Old General Yuan fell quiet. Perhaps he didn’t believe a word Feng Rui said, but what could be done about it?

After about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, the closed door opened again.

The guard who had just left came back in, leading a thin, frail little boy by the hand.

The moment Yuan Xi saw his grandfather, he immediately burst into loud sobs.

He wrenched free of the guard’s grip and ran toward Old General Yuan.

“Grandpa, waah… Grandpa, you finally came for me, waah…”

Yuan Xi was dressed in ragged clothes, with an old, tattered, and damp cloth wrapped around his front.

His small hands were frozen, drained of color, still damp with unfinished tears.

Seeing his own grandson, Old General Yuan gripped the table and rose to his feet.

Yuan Xi ran forward in great strides and threw himself into his arms.

The two guards stayed close behind Old General Yuan, afraid he might be knocked straight over.

Fortunately, after swaying for a moment, Old General Yuan managed to keep his footing.

“Xi’er, you’ve gotten so thin.” Old General Yuan held Yuan Xi close, his voice trembling slightly.

“Grandpa, I want to go home. I don’t want to stay here, Grandpa, I want to go home.” Yuan Xi cried out, choking on his words.

Inside the room, only the sound of the child’s crying remained.

Old General Yuan gently patted Yuan Xi’s back for a good while before finally raising his eyes to look at Feng Rui.

“Let him leave. I’ll keep my promise.”

“Fine.” Feng Rui waved a hand generously.

He turned and looked at his own guard, raising an eyebrow.

The guard stepped forward and said quietly, “Old General Yuan, shall I take Young Master Yuan there now?”

Old General Yuan looked down at the little one in his arms and said hoarsely, “Give me a moment.”

He held Yuan Xi’s hand and sat back down in his chair.

Once Yuan Xi had finished crying and looked up, he noticed something was off about his grandfather.

“Grandpa.” He reached out a small hand, wanting to touch Old General Yuan’s face.

Old General Yuan took hold of his little hand, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Xi’er, Grandpa is going to be very busy from now on. Go on back first, all right?”

“Then when will Grandpa come back?” Yuan Xi asked, pouting.

Old General Yuan kept a gentle smile on his face, showing no trace of sorrow.

“Aren’t we about to go to war? Once the fighting is over, Grandpa will come home. Listen to Uncle Qi while I’m gone, understand?”

“Mm.” Yuan Xi nodded.

Old General Yuan rubbed Yuan Xi’s head, his expression kindly. “You’ve passed this trial. From now on, you should keep working hard.”

“Grandpa, I understand.” Yuan Xi nodded again.

Old General Yuan looked up at Feng Rui’s guard.

“Let me take him out myself. Don’t worry, my men are at the back door — this won’t cause General Feng any trouble.”

“Let him go.” Feng Rui wore an expression of complete indifference.

Old General Yuan had already been poisoned — there was nothing left for him to worry about.

“Yes.” The guard cupped his hands to accept the order.

Old General Yuan took Yuan Xi and followed the guard out through the back door.

He watched with his own eyes as Yuan Xi caught up with his subordinate before turning to head back inside.

Once back in the private room, Old General Yuan walked straight to the bed.

“General Feng, you should head back now. I’d like to rest a while. Give me half a day more, and I’ll deliver the tally into your hands.”

Feng Rui set down his cup and stood.

“I doubt you’d dare try anything clever!” He turned and left without looking back.

One of Old General Yuan’s personal guards went and shut the door.

The other helped Old General Yuan lie down on the bed.

“Old General Yuan, how are you feeling? I brought medicine — let’s see if it can counter the poison in your body.”

The guard knelt beside the bed, holding a few small bottles in his hands.

“Take a look and see if any of these will do.”