Episode Summary
Jin Miaocui sends a desperate plea for help to Constable Cai. Luo Shu realizes Miaocui is in danger and urges Cai to rescue her. A complex series of events unfolds at the Mingke Brothel, involving accusations, investigations, and a false confession. Luo Shu discovers Miaocui's near-lifeless body, leading to a deep emotional breakdown. The investigation points to a boatman, Guo Xing, but he's innocent. Xiao Mian'ao reveals the truth about Madam Yu's involvement in Miaocui's beating and subsequent murder, ordered by the brothel's owner, Master Li. A rescue attempt saves Madam Yu's life, and she finally reveals the full truth.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Luo Shu trying to see Jin Miaocui at the Mingke Brothel, but she's forcefully ejected by the brothel's madam, Madam Yu. Jin Miaocui, in a desperate move, gets a message to Constable Cai through a deliveryman, pleading for his help. Constable Cai, along with Cai Baozi, immediately sets out and coincidentally runs into Luo Shu. Luo Shu, remembering her previous advice to Miaocui to seek Constable Cai's help in emergencies, realizes Miaocui is in danger. Unable to intervene directly due to her recent expulsion and no longer being a constable, she urges Constable Cai to rescue Miaocui while she and Cai Baozi wait at the government office.
Constable Cai arrives at the brothel, claiming he needs to question Miaocui at the Yamen. Madam Yu, however, is steadfast, demanding an official document with the county magistrate's seal. Cai has no choice but to return to Han Muzhi, the magistrate, for the paperwork. Madam Yu's suspicions are aroused, and she orders her men to keep a close watch on Miaocui.
Luo Shu seeks help from Han Muzhi, and Constable Cai rushes in shortly after. Learning the situation, Han Muzhi agrees to sign the document, despite Chen Meiqing's advice against hasty action. Luo Shu suggests someone scout the brothel, and Qi Menglin, arriving just in time, volunteers Lianshu, his servant, for the task. With no better plan, Luo Shu agrees.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu drop Lianshu off at the brothel. After some anxious waiting and careful instruction from Qi Menglin, Lianshu discovers Miaocui is staying in a side courtyard. He witnesses a bloody man leaving the room, followed by Madam Yu and her staff entering and leaving Miaocui's room, their expressions hurried. Lianshu rushes back to report to Luo Shu and Qi Menglin.
They rush to Miaocui's room, only to find it empty, with the staff cleaning up bloodstains. Madam Yu claims Miaocui died suddenly from a "horse-riding wind" (a euphemism, likely for a sudden illness or seizure during sex), but Luo Shu doesn't believe her. Madam Yu, in turn, accuses Luo Shu of causing Miaocui's death by encouraging her to leave the brothel, leading to her being beaten to death.
Luo Shu, suspecting Miaocui's body was dumped at the mass graves, races there, followed by Qi Menglin. She finds Miaocui, badly beaten and near death. Luo Shu is heartbroken, and Qi Menglin can only offer silent support. Luo Shu is so distraught that she refuses to eat, prompting Qi Menglin to encourage her to regain her strength to avenge Miaocui.
Luo Shu and Miaocui, both sold to the brothel as children, had been each other's only family. Now separated by death, Luo Shu breaks down, sobbing on Qi Menglin's shoulder. Han Muzhi, arriving with food for Luo Shu, witnesses the scene and quietly leaves. Coroner Xu's examination reveals Miaocui was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. Luo Shu wants to find the killer, but Qi Menglin urges her to rest, promising to investigate himself.
Luo Shu asks Han Muzhi for help in investigating Miaocui's death, which he readily agrees to. Qi Menglin learns Miaocui's last customer was a boatman named Guo Xing. Constable Cai, Luo Shu, and Qi Menglin go to Guo Xing's house, finding him burning paper money for Miaocui. Cai immediately subdues Guo Xing, and Qi Menglin, in a fit of rage, attacks him. Guo Xing, however, protests his innocence.
Guo Xing explains he went to Miaocui for pleasure but found her beaten and near death, spitting blood on him. Terrified, he fled. Luo Shu believes Guo Xing and suspects Madam Yu ordered Miaocui's death. They bring Madam Yu to the Yamen.
However, Coroner Xu's examination of the strangulation marks on Miaocui's neck clears Madam Yu. The madam, locked up, yells and threatens to report to the prefectural governor. Qi Menglin gives her a harsh warning. Meanwhile, Xiao Mian'ao, another girl from the brothel, escapes by jumping out a window and rushes to the Yamen to report the crime but is stabbed outside the building. Coroner Xu tends to her wounds, and Luo Shu stays by her side.
Xiao Mian'ao finally wakes up and reveals the truth: Miaocui wrote a letter for help and asked Xiao Mian'ao to deliver it to the Yamen. Madam Yu discovered the letter, ordered Miaocui beaten, and locked her in the side courtyard. Madam Yu then hired a man to kill Miaocui. Xiao Mian'ao is the only witness and fears for her life if Madam Yu finds out she's alive.
Luo Shu visits Madam Yu in jail, pretending Xiao Mian'ao is dead and that she's dropping the investigation. She even releases Madam Yu, escorting her back to the brothel and giving her a note. The brothel's owner, Master Li, has been waiting for Madam Yu and doesn't believe her claims of silence.
Late at night, a Que Si'er(meaning "Lame Fourth") sneaks into Madam Yu's room, attempting to strangle her. Constable Cai, Luo Shu, and Qi Menglin arrive just in time to save her. Madam Yu finally confesses: Master Li also ordered the murder of Fifth Madam.
