“Old General Yuan, you flatter me!” The corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth lifted slightly as she cupped her hands in a salute.

“Time is short. Whatever matters we have, let’s discuss them in detail once we’ve escaped this place.”

“Escape?” Old General Yuan frowned, glancing at the two men lying unconscious not far off.

Feng Jiu’er looked back and shook her head. “Don’t worry! They’ll wake up after the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.”

“Please forgive me for acting on my own authority, Old General Yuan. This matter concerns the lives of no small number of brothers, so I wished to speak with you alone.”

“The Princess plans far ahead. That’s no easy thing.” Old General Yuan waved his hand. “Please, sit. Sit and speak.”

“Very well.” Feng Jiu’er casually pulled over a chair and sat down.

“Old General Yuan, young master Yuan—are you planning to send him to Chen Family Village?”

“Mm.” Old General Yuan nodded slightly.

Suddenly, he stood up and knelt down.

“Old General Yuan, what are you doing?” Feng Jiu’er went to him at once, supporting his arm.

“Princess, I have failed to live up to Prince Ye’s expectations. I have no right to ask anything of you, and yet there is still one thing I wish to beg of you.”

“Get up and speak!” Feng Jiu’er hauled him up forcefully and sat him back down on the bed.

Old General Yuan tried to pull free of her hands, and Feng Jiu’er simply let go, turning back to her own chair and sitting down.

“If you have something to say, sit and say it. I cannot stay here long.”

“My apologies!” Old General Yuan, who had been about to kneel again, obediently sat back on the bed. “The tiger tally is in Chen Family Village.”

“I left a box for Xi’er. There’s a hidden compartment beneath it—the tally is hidden inside.”

“Only I and the guard who took Xi’er away know of this. I didn’t even tell Elder Chen. I intended to hand the tally over to Prince Ye or to you, Princess.”

“The tally hasn’t been handed over yet—so how did you get Feng Rui to release young master Yuan?” Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed slightly as she asked.

Old General Yuan sighed and leaned back against the headboard. “I never intended to hand over the tally. But Xi’er’s life could not go unsaved.”

“A life for a life?” Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together. “Speak, then. What is it you wish to ask of me, Old General Yuan?”

“Take Xi’er in and raise him—could you?” Old General Yuan straightened his back and fixed his eyes on Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “I already said I would take you away from here, and I will never go back on my word. A grandson is closest to his grandfather—it’s more fitting that you keep him with you.”

“Feng Rui is no easy man to deal with, and his numbers are great. I don’t want the Princess to take risks for my sake,” Old General Yuan said in a low voice.

“This is our decision. There’s no need for you to worry so much, Old General Yuan.” The corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved up slightly.

“Our plan is to leave tonight, punctually, at the hour of Hai. As for Feng Rui—what do you make of it?”

Old General Yuan stared fixedly at Feng Jiu’er without saying a word.

Feng Jiu’er’s crescent brows drew together slightly, and she said softly, “You were willing to give your life for my father’s sake. How could we abandon you to danger and think nothing of it?”

Old General Yuan considered this for a moment, then nodded.

“Feng Rui only agreed to give me half a day. I suspect he won’t wait until nightfall before coming to demand the tally from me.”

“Since that’s the case, I’ll find a way to stall for time. Only…” Old General Yuan raised his eyes. “The Princess must be sure to protect your own life.”

“If it comes down to trading the Princess’s life for mine, then even if I live, it would mean little.”

“Don’t worry.” Feng Jiu’er stood. “My life carries too much with it—I won’t let anything happen to it so easily.”

“As for Feng Rui, I still have a way to buy an hour or two.”

Feng Jiu’er came to the bedside, and a small vial appeared in her hand.

A moment later, the open window shutters swayed gently a few times, and calm returned once more to the chamber.