There were far too many things in this world that could never be verified, and most ended up being left unresolved. Hong Beimo had long understood this principle, which was why his handling of the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Tower affair had been all thunder and little rain. The investigation seemed to be proceeding with great fanfare, but he had taken no substantive action. His interest in the affair itself did not even match the attention he paid to Hu Xiaotian's every move.
Hu Xiaotian had only just returned to the Prince's Residence when Hong Beimo came calling. Ostensibly, he was there to visit his goddaughter Baobao, but in truth, he had another purpose. Too much had happened in the two days since the fire at the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Tower: the Black Hu Princess had disappeared, the Black Hu Envoy Group had abruptly departed, and soon after their departure, Hu Xiaotian had found Princess Xima. Outsiders marveled at how swiftly the winds and clouds had shifted, but Hong Beimo knew things were not that simple. A hair-raising contest might already have taken place behind the scenes, yet he remained an outsider. More precisely, he had chosen to remain an outsider until now and had been happy to do so. Those caught in the game were bewildered, while those watching from the sidelines saw clearly. He needed to understand the situation before deciding his next move.
Baobao was past the critical stage, though she still lay rigidly in bed with a specially made collar around her neck, looking somewhat comical. She had always been optimistic, and once her condition stabilized, a smile soon returned to her face. It was her strength that had kept her alive through all the dangers she had endured.
Hong Beimo stood beside Baobao and offered a few words