The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Yang Jingyu already harbored resentment towards Sima Yan, and now that Sima Yan was helping An Mi, she was naturally even more furious. She was so angry that she couldn't suppress it anymore, and without caring where she was, she unleashed her spoiled nature without reservation, saying, "You just wait and see if I can take your place!"

As she spoke, Yang Jingyu walked up to An Mi, clearly intending to teach An Mi a lesson herself. However, she did not notice that Empress Feng, who had already walked behind her, had an extremely gloomy expression!

Yang Jingyu was aggressive, but just as she was about to approach An Mi, An Mi suddenly curtsied in her direction. Yang Jingyu was taken aback and stopped, a haughty smirk playing on her lips. "Hmph, do you think you can get away with begging me?"

Yang Jingyu felt smug. She thought An Mi was a tough woman, but now it seemed she was just a timid and cowardly person.

An Mi twitched the corner of her mouth and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "You've misunderstood. This humble woman is performing this bow to welcome Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty be blessed!"

Yang Jingyu's expression changed, seemingly not quite reacting yet. However, she quickly sneered, "An Mi, do you still want to use the Empress to suppress me? My father is the Prime Minister, and even the Empress treats him with great respect. Even if I were to take your life in front of the Empress, she wouldn't say a word!"

Everyone present gasped in shock; Yang Jingyu was so outspoken!

Everyone was taken aback when they saw Empress Feng's expression. An Mi, on the other hand, felt a sense of satisfaction. She hadn't expected Yang Jingyu to dig such a pit for herself. Wasn't this just her own fault?

The Empress is the mother of the nation; how could she fear a mere subject? One can only imagine how Empress Feng must have felt upon hearing this.

"How dare you!" Han Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted sharply.

Immediately, all the young ladies except Yang Jingyu curtsied and bowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress!"

Yang Jingyu was still wondering who had uttered that "insolence" when she saw this scene and a bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart. When she turned around, she saw Empress Feng standing there with an unpleasant expression.

Yang Jingyu was startled and quickly curtsied, "Your Majesty the Empress... This humble woman... This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Yang Jingyu knew more or less that what she had just said was extremely disrespectful in front of the Empress. At this moment, she panicked and even stammered. Yang Jingyu quickly sorted out the situation in her mind and suddenly realized that An Mi had done it on purpose!

Empress Feng's ugly expression softened somewhat. She slowly walked up to Yang Jingyu, glanced at her, and then her gaze fell on An Mi. Empress Feng was incredibly shrewd. Was An Mi trying to provoke Yang Jingyu into saying such treasonous things, and was she using her to teach Yang Jingyu a lesson?

Empress Feng, who had long understood this, naturally did not want Anmi to get what she wanted. However, in the current situation, if she turned a blind eye to Yang Jingyu's "treasonous" behavior, anyone could trample her, the empress, under their feet behind her back.

Empress Feng narrowed her eyes as she looked at An Mi. An Mi, An Mi, your coercion has left me with no choice but to follow your wishes!

Ha, she knew all along that An Mi was not to be underestimated!

"Do you still need to pay your respects to me? Judging from your arrogance, you are far superior to me. Do you need me to give you a grand salute now?" Empress Feng said calmly, her icy tone sending chills down one's spine.

Yang Jingyu trembled and hurriedly explained, "This humble woman dares not, this humble woman dares not, Your Majesty, it was all her doing, she set this trap for me!"

Yang Jingyu pointed angrily at An Mi, her eyes filled with a desire to tear An Mi apart.

Empress Feng frowned. How could she not know that An Mi had set a trap? But even if she did know, she had no choice but to let Yang Jingyu fall into it!

"Someone come here." Empress Feng ignored Yang Jingyu's accusations and gave the order in a deep voice.

Just those two words were enough to make the already tense hearts of everyone present tremble. What was the Empress going to do?

Unlike Yang Jingyu's earlier command which went unanswered, Empress Feng's words were immediately met with palace servants coming to wait.

Everyone looked at Empress Feng, guessing her intentions, but only An Mi and Sima Yan remained clear-headed.

Empress Feng's sharp gaze swept over Yang Jingyu. "I didn't know that in this palace, besides the Emperor, there was anyone else who could make decisions for me!"

"Your Majesty...no..." Yang Jingyu cried out in her heart, hurriedly trying to defend herself, but Empress Feng did not give her a chance.

"Still trying to argue? Hanyu, slap her!" Empress Feng interrupted Yang Jingyu sharply, her imperial authority evident.

Han Yu didn't hesitate at all. Upon receiving the order, she immediately stepped forward. Before Yang Jingyu could even react, Han Yu slapped her across the face.

With a loud slap, even those who were listening couldn't help but tremble. Yang Jingyu's face immediately stung with pain, which spread across her left cheek. Then, another slap landed on her right cheek.

Empress Feng glanced at An Mi, but saw that she was calm and composed, as if nothing had happened. A hint of displeasure rose in Empress Feng's heart, but at this moment, she had no excuse to pursue An Mi. Empress Feng had to suppress her anger and instead focused her blame on Yang Jingyu.

"Today, I am in a very good mood and have invited you all to the palace because of your noble birth. Since you are from noble families, you should know what is important and how to conduct yourselves. In this palace, there are some things that should be said, but there are also some things that are not appropriate for your status to do!" Empress Feng's sharp and majestic gaze swept over everyone present, and every word she spoke carried endless power, capable of striking into people's hearts.

"Your Majesty is right." Everyone nodded in agreement, and suddenly felt as if the slap that hit Yang Jingyu's face had hit them as well.

Empress Feng was finally somewhat satisfied. Since she had achieved the effect she wanted, then Yang Jingyu… Empress Feng glanced at Yang Jingyu, “Hanyu.”

Han Yu, who was originally reprimanding Yang Jingyu, stopped, understanding Empress Feng's instructions. Yang Jingyu had already received enough punishment.

Sima Yan frowned. Empress Feng just let Yang Jingyu go like that?

But this seemed to be within An Mi's expectations. An Mi glanced at Empress Feng without leaving a trace, and their eyes met. An Mi gave a gentle smile that was so harmless that it made people grit their teeth in hatred.