Episode Summary

Luo Shu and Qi Menglin marry in jail. Liu Yiqing tries to seize power but is thwarted by the arrival of an Imperial Commissioner. Han Muzhi exposes Liu Yiqing's crimes, but key witnesses are dead. Luo Shu reveals Peng Cheng is alive, having faked his death. Peng Cheng testifies, and Liu Wan ultimately betrays her father, providing crucial evidence. Liu Yiqing and others are punished, and Qi Menglin is exiled. Luo Shu joins him, building a successful business. Han Muzhi finds Liu Wan two years later, vowing to wait for her. The series concludes with Luo Shu and Qi Menglin celebrating New Year's Eve together in exile.

Spoiler Alert

After a prolonged period of unconsciousness, Luo Shu finally awakens. She learns from Cai Baozi that Qi Menglin has been imprisoned. Determined to see him, she struggles to her feet. Han Muzhi and Lianshu arrive, with Lianshu bearing good news: the imperial court, having received Han Muzhi's report, has dispatched an Imperial Commissioner to Linfen to investigate the theft of military provisions and the case against the Qi family. Han Muzhi promises to arrange for Luo Shu to visit Qi Menglin in jail, disguised as a food delivery person.

Qi Menglin, severely injured, drifts in and out of consciousness, dreaming of Luo Shu. To his astonishment, she appears in his cell, bearing a lavish feast. Luo Shu removes her outer garment, revealing a vibrant red wedding dress. She declares her intention to marry Qi Menglin right there in the jail. Overwhelmed with emotion, Qi Menglin tearfully agrees, and they perform the traditional wedding bows. He repeatedly confirms that it is not a dream. He tries to push her away, not wanting her to be burdened by his troubles, but Luo Shu insists on staying by his side. They share a cup of wine, officially becoming husband and wife.

Meanwhile, Official Zhao intends to escort both Peng Cheng and Qi Menglin back to Liu Yiqing. Han Muzhi firmly objects, insisting they await the Imperial Commissioner. Suddenly, Liu Yiqing arrives at the Linfen courthouse, accusing Han Muzhi of harboring Qi Menglin and attempting to have him immediately dismissed and arrested. Han Muzhi points out that, as a court-appointed magistrate, Liu Yiqing lacks the authority to remove him. Liu Yiqing then reveals his trump card—a royal decree—forcing Han Muzhi to surrender.

The Imperial Commissioner, accompanied by three officials, unexpectedly arrives in Linfen. Liu Yiqing rushes to greet them. The Commissioner requests to see Han Muzhi, who is brought forward. Han Muzhi proceeds to detail Liu Yiqing's crimes: colluding with Qin Yi to monopolize the grain supply, deliberately withholding disaster relief rations, and inflating grain prices for personal profit, resulting in the starvation deaths of over three hundred people in Linfen. He explains that Qi Menglin, impersonating Governor Qi, transported two shipments of grain, which were switched along the way, and that the military granary was burned down, all orchestrated by Liu Yiqing and Qin Yi to bring down Governor Qi.

Liu Yiqing vehemently denies the accusations, shifting the blame to Governor Qi and Qin Yi. The Commissioner suggests calling Qin Yi to testify, but Qin Yi is dead. Han Muzhi calls upon Sun Qian as a witness, who implicates Lian Qi, who is also deceased. Sun Qian then suggests Ru Yan, the lover of the granary official, as a witness. Ru Yan testifies that Qin Yi bribed the granary official, but the official is also dead. Furthermore, as Ru Yan is a prostitute, her testimony is deemed unreliable. Han Muzhi then calls on Peng Cheng, but Peng Cheng has suddenly died in prison.

The Imperial Commissioner is at a loss. Liu Yiqing is secretly delighted, as there are no witnesses to confirm his guilt. Luo Shu then arrives with Peng Cheng, very much alive. It turns out that Luo Shu, suspecting Liu Yiqing would try to silence Peng Cheng, had persuaded the coroner, Xu, to provide a drug that simulates death, convincing Peng Cheng to cooperate with her.

Peng Cheng testifies that he was Qin Yi's subordinate. Qin Yi and the Qi family had a long-standing business partnership, with Qin Yi selling salt beyond the borders. The Qi family, fearing repercussions, severed ties with him. Qin Yi, harboring resentment, allied himself with Liu Yiqing, offering the switched military grain and the burning of the military granary as tokens of his loyalty. Liu Yiqing, wary of Qin Yi's growing power, sent him to assassinate Han Muzhi, intending to replace him afterward.

Liu Yiqing continues to deny everything, claiming Peng Cheng is framing him. The Commissioner asks Han Muzhi for proof, but he has none. Suddenly, Liu Wan arrives, possessing evidence of her father's crimes. She pleads with him to repent, offering to accept punishment alongside him. Liu Yiqing's defenses finally crumble, devastated that his own daughter would expose him.

The Emperor, informed of the truth behind the series of cases in Shanxi, orders severe punishment for Liu Yiqing, Official Zhao, and others involved. Although Qin Yi died in the fire, his assets are confiscated. Governor Qi is dismissed and exiled. The court, in recognition of Liu Wan's role in exposing Liu Yiqing, spares him the death penalty, but he is dismissed and exiled. Zhao Daren is demoted to a commoner. Qi Menglin, for forging documents and misappropriating military grain, is sentenced to exile for two thousand li.

Two years later, Han Muzhi, after extensive searching, finally locates Liu Wan. He is about to report for duty in the capital, and Liu Wan congratulates him. Han Muzhi presents the sachet Liu Wan gave him, vowing to wait for her. Liu Wan doesn't want to hold him back, but Han Muzhi is willing to wait for her indefinitely.

It is New Year's Eve. Constable Cai, Cai Baozi, Coroner Xu, and Chen Meiqing gather, awaiting Han Muzhi's return for the New Year's Eve dinner. He is late, and they reminisce about Luo Shu and Qi Menglin, wishing them happiness and well-being. Luo Shu accompanies Qi Menglin in his exile. Qi Menglin serves his time at the garrison, while Luo Shu establishes a thriving business with Lianshu's help. She builds a successful merchant caravan, collecting valuable medicinal herbs to help Qi Menglin recover his health. Thanks to Luo Shu's efforts, Qi Menglin is spared from hard labor and helps with household chores.

Qi Menglin prepares a New Year's feast, but Luo Shu's caravan is delayed. A heavy snow begins to fall, and Qi Menglin grows increasingly anxious. Finally, Luo Shu returns, braving the snow. They share a reunion dinner, their laughter echoing in their small courtyard.

Ending Explained:

  • Luo Shu and Qi Menglin: Luo Shu avenges her family. Despite Qi Menglin's sentence of exile for his involvement in the grain scheme, Luo Shu chooses to accompany him. She uses her business acumen to create a successful trading company and supports Qi Menglin, ensuring he avoids harsh labor. They find happiness together in their simple life.
  • Han Muzhi and Liu Wan: Han Muzhi, after rising through the ranks due to his role in solving the case, is promoted to a position in the capital. He remains devoted to Liu Wan and, after two years, finds her. He expresses his unwavering commitment to wait for her, leaving their future relationship open-ended but hopeful.
  • Qin Yi: Dies in a fire, and his assets are seized.
  • Liu Yiqing: Spared the death penalty due to his daughter's testimony, he is stripped of his position and exiled.
  • Governor Qi: Dismissed from his post and exiled.

Key Plot Points:

  • Luo Shu's clever plan to expose the truth, including faking Peng Cheng's death, is crucial to the resolution.
  • Liu Wan's decision to testify against her father is the final blow to Liu Yiqing's defense.
  • The protagonists achieve a victory, but it is bittersweet, with the Qi family ruined and Qi Menglin exiled.
  • Open-Ended Elements: The future of Han Muzhi and Liu Wan's relationship, as well as the continued growth of Luo Shu's business, are left to the audience's imagination.
  • Themes: The ending highlights themes of justice, resilience, and the complexities of love and loyalty. It also touches upon the limitations of individuals within a rigid social and political system. The protagonists find happiness and fulfillment despite the challenges, but the villains' relatively lenient punishments underscore the difficulty of achieving true justice in that era. The ending has a bittersweet feeling.