In royal circles, incidents like this were not uncommon.
Typically, when an official committed a grave offense and was executed, their family would often be demoted to slaves, or worse, sold off to underground auction houses where their enemies might purchase them.
But these women were members of the Dai family—a prominent and influential family renowned across the continent.
Who is this man? Why would someone as powerful as Dai Hao stoop so low to grovel before him?
Their outrage, however, was more directed at Dai Hao's shamelessness. A man incapable of solving his own problems, choosing instead to treat them like commodities to curry favor with another. Among them were individuals closely related to Dai Hao himself. Did he feel no shame?
"Beast!"
"How dare you call yourself the patriarch of the Dai family?"
"...!"
The scolding continued, while Dai Hao kept his head low in shame, his heart aching as if pierced by a blade. At that moment, he even considered ending his own life. He knew full well that what he had done was despicable and inhumane.
Glancing at the delicate, slender women, he realized they were clearly not suited for hard labor. They would require a period of thorough training under Huo Yun'er before they could fulfill their roles.
Qian Ran, however, was not a man known for his mercy. He didn't want concubines or a harem; he wanted capable maids. Even though these women were stunning, many of whom could easily be considered class beauties in any academy, Qian Ran remained unmoved.
The women around him were far more beautiful.
Still, having maids of such elegance and poise would elevate the standard of his household, surpassing even that of a royal palace—though he had far fewer than a palace would.
Qian Ran wasn't in a rush. With Dai Hao at his service, he would never lack people to attend to him.
"Enough. Since you now belong to me, you'll follow my rules. This isn't the Dai family," Qian Ran said coldly, growing irritated by their protests.
"Did they upset you, Brother Ran? Should I discipline them?" Zhu Ying asked, her tone icy as she cast a cold glance at the group, her powerful aura emanating.
"Forget it," Qian Ran said, playfully flicking Zhu Ying's nose. When he extended his finger toward her lips, Zhu Ying immediately opened her mouth and took it in.
Qian Ran was well aware of Zhu Ying's haughty nature from her past. Now, seeing these familiar faces reduced to servitude, she was clearly eager to assert her dominance.
The women were overwhelmed with despair. With Dai Hao and Zhu Ying complicit, they knew escape was impossible.
Some, as they gazed at Qian Ran's impossibly handsome face, even began to think that this might not be the worst outcome. At least Dai Hao hadn't sold them to some grotesque monster.
"Why did you bring me here?" Xia Lan asked coldly, glaring at Qian Ran. Beneath her anger was a trace of fear. Her hatred for Dai Hao, a man so cowardly and shameless, burned deeply. How could someone like him even call himself a man?
"Is Dai Luoli your son?" Qian Ran asked curiously, his gaze sweeping over the elegant woman before him. In the original story, Dai Luoli eventually became the last emperor of the Star Luo Empire, a true victor in life.
"What are you planning?" Xia Lan's expression shifted.
"If I ordered Dai Hao to kill Dai Luoli, do you think he'd do it? Or maybe Zhu Ying would be a better choice—she'd probably enjoy the task," Qian Ran said, lounging on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other.
"You! Luoli has never done anything to you! How can you—" Xia Lan was stunned. Dai Hao, in front of Qian Ran, was utterly devoid of dignity, reduced to something akin to a dog. Zhu Ying, meanwhile, had become Qian Ran's devoted lover.
If Qian Ran truly wanted someone dead, they might even volunteer to carry it out.
Could she really expect that spineless Dai Hao to show any shred of conscience?
"The strong have no obligation to care about the weak. But I'm not interested in killing Dai Luoli. Whether he lives or dies depends entirely on you," Qian Ran said with a wicked smile.
"Don't harm him, and don't let him know about… this. If you agree, I'll do anything you ask," Xia Lan said, tears brimming in her eyes. She knew she had no choice. Refusal would doom both her and Dai Luoli to a fate worse than death.
She had already fallen into hell—what harm was sinking deeper if it meant protecting those she cared about? Dai Hao's betrayal of her trust had already stripped her of any illusions.
Accepting Qian Ran's terms, Xia Lan nodded, her resolve firm.
"You know what to call me," Qian Ran said.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as Xia Lan uttered the humiliating title: "Master."
"Change into this," Qian Ran said, tossing her a pair of stockings.
As Xia Lan bent over to put them on, her figure accentuated into an alluring curve. Once she donned the stockings, she exuded an entirely different level of seduction.
Qian Ran couldn't resist running his hands over her elegantly clad legs before lifting her onto the table.
In high spirits, Qian Ran handed over the remaining women to Huo Yun'er.
Huo Yun'er, now entirely loyal to Qian Ran, was one of the few he trusted completely. Having resurrected her himself with the power of the system, she was bound to him and incapable of betrayal.
As one of Qian Ran's most trusted individuals, Huo Yun'er had been promoted to the position of head maid. She was tasked with managing the maids Dai Hao had delivered—all seven of them, most of whom were young ladies from the Dai family. Even the least talented among them was the most gifted branch member of the family.
Whether these pampered noblewomen could adapt to menial labor was Huo Yun'er's concern. The whip, Qian Ran believed, would help them learn quickly.
This was only the beginning. In time, Qian Ran's estate would be filled with more such servants—all of them his private property.
"This is amazing. Keeping Dai Hao around might not be such a bad idea after all. For all his shamelessness, he's surprisingly efficient. With Dai Hao secretly aiding Qian Renxue, she'll have no trouble securing her position in the Star Luo Empire. Meanwhile, both Dai Hao and the Dai family are becoming more deeply entangled in my web."
Qian Ran's smile turned strange. Dai Hao, for all his cowardice, was astonishingly submissive. To curry favor, he had willingly handed over his entire family. Such an unusual character was rare indeed. It seemed the privileged nobles, pampered by their wealth and power, were even more terrified of death than the common folk.
Not that Qian Ran was any different—he feared death too. But unlike Dai Hao, he had his limits.
Life, surrounded by loyal women and unparalleled pleasures, was far too enjoyable to give up.
Shrek City
Stepping out of Shrek City, Dai Hao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm leaving," he muttered, glancing at Zhu Ying, whose radiant face now bore the glow of Qian Ran's attentions. Instead of anger or humiliation, Dai Hao was horrified to discover a strange excitement bubbling within him.
Looking at the stunning Zhu Ying, he realized she was even more attractive than before.
"Get lost, you trash. Watching your wife with another man excites you? You're truly a disgrace," Zhu Ying spat with contempt. If it weren't for the fact that Dai Hao's presence heightened Qian Ran's excitement, she wouldn't even want to look at him. The sight of him filled her with disgust.
If she could, she would willingly serve as Qian Ran's maid, just to remain by his side. Once back in Star Luo City, even if she could sneak over occasionally, most of her time would be spent away from Qian Ran—a thought she could hardly bear.
Dai Hao took Zhu Ying's insults silently, not daring to respond.
"Hmph," Zhu Ying snorted, turning to fly toward Star Luo City. Dai Hao, meanwhile, would remain stationed with the army, rarely returning home.
(End of Chapter)
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