Episode 26 recap: Qi Songru resigns from his official position and returns to his hometown.
County Magistrate Zhang, knowing that the person imprisoned is not Zhao Dagou, accepted a bribe and wrongfully detained innocent Yao Zilin as Zhao Dagou, planning to execute him on a selected day. County Magistrate Zhang intentionally bribes Qi Songru, hoping to secure a position in the capital city. If this matter is exposed in the future, he believes that nobody in the capital can hold him accountable. Therefore, Encheng deliberately instructed this person to bribe Qi Songru and implicate him, even if the truth is revealed.
Qi Songru is unaware of County Magistrate Zhang's ulterior motives. That night, Qi Songru wrote an urgent confidential letter and sent it to Encheng, anticipating that Encheng would receive his message. This was part of Encheng's premeditated plan to deal with Ding Baozhen. Once County Magistrate Zhang is taken care of, Encheng plans to go to the capital city for his new position. At this time, County Magistrate Zhang gives Qi Songru a box of silver taels, but Qi Songru finds it inconvenient to accept and asks for it to be delivered directly to his home on another day.
Jin Xiaomei returns home to visit Madam Zhong, who feels that Xiaomei has become more like a married woman. Little does she know that Xiaomei is aware of Qi Songru's actions and carries a heavy heart. A common woman comes to the county yamen to file a complaint against County Magistrate Zhang for oppressing the people, armed with evidence of his crimes. However, she is immediately thrown into the prison by Qi Songru. The woman realizes that Qi Songru is protecting County Magistrate Zhang and accuses them of protecting each other. Qi Songru explains that if he had let her go at that time, she would not have survived until today. The woman understands that County Magistrate Zhang would have silenced her and expresses gratitude to Qi Songru for saving her life, even giving him the evidence.
Qi Songru goes to Shuangliu County to visit Yao Zilin, the brother of the imprisoned woman. Qi Songru seeks County Magistrate Zhang's help, but County Magistrate Zhang claims to be powerless. Qi Songru realizes that County Magistrate Zhang brought him to this place for that very reason, to appoint him to a position in the capital city, leaving him trapped. County Magistrate Zhang promises that he won't reduce the amount of silver he promised. Qi Songru knows that this matter will bring him trouble and regrets deeply. He staggers back to his room, supported by Jin Xiaomei, who is worried about him. At this moment, Qi's mother, concerned for her son, remembers the precious item he had hidden away. When she opens it, she is shocked to find evidence of Qi Songru's manipulation during the imperial examination. She blames herself in front of her husband for not educating their son properly. Jin Xiaomei comforts Qi's mother.
At this time, a servant approaches Qi Songru. Qi's mother directly lets him in and confiscates the item in his hand. When she opens it, she discovers a box full of silver taels. She instructs Jin Xiaomei to hold the box of silver and loudly proclaims at the gate of Shuangliu County Magistrate's office, "Mr. Qi has returned the items sent by Mr. Zhang!" Qi's mother hopes that this action will save her son's life.
Jin Xiaomei openly returned the silver in front of the prefect, and the bribery by County Magistrate Zhang became the talk of the town.
At this time, Qi Songru learned that Jin Xiaomei had returned the silver and that his mother had committed suicide by hanging herself. Before her death, Qi's mother wrote a letter specifically for her son, expressing her guilt towards their ancestors and blaming herself for not educating him well. She did not want to see him making one mistake after another. She believed that her death would bring him peace and urged him to resign from his official position and assist Ding Baozhen in investigating the matter. Jin Xiaomei returned home and discovered that her mother had passed away. Qi Songru finally realized his mistakes. Afterwards, Qi Songru donned mourning attire and submitted all the evidence of his crimes to Ding Baozhen, hoping to be punished. Since their last conversation, Ding Baozhen had been concerned about him, although he did not explicitly say so. Ding Baozhen hoped that Qi would repent and correct his ways, but he failed to do so. Qi Songru had known since his appointment in Chengdu that someone was taking advantage of his ambition. Despite the warnings he received, Qi Songru disregarded them. How could he forget the teachings of his predecessors? It was his excessive desire for official positions that led him to this state.
County Magistrate Zhang fled with all his belongings but unexpectedly encountered Li Peirong on the way. He collapsed to the ground, clutching the silver and pleaded for mercy, claiming that it all belonged to him. Ding Baozhen personally presided over the trial of Qi Songru and County Magistrate Zhang. County Magistrate Zhang, who committed various crimes without distinguishing between right and wrong, was temporarily detained and sent to the capital city for trial, while the innocent Yao Zilin was released on the spot.
Li Lianying conveyed an edict to Encheng, assigning him the responsibility of organizing the Empress Dowager's 50th birthday celebration. He also asked Encheng to review the list of out-of-town officials coming to the capital to congratulate the Empress Dowager, suggesting that Ding Baozhen should be excluded from the list, citing the Empress Dowager's dislike for him. Li Lianying mentioned that the list was personally drafted by the Empress Dowager.
Prince Gong was present at the time and mentioned that the revenue from the salt reform in Chengdu had doubled compared to before, which was why Ding Baozhen was allowed to participate. Qi Songru resigned from his position and returned to his hometown. Madam Zhong specially prepared their favorite dishes for them, not knowing when they would meet again. The matter of donations and contributions was exposed, and Encheng gathered with the officials. He speculated that Ding Baozhen would take the opportunity of the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration to publicly announce this matter.
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