The words “chrysanthemum tea” stirred ripples once again in Old General Yuan’s heart.

He already knew who had sent him the tea.

Feng Jiu’er had once mentioned in a letter that Old General Yuan should brew some chrysanthemum tea to drink, saying it helped clear heat and detoxify.

But in front of Feng Rui, Old General Yuan’s expression showed no notable change.

“No matter — you may pass along my thanks on my behalf.”

“Yes, Old General Yuan.” The woman bowed at the waist.

Just as Old General Yuan reached out to take the teapot, a large hand came down and covered it.

Old General Yuan looked up and glanced at Feng Rui.

Feng Rui smiled, lifted the teapot’s lid, and leaned in close to it.

“Tea brewed from chrysanthemums — this is the first I’ve heard of such a thing. I wonder if Old General Yuan would be willing to share some with me?”

“If General Feng would like some, by all means.” Old General Yuan waved a hand.

“Hahaha…” Feng Rui laughed loudly, took a clean cup, and poured himself a cup of the chrysanthemum tea.

He set down the teapot, lifted the cup, and brought it toward his nose.

“Smells quite good, Old Jiang.” Feng Rui turned his head and held the cup out.

A man dressed as a guard stepped forward and took the cup.

“Such a fragrant flower tea — come smell it and tell me whether there’s anything else mixed in,” Feng Rui said quietly.

The kneeling woman looked up, wanting to say there was nothing in it but chrysanthemum, but she swallowed the words back and said nothing.

The guard sniffed the tea and gently set the cup back down.

“Reporting to General Feng, aside from the chrysanthemum, there is nothing else added to the tea.”

“Good.” Feng Rui picked up the teapot again and poured a cup for Old General Yuan.

“Old General Yuan, you understand that given our rather special positions right now, it’s best to be careful.”

“Wouldn’t want to be poisoned to death without even realizing it.”

“My thanks for your concern, General Feng.” Old General Yuan accepted the chrysanthemum tea and likewise brought it to his nose to smell.

“Tea brewed from flowers, and yet so fragrant — not bad at all!”

No sooner had he spoken than Old General Yuan took a small sip of the tea, then finally drank the rest of it down in one breath.

Soon after, a young servant came again, saying he was bringing soup for Old General Yuan.

There was also word that tea was being sent to both General Feng and Old General Yuan.

News of the meeting between Old General Yuan and General Feng at the Yuelai Inn spread from ten mouths to a hundred, and before long it had traveled far and wide.

By the time the farewell banquet ended, the inn was packed with guests.

Everyone saw General Feng personally escorting Old General Yuan inside, but no one knew that the moment the two men entered the private room, Feng Rui’s expression changed completely.

The door of the private room shut. Inside, besides Feng Rui and his personal guard, there was Old General Yuan and his two guards.

“Old General Yuan, are you feeling especially parched right now?” Feng Rui said, eyeing Old General Yuan sidelong, his expression turning sinister.

Old General Yuan frowned, steadied himself against the table, and sat down.

“Old General Yuan.” His two personal guards immediately stepped forward.

Old General Yuan seemed to have already expected something like this to happen. He waved a hand, stopping the two guards from approaching.

“You drugged me?” He looked up, staring at Feng Rui.

“Didn’t I tell you not to eat or drink carelessly?” Feng Rui said, the corner of his mouth curling as he sat down across from Old General Yuan.

“That fish soup just now wasn’t bad, was it? Too bad — I happen to hate fish the most!”

“You—” Old General Yuan clutched his stomach, his face turning pale in an instant.

“Haven’t I already told you what I want?” Feng Rui said disdainfully.

“You mean to help Feng Li — you’re headed for a dead end anyway. Better I send you off early and spare you the pain, don’t you think?”