The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Madam Liu was surprised that the Prince of Bohai would bring up this matter, and she looked embarrassed. Although her husband had kept a low profile on this trip, as shrewd as he was, he had seen through the purpose of the Liu family's trip to the capital. It was no secret to the Prince of Bohai.

I received a letter from my father-in-law some time ago. It turns out that Yao Family Tea Garden has partnered with the King of Bohai!

A sense of resentment welled up in her heart, but even so, she dared not do anything. Although the Liu family was the richest family in Rongjin City and could speak a few words in front of the prefectural governor, in the eyes of the dignified King of Bohai, the Liu family was nothing.

Concealing her thoughts, Madam Liu smiled again, "Master never tells this old woman about his affairs. As a woman, I dare not ask too much about men's business."

Her effortless and cunning response once again demonstrated the woman's shrewdness to Bai Yi, and it also made An Mi, who had been watching Madam Liu from the side, raise a disdainful smirk and her eyes fill with deep sarcasm.

In their past life, they were mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This mother-in-law was always a ruthless character, something An Mi had always known. Looking at her face, she was as elegant and noble as ever. Her presence was even more charming than many of the young girls present. However, no one knew her true colors better than An Mi.

Scenes from her past life flashed through her mind: her newborn daughter was brutally killed by this wicked woman. The cold, piercing pain struck her heart once more. Before her eyes, Madam Liu's smiling face gradually overlapped with her cold expression from that time. Anmi subconsciously clenched her hands, suppressing the hatred surging within her.

"Mother...Mother, Liu'er is in pain." Liu'er suddenly cried out softly, her aggrieved face resting against An Mi's neck, as if she had been silently enduring it for a long time. Her low voice was right next to An Mi's ear, as if she was afraid that others, especially the man closest to them, would hear it.

An Mi froze, realizing that she was holding Liu'er's wrist. She quickly let go and was shocked to see that her wrist was slightly red. A wave of self-reproach washed over her. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Liu'er's trembling voice whisper in her ear again.

"Mother, shh... Liu'er doesn't hurt anymore. Don't let Uncle find out, otherwise he won't let Mother hold Liu'er." Liu'er winked at An Mi.

An Mi's heart tightened. These words undoubtedly touched her heart. Liu'er... She took a deep breath and secretly touched the red mark on her wrist. "Mother will not let Liu'er suffer again."

Liu'er, is she afraid that Bai Yi will blame her?

Whether or not Liu'er was her daughter, she was so pitiful and touched her heart!

But who is Bai Yi? He had already noticed the actions of the two women when Liu'er softly cried out in pain. He was already angry, but Liu'er's protection of An Mi suddenly drained his anger.

What a peaceful place!

As astute as he was, he noticed the fluctuation in An Mi's emotions. His deep eyes narrowed. What had made her like this? His gaze swept over Madam Liu, who was chatting warmly with him, and his eyes lit up. Was it her?

Bai Yi glanced at An Mi without making it obvious, and a smile appeared on his lips. At that moment, Madam Liu had just had her daughter, Miss Liu, summoned and eagerly introduced her to Bai Yi, "Honored guest, this is my daughter, Liu Xu, who is seventeen years old and not yet betrothed."

Sima Zhao's intentions were obvious to everyone. The fact that the Prince of Bohai had visited the Liu residence was an extremely rare event. Given the Prince of Bohai's status, even if Liu Xu were only a concubine, it would already be a remarkable achievement. For the Liu family, this was undoubtedly like climbing a great tree!

Moreover, the King of Bohai is currently unmarried. If Liu Xu proves herself and gains the King's favor, then...

"Xu'er, why don't you hurry up and talk to our distinguished guest?" The more Madam Liu thought about it, the more excited she became, and she deliberately pushed Liu Xu, who was next to her, forward.

Liu Xu was hurriedly summoned, but she didn't expect her mother to introduce her to another man. She was already embarrassed, but when she saw the handsome man in front of her, her face turned bright red. This...this man is so handsome!

"Honorable...honored guest..." Liu Xu stammered, her heart pounding. As a daughter of the Liu family, she knew her fate; sooner or later, she would be given away as a gift. But what if that person was the man before her...?

Bai Yi's thoughts were still on An Mi. He pulled himself out of his thoughts and, being shrewd, glanced at the shy woman and Madam Liu in front of him. He immediately understood what was going on!

With a slight furrow of her brows, showing no intention of playing along with the mother and daughter's scheme, she said in a deep voice, "Madam Liu, is it time for the embroidery appreciation gathering?"

"Hehe, yes, yes, yes, honored guest, please take a seat here." Although Madam Liu was disappointed, she dared not offend the King of Bohai. She glared at the embarrassed Liu Xu with resentment. This wretched girl was indeed a money-loser. She couldn't even do this simple thing right. What use was she?

Normally, she would have given him a good scolding, but with so many people present, Madam Liu could only suppress her displeasure and turn to instruct Liu Zhan, "Zhan'er, quickly arrange for the start."

Liu Zhan nodded and then summoned the women who were participating in the embroidery appreciation event. They went to a specially set-up area in the garden. After a while, all the women stood together. An Mi handed Liu'er to Bai Yi and was about to turn around and walk towards the other women when she heard Qing Lan's gentle voice coming from the side.

"Second Miss, you will definitely win first place." Qinglan's smile was as warm as a spring breeze. He had witnessed Anmi's embroidery skills before. Even Liu Zhan was looking for her, wasn't he?

An Mi stopped in her tracks, nodded to Qing Lan, but smiled without saying a word. As she looked away, her gaze inadvertently met Bai Yi's deep eyes, where she saw a half-smile on his handsome face.

An Mi frowned slightly. Had she won first place? In her past life, she was the one who had won first place!

But in this life… a slight smile played on her lips, her brows furrowed, concealing the light in her eyes, she turned and walked into the crowd…

In the garden, Liu Zhan stood on a specially built platform, looking at the various women below, his gaze slowly searching through them.

Was the person he was looking for inside? Thinking this, Liu Zhan felt a surge of excitement and addressed the crowd loudly, "Thank you all for coming today. As you all know, the winner of this embroidery competition..."

Having said that, Liu Zhan paused, thinking of his mother's decision, his brow furrowing slightly. After thinking it over and over, he finally spoke, "The winner today, Liu Zhan, will marry her in a grand wedding procession."

Upon hearing this, the women present erupted in a clamor, their faces beaming with joy, eager to try it out. Although there had been rumors before, they were just rumors. Hearing this promise personally from the young master of the Liu family made it all the more significant.

The richest man's wife! How could they not be excited?

"Big sister, did you hear that? Eight-bearer sedan chair, a grand wedding procession, what a magnificent sight! Big sister, I'm going to be Liu Zhan's wife!" An Xinhe couldn't hide her excitement, her eyes sparkling as if she had already become the young mistress of a billionaire.