A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 133 The Truth Revealed to the World (19)

"what--"

The remaining old nanny and middle-aged maid were startled and immediately screamed and ran away!

The constables drew their swords and surrounded the people!
The old woman who was kidnapped seemed to have expected it, and remained calm and composed.
"Be bold!"

Liu Changqing's anger reached its peak instantly. "Which courtyard do you belong to? How dare you commit violence in my General's Mansion? If you know what's good for you, put down your weapon immediately and go to your death, so your family won't suffer!"

"Wait!"

Mu Qingcheng's face remained calm and composed. She glanced at Liu Changqing indifferently and said, "General Liu, we've been at odds for so long, and we have a general understanding of each other. In front of me, General Liu, there's no need for you to resort to threats and insinuations!"

"Coroner Mu!" Liu Changqing's face turned ashen with anger. "What nonsense are you spouting? What business is it of yours how this general disciplines the maids in his own household? Mind your own business..."

Compared to Liu Changqing's temper, Mu Qingcheng remained calm and kindly reminded him, "General Liu, have you forgotten? I'm performing a magic trick!"

After speaking, she stood with her hands behind her back on the steps, staring at the maid with a half-smile, "Young Master Liu, I've heard that your swordsmanship is superb. Why are you using a dagger now?"

"What, you want to fight me with swords?"

Despite having a woman's beautiful face, she spoke with a clear male voice, a voice that everyone in the General's Mansion recognized. Everyone was immediately astonished, speechless, as if they had seen a ghost!

Mu Qingcheng glanced sideways and saw Liu Changqing's instantly lifeless old face, and couldn't help but sneer, "General Liu, was my magic trick entertaining?"

Liu Changqing's shoulders went limp, and he staggered, muttering, "How could this be... how is this possible? Pei'er is clearly dead, how could it be Pei'er's voice?"

Mu Qingcheng was too lazy to watch his act. She took out the arrest warrant from her bosom, showed it to Liu Pei, and said sternly, "Liu Pei, you are suspected of murdering Li Mu, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy. I am acting on the orders of Lord Song, the Prefect of the Capital, to arrest you!"

Liu Pei laughed freely: "Coroner Mu, do you think you can arrest me with these second-rate constables you brought? Besides, I have hostages in my hands. Try touching one of them and see what happens!"

Mu Qingcheng sighed, "Tsk tsk, it turns out that not only Liu Xiao is a madman, but you, Liu Pei, are just as crazy!"

“Yes, who in our Liu family isn’t crazy?” Liu Pei nodded in agreement. “Coroner Mu is very good at judging people. It seems my brother has a deep conversation with Coroner Mu despite not knowing him well!”

Mu Qingcheng nodded: "Liu Xiao is disobedient and insists on playing with Granny Yang's life. How can I not treat him well? Young Master Liu, are you sure you want to follow your brother's example?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Pei's eyes lit up with interest. "Could it be that Coroner Mu really wants to have a sword duel with me?"

Mu Qingcheng stopped talking and reached out to the nearest constable, "Lend me your knife."

The constable removed his official sword and presented it with both hands.

Mu Qingcheng weighed the blade in her hand. "Just right." Then, she kicked a pebble with her toe, sending it flying towards Liu Pei's hand holding the knife with lightning speed!
Liu Pei cried out in pain, and the dagger clattered to the ground. The constables immediately snatched the old woman away!
Mu Qingcheng drew his sword, pointing it at Liu Pei from afar, his eyes blazing, "Liu Pei, draw your sword!"

Liu Pei no longer looked down on Mu Qingcheng. He drew his soft sword from his waist, leaped up, and attacked Mu Qingcheng!
The constables had never seen Mu Qingcheng's swordsmanship before, and they all stared wide-eyed, afraid of missing a single move. They also thought that if the coroner Mu was no match for him, they would attack him as a group! It was not unethical for the government to capture wanted criminals with numbers and defeat the few!
But clearly, they were overthinking it!

Despite being a seemingly frail young girl, Mu Qingcheng wielded the heavy official's sword with effortless ease, moving like a dragon. When the blade clashed with Liu Pei's soft sword, it possessed considerable power, forcing Liu Pei to retreat step by step! Liu Pei was secretly astonished. He had mastered swordsmanship for many years and had few rivals in the capital, yet he couldn't gain even the slightest advantage against Mu Qingcheng!
The two exchanged more than twenty moves in a short time!
Suddenly, Mu Qingcheng changed her slow and steady approach. As Liu Pei's longsword pierced her heart, she spun around and flew up, landing on the tip of his sword with such speed that Liu Pei lost the ability to react!
Then, she raised the official knife in her hand and slashed it down fiercely at his head!

Liu Pei was shocked!

He had no way to avoid this fatal blow, so he closed his eyes and waited for death!

However, Mu Qingcheng's knife stopped just an inch from Liu Pei's face!
As Mu Qingcheng removed Liu Pei's soft sword, he coldly ordered, "Men, tie up Liu Pei and take him back to the Jingzhao Prefecture!"

The constables brought iron locks and tied Liu Pei up tightly. Liu Pei did not resist. He looked at Mu Qingcheng and revealed a relieved smile. "It seems that her decision was right. With Counselor Mu here, her death was not in vain."

Mu Qingcheng remained noncommittal.

The constables escorted Liu Pei away. After taking a few steps, Liu Pei suddenly turned back and called out, "Father, my mother is my only concern. Please take good care of her, otherwise I will not be at peace!"

Liu Changqing turned his face away, his cold, hard features as if they were carved out, showing no trace of warmth.

Mu Qingcheng, observing the situation, deliberately exclaimed, "Congratulations to General Liu on this double blessing! First, your eldest son has come back from the dead; second, the case of concealing the truth is now null and void, and General Liu will not have to suffer punishment!"

Liu Changqing didn't want to say another word to Mu Qingcheng. He flicked his robe and strode towards the main courtyard.

Mu Qingcheng waved, signaling the constables to follow and keep watch.

As for the old woman who had been held hostage by Liu Pei, Mu Qingcheng had her brought over and asked bluntly, "Are you Granny Chang?"

The old nanny was taken aback, her face full of surprise. "Yes, this old servant is Granny Chang. I wonder how the official knew about this?"

Mu Qingcheng pointed out incisively, "You had pustules on your face, but you were luckier than Shuangcui and Linglong; you actually survived. I guess Liu Pei protected your life. So, in order to help Liu Pei escape, you were willing to be kidnapped by him."

Chang's mother turned ashen-faced and knelt silently on the ground.

Mu Qingcheng sighed, "The crime of harboring a criminal is punishable by imprisonment."

"My lord, this old servant is not afraid of being imprisoned or beheaded. Whatever crime he may have committed, I will bear it all myself! Please, my lord, spare the young master!" Granny Chang knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

Mu Qingcheng remained silent for a long time, then bent down to help Chang Mama up and whispered, "Liu Pei committed a capital crime, and no one can take his place. But Chang Mama, I can be lenient and give you a chance to atone for your crime."

"An opportunity to make a contribution?" Mother Chang asked, puzzled.

Mu Qingcheng leaned close to Madam Chang and whispered something in her ear. Madam Chang hesitated for a moment before nodding.

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(End of this chapter)