Ke Ke's face was flushed with embarrassment, unable to meet Nana's gaze. Couldn't Qianran wait until they were alone to say such lewd things? He had already ruined countless pieces of her clothing over the past few days.
Thankfully, she had won a considerable amount of money during the recent sparring competition. Otherwise, she wouldn't even be able to afford new clothes. Though her family was well-off enough to send her to the academy, replacing several ruined outfits a day was a strain on any budget. And of course, she couldn't wear cheap clothes for dates with Qianran.
Once Nana and Ke Ke were fully immersed in their cultivation, Qianran closed the door and left.
The day before, Juzi had mentioned that Xu Tianran wanted to meet him.
Qianran wasn't entirely sure what Xu Tianran was planning, but he certainly wasn't afraid of the ruthless prince of the Sun Moon Empire.
Besides, meeting Xu Tianran alongside Juzi? Such an exciting scenario was not something Qianran would pass up.
He waited outside Juzi's dormitory for a while before she came down, having taken her time to prepare.
Juzi wore a black strapless dress paired with black stockings and red high heels. Her long black hair flowed gracefully down her back, giving her the appearance of an elegant noblewoman.
"You're quite the popular one these days," Juzi remarked, slightly jealous as she approached him.
Qianran had been standing there for only a short while, yet he had already attracted the attention of numerous girls, some of whom went out of their way to strike up a conversation.
"Are you jealous?" Qianran asked with a smile. To be honest, the girls at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy were quite attractive. While they might not surpass Ke Ke or Nana in charm, a few could rival them in beauty or figure.
Even if he wasn't particularly interested, Qianran enjoyed the attention.
"Of course not," Juzi replied with a pout. However, the thought of Ke Ke and Nana spending these past few days exclusively with Qianran made her heart stir. Especially after their last heart-to-heart conversation, which had clarified their relationship—Juzi now counted herself among his romantic partners.
"Put on this mask before we head out," Qianran said, taking a mask from his storage soul tool and handing it to her.
Juzi's current face couldn't be too intimately associated with him. Xu Tianran planned to marry her as his crown princess, and if word got out that she was seen being affectionate with Qianran in public, it would certainly provoke him.
Not that Qianran cared much about Xu Tianran's feelings—he just wasn't ready to break ties with him yet. How else would he get his thrills?
He chuckled inwardly. He was fairly certain that Xu Tianran had spies in the academy keeping tabs on his and Juzi's every move, reporting back regularly.
"You're not planning something shady again, are you? I'm not wearing it," Juzi said, her face turning red. The last time Qianran had disguised her with makeup, he used it as an excuse to take all sorts of liberties. This time, he was handing her a human-skin mask—clearly up to no good.
"If you don't wear it, I'll just have to do something outright in public. Don't blame me if we're caught," Qianran teased, his tone playful. Xu Tianran had essentially handed Juzi to him on a silver platter—why not enjoy it?
"You! Fine, I'll wear it." Juzi blushed furiously and reluctantly put on the mask. Her appearance and demeanor changed instantly, and Qianran, satisfied, wrapped his arm around her waist.
Her soft figure and the faint fragrance of her scent delighted him.
"You lecher. Someday, your lust will get you into trouble," Juzi muttered, half ashamed and half annoyed. Wasn't he already spending most of his time with Ke Ke and Nana? And didn't he have plenty of other beautiful companions swooning over him? How could he still not be satisfied?
"No one else compares to you, my crown princess," Qianran said with a sly grin, tilting her chin upward with his hand.
If Xu Tianran couldn't cherish such a gem, Qianran would gladly take over.
"You're impossible…"
Juzi's body softened against him, her strength ebbing as she leaned into his embrace. Against Qianran's experience with women, she stood no chance.
Still entwined, they arrived at Xu Tianran's residence, led by his attendants.
Once inside, Juzi removed her mask and respectfully greeted Xu Tianran with a bow.
"Your Highness."
She began to kneel in deference, but Qianran pulled her upright before she could. He didn't like the idea of his woman kneeling to anyone. She might have been Xu Tianran's maid and confidant in the past, but not anymore. From now on, Qianran wouldn't allow it.
Juzi blushed, but Xu Tianran merely smiled and waved dismissively. "It's fine."
Sitting in his wheelchair, Xu Tianran radiated an air of refinement. However, Qianran wasn't fooled. Xu Tianran, with his deep cunning and alliances with the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Cult, was anything but an honorable gentleman.
As the ultimate antagonist in this world's narrative, Xu Tianran was the equivalent of Spirit Hall from Tang San's era—a force striving for continent-wide domination.
While his innate talent was decent, ultimately reaching Rank 92, his scheming mind was what made him one of the Sun Moon Empire's most formidable figures.
"Qianran, I imagine you didn't expect to see me like this," Xu Tianran said, catching the look in Qianran's eyes.
Due to his injuries—crippled legs and other impairments—Xu Tianran's reliance on a wheelchair often made him sensitive to how others perceived him. As the future emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, few dared to openly stare at him. Qianran was an exception.
"No, I didn't," Qianran replied candidly. "Has Your Highness never sought a healer's assistance?"
Xu Tianran frowned slightly, sensing the subtle challenge in Qianran's gaze. Still, he responded with a bitter smile. "It's not that simple. I've sought every renowned physician in the empire, but none could help. My injuries are severe. My legs can't simply regrow, and as for… other issues… no doctor has been able to offer a solution."
"I can."
Qianran's lips curled into a faint smile, his tone filled with confidence.
(Chapter End)