A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 268 Headless Female Corpse (56)

Early the next morning, Liu Heng led his men to Yangpo Manor.

Unexpectedly, the gates of the manor were locked and no one was guarding it.

After knocking on the door for a long time without any response, Liu Heng broke down the door and searched the entire estate, only to find that the huge manor was completely deserted!

After examining the signs of habitation, Liu Heng determined that the people in the house should have left within a month!

The date of death of the female corpse found in Suhe also falls within this timeframe!

Having followed Mu Qingcheng in investigating cases for a long time, Liu Heng had learned a lot of experience. He combined the two things and came up with a bold conjecture!
Therefore, Liu Heng immediately conducted a follow-up inspection of Yangpo Manor.

Thanks to his exceptional abilities in tracking and tracing, he soon made a major discovery!
They checked each of the fire sticks piled up in the woodshed and found five bloodstained ones. Although the bloodstains had turned black and dried over time and were difficult to identify, they could not escape the eyes of their professionals!

The janitor's quarters had clearly been deliberately tidied up and looked clean, but the storerooms, farm tool sheds, and warehouses in the side courtyards were filthy and messy, obviously not cleaned for a long time. Therefore, the tidy courtyard seemed abnormal!

The courtyard was paved with bricks and stones. Liu Heng had all the bricks and stones pried off. The surface of the bricks and stones, which had been washed with water, did not have any marks. However, a lot of bloodstains had seeped into the gaps between the bricks and stones!
Upon hearing the news, Mu Qingcheng and Lu Xun rode over to the scene and were overjoyed after inspecting the place!

"This should be the scene of the murder of the female corpse in Suhe!"

"These five fire pokers also fit the description of a murder weapon used to kill someone by caning!"

"Officer Liu, well done!"

Hearing Mu Qingcheng praise him in public, Liu Heng blushed with embarrassment. "It's just a small matter, nothing to mention. In the end, it's Master Mu who solves cases with such brilliance. I... I just did my part."

Lu Xun smiled slightly, "Officer Liu is too modest. I've long heard that Officer Liu's tracking skills are second to none. I'd love to learn a thing or two from you sometime."

"Lord Lu, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise." Liu Heng was flattered. "Now, as long as I can be of some use and not be disliked by my master, I will be content."

Mu Qingcheng chuckled inwardly, never expecting that Song Shuyu would leave such a severe psychological scar on Liu Heng.

Lu Xun, unaware of what had happened, sighed, "Lord Song's demands on his subordinates are truly so high!"

"Cough cough."

Mu Qing cleared his throat and timely changed the subject, "Judging from the current situation, the murderer has made thorough preparations. Therefore, Officer Liu, from now on, you cannot conduct an open investigation; you must switch to a covert one!"

"Please give your orders, Master Mu!" Liu Heng immediately became extremely attentive.

Mu Qingcheng said, "Change into casual clothes and use various identities to contact the tenants and common people in the vicinity, look for the servants who used to work on the estate, and inquire about Miss Yuxiao, the illegitimate daughter of the Imperial Censor Xu's family, and the circumstances of the night of the incident."

“Alright!” Officer Liu replied.

Lu Xun pondered for a moment and said, "Master Mu, you deduced that the female corpse in the Suhe River is Xu Yuxiao?"

Mu Qingcheng said, "Although I have several reasons to support this inference, they are rather subjective and require further evidence. I cannot draw a conclusion at this time."

"Can you tell me?"

"Hmm... let's not talk about it for now, I'm worried it might influence your judgment."

Lu Xun smiled slightly, "Your intuition is always accurate, so it must be pretty much right."

The affection in his eyes made Mu Qingcheng's heart skip a beat. Perhaps he trusted the people of the Jingzhao Prefecture enough, because he no longer pretended and looked at her openly, his emotions written all over his face.

Mu Qingcheng suddenly felt a headache coming on. If Song Shuyu saw this, wouldn't he kill Lu Xun on the spot?

"Officer Liu, hurry up and investigate secretly."

"Yes!"

After seeing Liu Heng off, Mu Qingcheng turned her head, coughed awkwardly twice, and asked, "Young Master Lu, would you like to visit Zhizhi in your spare time?"

Without hesitation, Lu Xun replied, "Miss Bai is the sister you've adopted, and therefore also my sister. It's only right that I visit her. You arrange a time, and I'll prepare a gift and go with you."

"Hmm..." Mu Qingcheng hesitated, her expression somewhat complicated. "What I mean is, if you go to visit alone, I... I'm quite busy."

Lu Xun was immediately displeased. "Qing'er, what are you saying? I am a man, how can I be alone with a woman?"

“Actually, it’s okay to break the rules and be impolite sometimes.” Mu Qingcheng’s lips twitched as she tried to maintain her expression, afraid that he would notice something was wrong.

Lu Xunmo narrowed his eyes and suddenly approached Mu Qingcheng, a wicked smile playing on his lips. He whispered, "Qing'er, since you've asked, I can make an exception for you, but only for you. No one else is allowed."

Mu Qingcheng didn't understand for a moment, "What...does that mean?"

Lu Xun smiled and said, "You are my fiancée, so we can disregard formalities."

Mu Qingcheng's face turned bright red. "I told you, don't bring up marriage again. You are Lu Xun now, not Mu Xun..."

“I’ve said it before, I can continue to bear the surname Mu and be our father’s son-in-law.” Lu Xun’s expression was firm, and his tone left no room for argument.

Mu Qingcheng sighed helplessly. Mu Xun's personality had always been like this; once he made up his mind about something, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

……

Upon returning to the yamen, Mu Qingcheng interrogated An Zhong.

An Zhong refused to change his testimony, insisting that the abduction of Liao Ruyi was his sole act and had nothing to do with anyone else.

Seeing this, Wang Tianzhu suggested, "Master Mu, this kind of troublemaker is a seasoned veteran. He won't tell the truth without severe torture."

Mu Qingcheng thought for a moment and waved his hand, saying, "No need. Send someone to find An Zhong's family and investigate how much benefit An Zhong and his family have received since Xu Yuying married into the Earl's Mansion."

Wang Tianzhu accepted the order and left.

An Zhong's expression changed drastically. He stared intently at Mu Qingcheng, "You... what do you want to do?"

Mu Qingcheng said calmly, "I can give you time to think it through. Who instructed you? Through whom did you connect with Wang Ruhua? And to whom did you sell Liao Ruyi? An Zhong, you are a veteran of the Marquis's mansion and deeply trusted by the Marquis's wife. I don't believe you would give someone a handle to commit a crime because of embezzlement. Not only do I not believe it, but even the Marquis's wife wouldn't believe it. For the sake of your family, think it over carefully!"

After speaking, she got up and left.

……

After working tirelessly for several days and nights, Jiang Zhan finally uncovered the truth about the four young women who had died tragically after being arranged by Wang Ruhua on the Spring Festival. The first woman was named Chen Qingqing, who married the son of a clerk, but died of a sudden illness only two months after her marriage. With the consent of her husband's family, Jiang Zhan exhumed the body for an autopsy, only to find the coffin empty—the body had vanished!

The second woman, Ruan Yue, married the son of a cloth shop owner. Three months after her marriage, she fell down the steps and died instantly. Upon examination, it was found to be an empty coffin!
The third girl was named Zhang Yu. Like Liao Ruyi, she had an accident on her way to the wedding and mysteriously disappeared.

The fourth girl was named Ji Xiaohua. She went missing on the day she returned to her parents' home and has not been found since.

Mu Qingcheng compiled this information and reported it to Song Shuyu. They both agreed that, including Liao Ruyi, these five missing girls must all be related to Shenmo Village!

“The Prince of Zhongshan has entered the capital. He arrived at the palace just in time for the Spring Festival to personally apologize to the Emperor. The Emperor issued a decree, and considering the Prince of Zhongshan’s hard work in guarding Shu, and with the Empress Dowager’s intercession, he went along with it and ordered me to release the Crown Prince Shen Che.”

Song Shuyu had just returned from the palace. A servant was helping him wash and change. He took a moment to talk to Mu Qingcheng, “The Prince of Zhongshan’s men will be here to take Shen Che away soon. You should inform them that the fine must be paid in full, not a single copper coin less. I have already petitioned the Emperor to have all ten thousand taels of silver turned over to the national treasury to offset the taxes collected on Huimin Street.”

Mu Qingcheng smiled with delight, "Your Excellency is truly a man of great wisdom and compassion, and loves the people like your own children."

Song Shuyu turned his head and looked over, then hesitated before saying, "You can send someone to do it; you don't need to go yourself. That kid surnamed Shen is no good; you should see him less often."

Mu Qingcheng's eyes darted around. Ever since she captured the man and took the Great Zhou Gazetteer, she hadn't seen Shen Che again.

Song Shuyu didn't give her time to think it over carefully, and continued, "By the way, the Imperial Guard station sent a message that Wu Fei encountered a blizzard on his way back to the capital, which delayed his journey and he will be back in a few days."

"Ah?" Mu Qingcheng was filled with disappointment. She had thought Wu Fei would be able to return to the capital today. In this way, she would have to continue waiting.

"There's no use in rushing, just let nature take its course."

Song Shuyu changed into casual clothes, dismissed the servants, walked over, took Mu Qingcheng's hand, and said, "Let's finish our shift early today and go back to the Duke's mansion for New Year's Eve dinner."

"This, this isn't appropriate, is it?" Mu Qingcheng asked in astonishment.

Song Shuyu smiled and said, "Why is it inappropriate? Grandmother has already decided that you are her granddaughter-in-law. If you don't go, Grandmother will punish me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall."

"Uh, no, I can't leave Zhizhi alone."

“Miss Bai, you don’t need to worry about me. When I first entered the yamen, the constables reported that Master Bai had arrived. He’s probably in Miss Bai’s room talking right now.”

"Really?"

Surprised, Mu Qingcheng quickly broke free from Song Shuyu and walked outside. "I have to go say hello. Zhizhi's injuries haven't healed yet, and if she gets into another conflict with Master Bai..."

"Don't forget about going home for New Year's Eve," Song Shuyu reminded him from behind.

Mu Qingcheng said "Oh" and then disappeared from sight with lightning speed.

She first arranged for the accountant and Registrar Zhang to go to the North Prison to complete the procedures for Shen Che's release, and then rushed to the guest quarters to meet Master Bai.

Sure enough, as soon as I got to the door, I heard arguing coming from inside!

"You're a girl, and you're injured like this. How will you find a husband in the future? After the New Year, once you've recovered, you can come home with your father!"

"Ha, get married? What if I'm blind like my mother and marry a heartless scumbag, only to end up dying young..."

"Know!"

"Anyway, no matter what you say, I won't change my mind! I'm going to be a constable, I'm going to be my own boss, and I'm going to live my own life!"

"Zhizhi, you don't have to get married. Dad will support you for the rest of your life. Dad didn't mean to force you. It's just... Zhizhi, you're all I have left. Seeing you so badly injured, almost losing your life, breaks my heart!"

Seeing Master Bai's heartbroken tears, Bai Zhizhi's eyes also reddened. She slowly sheathed her sharp thorns and said gently, "I chose this path myself, and I will persevere on it. I believe that my mother, if she is watching from heaven, will support me."

After a long silence, Master Bai finally sighed, "Alright, I can't persuade you, so I'll just have to move to the capital to be with you."

"You...you're not going to take care of the family anymore? Your parents, all the people in your Bai family, you're just abandoning them all?" Bai Zhizhi was stunned.

Since Madam Bai's death, Bai Zhizhi has broken ties with the Bai family. She refuses to call them grandfather or grandmother anymore, and she doesn't even call him her own father. Instead, she calls him Master Bai or "scumbag."

Master Bai reached out and stroked Bai Zhizhi's face, his eyes full of tenderness. "We have many servants at home, they don't lack people to take care of them, but my daughter has no one by her side. How can I, as her father, be at ease?"

“You…” Bai Zhizhi felt awkward, having not been so intimate with her father in a long time. She turned her face away and pouted, “Don’t think I’ll be moved or forgive you. I swore an oath…”

Master Bai said with a bitter smile, "I have no face to ask for your forgiveness. I just want to take good care of you and love you while I'm still alive, so that your mother can rest in peace in heaven."

Mentioning Madam Bai, Bai Zhizhi's tears fell uncontrollably, one after another, as she was overcome with grief.

Mr. Bai was heartbroken, but he didn't know how to comfort his daughter or himself.

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng couldn't help but sigh with regret and raised his hand to knock on the door.

Soon, Master Bai came to open the door. Upon seeing Mu Qingcheng, a clear look of joy appeared on his face. "Miss Mu!"

Mu Qingcheng bowed and greeted him with a smile: "It's been a long time. I wonder how Master Bai is doing?"

"Thanks to Miss Tom, all is well."

"Where's Zhizhi?"

"He's inside. Come in."

As soon as Mu Qingcheng entered the inner room, Bai Zhizhi, like a child, stretched out her hands towards her, her little face full of grievance, "Sister Mu, I want a hug!"

"A hug is fine. But you're not allowed to cry anymore." Mu Qingcheng chuckled helplessly, walked to the bedside, and let Bai Zhizhi hug her tightly.

Seeing this scene, Mr. Bai couldn't help but feel heartbroken. When would he be able to win back his daughter's heart?
"Zhizhi, today is New Year's Eve. I've asked the kitchen to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner so you two can enjoy the holiday together." Mu Qingcheng stroked Bai Zhizhi's head, a smile playing on her lips. "As for me, I have to go back to the Duke's mansion with you to have dinner with the old lady. Your injuries haven't fully healed, so I don't dare take you. It wouldn't be good if you frightened the old lady, would it?"

Seeing the happy look on Master Bai's face, Bai Zhizhi puffed out her cheeks and grumbled, "Sister Mu really went to great lengths to find a reason I couldn't refuse."

"Hehe, it's an excuse, but it's also the truth." Mu Qingcheng sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling broadly.

Bai Zhizhi sighed, "Alright. Sister Mu, don't worry about me. I can tolerate having a meal with my scumbag father."

Upon hearing this, Master Bai was not angry at all. Instead, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Mu Qingcheng and said gratefully, "Thank you, Miss Mu. I don't know what use the matter you asked in your letter is, but I suppose it is very important, so I came to the capital to tell you about it in person."

(End of this chapter)