Because I expect the unexpected, I think the masked man is actually the mastermind behind the killing of Zang Hai's family. He wanted to find the hidden treasure so he used Zang Hai to obtain it, while also using him to eliminate the two persons he no longer needed who's also threatening his safety/interest.
Or maybe he's actually from another country who wants to shake and ruin the Ming dynasty foundation. There are already 3 important people down. And at least another 3 (+1 if the masked man and the mastermind are two different people) to be brought down. Maybe Dongxia people since FL is a Dongxia princess and owns a lot of entertainment shop that's like information center and later she could be forced to pick side to escalate the game. Is crossdresser Mr Eight also come from another country? There's nothing being mentioned so far, maybe I missed it.
Just a theory.
My guess is that the masked man is Zhao Bingwen, the Minister for Revenue shown attending the Empress Dowager's funeral. He seems to be a high ranking official and somehow the way he walked struck me like looking like the masked man. Also the masked man walks with a limp and during the Empress Dowager's funeral, Zhao Bigwen got up more slwoly compared to the others. Also in the cast list Mr Eight real name is Zhao Tonger. And I saw cfans theories that she might be the duaghter of Zhao Bingwen She seems to be the daughter of a high ranking official as she was able to enter the women's quarters of the palace where Xiang Antu was being taught. Adding in that masked man says that Zanghai will meet his contact at Zhenlu. We assume the contact was Master Gaoming but later Xiang Antu tells Mr Eight that she insisted on telling the story of the Empress Dowager, so what if the actual contact was Mr Eight.
I think the masked man is actually the mastermind behind the killing of Zang Hai's family. He wanted to find the hidden treasure so he used Zang Hai to obtain it, while also using him to eliminate the two persons he no longer needed who's also threatening his safety/interest.autumn iris:
I feel the same. He gives me negative vibes...
sfdramalover:
I don’t understand Chinese, so I can’t focus on the subtitles if I watch with audio.
just info there is eng audio on youku, but of course sounds weird , the voice of western people are not suitable for chinese ancient drama.
sfdramalover:
I feel the same. He gives me negative vibes...
Gao Ming? isnt there a scene where a masked man and Gao Ming appear together?
NargizMammadli:
I think the masked man is definitely Ping Jin's butler, Zhuang. Or I think it could be Cao Jiang Xian who appeared in the last scene of episode 12.
after thinking a while, the character relationship chart does not have this butler Zhuang Shan, while he is important character because show up frequently
I used to think the masked man is the third culprit, but I rewatched the episodes and I’m thinking it may be the butler. He’s cramping and the masked man wore a walking stick when he came to take Zhinu to the capital. Also, he would’ve easily be able to snatch the thing from the incense burner. But I still can’t understand how he was related to Zhinu’s father.