A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 38: Deadline for Solving the Case
The officials immediately knelt down and said in unison, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Since ancient times, when an emperor is angry, millions will die.

Ordinary people laugh when they laugh and cry when they cry, but the emperor is different; his true joy and anger are hidden in his heart.

Emperor Shen Zhu rose from his dragon throne, stood with his hands behind his back on the golden steps, and his sharp gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials, landing on Song Shuyu's head. He said indifferently, "Since taking office as the Prefect of the Capital, Minister Song has carried out sweeping reforms and innovations, boldly employing women as coroners. Although this is somewhat radical, it shows that you have ideas and achievements, and you are not without the essence of an official."

Song Shuyu kowtowed and said loudly, "Your Majesty, coroner Mu Qingcheng is a talented woman whom I have hired at great expense. Although she is only nineteen years old, she has been learning the craft since childhood and has been performing autopsies with her father since she was eight years old. She has eleven years of autopsy experience. She passed the examination of five senior coroners in the Jingzhao Prefecture and gained the approval of everyone. That is why I allowed her to join the company and rated her as a first-class coroner."

"If that's the case, then Minister Song, you may make the decision yourself. I trust your ability to recognize and appoint talent." The emperor smiled slightly, his tone becoming much gentler.

Song Shuyu felt a slight sense of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"The deaths of Li Mu and his daughter have had a far-reaching impact. The case must be solved as soon as possible to bring justice to the dead and restore peace to Yuntai Temple!" At this point, the emperor suddenly changed the subject, "Since Minister Song is so confident, then let's use this case to evaluate Minister Song's performance, shall we?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers who had just criticized Song Shuyu immediately seconded the motion.

Officials from the same faction wanted to plead for Song Shuyu, but they swallowed their words. They knew that Song Shuyu, relying solely on the protection of his cronies, wouldn't go far; he had to establish himself to retain his position as Prefect of the Capital.

Countless eyes were fixed on Song Shuyu, everyone waiting for his choice.

The emperor used a feigned retreat to advance, digging a huge pit for him to fall into. Would he dare to gamble away the career he had painstakingly built up?
From kings to ministers, everyone harbored ulterior motives.

Song Shuyu, however, remained calm. After a moment's thought, he accepted the bet, saying, "I will leave it to His Majesty's judgment!" The Emperor turned and sat down, his face solemn. "Song Shuyu, Prefect of the Capital, listen to my decree! I give you seven days to solve the case. No government office or official may obstruct the Capital Prefecture's investigation in any way! Violators will be severely punished!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

"Your Majesty, we obey! Long live the Emperor!"

……

Jingzhao Mansion.

The council hall of the former government office.

The news from this morning's court session was quickly relayed to all the government offices.

Song Shuyu summoned all the officials in charge of investigating the two cases over the past few days to summarize and analyze the case information.

"Coroner Mu, you go first."

Mu Qingcheng, whose name was called, picked up the autopsy report and calmly began to speak: "The deceased, Li Mu, male, five feet one inch tall, forty years old, served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. His wife, Yang Caiyu, passed away three years ago. The couple had one daughter, Li Yunyao. The deceased went missing while on leave, and his body was found yesterday in the courtyard of the back garden of the Li family mansion. The body was in a state of decomposition and gigantism. The autopsy determined that the time of death was between the beginning of midnight and the end of the morning on September 10th, and the cause of death was throat-slitting. The murder weapon was identified as a dagger left at the scene of the body disposal. Analysis of the wound indicates that the perpetrator was approximately two inches taller than the deceased, that is, five feet three inches."

At this point, Mu Qingcheng looked up at everyone, her expression unusually serious. "The murderer killed people in a simple, brutal, and deadly manner, clearly possessing martial arts skills and being adept at assassination!"

(End of this chapter)