Public Humiliation

Ordinary people can't even control their own genitals; talking about spiritual cultivation is just a joke.

Zhang Xuezhou did not show his emotions openly, and he rarely indulged in sensual pleasures.

People who can rise from humble beginnings to great heights, or who overcome countless hardships to achieve success, are usually of a steadfast character.

If any female cultivator were to try this trick on Zhang Xuezhou, he would make her commit suicide with her Zhang Xuezhou, leaving no regrets. As for the new emperor's temperament, not finishing her off would be considered merciful.

However, some cultivators are in different circumstances, pampered and lack this temperament; Princess Dou is one of them.

Dong Yan's speed in drawing his sword and bringing it to his neck wasn't particularly fast, but Princess Dou's speed in rushing out of the side hall was quite impressive; she even used her leaping ability.

When he grabbed Dong Yan's sword, blood was already flowing from Dong Yan's neck.

"Your Majesty, kill me if you must. It was my fault that Dong Yan was put in charge of controlling the Demon-Revealing Demon-Revealing Mirror. This is all my fault; Dong Yan is not to blame..."

Dou Taizhu's eyes shone brightly, and even as she shouted, her gaze remained fixed on Dong Yan's face.

Looking into Dong Yan's deeply affectionate eyes, she was almost lost in her own world.

This situation caught Zhang Xuezhou off guard, and even the new emperor was embarrassed.

Dong Yan showed no signs of using magic, but Princess Dou was clearly ensnared, so much so that even nine oxen couldn't pull her back.

"Absurd!"

The new emperor cursed under his breath, poking Zhang Xuezhou's waist with his right hand, clearly wanting to know how this matter should be resolved.

Using Zhang Xuezhou's injury to execute Dong Yan was a minor matter; he would never execute Dou Taizhu, and he never intended to be so rebellious. After all, he only wanted control over Huang Laodao, to seize all controllable power, and then have these institutions cooperate with the court's development needs.

The current Empress Dowager Dou showed no regard for her reputation in front of her children and began to make a scene, threatening to kill herself. The new emperor felt that the situation was a complete mess and he was unable to sort it out.

"Dong Yan, as the emperor's subject, has overstepped the bounds of propriety by secretly harboring feelings for the princess!"

Zhang Xuezhou offered a reminder.

Without sufficient social standing, even those from lower social classes who wear clothing that does not meet the required standards may be punished.

For example, Li Guang could only wear coarse cloth at the time, and could not wear brocade clothes and armor, otherwise it would be a violation of etiquette.

The same applies to love and marriage within different social classes. People from lower classes cannot cross class boundaries to admire those from higher classes, let alone engage in improper behavior. Instead, they need to be well-matched in terms of social standing. For example, Zhang Xuezhou had a circle of potential marriage partners. If he wanted to move up in that circle, his official position and status would need to continue to rise.

"This situation corrupts public morals and disrupts the grand ceremony of marriage; and in the case of Princess Dou, it is tantamount to undermining the imperial system!"

In real society, Zhang Xuezhou would certainly say that marriage is a matter of freedom, but this is the Great Han Dynasty, where the rules of marriage must follow the social system.

Although he had not served as Grand Master of the Palace for many years, Zhang Xuezhou was still very adept at using the system of rites to label people.

"Dong Yan did not heed the teachings of the classics and the exhortation to study. Instead, he indulged in excessive pleasures, walking the path of wickedness and debauchery. He even tried to win the favor and affection of Princess Dou. All of his actions were contrary to the rules of propriety!"

Zhang Xuezhou spoke out repeatedly, seemingly criticizing Dong Yan, but in reality, every point he made could be applied to Princess Dou.

Such criticism is not fatal, but it can create a situation where the ruler is not worthy of his position, making it difficult for him to maintain his authority over Huang-Lao Daoism, thus forcing him to step down and relinquish his post.

"My aunt will probably correct her ways in the future!"

The new emperor frowned.

In his plan, Princess Dou should voluntarily relinquish power. He and Zhufu Yan worked together to subtly probe her several times, but Princess Dou remained indifferent and showed no reaction whatsoever.

However, the new emperor never intended for Princess Dou to die, but when asked to find a better way, he found that he couldn't.

"Licentiousness will only gradually evolve into a calamity of usurpation; there is never a good end to licentiousness," Zhang Xuezhou said, shaking his head.

"Oh well!"

The new emperor let out a heavy sigh.

He did not pronounce judgment on Princess Dou at this moment, nor did he demand further punishment for Dong Yan. Instead, he simply waved his hand, indicating that the banquet could be adjourned.

"Lord Dongfang, how is your kidney? I'll help you to the Imperial Physician's Office now!"

After the new emperor dismissed the banquet, Zhufu Yan dared to leave and quickly ran to Zhang Xuezhou's side to help him up.

He touched the slurry-covered area where the new emperor had pressed his hand, and then touched several hard lumps that felt like stones. He was momentarily horrified.

Zhufu Yan prided himself on his intelligence and shrewdness, believing that with enough status and power he would be second to none. However, when faced with this particular matter, Zhufu Yan realized that he could never do it, let alone have the guts to do such a thing.

While he was still pondering how to persuade Princess Dou of her gains and losses, Zhang Xuezhou used feigned injury to directly drag Princess Dou into the mess, making it difficult for her to ever hold her head high again.

Judging from Dou Taizhu's pitiful appearance, Zhufu Yan felt that she seemed to have abandoned everything in a short moment in order to save Dong Yan's life.

Zhufu Yan could not understand such romantic and sentimental thoughts, so he could not possibly have considered such a possibility.

"My wife works at the Imperial Medical Academy; we can just go back to the mansion and wait for treatment!"

Zhang Xuezhou touched the four fragments of the Eye of the Ba Snake at his waist, then shook his head.

Regardless of whether his injury was real or not, the matter of Princess Dou was now a reality, completely under the control of the Immortal Court cultivators. Even if she regretted it after it was done, there would be no turning back.

Zhang Xuezhou previously only knew that the Immortal Court cultivators interfered in the imperial court, causing some high-ranking officials to become hopelessly entangled in it. He used to think that this kind of "hopelessness" was too blind, that people would die for a longevity pill that they could not obtain. This made him even doubt the intelligence of the high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

It wasn't until Dou Taizhu became deeply involved that Zhang Xuezhou realized this "uncontrollable" allure wasn't just due to external temptations, but rather the near-blind trust these people placed in those who offered the temptation, completely ignoring the voices of others.

Like an old lady buying health supplements, when she's completely infatuated, there's no logic to it at all.

Having probably exceeded her own limits, and knowing that the new emperor would not execute Dong Yan, Princess Dou's face flushed red, and she leaned her whole body against Dong Yan, completely disregarding the gazes of others.

"Mother?"

The empress appeared somewhat flustered and at a loss.

Even if the Empress was slow to react, she knew she was in deep trouble.

Love is a luxury for those in high positions; to have love, one needs power. Many marriages are purely based on political interests. Now, Princess Dou has found love, but the Empress senses the inevitable loss of power.

This will not only affect Princess Dou, but also the entire Dou family, and even the Empress.

Without the powerful Dou family backing her, the Empress knew very well that her abilities were simply not up to the new Emperor's standards.

Princess Dou went off to pursue love, while the Empress felt that she had never had love and would never have it in the future; she was even unable to have children.

Her future is not hard to predict. During Emperor Jing's reign, there was also an empress who was unable to bear children, which led to her being replaced. It was the new emperor's mother who took the throne, and then the new emperor inherited the Great Han Dynasty.

"Why am I infertile like that Empress Bo? There must be something fishy about it... Could it be..."

When she realized that Princess Dou could no longer be relied upon, the Empress also showed a rare moment of clarity.

She realized for the first time that she was likely being targeted, which could be causing her infertility.

Whoever has benefited from this situation may be the mastermind behind it.

This forced the Empress to turn her attention to the Empress Dowager of Changxin Palace, the very woman whom Dou Ying had accused of having connections to the Immortal Court.