The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

An Xinlian didn't know how much her gamble today had salvaged her reputation, but things had come to this point, and perhaps this was the best possible outcome for her. As for the rest... she would strive to regain the world's praise. An Xinlian had never admitted defeat.

However… An Xinlian looked at her mother beside her. She knew that after today’s events, a thick wall had been built between her and her mother.

Anmi sat in the most inconspicuous spot, quietly observing everyone's expressions, her eyes also holding a look of anticipation for a good show.

"Brother Feng, there's something I'm not sure if I should say." Jin Qiaoyu spoke first, breaking the silence in the room. She looked at An Yuefeng tentatively, secretly plotting something.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Fangfei suddenly came to her senses, her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Jin Qiaoyu, her eyes turning even more gloomy. She knew without even thinking what Jin Qiaoyu was up to.

Sure enough, Jin Qiaoyu paused for a moment, then continued, "Brother Feng, Qiaoyu thinks that what my sister did today has really disgraced our An family. You don't know what people outside are saying about our An family, or about you, Brother Feng. They're saying that the An family has produced such a vicious mother and daughter. Shouldn't you discipline them, Brother Feng..."

"Shut up!" Yu Fangfei interrupted Jin Qiaoyu before she could finish speaking. Even though she knew that Jin Qiaoyu had ulterior motives and that she should not behave inappropriately in front of the master, she still could not tolerate Jin Qiaoyu speaking so arrogantly and smugly about her affairs and sowing discord in front of the master.

Jin Qiaoyu frowned slightly, "Brother Feng... Qiaoyu is just stating the facts. Sister, just because you are the matriarch of our An family, you can control what I say and prevent me from speaking. But do you have the ability to control the gossip of the people of Rongjin City?"

Jin Qiaoyu knew that the more she provoked Yu Fangfei at this moment, the more advantageous it would be for her. Hmph, this Yu Fangfei looks dignified and reserved, but when she loses her composure, she is the most irrational. Even in this situation, she still can't change her arrogant nature. Today, she will make her suffer even more losses because of this.

"You... Jin Qiaoyu, you bitch, do you think I don't know what you're up to?" Yu Fangfei suddenly stood up, while An Xinlian frowned. What was wrong with her mother? Couldn't she see through Jin Qiaoyu's intentions? Just as she was about to remind her, she thought of something, and her eyes darkened. She was already in a precarious situation herself.

"Yu Fangfei!" An Yuefeng roared, his eyes glaring fiercely at Yu Fangfei. The anger that had been building up inside him finally erupted. "Kneel down!"

Yu Fangfei was taken aback, "Master..."

"Are you deaf? I told you to kneel down, didn't you hear me?" An Yuefeng interrupted her, his eyes full of disgust and reproach as he looked at Yu Fangfei.

This woman has always been malicious, but as long as it doesn't affect the reputation of his An family, he can turn a blind eye. However, this time the matter has undoubtedly gone too far.

Even though he didn't go to Jinhe to see it just now, he heard about the situation there from the servants afterward, as well as the streets... Now the An family has become the talk of the town. When anyone mentions the An family or An Yuefeng, they point and whisper, their eyes full of contempt.

Just now, he received messages from several former business partners wanting to cancel their cooperation with the An family. This... this blow made him even angrier. Because of these two women, the An family is now in an unprecedented predicament!

Yu Fangfei was stunned. She bit her lip and finally knelt on the ground. However, thinking of her master's anger, she couldn't just sit and wait for her fate. "Master, I didn't know things would turn out this way..."

"So what do you think will happen? Will you drown An Mi? And then no one will know what you've done?" An Yuefeng sneered. When he mentioned An Mi, he subconsciously glanced at her, as if he were full of concern for her. He completely forgot that this morning, he knew that Yu Fangfei and An Xinlian had deliberately exposed An Mi's affair, but he still chose to turn a blind eye and remain silent.

But how could An Mi not know her father's indifference? A hint of irony gathered in her eyes, and she glanced at the flustered Yu Fangfei, subtly raising the corners of her mouth.

"My lord, I was wrong, I was wrong, I will never do it again." Yu Fangfei sensed An Yuefeng's growing anger and hurriedly spoke up.

If she were to back down and admit her mistake at this moment, she might gain the master's forgiveness. However, she did not know that An Yuefeng had already made up his mind and made a certain decision.

An Yuefeng looked at Yu Fangfei kneeling on the ground, his eyes narrowed, and after a moment of contemplation, he said sternly, "Yu Fangfei, how can you be worthy of being the legal wife of the An family with such a vicious nature!"

These words were like a thunderclap in the hall, and everyone present was stunned for a moment, their expressions varying.

A sense of triumph rose in Jin Qiaoyu's heart. So Yu Fangfei couldn't become the legal wife? Did that mean she was closer to becoming the legal wife of the An family?

Yes, as long as Yu Fangfei falls, then the master will definitely make her the official wife. From now on, she, Jin Qiaoyu, will be the official wife of the An family!

Just thinking about it made Jin Qiaoyu excited. Looking at Yu Fangfei's pale face, she felt very pleased. Hmph, Yu Fangfei used to be so proud, but now she has fallen to such a state. If she becomes the legal wife, she will definitely trample Yu Fangfei under her feet. In the future, Yu Fangfei will never be able to turn her life around.

Yu Fangfei stood there, seemingly processing what she had just heard: unworthy to be the legal wife of the An family? Did the master mean to demote her to a concubine?

Although she had been mentally prepared for this, she was still caught off guard when it actually happened to her.

To be demoted from a legal wife to a concubine—what a disgrace and stain that is!

Her hands clenched into fists unconsciously, as if Yu Fangfei was making a final struggle. "Master, please, for the sake of all the years I have served you, take back your order. I have been married to you for so many years, and we are husband and wife..."

"Hmph, you're talking to me about marital affection now? The losses you've brought to the An family have already eroded all marital affection. Not giving you a divorce decree is already being lenient with you." An Yuefeng said coldly. In fact, he had considered divorcing this hateful woman, but if he really did, he was afraid that people would talk about him again, and the An family could not afford anything more.

After much deliberation, he demoted Yu Fangfei to the rank of concubine, which was also a way of showing the outside world his attitude towards Yu Fangfei. This woman had better keep quiet from now on!