A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 159 The Truth Revealed to the World (45)

However, to everyone's surprise, Song Shuyu threw away the red-headed token he had been holding and ordered in a loud voice: "Guards! Vice Minister Liang has been roaring in court and showing contempt for the law. Take him out and give him ten heavy lashes as a warning to others!"

This move shocked everyone!

Mu Qingcheng was surprised by Song Shuyu's boldness and impulsiveness, but considering his unconditional trust in her, she decided to trust his ability to handle affairs.

The constables, upon receiving the order, rushed in like a whirlwind, grabbed Liang Ruoming's arm, and dragged him outside!
"Be bold!"

"Song Shuyu, do you have no respect for the law?"

"I am a third-rank official, above you in rank, yet you dare to use private punishment to deal with me?"

"Song Shuyu, if you dare to act recklessly, the Empress Dowager will not let you off!"

However, no matter how much Liang Ruoming roared and threatened, Song Shuyu remained unmoved!
Soon, outside the courtroom, the sounds of boards falling and Liang Ruoming's heart-wrenching screams could be heard!

Ji Yue was utterly shocked. He thought the two high-ranking officials were just bickering, but he never expected Song Shuyu to be so ruthless and decisive, truly taking action when necessary and punishing those who were truly capable!
When Liang Ruoming was dragged back, his buttocks were covered in blood, and he was completely exhausted!
As a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Justice, he was flogged in the capital prefecture. He not only suffered physical pain, but also lost all face and dignity. How can he stand firm in the court in the future?
Meeting Liang Ruoming's murderous, hateful gaze, Song Shuyu calmly took out the imperial gold token and said indifferently, "His Majesty has decreed that anyone who obstructs my official duties shall be executed without mercy! If Vice Minister Liang is still not satisfied, I may cast another red-headed token! If he continues to be dissatisfied, then I will continue to beat him until he submits, or until he is killed!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Ruoming coughed up a mouthful of blood and immediately fainted in the courtroom!

Song Shuyu remained noncommittal. "Guards, carry Vice Minister Liang to the side hall and ask the imperial physician to treat his injuries. Remember, all consultation and medicine fees must be recorded and paid by Vice Minister Liang himself!"

"Yes!"

The constables obeyed the order, one lifting Liang Ruoming by the shoulders and the other by the feet, and simply and roughly took him out again.

Liu Xiao was dumbfounded. He had to admit that he was somewhat shocked. Song Shuyu dared to hit even a third-rank official. If his father, Liu Changqing, were to go to court...

Liu Pei's thoughts were in turmoil. He stared blankly at Song Shuyu in the hall, his heart filled with turmoil. Liang Ruoming was the Empress Dowager's man. Did Song Shuyu's actions against Liang Ruoming mean that the Song family was severing ties with the Empress Dowager and turning their loyalty to the Emperor? If so, what should he do...?

Just then, the yamen runners carried in a stretcher and placed it next to Li Mu's body.

Mu Qingcheng reported: "My lord, the condition of the deceased Li Yunyao's body has changed. It is somewhat... unpleasant to look at. Please do not look at it."

Surprise flashed in Song Shuyu's eyes. "What do you mean? Isn't it just about dying four months pregnant?"

"In reply to your question, sir, the only change is in my pregnant belly." Mu Qingcheng expressed herself very cryptically. Song Shuyu had always been troubled by Li Yunyao's suicide with her child, and she was afraid that seeing this would further agitate him.

Song Shuyu couldn't understand. He thought that since he had already seen Li Yunyao's body and had already fainted, it wouldn't make a difference if he saw it again. So he said, "I'm fine. You may continue the trial."

Mu Qingcheng had no choice but to nod, "Yes."

Liu Pei was in a state of intense emotional turmoil. He stared intently at Mu Qingcheng's hand, his gaze following her as she lifted the white cloth and looked at Li Yunyao, who had been dead for six days!

Song Shuyu craned her neck curiously to look over, and with just one glance, she was so shocked that she lost her composure and exclaimed, "She gave birth? She gave birth to a child?!" Upon hearing this, Ji Yue, Lu Xun, and the constables all gathered around the corpse, all dumbfounded and terrified!

The corpse was several times larger than normal, with blood and filth flowing out. At the corpse's feet was a fetus with a purplish-black amniotic sac, its bloodstains blurred and indistinct, and an umbilical cord still attached!

Mu Qingcheng explained: "The deceased's body was placed in the cellar of the morgue. Due to the wind and water blowing on the body, the body swelled up severely, and the joints of the bones came apart, thus pushing out the fetus inside the abdomen."

Everyone was stunned.

Ji Yue let out a deep breath, "Today has truly been an eye-opening experience!"

Mu Qingcheng continued, "According to the 'Treatise on the Five Visceral Spirits,' after one month of pregnancy, the fetus is like white dew; after two months, it is like a peach blossom; after three months, the fetus can be distinguished as male or female; after four months, the fetus takes on a human form; after five months, the fetus's bones and muscles are fully developed; after six months, the fetus grows hair; after seven months, the fetus can move its right hand. If it is a boy, the fetus will be positioned on the left side of the mother's abdomen; after eight months, the fetus can move its left hand; if it is a girl, the fetus will be positioned on the right side of the mother's abdomen; after nine months, the fetus will turn three times; and after ten months, the fetus will be full-term and ready to be born."

Liu Pei's eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty red. "Yun Yao, she, she..." He broke down in tears, his hands trembling as he tried to touch Li Yun Yao, but because he was wearing shackles, he couldn't reach her no matter what.

Mu Qingcheng knelt on one knee beside the corpse and said calmly, "The fetus of the deceased Li Yunyao is four months old and has already taken human form. It's a girl. Liu Pei, this child is yours, isn't it?"

Overwhelmed with grief, Liu Pei vomited blood!

"The child my sister-in-law is carrying is actually my brother's? I thought it was my father's..." Liu Xiao stared in disbelief. Thinking of his previous absurd idea, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the Liu family had not done anything to subvert the norms and ethics.

Originally, Mu Qingcheng had also suspected that Liu Changqing had bullied Li Yunyao, but after reading Liu Changqing's secret love notes, she dispelled her suspicions.

Liu Pei suddenly broke down in tears, “Yes, this is my child, our only child…”

Mu Qingcheng slowly stood up, a hint of disdain in her eyes. "Liu Pei, do you know why Li Yunyao refused to escape the Liu family with you even in death? You killed her father, so she killed your daughter. She wants revenge on you and wants to make you suffer unbearable pain!"

"No, that's not it, it's not..."

"If it's not like this, then what is it?"

"I didn't..." Liu Pei was in a state of confusion. The words that were on the tip of her tongue suddenly came to her senses when she caught sight of Liu Xiao out of the corner of her eye, and she swallowed them back.

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng pointed at Li Yunyao and said sternly, "Liu Pei, in front of your wife, tell me, did you kill Li Mu?"

Liu Pei turned her face away, not daring to look at Li Yunyao any longer, only tears streaming down her face.

Mu Qingcheng had never seen such a stubborn prisoner. She was so angry she almost laughed. "The ink and the sachet are irrefutable evidence. You won't admit it, but you still don't dare to tell the truth in front of your dead wife and daughter! Liu Pei, no wonder Li Yunyao likes Liu Xiao and looks down on you. Compared to Liu Xiao's bravery and fearlessness, you are really a coward!"

"Coroner Mu, what nonsense are you talking about? I... I was engaged to my sister-in-law, but we were completely innocent. You must not slander her reputation!" Upon hearing this, Liu Xiao quickly distanced himself from the situation and assured Liu Pei, "Brother, believe me, I have absolutely not done anything to betray you!"

(End of this chapter)