The Light In The Past Is Now But Smoke and Dust

　　Rewinding back a bit in the royal family's seating area. The orange prince who was adamant on his stance when questioned by the emperor and Eunuch w.a.n.g went silent for a moment before saying: "Please forgive me father, but I do not understand what you are saying." He sat in his seat without moving or showing a hint of being unsettled.

　　The emperor frowned and solemnly said: "Cheng'er, are you still going to be so stubborn? Forget it, I shall put your ambition to rest. Eunuch Nan, bring him out."

　　Eunuch Nan responded to indicate he heard the emperor's orders and then turned around to leave. Not long after, he returned with a unique long-faced individual with yellow-ish skin and a skinny appearance over.

　　The orange prince didn't show any sign of surprise. He just casually said: "General Manager Liu, you are the general manager of my manor, and you've come all the way here to manage things here too?"

　　"I was called upon by his highness. I came for his highness's orders."

　　The orange prince scoffed indifferently. He then grabbed a filled cup of wine to the side of his arm and tossed it out. He cussed: "Traitor, selling out your master for wealth and status. What a scoundrel!"

　　Cao Jian didn't move. He reached his long arm out, caught the wine-cup and s.h.i.+fted it forward to catch the wine in it. His movements were fluid and his reaction was quick. It was a surprise to learn that he was well-trained. Cao Jian courteously returned the cup to the table, knelt down and said: "Greetings, your majesty. I would like to let you know today that my surname is not Liu. My surname is Cao and my name is Jian, an Yi-rank warrior in his highness's entourage. I have been by your side for the last three years under his highness's orders. You have looked after me for three years, so I dare not tell the truth. Please forgive me, your majesty."

　　The orange prince turned sideways, not to accept his bow, but to just laugh coldly whilst looking at him.

　　The emperor bluntly said: "Cao Jian reports back to me all the things you've done each month. When you went where, what you wore, what you ate, nothing escapes me. I know everything you're thinking and doing. I don't care about you taking bribes, but do you think you can explain today's matter?"

　　"Explain what? Heh, interesting." The orange prince clearly didn't care. He played with the white-jade ring on his thumb, chuckled indifferently and continued: "First it was Cha Yuan, and now General Manager Liu. I would think that they aren't the only ones, right, father?"

　　"You knew?"

　　"Did you think I'm a moron? Heh, all of the eunuchs, maids, servants, elders, all of them were spies you planted by my side."

　　The orange prince looked into the distance as though he was reminiscing something. He continued: "I knew that there were some who were different ever since I was six. The way they looked at me was different. Their looks were cold and resolute. Yeah, just like your guards. It was the look of someone who was putting up with it for the sake of completing a mission. I know that there are some people in the palace whom are different. When I grew up, there were some in my manor who were different too. I could tell. They were so easy to see through. The way they breathed was different. They were like a black dot on a white sheet of paper. It wasn't hard to figure them out."

　　After listening to him silently, the emperor sighed and replied: "You and I are the most alike among my seven sons… I was the same as you when I was young. If you were just willing to use your talent for good and fulfil your role as a prince, the situation wouldn't have turned out like this today."

　　"So now it's my fault? I can't believe you have the nerve to be talking about talent."

　　The orange prince's expression changed into a frightening expression as if he was going to explode as he said: "Ever since I was young, I liked reading military books, and learning about strategy. I was willing to help protect our borders so that our people could lead peaceful lives. When I was eight and had my birthday with my eldest brother, he said…… he wanted to be a rose in the flower garden. You gave him a piece of white-jade in front of everyone. But when I told you I wanted to be a general and that I wanted to lead the army to protecting our borders, you wore an annoyed look. You scolded me 'you're so young and yet you're up to no good'. You slapped me hard enough to give me a blood mouth in front of everyone. I still remember it now. That's your idea of learning? That's your idea of making use of your talents?!"