White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Inside the spacious hall, the furnishings were all lavish and expensive.
Round, lustrous night pearls hung from the ceiling. The floor was covered in rugs made from the pelts of some unknown soul beasts, soft and silky to the touch. Oil paintings adorned the walls, each a testament to the extraordinary status of the mansion's owner.
"Hehe, I didn't expect Dean Yan ( Yan Shaozhe) himself to grace my humble home. This truly brings glory to our walls…"
A beautiful, noblewoman in ornate attire smiled politely, though her demeanor carried a hint of restraint.
"The Holy Son was feeling playful and insisted on coming out to broaden his horizons. I couldn't dissuade him," Yan Shaozhe replied with a calm expression, taking a small sip of tea. He then cast a helpless glance toward Neuvillette, who was sitting obediently in a chair nearby.
"Oh, is that so?"
The Duke's wife's pupils contracted slightly, though her smile remained as warm as before.
Inwardly, however, waves of shock surged through her heart.
Shrek Academy — what a colossal power, a name known to every corner of the Douluo Continent.
And if she recalled correctly, Shrek Academy hadn't appointed a Holy Son for at least a hundred years!
Even with her position as the White Tiger Duke's wife and her powerful family background, she had only ever heard faint rumors about such matters.
For Shrek to declare a Holy Son meant this child would, decades later, likely become the one steering the helm of the Academy.
Strictly speaking, his future status would even surpass that of Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of the Martial Soul Department himself!
"…Truly adorable," she found herself murmuring, glancing at the boy in a little suit, sitting so quietly and primly.
But then it struck her — such a distinguished identity! She immediately grew nervous.
"Oh, I mean—"
"It's fine, Madam," Neuvillette said flatly, as if being called "adorable" by noble ladies or matrons was something he'd grown used to.
"I'd like to take a look around your Duke's Mansion. Would that be agreeable?"
"Oh, of course," the Duke's wife answered with some relief, before turning to give orders to a servant.
"Go and bring Dai Yueheng back. He's older — he can accompany… His Highness the Holy Son and show him around the estate."
"Yes, madam…"
Neuvillette gave a small yawn and sat patiently.
Yan Shaozhe sipped his tea, fully aware of the Duchess's intentions.
It was human nature — upon learning Neuvillette's identity, who wouldn't try to forge a connection? Having her son meet him might even lead to the two forming a bond.
And the friendship of Shrek's Holy Son… that was worth more than money or political power.
Before long, the servant returned, accompanied by a well-dressed, handsome boy of about ten.
"Mother."
The boy stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully.
"This is Dean Yan (Yan Shaozhe) of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, and this is His Highness the Holy Son," the Duchess introduced.
"As the eldest legitimate son of the Duke's Mansion, you must receive distinguished guests. The Holy Son wishes to tour our estate — you will ensure his safety."
"Yes, Mother!" Dai Yueheng replied solemnly.
At the same time, he stole a curious glance at Neuvillette.
As the Duke's legitimate heir, he was young but far from naïve. His mind was far more calculating than that of an ordinary ten-year-old.
He caught his mother's subtle look — and understood exactly what she meant.
This little boy, who looked no more than six or seven and so cute one might be tempted to pinch his cheeks, possessed an identity of extraordinary prestige!
Soon enough, Dai Yueheng would be attending Shrek Academy — at which point, that would be his territory.
"This way, Your Highness," Dai Yueheng said, leading the way out of the main hall.
The two chatted idly as they walked.
Neuvillette's objective was not him, so he only responded casually, his gaze sweeping over the layout of the mansion while he tried to recall how this segment had been described in the original work.
After thinking for a long time… nothing came to mind.
The author had never bothered to describe where Huo Yuhao had lived inside the Duke's Mansion.
Curling his lips slightly, Neuvillette thought, Forget it. I'll just figure it out as I go.
"Your Highness, that area is a bit far. It's an outbuilding of the estate — hasn't been repaired in years. It's overgrown with dead branches and moss, all rather shabby. Perhaps you…" Dai Yueheng began.
His meaning was clear — that direction led to the run-down parts of the estate, unfit for someone of such high status.
But Neuvillette's interest was piqued.
"Oh? Perfect — I've got nothing better to do right now."
"…As you wish."
Dai Yueheng gestured to his attendants to clear the way.
The long corridor ahead showed years of neglect — green moss climbing the walls, yellowed bricks exposed where old paint had peeled away.
The attendants busied themselves clearing debris with soul power, as if afraid a speck of dirt might stain Neuvillette's shoes.
Eventually, they stopped before a dilapidated courtyard.
Neuvillette looked at Dai Yueheng curiously.
"Someone lives here?"
"Well…" Dai Yueheng's eye twitched.
Did anyone live here? He had no idea. As the legitimate heir, why would he bother with such matters?
He cast a sidelong glance at a servant.
A whispered explanation was quickly transmitted to his ear.
Huo Yun'er — his father's concubine, who lived here because of his mother's jealousy over her beauty, while the Duke himself was always away at war…
Dai Yueheng's lips twitched slightly.
Inwardly, he prayed that this matter wouldn't tarnish the Holy Son's impression of the Duke's Mansion.
But before he could say anything—
"The madam's going into labor!" came a cry from within.
The courtyard gates flew open.
A maid rushed out and collided head-on with Dai Yueheng. Looking up, she was startled by the scene before her and dropped to her knees.
"Y-Young Master, this servant didn't mean to — it was an emergency…"
Dai Yueheng's expression was calm. He waved away the guards who had tensed up and gently helped the frightened maid to her feet.
"You said… Aunt Huo is going into labor?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Get a doctor!"
He shot a glare at the nearby servant. "Ah Qi! Your martial soul is a spirit bird — you're fast. Go fetch the midwife immediately!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The servant called Ah Qi bowed slightly, four soul rings — white, yellow, yellow, purple — rising under his feet as wings sprouted from his back. With a powerful flap, he soared into the sky.
Aunt Huo…
Neuvillette narrowed his eyes. The timing of Huo Yuhao's birth lined up perfectly.
Looks like he'd found the right place.
An hour later.
As the sound of a woman's pained cries gradually faded from within the courtyard, Neuvillette finally let out a slow breath.
Huo Yun'er must not die. If Tang God-King, that old schemer, seized her soul, then even if Huo Yuhao became a god in the future, he'd never escape the man's control.
"Young Master, mother and daughter are safe!"
The midwife emerged and bowed respectfully to Dai Yueheng.
"Phew… Good," Dai Yueheng replied, casting a sidelong glance at Neuvillette.
To be honest, he couldn't care less about his father's concubine's life or death — or about having a half-brother. His confidence in his strength was absolute.
What mattered right now was the Holy Son's opinion of the Duke's Mansion.
As for Neuvillette—
He was utterly baffled.
Mother and daughter safe?
Since when did Huo Yuhao have an older sister?
P.S. Yep — it's exactly what you're all thinking.
(End of Chapter)