Episode 2

full
Published on:

16th Feb 2026

Case #2: Embers in the Forbidden City

Welcome, sleuth, to tonight's case!

Step behind the vermilion walls of the Forbidden City during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722), where ritual and rank govern every movement, and silence can speak louder than words.

Tonight, a quiet death in the Inner Court shakes the carefully ordered world of Grand Secretary Xu Wenjin. Was it misfortune, misapplied routine, or something far more deliberate?

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How to Play Along

As you listen, keep your ears sharp for clues- things people say, things they don't say, suspicious objects, and strange coincidences. I'll introduce you to the suspects, take you through the key locations, and walk you step-by-step through the events leading to the death.

Your mission? Decide who caused the death and how it happened. You can jot down notes as we go, a scrap of paper will do.

But beware, there will be red herrings lurking in the shadows, ready to throw you off the scent.

When we reach the end, I'll give you a moment to lock in your guess... before revealing the truth.

Think you can outwit the culprit? Then let's begin...

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Music Attribution:

Dream Cave/ The Investigator /courtesy of Epidemic Sound

JH Coleman/ Entering Madness /courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Lennon Hutton/ Static Breath /courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Intro & Outro:

Luella Gren/ Midnight Wanderer /courtesy of Epidemic Sound

SFX Attribution:

All sound effects courtesy of Epidemic Sound

www.epidemicsound.com

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Created, written, and hosted by Carissa V.

Listen for free

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About the Podcast

Murder Through Time: A Whodunit Across the Centuries
Murder Through Time: A Whodunit Across the Centuries invites you to step inside the past and solve a crime as if you were really there. Each episode immerses you in a fully realized historical world, from the shadowed halls of Georgian mansions to the noise and intrigue of ancient streets and markets. As the story unfolds, you become the detective—following clues, weighing suspects, and piecing together the truth in real time. No submissions, no voting, no extra apps—everything happens in your mind as you listen, turning each episode into a personal detective experience. Whether you love history, mysteries, or stories that pull you inside the world, Murder Through Time makes every listen an interactive journey across eras. Think you can outwit the culprit? Then listen. Imagine. Investigate.

About your host

Profile picture for Carissa Vikis

Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.