The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

An Mi smiled slightly, her voice gentle as water, "Your Majesty flatters me. Everything in the palace is the best. An Mi's rudimentary skills are only surprising because Your Majesty has never seen them before."

"You're being modest. In any case, I really cherish those clothes and wish you could stay for a long time." Consort Rong met An Mi's eyes and gently patted the back of her hand. "An Mi, what do you think? There's nothing wrong with living a life of luxury in this palace."

"Your Majesty, although the palace is a place of luxury and comfort, it is ultimately not a place for me to belong. My status is lowly, and I will only feel out of place here," Anmi said with a smile. Stay in the palace? Was she crazy? Outside the palace, she had her own world. In the palace, she could easily be drawn into the intrigues and power struggles of the royal harem, not to mention the lack of freedom. Outside, she was the mistress, but in the palace, everyone was her mistress.

Consort Rong frowned, her gaze towards An Mi deepening, but only for a moment. Consort Rong said regretfully, "Alas, well, even though I love your embroidery, I can't restrict your freedom, can I? I see you as a bird soaring in the sky, and you do seem somewhat out of place in this palace."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." An Mi curtsied, her face smiling gently, calm yet somewhat distant, her serene eyes making it impossible to discern her emotions.

Consort Rong lowered her brows slightly. "That's only right. Besides, I like you, and of course I hope you can live the life you wish for. However, as you know, my current health condition is special. What do you think we should do if Her Majesty the Empress finds out that I am pregnant?"

Consort Rong looked up at An Mi, her brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry shrouding her face. "An Mi, you are a smart woman. Before you leave, could you think of a plan for me?"

An Mi twitched the corners of her mouth, her eyes flashing slightly as she recalled Consort Rong's plea to her that day. "Your Majesty has a possession talisman inside your belly. If used properly, it will have a significant effect."

An Mi didn't say that the child in her womb was a talisman, but also a death warrant. If she didn't protect it properly, it would only make her life more miserable.

"Then what should I do?" Consort Rong gripped An Mi's hand tighter, her face full of expectation. "An Mi, for the sake of the child in my belly, please think of a way for me."

An Mi frowned. For the sake of the child in her womb? She wasn't someone who was overly kind. However, she still had to repay Empress Feng for the favors she had received. If she could make Consort Rong even more glaring in Empress Feng's eyes, that would be a small lesson for her.

“Your Majesty, it’s not that there’s no way, but…” An Mi’s face lit up with a bright smile, but there was a hint of difficulty hidden in it. Consort Rong saw this and became even more anxious. “But what? An Mi, tell me!”

“Your Majesty, only the Emperor can protect the child in your womb. If the Emperor protects you and the child so thoroughly, then no one else will have the opportunity to do anything. Also, if there is anyone who can’t stand that you are pregnant with the Emperor’s child, it would be best to have the Emperor keep an eye on her. That would be much more effective than you keeping an eye on her yourself. Your Majesty, do you understand what I’m saying?” Anmi asked, looking at Consort Rong’s seemingly understanding eyes.

Consort Rong frowned, but her brows quickly relaxed, and she chuckled, "Anmi, thank you. I understand. I will do as you say. I won't stay any longer so as not to disturb your rest."

Consort Rong stood up with a smile, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh, right, I heard that the ladies from the various palaces have sent some small gifts to thank you for the clothes you made. I can't fall behind, can I? Xinrou, bring up the things I prepared for Miss Anmi."

Upon hearing this, Xinrou went outside, took something from the tray held by the palace maid, and presented it to Consort Rong and Anmi.

A hairpin, crafted from gold and adorned with the finest agate and jade, exudes a luxurious and elegant air, yet with a touch of delicate beauty. If placed on Anmi's head, it would surely make the person and the hairpin shine together.

“Anmi, this was given to me by my mother before I entered the palace. Today, I will give it to you.” Consort Rong gave Xinrou a wink, and Xinrou immediately handed the hairpin to Anmi.

How could Anmi accept such a valuable gift? She immediately refused, saying, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable. This was given to you by Your Majesty's mother. I cannot possibly accept it as a gift."

"How could I not be able to bear it? If I say you can bear it, then you can bear it. The impression you left on me is excellent. After the Ghost Festival, you will be leaving the palace. Consider this a memento for the future." Consort Rong's attitude was exceptionally firm, and her tone could not be more sincere.

An Mi looked at the pair of hairpins. She knew she absolutely could not accept them, but Consort Rong was so determined to give them to her. Just as she was in a dilemma, Xin Rou spoke up, "Miss An Mi, this is Her Majesty's kind gesture. Please accept it. If you don't, wouldn't you be disrespecting Her Majesty?"

Anmi frowned; this hat was not an easy weight to bear on her head!

Anmi looked up and met Xinrou's eyes, only to see a very gentle smile in her eyes.

"Miss Anmi, take it quickly." Xinrou urged again, stepping forward and forcibly handing the hairpin to Anmi. Anmi felt the weight of the hairpin in her hand, and there seemed to be something unusual hidden under the brocade covering it, which made Anmi's brows furrow even more.

What is that? Anmi looked at Xinrou with a more inquisitive gaze, but Xinrou's smile remained gentle, and she said meaningfully, "Miss Anmi, take this carefully. The Lady gave you this hairpin. Try it on later. I guarantee you'll look good in it, and you might even love it."

An Mi received the hint in Xin Rou's eyes; she was being told to look at what was under the brocade later.

An Mi couldn't sense any malice from Xin Rou, but her doubts only deepened. An Mi glanced at Consort Rong behind Xin Rou, but didn't refuse any longer. A bright smile bloomed on her face, "An Mi thanks Consort Rong for the reward."

"What reward or not? I consider you a sister. It's just a small gift, don't talk about reward." Consort Rong smiled with satisfaction when she saw An Mi accept it, but her gaze accidentally fell on a certain place, and she was startled.

Pastries? These aren't ordinary pastries!

Empress Feng had always loved this kind of pastry, and she especially loved the one made by the chef who used to work for the Feng family. Back then, in order to cater to Empress Feng's preferences, the Emperor specially brought this chef from Empress Feng's family to the palace, so that he could make this kind of pastry exclusively for Empress Feng. The Emperor even gave this pastry a special name, "Phoenix Heart Pastry," meaning a pastry that the Emperor specially made to please Empress Feng, and he also instructed this chef to make Phoenix Heart Pastry only for Empress Feng.