"Uncle Dai, you couldn't even protect the person you loved, and now someone's crippled her legs. Before long, she'll probably be killed too."
"Am I right, Duchess?"
The duchess gave an awkward smile and said, "Young Master Cao, how could I? You must be joking."
"Heh! Whether you would isn't for me to say. Yuhao, you tell us."
"Don't worry. I'm here."
Their eyes met, and he saw how resolute Cao Yu looked.
Warmth filled Huo Yuhao's heart.
This older boy, several years his senior, was actually willing to help him.
In the past, all he had known was mockery and cold looks. Now he felt he had someone to lean on, and his gaze grew resolute too.
"They were the ones who hurt my mom! When I was six, someone kicked her legs so badly they were damaged. She still has to kneel whenever she sees her, or she'll get beaten every time!" Huo Yuhao poured out all the grievances he had bottled up over the years, crying out loudly.
Everyone instantly grew disgusted with the duchess, their previous impression of her vanishing.
Cheng Gang, however, grew increasingly animated, because he had already caught the scent of juicy gossip.
He would have something else to talk about over tea and after meals. Hehe!
Cao Yu turned and said, "Uncle Dai, just go to the battlefield without worrying. As long as they come with me, no one will dare bully them again."
"After thou departest, I shall provide for thy wife and child myself. Thou needst not worry."
"Yuhao, come with me. Bring your mom. I'll find you both paying jobs."
Huo Yun'er wanted to say something, but when she saw her son's aggrieved expression, she remained silent.
Cao Yu examined her injuries and found that her legs were still only partially crippled.
That meant they could still be saved; they simply needed about half a year of nurturing with medicinal herbs and Soul Power.
The Shadow Clone supported her with Soul Power, and the group left the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Dai Hao wanted to speak but stopped, too embarrassed to stop them. After all, he knew that once he went to the battlefield, his wife would certainly abuse Huo Yun'er and her son behind his back again.
A surge of pent-up anger rose within him, and he loudly berated the duchess. "Look at what you've done! My son was born all those years ago, yet you hid it instead of telling me, and you even abused them. How impressive of you, my lady!"
The duchess's eyes reddened as she shrieked, "Dai Hao, you have the nerve to say that? What did you do while I was pregnant with Bin'er?"
"You actually slept with a servant behind my back! I haven't even settled that score with you!"
"Hmph!"
She angrily lifted her long skirt and disappeared from Dai Hao's sight.
The sounds of their fierce argument carried beyond the mansion.
Xu Tianshui and the others unwittingly perked up, with Cheng Gang the happiest among them.
Once this bombshell got out, hehe!
Watching him, Cao Yu was very satisfied too. He knew he had achieved his goal.
Besides having them handle any trouble for him, he had brought these people along in the hope that they would help spread the word about the White Tiger Duke's affair.
Cao Yu also knew that Douluo Cheng Gang was a loudmouth who always spilled the truth after drinking, so he had made a point of bringing him this time.
After all, the more spectators there were, the better. Otherwise, how would word get out?
Given Uncle Cheng Gang's habits, it probably wouldn't be long before the scandal involving the White Tiger Duke and the duchess spread throughout the entire Star Luo Empire.
By then, the duchess would become a rat scurrying across the street, with everyone crying out to beat her.
On the way back, Xu Tianshui laughed. "Hey! You're really something, kid. You actually brought us along to watch quite a show."
"This trip certainly wasn't wasted. Hahaha!"
"Xiao Gangzi, how long has it been since we last saw something like that?"
"Several decades, I'd say."
After saying goodbye to Xu Tianshui and the others.
He had the Shadow Clone take Huo Yun'er to the Cao Clan.
Cao Yu led Huo Yuhao into the Cao River Snail Rice Noodle Shop, where the smell that hit him made him perk up.
Are they boiling urine?
Huo Yuhao was deeply puzzled.
Yet he saw the people in the shop thoroughly enjoying themselves, taking big mouthfuls of the foul-smelling food.
Cao Yu said, "Yuhao, you'll work here from now on. There are experienced cooks inside who'll teach you what to do."
"At night, come to the Cao Clan residence to look after your mom until she's recovered. Then she can work here too."
"Got it, big brother." Huo Yuhao nodded obediently.
"Mm, I'll be going, then. Oh, right, remember to tell me if anyone bullies you."
"Thank you, big brother."
Cao Yu walked into a Cao Hotpot Restaurant some distance away, stopping by to see how Jiang Nannan had been doing lately.
Inside, a lovely figure was carrying hotpot ingredients.
He found an empty seat and sat down.
The staff quickly recognized their boss, but Cao Yu merely pointed, and they called Jiang Nannan over.
Jiang Nannan asked, "Dear guest, what would you like to order?"
"Young Master Cao! What brings you here?"
Only after a moment did she recognize him.
Cao Yu smiled. "This is my restaurant. Why can't I come?"
"Young Master Cao, that's not what I meant."
"Beautiful Miss Jiang, how have you been lately? Have you adjusted to working here?"
Jiang Nannan's pretty face reddened, and she said a little bashfully, "P-pretty well, I suppose."
"Come sit. Don't stand there."
"I can't. The manager will scold me." Jiang Nannan shook her head.
"What are you talking about? I'm the big boss here. Sit! Don't stand there. Keep me company for a bit. I'll leave soon," Cao Yu said firmly.
"All right, then."
With her sitting beside him and her delicate fragrance in his nose, Cao Yu was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Jiang Nannan unconsciously shifted, not daring to sit too close.
But how could Cao Yu give her that chance? He smiled slightly. "Come on, Nannan. I'll teach you a magic trick."
"See this string around my hand?"
"I see it." Jiang Nannan was a little bewildered, unsure what she should do next.
"In a moment, this string will move onto your hand, without using Soul Power. Believe me?"
"Impossible! That string is clearly looped around your hand. How could it end up on mine?"
Cao Yu offered no comment and said, "Then come closer and press your hand against my palm. Yes, just like that."
Jiang Nannan was puzzled. The string was looped so securely around his hand. How could it possibly end up on hers?
Unconvinced, she reached out her hand.
Their hands pressed together.
So soft.
Cao Yu unconsciously pressed closer. That warmth could practically melt solid ice.
In the blink of an eye, the string looped around Cao Yu's hand passed straight through Jiang Nannan's palm.
It ended up around her wrist.
Jiang Nannan's eyes widened. How was that possible?
She hadn't seen him use any Soul Power either.
So she asked curiously, "Young Master Cao, how did you do that?"
"Want to learn?"
"Yes, yes!" Jiang Nannan nodded.
But just then, Cao Yu stood up, turned, and left.
"If you want to learn, I'll teach you another time when I'm free. Also, your hand really is soft."
Jiang Nannan's face grew even redder. She suddenly felt that she had been teased.
But... why didn't I find it annoying?
Instead, she inexplicably found herself liking the feeling.
Young Master really is too naughty!
More tonight.
(End of chapter)