His expression softened ever so slightly. “I understand, but right now, we need to get to safety. Please, come with me.”
With one last look toward the thinning ranks of soldiers, I felt an unfamiliar resolve building within me. This was just the beginning.
Moreover, the madam is a woman who does not know martial arts, so there’s no need to bind her.”
The assistant minister hesitated momentarily before relenting. We were not taken to the Ministry of Justice but directly thrown into its prison. Father-in-law and I were placed in adjacent cells, others were confined elsewhere, and mother-in-law was taken away to an unknown location.
Poor father-in-law. His face was pale yellow, looking exhausted. The cell was strewn with straw, covering the cold, damp stone floor. He was breathing heavily, his voice weak, which broke my heart. Only two torches were lit, with two prison guards sitting outside the iron bars, drinking and casting suspicious glances at me.
I smiled at them and pulled out a gold leaf from my sleeve, placing it outside the bars. The guards’ eyes brightened. They looked around, casually picking up the gold leaf and tucking it into their pouches, asking quietly, “What do you need?”
“Could you help bring some hot tea and cotton padding for my father-in-law? He’s elderly and has a leg injury and can’t endure such treatment.”
The guards exchanged glances and nodded.
One turned and left, presumably to fetch what I requested.
The other guard looked around, then suddenly grinned through the bars. I was about to step back when he whispered, “I’m Mantis, stationed here to assist. Madam, please give any instructions.” He quickly showed and then hid a small gold badge.
Since Anxin had apparently arranged things even in the prison, I felt somewhat relieved. This was my first time in a cell, and despite being prepared, I still felt somewhat depressed. The place was dark, the ground damp and hard, with a musty smell. However, all of this was nothing compared to the oppression of losing freedom in a confined space.
But I understood that since Anxin had made arrangements, this was likely the best treatment possible. I peeked at father-in-law, who seemed to have fallen asleep among the straw.
Knowing I couldn’t sleep, I hugged my knees and began thinking about Anxin. Where would he be now?
