Zhao Yang asked doubtfully, "Your fourth uncle treated you like this, and you still pleaded for him?"
Zhao Changli pleaded, "He is my fourth uncle, my own flesh and blood, and even more so, your own brother! Second Uncle, please don't kill him!"
Zhao Zhan stared blankly at Zhao Changli, tears glistening in his eyes.
"waste!"
Zhao Yang shoved Zhao Changli aside and urged He Zhi, "Are you going to kill him or not?!"
He Zhi slowly raised the knife, then slowly lowered it.
"If you don't kill me, then I will!"
Zhao Yang pushed He Zhi away, pulled out a dagger, and quickly stabbed it into Zhao Zhan's body.
The incident happened so suddenly that everyone was stunned.
Zhao Zhan stared wide-eyed at Zhao Yang, noticing his indifferent expression.
He never imagined that he would die at Zhao Yang's hands.
Bang!
Zhao Yang drew his dagger, and Zhao Zhan swayed as he glanced at the dragon throne before collapsing to the ground with a thud.
Cheng Xu immediately shouted, "The treacherous minister Zhao Zhan attempted to force the emperor to abdicate and kill His Majesty, but fortunately, the Prince of Dongdu protected him in time. In the emergency, Zhao Zhan was accidentally killed!"
As I watched this breathtaking scene, I felt surprisingly calm.
Thinking back to how harmonious the Zhao family was when I was a child, I even feel a little sad.
My father once said that the Xiao family also had internal strife many years ago, which was resolved with Zhao Cheng's help.
My grandfather was the victim in that civil war.
Today, the victim is Zhao Changli's fourth uncle.
Zhao Yang swiftly took control of the situation, and without a doubt, he is the victor today.
However, they were not the ultimate victors.
After Mu Zhaojun and Zhao Yan returned, Zhao Yang put on a tearful and dramatic performance to persuade Mu Zhaojun, and then asked Mu Zhaojun to help comfort Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan was already dissatisfied with Zhao Zhan's increasingly outrageous behavior, and now that things had already happened, he couldn't possibly kill his second brother.
Having dealt with the major problem of Zhao Yan, Zhao Yang had no more worries and was ready to begin his regency.
He believed that with his intelligence, he could naturally take the chair once he found the right opportunity.
The Empress Dowager was still under house arrest, but the person who had placed her under house arrest had changed to Zhao Yang.
Zhao Changli wept all day long. Zhao Yang often heard reports from the people assigned to Zhao Changli that the emperor prayed every day, hoping that the retired emperor would return soon.
Zhao Yang was very satisfied upon hearing this.
This shows that Zhao Changli was completely out of options.
"What a waste..." Zhao Yang said leisurely, "Big brother's abilities are indeed stronger than father's, the only thing he lacks is in having sons, he has a bunch of useless sons."
Zhao Yan, on the other hand, stayed at home all day, ignoring worldly affairs, and developed a drinking habit.
Day after day, winter arrived in the fourth year of Jisheng.
Whether Zhao Zhan or Zhao Yang is in power, it has nothing to do with me.
I continued to work as usual.
My uncle sided with Zhao Yang, but Zhao Yang didn't touch me; instead, he promoted me.
He needs his uncle's support and his father's financial assistance.
He even had the audacious idea of bestowing upon me a marquisate just for fun.
I want to laugh; what have I done to deserve this?
When did the Zhao family's marquisate become so cheap?
My daily life is almost the same, dull and tasteless, especially on this dull and tasteless snowy night.
The bright red dyed half of the palace wall.
I don't know what happened that night, but I do know that at the court assembly the next day, Zhao Changli sat proudly on the dragon throne, and his whole demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.
Below the steps, before the officials, stood important ministers such as Zhao Changxin, Xiao Luofeng, Yan Zheng, Cheng Xu, He Zhi, and Xu An.
Zhao Changli announced only one thing at the court meeting.
Zhao Yang died suddenly last night.
That year, during the Spring Festival, Zhao Changli invited Yuan Gang and me to go out for drinks.
They didn't come to the palace, but secretly came outside.
It's said to be the Emperor Emeritus's favorite place, the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
It's been a long time since the four of us drank like this, no, now there are only three of us.
However, Zhao Changli still set out a bowl and chopsticks for Yuan Wuyou and filled his wine cup with wine.
"Respect and have no worries!"
We had a great time drinking, we drank a lot, and we talked a lot.
Yuan Gang, who couldn't hold his liquor, fell asleep on the table.
Zhao Changli and I leaned against the railing, silently gazing in the direction of the palace.
"Now I understand why Father fled this palace. This is no place for a human being."
My heart was touched. Looking at Zhao Changli's profile, I noticed that silver strands had grown in his hair.
"His Majesty……"
Call me Changli.
"Changli, please take care of yourself."
As if to fit the occasion, Zhao Changli coughed twice, coughing so hard it was like he was about to vomit his insides.
For some reason, I had a bad feeling.
"I know my own body. I don't usually drink alcohol, so you don't need to worry."
Perhaps it was because I had drunk too much, but I remembered something that had happened not long ago and couldn't help but ask, "How did Zhao Yang die?"
“He was pinned to the bed by four palace maids and smothered to death with a pillow.” Zhao Changli answered crisply, and couldn’t help but chuckle, saying, “A very pathetic death.”
I continued, "So all that crying and sobbing during that time was fake?"
“My grandfather was good at pretending, my father was good at pretending, my second uncle was good at pretending, so naturally I can pretend too. It’s hereditary.”
"But I still don't understand. My uncle sided with Zhao Yang, Cheng Xu was also one of Zhao Yang's men, and Yan Zheng had already broken ties with you when he was prime minister. Why would they help you?"
Zhao Changli laughed, then suddenly looked at me and said, "Xiao Bing, you're wrong. The people you're talking about will always just be my father's people."
My soul was struck instantly, as if the fog had suddenly lifted, resolving all my doubts.
Yan Zheng had secretly followed Zhao Zhan for a long time. Cheng Xu lost favor because of Zhao Cheng's travels and had to go to the Eastern Capital to serve as the prime minister. He Zhi left the Zhao family because of He Yin's matter...
It turns out that all of this was part of a plan.
Zhao Cheng had already paved the way for Zhao Changli.
As long as Zhao Changli isn't too stupid, no one can touch him.
I suddenly remembered my father saying that he only admired Zhao Cheng in his entire life.
His favorite way to address Zhao Cheng was as "Young Prime Minister," and he also loved it when others called him "Young Merchant."
"Long ceremony".
"Um?"
"Although the retired emperor only reigned for ten years before running away, he was a good emperor. I believe that Zhao Cheng's son will also be a good emperor."
Zhao Changli looked up at the starry sky, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.
"Xiao Bing".
"Um."
"If I cannot grant you the title of Marquis, I will promote you to Minister of Justice."
"I already am."
"That was bestowed by Zhao Yang, it doesn't count. I will reappoint you."
"I'm ruthless and don't care about family ties, so you'd better think this through. If I were the Minister of Justice, you'd better keep your favorite minister in check, or you'll come begging to me later. I won't give you any face."
"If Zhao Handu were a subject like you, then I would not envy my father."
Zhao Changli smiled broadly.
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