Only black

Yuan Xuelan could no longer watch.

He took a stroll around the halls of the Imperial Palace, trying to focus on skillfully painted murals and decorate vases. Except there was nothing interesting about delicate brush strokes and finely sculpted ceramic. He didn't care about the upscale fashion donned by palace dwellers or the exceptional mannerisms of the servants that populated the halls.

It was obvious at first glance that they were plagued by fear and despair as the Mad Emperor ruled. 

The bodied were being disposed of still, so Yuan Xuelan steered clear of the courtyard and blocked his ears from the gossip that festered.

He didn't wish to hear of it any longer. Did not wish to witness it first hand the extent of evil that he was capable of.