Episode Summary
In this episode, Duan Hongshan faces hostility in detention after his identity as a prosecutor is exposed. While a favorable outcome in a related case suggests his innocence, he remains imprisoned due to political optics. He fires his lawyer, Lei Shuang, blaming her for past oversights and resolves to defend himself. The central mystery deepens when Li Mufeng uncovers evidence of a long-standing, secret relationship between Duan Hongshan and Mei Zheng, leading Fang Lingyuan to question Mei's honesty and her role in the entire affair.
Spoiler Alert
"Justifiable Defense" Episode 9 Spoilers
The situation for prosecutor Duan Hongshan intensifies after a new inmate, Wang Hao, is placed in his cell. Wang Hao, who was seen photographing Duan from a car after an incident, wastes no time in revealing Duan's identity as a prosecutor who has killed someone. This revelation immediately turns the other inmates against him. One man, Qiao Guan, physically attacks Duan, and a conspiracy of silence follows, with everyone falsely claiming Duan provoked the assault.
Meanwhile, a hearing concerning another case provides a glimmer of hope. When a man named Zhang Yuan is confirmed to have a history of domestic violence, it becomes likely that Jiang Ting's actions against him will be deemed justifiable defense. Prosecutor Fang Lingyuan notes that this outcome conveniently invalidates a report made by Zhou Delong against Duan and also affirms Duan's correct handling of Li Mufeng's past case. To her, these "coincidences" all seem to point toward Duan's innocence.
During a visit, Fang Lingyuan discusses the case with Duan. He confirms that the phone used by Zhou Delong in a live broadcast matches the one she shows him. Fang argues that Zhou, a 67-year-old cancer patient, posed no real threat. Duan counters that the attack was premeditated, forcing him to react, and insists he should be presumed innocent as the evidence is incomplete. He astutely recognizes the political nature of his confinement: as a prosecutor, he cannot be released without causing the public to suspect corruption within the judicial system.
Feeling the pressure, Duan decides to take control of his own fate. He refuses his lawyer Lei Shuang's suggestion to apply for medical parole to see his daughter, Yinging. Instead, he fires Lei Shuang, intending to represent himself. He blames her for the current predicament, believing her failure to properly follow up with Zhou Delong's family years ago led to Zhou's quest for revenge. Lei Shuang defends herself, pointing out the immense personal sacrifices she made, including leaving her prosecutor role and giving up custody of her own daughter. Duan, however, remains resolute, blaming himself for his poor judgment in people.
The plot thickens as Li Mufeng, while helping Duan's daughter Yinging, discovers a stack of postcards at Duan's home, all sent by Mei Zheng. This is a shock to Li, who secretly pockets an aquarium ticket stub he finds among them. He later recalls receiving a letter from Mei Zheng while he was incarcerated, which contained a certificate of her withdrawal from school.
The episode culminates in a crucial revelation. On a rainy night, Li Mufeng meets with Fang Lingyuan. He gives her the aquarium ticket stub and reveals a startling fact: Duan Hongshan divorced his wife four years ago, which is precisely when he began frequent contact with Mei Zheng. This directly contradicts what Mei Zheng had told Fang. The new information, coupled with the memory that Mei Zheng was the one who recovered the key evidence—the phone—from the water, casts a dark shadow of suspicion over her true motives and involvement.
