A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 398 Ending (67)

Mu Qingcheng was concerned about the safety of Secretary Lin.

Whether he committed a crime or not, it was still a human life at stake, and during those difficult days they had shared a sincere camaraderie.

Moreover, no strong physical evidence was left at the crime scene, and Guo Xuan is a stubborn and unyielding person. If we want to uncover the truth about Pingping's murder, Lin Shuban may be the only breakthrough.

Therefore, she focused on Guo An, attempting to deduce Lin Shuban's movements through Guo An's confession, and to conduct a targeted search for him.

Liu Heng appeared without any warning, and those present were only surprised for a moment before returning to normal.

Today, so many people have appeared one after another, and given that Liu Heng is the chief constable of the Jingzhao Prefecture, it makes perfect sense. Therefore, everyone is curious about what news Liu Heng brought, or who he is.

Mu Qingcheng squinted and looked out. On the long street outside the crowd, Liu Heng was leading the way, running wildly. Behind him was a sealed carriage. The driver was Liu Heng's deputy. There were four plainclothes constables on each side to clear the way. Everyone was in a hurry and looked anxious.

Thinking of how Liu Heng, under Song Shuyu's orders, had secretly infiltrated the capital with half of the constables, Mu Qingcheng glanced sideways and met Song Shuyu's gaze. She asked directly, "Sir, do you know about Lin Shu's business?"

Song Shuyu's eyes darted away, and she was about to deny it when Mu Qingcheng reminded her, "Tell the truth, don't lie to me!"

"Ahem, I do know, but I only know Lin Shuban's background, relatives, and that Lin Ling and Guo Xuan are involved. I only learned the full story after hearing Lin Ling's confession just now." Song Shuyu smiled awkwardly, afraid that Mu Qingcheng would resent him for investigating and guarding against Lin Shuban out of jealousy.

However, Mu Qingcheng had no time to dwell on those matters. She immediately asked, "So what did you do? Is it possible to find Secretary Lin?"

Song Shuyu pondered and said, "I didn't send anyone to keep an eye on Lin Shuban. I never thought that he would become Guo Xuan's pawn because of Lin Ling. So, his accident is also my dereliction of duty."

Mu Qingcheng sighed softly: "It's not your fault, sir. You're not a god, how could you possibly be so shrewd?"

“However…” Song Shuyu paused, her gaze turning to Liu Heng, a slight smile playing on her lips, “Perhaps Liu Heng will bring us unexpected gains.”

Mu Qingcheng asked, puzzled, "What kind of official business did the lord assign to Constable Liu?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Song Shuyu said, keeping everyone in suspense.

Mu Qingcheng glared at him secretly, took a few steps forward, and waited for Liu Heng to arrive.

"Master Mu!" Liu Heng rushed over, not even bothering to bow, his words fast and urgent, "Clerk Lin is dying! You must see him! He's anxious to see you, saying that since he's a man of the Jingzhao Prefecture, even if he dies, he wants to die in court, to die with a clear conscience!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked!
Song Shuyu strode over to Mu Qingcheng's side, his sharp eyes fixed on the approaching carriage, his handsome face clouded with gloom. "Is she in the carriage?"

Liu Heng, panting heavily, said, "Yes, sir! Secretary Lin is in the car. He... he lost his left index finger, and he was stabbed in the lower back and chest. He lost too much blood, and the wounds are infected. He's barely hanging on by a thread."

Song Shuyu immediately ordered, "Song Li, quickly summon Imperial Physician Jin here!"

Mu Qingcheng jumped down from the ten-foot-high public trial platform, and as soon as the carriage stopped, he personally went forward to open the carriage door.

The strong smell of blood, mixed with the stench of swill, was pungent and irritating to the eyes, making one feel extremely uncomfortable.

However, Mu Qingcheng did not retreat an inch.

Song Shuyu, Liu Heng, and Jiang Zhan also quickly approached, their faces filled with concern.

Lin Shuban lay in the carriage covered with thick bedding, his hair, face, and clothes all stained with blood, filthy and almost unrecognizable.

His eyes were closed, and he remained motionless; only his weak breathing proved that he was still alive.

Before today, Jiang Zhan was so angry at Lin Shuban's betrayal that he gritted his teeth, but now, seeing Lin Shuban like this, he couldn't help but tear up.

"Master Mu, you were the one who cured the master when he was poisoned by snake venom last time. Can you... can you still do that now?" Jiang Zhan clenched his fists, both excited and apprehensive.

Everyone looked at Mu Qingcheng, seeing her as a glimmer of hope.

Mu Qingcheng's throat was dry and parched. "The symptoms are different, and I am powerless to help. Let's see if Physician Jin can snatch the life from the jaws of death."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the group darkened.

"No, there's no need to worry about me... I know my own body well..."

Lin Shuban, who had been unconscious, woke up. His unfocused pupils slowly focused on the four people in front of him. When his gaze fell on Mu Qingcheng's face, he seemed to have a sudden burst of energy before death, and his dark eyes suddenly brightened. "Master Mu, I... I didn't kill anyone, I wasn't bribed by Guo Xuan, you have to believe me."