Wei You smiled at Zhao Zhan and said, "Young Master, you should be the center of attention right now, why have you come to this cold and lonely place?"

Back then, when Zhao Huan purged the court of corrupt officials, it wasn't until he stormed into the Jing Palace that everyone realized Wei You's true identity was actually Zhao Huan's man. He was one of Zhao Huan's early protégés. At this point, instead of calling him Zhao Zhan by his official title, calling him "Young Master" would seem more affectionate.

"I've come to see you," Zhao Zhan said.

Wei You dismounted from the wooden horse, bowed to Zhao Zhan, and said, "Young master, you are very kind. However, I have long since become accustomed to being ignored by everyone in the past two years, so I do not feel lonely."

Zhao Zhan said, "Father and elder brother were originally willing to offer you a high-ranking official position and salary. If you had agreed, how could you have lacked people around you?"

Wei You shook his head and said, "His Majesty is gone, so what's the point of having many people around him?"

Zhao Zhan naturally knew that the "Emperor" Wei You referred to was still Yuan Xiu.

"Wei You, you've already done right by him. There's no need for you to spend the rest of your life like this. Come out and take up the position of Nobleman, continue working for the Zhao family, and you'll live a more meaningful life."

Wei You looked at Zhao Zhan with some doubt and asked, "A eunuch? Young master, don't you know that I am not a real eunuch?"

"What does it matter? Whether it's true or false, it's all for others to see. You've been by Yuan Xiu's side for so many years, when have you ever been genuine?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Wei You pointed at Zhao Zhan and shouted, "My loyalty to His Majesty is genuine! Many things I did and said with His Majesty are true!! They are true!!!"

Zhao Zhan scratched his brow and said, "Yuan Xiu is gone. Now, only the Zhao family can protect you. Wei You, have you ever thought about what will happen to those who used to hate you so much when you no longer have the Zhao family's protection?"

Wei You asked in surprise, "You're going to hurt me?"

Zhao Zhan said, "I'm here to help you. Take the position of Noble Lady and take good care of the young emperor. You'll have no worries for the rest of your life."

What if I don't agree?

Why disobey your father?

"The Prime Minister promised me that he would let me choose the life I wanted."

Wei You walked up to Zhao Zhan, squinted at him, and said, "It was you! This was your idea, it has nothing to do with the Prime Minister!"

Zhao Zhan nodded and said, "Father is getting old. It's not appropriate for him to have to worry about such small things."

Wei You said, "The Prime Minister promised me that he would protect His Majesty and prevent him from being harmed. Even if it meant imprisoning His Majesty for the rest of his life, I was willing to stay by His Majesty's side and protect him forever. But what happened? His Majesty was kidnapped by Wen Hu and then killed! The Prime Minister has already betrayed me. Now, is it not enough for me to just guard this palace for His Majesty? Is it not enough for me to live out my days here alone?!"

"Mmm..."

Zhao Zhan nodded again and smiled, "Wei You, you have to understand that sometimes in critical times, you can't keep idle people around, that would be a waste of resources."

As he spoke, Zhao Zhan looked around and said, "This palace, this Imperial New Hall, was built by Yuan Xiu, so naturally I'll demolish it too. Oh, right, I suddenly remembered, building this palace cost my elder brother a lot of money!"

Upon hearing this, Wei You staggered back several steps, pointed at Zhao Zhan, and said, "Your Zhao family members are all more ruthless than the last!"

Zhao Zhan clapped his hands, and all the armored soldiers outside rushed in.

Zhao Zhan said, "Wei You, you can scold me, but scolding my father and elder brother... it seems we can't cooperate anymore."

One day later.

The eunuchs discovered that Wei You had hanged himself in his bedchamber in the Imperial New Palace.

The officials followed Yuan Wushang to the front of the Imperial New Hall, where Zhao Zhan pretended to read Wei You's 'last will' aloud.

The meaning is simply that Wei You had been alone for too long, missed Yuan Xiu excessively, became depressed and went mad, and then followed Yuan Xiu in death.

Most of the officials who came applauded and cheered.

After all, many of them were officials from Yuan Xiu's time, and they had had enough of Wei You's arrogance and power-hungry influence around Yuan Xiu. But Wei You was also Zhao Huan's spy, and Zhao Huan couldn't touch him without Zhao Huan's permission. Unexpectedly, he died just like that.

Many officials looked toward Zhao Zhan, who was reciting Wei You's last words, and after a moment's thought, they sensed something fishy going on.

It seems that Zhao Zhan has made a move against Wei You.

Well done!

Eliminating such treacherous individuals further demonstrates the Zhao family's fairness and integrity!

Naturally, Zhao Zhan gained a better impression among some officials.

Yuan Wushang walked closer to Zhao Zhan. He was now fourteen years old and looked more mature than he had last year.

He said, "Fourth Uncle, is it really necessary to summon me and all the officials when a mere eunuch from the previous dynasty hanged himself in the palace?"

"It's necessary, absolutely necessary."

Zhao Zhan, holding Yuan Wushang's hand, walked to the officials and said, "With Wei You dead, the bad luck of the Imperial Palace has been removed. Although Dongjing is rich, it cannot be wasted! Your Majesty, I suggest that the Minister of Works be ordered to re-plan the Imperial Palace. The Six Ministries or other agencies that need to expand or relocate here can do so."

"The Minister's suggestion is excellent. We already have two people sharing one desk at my place!"

"Please give priority to my office, the Ministry of Personnel. After last year's imperial examinations, I had to queue up just to use the outhouse!"

"My Ministry of War..."

The officials immediately became noisy, but Zhao Zhan pressed his hands down and said, "Quiet down and listen to His Majesty's decision."

Upon hearing this, the officials immediately fell silent and looked at Zhao Zhan with joyful eyes.

This move is truly for the benefit of all officials.

Yuan Wushang said, "Since all the officials agree with the Director of the Imperial Secretariat's proposal, let's proceed according to the Director of the Imperial Secretariat's wishes."

Zhao Zhan then asked, "Your Majesty, what should the order be?"

Yuan Wushang was about to answer immediately, but then seemed to suddenly remember something and asked in return, "What does Fourth Uncle think we should do?"

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