刀下留人

Several pregnant women gather at the Chinese medicine shop to wait for the famous midwife FA YUI-HUNG for prenatal checkup. YUI-HUNG discovers Mrs NGAU and she urges her to pay her the delivery fees. Mrs NGAU says that her husband has taken the money for gambling. YUI-HUNG immediately visits the casino to bet with Mr NGAU. When YUI-HUNG returns home, her father FA TSOI-SHAN reveals that PAK TSIN-TSUNG has invited him to check out his newly bought paper fan calligraphy. However, he discovers that TSIN-TSUNG has bought a counterfeit and he asks YUI-HUNG to get the original one at home for TSIN-TSUNG so that TSIN-TSUNG will not be embarrassed in front of everybody. YUI-HUNG and her maid SIU-YING are invited to Mrs YUE's place for medical consultation. Mrs YUE says that her husband has committed adultery with the maid KAM KUK and KAM KUK is going to give birth soon. Mrs YUE requests YUI-HUNG to kill the baby by paying her well.… ...

SHEUNG-LUK captures YUI-HUNG and sends her to the woodshed. YUI-HUNG discovers the pregnant YUEN SO-SUM who has disguised herself as a man. SO-SUM reveals coldly that SHEUNG-LUK is not her husband. YUI-HUNG feels that their relationship is ambiguous. SHAU-SHING invites YUI-HUNG to give treatments to a female prisoner CHAK SHEUNG-YEE. SHAU-SHING discovers that SHEUNG-LUK is the new executioner as well as his neighbour in childhood. SHEUNG-LUK tries to check out the prisoner CHEUNG HON-LAM since he will be executed soon. SHAU-SHING brings YUI-HUNG to visit SHEUNG-YEE. SHEUNG-YEE reveals to YUI-HUNG tearfully that she tried to run away with the scholar HON-LAM but the chasers from her home had died accidentally because of HON-LAM. SHEUNG-LUK helps HON-LAM to deliver a letter to Master CHAK. Master CHAK arrives at the prison to pick up SHEUNG-YEE. He takes out HON-LAM's letter and reveals that he is not a good person.… ...

SHAU-SHING and the others go drinking together at Red Club. SZEMA CAU arrives in strange costume to perform magic. SHEUNG-LUK is not interested in the show and Auntie PO brings him to rest at the wing-room. A woman suddenly screams. CHIK YING-HA who has a birth mark on her face comes out with her customer. SHEUNG-LUK discovers that YING-HA's shoulder is injured and he realizes what has happened. In a moonless night, two armed killers are chasing after KEI SIU-KUEN. SZEMA CAU arrives to rescue her but he fails to defeat the two men. He is injured but he continues to fight with them. YUI-HUNG and SHEUNG-LUK discover the pregnant SIU-KUEN. SIU-KUEN is seriously injured and she dies. However YUI-HUNG asks SHEUNG-LUK to rescue the baby by cutting SIU-KUEN's belly. The beautiful top courtesan SUN-YUET arrives at Red Club. In order to attract customers, an auction event for a jade pillow is organized there.… ...

YUI-HUNG tells SHEUNG-LUK that a pregnant woman and her family members in the neighbourhood village are missing mysteriously and she wants to carry out investigation there. YUI-HUNG goes to get some Chinese herbs at the mountain and she meets an old woman who has lost her way. SO-SUM suffers from abdominal pain again. SHEUNG-LUK believes that YUI-HUNG has gone for investigation and he is angry. YUI-HUNG arrives at Red Club to perform body check for everybody. The customer Master CHEUNG says that SUN-YUET's maid CHUK SIU-MOON has stolen the snuff bottle. CHI-TSAU cannot bear it and he attacks Master CHEUNG. SHEUNG-LUK tries to make a little bed at the backyard. He discovers that YUI-HUNG is singing a song to calm the baby and he feels comfortable. CHI-TSAU's friend says that he has got three salt permits and he is willing to sell them to CHI-TSAU when he has raised enough money.… ...

After feeling the pulse of CHING-YEE, YUI-HUNG discovers that the fetal position is not correct and she may have a miscarriage. YUI-HUNG tries to delay the delivery time with anesthetic green smoke soup and she will massage her tummy as well. All medicines are toxic in nature and it is very painful to have an abdominal massage but CHING-YEE still wants to give it a try. The emperor discusses the flood of Wah Ting County with CHI-SING. The nearby cotton fields may be affected as well and they will fail to deliver the silk to Malacca State on time. In order to protect the cotton fields, CHI-SING suggests to destroy the dyke. WAI-YAN objects the idea for many people will be homeless. The emperor doesn't want CHING-YEE to take the risk and he requests to throw away the medicine. However, CHEUNG PING finds that YUI-HUNG is very determined to save the baby and he finally gives her some herbs.… ...

YUI-HUNG wakes up and learns that SO-SUM has given birth to a baby. She is ashamed for not being able to help her with the child delivery. SUN-YUET is sick and her client leaves angrily. She feels that everything is not smooth lately and she asks SIU-MOON to get the rope with blood at the execution ground to exorcise the evil spirits. CHI-TSAU learns about it and he accompanies her to get the ropes at the execution ground. YUI-HUNG learns that SO-SUM has given the name KAM-WAI to the baby. She also learns from SO-SUM that Master LUI wanted to marry her to SHEUNG-LUK. The emperor wants to appoint CHING-YEE as the Imperial Royal Consort. The empress objects the idea and the emperor appoints CHING-YEE as the Noble Consort reluctantly. YUI-HUNG returns from the palace and she discovers that SO-SUM has left her baby with a letter. YUI-HUNG and SHEUNG-LUK try to look for her at the check point.… ...

SHAU-SHING meets his ex-girlfriend SIU-LAN at the prison and he wonders why SIU-LAN has become SO-SUM. SO-SUM explains that she has changed her name and got married already. CHI-TSAU meets SIU-MOON after buying cakes. They try to look for their old friend Madam SIU together. CHI-TSAU chats with SIU-MOON. He reveals that he is thankful to YING-HA but he feels that he owes a little turtle something. SHAU-SHING feels ashamed for SO-SUM's matter. He worries that she will be sentenced to death or sent to a remote location. The empress asks YUI-HUNG to visit her and she wants YUI-HUNG to work for her. SHAU-SHING arrives with a box of SO-SUM's portraits and he reveals the reason for not contacting her. SHAU-SHING tries to rescue SO-SUM from the prison. During the time, the emperor has got a baby boy and he decides to proclaim a general amnesty. SO-SUM is acquitted. YING-HA is leaving and she treats all the prostitutes.… ...

SHAU-SHING meets his ex-girlfriend SIU-LAN at the prison and he wonders why SIU-LAN has become SO-SUM. SO-SUM explains that she has changed her name and got married already. CHI-TSAU meets SIU-MOON after buying cakes. They try to look for their old friend Madam SIU together. CHI-TSAU chats with SIU-MOON. He reveals that he is thankful to YING-HA but he feels that he owes a little turtle something. SHAU-SHING feels ashamed for SO-SUM's matter. He worries that she will be sentenced to death or sent to a remote location. The empress asks YUI-HUNG to visit her and she wants YUI-HUNG to work for her. SHAU-SHING arrives with a box of SO-SUM's portraits and he reveals the reason for not contacting her. SHAU-SHING tries to rescue SO-SUM from the prison. During the time, the emperor has got a baby boy and he decides to proclaim a general amnesty. SO-SUM is acquitted. YING-HA is leaving and she treats all the prostitutes.… ...

YUI-HUNG worries about TSIN-TSUNG's sickness and she asks her father to visit him. TSOI-SHAN tries to test TSIN-TSUNG. He discovers that TSIN-TSUNG is having a poor memory and he suspects that TSIN-TSUNG is suffering from dementia. YUI-HUNG tries to collect the medicine for TSIN-TSUNG. She discovers that YING-HA is coming out from the inn for CHI-TSAU has been missing. SHAU-SHING and SHEUNG-LUK return to their office. They discover that TSIN-TSUNG is working there in government official's uniform. SIU-MOON arrives at Madam SIU's home to deliver food to CHI-TSAU. CHI-TSAU finally agrees to return to Red Club to visit YING-HA. CHI-TSAU apologizes to YING-HA. He decides to work seriously to raise money for buying back YING-HA's freedom. CHI-TSAU works at the restaurant. Master WING plays trick so that CHI-TSAU will be dismissed by the boss. TSIN-TSUNG tries to find his uniform at YUI-HUNG's room.… ...

TSIN-TSUNG orders high quality ingredients and makes a booking for his 70th birthday banquet at the restaurant. As a result, YUI-HUNG has to pawn all her valuable ornaments. SHAU-SHING reveals deliberately that he is trying to find a midwife for the female prisoners. YUI-HUNG suggests to take the job. Master WING tries to give troubles to CHI-TSAU all the time. CHI-TSAU finally decides to sell bean curd rolls on the street. With the help of SIU-MOON, he is making satisfactory progress in operation but Master WING's people come to stir up trouble again. YUI-HUNG visits SHAU-SHING at the prison. She overhears SHEUNG-LUK and the condemned LING KIM-FUNG's conversation. YUI-HUNG brings the baby to meet up with her friends at the restaurant. When she leaves, she discovers that somebody is following her. She turns around and discovers that the follower is TAI-PAK.… ...

CHI-TSAU prepares pancake for SIU-MOON to taste at the kitchen. He then tries to sell pancakes on the street and many villagers come to buy it. However, WING's people arrive to make trouble. In the evening, CHI-TSAU is drunk. YING-HA suddenly says that she wants to break off the relationship with CHI-TSAU. WING arrives at Red Club and he insists that YING-HA should serve him. Luckily, SHEUNG-LUK arrives to rescue her. SHEUNG-LUK wants to carry out investigation at KIM-FUNG's hometown Leung Heung County. CHI-TSAU follows him for he wants SHEUNG-LUK to teach him to be an executioner but SHEUNG-LUK rejects him. SHEUNG-LUK visits the grave of LING's family at Leung Heung County. When he returns to town, he discovers that TAI-PAK is carrying some Chinese medicines on the street. TAI-PAK says that the baby is sick and he needs to stay at Leung Heung County to take care of the baby.… ...

SHEUNG-LUK and TAI-PAK try to fight for the baby. Two killers suddenly arrive. During the critical moment, a masked man in black arrives to help them. TAI-PAK is seriously injured. SHEUNG-LUK tries to find out the background of the baby but TAI-PAK refuses to tell him. TAI-PAK asks SHEUNG-LUK to give a dagger to KIM-FUNG and he dies. SHEUNG-LUK reveals to YUI-HUNG that TAI-PAK is not the baby's real father and he believes that the matter is related to the imperial family. He persuades YUI-HUNG to abandon the baby but YUI-HUNG wants to protect the baby. CHI-TSAU insists to be an executioner and SHAU-SHING gives him a book about human skeleton so that he could study it. SHEUNG-LUK discovers that the imperial guards are questioning the people on the street and he immediately takes away the baby at home. Some imperial guards arrive to search through Pak Mansion but they leave disappointingly.… ...

YING-HA's birthday is coming. CHI-TSAU brings her to buy cloths as her birthday gift. At the same time, SHAU-SHING also brings SO-SUM and KAM-WAI to the cloth shop to make new clothes for the new year. CHI-TSAU learns that SHEUNG-LUK and YING-HA are having the same birthday and he plans to celebrate with him as well. SHAU-SHING meets YING-HA and he reminds her that SHEUNG-LUK doesn't like to celebrate his birthday. SHAU-SHING reveals to YUI-HUNG that when SHEUNG-LUK was celebrating his birthday with friends over a decade ago, a gangster was harassing a lady. SHEUNG-LUK tried to stop it but he killed that person accidentally. Afterwards, SHEUNG-LUK was sentenced to death and he became an executioner eventually. SHEUNG-LUK returns to discover that YUI-HUNG has prepared birthday noodles. YUI-HUNG says that the birthday noodles are prepared for SHEUNG-LUK's mother and she wants him to eat the noodles for his mother.… ...

The emperor is injured during hunting and he loses his consciousness. CHEUNG PING suggests to perform acupuncture on his head but the empress thinks that he is CHING-YEE's follower and she rejects him. CHING-YEE begs the empress to let her see the emperor by kneeling down in front of her but the empress rejects her. YUI-HUNG gives the name SHUN-HAU to the baby. SHEUNG-LUK demonstrates firewood chopping on top of tiles. He says that an executioner needs to control the strength of every move freely. CHI-TSAU decides to work hard to achieve this target. Auntie PO thinks that SIU-MOON is pretty and she persuades her to be a prostitute but SIU-MOON rejects her. SIU-MOON has not arrived on time and CHI-TSAU questions Auntie PO. Auntie PO says that SIU-MOON has returned to her hometown to visit her sick mother. Auntie PO and Uncle KWAI arrive at the village house where they have trapped SIU-MOON.… ...

Auntie PO and Uncle KWAI bring WING to the village house but nobody is there. WING brings his people to the place to capture them. YING-HA arrives at WING's mansion with YUI-HUNG, SHAU-SHING and SHEUNG-LUK. They ask WING to release them. WING says that SIU-MOON is his woman. He will sue CHI-TSAU for having an affair with SIU-MOON and they will be killed. SIU-MOON is sent to the room. WING wants to rape her and he stuns her. Witch KAU sets up a booth on the street. CHEUNG PING says goodbye to her and Witch KAU performs divination for him. She reveals that it might not be easy for him to return to his hometown. When CHEUNG PING leaves, he meets his respected teacher TSOI-SHAN and TSOI-SHAN invites him to a farewell meal at YUI-HUNG's place. When CHEUNG PING leaves Pak Mansion, SZEMA CAU has been waiting for him on the street. YUI-HUNG goes to the palace to thank CHING-YEE on behalf of SIU-MOON and CHI-TSAU.… ...

CHEUNG PING and TSOI-SHAN go hiking together. TSOI-SHAN praises CHEUNG PING for being righteous and CHEUNG PING is ashamed. YUI-HUNG and the others go to buy cloths at the cloth shop. Madam NGAU suddenly suffers from abdominal pain and YUI-HUNG tries to help her with the child delivery inside the shop. With the help of SIU-MOON, Madam NGAU gives birth to a baby successfully and she praises SIU-MOON. SHAU-SHING therefore asks SIU-MOON to learn from YUI-HUNG. CHING-YEE discovers that the prince has got a fever. The imperial doctor says that his condition is not optimistic. The emperor is away and CHING-YEE doesn't know what to do. When the emperor returns, the prince has died. He bursts into tears while hugging the prince and CHING-YEE. CHING-YEE believes that she has lost her son because of Granny CHENG who was manipulated by the empress. She beats Granny CHENG and Granny CHENG finally reveals a secret to her.… ...

YUI-HUNG visits CHEUNG PING at the prison but CHEUNG PING refuses to reveal the reason for being imprisoned. At night, three men in black arrive to rescue CHEUNG PING from the prison. Another masked man also arrives to kill CHEUNG PING. SHEUNG-LUK arrives to rescue CHEUNG PING. The men in black are defeated and they run away. The masked man is injured and he runs away as well. SHEUNG-LUK chases after them to the wood and he discovers that the masked man has collapsed. After learning that somebody is trying to kill CHEUNG PING, CHING-YEE believes that CHEUNG PING knows some secrets. On the other hand, the empress and CHI-SING try to carry out investigation on CHING-YEE. They believe that CHEUNG PING's matter is related to the son of the emperor. CHEUNG PING reveals to SHEUNG-LUK that KEI's son is the emperor's son. SHEUNG-LUK assures CHEUNG PING that he will protect him.… ...

CHEUNG PING is sent to the execution ground and SHEUNG-LUK performs his duty by torturing him to death. Before CHEUNG PING dies, CHI-SING stops SHEUNG-LUK and he questions CHEUNG PING again. After the execution, SHEUNG-LUK goes to have meal at YING-HA's place. He recalls the time when he first became an executioner over a decade ago. On the next day, YUI-HUNG goes to the Red Club to offer medical consultation service and she is shocked to discover SHEUNG-LUK there. The emperor asks the empress to go to his bedroom at night. There is a sudden lightning and the emperor asks the empress to return to her place and he invites CHING-YEE to visit him. The empress wants to stop CHING-YEE from visiting the emperor but CHING-YEE ignores her. The eunuch delivers tonic soup to the emperor but the emperor suffers from nose bleeding after drinking the soup. The empress scolds CHING-YEE for preparing the tonic soup.… ...

WAI-YAN reports to the emperor that an overdose of pipefish is found in the tonic soup. On the other hand, CHI-SING discovers that somebody has put poison into the tonic soup before it is delivered to the emperor. CHI-SING says that the empress' relatives have been corrupting while building the dam. The emperor is enraged and he wants to divorce the empress. CHI-TSAU practices firewood chopping regularly and he manages to keep the tiles intact during the process. SHAU-SHING is very happy for him. SHEUNG-LUK feels that CHI-TSAU is becoming mature and he develops trust on him. YING-HA prepares nice dishes for SHEUNG-LUK but SHEUNG-LUK returns to Pak Mansion immediately after work and YING-HA is disappointed. SO-SUM finally learns that SHAU-SHING has been helping her and she decides to move to other places for work. SIU-MOON believes that CHI-TSAU is upset for he is not able to become an executioner yet and she consoles him.… ...

WAI-YAN believes that the emperor wants to appoint CHING-YEE as the empress and he tries to give him advice. CHI-TSAU fails to find SIU-MOON at the medical shop. He learns that she has met WING before and he is worried. CHI-TSAU arrives at WING's warehouse and he discovers SIU-MOON's red hand strap on the ground. A woman suddenly screams and CHI-TSAU bursts into the warehouse. CHI-TSAU has killed somebody and he is sentenced to death. YUI-HUNG seeks help from CHING-YEE. CHING-YEE knows her intention but she refuses to help and YUI-HUNG is shocked. YUI-HUNG says that SHEUNG-LUK could rescue CHI-TSAU by taking him as his apprentice. WAI-YAN persuades the emperor to visit the empress by a song. The emperor discovers that the empress has gone mad and the empress says that CHING-YEE has tried to poison her before she gives birth to a baby. Before making a decision, SHEUNG-LUK tries to investigate the dead body of WING.… ...

As requested by CHI-TSAU, SHEUNG-LUK goes to the prison to fulfill his wish by sending YING-HA a pair of new shoes on behalf of CHI-TSAU. YING-HA understands CHI-TSAU's meaning. SHEUNG-LUK and YUI-HUNG go to Three Cups Knoll to offer sacrifice. They discover that the mass grave is very tidy now. SHEUNG-LUK realizes that CHI-TSAU has tidied up the place and he decides to take him as his apprentice. There is a fire in the prison and CHI-TSAU seizes the chance to run away. SHEUNG-LUK arrives to stop him. SHAU-SHING arrives but CHI-TSAU abducts him. YUI-HUNG learns that YING-HA was stunned by her customer and she wakes her up. YING-HA scolds SHEUNG-LUK and YUI-HUNG for stopping her and she is not able to run away with CHI-TSAU. There is a sudden earthquake at the palace and the emperor is frightened. The emperor discovers kongming lantern in the sky and he knows that CHING-YEE has lit the lantern for him.… ...

YUI-HUNG goes to offer medical consultation service at Red Club and she discovers that YING-HA is keeping a lot of five minerals powders. SO-SUM visits SHAU-SHING at the prison. She is deeply touched to discover that SHAU-SHING has drawn many pictures of her and KAM-WAI. The Deputy Censor suspects that people in the Ministry of Justice are colluding with each other. He believes that SHAU-SHING is not managing his team properly and he wants to dismiss him. YING-HA's customer steals her jewelry and jade pillow. He runs away but SHEUNG-LUK stops him and he breaks the jade pillow. The police officer says that CHI-TSAU's dead body is found in the neighbourhood village. SIU-MOON is heart-broken. YING-HA asks SHEUNG-LUK to visit her at Reb Club and she commits suicide by taking five minerals powder. YUI-HUNG, SIU-MOON and the others arrive hurriedly to speak to YING-HA for the last time. SHAU-SHING leaves the prison department.… ...

YUI-HUNG learns from YAN that SHEUNG-LUK has resigned and she tries to persuade him to continue working as an executioner. SHEUNG-LUK says that he finally has the courage to face death after the death of CHING-CHING and YING-HA. YUI-HUNG scolds him for not keeping his promise to her. WAI-YAN and SZEMA CAU discuss that they should bring the prince to the palace as soon as possible. He then gives SZEMA CAU a confidential letter for retention. A number of men in black arrive to snatch away the confidential letter and they tear the letter into pieces. SO-SUM and SHAU-SHING discover that the imperial guards have captured TSIN-TSUNG, SIU-YING and LOK YEUNG. They are also trying to arrest YUI-HUNG. Part of the letter is hanging on the tree and CHI-SING's men in black have picked it up. CHI-SING discovers that YUI-HUNG has adopted a baby less than three months of age. SHEUNG-LUK reveals to YUI-HUNG that SHUN-HAU is the son of the emperor.… ...

SZEMA CAU brings the prince to WAI-YAN. WAI-YAN says that he will bring the prince to the emperor at the right time. The empress misconceives that YUI-HUNG is CHING-YEE and she scolds her. YUI-HUNG discovers that the empress' hands are injured. CHING-YEE wants to force the empress to commit suicide. The empress rejects her and scolds her angrily. CHING-YEE is enraged and she kills her. CHI-SING is upset with CHING-YEE but CHING-YEE says that they can find a scapegoat easily. CHI-SING decides to put the blame on YUI-HUNG. CHI-TSAU has become an imperial guard and he goes to SZEMA CAU's place to arrest him. He discovers SIU-MOON there and both of them are shocked to meet each other again. The imperial announcement says that YUI-HUNG has killed the empress and she will be sentenced to death. CHI-SING plays trick to send WAI-YAN to safeguard the imperial mausoleum.… ...

YAN informs YUI-HUNG. YUI-HUNG is relieved to discover that the executioner is not SHEUNG-LUK. Everybody arrives at the street to say goodbye to YUI-HUNG. YUI-HUNG drinks with them happily and she moves to the execution ground. TSIN-TSUNG, TSOI-SHAN and LOK YEUNG also arrive. SHAU-SHING hides behind the crowd to apologize to YUI-HUNG. YUI-HUNG understands him and she smiles to him as a gesture of forgiveness. YUI-HUNG misses SHEUNG-LUK. When she arrives at the execution ground, she is surprised to discover that SHEUNG-LUK is the executioner. CHING-YEE scolds CHI-SING for continuing to give poisons to the emperor. CHI-SING ignores CHING-YEE and he wants her to cooperate with him. The emperor is very ill and CHING-YEE apologizes to him. The emperor says that he knows that CHI-SING's plan is to isolate him. CHI-SING is looking for the emperor's son and he asks the imperial guards to search through every house.… ...

CHI-SING asks CHING-YEE to accompany the emperor to the grand hall for the appointment ceremony. CHI-TSAU brings SZEMA CAU, the West Wing imperial guards and SHEUNG-LUK to the temple inside the palace so that they could fight against CHI-SING. The East Wing imperial guards suddenly arrive to attack them. CHI-TSAU and SHEUNG-LUK fight against them together. CHI-SING gives the emperor an appointment letter for the crown prince and asks him to sign it with chop. SZEMA CAU and a mysterious man suddenly arrive to snatch away the imperial jade seal and return it to the emperor. They reveal that CHI-SING has brought a fake prince to the palace for he wants to take the emperor's place. WAI-YAN arrives to rescue the emperor and CHI-SING runs away. SHEUNG-LUK keeps fighting with the imperial guards and he is exhausted. YUI-HUNG asks him to leave since the venue is on fire. SHEUNG-LUK says that he is very exhausted and he wants to die.… ...