The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Feng Xianglan stepped out from the crowd and felt a chill run down her spine as she sensed that sharp gaze. He had seen her!

He was indeed furious. Even without looking, she could guess that Bai Yi's gaze was meant to tear her to pieces!

Even though so much time has passed since that incident, would hearing the name "Feng Xianglan" still enrage him?

Thinking of what happened back then, Feng Xianglan shuddered again. She bit her lip, and fear completely enveloped her. What should she do now?

Feng Xianglan took a deep breath, trying to regain some of her composure. She boldly took another step forward, deliberately ignoring Bai Yi's furious eyes, and walked to the front of the crowd. A smile bloomed on her face as she curtsied, "This humble woman, Feng Xianglan, greets everyone."

"Feng Xianglan?" Bai Yi gritted his teeth as he chewed on the name, the purse in his hand already deformed from his grip. "I've heard that there's a prominent Feng family in my Great Jin Dynasty. I wonder if Miss is related to that Feng family?"

The Feng family was a prominent clan, protected by the imperial family for generations. Not only did they produce an Empress Feng, but their younger generation also had several talented young men serving as officials in the court, making them a force to be reckoned with.

Although the main branch of the Feng family was not in the capital, it did not affect the Feng family's extraordinary status in the Jin Dynasty.

Everyone stared at Feng Xianglan, their eyes filled with astonishment. This woman was actually related to the prestigious Feng family.

Even An Mi's gaze towards Feng Xianglan changed. What a Feng Xianglan! She hid herself so well. Even in her past life, for such a long time, she never revealed her identity.

Based on her understanding of Feng Xianglan, if she were of noble status, she would naturally not have kept quiet about it. If she didn't mention it, there must be some unavoidable reason for it!

Anmi's gaze shifted to Bai Yi on the stage, and she suddenly realized that the Feng family, a prominent clan, was located within the fiefdom of the King of Bohai. It was not difficult to explain their acquaintance. Thinking of Feng Xianglan's unusual behavior in the carriage earlier, Anmi's lips curled up. With her keen insight, she had already guessed something. Feng Xianglan's predicament was probably the King of Bohai!

In her previous life, the King of Bohai did not appear at this embroidery appreciation gathering, so Feng Xianglan naturally had no chance to meet him again. But in this life... An Mi saw Feng Xianglan's obviously flustered expression under Bai Yi's sharp gaze, and the smile in her eyes grew even stronger.

interesting!

Under Bai Yi's gaze, as if a sharp edge was behind her, Feng Xianglan forced a smile and said, "You misunderstand. I am no longer a member of the Feng family. I am now a member of the An family in Rongjin City, following my mother's example."

Feng Xianglan dared not hide anything. She knew that even if she didn't tell the truth, her affairs would not be a secret to Bai Yi. Moreover, the information she conveyed, whether intentionally or unintentionally, was telling him that she had no connection with the Feng family.

"Oh, really?" Bai Yi's gaze narrowed slightly, and no one could see the emotions in his eyes. Was he no longer a member of the Feng family? The Feng family! The scene from back then flashed through his mind, and his sharp eyes suddenly tightened. The Feng family—sooner or later, he would make everyone in the Feng family pay the price!

And this woman… Bai Yi withdrew his gaze from Feng Xianglan's face, a flash of disdain and contempt crossing his eyes. Whether or not someone was a member of the Feng family was not for her to decide, and besides, what happened back then…

"The King of Bohai..." Madam Liu was always adept at reading people. She sensed that the relationship between Feng Xianglan and the King of Bohai was more than just a simple matter. Like everyone else present, she wanted to know the reasons and entanglements involved. However, being experienced, she knew that the King of Bohai's affairs were not something they could inquire about directly. Therefore, she suppressed her curiosity and cautiously probed, "Then the other three candidates..."

"Let's continue!" Bai Yi said calmly, his expression unreadable.

Madam Liu then gave the prefectural magistrate a wink, and the magistrate immediately said, "An Xinhe, please step forward."

An Xinhe, who had just been immersed in jealousy towards Feng Xianglan, was overjoyed to hear her own name called. Unable to hide her excitement, she rushed forward and deliberately moved to the closest possible position to Liu Zhan, "It's me, it's me! Young Master Liu..."

Liu Zhan frowned, thinking of what had happened outside the mansion, and felt a surge of disgust.

An Mi observed the reactions of the two, her eyes gleaming. An Xinhe, just like in her previous life, had been chosen in the first round. However… thinking of something, An Mi's gaze narrowed slightly. She hoped that An Xinhe wasn't the only one chosen like in her previous life!

"Yi Zhuxuan!"

A clear voice rang out the name, and immediately, the expressions of many people present changed. An Xinhe, who was originally excited about being chosen, immediately darkened her face upon hearing the name. Even An Xinlian, who rarely showed any emotion other than her elegant demeanor in front of others, frowned.

Yi Zhuxuan, a maid in the An family!

She actually came to the embroidery appreciation event!

This woman is definitely not one to stay put.

Yi Zhuxuan emerged from the crowd, seemingly anticipating that her appearance would displease Madam An and her two daughters. However, for the sake of her future, she had no choice but to do so. She could not allow herself to remain a lowly servant in the An family forever. The Embroidery Appreciation Competition was undoubtedly a golden opportunity for her to rise to prominence, and she absolutely could not let it slip by. She raised her head, ignoring An Xinlian and An Xinhe's gaze, and strode onto the stage.

Seeing her attitude, An Xinhe was even more furious. She was about to reprimand her when she saw the look that Madam An gave her from not far below the stage. Only then did she become vigilant. This occasion did not allow her to be so presumptuous.

Suppressing her anger, An Xinhe gritted her teeth. This wretched maid, she would teach her a lesson when they got back to the manor!

An Mi watched the scene unfold with amusement, observing the expressions of the others without saying a word. She had long known Yi Zhuxuan's intentions. In her past life, she discovered that Yi Zhuxuan was secretly preparing a piece for the Embroidery Appreciation Competition, so she persuaded her father to let Yi Zhuxuan participate as well. In this life, she would naturally not be foolish enough to help her. She knew in her heart that even without her help, Yi Zhuxuan would find a way to participate on her own, given her unwillingness to be inferior to others.

However, it seems that Yi Zhuxuan's life will be even more difficult after returning to An Mansion!

Just as she was thinking this, a deep voice entered her ears, which made her body stiffen. She immediately looked up in the direction from which the voice came, only to meet a pair of smiling eyes.

Who else but Bai Yi owns those eyes that seem to be smiling yet not smiling?

Wait, what did she hear...? Anmi's brows furrowed tightly, as if trying to convince herself that she had misheard and that she had only heard the word "Anmi".

"An Mi, Second Miss of the An Family, this purse is the most unique and exquisite item I have ever seen. It's truly captivating!" Seeing An Mi's shocked expression, Bai Yi's mood, which had been ruined by anger, suddenly improved. An Mi was indeed deliberately trying to avoid being chosen, but…