"Hmm."
Chu Heng strode away.
Xiao Tianhao gritted his teeth, brought Bai Yao in, and faced Bai Lan in the interrogation room.
Unlike Chu Heng, he stood beside them with arms crossed, clearly not planning to leave.
Bai Yao first glanced at Bai Lan, her eyes complex with emotion, then refocused on Xiao Tianhao: "Minister Xiao, I remember Lord Chu said we should meet alone, right?"
"Lord Chu said to let you meet, didnât specify alone. This is your only chance, take it or leave it." Xiao Tianhao obviously didnât intend to give them any face, his gaze grew cold towards the two of them.
From birth, he pledged loyalty only to the emperor; any existence threatening the emperorâs life was no different from an enemy.
He admired Chu Heng for confirming he had no treasonous intentions.
But Bai Lan and Bai Yao were different.
In Xiao Tianhaoâs mind, neither was a decent person, especially with their Gu techniques, making them formidable foes.
"Minister Xiao, you overstate. I will cooperate." Bai Lanâs voice was weak, followed by a light cough, her face turned paler.
She lifted her gaze, meeting Bai Yaoâs eyes: "I didnât expect to see you here."
"Say what you want, but be smart about it, this isnât the best place to talk." Exposed identity seemingly didnât bother Bai Yao, her temperament now unfiltered behind bars.
Her sarcastic remark made Xiao Tianhao internally roll his eyes, yet he remained vigilant.
Bai Lanâs expression hardly changed, her gaze soft, "Why havenât you returned all these years?"
"So you came to the capital specifically to find me, to persuade me to return?" Bai Yao looked at her as if she had heard the worldâs biggest joke, mocking her: "Youâre quite foolish, forcing me out by having the Witch Doctor drug people."
"I just wanted to find you, it was an accident." Bai Lan wearily rubbed her forehead, "I know youâve harbored resentment over the years, but itâs been so long, those who wronged you back then are no longer alive, donât you want to return?"
"Return?" Bai Yao smirked, brushing her fingers against her scarred face, her once prominent beauty completely ruined.
Now it was just ugly.
"Tell me, who was it that left my face like this?" Bai Yaoâs eyes were full of hatred, alongside a burning madness.
Bai Lan reached a hand towards her, only for it to be slapped back with a loud smack.
Bai Lanâs hand swelled red immediately.
"Donât pity me, for it has never been me who needed pity." Bai Yao sneered, "I want to return."
She closed her eyes, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation with Bai Lan.
Xiao Tianhaoâs gaze lingered on their faces, ignoring Bai Yao, suddenly asking Bai Lan, "Saintess, do you have anything else to say?"
Bai Lan kept her head down, silent for a long time.
Xiao Tianhao felt a pang of regret, initially hoping sheâd persuade Bai Yao, that revealing the truth could close the case.
After waiting a bit, sure the two werenât going to communicate further, Xiao Tianhao signaled, and a guard came to blindfold Bai Yao, returning her to the original cell.
"Saintess, youâve requested to see Bai Yao, and Iâve accommodated that. Can you now cooperate in our investigation?" Xiao Tianhao spoke directly.