Before he left the Storm Wave city.
Paul visited his uncle and aunt once again.
-Where is the messenger?
He asked after greeting them again.
-He left soon after you disappeared, and he was not happy about the way you handled things.
But since you didn't breach the protocol in any way, he could do nothing about it.
Xiao Han said.
-Paul, something is off about this matter.
Liu Lili chimed in.
-There is no way the emperor would send twenty of his guards just to send you a message.
It looks more like they were hoping you would decline the order, and the guards were here to arrest you if that was the case.
She added.
This was the only way this whole thing made any sense at all.
-Well, I accepted, and I'll know what's going on tomorrow.
In the meantime, the ladies are safe inside the mansion, and I told them not to let Natalie out alone, just in case.
Additionally, they all have transport spells, in case they need to escape, so there should be no problem while I'm gone.
He didn't have to mention that Anna was already at the sour refining stage, and the rest of the ladies would reach the fourth stage soon, so they were far from being defenseless.
After some more talking and saying his goodbyes, he departed, intending to get this matter over with as soon as possible and return to focus on cultivating again.
The journey was quite fast, since he didn't stop at night, and used transport spells whenever he could.
Paul arrived at the capital before noon and didn't even bother renting out a room or anything.
He simply changed his clothes in his tent before entering the city and went straight to the palace, without wasting any time.
At the gate, he showed the scroll, summoning him for an audience with he emperor, and was led inside soon after.
This time, however, four guards were escorting him alone, which was a bit strange.
-Long live the emperor.
Paul said and bowed before the emperor.
The throne room was packed with officials and nobles, he remembered from his previous visit, but there were some people he had never seen before, and there were also many more guards posted along the walls and near the entrances.
-Raise your head.
The monarch said.
-Do you know why you were summoned before us?
The emperor asked.
-I do not, your majesty.
Paul answered, and something told him that he would not like the reason.
-Imperial concubine Yuki had informed us that you refused to treat her nephew. Is that true?
The emperor asked, this time visibly angry.
-Forgive me, your majesty, but I was never asked to treat the imperial concubine's nephew.
The Yuki clansmen approached me, and we had some misunderstandings, so I declined to treat one of their young masters.
The emperor was surprised by Paul's answer, like this was the first time he had heard about it.
-Do you have any proof or witnesses who can confirm this?
-The province lord of the Storm wave province can testify, and if that is not enough, then I'm ready to make a blood oath that I didn't lie in this matter.
Hearing his words, everyone present gasped, knowing full well what the consequences would be if he lied and took the oath.
-There is no need for that, but we order you to treat the young master of the Yuki clan, no matter what enmity you have with other members of his clan.
-As you wish, your majesty.
Paul bowed, receiving the order.
-However, I must inform your majesty that there is a significant chance that I won't be able to help the young master from the Yuki clan, as many techniques used to cause his current state are irreversible, or can only be removed by their creator.
He added without raising his head.
-We heard that you successfully treated Xiao Su, the Storm Wave Province, the province lord's daughter.
So why would this case be any different, since the symptoms as we understand them are identical?
The emperor asked, surprised by Paul's words.
-Your majesty, Xiao Su's treatment was a stroke of luck.
The culprits, as masterful as they were in the art of medicine, most likely never expected that there would be anyone capable of removing this technique, so they didn't add any countermeasures to stop anyone from doing so.
However, I cannot be sure that the person responsible for young master Yuki's state was thinking the same way.
Also, as I said previously, there are many ways to induce such a state, and many of them are irreversible.
Paul explained.
The emperor thought for a moment since this information changed things.
-Alright, since this is the case, then we order you to try and treat Concubine's Yuki nephew, but you are permitted to refuse treatment if it's impossible or would result in the patient's death.
Additionally, we shall send two palace healers with you to make sure there are no misunderstandings in this matter.
The emperor finally said.
-As you wish, your majesty, and thank you, your majesty.
Paul bowed again.
-Now, tell us why Natalie Jeager is not with you?
The emperor asked.
-Your majesty, she is currently in seclusion, breaking through to the sorcerer stage.
Paul answered.
Everyone was shocked once again, since not that long ago, she was only at the lesser mage stage.
Also, her absence was now excused since the law allowed any cultivator to disregard any summons while they were breaking through the stages.
-Good, it seems, that the prime minister's son has a good eye, choosing such a talented young lady as his concubine.
The emperor said after a moment.
-Your majesty, Natalie cannot become the prime minister's son's concubine, since she is already taken.
Paul said, and the emperor's smile vanished immediately.
-We have never heard about it, but since that's the case, then this dispute will be settled according to the custom.
The emperor declared.
-Do you know who Natalie Yeager's partner is?
-Your majesty, I am her partner, and I will abide by the custom.
Paul answered.
-Prime Minister, do you have anything to say in this matter?
The emperor asked, looking at the man who went pale, hearing that it was Paul, who was the girl's partner.
-Your majesty. I shall ask my son if he wishes to also abide by the custom, or if he wishes to step away from this proposal.
The prime minister said.
-Then do so and inform us about the answer as soon as possible.
If the prime minister's son wishes to abide by the custom, then the duel will take place after Paul Marshal finishes healing the concubine's Yuki nephew.
-As you wish, your majesty.
Both the prime minister and Paul said at the same time.