In response to Bai Hanyun’s questions, the antique mirror glowed faintly, and a single word appeared on its surface.
In the next second, the antique mirror glowed again, and the word changed.
Bai Hanyun’s eyes lit up as she pieced the clues together. "Do you mean he is stealing something from you? Is he your ancestor?"
The mirror shone once. [Yes.]
But a moment later, the word changed again. [No.]
Reading the answers, Bai Hanyun frowned and asked, "Then what exactly did he steal from you?"
Bai Hanyun’s curiosity deepened at the antique mirror’s answer.
"If he isn’t your ancestor, then why did he say I have a connection to the Gui Clan? I don’t even know anyone with the surname Gui in this world, let alone someone from another world."
This time, the antique mirror fell silent.
Bai Hanyun rolled her eyes at this sight and smacked its frame. "Don’t play dead on me. Answer my questions."
After a few more slaps, the antique mirror flickered reluctantly, and a word appeared on its surface.
Bai Hanyun snorted when she read it. "I thought you knew everything in the universe. Turns out, even you have things you can’t answer."
The antique mirror dimmed once and then went completely still.
Seeing that it was really out of energy, Bai Hanyun placed the antique mirror back on its stand.
Resting her chin on her hand, Bai Hanyun muttered, "That Gui Ying... who is he really? And what’s this about stealing merit?"
Glancing at the antique mirror, she frowned slightly, "Was the golden light I saw actually the merit collected by the antique mirror? If so, why is it gathering merit in the first place?"
The more questions Bai Hanyun asked herself, the more her curiosity grew.
Clutching her hair in frustration, she screamed in a low voice, "Ahhh! I really want to know!"
Rolling on the bed, Bai Hanyun let out a frustrated groan. "Ugh... I won’t be able to sleep again tonight."
While Bai Hanyun was suffering from her curiosity, a soldier searched around the dining area of the Feng Army.
After searching for some time, the soldier finally found Feng Xiyan dining with the generals nearby.
Stepping forward, the soldier clasped his fists and reported, "Great General, Ji Hui requests an audience with you."
At this, Feng Xiyan finished the rest of his meal in a few quick bites, then rose to his feet and said, "Let’s go."
As he left with the soldier, Ding Zhenshun said calmly, "It seems Ji Hui has finally made his choice."
Xue Ruhong nodded. "Whether our plan can proceed or not will depend entirely on his decision."
Hearing this, the other generals’ expressions grew solemn.
After a brief silence, Zhan Qi stood, gathered up his and Feng Xiyan’s empty bowls, and walked away.
"General Zhan, where are you rushing off to?" Xue Ruhong called after him.
Without looking back, Zhan Qi replied, "To join the fun."
The moment he left, Xue Ruhong, Tan Pengtai, and Ding Zhenshun exchanged glances, then quickly finished their meals before following Zhan Qi.
Ten minutes later, Feng Xiyan entered the underground prison.
Seeing him coming, the soldiers stationed there clasped their fists and greeted in unison, "This subordinate greets the Great General!"
Feng Xiyan gave them a nod as a response before heading straight to the interrogation room. On the way, he passed Fan Wanming, who was waiting for him.
"Great General." Fan Wanming greeted him.
Feng Xiyan nodded at him, then the two walked down the long corridor together.
Inside the interrogation room, Ji Hui had slowly opened his eyes upon hearing approaching footsteps. Moments later, the door creaked open.
Seeing Feng Xiyan step inside, followed by Fan Wanming, Ji Hui’s eyes flickered.
"General Ji," Feng Xiyan asked, "have you made your choice?"
Ji Hui was silent for a moment before speaking. "Before this general tells you everything, I want your vow to protect my family."
When he said that, Feng Xiyan sat down in the chair Fan Wanming pulled out for him.
He then studied Ji Hui for a long moment before responding, "Very well. This general will protect your family, as long as they remain uninvolved in politics and war."
After brief contemplation, Ji Hui nodded. "Deal."
With the agreement settled, Feng Xiyan gestured for him to continue. "General Ji, you may begin."
"It’s the Wen Clan’s second young master," Ji Hui said flatly.
Noticing that neither Feng Xiyan nor Fan Wanming looked surprised, Ji Hui narrowed his eyes and asked, "You already knew?"
Feng Xiyan smiled faintly. "It wasn’t difficult to guess."
Pausing for a second, he then asked, "Do you know what Wen Kang intends to do by sending his second legitimate son here?"
Ji Hui shook his head. "This general doesn’t know. This general only learned of the Wen Clan’s second young master’s arrival in the western region after receiving his letter asking for help."
Listening to his answer, Feng Xiyan fell into thought. After a brief silence, he muttered with a hint of disappointment in his voice, "Looks like... Wen Kang doesn’t trust you as much as I believed."
At those words, Ji Hui’s eyes flickered. ’Not good. If Feng Xiyan thinks I’m useless, the deal will be gone. I must give him information that is important enough for him to keep me alive.’
With that in mind, Ji Hui raised his eyes to look at Feng Xiyan.
Seeing that he was still deep in thought, Ji Hui quickly said, "This general still knows something you may find interesting."
Drawn from his thoughts, Feng Xiyan looked at Ji Hui calmly.
Seeing he had piqued Feng Xiyan’s curiosity, Ji Hui continued, "Great General, are you aware of the current emperor’s true identity?"
Feng Xiyan’s eyes sharpened with interest when he heard this. "True identity? General Ji, are you saying that Emperor Jing Yang is not the son of the previous emperor?"
The corner of Ji Hui’s lips curved faintly when he asked this.