Witness to a Prosecution

★ 8.3 · 1999 · 45m · Crime

Witness to a Prosecution is a Hong Kong television series produced by TVB. The original broadcast was on the TVB Jade network with 45-minute episodes airing five days a week from 20 December 1999 to 16 January 2000. The drama stars Bobby Au-yeung as the famous historical forensic medical expert Song Ci. Set during the Southern Song Dynasty of Mid-Imperial China, Witness to a Prosecution tells a fictionalised account of Chee's modest beginnings and the events leading to the creation of his book Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified, the world's earliest documentation of forensic science.

Episodes

▶1. Episode 146m · SUNG CHI was born right after his mother had died. The villagers regard him as an unlucky person and give him the nickname, `coffin boy`. CHI has two good friends, named CHA SIU CHAN and SIK DAN. CHAN is born stupid and dumb. The stall owner, SUNG SING, and his wife always bully CHAN. CHAN`s wife, SUNG LING, also looks down upon CHAN. DAN always fails in the public examinations. The villagers always bully CHI. CHI is so dissatisfied that he quarrels with the village headman. Unexpectedly, the headman has suddenly died after a fight with CHI. Evidence shows that CHI and a thief, TONG SZE, have caused his death. The two are then sentenced to death. Meanwhile, CHI is being hit by thunder and died. His dead body is moved to a funeral parlour. The funeral parlour owner, MA KWAI, discovers that CHI is still alive. He tells CHI that the headman has been poisoned to death. Meanwhile, KWAI is very sick. CHI in turn saves his life……▶2. Episode 246m · DAN and CHAN pay respect to CHI`s dead body and discovers that he is still alive. They are very glad. KWAI finds out that the headman had died of tetanus. DAN reports the case to the new district governor, SUNG YIK. YIK and the cop, LIP YAN LUNG, find DAN and CHAN very suspicious. They follow DAN and CHAN and arrive at the funeral parlour. YIK and LUNG trust CHI. He thus takes CHI`s advice and carries a forensic check. YIK even tells SZE that he will re-investigate the case. CHI pretends as ghosts to scare the headman`s wife. LUNG`s daughter, LAP FUNG, nearly spoils CHI`s plan. The headman`s wife eventually agrees to carry out another forensic check. However, FUNG discloses CHI`s plot unintentionally. The villagers oppose strongly. YIK insists. However, the dead body has already been dissolved and cannot go through forensic check. CHI and SZE will be executed soon. FUNG knows that she has involved CHI into great trouble……▶3. Episode 346m · CHI knows that SZE is an orphan. He sympathizes with her and decides to marry her. The headman`s wife eventually agrees to carry out a forensic check a minute before the execution. CHI and SZE could then wash off the disgrace. CHI has lost his job. He thus always goes to the funeral parlour to help KWAI. KWAI finds out that CHI has the talent in forensic check. He thus teaches CHI forensic skills diligently. CHI and SZE compromise that they will keep their engagement in the prison a secret. SZE is being chased by the loan shark. She has no alternative and steal LING`s money. CHAN chases after her. SHING is elected to be the village headman. YIK also proves that CHI is the descendent of the SUNG`s family. CHI is thus entitled to have land and be employed as the worker in the funeral parlor. CHI thanks KWAI and wants KWAI to be his teacher. CHAN misunderstands that SZE is his sister who has been separated from him for a long time……▶4. Episode 446m · SZE and LING quarrel. However, they pretend to cope with each other harmoniously on the surface. CHAN is glad. One day, the loan shark again bothers SZE. SZE shirks the responsibility to CHI. CHI sells his land to repay the debt for SZE. The rich merchant`s (LAM TAO) daughter, LAM CHOI TIP, is beautiful but arrogant. CHI is deeply attracted by her beauty. FUNG does not tell LUNG that she has been sacked. When YIK learned about the case, he helps FUNG. FUNG feels grateful for his help. CHI stops a plague from spreading in the village. The villagers like him after this incident. LING wants to have a baby and sees the fortune-teller. However, SZE always spoils her plan. TIP thinks that CHI is a gay man. She bets with her cousin, KWAN, that she could make CHI propose to marry her. TIP tries to seduce CHI. CHI thinks that TIP really likes him. When he learned that TIP does not like his profession, he immediately resigns……▶5. Episode 546m · TIP is being kidnapped and KWAN is killed. TAO thinks that CHI is the murderer. Fortunately, CHAN and DAN prove that CHI is with them during the murder. YIK orders CHI to resume duty and carry out a forensic check with KWAN`s body. CHI finds out that KWAN has died of sword wound. He suspects that it was the woodman`s deed. A masked man extorts thirty thousand tael from TAO with TIP as hostage. He even requests the servant, KUEN, to deliver the ransom. CHI eventually finds out that the murderer is a gallant in the martial world. The masked man kills KUEN and gets the ransom. He even intends to kill TIP. Fortunately, YIK saves TIP in time. LUNG urges FUNG to return to Chengzhou. FUNG is very reluctant to leave. YIK employs FUNG and helps her to get rid of the trouble. CHAN sighs that his family does not have any scholars. He thus forces SZE to study. SZE is lazy. YIK enlightens SZE. SZE decides to study hard.▶6. Episode 646m · YIK discovers a thief at home. In fact, this thief is the real YIK. The false YIK`s real name is FONG CHUN. His family has gone bankrupt. He met YIK whose appearance assembles him and had fallen from a cliff. CHUN thinks that YIK has died. CHUN then disguises as YIK. However, YIK is still alive. CHUN and YIK quarrel with each other. CHUN kills YIK and buries his dead body near the well. DAN fails in the public examination for many times due to some psychological factor. They encourage DAN to take a mock examination. DAN`s performance is good in the mock examination. However, DAN fails again in the public examination. LING finds SZE very troublesome. She instigates CHAN to find a husband for SZE. CHAN finds CHI is suitable for SZE.▶7. Episode 746m · SZE places the rabbit in CHI`s home temporarily. When CHAN comes to propose a marriage between CHI and SZE. CHI thinks that it is regarding the rabbit. CHI agrees. CHI investigates KWAN`s case further. He suspects FOK. However, FOK has already been killed. CHI goes to LAM`s home to investigate KWAN`s case again. Fortunately, FUNG bursts into FOK`s home. CHI could then escape from being killed by the masked man. TIP bullies the temple worker and his family. YIK cannot tolerate and keeps her into the prison. SZE has blossomed love feeling on YIK when he is teaching her. CHI teases SZE. A tiger killed some villagers. All are alerted. The wine-house owner, KONG CHI YEUNG kills the tiger. CHI carries out a forensic check with the dead tiger and discovers that the tiger has died of serious breakage of its internal organs.▶8. Episode 846m · CHI and the others suspect that YEUNG is good at marital art and he might be related to KWAN`s murder case. They then focus on investigating YEUNG and CHING. However, they have no clue at all. FUNG devises to trap YEUNG. Unexpectedly, the one they caught was CHING. YEUNG disguises as another person and leaves the town. CHING is glad to learn that YEUNG has escaped. FUNG tries to convince CHING to confess but is in vain. YEUNG tries to help CHING escape from prison by all means. He aims only at getting back the ransom. CHING is very disappointed. FUNG eventually kills YEUNG. FUNG and the others speak good words for CHING so as to help her exonerate from punishment. SZE perks up herself on the festival. CHI is very impressed. A female victim who had been raped before she was murdered. CHI discovers that some glue in her mouth. YIK tells SZE that he got no time to teach her anymore. SZE is very disappointed. CHI witnesses the scene.▶9. Episode 946m · SZE intends to express her love to YIK. However, she is very disappointed when she finds out that YIK and FUNG has fallen in love. CHI thinks that YIK has refused SZE in person, CHI blames YIK. Murder and rape cases happen incessantly. They eventually identify a suspect, KWAI. The evidence left matches with KWAI`s. When YIK is going to execute KWAI, KWAI tells them that he had been sterilized and is impotent. CHI discovers that the murderer has six fingers. They suspect FU who is very afraid of his wife. However, LUNG thinks that he is not the murderer. SZE has a strong sense of righteous. FU finds her very similar to his wife. FU intends to kill SZE. Fortunately, LUNG and FUNG arrive in time and save SZE. Since then FUNG and SZE become good friend.▶10. Episode 1046m · CHI concerns SZE a lot but SZE does not thank him at all. SHING and his wife set up a shop selling rice. They convince CHAN to help them manage the rice shop. TIP falls into a pond. YIK saves TIP. TIP admires YIK. One day, a eunuch, CHOI, passes by. He recognizes KWAI is an ex-eunuch, SIU HING CHI. KWAI keeps away from CHOI. CHI finds KWAI very suspicious and questions him. KWAI then tells CHI CHOI's bad deeds. KWAI secludes in a small town so as to keep away from CHOI and his persecution. CHI encourages KWAI to report the case to the governor but is stopped by YIK. KWAI agrees with YIK. CHI is very influential in the palace. TAO tries to flatter CHOI. YIK also wants to win CHOI`s favour. YIK knows that TIP likes him. He then starts to court TIP. A group of small children are playing in a forest. They discover KWAI who had committed suicide by hanging oneself in the forest. CHI strongly believes that KWAI`s case was not a suicide case.▶11. Episode 1146m · CHI is very upset because of KWAI`s death. He disappears for three days. CHOI rewards YIK who has found KWAI and bestows him a gold plate for exclusive use. CHAN and DAN ask YAN to console CHI. SZE also comforts CHI. All stay in the funeral so as to get some clue. CHI eventually finds out some evidence. However, YIK does not want to offend CHOI and stops CHI to carry out any further investigation. SZE encourages CHI to sue CHOI at the capital. SZE and CHI then set off to the capital. Prince CHIU YUEN CHOI plays tricks on CHI and SZE for a few times. CHIU helps CHI and SZE to slip into the palace for apology. CHI and SZE disguise as eunuch and palace servant respectively. They wait for a chance to see the Emperor and tell him the case.▶12. Episode 1246m · One day, CHI saves CHOI. CHOI then appreciates CHI. CHOI and the concubine, WING, have an affair. WING knows that CHOI likes SZE. She then arranges CHOI to have SZE. Fortunately, CHI saves SZE in time. YIK and FUNG go to the capital to find CHI. FUNG tells YIK that CHI has already gone into the palace. YIK then informs CHOI. CHOI sues CHI before CHI took action. WING is pregnant. CHOI poisons WING to death. CHI persuades CHIU to help them in finding evidence against CHOI. They even use SZE as entice. The Emperor then sentences CHOI to death. SZE returns home and finds out that CHAN spent all his money for the sake of knowing whether SZE is safe. SZE feels very sorry. TIP tells YIK that he Emperor is going to reward him. However, the Emperor rewards CHI instead. YIK is very disappointed. A lady comes to ask for help. YIK intends to ask what has happened……▶13. Episode 1346m · YIK was teased by the public regarding how he handles the navigation problem. TIP makes use of her family's wealth to help YIK. YIK has an appointment with FUNG. On the way he meets TIP. YIK and TIP have an affair. SZE decides to tell CHAN that she is not his flesh and blood sister and decides to move back to her old home. SZE`s house is on fire. CHAN risks his life to save her. SZE is very touched. When YIK is going to meet FUNG. TIP makes YIK to go out with her. They again have an affair. FUNG sees that YIK did not show up. FUNG thinks that she has made a mistake and went to the wrong meeting place. She even apologizes to YIK. SZE sees YIK and TIP who are together. SZE tells FUNG the case. FUNG questions YIK. YIK frankly tells FUNG that he is going to marry TIP. SHING and FA covet for wealth and supports YIK and TIP`s marriage. FUNG lies to LUNG the truth in lest he will worry for her.▶14. Episode 1446m · An unidentified skeleton was found in town. CHI invents a new method of forensic check by painting ink on top of the bone. SZE records all the procedures. TIP is born unreasonable and arrogant. Though FA and SHING are very dissatisfied with her, they have to tolerate her. FUNG tells SZE that CHI loves SZE. SZE wants to test CHI and claims that she has lost a jade given by her mom. CHI searches everywhere for SZE. SZE is vexed and returns to her old home. CHI goes to her old home to see SZE and finds a parcel in the wall. This parcel could prove SZE`s identity. SZE is, indeed, Prince HONG`s daughter. Encouraged by CHI and FUNG, SZE decides to go to see Prince HONG. CHI makes excuse to accompany SZE and CHAN to HONG`s place. SZE feels very sweet at heart. On the way SZE meets her sister, SUM YU. YU thinks that SZE is a thief. There is a hanging dead body in the inn. CHI volunteers to carry out a forensic check.▶15. Episode 1546m · With CHI`s help, the cops could easily arrest the murderer. SZE arrives HONG`s place and finds out that HONG has already died. HONG`s concubine promises SZE that they would restore her princess status. She asks her to go back home first and wait for their arrangement. TIP is still very arrogant and rude after marrying YIK. She even wants SHING to reserve some space for her to keep her clothing in the kitchen. YIK relies on TIP`s family financially, hence, they have to tolerate her. LUNG starts to like CHING. However, he does not tell CHING his feeling in lest he will lose face. FA finds TIP spends extravagantly. FA sells TIP`s clothing to earn money. When TIP finds out the case, she threatens to sue FA. In order not to involve YIK into trouble, FA apologizes to TIP. SZE waits for a long time and receives no reply from HONG`s concubine. She takes SZE`s evidence and drives SZE away. SZE meets YU who is her sister……▶16. Episode 1646m · CHI risks his life to go to the tomb to find CHUNG. However, HONG`s concubine stops CHI. She intends to kill SZE and CHI. Fortunately, YU saves them in time. YU brings SZE her parcel. On the way a rascal kidnaps SZE. The rascal intends to sell SZE to the brothel. DAN eavesdrops the rascal`s conversation. DAN then saves SZE but he destroys SZE`s parcel simultaneously. CHI thinks of having a blood test to prove SZE`s identity. HONG`s concubine opposes the test. CHIU guarantees his life to take the test. They eventually prove that SZE is HONG`s flesh and blood daughter. SZE gives a jade rabbit to CHI as an engagement souvenir. The debtors asks TIP`s family to repay the debt. TIP then has not enough money to buy a governor post for YIK. She is very angry with her parents. CHI is promoted to be the chief prison in charge. CHI heard that SZE is going to marry a Mongolian Prince……▶17. Episode 1746m · YIK always speaks sweet words. He made CHI trusts him and confirms that he is not the one who betrayed him. CHI is very sick. His life is at stake. Fortunately, FUNG discovers a new treatment that saves CHI`s life. YU tells SZE about her assigned marriage with a Mongolian Prince. SZE asks the Emperor to stop it. TIP makes use YIK`s governing chop to shop. YIK and SZE quarrel. SHING instigates the quarrel. TIP drinks to forget her trouble. CHI comforts her. LUNG does not dare to tell CHING his love. With CHI and FUNG`s help, LUNG and CHING start to go out. YIK treats TIP coldly. TIP tells CHI her grievance. CHI encourages TIP to live anew. TIP decides to be a good wife with CHI`s encouragement. FA sees TIP and CHI while they are talking with each other.▶18. Episode 1846m · YIK listens to FA`s words and believes that CHI and TIP do have an affair. TIP and YIK quarrel with each other. SZE is very upset to see FUNG and CHI so intimate. YIK is the one in charge of building SZE`s mother`s tomb. YIK meets SZE and is deeply attracted by her who is now so beautiful. TIP heard that her parents are arrested. She asks YIK to rescue them but YIK refuses TIP. The patron of the real YIK, HO, visits YIK`s home. HO makes FA suspects the false YIK. FA steals YIK`s document so as to examine his handwriting. YIK discovers FA. YU and DAN devise to make SZE and CHI reconcile. However, CHI misses the chance due to FUNG. YU falls into the pond carelessly. DAN saves YU and takes the opportunity to express his love to YU. TIP finds her jade bracelet in FA`s room. FA denies. Meanwhile, FA is very sick. YIK tries to soothe her pain but FA withdraws frightfully.▶19. Episode 1946m · YIK discovered that FA suspects him. He then poisons FA to death. TIP tells CHI her grievance. They spend one night on the boat because it rains heavily. CHAN saw them. CHI carries out a forensic check for FA and thinks that nothing has gone wrong. SHING by chance finds out that FA was poisoned to death. CHI starts to investigate. YIK fears that they would find the truth, he then imputes the fault to TIP. CHI believes that TIP is innocent. LING points out that CHI still loves TIP. SZE ignores their comment. Nonetheless, SZE persuades CHI not to involve in this case. A burnt dead body was found in the forest. However, there is nobody missing in the village. CHI checks FA`s dead body carefully for a few days. He eventually gets some evidence favored TIP. YIK fears that CHI would unveil his secret……▶20. Episode 2046m · The judge dismisses CHI. SZE writes a letter to the criminal court in begging them to release CHI. However, the court requires CHI to find out the truth within one month. CHAN claims that he has examined YIK`s hand writing and CHING also claims that she had seen two identical YIK. CHI starts to believe that the YIK in person might be a false one. CHI tells SHING YIK`s motive in killing FA. CHI persuades SHING to check YIK`s real identity. However, YIK destroys all evidence before SHING took action. YIK beats CHI as TIP is pregnant. YIK claims that it is not his baby. CHI has difficulty to find the truth. CHAN and DAN also blame CHI. FUNG scolds them who do not trust friend. LUNG asks CHI not to see FUNG. CHI drinks to forget his troubles. FUNG wants to comforts CHI. CHI refuses FUNG. SZE sees that YIK is hurt while he is fighting with CHI. SZE then sends YIK some delicious food for consolation……▶21. Episode 2145m · TIP attempts to kill herself. Fortunately, FUNG saves her in time. FUNG goes to see CHI in the funeral parlour. SZE invites YIK to go out so as to console him. CHI is enlightened and works hard to collect new evidence together with FUNG. SHING eventually confirms that YIK is not his son. YIK then kills SHING. CHI finds a rotten dead body and confirms that it is the real YIK. CHI make use of blood test to check YIK`s identity but is in vain. YIK even puts CHI into the prison. YIK does not want to stay in this place. SZE recommends him to work in the capital. CHI eventually finds out why he failed in the blood test. YU encourages DAN to try again in the public examination. DAN is full of confidence with YU`s encouragement. TIP listens to YIK`s advice and accuses CHI on court. CHI is sentenced to death.▶22. Episode 2247m · All risk their lives to save CHI. CHI flees to the funeral parlour and discovers new evidence. However, CHI does not want to involve his friends into trouble, he returns to the prison to wait for the execution. He even starts to write his book `The Forensic Collection` in the prison. On the day of execution when the executioner is going to chop CHI`s head off, the sword breaks. CHIU appears ......... Could CHI wash off the disgrace? How will CHI handle the relationship among SZE, FUNG and him. Who will CHI choose?

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