The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"Sit down and dine with me," Emperor Mingde finally spoke.

"This humble woman obeys the decree," An Mi said, lowering her head. She sat down to the side, but one could imagine that even with an emperor dining in front of her, she wouldn't be able to eat comfortably. Since she was dining with the emperor, she would just keep him company.

After waiting for Emperor Mingde to finish his meal, An Mi also put down her chopsticks, behaving with composure and grace.

Emperor Mingde looked at An Mi with more approval. He got up and walked to the side. After the palace servants cleared away the table of dishes that hadn't been touched much, Emperor Mingde offered An Mi a seat before speaking, "No wonder the third prince lingered in Rongjin City. A woman like you is truly rare. No wonder he likes you."

An Mi paused slightly, realizing something, "Your Majesty, I am terrified. There must be some misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? Hehe, I naturally understand my son, he likes you!" Emperor Mingde smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

Unlike the Empress, who only knew that Bai Yi had come to the capital with an embroiderer, he had already sent people to investigate beforehand. He hadn't expected that Bai Yi would fall for a woman from a small town. If she were just an ordinary young lady, that would be one thing, but this An Mi... she was quite famous in Rongjin City!

His son, in the end, was just like him, infatuated with this type of woman.

Thinking of that woman, Emperor Mingde was momentarily dazed, and his gaze toward An Mi deepened. “An Mi, you don’t need to be afraid. I know about this matter, and I will certainly not interfere with the marriage. The third prince is already of marriageable age, but he doesn’t even have a concubine in his household, which is a headache for me. Now that you have appeared, I don’t have to worry about his life’s important matters.”

An Mi lowered her brows and remained silent, but her heart was already in turmoil. Just now in the Empress's palace, the Empress's implication was that she wanted to tie her and Bai Yi together, and her purpose was mostly mixed with malicious manipulation. Now, does Emperor Mingde also want to pair her and Bai Yi together?

It's true what they say, birds of a feather flock together.

But what was Emperor Mingde's purpose?

"Anmi, if you are willing, I will immediately issue an edict to bestow you upon the Third Prince as a concubine!" Emperor Mingde said loudly, his deep eyes fixed on Anmi, as if trying to see her every reaction.

Concubine?

An Mi instantly understood Emperor Mingde's meaning. In the end, he felt that her status was not suitable for a high-class occasion, so he bestowed upon her the title of concubine to extinguish her greater desires.

What a shrewd and calculating emperor!

However, he was wrong after all; she didn't care about the position of the Queen Consort of Bohai at all!

Moreover, what about the position of a concubine?

An Mi lowered her brows and boldly declared, "Your Majesty, this humble woman refuses!"

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected An Mi to be so ungrateful, and he immediately flew into a rage. "What? You think the concubine is too young? You really are coveting my son's position as the principal wife, aren't you? But how could you possibly covet the position of principal wife?! You truly don't know what's good for you!"

An Mi twitched the corners of her mouth, but said calmly, "Your Majesty, please don't be so quick to anger. An Mi doesn't dislike the concubine for being too young, nor does she covet the position of the Prince of Bohai's principal wife. An Mi knows her own status and understands her own capabilities!"

Emperor Mingde's anger subsided slightly, and he frowned as he looked at An Mi inquiringly, "Then what do you mean?"

This woman remained calm and composed even in the face of his rage, which made him think even more highly of Anmi.

“That’s right, An Mi and the Prince of Bohai are very close, but they are just friends. They have never overstepped their bounds. The Prince’s favor towards An Mi was initially out of pity for her, but now it’s at most just some appreciation. An Mi’s trip to the capital this time is to be ordered to the palace to embroider and rush to make clothes. Once this is over, An Mi will return to Rongjin City immediately. Therefore, An Mi is never worth the Emperor’s too much effort.” An Mi spoke frankly. The Emperor was worried that she coveted the position of the Prince of Bohai’s principal wife, so he did not hesitate to use a concubine to block her path. So, she would clearly tell the Emperor that she, An Mi, was unwilling to accept this so-called concubine, and even less willing to have any involvement with the royal family.

Emperor Mingde narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the woman before him once more. She was bold, calm, and composed, and she seemed to have seen through his thoughts.

The air seemed to freeze. Emperor Mingde's eyes were fixed on Anmi, as if trying to determine whether her words were sincere or just a ploy to manipulate him. If it was the former, then he had to admit that this woman was somewhat different; she didn't even take the princes seriously!

If it's the latter, then he has to admit that this woman is quite cunning, and if she really wants to scheme something, he believes she has enough ability to achieve her goal.

Emperor Mingde stared at An Mi for a long time, but he could not discern the slightest clue from her face.

"Do you really dislike my third son?" Emperor Mingde's sharp eyes were like those of a hawk. Thinking of the information he had sent people to investigate, he seemed to have something on his mind.

“Your Majesty, the Prince of Bohai is of noble birth, handsome, and wise. He is indeed a charming man. However, everyone has their own preferences. No matter how outstanding he is, we cannot expect everyone to be devoted to him, can we?” An Mi praised Bai Yi, but also made her stance clear.

She had always known that being a royal wife was not easy, and seeing the Emperor's attitude just now made it even clearer to her that the Emperor did not want her to be with Bai Yi.

In her past life, she was in an ordinary family and was scarred by the infighting among the concubines. In this life, how could she push herself into an even deeper abyss?

Even if the King of Bohai is outstanding, he will not be a good match for her peaceful life. What she wants, the King of Bohai cannot give her.

The image of Bai Yi's tender and affectionate eyes flashed through An Mi's mind, and her heart trembled. A bitter smile appeared on her lips, and the emotions in her eyes were hard to discern.

"Haha..." Emperor Mingde suddenly burst into laughter. It seems that this woman really has no interest in the third prince. Good, very good, this is truly wonderful!

At this moment, he actually felt a certain appreciation for this woman named Anmi. She was quite eloquent, praising his third brother before saying that everyone has their own preferences, which left him with no grounds to nitpick or make things difficult for her.

But... Emperor Mingde smiled, but his brows furrowed again, and he kept looking at An Mi. "You have no feelings for the third brother, but the third brother's feelings for you... are probably not as simple as you say, just a friend."

He understood his son; if he hadn't been interested in Anmi, he wouldn't have stayed in such a small town, ignoring repeated verbal messages, until he was forced to return by imperial decree.