That's a serious crime.
Although Marquis Weiyuan was a first-rank military marquis, his prestige paled in comparison to that of Su Weichuan.
Everyone in the courtyard looked over.
"Is that the young master of the Marquis of Weiyuan's family? He has absolutely no demeanor of a marquis."
"To actually resort to violence in this kind of setting is utterly lawless."
"Was the one who got beaten Lord Xia's son? Lord Xia is known for being extremely protective of his own, so I'm afraid he'll impeach him at tomorrow's morning court session."
Guo Hao was both anxious and angry.
He pointed at Xia Yu and glared fiercely.
"You just wait."
He was about to leave when Jiang Qingwan grabbed his wrist.
"Your Highness, if you leave, others will assume you are in the wrong, and you will be unjustly accused."
Guo Hao was stunned.
The soft, warm touch on his wrist seemed to instantly calm all his agitated emotions.
He stopped and looked at Jiang Qingwan with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
Jiang Qingwan remained standing with her eyes lowered, wearing a gray cloth robe and a servant's cloth cap, which made her look thin and short, almost invisible.
His clear, youthful voice was so distinct that many in the audience could hear it clearly.
"Just now, this young master Xia mocked the old Marquis for being old and unable to even hold a sword or spear, and said that he had to beg and plead to get you into the Imperial Academy. But the old Marquis has devoted his life to the Great Zhou, protecting the peace of the region. Even the Emperor was grateful for his outstanding military achievements and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis. Now he has been humiliated like this. Was it wrong for you to fight back?"
"Even if you are illiterate and ignorant of policy, and cannot write articles that will make people applaud, so what? You protected your father, which shows your filial piety. Is that wrong? Are you going to let the emperor respect the marquis who is loved by the people, and remain silent when your own father is insulted?"
For a moment, the scene was completely silent.
Those who had previously mocked Guo Hao for his recklessness and impulsiveness suddenly felt their faces burning with embarrassment.
Although the old Marquis has retired from the court, his military achievements back then have been recorded in history.
In this peaceful and prosperous era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the old Marquis deserves to be celebrated.
Guo Hao also came to his senses, and his back straightened instantly.
"Xia Yu, I may not be as eloquent or as good at writing as you, and I admit I have a bad temper and am easily angered. You've been my classmate for years and know me inside and out, yet you insist on humiliating my father in this setting and provoking me to fight. What are your intentions? Is it that I disrespect Prince Su, or is your Xia family up to no good?"
Xia Yu panicked immediately.
He never expected Guo Hao, who was always impulsive, to say such a thing, and he was so flustered that he couldn't even speak properly.
"I...you mustn't spout nonsense. When have I ever insulted the old Marquis?"
Jiang Qingwan raised her hand and pointed, "I heard it, and the two behind you heard it too. You disregard the Emperor's grace. Do you think others will act as recklessly as you and implicate their families?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Yu's heart instantly calmed down.
Those two had a very good relationship with him, and they would definitely not betray him and side with Guo Hao.
But then, a slightly wooden voice came from behind.
"Yes, Xia Yu insulted the old Marquis, and Guo Hao couldn't stand it, so he took action."
"Xia Yu resented Guo Hao for having a powerful father, who was only a third-rank official and had to climb the ranks himself to get into the top class. In the Imperial Academy, he used even more offensive language than this..."
"Shut up! You're all crazy!"
Xia Yu was so anxious that his face turned red and his neck bulged. He grabbed one person's collar with one hand and gave him a fierce warning.
The two seemed to have just woken up from a dream, their expressions blank and completely bewildered.
Guo Hao chuckled twice.
"Young Master Xia, please mind your image and the occasion. How can you be even more reckless than an ignorant and rude man like me?"
At this moment, Xia Shihui, who had just visited Su Weichuan at the Buddha Heart Hall with several colleagues, rushed over, his face dark with anger.
"Xia Yu, what nonsense are you talking about?"
When Xia Yu saw his father arrive, he immediately began to complain.
"Father, it's Guo Hao..."
"How dare you! Once you leave the Imperial Academy, you can no longer treat him as a classmate. Don't you know the proper etiquette? He is a young marquis. How can you address him by his first name and break the rules?"
As Xia Shihui spoke, he gave Guo Hao a slight bow.
“Young Marquis, my son was impolite, and I apologize to you. The old Marquis devoted himself to the Great Zhou, and I believe the young Marquis is also a magnanimous person who would not act recklessly without knowing the occasion.”
Officials who speak out are officials who speak out; once they utter their words, they block all avenues of communication.
Guo Hao couldn't help but look at Jiang Qingwan again.
This time, however, Jiang Qingwan had no intention of helping again.
She had just helped because she didn't want Guo Hao to be so upset that he would leave and ruin her plans.
As for now,
Just let it be. If you always act impulsively, you'll suffer the consequences sooner or later.
He saw that she lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Guo Hao composed himself and returned the greeting with clasped hands.
"Lord Xia is right, I will not disgrace my father."
The storm has passed.
Xia Shihui still smiled gently and approachably, but his eyes were full of malice. He then took Xia Yu elsewhere.
...
The inner courtyard of the Su family mansion.
In the old princess's courtyard,
Su Rong'an, from the eldest branch of the Su family, was keeping him company.
"The Imperial Concubine is truly thoughtful. She sent a gift in the morning and then bestowed a royal meal upon me in the evening. However, due to the strict palace rules, she cannot come in person to celebrate Mother's birthday."
The old princess wore a deep red brocade robe, her hair was neatly tied up and adorned with a jade hairpin, without any overly luxurious decorations.
His eyes were sharp and dignified, yet his tone was extremely gentle and kind when he spoke.
"San'er has always been sensible, but she has never had a child. As the eldest sister, you should think of more ways to help her."
Su Rong'an nodded in agreement, just then Cheng's coquettish laughter came from outside the door.
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