The Imperial Coroner Episode 9 Recap
> The Imperial Coroner Recap
Reflecting on her repeated failures in the coroner qualification exam, Chu Chu mused that Commandery Prince An, Xiao Jinyu, seemed to want her to stay. She observed his meticulous and cautious nature, his ability to see through the Shen Army's tricks, and his strict adherence to the law, noting his strong resemblance to the legendary "Handsome Judge" from stories she knew. Later, Jing Yi confronted her, asking if she had coined the title, which she admitted was a joke.
This led Jing Yi to wonder if the Prince Consort, Xiao Heng, might still be alive in Qianzhou. He had initially suspected Xiao Heng might be backing Chu Chu, but news from the Southwest revealed a more concrete link: a witch doctor in Pingle Town, known for turning Xiao Heng's cases into stories, had mysteriously vanished five years prior. This witch doctor, who was mobility-impaired, was only close to the Chu family, deepening Jing Yi's suspicion.
Jing Yi concluded that Xiao Jinyu's trip to the Southwest was not merely for personal reasons, suspecting a looming national crisis. He noted to his father that the three recently murdered officials in Chang'an—Feng Jie, Liu Yue, and Lu Chuansheng—all dealt with Qianzhou affairs. Even the aconitine used in a related suicide was a variety unique to Qianzhou, processed by a local ancient method. Believing these connections were no coincidence, Jing Yi feared a major issue was unfolding.
His father, Lord Jing, then confirmed Jing Yi must accompany Xiao Jinyu, adding that he had a separate, secret task for him to carry out in the Southwest. That night, assassins ambushed Xiao Jinyu in a dark corridor. As his guards fought them, a volley of arrows rained down from a distance, killing all the assailants. Wu Jiang arrived immediately to secure the scene, while Leng Yue, observing nearby, drily remarked on Xiao Jinyu’s growing talent for making enemies.
Wu Jiang later reported to Xiao Jinyu that the eight dead assassins were not from the Shen Army but were death row inmates, and how they escaped prison was unknown. Xiao Jinyu concluded that Director of Palace Eunuchs, Qin Luan, was the mastermind behind this attack, as well as the incidents at Rugui Tavern, the deaths of the three officials, and the "plague."
He detailed how a palace eunuch, on Qin Luan’s orders, had revealed Chu Chu's identity to the Feng family to obstruct the investigation into Feng Jie's death, and how Shen Army men later set fire to the mourning hall and helped Xu Rugui escape Chang'an. Only Qin Luan could command both court factions. Worried for his mother’s safety, Xiao Jinyu explained that he had deliberately announced his departure to force Qin Luan’s hand, compelling him to use his hidden reserves.
He gave Wu Jiang secret instructions on paper, ordering him to memorize and then burn them. Wu Jiang expressed concern over the journey, especially with the "suspicious" Chu Chu. Xiao Jinyu dismissed this, pointing out that Chu Chu had never tried to harm him despite having opportunities. He tasked Wu Jiang with secretly protecting his mother and guarding the case files, stating he could not leave with peace of mind otherwise.
Wu Jiang vowed to manage everything in Chang'an and await his safe return. Afterward, Xiao Jinyu found Chu Chu in her room applying exaggerated makeup, which he mistook for her practicing embalming techniques on herself. After he made her wash it off, she presented him with a "universe mirror" she had crafted from his ladle. She explained its convex side offered a wider view and its concave side magnified objects, making it useful for observing rooms without windows.
Touched by her thoughtfulness, Xiao Jinyu agreed to a pinky swear to keep his phobia a secret. He then officially invited her to accompany him to Qianzhou, explaining that her coroner exam would continue along the way. If she passed, she could work for him; if not, he could at least verify her identity in her hometown. Chu Chu joyfully accepted. Enraged by the failed assassination, Qin Luan ordered Xu Rugui to ambush Xiao Jinyu in Qianzhou.
Believing Xu's familiarity with the region's "wild bandits and thieves" made it an ideal place to kill the prince, Qin Luan also gave a specific order: capture the female coroner, Chu Chu, alive. Meanwhile, a concerned Princess Xiping instructed Leng Yue to join Xiao Jinyu’s group and protect him. Leng Yue joined the party as they were setting off, much to Jing Yi's delight. Xiao Jinyu accepted but warned her to restrain her impulsive tendencies and follow his orders.
In the palace, Emperor Xuanzong unnerved Qin Luan by having him and Sun Mingde present a selection of weapons, from which he chose a famous general's sword. The Emperor then playfully pointed it at Sun Mingde, causing the eunuch to drop to his knees in terror and flustering Qin Luan. Later, a shaken Qin Luan admitted to his subordinate that he could not fathom the Emperor's true intentions for brandishing a sword when there was no war.
At her manor, Lady Jing failed to persuade Princess Xiping to request an imperial marriage decree for Xiao Jinyu and Leng Yue. Frustrated, she returned home and confronted her husband, Lord Jing, demanding to know why he was so insistent on the match. Lord Jing revealed his true motive: it was a strategic move to distance their son, Jing Yi, from Leng Yue.
He had received alarming intelligence that Leng Yue's father, Military Commissioner Leng Peishan, was hiding a serious illness from the court while secretly expanding his army in the Southwest. Fearing Leng Peishan might be planning a rebellion to secure his power, Lord Jing worried that Jing Yi’s close association with Leng Yue could drag their family into a political catastrophe. The group finally arrived at the Guanling border of Qianzhou.
As Chu Chu pointed out the route to her hometown of Pingle, they were ambushed. Xu Rugui appeared, mocking Xiao Jinyu for going to the trouble of having a portrait made to find him and vowing to send him to his death.
