"Let her come along. I'll speak to Her Holiness."
Hu Liena said nothing more, then turned to lead the way.
They passed through Spirit Hall's long corridor and arrived at a side chamber of the Papal Palace.
Towering stone pillars lined both sides of the corridor.
The pillars bore the emblems and reliefs of Spirit Hall through the ages, and their footsteps echoed with striking clarity through the empty passage.
Bibi Dong sat at the head of the chamber, leafing through a book.
Beneath the Nine-Twist Purple-Gold Crown, her face remained noble and aloof, as though the events of last night had never happened.
When she saw Lu Mingfei enter with Na'er, she raised her eyes, her gaze lingering on Na'er for a moment.
Lu Mingfei spoke. "Your Holiness, Na'er wants to attend Spirit Hall Academy with me."
Bibi Dong did not answer immediately.
Her gaze swept over Na'er's face, her phoenix eyes betraying no emotion.
After a moment, she said coolly:
"Spirit Hall Academy doesn't accept auditors. If she wants to stay, she must follow the rules for regular students.
The entrance test, the soul power assessment, class placement-she cannot skip any of them."
"I can do that."
Na'er answered at once, her voice clear and bright.
Bibi Dong glanced at her, the corner of her mouth moving almost imperceptibly. Then she withdrew her gaze, made a notation in the book before her, and spoke without looking up:
"Hu Liena, take them to the academy."
"Yes."
Hu Liena bowed, then turned and walked out.
Lu Mingfei and Na'er followed behind her.
As they stepped through the gates of the Papal Palace, Lu Mingfei glanced back. Bibi Dong was still looking down at her book.
Her long golden gown gleamed faintly in the morning light, her figure straight-backed and solitary.