In a guards' room at the end of the Commandery Prison's corridor, four disheveled officials in black sat around a pot of dog meat. Thick broth churned and bubbled in the pot, and the curling white steam blurred their faces. The rich smell of meat mingled with wine, filling the cramped room.
Even the prison officers dared not openly drink on duty here, yet these four paid that no heed. They ate and drank noisily, not even bothering to shut the door properly.
When Liu Yin entered, all four hurried to their feet, bowed, and cupped their fists. "Chief Clerk!"
"Xiao Qi stays," Liu Yin said. "The rest of you, out."
The other three saluted Liu Yin and withdrew, closing the door behind them.
Liu Yin sat down and beckoned to Xiao Qi. "Sit."
Xiao Qi fetched a bowl and poured him some wine. "My lord, is there work?"
"There's someone we need a confession from."
Xiao Qi wiped the grease from his mouth and smiled ingratiatingly. "The usual rules?"
Liu Yin lowered his eyes, toying with the wine bowl. "Yes. But this time, it's the Langya Wang."
Xiao Qi's smile froze.
Liu Yin looked up at him. "Scared?"
Xiao Qi swallowed. His lips parted, but no words came out. After several breaths of silence, he knelt. "I was a condemned prisoner. You gave me my life, my lord. These extra years were already more than I had any right to expect. Rest assured. Leave this to me."
"This time, we must follow every procedure, so you can't go alone. Someone else will accompany you."
"No matter. I'll find a way to send him out."
"You have only the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Before it burns out, get the confession, and make sure the man stops