A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 366 Ending (35)

“There’s no need for that.” Mu Qingcheng couldn’t help but sigh. “Zhizhi never intended to treat you as an older brother, so please don’t say things like that to her anymore.”

Lu Xun was surprised, "Why? Am I... not worthy to be Miss Bai's brother?"

Mu Qingcheng brushed Lu Xun aside, stood up from her chair, glared at him with her almond-shaped eyes, utterly speechless, "You...you blockhead!"

With that, she strode away.

Lu Xun was left all alone, feeling utterly bewildered...

Mu Qingcheng returned to the side room, packed a few things, and then left with her bundle.

Before leaving, she found Bai Zhizhi. The young girl faced her without showing the slightest unhappiness, and said, "Sister Mu, let me get married in your place tomorrow, in case someone tries to harm you..."

"No way!" Mu Qingcheng refused resolutely. "How could I let you risk your life for me? Zhizhi, you stay at the yamen and don't come with me to the Prince's mansion."

She didn't trust the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager was equally wary of her. Before the grand show began, the Empress Dowager would at most suspect her, but wouldn't kill her. However, once the curtain rose, she, this pawn, could be discarded at any time.

Bai Zhizhi hesitated, "I, I..."

Mu Qingcheng reached out and stroked the little girl's fair and soft face, her eyes full of tenderness. "Zhizhi, be good, okay? Sister Mu promises that I will definitely come back to see you safely."

“Sister Mu, there’s another reason I’m doing this. You’ve worn a wedding dress and ridden in a bridal sedan chair. Whether you ultimately marry Prince Shen or not, your reputation will be tarnished. In the future, you and Lord Song… Even if the Duke’s mansion doesn’t care, even if you can ignore the gossip, I hope you’ll only wear a wedding dress once in your life, and only marry the one you love, leaving no flaws or stains.” “Silly Zhizhi, you’re thinking of me so much, but what about yourself? You’re a girl too, and you’ll get married someday.”

"I..." Bai Zhizhi opened her lips, her gaze wandering for a moment, then suddenly seemed to have figured it out, her tone light and easy, "I don't know what the future holds. I'll either follow in Sister Mu's footsteps and strive to get promoted to become a prestigious female official, or I'll return to Jiangnan to inherit the family business. At that time, my scumbag father might find me a son-in-law who will live with me."

Mu Qingcheng felt a pang of heartache, but she couldn't say much at the moment. After all, matters of the heart cannot be forced. She might not like Lu Xun, but she couldn't force him to like someone else; his feelings also needed to be respected.

But she insisted, "No matter what, I do not agree to you marrying in my place. Zhizhi, now that I have embarked on the path of criminal prosecution, I have never thought of turning back. Between seeking justice for the deceased and protecting my reputation, I am willing to choose the former."

Bai Zhizhi's eyes welled up with tears, and she hugged Mu Qingcheng tightly. "Sister Mu, I support whatever decision you make. I hope you become a light, and I hope you have a smooth and safe journey."

Mu Qingcheng is gone.

When she left the Jingzhao Prefecture with her bundle on her back, constables, yamen runners, clerks, servants, and even cooks from the kitchen—a great many people—surged in from all directions. They crowded at the entrance of the yamen, their emotions running high, and everyone's eyes were filled with earnest attempts to persuade her to stay.

The words "I'm sorry" lingered on her lips, but Mu Qingcheng didn't say them until she stepped across the threshold.

She boarded the carriage of the Prince of Zhongshan's mansion with a cold expression, suppressing her turbulent emotions, without ever looking back.

See you tomorrow!