“Jiu’er, there’s a carrier pigeon message from Old General Yuan.” Xing Zizhou pushed open the inn room door and walked in.

Feng Jiu’er, who was sitting at the desk working, looked up and frowned slightly.

Xing Zizhou went straight over and handed the letter in his hand to Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er took the letter, placed it on the table, and unfolded it.

Feng Li had once saved the life of Old General Yuan’s son. Now that Feng Li was returning to the court, Old General Yuan had indicated he would lend his full support.

According to the plan, as soon as Feng Jiu’er and the others arrived at Xiyuan City, that would be the moment Old General Yuan’s army, stationed at the Feng Clan border, would turn against the enemy.

“Jiu’er, why has Old General Yuan sent word again?” Xiao Yingtao, not far off, walked over and sat down beside Feng Jiu’er.

“Didn’t we say communication isn’t safe right now?”

“Unless there’s an emergency,” Qiao Mu said, setting down the letter in her hand and looking at Feng Jiu’er.

“Besides, we have a dedicated messenger for communication with Old General Yuan. This is the first time he’s used a carrier pigeon.”

“What does the letter say?” she asked, sighing softly.

Xing Zizhou was anxious too, his fists clenching slightly.

At this point, every step mattered.

“Old General Yuan wants to confess a fault to us,” Feng Jiu’er said, narrowing her eyes slightly as she looked at the letter.

“He says his only grandson is now very likely in Feng Rui’s hands, and the earlier plan may have to change.”

“Old General Yuan’s son and daughter-in-law died in a battle. He must do everything he can to save his grandson’s life, and so he can only apologize to my father.”

Feng Jiu’er finished reading through the contents of the letter before looking up.

“Are you sure it’s Old General Yuan’s handwriting?” Qiao Mu pulled out a chair and sat down again.

Feng Jiu’er nodded slightly. “Yes, I recognize his handwriting.”

“The letter also mentions that he suspects there’s a mole among his own people.”

“So that’s why Old General Yuan took the risk of using a carrier pigeon?” Xiao Yingtao’s crescent brows furrowed.

“Feng Rui is notoriously cold-blooded and merciless. If Old General Yuan goes there, he probably won’t be able to save his grandson, and he’ll likely lose his own life along with it.”

Feng Jiu’er crumpled the letter into a ball, her fist tightening slightly.

When she opened her fingers, the letter in her palm had already turned to ash.

“Feng Qiongcang must have already sensed that Old General Yuan intended to turn against him, which is why he issued the decree in advance ordering Old General Yuan to hand over his military tally.”

“Old General Yuan had barely managed to hold out this far, and yet a situation like this had to arise.”

Feng Jiu’er carefully unrolled the scroll she had just drawn out from within the letter.

“A map?” Xiao Yingtao leaned in and looked closely.

“It’s a map of the geography around the border.” Feng Jiu’er’s fair fingertips traced lightly across the map.

“Old General Yuan probably already guessed that going to face Feng Rui would only lead to one outcome, which is why he sent the terrain map ahead of time.”

She rubbed her fingers together lightly and sighed. “The ink hasn’t fully dried yet — it seems he drew this map hastily, at the last moment.”

“Jiu’er, so what should we do? We can’t just watch Old General Yuan go to his death,” Xiao Yingtao said, rubbing her hands gently on the table.

“Besides, if Old General Yuan dies, we won’t even know who else we can trust.”

“Without their help, what comes next…”

Before Xiao Yingtao could finish speaking, Feng Jiu’er stood up and tucked the map into her robe.

“Have you thought of a way?” Xiao Yingtao stood up too, staring intently at her.

“The battle just ended, and the army still needs time to regroup. I’ll go into the city first to see how things stand,” Feng Jiu’er said, bending down to tidy up the documents.

“Old General Yuan certainly shouldn’t die for nothing. To save him, we’ll need to find his grandson.”