The Little Coroner Has Stopped Pretending: She Solves Cases Through Autopsies

Modern forensic pathologist Shen Qingdai woke up to find herself the lowest-ranking female coroner in ancient times. A bride in a wedding dress lay dead beside her when constables burst through the door and accused Shen Qingdai of murder. She spoke up in front of everyone: "The victim has been dead for at least four shichen. She was already dead before the wedding ceremony."

The whole hall was stunned.

The cold-faced Prince Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. "If your examination is wrong, you'll pay with your life."

She smiled. "Then please give me a few more candles, Your Highness. It's too dark. I'm afraid I might get it wrong."

From then on, the capital had a female investigator who solved cases using modern forensic techniques. Livor mortis revealed the time of death, and stomach contents revealed the cause. A tongueless bride, a bloodstained wedding dress, bones at the bottom of a well, a renowned actress from an opera troupe... She uncovered startling truths in every strange case.

Everyone said Xiao Yan was cold and heartless. But only Shen Qingdai knew that this prince brought her late-night snacks, shielded her from knives, and would say with red-rimmed eyes, "The case isn't as important as you."

Until she found an old ledger from the year her father disappeared. It bore a single line: This poison came from the palace. The Imperial Preceptor's residence is unfathomably deep.

Nine thousand soldiers lay hidden across seven provinces, and palace spies were everywhere. Even the death of Xiao Yan's mother was tied to the very case Shen Qingdai was investigating.

"Shen Qingdai, are you afraid?"

"Yes. But I'm more afraid of dying without knowing the truth."

She would examine corpses and probe power struggles, solve cases and read people's hearts. With the blade in her hand, she would unearth every injustice buried in wells, sealed into walls, or sunk beneath rivers, one by one.