Chapter 40: The Cold Truth of Awakening
Just as the argument escalated outside the door—
Inside the room, Ye Lingling suddenly exclaimed,
"Your Highness the Crown Prince…!"
She paused, clearly overwhelmed, before continuing with visible excitement,
"His Majesty Qin Chuan… he's woken up!"
Qian Renxue's expression lit up instantly, joy flooding her face.
But the moment her gaze fell on Bibi Dong—whose face was also glowing with happiness—her heart plummeted like a stone.
A wave of irritation and regret rose in Qian Renxue's chest.
She even blamed Ye Lingling for being too thoughtless.
This news could have waited—should have waited.
Now, it was too late.
Qian Renxue took a slow step back, gripping the door with one hand.
"Xue'er, Achuan is awake! Let me in quickly—"
Bibi Dong spoke hurriedly, her voice laced with urgency.
But before she could finish, Qian Renxue cut her off coldly,
"Brother Qin Chuan just woke up. Your Holiness should come back tomorrow."
Bang!
The door slammed shut with a loud crash.
Outside the room, Bibi Dong stood stunned for a moment before her face twisted in fury.
She banged on the door again and again, but no one came to open it.
For a brief moment, she even considered using her soul power to blast it open.
But then, doors in the corridor nearby creaked open. Several royal guards and aides stepped out, their faces void of emotion.
"Your Holiness," one of them spoke respectfully, "Our prince does not wish to receive any guests at the moment. Please do not disturb him."
Though the words were courteous, the tone was as cold as frost—undeniably an expulsion order.
Bibi Dong's expression darkened. Her gaze swept across the guards, filled with suppressed fury.
"Don't make this Pope kill people here," she hissed, her voice frigid and dangerous.
The guards paled, cold sweat forming on their foreheads.
After exchanging quick glances, they all retreated back into their rooms, shutting the doors tight.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath and turned to her loyal attendant.
"Mr. Roside, break the door."
Her voice was calm but absolute.
Roside stepped forward immediately.
"I obey your command."
He gripped the door handle, applied a subtle surge of soul power, and easily destroyed the lock. The door swung open.
"Go in."
Without hesitation, Bibi Dong walked in.
But before she could take more than a few steps, a girl in a black dress stepped forward to block her path.
"Your Holiness," the girl greeted respectfully.
Bibi Dong glanced at her but did not slow her stride.
However, the girl moved again, continuing to block her.
"What's the matter?" Bibi Dong frowned, her voice turning cold.
"His Majesty Qin Chuan asked me to relay a message," the girl said, mustering her courage. "He does not wish to see you today."
Ye Lingling stood firm, her eyes calm.
"Impossible!"
With a flick of her sleeve, Bibi Dong unleashed a wave of soul power.
Ye Lingling was swept aside, slamming into the corner of the wall with a muffled thud.
"Ah Chuan would never say that. He just woke up—the person he wants to see most must be me."
Bibi Dong strode deeper into the room.
Ye Lingling struggled to sit up. Leaning against the wall, she stared at Bibi Dong's retreating figure with a trace of pity in her eyes.
The more Bibi Dong forced herself to believe this delusion, the harder her fall would be later.
Ye Lingling coughed and took a deep breath. Her insides churned in pain.
Without delay, she released her Nine Heart Begonia martial spirit to begin healing herself.
Roside, who followed Bibi Dong closely, happened to glance back.
When his eyes caught the glowing Begonia flower floating above Ye Lingling's head, he froze in shock.
"Nine… Nine Heart Begonia…"
His own martial spirit was Spring Water Willow Branch—also a rare healing type.
But compared to the legendary Nine Heart Begonia, his power paled in comparison.
Recalling how he had once boasted of being the strongest healing-type soul master in the Spirit Hall, Roside's face flushed with shame.
Bibi Dong, meanwhile, remained expressionless.
She lifted the curtain separating the suite's bedroom and stepped inside.
But the moment she saw the scene before her—
The color drained from her face.
On the bed, Qin Chuan, looking frail and weary, was resting in Qian Renxue's arms.
Gone was Qian Renxue's usual arrogance.
She was gently feeding him spoonfuls of warm porridge, her movements tender and caring.
Their eyes met now and then, exchanging smiles filled with warmth and affection.
The atmosphere in the room was tranquil and intimate.
But to Bibi Dong, it was like a knife to the heart.
Her fists clenched tightly, and an unbearable ache surged in her chest.
This should have been her.
That smile on Qin Chuan's face—
It should have been directed at her.
But now… it belonged to someone else.
"Why did you come in?"
Qian Renxue's voice turned cold as she set down the bowl.
Her beautiful face was frosted with disdain.
"Didn't you hear me? I told someone clearly—Brother Qin Chuan does not want to see you."
But Bibi Dong ignored her, eyes locked onto Qin Chuan with affection.
"Ah Chuan, you've finally woken up."
"I've wanted to see you every day," she said softly. "But I was afraid of disturbing your recovery, so I didn't come often."
"Are you feeling any better now?"
Qian Renxue frowned.
What a well-prepared excuse.
So considerate. So calculated.
"Xue'er, help me sit up," Qin Chuan said gently.
"Alright."
Qian Renxue immediately helped him up, placing a pillow behind his back with practiced care. Qin Chuan's face softened, revealing a faint smile.
Bibi Dong's heart shattered even more at the sight.
This scene should have belonged to her.
This care, this smile, this warmth—it should have been hers.
"Ah Chuan, how are you feeling?" she asked, taking a step forward.
But in a flash, Qian Renxue stepped in her way.
"If you have something to say, say it here, Bibi Dong."
Bibi Dong's expression grew uglier.
She turned to Qin Chuan.
"Ah Chuan, tell her to move. Let Dong'er get a good look at you. I've really missed you these past few days."
Qin Chuan coughed softly.
Then he looked at her and spoke slowly.
"Pope Bibi Dong… just speak from there."
Bibi Dong froze. Her face filled with disbelief.
"You… What did you say, Ah Chuan…?"
"Didn't you hear him?"
Qian Renxue said mockingly.
"Brother Qin Chuan told you to stand there. Say what you want—nothing more."
Bibi Dong stood dazed, then took a deep breath.
"…I understand."
"Ah Chuan, you're angry again, aren't you?"
Her voice softened.
Inside, she felt calmer now—as if she understood the situation. A faint smile even crept onto her lips.
Yes, Qin Chuan must still be angry.
Angry that she promoted Yu Xiaogang to a deacon elder in the Spirit Hall.
This was just another tantrum.
She shook her head gently, her heart warming with affection again.
"Don't worry, Ah Chuan."
"I'll explain everything about Yu Xiaogang's promotion when we return. I promise you'll be satisfied."
"Please, don't stay angry at Dong'er, okay?"
"Ah Chuan, do you know—when I learned you risked your life to kill Tang Hao for me…"
"In that moment, Dong'er forgave you entirely for all the cruel words you said to hurt me."
As soon as those words left her lips—
Qin Chuan, who had remained quietly passive and even slightly distant, suddenly looked up.
His eyes snapped wide open.