The Imperial Coroner (御赐小仵作)

Adapted from Qingxian Yatou‘s novel The Imperial Coroner (Yuci Xiaowuzuo), the story is set in the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty. A young woman named Chu Chu comes from a family of coroners that spans three generations and has always dreamed of becoming a professional coroner herself. She travels alone to the capital, Chang’an, to take the annual coroner qualification exam managed by the Three Judicial Offices. There, she meets the reserved but brilliant Prince Anjun (Xiao Jinyu), who is in charge of all criminal cases in the empire. He appears weak and sickly but possesses exceptional deductive skills in solving crime puzzles. Recognizing Chu Chu‘s raw talent for forensic science—particularly her ability to mimic the death process—Xiao Jinyu recruits her as his coroner partner. Together, along with the mischievous Lord Jing Yi and the skilled swordswoman Leng Yue, they unravel a series of mysterious murders, counterfeit scandals, and court power struggles. As their investigations deepen, the two young men realize that Chu Chu has many secrets—her family background and the pendant she carries from her mother may be directly linked to a shocking 18-year-old cold case that has shaken the court’s foundations.

The 36-episode series (approx. 40 minutes each) can be broadly divided into the following four main story arcs:

• Act 1: Chang’an — The Coroner Exam & Mysterious Murders (Episodes 1-9): Chu Chu arrives in Chang’an to take the coroner qualification exam. She catches the attention of Lord Jing Yi and Prince Xiao Jinyu for her blatant honesty and forensic talents. However, a pendant linked to Prince Consort Xiao Heng makes her a target. High-ranking officials in the court suddenly begin dying one after another, and Chu Chu’s involvement puts her at the center of a dangerous power struggle. Jin Yu and Chu Chu form an investigative partnership to solve this string of mysterious murders.
• Act 2: Qianzhou — Unveiling the Past (Episodes 10-21): The investigation leads the team to the Qianzhou region, far from the capital. Jin Yu figures out that the men trying to kidnap Chu Chu might be related to the “Shen Army,” but is unsure why they are targeting her. The story delves deeper into Chu Chu‘s family history and the truth about her mother’s death. Meanwhile, Liyun, a woman impersonating Chu Chu‘s identity, approaches the capital, triggering new waves of danger and confusion. Political conspiracies from the court continue to escalate as the group works tirelessly to piece together the fragmented clues.
• Act 3: Homecoming — Blood Ties & Deeper Truths (Episodes 22-26): The arc continues in the Qianzhou region as the truth about Chu Chu’s biological parents is gradually revealed. The group moves to the Chu family‘s ancestral village and begins investigating a series of copper counterfeit cases that have direct links to the court. After uncovering new evidence, both Jin Yu and Chu Chu return to Chang’an, where they face a covert investigation into Jin Yu‘s older brother, Prince Xiao Jinli (Huaiyuan Prince).
• Act 4: The Final Revelation — Solving the 18-Year Mystery (Episodes 27-36): The team returns to Chang‘an to piece together all the evidence they have collected. The final arc focuses on resolving the 18-year-old cold case involving Prince Consort Xiao Heng and the tumultuous political struggles behind the throne. This is also the arc where all major plot threads come together and converge. The young duo must take great risks to expose dangerous court secrets and uncover the truth behind the decades-old case. Ultimately, they manage to unravel the entire web of mystery that has dragged on for 18 years. Chu Chu wins the Emperor’s approval and is finally certified as the Imperial Coroner, fulfilling her lifelong dream.