Coroner's Diary Episode 38 (Ending) Recap
> Coroner's Diary Recap
Yan Ze orchestrated a treacherous act, instructing Yuan Qing to serve poisoned tea to Yan Han, the Emperor. This tea contained the "Dream Butterfly Poison," the same substance Yan Han had used years ago to poison Yan Ze's own mother, Princess Xin.
Yan Ze recounted how his mother had saved Yan Han's life only to become the first person to test his poison, and how he himself suffered irreversible damage to his eyesight from a single sip while trying to help her. He also accused Yan Han of being responsible for his father's death, condemning him for his utter heartlessness.
Yan Han, still confident in the support of the Palace Guards and the Huaiyang Army, was oblivious that Yuan Qing had already betrayed him, ensuring the Huaiyang Army would not arrive. As Yan Han lashed out at Yuan Qing, Yan Li unexpectedly arrived, witnessing the chaotic scene. Yan Ze explained that he was merely ensuring a son pays for his father's debts, which he called the eternal way of heaven.
He then compelled Yan Li to listen to a "Self-reproach Edict" to fully recognize the man before him. The edict revealed that Yan Han, the late Emperor's second legitimate son, had incited a rebellion, feigned surrender to lure his twin brother Yan Huai to Storm Ridge, murdered him, and then usurped the throne under Yan Huai's name. Stunned, Yan Li refused to believe it. Yan Ze confirmed that the man was indeed his biological father, Prince Yi, Yan Han.
Defiantly, Yan Han claimed he was cast aside by the Yan family for being a twin and that the throne was rightfully his. When Yan Li questioned if he felt no guilt towards him and his mother, Yan Han insisted his actions were solely for Yan Li's sake, to clear all obstacles so that he could one day ascend the throne. Yan Li was then knocked unconscious, and Yan Ze prepared to kill him in front of Yan Han.
Outside the hall, Yan Chi was engaged in a fierce battle against members of the Heavenly Way Society. Inside, Yan Ze drew an "unrighteous flower" with Yan Li's blood as a ritualistic condemnation of Yan Han. Yan Han begged Yan Ze to spare Yan Li, offering to abdicate the throne. Yan Ze mockingly asked Yuan Qing if he should accept the offer before fatally stabbing him.
As Yuan Qing lay dying, he realized Yan Ze had been deceiving him all along, proclaiming that they were both equally treacherous. Yan Ze calmly agreed, stating Yuan Qing was a mere tool destined to be discarded, having helped him achieve his goal of making everyone who enabled Yan Han pay for his parents' deaths. Meanwhile, Yan Chi, Qin Wan, Yue Ning, and Bai Feng arrived at the palace hall.
Yan Chi fought off numerous attackers to allow the others to proceed. Believing his plan was perfectly executed, Yan Ze anticipated that the world would remember Yan Han as having been killed by Yuan Qing, the leader of the Heavenly Way Society. As Yan Ze prepared to strike Yan Li, Yue Ning threw two swords, interrupting him, while Qin Wan rushed to treat the unconscious Yan Li.
Bai Feng took Yan Sui to safety, and Yan Chi hurried inside to aid Qin Wan and Yue Ning. With the rebels' momentum broken, a despairing Yan Li intended to sacrifice himself to atone for the dead, but Yan Chi stopped him, emphasizing that Yan Han's sins were not his to bear and that he must live on. Qin Wan began to treat Yan Han, stating that his crimes would be judged by the law.
Yan Han attempted to justify his reign, accusing Yan Ze of using the Heavenly Way Society to amass power for personal revenge under the pretext of justice. Enraged, Yan Ze declared Yan Han the true villain. Qin Wan, unable to tolerate their hypocrisy, denounced both men as "birds of a feather" who disregarded life and law for their selfish desires.
Amidst the heated exchange, Yan Ze broke free from Yan Chi and lunged at Yan Han, but Yan Han fatally wounded him with a hidden blade. In his dying moments, Yan Ze only asked why Yan Han had killed his mother. Elsewhere, the Empress confronted Noble Consort Su, intending to expose the Emperor's true identity, a fact they had both suspected for years.
The Empress had schemed to protect the imperial succession, while Noble Consort Su had endured living with an impostor for her son's sake. Their bitter, lifelong rivalry culminated in them killing each other. Li Muyun, attempting to flee the chaos, was apprehended by Prefect Zheng. Deeply poisoned and fixated on the throne even in his final moments, Yan Han pleaded with Qin Wan and Yan Chi not to harm Yan Li.
Qin Wan then revealed her true identity as Shen Wan, daughter of Shen Yi, the Minister of Judicial Review. She confronted Yan Han about the deaths of Consort Jin, Prince Jin, Princess Xin, and her own father, asserting that none of these tragedies would have occurred if he had not been blinded by his lust for power. Filled with regret, Yan Han passed away.
Witnessing the devastation, the Empress Dowager confessed her own mistakes, from sparing Yan Han's life as a child to deluding herself after he usurped the throne, admitting that while he had been a strong ruler, the deception was her ultimate error. The Empress Dowager then decreed that Yan Sui would inherit the throne. She requested that Yan Chi and Qin Wan assist the young emperor for a few years, promising to fulfill their wishes in return.
Yan Chi and Yan Li both affirmed they never desired the throne and were content with this outcome. Yan Chi expressed his desire for a peaceful life in Shuoxi with Qin Wan. The Grand Princess, after comforting the Empress Dowager, decided to return to Jingzhou, reiterating that she would always consider Qin Wan her most beloved granddaughter, regardless of her name.
Yan Sui ascended the throne with Yan Chi appointed as Regent, and together with Qin Wan, they began the task of assisting the young emperor. Yue Ning and Yan Li decided to travel to Jingzhou with the Grand Princess. The marriage between Bai Feng and Fuling was also arranged, signaling a return to peace. Qin Wan and Yan Chi worked tirelessly to implement new laws and address cases in the capital, walking hand in hand into their shared future.
