Bibi Dong had been unable to hide the look of compassion in her eyes, so Sunday decided to give them some privacy.
After Sunday left the room, silence settled over the council chamber. Bibi Dong and Xue Qinghe stared at each other, neither knowing what to say.
"Ahem, could you... drop your disguise? I... find it awkward to look at."
Bibi Dong was the first to buckle under Xue Qinghe's gaze. She wanted him to change back, but she feared he would struggle to accept such a sudden shift in her attitude. Too proud to say so outright, she cleared her throat twice and found a flimsy excuse.
At Bibi Dong's words, Qian Renxue waved her hand and dispelled her Soul Bone disguise, revealing her stunning face. Tears clung to the corners of her eyes as she stared at Bibi Dong with a cold sneer.
"What? Can't bring yourself to curse at that face?"
"You!"
Bibi Dong's fists instantly clenched at Qian Renxue's words. She kept reminding herself that she had come to make amends, not to get angry.
Taking a deep breath, Bibi Dong looked at Qian Renxue. Her gaze shifted, and she spoke in a somewhat gentler tone.
"Have you... been doing well all these years?"
"..."
Instead of treating her with the same cold words as before, Bibi Dong was showing concern in a gentle voice. Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment.
"I..."
"Old woman, did that beating knock you senseless? Or do you want that little vixen to replace me as the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall?"
Just as Bibi Dong was about to offer more comfort, Qian Renxue suddenly raised her head and snapped at her, her expression cold.
Bibi Dong nearly lost control of the Rakshasa resentment within her when she heard that.