A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 174 Each Based on Their Own Abilities, Fair Competition

Seeing that the usually composed Lu Xun had broken down, Song Shuyu calmed down instead. He smiled, but his expression was serious. "Lu Xun, do you think I would need to fabricate a story to deceive you? I, Song Shuyu, may scheme against others, but you are my sincere friend. Even if we have to fight over a woman, we will fight honorably and openly!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun's mood grew even heavier. If what Song Shuyu said was true, wouldn't this become his greatest crisis? But then he thought for a moment, and his brows relaxed. He said, "My adoptive father and Qing'er are from Wuzhou in Jiangnan. How could you have seen seven-year-old Qing'er in the capital?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu suppressed the urge to answer Lu Xun's questions. It seemed that although Mu Yan and his daughter had lived together with Lu Xun for many years, they had concealed each other's origins, family backgrounds, and pasts. Perhaps this was because they both wanted to protect each other and were wary of each other.

Therefore, he shouldn't overstep his bounds and expose the Mu family's secrets on Mu Qingcheng's behalf. Besides, Mu Qingcheng currently has no intention of restoring her identity, so he needs to keep his mouth shut and not hold her back or ruin her plans.

After careful consideration, Song Shuyu gave Lu Xun a teasing smile and said, "Guess?" Whether Lu Xun could guess the answer was up to him.

Lu Xun was so angry that he couldn't speak for a long time!
Not wanting to lose face, Song Shuyu picked up his teacup, leisurely sipped his tea, and put on a confident demeanor. He said, "In short, according to the principle of first come, first served, I'm ahead of you. So Mu Qingcheng, she is my future wife, don't even think about anything else."

"Even if Brother Song and Qing'er's childhood promise is true, it can only be considered a child's joke!"

Lu Xun's handsome face slowly darkened, his tone filled with obvious anger, "Marriage is a major event that requires the consent of one's parents. My adoptive father has already arranged for me to be his son-in-law. How can Brother Song interfere? This is not the conduct of a gentleman!"

"Why should I be a gentleman? Don't you know me? My reputation as a playboy and dissolute is renowned throughout the capital!" Song Shuyu was taken aback, then his thin lips curled into a triumphant smile. "The reason Uncle Mu chose you as his son-in-law is because he didn't know that Qingcheng and I had made a promise. Qingcheng had already left the capital at that time, and she probably thought she would never see me again in this life, so she didn't tell Uncle Mu. Besides, Uncle Mu has seen me when I was young, and he liked me very much. If he had known the truth beforehand, he would never have chosen you!"

Lu Xun forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't let Song Shuyu lead him by the nose. So, after thinking for a moment, he retorted, "Brother Song, aren't you being too confident? I've never heard Qing'er mention this matter. We've been together day and night for eight years, and she's never mentioned you even once!"

"Not mentioning it doesn't mean it didn't happen, or that I didn't exist! It only proves that Qingcheng doesn't trust you, or that her feelings for you haven't reached the point where she can share her girlish secrets."

After saying this, Song Shuyu put down his teacup, poured himself a fresh cup of tea, and also poured a cup for Lu Xun. He smiled and comforted him, saying, "Being anxious and angry won't solve anything. Have a cup of tea to calm down, and we'll slowly sort this out."

However, Lu Xun had no interest in drinking tea. The more confident Song Shuyu appeared, the more he believed in the truth of the matter. But even if it was true, how could he be willing to give up his beloved?
After pacing around the room a few times, Lu Xun suddenly stopped and pressed, "Song Shuyu, tell me the truth, how far have things progressed between you and Qing'er? Have you recognized each other? Is she willing to fulfill her childhood promise and marry you?"

Song Shuyu's heart skipped a beat. Good heavens, these were some good questions, they really hit the nail on the head! But he absolutely couldn't show weakness and give Lu Xun any more hope!
So he replied calmly, "Although we have not officially recognized each other yet, we are of one mind and have a deep affection for each other, and we have reached a tacit understanding to work together."

"Impossible!" Lu Xun firmly refused to believe it. "Qing'er is ignorant of romantic love, how could she possibly reach a marriage agreement with you?"

Song Shuyu frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Lu Xun, you've seen how Qingcheng and I get along. Do you think Qingcheng is a promiscuous person? If she didn't have feelings for me and be fond of me, how could she, with her martial arts skills, allow me to hug and kiss her?"

"You...you dared to be so disrespectful to her?" Lu Xun's eyes instantly turned red with rage. Earlier that day at the Liu family home, he had personally witnessed Song Shuyu disregard the proper boundaries between men and women, carrying Mu Qingcheng out of the rubble, and then, in full view of everyone, carrying Mu Qingcheng away. At that time, Lu Xun was standing behind them and only saw Song Shuyu lower her head; now he knew that Song Shuyu had actually transgressed the rules!

Song Shuyu retorted, "We are mutually in love, how can it be considered frivolous?"

"I'll take your hugging as an attempt to save someone, but kissing her is absolutely out of the question!" Lu Xun's forehead veins throbbed with anger and jealousy.

The atmosphere was tense, then instantly plummeted to freezing point!
Song Shuyu stood up, walked to Lu Xun and stood in front of him. Every word she spoke revealed an unwavering determination: "Lu Xun, we are both close friends and rivals in love. Let's compete fairly based on our own abilities!"

Lu Xun stared coldly at Song Shuyu, his eyes swirling with dark currents. "Why should I compete with you? My marriage to Qing'er is already arranged and cannot be changed! Once I find the murderer and close the case, we will get married immediately!"

"What, you're afraid to compete?" Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone mocking. "You faked your death for three years, not only making Qingcheng experience sadness, pain, and despair, but also binding her with a verbal marriage agreement, forbidding her from finding true love?"

"I……"

"Lu Xun, neither of us has the right to decide who belongs to her. We should give her the right to freely choose true love!"

The two stared at each other for a long time, neither willing to give in, until Song Li's startled voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Ah! Coroner Mu, what brings you here?"

"Guard Song, I need to discuss official business with the lord. I heard from Granny Liu that the lord is with Junior Minister Lu, so I came looking for him. I wonder if I have disturbed the lord?"

"Uh, it shouldn't be considered a disturbance. Please let me inform my master."

"Thank you for your trouble, Guard Song."

Inside the room, Song Shuyu and Lu Xun reacted in unison, quickly sitting back down at the table, each picking up a teacup, and adopting friendly and warm expressions, pretending to have a lively conversation by candlelight.

Song Li pushed open the door and came in, her expression complicated as she whispered, "Master, Coroner Mu is looking for you. Will you see her or not? She's carrying a whip, and she seems to be up to no good!"

"A whip?" Song Shuyu was taken aback. "Is she here to whip me?"

(End of this chapter)