Phoenix Dance: The Eldest Daughter's Physician Consort Shocks the World

After all these ups and downs, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao found temporary peace in their residence in the capital. One afternoon, under the warm sun, Xiao Yichen returned home after finishing his official duties and saw Su Yao teaching their daughter, Xiao Ling'er, to play the zither in the courtyard.

"Father, you're back!" Xiao Ling'er, with her sharp eyes, spotted Xiao Yichen first and ran over happily.

Xiao Yichen picked up his daughter and asked with a smile, "Ling'er, did you practice the zither well today?"

“Ling’er is very diligent, and Mother has taught her very well,” Xiao Ling’er said, blinking her big eyes.

Xiao Yichen looked at Su Yao, his eyes full of love: "My lady, you've worked hard."

Su Yao stood up and replied with a smile, "It's not hard work. I'm happy to see Ling'er so intelligent and eager to learn."

The family of three was enjoying this warm moment when the butler rushed over and whispered in Xiao Yichen's ear, "My lord, news has come from the palace that the Emperor intends to send you as an envoy to a neighboring country to discuss trade. The decree will be issued soon."

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, knowing that this mission was of great importance, but he was also worried about Su Yao and her daughter.

Su Yao saw through his thoughts and said softly, "Yichen, since it is the Emperor's decree, you can go with peace of mind. I will take care of Ling'er and myself at home."

“Madam, the journey is long and I am really worried about you.” Xiao Yichen said with a worried expression.

"Father, Ling'er will listen to Mother obediently, so you don't need to worry about us," Xiao Ling'er said sensibly.

Xiao Yichen sighed and nodded in agreement: "Then take care while I'm away. If anything happens, go to General Li, he will help."

A few days later, Xiao Yichen led his delegation on a journey to a neighboring country. Along the way, he constantly thought about Su Yao and her daughter at home. Su Yao prayed for him every day at home, taught Ling'er, and kept a close eye on the situation in the court to prevent anyone from causing trouble while Xiao Yichen was away.

After arriving in the neighboring country, Xiao Yichen, relying on his wisdom and eloquence, argued persuasively and skillfully with the neighboring country's officials at the negotiating table. However, the neighboring country suddenly proposed adding a harsh trade clause, otherwise it would not sign a trade agreement.

Xiao Yichen knew the gravity of the matter. If he refused, trade between the two countries would be hindered, and the people would be affected; but if he agreed, it would harm his own country's interests. He was caught in a dilemma, so he wrote a letter and sent it back to the capital by fast horse, explaining the situation to Su Yao and seeking her opinion.

After receiving the letter, Su Yao pondered it carefully. Although she lived a secluded life in the inner quarters, she had listened to Xiao Yichen discuss state affairs and was aware of some of the implications. She consulted several of Xiao Yichen's advisors to devise a solution, ultimately coming up with a compromise that could satisfy some of the neighboring country's demands while maximizing the protection of her own country's interests.

Su Yao wrote this suggestion in her reply and sent it to Xiao Yichen immediately. Upon receiving the reply, Xiao Yichen followed Su Yao's advice and renegotiated with the neighboring country. After a difficult negotiation, the neighboring country finally agreed to the plan, and the two countries successfully signed a trade agreement.

Xiao Yichen successfully completed his mission and embarked on his journey home. Along the way, he was eager to return, imagining the scene of his reunion with Su Yao and her daughter. Meanwhile, Su Yao, in the capital, was already waiting at the city gate with Ling'er.

When Xiao Yichen saw Su Yao and her daughter at the city gate in the distance, he spurred his horse and rushed to their side, dismounted, and hugged them tightly.

"Yichen, you're finally back. I missed you so much," Su Yao said, tears welling in her eyes.

"Father, Ling'er misses you too." Xiao Ling'er tightly clutched Xiao Yichen's clothes.

"I miss you all too. The success of this mission is largely thanks to Madam's brilliant plan," Xiao Yichen said with emotion.

Back home, Xiao Yichen recounted his experiences on the mission to Su Yao in detail. Su Yao listened quietly, her eyes filled with pride.

"Yichen, after all this, I feel even more strongly that our hearts are closely connected. No matter what difficulties we encounter, as long as we join hands, we will definitely overcome them," Su Yao said softly.

"My lady is right. Having you by my side is the greatest blessing of my life," Xiao Yichen said affectionately, holding Su Yao's hand.

However, the peaceful days did not last long. A rumor suddenly spread throughout the court that Xiao Yichen had accepted bribes from a neighboring country during his mission, which was why he signed that trade agreement. Although the Emperor did not immediately believe it, he sent people to investigate secretly.

Upon learning of this, Xiao Yichen was furious: "This is clearly someone deliberately framing me!"

Su Yao quickly comforted him, "Yichen, don't worry. We have nothing to fear if we are upright. As long as we find evidence to prove your innocence, that's all that matters."

So, Su Yao and Xiao Yichen began searching for clues to investigate the source of the rumors. They discovered that a minister whom Xiao Yichen had previously impeached was holding a grudge and secretly instructing his subordinates to spread these rumors.

Xiao Yichen presented the evidence to the Emperor, who severely punished the minister and cleared Xiao Yichen's name.

After this ordeal, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao's relationship deepened, and they cherished their hard-won peaceful life even more.

Time flies, and Xiao Ling'er has grown into a graceful young woman, reaching the age for marriage. Many noble young men have come to propose marriage, but Ling'er already has someone she loves—Lin Yu, the son of a promising young military general. Lin Yu and Ling'er have known each other since childhood, and they are deeply in love, often spending time together composing poems, painting, riding horses, and shooting arrows.

When Ling'er blushed and told Xiao Yichen and Su Yao her feelings, Xiao Yichen frowned slightly: "Ling'er, marriage is a very important matter. Although Lin Yu is the son of a military general, we still need to carefully examine his character and abilities."

Su Yao nodded in agreement: "Ling'er, your father is right. We are not trying to stop you, we just hope that you can be happy."

For his daughter's happiness, Xiao Yichen secretly investigated Lin Yu's family background and character, discovering that he was indeed an upright, kind, and highly skilled young man. Therefore, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao agreed to the marriage.

On their wedding day, the capital was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Xiao Ling'er, adorned in her phoenix coronet and wedding gown, was stunningly beautiful, while Lin Yu was dashing and imposing. Seeing their daughter's happy smile, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao were filled with joy.

However, fate is unpredictable. A few years later, Xiao Yichen's family business suddenly suffered a severe blow, with some long-term partners withdrawing their investments, plunging the family business into crisis. Xiao Yichen traveled everywhere, trying to salvage the situation, but faced numerous difficulties.

Looking at the exhausted Xiao Yichen, Su Yao said with heartache, "Yichen, let's think of a solution together. We will share the burden of the family's rise and fall."

Together, they took stock of the family's assets and debts, discovering that the problem lay in chaotic internal management and the machinations of some unscrupulous individuals. Therefore, Su Yao proposed a series of reforms to strengthen internal management and expand into new business areas. Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen also leveraged his connections in the imperial court to secure some policy support.

After several years of hard work, the family business finally began to recover and regain its former vitality. Having weathered these storms, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao understood each other's importance even more. Supporting each other, they overcame one difficulty after another, becoming a couple envied by everyone in the capital.

As the years passed, their hair gradually turned gray, but their love remained as strong as ever. They often reminisced in their courtyard, their hearts filled with happiness and contentment as they looked at their many children and grandchildren. Their story became a legendary tale passed down through generations in the capital, inspiring people to bravely pursue love and hold fast to happiness…