A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 180 I Didn't Use You as a Substitute
"This is why I value 'honor' so much. The capital is the center of political power, with numerous powerful families and nobles. As a national model, especially a family that has been passed down for centuries, it cannot tolerate even the slightest stain or blemish on its reputation. Therefore, only by learning to protect oneself and not being burdened by reputation can one have the opportunity to establish oneself in the capital, do broader things, and realize higher ambitions."

After being affected and pretentious for so long, Song Shuyu has finally returned to normal. When he speaks, his eyes are serious, and he is insightful and mature in his understanding of people and things. No one would imagine that he is such a multifaceted person, both gentle and humble, yet ruthless, and occasionally childish and cute.

Mu Qingcheng sincerely offered his blessings: "Your wish will surely come true."

“I’m not just talking about myself, but also you.” Song Shuyu raised his thick, bandaged finger and tapped Mu Qingcheng’s forehead from a distance, reminding her, “After this case is concluded tomorrow, I will report to the Emperor and reward those who have contributed. At that time, from the common people to the officials, and even the noble families, more and more people will know you and have heard of you. There will be praise for you, but there will also be harsh words. There may also be those who want to see you make a fool of yourself and bring you down from your pedestal. So Qingcheng, you must be mentally prepared, be careful with your words and actions, protect yourself, and don’t let the word ‘reputation’ stifle your efforts! In this world, malice towards women is often unreasonable.”

Seeing his serious face, Mu Qingcheng didn't want him to worry too much about her, so she smiled slightly and said with a teasing tone, "Don't worry, my lord. I am not a weak person and I am quite open-minded. My whip is enough to keep away any man who wants to have physical contact with me. Even if something happens, I will not sacrifice my life to silence the world."

"That's good." Song Shuyu's expression relaxed.

However, Mu Qingcheng's next words broke his defenses again, "If Your Excellency is unwilling to be forced to marry a noble lady because of 'reputation,' then why be so insistent on taking responsibility for my reputation? That matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. Apart from Granny Sun of the Dali Temple, no one else knows about it. Moreover, I have already made arrangements for Granny Sun; she won't say a word..."

"Mu Qingcheng, are you stupid or heartless?" Song Shuyu abruptly interrupted her, her eyes reddening with anger within moments, each word filled with aggrieved accusation, "Don't you understand the difference between being forced and being willing? I value my reputation to protect myself, but for you, being responsible for my reputation is just an excuse. Regardless of whether that incident happened or not, I still want to marry you!"

Mu Qingcheng smiled bitterly and said, "My lord, perhaps I have some expertise in criminal cases. You value me and think I am a good subordinate. But from another perspective, and from another identity, I come from a poor family and am just a coroner from a poor background. Apart from examining corpses, I am not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, or household accounting."

“My lord, ask yourself honestly, what makes me worthy of you? Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and matchmakers. Can you really make that decision? Even if Duke Song is open and agrees to the marriage, what good will you do with me in the Duke’s mansion? Just to keep the house in order? I may be foolish, but I’m not completely ignorant of the ways of the world. I know the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing.”

Her rationality, clarity, and insight are both strengths and weaknesses that can infuriate Song Shuyu. He said, "If I were considering social standing and being willing to follow my elders' arrangements, how could I have remained single at this age? Mu Qingcheng, between us, you only need to consider your personal feelings and whether you want to marry me. Other external factors will not be obstacles!"

Mu Qingcheng was silent for a moment before slowly uttering two words: "I don't want to."

Song Shuyu's handsome face instantly paled, and the disappointment and sadness surging in his eyes swept over Mu Qingcheng's heart. He asked in a low voice, "Why? Because of Mu Xun? Between me and him, you chose him?"

My mind is in turmoil.

She didn't know when it started, but Mu Qingcheng couldn't bear to see Song Shuyu unhappy. However, at this moment, she couldn't grant his wish.

"Answer me!" Song Shuyu stared intently at her, her eyes filled with panic and grievance, her voice tinged with a slight sob. "I know that Uncle Mu once made a verbal engagement between you and Mu Xun, but... Mu Qingcheng, you have to be fair to me and not bully me."

Mu Qingcheng's brows furrowed inch by inch, and she said in a low voice, "It seems that you know everything about my relationship with Mu Xun. What, have you investigated me?" Song Shuyu turned her face away guiltily. Although Lu Xun had told him these things himself, he had indeed sent people to investigate her, but he had not yet received any results.

Mu Qingcheng sighed. She wanted to ask Song Shuyu why Mu Xun had come back to life and why he didn't recognize her, but she swallowed the words back.

The Mu family should resolve their own affairs behind closed doors.

However, to prevent Song Shuyu from continuing to pester her, she frankly said, "My lord, Mu Xun and I were indeed engaged, but Mu Xun is dead. The current Lu Shaoqing is the heir of the Marquis of Huai'an, and I am not worthy of his position. As for you, my lord, have you forgotten that right here in this room you told me that you have married A Yuan, and that A Yuan is your wife? Therefore, please be careful with your words and actions, and do not tarnish my reputation any further."

"..."

Song Shuyu understood Mu Qingcheng's subtext: her engagement with Mu Xun was null and void after Mu Xun became Lu Xun. However, before he could express his joy, her subsequent words turned him into astonishment!

His expression was blank as he tried to recall the events of that day, but his memory remained completely blank!
"sorry."

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng felt a mix of emotions. He had offended her by stealing a kiss and mistook her for his wife, yet he seemed to remember nothing of it. It was as if all those intimate moments were just a dream she had secretly had.

Her wings drooped slightly, and her voice was hoarse. "My lord, I am not A-Yuan, and I will not be anyone's substitute. I only have respect for you. Not to mention that I have no plans to get married now, even if I were to choose a husband in the future, it would never be you."

After speaking, Mu Qingcheng stood up and bowed. "It's late, sir. Please rest early. This humble servant takes his leave!"

Startled, Song Shuyu snapped back to reality. He swiftly grabbed her wrist and said anxiously, "Although I've forgotten what I said or did that day, I can explain. I didn't use you as a substitute. The 'wife' I was referring to is you. I..."

"grown ups!"

The composure that Mu Qingcheng had been trying so hard to maintain finally crumbled, and her eyes blazed with unbearable anger. "I'll say it one last time, I am Mu Qingcheng, not A Yuan!"

Thank you for your support, my darlings! See you tomorrow!
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(End of this chapter)