Chapter Five: A Glimmer of Hope

The medicinal soup soaked through Shen Zechuan's clothes, dripping from the corner of his lips. The doctor was in a panic, wiping sweat from his temples and forehead.

"The medicine won't go down," the doctor said. "He definitely won't make it!"

Ge Qingqing stood with her sword in hand, observing Shen Zechuan for a moment before asking, "There's no other way?"

The doctor's hands trembled as he held the bowl of medicine, causing the spoon to rattle. He bowed vigorously to Ge Qingqing, saying, "It's no use, no use! Master, you should prepare a straw mat as soon as possible."

Ge Qingqing's face clouded, and she instructed, "Keep trying to feed him" before stepping out of the room. Ji Lei was waiting outside, and Ge Qingqing bowed, saying, "The doctor says he's not going to make it."

Ji Lei crushed a peanut shell between his fingers, blowing away the dust, and asked, "Is he already gone?"

Ge Qingqing replied, "He's still hanging on by a thread."

Ji Lei turned around with his hands behind his back and looked at Ge Qingqing. "Keep an eye on him. Before he takes his last breath, have him sign the confession."

Ge Qingqing nodded, watching Ji Lei leave. She paused in the courtyard for a moment and then instructed her subordinate, "Go get some servants."

Before long, a stooped servant wrapped in rough hemp cloth arrived with a cart. The sky was now dark, and the imperial prison was under strict scrutiny. Ge Qingqing held up a lantern to inspect the area and allowed the servant to follow her inside.

The doctor had left, leaving only an oil lamp burning in the room. Shen Zechuan lay on the bed, his face devoid of color, his limbs cold as if he were dead.

Ge Qingqing stepped aside and said to the servant, "Uncle Ji... he's here."

The servant slowly unwrapped his face, revealing a scarred visage from burns. He gazed at Shen Zechuan, took two hesitant steps forward, and tremblingly reached out to stroke Shen Zechuan's hair. Seeing how emaciated and covered in blood Shen Zechuan was, the servant couldn't help but shed tears.

"Chuan'er," Ji Gang's voice was raspy as he called out, "Master is here!"

Ge Qingqing extinguished the lantern and said, "Uncle Ji, don't be afraid. Ever since we found out he's your disciple, the prison has been taking extra care of him. Although the earlier interrogations seemed harsh, they didn't harm him severely. During the bastinado, the brothers showed mercy for your sake, ensuring he wouldn't be permanently disabled after twenty strokes. But the palace eunuchs are all sharp-eyed, so we couldn't relax too much. Fortunately, Miss Hua San arrived in time; otherwise, Eunuch Pan would have grown suspicious."

Ji Gang, with half his hair already white, wept, his weathered face reflecting the passage of time. "I, Ji Gang, will repay this favor someday!"

Ge Qingqing hurriedly responded, "Uncle Ji! How can you think like that? We owe you for your past mentorship and saving grace." He sighed and continued, "Who could have foreseen a surprise like Third Master Xiao? His blow truly came to claim a life. Uncle Ji, is there still hope?"

Ji Gang felt Shen Zechuan's pulse and managed a weak smile. "Good child, he followed Ah Mu's instructions well. It's not yet time to despair. Master is here, my son, don't be afraid!"

Shen Zechuan had started training with Ji Gang at the age of seven, alongside Ji Mu in martial arts. The Ji family's boxing style was fierce, requiring the Ji family's inner techniques to master, a practice that required unyielding determination. Ji Gang was an alcoholic when at home, teaching the elder son but neglecting the younger. Thus, Ji Mu, as the older brother, taught each move he learned to his younger sibling. To everyone's surprise, over the years, Shen Zechuan had excelled in his studies.

Ge Qingqing leaned in and said, "But he's still young. After such a ordeal, his health might be ruined. Uncle Ji, I had the medicine decocted again; let's see if we can get him to take it."

Shen Zechuan's lips were parched, and his entire body throbbed with pain as if he had been flattened by the constant stream of carriages on the Qidu Avenue.

The agony felt like an unquenchable fire burning through Shen Zechuan's body. In the darkness, he dreamed of snowfall, Ji Mu's blood, the chill of the sinkhole, and the kick he had endured in front of Xiao Chiye.

Ji Lei was right – living at this moment was a torment. Having received Shen Wei's flesh and blood, he had to endure this punishment. He had taken on Shen Wei's wickedness and become the sinner howling amidst the wronged spirits in this world. Shackled by this burden, he would have to trudge forward from now on.

But he was unwilling!

Someone suddenly pried open his teeth, and a rush of heat flooded his throat. The bitter taste of the medicine moistened the corners of Shen Zechuan's eyes. He heard a familiar voice and forced his eyes open.

Ji Gang was feeding him the medicine, wiping away his tears with rough fingers. He whispered, "Chuan'er, it's Master!"

A sob escaped Shen Zechuan's throat, and the medicine mixed with his tears as they spilled out. He reached out to grab the corner of Ji Gang's robe but clamped down on his teeth, afraid that this was just a dream born of his illness.

Ji Gang's face was grotesque. He tilted his head slightly to avoid the oil lamp and said, "Chuan'er, don't give up on life! Master is still alive, and you're all I have left."

In that instant, Shen Zechuan couldn't help but shed tears like a spring. He turned his gaze away, staring at the dark ceiling as he murmured softly, "Master…"

Amidst the howling wind, his eyes grew more determined, exuding a murderous aura.

"I won't die," he croaked. "Master, I won't die."

* * *

The next day, Emperor Xiande rewarded the three armies. Apart from the Northern Iron Cavalry outside the city and the Eastern Garrison, a feast was also held in the palace to entertain the military commanders.

Xiao Chiye donned his court attire, his entrance immediately dispelling the scholarly refinement around him. The lion beast cloud patterns embroidered on his robe exuded an intense air, but when he sat down and started conversing with others, his rakish demeanor was fully revealed.

The civil officials around him, who were engrossed in their drinking, couldn't help stealing glances at him. A tiger's cub is never a weakling, but why did only Prince Xiao inherit his father's true teachings?

They discreetly scrutinized Xiao Chiye's every move, feeling that his wild and frivolous demeanor was worlds apart from the dignified Xiao Jiming sitting above them.

"Stay involved as well," Lu Guangbai advised from the side. "Since His Majesty has praised you, he will surely summon you later."

Xiao Chiye rubbed the walnuts in his palm, looking slightly dazed.

Lu Guangbai tilted his head to look at him and said, "You went out drinking with someone last night, didn't you?"

"Enjoy the moment while it lasts," Xiao Chiye said nonchalantly, his posture relaxed. "If anyone dares to feign innocence like Xiang Zhuang later, I'll seize the opportunity, fueled by my intoxication, to act as Fan Huai before the emperor. That would be a perfect solution for both situations."

"Well, that could work," Lu Guangbai poured more wine. "But excessive drinking harms your health. If you still aspire to be a great commander, you should mend this habit."

"I was born in the wrong era," Xiao Chiye tossed a walnut to Lu Guangbai. "The four general positions are already filled; there's no room for me to be a hero. If there comes a day when you can't carry on, do let me know beforehand. I'll quit drinking then."

Lu Guangbai replied, "In that case, you might have quite a wait."

They shared a laugh. As they reached the halfway point of their meal, the conversation around them had shifted to the Zhens of Central Bo.

With a walnut in his hand, Lu Guangbai listened attentively for a moment before asking, "Didn't he say last night that he wouldn't make it?"

Zhao Hui whispered from behind, "Yes, didn't Young Master say you were pushing him towards the road to the underworld?"

Xiao Chiye refused to acknowledge it. "Did I say that?" The other two looked at him silently, to which he asked, "What?"

Lu Guangbai said, "He's not dead."

Zhao Hui echoed, "He's not dead."

Xiao Chiye exchanged glances with Shen Wei and Shen Zechuan for a moment before he said, "Why should I care if his life is tough? The King of Hell isn't my father."

Lu Guangbai looked up and commented, "Let's see how the Emperor arranges this. He truly has a resilient fate."

Zhao Hui knelt behind them, lowered his head to continue eating, and casually said, "There must be someone secretly helping him."

"Even if he doesn't die, he'll be crippled," Xiao Chiye shot a cold glance at Huajia's table not far away. "The Empress Dowager is too old; she can only put in all her effort to raise a worthless dog now."

"Tragic," Zhao Hui stuffed a rib into his mouth without any emotion.

After a few rounds of drinking, Emperor Xiande observed that the atmosphere was still amiable and finally spoke up. "Jiming."

Xiao Jiming bowed to receive his orders.

Leaning back on his dragon throne as if he could no longer hold his liquor, Emperor Xiande said, "Shen Wei's defeat in battle doesn't provide solid evidence of his collusion with the enemy. That Shen…"

Pan Rugui leaned forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's Shen Zechuan."

Emperor Xiande paused for a moment but didn't continue. Instead, he turned to the Empress Dowager and asked, "What do you think, Mother?"

The hall fell silent, with all the ministers and officials bowing in obedience. The Empress Dowager wore a black silk headband adorned with gilded dragons and dripping with pearls. Her hair, meticulously styled and lustrous, was streaked with silver, and no one dared to lift their gaze to meet hers.

She spoke, "The morale of our troops was severely dampened in the battle of Zhongbo, and it was largely due to Shen Wei's hasty misjudgment. However, he has since taken his own life in guilt, and all his direct descendants perished in combat, leaving behind only this illegitimate son. To uproot the problem entirely would be against the principles of humanity; sparing his life and teaching him gratitude might not be out of the question."

The hall remained quiet until Lu Guangbai suddenly said, "This subject believes it unwise." Stepping forward three paces, he knelt in the hall and continued, "The Empress Dowager's kindness is commendable, but the battle of Zhongbo was unlike any other. Although there is no concrete evidence of Shen Wei's collusion with the enemy, suspicion still lingers. If this child is indeed a remnant of that line, keeping him alive could prove to be a future threat to our state."

The Empress Dowager regarded Lu Guangbai for a moment before responding, "Lord Biansha has guarded the desert for decades and has not always emerged victorious."

Lu Guangbai replied, "While my father did not always triumph, no foreign foe has been able to penetrate our border provinces in those many years."

The large pearls at her earlobe swayed gently as she said, "It is precisely for this reason that we should instill in him the virtues of propriety and benevolence, so he understands the consequences of that battle. Taking one life is simple, but the Biansha cavalry's charge through Zhongbo has already claimed tens of thousands of our people's lives. Our national disgrace remains unavenged, and what guilt do these innocent children bear?"

"I too believe it unwise," spoke Hai Liangyi, the Vice Minister of the Cabinet, who had until now remained silent. Raising himself from his seat, he also knelt before the Empress Dowager.

"The Empress Dowager's heart is kind, but this matter is of great significance. Even if Shen Wei had no connection with the enemy, he should have been executed after the battle. Moreover, this young man has undergone multiple interrogations, providing conflicting accounts and steadfastly claiming Shen Wei's innocence. As an illegitimate son raised separately, how could he know for certain that Shen Wei did not conspire with the enemy if he wasn't aware of such treachery? His cunning nature is evident, and thus, his words cannot be trusted. As General Lu mentioned, allowing the remnants of the Shen lineage to live could breed dangers within our own ranks!"

The Empress Dowager was not angered but instead said, "Venerable Minister Hai, please rise."

After Pan Rugui helped Hai Liangyi to his feet, the Empress Dowager continued, "All of you have valid points, and I admit my thinking has been biased. Let His Majesty decide on this matter."

Amidst the watchful eyes of the courtiers, Emperor Xiande struggled with a severe cough. He took the handkerchief offered by Pan Rugui, covering his mouth in silence for a while before speaking.

"Mother's words hold some truth. An innocent child should not be punished. However, Shen Wei did abandon the city after a military defeat. Considering that he is the only surviving descendant of his clan, let us give this child a chance to atone and reflect on his actions. Ji Lei."

"I am here, Your Majesty."

"Take this child into custody at the Temple of Repentance and ensure strict supervision. He shall not leave without an imperial order!"

Xiao Chiye threw the broken walnut back onto the plate.

Zhao Hui asked, "Young Master, won't you eat it?"

Xiao Chiye replied, "It's damaged and useless; who would want it?"

Zhao Hui's gaze followed the plate as he said in a low voice, "Isn't this a situation where everyone is equally unhappy? Our wishes are unfulfilled, and others' are as well."

"It's better to keep him within reach," Lu Guangbai commented as he resumed his seat.

"Not necessarily," Xiao Chiye countered, pointing at himself. "Aren't I also confined?"

Lu Guangbai and Zhao Hui chimed in unison, "It suits you well."