It’s hard to break a phoenix’s destiny

Chapter 686: Dragon's Whiskers Should Be Used Where Needed

When the court went to court the next day, there were a few fewer people.

Liu Yao asked someone to take an inventory and found that they were all from Xiao Yi's faction. This was a problem. If the civil officials were unwilling to obey him in the court, then his plans would not be implemented.

After all, in addition to pacifying the world by force, he also wanted to quickly promote Hanization in the area currently under his jurisdiction, so that the people could at least learn some Han etiquette and culture and change their minds... He had seen the prosperity of Luoyang, and he hoped to transfer this beauty to Chang'an. At least, he hoped to make his beloved live a better life and enjoy better material life.

When he returned to his study after court and was sulking, Yang Xianrong came in neatly dressed and asked him if he wanted to go out for a walk.

Although Liu Yao did not restrict Yang Xianrong from entering and leaving the palace, it only allowed her to return to Yang Mansion and go to Li Lianhua in the camp. But now she looked like this, and she didn't look like she was going to a normal place?

"Where are you going?" Liu Yao was only wearing a black robe today, but he was tall and strong, and his age made him look more calm. Even sitting there, he looked majestic without even getting angry.

Yang Xianrong walked up to him and smiled faintly: "How about going to Xiao's house?"

"Why?" Liu Yao was puzzled.

"Go visit the sick." Yang Xianrong had already taken Liu Yao's arm. "You are the emperor. It is only natural for you to visit a minister who has been ill for a long time. It can also show the new emperor's sympathy and love."

"No, I'm angry." Liu Yao was still a little arrogant, stiffening his neck, "He is a subject, he should..."

"I'm not young anymore, how can I be as energetic as you?" Yang Xianrong didn't buy Liu Yao's tricks, and held his hand, smiling and saying, "I heard that there is a very good chef in Lord Xiao's house who can make a braised chicken that tastes much better than roasted chicken. Shall we go and try it?"

"I... can ask this cook to come..." Liu Yao followed Yang Xianrong's words, but suddenly he felt something was wrong. Wasn't he going to visit a patient? Why did he have to eat someone else's braised chicken? He stared at Yang Xianrong, and finally reacted and asked, "What's going on?"

"It's true that he visited the patient. Since you hope that he can do something for you, you should naturally humble yourself and go and see him." Yang Xianrong said solemnly, "There is a saying among the Han people: respect the virtuous and humble. That is to say, you should put aside your status and humbly treat talented and virtuous people."

Liu Yao looked down at her, and after just a moment he said, "Okay."

If the emperor and empress went out, they would have to go through a lot of trouble according to the etiquette of the old Jin Dynasty. But Liu Yao was used to simplicity, and would only follow the rules unless it was an important celebration or ceremony. But since it was just a walk around Chang'an City, he was more accustomed to just bringing a small group of followers with him.

Therefore, Yuan Jianshuo, who was now Liu Yao's personal attendant in the imperial guards, only brought ten people to follow Liu Yao's carriage and went to Xiao Yi's mansion at a leisurely pace.

Xiao Yi was also a very interesting person. He insisted on living in the north of the city, saying that he couldn't stand the smell of beef and mutton, so he had to live upwind. But in fact, he was the one who followed Liu Yuan around to eat roasted mutton every day.

There were quite a lot of people in Xiao's house, including his wives, concubines, and children, so the whole family was quite lively. Therefore, when they learned that Liu Yao was coming to visit him, they were all very nervous.

Xiao Yi didn't even dare to believe the report of the servant at the door. He asked three times before confirming that it was indeed the emperor and empress who came with only a dozen people in simple clothes.

However, he did not intend to go to greet him. Instead, he took off his coat, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes. His wife Yuan immediately understood what he meant, and just took the concubines and children to greet Liu Yao.

Liu Yao did not show any emotion. He just held Yang Xianrong's hand under his wide robe, asked her to walk in side by side with him, sat on the main seat and asked a few simple questions.

Yuan was very polite, and her children stood on both sides of her in an orderly manner.

"My husband's illness has been lingering for some time and has not been cured. We are also worried." Yuan Shi looked anxious and even wiped away the tears that were not on her face.

"Well, I'm worried too." Liu Yao nodded. "I saw that Lord Xiao didn't come to court today. I missed him after not seeing him for so many days. So I asked the Queen to come and see him. I had no other intention." "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Yuan was about to kneel down again, but was helped up by Yang Xianrong.

She said softly, "Madam, please don't be so polite. The emperor is here just to visit. If you need anything, you must tell me. If the emperor has it, he will definitely give it to you."

"Hey, I've taken the medicine, but it doesn't seem to get better." Yuan wiped her eyes again, "Your Majesty, wait a moment. I'll go check on the master's condition."

"I'll go with you." Liu Yao didn't wait for Yuanshi to refuse. He pulled Yang Xianrong and followed Yuanshi into Xiao Yi's bedroom.

The light here is a little dim, and there is a herbal smell in the room, which is not pleasant.

Yuan immediately asked the servants to open the windows and lighten the charcoal fire to reduce the smell. Xiao Yi naturally couldn't lie flat anymore, so he sat up slightly and asked Liu Yao in a hoarse voice: "How can this be done? How can we trouble the emperor to come?"

"So what? Lord Xiao is an old minister of my father. It is only natural for me to come and see him." Liu Yao's performance was also very good and very friendly.

Xiao Yi had no choice but to get off the bed and kneel at Liu Yao's feet, even planning to kowtow a few more times.

Liu Yao reached out his hand to help him up, and sighed: "Why do you have to do this? Didn't I say that I just came to see you? If you have any needs, you might as well tell me, and I will definitely find a way to solve it."

"It's nothing..." Xiao Yi coughed twice, and with the help of Liu Yao, he sat back on the bed, "I'm old, and my body is useless."

"How can you say that? I'm still counting on you to give me some advice." Liu Yao's face was full of sincerity.

Xiao Yi wanted to say something else, but he was at a loss for words at this moment.

But his little granddaughter who was kneeling below suddenly shouted: "Grandpa's illness can't be cured, is it because he lacks a certain medicine?"

The girl was only seven or eight years old, fair and clean, and very pretty. Yang Xianrong couldn't help but take a few more glances at her, and liked her very much. She stretched out her hand towards the child, "Come over here, and tell me in detail, don't be afraid."

"Oh." The child was indeed very brave. He didn't care about his mother's pulling and walked to Yang Xianrong's side. "The Queen is so beautiful."

"Don't talk nonsense." Yuan frowned.

"They are just children, nothing will happen to them." Yang Xianrong laughed, "I have been watching those boys running around in the palace all day, but they like little girls."

"...My granddaughter Ying'er is reckless..."

Before Yuanshi finished speaking, Yang Xianrong asked the child again: "What is the medicine?"

The child looked at Yuanshi and suddenly became a little timid. He whispered, "I just heard from a doctor this morning that grandpa's illness cannot be cured by ordinary herbs. It needs a medicine lead... It seems to be dragon's beard."

"Dragon whiskers?" Yang Xianrong was also stunned.

At this time, a servant from the Xiao Mansion came in with a steaming bowl of medicine and said respectfully, "The master needs to take medicine again."

"Without dragon whiskers, this medicine will be useless even if you drink it." Xiao Ying'er pouted, "The doctor said: dragon whiskers should be used as needed."