乃是此前中毒案中
“He was one of the Nanzhao spies”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“and the clerk was left behind, Chang Shou.”
乃 是 此前 中毒 案 中
“He was one of the Nanzhao spies”
“who sold poison in the poisoning cases.”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
Chinese period dramas often blend vernacular grammar with classical markers like '乃是' to create a dignified, ancient cadence for storytelling.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
is precisely; is indeed (formal copula)
A classical equivalent of 是, used heavily in historical genres or highly solemn forensic statements.
prior to this; previously
A formal temporal connective commonly used in formal reports, literature, and news contexts.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“when the poisonings occurred,”
“That's why, despite being severely poisoned,”
“Wasn't there a big case here a while ago?”
“They say it's related to the Jinzhou Massacre years ago.”
“He put poison in the soup,”
“Isn't he already poisoned?”