A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 274 The Corpse at the Spring Banquet (5)

The Imperial Guards obeyed the order and immediately charged forward!
"I, Mu Qingcheng, am a criminal investigator from the Jingzhao Prefecture. I have entered the garden to apprehend a wanted criminal!" Mu Qingcheng held up his waist token, his words sharp and clear: "Anyone who dares to obstruct me will be punished for obstructing official business!"

Unexpectedly, the commotion at Xiangmei Garden attracted male guests from the neighboring garden. Wave after wave of people flocked over, including sons of noble families and officials, officials from various government offices, Guo Xuan and Imperial Censor Xu, and even Shen Che, the heir of the Prince of Zhongshan!

Guo Yuanke originally thought that her father would support her when he arrived, but to her surprise, Guo Xuan not only did not use his position as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to suppress Mu Qingcheng, but also signaled the maid to take her away!
"Father!" Guo Yuanke refused, clinging to Princess Ningchang and refusing to let go.

However, Shen Che was also trying to persuade Princess Ningchang to leave. His gaze toward Mu Qingcheng was particularly complex, as if there was both expectation and worry.

"presumptuous!"

"Those attending the spring banquet today are all nobles from the capital; who would dare to offend them?"

"The Jingzhao Prefecture is becoming increasingly arrogant. A lowly clerk with no rank or position, and a mere woman, dare to trespass into the royal gardens and brazenly come to arrest people?"

"In my opinion, this woman must have run away from Lord Song, the Prefect of the Capital, and come here secretly, hoping to marry into some young master and enjoy wealth and honor!"

"..."

Censor Xu was the first to jump out. With the Censorate taking the lead, meddlesome officials, officials who disagreed with Song Shuyu's political views, and officials who had suffered losses at Song Shuyu's hands immediately followed suit!
Despite being insulted about her origins, Mu Qingcheng ignored the matter due to the urgency of the case. Now that it has escalated to a political matter, she is still being criticized and slandered. After enduring this for so long, Mu Qingcheng finally lost her temper!
She gripped the sword hilt, her gaze slowly hardening. "Have you finished your nonsense?"

All the officials were taken aback!
The next moment, a sharp sword appeared in Mu Qingcheng's hand. She raised her right arm, pointed the sword at the crowd, and said, "Xu Yuying, daughter of Imperial Censor Xu, has committed multiple serious crimes including kidnapping, coercion, human trafficking, and murder. Our Jingzhao Prefecture is now arresting Xu Yuying in accordance with the law! Anyone who obstructs her will be considered an accomplice and punished accordingly!"

One stone caused a thousand waves!

Amidst the uproar, Imperial Censor Xu angrily shouted, "Nonsense! You're slandering my daughter in public! What are your intentions...?"

Just then, dozens of constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture, carrying official swords, split into several teams and rushed into the courtyards with imposing momentum, clearly in the posture of searching and arresting people!

And the person in charge was none other than Song Shuyu!
The bustling crowd fell silent in an instant!

Mu Qingcheng's eyes welled up with tears, and the hand holding the sword slowly fell to her sides. He truly was her strongest support!
Song Shuyu strode in, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the officials, his eyes filled with hostility. "What? Now, anyone can interfere in the affairs of my Jingzhao Prefecture?"

The officials who were so assertive just moments ago are now all silent, wishing they were mute.

Song Shuyu raised his chin slightly, his imposing manner completely natural. "Master Mu, have I not told you that when you go out on official business, you represent me! If you are overshadowed by others, it means that I, the Prefect of the Capital, am useless; if you are insulted, it means that my face has been trampled underfoot!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to look at her. "Master Mu, what should be done with someone who obstructs official business?"

"Your Excellency, according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, anyone who obstructs official duties shall be punished with ten strokes of the cane and seven days of detention for minor offenses; and with fifty strokes of the cane and imprisonment or exile for serious offenses!" Mu Qingcheng sheathed his soft sword and bowed in reply.

Song Shuyu's eyes flashed coldly, "Then what are you waiting for? My criminal clerk from the Jingzhao Prefecture can't be all show and no substance!"

Everyone present immediately showed signs of panic!
Having learned from the example of the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, who would dare to take Song Shuyu's words as a joke?
However, Mu Qingcheng said, "Your Excellency is right, but the most important thing right now is to apprehend the criminals. I will go and take care of my duties first. We can discuss this matter later!"

After speaking, without waiting for Song Shuyu's consent, she hurriedly entered the garden and searched everywhere for Xu Yuying! This act can be considered disobedient and disrespectful.

Everyone thought that Song Shuyu would lose face and get angry, but to their surprise, as he watched Mu Qingcheng's departing figure, he actually curled the corners of his lips and said, "My Master Mu is devoted to his official duties and is very responsible. Even the Emperor praises him highly. But I don't know where you all get the confidence to attack him as a group?"

The vast garden was eerily silent!

With the emperor's endorsement, who would dare to criticize Song Shuyu's arrogance?

At this moment, everyone regrets their actions. Why did they have to meddle? Now they've gotten themselves into trouble; what should they do?
At this moment, Song Shuyu asked, "I would like to know, who started today's events? Who was the first person to obstruct official business?"

The women's eyes instinctively turned to Guo Yuanke, but none of them dared to tell the truth, for fear of offending Guo Xuan!

Seeing this, Song Shuyu smiled enigmatically, "It's alright if you don't want to talk. Once you're in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison, we'll be able to find out."

His gaze swept over everyone, and the cold glint in his eyes sent chills down one's spine!

For a moment, everyone had different thoughts. Some thought that since there were many people involved, they could try to get away with it by holding on; others thought that by pointing the finger at Guo Yuanke, they could atone for their crimes, but being the one to stick their neck out would make them the target of everyone's criticism, and the risk was not small...

However, Song Shuyu had little patience. He snapped his fingers, and the imperial guards responsible for guarding the gate of Xiangmei Garden immediately came over, bowed respectfully, and said, "Please give your orders, Lord Song!"

Song Shuyu said, "Tell me everything that just happened from beginning to end! Including what each of them said and did to Master Mu!"

"Yes!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Imperial Guards repeated the story in complete detail, like parrots mimicking their words. Their memory was so good that they repeated it almost word for word!
Everyone gasped!
Song Shuyu dismissed the imperial guards and then beckoned, and Song Li appeared without anyone noticing, saying, "Master."

"Bring it over." Song Shuyu's expression was calm, seemingly without any emotional fluctuation.

Everyone was surprised and asked, "Who did you bring?"
The next moment, Song Li walked straight to Guo Xuan's side, and without saying a word, grabbed Guo Yuan Ke by the shoulder and pulled her in front of Song Shu Yu!
Guo Xuan was shocked. "Lord Song, my daughter has behaved improperly. I will punish her severely without leniency. Please, Lord Song, show mercy!"

Only then did Guo Yuanke feel fear. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Lord Song, I, I didn't..."

"Snapped--"

A resounding slap silenced the restless air completely!

Guo Yuanke fell heavily to the ground!
Her originally fair face swelled up rapidly, like a fermented bun, with blood streaks!
Mu Qingcheng, who had turned back, was so shocked by this scene that she suddenly stopped in her tracks!

"I, Song Shuyu, never hit women, but that doesn't mean I won't hit bitches!"

Looking down at Guo Yuanke, who was sprawled on the ground, Song Shuyu's voice was as cold and sharp as a knife, "You dare to touch my people? What do you think you are!"

Chapter 273 has been revised and updated. Please check it again if you've already read it. Thank you to reader whalewendy for the donation, and thank you to everyone who voted!
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(End of this chapter)