The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

The future emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty should be chosen from these two people. The eldest prince's mother passed away early, which obviously puts him at a disadvantage in the struggle for the throne. In addition, the second prince is the empress's legitimate son and has a powerful Feng family behind him. How could Empress Feng allow the eldest prince to have the opportunity to compete with her son for the throne?

She knew without a doubt that Qinglan's return to the capital meant the disappearance of the refined doctor in Rongjin City, and what he would have to face was the cruel struggle for the throne.

Anmi is a smart woman; why would she let herself get involved in the intrigues of the royal family?

Anmi instinctively felt a sense of aversion towards the royal family. However, she was unaware that some things could not be avoided simply by trying her best to avoid them. Even with her shrewdness, composure, indifference, and self-preservation, she could not escape the curse.

Little did she know that she and the royal family would ultimately be entangled in a complex and inextricable web of relationships.

Even setting aside the connection of Qinglan's identity, Anmi would never accept it. Not just Qinglan, but everyone. Wasn't what she experienced in her past life enough to teach her a lesson?

The infighting among wives and concubines? She disdained to put herself in such a situation again.

In this life, she only wants to take revenge herself, to make those who harmed her pay a terrible price. As for love between men and women...

A hint of irony flickered in her tranquil eyes...

Anmi took a deep breath. Seeing the obvious disappointment on Qinglan's handsome face, she couldn't bear it. But for the sake of both of them, she could only suppress her desire to comfort him. She smiled slightly and then avoided Qinglan's eyes.

Her words were so clear that she had already rejected Qinglan's feelings.

Qinglan looked at Anmi, and Anmi's answer made his heart skip a beat. Although he had been somewhat prepared, hearing her polite refusal still gave him an indescribable feeling and a sudden, inexplicable pain.

However, he was somewhat unwilling to accept this answer, and peace...

He didn't know when it started, but his gaze had unconsciously followed her. He admired her resilience and intelligence. He had never felt such feelings for a woman before. He wasn't sure how deep his feelings for An Mi were, but the desire to keep her by his side was exceptionally strong.

Doesn't she deserve such treatment? Anmi, is it that no one can enter your heart, or is there already someone in your heart?

Qinglan thought of Bai Yi, and a slight gloom appeared in his eyes. He stared intently at An Mi, not looking away for a moment. This gaze seemed to last forever. After an unknown amount of time, a sound slowly escaped his lips, "Why?"

He still wanted an answer. If Anmi already had someone in her heart, then he would grant her wish...

An Mi frowned slightly. This time, she met Qing Lan's eyes, and the light in her eyes was even more determined. However, there was a hint of helplessness and bitterness mixed in with that determination. "What An Mi wants, His Highness the First Prince cannot give."

Qinglan was slightly taken aback. Even Bai Yi, who had been sitting silently watching everything from the beginning, raised an eyebrow and looked at An Mi with a strange expression.

“Tell me what you want? I’ll give you anything you want, even if it’s…” Qinglan’s expression was somewhat excited, as if she had seen hope. She said that he couldn’t give her what she wanted, which meant that she wasn’t rejecting him because she had another man in her heart!

This realization eased the heavy burden that had been weighing on Qinglan's heart.

He suddenly realized that he had been thinking that if An Mi already had someone in her heart, he would let her go. But... the word "let her go" sounds simple, but could he really do it?

He was unwilling to grant Anmi his wish! What he wanted was to be followed!

He suddenly realized that his feelings and emotions for Anmi seemed to exceed his imagination. He even wanted to offer the entire country to her, just to make her smile!

With this clear in his mind, Qinglan's resolve towards Anmi grew stronger. He looked intently at Anmi, as if trying to make her feel his sincerity.

But this brought even greater pressure to An Mi. She really couldn't bear to hurt this man. Since her rebirth, she had seen all the help Qing Lan had given her and had already regarded her as a friend in her heart.

“Qinglan, I consider you a friend, a very good friend. If one day you come to Rongjin City again, or if we have the opportunity to meet again in other places, Anmi hopes that we can sit together harmoniously, chat, drink tea, and enjoy each other’s company. But anything more… is something Anmi cannot bear, nor can she give. Qinglan, I hope that when we meet again in the future, Anmi can still call you Qinglan in this way, instead of kneeling in front of you distantly and calling you Your Highness the First Prince.” Anmi said softly, her meaning all too clear.

As intelligent as Qinglan was, she understood that Anmi was telling her that this matter should not be forced. If she did, they might not even be able to remain friends. A hint of disappointment appeared in her eyes. Anmi's careful refusal showed that she considered him a true friend and was unwilling to lose him or break the friendship.

Thinking of An Mi's words, which described a beautiful memory he couldn't bear to reject, he took a deep breath, a sense of loneliness rising in his heart. Finally, he forced a smile and said, "Alright, An Mi, remember what you said. When we meet again someday, we'll drink tea, chat, and enjoy each other's company. You... you're not allowed to call me the First Prince, and you're not allowed... you're not allowed to let anyone into your heart, okay?"

Qinglan's tone revealed a domineering quality that Anmi had never seen in him before, as well as a plea that should not belong to the dignified Crown Prince. For a moment, Anmi was stunned. Was he not allowed to let anyone live in her heart?

How could she not understand Qinglan's meaning? Was he ultimately unwilling to give up his feelings for her?

But is there still room for someone else in her heart?

Anmi knew, but at this moment, she couldn't see that person's presence.

"Qinglan, next time we meet, let's have tea, chat, and drink together." Anmi smiled and said firmly. She believed that Qinglan would understand her meaning, and she would not make promises about things she was not sure about.

Qinglan's brow twitched. Yes, how could he not understand? Anmi only promised not to call him the First Prince anymore and promised to drink and chat happily when they met again, but she avoided the last promise, which was also the one he cared about the most.

After a moment's hesitation, Qinglan stopped pressing the matter. He raised his hand and gently pulled down the veil covering her face, exposing it to his view. He wanted to see that face one last time before leaving.

Remaining still and unmoved by his movements, Qinglan did not seem to be acting abruptly.