"I missed you too," Qianran said, unable to resist giving Zhu Ying's voluptuous hips a firm squeeze.
Ah, that familiar softness.
It had been too long since Qianran felt this unique sensation. Only Zhu Ying and Cai Meier could give him this particular kind of satisfaction. Zhu Lu had a great figure too, but her youthful age lacked the same allure.
In the Sun and Moon Empire, Qianran's options had been limited, leaving him on the verge of frustration.
Zhu Ying planted a kiss on Qianran's cheek, then turned her head to toss her lustrous black hair back. Her radiant face bore a playful smirk as she cast a provocative glance at Juzi.
"Burning hot" doesn't bother me, she thought. As long as I keep this man's heart, who cares what others think?
Zhu Ying had never seen her full figure as a source of shame. After learning about Qianran's preferences, she had come to take pride in it.
She knew exactly where her strengths lay, and that awareness gave her confidence. Without her alluring figure, she doubted Qianran would have taken such a keen interest in her.
"Hello, I'm Zhu Ying," she said warmly.
"Juzi," came the calm reply.
Juzi had no intention of competing for attention.
This woman clearly had more experience in such matters. If Juzi pushed the issue, she would only end up embarrassing herself.
"Master." At that moment, Dai Hao approached, bowing deeply in submission.
"Go wait elsewhere. Don't appear in front of me until I call for you," Qianran said with a dismissive wave, shooing Dai Hao away.
"Yes, Master," Dai Hao said, casting a brief glance at Zhu Ying and Juzi before retreating. He couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness as he watched his wife display such charm for another man.
"That's Dai Hao. If you want to vent your anger, feel free to beat him up. He won't fight back," Qianran casually remarked to Juzi.
"That's Dai Hao?!" Juzi exclaimed, stunned.
She hadn't expected this deferential figure to be the legendary White Tiger Duke. But upon closer inspection, Juzi noticed the faint aura of authority emanating from him—though subdued in Qianran's presence, his years of commanding armies left an indelible mark.
Juzi couldn't help but marvel at Qianran's power.
For someone like Dai Hao, a war hero and nobleman, to cower before Qianran was astonishing. That he didn't even dare to object to his wife's behavior around Qianran spoke volumes.
If Dai Hao, of all people, is reduced to this… then what chance do others stand against Qianran?
Juzi felt a strange sense of detachment. Once an adversary her late parents might have cursed, Dai Hao now seemed irrelevant.
If he's Qianran's servant, doesn't that make him mine too?
The irony wasn't lost on her: Xu Tianran had once plotted strategies against Dai Hao, considering him a formidable foe. Yet now, the man was nothing more than Qianran's obedient follower.
This reversal… Juzi thought, dazed. Doesn't it prove just how powerful Qianran truly is?
Her admiration deepened. Having only ever known men like Xu Tianran, with his twisted psyche, and Dai Hao, now subservient, Qianran stood out as a paragon of strength and integrity in her eyes.
While Juzi mulled over these revelations, Qianran eagerly whisked Zhu Ying away.
Left alone, Juzi shook her head with a wry smile.
"Off he goes with her. Typical."
In the privacy of their room, Qianran wasted no time embracing Zhu Ying, relishing every curve of her voluptuous figure.
Zhu Ying, having longed for this reunion, was even more eager than Qianran.
Hours passed before the two finally lay at rest.
"Qian-lang, I nearly couldn't hold back. I almost came to find you myself," Zhu Ying murmured, her flushed cheeks glowing as she gazed at him with teary, love-filled eyes. "I don't want to be a duchess anymore—I just want to stay by your side."
Zhu Ying was well aware that her identity as the White Tiger Duchess added to her appeal for Qianran. Without it, her physical charms alone might not hold the same sway.
Yet even with that knowledge, she couldn't suppress her longing. If she could stay close to Qianran, she wouldn't mind becoming one of his maids.
Of course, she didn't aspire to be just any maid—she wanted to be a trusted, indispensable confidante who could ease his burdens.
"Be patient. If all goes well, in three to five years, we'll be able to see each other every day," Qianran said, nibbling affectionately on her collarbone.
"Alright," Zhu Ying said softly. She had no intention of leaving her current position just yet; she simply wanted Qianran to know how deeply she cared.
The competition among Qianran's women was fierce. With so many beauties vying for his attention, it was inevitable that each would feel the pressure.
"Here, let me take care of you," Zhu Ying offered.
Though weary from their time together, she leaned over Qianran, planting tender kisses from his shoulder down.
"Yingying, you're amazing," Qianran sighed contentedly, nearly drifting to sleep under her careful ministrations.
Zhu Ying was truly a rare gem. She instinctively knew how to please him without needing direction, constantly surprising Qianran with her attentiveness.
Unlike Keke and Nana, who, despite their efforts to please, often missed the mark, Zhu Ying's maturity and experience made her stand out.
Qianran admired her sultry charm.
Sweat glistened on Zhu Ying's forehead as she finally paused to catch her breath. Seeing her fatigue, Qianran pulled her into his arms, savoring her warmth.
Her voluptuous body was the perfect embrace—a plush, comforting presence that thinner women couldn't provide.
"Did you bring the people I asked for?" Qianran asked, his hand idly caressing Zhu Ying's back.
"I did. I selected the best from my family and brought them here. I even spoke with the clan leader beforehand—it wasn't done in secret," Zhu Ying replied, her tone tinged with pride.
"Oh?"
"Anyone with foresight knows how influential you are now. Plenty of factions are eager to curry your favor. I merely gave my family a clearer path to success," Zhu Ying explained, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "Most women in the Zhu Clan are used for political alliances. Even if they marry well, it's nothing compared to what you offer. So why not entrust them to you instead?"
Her words reflected the harsh reality of noble families, where women were often seen as pawns unless they possessed exceptional talent.
(Chapter End)