Chapter 85: Enraging the Duchess and Confronting Dai HaoThe Duke's return to the Dukes Mansion naturally startled everyone inside.The housekeepers and servants rushed out to greet him. Even more surprisingly, the Duchess Zhu Man, who had been bedridden with illness for a long time, also forced herself to come to the front hall, supported by her maidservants. Her face was pale, and her expression carried signs of illness and an irrepressible gloom.But when she saw Dai Youheng following closely behind Dai Hao, a flash of shock and an almost imperceptible shadow crossed her weak, sickly face.She never expected that the person her husband had specially brought back today would be this illegitimate son whom she had never paid any attention to!Standing slightly further behind the Duchess was a middle-aged beautiful woman with a gentle demeanor and exquisite appearance, as well as a young man who looked slightly younger than Huo Yuhao, his eyes filled with curiosity and timidity.They were none other than Dai Youheng's former body's birth mother, Bai Wanning, and his younger brother, Dai Luoli."Husband, you've returned." Duchess Zhu Man forced herself to be cheerful, revealing a faint smile."Greetings, Husband," Bai Wanning, however, immediately stepped forward, respectfully bowing and greeting him, keeping her posture extremely humble.The gap in status between the main wife and the concubine was fully reflected in this single greeting.Dai Hao frowned slightly upon seeing his wife come out while ill. "Manman, you are unwell. You didn't need to come out to greet me personally. Rest is what's important."He then looked at Bai Wanning, his tone softening slightly. "Wanning, thank you for taking care of Manman during this time."The Duchess's full name was Zhu Man, a direct descendant of the Zhu family. Although Dai Youheng's birth mother, Bai Wanning, also came from nobility, she was only from a minor noble family. She was always cautious and meticulous in the Dukes Mansion, and for years had been responsible for looking after the Duchess's daily life.During the time the Duchess had been sick, Bai Wanning had been busy taking care of everything. Even so, she was still constantly subjected to difficulties by the jealous Duchess.However, generally speaking, her status was much higher than that of Huo Yuhao's maidservant mother. The Duchess's treatment of Bai Wanning was generally limited to a bad attitude and making things difficult in household matters, but she would not excessively beat, scold, or persecute her.Bai Wanning quickly lowered her head and said, "Husband, you overstate the matter. Showing filial respect to Elder Sister is my duty as a concubine; I dare not speak of hardship."Dai Hao nodded, then turned his gaze to Dai Youheng behind him, his tone carrying a trace of parental authority. "Youheng, since you rarely return, why haven't you paid your respects to your legitimate mother and your birth mother?"Dai Youheng took a step forward, his gaze first falling upon the gentle woman, and he called out in a calm tone, "Mother."Although his Soul was no longer the original owner's, he had occupied everything belonging to that simp, and the Karma remained. Facing this gentle birth mother who had given the original body life, addressing her was acceptable.When Bai Wanning saw her son, her eyes immediately filled with concern and joy. "Youheng, you must have worked hard outside. I heard you returned to Star Luo City a while ago. Why haven't you come home to visit?"Her words carried a mother's longing and a hint of slight reproach."I was busy with some trivial matters outside and couldn't get away," Dai Youheng explained simply.However, these words drew a sharp, cold laugh from the Duchess nearby, a laugh that was sickly yet undeniably harsh. "Heh heh, what important trivial matters could an illegitimate son possibly be busy with? Returning to the city without first coming home to pay respects to his parents, and after returning, only acknowledging his birth mother but not his legitimate mother? Does he have any respect for hierarchy and seniority? Truly a prime example of unfilial behavior!"She was seizing the opportunity to criticize, accusing Dai Youheng of only greeting his birth mother, Bai Wanning, while ignoring her, the legitimate mother with higher status, deeming it disrespect and unfilial behavior.Dai Youheng turned his eyes toward her, his gaze calm and steady, but the words he spoke were like knives piercing straight into her heart. "I am indeed busy with quite a few things, such as—cleaning up the messes left behind by certain people. A certain person's two precious sons have both become half-crippled, resulting in Shrek Academy having no one capable to use. I could only reluctantly represent Shrek in battle to wipe their asses. In today's match, unfortunately, that crippled son of a certain person lost again, while I won.""You—!" Duchess Zhu Man's face instantly turned from white to green with anger. Her breathing became rapid, and her fingers trembled as she pointed at Dai Youheng, her chest heaving violently.Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin being severely injured and crippled was the greatest pain and sensitive spot in her heart. Having this ruthlessly exposed by Dai Youheng in front of everyone felt worse than being killed."Stop with your 'you, you, you,'" Dai Youheng interrupted her unceremoniously, his tone icy. "If you're sick, lie down properly. If you're not dead, save some breath for yourself, lest when you enter Hell later, you can't even finish the last stretch of the Yellow Springs Road and end up having your Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering halfway. That would be a pity."These words were utterly vicious, practically cursing her to an early death and eternal damnation right in front of Dai Hao!"Youheng, that's enough! Don't be rude!" Dai Hao's face darkened, and he shouted sternly. He knew Dai Youheng had a poor relationship with his legitimate mother, but he never expected him to dare to publicly contradict her in such a harsh and vicious manner.Dai Youheng merely glanced indifferently at Dai Hao, as if he hadn't heard the reprimand. He waved his hand, his tone casual, like he was dismissing someone unimportant. "Stop dawdling here too. Didn't you call me back to have a good talk? Fine, let's talk then. I'll wait for you in the study. Hurry up and come over."Having said that, he ignored the trembling Duchess and the ashen-faced Dai Hao, turned around, and walked straight toward the Dukes Mansion study, as if he were the true master of the place.This scene left all the servants present, the two wives, and the young man Dai Luoli dumbfounded; they simply couldn't believe their eyes!Was this still the Dai Youheng who had been obscure and even somewhat timid inside the Dukes Mansion, and was known outside as the "Jiujiu Princess's simp"? It was as if he had become a completely different person! So powerful, so arrogant, daring even to publicly contradict the Duke and the Duchess!Dai Luoli's eyes were shining brightly. His small fists quietly clenched as he looked at his older brother's retreating figure, full of admiration. Big Brother was so cool! It was the first time he had ever seen anyone dare to speak like this to their authoritative father and the always high-and-mighty legitimate mother!"Husband, look at him! He—he actually dared to curse me like that, and be so rude!" Duchess Zhu Man finally caught her breath, pointing in the direction Dai Youheng had left. Her voice was sharp, and she was trembling with rage, almost fainting if not for the support of her maidservants. The pain of her two sons being crippled, combined with the humiliation of today, pushed her hatred for Dai Youheng to its peak.Dai Hao's expression was also extremely unpleasant, but he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger.Dai Youheng's performance in today's competition was too astonishing—a ten-thousand-year fourth ring, crushing Ye Wuqing. Earth-shattering changes had occurred in this son, hiding a huge secret. Now was not the time to fuss over these formalities.He waved his hand, his tone carrying a trace of weariness. "Enough, Manman. Go back to your room and rest. Your health is important. I have my own way of handling this matter. I will properly discipline him later."He originally intended to say 'admonish,' but recalling Dai Youheng's attitude just now, he temporarily changed it to 'discipline.'Seeing that her husband seemed intent on letting the matter go lightly, Zhu Man felt even more venomous inside. However, she knew Dai Hao's temper well and dared not openly defy him again. She could only swallow her anger, allowing the maidservants to support her. She shot a hateful glare at Bai Wanning before turning and heading back to the inner courtyard. But in her heart, she had already sworn a deadly oath: this little beast absolutely could not be allowed to live! Her sons were crippled, so he shouldn't expect an easy life either. Sooner or later, she would ensure he died without a burial place!Lest he surpass her two sons in the future.It must be said that Dai Huabin's prejudiced and vicious personality was truly inherited from his mother.Dai Hao rubbed his temples, glanced at the worried Bai Wanning and the timid Dai Luoli, and sighed. "Wanning, take Luo Li away.""Yes, Husband." Bai Wanning looked worriedly toward the study, bowed respectfully, and led the frequently looking-back Dai Luoli away.The front hall finally fell silent. Dai Hao stood in place, silent for a moment, organizing the emotions and thoughts that Dai Youheng had disrupted. Only then did he take heavy steps and walk toward the study.
