A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 225 Bluffing
Everyone thought Bai Zhizhi was an immature girl, spoiled and willful, innocent and naive, capable of crying and making a fuss, daring to go to brothels to keep actors as lovers, daring to sneak into the Mu residence at night and see dead bodies, and even daring to dress up as a man and roam the streets. She was a rich young lady who relied on her family's wealth, was dissolute and ignorant.

Even Song Shuyu's understanding of Bai Zhizhi was only superficial.

Because every time they met, they would get jealous and bicker over Mu Qingcheng, thus neglecting to understand Bai Zhizhi on a deeper level.

Only then did he realize that this young girl was a "two-faced" person, worldly-wise but not cynical, knowledgeable about human nature but not hypocritical. Her inner maturity and wisdom far surpassed those of many middle-aged people who, despite being of age, still lived in a daze!
Mu Qingcheng understood Bai Zhizhi best, but she never expected that the little girl would go to so much trouble for her. She couldn't help but lean in and hug the little girl, her throat slightly choked with emotion, "Zhizhi..."

"Sister Mu, please don't blame me for always being critical of Lord Song. I'm just... afraid that you'll be troubled by love, plunge headlong into it, and place your entire life's hopes on one man, ultimately following in my mother's footsteps."

Bai Zhizhi's reddened eyes seemed to be moistened in the dark, cold night, making them appear somewhat hazy. Suddenly, she smiled, "However, I've changed my opinion of Lord Song now; my trust level has reached thirty percent!"

"Thank you, Miss Bai!" Song Shuyu clasped his hands in a respectful bow, then asked, "But why only 30% trust? Miss Bai, is there anything I haven't done well enough?"

Bai Zhizhi said, "Although Lord Song has shown me your sincerity and made me feel the Duke's Mansion's goodwill, promises made on the lips are ultimately just illusions and not worth believing entirely. Unless one day Lord Song presents a betrothal gift with the proper rites for a principal wife, and a grand procession of red dowry to welcome my sister into the mansion, I can only trust Lord Song halfway!"

Song Shuyu nodded. "Yes, I understand. What about the remaining 50%?"

"Then Lord Song will have to spend his whole life proving it!"

Bai Zhizhi's radiant smile revealed utmost seriousness. "If Lord Song harbors the desire to enjoy the blessings of having multiple wives, then he should refrain from pursuing my sister and seek another wife. If Lord Song is determined to marry only my sister, then he should make things clear to his elders and clan elders to avoid causing my sister any distress, whether openly or secretly. Lord Song should also be fully prepared that my sister may only give birth to daughters, or may be infertile. As the years go by, her youth fades and her beauty withers. Can Lord Song remain steadfast and faithful to her?"

"Making an oath is easy, but keeping it is difficult. Lord Song, there's no need to rush. Think it over carefully. Don't make promises you can't keep, or you'll only harm yourself and others. Of course, the future is full of changes, and no one can foresee the future or the fickle nature of people's hearts. Therefore, I will keep an eye on you, Lord Song, to see if you are worthy of the remaining 50% of my trust. If you are not, I will not hesitate to take Sister Mu away. Whether it's a divorce or abandonment, arson, poisoning, or murder, as long as it helps Sister Mu escape from you, I, Bai Zhizhi, am willing to do anything!"

Hearing these words, Mu Qingcheng couldn't hold back her tears and they welled up in her eyes. She hugged Bai Zhizhi tightly and murmured, "Didn't you promise me that you would live well for yourself? Why are you wasting all your energy on me?"

Bai Zhizhi sniffed and forced a smile. "Sister Mu, in this life, I only trust you, and I only worry about you. So, Sister Mu, please don't blame me for meddling, okay?"

“How could my sister blame Zhizhi? If my mother knew in the afterlife, she would surely thank Zhizhi for taking on the important responsibility of choosing a son-in-law for her.” Mu Qingcheng pinched Bai Zhizhi’s little face, her smile tinged with tears.

After speaking, she turned to look at Song Shuyu, whose expression was complicated, and said with a smile and a serious tone, "My lord, Zhizhi is my family member. Her concerns are very reasonable. I hope you will think it over carefully and act accordingly."

Song Shuyu bowed deeply, performing a grand salute, and said solemnly, "To have gained even a fraction of Miss Bai's trust is already an honor for me. Your words are all reasonable, and I will remember them. In the future, please wait and see!"

"Ahem... Lord Song, this is too much of a gesture. I'm just a young girl, I can't accept it." Bai Zhizhi was startled and stepped aside, saying, "Anyway, we've talked things out tonight, and I won't argue with Lord Song anymore. From now on, I want to be Sister Mu's good helper, solving strange cases and punishing murderers together, and doing something earth-shattering!" After saying that, she released Mu Qingcheng, waved to the two of them, and resumed her charming appearance, "It's rare for me to come to the mansion of a noble family, I'll take a stroll around tonight, and then I'll come to Luming Courtyard to find you."

Bai Zhizhi ran incredibly fast, disappearing into the vast night in the blink of an eye.

Song Shuyu hurriedly instructed the accompanying steward, "Pass down the word that no one is to neglect Miss Bai. Wherever she wants to go, she doesn't need to ask permission; just let her go. Don't offend her."

"This old servant understands." The steward bowed and took his leave.

Seeing this, Mu Qingcheng teased, "Your Excellency's trust in Zhizhi is more than three-tenths excessive."

Song Shuyu said, "I didn't understand Miss Bai well before. Now I know that she knows her limits, knows when to advance and retreat, and acts with propriety. There's nothing to worry about about her."

The moonlight, like water, illuminated the two slender figures as they continued forward.

Looking at their overlapping shadows, Mu Qingcheng felt a tightness in her chest. She whispered, "From the moment we first met until now, everything you've done has shown your unwavering confidence in having me. Now, what are you thinking, sir?"

"It's not that they're certain of victory; it's just a bluff."

Song Shuyu reached out and put his arm around Mu Qingcheng's shoulder, sighing, "Actually, I've always been very afraid. I'm afraid you don't trust me enough, afraid you don't like me enough, afraid that no matter how many times I propose, you won't be willing to grow old with me. Qingcheng, I'm grateful for Miss Bai's warning. She made me think more carefully about how to protect you from being wronged in our marriage, how to make us last longer in this chaotic world, but the word 'retreat' will never exist."

Mu Qingcheng smiled with relief. "My lord, I trust you. Although I don't know why, I always feel that we've known each other for a long time and should trust one another. So..."

She spun around, and for the first time, took the initiative to hug Song Shuyu's waist. She tilted her head back and winked at him playfully, "So, my lord, you must work harder and perform well!"

"Qingcheng!"

Song Shuyu excitedly pulled her into his arms and joyfully poured out his heart: "I only wish your heart were like mine, then I would never betray your love."

(End of this chapter)