AUBTN -Chapter 380 Public Physical Examination

“Witnesses? Evidence?” Shen Jue looked down at the two trembling men on the ground with a condescending gaze.

“Imperial Physician Song, your only son—who owed thirty thousand taels of silver at the underground gambling dens in the capital—was settled by a mysterious man in black robes yesterday. What, did that man not tell you that the East Depot’s covert agents had already sent your son to the imperial prison?”

Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Lin felt as if struck by five bolts of lightning. His entire body went limp as he collapsed to the ground, face ashen.

“And you, old servant!” Shen Jue’s cold gaze shifted to the elderly eunuch.

“Ten years ago, you were expelled from the palace with a beating for stealing imperial belongings. Yet now you’ve managed to buy a three-courtyard estate outside the city. Do you think the East Depot’s spies are blind?”

Shen Jue turned toward the throne above, his gaze piercing straight at the dragon chair.

“Your Majesty, the Tianji Pavilion is harboring evil intentions. They are buying people’s loyalty and attempting to frame this king. Do you really believe such a clumsy scheme?”

The situation in court instantly reversed. Both sides argued fiercely, trading sharp words and refusing to yield, the stalemate deepening.

Lu Yan frowned tightly, standing by as if merely observing.

At that moment, the newly appointed Prime Minister Wen Xianzhong slowly stepped forward amid the dispute.

This old fox, who had long been entrenched in officialdom, cupped his hands and spoke in a slow tone—yet every word struck like a blade.

“Your Majesty, this old minister believes that since both sides insist on their claims and all evidence may have been forged, this case has become a deadlock. However, this matter concerns the dignity of the royal family and must not be handled carelessly.”

The young emperor’s gaze flickered as he leaned slightly forward.

“In your opinion, Minister Wen, what should be done?”

Wen Xianzhong curled his lips into a faint smile and enunciated each word clearly:

“Since the dispute centers on whether the Regent Prince is a eunuch or not, the simplest—and most effective way to silence all public doubt is: a public physical examination!”

These four words were like a bolt of heavenly thunder, exploding without warning in the center of the hall.

Shen Jue’s expression turned dark in an instant.

Murderous intent filled his eyes as he looked at the minister.

Wen Xianzhong was Lu Zhi’s political rival. Now that Minister Lu had fallen from power, he had smoothly risen to the position. No one expected that the first fire of his tenure would be directed here.

Lu Yan’s expression also changed abruptly.

He understood Wen’s vicious scheme.

This was killing someone’s heart.

This was forcing Shen Jue to lose control in court.

So they could justifiably sentence him.

One hour later, Yu Garden, Wutong Courtyard.

Zhao Zhou knelt on one knee, relaying everything that had happened in court word for word.

The tea cup of Ru ware in Su Hewan’s hand suddenly slipped from her fingers without warning and shattered on the ground into pieces.

Scalding tea splashed across her pale moon-colored dress.

All color drained from her face in an instant.

“A… public physical examination?”

That man—covered in wounds, yet still so proud and unyielding, someone who would not even fear death.

How could they? How could they use such vile, humiliating methods against him?

Su Hewan’s eyes instantly turned red.

She no longer cared about anything else and rushed toward the door like a madwoman.

“Prepare the horse! Prepare it now! I’m going to the palace!”

“Wanwan!”

Yu Qing, terrified out of her mind, rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Su Hewan’s waist.

“You’ve lost your mind! That’s the Golden Throne Hall! If you go now, it’s disobeying imperial orders—you’ll lose your head!”

“Princess Consort! You cannot go!” Zhao Zhou also spread his arms to block the doorway, his eyes red, but his voice firm and unyielding.

“The prince has given orders that no matter what happens, you are absolutely not allowed to leave Yu Garden even half a step!”

“Move aside!”

Su Hewan struggled desperately.

Her usual composure and rationality completely collapsed in this moment, and tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.

“That’s Shen Jue! He’s such a proud man—how could he endure this kind of humiliation!”

Yu Qing held her tightly, also crying in panic, her voice trembling.

“I know! But Wanwan, calm down! Even if you go, what can you do? Even if you get there, how can you stop the endless accusations from all the court officials?”

“I don’t know…”

Su Hewan collapsed weakly into Yu Qing’s arms. Tears streamed down wildly, and those eyes that were usually filled with clarity and wisdom were now only filled with desperate ferocity.

“I only know this—he can die, but he absolutely cannot be humiliated like this, being displayed and ridiculed in the court!”

She suddenly wiped away her tears, pushed Yu Qing aside, pulled out the golden hairpin from her head, and pressed it against her own throat without hesitation.

The sharp tip instantly pierced her fair skin, drawing a trace of crimson blood.

“Princess Consort!” Zhao Zhou was horrified to the core.

Su Hewan stared at Zhao Zhou, her voice icy, carrying an unshakable determination.

“Move aside. If you don’t, I’ll die here!”

“Wanwan!” Yu Qing was completely shaken by Su Hewan’s willingness to risk her life.

Su Hewan showed no retreat. She looked past Zhao Zhou’s shoulder toward the towering glazed tiles of the imperial palace, enunciating each word as if bleeding from her heart:

“Even if I have to storm the Hall of Supreme Harmony, I will never let him suffer such humiliation!”

—

Inside the Golden Throne Hall!

Just as the young emperor was about to agree with the Minister of the Left’s proposal—

“Your Majesty, please wait!”

Lu Yan immediately spoke up, stepping into the center of the hall, lifting his robes and kneeling on one knee, saying solemnly:

“Your Majesty! There are too many doubts in this matter; it must not be decided rashly!”

The young emperor’s brows furrowed sharply, displeased as he stared at Lu Yan.

His voice carried a hint of anger:

“Prince Jing, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to plead for him?”

“I would not dare!” Lu Yan lifted his head abruptly, meeting the emperor’s gaze without fear, each word firm and forceful.

“This minister is merely speaking on the facts. Based only on a few pieces of dubious documents, the testimony of a debt-ridden imperial physician who owes thirty thousand taels in a gambling den, and a former palace eunuch expelled for theft—are we to condemn a high-ranking court official for the grave crime of deceiving the emperor? If this spreads, how can we answer to the judgment of the people?”

Lu Yan paused slightly, his gaze briefly sweeping over Shen Jue, who sat nearby with an unreadable expression, then gritted his teeth and continued:

“More importantly, this so-called public physical examination… is a grave affront to court dignity! I implore Your Majesty to submit this case to the Three Judicial Offices for joint review—the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate—to jointly investigate and only decide after all facts are fully clarified!”

“The Prince’s words are mistaken,” the Minister of the Left slowly interjected.

He looked at Lu Yan with a faint, insincere smile, then turned toward Shen Jue.

“Your Highness has always been upright and strict. Why are you being so lenient toward Shen Jue today? This proposal for examination is precisely to prove the innocence of the Imperial Supervisor as quickly as possible. Once it is done, rumors will collapse on their own—wouldn’t that be the best outcome?”

Minister Wen stared meaningfully at Shen Jue:

“Or is it that… the Imperial Supervisor is deliberately avoiding it, even going so far as to obstruct through Prince Jing’s words, because he is guilty? Truly guilty of deceiving the emperor as stated in these testimonies!”

The hall fell into dead silence once again.

“Ha.”

A cold sneer suddenly echoed through the empty Golden Throne Hall.

Shen Jue did not even spare the Minister of the Left a glance.

“I did not know,” he said coldly, “since when my identity has become something for all of you to casually mock and discuss in this court.”

His words made the hearts of all officials tighten instantly.