A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 408 Ending (77)

Guo Xuan knew he had many flaws. Because of the time constraints and the hasty execution, his plans were not thorough enough and his strategies were not rigorous enough. However, as long as the Empress Dowager could hold off Mu Qingcheng, his chances of winning would be very high within the limited time available.

Little did he know, he had already lost from the very beginning.

Song Shuyu is a wise man who thinks a thousand steps ahead, planning three steps ahead for every one he takes, laying out his plans in advance, entering the game, and even breaking the game; Mu Qingcheng is a man who plans carefully before acting, countering every move as it comes, with a mental strength that is outrageous! With these two joining forces, he has no chance of winning whatsoever.

However, even though he knew that any further struggle would be futile, there were some things he simply couldn't say!
I cannot, nor dare I!
Therefore, Guo Xuan closed his eyes, determined to remain silent and submit to any punishment.

Song Shuyu stepped forward, a strange smile playing on her lips. "Master Mu, I suddenly remembered that I lost my jade peace pendant somewhere."

"Oh?" Mu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow. "Please explain in detail, Lord Song."

Song Shuyu's casual gaze fell on the phoenix-shaped imperial carriage to her left. The emperor's eyes showed a hint of interest, and the empress dowager's expression became increasingly tense. Even from a dozen steps away, Song Shuyu could feel her intimidating murderous aura!
"Three years ago, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Empress Dowager summoned my grandmother to the palace for a family reunion. I accompanied her to Shou Kang Palace to pay my respects. The Empress Dowager was kind and generous, bestowing a banquet upon the two of us, and ordered the head maid to serve my grandmother on our behalf. I, however, was afraid that my grandmother would feel uncomfortable, so I wanted to take care of her myself. The head maid then argued with me over the clothes, and accidentally spilled wine all over me. When the Empress Dowager saw this, she prepared new clothes for me to change into in the back hall. Unfortunately, on the way, a eunuch came to report that my grandmother was unwell and urged me to return immediately. I was anxious and hurriedly tied my sash before leaving. Later, on the carriage leaving the palace, I discovered that my jade peace pendant, which I always wore, was missing. My grandmother can testify to this."

As Song Shuyu finished speaking, the old nanny standing beside the Empress Dowager was overwhelmed with fear and knelt down on the ground with a thud!
Seeing this, Song Shuyu's smile faded. "Granny, are you going to come and confess yourself, or should I come and invite you personally?"

The old woman was shocked and looked at the Empress Dowager in a panic. However, the Empress Dowager glanced at her and said, "You are also an old servant of mine. Don't you know what you should and shouldn't do?"

"Yes, this old servant understands." The old woman gradually calmed down, and the hope in her eyes also disappeared.

With her hands behind her back, Mu Qingcheng spoke calmly: "Qin Huai betrayed his master and committed evil, yet the Empress Dowager shirked responsibility and absolved herself of all blame. Could it be that the Empress Dowager intends to repeat the same incident?"

The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed. "How dare you! A mere advisor, how dare you frame me?"

"Is it only if my grandmother, the Empress Dowager's stepmother, personally testifies in court against the mastermind who stole my jade peace pendant, that it won't be considered a frame-up?" Song Shuyu asked coldly, completely tearing away the last shred of false kinship.

The Empress Dowager suddenly stood up, "Song Shuyu!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. My grandmother is already quite old. How could I bear to let her suffer? If my father found out, he would scold me for being an unfilial son!"

Compared to the Empress Dowager's fury, Song Shuyu remained calm and composed. He snapped his fingers and called out, "Captain Liu!"

"Please wait a moment, sir!" Liu Heng bowed and turned to leave.

Everyone was puzzled. After a moment's thought, Mu Qingcheng roughly guessed Song Shuyu's scheme, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly, "My master is truly a jade-faced little fox."

"It is my honor to receive praise from Master Mu." Song Shuyu raised the corners of his lips proudly and happily.

Mu Qingcheng turned her head away, ignoring him to prevent him from taking advantage of her.

Liu Heng returned quickly, but he brought four people with him, men, women, and children, all dressed as commoners.

"Qi'er! Fu'er!"

"Father! Mother!"

"mother!"

"Son!"

On and off the stage, several cheers mingled together!

The old woman and Guo Xuan rushed to the front of the stage, their faces filled with shock, and each claimed their relative, then asked the same question: "How did you get here?"

Song Shuyu said, "I sent my men to protect your families and relieve your worries. Are you still unwilling to tell the truth?"

People have weaknesses, making them easy targets for manipulation.

Like him, who once submitted to the Empress Dowager with blood and tears for his grandmother and the Song clan. Similarly, given the Empress Dowager's suspicious nature, how could she fully trust the others who obeyed her? With the Empress Dowager's methods, she could win people's hearts by bewitching and bestowing favors, but only by grasping their weaknesses could she believe in their loyalty.

Judging from his own experience, Song Shuyu decided to take drastic measures.

Guo Xuan's eyes welled up with tears. "Lord Song, besides my parents, what about my other relatives? Are they all safe and well?"

"Don't worry, everything is fine," Liu Heng replied on his behalf.

Guo Xuan visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I have nothing to hide anymore. I've done countless bad things and knew long ago that I had no way out, but one cannot..."