The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Empress Feng's strength lies in her ability to shrewdly assess the situation and weigh the gains and losses. However, this very strength is also her weakness at this moment. The more she weighs the gains and losses, the easier it is for her to fall into her schemes.

As expected, Empress Feng stared at Yunxiu kneeling on the ground for a long time, took a deep breath, looked away, and said indifferently, "Fine, I agree to your request. However, as I said before, how can I know whether you will remember your promise to me after you get what you want?"

What she wanted was Yunxiu's complete obedience!

Yunxiu was a clever woman, so she naturally understood. "What does Your Majesty wish Yunxiu to do?"

Empress Feng's gaze narrowed, and she turned her attention back to Yunxiu. Her eyes sent chills down anyone's spine, as if she were plotting something.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Empress Feng spoke, "Will you do whatever I ask of you?"

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders." Yunxiu met Empress Feng's eyes firmly. When she saw a hint of ruthlessness in Empress Feng's eyes, Yunxiu was still taken aback. What was Empress Feng going to do?

"Hehe...Alright, so you'll do as I say? Then I won't stand on ceremony." Empress Feng chuckled, her eyes narrowing as she gave Han Yu a wink. "Take out the small porcelain bottle I kept in the box."

Upon hearing this, Han Yu frowned slightly, and the surprise in her eyes made Yun Xiu feel uneasy.

Han Yu said nothing and followed Empress Feng's instructions. Not long after, when she returned, she had a small porcelain bottle in her hand. It was a very exquisite little porcelain bottle, but in Yun Xiu's eyes, it was particularly glaring.

What's inside? Yunxiu knew very well that this was no ordinary thing; otherwise, Empress Feng wouldn't have taken it out so carefully. Yunxiu watched as the porcelain bottle was placed in Empress Feng's hands, and the smile on Empress Feng's face became noticeably brighter.

"Do you know what this is?" Empress Feng's lips curled up into a wider smile as she stroked the porcelain vase in her hand, a gesture that carried an indescribable wickedness.

"I don't know," Yunxiu replied. "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"Hehe, Yunxiu, this is a good thing. Have you ever heard of the Gu from the Southern Frontier?" As soon as Empress Feng finished speaking, she saw Yunxiu's eyes flicker, with a hint of shock and fear. Empress Feng felt a sense of satisfaction. "The Southern Frontier is rich in Gu. Many years ago, the Southern Frontier submitted to my Great Jin Dynasty, and they brought many treasures with them. The Gu in my hand came from the Southern Frontier. You just said that you would obey my orders. So now, I want you to eat it."

Yunxiu froze, "Your Majesty..."

Gu? If she swallows it, she'll be completely controlled by Empress Feng!

"What's wrong? Afraid to eat it? Hehe, don't worry, although it's a poison, it won't kill you. I'm just seeking a guarantee, in case one day you don't listen to me... Hehe, I know that Yunxiu, you are not only beautiful, but also very clever. You won't disobey me, so even if you eat it, it won't make a difference, right?" Empress Feng stepped forward and personally helped Yunxiu up, her tone exceptionally gentle.

Whether she eats it or not makes no difference, but she insists that Yunxiu eat it. Even if Yunxiu is thinking of betraying her, she will have no choice but to do so.

Yunxiu, oh Yunxiu, just now she was thinking that she only needed to grasp one important handle on Yunxiu, but since Yunxiu was so eager to take the Emperor's favor tonight, then she would naturally make her pay a higher price.

Yunxiu's lips twitched, a troubled expression appearing on her beautiful face, which also possessed a unique charm. Empress Feng, however, quite liked her expression at this moment. She lowered her brows and urged again, "Yunxiu, don't you want to eat? Fine, I won't force you..."

Just as Empress Feng finished speaking, Yunxiu said, "Your Majesty, Yunxiu will eat."

Empress Feng smiled with satisfaction, "Hehe, alright, then I'll give it to you."

As she spoke, Empress Feng handed the porcelain bottle to Yunxiu. Yunxiu accepted the bottle without any further hesitation, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Yunxiu knew she had to eat it!

Taking a deep breath, Yunxiu poured out a pill under Empress Feng's gaze, put it in her mouth and slowly swallowed it. Empress Feng narrowed her sharp eyes, "Yunxiu, from now on, every three months, I will give you a pill that will calm the Gu poison in your body. As long as you are obedient, I will not mistreat you."

Empress Feng felt smug. Now, Yunxiu was completely under her control, and she was determined to make this pawn play its greatest role for the sake of her son!

Yunxiu nodded without saying anything more. Now that she had fulfilled Empress Feng's wish, what would happen next...?

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the main hall. Empress Feng frowned, glanced at Yunxiu, and said, "Hanyu, take Yunxiu away. I will make arrangements for her later."

Upon receiving the order, Han Yu led Yun Xiu into the inner hall. Empress Feng straightened her clothes, making sure her makeup was flawless, before heading towards the door to greet her. When Emperor Mingde entered, he saw Empress Feng greeting him with a warm smile. Recalling the elegance and magnanimity Empress Feng had displayed today, he quickly stepped forward and took her hand as she was about to curtsy, saying, "Empress, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It is only natural for Your Majesty to wait for me. I am just a little worried about Your Majesty. Are you hungry or tired from reading memorials so late?" Empress Feng said gently, perfectly embodying the virtue of a wife.

"Hehe, the Empress is the most considerate." Emperor Mingde smiled with satisfaction. "It's getting late, let's rest first."

As he spoke, he was about to walk into the inner hall, but how could Empress Feng allow him to go in like that?

"Your Majesty..." Empress Feng immediately called out to Emperor Mingde.

"What's wrong?" Emperor Mingde turned around, his brows furrowed slightly.

Empress Feng twitched the corners of her mouth. "Your Majesty, today is the Ghost Festival, and I haven't had a proper drink with Your Majesty yet."

Emperor Mingde's gaze then fell upon the table laden with food and wine, and he heard Empress Feng's voice continue...

"Your Majesty, I have prepared this feast especially for you and have been waiting for you for a long time..."

"Very well, since the Empress wishes to drink, then I shall have a drink with you." Emperor Mingde felt a pang of guilt.

Empress Feng was delighted and quickly pulled Emperor Mingde to sit down. She poured two cups of wine herself, respectfully handing one to Emperor Mingde, and the two began to drink.

Empress Feng's initial purpose in preparing this feast was to add some romance to the two of them. However, at this moment, the purpose of this feast for Empress Feng was no longer so simple. When she agreed to Yunxiu's request, she knew that only by getting Emperor Mingde drunk could their plan to force the issue into a fait accompli take shape.