Episode Summary
The case of the murders at the Qin Mansion reaches a fiery and tragic conclusion as Cai He's revenge plot is revealed, leading to her death alongside the Older Brother. In the wake of the tragedy, the Sister-in-law gives birth and leaves the family. Yan Chi officially invites Qin Wan to the capital to help him reinvestigate the politically sensitive Prince Jin case, which is connected to the massacre of her own family.A chance encounter with an old acquaintance sparks Yan Chi's jealousy, and the episode ends with the arrival of a relative from the capital whose mission is to bring Qin Wan home.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary Episode 11: A Fiery Climax and a New Beginning
The episode throws us directly into a life-or-death struggle as the Older Brother attempts to silence Qin Wan permanently, using the same method that has appeared in their case. Just as he tightens his grip, Wan Xing bursts in to save her. Qin Wan is stunned by Wan Xing's formidable fighting skills, and the truth is revealed: she is actually Ying Qi, a skilled operative under Yan Chi's command.
Suddenly, cries of "fire" erupt from the direction of the ancestral hall. The Older Brother, distraught, rushes towards the blaze to find Cai He. Prefect Huo and his men are already there, but their efforts are useless; the hall has been doused in tung oil, and water only seems to feed the flames. From within the inferno, Cai He's voice rings out with chilling clarity. She confesses her long-held desire for revenge against the Qin family for destroying her own. For five years, she has plotted this moment, vowing to make the Third Master watch as his family line is extinguished.
Inside the burning hall, Cai He has tied up Old Madam Qin and the Sister-in-law, intending for them all to perish together. When Yan Chi and Yue Ning arrive, Yan Chi instantly notices the ligature marks on Qin Wan's neck and knows the Older Brother is responsible.
The Older Brother plunges into the fire. At Old Madam Qin's desperate plea to save the baby, he hesitates before carrying his pregnant wife (the Sister-in-law) to safety. He then turns and runs back into the collapsing structure. Inside, he finds Old Madam Qin has already succumbed. He confronts Cai He, his heart breaking as he asks if their entire relationship was a lie. He killed for her, sought revenge for her, only to learn that she was deceiving him from the very beginning and that he is the son of her mortal enemy. Utterly broken, he still shields her from the falling roof, saving her life. In a final, tragic twist, Cai He chooses not to flee but to die with him in the flames that have consumed their lives and lies.
In the aftermath, the Sister-in-law gives birth to a daughter. The Third Madam, however, is disgusted, callously remarking that a girl isn't worth looking at. With newfound resolve, the Sister-in-law declares she is leaving the "filthy" Qin household with her daughter, never to return.
With the case finally closed, Yan Chi formally asks Qin Wan to join him in the capital to help investigate the Prince Jin case.Yue Ning excitedly insists on coming along. Though her handmaiden Fuling worries about the propriety of an unmarried woman traveling with Yan Chi, Qin Wan believes he already suspects her true identity and decides to accept his offer.
As the Qin Mansion's assets are seized, the Third Madam begs Qin Wan to plead with Yan Chi for leniency, but Qin Wan ignores her, speaking only to ensure her Sister-in-law is cared for. Yan Chi explains to Qin Wan that Prince Jin, the emperor's beloved eldest son, was accused of attempting to rape a royal concubine.Yan Chi, who viewed the prince as a brother, is convinced he was framed and wants Qin Wan's help to uncover the truth.
Later, while gathering medicine, Qin Wan saves a sick child and unexpectedly runs into Sun Muqing, a senior from her time at the Valley of Medicine Kings. She quickly pulls him aside to prevent him from revealing her secrets in front of Yan Chi. Sun Muqing mentions he almost didn't recognize her, as she always dressed as a man in the valley. Yan Chi, seeing their close interaction, becomes intensely jealous, leading to a brief argument before he sincerely apologizes.
The episode concludes with the arrival of Qin Yan from the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence in the capital. He is there to escort the Third Madam and her family, but his true purpose is revealed when he presents Qin Wan with a jade tablet: he has come specifically to bring her back to the capital.
