Ripe Town Episode 7 Recap
> Ripe Town Recap
Zhang Jizu informed the mysterious man that the monkey demon was highly skilled, likely the mastermind behind the murders. The mysterious man disagreed, suggesting that if the monkey demon was merely a decoy, the speculation about the two victims would be invalid, leaving him exposed. Zhang Jizu felt hesitant; the murderer lurked in the shadows, knowing his every move.
Head Constable Xia returned to the Nie Tai yamen with the captured monkey demon. Song Chen had previously interrogated the creature, holding a statement. However, Song Chen speculated that Xia, during further interrogation, would obtain a different statement that favored his case.
Song Chen handed Qu Sangeng a list of antiques stolen by the monkey demon. Worth mentioning was that the owners of the lost items had all been questioned by Song Chen. They claimed the items sold weren't genuine antiques but were brought by wandering sellers who insisted the objects were valuable. These sellers, using Tai Ping Kitchen, sold the list to the monkey demon. In other words, the mastermind behind these antique dealers intentionally lured the monkey demon, placing it in their prearranged locations.
The next day, Cheng Yizhi was found dead in front of his door, submerged in his medicinal vat. Upon forensic examination, Cheng Yizhi's lips were blackened, indicating poisoning. A stack of prescriptions was left beside him, and the vat contained the drugs listed in the prescriptions. There was also a note: "This person has such an ailment." It suggested that a doctor would be killed by his own prescribed medicine, fitting the situation precisely.
Qu Sangeng then presented two prescriptions found in Leng Wuji's cellar to another physician. The physician stated that the combination had no effect on Chen Wang's condition but was a deadly concoction for Lu Yuanbao, fatal within half a year.
Twenty years ago, after Cheng Yizhi diagnosed Lu Yuanbao, his condition worsened. Every time Cheng Yizhi prescribed medicine, Lu Zhi, in charge of fetching herbs and brewing, noticed a flaw in Cheng Yizhi—petty theft. Lu Zhi placed some less valuable items in Cheng Yizhi's resting room, and each time, Cheng Yizhi secretly took them away. Lu Zhi took note of the items and only confided in Lu Zhong.
Another puzzle troubled Lu Zhi. During a playtime with a child, he heard about someone named Qiao Gou'er, a friend of the child who often burned offerings for him at Cuihua Tower. As the child grew up in Cuihua Tower, Qiao Gou'er was the only one who didn't look down on him. Qiao Gou'er followed Teacher Wang in Wuleizhai, sharing his knowledge with the child. Qiao Gou'er was later murdered, with his body missing the head. Lu Zhi then recalled the box he dug up at Wuleizhai, containing Qiao Gou'er's skull.
Discovering this secret, Lu Zhi reported to Leng Wuji. Leng Wuji analyzed that Lu Zhi, being a lowly maid, might not get justice against a respected teacher. Therefore, it was better not to complicate things. Lu Zhi shared all these matters with Lu Zhong, whom she had followed for five years, revealing everything in her heart.
Lu Yuanbao and Magistrate Zhao jointly established the Hongshun Weaving Bureau. Magistrate Zhao arranged his trusted aides to manage the accounts, embezzling a considerable sum. Lu Yuanbao invested heavily and also planted his spy, knowing about Magistrate Zhao's shady dealings. Lu Yuanbao, seeing Magistrate Zhao getting arrogant, had the chef bring a dish, revealing a pair of pigeons loved by Magistrate Zhao.
Magistrate Zhao finally understood. Lu Yuanbao taking a living creature from his home was effortless. Continuing to be forceful, his life could be exposed at any moment. Thus, Magistrate Zhao capitulated to Lu Yuanbao. The one who took the pigeons from Magistrate Zhao's house was the protector Zhang Gui, who was now Zhang Jizu, one of the top three protectors in the Lu family along with Bao Sheng and Zhao Liang. One day, Zhang Gui's senior brother, the crafty pickpocket Liu Seventeen, was injured and sought refuge at the Lu mansion. Concerned about leaks and having no other options, Zhang Gui sought Lu Zhi's help.
Upon learning about Liu Seventeen and Zhang Gui's special bond, being expelled disciples who treated each other like family, Lu Zhi was worried about Liu Seventeen's money-making ventures, involving collecting fees and taking lives. With numerous cases pending against him, Lu Zhi feared discovery by the wealthy outsider Lu. She wanted to keep it a secret temporarily but was eventually discovered by Lu Zhong.
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