Chapter 87: A Tyrant!Dai Hao spun around abruptly, his face etched with shock and disbelief. He stared intently at Dai Youheng, as if truly seeing his son for the first time.This profound analysis of the Dai Family's hidden motives and the intricate situation could never have come from a mere illegitimate son who only knew how to be infatuated with a princess!This level of intellect, this foresight—The scrutiny in his eyes finally transformed into an incredibly complex admiration. He slowly sat back in his chair, his voice much lower, "So—even if you see it so clearly, you still intend to agree to Xu Jiujiu?"This was his final confirmation. Dai Youheng's answer would influence all his subsequent decisions."I said, why wouldn't I agree to such a powerful ally?" Dai Youheng's smile remained unchanged, but a cold and cunning glint suddenly flashed in his deep eyes. "But why is your thinking always so linear? Why can you only imagine me as Xu Jiujiu's simp, destined to be used and manipulated by her?"He lowered his voice, each word seemingly carrying a cold weight, "Why can't it be that I, in turn, use this simp identity to make her and the imperial Family behind her believe that I can be controlled, thereby willingly providing me with resources and paving the Dao—""And I, in turn, exploit all of this?"Dai Hao's eyes suddenly widened, his pupils contracting sharply, and an inexplicable chill shot up his spine! He looked at the cold smile on his son's face, a mix of mockery and ambition, and a startling and terrifying thought struck him like lightning!"What do you mean?" His voice even carried a tremor he hadn't noticed himself."Heh heh." Dai Youheng chuckled softly, stood up, and straightened his seamless robes. "Alright, our conversation ends here today. I know you haven't made a final decision on the heir yet.It doesn't matter; you can continue to reserve your decision. Anyway, one day, reality will help you make the most correct choice."He no longer spared a glance for Dai Hao, who was plunged into immense shock. He walked straight to the door, opened it, and stepped out, his movements fluid and natural, without a hint of hesitation.The study door gently closed, separating inside from outside.Dai Hao sat rigidly in his chair alone, unable to recover for a long time. Only his heavy breathing and the subtle crackling of burning sandalwood remained in the study.Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the shocked and puzzled expression on his face.Only now did he somewhat understand that he had not only underestimated his son's intelligence and strength but had completely underestimated his cunning, ambition, and ruthlessness!This fellow was by no means a simple lucky person.He might become a tyrant!A terrifying existence capable of thoroughly stirring up the waters of the Star Luo Empire, and perhaps even overturning everything!Dai Youheng returned to the room, familiar yet strange in the memories of the original body.The furnishings were simple, even somewhat bleak, completely different from what he had experienced in the hotel during this period. Since his Transmigration, this was the first time he had truly returned to rest in this so-called Family.After a quick wash, he had just laid down when he heard the door being pushed open ever so slightly. A small head timidly peeked in, and those clear eyes appeared exceptionally bright in the darkness."Brother." Dai Luoli's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, carrying the child's unique sweetness and a hint of imperceptible dependence and timidity.Dai Youheng sat up, beckoned towards the door, and softened his tone considerably, "Luo Li, come in. There's no need to be so formal with me."Granted permission, Dai Luoli tiptoed in, carefully closing the door. He walked to the bed, looked at Dai Youheng, and his large eyes instantly sparkled with undisguised admiration. The previous timidity was replaced by excitement, "Hehe, Brother, you were so handsome today! It's my first time seeing Big Sister-in-Law so angry that her face turned ugly and she couldn't speak. You're amazing!"Seeing his younger brother like this, Dai Youheng's heart stirred slightly. He patted the edge of the bed, motioning for Dai Luoli to sit down."Luo Li." He looked at his brother's excited little face and asked calmly, "Let me ask you a question: Do you like this Family? Do you like this Dukes Mansion?"The excitement on Dai Luoli's face quickly faded, replaced by a gloom and grievance unbefitting his age. He shook his head vigorously and whispered, "No, I don't like it at all. Everyone here, except Mother and a few old servants, seems not to like us. After Aunt Yun died, Aunt Yun's son also disappeared. Big Sister-in-Law couldn't bully Aunt Yun anymore, so she found more ways to bully me and Mother. She always made things difficult for us where Father couldn't see, cut down our allowances, and let other servants give us dirty looks."As he spoke, his voice became choked, clearly having suffered much grievance over the years.Dai Youheng listened quietly. He reached out and ruffled his brother's soft hair, then continued to ask, "What about White Tiger Duke? How do you view him?"Dai Youheng could call the original body's mother 'Mother,' but he couldn't bring himself to call Dai Hao 'Father.'At the mention of Dai Hao, a different kind of light shone in Dai Luoli's eyes—a complex emotion mixed with awe, admiration, and longing. "Father—Father is a great hero!"His tone became firm, "He is the Grand Marshal of the Star Luo Empire, guarding the western border of the Empire, and has defeated many bad people! Mother told me that Father is away all year to defend the Empire and protect thousands of Families like ours. I also want to become a great general like Father in the future and protect the Empire!"Dai Youheng listened to his brother's childish yet incredibly sincere words, and for a moment, he was speechless.Dai Hao, as a husband and father, was utterly a failure. He neglected his legal wife, ignored his concubine, and didn't even know that Huo Yun'er had given birth to Huo Yuhao for him.His lack of concern for his children led to numerous internal Family conflicts.However, his iron-blooded charm as a soldier and his heroic aura of defending the Empire were enough to make those unaware of the internal situation, and even his own children, worship him almost blindly.This charm was almost comparable to that of the romantic and passionate Prince Duan in a certain literary work, who made many women devoted to him.While Duchess Zhu Man was certainly jealous and vicious, the fervent passion and possessiveness in her gaze towards Dai Hao undoubtedly stemmed from deep love.It was precisely because she deeply loved this man that she could not tolerate any trace of other women in his heart, even if it was just responsibility or a hint of old affection.And his birth mother, Bai Wanning, despite enduring years of oppression and harassment from the legal wife, remained without resentment in her heart, diligently fulfilling her duties. She even educated her son to view Dai Hao as a towering hero, willingly sacrificing herself in this deep mansion.And there was Huo Yun'er, who had long since passed away, whose last thoughts were also of this man.Dai Hao might not have been a good husband or father, but his personal charisma and achievements as a soldier and commander directly overshadowed his significant shortcomings in the Family.Dai Youheng was silent for a moment, looking at his younger brother, who was full of admiration for his father yet had suffered countless grievances in the Family's power struggles. A decision had already formed in his heart.He reached out and solemnly placed his hand on Dai Luoli's somewhat thin shoulder, looking into his eyes, and said each word clearly and distinctly, "Alright, Luo Li, your words, your Brother has remembered.""Don't worry, I won't let go of anyone who has bullied you and Mother. That high and mighty Duchess, I will make her repay tenfold what she inflicted upon us, and she will not die a good death."His tone was calm, yet it carried a chilling coldness and determination, as if stating a predetermined fact about to happen."And you—" Dai Youheng's tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of encouragement, "Your wish to become a great general like him and defend the Empire, your Brother has also remembered."In Dai Youheng's heart, this also served as a way to settle a Karma for the original host, whom he had devoured, regarding this wronged younger brother and gentle mother.Moreover, Dai Luoli might also be someone he could use in the future. As long as he wholeheartedly assisted him and did not harbor any disloyal intentions, he could help him achieve his desires.In the future, he could use the Lotus Seed Pill to fulfill his ideals, while also controlling everything about him!
