章 17: Bloodstains Beneath the Snow

A snow storm blew in. No one dared bear the brutal cold and harshly blowing snow unless absolutely necessary. Fei Li had to wonder whether it was because he had grown bored and restless with the snowstorm keeping him cooped up, or whether he was looking for a distraction for other reasons. Regardless, Lu Qinyi showed up at his door and spread powdery snow all over his floor once again. Fei Li could only sigh, both his cloak and a thick blanket curled around him, tea cup held in his hand. "What do you want?"

"I couldn't let you get bored with this dreadful snowstorm about. Let's play some games, shall we?" He said all too cheerily, placing down a wooden Weiqi board and two small containers filled with playing stones.

"And why would I want to do that? I have books to entertain myself or I could practice calligraphy." He felt Lu Qinyi was particularly shameless to dare pass off entertaining himself as a kind deed toward Fei Li.

"Don't be so uptight. Playing a game won't kill you, General Fei." Lu Qinyi fetched a cup to pour himself some tea before sitting across from Fei Li. Seeing that the black stones had been placed on his side, giving him the first move, Fei Li decided he might as well play. He leaned forward to place a stone on the board. Lu Qinyi smiled, reclining in his chair as he also played his first move, his teacup dangling from the fingers of his other hand.

The two went back and forth, slowly filling the board with stones. Lu Qinyi observed closely, more concerned with discerning Fei Li's playstyle than actually winning the game. Fei Li was careful, setting himself a foundation. Although Lu Qinyi was playing aggressively, Fei Li didn't make any careless moves, preferring to lose some stones than advance. However, once his foundation was set, he flipped his strategy, setting about capturing Lu Qinyi's pieces ruthlessly. Lu Qinyi raised an eyebrow, his hand pausing with a stone still held between his fingers as he analyzed the board. He'd lost and by quite a margin. Seeing as he could already tell this game was beyond redeeming, he gracefully conceded. "Well played. Another round?"

"That loss wasn't enough for you?" Fei Li cleared the board, this time pushing the container of black stones to Lu Qinyi. They ended up playing a few more rounds with Lu Qinyi changing his tactics every round, prodding at Fei Li's strategies with interest. He tried variations of aggressive and defensive strategies, most of which Fei Li won against. But Lu Qinyi still got what he wanted from these games, entertainment as well as a closer look at what kind of person Fei Li was. It was fascinating to see how that mind of his worked, quickly discerning the board before making his moves. He didn't fall to provocations yet would exploit any openings mercilessly. He played more to the defensive side, he wasn't quick to take to attacking even when Lu Qinyi was playing defensive strategies. He preferred to wait and watch, only wanting to make a move when he clearly understood the situation. By this point, both players were captivated by the game, Lu Qinyi propping his chin in his hand, fiddling with a stone between his fingers as he waited for his turn. Fei Li was leaned forward, cheek resting on the back of one of his hands, his other hand pressing a stone lightly against his lips as he stared down at the board, deep in thought. "I believe this is your win."

Lu Qinyi blinked a few times. "Truly?" He glanced over the board. "Huh, I suppose it is."

Before either side could suggest another round, the door opened, bringing with it the bitter cold and the howl of the wind beyond. Yang Xun stumbled in, Zhao Mei following close behind, hurriedly shutting the door after them. Fei Li frowned in dissatisfaction at the chill that had swept in, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders.

"So this is why I couldn't find you in your room General," Yang Xun commented, curiously peering at the board with a finger against his chin as he took a moment to determine who had won. He grinned. "Nice work General Lu."

"Don't be so quick to praise. General Fei won the last three games in a row." Lu Qinyi brushed off the compliment dismissively as he cleared the board.

"Playing games instead of working, General Lu?" Zhao Mei questioned although her tone wasn't particularly hard, only lightly reprimanding.

"Finished it. Nothing more we can do until the snowstorm clears and we can send and receive messages again. Might as well play. Why don't the two of you join us? If General Fei has no objections that is." Fei Li shrugged indifferently so Lu Qinyi turned his gaze to the two, waiting for their response.

"Isn't Weiqi a two player game?" Yang Xun questioned as he pulled two chairs over, sitting down regardless. Lu Qinyi pulled a die from his sleeve, holding it wedged between his pointer and middle finger. Yang Xun gave an "Ah" as Lu Qinyi held it up, pushing the board on the table aside to make room. Zhao Mei considered for a moment before taking the empty seat at the table.

"Wonderful. Let's gamble then! General Fei has no money so I suggest we gamble with information." He laid a set of three dice in the center of the table, glancing about at his companions for any protests. Fei Li had only frowned slightly. Of course he had no money since he was technically a prisoner here but did Lu Qinyi have to be so blatant about it? When Lu Qinyi met Zhao Mei's harsh glare, he frowned, adding with some reluctance, "Information besides those regarding military affairs. I've been banned from gambling with those."

Fei Li stared at him with disbelief, his mouth falling open slightly. "You really...?" He didn't need to finish asking, one look at the gloomy look on Zhao Mei's face answered it. Lu Qinyi was truly irresponsible enough to gamble with military information.

Lu Qinyi coughed awkwardly before hurriedly continuing, "Do you know how to play Yee Hah Hi, General Fei?"

Fei Li responded with a lazy "Mm" as he sat back in his chair, folding his arms within the wraps of fabric around him.

"Let's play then. Since we're gambling with information, we'll have to simplify the game. The stakes are now one question answered for the lowest bet, two for betting on two dice and three for betting on all three. State your bets."

Yang Xun: "Coin and a rooster."

Zhao Mei: "One blue."

Fei Li was the last to place his bet, glancing around the table. He was truly gambling with the general and two lieutenants of the Southern Army. All three of their gazes were on him, wondering what was taking him so long. He sighed lightly. "Crab."

Lu Qinyi tossed the three dice. Gourd, prawn, prawn. Blue, green, green. "Alright, ask away Mei Mei."

She tapped her fingers on the table before slowly asking, "Did you really only eat one of my milk candies?"

"...I ate three." He admitted, not meeting her gaze. She lunged for him across the table and he hastily raised his hands to defend himself. "I already apologized! I haven't even recovered from the last hit you gave me! My stomach is still black and blue, here I'll show you." In his plea for mercy, he went to pull at his robes with no reservations, much to the other's horror.

Zhao Mei had him by the lapels but quickly lowered her hands to pull his robes back and Yang Xun had jumped to his feet, waving his hands about. "General Lu, you can't do that!"

"Huh? Why not? I've lived and trained beside you both for years. Besides, she's married and you have a lover so what's there to care for..." He trailed off as he followed the lieutenants' gazes to Fei Li. "...Oh."

Fei Li had been watching on as uncaringly as ever. The only thing he felt as he watched the scene go down was somewhat amused. They had only asked one question and it had already turned to violence. He quirked a brow at the gazes that fell on him. Lu Qinyi looked back to his lieutenants, nonchalantly commenting, "I've seen him bare chested before, what are you two causing such a fuss about this for?" His subordinates gaped at him while Fei Li suddenly looked rather uncomfortable.

Zhao Mei was the first to recover her composure. Still not having quit trying to convince Lu Qinyi to maintain some decency she replied, "That's different. You aren't interested in men."

"Hm. That's true. So showing how badly you've bruised me is only an issue if General Fei is into men. General Fei?" He turned to question Fei Li shamelessly. Fei Li hastily averted his gaze to the side, his discomfort only growing. Seeing the other wouldn't respond, Lu Qinyi could only raise his brows. "You like men, General Fei?"

"That's none of your business!" He snapped but he still refused to look back at them.

Lu Qinyi made a sound of amusement, neatening his robes then letting his hands fall away. His subordinates let out a brief sigh of relief, sitting back down. "Regardless, I'm fairly certain I have internal injuries from your hit, Mei Mei. Surely that's enough punishment for the three milk candies?"

Zhao Mei was far beyond arguing with him over it now, muttering to herself as she picked up the dice. "Bets."

"I'll bet on two reds." Lu Qinyi stated, the game continuing as if nothing had ever happened.

Yang Xun: "Rooster and crab."

Although the turn of events was enough to make one's head spin, Fei Li was grateful for the topic change so he was much quicker to give his bet this time. "One green."

The dice were tossed. Crab, prawn, coin. Green, green, blue.

"Zhao Mei, the time I missed dinner because I was out late on a mission... The tables had been cleared and the kitchen closed but a bowl was left for me. That was you, right?"

Zhao Mei frowned slightly. "You know there's no small number of soldiers who adore you and would do such a thing? It didn't have to be me. But yes, that time it was."

Yang Xun seemed satisfied. "Knew it."

Zhao Mei said nothing, merely turning her gaze to Fei Li. The latter paused, momentarily unsure of what he wanted to ask. "The last skirmish we had before I was captured, the small pass there was separating the camp from where the fight broke out. The pass was caved in, splitting up our soldiers and delaying reinforcements. That tactic... You would have been the one to come up with it. Was it inspired by General Wang?" It had seemed much too similar to be a coincidence and sure enough, Zhao Mei gave a nod. This meant the Southern Army, or perhaps just Zhao Mei, had taken note of the Northern army's campaigns and even used a technique inspired by one of the historical Generals of the North. Normally, the Southern generals dared to scorn and look down on the North, especially when it came to military affairs. They were the ones to win the last war afterall. But it seemed Zhao Mei didn't possess these biases and the eccentric General Lu didn't care for them either.

Yang Xun took up the dice next. "Hit me with your bets."

Lu Qinyi seemed particularly eager for this one, even lowering his bet to try and guarantee a question. "One green."

Zhao Mei also had a gleam in her eye. "One blue."

Fei Li didn't share this desire and simply placed his bets as usual. "Coin."

Crab, gourd, rooster. Green, blue, red.

Lu Qinyi narrowed his eyes at Yang Xun. "That report you said you lost and handed to me a week late, do you happen to remember it? Did you lose it or had you not done it in the first place?"

Yang Xun looked everywhere but at Lu Qinyi. "I ah... hadn't done it yet."

"I got scolded for that late report!" Lu Qinyi huffed, folding his arms over his chest and looking rather grumpy.

Yang Xun glared back at him. "You shouldn't have asked me for a report at a time like that. I had time off! Of course I'd go drinking and forget all about the report."

Lu Qinyi only hmphed. Zhao Mei had patiently been waiting her turn to ask Yang Xun a question. "Yang Xun. You're going to request that Maiden Xu marry you the next time we return home, aren't you?"

Yang Xun flushed, his eyes widening. "I- You-" He stammered some more before he finally got out a complete sentence. "I told you not to ask about it anymore! You said you wouldn't keep prying!"

"I lied." Zhao Mei admitted easily, defending against the half hearted punch Yang Xun aimed at her arm.

Lu Qinyi burst out laughing. "Great question Mei Mei! You know the rules of the game Yang Ye, cough it up."

"I..." Yang Xun's expression twisted at the keen gazes of Lu Qinyi and Zhao Mei. He sighed before quietly confessing. "...I am."

"Aha! I told you he wouldn't ask until we're home next. He's too anxious. I'd dare say it'll take him at least a month once we get back."

Zhao Mei shook her head slightly, looking at Yang Xun thoughtfully. "Mm, a month is generous. Two months at the least."

Fei Li sat to the side, an outsider to these affairs and yet he didn't feel too uncomfortable as he quietly watched the three friends. The atmosphere was so light and pleasant, you could almost forget the impending war that lay just beyond the snow. But he knew it was only time until that blanket of innocently white snow melted away to reveal the bloodstains beneath. When that time came, would Lu Qinyi kill him? Afterall, his usefulness as a hostage had a time limit. What good was he after that? Or could he hope by some chance he would be saved?

The dice were pushed before him. He blinked away his daze as he scooped the dice up. He could finally get a good look at them, they were made of smooth black jade. He wasn't sure exactly how the symbols had been inked into them but the colours shone brightly, not at all difficult to see against the backdrop of black. He rolled them in his fingers as he spoke up, "What are your bets?"

Yang Xun was the first to place his bet in, seeming keen on the opportunity to ask a question of the enemy general. "One red."

Zhao Mei seemed similarly keen but she kept her cool appearance, the only cue being her low bet. "One blue."

Lu Qinyi thought for a moment, his head tilted slightly as he gazed across at Fei Li. "Three green."

Fei Li hadn't thought much of this high stakes bet until the dice stopped rolling, their clanking still seeming to echo in that room that so quickly fell dead silent. Two crabs and a prawn. Three greens.

Lu Qinyi lit up while the other three looked completely dumbstruck. "How did you manage that? There's no way you simply have luck that good." Yang Xun questioned, still staring at the dice in disbelief.

"We've all rolled those dice. They're the same set he usually carries. He isn't even the one who rolled them. They couldn't be weighted, he couldn't have cheated." Zhao Mei reasoned but her brows were furrowed slightly.

Even Fei Li wondered if Lu Qinyi had cheated but there was no possible way for him to. So he simply frowned slightly. "Ask then."

"First question, would you happen to have any lovers or previous lovers?" This question was just to mess with Fei Li and stir him up, Lu Qinyi wouldn't really get anything from it.

"As if that's any of your busi-" Fei Li began, already bristling with annoyance but he was promptly cut off by Lu Qinyi.

"Rules of the game, General Fei. You shouldn't have agreed to play if you didn't want to answer questions."

Fei Li glared at him for a while before stiffly responding. "I've had a past lover."

"The cold, merciless, heartless general has had lovers before. Truly, your reputation hardly does you justice General Fei." Lu Qinyi said brightly with an obnoxiously devilish grin on his face. Yang Xun's job involved gossip so he looked greatly interested in this fact, a smile teasing at his lips. Even Zhao Mei who refused to care for such matters couldn't help but glance at Fei Li. This only increased Fei Li's annoyance and he sank slightly further into the cover of the blanket and cloak piled over him, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"Second question, what are your thoughts of me, General Fei?"

Fei Li hardly even hesitated to respond. "You're annoying."

"So harsh General. Last question then. Why are you fighting this war? What drove you to want to become a general?"

Fei Li met Lu Qinyi's gaze silently. "That's quite the question to ask someone, General Lu." Fei Li hummed quietly as he contemplated whether he'd actually humour such a question with an answer. There were also multiple answers he could give. He finally settled on one word. "Duty."

"Duty? To who and what? Your country? Family?" Lu Qinyi questioned but when he saw the slight, tilted smile the other wore, he realized that those were extra questions that required winning extra bets. Fei Li had him there, even though he was frustrated as this was the only question he truly wanted the answer for, he could only admit defeat and take the dice.

"Alright, alright. Play your bets."

Fei Li was the first to bet this time. "Fish."

Yang Xun: "Rooster."

Zhao Mei: "One red."

Fish, coin, gourd. Red, blue, blue.

Fei Li gestured for Zhao Mei to ask first.

"Mingyu said that when you were a kid, you wanted to play like the puppies did, so you got on the ground and ran around barking with them. Is that true?"

Lu Qinyi immediately froze up, tightly clenching the poor die he had been fiddling with. "...No one was supposed to know about that," he muttered, looking utterly humiliated.

Yang Xun burst out laughing and Zhao Mei had to cover her mouth. Even Fei Li had to suppress the corners of his lips from curling up, greatly amused at that imagery.

"I'm disowning her when I get home for bringing disgrace to our family." He huffed, sitting back in his seat harshly and tossing the die onto the table.

"As if you could. She's the eldest, it's a wonder she hasn't disowned you." Yang Xun got out before he started laughing again. Lu Qinyi kicked him under the table.

Fei Li waited for the laughing to finally subside before speaking up. "Why is it you became a general, General Lu?"

The room became quieter, the amusement on the two subordinates faces quickly washing away into twin looks of displeasure. Lu Qinyi's expression was the opposite however, one side of his lips quirking up.

"For fun. I've always found military stuff fascinating and find this game of strategy to be quite fun. You can't truly be playing the game unless you have a high enough position though, so I became a general."

Fei Li was dumbstruck. "You.. what?" He fought through gruelling and bloody battles, unimaginable amounts of training and work, struggled to the top of the chain of command... for fun. Fei Li's expression fell. This thing he had to give his life in order to complete the purpose he had been given, what he had endured so much for, had sacrificed for, and this person across from him dared have such a shallow reasoning to oppose him. Most infuriating was that General Lu was admittedly a formidable opponent, his equal, whether he wanted it to be so or not. This man even dared talk of the significance of lives when he held those of others in his hand for his own amusement. It was nothing if not detestable.

It seemed the lieutenants shared this disapproval as Zhao Mei shook her head and sighed while Yang Xun almost looked at Fei Li with pity. Having to face this reality the first time was truly the worst.

"You dare preach to me about saving lives when you play wars for fun?" Fei Li stated coldly, unrestrained hate and anger boiling up in his eyes.

Lu Qinyi paused for a beat, frowning at the look he was receiving. But he just as quickly shrugged it off, leaning back in his chair. "My reasons for choosing to be a general have nothing to do with my views on the lives of soldiers. I can fight a war for fun and work to keep the casualties of that war as low as possible at the same time."

Fei Li was silent a moment before his lip curled up in a sneer. "I pity the soldiers who give their lives for a general like you." He hadn't held back his anger and it seems these words truly hit their mark. Hurt flashed across Lu Qinyi's face before his expression turned cold.

"At least I thought twice before writing off soldiers for death," he spat back.

Just as it seemed the situation would escalate and the lieutenants would have to find a way to step in, a soldier thankfully interrupted. He hesitated upon seeing the standoff between the two generals, the air around them dangerous. But Lu Qinyi's gaze broke first, turning to the soldier. "What is it?"

The soldier hurriedly saluted then held out a letter. "Urgent letter received from the Northern Army."

Lu Qinyi glanced it over before passing it to Zhao Mei. "Seems worth an attempt," was all he commented, his tone still sharp from the previous exchange but Zhao Mei paid no mind. She skimmed the letter then nodded her head in understanding, handing the letter back to him.

"I can find a location and determine the placement of soldiers if you want to give it a try. Yang Xun and I can start selecting the soldiers who would be suitable today."

Yang Xun didn't understand what was happening but this was how it usually went so he merely observed, knowing he would be clued in once the decision was made.

Lu Qinyi tossed the letter to Fei Li without looking at him. He gave Zhao Mei the nod of approval. "How soon can we depart?"

Zhao Mei was quiet a moment as her mind ran through everything that needed to be done and the times they'd take. "I'd say at the earliest, if this snow storm clears up, the day after next."

"Then we'll aim to leave shortly after that, send a team to sweep the area and prepare beforehand. Have that soldier, Wang Xi was it? Have him deliver the response. Even if he is inexperienced, he's fast." He said nothing more after that, getting up to leave. Zhao Mei nodded to Yang Xun and they also got up to leave, seeming to already be discussing things quietly between themselves before even leaving the room.

Fei Li picked up the letter, scanning over its contents. Rather than a threat, this seemed to be a request. The Northern army had lowered their demands, now requesting to see their general alive and unharmed in exchange for the captured soldiers.

Fei Li remained staring down at the paper in his hand. In the sudden silence that enveloped the room, only the whispering wind at the window could be heard. But these whispers and the emptiness of the room around him wasn't the comfortable companion it normally was. It was rather cold instead. As Fei Li sat alone, a bad feeling slowly sunk into him, the kind that warned nothing good was to come.