The letter 1/2

As the gentle whisper of the night's breeze stirred the quiet, the solitary glow of a hanging lantern cast its light on two figures - father and son. The soft symphony of the nocturnal creatures laced the air with a serene melody. A veil of clouds intermittently obscured the moonlight, rendering the night darker than usual.

Yi Chang's eyes were fixed on the diminutive parchment, consuming its contents with rapt attention. Meanwhile, his son, Yi Tian, perched at his side, watching his father and waiting. A prolonged silence ensued until Yi Chang placed the paper back onto the table, his expression unfazed, still bearing its habitual stern tranquility. Intrigued, Yi Tian turned his attention to the paper. Illuminated by the gentle glow of the lantern, he deciphered its contents.

{In two weeks' time, the extermination of the Guo will commence. Your mission must be completed within this period.} It was a succinct message, yet its implications were obscure to Yi Tian. Lifting his gaze to his father, he broke the silence, "What does this mean?"

Yi Chang's eyes had been shut. At the sound of his son's voice, he opened them and fixed his gaze on the young man. Complication, that was what filled Yi Chang's thoughts. The letter's initial directive was clear to him - the Guo Branch Family was to be exterminated. Who issued this command and why were questions that remained unanswered. The second instruction was more elusive to Yi Chang, but nevertheless, he had already begun devising a strategy to uncover its meaning. The true enigma, however, was not the letter, but his own son, Yi Tian.

About two years ago, Yi Jun, the family's most esteemed strategist and a revered elder, had confided in him about Yi Tian's odd behavior. Yi Chang held Elder Jun's insights in high regard, and so he closely observed Yi Tian. His son had indeed altered. He had become more imperious, more prideful, and he had developed a baseless ambition to claim the position of the heir. But what caused Yi Chang the most heartache was the evidence of treason that Yi Jun had unearthed.

Now, Yi Tian had brought him something that directly contradicted these previous allegations. Clearing his thoughts, Yi Chang heaved a sigh and questioned Yi Tian, his tone was paternal yet laced with a hint of sternness, "Yi Tian, it is commendable that you brought this letter to me. But I am left with a query. Why would Li Tingguang entrust this to you?"