“I’m fine. I just need to rest a while.” Old General Yuan shook his head and closed his eyes.

He still didn’t know exactly what else Feng Jiu’er had put in the chrysanthemum tea, but out of trust, he had drunk several extra cups.

At that moment, aside from the chills and the sweating, Old General Yuan wasn’t actually suffering much — the weakness was mostly an act.

Seeing the satisfied look on Feng Rui’s face, Old General Yuan was certain now: the chrysanthemum tea had saved him.

“You two should go rest as well. We still have a hard battle ahead of us — we need to conserve our strength,” Old General Yuan said quietly.

The two guards standing on either side of the bed were briefly startled, then both cupped their hands together. “Yes, Old General Yuan.”

The guards each found a long bench and sat down. The private room fell so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

In another room, Xiao Yingtao sat in a chair, swinging her legs back and forth.

“Jiu’er, was the amount of antidote you put in Old General Yuan’s chrysanthemum tea actually enough?”

Xiao Yingtao’s question went unanswered, so she could only look up and glance further into the room.

Inside, Feng Jiu’er, Xing Zizhou, and Jian Yi were gathered around a round table, deep in discussion. Xiao Yingtao was left to serve merely as the doorkeeper.

“Jiu’er, what do you think of this route?” Xing Zizhou asked quietly.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “For now, this is the most suitable route.”

“According to the plan, the brothers will begin their attack tonight at midnight — we need to move quickly.”

“Good, I’ll go arrange it now.” Xing Zizhou folded up the map on the table.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “I’ll go speak with Old General Yuan about the situation. Keep an eye out for our signal.”

Knock, knock, knock — the door was knocked six times, three heavy, three light.

Xiao Yingtao had already heard the footsteps coming and jumped up to stand behind the door.

The knocking signal matched, so she opened the door.

A man dressed as a young servant walked in, and Xiao Yingtao closed the door behind him.

The servant came before Feng Jiu’er and cupped his hands. “Miss Jiu’er, Young Master Yuan has left with the men of the Yuan family army.”

“It was Old General Yuan himself who saw him off, so it should be fine.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er gave a slight nod. “Keep watching outside.”

“Yes.” The man cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Xing Zizhou tidied up a bit before leaving the room as well.

In the end, only Xiao Yingtao and a table full of good food remained in the room.

Jian Yi created a small distraction to draw the guards’ attention away, allowing Feng Jiu’er to slip through the window into Old General Yuan’s room without difficulty.

Her movements were so light and quiet that not even the guards seated on either side of the bed noticed.

A cool breeze carrying a faint fragrance swept past, and the two guards seated on the bench both slumped over, their eyes closing.

Feng Jiu’er moved quickly, and just as Old General Yuan opened his eyes, she sealed several of his acupoints.

“Old General Yuan, it’s me — the chrysanthemum tea.” Feng Jiu’er held a small pill in her hand.

Old General Yuan opened his mouth, took the pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.

Feng Jiu’er sat on the edge of the bed, lifted his hand, and began checking his pulse.

“Thank goodness, I guessed right.” After a moment, she let out a soft breath of relief and looked down at the man on the bed.

“Old General Yuan, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” Old General Yuan braced himself with his palm and sat up.

Feng Jiu’er rose and stepped back to make room.

She retreated a step and cupped her hands respectfully. “Old General Yuan, you’ve had a hard time of it.”

Had it not been to help them, Old General Yuan could simply have handed over the tally from the very beginning, and none of what followed would have happened.

Old General Yuan smiled faintly and shook his head.

“Princess, how good it is to finally meet you in person.”