Two great minds refused to be undermined by a power play
Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming were summoned back to Chang’an under the seemingly benign pretext of escorting the golden peaches presented by the King of Kang. On arriving, they discovered that the peaches were merely a cover. What they were truly escorting back to the capital was something far more consequential.
Although the Crown Prince had ascended the throne, the influence of the Grand Princesses had only grown stronger. Her ambition to overthrow the Crown Prince had not faded with time. The Grand Princess sought to secure greater power for her son and for Su Wu Ming by pushing them into key positions. Yet the Crown Prince, wary of her intentions, viewed anyone she recommended with deep suspicion.
As a result, Lu Ling Feng was dispatched to Yongzhou as a judicial officer, forced to work under a magistrate loyal to the Retired Emperor and widely regarded as incompetent. Su Wu Ming fared even worse. He was left without an official post and given the hollow title of Criminal Investigation Scholar, a role that came with neither salary nor authority. Frustrated but undeterred, Su joined forces with the team to open a Su Shan snack eatery. The business unexpectedly flourished, and the profits allowed him to secretly establish an extensive spy network.
Meanwhile, Lu Ling Feng introduced a bold new policy: a round-robin visitation of Chang’an districts, personally hearing grievances from the common people. The cases ranged from the mundane, such as stolen chickens and marital complaints, to the deeply disturbing, including mysterious deaths and the discovery of a decapitated young woman. These investigations soon escalated into major cases that threatened not only the safety of Chang’an, but the very foundations of the Tang dynasty itself.
I have followed this series since the first instalment, through its two sequels, and it has never failed to captivate me. Each case is shrouded in mystery and initially appears to involve the supernatural. Yet, in a setting where superstition cannot be openly promoted, the truth is always revealed to be the work of human hands, using illusion and fear to masquerade as the occult. This balance between intrigue and rational explanation remains one of the series’ greatest strengths.
The cast delivered outstanding performances across the board. The chemistry between the two couples was engaging, while the dynamic between Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming was particularly delightful, especially their habit of casually switching between each other’s given names and leaving everyone around them utterly confused. Fei, the resident clown, injected much-needed levity into the darker moments. Yang Zhi Gang portrayed Su Wu Ming with convincing restraint, embodying the image of a traditional, old-school mandarin who was nonetheless sharp, observant, and mentally agile.
If you enjoy ancient detective dramas filled with political intrigue and cleverly constructed mysteries, this series is well worth your time. Even if you usually prefer other genres, it might be refreshing to take a break and give this drama a chance. Enjoy.
Although the Crown Prince had ascended the throne, the influence of the Grand Princesses had only grown stronger. Her ambition to overthrow the Crown Prince had not faded with time. The Grand Princess sought to secure greater power for her son and for Su Wu Ming by pushing them into key positions. Yet the Crown Prince, wary of her intentions, viewed anyone she recommended with deep suspicion.
As a result, Lu Ling Feng was dispatched to Yongzhou as a judicial officer, forced to work under a magistrate loyal to the Retired Emperor and widely regarded as incompetent. Su Wu Ming fared even worse. He was left without an official post and given the hollow title of Criminal Investigation Scholar, a role that came with neither salary nor authority. Frustrated but undeterred, Su joined forces with the team to open a Su Shan snack eatery. The business unexpectedly flourished, and the profits allowed him to secretly establish an extensive spy network.
Meanwhile, Lu Ling Feng introduced a bold new policy: a round-robin visitation of Chang’an districts, personally hearing grievances from the common people. The cases ranged from the mundane, such as stolen chickens and marital complaints, to the deeply disturbing, including mysterious deaths and the discovery of a decapitated young woman. These investigations soon escalated into major cases that threatened not only the safety of Chang’an, but the very foundations of the Tang dynasty itself.
I have followed this series since the first instalment, through its two sequels, and it has never failed to captivate me. Each case is shrouded in mystery and initially appears to involve the supernatural. Yet, in a setting where superstition cannot be openly promoted, the truth is always revealed to be the work of human hands, using illusion and fear to masquerade as the occult. This balance between intrigue and rational explanation remains one of the series’ greatest strengths.
The cast delivered outstanding performances across the board. The chemistry between the two couples was engaging, while the dynamic between Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming was particularly delightful, especially their habit of casually switching between each other’s given names and leaving everyone around them utterly confused. Fei, the resident clown, injected much-needed levity into the darker moments. Yang Zhi Gang portrayed Su Wu Ming with convincing restraint, embodying the image of a traditional, old-school mandarin who was nonetheless sharp, observant, and mentally agile.
If you enjoy ancient detective dramas filled with political intrigue and cleverly constructed mysteries, this series is well worth your time. Even if you usually prefer other genres, it might be refreshing to take a break and give this drama a chance. Enjoy.
Was this review helpful to you?
