Episode Summary
Feng Erlang is caught, but claims he didn't kill Meng Qiaosheng, only beat him before Meng Qiaosheng jumped in the river. Luo Shu and Han Muzhi investigate, focusing on Mei Hongying, who was supposed to meet Feng Erlang that night. Feng Erlang eventually reveals he mistakenly kidnapped Meng Qiaosheng, thinking it was Mei Hongying, who was locked in her room by her brother. Feng Erlang had remained silent to protect Mei Hongying's reputation. Luo Shu pieces together the events and determines Feng Erlang is not the murderer.
Spoiler Alert
The heat is on! Feng Erlang's mother races to his hideout with a change of clothes, urging him to flee before the authorities catch him. But it's too late – Luo Shu, Qi Menglin, and Lianshu are already there, lying in wait. A desperate Madam Feng tries to physically block Luo Shu, giving Feng Erlang a chance to escape through a window.
Luo Shu orders Qi Menglin and Lianshu to chase after Feng Erlang, while she's stuck grappling with his mother. The chase leads to a dead end, where Qi Menglin tackles and subdues Feng Erlang. In a comical twist, Lianshu enlists the help of neighbors, who end up tying both Feng Erlang and Qi Menglin together with ropes.
Constable Cai arrives with his men and hauls Feng Erlang away. Luo Shu, limping from the scuffle, arrives soon after. Qi Menglin, ever the attentive (and perhaps smitten) companion, offers to carry her, but Luo Shu, embarrassed, opts for a ride on a passing wine cart. Qi Menglin, in a seemingly deliberate move, cuts his hand, prompting Luo Shu to buy a jar of wine to disinfect it. He yelps in pain, but it's clear he's enjoying the attention.
At the government office, Qi Menglin tries to help Luo Shu down from the cart, but she stumbles. Just in the nick of time, Han Muzhi swoops in and catches her. The two share a charged moment, eyes locked, before a cough from Chen Meiqing breaks the spell. Qi Menglin, clearly annoyed at being upstaged, fumes inwardly.
Han Muzhi interrogates Feng Erlang, who admits to renting a boat but denies killing Meng Qiaosheng. He claims he tied Meng Qiaosheng up and beat him, but that Meng Qiaosheng jumped into the river himself. Chen Meiqing is ready to close the case, declaring Feng Erlang the murderer, but Han Muzhi, and Luo Shu, sense there are still loose ends. Luo Shu suggests focusing on Mei Hongying.
Luo Shu, disguised as a woman, and Qi Menglin, posing as her pageboy (in Lianshu's clothes), visit Mei Hongying. Mei Hongying is distraught, insisting Feng Erlang is innocent. Her brother, Mei Changxiong, tries to distance his sister from Feng Erlang. Despite his objections, Mei Hongying accompanies Luo Shu and Qi Menglin to the government office to testify on Feng Erlang's behalf. Mei Changxiong begs Luo Shu to keep Mei Hongying's visit a secret to protect her reputation.
Mei Hongying confronts Feng Erlang, upset that he missed their rendezvous. Han Muzhi pressures Feng Erlang, warning him of a death sentence if he doesn't confess. Mei Hongying pleads with him to clear his name, but Feng Erlang remains silent. Han Muzhi orders Feng Erlang imprisoned, with an execution scheduled in ten days. Mei Hongying, convinced of Feng Erlang's innocence, begs Luo Shu to help, which she readily agrees to. Back at Mei Hongying's, Luo Shu casually inquires about Mei Changxiong's whereabouts on the night of the incident. He claims he was working at the workshop, and his wife was visiting her family.
Back at the government office, a ravenous Luo Shu heads to the kitchen. Cai Baozi, ever helpful, brings her some buns, which she roasts. Han Muzhi, concerned about Mei Hongying's reputation, forbids anyone from revealing her visit. However, rumors start spreading the very next morning. Suspecting a leak from the Mei household, Han Muzhi (disguised as a clerk) and Luo Shu investigate.
They arrive at the Mei residence to find Mei Changxiong in a heated argument with neighbors, accusing them of spreading gossip. The argument escalates into a physical altercation, which Han Muzhi breaks up, threatening to take the gossipers to the government office. They scatter in fear.
Han Muzhi questions Mei Changxiong about the leak, but he's clueless. Mei Hongying arrives, pleading with Han Muzhi to clear Feng Erlang's name. She asks to visit him in jail, and Han Muzhi, making an exception, allows Luo Shu to accompany her. Mei Hongying brings Feng Erlang his favorite roast chicken and urges him to reveal the truth.
Finally, Feng Erlang cracks. He confesses that on the night of the incident, he, along with two friends (Lao San and Da Niu), went to Mei Hongying's house to pick her up. They found her seemingly asleep, wrapped in a blanket, and carried her to the boat. Only then did they discover that the person under the blanket was a naked Meng Qiaosheng. Feng Erlang beat him up, and Meng Qiaosheng jumped into the river to escape.
Mei Hongying corroborates the story, recalling that Mei Changxiong had locked her in the study, forcing her to copy books. He had locked all the doors and windows, and she eventually fell asleep, missing her meeting with Feng Erlang. Feng Erlang, realizing he had misjudged Mei Hongying, is relieved. Luo Shu concludes that Feng Erlang, while guilty of assault, did not murder Meng Qiaosheng, and that he remained silent to protect Mei Hongying's honor.
