Prince Xie was escorted out of the palace with the imperial gift of Warm Love Wine, lost in thought.
Before he left, the Emperor had spoken to him plainly. "Brother, don't think I'm testing you. The late Emperor passed away many years ago, and in thirty days, you'll be twenty-six. Ever since we entered Wenhua Hall, we've studied diligently day after day, mastering both civil and military arts... Our tutor was the premier scholar of the court—a resource many students could only dream of, yet it was readily available to us. Don't you want to put your talents to good use? Are you really content to carry all that ambition while playing the fool in the imperial court, shutting yourself up in your manor, and ignoring worldly affairs?"
Prince Xie gazed at him.
Among all the princes, Xie Che resembled the late Emperor the most, which was also the source of Prince Xie's unresolvable resentment.
