Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty

In recent years, Chinese costume detective dramas have carved out a loyal audience, with series like Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty (唐朝诡事录) setting high standards through immersive storytelling and rich period details. Now, a new contender arrives with ambitions to follow that path—Unveil: Jadewind (唐宫奇案之青雾风鸣). Directed by Yin Tao (尹涛) and starring Bai Lu (白鹿) and Wang Xingyue (王星越), the drama invests heavily in recreating the grandeur of Chang’an, but does its narrative offer more than just visual splendor? This review unpacks its plot, characters, and overall execution to see if it truly breaks new ground or merely treads familiar territory. A Cold Case and a Faked Death The series opens with a high-stakes premise: Li Peiyi (李佩仪), a young woman who survived the brutal massacre of her family nine years ago, now serves as an officer in the Nei Ye Ju (内谒局), a palace bureau handling internal affairs. Her sharp mind and combat skills make her a natural investigator, but her true motive is personal—she refuses to believe her father, the Prince of Duan (端), suddenly went mad and slaughtered their household. Determined to uncover the truth, she joins the Nei Ye Ju, where each case she handles potentially…