“If you kill Old General Yuan, the people of Xiyuan City won’t let you off!” one of the guards said in a low, urgent voice.

Feng Rui only glanced at him with contempt and explained with little patience: “Old General Yuan will certainly not die at my hands.”

“Right now, the whole city knows that the greatest enemies of Old General Yuan and myself are Prince Ye, and that legendary young Princess.”

“If Old General Yuan dies at the enemy’s hand, his subordinates will surely fight to the death.”

“In fact, I’d welcome even more people rallying behind Old General Yuan — that way, this battle won’t cost me a single soldier. Hahaha…”

“You—” The guard flew into a rage and moved to draw his sword.

But someone was faster than him.

Feng Rui’s personal guard pressed his drawn sword against the neck of Old General Yuan’s guard.

“Don’t move!” Old General Yuan, seeing this, rose to his feet.

“Isn’t it the military tally you want? Where is my Xi’er?”

Feng Rui waved a hand, and his personal guard withdrew the sword.

“Good, so you do remember you have a little grandson. Not bad! He’s in my hands. Be sensible and hand over the tally quickly.”

“The Second Prince will be arriving soon too. Once he does, you won’t have room to keep making excuses.”

Feng Rui paced back and forth, his contemptuous gaze sweeping over Old General Yuan from time to time.

Old General Yuan’s face was pale, sweat beading at his temples, looking like a lamb led to slaughter, with no strength left to resist.

Feng Rui suddenly stopped pacing and slammed a hand down hard on the table.

“Are you going to hand over the tally now in exchange for your grandson’s life? Or would you rather wait for the Second Prince to arrive and send both grandfather and grandson off together?”

“Save Xi’er,” Old General Yuan replied hoarsely.

“And yet you still went to Chen Family Village and brought so many soldiers with you?” Feng Rui stared him down.

“Release Xi’er, and those two as well.” Old General Yuan turned to look back at his own guards.

“Once the three of them arrive safely at Chen Family Village, I’ll hand you the tally immediately.”

“How can I trust your word?” Feng Rui slammed the table again.

If it weren’t for his wariness of Old General Yuan’s standing and reputation in Xiyuan City, Feng Rui would have already killed this man who stood in the way of his great cause.

That he had tolerated him this long was no small feat.

“My life is already in your hands, isn’t it?”

No sooner had he spoken than Old General Yuan closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, his expression appearing full of pain.

“I’m not leaving,” said the guard standing in front.

“Neither am I!” the other guard chimed in. “Besides, now that we know General Feng’s secret, he won’t let us go either way.”

“Old General Yuan, according to the plan, just get the young master safely away. Wherever you are, we’ll be there too.”

Old General Yuan understood this reasoning all too well. Feng Rui had so brazenly admitted to his own crimes — he clearly had no intention of sparing the three of them.

But the thought of dragging his brothers-in-arms down with him weighed heavily on his heart.

Old General Yuan said nothing more, and the two guards fell silent as well.

After a moment, Feng Rui waved a hand.

“Bring the little one in, let him see his grandfather.”

“Yes.” The personal guard cupped his hands and turned to walk out.

Hearing that he would soon see the grandson he hadn’t laid eyes on in days, Old General Yuan straightened his back a little.

“Feng Rui, defying the imperial order and failing to hand over the tally immediately — that is my crime and mine alone. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“I only hope that after I’m gone, you’ll treat my brothers as your own and look after them well.”

Feng Rui gave a cold laugh and pulled out a chair to sit.

“Those who recognize the times are the wise ones. If everyone else were as sensible as Old General Yuan is at the end of his life, I might actually consider your request.”