Episode Summary
Princess Yuan Wu's public marriage proposal is flatly rejected by Yan Chi, who then reaffirms his exclusive love for Qin Wan through a romantic confession. As political and family schemes intensify, with Feng Shi attempting to entrap Qin Wan with the Crown Prince, a jealous Princess Yuan Wu decides to take matters into her own hands. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as the princess lures Qin Wan into a trap with the clear intention of killing her.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary Episode 23: A Royal Proposal and a Deadly Trap
The episode opens with the bold and unexpected demand from Princess Yuan Wu: she wants Yan Chi to be her prince consort. A stunned Yan Chi quickly refuses, explaining that they are practically strangers. The princess reminds him that he once saved her during a border patrol in Shuo Xi, personally escorting her back to the Bei Dai frontier. Yan Chi clarifies that he mistook her for a young male soldier at the time; had he known her true identity, he would have acted with more caution. Unfazed, Yuan Wu insists on the marriage, but Yan Chi remains firm. He declares he will only marry for love, and besides, with him as a competitor, she has no chance of winning whatever contest she has in mind.
To ease the palpable tension, the Crown Prince steps in, proposing a friendly horsemanship and archery competition in three days for the envoys of Bei Dai and Xi Han. Later, while Yue Ning expresses her worry that the Emperor might force Yan Chi into the marriage, Qin Wan remains composed. She states that she only cares about Yan Chi's own actions and choices, not the political maneuvering of others.
As Qin Wan boards her carriage, Yan Chi tries to follow, but is left behind. Inside, Feng Shi and Qin Zhaoyu discuss the day's events with Qin Wan. They reveal that the delegations from Xi Han and Bei Dai are there to seek a marriage alliance with Yan Zhen; whichever nation is chosen, the other is expected to form a marriage alliance with a noble house. Feng Shi pushes for Qin Wan to be that person, but Qin Wan has no interest in the power and wealth that come with royalty. Her only goal is to clear her father's name. Her maid, Fuling, advises her to formalize her relationship with Yan Chi soon, but Qin Wan prefers to let things develop naturally.
Later that night, Yan Chi invites Qin Wan for a boat ride to a small, beautifully decorated island he prepared just for her. There, he confesses his true feelings, assuring her that he will only ever marry the person he loves, and that person is her. Their romantic moment is witnessed from afar by Princess Yuan Wu, who had come looking for Yan Chi. Seeing him return to Prince Rui's Mansion with Qin Wan, she is consumed with rage.
At the dilapidated mansion, Yan Chi explains his difficult position to Qin Wan. He reveals that Prince Rui was once favored by the late Emperor for the throne but, having no imperial ambitions, he willingly relocated to the remote Shuo Xi, allowing the current Emperor to ascend. After Prince Rui's wife passed away, he had even less desire to return to the capital, leaving his mansion to fall into ruin. Yan Chi explains that he is essentially a hostage in the capital to appease the Emperor, forced to navigate a treacherous court that is a bloodless battlefield. His life, he feels, is as broken as the mansion around them.
Meanwhile, Feng Shi's schemes continue. She is informed that the Crown Prince has arrived at their residence, asking specifically for Qin Wan. After Qin Yan brings Qin Wan to meet him, Feng Shi dismisses Qin Yan and has Qin Wan serve wine to the Crown Prince, hoping he will misunderstand her intentions as an attempt at seduction. The plan backfires when the Marquis of Zhongyong arrives and clarifies that Qin Wan is the highly skilled coroner he personally recommended. The Marquis later scolds both Feng Shi and Qin Zhaoyu for their reckless plan, warning them that if the Crown Prince or Empress found out, Qin Zhaoyu's own ambitions of becoming Empress would be ruined.
In another part of the city, Yan Chi and Yan Li attempt to visit Princess Yi, but she refuses to see them. Instead, she sends them two strings of prayer beads with a message wishing them to "know each other without distance." While Yan Li sees nothing amiss, Yan Chi senses an ominous and unlucky undertone in her words.
With the Empress Dowager's health improving, the Emperor offers Qin Wan any reward she desires. She cleverly asks only that Yue Ning be allowed to attend an upcoming royal outing. We are also introduced to Yan Sui, the Emperor's ninth son, who is brought in by Yan Chi, Yan Li, and Yue Ning. The boy is mute and appears terrified of his father; it's revealed he was in the room when his mother, Consort Jin, was murdered. The Emperor agrees to let Yan Li and Yue Ning join the outing but forbids Yan Chi from attending to avoid further conflict with Princess Yuan Wu. The Empress Dowager, however, notices the affectionate glances between Yan Chi and Qin Wan and simply smiles.
The episode culminates at the outing. Princess Yuan Wu, set on revenge, sends a messenger to fetch Qin Wan, falsely claiming she has been injured and needs medical attention. Though suspicious, Qin Wan feels obligated to go due to the diplomatic implications. Upon her arrival at the South Garden, Princess Yuan Wu's friendly facade drops, and she launches a murderous attack on Qin Wan.
