A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 177 Deception Comes at a Price
"Oh, by the way, Lu Shaoqing, do you know sign language?"

Mu Qingcheng pressed on relentlessly, both as a test and as a punishment.

Deception comes at a price. From this day forward, let him live in constant fear, with a heart pounding every night, unable to eat or sleep. Otherwise, what would have been the value of her three years of devotion?
Sure enough, Lu Xun's composure lasted only a moment before panic returned. "I, I..."

"Young Master Lu, you may not know this, but there's a scoundrel who always pops up unexpectedly in the dead of night and follows me! Over the past two years, this has happened more than a dozen times. Although this person is mute, his build and eyes seem to resemble yours!"

After saying that, Mu Qingcheng suddenly spun around, flicked the whip in her hand in the air, and the sound of the whip cutting through the wind made Lu Xun tremble involuntarily!
Admittedly, he was the one who understood Mu Qingcheng best. Her good temper and lack of anger only meant that this person and this matter were not worth her fussing over. But once she started to hold a grudge, that person would be in big trouble!
Now, this lash of her whip is a way of telling him that she will not forgive him!
"May I ask your honorable name, Young Master Lu?" Mu Qingcheng played with the whip, a half-smile on his face. "Once Young Master Lu helps me retrieve the case files, find out the location of the cemetery, and capture the mute villain, I will definitely offer a longevity tablet for you and pray to the gods and Buddhas to bless you with a long life!"

Lu Xun's mouth was dry and his expression was quite unpleasant. "I don't need the longevity tablet, Coroner Mu, there's no need to be so polite."

Mu Qingcheng lowered her eyes, her whole demeanor becoming somewhat sullen. "My lord, Young Master Lu is stingy and unwilling to reveal his name."

“His name is Lu Xun!” Song Shuyu blurted out.

As for manipulation tactics, Mu Qingcheng really didn't need any. Song Shuyu's pampering of her was utterly boundless. If she showed even the slightest unhappiness, he would agree to it without hesitation.

Besides, Mu Qingcheng could easily find out Lu Xun's real name by asking anyone. Therefore, he had no need to risk getting himself into trouble and damaging his relationship with Mu Qingcheng.

“Lu Xun? Which Xun?” Mu Qingcheng pressed.

Song Shuyu answered very quickly, "The 'xun' in 'inquiry'!"

Mu Qingcheng feigned sudden realization, "Oh, Lu Xun and Mu Xun, the same name but different surname, that's quite a coincidence!"

Lu Xun's handsome face paled, his lips pressed tightly together, and he was speechless. Since he couldn't reveal the truth, neither an apology nor words of comfort would be meaningful. "I have disturbed you tonight, Young Master Lu, please forgive me!" Mu Qingcheng put away his whip, curtsied, and said, "This humble servant takes his leave!"

After speaking, she didn't look at Lu Xun again and turned to leave.

"Hey, you'd better watch yourself." Song Shuyu patted Lu Xun's arm, then quickly followed him out.

Lu Xun walked to the window, watching Mu Qingcheng's receding figure. He finally stopped suppressing his burgeoning emotions and let hot tears well up in his eyes...

……

In the back courtyard, lanterns were placed every ten steps, covering every nook and cranny.

Mu Qingcheng was lost in her own emotions, walking with her head down, not looking at the road or the people around her. She ignored the patrolling constables and passing servants who greeted her, so they had to give way and remind her to "watch your step."

However, after a few steps, Song Shuyu caught up and waved to signal the others to step back and leave.

As they passed the main courtyard, Song Shuyu reached out and grabbed Mu Qingcheng's arm, whispering, "Come with me!"

The distraught Mu Qingcheng, before she could even react, had already been taken back to Song Shuyu's bedroom.

(End of this chapter)