Episode Summary
A murder at the isolated Baicao Garden forces Qin Wan to launch her own investigation when the young servant Xiao Songzi is found dead. Her initial findings are complicated by the dramatic arrival of an exhausted Yan Chi, who braved a snowstorm to be with her. After the local authorities prove incompetent, Yan Chi uses his authority to empower Qin Wan. Her meticulous re-examination of the body uncovers crucial clues—dry shoes and foreign clothing fibers—leading them to believe Xiao Songzi was an accidental victim and the real target was someone else in the garden.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary: Episode 13 Spoilers
The episode opens at the Baicao Garden, where a tense atmosphere is brewing. Sun Haoyue is treating Bai Feiyan for a congenital illness, explaining to a concerned Qin Wan that while his prescription is correct, her weak constitution means the effects are slow, especially with the harsh winter approaching. Their conversation is interrupted by shouts of a thief in the medicine garden. When Qin Wan and Sun Muqing investigate, they find a servant boy who claims someone was stealing herbs. However, the boy’s terrified reaction to the arrival of Uncle Dong makes Qin Wan immediately suspicious that there's more to the story.
Meanwhile, Yue Ning shares some gossip with Qin Wan. She saw their sister, Qin Xiang, become completely smitten with a handsome young man named Bai Feijue, right after being startled by an animal carcass. True to form, Qin Wan shows far more interest in examining the dead animal than in her sister's budding romance.
The relative peace is shattered when Sun Muqing rushes in with terrible news: the servant boy, Xiao Songzi, has been murdered. Despite Qin Yan's protests, Qin Wan insists on performing an autopsy. With the authorities a two-day journey away, she knows they only have three days to conduct a thorough investigation before the evidence is lost. As Qin Yan discusses leaving with the housekeeper, Qin Wan firmly states that given the circumstances, no one is going anywhere.
Her initial examination reveals that Xiao Songzi was an orphan with a heart condition and no known enemies. Qin Wan suspects the "thief" from the previous night is the killer, a fear that intensifies when they discover a woodcutter's knife is missing. Fearing the murderer might strike again, she suggests everyone gather for safety, but Sun Haoyue refuses, stating his frail wife cannot be moved and that he will protect her himself. The grim situation makes Yue Ning feel helpless and miss Yan Chi, a sentiment Qin Wan quietly shares.
As if on cue, Yan Chi and Bai Feng appear out of a blizzard, collapsing from exhaustion just as they reach the garden. They are brought in for medical care, and Qin Wan rushes to tend to Yan Chi's injuries personally, much to Sun Muqing's irritation. While this is unfolding, Qin Xiang slips away for a romantic nighttime rendezvous with Bai Feijue.
When Yan Chi awakens, he is deeply moved to find Qin Wan watching over him. He's flustered to learn she treated his wounds, but she insists on continuing. Bai Feng, now recovered, makes a point to tell Qin Wan about the grueling, non-stop journey Yan Chi undertook just to reach her. Overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings, Qin Wan flees the room.
The local officials finally arrive but conduct a sloppy investigation, hastily concluding it was a crime committed by an acquaintance. Dissatisfied, Qin Wan is about to challenge them when Yan Chi steps in. He produces the token of the Prince Rui Mansion, and the officials' arrogant demeanor instantly changes to one of deference.
With Yan Chi's support, Qin Wan re-examines Xiao Songzi's body. She makes two critical discoveries: the victim's shoes are completely dry, despite the snow, and his clothes have fibers of a coarse cotton material that no one in the Baicao Garden wears. Yan Chi immediately understands the significance of the dry shoes—the victim must have only walked along the covered corridors. This suggests the attack wasn't random; the killer was likely after someone else, and the corridor leads directly past Sun Haoyue's residence.
