"How many secrets are you hiding from me?" Juzi whispered to Qianran after glancing at Huo Yuner. She was genuinely stunned. Qianran was far more extraordinary than she had ever imagined.
Qianran merely smiled in response.
As Juzi studied Huo Yuner, the latter returned the scrutiny. It was the first time Qianran had brought an outsider into this space, piquing Huo Yuner's curiosity.
Juzi was undeniably beautiful, but Huo Yuner didn't consider herself inferior.
"Hmph," Juzi snorted softly, sensing Huo Yuner's gaze, and instinctively tightened her grip on Qianran's hand.
Though she said nothing, it was clear she wasn't entirely unaffected.
The fact that Qianran's spatial ring could hold an entire thriving world was astonishing. If news of this artifact leaked, countless powerful forces would undoubtedly come after him.
And yet, Qianran had willingly shared this incredible secret with her. How could she not feel deeply moved?
Since losing her parents, Juzi had never known anyone who trusted or cared for her so unconditionally. This pure trust from Qianran changed the way she looked at him entirely.
Even Xu Tianran, who had once trusted her to some extent, had only done so because she had been meticulous and obedient in his service. It was a far cry from the genuine trust Qianran was showing her now.
Moreover, she had once been considered Xu Tianran's subordinate. Didn't Qianran fear she might reveal this secret to the Crown Prince?
Before, Juzi had been drawn to Qianran because of his charisma.
Now, her feelings for him deepened, with trust and admiration adding new layers to her emotions.
"Thank you," Juzi said softly, lowering her head.
"You're my woman. I trust you completely," Qianran replied with a warm smile. He was long past the point of fearing the burden of great wealth or power. Even if someone discovered his secret, they would only create minor inconveniences for him.
Juzi blushed. Though she knew Qianran probably said similar sweet words to others, she couldn't help but savor the moment.
Huo Yuner, observing Juzi's happiness at being by Qianran's side, felt a pang of envy.
"Yuner, prepare a room for Juzi," Qianran instructed Huo Yuner.
"Understood." Huo Yuner gave Juzi a brief glance before leaving.
"This one must be special to you," Juzi remarked, her perceptiveness immediately picking up on Huo Yuner's feelings for Qianran.
"Like you, she's one of my women. I can't be indifferent, can I?" Qianran admitted casually, showing no concern over whether Juzi might feel jealous. She already knew about his chaotic personal life, so there was no need for pretenses.
Eventually, Juzi would meet even more of his companions from Shrek Academy.
Honestly, Qianran had been relatively restrained during his time at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Including the yet-to-be-conquered Meng Hongchen, he had only been involved with four women—not excessive, by his standards.
"You're such a rogue," Juzi muttered, pinching Qianran's waist in mock annoyance. Yet, she wasn't truly upset. Deep down, she felt insecure, knowing she had joined Qianran's life much later than the others. She couldn't fault him for his past relationships.
Qianran took Juzi on a tour of the area.
Before long, Juzi was left in awe. The place was home to numerous stunning women—many of them merely servants—and their revealing attire left her astounded.
Juzi pouted the entire time.
She had once doubted Keke's claims that Qianran had numerous scantily clad beauties serving him in his dormitory. Now, seeing it firsthand, she realized how wrong she had been to doubt it.
Qianran wasn't just keeping a few women in his personal space—he had an entire harem.
Juzi counted at least a dozen women as they walked.
In addition to the original maid group, Qianran had instructed Huo Yuner to purchase more high-quality maids from Mingdu's underground auction house. Many of these slaves had once been nobles but were sold off after falling from grace. Huo Yuner spared no expense, acquiring women of exceptional background and poise.
The maids were now divided into two groups: one focused on training and combat, and the other managing household chores and daily upkeep.
As for the batch Zhu Ying was selecting from the Zhu Clan, they had yet to arrive.
Zhu Ying knew Qianran's tastes well. The Zhu Clan's naturally curvaceous women were a particular favorite of his, thanks to the lineage that had produced beauties like Zhu Zhuqing a millennium ago. The current Zhu Clan members, including Zhu Lu and Zhu Ying herself, continued to uphold this legacy.
Zhu Ying, aware of Qianran's preferences, was meticulously selecting candidates. Her plan was to bring these women into Qianran's service as a means of strengthening her own influence within his circle. Zhu Ying no longer cared about her status as a duchess—she only wanted to stay by Qianran's side.
"Your life is way too extravagant," Juzi said, sticking out her tongue. Only now did she truly understand the extent of Qianran's wealth and resources.
She couldn't fathom how Qianran managed to maintain such an enormous operation. Keeping this many people within a storage ring was already mind-boggling.
Juzi assumed Qianran spent his free time playing around with these maids whenever he was here.
Little did she know, an even larger group of maids was on its way. The Zhu Clan women held a special place in Qianran's heart, surpassing even the Dai Clan in his affections. While Qianran wasn't particularly obsessed with voluptuous figures, he did appreciate their aesthetic appeal in this context.
"From now on, you'll be the mistress of this place," Qianran said gently, kissing Juzi on the forehead.
"I wouldn't dare."
Juzi stuck out her tongue again, her tone playful but tinged with unease. Though she had once been a trusted aide to Xu Tianran, her personal wealth paled in comparison to Qianran's. Even Xu Tianran's resources didn't rival what Qianran had here.
The maids she had seen—beautiful, obedient, and noble in origin—posed a significant threat to Juzi's sense of security. She knew such women could easily capture any man's attention.
Already feeling anxious about her place in Qianran's life, Juzi's insecurities deepened.
She didn't understand why she had managed to attract Qianran in the first place, nor did she feel confident that his attention would stay on her for long.
Perhaps, in a few days, his interest in her would wane.
(Chapter End)