A month passed in the blink of an eye, and during this time, everyone in the mansion became much stronger.
At the moment, most of the ladies were busy breaking through to the fourth stage, while Anna had entered the soul refinement stage just a day before.
However, the one who benefited the most was Paul, as he was already at the sixth stage of both cultivation's and well on his way to the next breakthrough.
Additionally, Elaina had made some progress as well.
Even though she didn't cultivate with Paul, she asked other ladies to switch their spots in a way that would allow her to sleep in the same bed as him.
It was not easy for Paul to hold himself back when he had an elf in his arms every second night, but he didn't want to destroy all the progress she had made to get over her trauma and self-doubt.
She also rose in stages, by quite a bit, thanks to the vials and the new cultivation technique she received, and was close to reaching the fourth stage, with her spirit tree standing tall and majestic.
All this progress surprised everyone, especially Paul, who had never expected such results, and they still hadn't used the Fiery Ginseng, not the Sensual Lily potions.
Paul and the ladies agreed to wait a bit longer; they wanted Natalie to get used to cultivating with Paul and Elaina to get over her problems, so that they could all benefit from this together.
Everything was going well until Liu Lili arrived a bit over a month after they activated the barrier.
-Hello, aunty, what brings you here?
Paul greeted her as she entered the garden, while he was enjoying some tea with Elaina and Anna.
-You need to come with me, there is a messenger from the imperial palace waiting for you and Natalie at our mansion.
Lili said, nor beating around the bush, and she didn't look happy delivering this news.
Then she paused, finally sensing Paul's and the ladies next to him cultivation levels.
-How did you…?
She started, then changed her mind.
-You will soon be at your uncle's stage, and Anna is only a stage lower than me.
She said with wide eyes.
-This tends to happen when you can focus on cultivation for a while.
Paul smiled, seeing his aunt's stunned expression.
She knew that dual cultivation was much faster, but she never expected it to be this fast.
-Alright, I can go with you now, but Natalie is making a breakthrough to the Sorcerer stage, and it will take a while.
He added a moment later.
Despite having a bad feeling about this messenger, he had no choice but to meet with them.
Fortunately, according to the imperial law, even the imperial summons was not a valid enough reason for a cultivator to interrupt his breakthrough, as cultivation was above everything in this world.
Paul left with Liu Lili a few minutes later, leaving Anna and Elaina to inform the other ladies if they so happened to finish their breakthroughs during his absence.
-What's this about, Aunty?
He asked the moment their carriage started to move.
-I have no idea, but my best guess is that the emperor is summoning you for some reason, and I don't like it one bit.
She answered with a worried voice.
Paul tried to figure out a reason why the emperor would want to summon him and Natalie, but there was nothing coming to his mind at the moment.
However, he knew his aunt long enough not to dismiss her worries, since her intuition was usually spot on, which was a bit terrifying at times.
As soon as they arrived, Paul knew why she was so worried.
Usually, even if a messenger was dispatched from the capital, instead of simply sending a message and letting the city lord deal with the rest.
They would at most have four escorts, but now he saw twenty soldiers, from the imperial army, and not just any soldiers but the emperor's personal guards, which meant that the messenger was someone important or the message was extremely important.
Whatever the case, it was safe to assume that this was not a simple matter.
When they both entered Xiao Han's office, Paul immediately noticed a skinny, tall man wearing clothes suggesting that he was either extremely rich or he was a noble.
Behind him stood two imperial officers in full armor.
-Are you Paul Marshal?
The man asked as soon as they entered, without even a greeting.
His voice was arrogant and dry.
-I am.
Paul answered, trying not to sound cold, since from the first moment they met, he didn't like this man.
-Where is Natalie Jeager?
The man asked.
-She is in the middle of her breakthrough, so she could not come.
The young man answered.
-So be it.
The messenger said and opened a scroll he was holding in his hand.
-In accordance with his majesty's order, Paul Marshal is summoned before the imperial court as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Natalie Jeager is also summoned before his majesty to receive a marriage bestowal.
Do you accept his majesty's orders?
The messenger asked, looking like he was hoping that Paul would decline.
-I accept and obey.
Paul said, receiving the scroll.
-However, Natalie Jeager, as stated before, is in seclusion, breaking through to the next stage of cultivation, so it will be a while before she can accept these orders.
He added, while boiling inside and wondering who was so eager to meet their ancestors by coveting his woman.
-Then, when do you intend to arrive at the palace?
The arrogant man asked.
-I'll arrive by tomorrow. As for Natalie, I don't know when she will arrive.
Paul answered.
The messenger looked at Paul like he had lost his mind.
-It will take a week for you to arrive at the earliest.
The skinny man said, with anger, suspecting that Paul was making fun of him.
-That's only if I use the normal route, but I intend to use transport spells, so I'll be there tomorrow morning or at noon at the latest.
Paul explained, surprising not only the messenger but also both officers, who didn't say a word till now.
-Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get ready. I don't wish to keep his highness waiting.
With these words, he departed, using a transport spell, as if to assure the messenger that he was not joking.
Anna and Elaina were not happy after Paul informed them what the messenger said, and they were beyond angry, hearing about Natalie's marriage bestowal.
-Like hell, she's going to marry some random dude picked by the emperor.
Anna shouted, unable to keep her rage under control.
-I won't allow this to happen.
Paul assured her.
-She is my woman, and if there is no other way, then I'll challenge her supposed husband to a duel and kill him in a way that will teach everyone not to covet my women.
He added, not any less angry than the ladies.
-Either way, don't let her leave the mansion alone under any circumstances, and if anyone asks, she is still in seclusion.
He instructed them while he was finishing putting on his battle gear.
-If everything goes well, I'll be back within three to four days at most.
Paul said, before hugging the two of them and leaving for the capital city.