The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

When the news reached the palace, Emperor Mingde was furious. However, he didn't know how to vent his anger. He had just suffered a loss at Bai Yi's hands, and now that damned Anmi had brought the flames of prosperity to the capital. Was this a challenge to his authority?

Anmi, oh Anmi, this woman is truly a thorn in my side that's hard to get rid of!

Emperor Mingde was furious, but before he could devise a countermeasure, he knew he absolutely could not act rashly.

Inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Mingde sat at his desk, looking at the stack of memorials before him. He cleared his mind, picked up a memorial to review, but as he opened it, his brows furrowed again. Seeing the emperor's frown, Eunuch Qin, who was standing beside him, felt a pang of unease and became even more cautious. He couldn't help but wonder what was written on the memorial that made the emperor so solemn.

As Eunuch Qin observed, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and his originally solemn expression softened. After a moment of silence, Emperor Mingde put down the memorial and suddenly said, "Qinglan should indeed take a concubine!"

Qinglan is the eldest prince and should have married a concubine long ago, but he disappeared a few years ago without a trace, so it was delayed. Since his return, he has been busy with state affairs. He brought it up a few times, but Qinglan always brushed it off. He thought it would be good for Qinglan to make some achievements in the court first. However, at this moment, when he thought of Qinglan's protection of Na'anmi at the Ghost Festival banquet, he had to be more careful.

It would be good to settle Qinglan's marriage quickly. That Anmi, I really don't know where she gets her charm from. It's not enough that the third brother is infatuated with her, the eldest brother is too...

Emperor Mingde let out a deep breath, having already made up his mind.

"The eldest prince is indeed quite old. Most young men from ordinary families would already have children by this age. Does Your Majesty have a preferred candidate?" Eunuch Qin asked tentatively, vaguely guessing that the memorial he had just heard was related to the eldest prince.

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the memorial. His deep voice rang out again, "Sima Yan, the eldest daughter of the Yonghou family, is indeed a good candidate. I have met that woman before; she is dignified and elegant, meeting the requirements for a royal daughter-in-law. However, the Yonghou family's power is too great!"

Qin Gonggong was taken aback. What did the Emperor mean by that? Was the Yonghou Mansion too powerful? Was the Emperor afraid that the First Prince would have more power in the struggle for the throne if he gained the support of the Yonghou Mansion?

Could it be that the Emperor's preferred heir to the throne is still the Second Prince?

He was a servant, and by all accounts, he shouldn't have guessed the emperor's thoughts, much less have pried into or commented on the princes. However, he had to admit that the eldest prince was more capable of being an emperor than the second prince.

With Empress Feng and her family behind the Second Prince, if the Second Prince were to ascend the throne in the future, the entire Jin Dynasty would likely fall into a situation where the maternal relatives hold power!

With the Emperor being so astute, he should naturally have thought of this!

Indeed, Emperor Mingde was well aware of this, which is why he was particularly cautious in dealing with the heir to the throne. Emperor Mingde's deep eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was pondering something. In the imperial study, apart from the soft breathing, no other sound could be heard. After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Mingde finally spoke, "Very well, upon careful consideration, the Yonghou family is a good choice. This marriage can be settled. Draft an edict now, and I will bestow marriage upon the two of them."

Eunuch Qin hurriedly accepted the order, prepared paper and pen, and quickly wrote down the decree on behalf of Emperor Mingde, presenting it to him. Emperor Mingde looked at his decision, remained silent for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, and then, as if he had thought of something, the depth in his eyes intensified.

"Your Majesty, is something amiss?" Eunuch Qin had served Emperor Mingde for many years and was well-versed in the art of reading people's expressions. Seeing a slight change in Emperor Mingde's expression, he immediately became vigilant and served him with utmost caution.

Emperor Mingde frowned. "How is General Feng's injury recently?"

Eunuch Qin was somewhat surprised, not expecting the Emperor to suddenly mention General Feng. So the reason he had frowned earlier was also because of General Feng.

"Your Majesty, it is said that General Feng's injuries have improved. He even went to the palace the day before yesterday to pay his respects to the Empress. It seems that he is no longer in serious condition," Eunuch Qin reported truthfully.

Emperor Mingde's expression shifted slightly, and he murmured softly, "Is he alright?"

"Does His Majesty intend to summon General Feng?" Eunuch Qin asked boldly.

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed, his expression turning sharp. "Summon him? Hmph, do you know what he discussed when he went to the Empress's palace to pay his respects?"

Eunuch Qin was taken aback. "This servant is terrified. When masters are discussing matters, who would dare to inquire?"

Emperor Mingde's gaze fell coldly on Eunuch Qin, and he said in a low voice, "Master? Remember, your only master is me! You have served me for so many years, and I have seen through all your little schemes. In this palace, if you didn't have your own connections, you wouldn't have been able to hold your position for so many years."

Qin Gonggong's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly knelt on the ground, his expression becoming even more flustered, and he even broke out in a cold sweat. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This servant has done his best and has always been devoted to Your Majesty. I have never had any disloyal intentions. Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly."

Emperor Mingde chuckled. "Get up. If you had any disloyal intentions, I would have dealt with you long ago. Get up and tell me everything you know!"

Eunuch Qin breathed a slight sigh of relief. Indeed, he knew quite a few people in the palace, and it was easy for him to inquire about things from some of the junior eunuchs. In this palace, he had to know more and understand the movements of more people in order to ensure his position!

"Your Majesty, according to the information I have gathered, General Feng visited the Empress, paid his respects, and chatted about everyday matters. The Empress also gave General Feng some instructions..." Eunuch Qin lowered his head, seemingly hesitating on how to begin.

This pause made Emperor Mingde anxious, and his expression became even more serious. "What do you want him to do? Speak quickly!"

Emperor Mingde's urging made Eunuch Qin anxious, and he hurriedly said, "This servant has learned that the Empress has instructed General Feng not to act rashly and to marry Miss Yuling'er as soon as possible, lest things get complicated."

As soon as Eunuch Qin finished speaking, Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his hand hard on the table. The sound was so loud that even the palace servants waiting outside the imperial study could hear it clearly, and they were all startled and dared not utter a sound.

"Hmph, things can get complicated, very complicated indeed." Emperor Mingde gritted his teeth and said. How could he not know what Empress Feng was up to by arranging this marriage? Thinking of what happened with Yunxiu last time, he still had an unresolved knot in his heart. This woman was truly thinking of paving the way for his son's future, no, she was thinking of paving the way for her Feng family!