A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 309 Things are going to change
"The price of a person's outer garment is not an absolute indicator of their social status, but people generally don't fake their inner garments."

Upon hearing Song Shuyu's words of experience, Mu Qingcheng subconsciously looked at his collar. Song Shuyu's reaction was slightly slow, and when he realized what was happening, his handsome face instantly turned bright red!
He hurriedly straightened his collar, adopted a righteous and indignant posture, and said, "I am a respectable young man from an honest family. How can I let others see me like this? At least, not during the day, and not when there are outsiders present."

Mu Qingcheng was utterly embarrassed!
Although he deliberately lowered his voice, there were ears everywhere around him: Lu Xun, Bai Zhizhi, Coroner Tian, ​​Coroner Jiang, clerks, yamen runners... there were more than a dozen people in total!
The subordinates have all become shrewd, each adhering to the principle of not listening to anything improper, looking around stiffly, pretending to be very busy.

Bai Zhizhi frowned and involuntarily looked at Lu Xun. Although she had decided to let go, she still wanted to know how Lu Xun would react.

But Mu Qingcheng spoke first, his tone slightly stern: "My lord, please do not joke about this! The identities of these five victims are questionable, and the reasons and methods of their mutual killings are also highly suspicious. Next, I intend to investigate from two aspects: first, to delve into Yuyang Town, Meishan County, and Fengxian County to find that Taoist priest with high magical skills and learn as much as possible about the events that occurred at Yingzui Mountain ten years ago; second, to try to decipher the identities of the victims by examining the five sharp blades and their inner garments."

She changed the subject so quickly that she didn't give anyone a chance to ramble on, including Song Shuyu, so it was best not to bring it up again.

Song Shuyu's eyes flickered. He decided not to tell Mu Qingcheng about his and the emperor's secret investigation before the results were in, so as not to affect her normal judgment.

Moreover, based on his understanding of that old woman, the Empress Dowager, his rejection of the marriage proposal from Princess Ningchang and his escape from the assassination attempt in Yuyang, which repeatedly humiliated the Empress Dowager, would surely provoke her into a frenzied counterattack!
Therefore, he said, "We can proceed according to your plan, but the matter of conducting the investigation outside Beijing should be left to the people below. You don't need to do it personally."

Seeing his cold expression, Mu Qingcheng paused for a moment before saying, "My lord, regarding this case, I think..."

"Follow my orders!" Song Shuyu interrupted her request and solemnly reminded her, "Without my permission, Master Mu is not allowed to leave the Jingzhao Prefecture!"

Not only Mu Qingcheng, but everyone was stunned on the spot, their expressions filled with shock!

"grown ups!"

Just then, Xu Chunshan, the Junior Magistrate of the Capital, strode over, holding today's report in his hand. Seeing that Lu Xun was also there, he swallowed back the words he was about to say and simply bowed according to etiquette, saying, "This humble official greets Your Excellency! Greetings, Lord Lu!"

Lu Xun nodded slightly.

Song Shuyu asked, "Is there something you need?"

Xu Chunshan presented the petition with both hands, his words carefully chosen, "Your Excellency, the Heyang County government under my jurisdiction has an urgent report on government affairs. I dare not act rashly, so I have come to ask Your Excellency for instructions!"

Song Shuyu took the document with a calm expression. "Let's go to the front office to talk."

After saying that, he turned and left without even saying goodbye.

Xu Chunshan, being of low rank, bowed to Lu Xun and took his leave before rushing off to catch up with Song Shuyu.

The remaining people looked at each other, all with blank expressions.

Mu Qingcheng didn't understand why Song Shuyu suddenly changed his expression. Was it because she had embarrassed him in front of his subordinates, causing him to lose face, and that's why he was angry?
But she didn't say anything excessive. At least compared to the past, it wasn't a serious mistake of insubordination!

"Master Mu, if this is over, please come with me. I have something important to tell you."

Lu Xun's gentle words brought Mu Qingcheng back to her senses, and she nodded with a slightly stiff expression, "Okay."

The coroner left behind some arrangements, including the proper disposal of the remains.

Bai Zhizhi took her leave. Mu Qingcheng knew that what Lu Xun wanted to tell her must be a major secret, and after thinking it over, she could only take Lu Xun to the side room for a private chat.

Just as Song Shuyu and Xu Chunshan arrived at the main hall of the front office, Song Li came looking for them again. Xu Chunshan knew that the master and servant wanted to talk about private matters, so he waited outside and did not go in.

"What's wrong?" Song Shuyu picked up the iced tea on the table and took a sip. The coldness in his throat made him even more calm.

Song Li said, "Just now, someone from the manor came to deliver a message that the elders of the Song family, as well as Master's second uncle, fifth uncle, cousin Song Shuyan, and cousin Song Shushen, have all come to the Duke's manor to invite Master back to the manor for a meeting."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu smiled inexplicably, "What is it about?"

"I went out for a stroll these past two days and heard that Song Shuyan was selling official positions in private, and the Ministry of Personnel caught him red-handed."

"hehe."

Song Shuyu's smile didn't reach his eyes. He opened the report, reviewed it, and then curled his lips and said, "Song Shushen forcibly seized the people's land in Heyang County, raped the people's daughters, and forced the girl to jump into the river and lose her life."

Song Li was stunned for a moment, then uttered two words without any restraint: "Beast!"

"Heh." Song Shuyu tapped the table lightly with his finger, a dark glint in his eyes. "They really don't come here unless they want something. One wants me to release someone, and the other wants me to bail someone out. But I wonder what kind of benefits they can offer me?"

Song Li frowned. "Master, even the elders of the Song family have intervened. I'm afraid they're trying to use both soft and hard tactics!"

"I'm afraid our Song family is about to undergo a major upheaval!" Song Shuyu said thoughtfully. "Song Li, quickly dispatch two bodyguards to protect Qingcheng! Choose the ones with the strongest martial arts, agility, hidden weapons, poison identification, and detoxification abilities. Assign them to the Jingzhao Prefecture and have them follow Qingcheng day and night!"

Song Li asked, puzzled, "Master, shouldn't the yamen be safe? Who could possibly have gotten their hands in?"

"What if someone wants to die?" Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow, her expression turning ruthless in an instant. "If anything happens to Qingcheng, you'll pay me with your head!"

Song Li was startled and solemnly replied, "Yes!"

"Make arrangements immediately!"

"Subordinates resign!"

Xu Chunshan, who was waiting outside the hall, did not dare to eavesdrop on the conversation between the master and servant. However, when he saw Song Li, who was usually calm and composed, suddenly rushing away in a hurry, he felt a sense of tension.

"Xu Shaoyin!"

Song Shuyu's voice came from inside the hall. Xu Chunshan hurriedly stepped inside, approached the official desk, and bowed, saying, "My lord, I am here!"

Song Shuyu tossed the petition onto the table, his expression indifferent. "What does the magistrate of Heyang County mean? Has all the evidence been collected? How do you plan to handle this?"

Xu Chunshan said, "Your Honor, the detailed report from Heyang County states that Song Shushen has been seizing land for two years, amounting to more than 560 mu. The people have repeatedly tried to appeal to the government, but each time they were suppressed by Song Shushen's men. We have collected a lot of witnesses, physical evidence, and information about the victims. However, Song Shushen is very powerful, and the county government is weak. We dare not easily arrest anyone, so we are requesting Your Honor to make a decision!"

(End of this chapter)