The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Bai Yili narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then a bright smile appeared on his face. "Liu'er is here, shall we not discuss this matter for now?"

An Mi glanced at Liu'er, who was sitting on Bai Yi's lap, gazing at her expectantly. She was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. She knew how much Liu'er depended on her.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Soon after, Uncle Ji led someone in. Bai Yi frowned when he saw the person. Qing Lan? What was he doing at his residence? You know, they rarely interacted!

Bai Yi, being shrewd, understood Qing Lan's purpose in coming here and immediately found the clothes he was wearing particularly irritating.

He couldn't possibly not recognize that embroidery; it was something that only An Mi could embroider, and it had appeared on Qing Lan's clothes!

"Uncle Ji, when the eldest prince comes to the manor to see me, I should lead him to the main hall, serve him fine tea, and treat him well. Why did I bring him here?" Bai Yi said unhappily.

Before Uncle Ji could speak, Qinglan's voice rang out, "Third brother is wrong, I'm here to see Mi'er."

Qinglan glanced at Bai Yi. Mi'er wasn't even his wife yet, but he was already acting like a jealous husband. Heh, she had never seen the third brother like this before.

He had heard about what had happened some time ago and even guessed some inside information that others didn't know. He had to admit that the third brother's actions were too bold and too crazy. If it were him, he might not have had such courage and determination.

However… Qinglan’s gaze fell on An Mi, a smile playing on her lips, and she strode forward, “Mi’er, do you still remember the promise we made in Rongjin City? We’ve been reunited for quite some time now, you can’t keep owing me this drink.”

An Mi twitched the corners of her mouth, feeling Bai Yi glare at her with a sharp look. The meaning couldn't be clearer; it was a blatant message to her: You dare to agree to drink with him and see what happens!

"Mi'er, I've already prepared the wine. You're not going to let me drink it all by myself, are you?" Qinglan spoke again, his eyes filled with reproach as he looked at An Mi. It seemed that refusing would be a cruel thing for him.

Thinking back to Qinglan's care and help to her, and that day at the Ghost Festival banquet, if it weren't for Qinglan's people, she would probably have fallen into Consort Rong's trap long ago. Qinglan helped her again, so she couldn't refuse his invitation to drink.

An Mi deliberately ignored Bai Yi's gaze and a bright smile bloomed on her face. "An Mi promised, and naturally she will not go back on her word. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has already prepared the wine, then An Mi will respectfully accept it."

The address "Your Highness the First Prince" seemed to deliberately create distance between them, and a hint of disappointment flashed through Qinglan's heart. However, with Anmi's consent, that disappointment was quickly replaced by joy. "Alright, let's go then!"

An Mi nodded, and was about to take a step when she heard Bai Yi's voice, "An Mi..."

The tone was so heavy it seemed to have crashed down from the sky, even making An Mi pause in surprise. Uncle Ji, standing beside her, tensed up even more. The reason he brought Qing Lan in was because he vaguely felt that the eldest prince also had feelings for An Mi. If he could snatch An Mi away, then the prince wouldn't anger the emperor for An Mi's sake anymore. Although he admired An Mi and increasingly felt that this woman was worthy of the prince, he was still somewhat bothered by her status.

This is bad; the prince is clearly showing signs of anger...

Uncle Ji couldn't help but feel a little regretful. Just as he was filled with worry, he saw a smile bloom on the originally sharp face of the King of Bohai. He then chuckled and said, "If there's wine to drink, how can I be left out? Eldest brother, you don't mind having your third brother along, do you? Since you don't mind, then let's go together!"

Before Qinglan could answer, Bai Yi made his own decision, gave Qinglan and Anmi a deep look, smiled slyly, and strode past them towards the courtyard gate.

Heh, what a joke! Of course, he wouldn't give Qinglan a chance to refuse. Hmph, want to drink? He'll keep her company!

Qinglan watched Bai Yi's retreating figure, her brows furrowed tightly. She knew exactly what Bai Yi was thinking. "Let's go!"

Anmi, who had been unable to suppress the twitching at the corner of her mouth because of Bai Yi's cunning actions, gave an awkward smile and said nothing more.

Inside a secluded and tranquil courtyard, brightly lit, lay the property of the First Prince's residence. Quiet and elegant, the courtyard's layout felt strangely familiar to An Mi as she entered. After a few steps, An Mi suddenly realized who it was. Bai Yi, equally astute, glanced discreetly at Qing Lan, dressed in a blue brocade robe, and remarked casually, "I never expected my eldest brother to have such refined tastes. If I didn't know we were in the capital, I might have mistaken it for the An residence in Rongjin City when I entered!"

Indeed, this courtyard was designed by Qinglan himself, and arranged according to Rong Jincheng's An Mansion. He put a lot of thought into this.

Qinglan smiled slightly. In that instant, Anmi seemed to see the Qinglan in Rongjin City, who was like a gentle breeze, warming people's hearts. "It's just that I miss those times and have more memories."

In fact, this courtyard was prepared by him for An Mi. He and An Mi met at the An Mansion, which could be said to be the time he cherished most. Qing Lan's gentle gaze did not shy away from Bai Yi's presence at all, and fell on An Mi with a hint of hesitation. He had thought more than once whether An Mi would accept this house if he gave it to her, but every time he thought about An Mi's possible rejection, he was afraid of the idea.

"Mi'er..." Qinglan hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, a voice in his heart exceptionally clear: He would give it to her, and even if she refused, he would not have any regrets for not speaking up.

The things Bai Yi did some time ago have increased his pressure. No matter what the outside world said about the reason why his father canceled the marriage between Bai Yi and Yun Xiu, he learned more about the inside story through the information reported by his people. Bai Yi, oh Bai Yi, he has fooled everyone, even his father!

The Emperor has agreed to let Bai Yi decide his own marriage. Although it has not been made public, it is not a secret to him. Bai Yi now has enough leverage to make him worry.

“If Mi’er misses Rong Jincheng, it would be a good thing to make this courtyard her home and ease her homesickness.” Qinglan finally spoke up and invited her, gazing at An Mi. She clearly saw An Mi pause for a moment, then her eyes flickered slightly. Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat. She saw a hint of rejection in An Mi’s eyes, and a sense of disappointment welled up inside her.

Bai Yi saw it all and knew what An Mi was planning. She had just mentioned returning to Rongjin City at the Bohai Prince's Mansion. Since she had no intention of staying in the capital, how could she accept Qing Lan's "kindness"?