A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 94 It seems like we're being watched?
When the carriages and horses entered the city, the lanterns were already lit and the bright moon was high in the sky.

After a long day, everyone was exhausted, so Song Shuyu ordered them all to return to the yamen to rest.

The kitchen received a notice in the afternoon that they would be able to cook all day from now on, with extra meals and rice. Anyone on duty could go over to eat at any time, and the meals would be a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with soup, snacks, and even seasonal fruits.

Therefore, the entire government office was filled with joy.

Food is the most important thing for the people, and after everyone had eaten well, they naturally showered their superior with praise. Of all the dozens of government offices, large and small, in the entire capital, Lord Song was a model of caring for his subordinates!
However, these meals that exceeded the regulations were all paid for by the adults themselves. The longer the adults were in office, the greater the deficit became!
So, will the adults work for a few months and then voluntarily pack up and leave?
Therefore, everyone was both happy and worried, feeling that the good days they had were like a mirage, bringing both joy and unease.

Song Li returned early and wanted to help the constables throw the three tigers back to the South Prison. He also needed to check whether Xie Da, Shuanzi, Liu Xiao, and Granny Yang were behaving themselves.

Song Shuyu doesn't entirely trust Liu Heng and Jiang Zhan right now. Their loyalty is unquestionable, and their martial arts skills and other abilities are among the best in their respective departments. However, the short, fat man's suicide in prison and Constable Luo's kidnapping by the three tigers have served as a wake-up call for Song Shuyu. He can no longer demand merely that his subordinates be "acceptable," but rather that they be outstanding and capable of handling things independently!
Therefore, Song Li was completely conscripted. Song Shuyu ignored his reluctant and slightly aggrieved look, not only assigning him a lot of work, but also instructing him to give Liu Heng and Jiang Zhan pointers when he had nothing to do.

Song Li didn't dare to protest verbally, but he warned himself in his heart that he would never allow himself to have a "free time" in the future!
On the way to the South Prison, anyone who saw Song Li would silently take a detour, because his face was so cold and stern that it inspired fear.

Unfortunately, Liu Heng, oblivious to Song Li's displeasure, stepped forward and said, "Guard Song, it's truly touching how considerate you are of your subordinates. Everyone in the entire department is both hoping you'll stay in your post for a long time and fearing you might embezzle funds and quit one day..."

"Please rest assured, my master is very wealthy and can afford to lose money."

Song Li replied coldly, walked past Liu Heng, and moved quickly. The three tigers were pulled along, running and walking, feeling like their arms were about to break!

The notice to improve the meals was issued by Song Li. Because Mu Qingcheng did not want to be treated specially, she refused Song Shuyu's suggestion to have special meals. Therefore, Song Shuyu treated the entire department as a favor, which was a case of using private interests for public good.

……

As the carriage entered the Jingzhao Prefecture government office, Mu Qingcheng lifted the curtain for the fifth time, looking around with suspicion in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Song Shuyu leaned closer, following her gaze and looking around. "Did you run into someone you know, or are you looking to buy something?"

Unsure, Mu Qingcheng tentatively asked, "Sir, since we entered the city, have you felt that we seem to be being watched?"

Song Shuyu was startled and quickly called out, "Someone come here!"

Xiao Linzi responded from outside: "My lord, your humble servant is here!"

"Check immediately to see if anyone is watching us!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Linzi jumped off his horse and quickly disappeared into the crowd under the cover of night.

Mu Qingcheng hesitated, "My lord, it's also possible that it's just my imagination."

Song Shuyu frowned and said, "Since you have a feeling, whether it is true or not, you should investigate it. At this critical juncture, it's always good to be cautious."

Xiao Linzi was quite skilled in light-footed martial arts. With a few leaps, he concealed himself on the rooftop of a gatehouse opposite the Jingzhao Prefecture government office. Looking down, his eagle-like eyes watched the flow of people. About fifteen minutes later, a man wearing a bamboo hat and dark blue clothes, who always walked with his head down and whose face was obscured, came into his view! Xiao Linzi immediately took action, intending to capture the man directly. However, as soon as he landed, the man seemed to sense something and dashed into an alley. When Xiao Linzi chased after him, he found that the alleys were interconnected, and there was no sign of the man anywhere.

After standing there dejectedly for a long time, Xiao Linzi finally returned to the yamen with his head hanging low.

Song Shuyu returned to the main courtyard, washed up briefly, changed into a moon-white casual outfit, and went to the wing room in the north of the yamen's backyard to find Mu Qingcheng.

He had never been to the residence of the officials before. Since Song Li had not returned from his business, he asked Liu Mama to lead the way.

When he saw Mu Qingcheng's small, dilapidated, and cold house, his eyes immediately reddened. "Mother Liu, have someone renovate it tomorrow. Add all the necessary furniture and items. Also, assign someone to come here early every day to heat the house and prepare hot water. The weather is getting colder and colder. I will not allow Coroner Mu to suffer, understand?"

"Yes, sir. However, please inform me of the appropriate treatment for Coroner Mu so that I may make the necessary purchases," Liu Mama replied with a bow.

Song Shuyu was momentarily unsure how to determine the appropriate treatment. After a moment's thought, he said, "The charcoal should be the same as mine, either red charcoal or silver wire charcoal, and there should be an ample supply. Also, prepare some hot water bottles, and everything to warm hands, feet, and legs. And all the daily necessities for women—buy everything you can think of. Oh, and also seasonal clothing, cloaks, fur coats, shoes, socks, rouge, powder, jewelry…"

After Mu Qingcheng finished washing up, she was about to go out to the kitchen for dinner when she heard voices in the courtyard. She leaned against the window to eavesdrop and the more she listened, the more she felt that something was wrong with the adults. She was just a lowly coroner, how could she be worthy of his pampering?
She paused for a moment, then pushed open the door and went out, her expression full of confusion and bewilderment.

Upon seeing her, Song Shuyu immediately changed the subject and instructed Liu Mama, "You can handle the rest. Remember, don't make a fuss, lest you attract criticism."

"Yes!"

Liu Mama was an old nanny in the Duke's mansion. She had watched Song Shuyu grow up. The old lady specially assigned Liu Mama to the Jingzhao Prefecture to take care of Song Shuyu's daily life. She was reliable and discreet.

Mu Qingcheng felt this was inappropriate, "My lord, this humble servant has no need..."

However, as soon as she opened her mouth, Liu's mother turned and left. Despite her advanced age, she moved with incredible speed and was out of the yard in the blink of an eye.

Song Shuyu didn't give her a chance to refuse and directly ordered, "I will go with you to the kitchen for a meal and discuss the case."

After he finished speaking, he took the first step.

Mu Qingcheng had no choice but to follow, thinking that she would find another opportunity to talk about this, when the adults were in a good mood. Right now, the adults seemed to be a little sad.

As soon as the two entered the kitchen, Xiao Linzi caught up and reported, "Sir, I found the person who was following us, but he ran too fast, and I couldn't catch him!"

Mu Qingcheng was startled. "Who is it?"

“It was a man, tall and slender, whose face was covered by a straw hat, so I couldn’t see his features,” Xiao Linzi replied.

Thank you everyone for your support! The climax of the case is about to begin; the case is almost solved!

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(End of this chapter)