The Junior Minister of Dali Temple's Casebook: Hunting Down the Killer (Mystery)

(This is my first novel. The characterization isn’t great, it isn’t sweet, there’s little romance, and I didn’t handle the later plot well. It’s full of outrageous twists, so I don’t recommend buying it.)

Coming soon: My Lady, Please Investigate the Case, a young constable from the Six Doors x the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the Northern Garrison Office

(References: The Tang Code for laws and legal procedure, and Song Ci’s Record of Washing Away Wrongs for investigative methods and deductions.)

[Jiang Wanzhao’s Story]

At first, Miss Jiang was always confessing her sins before the Buddha, wondering which deity she had offended to make her cross paths with a man like Chi Heng.

Thinking back to their first meeting, she had thought she’d encountered a hero who had come to rescue a damsel in distress.

A handsome young gentleman had saved her from a band of criminals, appearing like a god from the heavens.

But he promptly threw her to the ground, then said coldly to the constables behind him, “She’s suspected of being an accomplice. Take her to the Dali Temple for questioning.”

Jiang Wanzhao: “...”

#WhereThere’sAMurder,There’sMissJiang#

Later, Miss Jiang finally understood why the man who starred in every Chang’an maiden’s romantic dreams had descended from his lofty pedestal for her.

Miss Jiang teased him, “My husband just wants...”

Chi Heng hurriedly stuffed a fire crystal persimmon into her mouth, his face even redder than the persimmon.

He didn’t answer her question, but his flustered, clumsy actions said it all.

Corpse: “Blame me? Who told you to run into me even when you were out boating?”

[Chi Heng’s Story]

#HowDoesAnIcyBeautyGoFromFewWordsToFlirtingNonstop#

By the Qujiang Pool, a young woman was kidnapped by villains, and I spurred my fine steed in pursuit.

Our bodies touched, our eyes met, and an old romance stirred in my heart once more.

A graceful beauty, the object of my dreams. So I took a bad friend’s advice, used sweet words, and catered to her tastes.

Chi Heng never dreamed that one day he would bend over backward for a young woman.

Jiang Wanzhao: “How do you manage to say such embarrassing things with a straight face?”

It’s so weird!

[Bonus Scene]

One day, led by Vice Minister Chi Heng, the Dali Temple forces closed in on the residence of the Minister of the Secretariat, looking every bit like they were there to raid the place.

Knowing why they had come, Jiang Wanzhao thought, “Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best.”

Little did she know that the moment she stepped outside, she would fall into the arms of a handsome man.

“The thirty-six stratagems?”

Chi Heng’s lips curled into a smile. “The beauty trap works quite well on me, but you’re under arrest now. Your crime is stealing my heart.”

Jiang Wanzhao: “Huh?!”

Seriously, Vice Minister? You can be sent to the Dali Temple for stealing someone’s heart?

(Blurb photographed and posted to Weibo on 10.3.)

[Reader’s Guide] 1. One-on-one romance in a fictional world modeled after the Tang dynasty. Don’t scrutinize the details too closely. Romance-focused, with a plot-driven story. 2. The protagonists are not reborn; this is a parallel world. 3. Happy ending.

Theme: The heavens ensure that good and evil are repaid