Through their investigation, Luo Shu and Qi Menglin suspect that Lin Xiong murdered his wife, Liu Sanniang, and framed Xu Luan for the crime. They present their findings to Han Muzhi, requesting a retrial. Chen Meiqing objects strongly, worried about antagonizing their former magistrate, who has since been promoted to governor. Undeterred, Han Muzhi orders the interrogation of both Xu Luan and Lin Xiong.
During the trial, Xu Luan proclaims his innocence, stating he had a friendly relationship with the Lin family. On the night of the murder, he delivered water to their house. Liu Sanniang claimed they were out of water, prompting Xu to enter the house with a bucket, only to find it full. Liu then attempted to seduce him, and Xu fled in fear. Han Muzhi suspects an affair between Xu and Liu and orders Xu to be beaten and sent back to prison.
Frightened, Xu Luan confesses that he was attracted to Liu Sanniang and knew from Lin Xiong that she would be home alone that night. He delivered water late at night with ill intentions, but Liu resisted and threw him out. He denies killing her. Han Muzhi summons Lin Xiong, who denies knowledge of Xu’s feelings for Liu. Under intense questioning, Lin Xiong remains calm, neither confirming Xu’s guilt nor naming any other suspects, forcing Han to adjourn the trial.
Luo Shu and Qi Menglin’s suspicions about Lin Xiong deepen. His reaction during the initial report was fear, not grief, and there was no blood on him despite the nature of the crime. Moreover, Lin’s demeanor when discussing rumors about Xu and Liu reveals disdain. Qi Menglin is convinced that Lin is guilty and Xu is innocent.
Luo Shu secretly follows Lin Xiong, observing him meet a messenger at the city gate who informs him that his child, Suo’er, has a fever. Lin waits until his shift ends to retrieve Suo’er from Zhang Granny’s house. Meanwhile, rumors spread among the townsfolk that Xu bribed Han Muzhi to reopen the case. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin overhear and take note of the growing narrative against Lin Xiong.
Later that night, Luo Shu sees Lin Xiong take Suo’er to Dr. Wang for treatment. The child’s continued cries irritate Lin, but Luo Shu soothes Suo’er effortlessly, earning Lin’s gratitude. When Luo asks Dr. Wang about Lin Xiong, she notices the doctor hesitates and deflects when she remarks that Suo’er doesn’t resemble Lin. Luo Shu begins to suspect Suo’er isn’t Lin’s biological child, potentially explaining the secrets Xu might be helping Lin conceal.
Back at the county office, Luo Shu discusses her suspicions with Qi Menglin. While Lin Xiong claims Suo’er is the product of an affair between Liu and another man, his cold behavior toward the child suggests otherwise. Qi Menglin believes Lin killed Liu and framed Xu, but Han Muzhi remains uncertain.
That night, Luo Shu and Qi Menglin investigate Zhang Granny’s home after reports of Liu Sanniang’s ghost appearing to visit Suo’er. Villagers claim to have seen a long-haired figure climb over the wall. Luo Shu and Han Muzhi arrange a trap, and the next night, they capture the “ghost”—only to discover it’s Qi Menglin attempting to investigate on his own.
During the investigation, Qi Menglin notices claw marks on the wall and demonstrates how the “ghost” scaled it. Luo Shu finds footprints indicating the culprit is lame. She recalls that Liu’s first husband, Li Fengchun, was disabled, though believed to have died falling from a cliff. Luo Shu hypothesizes that Li might still be alive and responsible for the murder.
To lure the real culprit, Luo Shu and Qi Menglin stage a public exorcism at Lin Xiong’s home, enlisting a famous master. The master, claiming the ghost is too powerful, urges Lin to leave with Suo’er. Lin decides to return to his hometown the next day.
That night, the long-haired figure appears again, attempting to take Suo’er. Han Muzhi’s ambush traps the culprit, and Luo Shu, disguised as Liu Sanniang, confronts the man. The imposter is revealed to be Li Fengchun, who staged his death and orchestrated the murder to seek revenge.
