Chen Cao has been removed from his chief inspector role, but that doesnât stop him investigating a âprivate kitchenâ murder that has similarities to a Judge Dee story.
No longer a chief inspector, Chen Cao finds himself as director of the Shanghai Judicial System Reform Office. To outsiders itâs a promotion, but Chen knows heâs being removed from the spotlight as heâs immediately placed on involuntary âconvalescence leaveâ to stop him interfering with any cases. However, with various high-profile crimes making headlines and fears escalating over vigilante reprisals, Chenâs superiors know he must at least appear active.
One case revolves around Min Lihau, a mingyuan, who runs a âprivate kitchenâ for powerful figures in Shanghai. Minâs accused of murdering her assistant, yet Chen is struck by its similarities to a historic case involving the famous Judge Dee. When an acquaintance of his is murdered in connection with Min, Chen knows he canât stand idly by . . . but he must act in secret, under the cover of writing a Judge Dee novel.