The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

“Your Highness, Your Highness the First Prince, An Mi has always been resilient. Heaven will surely clear her name if she hasn’t done anything wrong.” An Mi’s face was unusually calm, as if she didn’t care about what was happening at all.

Humiliation? She's always been a person who knows how to endure. If you humiliate her now, you can always get your revenge tenfold later!

Seeing that she seemed to have made up her mind, Bai Yi and Qing Lan moved closer to An Mi and spoke together again...

"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you!"

"Don't worry, you'll be fine!"

An Mi was led to a room, and then the door opened. An Mi saw Emperor Mingde walk in. The murderous aura on his face made him look extremely frightening.

Emperor Mingde stared intently at An Mi, his eyes seeming to wish he could tear her to pieces.

"You know that I can decide your life or death." After a long silence, Emperor Mingde finally spoke, his tone revealing his barely suppressed anger.

An Mi lowered her brows, but showed no fear at all because of his anger. She said calmly, "The Emperor is not a foolish ruler."

This surprised Emperor Mingde, who couldn't help but take another look at the woman. Her intelligence, courage, and composure were admirable, but unfortunately... her status was simply not suitable for the royal family.

It started with Bai Yi, but now there's Qing Lan too. He knows Qing Lan's personality. After disappearing for several years and returning from outside, he has become even more profound. Even if he watches his trusted subordinates die tragically, he will remain indifferent and unmoved.

The person who made him stand up for himself was none other than An Mi.

"Whether I am a tyrant or not, there are some things I would do for my son." Emperor Mingde lowered his brows, his voice softening considerably. Anmi's statement that he was "not a tyrant" made him feel somewhat constrained, but so what? Even if he couldn't do things openly, he could find other ways to do them.

An Mi completely believed Emperor Mingde's words and couldn't help but sigh in her heart. She knew that Emperor Mingde was not angry with her because of Consort Rong's matter. Bai Yi and Qing Lan had just stood up for her in front of so many people, which had greatly offended Emperor Mingde.

Emperor Mingde's warning from last time was still ringing in her ears. How would Emperor Mingde treat her this time?

While An Mi was speculating, Emperor Mingde had already made up his mind. Seeing An Mi's eyes narrow slightly, he said, word by word, "As long as you do as I say, I guarantee you will be fine."

An Mi was startled. Guarantee her safety? Just now he was saying he could decide her life or death, and now he's guaranteeing her safety? It seems the things he wants her to do are far from ordinary.

"What does Your Majesty want Anmi to do?" Anmi asked calmly, also wanting to know what Emperor Mingde was thinking.

Emperor Mingde quickly gave her his answer, glancing at An Mi indifferently, his tone domineering, "I want you to persuade Bai Yi to marry Yun Xiu as his principal wife, and you..."

After saying this, Emperor Mingde seemed to be confirming whether his handling of Anmi was appropriate. He paused for a moment before finally speaking, "And you will become his concubine."

An Mi frowned imperceptibly. Was this what Emperor Mingde wanted her to do?

Everyone witnessed Bai Yi's attitude during the arranged marriage. His firm refusal to marry her made it clear to everyone that there was no room for negotiation; he would not marry that Yunxiu. It seems that Emperor Mingde understands his son to some extent. In Emperor Mingde's view, having him persuade him would ensure that the outcome would satisfy Emperor Mingde no matter what.

Bai Yi defied the emperor's decree for her sake, yet he himself advised him to accept Yun Xiu. Even if the King of Bohai had the strongest heart, he would still be wounded all over. Therefore, he shouldn't be so obsessed with her.

However, An Mi couldn't bear to hurt Bai Yi's feelings, so she opened her mouth and said, "Your Majesty, I will not become anyone's concubine."

"Do you think I wanted you to be Bai Yi's concubine? If it weren't for the fact that punishing you now would provoke Bai Yi's backlash, I would have killed you with one stroke." Emperor Mingde suddenly raised his voice, his imposing manner like a whirlwind sweeping away fallen leaves. After a moment, Emperor Mingde continued through gritted teeth, "If you don't want to be this concubine, I will make arrangements for you in the future. I will see what you want—money, property—I will satisfy you and let you take what you want and fly far away."

An Mi was taken aback. So that's what Emperor Mingde was planning. Was he trying to delay Bai Yi?

"Money is indeed a tempting thing," Anmi murmured softly. However, whatever she wanted, whether it was money or something else, she could obtain it with her own hands, instead of waiting for the emperor's charity.

At this moment, a rebellious thought arose in her mind: Did Emperor Mingde not want her to be with Bai Yi? Then what if she deliberately did not do as he wished?

An Mi never thought of herself as a good person. If someone made her unhappy, she would find ways to make them even more unhappy. Even if not now, the debt would accrue interest in the future.

When Emperor Mingde heard her say this, he thought she had agreed to his proposal. A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. He really thought she was a special woman, but in the end, she couldn't escape the common people. In the face of interests, she would eventually compromise. However, this was exactly what he wanted. "Remember my words and take the initiative to persuade Bai Yi."

An Mi remained silent. Emperor Mingde glanced at her indifferently, thinking that he had achieved his goal, so he did not linger any longer. He had already ordered someone to go to Consort Rong's palace to fetch the leftover Phoenix Heart Pastry. This matter was not over yet.

Emperor Mingde left the room, and An Mi found a chair to sit down. Just as she sat down, the door opened again. An Mi looked up and frowned slightly. Who did she think it was? It turned out to be Consort Rong.

What is she doing here? Thinking about what just happened, Consort Rong almost miscarried. At this moment, she disregards the unborn child in her womb and comes to the place where she is being held under house arrest with such a solemn expression. Her purpose is probably not simple.

An Mi remained calm and rose from her chair. Before she could even pay her respects to Consort Rong, Consort Rong's resentful voice rang out, "An Mi, how could you be so careless? You let a villain use you?"

An Mi frowned slightly. This Consort Rong was so good at both singing and acting; it was truly interesting!

"Your Highness Consort Rong, I don't know what you're talking about." An Mi spoke calmly. Yesterday, Consort Rong ignored her objections and insisted on taking back the Phoenix Heart Pastry that Empress Feng had bestowed upon her. She must have been scheming about it that day.

Consort Rong frowned, glancing at the door behind her which was already closed. She then lowered her voice and took An Mi's hand, "An Mi, do you know what the situation is like now? You saw His Majesty's attitude just now. He cares about the baby in my womb. Anyone who is harmful to the baby will be punished without hesitation."