The Martial Doctor

However, this Mr. Su is very upright, with only one concubine besides his wife at home, and this concubine was brought by his wife.

Such a man is quite rare in the officialdom of Da Li.

Su Mobai has a son and two daughters. His eldest daughter is the famous talented lady of the capital, Su Yi, who has been living with him since accompanying him to the capital at the age of sixteen.

His wife remains in their hometown, the concubine follows him in the capital, and the other son and daughter stay in their hometown as well.

The capital is a big melting pot; he would rather let the two children stay in their hometown than have them come over. The concubine’s daughter is already married off in the hometown, and he has even become a grandfather. Thus, Old Su’s family is very harmonious.

The eldest daughter, Su Yi, is in such a situation. Despite being labeled as a talented woman, she cannot get married, much to his worry.

It’s not that there are no suitors, but rather none that are suitable. If Su Yi wanted to marry, she could find someone in no time. However, how could her proud nature allow her to endure having an uninteresting husband?

By staying by her father’s side, she can at least showcase her talents. Getting married means living a dull and boring life of managing the household and raising children.

If she weren’t a woman, Su Yi’s ambitions would be even greater.

"Father, in the past, when you visited the Lien Family for the New Year, Uncle Lien would always have someone send back a gift. This year, no one came."

"What do you mean to say?"

"With Lien gone, though there are still Lien Family members in the court, and although Lien chose you as his successor, the Lien Family may not necessarily respect you. If you insist on not taking sides, your future path might be even harder," Su Yi said.

"As your father, I am an official of the court, not appointed by the Crown Prince or King Qi. Even if the Crown Prince is the designated heir, he is not yet the ruler. At this moment, remaining neutral is fine as long as no mistakes are made." Su Mobai said.

"Although that is true, you are the person chosen by Lien. You cannot avoid it."

"Then I’ll handle whatever comes my way. Yi’er, you don’t need to worry about me. Consider your own situation instead. Tomorrow, there’s a spring outing at Qu Shui. Why don’t you attend? Maybe you’ll find someone to your liking?"

"Not going, pointless."

"You can’t remain unmarried for your entire life. Otherwise, why not return to the hometown and let your mother find someone for you?"

"Not going back."

"What do you want, then? You can’t expect your father to support you for life?"

"I have money; I don’t need your support." Su Yi chuckled, long accustomed to her father’s nagging. As a talented woman and wealthy in her own right, she found business management effortless. Over the past ten years in the capital, she had amassed quite a fortune.

She could say she is wealthier than her third-grade minister of a father.

"Master, master, there’s someone outside claiming to be Mr. Yao requesting to see you." As father and daughter conversed, someone from their hometown hurriedly came to report.

"Mr. Yao?" Su Mubai was taken aback. Among those he knew, there was only one Mr. Yao—someone close to the emperor.

But is it possible?

He hardly interacted with Mr. Yao. At best, they were casual acquaintances, one being a eunuch and the other a court official. They rarely had the opportunity to meet, and even if they did, it would only involve a courteous exchange of words.

Officials consorting with eunuchs was strictly taboo.

Could it really be him?

If it truly was Mr. Yao, he did not dare refuse him at the door.

"Please bring him to the main hall and tell him I’ll be there shortly," Su Mobai instructed, promptly rising to change clothes before heading over.

Moments later, Su Mobai arrived at his home’s main reception hall. Upon seeing the visitor, wide-faced and large-eared, with a pale, beardless complexion, who else could it be but the emperor’s chief eunuch, Mr. Yao?

"Mr. Yao, it is an honor to be graced by your presence. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar..."

"Mr. Su is too kind." Mr. Yao slightly bowed, "I am here on behalf of His Majesty to deliver a decree to you."

"Deliver a decree?" Su Mobai was surprised but immediately prepared to set up an incense table to receive the decree.

"There’s no need for Mr. Su to go to such trouble." Yao Jude took a roll of yellow silk decree from his bosom and directly handed it to the kneeling Su Mobai, "This is a secret decree, not to be read out loud. Just read it to yourself and understand it."

Su Mobai took it, and upon opening the decree, a chill ran down his spine as he internally wondered why such unavoidable matters came seeking him unexpectedly.

The decree was issued, and having already read its contents and learned the secret, he couldn’t push it away.

This clearly left him no room for refusal.

Of course, he could try to evade it, but could he bear the cost of such evasion? Furthermore, even if successfully evaded, it would be a crime of deceiving the monarch...

The potential outcomes could include not only losing his position but even losing his head.

But with so many capable ministers in the court, why did His Majesty choose him? Is it because of trust, or is there another agenda?

"Mr. Su, congratulations. This appointment as an imperial envoy brings an elevation of two ranks, and His Majesty said if you handle this case well, the position of vice chancellor will be yours," Yao Jude whispered in Su Mobai’s ear.

Su Mobai was startled: "Mr. Yao, did His Majesty really say this?"

"Mr. Su, this case is perilous. Besides you, His Majesty also appointed Cui Xiang, the assistant director of the Ministry of Justice, as your deputy and assigned a battalion from the Yulin Guard as your security team to aid in the investigation."

"Does His Majesty have any other instructions?"

"His Majesty said this case must be handled impartially and without bias, with the truth as the guiding principle," Yao Jude reported.

"When should I set off?"