Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚖Defenders of the Law ⚖ Team @ Viki
["Water and Flame" by Shu Linzuo]
♫ The boundless world is pitch-dark as the night ♫
♫ Your appearance is like a lightning bolt that tore through the night ♫
♫ My birth is neither impure nor pure, neither born nor destroyed ♫
♫ Perseverance is in my heart behaving atrociously, who can comprehend? ♫
♫ The sharp sword that penetrates desire is stained with blood ♫
♫ The season tainted with the hypocrisy of the world is prosperous yet withering ♫
♫ Give me some time, I can change everything ♫
♫ The courageous moth can also extinguish a sea of flames ♫
♫ Sorrow and delight are interweaving with colors ♫
♫ Layers upon layers covered by a dense fog ♫
♫ Numerous obstacles cannot stop me ♫
♫ To uncover the truth ♫
♫ A region of burning fire and deep waters ♫
♫ Calm and blazing both existing ♫
♫ Who will indulge the wicked flames ♫
♫ To boil the deep sea ♫
♫ This is the era of survival of the fittest ♫
♫ Everything will be planned by oneself ♫
♫ Even if it is a proud and aloof predestination ♫
♫ Even if completely incompatible, I’m still here ♫
[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍]
[Episode 5]
Why me?
After all, you also use a knife as your tool to make a living.
You've been through many bloody events.
If it is a must, you do it.
I'm a doctor who cures people and saves lives.
I won't take a life.
Lower your voice. It may hear it.
If so, those words will haunt it.
Fine, I'll do it.
Is it possible that Han Zao wasn't poisoned?
Not at all. He must have been poisoned.
How do you prove that?
Also, how will we identify the poison?
At present, we can only tell the poison from the body's external features.
Let me out.
Let me... Let me out.
Let me out. Let me out.
Please. Let us out.
Let us out.
Let me out.
Please.
Let me out.
I'm willing to say everything.
[Be loyal and righteous]
Zongqi Sui, wrong! Baihu Sui.
I haven't congratulated you on your promotion.
I didn't expect your visit today.
Commander Wang, Western Depot's interrogation has driven those people mad.
How can you find leads?
It's not that severe.
We just pricked them with needles and didn't allow them to sleep.
Do you have any findings?
You have your method. I have mine.
Not until the end can we know whose method is effective.
But such torture is of no help in finding leads.
Sometimes, finding no leads is also a lead.
Your Excellency! Your Excellency! Your Excellency!
- Dong'er. - Your Excellency!
I beg you to save me.
Get up first. What's the matter?
Master came back with his second wife
and said they will sell the family property and move to the south.
His second wife also said it was no use to have so many family servants.
We will all be dismissed.
But my contract deprives me of being redeemed. They will sell me.
Please save me, Your Excellency!
Don't panic. I'll go ask if I can buy you.
Your Excellency!
Go back first and wait for my news.
Your Excellency.
Just go back.
What brought Official Tang here so late at night?
I came to confirm
if you plan to dismiss your family servants?
Yes. So what?
If it is true, I wonder whether you can sell Dong'er to me.
Dong'er? I can sell her. 50 taels of silver.
50 taels of silver?
I spent 5 taels of silver buying her back then
and gave her free food all these years.
Is 50 taels of silver too much?
Okay. Deal.
Please give me some time. I'll come again after preparing enough money.
Please see yourself out.
[The house has been mortgaged. Please move out in three days.]
Kicked out?
Why are you here?
Why didn't they let you stay?
The second wife of the master next door is moving to the south with her family.
So I was kicked out.
What did you come for?
I still have no idea about Han Zao's case.
So I wanted to discuss it with you.
Official Sui, I'm suffering a hard time now.
Your things are not that urgent.
After all, I'm a lower 6th rank magistrate
but I was kicked out by other people.
I must find a place as soon as possible, or I'll have to sleep on the streets.
It isn't hard to find a house, is it?
Do you know how expensive houses in the capital are?
No idea.
Official Sui, where do you live?
How is the residential environment there? Is your house expensive?
Near Revered North Lane.
The residential environment is acceptable.
Revered North Lane? That's a prime area!
You live with your parents, right? Is your house big?
I live alone.
I bought that house years ago.
It's a three-entrance building. Not bad.
Official Sui, have you had breakfast?
Soy milk and deep-fried dough sticks of this store are the best in this block.
Have a try before they get cold.
Han Zao's case...
I have some ideas about Han Zao's case.
What ideas?
But I'm with a poor memory these days.
In terms of the reward of Marquis Wu'an's case days ago,
I can't remember whether I've taken the 50 taels of silver or not.
With nothing but bare walls, it is still my home.
Now, I and my sheep are about to be homeless.
With a poor memory and nowhere to settle down,
I can't keep myself at peace.
If I'm not at peace, I can't think of any lead.
If Official Tang doesn't mind, I have some available rooms.
I don't want to bother you.
Official Sui, don't worry.
I will sort the leads out and tell you after I find a place to dwell.
It's not possible for you to find a place in a short time.
Plus, the Li family is pushing you so hard.
Just hurry and move to my place.
Settle yourself down to handle the case.
Okay. I'll listen to you.
Cheers.
You live in such a big house, alone?
I'm not used to living with parents.
Being an imperial guard is not much of a good thing.
Getting in and out of my home in flying fish dress will panic others, (T/N: flying fish dress is the official uniform of the imperial guards)
so it's better to live alone. I feel at ease now.
How can you not feel at ease by living in such a big house?
The one in front of us is my room.
You can choose either of the west or the east wing-rooms.
I want this one. It seems good. I love it.
The left room can be my study.
It basks in the sunlight. I won't be cold in the winter.
Here you are.
Can't you talk nicely?
Why are you so rude?
After all, I'm a tenant you invited.
Is this the Sui Family's way to treat guests?
Furthermore, I won't live here for free.
I will pay for it.
I wanted to pay more. But as you let me live in this wing-room,
I will pay you 1,2 taels each year.
- You... - You didn't oppose. I'll take that as a yes.
I'll go to Shuntian Prefecture and come back before dinner.
Stop!
Help me watch the things on the carriage and ask people to carry them to my room.
- I ask... - By the way,
I haven't paid for the carriage. Please pay for me.
I'll give you the money when I pay for my rent at the end of this year.
Official Tang!
why did you come this late?
I relocated today and it took some time.
What? Official Pan asked about me?
No. No.
No.
What happened?
Those two Oirats came again.
They are making a scene at the gate.
Official Pan hasn't come yet.
I don't know what to do.
Fortunately, you came. I'm relieved now.
Aha, that man is here.
Give my cloak back!
Return her cloak!
Though I was drunk, I knew everything.
I remember them clearly! You were so suspicious at the alley.
You are indeed a thief!
Listen, rascal, though Aha was drunk,
she remembers everything you did that night!
You thought I fell asleep so I knew nothing, right?
I actually woke up several times.
Aha remembers everything that happened when you slept with her.
When did I sleep with you? Don't slander me!
I didn't expect you to steal my cloak.
You not only stole it but also tore it!
I'm fuming!
You rascal not only slept with Aha but also tore her clothing.
Aha is really angry.
He even tore her clothing.
I see.
This official appears to be dressy.
In fact, he has damaged that girl.
I can tell it is a love debt.
What love debt? Stop talking nonsense,
or I'll sue you for slander.
Give my cloak back!
I...
- My chopsticks! - You wicked official!
Why did they give your thing back but still not return mine?
If you don't return my cloak today, I won't let you go!
Listen, if you don't return her cloak, your chopsticks will be broken.
Return my chopsticks first.
- Return my cloak. - Return my chopsticks first.
- Cloak. - Fine. 5 days.
I'll return your cloak within 5 days.
- 1 day. - 1 day.
- 4 days. - 2 days.
- 3 days. This is my bottom line.
They don't keep their word.
Since you don't keep your word, I'll take this away.
You can exchange my cloak for them after 3 days.
Rascal, you can exchange her cloak for your chopsticks in 3 days.
Go back! Go back! There's nothing for you to see.
Get lost!
Let's go. Let's go.
Second Madam, how can you break your promise?
You agreed to sell her to me for 50 taels. How can you sell her to Joyous Brothel?
I did promise you.
Then you said you went back to prepare the money.
I waited for 2 days but you still didn't come.
Then Joyous Brothel gave me the money.
Obviously it was first come, first served.
See you, Young Master Yang.
Take care!
Xiao Hong will wait for you tomorrow.
Official Tang, I did spend 50 taels buying her.
But rouge, powder, room, and bedding also need money.
What I do is business.
Actually, I'm doing this for your sake.
For my sake?
You don't know, though that girl looks small, she is gluttonous.
Her gluttony is immaterial
as Joyous Brothel is wealthy enough to afford it.
But think about this. Since she is gluttonous,
she will be as fat as a pig within less than half a month.
How can any guest be fond of her?
You won't be able to sell her then. And she eats so much every day.
You will be wasting money.
Only spoiled children are gluttonous.
As long as she stays here for a few days,
I'm sure she will behave herself after our instruction.
It's my well-intentioned advice.
I hope you can think it over.
Official Tang, you misunderstood.
I'm not refusing to sell her.
Well, I'll tell you my bottom line.
Don't tell anyone else.
- Go ahead. - 200 taels of silver.
200 taels of silver?
It's the special price only for Your Excellency.
If other people ask me, it's at least 300 taels.
You are charging an exorbitant price.
200 taels of silver is an exorbitant price?
There are numerous people willing to pay the money.
Look at Master Huang downstairs.
You are planning to sell Dong'er's virginity?
How can that be possible?
Only when she is familiar to guests
and has more admirers can I sell her at a higher price.
Official Tang, take care!
What are these?
White radishes. They must be cooked in order to take effect.
What's this?
Noodle and rice soup with cabbage and egg.
It's my creation.
I cooked soup first, then added egg white and cabbage to noodles.
Finally, I put rice in it.
Would you like to try?
How is it?
What is this? It's so disgusting!
I put my heart and soul into cooking it.
Why don't you eat it?
I don't have an appetite.
I don't care. You must eat it.
I put my whole effort into cooking it.
Don't cook anymore, okay?
Be frank.
What's up?
Brother Guangchuan, you are handsome, (T/N: Guangchuan is Sui Zhou's courtesy name)
you have a successful career, and get promotions in consecutive years.
I think what you need is a person in charge of housekeeping.
What do you want to say?
I know a person perfect for this.
Do you remember Dong'er?
Since Mr. Li planned to move to the south with his family,
his second wife decided to dismiss family servants.
I planned to buy Dong'er but the second wife broke her promise
and sold Dong'er to Joyous Brothel.
I went there to talk with the procuress.
But that woman deliberately created difficulties for me.
I couldn't find a way out but to come back and ask you for help.
I thought it would be a big issue.
So you agree?
Great! Then what's for dinner?
Sir, let's go upstairs and play.
I knew that.
Magpies have chirped all this morning, non-stop.
My eyelids keep twitching.
It's because of you, my distinguished guests.
Girls, what are you waiting for?
Come and greet the guests!
Why are you still standing there?
Sir, if you have any requests, just tell me.
Imperial guards team up with Water and Fire Association
to check the fire safety equipment in Joyous Brothel.
Tell your guests to go out.
Sir, if we offended any dignitaries, please tell me.
I'll pay attention to that.
If you continue to check my brothel, I won't be able to do business.
That's none of my business.
From today on, we will have a thorough check every day on
your anti-fire and anti-theft facilities
as well as the identity of every visitor.
Sir, I beg for your mercy.
Please tell me, which dignitary did I offend?
Your brothel has an acute problem in fire prevention.
First, water vats in the front yard and backyard are not filled with water for emergencies.
Second, look, lamps here lack anti-fire rings.
Third, you spent 50 taels buying a girl from the Li Mansion.
Now I'd also like to spend the same amount buying her.
Sir, that's your point?
You scared me!
That girl, not to say selling her,
I can give her to you for free.
I'll go fetch Dong'er's contract.
Come back! Come back!
I won't take her for free.
50 taels. I will pay you the full price.
Why are you still standing there?
Fill the water vats.
Brother Guangchuan, are you a neat freak?
Why is it taking so long?
Is it a matter of being a neat freak?
Do you know how dirty the kitchen is after you used it?
Well, do it quickly. I'm hungry.
Your Excellency! Official Tang!
Dong'er!
- Your Excellency! - Dong'er!
Dong'er.
It's good to see you come back, Dong'er.
It's good to see you come back.
Your Excellency.
Who is this ugly girl?
Go inside and wash yourself.
[Dong'er's Contract]
Thank you, Brother Guangchuan.
The kitchen was ruined by Tang Fan.
There are only a few ingredients left.
Please put up with the noodles.
Yummy. Delicious.
It's marvelous.
What are you doing?
It's so tasty.
It's like the noodles cooked by my mother. So tasty.
I will never forget Your Excellencies' kindness to me.
I'm indebted forever.
Stand up.
Stand up. Stand up.
Don't call me "Your Excellency." Call me "Brother."
Brother Sui. Brother Tang.
Brother.
When did you come?
The temperature is moderate. Do you want to have a try as well?
Why did you leave?
Is this Official Sui's house?
Here is your arhat bed.
We put it here, Your Excellency.
Please pay the bill.
It's 3 taels of silver in total.
I never ordered any arhat bed! And 3 taels of silver?
Get out!
Don't yell. I ordered it for you.
You carried all my things out and messed them up.
What if I can't find things when I need them?
Brother Guangchuan, what you said doesn't make sense.
We will reorganize them after drying them.
How can you not find things you want?
Where is my identification, document and capital deployment map?
Where are they?
Your identification is in the second drawer of the counter in your study.
The document is the paper you brought back yesterday, right?
It's at the rightmost edge of the penultimate tier of the hollowed-out shelf in your study.
What is a capital deployment map?
A book with illustrations.
There are a few on the small tea table near the window of your bedroom.
There are drawings in them.
You put them there?
I saw them when Brother Tang turned them over.
What are you fuming over in this hot weather?
Everything you want is here.
If you regret letting us stay here, you can tell me directly.
You needn't speak in a surly way.
In a surly way?
I speak in a surly way?
Dong'er, pack our things up. We're leaving.
Baihu Sui hates seeing us.
We don't have to stay here to ask for a snub.
But do we have anywhere else to go?
Being homeless is better than staying here.
I even read Han Zao's case file until this morning.
I planned to discuss with him. But my good intentions were eaten by a dog!
What did you say?
Eaten by a dog!
I'm asking about the breakthroughs of Han Zao's case.
No breakthroughs. If there were, my anger towards you has pushed it out of my mind.
Take them down.
Enjoy yourself.
Have you thought of anything about Han Zao's case?
Yes.
I want to go to the imperial palace.
To find leads, I must go to the imperial palace.
This is the imperial kitchen which is in charge of food in the palace.
Now we are passing by His Highness the Crown Prince's chamber, "Merciful Celebration Palace."
Turning right from here, you can see Queen Mother Zhou's "Tranquil Longevity Palace."
This is Noble Consort's "Peaceful Delight Palace."
In front of us is "Prosperous Literature Hall."
It is the last place Han Zao stayed before
he died suddenly on the way back home.
Well, do you have any findings?
Nothing.
Actually, I came here in order to see the crown prince.
What?
His Highness was the last person Han Zao stayed with before he died.
Only by meeting His Highness can we know what on earth happened that day.
It's an extraordinary request.
It's more than extraordinary.
I'm asking for the moon.
But I know you can do it.
Long live Your Majesty, the Queen Mother.
Baihu Sui Zhou of Imperial Guards asked outside to see you.
Let him in.
Yes.
Greetings, Queen Mother.
You may rise. Have a seat.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Zhou'er, you haven't been here for some time.
There is a lot of work to do at the Northern Administrative Court
I must be diligent.
I heard you were promoted to Baihu a few days ago.
You are a 6th rank official now?
Yes.
Do your best.
Be the best you can be.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How is your mother doing?
She is fine.
But she is concerned about Your Majesty.
It's been a long time since she came to see me.
I am alone in the palace.
There is no one who can talk with me.
I will tell my mother to come
and keep you company when she is available.
Okay.
Fine.
Your Majesty, actually, I came here today
to ask for your help with an issue.
What is it?
It is the case of the crown prince's studying companion that's been assigned to the Imperial Guards.
It's complicated and hard to get new findings.
Almost half a month has passed,
I've just found a few leads.
I am disappointing His Majesty.
This case involves the imperial palace.
It's a serious matter.
His Majesty cares much about it as well.
What can I do for you?
Does Your Majesty still remember Tang Fan who was praised
by His Majesty for his talent at the palace examination three years ago?
Yes.
The person was chosen by His Majesty.
Now he is a magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture.
He is acute and resourceful, and has cracked many weird cases.
I took him to the palace today to ask His Highness about
the situation that happened that day.
It may be helpful to the case.
Where is the crown prince today?
Your Majesty, His Highness is practicing archery at the drill ground.
Let's go to meet His Highness there.
Archery is boring.
Wooden swords are more interesting.
Your Highness, it's not right to say so.
If we were at war now,
our victory would still count on horseback archery.
The Oirat have outstanding cavalry and horses.
Almost every soldier can hit the target on a fast horse.
Facing such enemies, we must master horseback archery.
Your Highness will reign the country in the future
and be a supreme commander of the army.
Horseback archery must not be undervalued
I understand.
You have progressed a lot in archery.
Your Majesty.
Grandmother.
Your Highness!
Grandmother, do you think my archery has improved?
Yes.
Reward.
No. 1 Scholar candy!
You are glowing.
Have a rest now.
Baihu Sui.
Yes.
His Highness is having a rest now.
What do you want to ask?
Your Majesty, it's about Han Zao's case.
I want to know if
Your Highness remembers what happened that day.
Cheng'er, do you want to talk about
Han Zao's case with them?
Grandmother, I'm willing to.
I want to do something for Zao'er
by helping to find the murderer.
Good boy.
I'm Tang Fan, lower 6th rank magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture.
Your Majesty. Your Highness.
You can ask whatever you want to ask.
Yes.
Your Highness, could you detail what happened that day for me?
Noble Consort, a magistrate brought by the Queen Mother
is asking the crown prince questions.
Magistrate?
I remember the lesson for that day was to
read "Historical Records of Later Qin Dynasty" which is the third chapter
of Abridged Comprehensive Mirror to Aid Government.
We had a break between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Your Highness, it's time to have a break.
At the same time, maids served mung bean soup to us
and said it was sent by the noble consort.
We were thirsty after reading so we were very happy about that.
But... But when I was about to drink,
- You may leave now. - Liu Xiang said the decoction I had had those days
wasn't compatible with mung beans.
Your Highness, the decoction you've had these days
isn't compatible with mung beans.
It's better not to have the soup.
Is it...
Give mine to Zao'er.
Your Highness, the reason why you didn't drink the soup
is because of the medicine?
Yes. At the time...
Yes. His Highness had a cold a few days ago
and had inflammation in the stomach and bowels.
The Imperial Hospital prescribed Torreya seed tea.
His Highness has been drinking it till now.
I see. Your Highness, please go on.
I couldn't drink it.
So I let Zao'er have both bowls of soup.
He didn't seem different after drinking it.
We then read for another 2 hours before he left.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I'm clear about what happened that day.
Her Highness is here!
Your Majesty.
You may rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
Rise, Your Highness.
You may all rise.
I heard a magistrate came here.
Where is that person?
I'm Tang Fan, lower 6th rank magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture.
Your Highness.
Are people from Shuntian Prefecture
able to enter the imperial palace at their will now?
This is a forbidden place and yet is so casual.
I think sometime later,
loiterers can also enter here at their will.
Your Highness,
Official Tang was brought to the palace by me.
I was appointed to investigate the case of His Highness's studying companion.
Though Official Tang is Shuntian Prefecture's magistrate,
he was asked by the Northern Administrative Court to assist with the case.
You are using His Majesty to press me.
I do not dare.
The reason why His Majesty gave this case to the Imperial Guard
is because their commander Wan Tong is your brother.
He did this to help you feel relieved.
Do you have any worries?
You misunderstood, Your Majesty.
I have nothing to worry about.
But Official Sui is from your family.
His Majesty made such an arrangement,
isn't it also to help you feel relieved?
Chen Fulin is from a poor family.
In the eighth year of the Chenghua reign, he became a eunuch and came to the palace.
He was transferred to five government offices in 6 years.
In addition, he has a twin brother.
Before the new year, his parents took his brother to the outer city, Revered South Lane,
and opened a tofu pudding store there.
Though the business isn't great,
it offers them a dwelling in the capital.
Do we need to bring every related person here for interrogation?
His Majesty just scolded me
and told me not to cause troubles in the imperial harem.
He came to five government offices in 6 years?
If we do interrogate every related person,
half of the imperial palace will be involved.
I'm stupid.
Send people to monitor Chen Fulin's family first.
Yes.
Commander, Queen Mother brought Baihu Sui
and a magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture to ask the crown prince about Han Zao's case.
Noble Consort went there after hearing about it.
Now they are in a deadlock at the drill ground.
Prepare the carriage. I'll go to the imperial study.
Not to the drill ground?
Do you think Queen Mother and Noble Consort
will listen to anyone else besides His Majesty?
What do you mean by saying that, Your Majesty?
I have the same question for you.
Obviously, Queen Mother suspects me.
It's me who ordered maids to send the mung bean soup.
Since it was sent by me, how could I put poison in it?
Why would I shoot myself in the foot?
His Majesty!
Mother Empress.
Your Majesty.
Father Emperor.
Long live Your Majesty!
Rise.
Why are you all here today?
Her Majesty brought a magistrate.
I was worried. So I came to have a look.
Magistrate?
Mother Empress, what magistrate?
The magistrate from Shuntian Prefecture.
There he is.
Your Majesty, I'm Tang Fan, lower 6th rank magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture.
Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚖Defenders of the Law ⚖ Team @ Viki
♫ Out of the mud but not tainted with the world of mortals ♫
♫ The sea drifts along while the heart is calm for a fraction ♫
♫ All alone in the world with no love nor hate ♫
♫ Being too slow-witted is also an innate intelligence ♫
♫ The cold fireworks branded the palm lines of predestination ♫
♫ New wounds cannot easily conceal old scars ♫
♫ The naked eye cannot easily break through worldly affairs, it can only hold on to one’s pure inherent quality ♫
♫ Hold his hand, don’t let him sink into degradation ♫
♫ In this mortal world together, both wandering to the end of the world ♫
♫ Brushing past each other, there’s no need to be bothered with the past ♫
♫ A fish leaped over the dragon gate (after becoming successful), you eventually forgot your original identity ♫
♫ I only ask for you to always remember my expression as I gazed back ♫