A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 152 The Truth Revealed to the World (38)

Song Shuyu's eyes lit up. "You mean, when Liu Changqing killed Li Mu, he put height-increasing insoles in his boots so that he could shift the blame onto Liu Pei?"

Mu Qingcheng nodded: "That's my guess, but Liu Changqing won't admit it. When his attendant brought him the height-increasing boots, he panicked and immediately berated the attendant! I took the attendant away for a private interrogation, and the attendant said that because Liu Changqing is short, people in the army always call him 'Short Tiger General' behind his back. Liu Changqing's pride was hurt, so he made many height-increasing boots. Whenever he goes out to meet people or to the army, he wears the boots to avoid being ridiculed. Today, when the attendant was taking clothes under our watchful eyes, he was so nervous that he grabbed the wrong thing and was exposed."

Song Shuyu listened excitedly, "Then have you found the platform boots that Liu Changqing wore when he committed the crime?"

"Not only was it found, but a small amount of blood was also discovered in the gap where the sole and upper meet!" With a major breakthrough in the case, Mu Qingcheng's eyes were full of joy. "The bloodstains must have been splashed there accidentally, but the location was hidden and was not discovered by Liu Changqing."

"It's like finding a needle in a haystack, only to have it come to you effortlessly!"

Song Shuyu was overjoyed. In his excitement, he forgot that he had injured his hand and rubbed it hard. The next moment, he winced in pain!

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng turned her face slightly away and held back for a while before suppressing the concern that was rising in her throat.

Her indifferent reaction stung Song Shuyu's eyes, making her feel a deep, aching pain.

But right now, he hasn't even verified her identity, so how could he dare to act coquettishly and shamelessly try to gain sympathy?
"My lord, there has been a new discovery regarding the sachet." Mu Qingcheng spoke again, his speech much faster. "This morning, a constable came to report that Liu Pei's personal maidservant requested an audience. I found this unusual, so I met with the maidservant. She said that Liu Pei has asthma, and the prison is dusty, so she was worried that Liu Pei would have an attack. She offered to go into the prison to take care of Liu Pei."

Song Shuyu's sorrow vanished instantly, and his mind raced. "So, we overlooked something! The sachets of the three Liu family members are identical on the outside, but the contents inside may not be the same!"

"Yes, it was indeed our oversight." Mu Qingcheng nodded, somewhat remorseful. "If I had been more careful, we wouldn't have waited until now to discover it..."

Song Shuyu immediately comforted him, saying, "Who can be meticulous and flawless in everything? You've done a great job. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"Thank you, sir."

"So, Liu Pei's sachet contains medicinal herbs for preventing and treating asthma?"

"Yes, and Liu Pei's sachet was already damaged. The maid said that once Li Yunyao and Liu Pei had an argument, and in a fit of anger, she took scissors and cut several of Liu Pei's clothes, including his sachet. Afterwards, Liu Pei was afraid of hurting Madam Liu's feelings, so he ordered the servants to keep quiet. Then he had the maid find similar fabric and make a new sachet. But the stitches are different because they were sewn by different people. You can tell the difference with a little comparison."

"It seems this was all preordained!" Song Shuyu sighed, then her anxiety grew. "And then? Who started the fire?"

Mu Qingcheng replied, "Seeing that I had become suspicious of the height-increasing boots, Liu Changqing took advantage of the time when the Imperial Physician was preparing the antidote for Madam Liu to suddenly launch an attack. After injuring Constable Liu, he activated the ignition mechanism, intending to burn the three of us to death in the bedroom so that there would be no way to prove anything! Constable Liu protected the Imperial Physician as he escaped, while I covered the rear. Who would have thought that Liu Changqing, being so cunning, would secretly activate the underground escape passage, planning to escape with Madam Liu!"

"At that time, I was in a hurry to capture Liu Changqing. Without thinking twice, I chased after Liu Changqing and jumped into the trap. Seeing that he could not escape, Liu Changqing went mad and blew up the underground passage, taking his wife and me down with him!"

After Mu Qingcheng finished recounting everything, the words Song Shuyu had spoken to her before she lost consciousness suddenly came to mind: "Have you forgotten? You once taught me that if there is an earthquake, I should hide in the triangular area against the wall of the house, which is relatively safe." This was an escape technique that her mother had taught Mu Qingcheng when she was alive. Therefore, at the first moment of the collapse, she grabbed Liu Changqing and his wife and rushed to the nearest triangular area to take shelter.

Song Shuyu knew this, which is why he rescued her in time!
Therefore, she can't help but wonder if she had met Song Shuyu before she was seven years old, when she was in the capital. But she tried hard to recall, but she had no memory of it.

Song Shuyu was unaware of what Mu Qingcheng was thinking. He was concerned about the public trial, but also worried about Mu Qingcheng's health. After a moment's consideration, he said, "Coroner Mu, why don't you rest at the Liu family's house for a few days? I will take the witnesses and evidence back to the Jingzhao Prefecture first to continue the public trial. What do you think?"

"My lord, I will go back with you. I am fine and will be able to get out of bed after taking my medicine," Mu Qingcheng said hurriedly.

Song Shuyu frowned, "Don't be reckless!"

"Don't worry, my lord, I wasn't being stubborn. My fractured forearm won't hurt as long as I don't touch it." After saying that, Mu Qingcheng looked around with a look of disgust. "Even if I'm recuperating, I want to go back to the capital to recuperate. This Liu family is just too unlucky."

Song Shuyu was reluctant to leave her behind. Only by keeping her on his own territory could he feel at ease, so he immediately agreed, "Alright, I grant your request."

"咚咚-"

Bai Zhizhi pressed her face against the door and asked softly, "Lord Song, have you finished discussing official business with Sister Mu? Sister Mu's medicine is ready, it's time for her to take it!"

Song Shuyu opened the door and finally gave Bai Zhizhi a smile. "Miss Bai, thank you for your trouble."

Bai Zhizhi chuckled, deliberately poking at Song Shuyu's sore spot, "Lord Song, you're too kind. Taking care of Sister Mu is what I should do, no outsider needs to thank me. But Lord Song, you risked your life to save my Sister Mu, I, Bai Zhizhi, will definitely repay this kindness!"

"Am I an outsider?" Song Shuyu was immediately amused and exasperated. "Heh, you little brat, do you still want to go to the Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Bai Zhizhi immediately bent over, lowered her eyebrows, and revealed a fawning smile: "Yes!"

Song Shuyu was very satisfied with her performance. He lowered his voice and whispered, "Miss Bai, take good care of Coroner Mu and speak well of me to him. If you perform well, I will grant you free access to the Jingzhao Prefecture. What do you say?"

Bai Zhizhi smiled and narrowed her almond-shaped eyes. "Hehe, I love Lord Song's straightforwardness. It's a deal!"

My darlings, please vote for me!

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(End of this chapter)