A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 253 Headless Female Corpse (41)

"compensation?"

Guo Xuan's eyes widened like copper bells. He really didn't expect Song Shuyu to come to settle this score, and he certainly didn't expect that the way to settle the score would be by asking for money, and that she would shamelessly ask for an exorbitant amount!
Song Shuyu said with a disdainful tone, "Lord Guo, there's no need to be nervous. What I want is silver, not gold. With Lord Guo's wealth, a mere five thousand taels is just a drop in the ocean."

Upon hearing this, Guo Xuan was so angry he laughed. "Song Shuyu, you might as well just rob someone!"

"As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, how could Lord Guo suddenly incite an official appointed by the court to commit robbery?"

Song Shuyu seemed to have heard a fairy tale. He turned to Ji Yue and said, "Lord Ji, would you like to invite a few censors for tea?"

"I'll have time later." Ji Yue smiled slightly.

Guo Xuan's heart skipped a beat. He was an old man who had dominated the court for decades, yet recently he had been tricked by a few young men. His old face had been rubbed into the ground!
But Guo Xuan was a seasoned veteran and wouldn't actually give the censor a chance to impeach him. So he chuckled and said, "I was just joking. Lord Ji, you don't need to believe Lord Song's nonsense."

"I, Song Shuyu, never joke!"

Song Shuyu scoffed coldly, approached Guo Xuan, and said in a compelling tone, "Five thousand taels, not a single copper coin less!"

"Do you think I'm stupid or blind?" Guo Xuan retorted. "The two sides' men were just pushing and shoving each other; they didn't fight. How dare you demand exorbitant compensation?"

Song Shuyu took out a bright yellow scroll and waved it in front of Guo Xuan. "Lord Guo, don't you want to reconsider? The news of the fight at the city gate today has spread throughout the capital. The people are saying that the Dali Temple dispatched a hundred constables and colluded with the city guards to humiliate the people of the Jingzhao Prefecture in broad daylight. Are they planning a rebellion?"

"No! How could that be..."

"Hehe, I know in my heart that Lord Guo is loyal to His Majesty, but the common people don't understand. The Censorate values ​​public opinion the most. I reckon that tomorrow morning at court, Lord Guo will have to give those stubborn old censors a good explanation!"

Who could bear such a heavy accusation of "rebellion"? Besides, Song Shuyu was known for his benevolent governance, incorruptibility, and the significant benefits he brought to the common people, earning him considerable popularity. Guo Xuan's detention and interrogation of Lu Xun was already a violation of regulations; if this matter were to escalate to the Emperor's ears, he would be utterly unable to explain himself!
Thinking this way, Guo Xuan's gaze swept over the imperial edict, and his bad premonition grew stronger. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, you just want to extort money, right? I'll give it to you."

Song Shuyu smiled gloomily and said slowly, "Lord Guo, you are mistaken. I am only asking for compensation, not extorting money! Today, with Lord Ji Yue of the Censorate as our witness, we will settle this privately and draw up a written agreement as proof. Once I receive the money, I will have a notice posted stating that the Dali Temple and the Jingzhao Prefecture had a misunderstanding that led to the friction. Guo Xuan, the Minister of the Dali Temple, has apologized to Song Shuyu, the Prefect of Jingzhao, and made reasonable compensation. The Prefect of Jingzhao is magnanimous and has expressed his forgiveness. The two departments will reconcile and continue to work together for the benefit of the country."

Guo Xuan vomited a mouthful of blood, unable to swallow or spit it out, his fat cheeks twitching uncontrollably. "You're killing me by destroying my spirit! Song Shuyu, you're ruthless!"

"Heh, doesn't Lord Guo know? There's more than one madman in the Song family!" Song Shuyu glanced sideways, the candlelight flickering like will-o'-the-wisps in his pupils, adding a touch of sinister intent to his handsome face. "Lord Guo, if you've had enough, then let's put it in writing!"

Guo Xuan shivered for no reason. He had experienced the Empress Dowager Song's madness firsthand, and now, looking at Song Shuyu, he realized that she might be even mader than the Empress Dowager Song!

Thinking of this, Guo Xuan resigned himself to his fate, wrote down the agreement in his own hand, pressed his fingerprint on it, and then instructed someone to go home and fetch the silver notes.

Once he had received the full amount of the silver notes, Song Shuyu opened the imperial edict and read it aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that the long-standing unsolved case in the Capital Prefecture has caused unrest among the people. I have also heard that Lu Xun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is exceptionally capable. Therefore, I hereby order Lu Xun to assist the Capital Prefecture in solving the unsolved case to appease the people! This is the imperial decree!"

After listening to the imperial decree, Lu Xun bowed and said, "Your subject Lu Xun accepts the decree and will certainly live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Song Shuyu handed the imperial edict to Lu Xun, then turned to look at Guo Xuan, whose forehead was bulging with veins, and said coldly, "His Majesty's decree: Regarding Lu Xun's case of embezzlement, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is to investigate thoroughly and report to His Majesty for a final judgment! Guo Xuan disregarded the law today and violated regulations in dealing with Lu Xun. Considering that this is his first offense, he is to be fined one year's salary as a warning to others. If he commits another offense, he will be dismissed from his post and investigated!"

Guo Xuan struggled until now, but his last bit of strength was drained!
Looking at the old man's bloodless face, Song Shuyu smiled lazily. "Lu Shaoqing was recommended by me. Lord Guo punished Lu Shaoqing without even informing me, which clearly shows that he doesn't respect the Song family! Lord Guo, you'd better watch yourself in the future!"

After speaking, Song Shuyu, Lu Xun, and Ji Yue strode away.

Guo Xuan slumped in his chair, his face somber, unable to speak for a long time.

Today, Empress Dowager Song and the Song family are still outwardly united, but inwardly they have already fallen apart. How should he choose sides?

……

As night fell in the capital, the cold wind howled.

Song Shuyu saw Ji Yue off to the carriage, clasped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Lord Ji! I will definitely have a drink with you another day when I have time."

Lu Xun bowed and smiled warmly, "During the holidays, please come to my residence for a chat. I would like to invite Lord Ji to taste my peach blossom wine."

"Since there's good wine, I must keep this appointment!" Ji Yue's eyes lit up, and he readily agreed without even offering any politeness. However, he changed the subject and reminded Song Shuyu, "Five thousand taels of silver is no small sum. How does Lord Song intend to use it? Although there is Guo Xuan's written agreement, there's no guarantee that it won't cause gossip and other troubles in the future."

Song Shuyu smiled and said, "I had already thought it through on the way here. Since we can't deal with Guo Xuan yet, we'll bleed him a little first. Anyway, I'm determined not to suffer this loss. As for this money, it will be very useful. The Fushou Hall and Ciyou Hall in the capital, as well as the homeless vagrants and beggars, who doesn't need relief? The New Year is coming soon, let them have a warm and prosperous New Year. Later, I'll report to the Emperor again, just in case."

"Lord Song is truly virtuous!" Ji Yue exclaimed, bowing respectfully.

After seeing Ji Yue off, Song Shuyu and Lu Xun stood at the street corner, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Song Shuyu asked in a low voice, "Did you really steal the case file?"

"Mm." Lu Xun nodded.

Song Shuyu asked in surprise, "What case file?"

"The case file of Mu Xun's death."

"..."

Song Shuyu swallowed hard, lowering her voice even further, "Didn't you and Qingcheng already recognize each other in private? Why did you still steal the case files?"

"I must keep my promise to her." Lu Xun pursed his lips slightly, his expression somewhat wistful.

Song Shuyu frowned deeply and said speechlessly, "What about Mu Xun's grave? Are you going to find it too and make her dig it up and open the coffin?"

Lu Xun finally sighed: "Whether or not to dig up the grave, or open the coffin, is her business, but bringing her to the grave is my promise."

"Then...then what about capturing the mute thief?" Song Shuyu's gaze swept over Lu Xun from head to toe. "How about I do it for you? I'll tie you up, drag you in front of Qingcheng, and give her a whip soaked in salt water. If Qingcheng can't bring herself to do it, I'll do it for her..." "Song Shuyu!"

Lu Xun's handsome face turned pale with anger. For the first time, he addressed Song Shuyu by her full name and gritted his teeth, saying, "Using someone else to kill your love rival, you've planned this pretty well!"

Song Shuyu coughed twice, then turned his face away guiltily. "Young Master Lu, you misunderstand. I was just doing this to save my brother from dire straits."

Lu Xun remained noncommittal, his smile somewhat chilling, "Hehe, ever since we've become rivals in love, Brother Song has been trying to stab his brother in the back every now and then!"

“Not necessarily.” Song Shuyu glanced at his eyes and retorted, “But for me, brothers are like clothes, and women are like my heart. In order for me to live longer and be happier, I have to give up the clothes that need to be given up.”

Lu Xun felt that, let alone Guo Xuan, anyone whom Song Shuyu regarded as an enemy could be driven to death by Song Shuyu's foul mouth!
So, he couldn't be bothered to argue with Song Shuyu anymore, and turned to stride away.

Song Shuyu was taken aback, then followed and reminded him, "Hey, you've gone the wrong way! This is the road to the Capital Prefecture. It's so late, you should go back to the Marquis's residence!"

"No, I'm going to the Jingzhao Prefecture to find Qing'er." Lu Xun didn't even give her a friendly look. "If you hadn't ruined things last night, I would have handed the case files over to Qing'er long ago."

Song Shuyu was furious. "What difference does it make whether it's one day earlier or one day later? She didn't urge you!"

"Of course!" Lu Xun pursed his lips, his voice unconsciously lowering. "I've been deceiving her for three years. If I lie to her for even one more day, I can't forgive myself."

Song Shuyu touched his nose, wanting to continue teasing Lu Xun, but his remaining sense of morality stopped him from rubbing salt into someone else's wounds.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "But you haven't washed your face, your hair, or taken a shower since last night, and you haven't even changed your clothes. You've even got stubble growing on your face. Aren't you afraid of smelling bad and bothering Qingcheng?"

Lu Xun suddenly stopped!

Song Shuyu's handsome face was full of innocence and "I'm doing this for your own good, don't be ungrateful." When Lu Xun poked him with his finger, he even pretended to be sad. "Young Master Lu, we've known each other for a long time, would I really hurt you? Believe me, Qingcheng hates sloppy people the most. You don't have much of a good impression on her anymore, so cherish it!"

Lu Xun simply couldn't see the green tea Song Shuyu in front of him as the same Song Shuyu who was ruthless and ruthless in the Dali Temple!
He inhaled and exhaled repeatedly before forcing himself to calm down and not fall for the tricks of this cunning and corrupt official!
Yes, Bai Zhizhi was right about one thing: Song Shuyu was indeed a corrupt official, a real scoundrel!
"Qing'er is a coroner, what smell can't she stand? I know Qing'er better than you do! Brother Song, I advise you to stop trying to sow discord between Qing'er and me!"

Lu Xun finished speaking and quickened his pace.

He really didn't want to be with Song Shuyu for even a moment longer; it was just too suffocating!
However, Song Shuyu followed again, chuckling, "Qingcheng is used to the stench of corpses, not the stench of living people. Lu Xun, you probably don't understand, Qingcheng likes handsome and clean men. Someone like you right now, she wouldn't even give her a glance. If you're trying to use a self-inflicted injury to gain sympathy, then you're mistaken again. She likes strong men..."

"Song Shuyu!"

Unable to bear the noise, and remembering his parents and younger brother's worry at home, Lu Xun relented, "Alright, I'll go see Qing'er tomorrow. Brother Song, you've got your wish, now go!"

"okay!"

Song Shuyu's triumphant smile was blatant and glaring. He waved at Lu Xun, whose face was as black as charcoal, and then swaggered back to the yamen.

……

After returning to the side room to wash up and change clothes, Mu Qingcheng went to visit Bai Zhizhi, check on the little girl's dressing, and had dinner with her.

She tried her best to avoid talking about Lu Xun, but Bai Zhizhi couldn't hold back and grabbed her, asking, "Hasn't Lu Shaoqing returned yet? With so many people, haven't they finished their task at the river ditch?"

"I don't know." Mu Qingcheng couldn't bear to lie to Bai Zhizhi, but she didn't dare to tell her the truth.

Bai Zhizhi asked suspiciously, "Sister Mu, you are the criminal clerk of the Jingzhao Prefecture, how could you not know? If they encounter trouble and cannot return, they will definitely send someone back to report to you. If they have already returned, they will report to you immediately..."

"Zhizhi!" Mu Qingcheng held down the excited girl and said carefully, "Actually, Lu Shaoqing returned at noon, but he still had official business at the Dali Temple and couldn't come to the Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Back by noon?" Bai Zhizhi frowned, then turned to look out the window and muttered, "They should be off duty by now, right?"

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng had a headache. "Even after he finishes his shift, he still has to go back to the Marquis's residence. He's not one of our people. What's the point of him coming to our place all the time?"

“But…” Bai Zhizhi stretched her neck, but couldn’t find a reason to refute it, so her head drooped down again.

The little girl was in a bad mood, which made Mu Qingcheng feel bad too. The adults hadn't returned yet, and she didn't know how Lu Xun was doing. All her worries and anxieties were suppressed in her heart, and she dared not show them at all.

She could only try her best to comfort him, saying, "Zhizhi, don't think too much. I promise you, if Lu Shaoqing comes to the capital, I will definitely bring him to see you, okay?"

"Mmm." Bai Zhizhi nodded and smiled brightly. "I knew it. Sister Mu is the best to me."

"Silly girl."

Mu Qingcheng smiled knowingly, "Then you rest first, I'll go and get busy."

After leaving the guest room, she went straight to the main courtyard of the inner residence.

Coincidentally, Song Shuyu returned just as she stepped into the courtyard.

The two bumped into each other, and Song Shuyu exclaimed happily, "Qingcheng, you sensed me..."

"My lord, how is Young Master Lu? Where is he?" Mu Qingcheng interrupted him rudely, disregarding pleasantries, and asked urgently.

Song Shuyu's smile slowly faded, and the light in his eyes turned into disappointment and sadness. He didn't answer, seemingly in a huff.

However, upon seeing this, Mu Qingcheng's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly grabbed Song Shuyu's arm with both hands and asked in a trembling voice, "Has something happened to Lu Xun?"

(End of this chapter)