Pretty Please~

At his father's words, Yu Xiaogang panicked.

"Father! How can you say that? I'm perfectly fine! There's nothing wrong with me! I can absolutely attend tomorrow's meeting!"

He turned and bowed to Qian Xunji.

"Your Eminence, Eighth Worshipper, there's nothing wrong with me. Don't listen to my father. His head isn't right, and he doesn't understand the reasoning—the deeper meaning!"

As if he would miss it. This was his best chance to impress Dong'er! She had set the stage for him herself!

As Dong'er's trusted aide, the Eighth Worshipper ought to understand some of her intentions. His words were also a hint to Dong'er: he had realized how she felt about him.

Yu Yuanzhen was furious.

"You! You unfilial son!"

Yu Yuanzhen had just raised his hand when Qian Xunji interrupted again.

"Clan Leader Yu, your son seems eager for tomorrow's meeting. I'm sure he'll have a surprise in store for everyone. Please don't worry or try to keep him away."

Qian Xunji's praise made Yu Xiaogang even smugger. The Eighth Worshipper had even stopped his father from slapping him, leaving him both grateful and touched.

What a good man!

Well, for Dong'er's sake, I'll forgive what happened today. He's probably just a little blunt and slow on the uptake. Once I take control of Spirit Hall, I'll make good use of him!

Yu Xiaogang looked at Qian Xunji with approval.

Qian Xunji felt like killing someone.

Yu Yuanzhen gave Yu Xiaogang one last long look, then turned and left.

Should I publicly expel Xiao Gang from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan tonight?

Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile, approached Qian Xunji with a familiar smile. He looked up at him, nodded meaningfully, and patted him on the shoulder.

His expression said, Brother, you get me!

Qian Xunji fought the urge to throw a punch. Without letting anything show, he put some distance between them, offered a friendly smile, then turned and left.

Once Qian Xunji was gone, Yu Xiaogang could no longer contain himself. He jumped on the spot.

"Yes!"

Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong had just finished discussing the details with Dai Tianfeng and the others.

There was no way to work out so many concrete plans in a single meeting, after all. The real negotiations took place beforehand.

Most of what happened in the meeting would be a formality: a chance to make their positions clear and put on a show for everyone else.

For example, Spirit Hall had already agreed with the Two Great Empires that it would propose the Soul Master Identity Credential system first at tomorrow's meeting. They would then voice their support.

With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the crippled Clear Sky Sect on board as well, the smaller and mid-sized clans and families would have no choice but to accept the system.

The spread of faith in the Angel God was another matter. Bibi Dong would not even bring it up at tomorrow's meeting. If she raised it before both empires at once, wouldn't the scheme be exposed?

Qian Xunji had only secured their agreement to that policy by convincing each empire he would help it annex the other.

So that proposal could only be discussed in private.

There was also the port lease. In exchange for two Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemums produced by Yue Guan, Bibi Dong had persuaded the Star Luo Empire to lease Spirit Hall a port and grant it full authority there.

Spirit Hall wanted the port so it could make contact with the Sun-Moon Empire on the Sun-Moon Continent and establish stable trade and other forms of cooperation.

That was a fairly important plan in its own right.

To Dai Tianfeng, though, it was just a small port. After having someone verify the value of the two immortal herbs, he quickly agreed.

And Qian Xunji? Wasn't Bibi Dong worried that giving the Star Luo Empire immortal herbs would strengthen an enemy?

She wasn't. These herbs had only a tenth of the effects of true immortal herbs, and Spirit Hall could keep producing them.

Besides, there were only two. Dai Tianfeng and his wife would probably take them themselves, and the improvement would be modest.

At most, Dai Tianfeng might give one to Dai Weisi instead of the Empress. That would be fine too. It would make things a little harder for Dai Mubai.

"Congratulations on officially becoming Pope, Mom!" As soon as Bibi Dong returned to her room, Qian Renxue's sweet, childish voice greeted her.

Bibi Dong had been a little tired, but she perked up at once.

Her daughter was as adorable as ever!

In every previous life, she had rarely reconciled with Xiao Xue until much later, sometimes when one of them was near death. She had scarcely had the chance to spend time with Xiao Xue as a child. Now that she could, Bibi Dong was naturally delighted.

"Mwah! Thank you, Xiao Xue."

Bibi Dong seemed like a different person from her usual self. She bent down and kissed Qian Renxue.

Then the two climbed into bed to play and chat.

Qian Renxue lay on top of Bibi Dong.

"Mom, you're so happy today, and this is such an important occasion. Should we celebrate with Dad?"

Bibi Dong frowned.

"Celebrate? How? What's there to celebrate? The ceremony was only for other people to see."

Faced with Bibi Dong's rapid-fire questions, Qian Renxue buried her little head against Bibi Dong's chest and wheedled.

"Oh, Mom, don't be mad~ I was only asking~

"Besides, I'm happy! Even if it was just a formality, I'm still happy you've officially become Pope. That's why I wanted to celebrate. But if you don't want to, forget it."

By the end, Qian Renxue even looked a little dejected.

Bibi Dong's heart softened again. She realized her tone had been too harsh.

"Celebrate... maybe. But tell me how you want to celebrate first."

"Heehee, Mom, I want... all three of us to sleep together! Pretty please~?"

Bibi Dong's expression changed instantly, her earlier gentleness vanishing.

"Qian Renxue! Have I spoiled you too much?! I haven't even taken you to task for what happened a few days ago! What were you planning to tell Luo Ningshui?!"

"Oh, Mom, what's wrong? It's just sleeping together~ Haven't you and Dad already made up?"

Qian Renxue pretended not to hear Bibi Dong's question about Luo Ningshui.

Bibi Dong took a deep breath. Suddenly, she thought of a good reason.

"Xiao Xue, it's not that I won't agree. The thing is, you're already nine. You're not little anymore, so you can't sleep with your dad. That means we can't all sleep together, and you can't sleep alone with him anymore either. Once you're a little older, I won't sleep with you either. Do you understand?"

Qian Renxue looked disappointed. She lowered her head and murmured, "Oh."

Then she climbed off Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong saw her disappointment but did not panic. It was better to put an end to the idea now. She could never agree to sleep beside Qian Xunji anyway.

Still, she ought to comfort her. Bibi Dong moved closer and spoke gently.

"Xiao Xue, you're growing up. You need to understand that you can't sleep with your dad anymore."

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then began to sob. Only then did Bibi Dong grow flustered and hurry to comfort her.

Through her tears, Qian Renxue said:

"Mom, other children slept with their moms and dads when they were little. I never did. I mostly slept with Grandpa or Dad, and you only started letting me sleep with you recently..."

Bibi Dong felt as though something had lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Mom, just once~ Pretty please~ After that, Xiao Xue will sleep by herself. Please~?"

Bibi Dong let out a heavy sigh.

"We'll talk about it another time."