Hui Tong looked down at his sleeve.
The blood stained cloth still rested within the fold, clearly a dark reminder of earlier wounds.
He pulled it free and examined the stain, "My grandfather's blood….." he murmured. "Passed down through generations and sealed in ceremony when I took the throne."
Emperor Hui Tong's thumb rubbed against the dried fabric,"They say the emperor's blood belongs to the empire. we are simply vessels, not men."
He looked up, "I truly believe that our lives are not our own to spend but to hold in trust."
"Vessels can easily be shattered and relationships can be quickly forsaken." He folded the cloth carefully and tucked it back into his sleeve. "I will not be the emperor who allows his line to end in a chamber, while a group of conniving councilors pick through his belongings."
Li Wei inclined his head. "Then we proceed?"
