The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

It was more than just disappointing him. His gaze swept lightly over An Mi and Bai Yi. Now that the Phoenix Heart Pastry was fine, An Mi was naturally free of all guilt. Therefore, he had lost his bargaining chip in the matter they had just discussed.

Now, An Mi probably won't persuade Bai Yi to marry Yun Xiu as he wishes!

Thinking of this, Emperor Mingde felt a surge of frustration; he deeply disliked this feeling of being unable to control everything.

"Your Majesty, I didn't mean it, I didn't know... Your Majesty..." Consort Rong was flustered and didn't even know how to explain. Yes, she had made some things too obvious just now, and the more she explained, the more it would seem like a cover-up.

The people here are all just as stupid as her!

Suddenly, Consort Rong had an idea and was overjoyed. She quickly said, "Your Majesty, I am pregnant and I am so terrified that I am prone to paranoia. I have offended the Empress in many ways, so I am afraid that she will direct her resentment at the child in my womb."

Empress Feng's expression changed, and she was even more furious. "Consort Rong, what do you mean by this? Although you are arrogant because of the Emperor's favor and rarely take me seriously, how could I be the kind of narrow-minded person you describe? How I treat my sisters in the harem is something they all see and feel. Your Majesty, why don't you ask me if I am the kind of person Consort Rong describes?"

Empress Feng usually had some tricks up her sleeve when dealing with the concubines in the harem. However, seeing the reversal of the situation, the concubines understood that Consort Rong was at a disadvantage. At this moment, they certainly could not help Consort Rong to deal with Empress Feng.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has always been a tolerant person. If Her Majesty the Empress couldn’t tolerate concubines, then she wouldn’t have suggested that Your Majesty take Yunxiu as a concubine just now.” One of the concubines spoke up, and the other concubines beside her echoed her words, all praising Empress Feng.

Consort Rong's face darkened further, and when Empress Feng caught a glimpse of Consort Rong's current appearance, a hint of smugness appeared in her eyes.

"Alright, Consort Rong, calm down. Since there's nothing seriously wrong, let's just let this matter go. She's already pregnant, and if you cause any more trouble, I won't let you off easily." After a long silence, Emperor Mingde made his decision. He was very disappointed in Consort Rong, but considering that she was carrying his child, he couldn't bear to be harsh with her.

Consort Rong was overjoyed at this decision and quickly said, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. I will take good care of the baby in my womb."

Empress Feng was displeased. Was this all going to be?

Seeing Consort Rong's joy and then the Emperor's furrowed brows, Empress Feng knew that the Emperor was not blaming Consort Rong for her actions, but rather that he was ultimately concerned about the child in her womb. Consort Rong, oh Consort Rong, she was pregnant! Her pregnancy was like having an extra get-out-of-jail-free card in her belly.

However… Empress Feng slightly furrowed her brows. A get-out-of-jail-free card? Even if it is, so what? She's just become pregnant. What if that get-out-of-jail-free card is lost…

Empress Feng sneered inwardly. "Consort Rong, I will soon get my revenge for today's scheme." Her gaze fell on An Mi, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of Empress Feng's mouth.

The matter concerning Consort Rong has come to a temporary end. Although she was unwilling to accept that she had not achieved any of her planned goals, she was fortunate that the Emperor had not been too harsh on her. She thought to herself that the child in her womb was indeed a good bargaining chip, and she would have to protect the child in her womb carefully from now on.

However, she was unaware that her rash actions and failed schemes had already put her own future and the child in her womb in a dangerous situation.

"Father, Your Majesty, I have a matter to ask you to decide." Immediately afterwards, Bai Yi's voice rang out in the hall, and everyone was stunned. The Prince of Bohai had a matter to ask the Emperor to decide? They had not forgotten about the Prince of Bohai's resistance to the bestowed marriage earlier.

Emperor Mingde frowned slightly. "When?"

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me this marriage." Bai Yi knelt on one knee, his attitude extremely respectful.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened. A marriage decree? The Prince of Bohai must want to marry that woman named Anmi! But just now, the Prince of Bohai resisted the Emperor's decree to marry Yunxiu. If the Prince of Bohai brings up a marriage decree again now, the Emperor probably won't agree, right?

Qinglan frowned, her deep eyes narrowing unconsciously, a hint of worry rising in her heart. Emperor Mingde was equally worried; he never expected that Bai Yi would propose a marriage at this time.

How could he allow Bai Yi to marry An Mi?

"No." Emperor Mingde gave him two words seriously without thinking. This Bai Yi was really infatuated with An Mi. As for An Mi... Emperor Mingde glared at An Mi. If it were just now, he would still have some leverage to threaten An Mi, but now, An Mi was innocent. Even if he wanted to impose some crime on her, it was too late.

Bai Yi frowned, but then said, "Father, didn't you just want me to marry Miss Yunxiu as my concubine? Why did you suddenly stop?"

Bai Yi's words were clear and distinct in the main hall. At first, no one paid much attention to them, but upon closer reflection on what the King of Bohai had just said, they were all stunned and looked at the King of Bohai with suspicion, as if trying to figure out if they had misheard him.

Does the King of Bohai mean to marry Yunxiu, not Anmi?

What... what's going on? He was so determined to resist the Emperor's bestowal of marriage between him and Yunxiu just now for the sake of Anmi, so why is he now willing to marry Yunxiu?

What exactly is the King of Bohai planning?

Others didn't know why Bai Yi suddenly changed his mind, but Emperor Mingde thought about it carefully and quickly understood. He glanced at An Mi and then broke into a bright smile. "Haha...did I just say no? Alas, perhaps I was too happy. Yes, why not? Bai Yi, if you want to marry Yun Xiu, I will naturally grant your wish."

Emperor Mingde knew that An Mi must have persuaded Bai Yi, and how could Bai Yi bear to have the woman he loved push him into the arms of another woman?

Whether he was trying to teach An Mi a lesson out of spite or genuinely wanted to marry Yun Xiu, he had to seize this opportunity. Today, so many people were watching him request the imperial decree to grant them marriage; even if Bai Yi wanted to back out later, he wouldn't have a choice.

Okay, that's really great!

"Someone, draft an imperial edict immediately..." Emperor Mingde ordered urgently.

"Your Majesty, I feel this is inappropriate. This Yunxiu..." Empress Feng thought that the matter of Yunxiu could be put aside for the time being, and that she would have a chance to give Yunxiu to the Emperor later. The Emperor clearly had some feelings for Yunxiu, didn't he? However, she did not expect that Bai Yi would suddenly ask for a marriage decree. Didn't he like Anmi? What exactly is going on?