It's Not Certain Who Loses in the End

"Let's go. We'll meet with Xue Luochuan."

Qian Renxue released Bai Wanwan's waist and gently smoothed the slightly disheveled strands of hair by her ear.

"Mm~"

Bai Wanwan responded dully and headed toward the Middle Hall with Qian Renxue.

Inside the hall used for discussions in the Middle Hall.

Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan sat in the seats of honor on either side, quietly waiting for Xue Luochuan to arrive.

Time slowly passed.

After roughly a few minutes, faint footsteps sounded outside, and Xue Luochuan gradually came into view.

Upon entering the hall, Xue Luochuan casually took a seat.

"Young Ladies, everything you purchased has already been placed in the Front Hall, including twenty-three maids."

"Rest assured, these twenty-three maids are all clean. If they aren't enough, the auction house may have more after some time."

A faint smile rested on Xue Luochuan's lips, and he appeared to be in an excellent mood.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, paying little mind to the minor matter Xue Luochuan had mentioned.

"It was nothing, merely a small effort."

Xue Luochuan looked at the two of them in the seats of honor, his expression gradually turning solemn. "Young Ladies, since we have already reached a partnership, I'll speak frankly about certain matters."

"Recently, I intend to make a move and test my Eldest brother. When necessary, I hope you can support me openly. After all, I need Father Emperor to see that those standing behind me are no weaker than those behind my Eldest brother, so that I can gain more say in matters."

"Very well. When necessary, we will step forward."

Qian Renxue rested an arm on the table and propped her head up with her hand. After only a brief consideration, she agreed readily.

Because of Xue Beng's matter, they had most likely already entered Emperor Xue Ye's sights. Whether they remained in the dark or openly supported Xue Luochuan made little difference.

Moreover, if they openly supported Xue Luochuan and he gained greater influence, they would also gain more benefits. If they could expand Xue Luochuan, this opening, to the greatest extent possible and make it easier for themselves to act according to circumstances, that would be ideal.

Upon receiving Qian Renxue's answer, Xue Luochuan let out a long breath and revealed a satisfied smile.

"In that case, I won't disturb you two Young Ladies any longer. There are some matters I need to return and prepare for in advance."

Xue Luochuan rose from his seat and walked outside.

After exchanging a glance, Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan stood up to see him off.

After all, a partnership had to look like a partnership. Xue Luochuan was an important guest, so naturally they needed to see him off when he left. Besides, they also needed to go to the Front Hall to inspect the maids Xue Luochuan had sent over.

After leaving the Middle Hall, they proceeded along the bluestone path. Only after escorting Xue Luochuan to the entrance of the residence did they stop and watch as he gradually disappeared into the distance.

Once Xue Luochuan's figure had completely vanished from sight, Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan turned and returned to the residence.

Shi Nian, who was in charge of guarding the gate, thoughtfully closed the doors again.

"Where are the maids sent by the Second Prince?"

Bai Wanwan glanced at Shi Nian by the gate and asked softly.

"In reply to Young Lady, they are in the Front Hall."

Shi Nian answered respectfully.

Bai Wanwan lightly raised her hand, signaling for Shi Nian to continue guarding the gate, then headed toward the Front Hall with Qian Renxue.

Upon entering the Front Hall.

They saw twenty-three girls around seventeen or eighteen years old, with tall figures and beautiful faces, standing somewhat nervously on both sides. The items they had bid on at the auction house were placed on a nearby table.

Bai Wanwan's gaze swept across each girl's face. She focused mainly on their eyes, and only after discovering that their eyes were lively and entirely different from those of the auction house staff did she nod in satisfaction.

"As maids in this residence, your main responsibility will be cleaning the residence. Your wages will be two Gold Soul Coins per month. After working for three months, you may choose for yourselves whether to stay or leave."

"You ten will be responsible for the Front Hall, you ten for the Middle Hall, and the final three for the Back Hall. Do you understand?"

Bai Wanwan swept her gaze over them, her tone calm.

"Un... understood."

Their voices carried a trace of timidity.

Bai Wanwan lightly waved her hand to dismiss them, then headed toward the Back Hall with Qian Renxue.

A monthly wage of two Gold Soul Coins was already very generous. After working for three months, even if they did not wish to remain as maids, the six Gold Soul Coins they earned would be enough for them to begin a new life.

Compared to the Heaven Dou Auction House, Bai Wanwan felt that the terms she offered were practically godlike.

After returning to the Back Hall.

Just as Bai Wanwan was about to return to her room, Qian Renxue caught her wrist.

"What is it, Sister?"

Bai Wanwan looked at Qian Renxue in confusion.

"There shouldn't be anyone to disturb us now."

"I'm still missing a body pillow."

Qian Renxue reached out a finger and tapped Bai Wanwan on the tip of her nose.

"A... a body pillow..."

Seemingly recalling what had just happened in the Back Hall, Bai Wanwan's face gradually flushed red.

Bai Wanwan secretly glanced at Qian Renxue, only to immediately avert her gaze when their eyes met.

Qian Renxue had used her lap as a pillow so many times; occasionally serving as Sister's body pillow didn't seem so unacceptable.

Besides, it was still uncertain who would end up getting the better deal.

After giving it some serious thought, Bai Wanwan entered the room with Qian Renxue.

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Inside Emperor Xue Ye's study.

Emperor Xue Ye lowered his gaze to the report that had just been presented to him and gradually sank into thought.

As the ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, very few matters within Heaven Dou City could be kept from him. As for the little schemes within the imperial palace, he might not mention them, but that did not mean he was unaware of them.

The report he was currently reading concerned certain things the four princes had done recently.

"Qinghe possesses outstanding political talent and has some of my bearing from back then, but his disposition is overly gentle."

"Luochuan is intelligent and clever, but he has been somewhat restless lately."

"Haicang has recently been following the second prince, and there are some troubling signs there as well."

"Xue Beng..."

"Have him move to the Prince Manor another day. Looking at him is irritating."

Emperor Xue Ye set down the report in his hand, the contemplation in his eyes undiminished, as though he were calculating something.

Among the four princes, aside from Xue Beng, he was very satisfied with all of them.

Xue Qinghe, Xue Luochuan, and Xue Haicang each had their own strengths. Emperor Xue Ye naturally knew all about their covert little maneuvers, but he had never cared much about them.

After all, he also wanted to see which prince was truly best suited to become the Future Heir.