A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 339 Ending (8)

Half an hour later, Song Li, disguised as a palace eunuch, followed Zhou Chun into the Ministry of Justice prison.

"master!"

Seeing Song Shuyu's red eyes and aggrieved and uneasy appearance, Song Li felt heartbroken. "Are you sick? I will take you back to your residence immediately."

Song Shuyu's voice was hoarse, seemingly calm, but every word suppressed her emotions on the verge of collapse, "Song Li, how are the arrangements going? Where is my father-in-law? Is he safe?"

Song Li replied in a low voice, "Master, rest assured, the deployment went smoothly. Master Mu and his party have arrived at Xinjiamiao, and Lord Lu personally led men to meet them. General Bai and a few others were injured, but Master Mu is safe and sound."

"Good. Inform Liu Heng to keep a close eye on the relatives of those on the list. Under no circumstances should any of them be allowed to leave the city. They must be completely under our control. But we must remain calm and not give anyone any leverage to turn the tables on us!"

"Yes!"

"In addition, Qingcheng has moved into the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion. She will marry Shen Che in three days!"

"what?"

Song Li's eyes widened, and then he realized that his master was not unwell, but rather unhappy!

Song Shuyu's gaze suddenly turned cold and sinister. "Song Li, you will personally infiltrate the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, find Qingcheng, protect her, and forbid Shen Che from getting close to her!"

“Master, I understand, but…” Song Li knew that Song Shuyu was not in good condition and might not listen to advice, but for the sake of the overall situation, he still dared to suggest: “However, since Prince Shen has already surrendered, he should not dare to really compete with you for people, right? Otherwise, their Zhongshan Prince’s Mansion’s last chance of survival will be gone. Prince Shen must understand this.”

"How dare you speak up for Shen Che?" Song Shuyu smirked.

However, Song Li felt a chill run down his spine, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground. "Master, please calm down. I know I was wrong. But... but Master, I feel that the mistress only has you in her heart and it is impossible for her to really marry Prince Shen. The mistress must have some schemes to achieve some goals through Prince Shen. So, can the 'no approach' rule be adjusted according to the actual situation?"

"Really?" Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow, her unease subsiding slightly.

Song Li nodded vigorously, "Really! Master, you must trust the understanding between you and the mistress!"

"Shen Che's martial arts skills are inferior to mine, his physique is inferior to mine, and his appearance is even less than mine, isn't it?"

"……right!"

"So, Qingcheng has no reason to fall for someone else, right?"

"Correct!"

"Alright, then I'll trust your judgment for now." Song Shuyu reassured himself, but just in case, he still gave an order: "For the next three days, you must arrange for people, including yourself, to protect Qingcheng day and night. If their marriage is real at the wedding, kill Shen Che on the spot. I will absolutely not allow Shen Che to complete the wedding ceremony alive!"

Song Li cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys!"

After dismissing Song Li, Song Shuyu stretched and summoned Zhou Chun, who was hiding in the shadows, and instructed him, "Eunuch Zhou, I have already captured Minister Qin. Your Majesty, please rest assured and proceed according to plan."

"Yes, this servant will return to the palace to report immediately."

After Zhou Chun left, the prison was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The prisoners held by the Ministry of Justice were all serious criminals convicted of murder and robbery, as well as officials who had been dismissed from their posts and imprisoned. Therefore, preventing prison breaks and raids was of paramount importance. The prison cells were not only winding and circuitous, but also riddled with traps. The cell where Song Shuyu was held was personally selected by Qin Songyang, with no one around to prevent eavesdroppers and ensure that they could not discuss matters unrelated to their cases.

According to the rules, public and private matters should not be confused.

But subconsciously, Qin Songyang wanted to talk to Song Shuyu, so he facilitated it. Unexpectedly, Zhou Chun came and went several times, treating the imprisoned Song Shuyu with utmost respect!

Having served three dynasties, Qin Songyang had witnessed too much infighting and bloodshed within the imperial court, so he quickly sensed something was amiss!

"Song Shuyu, tell me the truth, have you sided with the Emperor and are planning to deal with the Empress Dowager?"

Seeing Qin Songyang return, Song Shuyu was not surprised. He smiled slightly, looking completely at ease. "That's right, I even expressed my loyalty to the Emperor on behalf of Minister Qin."

"You!" Qin Songyang exclaimed in astonishment.

Song Shuyu's smile deepened. "What, did I misunderstand Minister Qin's thoughts? Minister Qin doesn't want to be loyal to the Emperor?"

"You, stop trying to label me, the Minister!" Qin Songyang scolded him irritably.

Song Shuyu asked him leisurely, "What exactly does Minister Qin mean?"

Qin Songyang looked heartbroken. “Empress Dowager Song is your grandfather’s biological daughter and the younger sister of the Duke of Song. During the more than ten years that your father and brothers guarded the border, she often invited you to the palace, took good care of you, and doted on you. She treated you like her own child. How could you do such a disrespectful and unfilial thing?”

Upon hearing this, the smile in Song Shuyu's eyes faded little by little. He looked at Qin Songyang calmly for a long time before finally raising the corner of his lips, "Yes, the Empress Dowager is my blood relative and elder. Why would I rebel against her?"

"Your assistance to the Emperor is the righteous path, and this action is also for the sake of the country's foundation. You have put righteousness before family and deserve to be rewarded! However, while you receive praise, you will probably also have to bear the eternal infamy of being disrespectful and unfilial!"

From the perspective of a subject's duty, Qin Songyang supported the emperor's full assumption of power, but since the Song family was involved, Qin Songyang was unwilling to meddle.

However, after exchanging a few words with Song Shuyu, he couldn't let go of the past and couldn't help but worry about Song Shuyu, "Does your grandmother know about this? What is her attitude?"

Song Shuyu smiled and said, "Didn't I say that my grandmother and I talk about everything? She fully supports every decision I make, and so do my father and brothers."

Qin Songyang was shocked. "Why? There are many ways to ask the Empress Dowager to return power to the Emperor. Why must it come to this?"

"Minister Qin's many questions will be answered in three days." Song Shuyu lowered his eyes, suppressing the myriad emotions in his heart, and reminded him, "Minister Qin, just do your job well, investigate and judge cases, and enforce the law impartially! There is no need for Minister Qin to worry about other matters."

Qin Songyang stared silently at Song Shuyu, trying to discern a calculating, sinister look or a righteous, awe-inspiring air from Song Shuyu's face. However, all that remained in those dark pupils was indifference.

……

Jingzhao Mansion.

Bai Zhizhi, who had already fallen asleep, was suddenly woken up. She learned that Shen Che had come looking for her. Still sleepy, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "What business is it in the middle of the night? Are you sick or something?!"

In the outer courtyard, Shen Che was utterly embarrassed and could only raise his voice to reply, "It wasn't me looking for you, it was Master Mu who asked me to come find you!"

Upon hearing Mu Qingcheng's name, Bai Zhizhi immediately woke up. She quickly dressed, got out of bed, combed her hair, and rushed out the door!

(End of this chapter)