Season 1 Plot
Set during the 14th year of Chenghua Emperor's reign, Tang Fan, a sixth rank official and Sui Zhou, an embroidered uniform guard, join hands to crush a conspiracy to maintain peace and order for the people.
The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Season 1 aired on April 1st, 2020.
Season 1 Episodes
1. A Mysterious Incident in the Capital
A brothel murder and a noble’s scandal pull Tang Fan into a dangerous royal investigation.
2. Birth of a Partnership
Suizhou goes undercover to watch Tang Fan—but ends up becoming his partner instead.
3. The Mysterious Apothecary
A poison trail and a mysterious apothecary reveal a deadly political connection.
4. Resolution of Events
A suicide, a sword, and a jail attack push Tang to dig into maritime secrets.
5. Saving Dong’er
Tang loses his home and gains a new one—with Suizhou. But danger follows Dong’er.
6. The Poisoned Mung Bean Juice
A royal gift hides poison—uncovering secrets too scandalous for the palace to bear.
7. Suizhou in Peril
Suizhou suspects the prefect’s “justice” hides cruelty—and becomes his next target.
8. Mystery of the Vanished Horses
Tang fakes arrest to reach jailed Suizhou, while stolen horses spark tribal unrest.
9. Off to Liaodong
Tang bargains to free Suizhou—if he can find the missing horses first.
10. Prison Break and Exposure
Suizhou flees a fiery prison—while Tang stages a tribunal to reveal the truth.
11. Child Abduction
A jealous commander sends Suizhou on a child abduction case—Wang Zhi shadows him.
12. Dong’er Kidnapped
Dong’er is kidnapped as bait—Xue Ling’s shady dealings raise red flags.
13. The Hidden Mastermind
Dong’er escapes, but the true villain vanishes—just as murders resume in the capital.
14. Left-Behind Footprints
A killer’s trail leads to mismatched footprints, a hostage, and hidden motives.
15. Death Sentence for Tang Fan
Tang is sentenced to die—and uncovers a duke’s twisted secret in his final hours.
16. The Yu Family Massacre
Tang’s sister is abused, then her son is taken—while Suizhou finds a murder scene.
17. The Bounty
A massacre survivor offers a bounty on Wang Zhi—Suizhou struggles to prove the truth.
18. Plot of Jade Bamboo Core
Hearts broken and traps set, Tang returns to investigate while Dong’er sets her own.
19. Feigning Illness
Wang Zhi’s name is cleared—he recommends Tang Fan for a corrupt mining post.
20. The Silver Mine Laborers
In Yunhe, Tang finds silver-tainted coins—and unrest brewing among the miners.
21. Rescuing Yuan Cong
Tang exposes a faked kidnapping—then arrests a local hero, sparking backlash.
22. The Stolen Keikō Cup
Wang’s priceless artifact is stolen; Tang treads carefully while the court compares fakes.
23. Identity of the True Mastermind
Tang probes Yunhe’s true puppet master—while Li Zilong starts playing his hand.
24. Perilous Return to the Capital
On their way home, Tang and Suizhou are ambushed—Durla pretends to be Tang to flee.
25. Deadly Toxin
Durla is poisoned saving Tang—Suizhou scrambles for ice and an antidote.
26. Suizhou and the Fake Jinyiwei
Suizhou meets imposters using his name—Tang harms himself to save Durla.
27. Mystery Weapon
A deadly old weapon resurfaces—its trail leads back to the court’s darkest day.
28. A Distant Elegy
Suizhou joins bandits planning a raid—then takes Wang Zhi hostage by mistake.
29. A Fire Attack
Tang collapses from poison—while the rebels plan to burn their way out.
30. The Imperial Ice
Tang and Suizhou investigate stolen royal ice—only to find it’s helping the poor.
31. Secrets of the Ice Seller
Jin San’s secret is exposed—she vows to change, revealing her clan’s hidden truth.
32. The Oirat Envoy
An Oirat envoy arrives—with hidden ties to a deadly plot and stolen blueprints.
33. The Disappeared Wang Xian
A prince vanishes. Tang finds clues in blood, metalwork—and a hidden genius.
34. A Sad Determination
Aras reveals the bomb "Bolang"—and Tang tries to reach the woman behind the weapon.
35. The Day of Fate
Three lives changed by one explosion—Tang, Suizhou, and Wang Zhi step into fate.
36. Hearts Apart
Durla dies. Suizhou and Tang drift apart. A new target: Wang Xian.
37. Wang Xian’s Origins
A mental breakdown leads to palace searches—and secret documents are uncovered.
38. The Phantom Zhang Gongzhu
Zhang Gongzhu disappears—Suizhou weakens, Tang races home with a revelation.
39. The Princess’s Vengeance
Princess Gu An trades secrets for her brother—while rebellion brews in shadows.
40. The Wooden Kite Flies High
A giant wooden kite hides a deadly plot—just as heroes begin to celebrate peace.
41. The Imposter Husband
Tang’s new post is shaken by a woman claiming her husband is a fraud.
42. Rebellion in Motion
Gao Yi reveals his Oirat past—Tang and Suizhou uncover unrest at the border.
43. Approaching Evil
Tang is kidnapped by Li Zilong—Qing Ge must choose where her loyalty lies.
44. Rules and Choices
Tang must choose: emperor or people. Li Zilong hands him the bomb regardless.
45. The Prey
An ambush begins with unscheduled fireworks—Tang moves to save the emperor.
46. Crisis from Above
Wang Zhi dies defending the emperor—Tang is shattered by the loss.
47. A Swirl of Conspiracy
One rebellion ends—another begins. Durla’s betrayal changes everything.
48. Year 14 of Chenghua
A street poem awakens Qing Ge’s heart. The tides of rebellion begin to turn.