The Imperial Coroner Episode 10 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
Following the failed assassination attempt in the capital, Manager Xu from Rugui Tavern ambushed Xiao Jinyu's party on the road to Qianzhou. The assassins attacked their palanquin, but Xiao Jinyu and Chu Chu escaped into the woods. During the chaotic fight between the guards and assassins, the defenseless Chu Chu was cornered. Leng Yue sustained a minor wound while shielding her from a fatal blow.
The attack was halted by the timely arrival of troops led by Xiao Jinyu’s brother, Marquis Duyu Xiao Jinli, forcing the assailants to retreat. Xiao Jinli explained that he had been sent by imperial edict to receive his brother and had found them shortly after leaving Guanling County.
When Xiao Jinyu noted the attackers were dressed like bandits but fought with disciplined skill, Xiao Jinli identified them as fugitives from the Rugui Tavern case and assured him his men would capture the one Xiao Jinyu had wounded. Afterward, Xiao Jinyu asked his brother for some money. In the carriage, Chu Chu tearfully blamed herself for Leng Yue's injury.
Leng Yue comforted her, stating, "Girls are supposed to protect girls," and lightened the mood by suggesting Chu Chu could buy her a new dress. She explained her minor wound wasn't luck but skill, as a true master learns to control the severity of an unavoidable injury. When Chu Chu asked why she wandered the world instead of enjoying her high-status family life, Leng Yue gave a brief, evasive reply that she simply enjoyed it.
Outside, a frantic Jing Yi offered to summon physicians from the capital for Leng Yue, but she confidently dismissed his concerns, stating Chu Chu was skilled enough to handle her dressings. Meanwhile in the capital, Princess Xiping, worried for Xiao Jinyu, sent her attendant Banxia to Xue Rucheng's manor for news. Banxia relayed the Princess's concern that the Ministry of Personnel was investigating Xue, fearing he might be implicated if anything happened to Xiao Jinyu.
Later, Emperor Xuanzong appointed a reluctant Xue Rucheng as the new Minister of War. Despite Xue's protests that he was an inexperienced scholar, the Emperor insisted, citing historical precedents and his faith in Xue's capabilities. He sealed the appointment by bestowing upon Xue the famed blade of the great general Li Jing as a symbol of authority. The Prefect of Qianzhou, Li Zhang, sent his customary gifts to officials in Chang'an.
Jing Ge Lao, knowing Li Zhang to be worldly but not greedy, accepted the gifts and instructed his steward to return local specialties of equal value. Soon after, General Wu of the Three Chief Judicial Ministries delivered a single copper coin to Jing Ge Lao and left without a word. Recognizing its significance, Jing Ge Lao immediately took the coin to Xue Rucheng. They deduced Xiao Jinyu had sent it to gauge their reactions.
Xue revealed he had also received such a coin and, after comparing it with others, confirmed it was counterfeit. They discussed the rampant illegal minting in the resource-rich southwest, with Jing Ge Lao worrying that Xiao Jinyu's investigation could provoke powerful figures, possibly even the eunuch Qin Luan. Xue Rucheng feigned ignorance about the source, claiming a recent meeting with a regional representative was merely to discuss military affairs for his new role.
On their journey, Leng Yue recounted a childhood story to a talkative Chu Chu. She described how the mischievous Xiao Jinli once fell into a lotus pond, and a non-swimming Xiao Jinyu jumped in without hesitation to save him. The incident left Xiao Jinyu with a severe, lingering cold. A furious Princess Xiping had the pond filled in, and from that day on, a guilt-ridden Xiao Jinli became fiercely protective of his younger brother.
While resting, Xiao Jinyu examined the coins from his brother's military pay, discovering that eighteen of the twenty-three were fakes. This shocked the group, as counterfeiting was a capital offense requiring significant power. When asked about Prefect Li's local reputation, Chu Chu praised him as a good official who funded public works.
Despite this, Xiao Jinyu concluded that Li Zhang must be involved in the illicit operation and made a bet with Leng Yue that the prefect would be waiting for them. True to his prediction, Prefect Li Zhang and other local officials were in Guanling County to greet them upon their arrival. As they entered the town, neighbors gossiped about Chu Chu's return with a group of strange men.
Her brother, Chu He, overheard and confronted her, demanding to know who they were. Xiao Jinyu stepped in, explaining they were from Chang'an and wished to escort Chu Chu home. A suspicious Chu He agreed but warned them his family worked for the just Magistrate Zheng Youde. At the Chu family home, their grandfather, Chu Ping, was furious at Chu Chu for leaving without a word and threatened to punish her.
Xiao Jinyu intervened, but the family remained skeptical of his identity. To prove himself, Xiao Jinyu accurately detailed two past murder cases that the family had worked on, including the specific contents of the official court replies he himself had written, which had overturned the initial findings. Convinced, Chu Ping apologized. Xiao Jinyu explained that Chu Chu was still being tested for a position. That evening, Xiao Jinyu inquired about a witch doctor who once lived nearby.
Chu Ping explained the man, who had crippled legs, had moved away years ago after being shunned by villagers. He was kind, and Chu Chu had often brought him food, forming a close bond. Chu He recalled that during a past bandit suppression campaign, he had told the witch doctor to stay inside for safety, and the man specifically asked Chu He to lock his door from the outside as he left. As night fell, Xiao Jinyu requested to stay at their home.
