Supreme Pontiff's Palace – The Bedchamber
The air still hung thick with lingering intimacy.
Bibi Dong lay languidly in Dai Chengfeng's arms, her violet hair spilling across golden-threaded silk pillows. A faint flush of post-passion still warmed her skin.
Dai Chengfeng idly twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, lips curved in satiated contentment.
"Dong'er…" he murmured, voice roughened by aftermath.
"Hush." Bibi Dong kept her eyes closed, tone laced with mock-anger but no real threat. "Let me rest."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly—just as—
Knock, knock, knock.
Three crisp raps shattered the chamber's quiet.
Both froze.
Bibi Dong's eyes snapped open—clarity flooding back instantly. The Supreme Pontiff's authority and vigilance returned to her violet gaze.
Instinctively, she raised a hand. A gentle pulse of soul power swept the floor, silently whisking their scattered garments into the bed's shadowed recesses.
Dai Chengfeng sat up swiftly—but beyond alertness, a flicker of strange recognition crossed his eyes.
Who dares knock unannounced at the Supreme Pontiff's bedchamber in the dead of night?
Not even Hu Liena would dare without prior notice…
After all, this was Bibi Dong's sanctum.
"Who is it?"
Bibi Dong's voice had regained its usual calm command—though a tightly coiled tension lingered beneath.
Outside, silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then came a voice that made both their hearts skip:
"It's me. Qian Renxue."
Qian Renxue!
Dai Chengfeng jolted—then surged with joy. 'My little angel's back?'
But Bibi Dong, cradled in his arms, went rigid. Rare panic churned in her violet eyes.
She took a sharp breath, forcing composure. A swift glance at the rumpled bed—and Dai Chengfeng—carried a clear warning.
Dai Chengfeng, however, smirked. Mischief sparked in his eyes.
Before Bibi Dong could react, he dipped his head—pressing a hot, sucking kiss to her neck.
"You—!"
She gasped, furious yet not daring to make noise. She glared, eyes screaming Are you mad?!
Dai Chengfeng breathed against her ear.
"Don't move… She can hear."
Bibi Dong trembled with rage—but stayed perfectly still.
Outside, Qian Renxue waited. Receiving no answer, she knocked again, softer.
"Your Holiness? Are you resting?"
Her voice held a thread of hope—and the faintest hurt at the silence.
Bibi Dong shot Dai Chengfeng one last death glare, then called out, voice steady.
"One moment."
She smoothed her expression, tucked stray hairs behind her ear, and yanked the silk quilt higher—ensuring both their bodies were fully concealed. Only then did she announce.
"Enter."
She mouthed silently at Dai Chengfeng: Don't move.
He arched a brow but stilled—though his arm remained possessively looped around her waist. He melted into the bed's shadows, hidden by dim candlelight and swaying gauze curtains. Without close inspection, he'd be invisible.
The door opened softly.
Qian Renxue stepped in, bathed in moonlight, goose-yellow robes pristine.
Her violet-gold eyes scanned the chamber—landing instantly on Bibi Dong propped against the headboard.
"Your Holiness."
Her greeting held surprise. This woman before her was nothing like the immaculate, iron-willed Supreme Pontiff.
Bibi Dong wore only thin silk sleepwear beneath a deep violet robe, collar loose—exposing pale neck and delicate collarbone. Her hair, usually pinned high, spilled loose over her shoulders. Damp strands clung to her cheeks, lending an uncharacteristic softness… even allure.
Worse—her cheeks flushed unnaturally; her eyes shimmered with moisture; the corners held traces of faded crimson.
Her posture radiated boneless exhaustion.
"Are you… unwell?"
Qian Renxue hesitated, stopping a few paces from the bed.
Bibi Dong's heart clenched. Externally, she remained composed—brows furrowing just so, voice cool yet weary.
"Nothing serious. Merely fatigued."
"You've just returned? Coming so late… Shouldn't you be resting?"
As she spoke, Dai Chengfeng's hand pinched her waist—teasing, deliberate.
Bibi Dong retaliated under the covers, nails digging in—but her face stayed serene.
Qian Renxue noted everything.
The flushed cheeks. The disheveled aura. The unnatural flicker in those violet eyes…
A wild suspicion bloomed—but it was too shocking to entertain.
"I came from Tian Dou City," she said softly. "I just saw Grandfather… and thought I'd visit you."
Her gaze swept the room again.
The air carried a subtle, elusive scent—not incense, but something warmer, muskier…
Candlelight flickered, casting half the chamber in shadow. Gauze curtains swayed, painting dancing silhouettes on the floor.
Everything whispered of secrets.
"Visit me?"
Bibi Dong felt an absurd flutter of happiness—quickly suppressed. "I'm fine. No need to worry."
"You've traveled far. Go rest. And your sudden return—did you settle matters in Tian Dou City?"
"All arranged, Your Holiness."
Qian Renxue's eyes lingered on her mother's face—the flush, the dewy eyes…
Bibi Dong squirmed under her daughter's scrutiny—and Dai Chengfeng's restless hands.
She shifted to sit straighter—but his arm tightened, anchoring her.
"Since you've seen me," Bibi Dong added a hint of dismissal, "return to your quarters. I'll retire now."
Qian Renxue bit her lip.
Did she detect… urgency in that tone?
"Sister…"
She stepped closer, words forming on her lips—
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