A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 222 The Art of Balance
"I...I was ungrateful for my good intentions, I was just meddling!"

Bai Zhizhi's face turned pale with anger, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "What fate awaits me, Bai Zhizhi, is none of your business, you corrupt official. I have no regrets, whether I live or die!"

"Be bold!"

"No, do you think I did this to save an ungrateful official like you? Keep dreaming! I was just worried that Sister Mu was on the bus and didn't want her to suffer any unnecessary trouble!"

Bai Zhizhi is a passionate person. Love, hate, and grudges are all within a single thought. If she feels wronged, she absolutely cannot tolerate it. Without thinking twice, she will first give a good scolding to vent her anger!

Even after she finished speaking, she still felt sad. She hugged Mu Qingcheng tightly, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam.

“Sister Mu, let’s go back to Jiangnan, right now, immediately, tonight! I have a fortune, I’ll support you and Uncle Mu, I’ll give you all the best cousins, brothers, and collateral relatives of the Bai family to be your husbands, and I’ll raise your children, sob sob, Sister Mu, come home with me, don’t be a slave to these corrupt officials anymore, okay? You said you would love Zhizhi for the rest of your life…”

The little girl was heartbroken, and her sobs made Mu Qingcheng feel both distressed and guilty. Song Shuyu was first angered by the words "corrupt official," and then Bai Zhizhi's words made him so angry that his head was steaming and veins were popping out of his forehead!

Lu Xun stared wide-eyed, completely at a loss!
He had never met a girl like Bai Zhizhi before and had no idea how to deal with her!
Song Shuyu's finger almost poked Bai Zhizhi's head. "Qingcheng, listen to what she's saying! How dare she kidnap my people..."

"grown ups!"

Mu Qingcheng gestured to Song Shuyu with her eyes to stop adding fuel to the fire. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the little girl's tears and gently coaxed her, "Zhizhi, don't cry. I know you've been wronged, but you've misunderstood the adult. He wasn't trying to be mean to you; he was just worried about you. We travel with bodyguards. With their protection, the assassins can't succeed. However..."

She glanced sideways at Song Shuyu, then changed the subject, saying, "Sir, how could you be so harsh on the young girl? Zhizhi doesn't know you made plans beforehand, nor does she know how much you care about her. She's so sincere, and we should both be grateful to her. Sir, even if you're worried about Zhizhi, you should watch your tone and attitude. She's my most beloved younger sister, the one I'll cherish for the rest of my life! Please consider this an example of loving someone because of their love for you!"

Lu Xun nodded repeatedly as he listened. He had to admit that Mu Qingcheng knew how to maintain a balance. She mediated between Song Shuyu and Bai Zhizhi, knowing exactly whether to slap them or give them a treat, how to slap them and when to give them. She was very adept at handling things!

So the effect was immediate, and both of them were appeased!

Bai Zhizhi stopped crying, and Song Shuyu's face stopped turning green.

However, Song Shuyu was a shrewd man. After a moment's thought, he came up with a plan that would benefit both sides. He said, "Young Master Lu, now that Miss Bai has been exposed, her safety is a major issue. I can't spare any manpower to protect her, nor can I allow her to get too close to our Duke's mansion, lest it cause more trouble. You saved Miss Bai tonight and have become friends with her. From today onwards, it would be only natural for you to protect her. What do you think?"

"I don't think so..."

"Of course, if Young Master Lu is unwilling to share Master Mu's burdens, Master Mu and I will not force Young Master Lu."

What a great move to turn retreat into advance!

Although Lu Xun had long seen through Song Shuyu's despicable nature, Song Shuyu's methods were endless, making it impossible for him to guard against them!
For example, Song Shuyu's reasons were high-sounding and morally justifiable. If he dared to say "no," he would hurt Mu Qingcheng's feelings and make her even more disappointed in him! Of course, Mu Qingcheng was unaware of the undercurrents between the two men. After Song Shuyu's reminder, she was now preoccupied with how to protect Bai Zhizhi. Therefore, she looked at Lu Xun expectantly and asked softly, "Is it okay?"

Lu Xun had no choice but to agree, but he cleverly left himself a way out, "If Miss Bai is willing, I will do my best for you..."

"willing!"

To everyone's surprise, Bai Zhizhi readily agreed, her face beaming with joy and excitement!
Lu Xun's lips twitched, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat!

"That's great!" Mu Qingcheng's brows relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "I'm completely at ease entrusting Zhizhi to you."

For the first time since their reunion, Mu Qingcheng showed Lu Xun a genuine smile. Lu Xun's nose stung, and he smiled knowingly at her, "Thank you for still believing in me."

"Master, we're home."

At this moment, Song Li's reminder rang out from outside the carriage.

The carriage began to slow down and then came to a slow stop.

Song Shuyu said, "Lu Xun, it's a festival today, and I imagine the Marquis and his wife are waiting for you to come home for a reunion dinner, so I won't invite you into the mansion. Miss Bai, what are your plans? Will you go with Lu Shaoqing, or disguise yourself as a servant and come back to the Duke's mansion with me?"

"Tch, I, Miss Bai, will never be your servant, at your beck and call!" Bai Zhizhi resolutely refused. "Since you all have your own places to go, I'll just wander around by myself, find a place to listen to some music, have a little wine, and spend the holiday alone. That's quite free and easy."

Although she spoke freely, a hint of loneliness and melancholy still lingered in her eyes, making one's heart ache.

Mu Qingcheng held her hand and said softly, "Zhizhi, will you stay with me? I don't understand the etiquette of aristocratic families and I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself. With you by my side to guide me, I'll feel much more at ease."

Bai Zhizhi glanced sideways at Song Shuyu, her mind filled with apprehension.

Song Shuyu originally wanted Lu Xun to take Bai Zhizhi away, but then she thought that today was special, the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife had not made any preparations in advance, and Lu Xun's twin brother Lu Zhao would definitely be present. Therefore, Lu Xun's secret could not be kept!
Therefore, after a moment's thought, he solemnly extended an invitation: "Miss Bai, I was narrow-minded and offended you before. Please forgive me for Qingcheng's sake. Now, I would like to invite you to my home as a guest and give me a chance to apologize, would that be alright?"

"Hmm, Lord Song's words are quite agreeable." Bai Zhizhi deliberately put on a stern face, pretending to be reluctant. "I didn't want to go, but Sister Mu needs me, and Lord Song wants to apologize to me. And I'm a magnanimous person, so, well, I'll go with you!"

Lu Xun, who was always self-disciplined and respectful of etiquette, couldn't help but chuckle to himself. It seemed that the only person who could make Song Shuyu lose face was Bai Zhizhi!
(End of this chapter)