An ex-brothel-performer and a “fuerdai” pursue justice together.
A Brocade Pouch of Brilliant Records
– Han Mu Zhi. The 2ML is the judge/mayor. He's this awkward looking, serious dude who doesn't show a whole lot of emotions but just enough to tell us that he cares about the FL
Thoughts:
– Good start, great opening sequence. Cases don't actually seem so exciting though.
– I feel as though FL's background is the reason she's interested in solving cases. I just think her family was punished for her to end up at the brothel. I hope it won't have anything to do with the ML's rich family.
_ I like the "vampire" coroner, lol.
– I really like the sismance!
Case 3: A Crime of Passion
The man climbing walls demands the man opening (unlocked) doors where his manners are xD
He fights funny too
The servant (Lian Shu) pleads with all neighbours to bring their ropes to tie up the culprit....and they tie up his master (ML) with the culprit, haha. 
Super pouty that FL didn't want his piggyback (and that his servant had to shove him up by his butt)
The wound treatment all ML dreams of....but not this one
[Ep9-12] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Case 4: A Man's Greed
Romance
I love that Qi Meng Lin is falling in love when she looks like this:
In this scene, they're dying, but I'm dying-laughing because ML thinks FL is describing him as her lover. So sad and hilarious, lol.
Qi Meng Lin may not have the FL's love (atm), but he's his servant's true love. Lian Shu really loves his master, awww haha
Case 6: A Murder Wrongfully Confessed
Two bandits were paid to confess a crime they didn’t do. The highlight of the case: Qi Meng Lin seduces the bandit’s wife.
It works lol.
Case 7: Two Women's Power Struggle for a Worthless Man
Romance
[Ep23-26] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
No case, but something is very suspicious (it always is) about our FL's past. She's suspecting foul play in the fire that killed her parents. Someone used lacquer, a military-grade item to burn her place down, meaning 1) it's expensive and 2) not a regular person has access to. Then when she goes and investigates it, ML's 2nd brother (born from a concubine) and Qin Yi are mysteriously intervening.
That was smart of Luo Shu walking in being so friendly with Mama Yu so that the mastermind would think Mama Yu betrayed them. 
The case is solved, but no justice is served because the mastermind Qin Yi is still free. Even Jin Miao Cui’s corpse is denied peace as villagers dig her up from her grave. They believe she's the curse that brought the locust plague (which looks gross!) because someone as lowly as Miao Cui didn’t deserve the grand funeral Luo Shu gave her. 
[Ep29] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Romance
Feelings have just reciprocated and already, they're going to marry!?
Such a wicked actor:
Romance: Luo Shu will never abandon him either, and neither will he.
[Ep36 – Finale] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
The rest of the team: I also love the crew, wishing happiness for the couple, esp Constable Cai, haha. He only knows one blessing: 心想事成 = wish you the best!
Cast
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| Hu Bing Qing: Luo Shu |
Zhai Zi Lu: Qi Meng Lin |
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| He Peng: Han Mu Zhi |
Ding Xiao Ying: Liu Wan |
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| Feng Xiao Tang: Chen Mei Qing |
Li Jia Xin: Jin Miao Cui |
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| Zhai Yu Jia: Constable Cai |
Sun Ya Li: Cai Bao Zi |
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| Liu Chang De: Coroner Xu |
Zhang Xiao Chen: Qin Yi |
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| Zhou Lu La: Qi Yan Jin |
Liu Yuan Yuan: Mama Yu |
Cases & Events
Case 1: Fertility Temple
Married women pray at a Fertility Temple, but what actually happens is a horrifying scam. They're r*ped by "monks", impregnated, and then extorted for money or their secret (that the child isn't their husband's) is exposed. Business seems great here meaning there's a lot of infertile men eh.
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| A monk. |
Characters
– Luo Shu. Our FL is a performer at a brothel who fought for her own freedom and nabbed a job as a constable/officer. I like Hu Bing Qing's grace, but she really is boring, lol
– Qi Meng Lin. Our ML is an idiot. He's a bumbling fool with a heart of gold and a pocket full of even more gold. Qi Meng Lin and FL are two amateurs solving cases. FL, though, is rather capable despite being a novice.– Han Mu Zhi. The 2ML is the judge/mayor. He's this awkward looking, serious dude who doesn't show a whole lot of emotions but just enough to tell us that he cares about the FL
Thoughts:
– Good start, great opening sequence. Cases don't actually seem so exciting though.
– I feel as though FL's background is the reason she's interested in solving cases. I just think her family was punished for her to end up at the brothel. I hope it won't have anything to do with the ML's rich family.
_ I like the "vampire" coroner, lol.
– I really like the sismance!
Case 2: Murder by Rumours
A constable's wife was killed by her presumed-deceased ex-husband. He was driven to violence by rumors of her infidelity when in fact, she was pregnant with his (the ex-husband's) child. She married the constable for support in raising her child, while the constable married her out of compassion and due to his infertility. I could taste the reunion between the family of 3 and the ex-husband just lost it.
Relationships
– Yes, ML is a bumbling idiot, but at least he's WORKING. 2ML is just waiting for all the answers to be fed to him by FL....
– Aw, the sismance broke up ): Jin Miao Cui wants to go back to the brothel because she hates the dingy lifestyle outside D:
– Yes, ML is a bumbling idiot, but at least he's WORKING. 2ML is just waiting for all the answers to be fed to him by FL....
– Aw, the sismance broke up ): Jin Miao Cui wants to go back to the brothel because she hates the dingy lifestyle outside D:
Case 3: A Crime of Passion
A husband kills a man who was having an affair with his wife. To cover his tracks, he sabotages and frames his sister’s suitor—someone he disapproves of. I was sympathizing with the man because his wife made him feel so inferior, but in the end he committed too many crimes.
Zhai Zi Lu
Qi Meng Lin finds out Luo Shu is a female.
Attitude change = 180. Tutting at another man for being boorish. Oh Zhai Zi Lu xD
Zhai Zi Lu
Qi Meng Lin finds out Luo Shu is a female.
Everything was worth it:
A man, manipulated by a cunning doctor, murdered his wife to seize her family's wealth. In the end, he not only killed his wife but also the unborn child she carried-while the mistress he trusted was carrying the doctor's child instead. Karma. Wish that can bring back the dead wife...
His triumphant return. Powerful daddies FTW xD
His triumphant return. Powerful daddies FTW xD
Case 5: Undercover Mine Mission
Luo Shu and Qi Meng Lin are undercover agents as refugees at a coal mine to investigate a suspicious letter, accusing Qian Da You of being involved with a criminal organization (kidnapping women). The most interesting twist is Wang Mao. He was part of the gang, but actually, he sent the letter, wanting to avenge his wife who was "used" by the gang members for 3 days and 3 nights and then buried >_<. I was so shocked that he threw his body onto the explosives to mitigate the damage. (I was also surprised the monk from Baby Making Temple came back 😱😅. Thankfully, he actually died this time.)
Zao Hua
Luo Shu and Qi Meng Lin are undercover agents as refugees at a coal mine to investigate a suspicious letter, accusing Qian Da You of being involved with a criminal organization (kidnapping women). The most interesting twist is Wang Mao. He was part of the gang, but actually, he sent the letter, wanting to avenge his wife who was "used" by the gang members for 3 days and 3 nights and then buried >_<. I was so shocked that he threw his body onto the explosives to mitigate the damage. (I was also surprised the monk from Baby Making Temple came back 😱😅. Thankfully, he actually died this time.)
Zao Hua
T_T. Nooooooooo. She died protecting Mei Qing. She was his unwanted obligation (read fiancée). His father wanted him to marry her, but she was a hindrance to his ambitions. Her sacrifice changed him though; he quit being Mr. Platonic Patrol and stopped dissuading the romance between 2ML and FL.
Romance
I love that Qi Meng Lin is falling in love when she looks like this:
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| "She's talking about me!" |
- Good news: It's the beginning of the end of FL's romance with 2ML. Bye!
- Ding Xiao Ying's Liu Wan is the
helpfulhindering obstacle bullying the FL bc she's the 2ML's powerful and jealous fiancée
Case 6: A Murder Wrongfully Confessed
Two bandits were paid to confess a crime they didn’t do. The highlight of the case: Qi Meng Lin seduces the bandit’s wife.
Case 7: Two Women's Power Struggle for a Worthless Man
A husband's greed for power led to a bitter rivalry between his wife and concubine. The concubine was his childhood sweetheart whom he favoured, but he still married the wife for her status. The wife was at a disadvantage, having no children – until we learned that the concubine went to the Fertility Temple (I love that they referenced this again!) The husband is actually infertile, and a stableman (ex-monk-employee) was extorting her. This evil man also attempted to assault the wife. Unfortunately, the wife acted beyond reasonable force, murdered the servant and then tried to frame it on the concubine.
In the end, the concubine was divorced, the wife arrested, and the husband removed from his position – all consequences of his neglect and ambition. Only the concubine had a somewhat better ending, but even she endured a lot of trauma – r*ped by the monks, the disgrace of divorce in that era, and she has my respect for raising her child (whom I assume she'll be motherly to).
The best ending for this case actually is the lesson it taught the girls (FL and 2FL). If they were to marry the 2ML, the above is their future.
The best ending for this case actually is the lesson it taught the girls (FL and 2FL). If they were to marry the 2ML, the above is their future.
Romance
Luo Shu is finally noticing the ML – it only took 20 episodes! She’s also touched that he’d sleep on the street just to wait for her and make sure she’s safe (from jealous 2FL, who isn’t actually that bad!).
No case, but something is very suspicious (it always is) about our FL's past. She's suspecting foul play in the fire that killed her parents. Someone used lacquer, a military-grade item to burn her place down, meaning 1) it's expensive and 2) not a regular person has access to. Then when she goes and investigates it, ML's 2nd brother (born from a concubine) and Qin Yi are mysteriously intervening.
Romance
Case 8: Silencing the Eavesdropper
Jin Miao Cui died. Girl, why'd you go back to the brothel! She accidentally eavesdropped on Qin Yi's conversation. She attempted to escape but Mama Yu intercepted the letter. Then she was silenced forever.
She wore the shoes from Ep1....:(
When she opened her eyes, omg.
Romance:
Luo Shu's love language is filling up soup for the man she loves, lol. She did that for 2ML too
[Ep29] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
"Case 9": Locust Plague and Qin Yi's Political Machination
We're diving deeper into Qin Yi's political machination to remove Qi Family from power. First, he plans to exploit disaster relief efforts, misappropriating resources meant for the starving population.
Romance
Feelings have just reciprocated and already, they're going to marry!?
The big evil ("Case 10"):
Qin Yi was the mastermind who killed Luo Shu's parents. He plans to sabotage Qi Family too. He colludes with Governor Liu, Liu Wan's father, who wants to overtake Qi Meng Lin's father's position. As he exploits disaster relief food supply to gain a fortune, he's manipulating Qi Meng Lin into stealing his father's military supply – a serious offence. Ultimately, Qin Yi’s corruption is exposed, and he's burned to death. His assets were confiscated as punishment for his crimes.Such a wicked actor:
2nd Bro. The Good Times. He's utterly exasperated from his didi mentioning Luo Shu all the time. He complains that apparently her insults at his didi are encouragements while his actual encouragements mean nothing, lol (though I'm only assuming the second half of his sentence bc his complaint got cut off by his beloved didi, our ML).
2nd CP. Han Mu Zhi finally sees Liu Wan as a woman. It's interesting that he never discriminated against FL and her performer background, but he was prejudiced towards Liu Wan who he thought was privileged.
Lian Shu is so loyal! And Qi Meng Lin realizes he's been neglecting him.
It is a happy ending, but somewhat bittersweet as our main characters must navigate the consequences of their choices (for the good of all people and their own morality).
Main CP: Qi Ming Lin is sentenced to exile (2000 Chinese miles away). Luo Shu follows him. She takes on business ventures to support them while Qi Meng Lin is happy as a house husband xD
2nd CP: After Liu Wan testifies against her own father, her family is exiled to 3000 Chinese miles away. For two years, Han Mu Zhi has been searching for her, keeping the sachet with him all the time. She still struggles with her emotions, but Han Mu Zhi promises to wait for her as long as she needs.
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| You can't order me anymore! I belong to "madam" now |
Review
by cynlynn
The cases feels like a straight-A student – diligent, thoughtful, and full of heart – but ultimately too well-behaved to steal the spotlight. They're structured and logical, but somewhere along the way, they misplaced the thrill. If you don't mind the lack of suspense and old-school case-solving, this is solid.
The romance is a rare species these days – one where the 2ML is a real suitor, not just a stepping stone for the ML’s "superiority." I actually like that the ML here surpasses the 2ML in his own clumsily endearing ways.
Our ML is truly flawed. Like, he sucks and he’s dumb. But through sheer persistence and a heart so full it practically spills over, the FL slowly uncovers his c/overt charms. Zhai Zi Lu makes Qi Meng Lin fun and endearing – wholehearted devotion, blissful cluelessness, an open book with no missing pages, though some are suspiciously blank (lol). I don't blame the FL for taking her time warming up to him.
Luo Shu as FL is flawless, but a bit plain. It’s like she and the ML swapped scripts, and she ended up with all the admirable qualities. A bit boring, maybe, but once she’s committed, she’s all in. No complaints there!
Ending. It is a happy ending, but somewhat bittersweet as our main characters must navigate the consequences of their choices. But it really is a happy closure.
The rest of the ensemble cast makes the world feel lived-in. Miao Cui, 2nd Qi Bro, Constable Cai and his sister Bao Zi, Mama Yu (who deserves an award), the vampire coroner, Han Mu Zhi, Mei Qing, Zao Hua, Qin Yi, and even the married lady Qi Meng Lin accidentally seduced all add texture and charm.
The romance is a rare species these days – one where the 2ML is a real suitor, not just a stepping stone for the ML’s "superiority." I actually like that the ML here surpasses the 2ML in his own clumsily endearing ways.
Our ML is truly flawed. Like, he sucks and he’s dumb. But through sheer persistence and a heart so full it practically spills over, the FL slowly uncovers his c/overt charms. Zhai Zi Lu makes Qi Meng Lin fun and endearing – wholehearted devotion, blissful cluelessness, an open book with no missing pages, though some are suspiciously blank (lol). I don't blame the FL for taking her time warming up to him.
Luo Shu as FL is flawless, but a bit plain. It’s like she and the ML swapped scripts, and she ended up with all the admirable qualities. A bit boring, maybe, but once she’s committed, she’s all in. No complaints there!
Ending. It is a happy ending, but somewhat bittersweet as our main characters must navigate the consequences of their choices. But it really is a happy closure.
The rest of the ensemble cast makes the world feel lived-in. Miao Cui, 2nd Qi Bro, Constable Cai and his sister Bao Zi, Mama Yu (who deserves an award), the vampire coroner, Han Mu Zhi, Mei Qing, Zao Hua, Qin Yi, and even the married lady Qi Meng Lin accidentally seduced all add texture and charm.
Rating: 3/5♥
Recommendations
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