Another Case in Nandu (Mystery)

[The main story and all extras are complete. I discussed it with my editor, and it will become a paid book this Thursday, April 24. Thank you for your support!]

[Chapter comments are open]

A Second Vici: A female ensemble mystery about women's growth

[Brilliant female detective · woman disguised as a man · master strategist · cold outside, unhinged within]

[Male lead...]

The heroine, Yun Yijie, is a woman. The character Jie is not exclusive to men.

In Xie Mingqian's eyes, Yun Yijie

is the top scorer riding through the imperial thoroughfare,

and the renowned master detective of the Court of Judicial Review.

She says, "Yi, as in peerless; Jie, as in a hero born to this world."

People say, "With willow-leaf eyes, she sees the smallest detail; with fingers like bamboo, she wields her brush to record the guilty."

Later, she says, "I don't want fame or rank. I want peace and safety for all the people under heaven, and justice for women. Even if the Yellow River must run clear, however impossible it may seem, I will see it through!"

Who would have thought that in the very end, she would say:

"Power. All I want is power."

[Plot]

Yun Yijie becomes a low-ranking official of the ninth rank. Just how low? She has to run herself ragged to investigate cases. And when her investigation leads to the Zhao family, the powerful non-imperial clan that dominates the court, they even chase her down to beat her.

Women in Great Zhao have it rough. They say that if anyone discovers a woman serving as an official, she'll be burned alive.

She's about to be found out, so she has no choice but to flee and become a pig butcher.

That's how the storyteller puts it:

There is no case in this world that Yun Yijie cannot solve.

She specializes in strange cases and takes the initiative to seek justice for people. She's good in every way, except that nobody values her.

Except...

She's... she's got a lot of nerve, always getting involved with women in the inner chambers!

And telling them to abandon their husbands and children!

Yun Yijie: ...

"May women of every generation never cower beneath city walls, nor be confined within towering mansions."

[A few notes]

1. HE.

2. The mystery-solving career plot is the main focus.

3. Set in a fictional dynasty, drawing on some elements of the Song and Tang, but mostly original and created to serve the plot. Sorry, please don't nitpick the history.

4. Purely ancient setting, no transmigration.

Theme: Great love can be small, and small love can be great.