Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Episode 35 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Recap
Su Wuming rushes to Geng Wushang’s residence, where he finds Suchan weeping over her father’s body. Suchan informs him that her father died of strychnine poisoning, which he had been taking to alleviate the pain from sores. She adds that she observed no signs of struggle, leading her to believe it was an overdose. Chicken Fei corroborates this, explaining that strychnine is a rare and dangerous medicine.
An overdose causes immense suffering, making the body curl like a loom, which is why it is also known as "loom poison." Yin Yao, Geng Wushang’s student, then bursts in, distraught. He insists that his mentor, a skilled physician, would never accidentally overdose and vehemently rejects the suggestion that Geng Wushang would commit suicide due to pain, given his resilience throughout life.
Yin Yao pleads with Su Wuming to allow him to conduct an autopsy to find the true killer, to which Su Wuming agrees, instructing Suchan to assist. While Yin Yao conducts the autopsy, Su Wuming investigates Geng Wushang’s study. He finds the unfinished manuscript of "The Autopsy Chronicles." The title for the planned final chapter, "Why Coroners Must Not Kill," catches his attention, as does a separate note stating, "Yin Yao is not allowed to work as a coroner again."
He also examines the expulsion document for Zhong Shizai, where he discovers that Yin Yao’s signature is identical to the handwriting on the notes from the 'life-borrowing pouch' murders. Meanwhile, Pei Xijun discusses the previous "life-borrowing pouches" with Su Wuming, suggesting a public notice is needed to prevent panic, and noting the writer's unrefined penmanship. After completing his autopsy, Yin Yao confirms Geng Wushang’s death was a suicide.
Overcome with grief, he publicly pledges to return to the coroner profession, vowing to remain in it for life. He attributes his mentor’s death to his own prior refusal to co-author "The Autopsy Chronicles" and resume the profession, believing Geng Wushang used his death as a desperate plea. Yin Yao declares his intention to compete in the upcoming Coroners’ Contest and win to honor his master’s legacy.
Pei Xijun and Chu Yingtao express their support, but Su Wuming remains visibly troubled. The following morning, Yin Yao sells his entire box of mortician’s makeup for three thousand coins, which was his sole possession. He presents the money to Suchan and formally proposes marriage, pledging to care for her for life. He envisions a future where they live in a spacious, bright mansion, free from their lowly status, with their children able to pursue scholarly careers.
When Suchan questions his certainty of winning the upcoming Coroners’ Contest, Yin Yao admits his initial lack of confidence. However, he now believes that by presenting "The Autopsy Chronicles"—which he claims to have co-authored with Geng Wushang—to the county office, he will undoubtedly secure the title of the nation’s best coroner. Suchan expresses her belief that her father would prefer him to win on his own merit.
Yin Yao then reveals that Suchan is not Geng Wushang’s biological daughter, just as he himself was adopted and she was an abandoned infant taken in by Geng Wushang. He reiterates his desire for her to abandon her coroner work after marriage, settling down at home to raise their children.
He also mentions that while "The Autopsy Chronicles" is unfinished, he, as co-author, has already planned the content for the final chapter, which will detail how coroners should collaborate with constables in a county office setting. Upon learning of Yin Yao’s urgent plans for Geng Wushang’s burial, Su Wuming rushes to the funeral, halting the procession to conduct a new autopsy, citing Yin Yao and Suchan’s familial ties making their initial examination invalid.
Despite Yin Yao’s angry protests against the disrespect of opening the coffin, Su Wuming proceeds. In court, Su Wuming reveals the truth. While Geng Wushang did die of strychnine poisoning, which he self-administered, it was a desperate act to prevent Yin Yao from committing more murders. Su Wuming presents a document, found on Geng Wushang’s body, titled "Notice of Expulsion for Zhong Shizai," which notably required Yin Yao’s signature.
He explains that Geng Wushang had fabricated this unusual requirement specifically to obtain a sample of Yin Yao’s handwriting, suspecting his murderous intent. Pei Xijun confirms that the handwriting on this document matches that on the life-borrowing pouch note found earlier.
Su Wuming further reveals that within the unfinished "The Autopsy Chronicles," Geng Wushang had outlined a final chapter titled "Why Coroners Must Not Kill" and left a note explicitly stating, "Yin Yao is not allowed to work as a coroner again." This, Su Wuming asserts, was Geng Wushang’s way of hinting at Yin Yao’s guilt.
He explains that Yin Yao had previously left a tell-tale square of un-bloodied floor at a past murder scene, a result of his "mortician’s ritual" being interrupted. Yin Yao admits his oversight and that he had planned to bury the expulsion document with Geng Wushang to conceal his involvement. He confesses he was hoping to avoid detection and change his distinct handwriting. Yin Yao finally confesses to his crimes.
He recounts a childhood filled with resentment, having been adopted by a grim Geng Wushang and forced into the coroner profession despite his desire to study. His anger intensified when Geng Wushang taught Suchan to read, a privilege he was denied. Though he discovered a talent for autopsies, he felt exploited when Geng Wushang claimed his original "Open-Pit Bone Steaming Method" as his own in "The Autopsy Chronicles," effectively erasing Yin Yao’s contribution.
He further resented Geng Wushang for constantly recommending Zhong Shizai to prestigious positions, praising him as an all-around talent, while denying Yin Yao similar opportunities. Yin Yao admits that his three-year absence from the profession was a deliberate ploy to induce guilt in Geng Wushang, knowing his mentor’s deep concern for the school’s legacy.
He anticipated that Zhong Shizai’s ambition would lead to his downfall, compelling Geng Wushang to eventually invite him back, either to inherit the book or be recognized as a co-author. However, Geng Wushang’s severe illness threatened to prevent the completion of "The Autopsy Chronicles." Inspired by a past "borrowing lifespan" case, Yin Yao sought to extend his mentor’s life just long enough for the book to be finished, so he could leverage it for his own fame and status.
Chicken Fei vehemently condemns Yin Yao’s twisted intentions, asserting that a coroner’s character and integrity are far more crucial than mere talent. Su Wuming declares that Yin Yao will face a more severe punishment than Zhong Shizai and must pay with his life for the three innocent people he murdered. With the case resolved, Su Wuming visits Suchan, encouraging her to complete "The Autopsy Chronicles."
He explains that her father deliberately left the final chapter unfinished for her, as the core concept of "why coroners must not kill" was originally hers. He foresees the book becoming a timeless classic, influencing future generations and becoming an indispensable guide for aspiring coroners. Subsequently, the Emperor issues a decree, canceling the planned Coroners’ Contest.
In recognition of Geng Wushang and Suchan’s significant contribution through "The Autopsy Chronicles," Suchan is granted a permanent position as a professional coroner in the county office and is formally removed from her lowly status. Her descendants are also granted the freedom to choose any profession or pursue scholarly honors. Lu Lingfeng jokingly asks Su Wuming if his previously submitted memorial, which suggested such a contest, inadvertently sparked the series of murders.
Su Wuming clarifies that he credited Lu Lingfeng as co-author in the memorial and reassures him that the Emperor’s frequent review of his submissions signifies his high regard for Lu Lingfeng. Lu Lingfeng reveals he has been summoned to the palace the next day, hoping for good news. Soon after, Natie, the younger brother of the Yenisei Kirghiz Khan, arrives in Chang'an with his polo team.
They quickly establish their prowess, winning their first match against another team, much to the crowd’s excitement. Minister of Ceremonials Pei Mian expresses concern about the Yenisei Kirghiz’s strength, though he dismisses Natie’s "world’s greatest polo player" title as self-proclaimed, confident in the Tang Team’s victory. He instructs officials to ensure the Yenisei Kirghiz guests are treated with the utmost courtesy, regardless of the match outcome, emphasizing the importance of Tang etiquette. He also delegates security for the upcoming final.
The Emperor, eager to lead the Tang Team to victory himself, summons Lu Lingfeng, recalling their successful teamwork in a previous tournament four years prior. He proposes that they both play in the upcoming final against the Yenisei Kirghiz.
However, Pei Mian strongly advises against this, explaining that while the Emperor, as the Prince of Linzi four years ago, could freely participate, his current status as Emperor, coupled with the absence of the Yenisei Kirghiz Khan, would make his participation a violation of both etiquette and protocol. Despite the Emperor’s attempts to find an excuse, such as "sharing joy with the populace," Pei Mian firmly rejects them, calling such justifications "ridiculous." The Emperor reluctantly yields, though visibly disappointed.
His attendant later subtly reminds him of his own past words about upholding imperial protocols, reinforcing Pei Mian’s counsel. Meanwhile, General Lu Tong receives an urgent secret report from his subordinate, Li Zhuang, indicating that Yenisei Kirghiz spies are planning to infiltrate Chang'an to meet with an operative codenamed "Wolf." Concerned for the Emperor’s safety, Lu Tong immediately reports this intelligence, acknowledging its source from the unreliable Ghost Market but stressing the need for caution given Yenisei Kirghiz’s known ambitions.
The Emperor, in turn, shares another confidential message from Yenisei Kirghiz with Lu Tong, emphasizing its secrecy. At the same time, the Grand Princess receives a secret message from Yenisei Kirghiz, revealing their audacious demand for the land of Tingzhou. Enraged, she immediately orders all contact with Yenisei Kirghiz to be severed.
Her advisor attempts to persuade her to maintain contact, arguing that breaking ties would prevent Yenisei Kirghiz from attacking the borders, thus removing a strategic opportunity to transfer Lu Tong out of Chang'an. However, the Grand Princess adamantly refuses to cede any Tang territory, dismissing concerns about captured spies or imperial repercussions, asserting her unassailable position as the State-guarding Grand Princess. She then instructs Chancellor Cui to summon Lu Lingfeng.
