Coroner's Diary Episode 12 Recap
> Coroner's Diary Recap
Qin Yan, the Heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong, arrived in Jingzhou. News from the capital, relayed by Bai Feng, confirmed that Qin Zhaoyu, the Marquis's eldest daughter, had been chosen as the Crown Princess. Qin Yan's official purpose was to escort the three unmarried Qin sisters to the capital for the New Year, a reason Qin Wan found suspicious, as the Third Madam and Qin Li were being left behind.
Meanwhile, Prefect Huo Huaixin reported a breakthrough in the Qingyuan Pawnshop case, having found a hidden ledger and arrested two collaborating families. Eager to return to the capital with Qin Wan, Yan Chi gave the prefect a seven-day deadline to finalize the case files. Four days before her departure, Qin Wan bid farewell to the Grand Princess, who was distressed about Qin Wan's future in the capital's complex social landscape.
The Grand Princess feared the Marquis, Qin Shu, would force an unsuitable marriage upon her and urged Qin Wan to fight for her own happiness, disregarding conventional filial piety if necessary. She promised to use her influence with the Emperor and Empress Dowager to help if needed. Yue Ning was heartbroken at losing her best friend.
Just as Yue Ning's brother awkwardly tried to propose marriage to Qin Wan, Yan Chi swiftly intervened, suggesting that Yue Ning's parents adopt Qin Wan as their foster daughter. This would make her an official member of their family, shielding her from the Marquis of Zhongyong's control over her marriage. The family and the Grand Princess enthusiastically agreed, formally acknowledging Qin Wan as her granddaughter and linking her fate to their Marquis Mansion's.
The rest of the Qin family was visibly displeased by this development, while Yan Chi couldn't hide his joy. Seizing the opportunity, Yue Ning begged her grandmother for permission to accompany Qin Wan to the capital. She argued that she could serve as Qin Wan's guard against common threats and that she longed to see the capital again after ten years, before her own impending marriage. Moved by her granddaughter's desire for one last adventure, the Grand Princess consented.
Before their departure, she gave Qin Wan a valuable gift for her security, instructing her to keep it a secret from the entire Qin family. Late one night, Yan Chi snuck into Qin Wan's room. He explained that his departure was delayed; the pawnshop investigation now implicated a deputy commander of the Jingzhou garrison, and he had to stay to catch the culprit.
Since Qin Wan had to travel with her family, he gave her a token from Prince Rui's Mansion for protection, warning that corrupt officials could be more dangerous than bandits, especially with vagrancy increasing in the north during winter. Too exhausted to travel back to his post, he rested on her daybed until dawn.
On the day of departure, the Third Madam instructed Qin Xiang to curry favor with the Marquis and his wife by being submissive, and she warned Qin Shuang to behave cautiously. Qin Wan's second brother, Qin Li, worriedly gave her his life savings for emergencies. Qin Wan accepted only a small portion, reminding him that he was now the hope of the third branch and that, in her heart, he would always be her second brother regardless of his birth.
As she left, Qin Wan silently vowed to uncover the truth and clear her parents' names, no matter how powerful their enemies were. The party was forced to abandon the waterway for land travel as the canal was at risk of freezing. As night fell, they sought lodging and were warned by an innkeeper about Sanyuan Village, which was said to be haunted by a monster that preyed on people after dark.
As their carriage passed through the village, Qin Wan and Yue Ning noted strange wards, like garlic and animal horns, on the doors. At the inn, the proprietor elaborated on the village's terror: six months prior, workers at the local tea garden began disappearing, their bodies later found with their internal organs missing. Though the official investigation went nowhere, villagers blamed a monster and grew hostile toward outsiders.
Their fear was validated when an old woman, Mrs. Feng, arrived screaming, carrying her granddaughter Cui, whose arm was withered and lifeless like a bone, completely drained of blood and vitality. Enraged, the villagers, led by Village Head Huang, demanded the travelers leave. A violent confrontation was narrowly averted by the arrival of two medical practitioners, Sun Muqing and Sun Haoyue. Sun Muqing offered them refuge at the nearby Herbal Garden, which belonged to Sun Haoyue.
At the serene but unsettling Herbal Garden, Qin Wan wished for Yan Chi's help. Unbeknownst to her, Yan Chi and Bai Feng were already racing to catch up with her. While exploring the grounds, Qin Wan was startled by a hand reaching out from a locked room. The steward, Dong, explained it was a patient of Sun Haoyue's, confined due to violent bouts of hysteria. Later, Qin Wan met Sun Haoyue and his brother-in-law, Bai Feijue.
She learned that Sun Haoyue's wife, Bai Feiyan, was gravely ill. When Sun Haoyue led Qin Wan to see his wife, he stopped her at the doorway, stating that his wife had just taken medicine and fallen asleep. He added that the potent "Yunmeng Incense" he used to help her sleep was too strong for others. Finding his behavior peculiar, Qin Wan left.
