After watching Episode 9, there’s been a key turning point in the speculation about Peacock.
Peacock has appeared.
Conclusion first:
Personally, I think Jiang Daohai is highly suspicious and very likely to be Peacock.
⸻
Evidence 1: Hand shape comparison
Referring to Image 2: • Top left: Peacock’s hand • Top right: Huang Lü’s hand • Bottom left: You Chen’an’s hand • Bottom right: Jiang Daohai’s hand
Image 3 shows Chu He’s hand. (Some people keep guessing Chu He, so I included a full image just to “make up the numbers” 😂)
Peacock’s right hand has a scar, and this detail matches Jiang Daohai’s right hand very well. Based on this alone, Jiang Daohai’s probability of being Peacock is very high.
⸻
Evidence 2: Elimination method
From the killings committed by Peacock (see Image 4), there are currently eight suspects.
1. You Chen’an
Based on hand shape alone, he can be excluded as Peacock. However, I don’t think his suspicion is fully cleared.
We still don’t know: • Whether Peacock has someone behind him • Whether someone could be impersonating Peacock to confuse everyone
You Chen’an’s behavior in Chang’an has been very strange, with too many oddities. He still needs further observation.
⸻
2. You Longsheng
Basically excluded. He’s far away in Southern Zhao, and his personality is too flamboyant and domineering, completely different from Peacock’s meticulous and restrained style.
⸻
3. Master Shenguan
Deceased — excluded.
It’s very unlikely that someone impersonated him to fake his death. Those who prepared his body were his own disciples; impersonation would’ve been discovered. Plus, Chu Chu performed the autopsy, so the possibility is extremely low.
⸻
4. Jiang Daohai
Based on the clues up to Episode 9, he is the most suspicious. • He deliberately targeted Prince An during court discussions • He has close dealings with Southern Zhao
His suspicion level is very high.
⸻
5. Chu He
Chu He may make mistakes, but he doesn’t have malicious intent. The likelihood of him being Peacock is very low.
⸻
6. Gao Luoqian
Gao Luoqian and Peacock seem to be parallel agents, both taking orders directly from the King of Southern Zhao. Unlikely to be the same person.
⸻
7. Changshou
Changshou appeared together with Peacock, so he’s more likely a subordinate.
In Image 5, I was afraid of misidentifying him, so I specifically found a screenshot from Chu He’s shop opening scene for confirmation.
⸻
8. King of Southern Zhao
Excluded for now due to being in a different location.
⸻
A remaining key question
In my earlier trailer & poster analysis, I mentioned that the masked figure appears to be from Southern Zhao. For now, I tentatively identify the silhouette as Zhao Senyao.
But is the masked person Peacock?
I don’t think so.
At this stage, I believe the masked person is more likely Changshou. He works at a pharmacy, has access to many medicinal ingredients, and is therefore the most likely candidate for producing drugs.
After finishing 7 episodes, the main plot has already laid out quite a few hooks. Let’s sort through the story and the mysteries so far.
This season’s main storyline centers on a cross-border case. The Kingdom of Southern Zhao covets the Tang Empire from the southwest, waiting for an opportunity to ignite war. What Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu face is a war without visible gunpowder smoke.
⸻
1. What is the Southern Zhao Second Prince really after?
The Second Prince of Southern Zhao comes as an envoy to the Tang, yet ends up going to the Three Judicial Offices to apprentice under Chu Chu and learn forensic examination—this is just too strange!!
It’s possible that he entered the Three Judicial Offices to avoid assassination attempts by the Crown Prince. But the thing is, he already knows forensic techniques, and he’s also well-informed about Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu. That means he came fully prepared.
Is he trying to get close to Xiao Jingyu? Is he attempting to gather intelligence within the Three Judicial Offices? Or does he have a case of his own to investigate—or plans to stir up trouble here? For now, everything remains unknown. We’ll have to wait and see.
Chu Chu’s brother, Chu He, meeting the Second Prince may not be a coincidence either.
⸻
2. Who is “Peacock”?
“Peacock” could be Southern Zhao’s top spy—but who is their real identity?
Master Shenguan appears to be a martyr, so he can be ruled out as Peacock. What a pity—the monk (abbot) still isn’t the culprit! [doge]
Other candidates can wait for now. Let the bullets fly a bit longer.
⸻
3. Consort Hui and her maternal family?
In the first arc, the Floating Skull Case, during the banquet for the envoys, Consort Hui also invited Chu Chu.
Chu Chu has been a Princess Consort for three years, yet this was her first time entering the palace for a banquet—so was Consort Hui doing this deliberately?
When Master Shenguan passed away, he was conducting a ritual at Consort Hui’s maternal home. That strange potted rose at her residence must have been arranged by someone.
Jing Yi’s grandaunt is the lady of the Zhao household—Consort Hui’s maternal family. Consort Hui and Zhao Shilang are siblings, and Zhao Shilang serves in the Ministry of Rites.
So does Consort Hui’s family intend to pull Xiao Jingyu down? Could they even be cooperating—or colluding—with Southern Zhao?
⸻
4. Xiao Jingyu’s skull?
Chu Chu admires how well-shaped Xiao Jingyu’s skull is. The couple also make several jokes involving skulls and dissecting Xiao Jingyu—it almost feels like they’re setting a flag.
Coincidentally, the internal skeletal and organ imaging diagram of the Southern Zhao Second Prince shows facial features and skull structure that are completely identical to Xiao Jingyu’s!
Did Xiao Jingyu sketch it based on his own measurements? Or was there truly someone who looked almost exactly like him, who had just died and was dissected?
Xiao Jingyu’s biological father, Chen Ying, is the Military Commissioner of Jiannan. Jiannan Circuit borders Southern Zhao—so this is likely more than mere coincidence.
⸻
Southern Zhao’s spies are aggressively advancing, while the court itself is filled with intrigue and turbulence. Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu will face even greater pressure ahead.
Beyond the cases, this season’s Chu Chu is already an Imperial Coroner. She hopes to cultivate more forensic talents for the Tang, yet she still encounters deep-rooted prejudice against women. We look forward to how she will break through these constraints!
Xiao Jingyu wishes to fulfill his wife’s aspirations. Under layers of pressure and bias, how will he choose to go against the current? Let’s keep watching!
And throughout this case, whether it’s Chu Chu, Auntie Shi Qing, or Miss Liu’er, all of them hesitate and struggle—yet ultimately choose the “goodness in their hearts.”
Chu Chu wavers and blames herself because of the coldness of the law and the cruelty of the truth. Auntie Shi Qing says that if death is inevitable, she would rather protect them. Liu’er and the others risk everything to reveal the truth out of guilt and conscience.
And throughout all of this, the main cast never forces them to act a certain way, nor do they impose their own sense of justice, because:
“The fairness of the law is indeed precious—but does that mean we should expose the scars of innocent people to the sunlight and let them be scorned by all?”
Later, when Chu Chu is still upset with herself for caring about others’ opinions, Xiao Jinyu simply says,
“Then be upset for a little while longer.”
It’s okay to reflect. It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to apologize.
That said, the screenwriter actually put a lot of thought into the details in many places. For example, when they went down to the river to salvage items, the soldiers took off their armor; the pumpkin seedlings also have a clear cause-and-effect logic that forms a closed loop. As for why Shi Qing confessed, it wasn’t only because she did accidentally kill someone and wanted to protect those young palace maids, but also because she was safeguarding the Consort. Since the Consort was in charge of the inner palace, any incident there would ultimately be her responsibility. Even though the Consort more or less knew what had happened, palace rules prevented her from openly intervening. In the end, only by revealing the truth and obtaining an imperial pardon could the matter be resolved. In that era, imperial authority always stood above palace regulations and even above the Tang legal code.
So far I’ve watched four episodes, and I feel that the first case is definitely connected to the later ones. For instance, where did that stolen calligraphy and painting go? How does a low-ranking guard have a hidden room in his house, with the switch disguised as a chessboard? He stole valuable items and hid them but didn’t sell them for money—surely it’s not just a collector’s hobby 🤣! And the same group of people searched his house twice—who exactly are they? I think this guard is very likely connected to the later Nanzhao storyline, and the content of that calligraphy and painting will probably contain crucial information.
There is right and wrong in matters, truth and falsehood in cases. We bear the responsibility to reveal the truth fairly—and, guided by the kindness in our hearts, to seek the best possible outcome for those involved — Xiao Jinyu
I need to rewatch to check it lol
there’s been a key turning point in the speculation about Peacock.
Peacock has appeared.
Conclusion first:
Personally, I think Jiang Daohai is highly suspicious and very likely to be Peacock.
⸻
Evidence 1: Hand shape comparison
Referring to Image 2:
• Top left: Peacock’s hand
• Top right: Huang Lü’s hand
• Bottom left: You Chen’an’s hand
• Bottom right: Jiang Daohai’s hand
Image 3 shows Chu He’s hand.
(Some people keep guessing Chu He, so I included a full image just to “make up the numbers” 😂)
Peacock’s right hand has a scar, and this detail matches Jiang Daohai’s right hand very well.
Based on this alone, Jiang Daohai’s probability of being Peacock is very high.
⸻
Evidence 2: Elimination method
From the killings committed by Peacock (see Image 4), there are currently eight suspects.
1. You Chen’an
Based on hand shape alone, he can be excluded as Peacock.
However, I don’t think his suspicion is fully cleared.
We still don’t know:
• Whether Peacock has someone behind him
• Whether someone could be impersonating Peacock to confuse everyone
You Chen’an’s behavior in Chang’an has been very strange, with too many oddities. He still needs further observation.
⸻
2. You Longsheng
Basically excluded.
He’s far away in Southern Zhao, and his personality is too flamboyant and domineering, completely different from Peacock’s meticulous and restrained style.
⸻
3. Master Shenguan
Deceased — excluded.
It’s very unlikely that someone impersonated him to fake his death.
Those who prepared his body were his own disciples; impersonation would’ve been discovered.
Plus, Chu Chu performed the autopsy, so the possibility is extremely low.
⸻
4. Jiang Daohai
Based on the clues up to Episode 9, he is the most suspicious.
• He deliberately targeted Prince An during court discussions
• He has close dealings with Southern Zhao
His suspicion level is very high.
⸻
5. Chu He
Chu He may make mistakes, but he doesn’t have malicious intent.
The likelihood of him being Peacock is very low.
⸻
6. Gao Luoqian
Gao Luoqian and Peacock seem to be parallel agents, both taking orders directly from the King of Southern Zhao.
Unlikely to be the same person.
⸻
7. Changshou
Changshou appeared together with Peacock, so he’s more likely a subordinate.
In Image 5, I was afraid of misidentifying him, so I specifically found a screenshot from Chu He’s shop opening scene for confirmation.
⸻
8. King of Southern Zhao
Excluded for now due to being in a different location.
⸻
A remaining key question
In my earlier trailer & poster analysis, I mentioned that the masked figure appears to be from Southern Zhao.
For now, I tentatively identify the silhouette as Zhao Senyao.
But is the masked person Peacock?
I don’t think so.
At this stage, I believe the masked person is more likely Changshou.
He works at a pharmacy, has access to many medicinal ingredients, and is therefore the most likely candidate for producing drugs.
http://xhslink.com/o/6Tv5XuFOVCJ
This season’s main storyline centers on a cross-border case. The Kingdom of Southern Zhao covets the Tang Empire from the southwest, waiting for an opportunity to ignite war. What Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu face is a war without visible gunpowder smoke.
⸻
1. What is the Southern Zhao Second Prince really after?
The Second Prince of Southern Zhao comes as an envoy to the Tang, yet ends up going to the Three Judicial Offices to apprentice under Chu Chu and learn forensic examination—this is just too strange!!
It’s possible that he entered the Three Judicial Offices to avoid assassination attempts by the Crown Prince. But the thing is, he already knows forensic techniques, and he’s also well-informed about Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu. That means he came fully prepared.
Is he trying to get close to Xiao Jingyu? Is he attempting to gather intelligence within the Three Judicial Offices? Or does he have a case of his own to investigate—or plans to stir up trouble here? For now, everything remains unknown. We’ll have to wait and see.
Chu Chu’s brother, Chu He, meeting the Second Prince may not be a coincidence either.
⸻
2. Who is “Peacock”?
“Peacock” could be Southern Zhao’s top spy—but who is their real identity?
Master Shenguan appears to be a martyr, so he can be ruled out as Peacock. What a pity—the monk (abbot) still isn’t the culprit! [doge]
Other candidates can wait for now. Let the bullets fly a bit longer.
⸻
3. Consort Hui and her maternal family?
In the first arc, the Floating Skull Case, during the banquet for the envoys, Consort Hui also invited Chu Chu.
Chu Chu has been a Princess Consort for three years, yet this was her first time entering the palace for a banquet—so was Consort Hui doing this deliberately?
When Master Shenguan passed away, he was conducting a ritual at Consort Hui’s maternal home. That strange potted rose at her residence must have been arranged by someone.
Jing Yi’s grandaunt is the lady of the Zhao household—Consort Hui’s maternal family. Consort Hui and Zhao Shilang are siblings, and Zhao Shilang serves in the Ministry of Rites.
So does Consort Hui’s family intend to pull Xiao Jingyu down? Could they even be cooperating—or colluding—with Southern Zhao?
⸻
4. Xiao Jingyu’s skull?
Chu Chu admires how well-shaped Xiao Jingyu’s skull is. The couple also make several jokes involving skulls and dissecting Xiao Jingyu—it almost feels like they’re setting a flag.
Coincidentally, the internal skeletal and organ imaging diagram of the Southern Zhao Second Prince shows facial features and skull structure that are completely identical to Xiao Jingyu’s!
Did Xiao Jingyu sketch it based on his own measurements? Or was there truly someone who looked almost exactly like him, who had just died and was dissected?
Xiao Jingyu’s biological father, Chen Ying, is the Military Commissioner of Jiannan. Jiannan Circuit borders Southern Zhao—so this is likely more than mere coincidence.
⸻
Southern Zhao’s spies are aggressively advancing, while the court itself is filled with intrigue and turbulence. Xiao Jingyu and Chu Chu will face even greater pressure ahead.
Beyond the cases, this season’s Chu Chu is already an Imperial Coroner. She hopes to cultivate more forensic talents for the Tang, yet she still encounters deep-rooted prejudice against women. We look forward to how she will break through these constraints!
Xiao Jingyu wishes to fulfill his wife’s aspirations. Under layers of pressure and bias, how will he choose to go against the current? Let’s keep watching!
Chu Chu wavers and blames herself because of the coldness of the law and the cruelty of the truth.
Auntie Shi Qing says that if death is inevitable, she would rather protect them.
Liu’er and the others risk everything to reveal the truth out of guilt and conscience.
And throughout all of this, the main cast never forces them to act a certain way, nor do they impose their own sense of justice, because:
“The fairness of the law is indeed precious—but does that mean we should expose the scars of innocent people to the sunlight and let them be scorned by all?”
Later, when Chu Chu is still upset with herself for caring about others’ opinions, Xiao Jinyu simply says,
“Then be upset for a little while longer.”
It’s okay to reflect.
It’s okay to be vulnerable.
It’s okay to feel sad.
It’s okay to apologize.
Everything is handled with such tenderness.
So far I’ve watched four episodes, and I feel that the first case is definitely connected to the later ones. For instance, where did that stolen calligraphy and painting go? How does a low-ranking guard have a hidden room in his house, with the switch disguised as a chessboard? He stole valuable items and hid them but didn’t sell them for money—surely it’s not just a collector’s hobby 🤣! And the same group of people searched his house twice—who exactly are they? I think this guard is very likely connected to the later Nanzhao storyline, and the content of that calligraphy and painting will probably contain crucial information.
— Xiao Jinyu