Chapter 40 Slander

This was naturally the most humiliating thing in Chen Hao's life. He never expected that Chen Fan would actually bring it up in front of so many people, leaving him with no dignity whatsoever.

One must know that in the eyes of these guests, Chen Hao was the pride of the Chen family!

Everyone present at the Scholars' Gathering knew that it was a grand banquet for intellectuals, attended even by the revered County Magistrate and high-ranking officials from the Imperial College.

Would Chen Hao really slap his own face on an occasion like that? And apologize to Chen Fan?

At this moment, everyone cast doubtful glances toward Chen Hao.

Visible tension instantly appeared on Chen Hao's face.

"Hao'er, did Chen Fan frame you? Tell Grandma honestly, and Grandma will never let anyone bully you."

Grandma spoke up at this moment, though she firmly believed that Chen Fan was deliberately framing Chen Hao.

"Chen Hao, you had better think carefully before you speak. The Director of Studies was present at the time. If he were to find out that you are denying what happened that day, what do you think he would think?"

Before Chen Hao could reply, Chen Fan spoke up on his own initiative.

Hearing these words, Chen Hao, who had originally intended to deny it, found himself completely speechless.

"Hao'er, speak up quickly! If this jinx dares to frame you, your father will never spare him!"

"Hao'er, don't be afraid. Whatever happens, we will stand up for you."

Chen Hao's parents also chimed in at this moment.

However, Chen Hao bit his lips tightly, momentarily not knowing how to respond.

Seeing Chen Hao like this, everyone present harbored a few more doubts in their hearts.

Could what Chen Fan said be true? Did Chen Hao really slap his own face and apologize to Chen Fan on such an occasion?

Why would he do such a thing? Could it be that he made some grave mistake and was caught by Chen Fan?

Everyone secretly guessed what kind of terrible mistake Chen Hao could have made—one so significant that he would have no other choice.

For a moment, all sorts of speculations flew about.

Some whispered that Chen Hao, just like his father, had stolen family money to visit unseemly places.

Others gossiped that Chen Hao had gotten another man's wife pregnant.

There were even wild rumors that Chen Hao had cheated to earn his title of a licensed scholar...

Amidst these speculations, Chen Hao's reputation was thoroughly ruined.

"Young Master Zhao Da has arrived!"

Right at that moment, a voice rang out.

Hearing this, the assembled guests immediately wore looks of puzzlement. Who was this Young Master Zhao?

Upon hearing this, Chen Hao instantly felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Young Master Zhao is the only son of the County Magistrate, and he is a very good friend of mine. Hearing that it's your seventieth birthday, Grandmother, he has also come to offer his congratulations," Chen Hao announced loudly.

Hearing these words, the guests immediately wore expressions of utter astonishment.

It never crossed their minds that the County Magistrate's son would actually come to offer birthday greetings.

This was a figure far beyond their reach!

Even more unexpectedly, Chen Hao's relationship with Young Master Zhao was actually this close.

Those who had just been silently guessing what fault Chen Hao might have committed instantly dismissed their own theories, choosing instead to believe that Chen Fan had deliberately framed him.

"Quick... quickly, let's go out and welcome the honored guest together!"

Grandma said, her voice trembling with excitement.

She had never imagined that the County Magistrate's son would come to celebrate her birthday. What an immense honor and face-saver this was!

The eldest uncle and his wife were also extremely thrilled, thinking to themselves that their son had truly amounted to something to be able to mingle with someone of such high status.

Grandma led everyone as they hurriedly stepped forward to welcome him.

Only Chen Fan and the two sisters remained standing in place, a cold sneer playing on the corners of Chen Fan's lips.

He thought to himself that this Chen Hao had truly become Zhao Hongwei's lackey.

"Husband, we really shouldn't have come."

"Why don't we go back now?"

The two sisters spoke, their faces etched with worry.

Because they knew that if Zhao Hongwei had arrived, he would definitely make trouble for Chen Fan. After all, Zhao Hongwei had suffered such a humiliating defeat at Chen Fan's hands.

Both sisters now deeply regretted coming to the birthday banquet.

"Since we're already here, let's finish the meal before leaving," Chen Fan said with an indifferent expression.

In his eyes, Zhao Hongwei was no different from an ant; how could Chen Fan possibly be frightened away by him?

"Greetings, Young Master Zhao. Your presence at my humble birthday celebration truly brings immense splendor to the Chen family!"

Grandma gathered every sophisticated word she had ever learned in her lifetime.

"Grandma, please don't stand on ceremony. Chen Hao and I are very good friends, so naturally I had to come for your birthday," Zhao Hongwei said with a warm and affable smile.

Hearing this, Chen Hao nearby instantly straightened his back with pride.

He cast an arrogant glance at those who had just been maliciously speculating about him.

The surrounding people once again cast respectful gazes toward Chen Hao, leaving him extremely satisfied.

Chen Hao's parents standing beside him were so thrilled they couldn't even speak.

"Grandmothe, let's quickly invite Young Master Zhao inside to be seated!" Chen Hao said.

"Look at me, I'm truly getting senile. How could I let an honored guest stand at the doorway?"

"Young Master Zhao, please come right in."

Grandma made a welcoming gesture.

She motioned for Zhao Hongwei to walk ahead of her, and Zhao Hongwei strode forward toward the inner courtyard without standing on ceremony.

However, before he could even step into the inner courtyard, he stopped in his tracks.

Because he caught sight of Chen Fan, Yingchun, and Xiaxiong standing off to the side.

A cold sneer crept across Zhao Hongwei's face as he walked straight toward them.

Seeing this, Grandma and the others felt their hearts leap into their throats.

Could Young Master Zhao be here because of the incident where Chen Fan offended the magistrate?

Thinking of this, Grandma bitterly regretted not chasing Chen Fan away sooner.

If Zhao Hongwei saw Chen Fan lingering here, he might very well vent his anger upon the entire Chen family!

Grandma and the others instantly grew tense with anxiety.

"Mother, later we must draw a clear line between us and Chen Fan, letting Young Master Zhao know that Chen Fan has nothing to do with our Chen family anymore," Chen An, Chen Fan's eldest uncle, whispered under his breath.

Hearing this, Grandma nodded in grim agreement.

"Yingchun, Xiaxiong, standing together with him is simply like two fresh flowers stuck in cow dung!" Zhao Hongwei announced loudly.

Hearing this metaphor, whether out of fear of Zhao Hongwei's status or genuine agreement with his words, the surrounding people all nodded along.

"Isn't this Young Master Zhao, the very person who stood alongside Chen Hao at the Scholars' Gathering, slapped his own face, and apologized to me?"

"Your face still looks a bit swollen; you should probably talk less lest you have to slap yourself again later."

Chen Fan said with a calm and indifferent smile.

Chen Fan was completely composed, but the people around him were anything but calm. The implications behind Chen Fan's words were massive!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongwei's expression shifted drastically. He had never anticipated that Chen Fan would bring this matter up again.

Grandma and the others felt a sense of doom wash over them at the sight.

"Chen Fan, who gave you the audacity to slander Young Master Zhao? Why aren't you kneeling down to apologize to Young Master Zhao right now!" Grandma shouted angrily.

"Chen Fan, what kind of status do you think you have? How dare you speak to Young Master Zhao like that! Kneel down and apologize!"

"Kneel and apologize to Young Master Zhao!"

The eldest uncle and his wife also yelled furiously.

"Young Master Zhao, this Chen Fan is a harbinger of bad luck. We have already expelled him from the Chen family; he has absolutely nothing to do with us anymore."

Grandma quickly turned and pleaded with Zhao Hongwei after shouting at Chen Fan.

Only then did a cold smirk reappear on Zhao Hongwei's face.

"Director Liu of the Imperial College has arrived!"

Right at that very moment, another resounding voice echoed through the air.