Episode 3 recap: Song Ci persisted in finding the truth by investigating the murderer.
Based on Tian Yuanwai's appearance, Song Ci deduced that he was likely smothered with silk. However, he initially overlooked this detail because Tian Yuanwai's head was severed. After seeing the body of Meng Hesheng, Song Ci suddenly had a thought. They hurriedly went to the boat, but Shen Xiyue was also present there. Shen Xiyue knew that Song Ci didn't hold a favorable opinion of her, so she proposed a competition between the two to see who could solve the case first.
Song Ci arrived at the crime scene to understand the murderer's motives. He asked the nearby constable, Sun Bukuai, to shout loudly. Li Zifang and Magistrate Li quickly arrived, initially assuming that the sound came from Song Ci. In reality, Song Ci orchestrated this situation to stage a locked-room murder scenario. Song Ci placed the fallen tea leaves into a box and discovered that one box of tea was missing, indicating that the murderer hid in the third empty box. Song Ci suspected that the murderer had silently attacked Tian Yuanwai from behind when he was defenseless. At that time, the two witnesses were terrified and believed it was the work of a female ghost, so they hurriedly reported it to the authorities, allowing the murderer to escape.
In the evening, Shen Xiyue used her own method to call out a spirit of injustice. Afterward, she realized that it wasn't the spirit of Yu Fuyao. She secretly provided Song Ci with some information about the murderer, but Song Ci considered Shen Xiyue's claims to be pure fantasy. Magistrate Li wanted to conclude the case early to prevent the common people from worrying, but this approach was not favored by Song Ci. Magistrate Li was concerned about his reputation.
Magistrate Li gave some money to Song Ci, who, although in need of money, was more interested in revealing the truth to the public. Reluctantly, Magistrate Li agreed to let Song Ci continue the investigation. Li Zifang discovered leaves at the entrance of the prison, and indeed, they found the same leaves in the wilderness. Song Ci suspected that the murderer might have used a bewitching incense. After further investigation, they found that Sun Bukuai, the constable, was the most suspicious person, especially since he had been to Shuoxian County. Song Ci quickly went to inquire about the events of that day from other constables. However, at that moment, Sun Bukuai approached them and provided a detailed account of his whereabouts, even recalling every hour.
Upon returning, Li Zifang and Song Ci resumed their analysis. They had mostly ruled out the possibility of Yu Gengyi being the culprit since he only sought revenge ten years later, implying that he had concealed his identity. A maid came over to inform Li Zifang that his uncle, Magistrate Li, would be going to Lin'an tonight for a new position. Song Ci suddenly remembered that anyone related to Yu Fuyao's death had already been killed by the so-called female ghost, except for Magistrate Li, who was present during the trial. It was possible that the next target of the murderer would be Magistrate Li. Song Ci planned to use Magistrate Li as bait to lure out the killer.
At that moment, Sun Bukuai informed everyone that the female ghost had already killed Magistrate Li.
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