Coroner's Diary Episode 26 Recap
> Coroner's Diary Recap
Qin Wan confided in Yan Chi, expressing her concern that Li Muyun might have already discovered her true identity. She admitted that she nearly lost her composure during their encounter, but thankfully, Yan Chi was there to support her. Qin Wan was particularly disturbed by Li Muyun's calm demeanor when speaking of Shen Yi, showing no apparent guilt.
This raised questions for her: if Li Muyun truly felt no remorse, and if her father had indeed aided Prince Jin, she wondered how she should proceed. Yan Chi reassured her, advising them to first establish themselves at the Ministry of Justice before taking further action, promising that the truth would eventually come to light step by step. He also mentioned that Prince Sui could now speak, and once his emotions were stable, he would question him about Consort Jin.
Meanwhile, Yue Ning found Yan Li surrounded by several women. Overwhelmed with emotion, she burst into tears, believing the brutally murdered victim at Fengqi House was him. Even if it wasn't him, the victim's habit of frequenting brothels made her fear Yan Li could be next. Her profound distress moved Yan Li, who admitted that no one had ever cared about his life and death so deeply.
Yue Ning, in turn, declared that she would always be his true friend for life, regardless of their circumstances. Yan Chi then took Qin Wan to meet Zhang Dongxuan in prison. Qin Wan quickly deduced that he was not truly blind, discerning his ability to perceive changes in light and shadow, and warned him against continuing his pupil-concealing technique, which could damage his vision. She inquired about his involvement in the Guanyin Town cases six years prior.
Zhang Dongxuan explained that he was already severely injured and virtually incapacitated before the murders, which led Minister Shen to believe he wasn't the true culprit. Qin Wan learned that the victims of the three Guanyin Town murders had all sought Zhang Dongxuan for fortune-telling.
He recounted how he got involved with the Heavenly Way Society after his family was ruined by a wealthy official who coveted their ink and brush shop, colluded with ruffians to brutally beat his father to death, and forced his mother to hang herself. When he reported this, the official bribed authorities, leading to Zhang Dongxuan being framed for false accusation. Desperate, he met an old man and joined the Heavenly Way Society, believing it was a regular guild.
However, it turned out to be a group training assassins to "punish" wrongdoers according to their own violent rules, including a horrific "flesh-cutting" ritual for leaving. He revealed that the flaying of the elder brother, who had wronged him and was later found dead at his doorstep, was a warning from the society for the "crime of alienating kin," meant to prevent him from revealing their secrets.
He also revealed that when he wished to leave, the old man who introduced him had to cut a piece of his own heart flesh as part of the ritual. Qin Wan realized that finding the culprit of the current capital flaying case was crucial to reopening the Guanyin Town case and clearing Zhang Dongxuan's name.
Separately, the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince, sternly comparing him to Yan Chi and berating him for his negligence regarding the capital's security, specifically mentioning three major cases. The Emperor called him "unworthy of his title" for his lack of action on the recent flaying cases. The Crown Prince was confined, leaving him frustrated and despairing.
The Empress, however, admonished him for his defeatist attitude, reminding him that as the legitimate son, the Crown Prince title was rightfully his, and that deposed crown princes faced only death. She urged him to dutifully fulfill his responsibilities for the sake of the people and secure his position. Prince Cheng, upon hearing of the Crown Prince's confinement, expressed satisfaction but remained cautious, knowing the Emperor's shrewdness.
He admitted to underestimating Qin Wan, realizing she was the skilled coroner who had aided the Crown Prince previously. He then considered how to ruin her reputation to weaken Yan Chi's influence. Outside the prison, Bai Feng and Fuling shared an affectionate moment, much to Qin Wan and Yan Chi's amusement.
As it was late, Qin Wan decided to stay at Yan Chi's residence to avoid questioning at the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion, assuring Fuling that her reputation would be safe, as human life was more important than reputation. Qin Wan, realizing the inconvenience of staying at the Marquis residence, expressed a desire to move into her Uncle Qin's old house, which was closer to her own family's ancestral home. Yan Chi readily agreed to arrange the move immediately.
Just as Qin Wan and Yan Chi were sharing a close moment, Yan Li and Yue Ning burst in, interrupting them. Yue Ning, excited, offered to bring them wontons. Yan Li, having identified the deceased in the flaying case, revealed it was Wu Qian, the Fourth Young Master of the Earl of Weiyuan's household. He added that Wu Qian was known for squandering his family's wealth and had financial disputes.
Qin Wan and Yan Chi visited the Earl of Weiyuan's mansion, speaking with Wu Qian's brother, Wu Yu. Wu Yu explained Wu Qian's extravagance and debt, detailing how Wu Qian, despite being the youngest and most pampered, had squandered family wealth by pawning antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and even several shops. He had also falsely accused Wu Yu of embezzlement, almost leading to a family split. Wu Yu specifically mentioned a hundred taels owed to Ranmo Gallery.
They then went to Ranmo Gallery and questioned Mr. Ning. Mr. Ning confirmed Wu Qian was a regular customer who often entrusted the gallery with his family's paintings for safekeeping but denied Wu Qian had any outstanding debt with the gallery, claiming all transactions were cash. Upon seeing a sketch, Mr. Ning identified the debt collector as Wang Xin, a former carver he had fired a month prior for forging noble seals for profit.
Qin Wan noted that Wang Xin's excellent carving skills could be related to the flaying, and his financial dispute with Wu Qian made him a prime suspect, prompting the need for an arrest warrant. Feeling hungry after the day's progress, Yan Chi took Qin Wan to a secluded spot by a pond, where water lilies bloomed year-round due to an underground hot spring.
He explained that this place was a favorite of his late mother and where his father, Prince Rui, would often come when he missed her. Qin Wan asked about his mother's death. Yan Chi recounted that his mother died from a hemorrhage that occurred during his birth and lingered for over a month before her passing. She was buried quickly while his father was still returning to the capital.
He mentioned his father then spent three months by her tomb before leaving him in the care of the Empress Dowager and returning to Shuoxi, seemingly heartbroken by not seeing her one last time. Qin Wan found the swift burial unusual given his mother's rank, noting she should have been laid in state for several months, suggesting a possible hidden reason.
Despite Yan Chi's initial dismissiveness, Qin Wan's observations made him realize the strangeness, pulling them back to the ongoing investigation. Qin Wan, concerned she was being unromantic by focusing on the case during their private moment, was reassured by Yan Chi, who told her her dedication was a unique charm that only he could appreciate.
They then decided to go to the capital prefecture to examine the postmortem reports of the Guanyin Town victims, whose deaths included flaying, tongue-cutting, and freezing, and discuss strengthening patrols with Zheng Baishi, hoping to find a connection and prevent more killings.
