The mournful cry, like the cry of a cuckoo, was like a red-hot iron awl that pierced through the luxurious and hypocritical curtain woven from money and power in front of the Gao mansion!
The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly.
Even the string and bamboo orchestra playing decadent music seemed to have been choked by an invisible hand, abruptly stopping.
All the guests, regardless of their official rank or wealth, turned their heads in unison, like puppets, and looked toward the street corner from which the sound came.
The smile on Young Master Gao's face froze, and the carefully cultivated sense of superiority deflated instantly, like a balloon punctured by a needle. The butler beside him also changed his expression drastically, a hint of panic and resentment flashing in his eyes.
Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan were no exception.
They looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure rushing towards the gate of the Gao mansion, breaking through the few scattered and bored servants around the perimeter like a madman!
It was an old woman, her clothes so tattered they were almost unrecognizable, covered in dark stains and holes. Her hair, as white as snow, was disheveled and draped over her shoulders, whipped about by the evening wind, making her appear even more forlorn. Her body was thin and frail, as if a gust of wind could topple her, but at this moment, an astonishing power seemed to erupt within her, propelling her free from her constraints and towards this splendor that was not hers.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, the old woman fell heavily onto the smooth, mirror-like bluestone slab in front of the Gao family mansion. The sound of her knees hitting the hard ground was enough to make one's teeth ache.
But she seemed to feel no pain at all. With her hands on the ground, she used all her strength to kowtow to the tightly closed vermilion door again and again!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The dull, desperate sound of kowtowing echoed in front of the deathly silent mansion gate. Each sound was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the hearts of everyone present.
"Master Gao! I beg you, have mercy! This old woman kowtows to you! Please spare my daughter! She is truly innocent!"
This sight caused the guests present to frown and whisper among themselves.
"Who...who is this crazy old woman? How dare she cause trouble at the Salt Commissioner's birthday banquet?"
"Judging from this appearance, it seems there's some terrible injustice involved..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! The Gao family's affairs are none of our business!"
The Gao family's steward's face was now extremely grim, darker than the bottom of a pot. For this to happen in front of so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries was tantamount to throwing the Gao family's reputation to the ground for everyone to trample on!
He no longer cared about etiquette or decorum. Pointing at the old woman, he roared at the servants around him, "A bunch of useless trash! What are you all standing there for? Drag this crazy woman away right now! Don't let her disturb our distinguished guests or the old lady's birthday banquet!"
"yes!"
Several fierce-looking servants immediately responded and rushed forward, reaching out to grab the old woman's arm.
However, as if sensing something, the old woman suddenly rolled over and clung tightly to the base of the huge stone lion at the entrance, sticking to it like a piece of chewing gum.
Her strength was astonishing; several servants couldn't budge her for a moment!
"Let me go! Let me go!" the old woman cried hysterically, her wrinkled and tear-streaked face filled with endless despair and anger.
With her last ounce of strength, she raised her head, her cloudy eyes fixed on the young master Gao, who had emerged from the mansion with a livid face, and uttered a heart-wrenching accusation!
“My daughter Liu Yu is innocent! She did not commit adultery! She did not!”
"It's your Gao family! It's your Gao family that bullies others by abusing their power! It's your beastly second young master who drove my daughter to her death and now he wants to tarnish her reputation! Your Gao family... you deserve to die a horrible death!"
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding loudly in front of the Gao family mansion!
There's so much information!
They bully others by abusing their power! They drove someone to death! And now they're smearing their reputation!
The guests present were instantly in an uproar! Their gazes toward Young Master Gao became playful.
In an instant, Young Master Gao's face went from ashen to liver-colored, and then from liver-colored to deathly pale!
He felt that every gaze coming from all directions was like a sharp steel needle, piercing his entire body! Especially the "Master Xiao" from the capital standing next to him, although he was expressionless, Young Master Gao felt that behind the other man's calm eyes must be endless mockery!
It’s over!
This is utterly humiliating! We've lost face in front of the distinguished guests of the capital!
"Nonsense! You crazy old woman, if you dare to spout nonsense again, believe me, I'll tear your mouth apart!" Young Master Gao was furious and pointed at Granny Liu, cursing her. His elegant demeanor as a "jade-faced gentleman" had completely vanished.
The steward immediately understood, a fierce glint in his eyes. He shouted at the servants, "Why are you wasting your breath talking to her? Pry her hands open! Drag her away! Gag her! If she utters another word, you're all fired!"
"yes!"
The servants, having received a death order, no longer held back. One of them even raised his foot, ready to kick Granny Liu's arm, which was tightly gripping the stone block!
Lin Wanwan's brows furrowed even more. She subconsciously took a step forward, her hand hidden in her sleeve already clenching tightly.
However, there was another figure who was faster than her.
Xiao Che remained calm and composed, simply taking a step forward and blocking the servant's path perfectly.
He didn't even speak, but merely glanced at the servant with his unfathomable eyes.
The servant's foot was already halfway up in the air, but it seemed to be frozen in place by a spell, unable to land no matter what!
An invisible, chilling pressure emanated from the seemingly weak "wealthy businessman" in front of him, making him feel as if he were being stared at by an ancient ferocious beast, and the hairs on his body stood on end!
"Master Xiao... Master Xiao, what is this...?" Young Master Gao was also taken aback by Xiao Che's sudden action.
Xiao Che slowly withdrew his gaze, as if nothing had happened. He turned his head to look at the astonished Young Master Gao, his face even carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of confusion and curiosity typical of an "outsider."
He asked, feigning ignorance, in a gentle and innocent tone:
"Young Master Gao, what's going on?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly.
"Isn't today the birthday of your esteemed matriarch? The gate should be brightly decorated and filled with guests; it should be a joyous and peaceful occasion. Why... is there someone blocking the road and crying out for justice in front of your mansion?"
This question is far too naive and far too untimely!
Young Master Gao's face instantly turned a purplish-red, and although he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word.
What could he say?
Saying this crazy woman is here to cause trouble? So many people heard it, who would believe that?
Is this true? Does the Gao family have no shame?
This is practically a death trap!
Lin Wanwan stood to the side, looking at Xiao Che's serious yet innocent expression, and almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.
This guy is absolutely wicked! This isn't asking a question; it's like ripping open the Gao family's wounds in front of everyone and rubbing salt into them!
She quietly raised her eyes and looked at the top of Xiao Che's head.
Sure enough, there, a pixelated emoji of a person wearing sunglasses and a cold smile was slowly floating by, accompanied by a line of small text:
[I'd like to see how you plan to put on this show.gif]
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