Episode Summary
Qi Menglin, bored with his privileged life, runs away seeking adventure. Luo Shu becomes his reluctant guide, showing him both the extravagance and poverty of the world. They get caught up in a gambling scam, and Luo Shu saves Qi Menglin. Meanwhile, Luo Shu convinces Han Muzhi to reopen the suspicious murder case of Xu Luan, leading Luo Shu and Qi Menglin to investigate the victim's husband, Lin Xiong, uncovering conflicting accounts from neighbors.
Spoiler Alert
Han Muzhi, after confirming Qi Menglin's identity as the Governor's son through a letter, releases him and even throws a banquet to ease his shock. However, Qi Menglin is tired of his pampered life at home and yearns for adventure. He runs away from his family, seeking excitement in the outside world.
Luo Shu reports back to Han Muzhi, and Qi Menglin recognizes her. He yells at her and even insults her, calling her names. Luo Shu apologizes, but Qi Menglin is relentless, demanding that she become his guide. With Han Muzhi's approval, Luo Shu agrees. The next morning, Luo Shu finds Qi Menglin, who leaves his personal attendant, Lianshu, at the county office. He takes Luo Shu to the streets, intentionally buying large quantities of rice, flour, and oil, forcing her to carry them. Luo Shu struggles under the weight, but Qi Menglin doesn't stop there. He buys a millstone for her to carry. However, Luo Shu cleverly hires a cart to transport everything, frustrating Qi Menglin's attempts to torment her.
Luo Shu then decides to show Qi Menglin the real "jianghu" (the world of martial arts and adventure). She takes him to a squalid slum, distributing all the goods Qi Menglin purchased to the impoverished residents. They swarm to grab the food, and an elderly man misses out. Qi Menglin, feeling a sense of fulfillment he's never experienced before, gives the man money from his own pocket. He wants to give away all his silver notes, but Luo Shu advises him to quit while he's ahead, which he refuses to do.
A local thug witnesses Qi Menglin's generosity and takes him to a cockfighting match. Qi Menglin quickly loses a lot of money. Luo Shu notices the owner cheating and discreetly warns Qi Menglin. When Qi Menglin confronts the owner, he's threatened by the owner and the cockfighters, who are all in cahoots. Qi Menglin reaches for his silver notes, but Luo Shu had taken them earlier. She pulls him away in the chaos, and Qi Menglin flees in terror.
They race back to the county office, Qi Menglin still shaken but also thrilled by the experience. Luo Shu returns his silver notes, and he returns to his room, satisfied. Han Muzhi arrives and advises Luo Shu not to guide Qi Menglin anymore. Luo Shu suggests that Han Muzhi reopen the case of Xu Luan, but it was judged by the previous magistrate. Luo Shu offers to review the existing clues and present them to Han Muzhi for a decision, which Han Muzhi readily accepts.
Qi Menglin is determined to get justice for Xu Luan, but he's unsure where to start. He spends the night poring over legal texts and case studies. Luo Shu works late and returns to her residence. Jin Miaocui makes rings out of leaves, regretting not bringing her jewelry when she ran away. Luo Shu gives her a hairpin from Wu Niang, suggesting she sell it to buy her own jewelry.
Luo Shu seeks help from Constable Cai to investigate Xu Luan's case. Constable Cai, influenced by his sister, Cai Baozi, who considers Luo Shu a righteous person and a sister, agrees. Luo Shu asks Cai to take her to Xu, the coroner, to learn more about Xu Luan's case. Cai vividly remembers Lin Xiong reporting the crime, accusing Xu Luan of killing his wife, Liu San'niang. Xu Luan was a water delivery man who had delivered water to Lin Xiong's house late at night. Lin Xiong claimed Liu San'niang and Xu Luan were having an affair. The coroner's report stated that the victim's head was severed. Luo Shu finds this suspicious, but the previous magistrate had already sentenced Xu Luan to prison.
Luo Shu reports her findings to Han Muzhi, recommending a retrial. Han Muzhi also finds the case dubious, but Chen Meiqing strongly objects, advising him not to stir up trouble since the previous magistrate is now Han Muzhi's superior. Han Muzhi insists on uncovering the truth. Luo Shu, not wanting to implicate Han Muzhi, urges him to reconsider, but Han Muzhi is determined.
Luo Shu is sent to investigate and bumps into Qi Menglin, who, along with Lianshu, is also investigating the case. They go together. Luo Shu, Qi Menglin, and Lianshu arrive at Lin Xiong's house, but it's locked. Qi Menglin wants to climb the wall, but Luo Shu goes to a nearby tea stall. Qi Menglin joins her. Luo Shu questions the tea stall owner's wife about Liu San'niang's murder. The wife claims Liu San'niang was flirtatious and seduced men, but the owner defends Liu San'niang, leading to a heated argument between the couple.
Qi Menglin gathers the neighbors, treating them to tea and fruit. They reveal numerous clues: Lin Xiong and Xu Luan were childhood friends. After Liu San'niang's first husband, Li Fengchun, died, she married Lin Xiong and gave birth six months later. The neighbors heard that she had been involved with Lin Xiong even when Li Fengchun was alive, and that she also had an affair with Xu Luan.
Luo Shu goes to gather more information and learns that Liu San'niang was humble and rarely went out. Xu Luan was known to be greedy. The neighbors' accounts are inconsistent, leaving Qi Menglin and Luo Shu unsure of the truth. They stake out Lin Xiong's house and finally see him. They confront him, and Lin Xiong appears flustered. Both Luo Shu and Qi Menglin suspect that Lin Xiong killed Liu San'niang and framed Xu Luan. They go together to see Han Muzhi.
