A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 258 Headless Female Corpse (46)

Thinking of Lin Shuban's eager and excited appearance, Mu Qingcheng felt a pang of pity. "Sir, Lin Shuban has sacrificed so much for this case, he..."

"You want him to go?" Song Shuyu asked calmly.

Mu Qingcheng thought for a moment. Zhang Zhubu knew about the hanging coffins, and Dou Zandian was familiar with the terrain. These two had to go. If a clerk had to be left behind, it seemed that only Lin Shuban could be the best choice.

Observing her expression, Song Shuyu asked, "You've already agreed to Lin Shuban's request?"

"Hmm." Mu Qingcheng nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "It's truly not easy for Secretary Lin to work alone in the capital. He cherishes his position in the Jingzhao Prefecture. During this time, he hasn't taken a single day off, and he voluntarily stays at the Office of State Affairs almost every night. He rarely has any accumulated administrative tasks. He is a diligent, meticulous, and quite capable person. If he can follow up on this case from beginning to end, in addition to receiving a reward, it will also boost his annual performance evaluation and promotion. Therefore, personally, I would like him to go. But Your Excellency must consider the overall situation and prioritize the official duties of the entire Jingzhao Prefecture. This arrangement is not wrong."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Qingcheng, allow me to consider this matter further. Do not tell Lin Shuban yet."

"Yes."

"Also, you can make preparations in private, but don't act rashly. Wait for my instructions."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"His Majesty has ordered Lu Xun to represent the Court of Judicial Review in a joint investigation of this case with us. We need to meet with him first to discuss it. Also, going into unknown areas is quite dangerous. After I finish dealing with the urgent matters at hand, I will ask His Majesty for leave and go with you."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng was stunned. "My lord, this trip could take two or three days at the earliest, or even ten or fifteen days at the latest. Are you going to abandon the Jingzhao Prefecture? Without a chief official in charge, many official duties cannot be carried out, and won't the capital be in chaos?"

Song Shuyu laughed and said, "It's alright. As long as the Emperor agrees, I will have the Junior Magistrate Xu Chunshan take over the administration. It won't affect the overall situation."

"But……"

"No buts!"

Song Shuyu took Mu Qingcheng's hand, his expression serious and earnest. "Have you forgotten the man in black? Wang Ruhua is dead. He will definitely go looking for Shenmo Village, which is related to Wang Ruhua. Once we meet, we will inevitably have to fight. How can I be at ease?"

"Okay." Mu Qingcheng thought for a moment and agreed.

Actually, she wasn't afraid of the men in black. Usually, with the constables and police officers blocking her way, she rarely had a chance to make a move. But if she really went all out, the outcome was uncertain.

But putting herself in Song Shuyu's shoes, she could understand his worries. If he were in danger, she certainly wouldn't stand idly by.

Thinking of this, Mu Qingcheng suddenly remembered something, "By the way, sir, the Duke's mansion is a family of military generals, so they must not lack weapons, right? Could you lend me one? I have never practiced with a whip, so it is not very handy to use."

"What weapon are you skilled with? A knife, a sword, or a spear?" Song Shuyu asked.

Mu Qingcheng pondered and said, "A knife or a sword, either will do."

Song Shuyu smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll take you home to pick out a weapon sometime. My father has a large collection of famous swords and knives; take whichever one you like."

"Yes, return them immediately as soon as the man in black is captured."

"Silly girl, what belongs to my father is mine, and what is mine is yours. There's no need to be so formal."

"..."

Seeing Mu Qingcheng's wide eyes, Song Shuyu couldn't help but chuckle. He squeezed her hand and casually said, "Don't worry. We have a loving father and a filial son, and brothers who are very close. Our relationship is excellent."

"It's really hard to imagine that the Duke who gallops across the battlefield is actually a loving father." Mu Qingcheng was surprised, but she became more and more curious about the Duke of Song.

Speaking of her father, Song Shuyu sighed softly: "After my mother passed away, my father did not remarry, and he didn't even want concubines or maids. He raised my brothers and me all by himself, doing everything himself and putting in a lot of effort. My father said that he didn't want to be a strict father. He had already lost the love of his life and couldn't let his two sons suffer any more."

“Your parents had such a good relationship.” Mu Qingcheng’s eyes welled up with tears. “My father was the same. Since my mother passed away, he’s been all alone. He always says that he’s lucky to still have me, otherwise, he doesn’t know how he would have spent the rest of his life. But I’m also unfilial. I disobeyed my father’s teachings and insisted on going to the capital, leaving him alone in Jiangnan for more than three years. Although we’ve exchanged letters, I don’t know if he’s grown gray hairs, if the charcoal fire in winter is warm enough, or if he’s feeling well…”

Overwhelmed with longing, she felt as if she had a fishbone stuck in her throat.

Song Shuyu embraced her.

Their backgrounds are remarkably similar: both are motherless children, both have been separated from their parents for years due to unavoidable circumstances, yet both possess a father's love as vast as a mountain. Now, they also share a common enemy.

He pressed his face against hers, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, "Next year, once we've dealt with that person, we can bring Uncle Mu back to the capital and take good care of him."

"Thank you, sir." A hint of bitterness appeared in Mu Qingcheng's eyes. "Sir, does the Duke know what the Empress Dowager has done to you?"

Song Shuyu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. The pain that had subsided long ago suddenly returned, like vines crawling all over his body. He closed his eyes, desperately suppressing the boiling emotions, and whispered, "No one knows except Song Li and Liu Mama. The Empress Dowager threatened me with my grandmother's and the lives and future of the Song family. I had no choice. The border was constantly in turmoil, and I dared not distract my father. But I was too young to protect myself, nor did I have the power to confront the Empress Dowager, so I could only endure it. Later, as my father and brothers continued to make meritorious contributions, my father's military power grew, and he supported the Emperor in seizing the throne, thus making a contribution to the rise of the new emperor. The Empress Dowager then dared not easily touch me."

Mu Qingcheng took his large, slender hand and intertwined her fingers with his. What had happened could not be changed, but in the future, she would cherish him, just as his father, brother, and grandmother would.

The night is as cold as water.

Two sincere and passionate hearts are drawn to each other, grow closer, and become firmly intertwined.

……

The next day.

Mu Qingcheng led his men to the Pingnan Earl's residence to formally inquire about their whereabouts.

Song Shuyu went to the palace for the morning court session to deal with yesterday's storm.

Sure enough, the court was in complete chaos!
The clash between the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Dali Temple at the city gate sparked various controversies, and almost the entire Censorate mobilized, with each member submitting a memorial!
Guo Xuan was sweating profusely and desperately tried to explain that it was a misunderstanding and that he had already reached a reconciliation with Song Shuyu.

However, Song Shuyu remained calm and composed, refusing to utter a word, despite the censors' spittle flying everywhere. Guo Xuan tugged at his sleeve repeatedly, almost making him kneel down on the spot, before he finally spoke indifferently: "It was indeed a misunderstanding. I have accepted Lord Guo's apology and compensation, and have ordered my men to post notices throughout the city. From now on, our two departments will work together with one heart and one mind, dedicating ourselves to the country!"

The hall fell completely silent!

The Emperor's gaze swept across Song Shuyu's face out of the corner of his eye before settling on Guo Xuan, whose face was ashen. His authoritative voice rang out slowly: "After the incident yesterday, Minister Song rushed to the palace to explain the whole story to me. I have already reprimanded Guo Xuan, but considering that Guo Xuan's attitude in admitting his mistake is still acceptable, I will give him another chance. I hope that all my ministers will take Guo Xuan as a warning and carefully abide by the law and the way of being an official!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

All the ministers knelt down.

After the court session, Song Shuyu went to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor.

He encountered Eunuch Qin on the way, and upon meeting him, he knelt before Song Shuyu and pleaded, "Second Young Master, the Empress Dowager has summoned you. Please go."

Song Shuyu looked up and gazed at Guo Xuan on the cobblestone path not far away. The two looked at each other, and Guo Xuan's expression was complicated. He did not feel any more relaxed because of the Empress Dowager's appearance.

"Second Young Master, you know the Empress Dowager. If you don't go, my dog's life will be..." Eunuch Qin lowered his eyes deeply, his tone becoming increasingly sorrowful, "My lowly life is not important. The key is that the Empress Dowager is, after all, your aunt and niece, and is connected to the Song family by blood!"

Song Shuyu looked down at Eunuch Qin, his eyes sinister. "Qin Huai, do you think I would still have any mercy for your worthless life? Since it doesn't matter, then die!"

After speaking, he strode towards Guo Xuan.

"May I ask what brings you here, Lord Song?" Guo Xuan's heart tightened; the mere sight of Song Shuyu gave him a headache.

Song Shuyu said, "Lord Guo, when you see the Empress Dowager later, you can say whatever you want, whether you tell the truth or exaggerate, I don't care. There is only one thing I must remind you of, Lord Guo."

"Please... enlighten me!" Guo Xuan rubbed his hands together, looking nervous.

Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I'm afraid the Empress Dowager hasn't given up on the Guo-Song marriage alliance yet, but Lord Guo might as well think about it, do you dare to accept me as your son-in-law?"

Guo Xuan felt a mouthful of saliva stuck in his throat.

"Tsk tsk, even if I have no choice but to marry your daughter for various reasons, life is unpredictable. What if your daughter dies suddenly on her wedding night? What if a member of your Guo family accidentally commits murder or treason..."

The marriage is off!

Before Song Shuyu could finish speaking, Guo Xuan had already surrendered and fled in a sorry state!
He knew that Song Shuyu was not an easy person to deal with; he was cunning and ruthless!
At that time, he did not understand why Liang Ruoming, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was so weak and could suddenly be beaten by Song Shuyu. Now he understands!
I can’t afford to offend you. I really can’t afford to offend you!
"Unbelievable!"

Song Shuyu lazily tossed out four words and strode off to the Imperial Study.

Witnessing this scene, Eunuch Qin touched his neck and felt a chill. In truth, he knew that even if Song Shuyu went to Shou Kang Palace today, his head would be moved sooner or later.

Because Duke Song Yan of Song State will be returning soon.

At that time, the fact that Song Zi had abused Song Shuyu for many years would certainly not be able to be kept secret.

It's lamentable that Song Zi, still believing her scheme was flawless and immersed in her beautiful dream, was completely unaware that disaster was about to befall her...

(End of this chapter)