Under the Moonlight – Hu Bingqing, Zhai Zilu

In the outskirts of Linfen, there was an ancient temple nestled among steep mountains and surrounded by dense forests. The sound of the temple bell echoed endlessly through the valleys. Within the temple’s incense hall resided a renowned "Child-Giving Master," attracting a steady stream of visitors seeking blessings. Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui, traveling across mountains to seek a child, referred to each other as sisters-in-law.

Upon entering the temple, they noticed a row of soft shoes placed before the statue of the Child-Giving Master. Visitors were required to change into these shoes before proceeding. Following the rules, they put on the specially made footwear. Bai Yue, the Master’s senior disciple, arrived to greet them, but instead, he ordered them to kneel and surrender all their gold and silver jewelry. Reluctantly, they complied. Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui met the Master in the incense hall.

Luo Shu explained their purpose: she had been married for three years without conceiving, and her sister-in-law had been married for five years with no children either. They pleaded for the Master’s guidance. The Master sprinkled a bit of water from a copper basin before them and instructed his disciples to give each of them two miraculous pills: the "Qi Rong Pill" and the "Menstrual Regulator Pill.

" He explained the usage in detail and instructed them to pray in their respective rooms. Later that evening, Luo Shu attempted to explore the temple grounds but was forcibly sent back by Bai Yue. That night, as she lay in bed, Bai Yue entered her room and attempted to assault her. Luo Shu fought back desperately, scratching his shoulder, which enraged him. Bai Yue accused her of not taking the pills as instructed.

Luo Shu lied, claiming she vomited after taking them. Bai Yue assaulted her and discovered that her undergarments were sewn shut. Furious, he struck her, only to notice her body was already covered in bruises. Luo Shu pleaded for mercy, revealing that she was a maidservant of the Ding household. She explained that her mistress had sent them to seek a child, as the Ding family master had no heirs.

If they returned home intact, it would prove the Master was a fraud. Luo Shu offered all her money to Bai Yue, promising to lure her mistress to the temple. She suggested that Bai Yue could make her mistress pregnant using the same method, enabling Luo Shu to overthrow her mistress and take her place. Once the master of the Ding household passed away, she and Bai Yue could live happily together.

Bai Yue, having grown tired of the Master’s oppression and lack of financial reward, agreed but remained skeptical of Luo Shu’s loyalty. Luo Shu wrote a promissory note to reassure him. Meanwhile, another disciple broke into Jin Miaocui’s room and assaulted her. She fought back fiercely, injuring the disciple, who fled in frustration. It turned out that the so-called Child-Giving Master was a fraud. He had twenty strong male disciples who, after drugging the women seeking children, would violate them.

When these women returned home and became pregnant, they attributed it to the Master’s "miracles," spreading his fame far and wide. County magistrate Chen Meiqing led constables to raid the temple. They subdued the gatekeepers and surrounded the premises. Chen Meiqing demanded the Master and his disciples surrender. When they refused, he gave them a harsh beating. The Master arrived, arrogant and overbearing, but was immediately scolded by the newly appointed Han Muzhi. The Master, terrified, summoned his twenty disciples.

Han Muzhi ordered the disciples to remove their clothing. Seeing scratch marks on Bai Yue and another disciple, he interrogated them. Bai Yue lied, claiming the scratches were from roughhousing. Luo Shu stepped forward, exposing Bai Yue’s assault and revealing the temple’s scheme. The Master tried to shift all blame onto Bai Yue, denying any involvement. Another disciple publicly accused Luo Shu of being a courtesan from Mingke Fang, known as "Jin Nang.

" The Master demanded Han Muzhi punish her, but Luo Shu suggested searching the incense hall for hidden passages. Han Muzhi ordered the constables to investigate. The constables discovered a hidden passage containing many imprisoned women. Chen Meiqing proposed interrogating them, but Luo Shu pleaded for their release, as they were also victims. This plot began unraveling when a woman, unable to demand money from her family after visiting the temple, attempted suicide.

Rescued by constables, she revealed the Master’s schemes, prompting Han Muzhi to send Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui undercover to gather evidence. Luo Shu led Chen Meiqing to the Master’s residence, where they discovered another hidden passage filled with gold, silver, and land deeds. The Master denied ownership, but Han Muzhi ordered his arrest. Luo Shu suddenly collapsed, prompting Han Muzhi to stay and monitor the suspects.

She regained consciousness at dawn, and Han Muzhi showed concern for her well-being before ordering the suspects to be taken to the county office. On the way, a group of bandits ambushed them, attempting to rescue the Master. The Master threatened Han Muzhi, but he refused to yield. The bandits surrounded the group until Chen Meiqing and reinforcements arrived, trapping the Master. It was then the Master realized Luo Shu’s collapse had been a ruse to buy time for reinforcements.

In desperation, the Master took Luo Shu hostage. Han Muzhi offered himself in exchange. While the Master was distracted, Chen Meiqing shot him dead, scattering the bandits. Han Muzhi rewarded Luo Shu for her assistance, but she declined, asking only for her freedom. The day before, Yu Mama from Mingke Fang had announced the hairpin ceremony for an eighteen-year-old courtesan, spreading the news far and wide. Crowds swarmed the brothel, eager to witness the event.

Yu Mama first sold Luo Shu’s coming-of-age ceremony for a high price. She meticulously dressed Luo Shu and spread the word to attract numerous wealthy merchants and noble sons. The Mingke Courtyard was packed with guests as Yu Mama publicly auctioned off Luo Shu’s debut night. The wealthy merchants started bidding fervently. One lord offered 300 taels, and the rest hesitated to outbid him. Unexpectedly, Qi Menglin, the youngest son of Governor Qi, raised the bid by one tael.

The lord countered, and Qi Menglin raised it again by another tael. The bidding war escalated until Qi Menglin offered 501 taels, forcing the lord to leave reluctantly. Yu Mama invited Qi Menglin inside and reported the situation to her master. The master had already planned for Luo Shu’s debut night to go to the lord, but Qi Menglin’s interference upset their arrangement. The master threatened Yu Mama to drive Qi Menglin away or face severe consequences.

Yu Mama approached Qi Menglin for negotiation, assuming he could not produce the 500 taels. However, Qi Menglin revealed a silver note. Realizing he had never seen Luo Shu before, Yu Mama schemed to have another girl impersonate her. Meanwhile, Luo Shu feigned seeing a mouse and tricked the servant standing guard into entering her room, giving her an opportunity to escape. Yu Mama brought Qi Menglin to the fake "Luo Shu," a girl disguised as Jin Miaocui.

With her face veiled, Luo Shu played the zither, deeply moving Qi Menglin with her music, though he couldn’t see her face. The girl suggested they drink and celebrate together, but Qi Menglin showed no interest in consummating the night. He was only trying to prevent the older lord from harming Luo Shu. When the servant awoke and reported Luo Shu’s escape, Yu Mama immediately led a search party and eventually cornered Luo Shu.

At the same time, Chen Meiqing and Han Muzhi arrived with constables, creating chaos. Luo Shu urged Jin Miaocui to use the commotion to escape and seek help from the county office. Han Muzhi wanted to take Luo Shu with him, but Yu Mama, unwilling to lose her prized asset, pleaded with him. Han Muzhi instructed Chen Meiqing to take Luo Shu away while he stayed behind to deal with Yu Mama.

Qi Menglin, locked in a room, mustered all his strength to break the door down and accused Han Muzhi of abducting a common woman. Han Muzhi ignored his accusations and had Qi Menglin arrested and taken to the county office as well. After the operation, Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui completed their undercover mission to expose the scheme involving the fake “child-giving master” and his disciples. Once the criminals were apprehended, Luo Shu declined any monetary reward.

Instead, she begged Han Muzhi to help her and Jin Miaocui buy their freedom. Han Muzhi was uncertain, as the procedures for buying freedom were complicated. Chen Meiqing tried to dismiss them with a few words, but Luo Shu was determined and decided to wait for their final decision at the county office gates. As night fell, Jin Miaocui grew impatient and left Luo Shu behind. However, Han Muzhi later arrived, bringing a coat to keep Luo Shu warm.

Learning she was still outside, he insisted on letting her and Jin Miaocui stay in the county office’s side courtyard, despite Chen Meiqing’s objections. Filled with resentment, Chen Meiqing tasked a matchmaker with arranging their accommodations. The matchmaker, knowing the two women were former courtesans of Mingke Courtyard, deliberately placed them in a storage room. Luo Shu cleaned up the room and made do with her situation.

The next morning, Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui heard the matchmaker loudly berating a kitchen maid named Cai Baozi. The maid, with soot-covered cheeks, had burned the flatbreads she was making. Luo Shu greeted Cai Baozi, who revealed that she was the younger sister of Constable Cai. Luo Shu borrowed a set of constable clothing from Cai Baozi to move freely around the county office.

While Chen Meiqing disapproved of this, Han Muzhi saw no issue and even instructed Chen Meiqing to find Luo Shu a better-fitting outfit. Determined to leave her past behind, Luo Shu asked Han Muzhi for a new name. He removed the character “Xiang” from her name, declaring that from now on, she would simply be Luo Shu. Now going by her new name, Luo Shu, in her constable disguise, visited the county jail.

Qi Menglin loudly declared his innocence and begged Luo Shu to release him. Unable to make such a decision, she offered to bring him a decent meal instead. Qi Menglin gave her a jade ring as a token. Another prisoner in the same cell, Xu Wuzuo, overheard Qi Menglin’s identity and begged for his help. He detailed how he had been wrongly accused by the former magistrate. Qi Menglin, incensed by the injustice, vowed to seek justice for Xu Wuzuo.

When Luo Shu returned, she brought Qi Menglin not a meal but a large brick, angering him greatly. Luo Shu explained that she didn’t want him to be accused of bribing officials. Despite his frustration, Qi Menglin pleaded with Luo Shu to help prove Xu Wuzuo’s innocence.

Han Muzhi wrote a letter to Governor Qi to confirm that Qi Menglin was indeed his son. Once confirmed, Qi Menglin was released and treated to a banquet to calm his nerves. Tired of the luxurious lifestyle at home, Qi Menglin decided to venture into the world on his own and ran away from home. Luo Shu reported back to Han Muzhi, and Qi Menglin recognized her. He shouted at her and mocked her as effeminate.

Luo Shu apologized to him, but Qi Menglin continued to berate her and demanded that she act as his guide. Luo Shu sought Han Muzhi’s permission and agreed to be Qi Menglin’s guide. Early the next morning, Luo Shu came to find Qi Menglin. Qi Menglin decided to leave his personal attendant behind at the county office and took Luo Shu to wander the streets.

Intentionally making things difficult for her, he bought a large quantity of rice, flour, and oil and made Luo Shu carry it all. When she was struggling under the weight, he added a millstone to her burden. However, Luo Shu hired a cart to carry everything, skillfully resolving the predicament. Qi Menglin was disheartened that his plan to trouble her had failed. Luo Shu took Qi Menglin to experience the real world, bringing him to a filthy, impoverished slum.

She distributed all the items Qi Menglin bought to the poor residents there. The people swarmed and quickly snatched up everything. An elderly man who didn’t get anything received money directly from Qi Menglin instead. This act gave him a sense of unprecedented satisfaction. Qi Menglin wanted to give away all his silver notes to the poor, but Luo Shu advised him to stop while he was ahead. He refused to listen.

A local thug, seeing what Qi Menglin was doing, led him to a cockfighting arena. Qi Menglin quickly lost a lot of money. Luo Shu, realizing the owner was cheating, quietly alerted Qi Menglin. When Qi Menglin confronted the owner, the cockfighting ring members, working together, threatened him. Just as Qi Menglin was about to take out his silver notes, Luo Shu, who had already taken them for safekeeping, pulled him away amidst the chaos. Qi Menglin fled in panic.

The two of them ran straight back to the county office. Although Qi Menglin was still trembling with fear, he found the experience thrilling. Luo Shu returned his silver notes, and Qi Menglin contentedly went back to his room. Han Muzhi, hearing of the incident, advised Luo Shu not to act as Qi Menglin’s guide again the following day.

Later, Luo Shu suggested that Han Muzhi re-investigate the case of Xu Luan, but the case had been adjudicated by the previous magistrate. Luo Shu offered to organize all the existing clues for Han Muzhi’s review, and he readily agreed. Qi Menglin, eager to seek justice for Xu Luan, was unsure where to start and spent the night poring over legal cases for inspiration. Luo Shu worked late into the night as well.

When she returned, Jin Miaocui lamented not having taken her jewelry when they fled and crafted a ring from leaves. Luo Shu gave her a hairpin gifted by Fifth Lady, suggesting she sell it to buy jewelry she liked. The next day, Luo Shu sought help from Captain Cai to investigate Xu Luan’s case. Through his sister Cai Baozi, Captain Cai learned about Luo Shu’s righteous character and began to treat her like a younger sister.

Luo Shu asked Captain Cai to take her to Xu Wuzuo for further details about the case. Captain Cai recounted how Lin Xiong had accused Xu Luan of killing his wife, Liu Sanniang. Xu Luan, a water delivery man, had delivered water to Lin Xiong’s house late at night. Lin Xiong suspected an affair between his wife and Xu Luan. Xu Wuzuo’s autopsy revealed that Liu Sanniang’s head had been severed, a detail that struck Luo Shu as highly suspicious.

However, the previous magistrate had convicted Xu Luan and imprisoned him. Luo Shu presented her findings to Han Muzhi and proposed reopening the case. Han Muzhi agreed that the case had many inconsistencies, but Chen Meiqing strongly opposed the idea, warning that the previous magistrate, now a higher-ranking prefect, was Han Muzhi’s superior. Despite the risks, Han Muzhi was determined to uncover the truth. Luo Shu was tasked with gathering more evidence.

On her way out, she encountered Qi Menglin, who insisted on joining the investigation with his attendant, Lian Shu. Together, they visited Lin Xiong’s home, only to find the doors locked. Qi Menglin wanted to climb over the wall, but Luo Shu opted to sit at a nearby tea stand instead. At the tea stand, Luo Shu questioned the owner about Liu Sanniang’s case.

The owner’s wife claimed Liu Sanniang was flirtatious and provocative, while her husband defended Liu Sanniang’s reputation. The couple’s conflicting accounts led to a heated argument. Qi Menglin gathered the neighbors, treating them to tea and fruit to encourage them to talk. They revealed that Lin Xiong and Xu Luan had been childhood friends. After Liu Sanniang’s first husband, Li Fengchun, passed away, she married Lin Xiong and gave birth six months later.

Rumors circulated that Liu Sanniang and Lin Xiong had been involved before her first husband’s death, and there were also whispers of her having an affair with Xu Luan. Meanwhile, Luo Shu continued her inquiries, discovering that Liu Sanniang was gentle and rarely left her home, while Xu Luan was known for being opportunistic. The mixed accounts left Luo Shu and Qi Menglin uncertain of the truth.

They decided to stake out Lin Xiong’s home, eventually catching him as he returned. When questioned, Lin Xiong appeared nervous, arousing Luo Shu and Qi Menglin’s suspicions that he might have killed Liu Sanniang and framed Xu Luan. They immediately brought their findings to Han Muzhi.

Luo Shu and Qi Menglin conducted investigations and suspected that Lin Xiong murdered his wife, Liu Sanniang, and framed Xu Luan. They reported their findings to Han Muzhi, requesting him to reopen the case. Chen Meiqing strongly opposed this, and Qi Menglin suspected that Chen Meiqing had been involved in coercing Xu Luan into a confession under the previous magistrate’s rule.

However, Chen Meiqing clarified that he was unaware of the details of Xu Luan’s case and was merely concerned about Han Muzhi offending his superior, the former magistrate, who had since been promoted. Luo Shu suggested uncovering the truth, and Han Muzhi decided to summon Xu Luan and Lin Xiong for questioning. Han Muzhi reopened the investigation into Liu Sanniang’s murder. Many townspeople came to observe the trial.

Xu Luan repeatedly pleaded his innocence, stating that he and Lin Xiong were close friends. On the night of the incident, Xu Luan went to deliver water to Lin Xiong’s house. Liu Sanniang claimed they had run out of water, so Xu Luan carried a bucket into the house, only to discover the bucket was full. At that moment, Liu Sanniang tried to seduce him, and Xu Luan fled in terror.

Han Muzhi suspected an affair between Xu Luan and Liu Sanniang, questioning why else he would visit late at night and why Liu Sanniang would attempt to seduce him. Han Muzhi ordered Xu Luan to be flogged with twenty strokes and then sent back to the death cell. Terrified, Xu Luan begged for mercy and revealed everything. He admitted he had long been infatuated with Liu Sanniang’s beauty.

Upon learning from Lin Xiong that she would be alone at home that night, he intentionally went to deliver water late at night, intending to take advantage of her. However, Liu Sanniang fought back and forced him to leave. Tragically, she was murdered that very night. Xu Luan swore he had not killed her. Han Muzhi ordered Lin Xiong to be brought in.

Xu Luan begged Lin Xiong to testify for him, even mentioning that he had kept a secret for Lin Xiong for years. Lin Xiong, visibly shaken, only admitted that Xu Luan was his childhood friend. When Han Muzhi pressed Lin Xiong about whether he was aware of Xu Luan’s feelings for Liu Sanniang, Lin Xiong sneered dismissively. He stated he could not confirm Xu Luan as the murderer but also could not name another suspect.

Left with no choice, Han Muzhi temporarily adjourned the trial. Luo Shu suspected Lin Xiong because, when he reported the case, he showed fear but no grief, and there were no bloodstains on him. When Luo Shu and Qi Menglin questioned him, he appeared calm, but his expression turned disdainful when hearing rumors about an affair between Liu Sanniang and Xu Luan. Han Muzhi also noticed Lin Xiong’s odd demeanor toward Xu Luan and suspected they were hiding a secret.

Qi Menglin was convinced Xu Luan was wrongly accused and believed Lin Xiong was highly suspicious. Luo Shu secretly followed Lin Xiong, with Qi Menglin joining later. From a distance, they saw someone approach Lin Xiong at the city gate with news that his son, Suo’er, was gravely ill from a fever. Lin Xiong waited until his shift ended before taking Suo’er from Granny Zhang’s home.

Meanwhile, tea stall owners and neighbors gossiped that Xu Luan had bribed Han Muzhi to reopen the case and frame Lin Xiong. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin overheard everything. Luo Shu continued staking out Lin Xiong’s house late into the night. When Suo’er’s fever worsened, Lin Xiong, growing impatient, took him to see Doctor Wang. Qi Menglin followed Luo Shu as they trailed Lin Xiong to Doctor Wang’s home.

Wang, Lin Xiong’s uncle, performed acupuncture on Suo’er, but the child’s cries persisted. Luo Shu entered, comforting Suo’er until he stopped crying. Lin Xiong expressed his gratitude, and after Doctor Wang prescribed medicine, Lin Xiong left with Suo’er. Luo Shu inquired about Lin Xiong’s situation with Doctor Wang and casually mentioned that Suo’er did not resemble Lin Xiong. Doctor Wang quickly changed the subject.

Back at her residence, Jin Miaocui vented her frustrations to Luo Shu, longing to obtain her release document and leave the county office. Luo Shu advised her to be patient, assuring her that Han Muzhi was handling the matter. Luo Shu grew increasingly puzzled. Lin Xiong publicly claimed that Suo’er was the product of an affair between Liu Sanniang and another man during their marriage.

However, his cold demeanor toward the child made Luo Shu suspect that Suo’er was not his. She theorized that the secret Xu Luan had been keeping was this truth. Yet, she could not understand why Lin Xiong would protect Xu Luan. Qi Menglin remained convinced that Lin Xiong murdered Liu Sanniang and framed Xu Luan, leaving Han Muzhi uncertain about who to believe. One night, someone reported seeing Liu Sanniang’s ghost visiting Granny Zhang’s home to see Suo’er.

Frightened, Granny Zhang fell ill. Luo Shu and Cai Baozi investigated and learned that a long-haired ghost had climbed over the wall to visit Suo’er. Granny Zhang suspected it was Liu Sanniang. Luo Shu deduced the “ghost” might reappear, so Han Muzhi stationed guards around Granny Zhang’s home. That night, they caught the "ghost"—Qi Menglin—who had been investigating on his own. Qi Menglin noticed claw marks on the wall and demonstrated how someone could scale it.

Luo Shu discovered partial footprints, indicating the “ghost” was a one-legged person. She remembered that Liu Sanniang’s first husband, Li Fengchun, was lame, though he had supposedly fallen to his death. Luo Shu suspected Li Fengchun might still be alive and devised a plan to lure him out. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin hired a renowned exorcist to publicly perform a ritual to expel Liu Sanniang’s ghost from Lin Xiong’s home.

The exorcist exaggerated the ghost’s power, claiming it was too formidable to handle. Qi Menglin persuaded Lin Xiong to leave with Suo’er. That very night, the long-haired “ghost” returned to Lin Xiong’s home to take Suo’er. However, Han Muzhi had prepared a trap. Luo Shu, disguised as the ghost of Liu Sanniang, helped expose the culprit—Li Fengchun—who was apprehended on the spot.

Han Muzhi set up an ambush at Lin Xiong’s home and successfully captured Li Fengchun. Realizing he had been exposed, Li Fengchun refused to surrender and took Qi Menglin hostage. Qi Menglin, terrified, tried to use his father, Governor Qi, to intimidate Li Fengchun. Li Fengchun demanded that Han Muzhi hand over Suo'er, promising to release Qi Menglin in exchange. Knowing Li Fengchun had no way out, Luo Shu brought Suo'er over to let Li Fengchun see him.

Li Fengchun released Qi Menglin but then took Luo Shu hostage. He attempted to harm Suo'er out of spite, but Luo Shu urged him to carefully observe Suo'er’s face. Stunned, Li Fengchun realized that Suo'er resembled him. Overwhelmed, he couldn’t bring himself to harm his own child and dropped his weapon, surrendering. Li Fengchun initially refused to confess, claiming that he killed Liu Sanniang because of her unfaithfulness.

After surviving his fall off the cliff, Li Fengchun had broken a leg but crawled back to Linfen from Binzhou, hoping to see his wife Liu Sanniang again. Upon his return, he discovered that Liu Sanniang had married Lin Xiong and even learned from neighbors that Suo'er was supposedly the child of Liu Sanniang and Lin Xiong. Enraged, Li Fengchun vowed to kill both of them.

Disguised as a candy seller, Li Fengchun loitered outside Lin Xiong’s house, waiting for an opportunity. Since Lin Xiong was physically stronger, Li Fengchun chose a time when Lin Xiong was on duty to break into the house and attack Liu Sanniang and Suo'er. Liu Sanniang woke up, recognized Li Fengchun, and tearfully embraced him. Just as she was about to explain her suffering, Xu Wuzuo knocked on the door. Mistaking him for Lin Xiong, Liu Sanniang hid Li Fengchun.

From his hiding place, Li Fengchun witnessed Xu Wuzuo harassing Liu Sanniang. After Liu Sanniang dismissed Xu Wuzuo, Li Fengchun, consumed by anger, killed her. When Lin Xiong returned home and found Liu Sanniang dead, he was horrified. Li Fengchun remained defiant, accusing Liu Sanniang of being unfaithful with both Lin Xiong and Xu Wuzuo. Luo Shu clarified the misunderstanding and prompted Lin Xiong to explain the truth.

Lin Xiong revealed that he had learned from Doctor Wang that Liu Sanniang was widowed and pregnant after Li Fengchun’s supposed death. As Lin Xiong had been rendered impotent due to an injury in his youth, he felt pity for Liu Sanniang, who had even prepared a rope to hang herself. He married her out of compassion, hoping to use her child to cover up his own condition.

To avoid gossip, he fabricated the story that Suo'er was their child conceived out of wedlock, unaware that this lie would ultimately lead to her death. After hearing Lin Xiong’s explanation, Li Fengchun was filled with regret but couldn’t fully accept the truth. He accused them of conspiring to deceive him.

Qi Menglin harshly scolded Li Fengchun, which earned him Luo Shu’s admiration, though Qi Menglin dismissed her respect with a joke, teasing her for how convincing she was when pretending to be a ghost. The next morning, Lin Xiong left for his hometown with Suo'er. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin came to see them off. Lin Xiong vowed to raise Suo'er well. Meanwhile, the teahouse owner and neighbors gossiped, praising Liu Sanniang while cursing Lin Xiong.

Qi Menglin, enraged by their hypocrisy, wanted to confront them, blaming their rumors for Liu Sanniang’s death. Luo Shu stopped him, urging him to let it go. Qi Menglin then invited Luo Shu for a celebratory drink. At the prison, Luo Shu found Xu Wuzuo kneeling before the wall, repeatedly banging his head in penance. Meanwhile, Jin Miaocui and Guan Maipo were at odds. Unable to get along, they ended up in a physical altercation.

Cai Baozi intervened to break up the fight and even made a bowl of noodles for Jin Miaocui. However, Jin Miaocui used the noodles to taunt Guan Maipo, who retaliated by tripping her, leading to yet another brawl. Cai Baozi hurriedly separated them again. When Luo Shu returned home, she saw Jin Miaocui bruised and battered. Jin Miaocui, having grown up in the brothels of Mingkefang, was unaccustomed to such humiliation.

She vented her frustrations to Luo Shu, who advised her to endure for now and wait for her emancipation papers. Jin Miaocui, however, was fed up and wanted to leave immediately. Qi Menglin admired Luo Shu’s investigative skills but thought she was neither feminine nor masculine. Early one morning, he sought her advice on solving cases. Luo Shu, however, locked him in the morgue, where the stench of corpses overwhelmed him. Terrified by the remains, Qi Menglin screamed.

Lian Shu eventually found him and took him out. Furious, Qi Menglin confronted Luo Shu to settle the score. Yu Mama, having discovered Luo Shu and Jin Miaocui’s residence in the county office, arrived to take them back. Han Muzhi intervened just in time to stop her. Yu Mama demanded their emancipation papers, which Han Muzhi hadn’t yet secured. She argued that she had purchased Luo Shu at a high price.

Han Muzhi offered to buy Luo Shu’s freedom, but Yu Mama demanded an exorbitant amount. Chen Meiqing arrived to mediate, threatening to charge Yu Mama with trespassing on government property. Yu Mama reluctantly accepted the money and left. Luo Shu thanked Han Muzhi for his help and offered to pay for Jin Miaocui’s emancipation herself. Jin Miaocui, unwilling to endure further humiliation, decided to return to Mingkefang with Yu Mama.

Despite Luo Shu’s pleas, Jin Miaocui had made up her mind. She returned the hairpin Luo Shu had given her and left with Yu Mama. Watching her leave, Luo Shu felt a mix of emotions. Qi Menglin witnessed this scene and misunderstood, thinking that Jin Miaocui was Luo Shu’s lover and had left because Luo Shu lacked the money to support her. He offered Luo Shu money to bring Jin Miaocui back.

Furious, Luo Shu dismissed Qi Menglin as a clueless young master, refusing to explain further. She mocked him for being idle and useless.

Qi Menglin had no idea that Luo Shu was a woman disguised as a man. He assumed that Luo Shu had met Jin Miaocui during a visit to Yu Mama’s establishment and, lacking the money to redeem Jin Miaocui’s freedom, could only watch helplessly as she returned to the brothel. Qi Menglin took out money to help Luo Shu, but instead of appreciating his gesture, Luo Shu mocked him. Enraged, Qi Menglin vowed to get back at her.

Han Muzhi, as a respected magistrate, went to great lengths to help Luo Shu secure her freedom from servitude, even arguing with Yu Mama. Chen Meiqing noticed Han Muzhi’s affection for Luo Shu, but Luo Shu did not offer any explanation. Meanwhile, Qi Menglin secretly concocted a pill and instructed Lian Shu to prepare a gong, hoping to humiliate Luo Shu publicly.

Qi Menglin slipped the pill into Luo Shu’s teapot, and after drinking the tea, Luo Shu felt an intense heat throughout her body. Suspecting foul play, she deduced it was Qi Menglin’s doing. Trying to cool herself down, Luo Shu ran to the river and submerged herself in the icy water. Qi Menglin followed Luo Shu to the river. When she removed her shoes, exposing her fair, delicate feet, he suddenly realized she was a woman.

Shocked, he rushed over to confirm his suspicion, but Luo Shu, furious, kicked him into the river. As Qi Menglin swam toward the shore, he stumbled upon a naked male corpse floating in the water. Terrified, he screamed before fainting. Without hesitation, Luo Shu jumped into the river and pulled him out. Lian Shu, following Qi Menglin’s instructions, had gathered a crowd to witness Luo Shu’s humiliation.

Upon seeing Luo Shu rescue Qi Menglin and drag the corpse ashore, Lian Shu panicked. Luo Shu ordered him to find a cart to transport Qi Menglin and the corpse back to the county office. Freezing and sneezing from the cold, Luo Shu returned, where Han Muzhi cared for her attentively and instructed Cai Baozi to prepare hot water for her to soak her feet. Luo Shu noticed the matchmaker packing her belongings and leaving.

After questioning Cai Baozi, she learned that the matchmaker had taken a bribe from Yu Mama to betray her. Outraged, Han Muzhi had driven the matchmaker away, earning Luo Shu’s gratitude. The next morning, Luo Shu couldn’t find Cai Baozi and eventually discovered her near the mortuary, eager to watch Xu Wuzuo conduct an autopsy. Cai Baozi, perched on Cai Butou’s shoulders to get a better view, saw the disfigured face of the naked corpse and was terrified.

Luo Shu arrived to find Cai Baozi trembling in her arms. Han Muzhi sent the onlookers away and accompanied Luo Shu to the mortuary, where Xu Wuzuo determined the man had drowned three days earlier. Luo Shu concluded it was a case of premeditated murder. Qi Menglin remained unsettled, shocked that Luo Shu was a woman. To confirm, he asked Cai Baozi, who revealed that everyone in the county office knew except him.

Embarrassed, Qi Menglin pretended to faint when Luo Shu visited him, leaving her no choice but to leave. After much deliberation, Qi Menglin decided to investigate the case with Luo Shu. Together, they visited the docks and learned that three days earlier, Feng Erlang had rented a boat. Cai Butou, also investigating at the docks, joined them. Luo Shu found a hairpin on the boat and instructed Cai Butou to take them to Feng Erlang’s house.

There, they discovered Feng Erlang was not home, only his elderly mother. Searching the house, Luo Shu found a sachet that Feng’s mother identified as belonging to their former neighbor, Mei Hongying. However, she did not recognize the hairpin. Continuing their investigation, Luo Shu discovered Feng Erlang had not been to work for several days.

Speaking with neighbors, they learned that Feng Erlang and Mei Hongying were in love, but her brother, Mei Changxiong, disapproved and forced Mei Hongying to marry Zhang Juren. Mei Changxiong had also hired a tutor, Meng Qiaosheng, for Mei Hongying. Luo Shu, Qi Menglin, and Cai Butou visited Meng Qiaosheng’s residence, where the landlord described Meng as a handsome but impoverished man. The landlord recognized the hairpin as belonging to Meng Qiaosheng.

Qi Menglin found another sachet under Meng Qiaosheng’s pillow, similar to Feng Erlang’s but with inferior embroidery. Based on this, Qi Menglin theorized that Feng Erlang and Meng Qiaosheng had fought over Mei Hongying, resulting in Feng murdering Meng. Luo Shu found this hypothesis unreliable. Qi Menglin invited Luo Shu and Cai Butou to dinner, but Luo Shu, eager to solve the case, declined.

Luo Shu returned to the county office to report to Han Muzhi, who had been waiting for her. He accompanied her to the kitchen, where Cai Baozi had prepared a hearty meal, though it was overcooked. Qi Menglin, meanwhile, brought takeout from a restaurant for Luo Shu. To avoid waste, Luo Shu invited the constables to join them for the meal. Luo Shu personally served Han Muzhi a bowl of chicken soup, and he reciprocated with another.

Remembering that Feng’s mother had steamed a large number of buns, Luo Shu suspected she might be delivering food to Feng Erlang. Qi Menglin and Lian Shu followed Luo Shu to Feng’s house, urging Feng’s mother to convince her son to come forward and explain himself, as hiding would only make him appear guilty. The group secretly followed Feng’s mother as she left the house in a hurry with a bundle. She led them to an abandoned house, where they found Feng Erlang in hiding.

Madam Feng hurriedly packed a change of clothes and rushed to Erlang Feng’s hiding place, urging him to flee as soon as possible; otherwise, he would be caught by the authorities. Just as Erlang Feng was about to leave, he was intercepted by Luo Shu, Qi Menglin, and Lian Shu, who had been lying in wait outside. Madam Feng blocked their way with all her might, giving Erlang Feng the chance to escape through the window.

Madam Feng clung tightly to Luo Shu, preventing her from pursuing. Luo Shu instructed Qi Menglin and Lian Shu to chase after Erlang Feng. The two pursued him relentlessly, eventually cornering him in a dead-end alley. Erlang Feng struggled desperately but was subdued by Qi Menglin. Lian Shu then called for the neighbors to help, and they used ropes to tie both Erlang Feng and Qi Menglin together. Head Constable Cai arrived in time with reinforcements and arrested Erlang Feng.

Luo Shu, limping from the chase, followed behind. Qi Menglin offered to carry Luo Shu on his back, but she, feeling embarrassed, flagged down a cart transporting wine. Qi Menglin and Lian Shu also hitched a ride on the cart to return to the county office. During the journey, Qi Menglin deliberately pricked his hand to draw blood.

Luo Shu purchased a jar of wine to disinfect his wound, and though Qi Menglin cried out dramatically in pain, his heart was warmed by her care. The driver delivered the three to the entrance of the county office. Qi Menglin tried to assist Luo Shu in getting off the cart, but she lost her balance and fell. Han Muzhi arrived just in time to catch her.

As Luo Shu and Han Muzhi locked eyes, it was as if time had stopped. It wasn’t until Chen Meiqing coughed lightly that they broke apart. Qi Menglin, who had intended to protect Luo Shu, was upset that Han Muzhi had taken the opportunity to step in first. Han Muzhi interrogated Erlang Feng, who admitted to renting a boat but denied killing Meng Qiaosheng.

Han Muzhi pressed him for the truth, and Erlang Feng confessed that he had tied Meng Qiaosheng up on the boat and beaten him. Meng Qiaosheng ultimately jumped into the river himself. Chen Meiqing concluded that Erlang Feng was the murderer and suggested closing the case, but Han Muzhi found the situation suspicious. Luo Shu proposed investigating Mei Hongying for further clues.

Luo Shu donned women’s attire to visit Mei Hongying, while Qi Menglin disguised himself in Lian Shu’s clothes as Luo Shu’s servant. They arrived at Mei Hongying’s house, where Mei Hongying was arguing with her brother Mei Changxiong, insisting on seeing Erlang Feng. Mei Changxiong did everything he could to stop her. After Luo Shu explained their purpose, Mei Hongying refused to believe Erlang Feng was the murderer.

Mei Changxiong tried to distance Mei Hongying from Erlang Feng entirely, but she ignored his protests and followed Luo Shu and Qi Menglin to the county office to testify for Erlang Feng. Mei Changxiong begged Luo Shu not to reveal Mei Hongying’s visit to the county office to protect her reputation. The moment Mei Hongying saw Erlang Feng, she chastised him for breaking their promise. Han Muzhi pressed Erlang Feng to confess the truth, threatening him with execution.

Mei Hongying urged him to clear his name, but Erlang Feng remained silent. Han Muzhi ordered Erlang Feng to be imprisoned and executed in ten days. Mei Hongying, convinced of Erlang Feng’s innocence, pleaded with Luo Shu to help him. Luo Shu agreed and escorted Mei Hongying home. She casually asked about Mei Changxiong’s whereabouts on the night of the crime. Mei Changxiong claimed he was working in the workshop while his wife was visiting her family.

Back at home, Mei Hongying was depressed, and Mei Changxiong tried to console her. Mei Hongying lamented that Erlang Feng would die unjustly and blamed her brother for separating them. She recounted how she had arranged to meet Erlang Feng at her home that night. When Erlang Feng came to find her, Mei Changxiong had locked her in the study, where she eventually fell asleep and missed their meeting. Mei Changxiong insisted he was working at the workshop all night.

Luo Shu returned to the county office late, starving. She went to the kitchen to find food, and Cai Baozi, hearing her, brought her two steamed buns. Luo Shu toasted the buns and ate them. To protect Mei Hongying’s reputation, Han Muzhi issued a strict order forbidding anyone from revealing her visit to the county office. Yet rumors began spreading the next morning.

Suspecting someone from the Mei household had leaked the news, Han Muzhi brought Luo Shu to investigate, disguising himself as a county advisor. Han Muzhi, tempted by the sight of street-side shumai, learned that Luo Shu knew how to make it. She promised to cook some for him when she had time. Upon arriving at the Mei household, they saw Mei Changxiong arguing with neighbors.

He was furiously scolding the women gossiping about Mei Hongying, and the argument escalated into a fight. Han Muzhi intervened to break it up and threatened to take the gossipers to the county office. Terrified, they fled. Han Muzhi suspected someone had leaked Mei Hongying’s visit, but Mei Changxiong had no idea who it could be. Mei Hongying arrived, pleading once more for Erlang Feng’s innocence.

She wanted to visit him in prison, and Han Muzhi made an exception, allowing Luo Shu to accompany her. Mei Hongying brought Erlang Feng his favorite roast chicken and urged him to tell the truth. Left with no choice, Erlang Feng confessed. On the night of the crime, Erlang Feng, along with Lao San and Da Niu, went to Mei Hongying’s home to meet her. They found her asleep, wrapped in a quilt, and carried her onto the boat.

Only later did they realize that the person inside the quilt was a naked Meng Qiaosheng. Furious, Erlang Feng beat Meng Qiaosheng, who then jumped into the river to escape. Mei Hongying vividly recalled that night. Mei Changxiong had locked her in the study, forcing her to copy books, and sealed all the doors and windows. Despite her screams, no one came to release her. She waited for Erlang Feng but eventually fell asleep.

After hearing Mei Hongying’s account, Erlang Feng realized he had wrongly blamed her. Luo Shu pieced together the events, confirming that Erlang Feng had not killed Meng Qiaosheng.

Qi Menglin went to look for Luo Shu early in the morning, but she wasn’t at the county office. Chen Meiqing, unable to find Han Muzhi either, guessed the two had gone to the Mei family residence. Without a word, Qi Menglin set off to find them. Luo Shu and Han Muzhi both believed that Feng Erlang was not the murderer of Meng Qiaosheng.

Based on Mei Hongying’s testimony, Luo Shu deduced that either Mei Changxiong or his wife, Lu Yanru, was lying. Both of them had alibis, but certain details didn’t add up: when Feng Erlang went to see Mei Hongying, the main door was ajar; Mei Hongying was locked in the study; and Meng Qiaosheng inexplicably ended up in Mei Hongying’s bed. All of this pointed to a deliberate setup. Han Muzhi shared the same suspicions.

Qi Menglin hurried to catch up with Luo Shu, using the excuse that Chen Meiqing needed to see Han Muzhi. He offered to accompany Luo Shu to the Mei residence, leaving Han Muzhi no choice but to return to the county office. At the Mei residence, they found that Mei Changxiong was at the workshop, leaving Lu Yanru alone at home. Luo Shu asked her to show them the study where Meng Qiaosheng had tutored Mei Hongying.

Lu Yanru claimed that Mei Hongying disliked studying, so she would often accompany her to read. Fearing that Mei Changxiong would discover Mei Hongying’s lack of dedication, she even admitted to doing some of Mei Hongying’s assignments. Luo Shu casually brought up the romantic poem written in the workbook and suggested that Lu Yanru had attended Meng Qiaosheng’s lessons in Mei Hongying’s place. Flustered, Lu Yanru hastily denied any improper relationship with Meng Qiaosheng.

Qi Menglin noticed an embroidered mandarin duck design on the table. Lu Yanru admitted to having embroidered it. Luo Shu then produced the sachet found under Meng Qiaosheng’s pillow. Lu Yanru explained that Mei Hongying wanted to embroider a pouch for Feng Erlang, but since her embroidery skills were poor, Lu Yanru had made a sample for her, which Meng Qiaosheng later took. At that moment, Mei Hongying stormed in, furious.

She accused Lu Yanru of gossiping about her being summoned to the county office, leading to neighbors spreading malicious rumors. Mei Hongying then exposed Lu Yanru’s secret affair with Meng Qiaosheng, claiming that Lu Yanru had always covered for her when she skipped lessons. Lu Yanru denied the accusations, but when Mei Hongying tried to drag her to the county office to explain, Lu Yanru locked herself in a room and attempted to hang herself.

Luo Shu broke down the door, and Mei Changxiong arrived just in time to save her. In a fit of anger, Mei Changxiong threw Mei Hongying out of the house. Witnessing Lu Yanru’s attempt to prove her innocence through suicide, Qi Menglin felt she had no involvement in the case. Luo Shu, however, disagreed.

Cai Baozi went to investigate Lu Yanru’s family and confirmed that she had indeed stayed at her parents’ house on the night of the incident, only returning home the next morning. Han Muzhi began to suspect that Mei Changxiong was lying. He sent Cai Baozi to investigate Mei Changxiong’s workshop, and Luo Shu volunteered to assist. Qi Menglin insisted on accompanying her.

Early the next morning, Luo Shu tried to head to the workshop alone, but Qi Menglin quickly caught up, and the two went together. The workers confirmed that Mei Changxiong had been working at the workshop on the night of the incident. However, Luo Shu noticed muddy footprints on the windowsill, suggesting Mei Changxiong might have entered and exited through the window. They then inspected Mei Changxiong’s boat, where Qi Menglin found scratch marks on the boat's edge.

Meanwhile, Xu Wuzuo discovered soil under Meng Qiaosheng’s fingernails during his examination. Back at home, Lu Yanru sat alone, reminiscing about her past moments with Meng Qiaosheng, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Mei Changxiong, noticing her mood, advised her to focus on the present. Lu Yanru, originally a young lady from a wealthy family, had been forced to marry Mei Changxiong, a coarse man concerned only with earning money, after her family fell into poverty.

She began to suspect that Mei Changxiong had orchestrated Meng Qiaosheng’s death. Confronted by her accusations, Mei Changxiong admitted to the crime. He explained that he had invited Meng Qiaosheng to tutor Mei Hongying, only to discover that Meng Qiaosheng was seducing Lu Yanru and even flaunting it in front of him. Enraged, Mei Changxiong killed Meng Qiaosheng and framed Feng Erlang.

Lu Yanru lashed out at Mei Changxiong, declaring that she would have preferred a poor but loving life with Meng Qiaosheng over a soulless marriage with him. Mei Changxiong, in turn, beat her but could not refute her words. The next day, Feng Erlang was set to be executed. Mei Hongying braved the heavy rain to visit him in prison, but Mei Changxiong dragged her back home. Mei Hongying swore she would never marry anyone but Feng Erlang.

If Feng Erlang were executed, she would die alongside him. Deeply saddened, Mei Changxiong realized the depth of Mei Hongying’s love for Feng Erlang. Finally, he decided to let them be together. The following morning, Mei Changxiong turned himself in at the county office, confessing to the murder of Meng Qiaosheng. He explained that on the night of the incident, he had returned from delivering goods earlier than usual.

He saw Mei Hongying and Feng Erlang playfully chasing each other in the street, which made him rush home. There, he witnessed Lu Yanru and Meng Qiaosheng being intimate. Restraining his anger, he kept quiet. However, when Lu Yanru rejected him that evening, still holding the jade pendant Meng Qiaosheng had given her, his resentment grew. After discovering that Feng Erlang planned to elope with Mei Hongying, Mei Changxiong devised a plan.

He locked Mei Hongying in her study, sent Lu Yanru to her parents’ house, and deliberately hinted to Meng Qiaosheng that he would not be home that night. Mei Changxiong created an alibi by working late at the workshop but snuck out through the window. He then lay in wait, saw Meng Qiaosheng visit Lu Yanru, and knocked him unconscious. He stripped Meng Qiaosheng and placed him in Mei Hongying’s bed.

When Feng Erlang arrived with Lao San and Da Niu to take Mei Hongying away, they unknowingly carried off the unconscious Meng Qiaosheng. When Feng Erlang discovered something was wrong on the boat, Mei Changxiong expected him to kill Meng Qiaosheng. But Feng Erlang released him instead. Mei Changxiong then pursued Meng Qiaosheng in his boat and beat him to death. After his confession, Feng Erlang was cleared of all charges and released.

Mei Hongying came to pick him up, and the two embraced each other, overwhelmed with emotion. To celebrate, Luo Shu personally made a large pot of shumai. Qi Menglin mistakenly thought she had made it especially for him, as he too loved shumai.

Luo Shu and Han Muzhi cared deeply for each other, helping one another along the way. Over time, their feelings changed, and they developed a unique bond. Luo Shu had once promised to make shumai for Han Muzhi. Not only did she prepare shumai, but she also made a large table full of dishes. Qi Menglin, who loved shumai, thought Luo Shu had made them especially for him. He even invited Han Muzhi to join him in enjoying the food.

Knowing the shumai was prepared for him, Han Muzhi didn’t correct Qi Menglin to avoid embarrassing him. Qi Menglin mistakenly believed Luo Shu had feelings for him, and he was overjoyed. Even though Lian Shu tried to bring him back to reality, Qi Menglin was too lost in his imagined happiness to listen. By chance, Han Muzhi discovered Luo Shu had an interest in chess, so they played a game together.

Luo Shu's paperwork for leaving her registered status was almost approved, and Han Muzhi wanted to know her plans for the future. Luo Shu admitted she hadn’t decided yet. As they played and chatted, they found they had much in common and grew closer. Luo Shu ultimately won the game, and Han Muzhi couldn’t stop praising her. He had also heard about her talent for playing musical instruments and requested a performance, but Luo Shu declined.

Han Muzhi then picked up a flute and began to play. The melodious sound captivated Luo Shu deeply. After Qiao Ruohui suffered a miscarriage, she became frail and bedridden for years. Two days ago, she passed away. Her husband, He Shenwei, was preparing for her funeral when Qiao Ruohui’s younger sister, Qiao Ruolan, disrupted the proceedings, accusing He Shenwei of causing her sister’s death. He Shenwei went to the county office to file a complaint.

Luo Shu and Qi Menglin were ordered to investigate. Qiao Ruolan was adamant that He Shenwei was the murderer and insisted on exhuming the body for an autopsy. He Shenwei strongly opposed this, but Qi Menglin sided with Qiao Ruolan, ordering the coffin to be opened on the spot. In despair, He Shenwei tried to end his own life by ramming into the coffin. Xu Wuzuo conducted an autopsy and confirmed that Qiao Ruohui had died of illness, not foul play.

However, Qiao Ruolan refused to believe it. He Shenwei begged her to let Qiao Ruohui rest in peace and be buried as soon as possible. Qiao Ruolan accused He Shenwei of wanting to seize her family’s distillery. He Shenwei admitted he had thought about joining Qiao Ruohui in death but was determined to honor her dying wish to make the Qiao family distillery flourish. He also produced a will written by Qiao Ruohui herself.

Chen Meiqing publicly read out Qiao Ruohui’s will, which stated that the distillery would be managed by He Shenwei. Qiao Ruolan was unconvinced, accusing He Shenwei of coercing Qiao Ruohui into writing it. She argued that the distillery had been in her family for five generations, and as a daughter, she had the right to inherit it.

He Shenwei was heartbroken, explaining that he and Qiao Ruohui had worked hard to manage the distillery and had even spent a fortune on Qiao Ruolan’s dowry, only for her to turn around and demand the distillery. Han Muzhi declared publicly that He Shenwei had the rightful claim to inherit and manage the distillery and that Qiao Ruolan had no authority to interfere. He also ordered Qiao Ruohui’s burial to proceed immediately.

He Shenwei fell to his knees, repeatedly thanking Han Muzhi. However, Qiao Ruolan remained dissatisfied, vowing to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Early the next morning, Qiao Ruolan went to the distillery and offered the workers double wages to leave with her. He Shenwei had no choice but to send someone to report this to the county office. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin quickly arrived at the scene.

He Shenwei begged Qiao Ruolan not to take the workers away, explaining that the distillery’s signature wine, Jinrui Wine, needed to be brewed during the White Dew season, or it would lose its quality. Qiao Ruolan refused to relent and demanded that He Shenwei hand over the recipe for Jinrui Wine. He Shenwei explained that Qiao Ruohui had never shared the recipe with him. Qiao Ruolan took all the workers, leaving Qi Menglin frustrated by her actions.

To understand Qiao Ruolan’s motivations better, Luo Shu dressed in women’s clothing and sought her out. She happened to see Yu Mama delivering food to Qiao Ruolan. Yu Mama, a loyal servant of the Qiao family, had served both sisters faithfully. Qiao Ruolan avoided Luo Shu, but Luo Shu directly pointed out that Qiao Ruolan wasn’t trying to take over the distillery—she just wanted to uncover the truth about Qiao Ruohui’s death.

This struck a nerve with Qiao Ruolan, who finally opened up to Luo Shu. Qiao Ruohui had devoted herself to managing the distillery and had always cared deeply for her younger sister. To ensure Qiao Ruolan could marry without worry, she had chosen the poor scholar He Shenwei to marry into the family. Qiao Ruolan secretly investigated He Shenwei and, finding no issues, allowed him to marry her sister.

However, she resented the fact that He Shenwei never mentioned Qiao Ruohui’s illness until after her death. Qiao Ruolan suspected He Shenwei of foul play. Luo Shu promised to uncover the truth. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin went to visit He Shenwei together. They arrived to find Doctor Hua Miao already there. He Shenwei explained that Qiao Ruohui had been frail and unable to bear children.

However, she had insisted on trying to give him a child, which resulted in a miscarriage and her eventual decline in health. To avoid worrying Qiao Ruolan, Qiao Ruohui had asked He Shenwei to keep her illness a secret. He Shenwei claimed that he only discovered her will while sorting through her belongings after her death. At that moment, Qiao Ruolan burst in and exposed He Shenwei’s lies.

She questioned why, if Qiao Ruohui had always intended to leave him the distillery, she hadn’t shared the Jinrui Wine recipe with him. Qi Menglin, frustrated by Qiao Ruolan’s attitude, yelled at her. Luo Shu quickly pulled Qiao Ruolan aside and reassured her that justice would be served. Luo Shu asked Qiao Ruolan to provide her correspondence with Qiao Ruohui to look for clues.

Qiao Ruolan sent someone to her in-laws’ house to retrieve the letters and mentioned another clue: Qiao Ruohui had conceived after taking a secret prescription from Hua Miao. Luo Shu shared all the information with Han Muzhi, who offered to help. Luo Shu, however, didn’t want to trouble him further.

Luo Shu went to find Hua Miao to learn more about the situation, with Qi Menglin accompanying her. Upon entering, they saw a well-dressed pregnant woman arguing with Hua Miao. Luo Shu was filled with curiosity. The pregnant woman quickly left after seeing Luo Shu and Qi Menglin. Luo Shu asked when Hua Miao started treating the Qiao family. Hua Miao claimed that he and He Shenwei were neighbors, and he had happened to have a family recipe for fertility.

He gave it to He Shenwei, and Qiao Ruohui successfully became pregnant, but she later had a miscarriage. Hua Miao answered flawlessly. Luo Shu casually asked about the pregnant woman who had just left. Hua Miao explained that she was his cousin, Qiuniang, who came to borrow money due to an urgent matter at home. Luo Shu didn’t press further and left with Qi Menglin. Qi Menglin was convinced that Qiao Ruolan was falsely accusing He Shenwei.

However, Luo Shu found Hua Miao’s behavior suspicious and doubted the pregnant woman’s identity and her claim of borrowing money. Qi Menglin stuck to his opinion. They visited Qiao Ruolan and found her crying while reading letters. Qi Menglin mocked her mercilessly. Luo Shu took out Qiao Ruohui’s letters and asked Qi Menglin to leave, forbidding him from reading them. Left with no choice, Qi Menglin went to chat with He Shenwei.

Luo Shu noticed discrepancies in the tone of Qiao Ruohui’s letters before and after her miscarriage. Although Qiao Ruohui had basic literacy for bookkeeping, she couldn’t write poetry, yet her will was written in an artistic style. Luo Shu then asked He Shenwei for Qiao Ruolan’s letters to Qiao Ruohui. When she arrived, Qi Menglin was already there chatting with He Shenwei.

Upon seeing Luo Shu in women’s clothing, He Shenwei realized she was a female constable and complimented her beauty. He Shenwei handed over Qiao Ruolan’s letters, but they were just business correspondence, not personal letters between the sisters. He Shenwei claimed he hadn’t organized everything yet. Qiao Ruolan, uneasy, rushed over to meet Luo Shu. Just as Luo Shu was about to leave with her, Qiuniang suddenly appeared looking for He Shenwei, followed closely by Hua Miao.

Qiao Ruolan interrogated Qiuniang about why she was meeting He Shenwei, but Hua Miao repeatedly explained that she was there to borrow money and asked Luo Shu and Qi Menglin to testify for him. After much persuasion, Hua Miao managed to send Qiuniang away. However, Qiao Ruolan found the situation suspicious and insisted on having Qiuniang confront He Shenwei.

Qi Menglin, annoyed by Qiao Ruolan’s overbearing attitude, harshly criticized her and advised Luo Shu to stop assisting Qiao Ruolan with the case, threatening to cut ties if she didn’t listen. Luo Shu ignored him. Luo Shu sent Constable Cai to the temple to investigate and confirmed that He Shenwei had donated fifty taels of silver instead of the two hundred he claimed. Meanwhile, Hua Miao sent Qiuniang away and met with He Shenwei to discuss their next move.

Hua Miao urged He Shenwei to obtain the Jinrui Wine recipe as soon as possible. It was revealed that Qiuniang’s unborn child belonged to He Shenwei. He had been sending monthly payments to her through Hua Miao, but with her nearing delivery, Qiuniang demanded more money. He Shenwei, worried about being exposed by Qiao Ruolan, didn’t dare to take money from the winery without permission. He considered pawning Qiao Ruohui’s jewelry but feared discovery.

Desperate, Hua Miao suggested eliminating Qiao Ruolan to solve the problem. Qi Menglin had angered Luo Shu and wanted to explain himself, but she shut him out. Determined, he went to her window and tried to reconcile. He shared a story about how he once spent 501 taels to win an evening with the courtesan Jin Nang during her debut. Furious, Luo Shu shut the window in his face, as this was her most humiliating memory—she was Jin Nang.

Unaware of her identity, Qi Menglin kept bragging about his act of chivalry. Enraged, Luo Shu slammed the door, but Qi Menglin kept talking, even suggesting that she arrange a meeting with Jin Nang for a boat trip. Luo Shu went to find Qiao Ruolan early the next morning but learned someone had pretended to be her and lured Qiao Ruolan to the riverbank. Realizing the danger, Luo Shu rushed there and saw two thugs preparing to attack Qiao Ruolan.

She shouted to stop them and pulled Qiao Ruolan away. The attackers shot arrows at them, and Luo Shu, shielding Qiao Ruolan, was hit. They were eventually captured and taken onto a boat by the assailants. Meanwhile, Qi Menglin went to Mingke Lane to arrange a meeting with Jin Nang, only to learn she had escaped on the night of her debut.

Yu Mama arranged for Jin Lian to impersonate Jin Nang, and Qi Menglin invited all five courtesans from the establishment onto his boat. However, Luo Shu didn’t show up, leaving him disappointed. Sensing his unhappiness, Jin Lian tried to cheer him up. The thugs forced Qiao Ruolan to write down the Jinrui Wine recipe, threatening Luo Shu’s life to coerce her.

Taking advantage of a distraction, Luo Shu cut through her bindings, injured one of the assailants, and escaped with Qiao Ruolan by jumping into the river. The thugs pursued them, shooting arrows. Qi Menglin, seeing two women fall into the water, ordered the boat to speed up. Recognizing Luo Shu, he jumped into the river to save her just as she was losing strength. Luo Shu woke up in a daze and urged Qi Menglin to rescue Qiao Ruolan.

Jin Lian recognized Luo Shu as the female constable. Han Muzhi arrived with his constables, carried Luo Shu back to his carriage, and promised to send men to rescue Qiao Ruolan. Seeing Han Muzhi carrying Luo Shu away, Qi Menglin grew jealous. From Jin Lian, he learned that Luo Shu was Jin Nang, leaving him utterly shocked. Xu Wuzuo bandaged Luo Shu’s wounds. Han Muzhi visited her, showing care and even bringing her ginger tea.

Xu Wuzuo tactfully left, closing the door behind him. Han Muzhi, regretting that he had let her stay at the county office, warned her not to put herself in danger again. Constable Cai arrived to report that Qiao Ruolan hadn’t been found, prompting Han Muzhi to leave after ensuring Luo Shu was settled. Qi Menglin later brought expensive chicken soup and ginger tea to Luo Shu, thanking her for saving him.

He insisted she drink his ginger tea, but Luo Shu politely declined. Their argument escalated, and they accidentally spilled the tea all over the floor.