Although Leng Yaozhu never cared about outside opinions, her high-profile entry into the Spirit Pagoda with Dai Yuhao in her arms this time was indeed meaningful.
She intended to use herself as bait, placing this unexpected child under the public eye to see how the "mastermind" lurking in the shadows would react.
However, before the anticipated undercurrents could even begin to stir, a figure she had expected had already come knocking on her door.
Just as they settled the sleeping Dai Yuhao in bed and tucked him in, a clear knock came from the other room.
Leng Yaozhu frowned almost imperceptibly, then quickly stood up and strode towards the outer hall.
Upon opening the door, a tall man stood outside.
His face was as resolute as if carved from stone, and his silver hair was meticulously combed, gleaming with a cold luster under the corridor lamp.
Only the fine lines etched by time at the corners of his eyes revealed that he was not as young as he appeared.
Leng Yaozhu did not invite this "guest" into the house. Instead, she gently closed the door behind her before looking up at the other person and saying calmly, "Did the Tower Master come in person to give you some important instructions?"
The person who arrived was none other than Qian Gu Dongfeng, the current master of the Spirit Pagoda, and also the big "simp" who would appear in every major version of the Douluo World!
He already has his own grandson, yet he still can't forget Leng Yaozhu. It just goes to show that this place truly deserves to be called the "Land of Love"!
"Yaozhu, I heard you brought someone back today..."
The words "The East Wind Through the Ages" were only half-said when they were abruptly interrupted by Leng Yaozhu's cold voice.
"Tower Master," she looked up at Qian Gu Dongfeng and said, "it's better to call me by my full name."
Faced with Leng Yaozhu's impolite attitude, Qian Gu Dongfeng showed no anger or embarrassment. Instead, it was as if he had expected it and was even used to it.
Such scenes have played out far too many times over the long years.
Qian Gu Dongfeng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it only turned into a cautious probing question: "The child you brought back... is it?"
Leng Yaozhu turned her head to the side, her gaze sweeping over him indifferently, and said succinctly, "I picked it up on the way. I just got back and I'm tired, so I need to rest."
Seeing that the other party was clearly unwilling to explain further, Qian Gu Dongfeng immediately nodded and replied, "Okay, then you should rest well. I won't disturb you any longer."
He spoke decisively, and then turned and left without hesitation.
Leng Yaozhu watched his figure disappear at the end of the corridor in silence, and muttered to herself, "It couldn't have been him who arranged it... Then who could it be that brought the child to me?"
...
Dai Yuhao felt that he slept exceptionally well, as if he were immersed in soft, warm clouds, which was extremely comfortable.
As consciousness slowly emanated from his deep sleep, he groggily opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a face very close to his.
The face was slightly pale, but that did not detract from its delicate features. His eyes and brows held a familiar warmth and affection that brought him peace of mind.
Dai Yuhao was stunned for a moment, then a huge wave of joy washed over him.
He practically sprang out of bed, his small body burying itself in her arms, his voice soft and dependent with sleepiness: "Mommy! When did you get back?"
Indeed, the person sitting by the bedside, gently embracing Dai Yuhao, was none other than his mother, Huo Yun'er.
Huo Yun'er smiled gently, her fingers lightly combing through the child's slightly disheveled hair as she murmured, "I've been back for a while now, and seeing that Yuhao is sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bear to wake you."
Dai Yuhao gently wriggled out of his mother's warm embrace, tilted his little face up, his eyes sparkling, and couldn't wait to start sharing.
"Mom, I just had a really... really magical dream!"
He gestured wildly, trying to describe the incredible sight.
"I dreamed of buildings that were taller and brighter than the clouds!"
"And...and there are also vehicles with wheels that can run on their own."
...
He spoke with great enthusiasm, immersed in the novelty and awe of the "dream".
Completely unaware that the bruises and pain on his body had vanished without a trace.
"In my dream, there was also a beautiful, cold-hearted aunt who was very kind to me."
Dai Yuhao's eyes curved into crescents, and he unconsciously smacked his lips, a glistening drop of saliva sliding down the corner of his mouth.
"She took me to eat so many delicious things... things I'd never eaten before."
He rolled up his sleeve and wiped his mouth haphazardly. His previously high spirits suddenly dimmed, and his little head drooped. "It's a pity... it was just a dream. Otherwise, I would definitely bring it back for my mother to try."
Huo Yun'er felt a slight prick in her heart. Looking at her son's face, which was still childish but already very sensible, a trace of self-reproach and sorrow flashed across her eyes.
This child has been with her since he was a child, living in this remote courtyard. When has he ever tasted anything decent?
Being able to eat meat once a month is already considered a rare treat.
At this moment, Dai Yuhao suddenly remembered something else.
He looked up, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and asked the question that he hadn't been able to answer in the "dream".
"Mom, when can I see Dad?"
Huo Yun'er's hand, which was stroking his hair, paused almost imperceptibly.
Normally, Huo Yun'er would have glossed over the issue with vague words.
But at this moment, looking into Dai Yuhao's eyes filled with thirst for knowledge and longing, and thinking that although the child is only three years old, he is already exceptionally well-behaved and sensible, and even has a maturity beyond his age.
Huo Yun'er smiled gently, lightly tapped Dai Yuhao's nose with her fingertip, and said softly, "Yuhao's father... he is a great hero. You will be able to meet him in two days."
"Really? Mom!"
Dai Yuhao's eyes lit up instantly, and his whole being radiant with joy at this unexpected surprise.
"Of course it's true." Huo Yun'er hugged him tighter, her chin resting lightly on the top of his head: "When has Mom ever lied to you?"
She had not lied to Dai Yuhao. While she was working in the laundry room today, she overheard people talking about how the White Tiger Duke would be returning to Xingluo from the front lines in a few days.
It was this message that led her to give her son a definite answer today.
Two days later, the entire White Tiger Duke's mansion underwent a thorough cleaning from top to bottom, all in preparation for the return of White Tiger Duke Dai Hao. This proved that the information Huo Yun'er had heard was correct.
Time flies, and two more days have passed. Just after noon, after a simple lunch, Dai Yuhao was gently led by his mother out of the secluded and quiet courtyard.
Dai Yuhao looked up at his mother with a curious expression and asked, "Mommy, where are we going?"
Huo Yun'er looked down at him, her eyes filled with tenderness. Then she bent down, straightened his collar, and said softly, "Yuhao, haven't you always wanted to know who your father is? Mom will take you to see him now."
"real?!"
Dai Yuhao was stunned for a moment, then a huge joy surged into his heart. He couldn't help but cheer and tightly grasped his mother's slightly cool fingers with his little hand.
Huo Yun'er led him step by step from the most secluded corner of the backyard to the magnificent front courtyard of the Duke's mansion.
The further you go, the clearer and denser the voices become.
When they finally stepped onto the wide and straight main road in front of the mansion gate, Dai Yuhao saw that the roadside was already lined with people in an orderly fashion.
From stewards and guards to ordinary servants and maids, everyone was dressed neatly and stood quietly with their hands at their sides.
It turns out that, to express the Duke's benevolence and to celebrate with the Pu family, the Duchess has specially permitted all the servants in the household to come here today to welcome the Duke back to the mansion.
A sense of suppressed excitement and solemnity filled the air.
Huo Yun'er held her son tightly and quietly blended into an inconspicuous corner on the edge of the crowd.
Like many others around her, her gaze was fixed on the end of the main road leading to the mansion.
That place will be the focus of all the expectations and attention today.