The Imperial Coroner Episode 16 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
Driven by intense concern for Chu Chu's disappearance, Xiao Jinyu confronted Jing Yi, demanding to know what he had found in Lady Xu's belongings. Jing Yi admitted to having tracked Xiao Jinyu to the Witch Doctor's house and observing him open the coffin, but asserted that his actions were solely out of concern for Xiao Jinyu's safety. He explained that his father had assigned him a mission to monitor for rebel remnants, fearing Xiao Jinyu might compromise his own safety.
After Jing Yi shared letters from his father, the two men reconciled and calmly resumed their investigation. Analyzing the abandoned items, Xiao Jinyu explained his deduction that Xu Rugui had deliberately left Lady Xu's hairpin for him to find. Jing Yi examined the authentic Sichuan embroidery on the clothes, noting it originated from an imperial workshop, not an ordinary embroiderer. Observing the hairpin's style, he recalled they were popular among wives of high-ranking officials ten to twenty years prior.
They concluded that Lady Xu was likely the wife of a prominent official in Jiannan, possibly connected to the Military Commissioner, who would have access to such precious goods. Meanwhile, Chu Chu regained consciousness and found Xu Rugui, who had removed his disguise, sitting nearby. She was initially resistant, but he captured her attention by claiming to know about her mother. Xu Rugui revealed his true identity as Xu Zongfang, her uncle.
He explained that her mother, Yixiang, had married a military officer named Yun Yi, who rose to become a vice general to Chen Ying, the Military Commissioner of Jiannan. Xu Zongfang recounted that in the eighth year of Emperor Wenzong, Yun Yi and Chen Ying rebelled, resulting in the death of Censor Xiao Heng, Xiao Jinyu's father.
He confessed that after the pregnant Yixiang fled to him for safety, he grew fearful of being implicated and condoned Butler Tan's plan to kill her with a door latch and stage it as a suicide. Xu Zongfang then attempted to manipulate Chu Chu, claiming that Xiao Jinyu, having likely deduced her identity from the remains, would view her as an enemy and seek revenge.
He urged her to seek refuge with him, asserting a blood feud existed between her and Xiao Jinyu. However, Chu Chu, remembering Xiao Jinyu’s advice to stall for time if kidnapped, remained defiant and refused to believe his narrative. As Xu Zongfang was trying to persuade Chu Chu, Xiao Jinyu confirmed his suspicions and had Deputy Magistrate Tan identify Xu Zongfang from a portrait. Xiao Jinyu, Jing Yi, and Leng Yue immediately rushed to the Xu mansion.
Inside, Chu Chu pressed Xu Zongfang to reveal how her mother died. Xu Zongfang brought in Butler Tan, who confessed to killing Yixiang to protect the Xu family. To supposedly "avenge" Yixiang and gain Chu Chu's trust, Xu Zongfang then killed Butler Tan. Chu Chu screamed in horror, alerting Xiao Jinyu and Leng Yue outside. Xiao Jinyu and Leng Yue stormed into the residence, where Butler Tan lay dead.
Xu Zongfang attempted to escape with Chu Chu, but Leng Yue intervened, engaging him in fierce combat. As Leng Yue began to lose ground, Xiao Jinli arrived and swiftly subdued Xu Zongfang. Xiao Jinyu rushed to the now unconscious Chu Chu and brought her back to the Chu residence.
A worried Chu He hurried to prepare medicine for her and overheard Leng Yue and Jing Yi discussing the situation, learning that Xu Zongfang was Chu Chu's uncle and that she was the daughter of a rebel. When Chu He returned with the medicine, he found Chu Chu still unconscious but tightly clutching Xiao Jinyu's hand. He grew visibly jealous and tried to get Xiao Jinyu to leave, but Xiao Jinyu firmly refused to go.
Jing Yi expressed deep concern to Leng Yue about Chu Chu's identity, knowing that the "daughter of a rebel" status carried severe legal consequences. Xiao Jinyu patiently cared for Chu Chu, who upon waking from a nightmare where he abandoned her, instinctively embraced him for comfort. Realizing her actions, she became confused, but Xiao Jinyu reassured her of his unwavering support. Meanwhile, Qin Luan received a letter informing him that Chu Chu was Xu Zongfang's niece and a rebel's daughter.
He immediately ordered Zhou Han to capture and torture Chu Chu for information about Xiao Heng's whereabouts, and to kill Xu Zongfang and his entire family. In the interrogation room, Xiao Jinyu subjected Xu Zongfang to water drop torture. Xu Zongfang quickly broke down, confessing that Rugui House belonged to Qin Luan and that Qin Luan had ordered him to assassinate Xiao Jinyu and capture Chu Chu. Unsurprised, Xiao Jinyu pressed for information on the illegal copper coins and Duke Chang, but a terrified Xu Zongfang claimed complete ignorance.
