Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

德芳34岁王妃35岁长子17次子15幼子13女儿11元侃（赵恒）25

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In the winter of the fourth year of Chunhua, the ministers walked out of the palace one after another, discussing with each other.

"Why didn't your majesty come to court today?" said a minister

"It can't be that the dragon's body is ill?" Another minister said softly

"Talking nonsense!" Lu Meng said sharply, "As an important minister of the imperial court, he said in front of the palace gate that His Majesty's dragon body is ill, what crime should he deserve!"

"Prime Minister, we are just talking casually, without any malice."

"Is it okay to say such a lie?"

Seeing this, Defang said, "Everyone, Your Majesty has been working hard on state affairs recently, and it must be because of urgent matters that need to be dealt with. Everyone, please don't speculate and go back."

"Yes, my lord." The ministers saluted, looked at Lu Mengzheng, and left one after another. Defang walked in front of Lu Mengzheng, "Prime Minister, why are you so angry, the ministers are all talking unintentionally."

"My lord, the courtiers should have their hearts on the country, but these people don't want to offer advice, they only know to speculate on the holy will and talk about other things. Now that the chaos in Sichuan and Shu has not subsided, the minister is extremely anxious."

"Prime Minister, they are civil servants, not military generals. The affairs of Sichuan and Shu are handled by the Ministry of War. The prime minister's heart is in the country. This is the luck of the family and the country. However, for some reason, His Majesty did not go to the court today. It is better for the prime minister to worship together with the lonely king. How about seeing you in the government hall?"

"Will His Majesty be in the Chongzheng Palace?"

"Maybe." Defang thought for a while, "You will know where His Majesty is once you enter the palace."

The two entered the palace again, and on the way, they met Su Yijian, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, passing by in a hurry, and Defang called out, "Master Su, why are you in such a hurry?"

Su Yijian saw that it was Defang and Lu Mengzheng, and hurried over, "See the prince and the prime minister"

"Lord Su" Lu Mengzheng said, "I haven't seen you in the court, how can you be in the palace at this time?"

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister" Su Yijian said, "Some time ago, the official was trying out the sassaware in the palace. I don't know who informed His Majesty about it. Today, His Majesty summoned the official to inquire. Now, the official is going to fetch the sassaware and present it to you." His Majesty."

Defang smiled, "It seems that there are quite a lot of troublesome people in the palace, and even the ministers will be notified to His Majesty when they try out the wand."

"My lord, the prime minister, are you two going to see him?"

"Yes, Mr. Su, you go to get the wand first, the lonely king and the prime minister will face the saint with you later." Defang said

"Yes, my lord." Su Yijian hurried to get the wand, and then the three of them came to the Chongzheng Hall. Seeing Defang and Lu Mengzheng, Taizong asked, "My nephew, why are you and the prime minister here?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, I didn't see Your Majesty in the early court for some reason, so I went to the palace with the Prime Minister to meet you." Defang said

"The emperor's nephew is interested." Taizong nodded, "It's nothing. I feel a little tired recently. I really got up late today, hehehe."

"Your Majesty's dragon body concerns the country, please take care of yourself," Defang said.

"Thank you nephew." Taizong stood up and saw Su Yijian, "Oh, Su Aiqing, have you brought the wand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Yijian presented the utensils. The urn is a clever water-holding utensil. It tilts when it is empty, automatically straightens when it is half full, and overturns when it is full. Taizong tried it a few times in person and found it very fresh. He praised "Su Aiqing" , who made this thing?"

"Return to Your Majesty, this was made by Xu You in the Southern Tang Dynasty." Su Yijian replied