
I haver done cooking your medicine.
Please drink when it is still warm.
Alright.
Father, be careful.
Master, I have been busy investigating the case of Zhou Xianyi with Lu Master over the last few days,
so I couldn't take care of you.
How are you now? Is your leg still hurt?
It has been several days,
I am fine now.
You knew his character,
he wouldn't tell us even if it's hurt.
Oh, what about the case?
Zhou Xianyi insists that he doesn't know anything about that 100 thousands ounces of silver.
I am doubting this is related to Wu An Bang.
Wu An Bang?
What is the suspicious point?
Sha Xiuzhu allied to Xie Xiao
to secretly deprive the birthday gift of the national lieutenant.
That shows they are really professional in stealing the governors' assets.
Wu An Bang transported those silver.
There is a possibility that they suddenly wanted to embezzle those money.
I also found out an important point,
the aromatic bag of Zhou Xianyi and of Shang Guan Xi are made by one person.
You mean...
there is an alliance between Zhou Xianyi and Shang Guan Xi?
It was just my assumption.
No evidence has been found out yet.
But master, you and Xie Leader
have a special relation.
If it's Wu An Bang,
Master, you..
Don't mind me.
Do whatever appropriate for the case.
If it's really Wu An Bang,
handle it fairly.
Never be tolerant.
OK. Thanks to your words, I know what to do.
Master, is your leg really fine now?
There are a lot of good dishes but you don't eat.
Why do you keep looking at me?
Have one.
I knew you have liked me since we were still kids.
But there's no need to look at me like that.
Tell me the truth.
Did you take that money?
Master Yuan,
it is a big dishonor to me, you know?
I once took the money from that peculator
in order to distribute to the poor.
That 100 thousand ounces is for the happiness of people.
I'm not that stupid to take it.
You swear.
I swear.
OK
So,
about the matter with Sha Xiuzhu,
you owe me a favor, right?
Oh, I thought it was a big deal.
It turns out that you come for a favor.
How can I pay you back?
With my body?
I am not going to disagree.
I am not kidding.
I feel the relationship between sister Shang Guan and Zhou Xianyi
is not that simple.
What do you mean?
I don't get it.
Sister Shang Guan has an aromatic bag
which is identical with Zhou Xianyi's one.
An aromatic bag?
She has never worn such a thing.
Are you thinking that
she is involved in the robbery?
I believe she would never do that.
After Mr. Lu and I
had a check on Zhou Xianyi,
I am sure that the aromatic bags of Zhou Xianyi
and of Shang Guan are made by the same person.
Ok I'll help you investigate this.
Can you be a little bit tender?
There is a hole, isn't there?
Is it a dog hole?
I would practice light kungfu if I knew that sooner.
Anyway, no one sees me.
I live my whole life with integrity.
Lu, Lu...
Lu excellency,
why are you here?
Where else do you think I should be?
Your action,
I don't dare deduce.
Come as I do,
let's do it together.
Your excellency, I have something but I don't know whether I should say or not.
But I think I should.
Despite being a constable,
I am still a woman, this late at night
I am willing to follow you investigating things this late
However, a man and a woman together, I am afraid
Excuse me. I am leaving now.
It seems that I will have to meet Yang Head Constable to talk.
About investigations in the future, I won't be able to bring you along.
And regarding the supplementary,
we can discuss later.
If you agree,
I am willing to be with you at any time.
Single man and woman being together this late is not good, that might affect my reputation.
Your excellency, I was just joking.
Being an official means there is no gender discrimination.
You are upright like that.
In just a glance, I can say you are a gentleman who won't be disturbed by a woman sitting on your lap.
No one can make a rumor about you.
Then you are so wrong,
I am not the kind of person that won't be disturbed by a woman sitting on my lap
But to a woman like you,
I really don't have any interest.
Come on here.
Sir
we are both officials. Breaking
into people's house is illegal, sir.
So Constable Yuan, midnight
you went through the other's the dog-hole for what?
Uhm...
Is your light kungfu not good enough
to get here?
No, it isn't.
That is not a dog hole.
Thank you, sir. Actually, I
can do it on my own.
Yang Chengwan's light kungfu,
among the members of embroidered Uniform Guard, is extremely outstanding.
I have never thought
that his student could be that terrible.
No, you get me wrong.
Actually, my light kungfu isn't so bad, it's because this pavilion
is a bit too high.
I am so tired
Sir, hurry up, hurry up
Sir, hurry up
It's just a cat.
Why are you scared?
Cat
Why is here a cat? Is this cat
Zhou Xianyi's?
Because it misses his owner,
it just stays here waiting without leaving for anywhere else.
Tender orchid leaves in spring
And cinnamon blossoms brightly in autumn
As self-conatined as life is
Which conforms them to the seasons.
Yet why will you think that a forest hermit,
Allured by sweet winds and contented with beauty,
Would no more ask to be transplanted
Than would any other natural flower?
It seems that Zhou Xianyi has another lover in Yangzhou.
Sir
This must be fragrance
including
patchouli
and clove.
You go there and search.
Sir
Look
That Zhou Xianyi is a lovesick person.
What do you mean?
Those things are used to make lipsticks.
Wrap up the patchouli and glove
in silk cloths.
Put in warm wine
from 1-3 days
then soak them in the wine gain
pour into those beef marrow.
Heat a little bit and put celery sagebrush in.
This recipe can turn the shade of oil into the silvery white.
The filter the oil with silk cloth,
pour into ceramic cups, let it dry.
Adding a bit of cinnabar,
we have the red lipstick.
It's fine without cinnabar
then this will become face cream.
You seem to know quite a lot, huh?
It was all written in
"To Handle the Citizen Magic".
I read it once.
I wanted to make some cosmetic stuffs to sell
but the capital was too high.
I couldn't bargain, so I gave up.
It's hard to earn money during this time.
Go check that cupboard.
Is there any evidence?
Senior
We haven't had a drink together in a long time.
We need a good drink today.
Okay.
Here.
Remember the last time we had a drink,
the night you left three years ago.
In the last three years,
you've managed Gang Wu An very well.
It must be hard for you.
No.
As long as I see you back,
everything is worth.
Senior sister.
You never wear this girl's stuff.
Why do you wear it now?
You mean this?
Lan Ye gave it to me.
Lan Ye? Who is Lan Ye?
Zhai Lanye.
I got to know her
on the Shou Xi lake three years ago after you left.
She is a person of pitiful life.
If she had not advised me at that time,
I did not know how I can hold up the affairs of
Gang Wu An on the days you left.
Senior sister, you've worked hard.
A toast for you again.
Sir.
Look.
This suit is all torn.
It seemed that this Zhou Xianyi
paid all for the stuff of rouge.
The procedure of making rouge is quite tedious.
It was very thoughtful of him
to do it himself.
Sir.
Do you think his lover
is the one who made the sachets?
Quite possibly.
I told you to look into
Shang Guan Xi's sachet.
How'd it go?
Don't worry, sir.
I'm already looking into it.
We'll know soon enough.
Your, your excellency?
Is this house haunted?
Why is it so windy out here?
Master, I'm sorry.
I didn't intend to do so.
I definitely...
Don't touch it.
Isn't it just a bracelet?
Why so serious?
Zhai Lanye
Wasn't that bag made by sister Shang Guan and
given to Zhou Xianyi as a love token?
No.
She has never done such sewing stuff of girls.
So that Zhai Lanye...
She is her best friend
who had been in Di mansion in the East palace.
I heard she has moved to another place.
About her new location,
I have no idea.
I had told you beforehand.
My sister would never do this.
So as you said,
the one who has special relationship with Zhou Xianyi
iss not sister Shang Guan but Zhai Lanye.
Where can I find her?
The boat house by the lake.
She is the skinny horse of Yangzhou.
I heard that
that is another kind of human trading in Yangzhou
Romantically, it is called to feed the skinny horse
Girls from poor families,
at the age of 7, 8
would be adopted by the rich.
Then they are taught how to play the instruments,
to play chess, to make poems, to paint.
But what they were taught are to
prepare them to become a housewife in the future.
Anyway, I don't like this type.
I also heard that
those intelligent, good-looking, skinny horses are divided into 3 types.
For smart, handsome and swell men,
they will teach the girls
to play instruments, make poems,
write, paint, play chess,
play the flute, play the cards and the bills.
Along with teaching them how to put on makeups,
how to go, walk, sit appropriately,
they will also tell them to imitate the image
in Ru Yi's love story
to learn about the bed stuffs.
Do you like it?
Yuan Da Xia
I don't think you know that much.
Of course.
I have a collection of them.
Wow, I am surprised you like this.
I use it to solve the cases.
You can do whatever you like,
why do you beat me?
Want to ask anything else?
You know a lot of things, huh?
Tell me.
Is there anything else related to Zhai Lanye?
You just told me to ask about the aromatic bags,
not her story.
I...
Don't, don't do that.
No, no.
Yuan Jin Xia, why do you beat people all the time?
I told you, didn't I?
you mustn't beat a man's head.
I'm not that patient.
Tell me now.
Tell me.
Rush for what?
My sister said,
a few months ago,
by Fen Zhou Lake, Zhai Lanye met Zhou Xianyi
with a single piece of melody,
two cups of flat tea
and a small interesting talk,
she moved Zhou Xianyi.
If he was that interested in her,
why didn't he marry her?
Zhai Lanye is an outstanding one among those thin horses.
If he wanted to marry her,
he had to give her owner 10 thousand ounces of silver.
Such an enormous amount of money,
how can he manage to find?
If I say,
I just took 10 thousands ounces and
returned all the rest?
Oh, that how it was.
Zhou Xianyi admitted that he used that 10 thousands ounces
but he didn't reveal the truth hidden inside.
I told you so much information.
How will you thank me?
If you are still touchy,
I will hit you.
After you know how to thank me,
you can find me.
I'm leaving.
Hey.
Your excellency,
Why did you go in without knocking the door?
I'm sorry, sorry.
I didn't know that you were changing your clothes.
I have urgent issue to report.
What happens?
Your excellency, I found out that
the reason why Zhou Xianyi needed that amount of money.
Because of a skinny horse.
Skinny horse?
Her name is Zhai Lanye
a few months ago,
Zhou Xianyi had feelings for her
then if he wanted to marry her, he had
to give the owner 10 thousands ounces of silver.
This Zhou Xianyi is extremely happy.
He also sold all his family's land to save money.
It seems that
eventually, heroes cannot pass over beauties.
As far as I know,
as long as the weather is nice,
Di master will take Zhai Lanye
to Fan Zhou lake to find a perfect son-in-law.
You go arrange me a boat.
Spread the news that I want to travel on the lake.
Say that I'm a gentleman from
the Capital, know how to do it?
Delicious food to hunt the golden tortoise,
I've thought about it already.
Tomorrow you go with Yang Yue.
Yes, sir.
Master Lu, but, this,..
What's wrong?
I need money to hire the boat.
But I don't have much money...
Can you lend me some?
Wait until this ends, then we'll settle accounts.
How can I rent a boat without money?
With your ability,
isn't it easy to find some money?
Thank you fro your compliment, I shall take my leave.
Xia Master.
This maid hairstyle is adorable.
Green dress with pink inside,
shows happiness and positiveness.
Da Yang, you look good on your clothe.
Really?
You said it that way, but you didn't sound cheerful?
Are you praising me?
What about you? Did you praise me?
I...
Yes, I did.
Yes?
Was I happy, was I?
Okay, okay.
What's wrong?
This?
You don't understand.
This is my camouflage.
Or else with my appearance,
without any scars,
how can I look like the servants?
It's like
those two head buns.
You dare say, you dare.
That's hurt.
Okay, okay, Da Yang,
You are becoming more and more annoying.
Okay, can you stop?
Let me tell you...
Get me the wine.
Quick, go.
Here, sir.
You, constable Yuan.
Disguising as a maid means you have to act like a real maid.
You are so coarse
and so easy to be seen through.
Please, drink it sir.
Is it okay now, sir?
So so.
That outlook of yours
is really...
My beauty is just less than normal a little bit
but it is for the investigation.
Just put up with it.
I will use what I have.
As long as you like it.
Rainy as it is,
May Zhai Lanye come outside to travel the lake?
If she doesn't,
then this is a huge waste of money.
Sir, eat it, why don't you eat?
You go eat.
Zhai Lanye's boat is coming.
What will we do now?
It's really her.
I heard that
Zhai Lanye is very good at the temperament and playing pipa.
She is here, let's activate our boat.
Okay.
Whose boat is it that kicked ours?
What if you hurt my lady?
Sorry, sorry.
I'm really sorry. My young master said that
he wanted to say sorry to her in person.
She is not the one who everyone can meet.
Gui Er,
Don't be rude.
Ask the young master of that boat to come over.
Yes. Please, come on in.
Wait for me.
Sir, as you anticipated,
she replied really quickly.
Is your working in Department Six for nothing?
You think
does she want to meet me
or I want to meet her more?
I'm not sure.
What did you say?
How smart you are, sir.
Come in this way.
Lan Ye myself want to send you my welcome.
I disturbed you.
I had made the boatman suffered.
Hope that you could forgive me.
You are so serious.
I'm still doing fine.
I made you worry for me.
I'm a newcomer here in Yangzhou.
I especially wanted to see the scenario at West Lake.
I just heard your music,
I really adore it.
I usually like playing instruments,
Please excuse for that.
Can we be that lucky
to hear you play a song?
You come here so you are my guests.