Chapter 4: Arguing with Reason

Upon their arrival in the foyer, Gao Huaiyuan quickly recognized the individuals seated in the hall, relying on the fragmented memories swirling in his mind

As expected, it was not long before someone came to summon Gao Huaiyuan and Liu'er to the front hall, saying that the master wanted to question them. Gao Huaiyuan immediately took the anxious Liu'er and followed the servant who delivered the message towards the front hall

Gao Jian sat in the center, and after being stirred up by several ladies, he felt that Li's actions were indeed somewhat excessive. He then coldly snorted and said: "Li, you may withdraw for now; I have not yet clarified the matter, so do not speak! If it is the fault of that lowly maid and Sanlang, I will certainly give you justice!"

Seeing everyone leave the courtyard, Liu Er hurriedly grabbed a wet towel, intending to wipe the blood off Gao Huaiyuan's face. However, Gao Huaiyuan stopped her hand and, with a sly smile, said: "Don't wipe it; this is solid evidence! If you wipe it, then my punch will have been in vain! Remember, if my father calls us over later, you must insist that this fellow struck first. As for the rest, just say that I fought back and knocked him out! Don't say anything more!"

However, what they are surprised about at this moment is not the cause of the matter, but rather that everyone is astonished by Gao Huaiyuan's performance today, feeling that this situation is somewhat absurd! Could it be that the thunder on that day actually woke this fool up?

With this, Li's position became somewhat untenable, and he was immediately rendered speechless in the hall. The tide of opinion swiftly turned in favor of Gao Huaiyuan, and the situation clearly became more advantageous for him.

After Gao Jianling regained his senses for a while, he was quite astonished. However, he still refused to believe that Gao Huaiyuan had suddenly regained his mental clarity regarding the *Tushu* matter, thinking that such a thing was simply impossible. After pondering for a moment, he felt that this incident might be related to Liu'er, who was behind Gao Huaiyuan. He suddenly questioned Liu'er, who was behind Gao Huaiyuan: "Liu'er, tell the truth, are these words spoken by Sanlang real? Also, were these words taught to him by you?"

Without waiting for Gao Jian to speak, the weeping Li immediately saw Gao Huaiyuan and Liu Er, and her brows furrowed in anger. Like a mad dog, she sprang up and rushed over, intending to strike Liu Er, who was behind Gao Huaiyuan. She shouted, "You damned little wretch, I told you to go do my bidding, yet not only did you refuse, but you also dared to incite this little fool to hit my servant. I wonder if you are itching for a beating again? Just watch, I will beat you to death today!"

No matter how much courage Liu'er mustered, she was still merely a lowly servant of the Gao family. Upon arriving here, she felt a lingering fear deep within her heart, so she quickly knelt behind Gao Huaiyuan, sobbing silently with her head bowed.

Gao Huaiyuan initially intended to feign madness and foolishness, but he did not expect that this Li woman would be so overbearing. Before his father even had a chance to speak, this woman had already taken it upon herself to attack Liu'er. How could he bear to watch Liu'er suffer? How could he allow this woman to succeed? Thus, he stepped aside to shield Liu'er. However, the Li woman was relentless; her long nails scratched across Gao Huaiyuan's body, leaving a bloody mark on his neck. Gao Huaiyuan glared at this wicked woman with fiery eyes, resolutely protecting Liu'er behind him.

In the hall, there were two young men, one appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, and the other around fourteen or fifteen. Both were dressed in scholar's robes. Gao Huaiyuan also recognized their identities; they were indeed his two older brothers. At this moment, the two of them were also scrutinizing him, their faces displaying expressions of disdain, and even a hint of glee as they awaited the unfolding drama.

However, at this moment, he naturally would not reveal such an expression. Instead, he stood calmly in the hall, straightened his chest, and, neither servile nor overbearing, looked directly at Gao Jian and replied: "In response to Father, this matter cannot be blamed on the child! Today, the child has just recovered a little and was exercising in the courtyard when this little servant suddenly barged into my residence, wanting to take away my Liu'er. Liu'er was sewing clothes for me, and I was unwilling. This fellow then insulted me and tried to forcibly take Liu'er away. I reprimanded him, and he resorted to violence, even breaking my nose. The blood on my face can serve as evidence! The child, left with no choice, then fought back against him. Father cannot only listen to their one-sided account; I hope Father will make a decision for the child in this matter." The child, left with no choice, then fought back against him. Father cannot only listen to their one-sided account; I hope Father will make a decision for the child in this matter.

At this moment, Gao Huaiyuan secretly scoffed to himself; having more wives was not necessarily a good thing. Although everyone looked down on him, he could still take advantage of the conflicts among them, which presented him with many opportunities

Upon hearing Gao Jian's question, Li also reacted and jumped up, exclaiming: "Impossible, how could this foolish boy possibly say such things? It must be that wretched girl who taught him! That wretched girl is not a good person at all; she must have incited this foolish boy to beat my servant! Sir! You must stand up for me!"

Liu Er looked at Gao Huaiyuan, whose face was covered in blood, and her heart raced a few times as she quickly understood his intentions. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. Although she was a servant, she was quite clever and certainly grasped what Gao Huaiyuan meant. In this world, one does not fear a tiger eating a pig, but rather fears someone pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger. It seems that today, this matter will bring misfortune to that little servant! Hehe! It is clear what Gao Huaiyuan meant. In this world, one does not fear a tiger eating a pig, but rather fears someone pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger. It seems that today, this matter will bring misfortune to that little servant! Hehe!

Zhang's words immediately garnered the support of the two concubines nearby. These women, having married a man, inevitably found themselves in competition and jealousy. After hearing Zhang's remarks, they quickly seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, saying: "Indeed! What sister said is correct, Fourth Sister, your actions seem a bit too protective! Your servant was beaten, but Sanlang is also covered in blood. You should let the master inquire about the situation first, and then allow him to handle it!"

After everyone listened to Gao Huaiyuan's words, the hall immediately fell into silence, with not a sound to be heard. Everyone was shocked by the words of this foolish young man. According to their memories, Gao Huaiyuan had always been simple-minded and never spoke a coherent sentence. However, today, after he arrived, he articulated such clear and logical thoughts, presenting the matter with reason and evidence. Upon hearing this, everyone realized that this matter must be true; it was certainly that young servant who did not regard Gao Huaiyuan as a person and treated him with force.

Gao Jianding fixed his gaze on Gao Huaiyuan below the court, and an expression of displeasure involuntarily appeared on his face. Having such a foolish son at home was truly a misfortune for the Gao family! However, amidst this, he vaguely sensed that today, Gao Huaiyuan seemed somewhat different from usual. Yet, suddenly, he could not discern what exactly had changed in Gao Huaiyuan today. Thus, he snorted coldly and asked Gao Huaiyuan, "Sanlang! Why can't you let the family be at peace for a while? Why must you always stir up various troubles? I ask you, why did you hit your stepmother's servant today?"

Liu'er was so frightened that her little face changed instantly; she involuntarily raised her hand to protect her head and cried out: "Madam Si, please don't! I dare not!"

Gao Huaiyuan couldn't help but curse under his breath upon hearing this. Although he had not been in this era for long, he understood that in a prominent family like this, it was not unusual for the master to strike a servant. Yet Gao Jian had not even clarified the situation and already expressed a strong sense of blame towards him. It was clear that he had not investigated the matter and had already sided with the Li family, showing no intention of defending his own son. How could there be such a father in the world!

Although Li was arrogant, she still dared not defy Gao Jian. Thus, she could only return to her seat awkwardly, glaring at him with her charming eyes, fiercely staring at Gao Huaiyuan and Liu Er.

After Gao Huaiyuan finished speaking, he observed the expressions of the crowd and realized that his performance today had exceeded their expectations. Therefore, he fell silent and looked at Gao Jian, choosing not to say anything further. He was curious to see how Gao Jian would specifically handle this matter.

This Li family member, accustomed to being favored and arrogant in the residence, unexpectedly did not wait for the head of the household, Gao Jian, to speak before deciding to personally punish Gao Huaiyuan to vent her anger for her servant. At this moment, the legitimate wife, Zhang, could no longer tolerate it. She coldly snorted and said: "Fourth sister, you are going too far! Although your servant was beaten, after all, Sanlang is also the son of the official. You did not bother to clarify the reason and just struck this child. Do you really disregard the official in this way?"

The appearance of Gao Huaiyuan immediately attracted the attention of everyone who was listening to the servant's complaint. Initially, everyone had an expression of anger, but when they saw Gao Huaiyuan enter with blood all over his face, they couldn't help but be taken aback. After all, Gao Huaiyuan was the biological son of Gao Jian. Although they had just witnessed the servant of the concubine being severely beaten, seeing Gao Huaiyuan also covered in blood caused their judgment of the situation to shift significantly.

The middle-aged man with a pale face and an angry expression sitting in the center on the grand master's chair is none other than his father in this life. Among the several women seated beside him, the middle-aged beauty on the left should be his father's legitimate wife, while the other two silent ones are likely his father's second and third concubines. The one who is crying and sobbing is undoubtedly the Li family member, and the young servant who was knocked unconscious was sent by this Li family member.

As Gao Huaiyuan entered the hall and saw his father Gao Jian, he stood with his hands at his sides, not kneeling, merely casting a cold gaze at the people inside the hall

Gao Huaiyuan secretly cursed in his heart, these two brothers are not good people either, they must have bullied me a lot in the past, just wait, sooner or later you will see what I can do!

At that moment, the young servant had already been awakened by someone and was kneeling in the hall, crying and lamenting, reporting to the elder Gao Huaiyuan. He claimed that Gao Huaiyuan, incited by Liu'er, was unreasonable and would beat him on sight, leaving him in such a state.