Coroner's Diary Episode 35 Recap
> Coroner's Diary Recap
His Majesty decreed that Qin Zhaoyu, implicated in Crown Prince Yan Che's affairs, should return to the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion for quiet recovery, allowing her to rest peacefully without decree to leave, and a royal physician would attend to her daily. His Majesty cited consideration for Princess Yongci, as they are of the same family, and stated the matter should not be publicized to avoid further complications.
Princess Yongci found it strange that His Majesty was so indifferent to Yan Che, his only legitimate son, despite showing mercy to Qin Zhaoyu. Yan Chi explained that His Majesty's gesture was likely to win loyalty from officials who had served Yan Che and to stabilize the court. Princess Yongci also observed that His Majesty, while distant from his own sons, acted like a loving father towards Yan Li.
Yan Chi shared that His Majesty had been very fond of Yan Sui before Consort Jin's tragedy, suggesting Consort Jin's death might be more complex than they realized. They resolved to investigate it further after Yan Qi was captured. Princess Yongci visited the Empress Dowager, who seemed weary but healthy.
The Empress Dowager advised Princess Yongci not to meddle too much in palace affairs, urging her to live a quiet life with Yan Chi, as he was his father's only flesh and blood, and to avoid trouble. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager worried about Yan Che's whereabouts, having learned from a young eunuch that he had secretly left the palace, seemingly accompanied by Lord Zhao's men.
At the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion, Qin Zhaoyu's mother lamented her daughter's return, fearing it signaled their family's declining status. The Marquis of Zhongyong believed His Majesty had permitted Qin Zhaoyu to return as a warning for them not to get involved in the unfolding events.
Qin Yan, however, suggested they should seize the opportunity to aid Yan Che in rebellion, but his father sternly reminded him that their family's loyalty was paramount and their lives were in His Majesty's hands. Yan Sui, feeling sad and missing his mother, confided in Princess Yongci. He tearfully revealed that he had been pretending not to be able to speak or write.
He confessed that he had witnessed His Majesty killing Consort Jin, not Prince Jin, with his own eyes. Yan Sui explained that on that fateful day, he had sneaked into his mother's chambers to look through her collections, avoiding an adult banquet. He hid behind curtains when His Majesty and Consort Jin unexpectedly returned and overheard them arguing. He had never seen His Majesty so enraged.
Overwhelmed with fear, he covered his ears, and then witnessed His Majesty killing Consort Jin. Prince Jin arrived shortly after and was framed. Yan Sui expressed his fear that His Majesty would kill him if he discovered his secret, as His Majesty's temper had worsened, and his eyes had grown dark and cold whenever he looked at Yan Sui since that day.
Yan Sui pleaded with Princess Yongci and Yan Chi to help him uncover the truth behind his mother's and Prince Jin's deaths. Princess Yongci and Yan Chi brought Yan Sui to Xuanji Pavilion to investigate. Steward Duoshou, who managed the pavilion, explained that His Majesty cherished simple chess manuals, considering their profound lessons, but had little time for them or calligraphy since becoming busy with state affairs.
Yan Sui led them to a hidden scroll, which his mother had told him contained His Majesty's calligraphy from before he ascended the throne. Princess Yongci and Yan Chi compared this to His Majesty's current vermilion rescripts, noting a stark difference in style; the earlier script was fluid, while the rescripts were vigorous and sharp. They deduced that the pages and scrolls that led to Consort Jin's death must have been disposed of by His Majesty.
Princess Yongci suggested that if Yan Sui's account was true, Prince Jin was framed for trying to cover up His Majesty's murder of Consort Jin. They further surmised that whoever moved Song Xiwen's body to Prince Jin's residence knew the truth and intended to make it public, likely to seize imperial power.
This led them to believe the Empress must also know the truth and eliminated Song Xiwen to secure the throne for His Majesty, which explained Yan Che's subsequent appointment as Crown Prince. They concluded that the Empress and His Majesty had a tacit understanding, with the Empress acting to ensure Yan Che's succession, but His Majesty, who hated being manipulated, eventually found an opportunity to depose both of them.
They hoped Yan Che, whom His Majesty likely allowed to escape, would not fall into Yan Qi's hands. Yan Che was ambushed on Mount Beimang. Yan Qi confronted him, claiming Yan Che had conspired with the Northern Army to rebel, and then killed him, announcing that Yan Che had taken his own life. The news of Yan Che's death devastated the Empress Dowager, who lamented His Majesty's harshness and the loss of her grandson.
His Majesty publicly feigned deep grief, blaming himself. However, he then privately summoned Yan Chi, expressing his disbelief that Yan Che, being gentle by nature, would commit suicide unless forced. He commanded Yan Chi and Princess Yongci to thoroughly investigate the cause of Yan Che's death and clear his name. Later, Feng Chenbi engaged in a heated argument with Princess Consort Cheng Qin Xiang in the garden. Qin Xiang, though neglected, asserted her position as the Empress's appointed wife.
Yan Qi intervened, slapping Feng Chenbi and declaring his intention to divorce her. He sent a message to her father, the Duke of Zhongguo, instructing him to quietly accept the divorce decree and send his daughter to a nunnery, or risk her dying mysteriously. Yan Qi, believing himself destined for the throne as His Majesty's only adult son, deemed Feng Chenbi unfit to be his consort.
The Duke of Zhongguo's wife lamented Feng Chenbi's infertility, revealing that His Majesty had given the Noble Consort (Yan Qi's mother) medicinal compounds over the years to preserve her youth, which also rendered her unable to bear more children, thus cementing Yan Qi's unique position. Princess Yongci and Yan Chi conducted a post-mortem on Yan Che's body.
They determined that he had not committed suicide but was killed by a single, precise cut to the throat, indicating a long blade was used, not a small dagger. They also noted his limbs were bound after death. Li Muyun requested His Majesty to entrust the case to the Supreme Court for thorough investigation. Yan Chi then presented critical evidence: the wound on Yan Che's throat perfectly matched the blade shape of Yan Qi's personal sword.
Yan Qi vehemently denied the accusation, claiming Yan Che had accidentally collided with his sword. Zheng Baishi, the Prefect of the capital prefecture, supported Li Muyun's call for a formal investigation. The Duke of Zhongguo further testified against Yan Qi, revealing his long-held ambition to replace Yan Che and his arrogance, which included his decision to divorce Feng Chenbi.
Feigning outrage, His Majesty ordered Yan Qi's arrest and confinement to the Imperial Clan Court, denouncing him for his cruelty and fratricide in pursuit of the throne. Yan Qi, enraged, accused His Majesty of hypocrisy, asserting that His Majesty himself had ordered Yan Che's elimination. His Majesty appeared shaken and overwhelmed by the recent events. Yan Li suggested to Yan Chi that they seek permission to leave the capital, expressing his exhaustion with the court's dangers.
However, Yan Chi stated he had unfinished business, and Yan Li, valuing their brotherhood, vowed to stay by his side regardless. As Steward Yuan was attempting to force Yan Qi to hang himself in his confinement, Yan Chi arrived, requesting a private conversation with the now commoner Yan Qi.
