Shen Wan’s parents and family friend, Qin Liang, are murdered while trying to escape from assassins. Shen Wan survives and seeks vengeance by assuming the identity of Qin Liang’s dead daughter, Qin Wan. Discovering Li Mu Yun reported her father to the court for colluding with Prince Jin, suspected of murdering Consort Jin, Qin Wan makes plans to go to the capital to investigate and clear her father’s name.
Knowing she will need backing and support to go to the Capital to investigate her father’s crimes, Shen Wan uses her skills as a doctor to help show her autopsy skills and become a coroner. She gains the support of Princess Yong Ning to help do the autopsy for the beheaded bride case, but first, she must prove herself worthy by doing an autopsy of another death
After the Grand Princess’ health further deteriorates, Qin Wan is asked to stay at the Marquis’ manor to help take care of her. During this time, events occur to dissuade her from performing the autopsy on the beheaded bride. Qin Wan becomes wary that Yan Chi is beginning to suspect her identity.
While conducting the autopsy, Qin Wan discovers details that not only identify the body but also where the murder could have happened. She and Yan Chi purposely leak another planned autopsy to lure out the perpetrator, but things go awry when Qin Wan is targeted and the morgue is set ablaze.
Piecing together the clues, Qin Wan and Yan Chi focus their attention on Wei Qi Zhi, but interrogating him leads them to a different suspect. The case is closed, and unbeknownst to Qin Wan, Yan Chi is looking for an intelligent partner to help him investigate the case of Prince Jin, which is related to her parents’ murder.
Qin Wan rushes back to the Qin manor to attend to her pregnant sister-in-law. While there, she meets her mysterious 2nd brother, who is afflicted with a disease and is asking for her help. She also begins investigating the purple bamboo grove, which has been deemed off-limits by their grandmother for some unknown reason
Yan Chi joins the Ministry of Justice as the Judicial Surveillance Commissioner to investigate what happened to Prince Jin. He officially invites Shen Wan to join him in solving cases, giving her freedom to enter the capital to investigate her father’s death. They investigate the death of Concubine Liu at the Marquis Zhong Yang's premises.
The search for the missing Butler Liu leads Yan Chi and Qin Wan to a supposedly haunted bamboo forest, where they discover his murdered body inside a sealed well
The investigation into Yang-shi's death uncovers a far more sinister crime as the reopening of a well on the Qin property reveals the skeletons of numerous young girls.
Qin Wan discovers the Third Master was poisoned, confirming their theory of a revenge plot
The case of the murders at the Qin Mansion reaches a fiery and tragic conclusion.
Qin Wan is summoned to the capital under a suspicious pretext.
A murder at the isolated Baicao Garden forces Qin Wan to launch her own investigation when the young servant Xiao Songzi is found dead
Qin Yan plots to use Qin Wan's connection to Yan Chi for political gain.
Qin Wan, Yue Ning, and Qin Xiang escape from a horrifying ice cellar.
The group is diverted to Yuzhou for the Prince of Yu's birthday, a political maneuver by the Marquis of Zhongyong.
The leader of an opera troupe is murdered mid-performance, launching an investigation led by Yan Chi and Qin Wan.
The episode sees two major deaths that deepen the central mystery.
Qin Wan uncovers a case of severe domestic abuse while a larger investigation links several characters to an old gold robbery.
Qin Wan and her companions arrive in the capital, where she is immediately drawn into court politics.
Yan Chi and Qin Wan solve the serial murder case, uncovering the killer's tragic motive.
Qin Wan successfully cures the Empress Dowager's critical illness, earning the Emperor's favor and a special token for palace access.
Princess Yuan Wu's public marriage proposal is flatly rejected by Yan Chi, who then reaffirms his exclusive love for Qin Wan through a romantic confession.
Qin Wan survives a murderous attack and is unofficially appointed as Yan Chi's advisor by the Emperor.
A potential marriage arrangement for the Crown Prince causes heartbreak for Qin Zhaoyu.
Qin Wan confronts her fears about Li Muyun while growing closer to Yan Chi.
Qin Wan officially clears Zhang Dongxuan of the Guanyin Town murders after confirming he has hemophobia.
Qin Wan reveals her true identity as Shen Wan to a loyal Yue Ning.
The investigation into a gruesome murder leads to the unmasking of the killer and the leader of the Tiandao Society.
The Prince Jin case is put on hold by the Emperor.
