The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Bai Yi frowned slightly and looked at the handsome man beside him. As perceptive as he was, he noticed something amiss at a glance. The Qing Lan he knew, no matter what side of him he was, would never easily reveal his true emotions. But at this moment... Bai Yi looked at Qing Lan with great interest. Was it for An Mi?

Haha, interesting! Does tranquility have such a profound impact on Qinglan? That's quite a novel discovery!

The fact that Qinglan had feelings for her was enough to make him have higher expectations for Anmi.

"If she's not suitable for me, then is she suitable for you? You've been running away for years, have you really forgotten your own identity?" Bai Yi's eyes darkened slightly as he stared directly into Qing Lan's eyes, mercilessly laying bare the truth he had been avoiding. "Don't forget, all these years, those people haven't forgotten your existence. One day, you will still have to face everything you have to face!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Yi saw the refined and handsome face stiffen slightly. Bai Yi became even more interested, a wicked smile appearing on his lips. He leaned forward slightly, as if deliberately trying to provoke Qing Lan, "Does she know your identity? She probably doesn't! Tell me, if I really keep her by my side, will she call you Qing Lan, or should she call you... Eldest Brother, just like I do!"

Under the table, Qinglan's fists clenched tightly, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. "You're not allowed to do anything to her!"

Bai Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully, "It seems you've really taken a liking to her. My eldest brother rarely gets this angry, especially in front of us brothers."

Qinglan cursed under his breath. He had completely forgotten who he was facing: Bai Yi, the third son of the current emperor, a man of composure and restraint, yet also arrogant and eccentric, known for his ability to subtly subdue others. He had never dared to underestimate him. But now… Qinglan suppressed the emotions deliberately provoked by Bai Yi, lowered his brows, and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. When he looked up again and met Bai Yi's gaze, his eyes were now completely calm. “Third brother, I am running away from the affairs of the capital. I know that there are some things I will have to face sooner or later. But third brother, am I the only one running away? Don't forget, what happened to Princess Yun back then…”

"Shut up!" Bai Yi's expression changed drastically, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

A glint of triumph flashed across Qinglan's eyes. Bai Yi knew his weakness, so how could he not know his Achilles' heel?

Bai Yi's pain stemmed from the incident involving his younger sister, Princess Yun. His gaze fell upon the woman named Feng Xianglan. Was she from the prestigious Feng family? Recalling Bai Yi's reaction upon seeing Feng Xianglan earlier, Qing Lan's lips subtly curled upwards. It seemed that neither of them, the brothers, would find peace. This was the price of being born into royalty.

"It's been years since I last saw her. I didn't know that Princess Yun's daughter had grown up so much. Logically speaking, I am also her uncle. As her uncle, it is really impolite of me not to give my niece a gift." Qinglan rubbed the teacup in her hand and said it casually, but to Bai Yi, it was an absolute threat.

Threat? That's exactly what Qinglan wanted. His third brother was someone no one could truly understand, but there was one thing he did know: his sister Yun's daughter was his weakness!

A turbulent storm brewed in Bai Yi's deep eyes. How could he not understand Qing Lan's intentions? He would not allow anyone to harm those he cared about!

His profound gaze swept over the graceful figure standing not far away, and he said meaningfully, "Deal!"

A smart person would immediately understand the meaning of those two words. Qinglan used Liu'er as a threat to get him to stop "acting recklessly" towards An Mi. Ha! Acting recklessly? Bai Yi never intended to act recklessly towards An Mi. No matter how you look at it, he's the one who profited from this deal.

Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze falling on Anmi. The smile on her face brought him a sense of peace. Since he resolutely disappeared from the capital a few years ago and came to Rongjin City, nothing had caught his eye. But Anmi's tenacious gaze made his eyes light up. He hadn't expected that this woman would stir up such a ripple in his heart.

But... thinking of something, Qing Lan frowned slightly. He had to admit that Bai Yi's words touched his heart: Anmi was not suitable for Bai Yi, but was it suitable for him? He would eventually have to go back and face everything he had to face!

Just as Bai Yi said, those people have never forgotten his existence!

He even had a premonition that this day seemed to be just around the corner.

The exchange between the two was silent and unnoticed. Even those who were astute enough to see the unusual nature of the situation dared not question it. Anmi quietly observed the undercurrent between the two, her eyes clear. Thinking of the entanglement between the two in her past life, Anmi frowned slightly. The two, both chosen ones of heaven, were brothers, yet they could only be enemies and friends.

"Ladies, the Liu family has prepared everything. Who will win first place depends on your abilities. Xu'er, you will personally lead the ladies down." Liu Zhan's voice rang out, bringing those who were watching the strange atmosphere between Bai Yi and Qing Lan back to reality. They then remembered that today's important event was to select the champion of the Embroidery Competition.

As soon as Liu Zhan finished speaking, Liu Xu, who had been standing silently behind Madam Liu, slowly walked to An Mi and the others. Her steps were graceful and her posture elegant. She nodded slightly and said, "Gentlemen, please follow me."

The group followed Liu Xu away. As An Mi passed Liu Zhan, she deliberately glanced at him and noticed his tightly furrowed brows. An Mi's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly. This expression was all too familiar to her. She remembered that in her previous life, whenever he was anxious and worried, his brows would never relax. And now, was Liu Zhan worried that he couldn't find the person he was looking for?

With a slight furrow of her brows, concealing the glint in her eyes, Liu Zhan, oh Liu Zhan, today you will surely see once again the precious thing he has been searching for so desperately!

According to the original plan, she wouldn't be among these five people, which would make it easier for her to do what she needed to do. However, the image of Bai Yi's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but were deliberately mischievous, flashed through her mind. An Mi's beautiful eyes tightened slightly. So what if Bai Yi let her be among these five people? Just as he said, she wouldn't let him down. She would still do what she needed to do, it would just be more troublesome.

Is it troublesome? She's not afraid of trouble! An Mi smiled and quickened her pace.

Soon, the group arrived at an open space not far from the stands. Five seats had been set up there, and the five people took their seats. Other spectators quickly gathered around.

“Anmi…” Yi Zhuxuan called softly beside Anmi, then realized something and suddenly changed her words, “Second…Second Miss…”

An Mi raised an eyebrow slightly. "What is it?"

Yi Zhuxuan bit her lip, struggled for a moment, and finally spoke, "Second Miss, you are so close to the Prince of Bohai, you wouldn't be interested in the leader, would you? The leader is going to be the young mistress of the Liu family."

She was always confident in her embroidery skills, but she knew how to hide them from outsiders. Even the young lady would never be her match. However, An Mi... she knew An Mi's talent in embroidery. She wanted to win the championship, and An Mi was her only fear!