A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 93 Every Step is Planned
The crowd quickly gathered around, following Mu Qingcheng's gaze to the wooden plaque hanging from the eaves.

"Observe all things in stillness, like the moon illuminating the heart."

Registrar Zhang read out these two lines, his eyes darting left and right, unable to understand them for a moment. "What does this mean? Could Xia Yu's hiding place be at Yuntai Temple?"

With serious business at hand, Song Shuyu had no temper left. He was engrossed in solving the mystery and first dismissed Zhang Zhubu's guess, saying, "Impossible. Firstly, Yuntai Temple never takes in female benefactors; secondly, Yuntai Temple is not safe. Even if our Jingzhao Prefecture has sealed its gates, it cannot stop assassins from coming and going."

“That’s right, Xia Yu is not here.” Mu Qingcheng’s expression was moved. “Li Yunyao is meticulous in every step she takes. She gave us a riddle, and if we couldn’t guess the answer, she would probably die with regrets. I never imagined that she would be such a smart and decisive woman.”

Zhang, the registrar, suddenly felt a headache coming on. "If you ask me, Li Yunyao is too unreliable. Luckily, you looked back and found these two sentences. Luckily, you understood their profound meaning. If you hadn't done even one of them, wouldn't all her efforts have been in vain?"

"She's gambling, gambling that not everyone in my Jingzhao Prefecture is like you..." Song Shuyu's sharp tongue came out, but at the end, she suddenly remembered that Zhang Zhubu was one of her own and shouldn't be subjected to the same evaluation as Liu Xiao, so she swallowed the word "stupid person" back.

Seeing this, Xiao Linzi secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, he was a slow learner and couldn't guess the answer, but he was also smart enough not to make up any nonsense.

Zhang, the registrar, felt quite aggrieved, but after glancing at Mu Qingcheng who was secretly smiling, he had a retort: ​​"My lord, it is precisely because I am stupid that I need to learn more from you! I beg you to teach me more and laugh at me less in the future, otherwise I will pester the coroner Mu for answers."

Song Shuyu never expected that he would be outmaneuvered by his subordinate. He immediately put one hand on his hip, intending to use his superior authority to teach Zhang the Registrar a lesson. However, seeing Mu Qingcheng frown and seem displeased, he quickly changed the subject, saying, "Colleagues can help each other, but only during their shifts. After they leave their shifts, no entanglement is allowed!"

"Your humble servant will obey your teachings, sir!" Zhang, the registrar, knew when to stop, but the corners of his mouth were so upturned that he couldn't suppress them.

As darkness approached, Mu Qingcheng had no choice but to interrupt: "My lord, let's hurry down the mountain. Tonight, I still need to make a trip to Li Mu's residence."

Song Shuyu nodded, "Okay, let's talk about it in the car."

When they were going down the mountain, Song Shuyu kicked all the outsiders out of the car and ordered them to walk at night to get some exercise.

Only Mu Qingcheng remained in the car.

The two sat facing each other, staring at each other, neither knowing how to start the conversation to avoid making the atmosphere too awkward.

"cough--"

Finally, Song Shuyu cleared her throat and broke the silence, "Tell me, what are you thinking?"

"What are you thinking about?" Mu Qingcheng interrupted quickly, "Thinking about how to make an angry adult happy?"

Song Shuyu frowned. "Where am I angry? I'm asking you what your thoughts are on Xia Yu's situation, and why you chose to go to the Li residence tonight?"

Mu Qingcheng lowered his voice and said, "My lord, there is a Jingxin Nunnery in Qingzhou, which is two hundred miles south of the capital. And it just so happens that Madam Li Mu's family is in Qingzhou."

“Observe all things in silence, like the moon illuminating the heart. Quiet…heart, yes, it should be the Quiet Heart Hermitage!” Song Shuyu pondered for a moment, then leaned forward and whispered, “I have sent someone to Qingzhou to secretly bring Xia Yu back. This matter is known only to the two of us, and must not be leaked, understand?”

Mu Qingcheng nodded with pleasure, "Your Excellency is wise! That's what I was thinking too, which is why I didn't reveal it on the spot. We must ensure Xia Yu's safety is absolutely secure!"

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu curled his lips, revealing a hint of smugness. "You remained silent, which made me realize you had a plan in mind. That's why I sent those people off the carriage." "Hehe, you truly understand me, sir. Too many people talking at once, I was afraid something might happen." Looking at the official now, Mu Qingcheng found him much more pleasing to the eye, even more handsome.

A hint of mockery appeared in Song Shuyu's dark pupils. "So, we're on the same wavelength, aren't we?"

"Yes, more or less." Mu Qingcheng answered frankly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Song Shuyu couldn't help but feel sad. When would this girl ever be able to develop any feelings for living people other than corpses?
"My lord, 'Observe all things in silence, like the moon illuminating the heart.' Besides hinting at Xia Yu's hiding place, it also points to Li Mu's study!"

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

“Li Mu’s study and bedroom are being guarded by our constables. I heard them say that there is a painting hanging in the study, painted by Li Yunyao herself. It depicts a father and daughter playing chess under the full moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival. The chess piece that the father is holding is the ‘Xiang’ (相)!”

"Therefore, it was no coincidence. The outhouse was the place Li Yunyao carefully chose to commit suicide!"

"Yes."

Although the mystery has been solved, the two are feeling increasingly heavy-hearted. What is the truth that Li Yunyao risked her life to uncover?

Thinking of this, Mu Qingcheng's face showed worry. "My lord, we need to be prepared. What Granny Yang said must be true, otherwise Li Yunyao would not have taken such a desperate path."

Song Shuyu remained calm and composed. "Heh, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll say it again: just investigate, just keep going and overcome all obstacles, I'll cover your retreat."

"Your appointment as the Prefect of the Capital is a blessing for the people of the capital, and also a blessing for me." Mu Qingcheng rarely showed her sentimental side, but at this moment, her heart was truly filled with gratitude for Song Shuyu.

It was he who fulfilled her wish to serve as a coroner with dignity, and it was he who understood her political ambitions as a woman in office and unconditionally supported and trusted her.

"Hmm... then Coroner Mu must treat me well. He should visit me at the Duke's mansion often, or invite me for tea, music, shopping, or theatrical performances during his days off..."

"grown ups!"

Mu Qingcheng's sudden seriousness startled Song Shuyu. She said very earnestly, "Colleagues can help each other, but only during their shifts. After their shifts, no entanglement is allowed! Sir, you have given the order yourself, so you cannot lead the way in breaking the rules!"

Song Shuyu's fist struck cotton, and he immediately lost his strength and felt dizzy, not wanting to say another word to her.

Unfortunately, she was only focused on official business and kept asking him, "Sir, after returning to the city, will you go straight back to the Duke's mansion, or will we go to the Li residence together to check on the situation?"

Song Shuyu turned her face away, pursed her lips, and refused to answer.

To his surprise, Mu Qingcheng's next words immediately broke his defenses: "Alright, I'll ask Secretary Lin to come along. Secretary Lin is quite willing to work with me."

From now on, each chapter will be 2 words long. Thank you for your support, my darlings! Please vote, tip, and comment! Love you all!

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(End of this chapter)