KJ2025

Career changes

Now that suspect has finally had some rest, XiJun draws his memories to see what clues come out. Even the drawings show disjointed thought and it’s still difficult to extrapolate fact from fiction. Lu noticed the meal guy wanted to say something and has a chat with him. And before checking with suspect he goes in and tries to flatten the guy. The lunch server has implied he is gay and that wife had discovered the two men flirting. Lu is an absolute genius in warfare. He evaluates on the fly what needs to be done and makes direct thorough progress in attacks almost every time. He is invaluable for military strategy, but I hate his black white line in investigation. He cannot color outside the lines and he goes with the shortest distance a to b rather than what is the route that leads to perpetrators. Once his mind is made up, he fits evidence to his thinking rather than let the evidence tell him what happened. This trait annoys the crap out of me as he bulldogs his way through in a scorched earth righteous pattern. Su is more sly and subject to error. However, he evaluates the evidence to see where it goes and actually tries to assume innocent until proven guilty. He is slowly bit by bit chipping away at Lu’s sledge hammer approach to things. Lu is a master with sword and spear but he has no clue how to hold a scalpel for investigating yet. Fei is the surprise helper. He works well with both of him and his abilities complements theirs. He helps Su with his medical knowledge and he has a great throwing arm to get Lu the weapons he needs. The meal guy is indeed the thief from a decade ago. He was the builder of the temple and he became the caretaker there. He was content until a couple scholars moved in and provided him a library. He educated himself and was now going to try the exam to get into the ministry himself. Lu was the one to figure out his identity. The needle trick with the pheasants gave him away. Now to find out what part he had in the murders if any. He will at least have a lot of missing details.

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Dream vs reality

They have found the wife’s body in a temple. Everything points to the spouse and yet also doesn’t. While he could be capable of these acts, it really doesn’t go along with his nature. There is more to it. Chicken Fei indicated incense might have a play in this. The master poisoner/ninja that knows where the money is seems to be part of these events. Su and Lu do not agree on who the murderer is. Lu thinks things conclusively point to the husband and Su is not convinced the evidence points only his way. In spite of the knife marks on the wife’s body, what actually killed her was a dart very like the one that almost killed Lu. Money is involved with the why. And colleague was asking to be killed rather than meet father. Why? Lu is getting more like Su in dealing with Fei. He locked him up to dry him out and for him to diagnose suspect. Took him 100+ needles but he finally got the guy some sleep. Now we can find out what he is really like. Does the meal guy and old man have any part? These two with 5pm clocks make good alibis. The only sure thing is the two that are dead. The why’s are still uncertain til trance state isn’t part of equation. The hints are that the two did have an affair, she finds herself pregnant and wants to leave for Chang’an with hubby to cover it up. Now to see if any of that speculation holds true when all revealed.

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Fact or fiction

Dream or reality? This guy is turning psycho but was it with drugs or just his imagination. Was wife lying or also having dreams and reality intertwined? Xue Huan is developing some very handy martial arts skills. 👏🏻 The husband’s moves remind me of Peewee Herman. They are over the top and almost comedic. The alleged lech has been killed and the wife is missing. They suspect the husband but there are still loose ends. Why are the officials allowing young women to disappear? Minister Lu discovered this hazard and it’s been dealt with. But for all the women caged there, none were the one they were looking for. A ninja was at the couple’s home looking for something. Lu battled well but was almost taken out by a poisoned dart. Chicken Fei is earning his keep. This is the second time he has saved Lu from poisoning. Xue Huan was more than happy to give description and XiJun in undressing him so they could treat.😂 Su has visited the home and has not said yet if any clues to wife’s disappearance. Is the treasure in wall related to these events. Were the three poisoned and delusional so searches could be made? Now it is unclear if fellow student and wife having an affair of if husband saw in drugged haze what he most feared. If the husband was such a devoted scholar to temple, and never really came home to his wife, why was he even married? Waiting to see what turns up next episode.

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Haunted post part two

Su and Lu split up and again enter haunted post. That was a creep fest of brothers. The missing finger was the part that didn’t let Lu’s mind rest. He definitely did not want any meat other than chicken. We now see what happened to Cui in the upper room. This whole story was weird. The one brother evil from birth and the one tagged with that was actually not. His was instinctive, not deliberate premeditation. I enjoyed the brother tantrum over fake painting. That was instant karma for him. The sheriff was called to task for his part. They will be removed from office and the post will no longer be haunted. There are still more snakes to be relocated. So next story will explain the treasure behind wall.I don’t think I will feel sorry for whatever happens to the lech. The wife is just as guilty. I think the begger should have received a finder’s fee to get shelter from the rain. This episode went from ick and gory to cuckolded husband. Interesting spectrum.

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Truth and consequences

This episode revealed who the ‘monk’ was. Chicken Fei continues to be interesting. He figured out that the tea scholar’s condition was not terminal. This scholar really had a creepy way of treating those he loved. He and businessman both a bit crazy about painting. I am glad they rescued the businessman in time and basically provided him a new scholar club to belong to. XiJun will make a good makeup artist for them😂 it was interesting to see their faces changed. The case is solved and a lot of people lost due to misdiagnosis. The only good thing of that is now Fed has shown them what it is and how to cure. I do not know how these two plan to solve the haunted post case. But with those huge snakes I am wishing it was more than just the two of them. The meat from this place is like Fried Green Tomatoes BBQ. They are back inside and Lu frankly asks if the monkeys are like humans. The host had a shocked expression on his face. This is where episode ends and we see what Lu figured out.

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Revenge and poison bugs

Two promising young men killed before taking office. The servant of household held a grudge for a decade when his son was lost saving one of them. That was some serious hate to wait so long to carry out his revenge. These deaths make Su question the death of his friend and an autopsy revealed the source of his death. A pricey medicine source is also very poisonous. It’s ironic that it is a prized item in NanZhou. For the first time our two investigators stick up for each other. It is not just for show for a royal or superior. There is a growing trust and respect developing, albeit very slowly. So if Di wanted Lu as a disciple but decided to wait and not let him know…what secret did he reveal to Su? The last two scholars are being guarded. One with Lu is making a trip to the bridge from the painting, the other is serving tea to the politicians investigator and businessman that was in painting. There are three left from the painting still alive. The last two scholars and the businessman. The wood collector looked like having a heart attack before falling over the cliff. He might have been recipient of other bug. Somebody disguising themselves as a monk bought the bugs and is seen showing up before deaths noted. The tea scholar seems suspicious but the poetry scholar is a hothead. Su wanted them split for a reason so now to see which group has a murderer in it.

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Arts and craft

I am still not sure if these two are actually working together or working opposed to each other. Minister Lu was very quick to torture a guy that gave him no new information. Did he note on autopsy or not the points Su presented? Was he reseeing through Su’s eyes things he should have picked up on? I liked how XiJun figured out the painting coverup. It is nice to see the female smart and helpful and not just a lovesick girl waiting for her dream guy to notice her. It seemed a bit odd for the kid to go along to chase bandits with a dulled weapon. I guess this is still how Lu does training. As a military fighter he does an excellent job, but as investigator he wants to be singular rather than working with a team to get all possible results available to consider. With fighting, he recognizes the importance of teamwork and strategy for target. He excels here but his ego does not give him this same common sense with investigating. The politician even from beginning at funeral was very fake with his sympathetic remarks. And now that Lu has resigned from a position he truly isn’t quite qualified more this governor already has two people lined up. Now Su may have all the pieces he needs to find real killer. I am not surprised the businessman sold the painting. What did surprise me was his vanity to be included back in the original. There is something up with the tea or the wine that is causing the visions and possibly the cough from the tea scholar. They at least did confiscate the items from the chang’an merchant but it is still unclear who the murderer is. And now I am thinking the first scholar was possibly murdered as well. There was no question about his death. Now to see who the new ministry replacements are and how they fit into the happenings of the scholars.

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Practice makes perfect

Xue Huan is accepted by Lu as disciple but that is because Lu think he and XiJun will be returning to Chang’an soon. He is invited to a celebratory dinner where he learns not only are they not leaving but that XiJun has agreed to be Su’s sworn sister.😂 He makes his disgruntlement with that development well known at the table. The musician brother falls ill and dies and our two investigators want to do an autopsy. One friend denounces the idea and the other too heartbroken to offer an opinion. XiJun and Chicken Fei trick the scholar into leaving the wake room so Su can perform an autopsy. We aren’t told if he completed one but we are shown along with Su that there is a knife wound in left chest area. The merchant was invited to a meal with minister Lu but since he refused to come he was jailed instead. He was proved innocent with the caveat that if he won’t respond to their invites that he will be invited there. He now knows to come when called. XueHuan is tested on his sword skill with guy wanting revenge on scholar. He is rebuked for not finishing the job and the boy responded his sword had no edge. What is fun is Lu throwing his student a bamboo rod and telling him that was sufficient for the job. He then gives boy instructions on proper attack and defense moves while student grapples with perpetrator.😂 There is an assassin thrown in the mix that was also after him. He said he was hired by the two other scholars so they could behead him at funeral. Here I think the mercenary is lying. I think he was hired by shopkeeper for instrument that is missing. He prides himself on most collectible items and this seems like a stunt he might have a hand in. The young student wannabe swears he has no clue where instrument is and I actually believe him. A good instrument won’t make you play better. He wanted the lessons most. There is something off about the scholars but it seems more like they are the targets. When Su and XiJun go to see the Bridge painting, they are told it’s been sold to a Persian collector. This too seems weird. Somebody is drugging him to have nightmares so he would sell it. So wondering who solves first…Lu or Su?

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Arriving in NanZhou

Lu and Su have joined the mayor for dinner and get reacquainted with chicken Fei. 😂 XiJun and guard were not there but fed in their quarters. This was actually at XiJun’s request. She wanted to complete a painting of the two overlooking the mountains. XiJun presents gifts for them. Lu is given a sword. He at first rejects it but is talked into accepting it as he no longer has his. I think XiJun’s child guard has Lu pegged right. He is a true master of his craft but he is an arrogant snob. He flatly tells this to Lu.😂 I admire his audacity. I want you to teach me martial arts, but I’m more capable than you in social graces. During the meal Su brings up an old friend he wants to renew ties with. The sad irony is that the funeral procession coming down the road is for his friend. He was part of the four scholars of NanZhou so his companions were part of the procession. A young man stops it to request discipleship from the musician scholar. He would not stop asking so the scholar gave him a curt unfiltered reason. He completely lacked the talent. It was done in a way that embarrassed the young man so he is now plotting revenge. Another man who is a good artist painted a picture of them called the bridge. He had hoped to join them as a fifth scholar but his friend died before he could ask. His painting is sought after by royals but he is reusing its sale. XiJun wants to stay but Lu keeps urging Su to send her home. Now that Lu has been given a temporary ministry job at court he sees it as inappropriate. He likes her, but is ashamed that their initial meeting was him deceiving her by taking another’s place. He is such a rule stickler that he doesn’t allow himself to enjoy life. He goes from rule to rule keeping things orderly. This gets him into trouble because it exacerbates his arrogance. He mentally assigns people to castes in his mind and keeps them boxed there. He socially treats these boxes with whatever respect they are do in his mind and he never tries to go beyond to make friends or value networking. He even does this with himself not letting himself be seen out of the lowered box status he has been reduced to. This is why he could not easily wrap his brain about a child understanding human behavior by reading. He did not give XiJun’s guard credit for intelligence and growth of capabilities beyond a certain level. The child is already wiser. He refuses to let any class box him in and stifle his potential. Maybe he can teach Lu a few things.😝

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Dreams and screams

The general fights a huge snake. XiJun finally got a dagger in his general direction😝 General Lu gets her out and rescues the boy. He hides them in his old room and goes to find sheriff. When he sees the colonel he wants to kill him on sight but the sheriff interferes. They both leave to investigate the story the colonel tells them. After they leave, the colonel and subordinate go to the nobleman’s room to silence him. That one has already awakened elsewhere and may already be silenced.😬The sheriff sees he is lying and the boy innocent. The colonel plans an ambush and XiJun hatches a plan with sheriff. She agrees to stay in an upper room with light on. As long as candle is lit — all is well. The sheriff and general leave. The sheriff to get help and find missing woman and the general stays to protect XiJun. The general guards her window all night and she and boy are fine. The sheriff returns with another and deputies. Now two Su’s on the trail.😄 XiJun and boy exit the room, but none of the others are seen. Everything is deserted. ?????🧐 This scene was well choreographed. The music adds to the eerie atmosphere. I am most creeped out by the disappearance of the Cui noble. He was arrogant but really only wanted a place to sleep. What happened to him? Dream or reality?

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Haunted post

Sheriff runs into lady ShiYi who is someone else entirely. It is a being part human and ghost that was treated poorly. They were offered shelter in the ghost market and promise of great reward if chang’an tea became popular. She killed the servant accompanying the sheriff and was ready to kill him when General Lu shows up. He save’s Su’s life but then is ready to take it as he thinks the sheriff framed him. While it is clear that he didn’t the circumstances are very strange. After some bickering it is decided that for the short term the general will become his personal staff so he can have a way to make money and survive. Since a storm is brewing they find an uncharted post and decide to stay there. The one person there is very creepy and develops an attitude because General Lu turns out to be rather snobby. His rich boy condescension is showing😝 the general sneaks out because he does not believe other rooms haunted and the sheriff is plagued with nightmares. More guests arrive as XiJun talked her young servant into sneaking her out and she is kidnapped. Ironically she is tossed into the room where the general is hiding. The boy is tied up in the back. I am hoping they figure out a way to take care of these rogue soldiers. Chicken Fei has left the party by taking the money bag and buying himself a horse to ride outa Dodge. He has had enough of their walking shenanigans and is using the funds as his pay. The general is deciding what to do when the jerk officer is making a pass at XiJun as the episode ends.

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Go directly to jail

Both of our heroes have unexpected repercussions. General Lu gets punished and Sheriff Su gets promoted. The Princess is kinda evil in how she forces each of the, to do something against their character. I wonder who she things General Lu is? So a jealous superior poisons the royal’s ear so that he is biased against the general. General Lu is actually beaten quite severely and wants to die. Chicken Fei, who wants his chickens, has urged him to live for revenge. One loyal friend sticks with the general and literally carries him out of the city. Sheriff Su has been given a new position in another city and told to walk there to reflect. He has not seen the general so wondering when these two will cross paths again. Ms Pei keeps causing trouble for the general. While it was numerous that both sheriff and general were drinking away their blues…the each found themselves back in prison. The general for being out after curfew and the sheriff for refusing a position in court under Princess. The one good thing that has happened is lady assassin got hit pretty good and is going to need time to heal. Just wish the wound was more permanent.😝I am glad the young boy watching over XiJun is officially given the job. He has been the only one to come out the winner in this odd evening of misadventures. Both the royals are cagey and to me, our heroes will fare better away from them. The general is in the worst plight as he is beaten and all his possessions taken from him. I hope his path of revenge does significantly more to his accuser.

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Here comes the bride

Sheriff Su arranges with magistrate Pei to have his daughter go through with a ghost marriage to her general. They think this will keep her from harming herself. The sheriff also pledged with his life that nothing would happen to her. Lady ShiYi and magistrate Yuan had other ideas. They made chang’an tea with the western magic grass and specific type blood. This quality was found most often in the young brides so that was why they were the target. Sheriff Su offered himself instead since he was an exception to the rule. General Lu shows up to save the day until demonic guards awakened. Why they let her blow that damn whistle instead of just whacking her is beyond me. They just all stood around and watched her call them.😝The deputies are improving but they are still not imperial soldiers. The fight scene was good and the general got to show off his throwing power as he protected XiJun from getting killed. Lady ShiYi snuck out and right when everything seem headed for a decent resolution, the lead General comes in to imprison them. So is he deceived or corrupt? Guess we will find out next episode. Chicken Fei is quite useful in a fight 😂 He is good at throwing weapons and other items to assist. He is also acquainted with all the tunnels. He hides when the lead general show up, but I see him helping with a prison break or at the least getting them information. Yuan had quite the ego.He was royalty but he he was a petty man that plotted revenge in a cowardly way. 😝 This ends the mystery of the brides but where does lead general fit in the scheme of things?

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Lost and found

Second prince has condemned himself to what appears to be a hopeless situation. He has convinced himself that the only way to keep QingKui safe is to have her completely give up on him. I want to feel sorry for himself but he should have never taken that stupid pill. But since he did QingKui might be the only one not in snake realm to figure an around for it. He is so tunnel visioned in her protection that he did not consider he as an aid that could help him with a united front. He has lost all ground he had made with her . YeTan has found the third shard. He is a lothario and will be the hardest of three to win over. They try talismans that will let them act for her and it is not going well. 😂 she is acting odd enough to get his attention but I don’t think that is what she had in mind. QingKui here’s some guards talking and knows the void is intently looking for the shard. She is going to try something on her own and not sure that’s a good idea. Fiery is missing YeTan. He is most sweet as he offers the best of his rocks for QingKui to make a flower for the love she misses.🥰 They need to get things wrapped up soon because things are going to get out of hand with the empress involved. She has already succeeded in getting rid of her biggest obstacle in the void. I am hoping they find a way to get the second prince out of this mess so that he can assist but it’s not looking good for either side right now. Mr Casanova is going to waste a lot of time they don’t have.😝

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Setting up shop

Zheng Bei is basically stuck where he is until Gu Yiran agrees to come to Harlan. He has a bit more respect for the guy when trying to keep up on a run. 😂 He hands Gu Yiran a file and then tries to head out. As he is arguing with his boss on the phone, he is surprised when Gu Yiran show up. The case involved his friend so he definitely wants part of it. He does not tell Zheng Bei why he is interested, but he does provide a nice lexicon of druggie associated terms to help with the undercover job. Zheng Bei is not too impressed with the cafeteria turned office space.😂 Gu Yiran meets the rest of the team. The undercover deal seems to be going well even with pipe bombs being added. Gu Yiran made an odd face when dealer complimented Zheng Bei on his Cantonese.

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