A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 322 Corpse Hidden in Wine Jar (2)

"Keep your head up!"

A clear male voice rang out from above.

He was not as cold and dignified as Mu Qingcheng had imagined, but his emotions were hard to discern, imbued with the mysterious and unpredictable aura of an emperor.

Mu Qingcheng slowly raised her head, but she knew the rules and could not look directly at the emperor's face, so she lowered her eyelids slightly and could only see a dazzling bright yellow robe in her eyes.

The emperor stroked the jade thumb ring on his hand, observing Mu Qingcheng without making a sound.

Wearing a light blue silk robe, a short top, and a long straight skirt, with a matching silk sash tied at the waist, and her black hair styled in a single bun without any head ornaments, Mu Qingcheng was like a clear stream standing alone above the mud compared to the noble ladies adorned with fine silks, jewels, and dazzling makeup!
The Empress Dowager spoke up at the opportune moment: "Emperor..."

Unexpectedly, the emperor suddenly rose from his dragon throne, slowly descended the steps, walked to Mu Qingcheng, put his hands behind his back, bowed slightly, and said with a gentle smile, "Miss Mu, please rise."

The Empress Dowager's expression froze!
Those who attended the banquet were also filled with surprise and doubt!

"This humble woman kowtows to thank Your Majesty!"

Mu Qingcheng bowed, then stood up, took a small step back, and appeared open and composed.

The Emperor's smile remained undiminished, and words of praise flowed freely: "She is as graceful as a willow in spring, as elegant as the morning glow, and as dignified as the wind beneath the pines. I have long admired Master Mu's reputation, and to meet her today, I am truly honored to see her as a model woman for all women!"

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled the room!
At the Spring Banquet, Song Shuyu single-handedly cleared Mu Qingcheng's name, and today, even the Emperor has made a final judgment, praising Mu Qingcheng's merits as a criminal lawyer!
They even elevated it to a status worthy of being recorded in history books and used as a model for women all over the world!

Now, who would dare to belittle Mu Qingcheng or the coroner?
Mu Qingcheng was also greatly shocked. Overwhelmed with emotion, she quickly expressed her gratitude: "Your Majesty's praise is too much for me to bear. I can only repay Your Majesty's kindness with my life!"

However, the faces of the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Zhongshan were extremely ugly!

The emperor struck first, elevating Mu Qingcheng's status. How could they possibly proceed according to their plan?
The Empress Dowager twisted her fingers, quickly adjusting her words, and said, "It is Mu's good fortune to receive the Emperor's commendation. Therefore, it would be fitting for me to bestow upon Mu the title of concubine of the Prince of Zhongshan."

The entire audience was shocked!
Who doesn't know that Shen Che suffered imprisonment because of Mu Qingcheng as soon as he returned to the capital? The two of them are practically enemies! And the noble ladies who had previously cheered for Shen Che are now filled with jealousy and hatred, but dare not show it in the slightest!
Shen Che was stunned for a moment, his gaze involuntarily fixed on Mu Qingcheng's face, his surprise and worry were hard to describe!
Mu Qingcheng looked up in surprise and took in Shen Che's reaction. She couldn't help but silently light a white candle for Shen Che.

The emperor returned to his throne and sat down, a half-smile on his face. "Mother, it's best if both parties agree to a marriage. Otherwise, they'll become an unhappy couple, which would be a waste of your good intentions."

"The Emperor is right," the Empress Dowager smiled leisurely. "Miss Mu, are you willing?"

Just as Mu Qingcheng was about to speak, she heard the Empress Dowager add, "My imperial decree is ready. Miss Mu, please don't follow the example of the Prefect of the Capital and disappoint me!"

A blatant threat is looming over us!

Mu Qingcheng lowered her eyes, knelt down again, and kowtowed, saying, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your grace, but this commoner and Prince Shen are not a good match. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's forgiveness!" Prince Zhongshan raised an eyebrow, adopting a condescending tone, and said, "Originally, given your background as a coroner, you were naturally unworthy. However, considering your abilities and the Emperor's commendation, I have elevated you to the Prince's residence as a concubine of the heir apparent. This is a great honor for you..."

"Father!"

Shen Che broke out in a cold sweat, but before he could object, Song Shuyu arrived like a gust of wind!

He changed into a sky-blue brocade robe, cinched at the waist with a jade belt, and draped with a light blue gauze over it. His handsome appearance was unparalleled, unmatched in the world. Yet, his dark eyes held a stormy, icy intensity, and his entire being was shrouded in undisguised ferocity!
"Shen Che, have I been too kind to you?"

Song Shuyu's tall and broad figure stood in front of Mu Qingcheng, shielding her from the Empress Dowager's dark face and the Emperor's mischievous expression of enjoying the show!

Shen Che reacted a beat too late, instinctively opening his mouth, "Song..."

Song Shuyu's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "My legal advisor, whom hundreds of people in the Jingzhao Prefecture respect and revere, is only fit to be your concubine? You dare to covet the person I regard as the apple of my eye? How big is the face of your Zhongshan Prince's Mansion?"

As he finished speaking, his sharp gaze pierced the Prince of Zhongshan. "You dare to harm my people without even consulting me? Does Your Highness think that because my father is in trouble, the Song family is about to fall, so you want to start by targeting me?"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he showed no regard for kings, elders, or social hierarchy; his words were sharp and utterly unkind!

The Prince of Zhongshan was utterly humiliated, both shocked and furious. Shen Che was at his wits' end and quickly restrained the Prince, hurriedly saying, "Lord Song, I... I didn't mean that, no, I, I've never looked down on Master Mu. If she's willing, she can be my principal wife, if not..."

“Young Master Shen, I’ve already said it, we are not a good match.” Mu Qingcheng interjected, her expression indifferent. “But what I mean is not that I am not good enough for you, but that you are not good enough for me.”

The King of Zhongshan turned green with rage!
Shen Che held onto the Prince of Zhongshan tightly and casually asked, "Why, why?"

Mu Qingcheng replied calmly, "A defeated opponent is not worthy to be my husband!"

Shen Che's expression immediately turned as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly!
The emperor, who had been sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight, couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips when he saw this part of the show.

"Stop being so arrogant!"

The Empress Dowager was so angry that she lost her composure and roared, "Song Shuyu, have I spoiled you too much? Do you have no respect for elders, for the proper etiquette and filial piety? Mu Qingcheng, I've given you face, and you've really taken it for granted, haven't you? As the heir of a royal family, it's not your place to comment!"

The entire Yaochi Pavilion was utterly silent!

Today's events unfolded one after another, like a violent storm, leaving everyone reeling!

Song Shuyu knelt down, and Mu Qingcheng immediately followed suit, but before she could speak, Song Shuyu interrupted, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, please see the truth! My father was just seriously injured, and the Prince of Zhongshan hastily requested an imperial decree to grant his son a marriage, trying to seize my person. What are his intentions? Our Song family has three generations of military generals, a family of loyal martyrs, yet we have been so humiliated. I, Song Shuyu, cannot accept this! As for Master Mu, she was merely stating the facts. Shen Che rode his horse recklessly in the street, and Master Mu fought seven men single-handedly, forcing Shen Che to his knees and submit to the law. Who in the capital does not know this? Whether someone is worthy or not is not determined solely by their birth!"

(End of this chapter)