Dolo Night's confusion followed him everywhere, and he could not resist the urge to ask himself.
Sunlight splashed patchily onto a quiet alley beside the Bai Chuan Academy in Lianhua County.
Dolo Night appeared here in plain clothes, accompanied by his trusted bodyguard Yun Yin.
His gaze fell on a mansion not far away, which was not ostentatious but exuded a subtle elegance and tranquility. Within the courtyard, faintly visible were blooming lotuses, complementing the surrounding bookish ambiance.
"Is this the place?" Dolo Night asked, turning his head to look at Yun Yin behind him.
"Report to the Great Master... Report to the Lord, this is indeed the place."
Yun Yin was about to blurt out the title "Prince," but managed to correct himself in time.
Dolo Night paid no heed to Yun Yin's slip of the tongue, and walked slowly to the gates of the mansion. He said to Yun Yin, "Knock on the door and say that we're just passing by and would like to take a look around."
Yun Yin nodded slightly and stepped forward, taking a few cautious steps, "Dong... Dong... Dong..."
A gentle knock sounded on the mansion's gate.
Not long after, the door creaked open, revealing a hearty and honest face, that of Zhou Bo.
"Greetings, esteemed guests, what can I do for you?"
Zhou Bo gave the two men before him a thorough once-over, noting their out-of-the-ordinary attire and impressive demeanor. They were clearly men of great status, yet they carried themselves with humility, without an ounce of arrogance. He couldn't fathom the purpose of their visit, and his words were chosen with care.
" Elder sir, we have traveled here and seen this mansion's serene and elegant beauty, which has stirred our longing. May we ask for some water or wine, and perhaps take a brief tour as well?"
Yun Yin spoke ahead of Dolo Night, with sincerity and politeness in his tone.
Upon hearing Yun Yin's words, Zhou Bo's expression changed to a look of reluctance. In his mind, he thought: The mistress was pregnant and there was no male head of the household, where would one find wine and water?
Moreover, it is not appropriate to invite strangers into the home.
As Zhou Bo was about to refuse gently, a clear and gentle voice came from within the courtyard: "Zhou Bo, since these are guests who have traveled far, there is no harm in inviting them in."
Yu Yao appeared in simple white robes, her hair neatly styled with a jade hairpin. She moved slowly into the front hall, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
When her gaze fell on Dolo Night, she felt a complex mixture of emotions, joy, and an overwhelming desire to rush into his embrace and kiss him fiercely.
However, recalling that he had reincarnated and forgotten their past, she repressed the impulse.
"Gentlemen, please come in."
Yu Yao collected her thoughts and gently raised her hand, indicating for the two to enter.
Dolo Night stepped into the mansion, his gaze naturally falling upon her, and the familiarity that he felt within his heart surged again.
The woman before him seemed to have transcended time and space, merging with the clever and lively woman from his dreams in the beast world.
Except for different appearances, their behaviors and gestures were identical, even their gaze towards him was the same.
But it left him baffled, as if there was an unexplainable bond between the two of them.
"I am Dolo Night, and this is my servant, Yun Yin. We have come unannounced, and I hope Madam will forgive us."
Dolo Night bowed his hands in respect, showing refined manners and self-control.
Yu Yao smiled faintly and returned the courtesy: "Lady Yu greets the young master, and your words weigh too much. The honor of having two esteemed guests grace our humble abode is indeed a great pleasure."
"Lady Yu? Is that her surname from her family?"
Dolo Night furrowed his brow slightly, his mouth curled into an inscrutable smile as he asked seemingly casually.
Her face stiffened, she had never been married, how could she have a husband's family?
As for the child in her belly, it was a byproduct of her encounter with the poison that needed to be purified for XuANJI at the riverbank of Zhou's mansion.
"No, it's my own surname," she said.
Dolo Night knew that, he wanted to ask her husband, but couldn't find a good reason to open his mouth and ask.
After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but speak, but changed his wording: "Madam Yu, it is customary for a woman to take her husband's surname after marriage. Why don't you?"
Yu Yao listened to Dolo Night's words, her eyes flickering, and pondered how to answer.
She gently smoothed the hem of her dress, as if the simple and elegant garment bore the secrets of her untold past.
"Young master, you may not know this, but though there are many rules in this world, people's hearts are varied. Since I was young, I've known that women can stand firm and support the sky. We do not need to depend on anyone. As for the surname, it is just a symbol of identity. To me, Yu represents not only my bloodline but also my proof of independence in the world."
Upon hearing these words, Dolo Night's eyes flashed with admiration. The woman in front of him may seem delicate, but she carries a tenacious spirit, identical to the woman he had dreamed of in the beast world, as if they were the same person.
Stirring ripples in his heart.
Although his heart was tumultuous within, he showed no outward sign.
He looked at Yu Yao and said lightly, "Madam, your insights are truly impressive. Although I am a man, I also yearn for a life of freedom and unconstraint. Meeting you today is indeed a fortunate event."
Yu Yao watched him with a smile on her lips. She remembered that the man had been quite domineering before, cool as ice, and could literally throttle a person if he disagreed. He never gave anyone face.
Of course, when it was her, he was always gentle.
After reincarnation as the first child, he has indeed changed. He has become more polite and courteous.
She smiled faintly, "Young master Duo Gu overpraises me. I just follow my heart."
Dolo Night stared at her without blinking, his gaze deep and profound.
The intelligent and witty woman in his dream was also very free and easy. He tested her: "Madam, if you have such a heart, I imagine you have experienced many extraordinary things."
Yu Yao naturally understood that Dolo Night was probing her, but also pretended not to know, "What makes Young Master Duo Gu say this?"
Dolo Night's mouth curled up slightly, "Madam's words and actions are quite unusual; she doesn't seem like an ordinary woman. It's natural to be curious about your past."
She smiled even deeper, and gazed at him intently.
It appears that Dolo Night knows something but is not fully informed, or he has only a partial understanding.
She fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Everyone has their own story. Some things are better left in the heart."
She had no intention of renewing her past relationship with Dolo Night. Mainly, she was already pregnant, and it wouldn't be appropriate for others to think that she was making him a father by default.
That would be quite shameless.
Dolo Night saw that she seemed unwilling to say more, and his expression furrowed slightly.
"Madam Yu, I..."
He hesitated to speak, driven by an inexplicable emotion to explore more, yet afraid of touching memories that shouldn't be.
A moment of silence.
Dolo Night took a deep breath and decided to be open and honest with her, "Madam Yu, I have something to say to you. May we find a more convenient place?"
Yu Yao was slightly stunned and just stared at Dolo Night, her eyes full of complexity.
She dropped her gaze, knowing in her heart what Dolo Night wanted to ask.
Silence for several seconds.
She finally nodded and whispered, "Then, Young Master Duo Gu, please follow me to the backyard for a talk."
With that, she turned and walked towards the backyard.
Dolo Night gestured to Yun Yin to stay put, then followed Yu Yao's footsteps.
The two of them walked through the winding corridor and arrived at the backyard.
The flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air. It seemed as if the very air was permeated with an unexplained romantic sentiment.
"Please sit."
Yu Yao led Dolo Night to a stone table and sat down. She brewed a pot of tea herself, the tea aroma rising, adding even more elegance to the setting.
"May I know what you, Young Master Dolo Night, wish to discuss with me?"
She gently pushed the brewed tea in front of Dolo Night, her gaze resting on him, and asked in a soft tone.
Dolo Night picked up the fragrant tea in front of him, took a light sip, and then put it down.
He looked at her, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I have been plagued by dreams recently. The events in the dreams are also related to you. The way you make me feel seems familiar, as if there is a profound destiny between us. However, I am very certain that I have never seen you before and do not know you. Can you tell me why this is?"
Yu Yao smiled upon hearing his words, a smile that held deep meaning. She took a sip of the tea, then said, "I wonder what the young master has dreamed of, and could you tell me about it?"
If she hadn't guessed wrong, this man should have dreamed of events from his previous life.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to find her. But she wasn't quite sure of the specifics, so she came to seek enlightenment from her.
