The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Is she going to give a gift to the Emperor? I'm afraid that once the Emperor sees the gift she's giving, he won't have time to pay any attention to Consort Rong's gift!

With these thoughts in mind, Empress Feng, without waiting for Consort Rong to announce what the grand gift was, spoke up first, "Consort Rong and I are truly of one mind, we actually thought of the same thing! Your Majesty, well, I have also prepared a grand gift for Your Majesty."

"Haha, you've really gone to great lengths," Emperor Mingde laughed heartily. "Then bring them all up together."

“Your Majesty, please let my sister go first,” Consort Rong said, her smile masking a cold disdain and sarcasm. What kind of gift could the Empress possibly give? She didn’t believe the Empress was pregnant with the Emperor’s child.

For many years, no child had been born in the harem. Now that she was pregnant, she could be considered the emperor's late-life child. What could make the emperor happier than having a child?

Consort Rong was already certain in her heart that Empress Feng's gift could not compare to hers!

She'll just have to see what Empress Feng wants to give to the Emperor!

However, not long afterward, she regretted her decision. If she had been able to foresee what would happen in the future, she would never have given Empress Feng the opportunity to send out her so-called gift.

"Since you are so generous, I will not refuse." Empress Feng's gaze swept over Consort Rong's bright face with disdain. So what if she only has a pretty face? Heh, in a moment, that face will be useless. Consort Rong, your favor will end today.

An Mi had already sensed the tension between Consort Rong and Empress Feng. She glanced at Empress Feng, knowing full well what Empress Feng's gift was.

That woman named Yunxiu... entered the turbulent world of the imperial concubines today. However... if Empress Feng knew the future favor and deeds of Yunxiu, she would probably regret her decision today.

An Mi's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of sarcasm spread across her eyes. Just then, Empress Feng clapped her hands, and the clear sound rang out three times in the hall before fading away. Immediately afterward, a melodious flute melody began to play. It was impossible to tell which direction the sound came from, but upon closer inspection, the flute melody seemed to come from all directions.

"Hehe, Empress, the flute playing is indeed superb, but is this all you're giving His Majesty as a gift? That's rather meager." Consort Rong raised the corner of her mouth, making no attempt to hide her sarcasm. Is such a gift even presentable?

Empress Feng glanced at Consort Rong without taking it seriously, her smile still enigmatic. Just then, the flute music continued, and suddenly a figure appeared suspended in the center of the hall, slowly descending. Everyone gasped and looked over.

Everyone looked at the woman, dressed in a magnificent gown with exquisite embroidery that was beyond description. Even the embroidery on Consort Rong's gown was breathtaking, but Consort Rong was still inferior. As for why she was inferior, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that the fabric of the woman slowly descending in the center of the hall was significantly more special than ordinary fabric.

Everyone's attention turned to the woman again. She wore a veil that covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes and her chin exposed when the flute lifted the veil. But these two things alone were enough to make people secretly marvel.

If this woman were to lift her veil, her beauty would surely rival that of anyone here.

Consort Rong frowned slightly. What did Empress Feng mean by this? Sending such a woman to perform a song for the Emperor? Was this her gift? Why did she feel that Empress Feng's intentions were not so simple?

Consort Rong looked at the veiled, ethereal woman and felt a pang of panic.

As the music ended, Yunxiu landed steadily on the ground. While everyone was focused on the woman who had descended from the sky, palace servants had already carefully placed a zither in the center of the hall. The woman landed right behind the zither.

The moment the flute music faded away, everyone felt a little unsatisfied. Just as they were lamenting how such heavenly music could end so abruptly, the woman sat down, her slender, jade-like fingers plucking the strings of her zither, and the music immediately filled the entire hall.

The music was even more beautiful and captivating than the flute music from before, leaving the listener mesmerized.

An Mi looked at the woman in the center of the hall, a flash of amazement passing through her eyes. She had seen Yun Xiu's appearance before; she was definitely a first-class beauty. And her skill in playing the zither was the best she had ever seen.

No wonder, if the Feng family brought someone into the palace, it would be too risky to rely solely on her looks without her having exceptional skills.

An Mi glanced subtly at Emperor Mingde, who sat in the main seat. At that moment, the smile on his face did not change much, but there was also a hint of amazement in his eyes. An Mi twitched the corner of her mouth. It seemed that Yunxiu had successfully aroused the emperor's interest.

As An Mi was thinking this, she heard Bai Yi beside her let out a barely audible snort. An Mi looked over and, sure enough, saw the disdain in his eyes.

Disdain? Heh, looking around the entire hall, even the women were captivated by this Yunxiu girl, but Bai Yi actually seemed to be looking down on her?

“Your Highness, didn’t you see that woman? If we really had to compare, she would be the most beautiful woman in the Great Jin Dynasty.” An Mi spoke softly, her voice barely audible, just drowned out by the music. However, Bai Yi, who was beside her, heard her clearly.

Bai Yi raised his handsome eyebrows. "Compare? How can she compare to the true number one beauty?"

An Mi frowned. "The real number one beauty? Has Your Highness seen her?"

In the capital, there are countless beauties and many talented women, but even in my previous life, there was never a "number one beauty" award.

"Of course I've seen her. Her beauty is unparalleled. Anyone else is just an ordinary woman in comparison." Bai Yi's smile deepened, as if he was thinking of that peerless beauty, feeling a sense of nostalgia, intoxication, and unforgettable.

"Is she really that beautiful?" An Mi smiled, but a strange feeling was churning inside her. Bai Yi rarely praised people's appearance. For him to think that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, then that woman's appearance must be unparalleled.

Bai Yi noticed the desolation in her eyes, but he was secretly pleased. This woman wasn't so indifferent to his feelings after all! Otherwise, what was the source of that desolation in her eyes?

Jealous? Bai Yi was overjoyed, but nodded. "Of course. I've already said, she is truly the most beautiful woman in the world."