The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"When did the Imperial Wardrobe produce such a skilled embroiderer?" one of the concubines exclaimed immediately, even stepping forward to touch the garment. Upon touching it, her eyes lit up even more. "This silk is different too; it feels so good."

"Yes, and the colors too. Most importantly, the embroidery on this dress is so exquisite that I have never seen anything like it before."

"Steward, who made this dress?" Empress Feng asked loudly, as she also greatly admired the dress.

"Your Majesty, this dress was purchased from outside the capital and was made by a woman from the territory of the King of Donglin. It is the only one of its kind. I heard that the King of Donglin also praised the woman's embroidery highly," the steward replied.

"Oh? Is it the territory of the Eastern Lin Kingdom?" Empress Feng frowned slightly. "This dress is indeed quite nice."

"Your Majesty, I adore this dress. Would Your Majesty grant it to me?" Consort Rong asked. She was already thrilled when she heard that there was only one of these dresses. Now, she was the Emperor's most favored concubine, and such a fine thing could only be worthy of her.

Upon hearing this, the various concubines all had different expressions. A gift for her? Who wouldn't want this dress?

The key point is that Empress Feng has been regarding Consort Rong as a thorn in her side all this time, so how could she possibly do as Consort Rong wishes?

As expected, Empress Feng glanced at Consort Rong, a smirk playing on her lips, and chuckled, "Consort Rong, didn't you hear me? There's only one of these, and it's the only one of its kind. How could someone of your status possibly be worthy of it?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Rong's face turned pale instantly, just as she had expected. A sense of satisfaction rose in her heart as she looked triumphantly at Consort Rong's angry face.

“You…” Consort Rong bit her lip, but dared not say anything because of Empress Feng’s status. After all, she was the Empress!

"Sisters, who do you think is the most suitable to wear this dress?" Empress Feng glanced at everyone, then stepped forward and gently stroked the dress, clearly admiring it.

The concubines were all perceptive, and upon seeing this, they immediately understood what to do. One of them hurriedly chimed in, "Naturally, only Her Majesty the Empress is worthy of this dress."

"Yes, yes, from any perspective, this dress seems tailor-made for Her Majesty the Empress."

In this harem, the Empress is ultimately the most powerful. Consort Rong is merely favored by the Emperor. However, among these women, who hasn't been favored by the Emperor? And who can predict how long that favor will last?

In this palace, the hardest thing is ultimately power.

Empress Feng, in the inner palace, represented power.

These concubines naturally gravitated towards the Empress.

Empress Feng listened with satisfaction to everyone's agreement and chuckled, "Is that so? Since my sisters all think this dress suits me, then I have no reason to refuse. However, if I take this dress, Consort Rong will probably be disappointed."

As Empress Feng spoke, her smugness deepened.

"No, it's alright. If Her Majesty the Empress likes it, then it's naturally Her Majesty the Empress's." Consort Rong forced a smile, suppressing her resentment.

"Hehe, then I will gladly accept." Empress Feng raised the corner of her mouth and then instructed her personal maid, "Bring this dress inside for me. The Ghost Festival is coming soon, and this dress will come in handy."

The Ghost Festival? That's a big day. Will Her Majesty the Empress wear this dress on that day?

The concubines lowered their eyes slightly, all thinking the same thing: if the Empress wore this dress to the Ghost Festival, she would be stunning. What could they wear to match her?

Although they all knew they were just concubines, they still had to seize the opportunity to steal the spotlight. Only in that way could they get the emperor's attention; otherwise, they would be stuck in the deep palace as resentful women for the rest of their lives.

The concubines thought this way, and Consort Rong was no exception.

The Ghost Festival? How could she be willing to let Empress Feng steal the spotlight during the Ghost Festival?

"Your Majesty, I am feeling unwell and will take my leave now." Consort Rong rose and bowed to Empress Feng.

Empress Feng didn't make things difficult for her any further, giving her a brief glance. "Since you're not feeling well, you should rest properly! Give the order that since Consort Rong is not feeling well today, the Imperial Household Department should arrange for another concubine to serve the Emperor."

"..." Consort Rong's body stiffened, but she clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion."

Having said that, she left the Empress's palace. Only after she had completely left Empress Feng's palace did Consort Rong's anger finally erupt.

"So what if she's the Empress? She's so old, how can she be worthy of that dress?" Consort Rong said through gritted teeth.

"Your Highness, please don't upset yourself," the personal maid soothed softly.

"How can I not be angry? You saw it, you heard it, the Ghost Festival? She actually wants to wear that dress on the Ghost Festival. Isn't she deliberately wearing it for my benefit?" Consort Rong said angrily.

The palace maid raised her eyebrows and said cautiously, "Your Highness, don't forget that you are younger and more beautiful than the Empress. It's just a piece of clothing. If she can have it, why can't Your Highness?"

Consort Rong froze, then suddenly realized, "Right, she has clothes to wear, why can't I? What did that steward say just now?"

“That dress was embroidered by a woman from the territory of the Eastern Lin King. If we can find that woman and have her tailor-make one for you, Your Majesty, how could it not be as good as the Empress?” the personal maid suggested.

"Ha! Yes, not only do I need to find that woman, but I also want Empress Feng to see clearly that I, Consort Rong, am the Emperor's most favored concubine." Consort Rong narrowed her eyes, her tone unusually firm, and she had already made her plans.

Two days later, the Emperor issued an edict ordering the Prince of Donglin to personally escort the Miss Yan to the capital and to embroider clothes for Consort Rong.

The news spread throughout the palace, infuriating Empress Feng. However, Qinglan smiled upon hearing it, as if things were progressing smoothly and the imperial edict would soon reach Rong Jincheng.

Rong Jincheng, everything is still very calm.

On this day, Anmi, dressed as a flame girl, sat in the carriage. Before she even arrived at the Flourishing Flame Palace, she could already see that the entrance was crowded with people.

Anmi was slightly taken aback. What had happened?

Meanwhile, outside the blazing flames of prosperity, a furtive figure, seeing the arrival of the carriage, cautiously took advantage of the chaos to enter the blazing flames of prosperity.

An Mi got off the carriage and had someone push through the crowd to make way for her. Just as An Mi was about to see what had happened, Cheng Ying hurriedly came forward and said, "Miss, we have a distinguished guest."

Distinguished guest?

Before An Mi could ask any more questions, a clear, cool voice slowly rang out, "Miss Yan, it's been a long time!"