This Bastard!

But just then, Bibi Dong suddenly gave a soft hiss, her brows knitting tighter as she raised a hand to press against her temple.

"What's wrong?" Qian Renxue asked at once.

"My head hurts."

Bibi Dong closed her eyes briefly, her voice revealing real exhaustion and discomfort—this time, she was not pretending.

After being tormented by Dai Chengfeng for so long, then startled by Qian Renxue's sudden visit, she really did have a bit of a headache.

"An old problem. I'll be fine after some rest."

She paused, then lifted her eyes to look at Qian Renxue, her tone softening slightly. "I'm not lying to you. You've had a tiring journey too. Go back and rest."

Those words counted as an explanation, and also as a kind of indirect reassurance.

Qian Renxue looked at her mother's face, which truly showed signs of weariness, and the suspicion and suffocating gloom in her heart eased a little.

Maybe... she really had been overthinking it?

Perhaps her mother really was just feeling unwell. After all, she held the position of Pope, and overwork was common.

"Then... Your Majesty the Pope, please rest well. This subordinate takes her leave."

Qian Renxue lowered her eyes, concealing the complicated emotions within them, and bowed respectfully.

"Mm." Bibi Dong responded faintly and did not look up again.

Qian Renxue turned and walked step by step toward the palace doors.

Her footsteps were very light, but in the silent bedchamber, they were still clearly audible.

When she reached the door, she could not help turning back for another glance.

Under the candlelight, Bibi Dong leaned against the head of the bed, her purple hair loose around her. Her profile looked exceptionally gentle in the interplay of light and shadow, and exceptionally... lonely.

In that instant, an indescribable emotion