The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Empress Feng narrowed her eyes, then turned her gaze away and instructed Han Yu, "Miss Yang is tired, and she will probably have to miss today's banquet."

Empress Feng's intention was clearly to expel Yang Jingyu. Upon hearing this, Yang Jingyu's mind went blank, and her first reaction was to beg for mercy, "Your Majesty, this humble woman is not tired, this humble woman..."

"What are you still standing there for?" It was Han Yu who spoke. Han Yu glanced at the eunuchs beside him, and several eunuchs immediately stepped forward and lifted Yang Jingyu up.

Yang Jingyu felt the gazes of those young ladies fixed on her, and felt even more aggrieved than when she had been beaten. How could she bear to lose face by being kicked out of the banquet by the Empress?

Yang Jingyu was filled with resentment, but she was powerless to do anything about it. She could only be dragged by the eunuchs a long way away. Han Yu, who had caught up, ordered the eunuchs to put Yang Jingyu down. Only then did Yang Jingyu look at Han Yu, who had just taught her a lesson. Although she knew that the person in front of her was just a lowly person, he was still someone close to the Empress. She couldn't afford to offend him and was even a little afraid of him.

Han Yu noticed Yang Jingyu's cautious gaze, a smile playing on her lips, and stepped forward affectionately, saying, "Miss Yang, I hit you a little too hard just now, did it hurt you?"

Yang Jingyu frowned, unable to fathom Hanyu's thoughts, and swallowed hard. "Aunt Hanyu... I..."

"Don't be afraid. There were so many people around, Her Majesty had no choice but to do it. Actually, Her Majesty likes Miss Yang." Han Yu became even more enthusiastic. Seeing Yang Jingyu's stunned expression, she took her hand and said, "Miss Yang, in fact, Her Majesty the Empress has long taken a liking to you."

"This... I don't understand what Aunt Hanyu means." Perhaps it was the lesson she had just received that made Yang Jingyu less arrogant, and she no longer had the arrogance she had shown in front of An Mi.

Han Yu chuckled, "Do you know why Her Majesty summoned all the young ladies today?"

Han Yu paused, and seeing Yang Jingyu shake her head, Han Yu smiled even more meaningfully, "Your Majesty is choosing a wife for General Feng."

Yang Jingyu was taken aback, and suddenly realized that she had met General Feng Yu before. Although he was not a prince, he was more popular than some princes who had been granted fiefdoms in the Great Jin Dynasty.

She had heard about the beheading of Miss Yu, and it was understandable that the Empress would choose a new fiancée for General Feng. But the fact that Aunt Hanyu brought it up now... Just as this question was forming in Yang Jingyu's mind, Hanyu's voice rang out again...

"Her Majesty the Empress originally intended for you to be the General's wife, but who knew... Alas, who could have imagined that you would be so disrespectful to Her Majesty the Empress..." Han Yu sighed, and after speaking, she looked deeply at Yang Jingyu, shook her head with regret, and then turned to leave.

Yang Jingyu realized something and quickly grabbed Hanyu, but she didn't see the strange look that was faintly appearing on Hanyu's lips.

"Aunt Hanyu, are you telling the truth? I didn't mean to be disrespectful to Her Majesty just now. It was Anmi, she..." Yang Jingyu mentioned Anmi, and now that she knew Anmi had ruined her plans, she hated Anmi even more. "Anmi, I will never let her get away with this!"

A triumphant smile played on Han Yu's lips. She remained silent. How could Yang Jingyu be willing to let this good thing slip away from her? She racked her brains for a solution, her mind filled with only one thought: she had to salvage something!

"Aunt Hanyu, please help me! If I become the general's wife, I will never forget Aunt Hanyu's great kindness!" Yang Jingyu knew that if she wanted to win back the empress's favor, this close maid might be of great help.

However, she didn't know that her request was exactly what Han Yu wanted to hear. "Do you really want to be the general's wife?"

Yang Jingyu nodded eagerly, "Yes, of course I want to!"

How could she not want such a good thing? Putting aside General Feng Yu's dashing appearance, the fact that he was a member of the Feng family was enough to attract countless women to want to be his wife.

Yang Jingyu's eyes sparkled with excitement, but sensing Aunt Hanyu's teasing, half-smiling expression, she froze, then awkwardly forced a smile. "Aunt Hanyu, Jingyu..."

"Hehe, General Feng Yu is a handsome man, so there's nothing to be ashamed of if you admire him. But what about the Empress..." Aunt Hanyu sighed and shook her head helplessly.

Yang Jingyu became anxious, realizing that Aunt Hanyu's sigh was because she had offended Empress Feng earlier. She grabbed Aunt Hanyu's sleeve tightly, "Aunt Hanyu, everyone knows that you are a favorite of the Empress. Your words carry weight with the Empress. Please, Aunt, plead with the Empress for me. I will remember your great kindness."

Aunt Hanyu stared at Yang Jingyu and chuckled, "Great kindness...hehe, no need for great kindness. I can see that you genuinely want to marry General Feng. I really like your heart. It wouldn't hurt to put in a good word for you with the Empress. After all, I just feel a sense of closeness to you when I look at you."

Han Yu's attitude delighted Yang Jingyu, who then became excited. "Really? You're really willing to help me? That's wonderful! Thank you, Aunt Han Yu. Jingyu... Jingyu will always remember Aunt Han Yu's kindness to Jingyu."

"Hehe, look how happy you are. I think you and General Feng are a perfect match, both in appearance and status. You and General Feng are a match made in heaven. However..." Aunt Hanyu frowned and stopped speaking.

Yang Jingyu's previously high spirits sank. "Aunt, but what?"

"Ah, General Feng wasn't very satisfied with the marriage to Yu Ling'er before. Do you know why?" Aunt Hanyu lowered her voice and asked mysteriously.

"Why?" Yang Jingyu naturally knew about Feng Yu and Yu Ling'er's marriage, but regardless of whether Feng Yu had feelings for Yu Ling'er, Yu Ling'er was dead, which was a fact. Yu Ling'er couldn't just come out of the underworld and steal her man, could she?

But Aunt Hanyu's mystery made her wary.

"Although I am just a servant, I have seen a lot in this palace over the years. Tell me, Yu Ling'er, who wouldn't like this marriage, given her background and appearance? But General Feng is against it. Can you figure out the reason?" Han Yu subtly guided Yang Jingyu, but Yang Jingyu seemed completely bewildered. This made Han Yu frown. The Empress had chosen Yang Jingyu, but this girl only had an arrogant and domineering nature; her mind was probably not sharp enough. I wonder if she could succeed!

But the Empress had already made her decision, and she only hoped that Yang Jingyu would be a useful pawn.

As Han Yu pondered, Yang Jingyu was also thinking, and snorted coldly, "So what if Yu Ling'er has status and looks? General Feng has high standards and doesn't think much of her, but I, Jingyu, am different."