In The Name of Fate[BL]

chapter 5: Interrogation (1)

Xin Yi and Feng Xiao looked at Bai Rongxuan, who had unconsciously let out a noise. He developed heart palpitations as the two stared at him, brows raised in question.

Bai Rongxuan discovered that he was beginning to show attraction towards Feng Xiao following the latter's amnesia. The current Feng Xiao looked radiant compared to his former self. Perhaps, he thought, it was a good thing Young Master Xiao had lost his memories.

"I'm sorry. I had hiccups," Bai Rongxuan lied, his expression apologetic. Feng Xiao waved off the trivial interruption, refocusing on the issue at hand.

"Xin Yi, Keeper Qian's long service doesn't mean she's above suspicion, though I haven't made a conclusion yet. As for now, everyone is a suspect."

"INCLUDING US?" Bai Rongxuan and Xin Yi exclaimed simultaneously. Like alarmed flamingoes, they shot upright, necks stiff and eyes wide. Feng Xiao was at loss for words, only staring frantically at them. He should really bridle his tongue henceforth. After a while, he found his response.

"You two should not overthink it. I didn't mean it that way," he said with a rueful grin.

Bai Rongxuan simmered down and asked, "so you're saying the illness you had is related to the assassination attempt?"

Feng Xiao hesitated, somewhat uncertain. "Well, it's just a conjecture."

"Another unusual thing happened when you left." Xin Yi sobered up and got their attention with her cliffhanging words.

"Which was?" Feng Xiao asked hungrily.

"After you left, Keeper Qian ordered a sudden cleanup."

Feng Xiao and Bai Rongxuan exchanged glances.

Xin Yi continued, "she sent the servants to work on the gardens. I thought she was just being thorough as the House Keeper, so I didn't read meaning to it."

Bai Rongxuan frowned. "Keeper Qian's impromptu cleanup order may seem suspicious, but how's that related to the assassination?"

Feng Xiao hinted nonchalantly. "You can't tell. It might be for the purpose of erasing all evidence."

Feng Xiao pondered for a moment, then turned to Bai Rongxuan. "Remember when the Army of Secrecy arrived at the battle site? They killed all the assassins without sparing even one. Don't you find it strange? Normally, they were supposed to keep one scapegoat alive to pry out information."

Bai Rongxuan agreed thoughtfully. "That's true. I have also thought of it. That means...." His eyes lit up on learning the unpalatable truth.

"Father doesn't want an investigation," Feng Xiao finished. "If I'm to make a guess, father probably knows the mastermind. And that further proves my conjecture that the mastermind isn't someone we can make light of." Feng Xiao was deeply in thought. He looked at Bai Rongxuan. "Have you, by any chance, gotten the identity of those assassins?"

Bai Rongxuan nodded briefly, his demeanor zealous. "According to the intelligence guild, those assassins are likely from an organization called Four-Winds Society. The organization is based in the capital, but its headquarters are unknown."

Feng Xiao was surprised to some degree. "How did you find that out?"

"Earlier today, I overheard commander Puyang's discussion with Lord of Nan'An in the library."

Feng Xiao was awed. It confirmed that Bai Rongxuan was deft in stealth, complimenting his martial prowess. "Good, good."

Feng Xiao was engrossed in a puzzle. His Father had uncovered a piece of the truth but refused to delve deeper. He resolved to investigate everything from the root. "The illness, Keeper Qian, father, Four-Winds Society. How are these elements connected?"