Episode Summary
In this episode, Yin Yao's elaborate plan to use his master's work for his own fame is exposed after Geng Wushang commits suicide to stop him. After the case is solved, the focus shifts to a new political threat involving a Khitan polo match and hidden spies in Chang'an.
Spoiler Alert
The Coroner's Final Case
A Father's Strange Suicide
We pick up right where we left off. Su Wuming and his crew rush in. They find Su Chan kneeling by her father’s body. She’s a mess. She tells everyone he died from strychnine poisoning. He had been taking it for pain.
Master Fei shakes his head. He knows this poison. It's rare and incredibly dangerous. He says it makes the body arch backward until the head and feet touch. It looks like a weaving loom. That’s why it has a grim nickname, "Traction Loom Medicine."
Just then, Yin Yao bursts into the room. He’s completely falling apart. He drops to his knees, crying. He insists his master would never accidentally take too much. He demands to perform the autopsy himself. Su Wuming agrees.
Su Wuming Finds the Truth in Writing
While Yin Yao gets to work, Su Wuming does his own thing. He goes straight to Geng Wushang's desk. The old coroner was working on a book. It’s called "Record of Solidified Corpses." Su Wuming finds a huge clue in the unfinished manuscript. The title of the last chapter is "A Coroner Must Not Kill."
That’s not all. He finds a separate note. It says, "Yin Yao must never be a coroner." Su Wuming looks closer. The handwriting on this note perfectly matches the document that kicked Yin Yao out of the profession. The pieces are starting to click into place.
A little later, Yin Yao finishes the autopsy. He confirms it was a suicide. He holds back his grief and makes a big announcement. He’s officially rejoining the coroner profession. He vows to win the upcoming competition. He wants to secure the title of Chang'an's best coroner for his master's school forever. Pei Xijun and Chu Yingtao are relieved for him. But Su Wuming just stands there looking grim. He knows something is wrong.
Yin Yao's Grand Plan
A Proposal and a Twisted Reveal
The next morning, Yin Yao is already making moves. He goes to a pawn shop. He sells a whole case of fancy makeup tools. He gets three thousand cash for it.
Then he takes that money and goes right to Su Chan. He proposes to her. He starts talking about their future. He says they'll live a life of luxury after he’s no longer in a "lowly" profession. Su Chan is confused. She asks him why he’s so sure he’ll win the competition.
Yin Yao lets it slip. He tells her he wasn't confident before. But now he has the "Record of Solidified Corpses." He says he’ll present the book to the government. He’s certain it will win him the title of the best coroner in the world. He gets a little too excited. Then he calms down and drops another bomb on Su Chan. He tells her she isn't Geng Wushang's biological daughter. He says after they marry, he wants her to stay home and be a wife. Her days as a coroner are over.
The Confession
Su Wuming hears that Yin Yao is trying to rush his master's burial. He immediately takes his men to stop it. They open the coffin and re-examine the body. Then they haul both Yin Yao and Su Chan to the courthouse.
Yin Yao is furious with Su Wuming. But Su Wuming lays out all the evidence in court. He reveals Geng Wushang killed himself to stop Yin Yao's own murderous plans. Pei Xijun compares the handwriting samples. It's a perfect match. They also find a note written by Yin Yao in Geng Wushang's clothes. It’s over. Yin Yao is the killer.
He finally confesses everything. He says he always hated being a coroner, even though he had a talent for it. Geng Wushang just used him. Yin Yao even invented a new technique called the "pit steaming bone method." But Geng Wushang stole the credit and published it as his own. This made Yin Yao incredibly bitter.
His original plan was simple. He would quit his job. This would make Geng Wushang feel guilty. Eventually, his old master would get desperate for a successor. He would invite Yin Yao back, offering to co-author the book with him.
But Geng Wushang got sick and was dying too quickly. The book wasn't finished. So Yin Yao copied a scheme from an old case. He set things up to keep his master alive just long enough to finish the "Record of Solidified Corpses." Then Yin Yao planned to use the book to make himself famous. Master Fei is disgusted. He tells Yin Yao that talent means nothing. A coroner’s heart is what truly matters.
A New Chapter and a New Threat
Justice for the Coroners
With the case closed, Su Wuming visits Geng's home to pay his respects. He encourages Su Chan to finish her father's book. He predicts it will become a classic.
The Emperor issues a decree. He cancels the coroner competition. In light of Geng Wushang and Su Chan's contribution with the book, he grants her a special pardon. She is officially removed from the lowly caste. She becomes a professional coroner for the government. Her children will be free to choose any profession they want.
The Polo Challenge
Things shift gears quickly. The Khitan Khan's younger brother, Natie, arrives in Chang'an with his polo team. They immediately challenge the Tang team's reputation. They play a match and win.
Pei Mian makes a public announcement. The final championship match will be in ten days. It will be the Tang team versus the Khitan team. The Emperor says he wants to play in the match himself, alongside Lu Lingfeng. Pei Mian advises against it. He reminds the Emperor that he's not a prince anymore. It would be against protocol for him to play when the Khitan Khan isn't there himself. The Emperor agrees, but he’s clearly disappointed.
Spies in the City
Lu Tong gets an urgent message from a spy. The Khitans are sending an agent to Chang'an. This agent is supposed to meet with a hidden operative known only as "Gray Wolf."
At the same time, the Princess gets her own secret letter from the Khitans. It reveals their plan to attack and seize Ting Prefecture. She is absolutely furious. She immediately cuts off all communication with them. She swears to defend every inch of Tang territory.
