Episode Summary
In this episode, a potential marriage arrangement for the Crown Prince causes heartbreak for Qin Zhaoyu. Qin Wan successfully helps the mute Yan Sui to speak again, earning favor with the royal family. Her reunion is cut short when she is called to a gruesome new murder case where the victim has been flayed alive. The investigation quickly connects to an old, unsolved case handled by her late father, forcing her to confront the past to solve the present.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary: Episode 25 Spoilers
The episode opens with political maneuvering in the palace. The Empress, concerned that Qin Wan might be manipulated by others, proposes her as a candidate to be the Crown Prince's consort. Since Qin Wan has already been granted the title of Commandery Princess, she cannot be a mere concubine, revealing the Empress's intention for her to become the primary consort. The Marquis of Zhongyong is taken aback when he learns of this from the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince adds that if Qin Zhaoyu feels wronged by this, he will arrange another suitable marriage for her.
Unfortunately, Qin Zhaoyu overhears this conversation and is devastated. She isn't jealous of Qin Wan, whom she admits earned her title through genuine talent; she is heartbroken that the Crown Prince could so easily suggest finding her another husband. She retreats to play her zither, channeling her sorrow into the music. Her mother, Feng-shi, is pained to see her daughter's distress and advises her that men are the least reliable thing in the world and she should guard her own heart. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang are caught eavesdropping on the conversation and are confined by Feng-shi as punishment.
Elsewhere, Yan Li is found passed out drunk on the street.
A major development occurs with the arrival of the Grand Princess in the capital. Qin Wan visits the palace to see her and the Empress Dowager. During the visit, a young royal named Yan Sui is startled. Qin Wan takes him aside to change his clothes and gently works to undo the psychological knot that has kept him from speaking. To the astonishment of the Crown Prince, who passes by, Yan Sui begins to talk. Encouraged by Qin Wan, Yan Sui even releases a caged bird, symbolizing his own breakthrough. Back in the main hall, the Empress Dowager is overjoyed to hear him speak again. Qin Wan explains his condition was a mental block she was willing to help him overcome.
The tender moment is interrupted when Yan Chi arrives to escort Qin Wan from the palace. A new murder has occurred in the capital, and the Emperor himself has appointed Qin Wan to assist the Ministry of Justice. The Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess, while not openly acknowledging Qin Wan and Yan Chi's relationship, clearly see it and urge Yan Chi to protect her.
The new crime scene is horrific. The victim has been completely flayed, with all their skin removed. Li Muyun is also present at the scene. Qin Wan exchanges a brief greeting with him, but inwardly she seethes with hatred. Yue Ning rushes in, frantic with worry. With Yan Li missing, she fears the mutilated corpse could be his.
Qin Wan begins her examination, concluding that the victim was still alive during the flaying. She notes that there should be traces of cinnabar where the victim was positioned. She requests a painter to reconstruct the victim's face to aid in identification. Yan Chi feels there is something unusual about the cinnabar. His suspicion is confirmed when Bai Feng finds an old case file from Guanyin Town, a murder that Qin Wan's father, Shen Yi, had classified as an unsolved mystery. The supposed killer from that case has been imprisoned all this time. The painter, Ning Buyi, arrives and is immediately horrified by the gruesome scene.
Yan Chi and Bai Feng visit the suspect from the Guanyin Town case, a blind fortune-teller. He agrees to cooperate but makes a specific demand: he wants to eat rock sugar stewed pork knuckle.
While the official investigation proceeds, Yue Ning desperately searches for Yan Li on her own, drawing his portrait to ask for information. The autopsy reveals steamed crab in the victim's stomach, prompting Yan Chi to have his men investigate local restaurants. Observing Qin Wan's intense focus during the autopsy, Li Muyun is reminded of her father, Shen Yi. Overwhelmed by emotion and a sense of urgency, Qin Wan decides she must go to the Ministry of Justice prison immediately. She believes that understanding the mystery case her father left behind is the key to solving this new, brutal murder.
