The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"Your Majesty the Empress..." Yunxiu suddenly knelt on the ground, her expression more pleading and panicked than before, "Your Majesty, you must do justice for this servant."

"Oh? What's wrong?" Empress Feng frowned, somewhat puzzled by Yunxiu's actions.

"Your Majesty, this servant does not wish to marry the Prince of Bohai. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to decline this marriage." Yunxiu looked up at Empress Feng, her eyes filled with sincerity.

Empress Feng paused for a moment, then twitched the corner of her mouth. "Yunxiu, among the princes of our Great Jin Dynasty who have been granted the title of king, the Prince of Bohai is the most outstanding. Putting aside his handsomeness, just his wealth alone has made many young ladies eager to become his princess. Now that the Emperor has bestowed you upon him, you are still unwilling. Why is that?"

“Your Majesty, although Yunxiu comes from a humble background, she is not stupid. The Prince of Bohai is indeed outstanding, but he cannot tolerate anyone else except that woman named Anmi. Yunxiu does not want to be confined to a high-class residence after marrying into the Prince of Bohai’s mansion.” Yunxiu bit her lip. Although she said this, she did not think so in her heart. In fact, even if she were to marry into the Prince of Bohai’s mansion and be confined to a high-class residence, many women would be willing to do so, and she was no exception.

After all, the Prince of Bohai's charm was far more attractive than the Emperor's, but... she had no choice but to move closer to the Emperor.

Her only solace was her conversation with the King of Bohai. As she thought of something, Yunxiu slightly lowered her brows, concealing the gleam in her eyes.

"Hehe..." Empress Feng chuckled twice. "The Prince of Bohai is a devoted lover, but didn't he personally request the Emperor to grant you a marriage?"

“Your Majesty, although Yunxiu does not know the real reason why the King of Bohai requested the imperial decree to grant the marriage, Yunxiu understands that the King of Bohai did not do so because he liked Yunxiu.” As Yunxiu spoke, the words the King of Bohai had just spoken to her echoed in her ears again. She had to admit that the man was too shrewd, which was why he was certain that she would follow his arrangements.

"Oh? You see things very clearly. But how can I help you?" Empress Feng frowned. She was also unwilling to see this marriage go through. After all, Yunxiu's role in the palace was much greater than marrying the Prince of Bohai.

Yunxiu's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, perhaps this servant has a way!"

"You have a way?" Empress Feng narrowed her sharp eyes, her gaze towards Yunxiu deepening. She has a way? What does this mean? Did she come prepared?

"Yes, I have a way, but I don't know if I should say it." Yunxiu said tentatively. She was also unsure of how Empress Feng might react to her method. However, she was new to the country and had not yet gained sufficient power, so she had to take Empress Feng seriously.

Empress Feng remained silent for a long while before speaking, "Tell me about it."

Yunxiu cautiously observed Empress Feng, as if she were going all out, "Your Majesty, if things become a fait accompli, then..."

"What do you mean?" Empress Feng was stunned and interrupted Yunxiu. Did she and the Emperor make the deed into a fait accompli?

For a moment, she had to admit that the thought had crossed her mind, but if she were to scheme against the emperor and be exposed, who would bear the emperor's wrath?

Once Yunxiu had spoken, there was no going back, so she boldly declared, "Your Majesty, given the chance, I will make sure the Emperor takes notice of me. From now on, I will be willing to serve the Empress like a slave."

Yunxiu deliberately emphasized the word "Empress," as if to tell Empress Feng that she would serve the Empress like a slave, not the Feng family.

Empress Feng was a smart woman, and she naturally understood what she meant. Yunxiu was sent by her father, and even if Yunxiu agreed to obey her orders, if the interests of the Feng family conflicted with hers, Yunxiu would ultimately side with the Feng family.

Completely subjugating Yunxiu and making her obey only her orders was something she had always been thinking about, and now... Empress Feng narrowed her eyes slightly. This seemed to be an opportunity, an opportunity to make Yunxiu completely obey her!

"Alright, I promise you, I will keep an eye out for an opportunity for you, as you wish. However... how can I know that once you get what you want, you won't forget what you just said and pretend to be stupid?" Empress Feng raised the corner of her mouth. She promised to help Yunxiu, but Yunxiu had to show her sincerity.

Yunxiu must also desperately want to become the emperor's concubine, which is why she is so eager to ask her for help. Therefore, it shouldn't be difficult for her to gain Yunxiu's sincerity. However, Empress Feng did not expect that before she could gain Yunxiu's sincerity, Yunxiu's next words made her furious.

"Your Majesty, tonight is an opportunity." Yunxiu boldly met Empress Feng's eyes.

Empress Feng was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood her meaning, "How dare you! You..."

Empress Feng shouted sternly, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes, "You actually have such thoughts! Tonight is an opportunity? Heh, you wish!"

Tonight, the Emperor promised her that she could rest in her palace, and she had prepared a table of fine wine, waiting for the Emperor to arrive. But this Yunxiu is something else, actually setting her sights on tonight. Heh, has she underestimated Yunxiu's audacity? Or does this woman Yunxiu simply not take her seriously?

Yunxiu froze, then immediately knelt on the ground, saying in a panic, "Your Majesty, the Emperor intends to bestow this servant upon the Prince of Bohai. If we don't hurry, this servant might really become the Princess of Bohai. Then, who will serve Your Majesty? Your Majesty is only sacrificing tonight. As long as this servant has the opportunity, I will definitely repay your kindness in the future and often remind the Emperor to rest in the Empress's palace. Please, Your Majesty, understand this servant's anxiety."

"Hmph, impatient? You really are impatient! I'm afraid your impatience is just a scheme!" Empress Feng said coldly after a moment of silence, her eyes deep and unfathomable. However, she had to admit that some of Yunxiu's words had indeed shaken her resolve.

Yunxiu's beauty is undeniable. Although she didn't know why the Emperor would suddenly bestow Yunxiu upon the Prince of Bohai, she could see the Emperor's recent expression of affection for Yunxiu.

Therefore, she believed that once the deed was done, the emperor would become infatuated with this woman, and although she would lose this one night, the benefits that Yunxiu could bring her would be immeasurable.

Should she agree to her request? There was still a lump in her throat; agreeing would leave her feeling somewhat unwilling.

A silence fell over the air. Yunxiu remained kneeling on the ground, her head bowed, but she could feel the sharpness in Empress Feng's gaze. However, despite her outward panic, she remained calm inside. She believed that Empress Feng would compromise, and that this was exactly what the Prince of Bohai was trying to control.