In the rear courtyard, a group of lovely young women dressed in white floral silk qipaos stood respectfully and orderly on the lawn, receiving Qian Renxue's instructions.
Su Xian sat quietly to one side, not disturbing anyone.
The girls ranged from their teens to their twenties. They were in the prime of youth, beautiful and vibrant, a pleasing sight to behold.
Yet every one of them wore an expression that people their age should never have had...
Some were terrified, while others were at a loss, like lambs fallen into a pack of wolves. They trembled in fear, yet desperately longed to survive. Their eyes were pitiful, their entire bodies taut with tension.
They were slaves. Their lives no longer belonged to them; they had been bought by the Prince's Residence.
The cheaper ones cost one or two gold coins each, while even the prettier ones cost no more than five gold coins.
This was their sorrow and misfortune!
But fortunately, they had entered the First Prince's Residence today.
It was said that the First Prince was kind and benevolent. At the very least, they could live properly here. They would not be stabbed to death for fighting dogs over food, then wrapped in a straw mat and discarded in the wilderness—dead and gone, as naturally as fallen leaves in autumn.
"Since you are now members of the Prince's Residence, you must follow its rules from now on. As long as you behave, you may live here in peace."
"You are all aware of the First Prince's reputation. Though he is approachable and kindhearted, and does not get angry over trivial matters, rules must still be observed. You should know that yourselves."
Dressed in a palace dress, Qian Renxue placed her hands before her lower abdomen and paced gracefully among