The Imperial Coroner Episode 7 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
Years after Xiao Heng's disappearance, his son, Xiao Jinyu, believed his father might still be alive and was determined to investigate his whereabouts. However, Princess Xiping cautioned him, reminding him that seeking justice from the Imperial Court could bring calamity upon him and his brother.
She found the recent sudden appearance of a coroner with a specific pendant and the anonymous delivery of Xiao Heng's investigation records highly suspicious, warning Xiao Jinyu to beware of traps and to particularly guard against the eunuchs. Xiao Jinyu explained that the person who left the records was a suspect in several murder cases, and investigating his father's case was necessary to catch him.
He urged his mother to trust him, vowing to bring his father back safely regardless of the circumstances. Xiao Jinyu then asked if his father had any distinguishing marks, like a birthmark or scar, fearing that his appearance would have changed too much over the years for simple recognition. After some hesitation, Princess Xiping revealed that Xiao Heng bore a specific scar on his chest.
Meanwhile, Sun Deming presented Qin Luan with a tribute from a eunuch who had made a mistake at Jiangshan Hall. Qin Luan, already aware that his disciple was privately benefiting from such arrangements, sternly warned Sun Deming that the palace walls were not airtight. He advised Sun Deming to consider his own safety before acting on his desires, threatening severe consequences if he caused any trouble.
Sun Deming assured Qin Luan that Xu Rugui had "taken care of everything," including the killer's family. Qin Luan then instructed Sun Deming to keep a close eye on Xiao Jinyu, as his reactions would be vital in determining the status of Xiao Heng's case. Later, a man disguised as a scholar left Ruyi Pawnshop with his belongings, only to be immediately attacked by a beggar.
Jing Yi's men swiftly intervened, apprehending both individuals and stuffing a steamed bun into the scholar's mouth to prevent him from taking poison. Elsewhere, Jing Yi spoke with his mother, Madam Jing, who expressed concern about him and warned him about Leng Yue's impending return. Madam Jing questioned why he insisted on pairing Leng Yue with Commandery Prince An when even the Princess was willing to let them marry.
Jing Yi, in turn, deflected by playfully declaring he had a crush on his mother. Jing Yi then encountered Chu Chu and subtly advised her on the ongoing coroner selection test. He explained that the test was not over until Xiao Jinyu himself told her to leave, and she still had a chance to be selected.
To win Xiao Jinyu's favor, Jing Yi suggested she provide him with subtle leads and allow him to explore on his own, as he was drawn to mystery. At the Three Judicial Offices, Xiao Jinyu instructed his men to take the beggar for food and interrogate him later, while he personally questioned the scholar.
Xiao Jinyu quickly unmasked the scholar as a killer responsible for the murders of Liu Yue, Director of the Ministry of Revenue; Lu Chuansheng, Capital Liaison Representative of Qianzhou; and Feng Jie, Minister of War. When the killer feigned ignorance, Xiao Jinyu revealed that Xu Rugui intended to silence him and his family permanently. Startled, the killer's demeanor changed.
Xiao Jinyu pointed to the two strands of colored braids on the killer's wrist, explaining their significance as a symbol of deep familial importance, thus deducing that Xu Rugui was holding his wife and child hostage. The killer then confessed that Xu Rugui had kidnapped his wife and son two years prior, using the braids to force him into a life of assassination.
He admitted to killing occasionally without knowing the victims' identities or motives and denied any knowledge of Xu Rugui's connections to the Shen Army or Lady Liu. He also revealed that the most recent three murders were supposed to be a joint effort, but his accomplice had disappeared half a month earlier, leaving him to commit them alone. Xiao Jinyu then asked him to describe this missing accomplice.
Concurrently, Jing Yi, using a clever bluff, implied to the beggar that the killer had confessed everything, including the beggar's plot against the killer's family. The panicked beggar denied harming them, confirming that the killer's wife and child were indeed still alive. In the courtyard, Chu Chu was meticulously polishing a bronze mirror when Leng Yue arrived.
Leng Yue, having heard rumors, immediately questioned Chu Chu about having "probed His Highness's body and even tried to take off his clothes" during the exam. Chu Chu affirmed the account. Leng Yue, admiring Chu Chu's beauty, playfully asked why a coroner was "polishing a spoon." Chu Chu, in turn, complimented Leng Yue’s striking appearance using precise anatomical observations, declaring that if she were a man, she would marry Leng Yue. Xiao Jinyu then arrived.
Leng Yue, teasingly announcing Chu Chu’s marriage proposal, departed to freshen up. Xiao Jinyu explained that Leng Yue was the granddaughter of Leng Peishan, Military Commissioner of Qianzhou, and her playful demeanor should not be taken seriously. He then instructed Chu Chu to fill out the autopsy sheets for Feng Jie, Liu Yue, and Lu Chuansheng, but to leave the sections for the recorder's and coroner's names blank.
Chu Chu, though slightly disheartened, silently resolved to work hard and become an official coroner with the right to sign her name. Later, Leng Yue, back in Chang'an after a year, noted Xiao Jinyu's improved skills in crafting delicate gadgets and playfully called him "Chief," which Xiao Jinyu politely corrected given their official setting. She explained her sudden return was prompted by Wu Jiang's letter mentioning Xiao Jinyu's encounter with Chu Chu.
Leng Yue had inquired about "Handsome Judge" among her friends but found no information. However, her inquiries into Chu Chu's background revealed that while locals believed her to be an illegitimate child, her father, Chu Ping, was known to be an upright man.
She noted that Chu family members were honest and that Chu Chu's family, including her older brother Chu He, showed her exceptional care when she left Qianzhou for the Coroner Qualification Exam, which suggested she was not an illegitimate child. Xiao Jinyu wondered why her family would allow such rumors to spread if this were true, to which Leng Yue suggested they might simply be magnanimous.
Xiao Jinyu then inquired if Leng Yue had visited Qianzhou during her travels, and she replied that it was the last place she would go. When Chu Chu brought the completed autopsy sheets to Xiao Jinyu, she noticed Leng Yue using a handkerchief Xiao Jinyu used to carry, embroidered with a bone, to wipe paint from her hands.
A flicker of jealousy crossed Chu Chu's face, causing her to crumple the sheets slightly, though Xiao Jinyu accepted them without comment, pleased with her work. He paid Chu Chu for examining the three bodies, acknowledging her near-fatal experience during Feng Jie's autopsy and her crucial role in providing clues to arrest Xu Rugui. Chu Chu, taking the opportunity, asked Xiao Jinyu if he liked "beautiful girls."
He candidly replied that he liked those who made him feel pleased, clarifying that true beauty lies in the joy a person inspires. Chu Chu then inquired about the results of the coroner qualification exam. Xiao Jinyu explained that no one had been officially selected yet, and due to the need to verify her background from Qianzhou, she couldn't receive a qualification immediately, regardless of her test results.
Just then, Wu Jiang arrived with a wanted notice based on a portrait Xiao Jinyu had drawn. Chu Chu immediately recognized the man in the drawing as the body she had examined, the one who was struck by lightning and burned to death. She explained her ability to recognize a face from a severely burned skull by examining the brow ridges.
Xiao Jinyu confirmed her identification, revealing that the man was a killer who had slipped him a note half a month ago, offering to expose an upcoming murder of a court official in exchange for safety, with a meeting planned at a sesame oil shop in the West Market. Xiao Jinyu had waited but the killer never appeared.
He deduced that the killer had likely been discovered by his hirers, fled into the woods outside the city, was struck by lightning, and his lantern accidentally ignited the sesame oil he was carrying. Xiao Jinyu then produced another portrait, and Chu Chu's sudden widening eyes alerted him. He pressed her about her connection to the person in this portrait and the origin of her pendant. Chu Chu, flustered, denied knowing the man or the pendant.
Before Xiao Jinyu could press further, Qin Luan arrived, conveying the Emperor's summons for Xiao Jinyu to attend a banquet in the palace. Xiao Jinyu initially tried to decline, citing his busy schedule. However, Qin Luan insisted, stating that the Emperor had specifically ordered him to bring Xiao Jinyu, even by force, and warned that His Majesty was concerned someone might "eat" him if he didn't attend. Qin Luan also mentioned that Princess Xiping and Academician Xue had been summoned. As Qin Luan delivered his thinly veiled threat, Chu Chu seized the moment to slip away, regretting that she had almost revealed the truth.
