A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 263 Headless Female Corpse (51)

Originally, Imperial Censor Xu did not take the small fry of the Jingzhao Prefecture seriously. He was just curious about how ridiculous it was for a woman to be in power, and he also wanted to humiliate them and deflate Song Shuyu's arrogance, so he invited her in!

Back then, Xu Yuying was infatuated with Song Shuyu. In order to fulfill his daughter's wishes, he humbled himself and tried every means possible, but Song Shuyu was heartless and ungrateful, causing the Xu family to lose face!

Unexpectedly, he found himself in an awkward position today. He never imagined that this seemingly gentle and docile woman would turn out to be such a weak and easily bullied person!
Seeing that Imperial Censor Xu's gaze was gloomy and he remained unmoved for a long time, Mu Qingcheng showed impatience: "Your Excellency, if you are unwilling to cooperate, then we will have no choice but to search the courtyard and find the person ourselves, and bring them back to the Jingzhao Prefecture interrogation room for questioning!"

Imperial Censor Xu gritted his teeth, "Someone, please summon the young lady!"

The servant hurried away.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Xu Yuying, supported by the head maid, entered the main hall.

Mu Qingcheng smiled slightly, "Princess Consort, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Master Mu is really fast. I just returned to my parents' home yesterday, and Master Mu has already caught up with me today."

Xu Yuying couldn't laugh. She glanced coldly at Mu Qingcheng, walked to the front, greeted Imperial Censor Xu, and then sat down in the chair below.

Mu Qingcheng retorted calmly, "The young master's wife is even faster. I had just left the Pingnan Marquis's residence when the young master's wife returned to her parents' home. Those who don't know the situation might say that the young master's wife was taking care of her ailing mother, but those who do know the situation will say that the young master's wife did something wrong and ran away out of guilt..."

"What wrongdoing? What guilty conscience?" Xu Yuying was furious, her face flushed red as she retorted, "Master Mu, don't make false accusations!"

Mu Qingcheng's smile vanished, her eyes turning cold. "To prevent Prince Wu Fei from taking a concubine, you abducted Liao Ruyi and sold her to someone else! Princess Consort, do you admit to this?"

"I didn't!" Xu Yuying denied it outright. "I didn't want the young master to take a concubine, but I didn't kidnap Liao Ruyi! I... I just told Steward An to figure something out, but as for what he did, I don't know!"

Mu Qingcheng took a half step closer, her tone threatening, "Do you think I'd believe that? An Zhong is just a steward, would he dare to buy and sell people without his master's permission? Xu Yuying, if you turn yourself in and reveal Liao Ruyi's whereabouts, you might have a chance for a lighter sentence!"

"I don't know! This was all done by Butler An alone, it has nothing to do with me!" Xu Yuying's expression was one of panic and desperation, but she gritted her teeth and resolutely refused to admit it.

Seeing this, Imperial Censor Xu interjected, "Master Mu, do you have any evidence to support your accusations against my daughter?"

Mu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Although I don't have concrete evidence right now, An Zhong has entered the Jingzhao Prefecture and will confess sooner or later. Wang Ruhua also left clues before she died. Xu Yuying, I've given you a chance. Since you're unwilling to turn yourself in and atone for your crimes, then we'll see you in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison in a few days!"

After speaking, she clasped her hands in a salute and led her entourage away!

Xu Yuying gripped the armrest of the chair, her whole body filled with anxiety. "Father, what should we do now?"

Imperial Censor Xu remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground, his thoughts unknown.

Mu Qingcheng did not leave the mansion directly, but instead headed towards the rear residence of the Imperial Censor's Office.

Along the way, they encountered several maids who, upon seeing a group of officials, froze in fright, unsure of how to react.

Mu Qingcheng stopped Liu Heng and the other constables. She approached alone, gave a slight curtsy to the maids, and smiled gently. "Sisters," she said, "my surname is Mu, and I'm from the Jingzhao Prefecture. I'd like to ask you about someone. Three years ago, I was a mortician and came to your residence. I remember it was early summer then, and a concubine named Yang died of illness. When I took Yang's body away and left through the back door, a young woman rushed over, saying she was Yang's daughter and asked me to cleanse and dress Yang. May I ask, is this young woman still in your residence? What is her name?"

After she finished speaking, she took out a few pieces of silver and stuffed them into the hands of the maid who had been listening most attentively.

The maid was delighted and quickly said, "Oh, you mean Miss Yuxiao, right?"

“Miss Yuxiao isn’t in the manor,” another maidservant added. Mu Qingcheng was surprised. “My daughter is also a young lady in the manor, why doesn’t she live here?”

The maid covered her mouth and whispered, "The master only gave her a name, but she wasn't included in the family genealogy, so she can't be considered a young lady."

"Where is that Miss Yuxiao?" Mu Qingcheng pressed.

"They were raised on a farm on the outskirts of the city."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, sisters."

Mu Qingcheng took out another ingot of silver and handed it to the second maid, instructing her, "If your master asks, don't say anything out of line. Just answer that the officials forced you, otherwise you will be arrested and thrown into jail."

The maid nodded in agreement, somewhat bewildered.

Mu Qingcheng then led his men and quickly left the Imperial Censor's residence.

On the way, Mu Qingcheng instructed Liu Heng, "Once we return to the yamen, immediately find all of Imperial Censor Xu's estates located in the suburbs!"

"Master Mu, do you suspect that Liao Ruyi is at Imperial Censor Xu's estate?" Liu Heng asked thoughtfully.

Mu Qingcheng shook her head, "No, it's not Liao Ruyi. I'm thinking about the female corpse from the Suhe River!"

"Huh? How did this get back to the female corpse from the Suhe River? What... what does that have to do with the Jade Silk Girl?" Liu Heng was stunned for a moment, his mind a bit confused.

Mu Qingcheng sighed softly, "It can't be explained in a few words. Besides, I'm just guessing and speculating right now. I'll tell you after I've confirmed it."

Liu Heng said "Oh", "Okay, anyway, I'm not as smart as you, so I'll do whatever you tell me to do."

Mu Qingcheng smiled.

They chose the shortest route back to the government office, which was through Huimin Street.

Among the several residential areas divided by the Jingzhao Prefecture, Huimin Street is the largest, with a daily flow of tens of thousands of people, and also has the strongest patrol force.

Perfect, they can also take the opportunity to do some inspections.

Today, the head constable in charge of patrolling this area is Duan Qianzhong, who, along with eleven constables, is divided into three teams of four, patrolling in a crisscross pattern.

However, after walking only a few meters into Huimin Street, they found a large crowd gathered ahead, and the scene was noisy and chaotic!
Liu Heng was startled. With a wave of his hand, he led the constables to rush towards the crowd!

Mu Qingcheng also quickened his pace.

"The Jingzhao Prefecture is here! Disperse immediately!"

As Liu Heng's intimidating shout rang out, the onlookers gradually dispersed to both sides, clearing a path in the middle!

Liu Heng led his men inside and was immediately stunned!
Of the eleven constables, eight had fallen to the ground, leaving only Duan Qianzhong and three other constables standing with their knives drawn!

Confronting them was a group of men!
Seven people, seven horses, and the one leading them at the front, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an imposing aura, was none other than... the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, who had not returned to the capital for a long time!
(End of this chapter)