Qian Renxue showed no surprise at his words. She sauntered closer with a catlike gait and whispered, her breath fragrant as orchids, "Then what do you think of me?"
With that, she took his large hand and placed it on her chest, continuing to tempt him. "As long as you join the Worship Hall, I'll grant you anything within my power, including myself~"
"Won't you give it some serious thought, Father~?"
Lin Chen's heart stirred. His hands instantly wrapped around her slender waist, then roamed up and down her body.
The corners of Qian Renxue's lips lifted slightly. "Does that mean you agree?"
After a long silence, Lin Chen finally answered, "Who said I agreed?"
Qian Renxue's body stiffened. She broke free of his arms, a trace of displeasure appearing on her exquisite face. "Are you playing with me?"
Lin Chen shrugged helplessly. "Your Highness Xue, you've got one thing wrong. I want you, but that doesn't mean I agree to your terms."
"You!!" Qian Renxue gnashed her teeth in anger, wishing she could bite him a few times.
"Why? Give me a reason. Do you think she can give you more, or do you think I, Qian Renxue, am inferior to her?!"
Lin Chen shook his head. "Neither."
"Then what is it?"
Lin Chen said softly, "Because I'm a human being, not a beast..."
"Heh... Are you saying I am one, then?" Qian Renxue sneered.
Lin Chen said calmly, "You have your position, and I have my reasons. I don't intend to stop you from doing what you want, and I couldn't stop you anyway. So please... stop trying to 'recruit' me."
Tap, tap...
With that, he rose and left.
"Oh, right, Your Highness Xue. If you plan to take revenge later, we'll take you on!"
Watching his departing back, Qian Renxue was so furious her hair stood on end. She nearly bit through her lip as she shouted, "Lin Chen, just you wait! I'll snatch you away from her!"
"No matter what it takes..."
"I just love the feeling of her losing things, just like I lost my childhood, my youth and my feelings!"
All things in the world had their causes and effects, and feelings were the hardest of all to unravel.
Pope's Palace, inner hall's secret chamber
Ghost Douluo appeared soundlessly at the door and said respectfully, "Your Holiness, Your Highness Xue seems to have returned a couple of days ago, and today she invited the Emperor to the Worship Hall."
The chamber remained silent for dozens of breaths before Bibi Dong's cool voice finally rang out. "Did they do anything to harm Chen'er?"
"Uh... no, they didn't~" Ghost Douluo explained, "But the Emperor met with Your Highness Xue in private. We didn't follow them inside."
The relationship between Bibi Dong and her daughter Qian Renxue was extremely cold, with even a hint of opposition between them. Spirit Hall's upper ranks knew this, which was why Ghost Douluo had brought it up.
"Mm, I know. You may leave~"
"Yes!"
Inside the chamber, purple Qi swirled.
Bibi Dong sat cross-legged on the bed, a complex expression on her exquisite, mature face. Too troubled to continue cultivating, she rose and walked out of the secret chamber.
The Pope's bedchamber
Lin Chen, who had returned from the Worship Hall not long ago, was sitting on the sofa enjoying himself. His head rested on Liu Erlong's voluptuous thighs as she massaged him, while Hu Liena and Xiao Wu each kneaded one of his calves.
Liu Erlong asked with concern, "Master, is something on your mind?"
Lin Chen frowned slightly. "How did you know?"
A blush appeared on Liu Erlong's cool, beautiful face. "Normally, Master wouldn't be so well-behaved~"
"Uh..." Lin Chen rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed. He was just about to make a move when familiar footsteps sounded outside the hall.
"Quick... get up~"
Liu Erlong and Xiao Wu were still somewhat bewildered. They didn't understand why Lin Chen had suddenly become like a different person, as though he had encountered his nemesis.
Before long, Bibi Dong entered the hall in purple robes. Lin Chen hurriedly said, "Erlong, Xiao Wu, hurry and greet your elder sister~"
"Yes~" Xiao Wu weakly bowed to Bibi Dong. "Greetings, Elder Sister~"
Hu Liena happily wrapped her arms around Bibi Dong's arm. "Teacher, why have you come out of seclusion?"
"I felt like coming out, so I did~"
Bibi Dong glanced at Liu Erlong. She had learned in the past two days that Liu Erlong had followed Lin Chen. "I never would have thought you'd throw yourself into his arms along with her, Xiao Wu."
Liu Erlong bit her lip, looking at the woman who had been her rival in love both in the past and now with a complicated expression. But she was no longer qualified to compete with her. "Erlong greets Elder Sister Pope~"
Bibi Dong chuckled. "At least you know your manners. Since you've called me elder sister, I'll acknowledge you as my younger sister. From now on, you'll be one of our husband's concubines too."
"Thank you, Elder Sister~"
Bibi Dong said calmly, "You may leave for now. I have something to discuss with our husband~"
"Elder Sister, Teacher, we'll be going then~"
After the three women left, Lin Chen felt somewhat awkward. He was afraid Bibi Dong would blame him.
Bibi Dong slowly came to his side, gazing at him tenderly as she cupped his cheeks in her fair hands. "Husband~"
Lin Chen was slightly taken aback. His arms instinctively circled her slender waist. "What is it?"
Bibi Dong wrapped her arms around his neck and said gently, "I was cultivating just now when I heard you'd gone to the Worship Hall. I was a little worried about your safety, so I came back to check on you~"
Holding her slender waist, Lin Chen stroked her purple hair. "My dear wife, don't worry. Your husband will be fine!"
Bibi Dong said as though joking, "Yes, I'm not afraid of anyone hurting you, because they wouldn't dare. But I am afraid someone might seduce my husband away~"
Lin Chen stiffened, then put on a broad smile. "Hehe... Wife, you're overthinking it. How could your husband possibly be seduced away?"
Bibi Dong's voice suddenly grew a little downcast, and she looked ready to cry. "Husband, Dong'er only has you now..."
Lin Chen's masculine urge to protect her instantly flared. He held her tightly and said, "Wife, don't worry, don't worry. No one can take your place in my heart, no one!"
Bibi Dong nestled tightly in his arms. Although her eyes were full of tears, the corners of her lips curved slightly. You wretched husband, did you think I couldn't handle you?
Qian Renxue, oh, Qian Renxue, did you and Qian Daoliu really think you could hide those little tricks of yours from me?
No one can snatch Lin Chen away. No one!
The next morning
Dressed in a purple night robe, Bibi Dong gently saw to everything for him, dressing him and tying up his hair. It was an emperor's treatment.
Gentleness and delicate vulnerability were always a sure-kill move against men. After their time together yesterday, Lin Chen had been won over by Bibi Dong-or rather, the two had won each other over.
Was Bibi Dong weak?
She was strong! But in front of Lin Chen, she wore a tender, vulnerable expression. With the aloof Pope of her generation looking like that in your arms, what man could withstand it?
That was where Bibi Dong's wisdom lay. Qian Renxue was trying to claim Lin Chen himself, but Bibi Dong had captured his heart...