The Imperial Coroner Episode 11 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
After a brief inquiry, Xiao Jinyu requested to stay for the night. Though coroners' homes were considered unlucky, Xiao Jinyu, as a judge, expressed his respect for the profession, stating that they help clear the names of the deceased and assist officials in apprehending criminals. He explained that government offices have mortuaries, and his own home in Chang'an has a room where he has performed autopsies, making him no different from them.
Moved by his words, Chu Chu's grandfather warmly arranged for food and wine. Xiao Jinyu discreetly instructed his subordinates to inform Jing Yi that he would be staying with the Chu family and that Jing Yi should proceed with his own plans. Xiao Jinyu found the Chu family's behavior unusual. He discussed with his brother, Xiao Jinli, that while they treated Chu Chu well, their affection seemed polite rather than familial.
He noted that Chu Ping, her grandfather, showed love in a formal manner and did not scold Chu Chu for her long and sudden absence. Moreover, Chu He did not act like a typical elder brother, displaying suspicion towards Xiao Jinyu and his men instead of gratitude for bringing Chu Chu home safely. This peculiar dynamic convinced Xiao Jinyu to alter his plans and stay to uncover the mystery surrounding Chu Chu and her family.
Chu He privately questioned Chu Chu about her time in Chang'an and grew agitated upon learning that Xiao Jinyu intended to investigate her background for the coroner ranking test. He insisted that Chu Chu abandon her dream of becoming a coroner, but she refused, hoping to become a renowned coroner and bring her family to live in prosperous Chang'an. Chu He was unyielding, stating his strong dislike for Chang'an and ending the conversation tensely.
Simultaneously, an antique shop manager received an anonymous, coded letter: "Fish is unhooked and enters Qianzhou." That evening, Chu Chu prepared a meal to express her gratitude. The atmosphere was pleasant, though Chu He continually cast a scrutinizing gaze at Xiao Jinyu, trying to discern his true intentions. Meanwhile, at the county government office, Jing Yi and Leng Yue attended a welcoming banquet hosted by Prefect Li Zhang and Magistrate Zheng Youde.
Jing Yi abruptly placed a string of copper coins on the table, which Zheng Youde mistook for a reward. After Leng Yue angrily accused him of feigning ignorance, Jing Yi declared that the coins were illicitly minted. The two officials feigned shock, knelt, and accepted responsibility. Jing Yi noted the counterfeits were skillfully made and assigned Li Zhang to investigate the matter.
During the banquet, two other officials secretly discussed how a man named Xu Rugui, connected to Eunuch Qin, had apparently failed in his mission, as the expected news of Xiao Jinyu's death had not arrived. Jing Yi then feigned drunkenness to avoid more questions, a ruse Leng Yue saw through, noting that while Magistrate Zheng was truly drunk, Prefect Li was only pretending.
Back at the Chu residence, Chu Chu brought Xiao Jinyu hangover soup, perceptively noting his gastrointestinal issues from his avoidance of cold food and his habit of holding his hand to his chest. Xiao Jinyu asked her to keep his condition secret from his brother and Jing Yi. Chu Chu expressed her family's happiness at his visit, as they were often ostracized. She confessed her fear that he would reject her after learning of her rumored "illegitimate" birth.
Xiao Jinyu then presented her with a new set of high-quality autopsy tools he had crafted himself during the nights on their journey from Chang'an, leaving her deeply moved. Later, Jing Yi climbed over the wall to meet Xiao Jinyu. He reported that Magistrate Zheng was honest but slow-witted, while Prefect Li was likely feigning ignorance about the counterfeit coins.
He also revealed that the reclusive Chu family frequently offered sacrifices at an unowned grave, suspecting it might belong to Chu Chu's mother. That night, a drunken Chu He challenged Xiao Jinyu to visit the supposedly haunted house of an old witch doctor. Xiao Jinyu, intrigued, accepted and went with Xiao Jinli, Chu Chu, and Chu He.
At the house, they heard an eerie wailing sound, which Xiao Jinyu deduced was merely wind passing through a stone pile in the wall. After Xiao Jinli dismantled the pile, they discovered a hidden compartment containing a preserved male corpse. Chu Chu asserted her authority as a coroner over her intoxicated brother and began the examination.
She found the body was well-preserved with materials like white gypsum and charcoal, and identified a tag from the Palace Domestic Service, indicating the deceased was a eunuch. She explained he was a "wet body"—a corpse dead for years but appearing fresh. Her examination revealed the fatal wound was a piercing blow to the heart, made by a sharp, cylindrical weapon like a furnace lining stick.
