Episode Summary
Qi Menglin recovers from his illness, while Luo Shu gains her freedom thanks to Han Muzhi's efforts, though it involved a deal with the manipulative Liu Wan. The truth behind a previous case is revealed, with Wu Zhuangyuan exposed as the true culprit. Luo Shu decides to stay in Linfen as a constable, despite her and Han Muzhi acknowledging their relationship won't work. A water dispute between villagers leads to Luo Shu being kidnapped by Liu Wan, who is hiding at her cousin's house. Qi Menglin attempts a rescue but is caught, and Luo Shu helps cover for Liu Wan to protect her cousin from a jealous concubine.
Spoiler Alert
After being unconscious for a full day and night, Qi Menglin finally wakes up. Luo Shu has been by his side the entire time, taking care of him. Luo Shu offers to get him some porridge, but Qi Menglin, wanting her to stay close, claims he's not hungry.
Meanwhile, Constable Cai returns to Linfen with Jin Laoliu and Jailer Song's testimonies. Luo Shu urges Qi Menglin to eat so they can return to Linfen sooner. Before leaving, Qi Menglin tosses a bag of silver and a note over the wall of Yu Zhen's house, advising her to find a good man and live a good life. Yu Zhen is left confused.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu travel back to Linfen by boat. Qi Menglin is still recovering, and Luo Shu continues to care for him, even buying him baozi (steamed buns). Qi Menglin feels warmth in his heart. He tries to convince Luo Shu to forget about Han Muzhi, even badmouthing Han Muzhi. Luo Shu, upset, stops talking to him. The boat arrives in Linfen, and Luo Shu disembarks alone. Lian Sheng, hearing of Qi Menglin's illness, is waiting for him at the dock.
Luo Shu returns to the county office, where Cai Baozi excitedly tells her that Liu Wan has left Linfen. Constable Cai inquires about Qi Menglin's condition and tells Luo Shu to see Han Muzhi. Han Muzhi finally obtained Luo Shu's freedom papers, meaning she is now a free person. Luo Shu feels an unprecedented sense of ease and joy. Chen Meiqing arrives and explains the whole situation: Liu Wan refused to break off the engagement with Han Muzhi and threatened him with Luo Shu's freedom papers. Luo Shu realizes why Han Muzhi didn't dare to help her during the gathering – Liu Wan was blackmailing him.
Han Muzhi interrogates Lv Wanchang and Lv Cong, and calls Wu Zhuangyuan to confront them. Lv Cong confesses that Wu Zhuangyuan approached him, offered to help Lv Wanchang get off the hook, and demanded a large sum of money. Wu Zhuangyuan found two scapegoats in Hejin County and told Lv Cong to leave the county office with a notice to appeal. Wu Zhuangyuan denies everything and argues vehemently. Han Muzhi presents Jailer Song's testimony, but Wu Zhuangyuan continues to deny it, claiming he never went to Hejin County. He brings his wife and neighbors to testify that he was sick at home last month, blaming everything on Lv Wanchang and Lv Cong.
Luo Shu steps forward to testify against Wu Zhuangyuan, presenting Jin Laoliu and the jailer's testimonies. Wu Zhuangyuan still denies it. Then, the Clerk Weicomes forward to testify. It turns out that Han Muzhi and Chen Meiqing invited the Clerk Weifor drinks, pointed out that he was Liu Yiqing's informant, and reasoned with him. the Clerk Weirepented and agreed to testify against Wu Zhuangyuan. the Clerk Weiexposes Wu Zhuangyuan's crimes in court, leaving him speechless.
With the Ma Tianjin murder case successfully closed, Han Muzhi is filled with mixed emotions, knowing that Luo Shu will leave after this case. Luo Shu bids farewell to Han Muzhi, returning the jade bracelet and thanking him for his efforts and sacrifices to free her. She explains that they are not meant to be. Han Muzhi desperately tries to persuade Luo Shu to stay and work as a constable. Luo Shu, unable to refuse his kindness, agrees. Han Muzhi, looking at the returned bracelet, knows that a relationship with Luo Shu is impossible and is heartbroken.
Chen Meiqing sees Han Muzhi's heartache and advises him to let go of this relationship. Han Muzhi doesn't expect a future with Luo Shu, but just wants her to be close to him. Qi Menglin, recovered from his illness, diligently exercises. He hears that villagers on both sides of the Fen River are on the brink of conflict over water resources, and the constables of Linfen County have rushed there. Qi Menglin, worried about Luo Shu's safety, immediately leads troops to reinforce them.
Qi Menglin personally leads the soldiers to the scene and orders the arrest of the villagers leading the disturbance. He learns that Luo Shu went to get reinforcements and immediately goes after her. He sees someone abducting Luo Shu and chases after them on horseback. The carriage arrives at a large house, and the kidnappers carry Luo Shu inside. Qi Menglin rushes to the door and knocks, but there is no answer. He climbs over the wall into the courtyard.
Liu Wan, who never actually left Linfen, is staying at her cousin Xue Wen Yin's house. She had Luo Shu kidnapped and forces Luo Shu to leave the Linfen County office. Han Muzhi had promised that as long as Liu Wan gave Luo Shu the freedom papers, he would make Luo Shu leave. Luo Shu is unaware of this, and she promises to leave as soon as possible, explaining that she and Han Muzhi have already cleared things up, and she only stays at the county office because she enjoys the life there. Liu Wan sees Luo Shu covered in dirt from mediating the villagers' water dispute and feels sorry for her. Luo Shu feels that what she is doing is meaningful.
Xue Wen Yin sees a shadow flash by and screams in fright. Qi Menglin, who climbed over the wall, is immediately caught. He shouts to see Luo Shu. Zhou Xian, along with his concubine Xiao Yue, arrives and takes Qi Menglin away for questioning. Xiao Yue asks her maid, Shuang'er, to check what is missing from the madam's room. Liu Wan witnesses this and, worried that her cousin Xue Wen Yin will be bullied by Xiao Yue, asks Luo Shu to lie for her, claiming she invited Luo Shu over to catch up. Luo Shu readily agrees.
Shuang'er finds a man's undergarment on Xue Wen Yin's bed. Zhou Xian recognizes that it's not his and believes that Xue Wen Yin and Qi Menglin are having an affair. Xiao Yue fans the flames, and Zhou Xian orders Qi Menglin to be beaten to death. Luo Shu rushes forward to defend Qi Menglin, explaining that Qi Menglin came to find her. Zhou Xian then releases Qi Menglin.
