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

As the morning sun shone through the window, it fell on Su Yao's slightly flushed cheeks. Xiao Yichen gently smoothed the hair at her temples and said softly, "Yao'er, although the Emperor has agreed to our relationship, there are undercurrents in the court. Those forces that I have investigated may not let this go easily. You must be more careful in the future."

Su Yao held Xiao Yichen's hand and nodded gently: "Yichen, I understand. As long as I can be with you, I am not afraid of any danger. But you have a heavy responsibility to your country and people, so you must not be hindered by me."

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door. Xiao Yichen's expression tightened, and he got up to open the door to see what was happening. He saw a woman in gorgeous clothes standing at the door with a group of servants.

The woman was indeed the princess. She looked Xiao Yichen with haughty eyes, then her gaze fell on Su Yao inside the room. She said coldly, "You are the woman who stole Lord Xiao's soul?"

Su Yao curtsied slightly: "This humble woman, Su Yao, greets the princess."

The princess snorted coldly: "In my opinion, you are just an ordinary woman. How could you be worthy of Lord Xiao? Lord Xiao, you should think carefully. Marrying me would greatly benefit your career and even your entire family."

Xiao Yichen stepped forward and stood in front of Su Yao, saying, "Princess, I already have someone I love. I hope you will respect yourself and not make things difficult for Miss Su Yao."

The princess's face darkened: "You, Xiao Yichen, how dare you speak to me like that! Do you know the consequences of refusing me?"

Su Yao tugged at Xiao Yichen's sleeve and said softly, "Yichen, don't argue with the princess. This matter needs to be discussed further."

Xiao Yichen shook his head slightly and looked at the princess: "Princess, marriage should be based on mutual affection. I am truly in love with Miss Su Yao, and I hope that the princess will grant our wish."

The princess laughed in anger: "Fine, very well! Xiao Yichen, you will regret your choice!" With that, the princess turned and left.

After the princess left, Su Yao looked worried: "Yi Chen, the princess is of noble birth. What should we do if she intends to make things difficult for us?"

Xiao Yichen embraced Su Yao: "Yao'er, don't be afraid. I will protect you. I will explain things to the princess later. She was probably just acting on impulse."

However, things were far more complicated than they imagined. After returning to the palace, the princess tearfully complained to the emperor that Xiao Yichen was ungrateful and had even accused Su Yao of bewitching people and disrupting the court.

After hearing this, the Emperor did not directly blame Xiao Yichen, but he was somewhat dissatisfied with him. In the court, some ministers who were originally opposed to Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity to launch an attack, impeaching him for neglecting his official duties due to personal feelings for his children.

Xiao Yichen argued vehemently in the court: "Your Majesty, I have always been loyal to the court and have never been negligent. I am in love with Miss Su Yao. I hope Your Majesty will see through this and not be deceived by villains."

The Emperor's expression was solemn: "Minister Xiao, I will investigate this matter thoroughly, but you must also be careful with your words and actions, lest you give others cause for criticism."

After court, Xiao Yichen returned home exhausted. Su Yao, seeing this, felt heartbroken: "Yichen, it's all my fault that you've been dragged into this. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had such a difficult time in court."

Xiao Yichen gently stroked Su Yao's face: "Yao'er, don't say that. This is our mutual choice, and I will not back down. However, I may have to be more careful in the future to avoid giving anyone a handle to use against me."

Meanwhile, the corrupt elements under investigation in the court began to stir. They secretly colluded, attempting to plot another conspiracy, partly to bring down Xiao Yichen, and partly to seize control of the court.

One day, Xiao Yichen received news that those people were secretly meeting outside the city, discussing how to deal with him and Su Yao. He decided to go and find out, but Su Yao, worried about his safety, insisted on going with him.

"Yao'er, this mission is too dangerous, you can't go," Xiao Yichen said firmly.

“Yichen, I’m worried about you going alone. You’ve forgotten, I can help too; my medical skills might come in handy.” Su Yao’s eyes were firm.

Xiao Yichen couldn't refuse her, so he had to agree: "Alright, but you must stay close to me and not act on your own."

Under the cover of night, the two quietly left the city and arrived at the location of the secret meeting. They hid in the shadows and overheard the group's plot.

"That brat Xiao Yichen is so arrogant and dares to oppose us. This time we must ruin his reputation, and that Su Yao shouldn't be let off either!"

"We first spread rumors that Xiao Yichen and Su Yao were traitors, and then fabricated evidence to make the emperor believe it."

Hearing these vicious plans, Xiao Yichen was filled with rage. He was about to rush out when Su Yao stopped him: "Yichen, don't be impulsive. Rushing out now will only alert them. We need to go back and think of a way to deal with them."

Suppressing his anger, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao quietly left. Back home, Xiao Yichen paced back and forth: "Yao'er, their plan is so insidious. We must find a way to expose their conspiracy as soon as possible, otherwise we will be doomed."

Su Yao pondered for a moment: "Yi Chen, we can start by investigating their fabrication of evidence. We can find the place where they fabricated the evidence, steal it, or destroy it, so that their plan will fail."

Xiao Yichen's eyes lit up: "Yao'er, this plan is excellent. However, this operation is fraught with danger, and you must not take any risks."

Su Yao smiled slightly: "Yi Chen, we are one. No matter what danger we encounter, I will face it together with you."

In the days that followed, Xiao Yichen and Su Yao carefully navigated the pressures from the princess and the court while secretly investigating those people's conspiracies. Their feelings for each other deepened amidst these difficulties, and they both knew that only by working together could they overcome this challenging path of love.