A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 323 Corpse Hidden in Wine Jar (3)

The Prince of Zhongshan's face turned ashen, and he roared angrily, "Marriage is a joyous occasion, how has it become an insult? Song Shuyu, how dare you pin this baseless accusation on me?"

"happy event?"

Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow, her eyes sharp as knives. "Only a marriage based on mutual consent can be considered a 'happy event'! If Master Mu is unwilling, surely the Prince and the Heir Apparent wouldn't resort to forcibly taking a woman from the common people and violating the law?"

To prevent things from spiraling out of control, Shen Che wrapped his arms around his father, who tried to break free. The two were locked in a stalemate, and Shen Che's expression was incredibly distressed. He forced a smile, but it was forced and awkward. "Of course not!"

However, how could the Empress Dowager allow her plans to be repeatedly thwarted by Song Shuyu? She laughed in anger, "How dare you, Song Shuyu! My imperial decree has been issued for this marriage, yet you dare to misinterpret it as a forced abduction of a commoner's daughter? Such blatant disrespect! If I do not punish you today, will people criticize me for protecting my maternal clan?"

"Queen Mother..."

"Guards, give Song Shuyu thirty strokes of the cane and Mu Qingcheng thirty slaps!"

The imperial guards in charge of arresting the person, along with the nanny by the Empress Dowager's side, quickly took their positions and prepared to carry out the Empress Dowager's decree!
Song Shuyu suddenly stood up!
But then he flipped his large hand, turning it into a sharp claw, and grabbed the old woman's neck!
The old woman's eyes widened in shock, her face filled with panic, and her color drained away bit by bit!

The imperial guards were startled and were about to rescue the old woman when they heard the emperor cough lightly, seemingly unintentionally. The imperial guards froze and immediately knelt on the ground!
Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager abruptly stood up from her phoenix chair. Her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, trembled as she pointed at Song Shuyu. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock and confusion. "You, you..."

Song Shuyu's piercing gaze was fixed on the Empress Dowager, showing no sign of yielding. "If Your Majesty wishes to gouge out my eyes, you must give me a convincing reason, right? Otherwise, I will not hold back!"

"Song Qing, you're really brave!"

The emperor sighed softly, drawing everyone's attention. His inscrutable expression remained unreadable, his tone unusually nonchalant. "For a mere advisor like Master Mu, you're defying your superiors, shouting for war and death? Do you think I, the emperor, don't exist?"

Song Shuyu loosened his grip, throwing the old woman to the ground, then knelt down to beg for forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not! Please forgive me! The Prince of Zhongshan's mansion has gone too far, and I had no choice but to..."

"Alright, the Empress Dowager has been ill for several days and is just beginning to recover. Don't upset her!" the Emperor interrupted impatiently, his tone leaving no room for argument. "As for the matter of the bestowed marriage, let's put it aside for now and discuss it again after Master Mu has thought it through."

The imperial decree is of utmost importance. Song Shuyu, the Prince of Zhongshan, Shen Che, and Mu Qingcheng dared not argue any further and all said in unison, "We obey the decree!"

The Empress Dowager's eyes were dark and her face was pale and ashen. She almost gritted her teeth to pieces. The Emperor was actually trying to smooth things over and wouldn't pursue the matter. He had actually called off the bestowed marriage?

The next moment, the Emperor's slightly helpless words rang in the Empress Dowager's ears, "Mother, Song Shuyu is indeed unruly and deserves severe punishment. However, I really cannot bear to hurt the feelings of the Duke of Song at this critical juncture, so I will give him a small punishment as a warning!"

However, the emperor decided on the punishment, giving the empress dowager no chance to speak. He said, "Minister Song, I punish you by making you copy the Classic of Filial Piety and the Laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty once each, to teach you how a junior should respect his elders and how a prefect of the capital should know and abide by the law!"

"Your humble servant obeys the decree!" Song Shuyu kowtowed and accepted the decree.

The emperor's brow furrowed slightly, and his tone grew stern, "A prince and the eldest son of a duke, constantly arguing and fighting—where is their decorum?"

The Prince of Zhongshan immediately knelt down and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Shen Che followed closely behind, his expression filled with fear. "Your Majesty, my father dared to ask the Empress Dowager for a marriage to fulfill my brother's wishes. It is all my fault. My talents are limited, and I have not been able to gain Master Mu's favor. Today, I have offended Master Mu and Lord Song. I am ashamed and wish to apologize with wine. Please forgive me!"

The emperor grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall. "Let's all come together!"

The tense atmosphere finally dissipated considerably, and everyone's faces relaxed as they exclaimed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!" Palace servants filed in and poured new wine for each person.

Song Shuyu returned to his seat and sat down. The person sitting next to him was the Vice Minister of Works. He clasped his hands in a fist and said in a low voice, "Lord Hai, would you mind giving me your seat?"

The Vice Minister of Works had long wanted to avoid sitting with Song Shuyu. In the first half of the event, Song Shuyu had kept a cold face, refusing to eat, drink, or speak, like a frozen wooden stake, making the Vice Minister of Works feel extremely uncomfortable. Now, with this outburst, it was truly terrifying to watch.

Therefore, the Vice Minister of Works, without saying a word, was moved to another table as if granted a pardon.

Song Shuyu then gestured for Mu Qingcheng to take a seat. Mu Qingcheng glanced at the emperor discreetly and, seeing that the emperor was not displeased, sat down next to Song Shuyu.

"Let's spar another day," Song Shuyu said, tilting her head slightly and speaking in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Mu Qingcheng was taken aback. "Why?"

Song Shuyu pursed her lips and emphasized seriously, "This is just a friendly spar, not a formal duel. If I win, then we'll have a formal match."

"What's the point of you arguing with me, sir?" Mu Qingcheng didn't react for a moment, feeling completely bewildered.

"Yes!" Song Shuyu paused, and seeing that she still looked confused, he had no choice but to remind her, "You just said that a defeated opponent is not worthy to be your husband."

Mu Qingcheng suddenly realized, "Oh, so that's what you mean, sir. Then... what if you lose, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu's handsome face stiffened, then visibly showed signs of anxiety. "I won't lose!"

Mu Qingcheng smiled. There were people all around them, and countless eyes were staring at them. She didn't know what to say, so she just mouthed two words: "Idiot!"

Song Shuyu's eyes reddened with desperation. Forgetting where they were, she grabbed Mu Qingcheng's arm and pleaded pitifully, "Then you have to give me an unlimited number of chances to turn the tables..."

Seeing Song Shuyu humbly fighting for his chance, the emperor could no longer hide his disdain. He simply raised his wine cup and interrupted, saying, "Come, let's drink this cup together!"

Song Shuyu had no choice but to give up for the time being.

The entire audience raised their glasses.

Amidst various compliments, everyone drank the wine in their cups.

However, Mu Qingcheng did not drink it!
The moment the wine glass was placed to her lips and the aroma of the wine wafted into her nose, her expression hardened, and she quickly raised her hand, knocking over Song Shuyu's wine glass!
Song Shuyu's eyes widened in surprise. "What's wrong?"

Before Mu Qingcheng could explain, Shen Che walked over, cupped his hands in a gesture of apology to the two of them, and said in a guilty tone, "I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble!"

After speaking, he raised his second glass of wine, intending to drink it all in one gulp!

Unexpectedly, Mu Qingcheng suddenly made a move and snatched his wine glass away!

(End of this chapter)