The Imperial Coroner Episode 17 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
Reflecting on recent events, Xiao Jinyu understood Xu Ruguiās scheme: using the hairpin to reveal Chu Chu's parentage in an attempt to sow distrust between them. However, Xiao Jinyu refused to fall into the trap, choosing instead to trust Chu Chu completely while vowing to uncover the entire truth. He connected these events to the murder of Yan Ming, suspecting the scribe was killed after discovering clues that Duke Changās young son might still be alive.
Meanwhile, Qin Luan reported to Emperor Xuanzong that the rumors about Duke Chang were started by a new, vulgar eunuch who, after a few drinks, spread nonsense. Qin Luan claimed the eunuch was so timid that he died of a heart attack before he could be brought for questioning. When the Emperor expressed doubt, Qin Luan proposed a solution: to grant posthumous titles to Emperor Wuzong's sons.
He argued that since only the deceased receive such honors, this act of imperial benevolence would naturally quell the rumors. The Emperor agreed, ordering the edict drafted, and also decided to summon Wu Jiang to the palace for an update, as Commandery Prince An had been in the Southwest for some time. The Emperor also mused that if Xiao Heng, Xiao Jinyu's father, were truly in the Southwest, he would not avoid his own son.
Afterward, Sun Mingde privately questioned Qin Luan's handling of the matter, suggesting the eunuch's death was suspicious. Qin Luan explained he was not protecting the eunuch, but himself and Sun Mingde. As the last two officials to see Duke Chang alive, they were being tested by the Emperor. By handling the matter in a way that unequivocally confirmed Duke Chang's death, they would allay any suspicion against them.
In Qianzhou, Xiao Jinyu explained his theory to Jing Yi: the severed communications, illegal coin minting, and suppressed military reports all pointed toward a rebellion. To rebel in Duke Changās name, the conspirators first needed to "bring him back to life." Xiao Jinyu believed Yan Ming was murdered so he would find the scroll and conclude Duke Chang was alive, thus starting the rumors himself.
Since that plan failed, the conspirators were now spreading the rumors directly, suggesting their preparations were nearly complete. Concerned for the future, Xiao Jinyu confessed to Jing Yi that if anything were to happen to him, Jing Yi was the only one he trusted to care for his mother and brother.
Observing Xiao Jinyu's uncharacteristic anxiety, especially regarding Chu Chu's identity which he insisted remain secret, Jing Yi correctly deduced that his friendās distress was because he now had "someone in his heart." Acting on Xiao Jinyuās instructions, Wu Jiang showed a drawing of the hairpin to Princess Xiping, who recognized it as a gift her mother had given to Madam Jing, Senior Official Jingās wife. At the same time, Jing Yi sent an identical drawing to his father.
Madam Jing confirmed she had received a pair of such hairpins; she kept one and gifted the other, but would need to check her records to recall the recipient. Hearing this, her son Jing Zhi immediately feigned illness to get leave from the morning court. After Chu He voiced his suspicion that the prisoner in their woodshed was Chu Chu's uncle, Chu Ping went and confirmed it was indeed Xu Zongfang.
Later, an angered Chu He, frustrated that Xiao Jinyu had taken Chu Chu away, went to the woodshed himself. On the pretext of bringing food, he tricked the guards into leaving. He questioned Xu Zongfang, who confirmed his identity and then lied, claiming Xiao Jinyu knew Chu Chu's father was a rebel who killed his own father and was now taking her away to kill her. He urged Chu He to free him so he could "save" his niece.
Just as the naive Chu He hesitated, the guards returned, preventing the escape. Earlier, Chu Ping had offered to officially add Chu Chu to the family genealogy. Chu Chu tearfully declined, asking only that she be buried next to her biological mother and that her adoptive family and Xiao Jinyu visit her grave. Xiao Jinyu, who overheard her fatalistic request, was deeply unsettled. Later, while Chu Chu was washing stones to grill mushrooms, Xiao Jinyu noticed they glowed.
Chu Chu explained that the Witch Doctor told her the stones contained a "spar" that illuminates in light. This sparked a realization for Xiao Jinyu, connecting the glowing stones to a perplexing pattern involving four chess pieces that remained on the board after his games. Chu Chu then took him to the Witch Doctorās abandoned home, where Xiao Jinyu discovered numerous paintings of Phoenix Mountain and the Yong'an River. He immediately suspected that the stones and the paintings were linked, holding a vital secret.
