"Your Majesty..."
"It has been so long. Have you been well?"
Cao Mao sat in the Western Hall, his expression perfectly calm.
The three men from the Guo Family sat before him, each wearing a different expression.
Guo Li was pale, looking gravely ill. He sat weakly before Cao Mao without a word, while Guo Zhi beside him wore a gentle smile, his gaze toward Cao Mao full of kindness.
Guo Jian sat awkwardly on the other side, grinning foolishly at Cao Mao.
Looking at the three men before him, Cao Mao remained perfectly calm.
"Your Majesty, when we first enthroned you, I knew you would surely turn back the raging tide and save the Altars of Soil and Grain from fire and flood! That Sima Shi was utterly devoid of decency. He failed to follow Duke Xuanwen's instructions, growing more arrogant and overbearing by the day, even treating Your Majesty as a mere child!"
"We had long harbored resentment toward Sima Shi and wished to assist Your Majesty in upholding the Altars of Soil and Grain!"
"Heaven blesses our Great Wei! Today, all the worthy men have gained their wish. That old villain Sima Shi will soon be dead!"
"Though Your Majesty is young, your achievements and virtue already far surpass those of the Founding Ancestor and Emperor Gaozu. You truly inspire reverence..."
Guo Zhi gazed fervently at Cao Mao, these shameless words spilling effortlessly from his lips.
Cao Mao sneered inwardly.
The Guo Family had once revolved around Guo De, who had risen all the way to Army-Guarding Grand General, while his son Guo Xi had even become State-Assisting Grand General.
Without him, the Guo Family had only its three fools left.
Of these three fools, Guo Li might have seemed the most arrogant and domineering, but Guo