Case Files of Old Beijing, Shrouded in Fog

The story takes place in the early years of the Republic of China, amid a change of government and widespread social unrest. Ji Shaorong, a descendant of a fallen gentry family, is drawn into a tangled mystery involving several competing factions after a murder within a diplomatic mission. Tang Xuening, born into nobility and troubled by secrets in her family’s past, becomes Ji Shaorong’s investigative partner. Zhao Yunkuan, a police detective, moves between the authorities and the underworld, helping with the investigation while concealing secrets of his own. Guided by leads from the journalist Wu Yikai, the group uncovers intertwined tales of family feuds, power struggles, gangland assassinations, and romantic entanglements as they investigate. Behind each volume’s standalone case lies an overarching plot, all pointing toward a shocking conspiracy buried deep in the old capital of the Republic of China. As the clues converge, they must face trials of personal redemption, the choice to uphold justice, and their duty to their country.