SBCEJM -Chapter 143 The Shocking Gossip of the Imperial Academy’s Chancellor! Thirty Years of “Celibate Cultivation” Turns Out to Be Self-Inflicted Ruin?

The atmosphere in the court grew subtle and strange because of Feng Zexuan’s inner voice.

The topic of “being capable or not” had somehow become a new standard for judging a “good man.”

Feng Huan’an stood tall, chest out, chin slightly raised—radiating confidence and pride.

The other ministers, however, each had their own guilt.

Some hunched their backs, some lowered their heads in silence, and some were quietly adjusting their belts.

【System, it seems whether one is “capable or not” is quite the profound subject.】

Feng Zexuan’s gaze swept across the court.

The system suddenly chimed in:

【Host, in this world, some are capable, some are not.】

【And then there are those who voluntarily choose not to be.】

Feng Zexuan almost choked on her own saliva.

【Huh? Voluntarily not capable? What kind of self-harm is that? Did they drown their brain in water?】

【Who would willingly give up such a pleasure in life? How defeated must they feel!】

The system quickly locked onto a target:

【Host, today’s melon is—Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Lord Wu Yong.】

As soon as the words fell, the entire court turned their heads in unison toward Wu Yong in the front row.

The movement was so synchronized it looked like they had practiced it countless times.

Wu Yong, fifty years old, usually refined and elegant, famous for his integrity and scholarly aura.

His beard was meticulously groomed, always giving off an almost immortal scholar-like presence.

But now, knowing his secret was about to be exposed, his old face began to flush—red creeping from his neck all the way to his forehead.

【Isn’t he harmonious with his wife?】

Feng Zexuan asked in confusion.

【I remember people praising them for being a loving couple, treating each other with respect like honored guests.】

【That’s only what outsiders see. Once the door is closed, it’s a completely different story.】

The system laughed gleefully:

【In order to focus on scholarship and resist worldly temptations, he took a secret medicine in his early years—“Pure Heart and Desire-Extinguishing Pills.”】

【Three pills a day, rain or shine, for five full years!】

【As a result, he overdosed… causing “functional shutdown.”】

【Completely lost all desire.】

Wu Yong’s students—many of whom were scattered across the Hanlin Academy and the Six Ministries—were shaken to their core.

Master… is actually so pure and noble!

He devoted himself to scholarship to such an extent!

We are still troubled by worldly desires—how shameful!

Lord Wu is truly a sage of our time!

Officials from the ministries looked at him with admiration.

Wu Yong’s face changed from red to purple, as if he wanted to die on the spot.

He wailed inwardly: My lifelong reputation… ruined!

How could such a thing be known?!

And in front of the Emperor and the entire court no less!

Emperor Xiao Juechen stared at Wu Yong with a complicated expression.

There was admiration—this dedication to scholarship was indeed commendable.

But… this was a bit too extreme… even I wouldn’t go this far!

【Tsk tsk, with this level of determination, he could’ve achieved anything.】

Feng Zexuan sighed in admiration.

【Pity he used it in the wrong direction. What about Madam Wu? Could she endure this?】

【If it were me, I would’ve rebelled long ago!】

The system replied:

【She was extremely dissatisfied! Lord Wu was obsessed with classics and history, treating his wife with “respect like guests,” and that “respect” lasted thirty whole years!】

【From their wedding night, they slept in separate rooms, claiming it was “the gentleman does not indulge in desire.”】

【What?! That’s basically making her a widow for thirty years!】

Feng Zexuan was stunned.

【Thirty years! His willpower is insane!】

The system continued:

【Not only was there no happiness, they had no children either.】

【Madam Wu watched her peers enjoy grandchildren while she lived in loneliness.】

Everyone in court gasped.

Thirty years—who could endure that?!

Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue muttered:

“This is too tragic… what did Madam Wu do in her past life to deserve this?”

Minister Li from the Ministry of War shook his head repeatedly:

“A pitiful woman indeed… marrying a living saint!”

Minister Wang from the Ministry of Works stroked his beard:

“No wonder Lord Wu has become thinner over the years… he must’ve been suffering repression.”

The system continued:

【Eventually, Madam Wu grew more and more frustrated. By the time she turned thirty, she developed a habit—whenever Lord Wu returned home, she would chase and beat him.】

【From the hall to the study, from the study to the courtyard—she’d attack him with a feather duster.】

“Pffft—”

Several officials couldn’t hold back laughter.

【Lord Wu would cry and beg for mercy, secretly wiping tears in bed!】

【Once he was beaten so badly, he even ran to a neighbor’s house claiming there were thieves at home!】

The scene became too vivid.

Everyone imagined the dignified Chancellor of the Imperial Academy being chased around by his wife, and their shoulders trembled.

Feng Huan’an silently gave Madam Wu a thumbs-up in his heart:

Good job! He deserves it!

The system continued:

【At first, Madam Wu just wanted to provoke him—after all, she was running out of time to have children.】

Feng Zexuan sighed:

【Looks like she was truly pushed to her limit. A woman’s best years were wasted like that…】

The system added:

【After years of beating, Lord Wu still didn’t change. Madam Wu eventually gave up.】

【She even considered divorce, but couldn’t let go of their long history together.】

Everyone felt sympathy.

Anyone would feel despair in her situation.

Wu Yong nearly broke down internally:

She even thought about divorce?! I was wrong! I was wrong!!

【But Lord Wu had long regretted it… and after being beaten for so long, he actually started to enjoy it…】

【Now every time he gets beaten, he feels an indescribable excitement!】

The court went silent.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Their jaws nearly hit the ground.

【What the hell! Another masochist?!】

Wu Yong’s face turned even redder, wishing he could dig a hole and disappear.

Why!

Why must even this be exposed?!

【Lord Wu was strictly raised since childhood, constantly controlled and taught to suppress desire, forming a repressed personality.】

【After marriage, he didn’t know how to express affection or intimacy.】

【Then suddenly someone persistently beat him and demanded responsibility from him… and he got hooked.】

【Now he’s in pain but also happy. He secretly takes medicine, but nothing works—the damage from those pills is irreversible.】

Everyone exchanged complex looks.

Emperor Xiao Juechen massaged his forehead:

“What is all this…”

Minister of Rites: “One reaps what one sows…”

Feng Zexuan’s brother Feng Zeyue: “Poor Madam Wu… just how much resentment must she have endured…”

Minister of Revenue: “So this is why one must not go to extremes…”

【Host, Madam Wu has another melon!】

The system suddenly interrupted.

Wu Yong trembled violently.

Another one?!

What else could possibly be left?!

Emperor Xiao Juechen leaned forward unconsciously.

All the ministers held their breath.

【What? Hurry up!】 Feng Zexuan urged.

【Madam Wu went to…】

The system paused deliberately, stretching the suspense to its limit.

Wu Yong’s palms were sweating, his heart pounding violently, his legs weakening.

Went to… do what?

Could it be…

To find another man?

At that thought, Wu Yong nearly fainted on the spot.