353. Hierarchy?

Qian Renjue remained silent.

Qian Renxue only held onto his arm, also silent.

The room’s atmosphere grew still.

Ling Yuan, being the newcomer, hadn’t gone through Qian Renxue’s questioning or training and had no idea what had just happened.

She glanced up quietly at the three girls around her and saw that they were all blushing, making her cheeks start to burn as well.

She suddenly felt more in sync with them.

Qian Renxue cast a brief glance at Ling Yuan, who looked guilty as if she'd done something wrong, and then returned her gaze to Qian Renjue, snuggling close to him.

Looking at his handsome face, her eyes showed a hint of pride.

Clearly, Qian Renjue was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the situation. Her earlier words of advice to Ye Lingling and the others had certainly been necessary.

Honestly, even after having so many women, he still couldn’t do without his sister, could he?

Qian Renxue smiled, her lips curved, and she gently asked, “Jue, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Uh—” Qian Renjue’s purple eyes swept over the four girls in front of him.

Unsure of where to start, he simply turned to Qian Renxue. “Sister, have you all had lunch?”

“Pfft.”

Qian Renxue laughed, her soft and curvaceous form trembling as she leaned against Qian Renjue.

The sound of her laughter made Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and the others look over at their man.

Qian Renxue held onto Qian Renjue’s arm, squeezed together on the single sofa.

The sofa was spacious enough to accommodate two, but from an outsider’s view, the scene might look like the main consort sitting beside the master, lecturing the other concubines.

Ye Lingling’s small hands twisted at her clothes, her earlobes tinged with pink.


Remembering Qian Renxue’s words about cooperating with Qian Renjue when needed made her heart race.

Hu Liena, with her short hair, looked somewhat distressed.

She was told not to seduce her senior but to wait for him to take the lead—who knew how long she’d have to wait for that!

Dugu Yan, on the other hand, hadn’t given it much thought yet. She had been brought in as Qian Renjue’s personal maid by Qian Renxue. During her brief training, Qian Renxue had instructed her that, once His Highness came of age, she’d need to cooperate fully if Qian Renjue desired.


No complaints, no fatigue.

But she still needed to work on strengthening her bond with His Highness. Both Lingling and Hu Liena had already offered themselves to him, while she hadn’t yet been “initiated.”

Each girl had different thoughts: some were shy, others conflicted or expectant.

Only Ling Yuan remained unbothered, content with her role without craving any title or status—she was simply there to serve His Highness, be it on the battlefield or wherever else needed.

As the four girls looked on curiously, Qian Renxue smiled softly and replied to Qian Renjue, “Not yet. We were waiting for you to come back.”

“Then I’ll order it now.”

Qian Renjue wasn’t sure why Qian Renxue was laughing, but her laughter had certainly lifted the mood in the room.

Before he could make a move, Dugu Yan stood up and offered, “No need to trouble His Highness; I’ve already ordered it. I’ll go check on it now.”

“Alright, thank you, Yan Yan.”

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, and Dugu Yan quietly replied as she headed quickly out of the room.

Click!

The door closed, and Qian Renjue looked at his fiancée and junior sister seated across from him, his voice as gentle as always.

“Lingling, Nana, go sit with Sister first. Ling Yuan and I already ate at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.”

“Understood, Senior Brother,” Hu Liena replied softly, her short orange hair swaying slightly.

Ye Lingling nodded silently, seeming to express herself only when Qian Renjue was around.

The two women stood up, and Hu Liena glanced back, asking, “Senior Brother, would you like a little more to eat?”

“I’m already full,” Qian Renjue smiled, about to turn and say something to Qian Renxue, but she raised her hands to gently pinch his cheeks, pouting, “Just because you’re full doesn’t mean you can’t sit at the table, right?”

Qian Renjue held her delicate hands, nodding with a helpless smile. “Of course I can. I’ll help serve you then.”

“Now, that’s more like it,” Qian Renxue said proudly. Linking her arm with his, she led him to the dining table.

Hu Liena and Ye Lingling watched this scene, wanting to learn but feeling it was hopeless. Qian Renxue had a unique “instruction manual” for handling Qian Renjue, one that became useless in their hands.

The aura of a “big sister” was part of her power, something they had no choice but to live under—a kind of bloodline dominance they couldn’t learn or resist.

Qian Renjue glanced back, instructing, “Sister Ling Yuan, you join us too.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ling Yuan immediately rose.

Apart from Qian Renxue, the other women had no idea about her history with Qian Renjue, which she preferred—she didn’t need to compete with the younger ones here.

Qian Renjue took his seat at the table and asked, “Sister, what about Little Fei Die? Has she eaten?”

Qian Renxue raised the ring on her hand. “Don’t worry; she’s in the ‘Life Ring,’ and I’ve made all the arrangements.”

Shortly after, Dugu Yan returned to the room, taking out the food from her soul guidance tool.

Ye Lingling, sitting beside Qian Renjue, removed her veil, revealing her delicate face, and reached out to him with a soft voice, “Jue, let me wash your dishes for you.”

“Alright.” Qian Renjue nodded, pushing the dishes toward her.

Hu Liena, who was separated from him by Qian Renxue, glanced down disappointedly.

She decided to win over Qian Renxue first, figuring it was a wise move—after all, if she could win over his “Big Sister,” Qian Renjue would follow.

“Miss Xue, let me help you.”

“Alright,” Qian Renxue replied quietly.

Seeing the women gathered around the table, Qian Renjue finally relaxed.

Dugu Yan and Ling Yuan looked eagerly his way, and, of course, he didn’t forget them.

He picked up his chopsticks and served them some food.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, then turned to serve some food to Qian Renxue.

He asked, “Sister, where should we head next?”

Qian Renxue thought for a moment. “After we finish eating and rest, we’ll go to the Balak Kingdom border to clear out the bandits.”

“Alright,” Qian Renjue nodded. Glancing down at his plate, he noticed that his food was in three small piles, each clearly arranged by Ye Lingling, Hu Liena, and Dugu Yan.

They had reached in for food in an unspoken, orderly manner.

Looking up at the three, they all appeared calm.

But Qian Renjue couldn’t shake the feeling that they had subtly arranged themselves in some kind of hierarchy.

Qian Renxue noticed his expression and asked, “Jue, what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, Sister,” Qian Renjue shook his head, realizing that matters of the heart were beyond his sister’s help.