Incense smoke curled upward from the incense table, then drifted outside through the gaps in the window lattice, giving off a faint fragrance.
Bibi Dong's gaze followed the pale smoke outside before slowly returning to the room.
The gray-green desk and brick walls stood in stark contrast to the glittering, magnificent furnishings of Pope Hall.
But these worldly trappings did nothing to affect the Pope's mood. A faint smile rested on her fair, translucent face, and she remained as confident and elegant as ever.
"Your Holiness, have you made up your mind?"
With those haughty words, Qian Renxue pushed open the door and walked in.
Bibi Dong's eyes stirred slightly. She lowered her eyelids and kept her back to Qian Renxue without saying a word.
Qian Renxue was a great beauty too, but she was nowhere near as outstanding as Bibi Dong, probably thanks to Qian Xunji's genes. Every time Bibi Dong saw Qian Renxue, she was reminded of Qian Xunji's nauseating face, so she avoided looking at her whenever possible.
"It seems you haven't reflected on your mistakes at all these past few days. You're still just as headstrong, never learning your lesson. How could Grandfather and I feel safe entrusting Spirit Hall and the Spirit Hall Empire to you?"
"Everything I have, I fought for myself. No one ever gave me anything!"
Bibi Dong remained seated and motionless, but she was clearly growing impatient with Qian Renxue's incessant chatter. "If all you can offer is this pointless talk, leave. I will not step down!"
"Hmph. Hmph, hmph!"
Qian Renxue was not angry in the slightest. Trading barbs with her birth mother was entertaining, especially when she so rarely got to see Bibi Dong suffer a setback. Even if she gained nothing, simply taking a few digs at her