The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Upon hearing this, almost everyone present was taken aback. Donating ten million taels of gold? Ten million taels of gold, or even ten million taels of silver, would not be a small sum for the Jin Dynasty's treasury. What did it mean that the King of Bohai was so generous?

Not only the officials present, but even Empress Feng, who was waiting to see the show, stopped smiling at that moment. What she saw was not just the millions of gold coins, but something much deeper.

Although Bai Yi presented the ten million taels of gold as a congratulatory gift to the Crown Prince, she understood that Bai Yi intended to use it to appease the Emperor and perhaps even secure his approval.

Empress Feng became worried. Ten million taels of gold was a considerable sum for the national treasury, and the Emperor had been troubled by the treasury's affairs recently. At this time, Bai Yi's ten million taels of gold was undoubtedly a huge temptation for the Emperor. The Emperor might actually grant An Mi and Bai Yi's marriage for the sake of these ten million taels of gold!

Bai Yi, Bai Yi, is he really that concerned about An Mi? To the point that he's willing to spend such a huge sum of money?

Empress Feng's gaze towards Bai Yi deepened. Everyone knew that the Prince of Bohai was the largest merchant in the Jin Dynasty, with his business empire spanning various fields. But no one knew just how vast his wealth truly was. Today, he had just asked for ten million taels of gold. What did this mean?

Empress Feng scrutinized Bai Yi, as if examining and probing. It seemed that she had previously underestimated Bai Yi! Or rather, she had underestimated him!

His wealth is probably unmatched by an entire country. If Bai Yi gains his assistance, he will be like a tiger with wings. But if he becomes Bai Yi's enemy, then...

Thinking of this, Empress Feng felt a sense of fear rising in her heart. That fear made it impossible for her to smile. Her face was filled with worry, and her fists were tightly clenched around her embroidered handkerchief. She was lost in thought.

Emperor Mingde maintained a serious expression, but his heart was in turmoil. Was Bai Yi trying to bribe him in public?

What did he take him, the ruler of a country, for?

How could he, the ruler of a nation, tolerate such humiliation from a mere subject? Yet, instead of venting his anger, he was forced to think of other things.

He shared the same shock as Empress Feng. Ten million taels of gold? How much wealth did Bai Yi possess behind those ten million taels of gold?

Over the years, nearly a third of the national treasury's silver came from Bai Yi. He thought that since Bai Yi had handed over the national treasury, the rest was not a threat. He believed that as long as he kept Bai Yi in check and made him continue to serve the court, he could manage. But now, he realized that his previous understanding was undoubtedly wrong!

Nothing to fear? Bai Yi's financial resources are now making even him wary!

How much wealth does he actually possess that is unknown to the public?

Emperor Mingde frowned, his gaze toward Bai Yi becoming increasingly sharp.

"What is Father Emperor's opinion?" Bai Yi's voice rang out again, his brows furrowing as if he had already taken control of everything.

This was a provocation in the eyes of everyone, including Emperor Mingde. Even An Mi, who was equally shocked by Bai Yi's wealth, felt a tightness in her heart and gripped Bai Yi's hand tightly, carefully watching Emperor Mingde's reaction, while also planning how she could come up with a way to deal with him when he got angry.

Although Bai Yi's gaze was fixed on Emperor Mingde, he could clearly sense the reactions of everyone else present. Shocked? Bai Yi's lips curled up imperceptibly. He understood everything, yet remained calm and composed. At this moment, he only cared about whether his goal could be achieved today.

The key to success... Emperor Mingde walked towards Bai Yi, and everyone watched his movements, guessing what he would do next.

Finally, Emperor Mingde walked up to Bai Yi once again, looked at him for a long time, and then his gaze fell on An Mi. A smile suddenly appeared on his face, which had been gloomy and expressionless just moments before. He raised his hand towards An Mi...

Just moments before, Qinglan was still reeling from the shock brought by Bai Yi. She subconsciously took a big step forward, intending to stand up and protect him, but she saw Emperor Mingde's hand fall on Anmi's hair, gently stroking it as if it were the care of an elder.

Qinglan was startled and canceled some of her movements. As Emperor Mingde's hand gently fell, Anmi's tense heart relaxed. She glanced at Baiyi beside her without leaving a trace, but saw that he showed no abnormality.

"Anmi, you are probably the most expensive bride in the world." Emperor Mingde's voice came slowly, so deep that it seemed only she could hear it. Anmi was stunned and looked up to meet Emperor Mingde's smiling eyes. Although he was smiling, the smile in his eyes was different from his tone just now. It sounded strange to her.

An Mi suddenly understood. Regardless of Emperor Mingde's true feelings when he said those words, she only knew that Bai Yi was not unconcerned about Emperor Mingde's actions, but rather that he was certain of Emperor Mingde's answer. Based on this, even if Emperor Mingde was unwilling, he would not do anything to her!

An Mi met Emperor Mingde's eyes again and smiled brightly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed, and he stared at An Mi for a long while before saying nothing more. He withdrew his large hand that had been gently stroking An Mi's hair, and as he turned his back, Emperor Mingde's deep and majestic voice reached everyone's ears...

"Guards, draft an imperial decree for me: An Shi Mi'er is virtuous, kind, and exceptionally intelligent; she is hereby bestowed upon the Prince of Bohai as his consort!"

Emperor Mingde sat back in his original seat, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone, suppressing those who thought he had compromised in front of Bai Yi.

Even if everyone had their own thoughts about this matter, they dared not show them. What a joke! He was the emperor. Even if he compromised, so what? They could only pretend that nothing had happened!

Emperor Mingde was pleased with his intimidation of the crowd. He narrowed his eyes and smiled. When he looked at Bai Yi again, his eyes were filled with affection. He continued, "Bai Yi, I will personally arrange your marriage. You two just need to wait for the wedding day!"

Everyone was slightly taken aback. The Emperor hadn't even personally worried about the marriage of the First Prince Qinglan, but the marriage of the Prince of Bohai... Everyone couldn't help but wonder if it was because of the ten million gold coins that the Prince of Bohai had just promised.

But Bai Yi and An Mi couldn't help but exchange a glance, understanding each other perfectly. Emperor Mingde's "concern" for their marriage, and his insistence on doing everything himself, might mean he truly valued them. However, this valuing was quite different from what everyone thought.

They all knew one thing in their hearts: although Emperor Mingde had agreed to the marriage, judging from the current situation, he wouldn't let them get married smoothly!

But Bai Yi didn't care much about this. Today, his goal was to get Emperor Mingde to promise the marriage in front of everyone. As for what obstacles Emperor Mingde might cause in the future, he had his own ways of dealing with it.