Qiqi sighed inwardly. Hong Beimo truly was an old fox; not the slightest detail escaped him. Most likely, he had already seen through her reason for hosting tonight's banquet. Her expression remained as calm as an unruffled sea. "Have you forgotten, Mr. Hong? I sent him out on an errand as soon as the banquet began."
Hong Beimo smiled. "I should not have asked, Your Highness, but I cannot shake the feeling that something is amiss tonight."
Qiqi's delicate brows drew together, displeasure showing on her face. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Hong?"
"Has Your Highness not noticed that someone behaved rather strangely tonight?"
Qiqi had thought Hong Beimo was making a veiled reference to her, but this remark clearly had nothing to do with her. She had held this banquet with a particular purpose in mind and had been constantly on her guard, afraid of exposing a flaw. Instead, she had overlooked everyone else's reactions. Feigning composure, she asked, "Who?"
"Ren Tianqing!"
Qiqi blinked in confusion.
Hong Beimo said, "I dare say that the man who attended tonight's banquet was someone else entirely!"
Qiqi exclaimed in astonishment, "You mean someone was impersonating Ren Tianqing?"
Hong Beimo slowly nodded. "Precisely!"
Qiqi's heart sank. If what Hong Beimo said was true, then the real Ren Tianqing must have gone elsewhere, most likely to the Dragon Spirit Wonderland. Quan Dean's failure to return so far proved that tonight's operation had run into trouble. She had to make a decisive move now, lest she lose the initiative once everything came to light.
Hong Beimo said respectfully, "Your Highness, if anything is happening, please tell me plainly. I will always stand by your side."
Qiqi bit her cherry-red lip and finally made her decision. In a low voice, she said, "I have