Chương 36: A Life For A Life
There was a dripping sound coming from somewhere indiscernible in the dark depths of the dimly lit prison. Light reflected faintly against damp stone. Fei Li's footsteps resounded, echoing loudly in the eerily quiet walkway. However, the further Fei Li walked, the more faint murmurs and moans of pain became audible, becoming more distinct with each step. And with it, the smell of blood, and something else that Fei Li preferred not to think too long on. At some point, even the soft sounds of someone crying could be heard. It didn't last long. There was a metallic ringing as someone banged against one of the prison bars and the crying was promptly silenced.
Fei Li remained looking straight ahead, walking with an even pace until he reached the farthest reach of the prison, stopping to stand before the last cell. The figure slumped on the ground inside was nearly hidden in the darkness. Fei Li took a glowing orb from its nearest holder, bringing it closer to get a better look. It seemed the person inside didn't appreciate the sudden sting of light after having been in the darkness so long, as he raised his hand to cover his eyes, the chains at his wrists rattling as he did so. It seemed excessive to have someone already imprisoned restrained with chains…
"He's in chains. Explain why." Fei Li spoke to the silent guards standing at attention behind him without turning his head, his gaze remaining fixed.
The guards startled slightly but one swiftly responded. "Yes sir. When General Lu was last provided with his food, he dumped his meal on me while I had my back turned Sir. As punishment, he has been restrained and his meals have been withheld while he learns a lesson." The guard looked past the prison bars with displeasure, scowling.
"How long since he was last given a meal?"
The guard looked even more startled at this, looking at his general with obvious confusion. "Uh… Two days maybe?"
Fei Li didn't look pleased to hear this, well aware of how little prisoners were fed in the first place. But he didn't bother to ask anything further. "Open it."
The guard's confusion didn't lessen any but he immediately obeyed. He kept his head bowed as he stepped back, not daring to make a sound upon seeing Fei Li's displeasure.
There was nothing in the cell besides the damp straw that was scattered haphazardly across the ground, and Lu Qinyi slouched against the back wall. He was a mess, his robes torn, both his clothes and his body marred with dirt and dried blood. For a moment, Fei Li froze. He seemed to see someone different before him. But with just a blink of his eyes, that imagery of the past was gone again, leaving only Lu Qinyi. Fei Li took a slow breath, his fingers curling into a fist at his side. He then approached Lu Qinyi, crouching down a short distance from him.
Lu Qinyi finally reacted, letting his hand drop from his face. He opened his eyes. There was still a brightness burning in their depths as he glared at Fei Li, seemingly unafraid and unyielding even in such circumstances. "What the fuck are you here for? You already won. Get lost, let me die in peace."
Fei Li gazed at him, not seeming at all upset about Lu Qinyi's curses. He eventually responded calmly. "You aren't going to die. Your sentence was changed from public execution to life in labour."
Lu Qinyi was stunned and understandably so. When a war was lost, the generals of the losing side would be publicly executed. It was standard practice, a form of compensation to the families of the winning side's soldiers who had lost their lives. It also served as a brutal reminder of what the consequences were for those who didn't wish to submit by sending their finest to their deaths. This cut at the loyalty that binds the defeated army together, with the hope that without it they will peacefully accept their loss. Lieutenants might be executed alongside their general, but they may also suffer a slightly better fate of life in prison. A general's family would be implicated as well, they would be stripped of everything, titles, wealth, property, and honor. They would also have to bear the consequences from being associated with the defeated general. The blame, the anger, and the disgrace.
"Why was it changed? It shouldn't have been changed."
"A life for a life." Fei Li answered simply, offering no further explanation.
"...So you begged to have my sentence lightened." Lu Qinyi concluded, his brows furrowing. In the end, he shifted uncomfortably, adjusting himself to turn away from Fei Li slightly. "If you're looking for gratitude, you should look somewhere else."
"I'm not looking for gratitude."
"What do you want then?"
"You're injured. Let me look." He'd noticed how awkward Lu Qinyi's movements were and despite how numbingly cold it was, sweat dripped down the sides of his face. Fei Li didn't think the minute trembling of his body was just from the chill that seeped through the stone.
Lu Qinyi scoffed. "Not a chance. Don't come anywhere near me."
Fei Li thought for a moment but in the end, he came closer. Lu Qinyi shot him a fierce glare. He pushed himself away with one hand, clutching his other over his abdomen. His brows furrowed further at the pain that his retreating movements caused him. Fei Li immediately stilled. He had forgotten Lu Qinyi's stubborn pride. It was enough that even injured, weakened, hungry and tired, he would still fight against him. He would have to think of something else…
"I'll get your lieutenants their freedom back."
Lu Qinyi's eyes narrowed. "No need. I have no lieutenants anymore."
"It was a clever plan. You forged documents to make it seem that Lieutenant Yang Xun and Lieutenant Zhao Mei had been expelled from the army for abandoning their posts before the war had ended. Claiming that they had lost faith in you and run for it is completely within reason, and they wouldn't be punished as your lieutenants. They can even claim they are no longer loyal to you, nor the South, lessening their punishment further. They didn't actually run though, did they?"
Lu Qinyi clenched his jaw and said nothing.
"Unfortunately, their contributions to the war were significant. Their capture was ordered and the intention is for them to still be punished regardless."
"WHAT?" Lu Qinyi sat up abruptly. He winced as he pressed his hand firmly to brace against the pain. "What do you mean they will still be punished? This isn't their crime to bear, it's mine!"
"They won't have it easy and they won't be able to hold any position again, but I can get them their freedom."
Fei Li made his stance clear.
Frustration, displeasure and concern flashed across Lu Qinyi's face in turn. Finally, he pressed his lips into a line. He slumped back against the stone wall and turning his head away. His hand slowly pulled away from where it guarded his abdomen. "Fine," he muttered quietly.
He didn't move away this time when Fei Li came closer, only stewing silently in his displeasure. Fei Li paused again before he reached out to peel open Lu Qinyi's messy robes. Dried blood, vividly colored bruises, and small superficial cuts were scattered all over his skin. But that was hardly the worst of it. The stab wound Fei Li had inflicted on him that should have long since healed had been torn open. It was much larger than the small entry wound it had been before and it was inflamed. An angry redness spread from the wound and across his abdomen. Despite how careful Fei Li had been, the dried blood had glued the fabric of Lu Qinyi's clothes onto his gaping wound to the point where moving the fabric had ripped away the scabbing. Fresh blood dimly glinted as a thin river slid slowly down Lu Qinyi's waist. His trembling was more noticeable now but he didn't make a sound.
Fei Li remained frozen for a long while. He gazed down at the bloodied wound and the beaten body it belonged to. He closed his eyes to suppress the turmoil that threatened to rise up, keeping down unwanted memories. He wished he had found the time and visited earlier. If Lu Qinyi had received treatment earlier, the infection wouldn't have gotten so out of control. But it had taken an entire week to stabilize the situation after the South's downfall. That was without mentioning what it had taken for Fei Li to convince himself to face Lu Qinyi in the first place. He could only sigh at this point and gingerly return Lu Qinyi's robes back in place.
"One last question. Why would you waste a meal on provoking my men?"
Lu Qinyi finally turned his head back to give Fei Li an icy look. "Do you know how long I had to listen to him insult me? My soldiers? My country? I even tolerated it when he threw my rice on the ground so I had to pick up each grain. My patience has a limit General Fei and your soldiers are bastards. Perhaps if you could actually keep them in line, I wouldn't have felt the need to." At this point, he shut his eyes tiredly. "I've paid the price anyway, what's it matter?"
Fei Li stood up, turning to leave. But before he could, the hem of his robe was caught. Lu Qinyi's reluctance showed clearly in his eyes and it took him a long moment before he could force the words out. Fei Li remained where he was, he didn't pull his robes free, only patiently waiting. "My family…"
There was a pause then Fei Li replied. "Your parents have vanished without a trace, another of your plans I assume. You sister however… She didn't make it out of the city. Unfortunately, much of the hate and dissatisfaction with the outcome of the war has been directed toward you and your family. There is demand for her to bear the weight of your crimes along with you, particularly since she had supported your efforts throughout the war."
Lu Qinyi hung his head, falling silent.
"Help her." It came out as a strained whisper. He then raised his head. There was a determination held in his eyes as he made the decision to cast aside his pride. His voice was steady this time. "Please. Please help her. If you want to repay me, then save her. What happens to me is what I deserve at this point, but she doesn't deserve this."
It wasn't like that was an easy task given the situation she was now in. What could he possibly do to help protect her from the resentment and blame? His gaze met Lu Qinyi's. He could almost see the unresolved anger, the self loathing, the disgust, the pain. But what stung more was the desperation and hope, the way he gripped onto the robes of his enemy, lowered himself to beg Fei Li as the only thing he had left.
"I'll try," Fei Li promised.
The tension holding up Lu Qinyi's body ebbed away as relief flooded him. He nodded slightly and released his hold on Fei Li, slumping back against the wall again.
Fei Li left the prison cell and addressed the guards who stood waiting. "Remove the restraints. Provide him with his meals as per the schedule and have the physician see him immediately. His injuries will require daily treatment at this point. You're no longer permitted to act as you please. Seek permission for any action regarding General Lu. Don't do anything to provoke him again."
The guards were wide eyed with disbelief, stiff with fear as they both hurriedly saluted him.The guard who answered Fei Li's line of questioning earlier could have cried from regret seeing the gloomy, cold look his general wore. "Y-yes sir!" The other guard wisely said nothing. He only rapidly nodded his head in acknowledgement and breathed a sigh of relief as Fei Li's gaze passed over before he followed after Fei Li in obedient silence.
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mehasacupcake
mehasacupcake New chapter! I'm so glad you guys are as excited about this as I am. I wish I could write faster! I've gone on break from uni and I'm working on looking after myself and my mental health, so I should be in a better place to enjoy some writing again.
Many thanks to my beloved Alpha reader Rae, best of luck in your exams sb (what online name do you go by??) and welcome to the fun Laura, an asbolute pleasure to have you abord! Lets all suffer together~
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