The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

But how could Empress Feng possibly let her have her way?

Before the Emperor could even respond, Empress Feng smiled and said, “Sister Rongfei, I’m afraid this is inappropriate. If she stays in your palace, people might misunderstand that she wants to monopolize the embroiderer’s skills. If the other sisters complain, it will be detrimental to the stability and harmony of the harem, and even more so to the Emperor and Sister Rongfei.”

Emperor Mingde frowned, and Consort Rong's expression also changed. What was this talk of benefit or harm? This Empress Feng was clearly deliberately making things difficult for her.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Rong said coquettishly, her voice soft and sweet, "You know me best. I am not one to cause trouble; I simply admire Miss Anmi's embroidery too much!"

Emperor Mingde doted on Consort Rong, but he was not a foolish ruler who would listen to his wife's words. He patted Consort Rong's hand and said, "The Empress is right. It is not suitable for Anmi to live with you. Let her live in Yanfu Palace, which is close to the Shangyi Bureau."

"Your Majesty and I have the same idea. Yanfu Palace is the perfect choice. It's convenient for Miss Anmi to get materials from the Imperial Wardrobe, and it also has its own space so that the ladies from other palaces can come and tell us their preferences," Empress Feng said, her voice tinged with pride. Seeing Consort Rong's unpleasant expression, she felt extremely pleased.

This woman, relying on the Emperor's favor, has become arrogant and has repeatedly disregarded the Empress. Does she think she doesn't know that it was she who instigated the Emperor to summon An Mi to the capital?

Does that vile Consort Rong think she can steal her thunder at the Ghost Festival? Hmph, utterly absurd!

"Your Majesty..." Consort Rong stamped her foot, somewhat unwilling.

"Consort Rong, stop talking." Emperor Mingde raised his voice, his expression becoming even more serious.

Consort Rong was taken aback, realizing that the Emperor was somewhat displeased. Although she was unwilling, she had no choice but to shut up and not mention the matter again, which only intensified her resentment towards the Empress.

An Mi watched this scene silently, understanding the subtle rivalry between the Empress and Consort Rong. She couldn't help but sigh in her heart. This Consort Rong really didn't know the importance of things. What did it matter if the Emperor favored her? No matter how much he favored her, she was still just a concubine, a concubine who hadn't even given birth to a son.

In this palace, there are countless beauties, but even the most beautiful faces will grow old one day. If Consort Rong does not bear any children and has no powerful backing, and she offends Empress Feng in this way, then when she grows old and loses her beauty and favor, it will be as if a sharp knife is held over her head.

"Your Majesty, Miss Anmi just saved Jin'er, and she hasn't been rewarded yet!" Empress Feng glanced at Anmi and said with a smile.

Upon hearing Empress Feng's suggestion, Emperor Mingde laughed heartily and said, "Yes, it is time to reward you. Miss Anmi, tell me what you want, and I will grant you whatever you desire."

“Your Majesty, it is my duty to save the Eighth Princess. Besides, that thief was trying to use me to harm the Eighth Princess, so I am not to blame. I dare not ask for any reward.” An Mi said gently, a slight smile playing on her lips.

She naturally believed the Emperor's words, but as a newcomer, she shouldn't be too sharp-tongued, or she would end up like Consort Rong, putting a knife to her own throat.

Emperor Mingde nodded in agreement. "Even so, a reward is still necessary. Someone, prepare some jewelry and send it to Yanfu Palace."

He seemed to be telling Anmi that everything was up to him, and that if he said he would give a reward, she would have to accept it even if she didn't want to.

An Mi naturally understood and no longer declined, saying, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

"Hehe, Your Majesty, please leave the matter of settling Miss Anmi in Yanfu Palace to me. I've liked Miss Anmi very much since I met her, and I feel like we've known each other for a long time. While we're tidying up Yanfu Palace, would it be alright if Miss Anmi kept me company for a chat?" Empress Feng got up, walked to Anmi's side, and affectionately took Anmi's hand, looking as if she really liked her very much as she said.

Consort Rong frowned. This Empress was clearly trying to win over An Mi. Could it be that she had some ulterior motive?

Consort Rong immediately thought of her clothes, but at this moment, she didn't say much, lowering her eyebrows and eyes, lost in thought.

Bai Yi and Qing Lan both glanced at An Mi with some worry, but they both knew that if they said anything at this moment, it would be detrimental to An Mi.

Qinglan frowned, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists, while Bai Yi glanced at Liuguang and Yifei indifferently, the meaning of which was self-evident.

An Mi left with the Empress, followed closely by Liu Guang and Yi Fei. Bai Yi and Qing Lan watched An Mi go, their brows furrowed in dismay. Emperor Mingde was incredibly perceptive; he noticed the unusual behavior of his two sons. His experienced and profound eyes held a complex mix of emotions, making it impossible for anyone to fathom what he was thinking.

Emperor Mingde dismissed Consort Rong and then went to the Imperial Study with Qinglan and Baiyi.

"Hmph, how despicable." Consort Rong plucked a blooming peony from the garden. The thought of the Empress ruining her intention to keep Anmi in her palace made her furious.

So what if she's the Empress? It's just a title. The Emperor only visits her palace on the first and fifteenth of each month for routine business. Consort Rong is the Emperor's true favorite!

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. If someone with ulterior motives sees this, they'll probably start gossiping again," the palace maid Xinrou reminded her.

Consort Rong gritted her teeth, glanced around, feeling unwilling, but she still had to try her best to suppress her anger.

Xinrou glanced at her mistress and said, "If Your Majesty is worried that the embroiderer will steal Your Majesty's thunder by making clothes for the other concubines, it is not necessarily necessary to let her live in our palace."

"Oh?" Consort Rong frowned. "What do you mean?"

“At this time, if anyone becomes on good terms with that embroiderer, that embroiderer will naturally treat that person well and put more effort into embroidery and clothing making. Your Majesty, you see, if all the concubines wear clothes made by that embroiderer, and only Your Majesty stands out from the crowd, doesn’t that mean that Your Majesty’s charm is far superior to that of the others?” Xinrou said slowly.

Consort Rong's eyes lit up, as if she had suddenly realized something. "That's right, how come I didn't think of that? You're so clever."

“Your Majesty, but now that embroiderer has been summoned by the Empress. If she has received favors from the Empress and has been bribed by the Empress beforehand, then…” Xinrou hesitated, but her meaning was self-evident.

Consort Rong's expression changed, as if she realized something. "That's right, we can't give the Empress a chance. Let's go to the Empress's palace!"

After saying that, Consort Rong did not linger and turned to walk towards the Empress's palace. Behind her, Xinrou raised the corners of her mouth, a hint of triumph spreading in her eyes. However, doubts also gathered in her heart.