Chapter 185 Do You Think He Knows A Chan’s True…

Chapter 185: You Say, Does He Know A Chan's True Identity?

Bai Xiuming didn't linger long at the Bright Mirror Bureau before heading to King Ming's Residence.

The eunuch steward, upon hearing of Bai Xiuming's return, scurried over to greet him.

"You've finally returned! It's been two months. The King was just asking about you the other day," the eunuch steward said, leading him toward the study.

"Are there guests?" Bai Xiuming inquired.

His father detested staying in places like the study; only unfamiliar guests were received there.

The eunuch steward whispered, "The King of Northern Wilderness arrived unexpectedly an hour ago. As he's a royal junior, His Highness received him in the study."

Bai Xiuming's gaze held a hint of amusement. "This King of Northern Wilderness has been quite active since coming to the capital."

Meeting twice in one day—a mere coincidence?

Outside the study, the guards, seeing Bai Xiuming approach, knocked thrice on the door without needing a signal.

Inside, King Ming, who had been listening to Bai Zhanhuang, suddenly smiled faintly and raised his voice. "Get in."

The guard opened the door, and Bai Xiuming stepped inside.

"Father." Bai Xiuming saluted King Ming.

"Mm." King Ming acknowledged him, scrutinizing him briefly before his eyes lingered on Bai Xiuming’s flamboyant belt before moving away.

King Ming made no move to introduce the two younger men, but Bai Zhanhuang stood up politely. "Lord Bai, I've heard much about you."

"King of Northern Wilderness, fancy seeing you here again."

Despite the study's spaciousness, the presence of two tall young men standing there seemed to block the light.

King Ming watched with interest as the atmosphere between the two turned distinctly awkward after just one exchange. He couldn't shake the feeling that something he didn't know had transpired between them.

Finally, Bai Zhanhuang spoke first. "Uncle King, since you have matters to attend to, I shall take my leave. I'll visit again when you have time."

"Appreciated," King Ming nodded.

After bowing to King Ming, Bai Zhanhuang headed for the door. Bai Xiuming escorted him out, and only then did Bai Zhanhuang speak again. "Lord Bai, no need to see me off."

Bai Xiuming stopped immediately, offering no pleasantries. "Watch your step, King of Northern Wilderness."

The eunuch, sensing the increasingly strange tension between the two, quickly stepped forward to guide Bai Zhanhuang. "This way, Your Highness."

Once Bai Zhanhuang had left the garden, Bai Xiuming returned to the study. As the door shut, he suddenly tilted his head and caught the brush that had been flung at him.

Though the brush's bristles were soft, their tips had sharpened like needles when thrown.

"Your reflexes are good. Seems your cultivation has improved," King Ming remarked, no longer as reserved now that the unfamiliar guest was gone.

"I attended a ritual among the Witch Clan and gained some considerable benefits."

King Ming raised an eyebrow. "It seems the High Priest of the Witch Clan thinks highly of you, to allow an outsider to participate in a ritual."

"I just happened to be there at the right time."

Knowing his son was being evasive, King Ming didn't press further. Children grew up, and one couldn't pry into everything. Instead, he asked, "Where did you get that belt?"

Bai Xiuming glanced down. "A gift from someone."

"It looks good."

"I think so too."

Bai Xiuming took a seat, picked up the teapot, and poured King Ming a fresh cup before asking, "What did Bai Zhanhuang come to see you about?"

King Ming accepted the tea and tapped the stack of books on the table. "He brought these—collections from the Residence of the King of Northern Wilderness and some secret manuals seized from the Shang family back in the day."

Bai Xiuming casually flipped through the top book. It did indeed seem consistent with the manuals found in the Zhao family’s hidden vault.

"He's quite forthright."

"He's clever. After arriving in the capital, he went straight to the Emperor to confess his faults. Not only did he return half the wealth taken from the Shang family, but he also donated a large sum for military provisions."

Though the Emperor still harbored reservations about the Residence of the King of Northern Wilderness, Bai Zhanhuang’s actions had pleased him greatly.

Bai Xiuming had already heard the news from Pang Qi and wasn't surprised. "Did he come just to deliver books?"

King Ming chuckled. "He told me that Huang Lin was originally a guard of the Residence of the King of Northern Wilderness. Now that he’s imprisoned in the *Zhenyu* for serious crimes, Bai Zhanhuang requested to see him—to persuade him to confess truthfully."

Before King Ming, lies were futile, so Bai Zhanhuang had chosen the most honest approach.

King Ming didn't particularly like him, but he didn't dislike him either.

"You agreed?"

"Mm."

"A meeting might be good. I’d also like to hear what Huang Lin has to say." Bai Xiuming didn't believe Bai Zhanhuang's motives were purely cooperative. He was curious—what advantage could Huang Lin offer him?

After being escorted out of King Ming’s Residence by the eunuch steward, Bai Zhanhuang boarded his waiting carriage.

The carriage traveled for nearly half an hour before stopping outside a residence.

The King of Northern Wilderness hadn't visited the capital in years and had no official residence there. This was merely a temporary lodging.

Bai Zhanhuang entered the estate, where only a few servants—all brought from the Northern Wilderness—were present.

The steward greeted him. "Your Highness, dinner is ready. Will you dine now?"

Bai Zhanhuang nodded and walked toward his courtyard. After a few steps, he turned back. "Has Huang Wu returned?"

"Not yet."

"When she does, send her to me immediately."

"Yes."

After his meal, Bai Zhanhuang changed into loose, comfortable robes and sat alone on the divan, setting up a chessboard to play against himself.

Two games later, Huang Wu finally appeared.

"Your Highness, I've returned."

Bai Zhanhuang kept his eyes on the board. "Report."

"Bai Xiuming and Ji Chan met during last year’s Lantern Festival. He sent her to the *Zhenyu*, where she may have been tortured before being released. Later, they crossed paths again due to the case of Ji Chan’s aunt, Xiao Lin Shi. When Ji Chan fell ill, Bai Xiuming used King Ming’s token to summon a royal physician for her..."

Huang Wu's words were abruptly cut off by a loud bang—the nearby Go bowl had fallen to the ground, sending black stones skittering across the floor.

Huang Wu immediately fell silent, only to hear Bai Zhanhuang's icy voice from above: "Continue."

Steeling herself, Huang Wu recounted everything she had uncovered about the two, holding nothing back.

Though only a year had passed, their interactions were numerous. Even with her limited understanding of romance, she could see their relationship growing increasingly intimate, with Bai Xiuming becoming more indulgent toward Ji Chan.

Most recently, the two had left the capital together, their destination unknown, but it seemed they had ventured beyond Great Xia's borders before returning two months later.

Could a man and a woman travel alone and remain untouched?

After finishing her report, Huang Wu didn't dare lift her head to see her lord’s expression.

A suffocating silence followed before Bai Zhanhuang spoke again: "And Bai Xiuming? What have you found?"

This time, Huang Wu hesitated. "I've been unsuccessful. There's little information on Bai Xiuming. He is highly favored by the Emperor and the Crown Prince, rarely interacts with court officials, and leaves little to exploit. The only black mark against him is his annihilation of the Prince of Xiling’s household."

"I recall the root of Bai Xiuming’s hatred for the Prince of Xiling stemmed from the Princess Consort of Xiling?"

"Yes. The Prince of Xiling employed demonic beings to kill the Princess Consort. Bai Xiuming seems to despise demonic beings—since his appointment over the capital, many captive demonic beings have been purged."

Bai Zhanhuang suddenly laughed. "Tell me, do you think he's aware of A Chan’s true identity?"