Just then, Bibi Dong suddenly hissed softly, her brows knitting tighter as she pressed a hand to her temple.
"What's wrong?" Qian Renxue asked instantly.
"A headache."
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, her voice genuinely weary this time—no pretense. After Dai Chengfeng's relentless attentions and Qian Renxue's sudden arrival, the ache was real.
"An old ailment. Rest will fix it."
She paused, meeting Qian Renxue's gaze, her tone softening. "I'm not lying. You've traveled far—go rest."
It was both an explanation and quiet reassurance.
Seeing her mother's genuine exhaustion, Qian Renxue's suspicion eased slightly.
'Perhaps… I imagined things?'
Maybe her mother was simply unwell—after all, the burdens of the papacy were immense.
"Then… rest well, Your Holiness. I'll take my leave."
Qian Renxue lowered her eyes, masking complex emotions, and bowed respectfully.
"Mm." Bibi Dong's reply was distant, her gaze already averted.
Qian Renxue turned, footsteps light yet audible in the silent chamber.
At the door, she glanced back.
Candlelight bathed Bibi Dong's profile—violet hair loose, features softened by shadows, radiating an almost painful loneliness.
For a heartbeat, Qian Renxue's chest tightened with something nameless—pity, perhaps, or something deeper she refused to examine.
She closed the door gently.
Click.
Silence returned, broken only by the candle's occasional pop.
Only when Qian Renxue's footsteps faded completely did Bibi Dong exhale—a long, shuddering release of tension.
She slumped against the bed, cold sweat beading on her brow.
"She's gone," she murmured, voice hollow with relief.
Dai Chengfeng emerged from the shadows, chuckling at her rare disarray. "Even the Supreme Pontiff has moments like this?"
Bibi Dong whirled on him, violet eyes blazing. "Dai. Cheng. Feng!"
Each syllable dripped venom. "Were you just trying to get us killed?!"
The memory of his teeth on her neck, his teasing touches—she trembled with fury.
If Xue'er had seen… The thought made her stomach lurch.
Dai Chengfeng remained unrepentant, pulling her into his lap, chin resting atop her head. "What's there to fear? She didn't notice."
"Only because she wasn't looking!"
Bibi Dong squirmed, nails digging into his arm. "If she'd stepped closer or examined the room…"
"She won't."
He kissed her knuckles, voice certain. "She respects you—and fears you. Without your permission, she'd never intrude."
Bibi Dong fell silent. He was right.
Between them stood an invisible wall—respect without warmth.
Qian Renxue would never dare overstep.
"And…" Dai Chengfeng's voice dropped, honeyed with mischief, "…wasn't it thrilling?"
Bibi Dong froze, face burning crimson—whether from shame or rage, even she couldn't tell.
"You—!"
"She was right outside," he murmured, tracing her shoulder. "Just beyond that door. And you—the mighty Supreme Pontiff—were in my arms, just now…"
"Shut up!"
She clapped a hand over his mouth, cheeks aflame, eyes stormy with embarrassment. "Don't you dare say another word!"
Dai Chengfeng laughed—a muffled rumble against her palm.
His tongue flicked her wrist.
Bibi Dong snatched her hand back as if scalded, glaring.
"Alright, no more teasing."
He sobered, holding her close. "But Qian Renxue's back now. We'll need to be careful…"
Bibi Dong nodded faintly.
"Sleep." Dai Chengfeng's voice softened. "You're exhausted."
She hummed in agreement, unusually docile against his chest, eyes closing.
Yet moments later, she snapped them open, tone crisp again: "You should go."
Dai Chengfeng blinked. "Hm?"
"Back to your quarters."
She pushed him away, sitting up to fasten her robe. "Tonight's chaos is enough. If you stay—what if…"
"What if?"
He sat up, smirking. "What if Princess Qian Renxue returns?"
Bibi Dong said nothing—but her eyes confirmed his guess.
Dai Chengfeng sighed, amused by her post-coital aloofness.
Still, her caution was valid.
If Qian Renxue doubled back—or came at dawn to pay respects and caught him leaving the Supreme Pontiff's bedchamber? Disaster.
"Fine. I'll go."
He swung out of bed, dressing leisurely.
Bibi Dong watched his sculpted back, heat rising in her cheeks. She looked away.
Fully dressed, Dai Chengfeng saw her averted face, ears pink. He stepped closer, stealing a kiss.
"You!" She glared.
"Goodnight, Your Holiness."
He finally relented, heading for the hidden door—a secret passage only they knew.
At the threshold, he paused, glancing back. "Oh, Dong'er."
"What now?" she snapped.
"Next time…" His smirk widened, eyes glinting with mischief, "if she visits again, we can continue."
A pillow sailed toward him, trailing lethal soul power.
Laughing, Dai Chengfeng ducked into the passage. The door sealed silently.
Alone, Bibi Dong stared at the hidden entrance. After a long moment, she exhaled.
Her fingers brushed her neck—where his bite still bloomed, a faint crimson mark.
"That… scoundrel."
The curse held little heat.
She closed her eyes, banishing tangled thoughts, then rose to the window.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read a completed exclusive novel (Over 250 Chapters) + get up to 30 Chapters ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)