After that day, Feng Xueya was like a spent arrow, repeatedly expressing a desire to die.
But this is Cangzhou Prison, how could he have his wish fulfilled?
The Court Guard escorting him came here, still not forgetting to bring gold for bribes. Seeing his miserable state, he was quite satisfied. I chatted with him, and the Court Guard laughed, "Just by torturing him, we get so much."
"He has a strong will, enduring the torture. Even when he was nearly beaten to death, he never begged for mercy."
The Court Guard frowned, "We must keep a close watch on him. Feng Huanchao is not easy to fool. If he dies, where will we get our money..."
I sighed, "Once you enter Cangzhou Prison, death is inevitable."
There were thugs who died under torture, and those outside who sent bribes remained unaware. But according to the Court Guard, Feng Xueya is difficult to follow this example.
He drew a short blade. He gave each of us a silver ingot, sneering, "Since he's bound to die, I should take something first and go back to Feng Huanchao for reward. You just pretend not to know and consider it doing me a favor."
My colleague and I left. After all, we accepted money.
The snow in Cangzhou was cold, so we heated a pot of wine. After drinking, we soon fell asleep.
The next day, I pushed open the cell door, and in the pool of blood lay a single corpse, its throat slit by a short blade it was the Court Guard from Hangzhou Prefecture.
Feng Xueya had escaped with the short blade, his whereabouts unknown.