Red Shadows Waver in the Candlelight

Autumn, the seventh year of Tianqi under the Great Yong dynasty.

Pei Yuanqing, owner of Jinyun Tower, the capital's wealthiest merchant house, dies mysteriously on the night of his birthday banquet. He is seated at the place of honor, a broken half of a jade pendant gripped tightly in his hand. His face is peaceful, as if asleep, and his body bears no visible injuries.

During his lifetime, Pei Yuanqing dealt with many powerful figures at court and was closely connected to the Canal Transport Corruption Case from three years ago. That case implicated seven merchant families: three went bankrupt, two were exiled, and two vanished without a trace.

Six people gather inside Jinyun Tower. One wants wealth, one revenge, one love, and one their life...

Amid the flickering red candlelight, who is lying? Who is protecting someone? And who is waiting for a truth that has come too late?