"Your mother loved you, never think that she didn't " Zhi Rou said defiantly as if she knew what type of thoughts that Han Bing was thinking. "She did everything in her limited power to keep you safe. She probably doesn't know anything about what the Emperor has done to you in secret. Also the high officials only let him do so much since some of them know that you are the only one in this generation with imperial blood running through your veins."

Han Bing continued to stare in wonder about his whole life. In reality he should have grown up a prince instead he was treated worse than a slave.

"Wow" Mai said looking towards Han Bing "does that mean, that if the Emperor dies than you would be the one to inherit the throne?"

"There might be a small fight, but no one has a better bloodline connection than Han Bing" Zheng Li said in thought.

This caused both Mai and Han Bing to turn towards Zheng Li with confusion on there faces "did you know?" Mai asked quietly unsure about how this dynamic would ruin the friends.h.i.+p of the two men in front of her.

"Not all of that, just that Han Bing was someone tied to the royal family and would probably inherit the throne eventually" Zheng Li said just as quietly as Mai. "I never did anything that I wouldn't have done if you were someone else Han Bing. Honestly you are my only brother in arms, I hope you can believe me."

Han Bing just continued to silently stare at people in the room. His brain couldn't fully comprehend everything that he had just heard. It was bad enough that his mother had to endure such a sad life but even Zheng Li was tied into it somehow. He couldn't help but slightly question Mai as she sat there in just as much shock as him.

"So did your um backers help us get to this house?" Mai asked trying to lighten the mood in the room.

"They did" Zheng Li replied looking downwards "they were concerned with how rash the Emperor had been acting lately and wanted to remove Han Bing from the situation."

Han Bing thought that he could no longer be shocked was once again hit with another interesting piece of news. "I can never truly escape this place can I?" Han Bing whispered into the silent room. All he had wanted was a peaceful life with Mai by his side. Instead he was going to get thrown into the courts politics to act as a puppet for someone. No one there would actually take into account the words he would say, especially since the last time they had seen him was probably after one of the emperors fits of rage where he could do nothing to stop it. That wasn't the worse part though, what about Mai? They would toss her out in no time.

Han Bings mind kept going over the situation with no hope of winning at all. At least he now knew why Zheng Li was so against leaving the country in there early plans of leaving the manor.

"I am going to my room" Han Bing announced as he got up from the seat.

__

Mai was about to get up and comfort him. However Zheng Li said "give him some time to go over all the information that he heard tonight."

Mai looked at Zheng Li up and down before asked "are you a enemy or a friend? Are you loyal to Han Bing or your backers?"

Zheng Li's face darkened at getting his loyalties questioned by someone who had just joined in there group not to long ago. "Never question where my loyalty lies, I've already done more for Han Bing than anyone else has" Zheng Li said eyes slightly glaring at Mai.

"Yes but did you do it because you need him alive?" Mai asked back "or because you actually believe than man deserves to live the life that he wants?"

Zheng Li was stumped for a second before replying "I am not sure what you are asking Mai, but I would die for him if it would make his life better."

Mai's eyes grew big as she stared at Zheng Li in shock. "Than help me, we need to leave this house. Probably leave this country before we are found. I have no doubt that the Emperor will kill us all" Mai says quietly as if she is voicing her deepest fear.

"Do you know how much that Han Bing looks like his father? Or better yet his grandfather?" Zheng Li asked.

Mai shook her head while saying "I have no idea."

"It wasn't apparent to me because I never saw them in person but after being told I cant unsee the resemblance. The last emperor was not a good man, he started many wars with all the neighboring countries. I am just as concerned what they would do if they discovered Han Bing than our currant emperor" Zheng Li said deep in thought. He now knew why his family had been determined to convince him to never let Han Bing out of the country or even close to the borders.

"There has to be somewhere!" Mai shouted out in frustration "why does everyone want to kill him because of his ancestors."

"Because they were bad Mai and people want someone to vent all there frustrations on" Zheng Li said "but I agree no one even knows the man that he has become."

"Is there anywhere that isn't ruled by anyone? What if … what if we sail really far away? There is no way that the previous Emperor could have p.i.s.sed off everyone" Mai said while looking at Zheng Li in hope.

"That is a possibility" Zheng Li said deep in thought. "you should go cheer him up Mai" Zheng Li said with laugh as he sent Mai upstairs.

"Was it smart to tell him all of that Zhi Rou?" Zheng Li questioned the old lady who was still sitting at the table.

"He would have found out eventually, I am glad it was from me" Zhi Rou replied slightly cheerfully, as if she was relieved of a huge burden that she had been carrying around.