The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Even so, Empress Feng was even more wary of the Prince of Bohai than the Second Prince. That boy had managed to control almost all of the Jin Dynasty's commercial strongholds in just a few short years, and even the Emperor was now quite dependent on him.

Although being granted the title of prince disqualifies one from inheriting the throne, there are precedents in the history of the Jin Dynasty where princes have seized power.

The second prince frowned. "Mother, do you mean I should befriend Bai Yi?"

Empress Feng nodded, "That's right, befriending him will only benefit us."

If Bai Yi has no interest in the throne, then winning him over is the best strategy, allowing them to use Bai Yi's substantial wealth. However, if Bai Yi is interested in the throne, then they cannot allow him to live too long.

The second prince pondered, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the news he had received. "Mother, I have received word that Bai Yi returned to the capital this time with an embroiderer. It is said that the embroiderer was summoned by the Emperor. I believe that Bai Yi and that embroiderer must have a very close relationship."

"Oh?" The Queen's eyes lit up, and something flickered in her eyes, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

"Mother, should we make use of that embroiderer..." The Second Prince's eyes were full of calculation. If Bai Yi was interested in that embroiderer, then many things would be much easier to handle.

The royal family of the Great Jin Dynasty has always been wary of women who show their faces in public, and princes and nobles are not allowed to have too much involvement with such women. If they were to complain about Bai Yi in front of the emperor, Bai Yi would definitely be in deep trouble.

Empress Feng waved her hand. She understood the Second Prince's scheme perfectly well. However, complaining was not a wise move. She had a better way than complaining, and that embroiderer would be of greater use.

"Xu'er, just listen to your father's instructions and do what he asks you to do. You don't need to worry about anything else," Empress Feng said in a deep voice, already having made up her mind.

Her meaning was clear: she would handle the rest.

The next morning, Anmi woke up feeling unwell due to a hangover. Yifei and Liuguang knocked on the door and came in with smiles on their faces. "Miss, this is a hangover soup that the Prince ordered to be made. It has a miraculous effect on hangovers. Drink it quickly."

The two women before me were not as sharp as they had been when they struck birds in the night last night. They looked like ordinary maids. Yifei was gentle and innocent, while Liuguang was steady and elegant. They were surprisingly vibrant.

An Mi didn't say much, took the bowl and drank it down. She had an inexplicable trust in Bai Yi's people.

After the two helped An Mi finish washing up, Liu Guang said to An Mi, "Miss, the Prince has instructed that today, when you arrive at the palace gate with the imperial decree, someone will naturally inform the Emperor that you have arrived in the capital."

Anmi nodded, indicating that she understood. "Where is your prince?"

“His Highness is going to the palace today to meet the Emperor,” Yifei said. She was initially reluctant to reveal the Prince’s whereabouts, but remembering the Prince’s instructions, she changed her mind and told him the truth.

After having breakfast, Anmi left the courtyard and was about to get into the carriage when a sharp voice rang out...

"Is the young lady ahead An Mi from Rongjin City?"

Anmi turned her head and saw several eunuchs. The one who had spoken was the leader of these eunuchs, holding a whisk and smiling.

Has anyone from the palace arrived?

It seems that someone has already taken notice of her trip to Beijing.

An Mi turned around, smiled and gave a slight bow, "This gentleman, I am An Mi."

The leading eunuch sized up An Mi. He had initially thought that someone from a small town like Rong Jincheng wouldn't be that outstanding, just good at embroidery. However, upon closer inspection, he found that this woman named An Mi was gentle, refined, and well-educated, even more elegant than many of the ladies from prominent families in the capital.

"Come with me." The eunuch raised his chin and gave a casual instruction.

An Mi was slightly taken aback. Go with him? Who was the person behind him?

An Mi had a few candidates in mind, but she wasn't sure. However, as a newcomer to the capital, she couldn't refuse. She could only get into the carriage and let it follow the eunuch's sedan chair.

Inside the carriage, Yifei and Liuguang appeared calm, but were extremely vigilant.

"Miss, once we enter the palace, you must have your servants by your side no matter what." Liu Guang knew that today was not just about reporting to the palace gate; it seemed she had to find a way to inform the prince.

Anmi nodded, her face calm and composed, which surprised Liuguang and Yifei.

They were specially trained by the prince. Although they were called secret agents, they were different from ordinary secret agents. They were always ready to die for their master. People like the two of them were carefully selected and crawled out of blood. There were no more than ten of them in total, but the prince arranged for two of them to be by the side of this Miss Anmi.

When they received this mission, they knew how important Miss Anmi was to the prince, and they assumed she must be a delicate beauty.

However, looking at An Mi's composed attitude, they were somewhat dazed. Was she really such a delicate beauty?

Upon arriving at the palace gate, An Mi changed to a sedan chair and entered the palace. Under the arrangement of the head eunuch, An Mi was led to a magnificent palace, but not the main hall.

The palace maids served tea and then went about their own business, seemingly oblivious to the tranquility of sitting in the side hall.

The tea had been changed several times, but the person who brought her here still didn't seem to have any intention of showing up. Liu Guang and Yi Fei looked at An Mi, who remained calm and composed, showing no sign of impatience.

It was already noon, and Anmi was still left standing there. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been restless by now. However, Anmi kept her eyes down and her mind at ease, like a Guanyin statue, smiling at the world.

In the main hall, Empress Feng had lunch. A palace maid helped her sit on the chaise longue. As if remembering the person she had invited that morning, she asked casually, "What's the reaction of that embroiderer from Rong Jincheng?"

Han Yu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the woman has been waiting calmly ever since she was brought into the side hall."

"Oh?" Empress Feng was somewhat surprised. "You're not impatient?"

"No, the woman didn't even ask who wanted to see her." Han Yu couldn't help but feel a little admiration for the woman. Even a noble lady would be flustered if she were brought into the palace so confused. At least she would ask who wanted to see her. But the woman was an exception. According to the news reported by the palace maid, she just drank tea and didn't say a word. If you didn't know, you might think she was mute.