A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 435 Finale (7)

Mu Qingcheng's prediction was correct; the next morning, Mu Yan came to his door to demand an explanation.

Song Shuyu had not returned from court. Mu Qingcheng took the memorial text he had written the night before and burned it in front of Lin Fu's spirit tablet. After the worship was completed, he was about to go to the government office to handle official business when the constables guarding the gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture hurriedly came to report the news.

"Master Mu, your father has arrived. Constable Bai accompanied him to your side room."

Mu Qingcheng remained calm and unhurried. He first instructed the kitchen to prepare some of his father's favorite breakfast and snacks, then arranged the day's affairs before returning to the side room to meet his father.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, the little girl's silvery laughter came from inside the house. Mu Qingcheng smiled knowingly. Zhizhi was indeed a joy to be around; there was no one, young or old, that Zhizhi couldn't coax.

Back in the room, Mu Qingcheng saw Mu Yan sitting upright at the table, with Bai Zhizhi massaging his shoulders and back. Mu Qingcheng smiled and called out, "Father, Zhizhi."

Mu Yan raised his eyelids slightly, his face serious, without a trace of a smile.

"Sister Mu, Uncle is so kind! He just promised me that he would personally guide me in solving cases in his spare time, helping me catch up with you as soon as possible!"

Bai Zhizhi poured tea for Mu Qingcheng, trying to liven up the atmosphere while secretly winking at her to remind her to be careful what she said.

Mu Qingcheng smiled as she accepted the tea, took a sip, and said, "Zhizhi, you must have misunderstood. Where is my father being loving? Look at him, he doesn't even have a smile on his face when facing his daughter whom he hasn't seen for years."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan glared fiercely, "You still dare to say that? What exactly is wrong with A-Xun that you insist on breaking your contract and refusing to marry him? A-Xun's parents and younger brother are all good people. If you marry into the Marquis's mansion, they will never let you suffer any grievances! And A-Xun, he is the child I raised. I know him inside and out. I have complete confidence in his character and his feelings for you..."

"Father, I didn't say my brother was bad, nor am I afraid that the people of the Marquis's mansion are difficult to get along with, or that my mother-in-law and I will not get along. I simply don't like Lu Xun!" Mu Qingcheng interrupted Mu Yan's long speech, firmly and directly stating her feelings, "Whether it was Mu Xun in the past or the current Prince Lu, I have always regarded him as my brother, as a sibling, and I have never had any romantic feelings for him!"

Mu Yan frowned deeply. "Feelings can be cultivated slowly. If you change your perspective, step out of the sibling relationship, and spend more time with A-Xun, you might just fall in love with him."

“Father, I already have someone I love. My heart can only hold him; there’s no room for anyone else.” Mu Qingcheng confessed. “He knows me, understands me, loves me, and respects me. He allows me to rise to the top by stepping on his shoulders. He puts me first in everything and gives me a great sense of security. We met when we were young. Back then, I jokingly said that I would marry him. He fell seriously ill one night in a mass grave, and then searched for me and waited for me for twelve years. He is still single.”

At this point, Mu Qingcheng stood up, knelt before Mu Yan, her eyes reddening, and choked with sobs, "Father, Song Shuyu and I are in love with each other. I love him, I trust him, and I can take responsibility for my choice. I will never regret it for the rest of my life! Please, Father, believe in your daughter just this once, okay?"

Mu Yan slammed his hand on the table, furious. "You...you've forgotten who killed your mother? Song Shuyu, the Duke of Song's mansion, how could he possibly escape unscathed?"

Mu Qingcheng argued forcefully, "Father, the murderer is Song Zi, and she is indeed a member of the Song family, but Song Shuyu is also a victim. The Song family matriarch and the Duke of Song and his son have long hated Song Zi to the bone. They were the ones who orchestrated and dismantled Song Zi's power, bringing her to justice! Father, we criminal investigators must distinguish right from wrong. We cannot let Song Zi's case cause us to blame other members of the Song family. Moreover, if it weren't for the Duke of Song and his son, how could your journey back to the capital have been smooth? How could you have found evidence to put Song Zi to death?"

From childhood to adulthood, Mu Qingcheng has always been an obedient and sensible child, and she and her father have a very harmonious relationship.

Their first argument was over three years ago, when Mu Qingcheng, upon hearing the news of Mu Xun's death, insisted on returning to the capital to uncover the truth. The second argument is now, as she seeks to annul her engagement with Mu Xun and remarry Song Shuyu.

Mu Yan understood that Mu Qingcheng was right. He shouldn't have transferred his hatred for Song Zi to Song Shuyu and the rest of the Song family. But for him to let go, completely let go, and accept the marriage with the Song family was like having a fishbone stuck in his throat—uncomfortable and impossible to swallow or spit out!
Finally, Mu Yan said in a deep voice, "One thing at a time. I can forgive the Song family, and you can dissolve your marriage with Mu Xun as you wish. But Song Shuyu, get as far away from me as possible. I will never acknowledge him as my son-in-law!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhizhi silently lit a candle for Song Shuyu.

Mu Qingcheng remained calm and said nothing more. She was already very satisfied with the outcome of today's discussions. Mu Xun's importance in her father's heart was something that Song Shuyu could not compare to, so she couldn't be too hasty. She had paved the way forward, and now it was up to Song Shuyu to show his skills.

Standing up, Mu Qingcheng took Bai Zhizhi's hand, a smile appearing on her lips. "Zhizhi, the Duke of Song has agreed to take you in as his goddaughter and has already begun to arrange your marriage. The old lady is personally handling the ceremony to recognize you as his daughter. You should tell Master Bai about this as soon as possible. The Song family will probably invite you and your father to their residence in the next couple of days."

"Really? That's wonderful! You're such a great benefactor!" Bai Zhizhi exclaimed with delight. "I'm going to find my dad right now! I bet my scumbag dad will faint from happiness!"

Mu Qingcheng couldn't stop smiling. "From now on, our Zhizhi will have two fathers, and she'll receive double the love. Oh, and she'll also have a grandmother and two brothers. Zhizhi will have so many relatives to pamper, cherish, and protect her for the rest of her life. She'll be so happy." "My happiness is all thanks to Sister Mu. I... I don't know how to repay Sister Mu." Bai Zhizhi's eyes reddened instantly, and tears welled up and fell uncontrollably.

Mu Qingcheng quickly wiped away the little girl's tears and gently comforted her, "How could there be no reward? You've worried about so many things for me, taken care of me, helped me maintain relationships, bought me a house, given me all sorts of precious gifts, and even helped me investigate adults. Sometimes I really feel like I'm the younger sister."

Bai Zhizhi chuckled, "In that case, Sister Mu and Uncle, please move to the house on Guangyang Street today. Everything is arranged, and the servants are all in place. We're just waiting for you to move in!"

What Bai Zhizhi didn't dare to say was that in the master's room, there were also ten thousand taels of gold and silver, silks and satins, jewelry, calligraphy and paintings, jade artifacts, and all sorts of rare and precious items that she had collected from Bai family shops all over the country, so that she could add to Mu Qingcheng's dowry in the future.

Ever since it was confirmed that Mu Qingcheng was to marry Song Shuyu, Bai Zhizhi had been secretly making preparations. Mu Yan was upright and honest, and the Mu family originally did not have much wealth. Over the past ten years, little was left. The Duke's mansion was prestigious, and she could not let Mu Qingcheng be looked down upon. She wanted Mu Qingcheng to marry with a generous dowry, a grand wedding procession of ten miles, a magnificent spectacle.

I thought I would have to use a lot of persuasion to get Mu Qingcheng to agree, but to my surprise, Mu Qingcheng said, "Okay, you go find Master Bai first, I'll chat with my father for a while, and then we'll move to the new house."

Bai Zhizhi was overjoyed, but fearing that Mu Qingcheng might change her mind, she quickly took her leave.

The father and daughter were left alone. Mu Yan's expression gradually turned serious. "Qing'er, how could you accept the Bai family's gift for nothing? Especially such a grand gift as a mansion! Besides, A-Xun has also prepared a manor for us. Aren't you hurting A-Xun's feelings by doing this?"

Mu Qingcheng smiled and said, "I guess the Marquis not only prepared a manor, but also a generous gift to thank Father for raising my brother for so many years. Father refused, but couldn't resist my brother's persistent pleading and couldn't bear to hurt his filial piety, so he finally agreed to the manor, right?"

"Hmph, you little rascal, nothing can be hidden from you. Last night, Ah Xun told his father that he was already heartbroken enough by your rejection of the marriage proposal. If you don't even give him a chance to show filial piety, it means you're severing ties with him as father and brother, and that you don't want him anymore. In that case, he'll jump into the river."

"Hehe, brother has learned to use tricks too."

"means?"

"A feigned retreat followed by a threatening act, huh?" Mu Qingcheng couldn't help but chuckle. She wondered which of Bai Zhizhi and Song Shuyu had infected Lu Xun with his charm, or perhaps he had combined the strengths of both of them.

Mu Yan seemed to be deep in thought. "Ah Xun has indeed changed a lot. However, since Father has promised Ah Xun, it is not good to go back on his word."

“It’s alright, we can accept it. We can’t just watch our brother jump into the river.” Mu Qingcheng said helplessly. “However, we still need to move into the house on Guangyang Street that Zhizhi gave us. Firstly, so that others won’t say that we are taking advantage of the Lu family’s kindness; secondly, so that the Lu family won’t mistakenly think that I’m wavering on the marriage.”

Mu Yan frowned, not quite agreeing. "Then you can accept the Bai family's gifts with a clear conscience?"

“I didn’t originally intend to accept it, but now that Zhizhi wants to recognize the Duke as her godfather and become a young lady of the Duke’s mansion, Zhizhi is very thoughtful. If I refuse, she will feel indebted to me and will not be able to accept all of this with peace of mind.”

Since Mu Yan was unaware of the details, Mu Qingcheng explained the whole story in detail.

“Zhizhi, that child, really… has had a lot of bad luck.” Mu Yan is a typical person who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Especially since Bai Zhizhi is playful and cute, he couldn’t bear to hurt Bai Zhizhi’s feelings, so he said, “Then let’s do it your way. I’ll explain to A-Xun later.”

Mu Qingcheng nodded in satisfaction, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Father, don't you think Song Shuyu is a very thoughtful person? He loves me so much that he helped settle Zhizhi, and he's even more considerate to you, Father. He secretly sent you tonics and asked the Duke to escort you..."

"Stop right there!" Mu Yan was so angry that he glared at her. "Girls are so biased towards outsiders, always siding with outsiders!"

To everyone's surprise, Mu Qingcheng laughed even more heartily, "Not only that, Song Shuyu is also a very politically farsighted and visionary Prefect of the Capital. He reported to the Emperor that he would expropriate our family's old house for the Capital Prefecture, and have the Ministry of Works renovate and build a girls' school!"

Mu Yan was stunned. The aversion he felt towards Song Shuyu from the bottom of his heart dissipated a lot in an instant. Was this kid really that outstanding?

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