A dark, windy night is the perfect time for a murder.
The most celebrated courtesan at Fuyuan Pavilion, the capital's top pleasure house, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.
As the only county deputy in Suzhou City appointed directly by the imperial court, He Ling must investigate the murder and fight the criminals.
As the case progresses, He Ling makes new friends: the lively, charming owner of a pastry shop, a beast tamer skilled in all eighteen martial arts, and Bai, a man of seemingly ordinary background.
Yet the more they get to know one another, the clearer it becomes that everyone has their own agenda, and no one is easy to read.
One case after another points toward the same direction: the murder at the Lou residence ten years ago...
Ten years ago, a great figure emerged from the Lou residence in the capital: the Prince of Zhenyuan, Chu Zong.
He was Emperor Ming's close friend and a key ally who helped him win the struggle for the throne amid the treacherous intrigue of the imperial palace.
During his tenure, he also expanded the borders of the Xuan Dynasty. Every tribe within a hundred miles submitted to him, willingly and wholeheartedly.
Yet this highly decorated general died mysteriously in a fire, his face burned beyond recognition, leaving the world in shock and sorrow.
"In the end, you were just using the name of family to deceive everyone. What a performance!"
"Xiaoxian, let's stop investigating. I'll take you home, all right? Please don't fall asleep. I'll agree to anything, anything you want!"
"Ten years as close friends, bound by life and death, and yet it still couldn't hold up against fame and fortune."
"Taiyuan, you really have no heart."
Theme: Though evil may walk among us, justice is never absent!
