Episode Summary
Luo Shu investigates the framing of Xue Wen Yin for adultery, amidst rising tensions and accusations. The sudden death of the stablehand, Niu Dali, initially ruled a suicide, becomes the center of the investigation. Luo Shu, with the help of Qi Menglin and a disguised coroner, uncovers evidence suggesting Niu Dali was murdered and had a secret connection to Xiao Yue, who is trying to get rid of Xue Wen Yin. Han Muzhi discovers Luo Shu's involvement, complicating matters further. The episode ends with the reveal of Niu Dali's past and his connection with the fragrance hall.
Spoiler Alert
This episode throws us into a whirlwind of accusations, betrayals, and small-town drama in Linfen County.
Zhou Xian, the local education officer, is terrified when he realizes that Qi Menglin is the son of the powerful Governor Qi. Qi Menglin, humiliated after being wrongly accused, seeks out Luo Shu for help. He finds her house locked and, in his desperation, climbs the wall, only to be mistaken for a thief and further accused of having an affair with Zhou Xian's wife, Xue Wen Yin. The situation escalates quickly, with Qi Menglin furious and Zhou Xian pathetically begging for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yue, Zhou Xian's concubine, loudly proclaims that Xue Wen Yin is having an affair. She even produces a pair of men's undergarments supposedly found in Xue Wen Yin's room as "evidence." Zhou Xian, already overwhelmed, brushes the issue aside, more concerned with throwing a banquet to appease Qi Menglin. Liu Wan, Xue Wen Yin's cousin, sees through the charade and, with the excuse of needing to speak with Qi Menglin and Luo Shu, pulls them away from the escalating drama. Xue Wen Yin breaks down in tears, knowing Xiao Yue is framing her but unable to prove it.
Liu Wan, convinced of her cousin's innocence, asks Luo Shu to stay at the Zhou residence for a few days to help clear Xue Wen Yin's name. Luo Shu, also believing Xue Wen Yin is being wronged, readily agrees. Qi Menglin, worried that Liu Wan might bully Luo Shu, wants to stay as well, but Luo Shu sends him back to ask for leave from Han Muzhi.
Luo Shu begins her investigation by questioning Xue Wen Yin. We learn that Xue Wen Yin has been married to Zhou Xian for two years without bearing children. Zhou Xian then took Xiao Yue, his childhood sweetheart, as a concubine. Xiao Yue, having given birth to a son, uses her favored status to constantly torment Xue Wen Yin, hoping to drive her out. A servant, Ziyan, recalls seeing someone enter Xue Wen Yin's room during her nap, but only caught a glimpse of the person's back. Luo Shu notes that the intruder seemed very familiar with the inner layout of the house.
Luo Shu and Liu Wan's search for clues among the household servants proves fruitless. However, they learn that Xiao Yue introduced a relative, Niu Dali, to work as a stablehand. Niu Dali is described as tall and strong. Luo Shu and Liu Wan go to the stables, where they find Niu Dali drunk. He's uncooperative and claims to know nothing about anything.
Zhou Xian, aware of the new County Magistrate Han Muzhi's influential connections, hopes to use him to advance his own career. He procures a fine inkstone as a gift for Han Muzhi. Xue Wen Yin tries to tell Zhou Xian about Liu Wan's relationship with Han Muzhi, but he impatiently cuts her off, urging her to get rid of Luo Shu as soon as possible.
Xue Wen Yin suspects Xiao Yue is using Niu Dali to frame her. She sends Ziyan to a tavern frequented by Niu Dali, where she learns he's been spending lavishly. Han Muzhi, meanwhile, is worried sick because Luo Shu hasn't returned to the county office by nightfall. He's about to send out a search party when Qi Menglin arrives, reassuring him that Luo Shu is with a friend (without revealing it's Liu Wan). Still, Han Muzhi is uneasy.
Qi Menglin, also concerned about Luo Shu, stakes out Zhou Xian's house overnight. Early the next morning, Liu Wan arrives to find Luo Shu still asleep. News breaks that Niu Dali has committed suicide in the stables. Xiao Yue immediately accuses Xue Wen Yin of driving him to it. Zhou Xian tries to suppress the news and sends for Niu Dali's family. Luo Shu finds Niu Dali's death suspicious, suspecting foul play. She wants to bring in the coroner, Coroner Xu, but Zhou Xian is desperate to avoid a scandal.
Qi Menglin and Lianshu have been guarding Zhou's house all night. Luo Shu sees Qi Menglin in the morning and asks him to help her with a plan to bring in Xu Wenzheng for an autopsy. Qi Menglin pretends to be Niu Dali's vengeful ghost, haunting the stables and leaving bloody handprints everywhere. The stablehand is terrified. Luo Shu suggests bringing in a "sorcerer" to perform a ritual, and Zhou Xian, out of options, agrees.
Coroner Xu, disguised as the sorcerer, performs a show in the courtyard before secretly examining Niu Dali's body. Liu Wan suspects someone in the household had an affair with Niu Dali and that he was the one who planted the undergarments in Xue Wen Yin's room. Xiao Yue vehemently defends Niu Dali. Liu Wan threatens to go to the authorities, but Zhou Xian, still trying to contain the situation, declares Niu Dali's death a suicide and urges Xiao Yue to quickly notify Niu Dali's family to collect the body. Xiao Yue is stunned, and Luo Shu observes her reaction closely.
Xue Wen Yin recalls an argument between Niu Dali and Xiao Yue a month prior, sensing something was amiss between them. Luo Shu decides to examine Niu Dali's belongings. Han Muzhi sees Qi Menglin calling Coroner Xu away and becomes suspicious. He waits for Coroner Xu's return and learns about the autopsy at the Zhou household.
Han Muzhi confronts Zhou Xian, who is shocked to learn that Han Muzhi is Liu Wan's fiancé. Zhou Xian immediately becomes subservient, and his attitude toward Xue Wen Yin changes dramatically. Han Muzhi scolds Liu Wan for leaving Luo Shu to investigate, but Luo Shu insists she stayed voluntarily. Han Muzhi, unable to argue further, returns to the county office. Zhou Xian escorts him a long way, while Xiao Yue realizes that Han Muzhi, as Liu Wan's fiancé, is unlikely to allow Xue Wen Yin to be dismissed.
Liu Wan and Luo Shu examine Niu Dali's belongings and discover he had a lot of money and a "Qirong Pill," a type of sedative made by the fragrance hall. Xue Wen Yin remembers that Xiao Yue visited the fragrance hall shortly before becoming pregnant, and that Niu Dali came to work at the Zhou household after the fragrance hall was raided. Luo Shu concludes that Niu Dali was a member of the fragrance hall, that he assaulted Xiao Yue there, and later came to her for help when he was desperate.
