A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 336 Ending (5)

Mu Qingcheng had no choice but to stop playing chess.

She accepted the bird's nest soup, a smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master."

Shen Che was momentarily stunned by her smile, and his handsome face quickly flushed red. "No, you're welcome. Eat it while it's hot. If you want anything else, I'll have someone make it."

Mu Qingcheng scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. The scene of Song Shuyu feeding her bird's nest involuntarily floated into her mind, and her expression slowly faded.

Shen Che, observing the situation carefully, asked cautiously, "Is it not tasty?"

Mu Qingcheng ate quickly, and only when the bowl was empty did she say, "It doesn't matter whether it tastes good or not, the young master's intention is more important."

Shen Che's momentary stiffness did not escape Mu Qingcheng's seemingly indifferent yet exceptionally sharp eyes. She placed the bowl back on the tray, propped her chin on her elbow, and lazily smiled, "Young Master seems unhappy? What, did I say something wrong?"

"Would you care about my feelings?" Shen Che's lips moved, his voice a little dry. Before Mu Qingcheng could answer, he said with certainty, "You wouldn't care. In your eyes, I've never existed. I'm your prisoner, your defeated opponent, the spoiled brat you despise."

Mu Qingcheng's smile remained unchanged. "None of that matters. What matters is that the young master wants to take me as a concubine, and I have accepted the Empress Dowager's decree of marriage. We will be getting married in three days."

"Why?" Shen Che suddenly leaned closer to her, his arms resting on the table, so close they could almost touch breath. He asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You clearly don't like me, you clearly refused the arranged marriage, so why did you accept the imperial decree? Mu Qingcheng, I don't understand you!"

Mu Qingcheng unconsciously leaned back. She wasn't used to any man other than Song Shuyu getting too close to her, so she put on a cold face. "Young Master, before our marriage, please observe proper etiquette!" Shen Che curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile. "You see, you reject me in your heart. Your words can lie, but your body's instincts don't. Mu Qingcheng, I've seen how intimate you and Lord Song are. I know you like him and there's no way you'll ever truly marry me!"

"Are you testing me?" Mu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow, her eyes remaining completely calm. "If you don't believe me, go ahead and report me to the Empress Dowager."

Shen Che straightened up, pulled up a chair and sat down, and said in a low voice, "I'm not testing you. I want to tell you that if you've been threatened by the Empress Dowager, or if you're planning any counterattack, tell me. I can cooperate with you, help you, and work with you to bring down the Empress Dowager!"

"Your Highness is overthinking it." Mu Qingcheng smiled casually. "I volunteered to become your concubine. No one threatened me. What, does Your Highness think my background as a coroner is unlucky and dirty, and wants to back out?"

Shen Che was furious, a hint of grievance creeping into her eyes. "Why don't you believe me? I thought that after what happened in Shenmo Village, we had reached an understanding. You knew who I was and what my plans were..."

"Was today's arranged marriage part of your scheme?" Mu Qingcheng interrupted him, asking directly.

Shen Che denied it, "No. I, like you, only found out today at the banquet. This matter is clearly a scheme by my father and the Empress Dowager. They want to win you over and strike at Lord Song."

Mu Qingcheng frowned, her eyes full of doubt, "Then why didn't you refuse the arranged marriage?"

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(End of this chapter)