Coroner's Diary Episode 16 Recap
> Coroner's Diary Recap
After apologizing for his ill-timed interruption, Bai Feng delivered an urgent report to Yan Chi: the Marquis of Zhongyong had received an invitation from Prince Yu, ordering Qin Yan's group to divert to Yuzhou for the prince's birthday celebration. Yan Chi expressed concern, noting the Marquis's desperation for power in trying to curry favor with Prince Yu, a man known for his indulgence.
He questioned why unmarried women would be brought to a birthday banquet, suspecting the Marquis intended to offer his nieces as concubines. However, Yan Chi was pleased to learn that Yan Li, the flamboyant Heir of Prince Yi, was personally overseeing the banquet. Qin Yan offered Qin Wan some ginseng, noting that Yan Chi had risked his life for her and trusted her deeply, as shown by his entrusting her with the Heir's Token.
Unaware of its true power, Qin Wan believed it was merely for protection. Qin Yan clarified its immense authority, explaining the token was like the Heir of Prince Rui himself being present and could command local troops. Horrified, Qin Wan resolved to return it. Qin Yan then subtly offered the full support of the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion if Qin Wan had ambitions.
Feigning ignorance, Qin Wan attributed Yan Chi's concern to her status as the Marquis of Anyang's adopted daughter and dismissed his recent actions as a simple apology. Qin Yan then informed her they were heading to Yuzhou for Prince Yu's 60th birthday and the birth of his new son. While he framed it as a convenient stop, Qin Wan was suspicious.
Later, Yan Chi informed Qin Yan of his own plans to travel to Yuzhou, asking him to look after Yue Ning. Qin Yan then pressed Yan Chi about the Heir's Token, expressing concern over its power, but Yan Chi dismissed his worries, stating that if a mere token could cause chaos, his own efforts would be meaningless. Humbled, Qin Yan apologized and expressed his admiration.
Yan Chi subtly warned him against forging overly close ties with capital nobles, which could displease the Emperor. Shortly after, Qin Yan confronted Qin Xiang, harshly threatening her to remain silent about her past elopement and warning that any further trouble would result in severe consequences. Qin Wan and Yan Chi discussed their shared unease.
Qin Wan expressed her disgust at the Marquis's "despicable" plans, explaining that he and Qin Yan were risking everything to secure the family title by backing a future emperor. Both agreed they couldn't let the Marquis's schemes succeed. When Qin Wan tried to return the Heir's Token, Yan Chi refused, reassuring her he was not afraid of any trouble and asserting that he was a far better protector than any token.
Before their departure, Sun Muqing announced his decision to remain at the Herbal Garden to preserve his medical knowledge, entrusting his junior sister, Qin Wan, to Yan Chi's care. Upon arriving in Yuzhou, they found the city gates shut. After a servant's shouts went unanswered, Yan Chi announced the presence of the Heir of Prince Rui, ordering the gates opened.
Yan Li, the Heir of Prince Yi, then appeared, playfully admitting he had closed the gates to "clear a space" for a proper welcome. The brothers exchanged lighthearted banter. Yue Ning remarked on Yan Li's good looks, but Qin Wan stated firmly that Yan Chi was the most handsome man in her eyes. After the Pang family's steward arrived, Qin Yan explained his father's long-standing friendship with Pang Fuliang, the richest merchant in the northwest, before departing with the women.
Yan Li then informed Yan Chi he had gotten him out of Prince Yu's official welcome banquet and whisked him away for "some real fun." The group settled into the Pang family's opulent Shifang Inn. Following Yan Chi's orders, Bai Feng remained close to Qin Wan. Qin Yan met with Pang Yiwen, Pang Fuliang's son, who then greeted the women.
Princess Yongning (Yue Ning) was visibly disgusted by his lecherous gaze and the fact that Pang Fuliang himself hadn't come to welcome her. In their quarters, Qin Xiang claimed the main room, annoying Yue Ning, but Qin Wan calmly arranged the rooms. Later, while observing the inn's grandeur, Qin Wan wondered what urgent business Yan Li had with Yan Chi. Yue Ning immediately speculated they had gone to a brothel, alarming Qin Wan.
Indeed, Yan Li had taken a displeased Yan Chi to the Tianxiang House, a brothel. Yan Chi sternly sent the women away and chastised Yan Li, who, realizing the depth of Yan Chi's feelings for Qin Wan, teased him about his "plain taste." Enraged, Yan Chi declared he would take Qin Wan as his wife for life and forbade anyone, including Yan Li, from disrespecting her. Yan Li quickly backed down and showed Yan Chi the banquet guest list.
Yan Chi noted Prince Yu's excessive concern over his seating arrangements, suspecting a hidden agenda. Among the guests was Li Muyun, the new Minister of the Supreme Court. Yan Li explained the Emperor had sent Li in connection with the salt transport corruption probe. Yan Chi expressed profound disdain for Li, recounting how he betrayed his mentor, Shen Yi, to advance his career, and instructed Yan Li to seat the "ungrateful" man far away.
Yan Chi also noticed Liu Renli, a transport commissioner known for corruption. He deduced that Liu's rapid rise was due to bribery and that his early arrival in Yuzhou was likely a hurried attempt to gather information about the Emperor's investigation. Meanwhile, Liu Renli secretly met with Madam Qin. She expressed a desire to acquire the Shifang Inns, but Liu cautioned that the Pang family would never let go of their most vital asset.
He warned her to be careful as political landscapes had shifted and their unexpected guests, Yan Chi and Li Muyun, were likely in Yuzhou for more than a birthday. Before leaving, he grimly declared that "Qing Li must die." Elsewhere, Pang Fuliang discussed the salt transport business with Qin Yan, hinting at his willingness to support the Crown Prince and recommending Liu Renli as a valuable contact.
Later that night, Qin Wan, sensing a shadow at her door, instinctively clutched her dagger, only relaxing when she saw it was Yan Chi. Noticing the scent of rouge on him, she questioned him. Yan Chi awkwardly admitted he had been to the Tianxiang House, a brothel, but swore it was his first time and he had mistaken it for a restaurant.
He explained that he allows his soldiers to joke about such places to cope with the grief of losing comrades. Qin Wan accepted his explanation but admitted her possessive and jealous nature. Yan Chi embraced her, expressing his fondness for her "jealous" and "fierce" personality. Their moment was interrupted by the sound of the Shuangqing Troupe rehearsing "Mulian Rescues His Mother."
As Yan Chi reaffirmed his promise to clear her parents' names, Yue Ning knocked, asking to sleep with Qin Wan out of fear, forcing a swift departure from Yan Chi. At Prince Yu's banquet the next day, Yue Ning was frustrated by a crowd of matchmakers, which Qin Wan observed with a smile. Qin Yan was seen toasting Li Muyun, but Qin Wan's amusement vanished as her eyes met Li's across the hall, leaving her startled.
