A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 119 The Truth Revealed to the World (7)

The three judges conducted an on-site inspection. The medicinal materials were not difficult to identify, but the pills were not only numerous but also had overly complex ingredients, so a conclusion could not be reached in a short time.

As the sun was approaching noon, Song Shuyu couldn't help but feel anxious, but seeing their serious and meticulous attitude, without the slightest slackening, he felt embarrassed to urge them.

Mu Qingcheng and the officials carried the three dead bodies out of the glass jars. The bodies were already stiff, curled up, and their limbs could not be stretched out.

Therefore, an autopsy cannot be performed.

Mu Qingcheng could only conduct a preliminary examination, confirming that there was no blood on the surface of the bodies and no wounds in the vital areas. Then she covered them with white sheets and had them carried back to the morgue of the government office.

Song Shuyu couldn't bear to see Mu Qingcheng suffer, so he said, "Coroner Mu, why don't you and Miss Bai go back and rest and have a meal first?"

"Hasn't Your Excellency also not had a drop of water?" Mu Qingcheng looked at the busy judge and others, and said carefully, "It's noon, everyone is hungry. Judging from the situation, we don't know when we'll get any results. Why don't we transport all the evidence back to the yamen and invite the judge back to the Jingzhao Prefecture for examination?"

Without hesitation, Song Shuyu said, "Okay, let's do it that way."

Just as everyone was busy moving the evidence, the judge suddenly raised a question: "Lord Song, where is the prescription? If there were a prescription, we could compare it with the ingredients of the medicinal materials we tested."

Song Shuyu and Mu Qingcheng were both taken aback. "We didn't find the prescription."

"Hmm? Without a prescription, how did he make the medicine?" the judge asked in surprise, then looked around. "Or perhaps, did he refer to some medical book?"

All the evidence at the scene was handled by Mu Qingcheng, so Song Shuyu asked, "Coroner Mu, did you find any medical books or classics?"

Mu Qingcheng stated frankly, "There are none on the long table, but there are medical books on the bookshelf. However, it is uncertain whether they are for pharmaceutical preparation and further investigation is needed."

Song Shuyu nodded, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture to the judge, and said politely, "I appreciate your hard work in borrowing time from the Jingzhao Prefecture for a few days to thoroughly examine all the medical books, medicinal herbs, and pills. Once the case is solved, I will certainly petition the Emperor to reward you all for your merits!"

"Thank you, Lord Song! It was all my duty, and I dare not take credit for it." Upon hearing this, the judge was overjoyed.

The neighbors watched all morning, and finally the constables came out carrying many sealed boxes and three stretchers!
Strangely, a white sheet covered the stretcher, and there seemed to be someone under the sheet, but their body was curled up, and it was unclear what was going on.

Finally, the Prefect of the Capital came out with his men. Someone recognized the woman beside him as the female coroner from Yuntai Mountain that day!
When the people saw the coroner and remembered what the constable had said about a murder that had occurred there, they realized that the three people lying under the three white sheets were the dead, and there were three dead!
Immediately, sighs of dismay arose, and the people had many different opinions.

The constables took the seals and sealed off all four gates of the Mu residence, from east to west and north to south!

Two carriages carrying evidence and three funeral carriages arrived, along with two carriages carrying passengers. Dozens of constables escorted the seven carriages, which drove out of Yong'an Lane in the southern city, through the bustling Xuanding Street, and into the Jingzhao Prefecture government office.

……

The main courtyard of the rear office, the dining hall.

Song Shuyu hosted a banquet for the three judges of the academy, along with Mu Qingcheng and Bai Zhizhi, making a total of six people sharing lunch.

After the meal, everyone rested for a while before getting back to their own tasks.

Song Shuyu returned to his room to bathe and change his clothes, tidying himself up before deciding to visit Zhang, the registrar.

Unexpectedly, someone suddenly arrived at the palace!
Dressed in eunuch attire, Eunuch Qin bowed and knelt before Song Shuyu, his attitude extremely submissive. "The Empress Dowager summons the Second Prince to the palace for an audience immediately!"

"Now?" Song Shuyu was secretly startled. "Does Father-in-law know why my aunt summoned me at this time?"

Eunuch Qin smiled and said, "The Second Young Master hasn't come to the palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager for many days. The Empress Dowager is worried about the Second Young Master!"

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu cupped his hands and said, "I am sorry for your concern, Aunt Empress Dowager. It is I who have been unfilial. Please apologize on my behalf, Your Excellency! I am currently very busy with official duties..."

"Second Young Master!" Eunuch Qin suddenly knelt down and kowtowed deeply. "Please, Second Young Master, have pity on this servant and come with me to the palace!"

Song Shuyu's expression gradually turned solemn. He stared at the hunched-over body of Eunuch Qin, remaining silent.

Qin Huai was a senior eunuch serving the Empress Dowager, holding a highly respected position. He was usually summoned by his subordinate eunuchs and rarely came personally. But today, not only had he come in person, but he had also knelt and begged him. Clearly, if he didn't respond, Qin Huai's life would be in danger!

In other words, the Empress Dowager has encountered a thorny and urgent matter!
After considering this, Song Shuyu said, "Please rise, Your Excellency. I will now go to the palace to pay my respects to my aunt, the Empress Dowager!"

"This servant thanks the Second Young Master!"

Eunuch Qin was moved to tears and became even more respectful.

……

royal palace.

Shou Kang Palace is the residence of the current Empress Dowager Song Zi. Song Shuyu would come here to pay his respects every two months.

After Eunuch Qin made the announcement, he invited Song Shuyu to Chengfeng Hall.

He lowered his eyes, stepped forward, knelt down, and said loudly, "Shuyu greets my aunt, the Empress Dowager, wishing her peace, good fortune, and longevity!"

The Empress Dowager, leaning against the phoenix couch, was over forty years old, yet her skin was as white as snow, her figure graceful, and her beauty beyond compare.

She looked down at Song Shuyu, her almond-shaped eyes filled with anger, and said, "Song Shuyu, have you forgotten your aunt just because I didn't summon you?"

"Your nephew wouldn't dare!" Song Shuyu lowered his head even further, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your nephew has just taken office as the Prefect of the Capital, and there are many official duties to attend to. Please forgive me, Aunt!"

The Empress Dowager suddenly chuckled, "Get up and speak."

"Thank you, Aunt!"

Song Shuyu stood up, still keeping his head down, his manners polite and courteous, yet distant and indifferent.

The Empress Dowager raised her chin. "Raise your head and let me take a good look at you."

Song Shuyu's large hand, hidden in his sleeve, unconsciously clenched into a fist. He slowly raised his eyes to meet the Empress Dowager's gaze.

They gazed at each other for a long time without uttering a word.

The Empress Dowager's burning gaze was fixed on Song Shuyu's incomparably handsome face, but her eyes were unfocused. She was looking at him, but it didn't seem like she was looking at him. Instead, she was quietly looking at someone else through his face.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager finally looked away and gazed at the wisteria vines on the wall not far from the window. She spoke softly, "Shuyu, how is the Duke of Song... how has he been lately? Has he written home?"

Song Shuyu's Adam's apple bobbed as he replied in a low voice, "Aunt, Father's letters come every month without fail. He says he is doing well."

The Empress Dowager turned around abruptly. Song Shuyu's cold gaze was caught in her eyes before she could withdraw it. She smiled suddenly, revealing the gentleness and love of an elder. "Shuyu, tell your aunt, did your father mention me in his letter?"

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(End of this chapter)