Slowly tapping the wooden table with his index finger, the adjutant gazed into the distance and frowned.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Usually, Dali Si and the Ministry of Justice would need at least half a year to investigate a case involving a high-ranking official."
"However, in the Feng Clan’s case, no one knows why the previous emperor ordered the execution immediately, nor why he never sent troops to capture Feng Xiyan."
Looking at the sky outside the window, the adjutant sighed and continued, "I remember accompanying General Ji back to the imperial capital city under the emperor’s direct orders to escort the Feng Clan to the execution grounds."
"That day, blood flowed like a river and stained the ground as far as the eyes could see. The stench of blood hung in the air for seven days. What’s more shocking is that the execution happened in the sixth month, but it snowed nonstop for 49 days."
"Rumor has it that the night the entire Feng Clan was buried, the earth dragon turned over, and the ground cracked open."
"People claimed they heard the cries of the dead that night. Because of this, the emperor sealed off the mass grave, and no one has been allowed in since."
"After that incident, natural disasters struck the Yu Empire repeatedly. In the end, the emperor died a few months after the Feng Clan’s extermination. Since then, the Feng Clan’s tragedy has become taboo in the empire, and no one dares to speak of it."
After retelling the story, the adjutant looked at Tuluo Cheng and asked, "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Tuluo Cheng frowned slightly and replied, "That tragedy is our only clue about what Feng Xiyan plans to do in the future."
The adjutant’s pupils shrank at his words. Clenching his fists tightly, he said, "You mean... Feng Xiyan wants revenge?"
Tuluo Cheng nodded. "Yes. And not only to the imperial family, but to everyone who was involved in the extermination of the Feng Clan."
As his words echoed in the room, a chill ran down the adjutant’s spine. He turned pale and muttered in disbelief, "How could he endure all these years? How deep must his hatred run?"
Tuluo Cheng looked at him and said, "That’s why, if we want to survive Feng Xiyan’s revenge, we must not be involved with the Wen Clan or the imperial family."
"But General Ji works for Prime Minister Wen. We have already chosen our side. There is no turning back," the adjutant said with a hint of fear in his voice.
Tuluo Cheng thought for a moment and replied, "No. We still have a chance to choose."
The adjutant looked at him and coldly asked, "You want to betray General Ji?"
"No." Tuluo Cheng lowered his voice and said, "I want all of us to pledge allegiance to Feng Xiyan."
As soon as he said this, the adjutant looked at him as if he were crazy.
Ignoring the gaze, Tuluo Cheng picked up his chopsticks and said, "I will find an opportunity to speak with Feng Xiyan. In the meantime, you should seriously consider my words."
Hearing this, the adjutant turned to look at the unconscious Ji Hui, then lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
While Tuluo Cheng and the adjutant were preoccupied with their own thoughts, someone knocked on the door.
Snapping out of his deep thoughts, the adjutant stood up and went to open the door. Seeing that it was a soldier from the Feng Army, he asked, "Do you need something?"
The soldier clasped his fists and replied, "Sir, I have come to deliver medicine for General Ji."
After saying that, the soldier handed over the medicine and added, "Physician Yan said the medicine should be taken twice a day after meals. Just mix it with a cup of water and have General Ji drink it."
The adjutant took the small package of medicine and said, "Please convey my thanks to Physician Yan."
The soldier nodded, then turned and left.
After watching the soldier exit the inn, the adjutant closed the door.
Returning to the table, he poured a cup of water and opened one packet of medicine. Looking at the multicolored powder, he sniffed it, and an intensely bitter smell hit his nose.
Frowning slightly, he showed the powdered medicine to Tuluo Cheng and asked, "Military Advisor, have you ever seen this kind of medicine before?"
Tuluo Cheng took a sniff and said, "I know some types of medicinal powders, but this is the first time I have seen a mixed-color one. Moreover, unlike others that smell of herbs, this one only smells bitter and nothing else."
Listening to his words, the adjutant’s frown deepened. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Do you think it’s safe for General Ji to consume this medicine?"
Tuluo Cheng nodded. "It should be safe. If it were poisonous, both of us would have been affected by just sniffing it."
Hearing this, the adjutant’s expression stiffened.
Noticing the change in his expression, Tuluo Cheng calmly said, "Next time, don’t be so careless. Otherwise, you will die before General Ji does."
Knowing it was his own carelessness, the adjutant nodded obediently. "Yes."
After confirming the medicine was safe, he poured the medicinal powder into the cup of water. Swirling it gently, he stirred the mixture until the powder was completely dissolved.
Carrying the cup of medicine, he sat on the bed and lifted Ji Hui’s body. Carefully, he began feeding the medicine to Ji Hui.
While the adjutant attended to Ji Hui, Yan Bingyang had just arrived in the commander’s tent.
Taking a seat across from Feng Xiyan, Yan Bingyang let out a sigh and said, "It’s so hot outside."
Smiling at his words, Feng Xiyan poured a cup of water and placed it in front of Yan Bingyang.
"Thank you," Yan Bingyang said, then drank it in one go. Setting the empty cup on the table, he wiped his lips with a handkerchief.
Seeing that Yan Bingyang’s breathing had steadied, Feng Xiyan asked, "Physician Yan, how is Ji Hui’s condition?"