Only then did Xi Yan notice Xia Changming standing nearby. Her lovely face warmed, and she wriggled free of Hu Xiaotian's embrace. Looking at the flying owl and snow eagle not far away, her beautiful eyes lit up with delight. "What a beautiful snow eagle!"
Hu Xiaotian chuckled inwardly. A woman after all-always judging by appearances. It was clearly the flying owl that had rescued them both, yet the snow eagle had caught her attention first.
"There may be a spy among us," Xia Changming said. "On the day you ran into trouble, my lord, the Imperial Court sent men to surround Fengyi Manor. Every brother inside was caught in one sweep."
Hu Xiaotian frowned. That alone proved nothing. Fengyi Manor was his property, and everyone knew it. There was nothing surprising about Qiqi choosing to strike there; this incident alone could hardly establish that there was a traitor among them.
"Even the houses we bought in the Capital City were searched and seized by government troops," Xia Changming said. "That could never have happened unless someone who knew our affairs leaked the information."
Hu Xiaotian closed his eyes. Being betrayed by one of his own was a bitter pill to swallow. Only after a long silence did he ask, "Any news of Yang Lingqi?"
"Yang Lingqi was arrested too," Xia Changming said. "I investigated. Only Zhan Peng's whereabouts remain unknown."
Hu Xiaotian shook his head and declared firmly, "Zhan Peng would never betray me!"
"My lord, when shall we leave?" Xia Changming asked quietly.
"Does Liang Yinghao know how to contact you?" Hu Xiaotian asked.
Xia Changming nodded. "He knows I'll be staying here. Unless something unexpected happens, he should arrive before dusk tomorrow."
"Then we'll wait until he returns."
"Why not leave first, my lord?" Xia Changming asked.