Episode Summary
In this episode, Qin Yan plots to use Qin Wan's connection to Yan Chi for political gain. The investigation into a local mystery intensifies when an attacker, seeking revenge on Sun Haoyue, takes Qin Xiang hostage before being killed by Bai Feijue. This leads Qin Xiang to elope with Bai Feijue, prompting a chase by Qin Wan and Qin Yan. The pursuit uncovers a shocking truth: the man with Qin Xiang is an imposter, and the real Bai Feijue is a captive. The episode ends with the mastermind, Sun Haoyue, successfully drugging and capturing Qin Wan and Yue Ning.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary: Episode 14 Spoilers
The episode opens with political undercurrents as Qin Yan observes Yan Chi's protective nature towards Qin Wan. He sees this as an opportunity to forge a closer alliance between Yan Chi and the Crown Prince, viewing Qin Wan as a powerful, double-edged sword that must be bound to the fate of the Marquis's Mansion. Meanwhile, Qin Wan grows anxious when Yan Chi and Bai Feng are late to take their medicine. Just as she's about to search for them, they return with grim news. Fearing the recent attacker will now target Sun Haoyue, Yan Chi reveals he has already summoned the Black Armored Guards, who are just hours away.
The drama within the family escalates when Qin Shuang confides in Qin Wan and Yue Ning. She reveals that her sister, Qin Xiang, snuck out the previous night and returned with a new jade butterfly, leading Qin Shuang to suspect she is secretly meeting with Bai Feijue. Worried that Qin Xiang is heading for heartbreak, as Bai Feijue's prominent family would never let him choose his own bride, Qin Shuang seeks advice. However, Qin Wan advises her to focus on her own well-being and not to interfere.
The investigation takes a violent turn when a scream pierces the air. Yan Chi, Bai Feng, Qin Wan, and Yue Ning rush to the scene to find a man named Da Cheng grievously wounded. A timely warning shout from Yan Chi saved his life, but before losing consciousness, Da Cheng utters a cryptic warning: "don't wait anymore." The chaos moves to the women's courtyard where the attacker strikes again. After a heated argument with Qin Shuang, Qin Xiang is taken hostage. The culprit demands to see Sun Haoyue, revealing his motive: he believes Sun Haoyue murdered his daughter, whose body bore the marks of being cut open and stitched shut. Just as Sun Haoyue arrives, Bai Feijue appears and silences the man permanently with a sleeve arrow, rescuing a shaken Qin Xiang.
In the aftermath, Qin Yan, unfazed, announces their departure for the capital the next day, dismissing Yan Chi's offer of extended protection. Suspicious, Qin Wan decides to investigate the Plum Garden with Yue Ning, where they unearth the buried carcasses of wild animals, hoping to discover their cause of death. As they prepare to leave, Qin Xiang receives a gift from Bai Feijue, delivered by his servant, Uncle Dong. The message is that Bai Feijue must return to Yizhou on urgent family business. Qin Xiang romantically misinterprets this as a proposal, but her sister Qin Shuang is skeptical. Hidden within the gift, Qin Xiang finds a secret note from Bai Feijue, asking her to elope with him.
Convinced the "monster" of Sanyuan Village is connected to these events, Qin Wan persuades Yan Chi to delay their departure. The next day, their carriage conveniently breaks down, and Qin Shuang frantically reports that Qin Xiang and her favorite jewelry are missing—she has run away with Bai Feijue. Without informing Yan Chi, Qin Wan and Qin Yan set off in pursuit. Their chase leads them to an inn where a tea pastry with the Zhang family's unique mark provides a crucial clue. The innkeeper notes that while the Zhang family is long gone, Aunt Lin of the Baicao Garden is famous for making these pastries. Realizing the danger, Qin Wan immediately sends for the authorities to raid the garden.
The episode culminates in a series of shocking revelations. At the Baicao Garden, Qin Wan and Yue Ning encounter a mute patient who writes down a name: Bai Feijue. It is revealed that this man is the real Bai Feijue. The man who eloped with Qin Xiang is an imposter who had a heart condition and received a heart transplant. The final confrontation occurs as Qin Wan and Yue Ning go to face Sun Haoyue. They take an antidote beforehand, but it's not enough. Sun Haoyue tricks Sun Muqing into drinking a drugged tea that makes him pass out, and then uses a potent drugged incense that overwhelms both Qin Wan and Yue Ning, leaving them at his mercy.
