Jiao Niang’s Medical Record Chapter 650

Watching the girl who seemed to have suddenly emerged from the night, the garrison soldiers couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

Although they had been calling out a name, they never truly expected anyone to respond.

In such a chaotic moment, and with the inner restricted zone now breached.

If this were someone from the opposing side, they would surely have retreated by now. If they were on our side, they would likely be trapped within the inner palace, unable to move.

How could anyone possibly appear just by calling out a few times, as if the palace were an empty land to come and go freely?

Yet what was happening now?

While they stood there bewildered, the girl had already rushed toward them, and no one could fathom how she had managed to avoid the chaotic crowds.

“Zhou Fu,” said Duke Jin’an, pointing behind him. “Arrow wound, to the chest. He’s still breathing, but his body is turning cold.”

An attendant closely following Duke Jin’an urged his horse forward and carefully untied Zhou Fu from his mount.

Cheng Jiao-niang extended her hand, and the attendants cautiously supported Zhou Fu as they helped him down from the horse.

Only then did Duke Jin’an dismount, his gaze fixed intently on Cheng Jiao-niang’s face, his hand clenched tightly at his side.

Cheng Jiao-niang, however, showed no change in expression. She turned and walked away.

“Follow me,” she said.

The two attendants supporting Zhou Fu immediately followed without hesitation.

“Do you need more people to assist?” Duke Jin’an called after her.

Cheng Jiao-niang waved a hand dismissively, quickly crossing the square and disappearing from sight.

Duke Jin’an remained standing, still watching the spot where she had vanished.

The fleeing palace guards had all scattered, leaving the scene momentarily quiet. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Duke Jin’an.

“He was injured entering the city,” Duke Jin’an said, turning to the Empress and the others. “It’s uncertain whether he can be saved.”

The Empress and the others wore somewhat odd expressions.

By convention, perhaps they ought to say a few comforting words?

Yet also by convention, shouldn’t their urgent charge into the palace grounds have been to rescue the Emperor, rather than to seek treatment for a single wounded man?

“Now that we are within the palace grounds, we should move swiftly to aid His Majesty,” Duke Jin’an suddenly said.

A collective sigh of relief seemed to pass through those present upon hearing these words.

Thank heavens. He hadn’t forgotten after all. This finally aligned with reason.

“Subdue the traitors and protect the Emperor!”

“The Empress Dowager!”

“Your Majesty! The Crown Prince!”

Ministers and officials – some fervent, some grief-stricken, some indignant – shouted and rallied around the Empress and Duke Jin’an as they hastened toward the palace where the Empress Dowager was located.

Before the court officials could swarm in, the garrison soldiers had already surged forward, forming a standoff with the imperial guards in front of the Empress Dowager’s hall.

Seeing that the garrison soldiers had not charged in but instead stood outside, some of the court officials who had rushed over couldn’t help but speak up first.

“Why haven’t you eliminated the traitors and rescued the Empress Dowager?”

The garrison soldiers then made way.

“Your Majesty,” the commander saluted and said, “The Empress Dowager is right at the entrance to the hall.”

The Empress’s expression faltered slightly for a moment.

Earlier, when she rushed out shouting, she had accused Gao Lingjun and Chen Shao of treason – of harming the Crown Prince and holding the Empress Dowager hostage. But in reality, everyone understood in their hearts that the Empress Dowager must have been involved. However, proclaiming that court officials were traitors versus declaring the Empress Dowager a traitor would have entirely different effects.

Although everyone understood the truth internally, at this moment, the Empress Dowager’s status still had to be respected.

There were pros and cons to this approach. If she had earlier declared the Empress Dowager a traitor, the court officials’ reaction might not have been as swift and resolute as it was now.

Even if the Empress Dowager’s honor was preserved now, without Gao Lingjun, she retained nothing but the empty title of Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty.”

The Empress cried out in agitation, rushing swiftly inside.

Zhang Chun followed closely behind, and the court officials, no longer hesitating, hurriedly pressed forward.

Duke Jin’an ended up at the rear of the group.

Inside the Empress Dowager’s palace, lamps and candles burned brightly. The imperial guards had all gathered here, glaring warily at those who had charged in.

Beneath the corridor eaves sat a four-legged stool. The Empress Dowager, dressed in full ceremonial court attire, sat upright upon it, her expression stern and imposing.

Gao Lingjun stood behind her, his demeanor calm and composed.

The Empress and the court officials who had burst in halted their steps.

“So it’s the Empress,” the Empress Dowager said with a cold smile. “What is it? Could you not wait for this old body to die, so you’ve hurried here with all these court officials and the imperial guard to see me off?”

“Your Majesty,” the Empress took a step forward. “Why did Gao Lingjun and Chen Shao enter the palace in the middle of the night? Why were the palace gates sealed shut?”

She did not respond directly but instead posed the most critical questions.

The court officials present inwardly nodded in approval of the Empress’s reaction.

“Because the Crown Prince has taken a critical turn,” the Empress Dowager declared. “The Crown Prince’s condition concerns the stability of the state. When the state faces peril, the chancellors must be present.”

Here, she pointed an accusing finger at the Empress.

“Why were the palace gates sealed shut? Look at all of you here – that tells you exactly why the gates had to be sealed!”

Her finger swept across the crowd, landing on Duke Yanping, who stood among the court officials.

“See? As soon as word spread of the Crown Prince’s grave illness, what kind of people showed up? In the dead of night, bombarding the palace walls – what were you trying to do? Blow me and the Emperor to pieces so you can seize the throne?”

Duke Yanping was startled. He could not bear such an accusation.

“I am wronged!” He knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, I was only concerned for Your Majesty and His Majesty.”

As soon as he knelt, the surrounding court officials instinctively followed suit, dropping to their knees as well.

A sudden lowering of ranks diminished the imposing presence on their side.

A faint smile flickered at the corner of Gao Lingjun’s mouth.

As they say, everyone has a tongue to speak with. Who is to say that only your version is the truth?

As long as you dare to say it.

“Empress, you have long been at odds with me and how dare you take advantage of the Crown Prince’s critical illness to incite the court officials to rebellion!”

The Empress Dowager shouted, rising to her feet as she pointed an accusing finger at the Empress.

“Guards! Seize her!”

Everyone present was momentarily stunned.

The situation seemed to be shifting in an unexpected direction.

However, the Empress Dowager’s choice of “incited” was quite subtle – it implied the Empress was the mastermind, while the court officials were merely misled…

For a moment, the scene froze in a deadlock.

Suddenly, someone strode forward, saying nothing as they walked directly into the main hall. It was like a flash of sword light cleaving through stagnant waters.

It also jolted the others as if awakening from a daze.

“What are you doing?!” the Empress Dowager shrieked.

She stared at the young man standing before her, her suppressed emotions gradually churning into a storm. Her body trembled, her eyes blazing with a mix of fear and fury.

“Guards, seize him! Seize him!”

The imperial guards surged forward instantly.

“Take them into custody.”

Duke Jin’an’s steps did not falter. He pointed at the Empress Dowager and Gao Lingjun, his tone indifferent.

Not only did the Empress Dowager and Gao Lingjun’s expressions change drastically, but even the Empress and the court officials’ faces shifted slightly.

Take into custody?

Take the Empress Dowager into custody?

Such words – even the Emperor would not dare utter them, would he?

Did Duke Jin’an know what he was saying?

“Go now!” the Empress suddenly shouted. “Seize Gao Lingjun!”

As this remedial order fell, the garrison soldiers had already surrounded the Empress Dowager and Gao Lingjun, while others stood off against the imperial guards.

“Traitors! Traitors! Seize them!”

The Empress Dowager’s sharp cries rang out incessantly, instantly heightening the tension before the hall once more.

“Who are the traitors?” the Empress retorted sharply. “The Crown Prince has been murdered. Who is truly responsible? Your Majesty, must you still deceive the entire world? Duke Jin’an’s actions are to purge the court of evil influences around the ruler!”

“Purge the court? Purge what evil influences! The Crown Prince’s death was not a murder,” the Empress Dowager shrieked. “The Crown Prince was ill from the start – surely the world knows that?”

She charged directly toward the garrison soldiers surrounding her.

“Let the world see! Let the world see how the Crown Prince was lost! Do I fear being seen by the world?”

“Summon all those imperial doctors! Bring all the medical prescriptions! Let the world see them! Let the world see!”

Indeed, let you see. Let the entire world see. Let them look – what is there to fear?

Gao Lingjun, encircled by soldiers, still wore a calm and composed expression.

The Crown Prince died because his own constitution was weak. He was given the finest restorative medicines and attended by imperial physicians three times a day. Who would harm him? There was no reason to harm him!

All of you – show your proof!

Without evidence, do you think you can condemn me so easily? It won’t be that simple!

“Come and look.”

Amid the noise and shouting, someone’s voice rang out loudly.

“Come and look!”

The voice rose again, drowning out the Empress Dowager’s screams.

Everyone turned to see Duke Jin’an standing at the entrance to the Crown Prince’s bedchamber, looking inside.

“All of you, come and see,” he said again, turning his gaze toward the Empress Dowager.

In the flickering torchlight, the young man’s stare was chilling.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but shiver.

What is there to fear in looking? Look then – the Crown Prince died, and it was from illness!

“All of you, go and see!” she also shouted, pointing in that direction.

The Empress immediately strode over, Zhang Chun following closely behind, and the others hurriedly followed suit.

The Empress was the first to approach. She let out a sharp cry and covered her mouth with her hand.

Zhang Chun then stopped in his tracks, turning his head away to avoid looking.

More people stepped forward, revealing expressions of shock and horror.

What was wrong?

Chen Shao was still inside. With all the commotion outside, why hadn’t he come out?

Though they didn’t expect much help from him in debate, his presence alone could have steadied the scene.

Could it be…

A sudden unease gripped Gao Lingjun’s heart, followed by an ominous premonition. He tried to rush toward that side.

The garrison soldiers blocked his way.

“Stand aside!” Gao Lingjun ripped the jade belt from his waist, his eyebrows raised in fury as he shouted, “I am the Emperor’s personally appointed guardian of the state. Who dares block my way?”

The garrison soldiers hesitated for a moment, and Gao Lingjun seized the chance to charge forward. He roughly shoved aside the surrounding court officials and came to a halt before the chamber entrance, instantly freezing in place.

On the moon gate leading from the main hall to the Crown Prince’s bedchamber, Chen Shao hung from the center, his hair disheveled, dressed only in white undergarments. His face was deathly pale, his tongue lolling out, his eyes wide open as if staring straight at them.

He had hanged himself…

That wretch! That absolute wretch!

That wretch could hang himself all he wanted – what is there to fear in a dead man? Another corpse already lies in the bedchamber.

What was terrifying were the lines of bloody script written upon the white undergarments of Chen Shao’s corpse.

“I am guilty. Lacking virtue, I ultimately harmed the Crown Prince, severing His Majesty’s bloodline. Regret is beyond reach. I shall cast off my official robes, let loose my hair, and end my own life to confess to the world.”

Guilty! Harmed the Crown Prince!

The jade belt in Gao Lingjun’s hand clattered to the ground.

“Take him into custody.”

Duke Jin’an spoke.

The garrison soldiers hesitated no longer. They swarmed forward and pressed Gao Lingjun down.

“What are you doing? What are you doing? This is rebellion! Rebellion!”

The Empress Dowager’s shrieks pierced the air as she pointed a trembling finger at Duke Jin’an.

“Quickly, seize him! Seize him!”

No one else moved. Only the Empress Dowager stood alone beneath the corridor eaves, trembling.

“His guilt is his own affair!” Gao Lingjun struggled and shouted, lifting his head to glare at Duke Jin’an. “It was he who colluded with Princess Consort Jin’an to kill the Crown Prince! Who dares accuse me of guilt? Who dares seize me? I possess His Majesty’s imperial–”

Before he could finish, Duke Jin’an raised his hand, snatched the official hat from Zhang Chun’s head nearby, and hurled it.

The seemingly lightweight official hat, propelled by Duke Jin’an’s force, struck Gao Lingjun squarely in the face. Gao Lingjun let out a cry of pain and fell backward, his face instantly streaming with blood.

All the shouting in the hall ceased abruptly.

“I dare,” Duke Jin’an said, his expression somber. “So what?”

His gaze swept over the assembled crowd.

Wherever his eyes passed, the court officials involuntarily averted their gazes.

You certainly do dare. You dared to bombard the palace gates, you dared to order the Empress Dowager seized, and smashing Gao Lingjun‘s face? That’s hardly a major event for you, is it?

So what indeed? Please, act as you wish. Feel free.