A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 303 More Than Just One Hatred

"Lu Xun, I believe you."

Mu Qingcheng took the case file, her moist eyes glistening with a thin layer of mist. "Lu Xun, the bond I cherish is the kinship we've shared for eight years, not romantic love. You understand me. Before I met Song Shuyu, all I cared about was autopsies and solving cases. I only ever saw you as an older brother. I hope you can continue to be my older brother, and I hope you can grant us your blessing."

She was willing to start over with family ties, which were hard to sever. But she had given her love to Song Shuyu, and there was no going back to settle for less.

Lu Xun clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh inch by inch. The sharp pain brought him to his senses, but also made him even more unwilling to accept defeat.

He truly understood Mu Qingcheng. Her gentleness and compliance were only on the surface; once she made a decision, there was almost no possibility of changing it. She was decisive, unwavering, and resolutely moved forward.

But isn't he the same? If this feeling could be so easily given up, then what pain would there be?

Having said all he needed to say, Mu Qingcheng rose to leave.

"Qinger!"

Lu Xun suddenly grabbed her wrist, like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood, desperately grasping at that tiny bit of hope, "I know you like Song Shuyu, and I know Song Shuyu is responsible and can give you strong protection. You no longer need me, but Qing'er, your godfather will not agree!"

"What did you say to Father?" Mu Qingcheng's eyes suddenly flashed with anger. "Lu Xun, don't try to break me and Song Shuyu up by playing tricks behind my back! He is upright and considers you a friend. The fact that you are able to stand firm in the court and rise to the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review today is because of his planning and scheming, paving a bright path for you!"

Lu Xun frowned deeply, incredulous. "Qing'er, is that what you think of me? Am I a despicable, shameless, ungrateful person? Let me tell you, my friendship with Brother Song will not change because of you!"

"Then what makes you so sure that Father won't agree?" Mu Qingcheng shook off his grip. "As long as you don't pester me and you're willing to give in, I believe Father is open-minded and won't break up the couple!"

She was quite strong; Lu Xun stumbled, his lower back hitting the corner of the table, and he winced in pain.

"The reason Father arranged this marriage for us was because I was a coroner and no good family wanted to marry me. So he entrusted me to you out of gratitude! Now, that problem no longer exists. Song Shuyu not only wants to marry me as his principal wife, but also prepares a dowry for me and will take care of Father on my behalf..."

Lost in her excitement, Mu Qingcheng was completely unaware until Lu Xun slumped into a chair, clutching his back and groaning in pain, "Qing'er, it hurts..."

Mu Qingcheng suddenly stopped speaking.

Lu Xun feigned a pitiful and heartbroken expression, accusing, "Qing'er, even if you've fallen for someone else and don't care about me anymore, you can't be so cruel as to kill me, can you?"

"You...are you hurt?" Mu Qingcheng belatedly realized what was happening, and immediately felt guilty and distressed. "I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry, let me put some medicine on you."

"it is good."

Lu Xun readily agreed.

As expected, Lu Zhao's analysis was correct. Song Shuyu softened Mu Qingcheng's heart by pretending to be weak and aggrieved. Since this trick works, why doesn't he try it too?
Mu Qingcheng rummaged through the medicine box in the cabinet. Lu Xun secretly pinched his sore lower back a few more times before defending himself, saying, "Qing'er, I only wrote one letter to my godfather, telling him that I was still alive. I didn't reveal a single word about you and Song Shuyu, let alone speak ill of Brother Song behind his back. I would never do anything despicable!"

"Okay, please continue." Mu Qingcheng placed the medicine box on the table, trying to remain calm. "I'll apply the medicine after you've finished talking."

Lu Xun felt both bitter and angry. "If it were Brother Song, wouldn't you be in a hurry to apply the medicine?"

Mu Qingcheng said, "Whether it's urgent or not depends on the severity of the injury, not on the person."

Finally, she couldn't help but give him a knowing, knowing smile, "Don't try to be like Song Shuyu. Just be yourself."

Lu Xunjun's face flushed. "How could I have copied him? I... never mind, let's get down to business. Qing'er, even if I were willing to grant your wish, your godfather wouldn't agree. These past few days, I've been reviewing the records of all the past officials of the Dali Temple, and I've confirmed one thing. Qing'er, your godfather's original name was Mu Yan, and he was the Dali Temple Minister twelve years ago, right?" Mu Qingcheng's face showed surprise. "You... you knew all that?"

Lu Xun said in a deep voice, "You know the cause of your adoptive mother's death, and you also know who the murderer who killed her is! So do you think your adoptive father can allow you to marry into the Song family?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng was extremely excited. "The murderer's surname is indeed Song, but the Song family also considers the murderer an enemy. Song Shuyu and I are on the same side! Besides, the grudges of the previous generation have nothing to do with Song Shuyu. He is also a victim!"

“I can understand what you’re saying, but my godfather’s temper…”

"I will explain. I believe my father is a man of great principle and will not implicate Song Shuyu!"

Mu Qingcheng's unwavering resolve deepened Lu Xun's worries. "Perhaps, the Mu and Song families have more than just this one feud?"

"What?" Mu Qingcheng was taken aback.

Lu Xun quickly shook his head, "I'm not sure yet, so I can't tell you right now. Anyway, my godfather will be returning to the capital soon, and then everything will be clear."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng felt uneasy. What hatred could be greater than the hatred of killing one's mother?

The two remained silent for a long time.

"Qing'er." Seeing that she was lost in thought and completely ignoring him because of Song Shuyu, Lu Xun felt a pang of sadness. He tapped on the medicine box and gently reminded her, "Aren't you going to apply the medicine for me?"

Mu Qingcheng slowly came to her senses and nodded blankly, "Okay."

Lu Xun's injury was in his lower back. To apply medicine, he had to take off his clothes. He took off his blouse, and his handsome face flushed unnaturally. "Qing'er, I... do I have to..."

Seeing his awkwardness, Mu Qingcheng said impatiently, "Take off your clothes."

Lu Xun hurriedly took off his clothes, fearing that if he was even a moment late, Mu Qingcheng would change his mind!

After he had stripped down to his undergarments, Mu Qingcheng lifted his undershirt without changing her expression to check his injuries, but then frowned and said, "Your injury will heal on its own in another half hour."

Lu Xun looked embarrassed. "Uh, I think I've bruised myself? It hurts quite a bit."

"It's bruised, but the color is light, not as dark as a corpse that's been dead for half a day."

Although Mu Qingcheng was sharp-tongued, she still took out some medicated oil, dripped a little into her palm, rubbed it to warm it up, and then applied it to Lu Xun's skin to massage his waist.

In the outer courtyard, Song Shuyu's hurried figure slowly came to a stop.

The door wasn't closed properly, and he peered through the crack. Lu Xun's clothes were half-undone, and Mu Qingcheng was half-squatting on the ground, one hand massaging inside Lu Xun's undergarment...

Thank you so much for your monthly votes and recommendation votes, everyone! Thank you for your support!

Also, I revised the ending of chapter 302 again. Those who have read it can go back and take another look. Sorry, I wrote it at night, and when I looked at it again during the day, I felt it wasn't well-written, so I wanted to revise it.

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(End of this chapter)