Reviews

Murders on Qin land

Shen Wan helps a pregnant mom and receives an expensive gift. She did not want to take it but was made to feel obligated. The Prince knows she isn’t happy there and offers her a chance to go to capital. He tells her he is leaving soon so she and servant getting herbs for med packs. They come across a dead body. She was a servant from the Qin household and rather than get authorities Steward Liu said he’d take care of it. She knows the murder had something to do with the purple bamboo grove and even tho off limits she went to investigate. The first time, steward Liu redirects her and the second time he was much more threatening. She was introduced to a cousin who has syphilis. She promises to make meds for him. Was he the one spying on her or was it another? The prince found tracks and wants his aide to follow her. He is also mounting a deeper search into the whereabouts of Shen Wan. Nobody has a picture of her so the search has been more difficult. I think he knows more about the Qins than she does. 🤣 He and his aide…footwork is weak go lift the stone lock 200x 😂I like this martial arts family. Their efforts to keep skills sharp by testing each other is fun. The loud pouty daughter tired of being locked up sure changed her tune about hurting herself when she fell down the well. 😝 I think she really found bones and the steward tossed up a decoy to distract. I want to know why Shen Wan wasn’t as curious about that as the bamboo grove? It was closer and more accessible. While shopping at apothecary, she noticed the same syphilis rash on the concubine. Since penicillin not an option it seems there were meds that worked better each gender than one overall cure.The purple bamboo grove seemed a creepy place for a rendezvous, but the concubine sure looked pleased to be there. She was all expectation until she wasn’t’ I wonder if she is going to inquire about Lianye. Did she have the disease too? Who lured them there when they know Lady Qin has declared it off limits. While the concubine definitely held her in contempt, it is doubtful the young servant did. What was there about the well that had Ms Qin giving the concubine the side eye and the concubine the mocking return look? Are there more women stacked up somewhere or a lover’s bones in the well? I hope she gets away from this family very soon.

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New minister of justice

Minister Huo acts first and thinks later. He did his best to cripple an innocent man he believed guilty. Good thing Prince and Shen Wan intervened. They both figured out what was hid in the ashes and how to definitively prove the brother innocent. It was good maneuvering to have killer show up with sword and then show how it was an exact fit for wound. As sad as her death was, a life with that man would have made death preferable. His deep seated grudge against his half brother who had no clue how much hatred his brother held. He spent a lifetime watching the legitimate brother get all the things he wanted and the irony was he was loved by the only person his elder brother truly cared about. He was even more concerned of her welfare than her own family. The reparation of Ms Song’s body was a beautiful respectful act. I liked the soft look in the Prince’s eyes as she worked on the body. It was bittersweet she was not buried with her family, but thoughtful of the elder brother to place her where she felt loved and with flowers she loved. She was duped by an evil selfish man, her crime was loving unconditionally—ironically the same crime of legitimate brother. As the case progresses it seems the Prince may have finished connecting the dots. He applies for the position of minister of justice. Things are going to get interesting.🧐

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Searching for clues and new suspect

The head wasn’t found in banyan tree area so they are guessing the killer took it with him. The Prince has used the evidence available to demand an autopsy to clear his name. He and Shen Wan figure the killer will go after her to prevent it, so they spread the news of them going to lantern festival. They all trail the one they think was most guilty to find him spending the night listening to a zither player he wanted to be his brother. So now there is a new suspect. The girls have some fun at the festival and the guys are watching them from second level. Shen Wan gets separated but is fortunately found by the prince right as scaffolding coming down. She repays the favor by stitching up a very long cut. Late that night the morgue is set ablaze and the body severely burned. The forensic tools are also stolen. Since ShenWan had taken notes of outer body already, the body was still viable for autopsy of inner organs. The Prince supplies a tableful of forensic tools and herbs so she can get started in spite of the theft and the Prince offers to write up the notes. Just as people are arriving she has determined the woman had been pregnant and the baby had miscarried between five and six months. That news was unexpected. They are suspecting the brother had the affair and are getting ready to question the one handling her dowry.

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Ghosts and gloves

Shen Wan again saves Grand Princess. I am wondering if scenes were cut because it was not said what was wrong or how she got the Prince’s knife. It looked like an abscess or infection was drained. This put her in Anyang mansion with groom’s family as she oversees Grand Princess’ recovery. She and granddaughter run into groom practicing martial arts and of course young Princess wants to spar. Minister Huo tries to override wife with keeping the promised engagement. I am glad mom and son less inclined. He is an arrogant jerk and perfect for any of those fake social climber daughters of other Qin branch. The evening before she is to see bride corpse there is an apparition outside her window. Someone stole the duplicate bridal gown and tried to scare off Shen Wan. Not too likely😝 She and Prince Chi debunk the ghost by showing how it was done. The matron of honor is obviously framed for the dress and the groom acts shady. The Prince notes that when Shen Yi family mentioned she pivots the topic and servant goes pale. He is trying to connect the dots. He gifts her waterproof gloves and nine needles. I am afraid I do not understand the significance of needle count, but grasp it’s a very special gift. He has also let her keep his knife so it can be used to save lives rather than take them. The Song family has refused an autopsy, but will allow the body to be examined for clues. She has figured out the bride was murdered somewhere else and then dressed in bridal gown and placed in carriage. They are heading to the most likely location that has banyan trees. Like father like son viewing autopsies😝😂 I think we would have seen face plants from fainting had she actually cut into body. Qin definitely did not need to marry into this family. 😝Along with the banyan tree clue, a bite mark suggests a possible affair.

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