Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao was stunned and speechless. He really didn't expect that the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty would be so gossipy that he would even care about such a trivial matter as his own fight with someone!

Although those who were beaten were of extraordinary status, everyone knows that under the iron fist of the young master, there is no distinction between the noble and the lowly!

Treat everyone the same!

So what's the point of asking that?

Why don't you spend more time on important national and military affairs?

How am I supposed to answer that?

Seeing his behavior, Emperor Huizong knew that this kid was really doing such a despicable thing, and most likely he was not in the right!

Otherwise, given his unforgiving nature, he would have already jumped up and down if he were wronged!

A mocking smile played on his lips as he leaned forward slightly, teasingly saying, "What? You can't remember? It was the day you left here last time!"

Oh no, it even has the specific date!

Gao Zhao exclaimed in alarm, his mind racing as he racked his brains for a solution!

Seeing his behavior, Yang Jian couldn't help but sneer and shouted, "Gao Sheren, the Emperor is asking you a question! Answer him at once!"

Zhao Ji glanced at him, waved his hand, and laughed, "No rush, let him make up his story at his own pace! I have plenty of time to listen!"

Gao Zhao's heart sank. He cursed the tyrannical emperor for going too far, but dared not hesitate any longer. He could only bite the bullet and answer, "Your Majesty... I did indeed hit someone..."

Yang Jian bowed and smiled, "Your Majesty is wise and upright in court, so naturally your officials will follow suit. How could they dare to harbor any deceitful intentions? Naturally, everyone here is a hero!"

"Well said! I admire heroes and valiant men!" Zhao Ji slammed his hand on the imperial desk, his smile vanishing abruptly, and shouted, "Come, this hero, tell me your heroic deeds!"

Gao Zhao had been keeping his head down, not daring to argue, but upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, a thought suddenly struck him: this foolish emperor seemed unaware of the truth.

That means it wasn't the party involved who filed the complaint!

That's right. Those powerful and influential people have dirty hands. He has dirt on them, so how dare they come to the emperor to complain!

This was most likely a complaint filed by the guards at the palace gates!

Damn it! These bastards have some nerve! They even dare to sue me, the young master! Are they tired of living?!

Gao Qiu is also a useless person. He can't even control his own soldiers, yet he dares to sue him. It's outrageous!

Once I become the Commander of the Palace Guard, the first thing I'll do is teach them a lesson!

His mind raced, and then he realized that if the guards had filed the complaint, they would not know the details and would probably only have deduced the situation from his beating and denouncing of those powerful figures!

This is easy to understand. If you see leaders arguing, would you dare to step in and join in?

Of course, your superiors will only make you lose your job, but these powerful figures can take your life!

Therefore, those who filed the complaint would never know why they were beating those powerful and influential people, nor would they know the inside story!

With this thought in mind, he immediately felt more confident.

Since the tyrant wants an answer, then I'll give him a perfect one!

"Your Majesty, I am terrified and dare not deceive you. I did indeed hit someone that day."

Gao Zhao bowed again, composed himself, and slowly said, "That day, when I received Your Majesty's praise, I was overjoyed and couldn't help but feel a little smug. When I left the palace, I saw them bullying my master, and I couldn't stand it, so I taught them a lesson!"

Zhao Ji nodded and looked at him, waiting for him to continue, but after Gao Zhao finished speaking, he lowered his head and remained silent. Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "That's all?"

Gao Zhao nodded and said, "That's all! I was indeed impulsive, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

"Bang!"

Emperor Huizong slammed his hand on the imperial desk, angrily shouting, "Stop beating around the bush! I'm asking why you two had a dispute! Stop avoiding the main point!"

Gao Zhao raised his head, looking bewildered, and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am deeply valued by Your Majesty and have benefited greatly from your guidance and support to achieve my current position. How could I dare to deceive Your Majesty!"

Zhao Ji stared intently at his expression, scrutinizing him for a moment. Finding it genuine, he coldly snorted and said, "So you attacked them because you saw them being disrespectful to Gao Qiu?"

"Yes!" Gao Zhao nodded without hesitation, secretly straightening his back, looking quite self-righteous.

Emperor Huizong was so angry at his actions that he laughed. Pointing at him, he scolded, "Do you think you're doing the right thing? You're just hitting people without even knowing what happened; it's utterly lawless!"

Gao Zhao opened his mouth as if to defend himself, but then hesitated and swallowed his words, bowing down and saying, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please punish me!"

"What? You're not convinced?" Zhao Ji could easily see through his feigned resentment, and immediately pointed at him, shouting, "Come, come, if you're right, just say it! Don't say I didn't give you a chance to defend yourself; I'd like to hear your reasoning!"

Gao Zhao timidly raised her head, glanced cautiously at Zhao Ji, and asked weakly, "Really?"

"explain!"

"Alas!" Gao Zhao shrank back and whispered, "I think Your Majesty was wrong just now..."

"How dare you! Gao Zhao, how dare you!" Yang Jian immediately rebuked.

Zhao Ji waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "It's alright, let him continue! I want to hear his twisted logic! When the time comes to punish him, it will make him truly convinced!"

Gao Zhao took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and said, "Your Majesty just said that in all matters one should distinguish right from wrong and clearly discern the truth; this is the way of a wise ruler! But I believe that this does not apply to this matter..."

He paused slightly, glanced at Zhao Ji again, and seeing that he was not angry, continued, "Distinguishing right from wrong is an attitude towards outsiders. I have been taught since childhood to be loyal to the emperor and filial to my father. Seeing my father being humiliated, I had no other choice! So what if I was wrong? I will simply share the blame with my father!"

Zhao Ji's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected him to answer from this angle, which made it difficult for him to refute. Didn't you hear that in his painting, loyalty to the emperor was placed before filial piety to the father?

Can I say that what he said is wrong?

"Look at his face! He made a mistake and he's still so self-righteous! It's utterly unreasonable!"

Zhao Ji pointed at Gao Zhao and angrily rebuked him, glancing around.

Yang Jian forced a smile but dared not agree. The Emperor was clearly not angry; he was just putting on an act. In his heart, he couldn't help but curse this treacherous minister for being so cunning and scheming!

Gao Zhao's expression turned serious, and he said loudly, "Your subject is of limited talent and learning, and knows little of the law, but knows that the emperor and father are of utmost importance!"

"Good tongue! Don't think that just because you flatter me, I won't punish you."

Zhao Ji sneered and shouted, "A fine of ten catties of copper as punishment. Go back and reflect on your actions behind closed doors!"

Gao Zhao gladly accepted the order and left. Once outside the palace, he rushed to Gao Qiu's side to quickly inform him of the matter, lest Zhao Ji suddenly ask about it and expose the truth!

As soon as he arrived at the Imperial Guard camp, he saw a group of soldiers escorting Lin Chong and his party inside.