Wu Jian walked out Prince Wu Ting's living quarter to see the Emperor. With a single eunuch by his side holding a lantern, the Emperor stood in silence while all the guards went to their knees. Despite the Emperor's arrival, Wu Jian continued to make his way out.

"You can abandon your title" The Emperor's voice held an indecipherable tone. "But you cannot abandon Wu Xi"

Emperor Huizhong will not allow Wu Jian to leave Wu Xi.

"Your father traded his life so that you can live here in peace"

"Don't speak of my father"

Slowly, Wu Jian turned to face the Emperor. The Empress had been standing at the doorway, looking at him with sadness in her eyes. In her right hand was the scroll. In her left hand was the gold medallion.

"Wu Ting's father died protecting yours." The Empress' voice shook painfully as nothing could be seen reflecting in Wu Jian's cold eyes. "Can you not forgive her this once?"

"Don't ask me for forgiveness. I will never forgive those who hurt Ruyi and our child."

"Jian_"

"Your Majesty have made your choice and I have returned the what Wu Jian owed all the years of her Majesty care."

Tears fall as Empress Wenqian understood the meaning behind his words. Wu Jian did not kill Wu Ting because of her orders.

"Our family owe it to her. Her father_"

"Her father sacrificed his life to save another" Wu Jian looked at the Empress with clear disappointment. "What have she done?"

Unlike her father, Wu Ting had done everything to take someone else's life.

"In your hand is the truth of her despicable nature"

The hand that held the scroll was trembling at every word Wu Jian spoken.

"Yet still, you ask Wu Jian for forgiveness?" Wu Jian spoke out with absolute resolution. "I will never forgive her"

Wu Jian ignored the tears on the Empress' sorrowful face. All of his life, he had never seen tears on the strong woman's face. The great Empress of Wu Xi was a woman of dignity. She had been the one who raised him to be confident and strong. She had been the only woman in his life he had wholly and deeply respected since childhood. Now, all he felt toward her was bitterness.

"You are not allowed to leave this country"

Wu Jian faced the Emperor.

"No matter what, you are to stay here in Wu Xi"

No trace of emotion could be found in the Emperor's face. His tone held firm order of the ruler of a nation. But Wu Jian stood defiantly without lowering his head to the Emperor. Without responding to the Emperor, Wu Jian walked off - not caring about the consequences.