strictlysupreme Chapter 19: Returning to the Palace with an Adorable Child, Gaining Acceptance from Everyone
Chapter 19: Returning to the Palace with an Adorable Child, Gaining Acceptance from Everyone
The Palace Master's voice! Dai Yao was overjoyed; it seemed her savior had arrived.
Before Dai Yao could even speak, the steward immediately changed his tune, his face contorted with a mournful expression as he complained to the Palace Master, "Palace Master, you must do me justice! This Dai Yao brought back a child of unknown origin from somewhere, and I'm worried it might be detrimental to the Demon Palace!"
Dai Yao rolled her eyes. It's a shame she's not an opera singer with that kind of change of expression.
The palace master glanced indifferently at the steward, then looked at the little dumpling in Dai Yao's arms, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
"Dai Yao, this child is..."
Before Dai Yao could explain, the little dumpling suddenly poked its head out from Dai Yao's arms, blinked its big, watery eyes, and called out in a childish voice, "Grandpa!"
Dai Yao: ? ? ?
Palace Master: !!!
Manager: ? ? ?
The entire room was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Dai Yao's inner monologue: What's going on?
When did this little guy find a grandfather?
Could it be that I recognized the wrong person?
The palace master was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, scooped up the little dumpling, and affectionately rubbed his cheek against his skin. "Oh my, my dear grandson, you've finally come!"
Dai Yao: ? ? ? What's going on? Did I miss some important plot details?
The manager was dumbfounded, his jaw almost dropping to the ground, his mind racing: What... what is going on?
When did the Palace Master have a grandson?
Looking at the bizarre scene before her, Dai Yao felt as if she had fallen into some strange trap.
The palace master, holding the little dumpling, turned to look at Dai Yao, her eyes filled with admiration. "Dai Yao, you've done a great job. Bringing my grandson back is a meritorious act, and you'll be richly rewarded!"
Dai Yao: ??? So, I won by doing nothing?
"Someone, take Dai Yao and the young master to rest and serve them well!"
Dai Yao and Xiao Tuanzi were surrounded by a group of Demon Palace maids and left, leaving the steward alone, bewildered in the wind.
Back in the room, Dai Yao couldn't wait to ask the little dumpling, "Xiao Bao, what happened when you called the Palace Master 'Grandpa'?"
The little dumpling blinked its innocent big eyes, "Sister, I didn't call Grandpa, I just called him once... uh..."
The little dumpling suddenly stopped, a look of confusion on its face. "I...I don't think I remember..."
Dai Yao: "..."
"Miss Dai Yao," a deep voice came from outside the door, "the Palace Master requests your presence." Dai Yao followed the Demon Palace steward, her heart pounding with anxiety.
What's the palace master up to by suddenly summoning me?
Is this some kind of retribution later?
After all, she had "abducted" his grandson!
Upon arriving at the Palace Master's palace, Dai Yao respectfully bowed and said, "Palace Master."
The palace master looked at her with a kind and gentle expression, holding a bright, sparkling stone in his hand that shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Dai Yao, the stone you brought is a treasure!"
Dai Yao was stunned. A stone? What stone? When did she bring a stone with her?
Just then, the little dumpling suddenly peeked out from behind Dai Yao and smiled sweetly at the Palace Master: "Grandpa, do you like it? This is for you!"
Dai Yao: ? ? ? Little darling, what kind of trouble are you causing now?
The palace master laughed heartily, patted the little dumpling's head, and said, "I like it, Grandpa likes it very much!" Then he turned to look at Dai Yao, his eyes full of praise, "You child, you are so thoughtful and know how to be filial to your grandpa."
Dai Yao: ?
?
?
Wait a minute, this plot isn't going in the right direction!
Wasn't I here to explain "child abduction"?
Before Dai Yao could react, the Palace Master spoke again: "By the way, I heard you haven't officially joined the Demon Palace yet? How about this, from today onwards, you will be an elder of my Demon Palace!"
Dai Yao: ??? This...this promotion speed is too fast! Even a rocket wouldn't be this fast!
Before Dai Yao could even process this unexpected good news, a commotion arose outside the palace gates.
A group of young disciples from the Demon Palace escorted the little dumpling in, chattering incessantly.
"Young master, have you ever played this before?"
"Little boy..."
The little dumpling was surrounded by everyone, giggling happily, holding a few shiny stones in her hand, which she distributed to the disciples around her one by one.
Dai Yao then noticed that the stone in the little dumpling's hand was exactly the same as the stone she had picked up in the forbidden area before!
Wait a minute, this little guy... could he be buying "treasures" wholesale?!
Dai Yao was about to stop them when she saw that the disciples who had received the stones were all flushed with excitement, as if they had obtained some rare treasure.
The palace master looked at the lively scene before him and a gratified smile appeared on his face.
Just then, a man who looked like a steward rushed in and said anxiously to the Palace Master, "Palace Master, something terrible has happened..."
Dai Yao felt a surge of joy as she watched the little dumpling being surrounded by the Demon Palace disciples, like a little star.
This little guy is so adorable, everyone loves him!
She seemed to see the little dumpling walking sideways in the Demon Palace in the future, and couldn't help but show a "motherly" smile.
Suddenly, an old man with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, walked in. He was none other than Elder Mo Yu of the Demon Palace.
He spotted the little dumpling being fawned over at a glance, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.
He walked up to the little boy, gently patted his head, and sensed the faint fluctuations of his aura emanating from him. He was secretly astonished: This child is extraordinary!
"Palace Master," Elder Moyu turned to the Palace Master and said, "This child's fortune is extraordinary. I suggest that we let him stay in the Demon Palace for the time being; it may be of great benefit to our Demon Palace."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that this old guy has figured out something?
Just as she was getting nervous, she heard the Palace Master laugh heartily: "Elder Mo Yu is absolutely right! This child is so adorable, it will make the Demon Palace more lively if he stays here."
Dai Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems that this wave is stable!
She secretly gave the little boy a wink, and the little guy immediately understood, sweetly calling out to the Palace Master and Elder Moyu, "Grandpa! Great-Grandpa!"
The two bigwigs were instantly charmed, and kind smiles appeared on their faces.
Just then, the previously flustered steward finally squeezed his way to the Palace Master, gasping for breath, and said, "Palace Master... something terrible has happened! The forbidden area... the forbidden area..."
Before he could finish speaking, Elder Moyu's expression suddenly changed drastically, and he shouted sharply, "What's wrong with the forbidden area?!"
The deacon swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he said, "The stone in the forbidden area... that sealed the ancient beast... is gone!"
Dai Yao and Xiao Tuanzi exchanged a glance, both of them showing an "oh no" expression.
The little dumpling quietly hid the remaining "sparkling stones" behind its back...
Upon hearing this, the Palace Master and Elder Moyu's faces instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
The stone that sealed the ancient ferocious beast has disappeared?
This is no joke!
If that ferocious beast were to escape, the entire Ethereal Realm would be doomed!
"Outrageous!" the Palace Master roared, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "Investigate immediately! Who is so audacious as to steal from this forbidden area!"
The disciples of the Demon Palace trembled with fear and scattered in all directions to search for the missing stone and any possible thieves who might have infiltrated the area.
Dai Yao inwardly cried out in alarm; things had gotten out of hand!
She secretly glanced at the little dumpling, only to see the little guy blinking his big, innocent eyes, clutching a few "sparkling stones" tightly in his hand.
Dai Yao sighed, thinking, "This little devil is really a troublemaker!"
She quickly pulled the little boy aside and whispered, "Baby, did you... take something from the forbidden area?"
The little dumpling nodded with a bewildered look: "Mommy, it's sparkly and pretty!"
Dai Yao: "..." Just because something is pretty doesn't mean you can just take it!
This is a stone used to seal away ferocious beasts, not some toy!
“Honey, this stone is very important, you have to return it right away,” Dai Yao patiently advised.
Upon hearing this, the little dumpling pouted, and it looked like she was about to cry.
Dai Yao quickly coaxed, "Good girl, Mommy will take you to get an even prettier one, okay?"
The little dumpling then stopped crying and smiled, handing the stone in her hand to Dai Yao.
Dai Yao took the stone, but her heart felt even heavier.
The aura emanating from this stone is indeed extraordinary, seemingly containing some kind of powerful force.
Could it be that the little dumpling's background is really related to this stone?
Just as Dai Yao was pondering, Elder Mo Yu suddenly walked over, staring intently at the little dumpling, and slowly said, "This child seems quite interested in the things in the forbidden area..."
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly laughed it off: "Kids like shiny things."
Elder Moyu smiled meaningfully: "Is that so? I feel that this child seems to be hiding some secret..." He paused, then said, "Palace Master, I would like to have a private talk with this child."
Dai Yao quickly shielded the little dumpling behind her, saying, "No! The little dumpling is tired and needs to rest!"
Elder Moyu wasn't annoyed, but simply smiled faintly: "In that case, I'll take my leave. However, I believe we'll meet again soon." With that, he turned and left, leaving Dai Yao and the little dumpling looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Mommy," the little dumpling tugged at Dai Yao's sleeve and whispered, "That old man seems to have figured something out..."
Dai Yao patted the little dumpling's head and said firmly, "Don't be afraid, Mother will protect you." She looked up in the direction of the Scripture Pavilion, thinking to herself: It seems it's time to investigate the little dumpling's background... "Come on, baby, let's go to the Scripture Pavilion!"