Qian Daoliu and Azure Luan Douluo exchanged a fleeting glance, then looked away.
Qian Daoliu picked up his teacup again, his tone returning to its usual casual ease:
"Hide it from you? Bibi Dong, you think far too highly of yourself. Why would the Worship Hall need to hide its affairs from you? Just do your job as Pope and stay out of everything else."
Bibi Dong stood where she was, looking at the seven elders in the hall and their indifferent, chilly faces. Suddenly, she felt like an outsider—a ruler shut out of the true center of power.
The Pope Palace stood high above all, but the real authority had always belonged to the Worship Hall.
She took a deep breath, forced down her surging emotions, and swept a cold glance over them before turning to leave.
As she reached the doors, Qian Daoliu called after her without a care:
"Oh, and keep your people in line. That girl Hu Liena has been following Su Yu all over the place lately. Don't let her stir up trouble."
Bibi Dong's steps faltered. Without looking back, she walked straight out.
Silence returned to the hall. Axe Douluo snorted. "She's getting more outrageous by the day."
Elsewhere, Ah Yin worked quickly.
Su Yu showed her around the kitchen, intending to lend a hand, only to find there was nothing for him to do.
Ah Yin rolled up her sleeves, baring her fair forearms, and tied her long blue hair loosely behind her head with a length of grass cord. She washed the ingredients and chopped the seasonings with brisk, practiced movements.
She needed only one look at the jars and bottles to remember where everything was. A hand held beneath the wok told her exactly how hot the stove was.
Su Yu