Episode Summary
The episode reveals that the current Emperor is an impostor named Yan Han, the secret twin of the late Emperor. Having murdered his brother and usurped the throne, he has spent years eliminating anyone who knew his secret. Yan Ze, whose blindness was a ruse, is exposed as the leader of the shadowy Tiandao Society.He initiates a palace coup with the Empress, capturing the false Emperor and throwing the capital into chaos, forcing Qin Wan and Yan Chi to enter the palace to confront the impending crisis.
Spoiler Alert
Coroner's Diary Episode 37: The Twin Emperor
The episode unravels the dynasty's most shocking secret, a truth revealed by Qian Shi to a stunned Qin Wan and Yan Chi. The Empress Dowager, back when she was only a Noble Consort, gave birth to identical twin boys. Powerless against the reigning Empress, she was forced to make an impossible choice, sending one of her sons out of the palace to save his life. Before they were separated, she named him Yan Han.
Though palace doctors predicted he wouldn't survive long, Yan Han grew up strong under the care of Qian Shi, who posed as a distant relative. The secret began to crumble when the late emperor, Huai Ge'er, was named Crown Prince. The Empress Dowager, fearing the striking resemblance between her sons would be discovered, ordered Yan Han to be sent far away. However, Yan Han overheard the truth of his birthright. Consumed by a deep-seated hatred for the Yan royal family that abandoned him, he left to join the army. Years later, he seized his opportunity, murdering his own twin brother during one of the Emperor's excursions and secretly usurping the throne. Qian Shi knew the Empress Dowager's worst fears had come true the moment she heard that this "new" Emperor had personally executed Fu Chengye.
This revelation explains everything for Qin Wan and Yan Chi—the sudden change in the Emperor's handwriting, his ruthlessness, and the string of mysterious deaths. They realize the Empress Dowager has been aware of the deception, trapped in silent agony over the loss of one son and the monstrous actions of the other; this hidden grief is the true source of her chronic heart ailment. The current Emperor's actions, such as eliminating the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng, were all calculated moves to secure the throne for his own sons, Yan Li and Yan Sui. If this truth were exposed, however, his sons would be illegitimate, leaving Yan Chi as the only rightful heir—a destiny he has no interest in.
Meanwhile, Yan Ze's eyesight has been fully restored. During a visit, Qin Wan observes him playing chess with the Empress Dowager. Yan Ze summons Yan Li, remarking how much he now resembles the Emperor, a comment that visibly shakes the Empress Dowager. Qin Wan immediately senses that Yan Ze knows more than he lets on. It's later confirmed that Yan Ze is aware of the Emperor's true identity and is plotting his own moves, allied with the Empress who is preparing to act.
Qin Wan finally connects the dots for all the previous murders. Prince Rui's wife must have discovered the Emperor's black birthmark while treating an injury, signing her own death warrant. Consort Jin and Prince Jin were also silenced for knowing the secret. Prince Jin, in a desperate bid to maintain the stability of the kingdom, concealed the truth but confided in Shen Yi. Shen Yi, for the same patriotic reasons, hid the evidence, which ultimately led to his and his family's demise. This is why he warned Qin Wan never to seek justice; as long as the impostor Yan Han sits on the throne, no truth can be brought to light.
The coup begins. Yan Ze enters the palace as the guards change, signaling that his and the Empress's grand plan is in motion. Investigations reveal that Yan Ze is connected to the clandestine Tiandao Society. As chaos descends upon the capital, Qin Wan and Yan Chi enter the palace together, ready to face whatever comes next. Inside, Yan Li and Yan Sui find the Emperor's attendants drugged and unconscious, and they are soon trapped inside the locked hall. Qin Wan is attacked by assassins the moment she enters the palace gates, but Yan Chi arrives just in time to fight them off. A violent palace takeover is underway.
The climax arrives when the Emperor awakens, bound and helpless. He is horrified to see his trusted eunuch is a member of the Tiandao Society. The society's leader steps forward and removes his mask, revealing himself to be none other than Yan Ze, leaving the false Emperor in a state of utter shock and disbelief.
