A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 335 Ending (4)

"It is Song Shuyu." Lu Xun answered truthfully: "Brother Song was worried that if I personally welcomed you back to the capital, it would be too conspicuous and more dangerous, so he asked Duke Song to make arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan retorted unhappily, "Does he think that by currying favor behind my back, I will soften my heart? Dream on!"

Lu Xun understood Mu Yan's implication, but kicking someone when they're down is not the act of a gentleman. He said, "Father, let's keep things separate. I believe in Brother Song's character. He is a man with a sense of right and wrong. Cooperating with him is not like asking a tiger for its skin, but like adding wings to a tiger."

"Even if he can be ruthless enough to deal with that woman, what about his father? Is he prepared to uphold justice and kill his own family, or will he stay out of it?" Mu Yan didn't believe it, and was even more suspicious. "How can you be sure that Song Shuyu isn't plotting against you and me, trying to wipe out our Mu family?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun's face showed a hint of anxiety. "Father, could there be a misunderstanding about what happened back then? Song Shuyu isn't that kind of person. He's completely sincere towards me and deeply loves Qing'er. He said that you even praised him when we were little..."

Mu Yan suddenly stood up, his eyes chillingly cold. "A-Xun, people's hearts are unpredictable. Don't let your emotions get the better of you!"

"Yes, I've remembered." Lu Xun dared not persuade him any further and obediently admitted his mistake.

"And..." Mu Yan hesitated for a moment, then said in a slightly harsher tone, "Do you no longer want to marry Qing'er? Is it because you don't like Qing'er, or is your Marquis's family too prestigious for Qing'er to reach? Ah Xun, since you still acknowledge me as your godfather, then tell me what's on your mind. I won't force you. After all, it was just a verbal agreement back then, without a formal marriage certificate. You can go back on your word and void it at any time. Don't worry about me taking advantage of your kindness."

Lu Xun knelt down in a panic, grasping Mu Yan's arms with both hands, his handsome face flushed with anxiety. "Father, I love Qing'er, I dream of marrying her, and my parents in the Marquis's mansion are also hoping that I will marry Qing'er soon! But, but Qing'er... she said the engagement is null and void, and she only sees me as an older brother, what should I do?"

"Is Qing'er really bewitched by Song Shuyu?" Mu Yan's brows furrowed into a deep frown, his face dark and gloomy.

Mentioning this matter, Lu Xun felt heartbroken and desperate. He lowered his eyes and said sadly, "Yes, Qing'er likes Song Shuyu. It's also my fault. I recognized Qing'er too late. Song Shuyu fought for her and had the advantage of being close to her, so he came out on top."

Mu Yan remained silent for a long time.

Lu Xun was filled with unease. "Father, what...what are you thinking?"

Mu Yan said, "Qing'er was bewitched because she has amnesia. She has forgotten how her mother died, who killed her, and she has also forgotten who it was because of us, father and daughter, who abandoned our home and business to seek refuge in Jiangnan for more than ten years!"

"Dad, you mean..."

"Don't worry, once Qing'er regains her memory, she will see the error of her ways."

Mu Yan helped Lu Xun up and comforted him, saying, "A Xun, don't worry. Your father only recognizes you as his son-in-law, and Qing'er will only ever be your wife."

"Yes!" Lu Xun nodded happily, "Thank you, Father!"

But after the initial joy, Lu Xun was filled with anxiety. If the truth of the past was indeed as Mu Yan said, what would they do next? What choice would Song Shuyu make? Could their plan to jointly overthrow the Empress Dowager still proceed as planned?

The night is getting darker.

Bai Shen and the others, exhausted from days of travel and each injured, fell into a deep sleep.

The woman, Zhao Rong, also fell asleep against the wall.

Mu Yan was still not sleepy.

Many questions lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate.

"Father." After much thought, Lu Xun finally asked, "If Duke Song was also one of the murderers back then, why did he send people to protect you so diligently? Along the way, you must have been able to sense whether General Bai and the others had ulterior motives and whether they did their utmost." Mu Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "This is also what I don't understand. Xun, tell me, how has Song Shuyu been doing in the capital all these years? What is the relationship between him and his father like?"

Lu Xun said, "The Song family follows the lead of the Duke of Song. The Duke of Song is extremely fond of Song Shuyu. Song Shuyu's grandmother and elder brother also regard him as the apple of their eye. Song Shuyu himself is also outstanding. He is both literary and martial, and his political strategy and intelligence are unmatched by many. He is not the dissolute playboy that the outside world says he is."

"Isn't he your rival in love? How come you speak so highly of him?" Mu Yan was taken aback, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.

Lu Xun smiled bitterly, "Yes, in principle, I should belittle him and be irreconcilable with him. However, I have known him for three years. I understand his character and talent. As a friend, I admire him and trust him. Even though he is my rival in love, I cannot deceive myself."

"No wonder Qing'er was moved. That girl has been obsessed with autopsies since she was a child, and her martial arts talent is also extremely high, but she is aloof and nothing can arouse her interest except for cases. Song Shuyu was able to win Qing'er's heart, so he must be more than just these qualities. He must also be a very interesting person and understand Qing'er's mind very well."

“...Yes.” Lu Xun felt as if there was a ball of cotton stuck in his chest, making him extremely uncomfortable. Song Shuyu was also good at using the self-inflicted injury tactic; she was an absolute white lotus flower.

Mu Yan's brows did not relax for a moment, and his worries deepened. "I rushed back to the capital because I was worried that Qing'er would get deeper and deeper into trouble."

“Father, Qing’er is stubborn. Take it slow. Don’t force her too much. I don’t want to see her sad.” Lu Xun sighed, ultimately unable to bear forcing Mu Qingcheng.

Mu Yan nodded and said nothing more.

Lu Xun laid out the mattress on the couch and helped Mu Yan lie down. Before Mu Yan fell asleep, he carefully instructed Lu Xun, "Make sure to keep a close eye on that woman. She is an important witness that I found."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun turned his attention to Zhao Rong. He noticed that the woman was dressed very plainly and looked to be in her forties or fifties. Her weathered face had several scars, which looked quite frightening at first glance.

Mu Yan closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Xun suppressed his doubts and sat by the bedside, personally keeping watch over the night.

……

Beijing.

The Palace of the Prince of Zhongshan.

As the spring rain subsided, the sound of breathing outside the window gradually became clearer.

Mu Qingcheng sat under the lamp, holding a black piece in one hand and a white piece in the other, completely absorbed in playing against himself.

She was so focused that she didn't even react when the door opened and someone came in.

Shen Che carried the tray, walked slowly to the opposite side of Mu Qingcheng, and placed the soup bowl on the table.

Mu Qingcheng glanced indifferently at the newcomer, picked up a black piece with her slender fingers, and placed it steadily on the chessboard.

Shen Che's expression was complicated. He paused for a moment, then lifted the lid of the soup bowl, ladled out a bowl of bird's nest, and presented it to Mu Qingcheng with both hands, saying in a low voice, "Heroine, it's not poisonous, you can eat it without worry."

(End of this chapter)