A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 147 The Truth Revealed to the World (33)

Seeing that Lu Xun was so impolite as to walk to Mu Qingcheng's bedside with his eyes fixed on her, Song Shuyu got up without making a sound, blocking Lu Xun's view. With her hands wrapped in gauze, she tucked the corner of the quilt for Mu Qingcheng and even lifted her sleeve to touch Mu Qingcheng's forehead with her wrist.

"Was she seriously injured?" Lu Xun's mind was in turmoil, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

Song Shuyu turned around and saw that Lu Xun had regained his normal expression in a short while. He had a thought and said, "Minor internal bleeding and a fractured left forearm. It's not too serious. He'll be fine after a period of rest." He paused, then sighed with a smile, "This girl is always causing me trouble. I really don't know whether taking her in will help me more or add to my burdens."

"Lord Song is joking. If Coroner Mu were truly useless, why would Lord Song care so much?" Lu Xun casually deflected the question.

Conversations between intelligent people are either frank and open, or they engage in back-and-forth exchanges, probing each other.

Song Shuyu's smile remained unchanged, as if it had all been a joke. He clasped his hands and said, "In any case, thank you very much for your help today, Prince Lu. Once Qingcheng has recovered, the two of us will host a banquet to properly thank you. We hope you will do us the honor of joining us then!"

"Qingcheng?" Lu Xun's expression stiffened slightly. "Judging from what Brother Song is saying, your relationship..."

Song Shuyu glanced sideways at the unconscious woman on the bed, feigning embarrassment, "Young Master Lu, please don't spread this around. It wouldn't be good if it affected Qingcheng's reputation. Let's wait until things are more natural..."

"Brother Song!"

Lu Xun's tone suddenly became more urgent, and Song Shuyu grabbed his arm, saying seriously, "Lu Xun, don't disturb Qingcheng's rest. Go back to the Marquis's residence to wash up and change into clean official clothes. After Qingcheng wakes up, I will decide whether to continue the public trial today!"

Lu Xun’s impulse was forcibly suppressed. He really couldn’t stay any longer. What if Mu Qingcheng suddenly woke up? How would he face her?
He had endured for three years and could not afford to waste all his efforts and endanger the lives of Mu Qingcheng and his adoptive father just to compete with Song Shuyu for her affections!

So, suppressing all his unspeakable emotions, he clasped his hands in farewell and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave now!"

"Walk slowly!"

Song Shuyu stood on the steps at the entrance, watching Lu Xun walk out of the courtyard and disappear from sight. Only then did unease and panic well up in her calm eyes.

He sent people to investigate Mu Qingcheng's experiences over the years, but no news has been returned yet. Lu Xun's unusual reaction to Mu Qingcheng today has made him feel a sense of crisis. He is afraid that Mu Qingcheng is the daughter of Lu Xun's benefactor and a woman who is engaged to Lu Xun!

……

While Mu Qingcheng was unconscious, Song Shuyu handled several matters.

"Jiang Zhan, send someone back to the Jingzhao Prefecture to inform Vice Minister Liang and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Ji to rest at the yamen for the time being. Tell them that I have obtained new physical evidence, and our key witness is on his way. Therefore, the public trial will be postponed until this afternoon or evening, but they are not allowed to leave the Jingzhao Prefecture, including their servants. In addition, order the head constables Yang Bing and Duan Qianzhong to appease the people, maintain order, and handle matters appropriately, so as not to escalate the situation and cause adverse effects."

"The second thing is to send someone to the main courtyard of the back office to find Granny Liu and bring me new official robes and a change of clothes."

"The third thing is to send someone to Wangjing Tower to inform Bai Zhizhi that Coroner Mu is seriously injured and asks Miss Bai to come here to take care of him as soon as possible." Jiang Zhan agreed to everything and left quickly.

Song Shuyu originally wanted to have the maids from the Liu family help Mu Qingcheng wash up and change her clothes, but when he thought of the evidence Mu Qingcheng had given him about Liu Changqing's murder, he sent the maids away instead.

Although he didn't particularly like Bai Zhizhi, she made him feel more at ease than the scheming Liu family.

Song Shuyu first went to the east room to visit Constable Liu. After listening to the reports from Jin Zesheng and the judge, he learned that Constable Liu's head had been injured by a blunt object, and that he had taken the blow for the judge. He couldn't help but think more highly of Constable Liu. Perhaps this person lacked strategy and could not achieve great things, but his loyalty and benevolence were worthy of his respect.

"Lord Song, if it weren't for Constable Liu risking his life to protect me, I would be dead here." The judge, having survived the ordeal, was filled with lingering sorrow. "You didn't see it, that Liu Changqing is completely insane. I spent the entire night trying to cure his wife's poison, even taking out my treasured snake wine, intending to use the drunken black-tailed snake as medicine. But what did he do? He insisted that I was trying to kill his wife. When I argued back, he actually raised a hammer and attacked me!"

Song Shuyu's gaze fell on the unconscious Constable Liu's face, and he sincerely praised, "It is Liu Heng's duty as a constable to ensure the safety of the court. However, his loyalty and courage are worthy of the honor of our Jingzhao Prefecture!"

"Lord Song is skilled in managing his subordinates and adept at governing. The entire Jingzhao Prefecture is upright and honest, which I, your humble servant, greatly admire!" The judge cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

Song Shuyu helped the judge to his feet and said with a smile, "Let's not talk nonsense. How long will it take for Constable Liu to wake up? His head injury is serious; will it leave any lasting effects?"

"Luckily, Officer Liu is skilled in martial arts and dodged it. The iron hammer only grazed him, so it's not too serious. If nothing unexpected happens, he should wake up this afternoon. I will then take his pulse to see if there are any other adverse symptoms."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Judge."

At this moment, the guards came to report that Liu Changqing had woken up.

Song Shuyu and the court judge immediately went to the north room.

Liu Changqing had all four limbs intact, and apart from a few minor abrasions, he was basically unharmed.

On the contrary, Madam Liu, although she did not suffer any external injuries, was already weak due to poisoning and had been buried in the ground for too long, so she has not yet woken up.

Looking at Liu Changqing, whose hair was disheveled, face and head were dirty, and who was covered in dirt, Song Shuyu's face was full of sneer. "A dignified military general, instead of thinking about going to the front to kill the enemy and protect the country and its people, he stays in the capital, treacherous and cunning! He committed a crime but dared not admit it, and even dragged a girl down with him! Liu Changqing, you have really disgraced our family!"

Liu Changqing seemed not to hear, his face full of old age and fatigue, like a withered tree on the verge of death, devoid of any vitality.

Song Shuyu couldn't help but laugh: "Do you think that if you die, your two sons will live? I don't know anything about knowing when to stop. I won't stop until I've scooped out a few pounds of flesh!"

“My Xiao’er is innocent. He was not involved in anything. You cannot put him to death.” Liu Changqing finally spoke, his cloudy eyes fixed on Song Shuyu’s face. “I believe that Lord Song is an honest official and will act in accordance with the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, right?”

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(End of this chapter)