Introduction
In 2021, The Imperial Coroner was a surprise hit due to its high-quality, suspenseful plot and intelligent character writing despite a low budget and lesser-known cast. Now the sequel is here. The central focus remains on using forensic skills in autopsies to uncover the truth, but season 2 expands to a larger conspiracy from the neighboring country.
Because of the mysterious nature of the cases, I decided to write an episode highlight article on the drama, with the intention of revealing as little as possible. There are spoiler tags to keep some secrets for you to reveal by watching the drama, if you prefer.
Mystery or case-wise, if you haven’t watched Season 1, you do not have to watch it. There is a new main mystery in Season 2. In Season 1, besides the cases, the story tells about Chu Chu, the heroine, her background, and how she met Xiao Jin Yu, Jing Yi, and Leng Yue. When Season 2 starts, Chu Chu summarizes Season 1 in her style, brief and formal, and leaves the sweet parts for you to watch. In Season 1, besides the investigation, it also showed the blooming romance between Chu Chu and Xiao Jin Yu, the first couple, and between Leng Yue and Jing Yi, the second couple. This quartet also worked together to reveal the mystery, case by case, and now they are back!
Although there is a romance genre, I will not necessarily cover the romance part. The romance in this sequel focuses on the daily life and professional partnership of the married couples Xiao Jinyu and Chu Chu, as well as Jing Yi and Leng Yue. Both romances are built on mutual respect and shared professional goals.
If you’re curious, I also wrote a review on Season 1 on MyDramaList with fellow co-writer Wanderer: The Imperial Coroner: CSI of Tang Dynasty.
Drama Info
Drama title: The Imperial Coroner Season 2 (Native title: 御赐小仵作 第二季)
Alternative title: Yu Ci Xiao Wu Zuo Di Er Ji
Genres: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Medical
Aired: 15 Jan, 2026 - 27 Jan, 2026
Episodes: 28 | Duration: 40 min.
Director: Lou Jian (楼健)
Screenwriters: Qing Xian Ya Tou (清闲丫头), Qian Xiao Bai (钱小白), and Liu Yu (刘宇)
Adapted from the novel "Ming Bu Fu Ren" (名捕夫人) by Qing Xian Ya Tou (清闲丫头).
Where to read the English translation novel: ReadtheDrama
Where to watch: WeTV
OST: Full album (YouTube fan audio)
Trailers
I put two trailers in this article. The first trailer serves as an introduction to the characters, the quartet, in connection with the first season. It has English subtitles. The second trailer introduces the cases. So far, it doesn’t have English subtitles.
Synopsis
This sequel follows the married life of the cool and composed Prince An, Xiao Jinyu, and the imperial forensic examiner Chu Chu. With careers, relationships, and ambitions all taken to the next level, they join forces with the young talents of the Three Judicial Offices to uncover the truth behind mysterious cases and work together to safeguard peace in the Tang Dynasty. (Source: WeTV)
Characters
Main Characters
Wang Zi Qi (王子奇) as Xiao Jin Yu / Prince An
He was the Prince of An of the Tang Dynasty and the head of the Three Judicial Offices, in charge of the national criminal and prison affairs. Xiao Jinyu took the lead in establishing the system of selecting and examining coroners to select criminal justice talents, and appointed female coroner Chu Chu to assist in the investigation of cases. He led his team to solve the serial murder case of Beijing officials and the case of private casting of copper coins in Qianzhou, exposed the conspiracy of the fake King Chang, and finally married Chu Chu and eliminated the power of eunuch Qin Luan.
Su Xiao Tong (苏晓彤) as Chu Chu
Chu Chu was born in the ninth year of Taihe in the Tang Dynasty and grew up in the Chu family, a family of coroners in Qianzhou. She is proficient in human body structure analysis and facial restoration technology, and adheres to the professional belief of ‘speaking for the dead’. She has assisted in solving many cases through professional means. Chu Chu and Xiao Jinyu became partners based on professional respect. After marriage, they retained the identity of ‘Imperial Coroner’ and continued to investigate cases. She became the first female coroner officially certified in the Tang Dynasty.
Supporting Characters
Jing Yi (Yang Ting Dong)
Jing Yi was the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple in the mid-late Tang Dynasty, and the son of Jing Zhi, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty. He was seemingly carefree and loved to joke, but in fact, he was loyal and righteous. He was serious and responsible at work, and often accompanied Prince An Xiao Jinyu to investigate cases until very late. As the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, he was also an official of the Three Judicial Offices. Under his seemingly unruly appearance, he hid justice and deep affection.
Leng Yue (Zhao Yao Ke)
She is the granddaughter of Leng Peishan, the Military Governor of Qianzhong Circuit. When she was young, her parents died due to the Ganlu Incident. He was raised by her cousin Princess Xiping and grew up with Xiao Jinyu, Xiao Jinli, and Jing Yi. As an adult, Leng Yue traveled around the world and used her swordsmanship and medical skills to assist Xiao Jinyu in investigating the case. Through her interactions with Jing Yi, she gradually develops feelings for him, and they eventually become a couple.
You Chen An (Zhang Chen Xiao)
He is the second prince of the Nanzhao (Southern Zhao) Kingdom, and the adopted son of the Emperor or Nanzhao. He possessed both high IQ and martial art skills. The reason for You Chen An’s appearance in Chang’an City, his position, and the role he played in the Nanzhao delegation’s actions created suspense. Whether he was a chess pawn or a player yet to be determined. He might become a key variable to break the deadlock, or he might bring unexpected storms.
My Rating
Will add after finishing the drama.
Highlight Episodes 1 to 14
Episode 1
As the Emperor’s birthday, the Shouchang Festival, approached, the palace prepared for the imperial banquet. However, rumors of a ghost haunted the terrified palace maids. During the banquet, the festivities were soon interrupted when a human skull suddenly leaped out of a pond, terrifying a palace maid. Chu Chu caught the skull and immediately performed a preliminary examination.
Chu Chu estimated the skull belonged to a man who had been killed and had been dead for approximately six months. A jurisdictional dispute ensued when Consort Hui insisted on handling the matter privately under palace rules. Chu Chu argued that a murderer may still be hiding in the palace; thus, the Three Judicial Offices should handle the case. Xiao Jinyu convinced the Emperor to let Chu Chu conduct the investigation.
Why did the skull leap out of the pond, terrifying the guests?
There was a frog trapped inside.
Episode 2
Xiao Jinli, Xiao Jinyu’s brother, and his army dredged the pond, but no body was found. Xiao Jinyu guessed the body was moved by the water current, and they investigated the rockery areas around the pond. Soon, bones were found scattered in the water close to the rockery areas.
In the rest of this episode, the victim, the method of killing, and the killer were identified.
Who were the victim and the killer?
The victim was Wu Liang, a palace guard. Consort Hui’s senior maid, Shi Qing, confessed that she accidentally killed him during the struggle since Wu Liang wanted to sexually assault her.
The Emperor ordered the killer’s execution for the violation of palace rules and the loss of life. However, Chu Chu and the rest suspected there was more than the killer’s confession, which seemed to be covering for a darker fact.
Episode 3
Further investigation revealed that the victim was actually up to no good with the palace maids until the killer found out about what the victim had been doing. Then, in this case, the execution was a moral dilemma. Fortunately, during the execution day, witnesses showed up, presented the evidence, and pleaded for reopening the case. Xiao Jinyu stopped the execution and called for a reinvestigation by the Palace Domestic Service.
The killing motive
It was self-defense. Wu Liang was a predator who preyed on palace maids, involved in affairs, and got them pregnant. He then gave them herbs that cause miscarriages. However, since any scandal could lead to severe punishment under palace rules or even death, Wu Liang blackmailed them and forced them to steal palace treasures for him, which he sold later. When a maid wanted to commit suicide, that was when Shi Qing found out and reported to Consort Hui. That was the reason the Consort didn’t want the Three Judicial Offices to get involved: to protect the maidservants. Shi Qing confronted Wu Liang, and that was when they fought, and he accidentally fell into the water.
Episode 4
The Emperor pardoned the killer, and the maidservants who were involved were sent home quietly with the retired maids.
We continued to the next case, which was far more serious as it involved a political relationship with the neighboring country, Nanzhao. The Chief Envoy, Second Prince You Chenan, disappeared before entering the Great Tang. Since the Vice Envoy Gao Luoqian attempts to blame the Great Tang, the Emperor appointed Xiao Jinyu to oversee the delegation’s affairs.
The Nanzhao delegation finally arrived at the outskirts of the capital, and they claimed they had lost their way. When the Chief Envoy showed up, Chu Chu immediately noticed his unsteady gait and thick makeup to hide his sickly complexion. Once settled at the residence, he collapsed and vomited blood. The Second Prince was poisoned. Fortunately, Chu Chu was able to treat his infection promptly, or the prince would have died. You Chen An revealed that the delegation had been pursued through the woods during the journey, and he was poisoned. You Chen An is the King of Nanzhao’s adopted son, making him a variable in a court balanced by established factions.
Episode 5
There was another public figure coming from Nanzhao, who would be the next case. Master Shenguan, an eminent monk from Nanzhao, had become a sensation among the nobility of Chang’an. Because there were findings of spies from Nanzhao, Jing Yi was tasked to monitor the monk’s movements. Jing Yi discovered that Shenguan, despite his holy reputation, had been seen entering the Music Office in plain clothes.
Just my note, this term “Music Office” in this drama was only an euphemism of what appeared to be an official brothel/pleasure/entertainment place.
Master Shenguan and his little disciple Jing Yuan
Episode 6
When following Master Shenguan, Jing Yi and his men lost track of the monk. They intercepted the group of Nanzhao monks from Weiguo Temple transporting a cart of firewood, but Master Shenguan was not within the group. The cart was unusually heavy, and they discovered the Master’s dead body hidden beneath the wood!
The monks claimed the Master died of heatstroke, but Jing Yuan broke down and begged for a real investigation into his master’s sudden passing. During the interrogation, Xiao Jinyu suspected that the monks had been bribed.
Jing Yi and Leng Yue visited the home of a Ministry of Rites official, whose wife was Jing Yi’s aunt. This was the last place where Master Shenguan was seen alive. Jing Yi’s aunt eventually confessed that Master Shenguan had collapsed and died suddenly during a ritual at her home. She paid the monks to hide the body, fearing Master Shenguan’s death would implicate her family and her relative, Consort Hui.
Episode 7
This case is politically laden, and Chu Chu faced an obstacle as a female coroner. The Nanzhao officials and the monks firmly refused to let Chu Chu handle the remains, citing strict rules regarding contact between men and women. The Nanzhao Vice Envoy, Gao Luoqian, complained to the Emperor, arguing it was fundamentally unfair for Great Tang officials to investigate a case where their own citizens might have harmed a Nanzhao saint.
In Episode 6, You Chen An sought an audience with the Emperor, expressing a desire to study forensics in the Great Tang. Seeing an opportunity to spread Tang culture to Nanzhao, the Emperor granted his request. Actually, the Emperor wanted to keep the mysterious prince under surveillance. The prince became Chu Chu’s disciple, thus an official member of the Three Judicial Offices.
Therefore, when Chu Chu was prohibited from conducting an autopsy on Master Shenguan, she approached You Chen An to examine the body and dissect it under her guidance. He was a member of the Three Judicial Offices and the Chief Envoy of Nanzhao, so no one could object. Upon autopsy, You Chen An noted that Nanzhao monks often bathed in cold water to combat the summer heat, and the strain of performing constant rituals in a new environment likely triggered the fatal heart condition. Thus, Master Shenguan’s death might be natural.
Jin Yuan chanted a sutra for his dead master under heavy rain.
Episode 8
Xiao Jinyu was still troubled by Master Shenguan’s death, so he sent Jing Yi and Leng Yue to the Music Office to question the dancer girl whom the Master met before. Her name was Qinxiang. She pretended not to know the monk. Her customer then arrived and started beating her. It turned out that he was Zhao Senyao, Jing Yi’s cousin. From him, Jing Yi and Leng Yue found out that Master Shenguan had been treating Qinxiang for an illness. Later, Chu Chu also confirmed with a second autopsy that the monk’s death was indeed suspicious and part of a deeper conspiracy.
Episode 9
Leng Yue and Jing Yi’s residence was broken into. Nothing was stolen, but several flower pots were smashed. When they went to the Zhao residence to investigate the death of Master Shenguan, they noticed a specific pot of vibrant roses thriving in the extreme heat of summer. The couple took it to the Three Judicial Offices. Leng Yue and Jing Yi suspected that the one who broke into their home was looking for the pot. They also found footprints. Xiao Jinyu tested the soil in the pot and found it had remains of the poisonous tea that killed the monk.
To confirm the connection, Chu Chu examined Qinxiang, the courtesan, and discovered that she had been suffering from syphilis, an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection). Qinxiang told Chu Chu that Master Shenguan had treated her before his death, as his gratitude since she gave him food when he was a hungry monk years ago.
Who was the killer and what was the motive?
It was Zhao Senyao. He got infected with the syphilis from Qinxiang. Zhao Senyao confessed that a “ghost guard” with a Nanzhao accent had been providing him with “longevity pills” to treat his syphilis. The ghost guard warned him that Master Shenguan’s ritual would drive away the healing spirits. The ghost guard gave Zhao Senyao a packet of powder to put into the Master’s tea, so he would pass out. When Zhao Senyao saw that the monk died, in panic, he dumped the tea into the rose pot.
In the bigger picture, the King of Nanzhao orchestrated the monk’s death to provoke his people against the Tang.
Episode 10
After treating Qinxiang, Chu Chu felt that the courtesan was too emotional about the death of Master Shenguan than just being a patient of a healer. Chu Chu and Leng Yue visited Ciguang Temple, where Master Shenguan started his monkhood. From the Abbot, the ladies got a shocking secret about Master Shenguan and Qinxiang.
Jing Yuan and Qinxiang
What was the connection between the monk and the courtesan?
The Abbot said that Master Shenguan was expelled after he secretly met a woman (Qinxiang) and later claimed paternity of a boy. After confronting Qinxiang, she finally confessed that ten years ago, when she was a servant, she had a secret relationship with a young nobleman. When she got pregnant, she ran away. On the verge of being captured, she was saved by Master Shenguan. Since her life was at stake, the Master accepted the child as his own and took the false accusation to save her. He took the boy to raise him in safety, while Qinxiang entered the Music Office. The boy was none other than the little monk Jing Yuan!
Qinxiang also revealed a larger conspiracy, which endangered the Tang!
What was Qinxiang’s big secret?
A mysterious man had been forcing Qinxiang to sell addictive “intoxicating incense” from Nanzhao. This powder made her clients become obsessed and return repeatedly.
The killer was apprehended, but still, the mysterious scented powder/incense bothered Xiao Jinyu. The Emperor had ordered a secret investigation. Hua Mei, a dance master from the Music Office, who was also a friend of Leng Yue and Jing Yi, confirmed that most girls from the place purchased the addictive powder from Qinxiang. Who else was affected?
Episode 11
While Hua Mei was talking to Xiao Jinyu, suddenly, there were shouts outside that someone had fallen into the water. Oh my God, it was Qinxiang! She was rescued right away, but she had been dead! Given the time and circumstances, Chu Chu suspected that the fall was not accidental.
During the examination, Chu Chu deduced that Qinxiang had fought back an attacker violently. You Chen An, who was monitoring the situation, warned Xiao Jinyu that Qinxiang might not have been the main target, but Chu Chu! The culprit might have planned for Chu Chu to become infected with syphilis during the forensic examination!
If it was not accidental, how did the victim die?
The killer drowned Qinxiang in a water basin in her room. She had been dead when the killer pushed her into the lake.
The truth about the victim
Born Lv Ying, Qinxiang had once been a courtesan for the family of the current Cavalry General, Xie Huaiding. The two had been in love and wanted to elope. But his father found out and wanted to kill her secretly. The family’s guards chased her to kill her; that was when Master Shenguan saved her. The father then faked her death to separate his son from Qinxiang.
Episode 12
The identity of the “ghost messenger”
So far, this one-person operation has worn a mask. He was identified as Zhou Han, a commandant of the Shence Army, believed to be dead. Zhou Han appeared in Season 1. The “ghost messenger” had used the Music Office—a gathering place for the elite—to spread syphilis and incite chaos within the capital.
Following Qinxiang’s death, an official named Wan Qianshan, the Left Remonstrant of the Chancellery, also died. He was invited to the Music Office by fellow officers. While he was reciting his declaration against Nanzhao, he suddenly collapsed and died.
How did Wan Qianshan die?
Xiao Jinyu and Chu Chu found sores on Wan Qianshan’s body consistent with syphilis. Chu Chu suspected that the illness, combined with alcohol, led to his sudden death.
On the bright side, Xiao Jinyu and Chu Chu took advantage of the rumors spread by the enemy about an affair between Chu Chu and You Chen An. The enemies had used their work relationship as a means to fuel gossip. Xiao Jinyu and Chu Chu went strolling in the busy street and were lovey-dovey in public. After buying an entire basket of flowers, they distributed the flowers to the crowd to spread the blessings of harmony.
Episode 13
The little break from the hard work didn’t last long, as there was another death related to the disease.
Who was the victim and how did the person die?
Zhao Fengming, a prominent figure from the military who was also Wan Qianshan’s friend, got into a brawl with people who mocked the military and his friend, but suddenly collapsed and died. A preliminary check by Chu Chu reveals syphilis sores on Zhao Fengming, similar to those on Wan Qianshan.
The three victims so far had the same syphilis sores. However, Chu Chu discovered a significant difference, which revealed the way the victims die.
What was the difference?
While Qinxiang had lesions on her internal organs, Zhao Fengming’s internal organs were clean. This proves Zhao Fengming did not die of the disease, but of poisoning. An autopsy on Wan Qianshan later proved that he also died from poisoning.
Another shocking fact from the forensic examination on high-risk STIs was that Xiao Jinyu had been infected with syphilis! Chu Chu was devastated, believing she accidentally infected him during her autopsy work on the victims with syphilis. You Chen An offered an ancient Nanzhao prescription to treat the disease. Imperial Physician Qi studied the formula, as it followed a different method from than Tang practices.
Episode 14
Xiao Jinyu was a very important figure to straighten things out in the Tang at this moment, as the Emperor came to visit him. Based on Chu Chu’s autopsy results, most likely that Wan Qianshan and Zhao Fengming had been poisoned with a poison to mimic the signs of syphilis. These two men —known as the Twin Stars— were pillars of the civil and military factions. The enemies wanted to make their deaths appear scandalous, even Xiao Jinyu’s infection, to incite fighting inside the court and erode public trust.
Since they couldn’t catch the “ghost guard” right now, they could monitor who might be the next victim. The investigation soon turned toward General Xie Huaiding, a key military leader. Jing Yi discovered the General had left his residence for a secret meeting at the Music Office. Apparently, the General had been seeking information about a woman named Lv Ying. A mysterious figure took advantage of his search and asked him to drink a cup of poisoned tea in exchange for the info. Luckily, Jing Yi and his men intervened and saved the General. However, the culprit escaped. Knowing whom the General was looking for, Chu Chu arranged a meeting between him and Jin Yuan.
The reunion was sad but heartwarming as well. Luckily, it did happen, because that was the first and the last meeting. Later, General Xie Huaiding also died on the way to Jiaozhou, while leading his troops to defend the Tang. During the march, the General accepted a piece of fruit from a five-year-old child. The fruit was laced with a lethal toxin, and the General died shortly after. An investigation later revealed that the mother and daughter who provided the fruit were merely innocent pawns who were murdered shortly after to cover the mastermind’s tracks.
Royal Physician Qi and Chu Chu analyzed the lethal pills and found out what the poison was and how it worked.
The finding on the poison
The pills were actually small doses of Five-Stone Dust in a non-toxic capsule. The substance was banned since the Zhenguan era. The shell allowed the poison to release slowly, creating an intense addiction. When killing Wan Qianshan, Zhao Fengming, and Xie Huaiding, the enemy administered a large, unshielded dose, causing instant death by internal bleeding.
Conclusion
Man, I felt so bad for Jin Yuan! A good thing that the boy was already ordained as a monk, and found peace in Buddhism.
The Great Tang’s key promising figures had fallen one by one. No wonder the Emperor was worried and furious. I was just hoping that at the end, our quartet and their comrades wouldn’t be sacrificed by the drama! Let’s see what would happen in the next and final part!
