A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 107 The Mu Residence is a Hidden Place of Filth (1)

The cool night breeze stirred their dark hair, but it did not dispel the cautious anticipation hidden in Song Shuyu's eyes, nor the longing that was boiling in his chest and that he was desperately suppressing.

Mu Qingcheng sensed something was wrong, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

She avoided Song Shuyu's burning gaze, turning her attention back to the door plaque, and replied calmly, "The owner of this household is surnamed Mu, which is the same as my surname. However, I have never been here to perform a burial before and do not know him. You are a local of the capital, sir. Do you know him?"

Her seemingly casual question was actually a sign of extreme nervousness.

Back then, my father was suddenly demoted from his high position as the third-rank Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to Jiangnan. Then my mother suddenly died of illness. My father resolutely resigned from his post, sold his property, and left the capital with her overnight.

This series of major changes must have been caused by something, but her father refused to tell her and set a family rule that she was never allowed to return to the capital.

Over the years, my father concealed his identity and worked as a lowly coroner in Wuzhou. In his eyes, the capital was a land of wolves and tigers, and it was difficult to distinguish whether the people there were friends or foes.

Therefore, even though the person who asked her was Song Shuyu, she dared not take the risk before the reason was clear.

But since Song Shuyu had brought up the topic, she took the opportunity to probe whether Song Shuyu had any connection with the Mu family.

However, Song Shuyu suddenly became agitated, "You...you really don't recognize me?"

"Why should I get to know him?" Mu Qingcheng asked calmly.

Song Shuyu stood there, stunned, his thoughts in disarray. Could he have mistaken her for someone else? No, impossible. His intuition was right. Her personality hadn't changed, her eyes hadn't changed, and her facial features still bore the resemblance to before. Even her surname and interests were exactly the same as before! So, how could she not be the youngest sister of the Mu family?
"My lord, do you know anyone from the Mu family? This place seems to be Yong'an Lane in the southern part of the city. It's all dark around here, so I'm not sure."

Mu Qingcheng looked around seriously, glancing at Song Shuyu out of the corner of her eye from time to time. But in a short while, the one who looked lost and disoriented was someone else.

After a long while, Song Shuyu walked to the steps in front of the door, lifted his robe, and slowly sat down.

"My lord, be careful not to catch a cold..."

“I know the Mu family.”

Song Shuyu interrupted Mu Qingcheng's reminder and said to himself, "The owner of this Mu residence is Mu Yan, the former Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. More than ten years ago, Madam Mu passed away, and Minister Mu took his young daughter, resigned from his post and left the capital, disappearing without a trace."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng's mind raced. Judging from his sorrowful appearance, it didn't seem like he had any grudge against her family. Instead, he seemed to be reminiscing about something. Besides, going back twelve years, he was only nine years old. He shouldn't have offended his father, right?

"My lord, you and the Mu family..." She wanted to know if Song Shuyu had any other connections with the Mu family, but she was also worried that asking too many questions would arouse Song Shuyu's suspicion. Moreover, Li Mu had secretly connected the Li residence and the Mu family, which meant he was obviously using the abandoned Mu residence for some shady dealings. What if it implicated her father...

“My business with the Mu family is a private matter. We can talk about it when we have time.” The cold wind woke Song Shuyu up. He also thought of the seriousness of the case involving the Mu family. So, he put aside his distracting thoughts and said with a serious expression, “Let’s go back immediately. We shouldn’t disturb the neighbors and cause unnecessary trouble.”

Mu Qingcheng nodded in agreement.

As Song Shuyu stood up, he suddenly felt dizzy. Mu Qingcheng quickly grabbed his arm and asked with concern, "My lord, what's wrong?" As she spoke, she placed her palm on Song Shuyu's forehead. His unusually high temperature made her brows furrow. "This is bad. My lord, you've just recovered from a serious illness and overworked yourself. Plus, you caught a chill, so you have a fever again! My lord, let Constable Jiang take you back to your residence to rest and have a doctor check your pulse!"

"It's alright, I can handle it." Song Shuyu forced a smile and teased her in a lighthearted manner, "If I'm sick, and you send me gifts, won't you make a fortune?"

Mu Qingcheng was embarrassed and annoyed. "What are you saying, my lord? My heart is pure and innocent towards you. How could I possibly care about such worldly things?"

Song Shuyu's eyes were full of doting affection. "Hehe, so you're not going to save up for your dowry?"

"Save it, but there's no rush. I'll get married when I've saved enough." Mu Qingcheng replied casually, helping Song Shuyu to the west wall of the Mu residence. Looking at the sickly and frail adult, she hesitated and asked, "My lord, would you like me to fly you inside?"

Song Shuyu sighed: "Yes, it is necessary."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly wrapped his long arm around her waist, lifted her into the air, flew over the wall, and headed directly to the central courtyard of the Mu residence.

Mu Qingcheng was extremely surprised. She stared at his handsome profile in mid-air and was momentarily stunned.

Adults are so concerned about saving face and so stubborn!
After the two landed, Song Shuyu let go of his hand and said in a low voice, "Mu Qingcheng, my health is indeed not good, but it's not as weak as you think. If you don't believe me, I have many ways to prove it."

Mu Qingcheng chuckled to himself.

It seems that we need to add another criterion to define adults—childishness!
"Sister Mu!"

Bai Zhizhi rushed over quickly. Behind her was the brightly lit courtyard, where they had made use of every available space to put torches and hang lanterns.

They even lit a bonfire in the middle of the courtyard.

“My lord!” Jiang Zhan also came over to reply, “This mansion looks like it has been abandoned for many years, but it has basically everything that a high-ranking family should have. The woodshed is full of firewood and wood, and there are dozens of kerosene lamps and lanterns in the storage room. Registrar Zhang has already gone to hang lanterns in other courtyards.”

Song Shuyu pondered for a moment and said, "Search the central courtyard first, and find anything unusual for me!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Jiang Zhan accepted the order and left.

Unlike usual, Bai Zhizhi didn't jump around. She stayed quietly to the side, her eyes lowered and she didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng pulled Bai Zhizhi a few steps away from Song Shuyu and asked softly, "Zhizhi, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Bai Zhizhi stammered, "Sister Mu, I recognize this place. This is your home."

“Yes.” Mu Qingcheng’s throat tightened. “Zhizhi, you must keep this a secret for me. I dare not act rashly before my father’s reply arrives.”

Bai Zhizhi sniffed. "Don't worry, Sister Mu, I understand."

As Song Shuyu watched the two of them whispering, his thoughts began to churn again. He called out loudly, "Coroner Mu!"

Mu Qingcheng hurriedly returned.

Song Shuyu said, "Do you still remember the clues that Zhang Zhubu collected? On the night of the Ghost Festival, the night watchman Luo Baoshan encountered a ghost in Yong'an Lane. His night watchman's chant echoed, and he also saw a white shadow float into the Mu residence. There was also the sound of a child crying inside the Mu residence."

"I remember." Mu Qingcheng nodded.

Song Shuyu couldn't help but recall Mu Qingcheng's unusually agitated reaction when he heard about this...

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(End of this chapter)